Elevation Church Minister’s Opening Speech 26.07.2025
Good evening, everyone.
My name is Conrad, and I am the Pastor of Elevation Church.
What an honour it is to stand before you tonight. Your presence here is no small thing. You’ve made time, shifted schedules, and prioritised this moment—and for that, Karen and I are truly thankful. From the bottom of my heart—thank you.
Tonight marks more than the launch of a new gathering. It marks the expansion of a movement.
Elevation Church.
Elevation Church is not just a name. It’s a mission. It’s a mandate. A calling. A response to creating space for a generation longing to encounter God—authentically, powerfully, and personally.
We exist for one reason:
To elevate Christ, uplift people, and carry His presence in our lives and to others every day. We’re here to magnify God, to exalt Jesus Christ, and to help people rise—no one should face their stories and struggles alone. We exist to drive out fear and unleash people into total freedom and into their purpose.
God Is Doing a New Thing
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
— Isaiah 43:19 (NIV).
We believe Elevation Church resembles that new thing—a place of hope, healing, belonging, and authority of God. We have come to plant, build, and lift high the name of Jesus. Not to compete—but to complete the work of God in this community. Not to divide—but to unite around His Kingdom purpose.
Our Roots and Global Mandate
Elevation Church is part of Faith in God Ministries International—a global reach, Spirit filled, Pentecostal, and dynamic mission active across five continents, including the nations of Australia, South Africa, the United States, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and now here in New Zealand. For over 25 years, this global web of churches and strategic movement has reached nations, raised believers and developed leaders, and released them to transformed communities with the Gospel. We’re proud to carry that same DNA and vision forward here in Clyde, Alexandra, the rest of Central Otago and beyond.
Our global mandate is bold and simple:
• Reach farther, in the communities with Jesus Christ and the Gospel
• Raise strong people full of character and compassion, creating wealth and enjoying the blessing of the covenant of God
• Release bold believers to serve God and their communities with their giftings and callings.
Strategic Pillar Objectives
And under this mandate, Elevation Church stands on four strategic pillar objectives:
1. Missions – To send and support missionaries locally across all New Zealand and globally, preaching Christ where He is not known, and discipling nations and communities with love and power.
2. Building – To establish centres of worship, training, discipleship, and care. This includes churches, schools, hospitals, clinics, universities, and colleges—physical spaces where the presence of God transforms lives, equips leaders, and impacts entire communities. An institution that does not build will varnish.
3. Leveraging Technology for the Harvest – To develop and deploy digital tools, creative media, and online platforms that extend the message of Jesus and our community impact beyond four walls—reaching hearts, homes, and nations through innovation.
4. Operation Hope – To provide humanitarian assistance and be a light in times of crisis. Through practical support, disaster relief, and compassion-led care, we aim to meet needs, restore dignity, and bring hope to those facing hardship.
Our DNA – Kingdom-Centred Values
What anchors us as a church is not just vision—it’s our values, rooted in the Word of God:
• Honouring and Fearing God – We live with awe, obedience, and deep reverence for His presence and His Word.
• Faith – We believe God, even when it seems impossible. We do not give up hope. Anyone who gives up assignments has a great capacity to give up their own life.
• Strong marriages and families – Because the home is the foundation of all life.
• Servanthood – We lead by serving God, His people, and our communities .
• Accountability – To God, our leaders, and each other.
• Excellence – We bring our best to God in all we do.
• Love – The highest call of everything.
We are not launching a church service—we are establishing a centre of life, mission, expansion, and presence.
Ministries and Programs that will be Making Impact in Our Community
Elevation Church will be active through several community-focused ministries:
• Real Men – Building grounded, godly men of strength and servicre who lead well.
• Kingdom Women – Equipping women to walk boldly in their God-given callings, becoming a force and beacon of hope.
• Youth Fire – Igniting the hearts of young people to burn for Christ with energy and zeal—getting kids off gadgets and into God’s safe spaces.
• Arrow Kids – Planting the seed of God’s Word in the next generation by catching them young.
