Prayer Collective Christchurch has hosted citywide worship & prayer gatherings since 2015. Last December they pioneered  DEEP on New Years Eve and partnered with some local evangelists to create an evangelistic outreach after DEEP. It was a good first attempt at partnering prayer and worship with mission. The evangelism leaders took groups into the city to share the gospel and pray for people. While they did encounter some rain, different people were ministered to as teams stepped out in faith to preach, pray and help people in need. Several people gave their lives to Christ that night.

 
We received this unique testimony from Gareth, one of the outreach participants. Gareth was rescued out of gang life in the North Island when he encountered Jesus. In his own words he has moved from street gangs to street Gospel! Here is his story from DEEP New Years Eve!  
"Two days after DEEP New Years Eve, I was at the mall enjoying a meal when I got a feeling to look up. I saw a guy there and God told me to go and witness to him. At first I didn't want to leave my food but I could not resist the opportunity to share about Jesus so I approached him saying Jesus loves him. At that point I received a word of knowledge about his knee, and when I prayed for him all the pain left! He then started to tell me he had actually seen some people out on New Year's Eve praying for others and proceeded to show me some photos he took of people praying. (See photos above from the night of DEEP New Years Eve.) To my surprise one of the photos was me! That night he had wanted to come talk but couldn't because of work. He was working security at an upstairs bar. But divinely God brought us back together. So right at the mall I led the man to accept Christ!" 

 
This is such a beautiful example of the current season of fruitfulness and ease in evangelism. In New Zealand many corporate prophetic words are that the harvest is ripe. This story is a great reminder that you never know who is watching and how God can use you in daily encounters with people. 
 
Prayer Collective is eager to network and collaborate with a wide collective of evangelism-based initiatives and churches in the city for future DEEP New Years Eve gatherings. To get in touch with the Prayer Collective team to partner with DEEP New Years Eve , email prayercollectivechch@gmail.com