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River of Life Centre
Lower Hutt
Wellington
5011
- Baptist churches in Lower Hutt, Wellington
- Baptist churches in Wellington
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- All churches in Lower Hutt, Wellington
Who we are
River of Life Centre is located right in the heart of the Hutt Valley on High Street. The place is made up of people of all different ages, cultures and backgrounds - coming together to worship God, to grow together and serve our community.
This church is about reaching out to others with God’s love. We are passionate to know God and invite you to experience Him too.
Our Vision
To reach and restore families in our community.
Our Core Values
Reconcilliation
We are passionate about helping people find the heart of God.
Unity
Because we are made one in Christ, unity flows from a life reconciled to God.
Commitment
Commitment is the heart of man responding with love and devotion to the heart of God.
This church is about reaching out to others with God’s love. We are passionate to know God and invite you to experience Him too.
Our Vision
To reach and restore families in our community.
Our Core Values
Reconcilliation
We are passionate about helping people find the heart of God.
Unity
Because we are made one in Christ, unity flows from a life reconciled to God.
Commitment
Commitment is the heart of man responding with love and devotion to the heart of God.
Location of worship / Church Address
774 High Street
Avalon
Lower Hutt,
Wellington
5011
Avalon
New Zealand
Phone: 04 577 3211
Fax: 04 577 3212
Download River of Life Centre vCard with Service Times
Church Pastor
Ps. Kevin Hight
Pastor
774 High Street
Avalon
Lower Hutt,
Wellington
5011
Avalon
New Zealand
Phone: 04 577 3211
Download Pastor Ps. Kevin Hight vCard with Bio
Quote of the Day
Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Denomination
Baptist
Baptist churches in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand
Baptist churches in Wellington, New Zealand
Baptist churches in New Zealand
All churches in Lower Hutt, Wellington
Affiliations:
Website:
Social Media
Leadership
Leader Name:
Ps. Kevin Hight
Leader Position:
Pastor
Formal Title:
Leader Address:
Tel:
Fax:
Leader Email:
Leader Bio:
Hi, my name is Kevin Hight and I have been the Pastor of the River of Life Centre since 2008. Did you know that JESUS really is the answer to all your needs? Put your trust in Him today!
Other Church Leaders:
Ps. Kevin Hight on Social Media:
River of Life Centre Leadership Photos
Administration
Admin Name:
Emma Kim
Admin Position:
Administrator
Admin Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
04 577 3212
Admin Email:
Mailing Address
Driving Directions to River of Life Centre
Travel/Directions Tips
Parking
River of Life Centre Lower Hutt Service Times
Sunday Services
Morning Service 10:00am
- Includes programme for children from 2 yrs until end of year 8 at school.
- Quiet room is available for mothers with babies
- Coffee and tea are provided
Chin (Burmese) Service 1:30pm
Prayer Meetings
Sunday Morning 9:15 - 9:45am
Thursday Morning 10:30 - 11:30am
Everyone is Welcome!
Service Times last updated on the 26th of May, 2021
Morning Service 10:00am
- Includes programme for children from 2 yrs until end of year 8 at school.
- Quiet room is available for mothers with babies
- Coffee and tea are provided
Chin (Burmese) Service 1:30pm
Prayer Meetings
Sunday Morning 9:15 - 9:45am
Thursday Morning 10:30 - 11:30am
Everyone is Welcome!
Service Times last updated on the 26th of May, 2021
Worship Languages
Dress code:
You don’t have to dress in a suit, or worry that you won’t fit in. People come to River of Life Centre from many different backgrounds, ages and cultures. Just be yourself and come as you are.
Children and Youth Activities
Under 12s:
Under 18s:
Local outreach & community activities:
Other activities & ministries
Special Needs/Accessibility:
Prayers and hymns:
Main Bible:
Hymns and Songs:
Other information:
Average Adult Congregation:
Average Youth Congregation:
Additional Info:
River of Life Centre Photo Gallery
River of Life Centre History
With the growth of the population of Lower Hutt and Wellington in the late 1930s and early 1940s, new housing estates began appearing north of Mitchell Street and both east and west of High Street. These developments were for the main part sited on land that had been market gardens or dairy farms. Early settlers had felled and cleared the bush to grow crops for the supply of Wellington city. Isolated settlements were enveloped by the new housing and many families with young children soon populated the area. It was thought that the area opposite Lincoln Avenue and surrounding Kingston Street, would be known as Kingston Park, due to an estate agent’s advertising, but this never eventuated.
A thriving Sunday school and fellowship which operated from the home of George and Winsome Chaplow at 7 Hart Avenue was the basis of the community of believers in this locality. Winsome was the daughter of NZ Baptist missionaries, Mr and Mrs John Takle, who had established a work in Brahmanbaria, India, now Bangladesh. A Baptist Women’s Missionary Union was soon established. This influence of mission from the early days has ensured that there have been strong links between the church and Tranzsend, the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, as well as other missionary endeavours.
The Baptist Association and Lower Hutt Baptist Church saw the need for a new church to be established in the state housing settlements and land was purchased for £400 on High Street near to the corner of Lincoln Avenue. The church building, which is now used as a hall, was erected in July 1941 and Kingston Park Baptist Church was formally established on 17/02/1946. On 15/10/1975 the name was changed to Avalon Baptist Church. The Sunday school by this time had grown to 100 attendees in the main school and 100 pre-schoolers, known as the primary department. Extensions to the building were provided about 1949-50, and a photo appeared on the cover of the ‘Baptist’ magazine featuring the primary department.
