East Coast Bays Action Group dinner

The East Coast Bays Action Group held a dinner in June 2010, with the aim of raising enough money to fill a van with Bibles for distribution in Pakistan.

Mobile Christian bookshop, Lahore, Pakistan

Several churches from the East Coast Bays were represented amongst the 160 people who gathered together for fellowship and dinner at the Northcross Community Church in Brown's Bay.

The guest speaker at the dinner was Francis Burdett, attending his first action group event as CEO of Bible Society New Zealand.

In an interview with, Don Bycroft, the Chairperson of the Action Group, Francis highlighted the long tradition of Bible Society in "getting Bibles into people's hands and hearts", and the need to embrace new communication technologies to continue this mission in today's society as we move into the future.

Later in the evening Francis spoke on the challenges facing Christians in Pakistan, who account for just 1.5% of the 177 million population, and where 70% of the people are considered to be living in poverty.

A DVD was shown in which the General Secretary of Bible Society Pakistan, Anthony Lamuel, expressed that "the distribution of Bibles is a challenging task for Bible Society staff. We are thankful to the Lord that still we are distributing Bibles more than before. We believe that God's hand always protects us and new distribution doors open to continue our ministry."

Francis also relayed a recent conversation he had with Anthony, who expressed "how appreciative and blessed all at Bible Society Pakistan feel because of the support (both prayer and financial) provided to the mission by Bible Society supporters in New Zealand."

Musical items from members of the Sandeep Jeewan Church (a Pakistani Church in Auckland), and from soloist Oneal Mendosa, provided much appreciated entertainment.

A big thank you goes out to all who made this wonderful event possible with a special note of thanks to our caterers, Cely & Jim Milmine and their team.

In the closing words of Francis Burdett: "Thank you for your interest in, your partnership with and your prayers for Bible Society in New Zealand and Pakistan, and may the Lord richly bless you for your generosity as you assist in making sure His Word, the Bible, gets into the hands and hearts of needy people."