South Pacific Bible College

THE DEBRIEF THAT WAS 30 YEARS LATE. 🎙️

Some stories deserve to be told.

Some conversations are worth waiting 30 years for.

And some moments in SPBC’s history are better heard from the people who actually lived them.

Join us for The Delayed Debrief — a relaxed, podcast-style conversation with Chris Pierson, Chris Miller and Steve Raine, three people with a remarkable shared history with SPBC, Otumoetai Church and the early days of ministry and mission in Napier.

Thirty years ago, there was no debrief.

No sitting around a table asking, “What did God teach us through all of this?”

No opportunity to look back at the mistakes, the unexpected moments, the victories, the challenges — and the ways God was faithfully working through it all.

So… we’re having that conversation now.

They’ll unpack the story behind SPBC, Otumoetai, a shared vision, the original 18-month “misplant,” the Millers and Raines, the Piersons, Aggie/AIM interns, and so much more.

But this isn't a post-mortem.

It’s a conversation about grace. Growth. Failure. Faith. Friendship. Ministry. And learning to become more like Jesus along the way.

Expect stories you may never have heard.

Lessons that only come with time.

A few laughs.

Maybe a few “I can't believe we actually did that” moments.

And reflections that might make all of us think about what God has been doing in our own stories.

What would you say to your 35-year-old self?

What would you do differently?

Where did you see God move?

And what are you most thankful for?

📍 SPBC Campus: - Microsoft Teams meeting
Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/46756843832862?p=EVr1K6xYiPYPtZkqkZ
Meeting ID: 467 568 438 328 62
Passcode: Xo6px3eB

🕐 1:00 PM
🎙️ The Delayed Debrief

Come listen to the stories behind the story.

Because sometimes you have to look back to see just how faithfully God was leading you forward.

This is a little piece of SPBC history you won't want to miss.

Meet David,

He is our Senior Academic Consultant

"People often ask me which class has been my favourite to teach at the Bible College.
That's always a difficult question because I genuinely enjoy teaching so many of them—whether it's the Gospels, Genesis, Isaiah, or Psalms. But if I had to choose just one, it would be Biblical Interpretation.

I have loved this class because it gives students the tools to read the Bible with greater confidence and understanding. Together we explore the different kinds of literature found in Scripture—narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophecy, and the New Testament letters—and discover that each has its own way of communicating God's truth. One of the most rewarding moments is seeing students begin to notice things in the text that they had never seen before. As they learn to read more carefully, the Bible often comes alive in fresh and exciting ways.

It doesn't take long before my students hear one of my favourite sayings: "Context is everything." They hear it so often that they can usually finish the sentence for me! But it's a principle I genuinely believe. Understanding the context of a passage—its literary, historical, and theological setting—can completely change the way we read and understand it.

I have had the privilege of teaching at the Bible College for almost thirty years, and I still enjoy coming into the classroom. One of the greatest blessings has been learning alongside students from many different countries and cultures. They bring questions, insights, and experiences that continually challenge and enrich my own understanding of Scripture and life of faith. Teaching has never been simply about passing on knowledge; it has always been a shared journey of discovering God's Word together.
When I'm not teaching, you'll usually find me reading, enjoying the outdoors, going fishing, or planning the next travel adventure with my wife, Mary.

We feel very blessed to be part of the Otumoetai Church of Christ, where we enjoy worshipping, serving, and sharing life with a wonderful church family."

You can know about God... or you can actually know Him.

The best place to start? His Word.

The Bible isn't just an old book full of stories - it's where God speaks, reveals who He is, and invites you into a real relationship with Him.

No matter where you're at in your faith, there's always more to discover. One chapter. One verse. One moment with God can change everything. 🤍

"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." James 4:8

👇 Your turn: What's a Bible verse that's been speaking to you lately? Drop it in the comments and encourage someone today.

If you're hungry to grow deeper in your faith and understand God's Word, we'd love to have you join the SPBC community. Link in bio. 📚🔥

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HVbRNGmiv/

We have mentioned this in other places, but just in case you have missed it. Otumoetai Church of Christ has been a very warm and welcoming place for SPBC students.

Keep checking back. Registrations for the 50th Reunion will be opening this week!

We are delighted to celebrate one of our graduates, Butter, who has recently written and published three books exploring the topic of mental health through the lens of her own personal journey.

Drawing from her lived experiences, Butter's books offer hope, encouragement, and practical insights for those navigating mental health challenges. By sharing her story with honesty and courage, she is helping to break down stigma while pointing readers toward healing and resilience.

Even more exciting, her books have been published in both Thai and English, allowing her message to reach and encourage people across different cultures and communities.

To support this incredible milestone and make these valuable resources available to our students, we have purchased signed copies of all three books for the SPBC library. We are grateful to add these meaningful works to our collection and pray they will inspire, equip, and encourage everyone who reads them.

Congratulations, Butter! We are so proud of all that you have accomplished and look forward to seeing how God continues to use your story to bring hope and healing to others.

Classes at SPBC are in full swing! 📚✨

Halfway through the week and the classrooms are full, conversations are flowing, and a new journey of faith, growth, and discovery has begun.

We're so excited to welcome both new and returning students as they dive into God's Word, build lifelong friendships, and prepare for all that He has in store.

Here's to learning, being challenged, and growing together in Christ.

we're so glad you're here! ❤️

What if a tiny silver amulet could change what we know about early Christianity?

We're excited to welcome Dr Richard Wright, Professor at the Graduate School of Theology, to South Pacific Bible College for a fascinating public lecture that brings together biblical history, archaeology, and modern technology.

📜 Decoding Sacred Scripts: How Technology Is Unlocking the Secrets of the Ancient Bible

Hidden inside a small silver amulet for nearly 1,800 years was one of the earliest known quotations from the New Testament in Latin. Thanks to groundbreaking MRI technology, scholars were finally able to uncover its message—revealing an extraordinary glimpse into the lives and faith of some of the earliest Christians.

Join us as Dr Wright explores what this remarkable discovery means for biblical scholarship and how today's technology is helping unlock the mysteries of the ancient world.

📅 Thursday , 6 August
🕖 7:00–8:30 PM
📍 South Pacific Bible College
201 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga

🎟️ FREE EVENT | Registration is essential

👉 Register here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP4DK5Y-xoe1Df9ulVsTJXqbwx6jIzYLKNhOR3HIXk9q6HTA/viewform?usp=header

Bring a friend and discover how ancient Scripture continues to speak through modern science.