Bible Classes and Christian Endeavour Societies were strong in the 1950s. The Rev Arthur Gibbs visited the members of the congregation by push-bike and accompanied the youth on bike rides. When it became possible to attach a motor to an ordinary bicycle, Mr Gibbs, on a Bible class outing, rode in turn, everyone else’s bike, while each Bible Class member tried out their new acquisition! In 1956-58 when young people were becoming more mobile, trips to the Marlborough Sounds and a tour of the South Island were undertaken over the Christmas holidays. In those times it was permissible for young people to use church halls to stay overnight for short periods. Many churches were visited in this way.
When the corner section of Lincoln Avenue and High Street was known to be on the market, a diaconate meeting was adjourned to allow the minister, Dr Stan Edgar and a deacon to enquire. The section was subsequently purchased for £3,650 in April 1956, the house thereon sold for £600 and moved to Garden Road the following July. The new church was officially opened on 18/02/1962. Other adjustments to the facilities were carried out in the period 1987-89 to accommodate Early Childhood activities. On 25/01/2005 Church services and Sunday school activities were held in Dyer Street school hall and some classrooms. All other weekday activities had to be suspended in the interim while building works were being carried out in the church. In September 2005 the congregation returned to a renovated complex providing auditorium, offices and children’s facilities, plus a new lounge formed by covering over the open area between the hall and the High Street main entrance.
Social outreaches into the community at various times included Girls’ Life Brigade and Cadets, Friendship club, bowls, neighbourhood morning teas, after school children’s clubs, holiday clubs, Friday night creative classes, shopper’s crèche, veggie co-op, playgroup and Mainly Music. The church financially supported the setting up of Aroha Care Centre for the Elderly. There is a strong Burmese group, mainly Chin, in our local community that has joined in fellowship with us. They hold a Burmese service in the hall at 2pm on Sunday afternoons.
As of 1 December 2011, the church changed its name from Avalon Baptist Church to River of Life Centre.
A thriving Sunday school and fellowship which operated from the home of George and Winsome Chaplow at 7 Hart Avenue was the basis of the community of believers in this locality. Winsome was the daughter of NZ Baptist missionaries, Mr and Mrs John Takle, who had established a work in Brahmanbaria, India, now Bangladesh. A Baptist Women’s Missionary Union was soon established. This influence of mission from the early days has ensured that there have been strong links between the church and Tranzsend, the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society, as well as other missionary endeavours.
The Baptist Association and Lower Hutt Baptist Church saw the need for a new church to be established in the state housing settlements and land was purchased for £400 on High Street near to the corner of Lincoln Avenue. The church building, which is now used as a hall, was erected in July 1941 and Kingston Park Baptist Church was formally established on 17/02/1946. On 15/10/1975 the name was changed to Avalon Baptist Church. The Sunday school by this time had grown to 100 attendees in the main school and 100 pre-schoolers, known as the primary department. Extensions to the building were provided about 1949-50, and a photo appeared on the cover of the ‘Baptist’ magazine featuring the primary department.
Bible Classes and Christian Endeavour Societies were strong in the 1950s. The Rev Arthur Gibbs visited the members of the congregation by push-bike and accompanied the youth on bike rides. When it became possible to attach a motor to an ordinary bicycle, Mr Gibbs, on a Bible class outing, rode in turn, everyone else’s bike, while each Bible Class member tried out their new acquisition! In 1956-58 when young people were becoming more mobile, trips to the Marlborough Sounds and a tour of the South Island were undertaken over the Christmas holidays. In those times it was permissible for young people to use church halls to stay overnight for short periods. Many churches were visited in this way.
When the corner section of Lincoln Avenue and High Street was known to be on the market, a diaconate meeting was adjourned to allow the minister, Dr Stan Edgar and a deacon to enquire. The section was subsequently purchased for £3,650 in April 1956, the house thereon sold for £600 and moved to Garden Road the following July. The new church was officially opened on 18/02/1962. Other adjustments to the facilities were carried out in the period 1987-89 to accommodate Early Childhood activities. On 25/01/2005 Church services and Sunday school activities were held in Dyer Street school hall and some classrooms. All other weekday activities had to be suspended in the interim while building works were being carried out in the church. In September 2005 the congregation returned to a renovated complex providing auditorium, offices and children’s facilities, plus a new lounge formed by covering over the open area between the hall and the High Street main entrance.
Social outreaches into the community at various times included Girls’ Life Brigade and Cadets, Friendship club, bowls, neighbourhood morning teas, after school children’s clubs, holiday clubs, Friday night creative classes, shopper’s crèche, veggie co-op, playgroup and Mainly Music. The church financially supported the setting up of Aroha Care Centre for the Elderly. There is a strong Burmese group, mainly Chin, in our local community that has joined in fellowship with us. They hold a Burmese service in the hall at 2pm on Sunday afternoons.
As of 1 December 2011, the church changed its name from Avalon Baptist Church to River of Life Centre.
River of Life Centre Historical Photos
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