People

On this page we will list those who help to lead different parts our ministry.

In just 150 years NZ has drifted from a position where most were agreeable to endorse our national anthem when it was first publicly performed in 1876 to today where the majority of our population ticked "no religion" in our most recent census (2023). Our anthem is one of the most God-honouring national songs in the world: each stanza is a prayer for God to defend and bless this land. Perhaps it should be replaced it with a secular hymn? Or perhaps we could recognise, as Psalms 2 and 96 remind us, that there is a higher throne!

Pastor Dave McKie is an experienced ordained minister with church planting experience in several countries. He and his wife have been in ministry (either paid or unpaid) for more than 50 years. Dave has been an teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (a large evangelical, conservative denomination, with a strong emphasis on faithfulness to the Bible), for over 35 years.

Dave is a kiwi who was raised here in the SE Christchurch area. He has broad life experience having lived in several overseas countries and worked in a variety of different roles across his working life. Now retired, he continues to operate a small business consultancy on a part-time basis. Dave holds masters level qualifications in both soil science (Lincoln University) and divinity (Westminster Seminary California).

Dave is concerned about the dominance of secularism in NZ. This godless philosophy shapes so much of the current cultural thinking in this country. In fact, it is so prevalent, it is invisible to most. Dave is troubled by the degree to which naturalism - an ideological worldview that asserts that there is no reality beyond the natural realm - is uncritically assumed to be true simply because that's what the majority prefer.

Testimonial

Dave had the privilege of being raised in a home in which his parents regularly attended an evangelical church (in SE Christchurch). There he heard the gospel at a young age and responded with a determination to follow Christ. After leaving secondary school, Dave pursued tertiary studies at Lincoln College (now University). There he was greatly helped by others who trained him in many of the day to day practicalities of living as a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ. Dave fondly remembers one occasion when he was challenged by a visiting Christian speaker who asked his listeners - all young idealistic students - what needed to be in place when they reached the end of life, so they could look back and consider it to have been a success. This speaker indicated that there are a myriad of good things one could pursue on earth - career, family, fame, fortune, sport, recreation etc.- but only a handful are eternal e.g. God, His word (the Bible) and the souls of people. Since that day, over five decades ago now, Dave has made knowing God and His word a life priority, together with an associated commitment to help others. Above all else, he has discovered that knowing God in a deep personal way, and walking "hand in hand" with the One who made and upholds the universe, is the key to understanding life and reality. From a Bible-based, God revealed understanding of truth overflows peace, purpose and immense satisfaction, enjoyment and hope. Life as God intended for mankind is so much more than merely living for oneself, or even knowing about God in an abstract or intellectual way: true life is about being in relationship with the One who is holy, good and true; loving and faithful , and who always keeps His word and promises as He works out His very good will here on earth.

Want to help?

If you already know Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and Lord, or if you'd like to do so, and to help to grow Christ's kingdom here in SE Christchurch, please get in contact (Email: info@covenantbiblechurch.net). As stated elsewhere, God has promised to gather His people into His kingdom as His word is shared and His Spirit works to regenerate spiritually dead people. We look forward to all that God will do under the umbrella of Covenant Bible Church, as we coordinate a dominantly lay and volunteer ministry, built on the foundation of God's faithful, gifted, willing, available people.