Assemblies of God in New Zealand


The Assemblies of God in New Zealand is a Pentecostal denomination in New Zealand and a member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, the world's largest Pentecostal denomination. In 2007, the denomination had nearly 200 congregations and preaching points and 30,000 members and adherents, mostly in the North Island, and it sends missionaries to South Asia and Oceania. In 2016, the largest congregation was the Harbourside Church A/G in Takapuna, founded in the 1950s, with a weekly attendance of 1,500 people.

History

The Pentecostal Movement in New Zealand started by the crusades of evangelist Smith Wigglesworth in 1922 and 1923, which led to the establishment of the Pentecostal Church of New Zealand. As the result of an internal dispute, 13 congregations and some pastors withdraw from the PCNZ and in March 1927 sent a cablegram to the General Council of the Assemblies of God of the United States, asking for affiliation.
The 1930s were hard years for the Assemblies of God in New Zealand because of internal doctrinal disputes, the proselitism of the Apostolic Church, fragile relations with the PCNZ and economic distress generated by the 1929 Depression. However, frequent visits of preachers such as Aimee McPherson and A. C. Valdez helped to keep the Pentecost lit.
During the 1960s, the Assemblies of God in New Zealand experienced regrowth and came to be the largest Pentecostal denomination in Aotearoa. In 1975, the AGNZ was one of the founders of the Associated Pentecostal Churches of New Zealand, which counts more than 700 congregations.
The 60th General Council that met at City West Church A/G in New Plymouth in 2011 saw the election of its first non-European General Superintendent in Samoan born minister Iliafi Esera. This was also the first time the General Superintendency was held by a minister in a small New Zealand city. The 60th General Council also elected its first woman to the Executive Presbytery, Pastor Mina Acraman of Miracle Centre A/G, Hastings.

Leadership

Leaders of the AoG in New Zealand
From 1927 until 1944 the AoG leadership body was called the General Council. From then until 1997 it was called the Executive council. It was then renamed the Executive Presbytery.
Originally the leader of this body was simply referred to as Chairman. In 1962 the title of the Leader of the Council was changed to General Superintendent.

National Conference

The A/G New Zealand holds an annual National Conference that bi-annually includes a General Council meeting. Here is the recorded history of these national gatherings.
YearDatesVenueThemeFeatured SpeakersGeneral Council
201921–24 OctoberChurch Unlimited, AucklandStretch ForthPs Wayne Alcorn 64th General Council
201815–18 OctoberHope Centre, Lower HuttPropelled to ServePs Paul Scanlon
20179–12 OctoberHope Centre, Lower HuttWhen The Holy Spirit ComesDr Sam Chand 63rd General Council
201610–13 OctoberCity West Church A/G, New PlymouthIn My Father's HousePs Shane Willard
Ps David Katina
Ps Debbie Katina
201512–15 OctoberCity West Church A/G, New PlymouthLooking Unto JesusDr Sam Chand
Ps Michael Dissanayeke 		62nd General Council
201413–16 OctoberKings House A/G, NapierFaith MovesPs Phil Pringle
Ps John Cameron
201314–17 OctoberKings House A/G, NapierMoving Forward TogetherDr Allan Meyer
Ps Naomi Beard 		61st General Council
201215–18 OctoberKings House A/G, NapierPeople of NationsPs Steven Murrell
Ps Chris Sola
201131 October
- 4 November		City West Church A/G, New Plymouth360° Passion 2 ReachPs Wayne Alcorn 60th General Council
201011–14 OctoberCity West Church A/G, New PlymouthResource 2 ReachPs Alun Davies
Ps John Finkelde
200912–15 OctoberCity West Church A/G, New PlymouthRenew 2 ReachPs John Finkelde
Ps Robert Fergusson 		59th General Council
200813–16 OctoberLower Hutt Town Hall, Lower HuttSharpening Your EdgePs Wayne Alcorn
Ps Donna Crouch
20078–11 OctoberLower Hutt Town Hall, Lower HuttInfluence Now Acts 29Ps Jack Haynes
Dr David Parker 		58th General Council
20069–12 OctoberCity Church Tauranga A/G, TaurangaFuture ImpactPs Brian Houston
Ps John Iuliano
200517–20 OctoberCity Church Tauranga A/G, TaurangaBuilding According To
The Pattern		Ps Danny Guglielmucci
Dr Ian Jagelman 		57th General Council
20044–7 OctoberCity Church Tauranga A/G, TaurangaEmpowered To ServePs Robert Fergusson
Ps Stephen Fogarty
20036–9 OctoberCity Church Tauranga A/G, TaurangaOne MomentumPs Mark Conner 56th General Council
20027–10 OctoberRegent Theatre, Palmerston NorthOne ArmyPs Steve Penny
Ps Phil Baker
20018–11 OctoberRegent Theatre, Palmerston NorthPs Jack Haynes
Ps James Marocco 		55th General Council