In the early hours of 14 November, an earthquake measuring 7.5 shook the Canterbury region of New Zealand’s South Island and was felt as far north as Auckland on the North Island.

Two fatalities were reported, the east coast’s major state highway has been cut off due to a major landslide, and at least 400 aftershocks continued to be of concern. A tsunami alert was lifted with a coastal and marine warning remaining in place.

The epicentre was located in a rural area, almost 100 kilometers north of Christchurch, the site of a 2011 earthquake that killed 200 residents.

Australia New Zealand Field Strategy Coordinator John Moore was briefed by New Zealand District Superintenden Neville Bartle just hours after the incident. Bartle said churches and congregations in Christchurch and Wainuiomata (an outer suburb of the nation’s capital, Wellington, in the North Island) were relatively unaffected by the quake.

Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Australia New Zealand Coordinator David Harris is liaising with the local pastors in Christchurch and Wainuiomata to determine what, if any response may be implemented to support residents. The 2011 quake provided an opportunity for the local congregations in Christchurch, in partnership with the district, field, region, and global church, to extend their hands in assisting local residents with clean-up crews, providing a charging station for mobile phones, as well as access to clean drinking water.

Prayer is requested for victims of the quake and for those areas across the country that will continue to experience aftershocks in the days, weeks, and likely months to follow. Pray also that God will grant wisdom and grace as Nazarenes reach out to family, friends, neighbors, and strangers, offering Christlike compassion.

Bartle also requests prayer for those pastors and families who have been impacted: Premda, Beena, Lesniaks, Andrew, Emi, Pele, Leonor and family, and Matt and family. They are safe, but shaken by the experience.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region