Capernwray@thecrossing   Get a New Perspective on Life at Capernwray south Island   Certificate in Bible Training and Preparation for Christian Service Capernwray New Zealand now offers a similar 20 week (5 month) non-vocational Bibl School program at “The Crossing”, right in the heart of the south island of NZ – also known as “middle earth”!   It has been designed to havea greater practical ministry content, an intentional discipleship aspect, as well as the foundational teaching common to all Capernwray (Torchbearer) Bible Schools.  The program is limited to 12 students who wish to serve the Lord and be serious learners in the Word and ways of God. Here, you will have the time and opportunity to discover Jesus Christ and the fullness of your relationship with Him, and thereby establish the foundation of your LIFE in Christ, for the ‘REST’ of your life.

PURPOSE & PRINCIPLES

We’re here to encourage and assist you…

• To come to know the risen, indwelling Lord Jesus Christ more personally.
• To understand the written Word and its revelation of Christ through careful study of the Scriptures.
• To come to understand God's will for your life.
• To develop your God given abilities so that you may become a more effective member of the body of Christ -- His Church.
• To discover and prove in everyday experience the reality and relevance of the Christian life as Christ Himself is allowed to work in and through your life.
• To gain a working knowledge of the Word of God so that you are better equipped for daily living and Christian service.

Every aspect of our programme, from personal devotions to the lectures, from weeky ministries to mission trips, and from discipleship groups to the benefits of life in a small community of up to 12 students plus staff, is designed to nurture spiritual growth in your life so that you become a person whose life continually points others to Christ.  You will realize that you have a LIFE that matters – Christ’s Life in you!!

The basic course summary: 

• Approximately 19 class hours per week of Bible teaching
• A weeky ministry programme
• A discipleship programme
• Times of community prayer, worship, and devotions. 
• Weekly assignments
• A 6 day inner-city mission trip
• A ‘term project’ as a team (usually planning and executing a weekend youth camp programme)
• A 2 week international mission trip
• A weekly ‘work afternoon’ in the house and around the property
• Daily duties and responsibilities
• ‘Prayer days’
• Family fun nights

Living in Christian community, you will have a balanced weekly schedule while having enough personal time for reflection or pursuing other interests and activities.

Curriculum

The Bible School program at The Crossing is designed to move students towards knowing the indwelling person of the risen Lord Jesus Christ through the careful teaching, study, and application of God's Word, in order to prepare them for enjoyable Christian living and effective service.  They will not only know what it means to become a Christian, but to BE one. 

Resident teachers and guest speakers from around the world come to teach a curriculum devoted to surveying the Scriptures in order that students may know Christ in His fullness.  The guest speakers are either members of the International Torchbearer Staff or are other experienced Christian leaders who draw from a rich personal relationship with Jesus Christ as they share God's Word from a fresh and dynamic perspective.
 
The curriculum covers most individual books of the Bible and some related topical series such as:

• Apologetics
• Evangelism
• Missions
• World Religions
• Church History
• Bible Study Methods

Personal study, assignments, parallel reading, and tests are also a significant part of the programme and complement the material presented in the lectures.  A Bible School Certificate is awarded to students fulfilling course requirements.  A transcript can be issued upon request at the completion of the course.

Other areas of training that are taught and evaluated include:

·        Learning how to write a Bible Study
·        Learning how to lead others in a Bible study
·        Learning how to lead another person to receive Christ
·        Learning how to give a clear personal testimony in various situations

Because the class size is smaller, the program allows students to interact more closely with teachers and with fellow students in classes.  Students will be encouraged and challenged in these courses and will be given personal counsel in their studies for practical application. 

Regular Ministry

Much emphasis is placed on the practical outworking of one’s personal faith in Christ and therefore our ministry programme is a vital part of the course and offers the most unique training experience.  On that basis, there are weekly youth oriented ministries and activities where they will be trained, challenged, and stretched as they share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world around them.  Each student will be in approximately 3-4 different ministries per week, making a real impact in real lives!!

Students are assigned to ministries according to the need, and their gifts and abilities.   These ministries provide a wide range of experience from teaching prepared Bible lessons, to sharing a testimony, to engaging with children, or simply by ‘hanging out’ with the youth.  There are classes set aside for ministry prep.

These ministries provide opportunities for students to give away and apply the Truth they are learning, as well as gain experience in teaching and leading small groups, so that they may “go and make disciples” themselves.

Missions

Semester 1 (Feb - June) – Regional Mission Trip and Camp

Regional Mission Trip:
In the first semester there will be a 6 day inner city mission trip which involves visiting places of worship for different faiths and world religions.  Students will be able to talk directly to the representatives of these different faiths and learn first hand what their faith or religion is about, what they believe and why.  Students will also be challenged to articulate their true faith, possibly defend their faith, and most likely share the hope that is within them.  These visits are designed to ultimately solidify the students faith in Christ. 

This mission trip also involves working with and alongside other ministries in the inner city area, such as a homeless shelter downtown, and a youth drop-in centre right in the middle of the city’s roughest neighborhood.  These places will expose students to other forms of ministry and provide a hands-on platform for them to put their faith into practice.