• Royal Family – Offering solid spaces of healing, revival, and transformation for singles.
• Ignite – A platform for the married, sharing wisdom that builds unbreakable and sparking relationships.
These are not just programs—they are hubs for transformation, renewal and revival. And through Operation Hope, Elevation Church will engage in humanitarian outreach—supporting individuals, families, and communities with relief, recovery, and restoration initiatives in times of need.
An Invitation to Join the Mission
Tonight, I want to extend a sincere invitation: If you feel led to be part of us you are already part of it. Let us know.
You are welcome.
Be with us.
Walk with us.
There is room for every gift and calling—whether that’s:
• Singing in the worship team to bring God’s presence.
• Serving in media or livestream to reach our community far and wide.
• Welcoming guests with your smile and inspiration.
• Creating beautiful, clean and functional worship environments and spaces for ministry.
• Or giving resources into missions and outreach through your blessing.
We are not building this alone—we are building it together. It’s not a personal business. We love all people, all nations, all languages, all circumstances. We are all loved by God. We all have the same blood of Jesus Christ.
Appreciation to Our Team
Before we move on, I want to pause and express heartfelt gratitude to every team member who made tonight—and this vision—possible. My family Karen, Lesedi and Leanne and my parents, family and siblings overseas and those who are joining us in New Zealand.
To appreciate my father and mother in the faith Archbishop Asa and Mavis for their always deep counsel, clarity and unmistaken call to loving people.
I want to welcome Pastor Judith who recently moved to New Zealand from Botswana where she and her family planted and led that mission for 16 years.
My deep regards and gratitude goes to all people and friends and more our church community family in Alexandra and Central Otago for welcoming us in New Zealand. We were loved and given the liberty to minister and grow. Now we are not breaking away but extending the kingdom of God.
To our Worship Team, who’ve poured their hearts out to usher in God’s presence. Thanks, Nicola, for jumping in to lead and train within short notice.
To our Media and Livestream Crew, faithfully working behind the scenes. Mitchel and Blake leaving your planned family trips to be with the team.
To our Set-up and Spaces Team Farai and Esmah, who transformed this space with beauty and excellence.
To our Greeters and Hosts working with Brenda, who welcomed every person with warmth and joy.
To our Kids Ministry and Youth Leaders Mitchell and Lesedi, investing into the next generation.
To our many Intercessors, who have carried this mission in prayer.
And to the Leadership and Administration and Planning teams working with Karen and Vena, whose wisdom, coordination, and sacrifice cannot be overstated.
Thank you.
We see you.
God sees you.
Your labour in the Lord is not in vain.
Stay Connected – Reach Cards
On your seat is an envelope with a Reach Card inside.
If you are happy, before you leave tonight, please take a moment to fill it in.
This helps us:
• Stay connected with you
• Send you updates on gatherings and news of what God is doing
• Know how we can pray together or support you or us
• Understand what areas of ministry you’re passionate about
You can place the card in offering box or hand it to one of our team or me. We would be honoured to walk with you in this new journey.
Prophetic Word – Transition
This year, our prophetic declaration is one word: Transition. Catch phrased : With our eyes focused on the globe. We believe God is moving us from what has been to what shall be in New Zealand and beyond.
“Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said,
‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’”
— Numbers 13:30 (NIV)
With the faith of Caleb, we boldly declare:
We can certainly do it.
You are moving.
You are flourishing.
We are not made of fear—we are made of faith.
We are not here to get finished—we are called for this moment to finish the job started on the cross of Calvary.
Final Blessing
We are privileged to have you here tonight.
We love you with the love of Christ.
And we believe that together—we will see lives changed, families preserved, and Jesus Christ lifted high in Clyde and beyond.
May God bless you.
May He bless Elevation Church.
May He be God of Faith in God Ministries New Zealand
May the Almighty bless Faith in God Ministries International with many nations
And may He use every one of us to elevate His name across this region.
Thank you.
May I now invite all the ministers here to come to the front as we seal this mission. Let us all stand together. Ministers present would you come and bless and commit the work into the hands of God, would you lead us in prayer.
