It is very encouraging to see the New Zealand churches responding and finally standing up in opposition to the Abortion Legislation bill. Letters have been sent to Jacinda Ardern from New Zealand’s Church leaders expressing major concern over this bill.

Church leaders in Auckland have sent Jacinda Ardern a letter condemning the bill (See below), Christchurch leaders have now joined in opposition to it. We believe other churches are following with more statements. This is truly unprecedented in New Zealand and signals the awakening of a sleeping giant.

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A letter to the Prime Minister & Members of Parliament from the Christian Churches of Canterbury

Dear Prime Minister & Members of Parliament,

The Christian Churches of Canterbury which are listed below, who represent 21,356 people within our great nation, wish to strongly state their opposition to the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill which is currently being considered.
Both science and reason point to the fact that those within the womb are no less human than those outside of the womb, only differing in terms of their size, level of development, environment, and degree of dependency.
As the current elected government, you have been entrusted with the weighty responsibility of protecting the human rights of every living New Zealander, especially those who are the most defenceless and vulnerable.
In the attempt to uphold the rights of some New Zealanders, this Abortion Legislation Bill fatally terminates the rights of others, which is why we urge you to reconsider your support of this Bill, and vote NO at the 3rd and final reading.
In this final hour, we pray that you will have the courage to make the right decision, standing up for the rights of those kiwis who are without a voice.

On behalf of the following Christian Churches in Canterbury:

• Ps Jason Winslade, Redemption Church
• Ps Joe Fleener, Rolleston Baptist Church
• Ps Nick Clevely, Covenant Grace Baptist Church
• Ps Rob Harrod, Grace Baptist Church
• Ps Mark Pavelka & Ps Wendy Gerrling, Gleniti Baptist Church
• Rev Dave Clancey, Trinity South Christchurch
• Rev James de Costobadie, Latimer Church
• Rev Andrew Allan-Johns, Anchor Charismatic Anglican
• Ps Tony Blackie, Beckenham Baptist Church
• Ps Andrew de Vries, Reformed Church of Bishopdale
• Ps Andre Powell, Cornerstone Church Rolleston
• Ps Jon Hales, Riverside Community Church
• Rev Toby Behan, Anglican Life Rangiora
• Ps Max Palmer, Life Church International
• Ps David Waldron, Reformed Church of Christchurch
• Ps Elijah Wong, Christchurch Chinese Abundant Life Church
• Rev Dr Stephen McNabb, Christ Church Roimata
• Ps Warren Gouman, C3 Church Christchurch
• Rev Andy Carley, All Saints Anglican Church
• Ps Pat Lamborn, Connect Church Christchurch
• Ps Murray Woodfield, Calvary Chapel Christchurch
• Ps Ben & Amy Kendrew, Arise Church Christchurch
• Ps Albert Couperus, Reformed Church of Rangiora
• Rev Dr Clint Ussher, The Well Church
• Ps Gideon Hoekend, Harmony Church
• Ps Lincoln Rout, Rutland Street Church
• Ps David MacGregor, Grace Vineyard Church
• Ps Bruce Fraser, Rechurch
• Ps Kathleen Macdonald, Restoration Ministries
• Ps Hamish Gallowy, Hope Presbyterian Network
• Ps Kerry Brewerton, Rangiora Baptist Church
• Ps Jared van Berkel, Thrive Church
• Ps Gavin Topp, Oikos Ministries International
• Rev Jay Behan, St Stephen’s (Church of Confessing Anglicans)
• Ps Ken Shelley, King’s Church
• Ps Nigel Ripley, Burwood Christian Centre
• Rev Peter Hurricks, Anglican Parish of Halswell & Prebbleton
• Ps Bill Avenell, Ashburton Baptist Church
• Ps William Lopez, Jesus Is Lord Church
• Rev Dr Peter Carrell, Anglican Bishop of Christchurch
• Rev John Fox, Christian Disability Trust
• Ps Daniel Wu, Canterbury Chinese Christian Church
• Ps Bernhard Wewege, Every Nation Church
• Ps Andy van Ameyde, Reformed Church of Dovedale
• Rev Joshua Taylor, St John’s Anglican Church

On behalf of the Christchurch Church leaders

Pastor Jason Winslade.

Redemption Church

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A letter to the Prime Minister & Members of Parliament from the Auckland leaders

“Dear Prime Minister,

The Christian Churches listed below wish to strongly state our opposition to the proposed Abortion Legislation Bill, in that these radical and extreme proposals completely ignore any and all human rights of the unborn child.

We urge you as our Prime Minister, and other members of Parliament, to reconsider your stand regarding this piece of legislation and vote NO at the upcoming 3rd and final reading.

• Ps Tak Bhana, Senior Pastor, Church Unlimited
•  Ps Paul de Jong, Senior Pastor, LIFE
• Ps Jonathan Dove, Chair for Auckland Church Leaders, & Senior Pastor, Greenlane Christian Centre
• Most Rev Patrick Dunn, Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Catholic Diocese of Auckland
• Ps Steve Green, Elim Churches of NZ
• Ps Brian Kelly, Calvary Chapel
• Rev Dr Stuart Lange, National Director, New Zealand Christian Network
• Rev Andrew Marshall, Alliance churches
• Ps Sam Monk, National Leader Acts Churches New Zealand & Senior Pastor Equippers Church
• Ps Lui Ponifasio, CCCNZ Churches Auckland & LifeChurch NZ
• Ps Dean Rush, C3 Auckland
• Ps Jim Shaw, New Life Churches
• Ps Kok Soon Lee, Chinese Churches NZ
• Rev David Waldron, Rev John Haverland, Pieter van der Wel and John van Dyk (The Synodical Interim Committee) of the Reformed Churches of New Zealand
• Ps Jason Winslade, Redemption Church
• Rev. Paul Allen-Baines, Chairman Congregational Union of New Zealand (Auckland District)
•  Ps. Brent Douglas, Encounter Christian Churches
• The Ven Dr Lyndon Drake, Archdeacon of Tamaki Makaurau, Maori Anglican Pihopatanga o Te Tai Tokerau
•  Ps. Iliafi Esera, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God in NZ
• Ps. Sanjai Kandregula, Executive Presbytery, Assemblies of God, and Senior Pastor Our City Church
• Ps. Boyd Ratnaraja and Ps Steve Green, Elim Churches of NZ

On behalf of Auckland Church Leaders,

Ps Jonathan Dove
Chairperson
Auckland Church Leaders”