The Orchard exists to do two things, ‘to show and to share Jesus’ love and compassion to others’. In this light it is our vision to ‘reflect Jesus’ love and compassion’ we must be active in this vision to achieve our mission. 

But visions, missions – what are they really? (more…)

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The Orchard was formally known as Beatty Ave Bible Chapel.

We renamed ourselves in 2006, when we moved from our Beatty Ave location to MacLoughlin Drive. It made sense to call ourselves The Orchard because we replaced a kiwifruit orchard with our new building. The new name talks about growth, which is exactly what we are about.

The Orchard is a place to grow and everything we do as a church is based around growing mature followers of Christ who love God, connect to others and serve.

The Orchard is a big family, comprising the very old, the very young and every age in between. We love getting together on Sunday morning for church as a family, all ages together in one place.

Like any healthy family The Orchard is a place where you can come as you are. There is no need to dress up or pretend. We are a safe place to check out Christianity and to discover what a relationship with Christ looks like.

The Orchard meets Sunday’s at 10.00am, 20 MacLoughlin Drive, Te Puke. In addition to our contemporary, relaxed family service, we also offer great children’s and youth programs. You can find more details about those on this website.

Once again, welcome! Please feel free to explore our site, send us a message (below), or ring for more information.

Wired is a program for children throughout the Sunday service at The Orchard. A typical program would include: songs, games, prayers, bible story, and activities to help remember the lesson. Some of the activities we have had are: making a cross necklace, baking scones, dressing up Joseph in his colourful coat.  Also the children are given a bible verse to take home and learn.  There are prizes for those that regularly learn their bible verse. Each year during Term 4 the children put on a production for the parents showing what they have been learning. This would be practiced during our Wired program times, with possibly one dress rehearsal on the Saturday, before the production on the Sunday Morning.  The children look forward to being involved in this. During the school holidays the WIRED leaders take a couple of Sunday’s break, but there is still something organized for the children on those days.  WIRED starts again on the Sunday prior to school beginning for that term.

Sharlene
Phone 07 5736803 

The Orchard has seven Elders.  Kerry Storey, Des Langdon, Barry Jones, David Auld, Murray McBride, Nigel Davison and Mike Edwards .

Kerry Storey (Chairman)

I have been married to my lovely wife, Dianne, for 29 years. We have two boys, Glen 25 years and Dale 22 years. We moved to the BOP in 2000 and I have worked on gold orchards driving Ferrari’s most days since then.

Most of my previous career has been within the dairy industry, with involvement in Christian Camping, Church Youth Co-ordinator, and pumping petrol.

I was brought up in a Christian family, who regularly attended Church. At the age of 10 I clearly knew one night that I needed to ask Jesus Christ to be my Saviour and forgive my sin. I did this as simply a 10 year old could do by myself, and then later that night told Mum and Dad what I had done.

Around the age of 15 I publicly showed, by being baptised, that I wanted to have Jesus Christ lead and guide my life. I still do today and don’t regret those earlier decisions. We have had many difficult and trailing times, but I can say that God has always been there for us and through those times.

My main interest has really been the local Church and family, but lately I have tried my hand at some photography as a hobby. I guess when you put two of those together it sums up my passion, and that is seeing families together as they should be, which should demonstrate the local Church, as well as the local church being able to help in this area.

One of my favourite Bible verses would be Philippians 4 verse 13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength” The previous verses talk about being content in all circumstances, I like this verse particularly for me through struggling with low self esteem, so it encourages me that things are to be done in God’s strength.

As far as my position as an Elder goes, I feel very responsible for decisions made and very small in the fact of “Why me” From my point of view I am no different then anyone else and am no more spiritual than anyone else. We have all been given different tasks to do, mine happens to be eldership. As a Church (a body of people, not the building) we all need to work together in unity to serve and follow our Lord

Mike Edwards

I am the proud father of six and the undeserving husband of one amazing woman.
That amazing woman is Julie and together we live with our six great kids, Sam, Luke, Kalee, Jessie, McKenzie and Jack.  

Julie is a home mum and somehow manages to find time to home school the kids in amongst all the other busyness of life.