This mission trip uniquely offers a balanced mix of ministries in combining the service-oriented ministry for the practically minded with the apologetic type ministry for those who need to be mentally stimulated.  This trip develops not just the heart and the soul, but also the mind in accordance with God’s Word, so that no matter what type of person you are there’s a challenge for you as you minister to a variety of levels of society.

Camp:
Another unique aspect of the ministry programme is completing a Term Project as a team.  This project integrates spiritual and personal development in the students life by giving them the opportunity to plan and lead a high school weekend camp!  The purpose of the camp is to creatively introduce and communicate the person of Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and Life to the youth through fun, Bible teaching, and His witness in our life.  

Being guided by the staff, students will learn all the aspects of a camp and write a Christ-centered programme.  They will decide the theme for the camp, choose the games and activities, make the schedule, write the cabin devotions and even chapel messages.  Then they will lead and execute their programme. 

 Semester 2 (July - Dec) – Overseas Mission Trip

There will be an overseas mission trip opportunity available in the second semester each year as part of the programme.  The ministry will include a combination of practical service projects (construction etc) to be done as well as opportunities to put on youth and children’s programmes for remote tribal communities. There is an additional cost for this (NZ$1,000) and students are accepted for these on an application basis.

The Town of Geraldine

Geraldine has one of the most perfect settings of any small New Zealand town. Nestled at the foot of rolling downlands beneath the Four Peaks mountain range, and bisected by the tranquil Waihi River, Geraldine is where the countryside literally comes to town.

Geraldine is a small rural town with a friendly village atmosphere. It is situated just 1 hr and 35 minutes south of Christchurch on the main highway to Mt Cook and Queenstown.  The town and its surrounding district has something for everyone and at a pace to suit each individual's needs.  There are picnic areas, playgrounds, forest walks, a swimming pool, and an historic Cinema.

Geraldine is home to many gifted artists and artisans and many of these talented people have their work on sale in the town itself or their nearby studios. Some of the creations come in edible form too – Geraldine’s cheese maker, chocolatier and the internationally recognized Barkers fruit products all have outlets in the town.

Geraldine has a range of amenities including a grocery store, a pharmacy, gift stores, a public library, and plenty of shops catering to most of the visitor’s needs.  Geraldine has a number of café choices for a coffee or meal. There is also an abundance of accommodation places ranging from camping grounds to motels to bed and breakfasts.

For more info about Geraldine and the local area:

http://www.geraldine.net.nz/index.html

http://www.southisland.org.nz/geraldine.asp

http://www.destination.co.nz/geraldine/

Accommodation

Named after the original river crossing on the property, The Crossing is a lovely historic manor house which was built as a retirement estate in 1908, and it has been beautifully maintained and restored ever since.  In recent years it has operated as a luxury B&B and restaurant.

There are three very spacious rooms each accommodating up to 4-5 single beds, and each room has an attached en-suite bathroom equipped with a bathtub and/or shower.  There are vivid views of the Four Peaks mountain range, or the rose gardens and pond.

The Main Lounge is filled with overstuffed leather furniture placed in front of the fireplace mantle. There are lovely china pieces scattered throughout the room and antique chandeliers adding to its finery.

The Gentleman’s Lounge with its wood paneled walls, wood-stove log burner and grand piano offer a more casual room for small functions and gatherings, and which is used for the Bible school classroom. 

The Formal Dining Room walls are covered in its original wood paneling and boasts a built-in oak sideboard Welsh Dresser displaying a collection of Malvern porcelain. The painting above the fireplace was a gift from the famous New Zealand Artist, Austen Deans, a supporter of the ministry here.

The staff also live at The Crossing which promotes a close-knit family like atmosphere as meals, coffee breaks, and family nights are shared together.  There is almost always someone around to be with.

There is other local accommodation in and around Geraldine for other visitors and friends during Bible School.  

http://www.geraldine.net.nz/index.html

Recreation

Geraldine and its surrounding area offers a variety of outdoor activities including grade 5 white water rafting, golfing, fishing, 4X4 wilderness tours, and mountain biking.  This district offers a wide variety of walking tracks suitable for people of all fitness levels, whether it is a relaxing stroll beside the river, an easy native bush walk, or a rewarding hill climb either up the Four Peaks mountain range or Mt. Peel for some of the most spectacular alpine and high country scenery in New Zealand.

http://www.walkfourpeaks.co.nz/index.html

http://www.4x4newzealand.co.nz/

http://www.rafts.co.nz/Home.html

Canterbury is home to some of the best ski fields in New Zealand.  The Crossing is centrally close to literally thousands of skiing acres with slopes to suit beginner, intermediate and expert skiers alike. Mt. Dobson, Mt. Hutt, Roundhill, and Fox Peak are just 4 ski fields approximately 1 hours drive from The Crossing and are suitable for students on the weekends and school breaks.

http://www.brownbear.co.nz/snow/

The Team 2003...	Outreach...	Schools work ...