News & Events Archives - Ezra Ministry

Ezra House Update

By Andrew YoungOctober 3, 2015Ezra News

After months of administrative applications and processes with local government bodies, construction on the long-awaited Ezra House began in March this year (2015). It is one of three buildings being constructed simultaneously on the Gospel Heights development owned by the Manukau Christian Charitable Trust. Ezra House began, conceptually, as a relatively modest single level structure, but expanded to become an imposing one-and-a-half level ministry centre. When engineers and architects got their levels out of sync in the design phase, it made sense to raise the height of the planned building a little and add rooms underneath. The end result is […]

At Home with the Lord

By Andrew YoungAugust 3, 2015Ezra News

On Sunday afternoon, August 2nd 2015, Nola Young, wife of the Ezra Ministry Director Andrew, died peacefully in Middlemore Hospital, Auckland. As many readers and supporters of the Ezra Ministry will know, Nola had suffered a stroke in October 2011 that left her paralysed down her right side and speech and sight impaired. While recovering a measure of speech, she never regained her mobility and was wheel-chair bound for the almost four years she lived after the stroke. Andrew acted as principal carer for her during this time. Nola was fully supportive of Andrew’s vision for the Ezra Ministry and acted as its communications officer in its […]

Ezra Ministry Update – February 2013

By Andrew YoungFebruary 1, 2013Ezra Updates

News and Prayer Bulletin #2: February 2013 A whole year has passed since the Ezra Ministry began in February 2012. An anniversary is always a good time to reflect on what has happened, is happening, and potentially will happen. That is what I will attempt to do in this Update. The Year That Has Been As regular readers will know, the past year has been dominated for me personally by the challenge of caring for my wife Nola after her stroke in October 2011 and discharge from hospital in April 2012. There have been times when I have wondered how realistic it […]

Ezra Adance Report #3

By Andrew YoungSeptember 20, 2012Ezra Advances

I set out on my third Ezra Advance late Wednesday afternoon, August 8th more weary than usual. There had been several challenging meetings the previous week, I had preached two Sundays in a row, and Clair, our valued helper, had been sick and unable to assist us more than once during the month. All told, the latter part of July had taken its toll. As I drove to Orere Point where I was again to hold this Advance I brought my situation to the Lord. “Lord Jesus,” I said, “I am going to have to leave these next two days […]

Ezra Plans

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

Ezra Plans for the next months include: Completing the series of Ezra Reflections on “The Influences of the Holy Spirit” and compiling these in e-book form. Beginning a new series of Reflections on a yet-to-be finalised subject. Continuing the Ezra Stories, sharing ongoing lessons the Lord is teaching as Nola and I work through the challenges of home life. Editing and revising previously written articles for inclusion in the website. Continuing monthly Ezra Advances. Please continue to pray for us, and write to us whenever you feel stirred to do so. We appreciate your e-mail responses, suggestions and comments.

Ezra Requests

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

Take everything the Lord brings to your mind regarding the Ezra Ministry back to him in prayer! That, in part anyway, is what it means to “pray in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18; Jude 20). But here are six things in particular we would like you to bring to God with us: For insight into what to write about and how to go about doing so. The words of Isaiah 50:4 have been laid upon my heart in connection with this ministry: “The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me […]

Ezra Finances

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

When the idea of establishing a writing and research ministry came to mind last year I had no idea how it would materialise. It was one thing to see its purpose and activities clearly, and another to know how it would be supported. Remarkably, God laid it on the heart of a Christian trust to underwrite a basic salary to enable the Ministry to be born. At the same time, Tony Bracefield undertook to raise funds for the Ministry as a whole. Here is Tony’s summary of our current financial situation: We give thanks to God that we have received donations […]

Ezra Advances

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

As noted above we have embarked on regular monthly three-day advances as a means of me getting necessary refreshment and focused time for thinking and writing. The first of these was held 7-9 June and the second 4-7 July. Both were extremely fruitful events. The practice of periodic “advances” is not something new to me. During the years I was Principal of Grace Theological College they were a regular part of the academic year. They have become more than ever necessary with Nola’s illness and the time-demands involved in caring for her. As a rule I don’t set out on […]

Ezra Responses

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

There have been a number of very encouraging reader responses. On several occasions people have written saying how an Ezra Storyor Reflection has helped them meet deep personal challenges – usually associated with family health crises. Others have spoken of being spiritually encouraged and uplifted, and one or two in particular have said how they have been helped to understand the work of the Holy Spirit and be more sensitive and responsive to his work in their lives. One friend in the USA wrote suggesting the Reflections on the Holy Spirit be expanded into a book. As noted above, there have been recurring comments that […]

Ezra Publications

By Andrew YoungJuly 16, 2012Ezra Updates

In the early months of the Ezra Ministry’s life we have been limited to publishing Ezra Stories and Ezra Reflections. The former have been based on experiences connected with Nola Young’s illness, and the latter with the theme “Influences of the Holy Spirit.” All are available on the Ministry website (www.ezraministry.org.nz). For quick reference, titles for the two series are as follows: Ezra Stories A Heart-Moving God A Changed Man The Triumph of Trust A Steadfast Heart Loving Like Jesus No Longer Two But One Beyond Trust to Faith More Than Conquerors Ezra Reflections “The Influences of the Spirit” series: Deepening Christian Experience Biblical […]