 Mike describes himself as “An unworthy soul, who depends greatly on the unwavering grace of God.” He often feels he doesn’t measure up in life so endeavours to “run the race all that harder” and invites everyone to “run the race together”

Barry Jones

Barry was born in New Plymouth and bought up in the back country of Taranaki, His family belonged to a small Church in New Plymouth where he was baptised as a teenager he later met Faye at Youth group, they were married in 1972 and have 3 children and 5 grandchildren (with two more on the way). All of whom attend the Orchard along with Barry’s parents. They moved to Te Puke area in 1977 to farm and grow kiwifruit soonbecoming involved in the Church (known as Beatty Ave Bible Chapel back then) in a number of areas. Barry lead the Boys Rally for many years until his own Children had gone through. When God asked him via the Elders if he would join them, he felt very humbled and apprehensive, but knew that God, who has a plan for all of us, was calling him to this ministry.Barry believes God wants to do a great work out of The Orchard and as Elders we need to help facilitate this through encouraging people to identify and use their gifts wherever God needs them. We are a blessed Group of people, let’s get out there and help bless others.

Des Langdon 

I’m a native Te Puke man! Born and brought up in the  district, and completed all my primary schooling at Pongakawa School. My parents retired to Tauranga just as I moved on to secondary education. I spent the next twenty years out of the area, and returned to Te Puke with my wife Lin in 1980. 

I am the youngest of six children, and although it was not a Christian home, my mum and my eldest sister encouraged me to go to the Sunday School which was held in the Pongakawa Hall. From early childhood I knew I needed to commit my life to Christ. It was through dedicated Sunday School teachers and Rally leaders, who sacrificed their time, to teach me and other children in the district, that I came to the Lord. During my teenage years in Tauranga, a number of people took an interest in me, encouraged me, showed me love, acceptance and hospitality. This is why I constantly encourage people working in these types of ministries, to keep on going, you may never know the influence you have had on the people you have helped! 

I guess that it also explains why I am still passionate about reaching out to the youth in our community, and why I try to keep up with what is going on in their world, and although I now have white hair, I still have a heart full of fun and zest for living, and the week never seems to be long enough! I believe my spiritual gifts lie in the areas of leadership and encouragement, and my passion is adventure! 

In 1983 after 25 years of working for other people, I decided to have a lifestyle change, and plant up our small block of land to grow export blueberries and autumn raspberries, plus seasonal work in providing engineering support for the kiwifruit packhouses. Within about five years, the plants gave way to engineering work; and eventually we moved our business to a commercial site on Jellicoe Street. 

I am looking forward to being able to retire from my hectic business life; to be able to spend much more time doing what I really love – serving the Lord by serving, helping and encouraging others. Even after 22 years, I find I am still energised and enthusiastic serving the church in Eldership.

Other interests include an armchair interest in all sport, however, I manage to keep the young ones in line by playing business house cricket. Tramping and spending time travelling (especially in New Zealand), gardening, home improvements, caring for our animals, and constructing all manner of weird creations for different projects.  I find myself easily absorbed  by technology, and this  is important if I still wish to be able to communicate with people in  generation Y! 

Recently Lin and I celebrated 35 years of marriage, and although we have no children of our own, we sure have been blessed with countless  surrogate children and grandchildren.

A quotation that I can identify with is,  Five frogs were sitting on a log. Three thought they would jump off. How many were left?  Five were left, as the three had only thought about jumping – they did not follow through with their decision.

Nigel Davison

Nigel married Shirley in 1990 and has two teenage children, Kirstin and Aaron.Nigel has lived in the Paengaroa area since he was 2 years old.  He has been involved in the Kiwifruit industry since the mid 80’s and is an orchard manager.

Nigel became a Christian at the age of 13, and was baptized at 16 at Paengaroa Bible Chapel where we was involved with youth and Rally work for a number of years. He loves seeing young Christians grow and mature in their walk with God and to use their skills and gifting within the church family. Nigel see it as a privilege to serve God as an elder and believes in a church that has it’s foundations built on God and His word.

 

Dave Auld.

Dave has been married to Ruth since 1971. They have 3 adult children – 2 married sons in NZ and a single daughter living in England. They have 4 special grandchildren.Dave and Ruth moved to the Bay of Plenty 2007 and are involved in the kiwi-fruit industry.Dave made a commitment to the Lord, at the age of 12, then was baptized at Hamilton Baptist Church at the age of 16 years. Dave and Ruth were foundation members at the Orewa Baptist Church, where their family grew up and Dave served in many areas of leadership within the church. Dave is pleased to be able to serve God with his gifts in this role as a servant, to be able to be an encouragement and support to folks in prayer and hospitality.

 

Murray McBride

 

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The Orchard is proud to make a fantastic facility available to our community. Our site is available for weddings, funerals, meetings, conferences and more.

Our facilities include; (more…)

We’re like a big ol family at The Orchard, so stay informed with what’s happening here, update your details, tune into the elders corner or check out the latest from the library.