The Hope Project was a three phase nationwide multimedia project aimed at opening up a conversation with people about hope. The initiative was triggered by the 200th anniversary in 2014 of the first invited Pakeha settlement and gospel preaching in Aotearoa-New Zealand.

Over three years 650 NZ churches partnered … thousands of Christians were encouraged and equipped to have conversations with those outside of church … and 1.4million homes were reached through a multiple media effort with the Christian message – three times!

Read the End of Project Report & be encouraged by all that has been achieved!

The Vision

To initiate a conversation about the reasons for the hope we have in Christ (1 Peter 3:15) with every home in New Zealand, while preparing followers of Jesus to gently engage those conversations.

The Values

Regarding the media project, authenticity, gentleness, humility and respect are high values. Regarding our churches, a clarity of understanding regarding the mission of the church, as well as a commitment to a healthy and balanced focus on it, are important values.

PHASE I

Phase I launched in October 2014 with two weeks of TV ads, a nationwide drop of ‘The Invitation’ booklet, and the launch of the Hope Project and 10 Day Challenge website – all supported by over 300 partnering churches.

PHASE II

Phase II launched in May 2015 with 400+ NZ churches in partnership. It included a nationwide drop of ‘The Hidden Power’ booklet, TV ads, and the launch of Hope Project FB and the Cornerstone discipleship series.

PHASE III

Phase III launched on 6 March 2016. With the support of almost 700 churches it included new web media, a nationwide drop of ‘The Jesus Connection’ booklet and three weeks of TV ads encouraging people to attend church.

We were told of a person from a Christian ‘sect’ who read one of the Hope Project booklets. This caused her to seek out more information about mainstream Christianity at the 10DayChallenge.co.nz website. This inspired to start reading her Bible for herself - and she contact us to tell us she’d recently became a Christian as a result, and was baptised in a local church.

PERSON FROM SECT READS BOOKLET THEN BIBLE, AND EMBRACES FAITH IN CHRIST

Someone living in student accommodation shared Hope Project booklets with of those they live amongst. Including people from all faiths, feedback was outstandingly positive – with much interest coming back, resulting in a range of conversations.

INTER-FAITH DISCUSSIONS ENABLED

"A lady told us she was asking God for a sign as she walked to her mailbox. In the 9 years she’d lived in that house she’d never had Christian literature in the mailbox - and that this was an unusual request. Yet on that one day there the Hope Project booklet was! She said it was more than a coincidence, and chose to engage with the 10 Day Challenge afterwards, and the asked for a copy of the New Testament so she could learn more about the Christian faith"

I ASKED GOD TO SPEAK - AND THE BOOKLET ARRIVED!

A lady contacted us said she was simply blown away by the stories from history. "They tell us so much about who we are as New Zealanders” she said. . To her the booklets were ‘amazing’, and ‘all related to things that are happening now’. She requested copies of the prior booklets to learn about our history from them also - and also copies to send to friends, because she felt it important that they understand this stories that tell us so much about who we are as a nation!

THIS IS AMAZING! CAN I HAVE A COPY OF ALL BOOKLETS – BECAUSE I WANT TO TELL THESE STORIES!

A lady who has struggled with faith and church contacted us for help. Her early church experiences had put her off church - yet she felt again drawn to find that ‘all elusive freedom’ the Christian faith was supposed to offer. Christian TV fed her faith. A Hope Project booklet prompted her to contact us. We were able to connect her with a Bible and a church - were she then went. God is at work in many peoples lives - well-beyond what we can see or know!

I’M A CHRISTIAN NOW - HELP ME FIND A CHURCH!

A gentleman wrote who is in a prison – who was offered a Hope Project booklet on Easter weekend. He said the stories inspired him to now give his life to Jesus. He’s always believed in a God, but hadn’t made the right choices in life. He said that his turning point had come – to stop allowing Satan to drag him down, and to put his life into Jesus’ hands. He requested a copy of the New Testament so that – to quote him - “Jesus can teach me the good in life”.

