Troy Renata-Paul is part of the Arotahi (NZBMS) staff team as Kaitaunaki | People & Connections.
Whiria (formerly Ropeholders) is a resource created by Arotahi (NZBMS) for church children’s programmes, and has been connecting with and resourcing young people for many years, helping them discover that God has a unique hand-carved mission for each of them.
This year we have been reflecting on how Whiria can best work for children and intermediate leaders. After gathering feedback from across the country, we have made some changes that we hope will best serve leaders and the young people in their programmes.
About Whiria
At Arotahi, we believe that being woven together in mission is part of God's heart for each of us. No matter how young, we can all contribute. Each prayer, each expression of aroha (love), and each small step is precious.
The name Whiria speaks to the vision: being woven together in mission. Mission isn’t a solo endeavour, it’s something we do together, and it starts young. Every child has a role to play in what God is doing in the world.
What began as a structured initiative, gave young people the opportunity to engage with Scripture, earn badges, and explore what God’s mission means for them in their everyday lives, schools, families, and communities. Through Whiria, we hope that our tamariki can continue to see how they can be part of God's mahi in the world.
“But the Lord said to me, ‘Do not say, I am too young. You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.’” – Jeremiah 1:7
One of the distinctive features of Whiria is its global dimension. Each new episode highlights a different part of the world, and we will have someone who has been there to share their experience. Through this young people get an on-the-ground view of what God is doing around the world. Each location tells a story of mission in action.
What’s new?
We have spent time talking with children and intermediate leaders to see what has worked and not worked for them. This was the base for our reflections and tweaks.
We took a close look at what young people are actually watching today. Starting various TV shows, we landed on what’s undeniably most popular: YouTube. When we look at some popular kids' YouTube, we see what they have in common: consistency, fun, clear outcomes, great sound and visuals, and the camera doesn’t need to be fancy.
Drawing on that YouTube-style approach, we’ve developed a video resource that helps leaders to prepare their young people for mission. The content aims to blend humour, stories, and interaction, while drawing young people into the main kaupapa: discovering their unique hand-carved mission.
No two episodes look the same. We will be mainly based out of the studio setup in the first episode, but will also shoot in different locations, visit churches to capture reactions to key segments, and bring on-the-ground reports from around the world.
What does it look like?
You can find all the new current episodes here. More will be added soon!
Here you’ll find
• A link to a shared drive where every new episode is available
• An easy-to-follow lesson plan and activity sheet for each episode
• Info pages for each global location, including videos, prayer guides, activities, songs, and recipes
• Participation in fundraising projects
For more information visit: arotahi.org.nz/whiria
Cost?
Nothing – it’s completely free.
Any questions?
Please get in touch with Troy at [email protected]
Photo credit: supplied by Arotahi.
