“One church in multiple locations.” That’s the motto of the Elim Christian Centre. It’s a fitting description for a church with a global reach and a local heart like Manukau Elim Christian Church in Auckland.
Manukau Elim Christian Church is part of the Elim Christian Centre. The Elim churches have a fascinating history. Their roots trace back to the Welsh revival of 1904. This spiritual awakening dramatically transformed Wales. It brought around 100000 people to Christianity.
The Welsh revival’s flame spread far and wide. Visitors carried it to new countries. In 1915 George Jeffreys founded the Elim Pentecostal Church. He was a Welshman and an exceptional evangelist.
The Pentecostal Church of New Zealand’s origin began after Smith Wigglesworth’s crusades in 1922. He was a well-known Evangelist. In 1949 negotiations started to connect with the Elim Church of Great Britain.
Today the Elim Church of New Zealand has over 40 churches nationwide. The Elim Pentecostal church in the United Kingdom has over 500 churches. There are over 9000 churches in many countries globally.
The Elim Christian Centre Manurewa site is a large complex. It houses many community outreach ministries.
The Elim’s vision is clear. They want churches to be all that God intends. They encourage ministries and churches to diversify. They want them to be creative in sharing Jesus Christ’s message.
Elim has a significant role globally. They anticipate what God will do in the future.
Elim believes in the Bible. They believe it is the inspired Word of God. They uphold the Trinity. They say that the Godhead eternally exists in Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The church consists of people regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They are new creatures in Christ Jesus. Elim believes everyone has sinned. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers can be saved.
Jesus Christ is the healer. Healing is provided for in the atonement. Jesus Christ baptizes in the Holy Spirit. This baptism with signs is for every believer.
They believe in Jesus Christ’s return. He will receive all believers. Every believer should produce the fruit of the Spirit. The church should manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
God has given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. They are for perfecting the saints. They work for the ministry. They edify the body of Christ.
Marriage is between one man and one woman. It excludes all others. It is voluntarily entered into for life.
The minister must live according to the Bible. They must adhere to Elim’s statement of faith.
Elim believes in the resurrection. True believers will have eternal happiness. Christ rejecters will face eternal punishment.
They observe the Lord’s Supper. It is in memory of Jesus’ death. They anticipate His return. They practice baptism by immersion for believers. They do the laying on of hands. They do the anointing of the sick with oil.
Elim expands across the world. There are over 69 national leaders. They lead churches in 56 nations. The Elim church family outside New Zealand is almost 320000 people. They gather to worship God.
Manukau Elim Christian Church stands as a testament to faith and community. It is part of a global movement touching countless lives. Remember the story of Elim.