Key Ministries
- Sending mission partners
We work alongside New Zealand churches to send their people to serve cross-culturally. This involves both mobilisation and ongoing member care. - Equipping churches
We equip local churches to both be aware of global mission and understand how to be missional. We act as a mission advocate and coach.
Spiritual Landscape in New Zealand
New Zealand’s spiritual landscape is changing rapidly. According to the 2023 census, 51.6 per cent of the population identifies as having ‘no religion’, a steady increase since 2006. Despite this, 81 per cent express some form of spiritual belief. A key reason many explore spirituality is witnessing others who genuinely live out sincere faith.
About 31 per cent identify as Christian, yet only 12.4 per cent attend church regularly, marking a significant decline from previous decades when New Zealand was known as a Christian nation with the highest mission workers per capita worldwide.
While the church’s cultural influence has diminished, vibrant faith communities remain, and there is opportunity for people to encounter Christ through friends, family, and faith communities. The society is multicultural and religiously diverse, making a clear presentation of biblical Christianity crucial. A renewed movement of the Holy Spirit (Wairua Tapu) has recently been observed in some churches.
SIM New Zealand supports the church by encouraging believers to build relationships across faiths and cultures for the sake of the gospel.
Please pray
- For new prayer groups to start that give all generations a chance to participate in praying for mission
- For our mobilisers as they focus on three New Zealand communities this year — Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin — coming alongside church pastors and congregations to build mission awareness and engagement
- For four new long-term mission partners who sense God’s calling to serve cross-culturally outside New Zealand
- For our board as they work with leadership to refresh our next six-year strategic plan
- For strategic partnerships with churches to be developed through mutual relationships
Latest stories from around SIM
In Niger, farmers are restoring degraded land and improving food security through a method developed with Australian agronomist Tony Rinaudo. Known as Farm...
In Ethiopia, a Bible curriculum designed for semi-literate teachers is transforming how children learn about God. Developed by SIM mission worker Sharon Sa...
In South Sudan, SIM’s Doro Clinic is offering medical care, dignity, and the hope of the gospel. Through weekly outreach programmes, chaplains and health...
In Botswana, ten church leaders are studying theology online while continuing to serve their churches. With support from SIM and Union Bible Institute, the...
When God asked Sara to step into something far beyond her experience, she said yes. Children’s ministry and walking with widows through grief, Sara's tes...
Francis Kuntenga, a Malawian mission worker serving with SIM among the Yao people in Mozambique, chose celibacy after a heartbreak. Today, he sees his de...
In northern Kenya’s arid regions, SIM Kenya board chair David Gargule serves as a modern-day shepherd, guiding both people and mission with wisdom.
In our Ask a Mission Worker column, Ryan Hannah shares why going deeper in language and culture is vital for effective mission work. With insights from yea...
Carpentry skills learned in the American home renovation industry are giving young men gospel hope in Senegal.
We’re pleased to announce the launch of our new SIM International website.
In southern Ecuador, Rachel Wilson is equipping local believers to follow Jesus deeply and disciple others through God’s Word.
The Lord planted Sports Friends coach John Lufani, his wife Agness and their family of five in the heart of a community hostile to the good news.