caring for our community
echo cares
Echo Manaakitanga
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At Echo our vision is to be a family becoming wholehearted followers of Jesus, together. One way we can share His message and help people feel a tangible expression of His love is through acts of kindness. Love without an agenda shows people we are here for them and believe in them. Echo Cares is our community ministry, which seeks to make experiencing God's love practical by going beyond our walls to meet those in need. At Echo we are committed to giving away at least 10% of the regular donations we receive (tithes and offerings) to mercy, justice and mission initiatives. We have our own local ministry and also financially support other organisations who are doing good in our nation and world.
Local Projects
Gift of Groceries
This is an annual project in early December where we provide Christmas hampers to families in Whakatāne.
Whakatāne Community Christmas Lunch
In partnership with Have A Heart organisation, a nutritious lunch is provided to anyone seeking community and a delicious meal on Christmas Day.
Kids' Winter Warm Up
A family event, run every two years, where we provide warm winter clothing to children in need in Whakatāne.
Light Party
Along with the other local churches in our community we are part of providing a positive alternative to Halloween to our community each year.
We are continually thinking about ways that we can better serve our community as a church. If you have an idea that you would like to talk to us about we would love to talk to you!
Our Local Partners in 2024-2025
Eastern Bay of Plenty NZ Riding for the Disabled
Riding for the Disabled provides therapeutic horse riding sessions for people with disabilities. Echo Church sponsors a horse paddock, which helps this charity Reach more riders, change more lives. More info
Have A Heart
By providing opportunities through events, projects and services, Have A Heart's aim is to grow great families at the heart of the Whakatāne community, connecting with those most vulnerable, creating safe homes and happy families. More info
Titoki Christian Healing Centre
Set on ten acres of peaceful, park-like grounds, Titoki offers personal retreats for healing prayer and ministry, debriefing, counselling, or to purely take time out from busy life. More info
Waiariki Whanau Mentoring
Waiariki Whanau Mentoring provides mentoring, brokering and advocacy services designed to make positive changes in the lives of whanau living on the fringe across the Waiariki and Waikato regions. More info
Our National and Global Partners in 2024-2025
Along with our local Echo Cares ministry, we have partnered with some awesome national and global organisations who are sharing the aroha of Jesus in practical ways. Below are our current partner organisations:
Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM)
FIRM seeks to empower local ministries to transform lives in Israel with the love of Jesus. They serve a network of almost 60 ministries and organisations in Israel that share a passion for reaching Israelis with the Gospel. More info
Shining Lights Trust
The Shining Lights Trust is a strategic resourcing ministry, serving Christian churches. It’s purpose is to help resource, encourage and aid the Christian Church in the sharing of it’s message of God’s love to a world in need of hope. More info
Open Doors
Open Doors supports persecuted Christians and strengthens persecuted Christian churches in over 70 countries by providing discipleship, emergency relief and community development. More info
Tearfund
Tearfund seeks to restore justice and relieve poverty among the world’s most vulnerable people. They strategically work to combat modern slavery and exploitation, care for children in poverty through child sponsorship, provide aid and relief for areas where there has been disaster and conflict, and empower people in poverty to help themselves through farming and enterprise. More info
Besides regular donations to Tearfund, Echo Church sponsors two children from Indonesia. If you call Echo Church home, please consider sponsoring a child from Indonesia through Tearfund so that we can make a difference together in the lives of children in Indonesia. Sponsor a child
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