I’M INSPIRED TO FOLLOW JESUS – THANK YOU

One lady wrote to tell us of her struggles with various sects or lifeless forms of Christianity. She felt ‘doctrinal confusion’, alone in her 'search for the truth’, and ‘tempted to give up’. Yet she tried again, and visited a ‘mainstream church’ where the 'Hope For All’ booklets were available. She took one and felt touched by the articles - including the Christian battle against slavery (booklet 4). This led to a desire to read the Bible - so, ‘Could I have a Bible please?’ was her request. She told us she wanted to be carrying it when she went to visit that church again the next Sunday.

THANK YOU FOR HELPING ME FIND THE TRUTH

A young lady requested a Bible saying she was a wife and mother of a young children – but not a Christian, as her “...parents never believed in the faith but as I’m getting older I feel something is missing.” She said, “I often find myself searching to read a Bible - but I have never read one nor do I know where to start.” She asked for help – so we gladly posted her one, while sending some introductory thoughts (including noting the ‘Overview of the Bible’ series, found on the ‘series’ page at 10DayChallenge.co.nz - to give her a context for what she might read).

SOMETHING IS MISSING – AND FOR SOME REASON I’VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR A BIBLE!

Amongst a number who went through the 10DayChallenge.co.nz resource, one emailed asking for encouragement, as they felt they had 'no faith’. They said, 'I want to believe and let the Lord into my heart.’ God is at work in people’s lives all over the place!

I WANT TO BELIEVE!

One person wrote to request a hard-copy Bible – saying, “I would love to receive this gift please. I have never owned a Bible and truly believe there is something. I would love to learn, and having a Bible would give me the opportunity to learn.”

I BELIEVE THERE IS MORE. I’D LOVE TO LEARN!

Someone contacted us to say that they found the people in the booklet to be such an inspiration that they'd like a copy of the New Testament, and intended to renew their faith in God after having walked away from it many years ago. To explain their situation they shared openly about various family challenge. "We are good people and can stand a lot of hurt but...” these challenges, and the pain, are real and are not fixed easily. “Thank you for this booklet that has come just at the right time!” We thank God!

WE ARE HURTING - THIS BOOKLET CAME AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME

A story came in of an elderly many who gave his life to Christ after reading the booklet. His daughter was a Christian – and relayed the story back to her pastor. We thank God.

ELDERLY MAN CHOOSES CHRIST

The Occassion

2014 marked th 200YearsOfHope_logo e bicentenary of the arrival of Christianity in New Zealand, at the invitation of Ngapuhi Rangatira, Ruatara. He invited his friend, the Rev Samuel Marsden, to start a settlement in New Zealand next to his Pa (named Rangihoua) in what is known of today as Oihi Bay near Kerikeri. The first Christian message was preached on Christmas day 1814 to a crowd of 300 or more Maori, with three families (the Kings, Kendalls and Halls) then staying on to begin the work with Maori, supported by Ruatara’s people. The NZ Missionary story is largely unknown, and is far more positive than most could imagine. 2014 was viewed as a fitting time to begin this project for this reason.

The Strategy

Eight questions in eight minutes about the Hope Project with Dave Mann – project coordinator.

The Impact

The goal was much bigger than having more people in our churches.

Some sceptics found reasons to become seekers.
Some seekers found reason to become believers.
Some believers found reason to become witnesses.

Initial media impact: While some were impacted by the booklets, others were impacted by the tv ads, others by web media, and others by their conversation with Christians.

Wider impact: Ideas remain in conversation for months. Booklets remain in many houses for years. And impressions remain in thoughts decades!

The Success

The first two phases of the Hope Project were very well received. More than 2 million NZers connected with the TV ads in each phase. More than 1.4 million homes connected with each of the three booklet. Well more than 50,000 ‘no circulars’ homes had booklets personally delivered to someone at the door with each media effort. More than 130,000 people engaged with web media, with social media in addition, which was amped up in the second phase. More than 160,000 spare booklets were sent out upon request in each phase of the project, and well more than 50,000 church people were prepared by their pastors to engage the conversations – including more than 650 churches who formally partnered, coming from all Christian denominations. To the right are snippets of amazing feedback we received.

Quick read: 10 top-line achievements of the Hope Project

The Hope Project went well

The five year, three phase Hope Project has now concluded — and we celebrate over all that God has done in Aotearoa through this united effort.