Carey Centenary

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Celebrating 100 Years

For nearly a century Carey Baptist College (Te Kāreti Iriiri o Carey) has been equipping and forming Christian leaders for ministry, mission, and gospel renewal in churches and communities across Aotearoa and beyond. Now, as we approach our centenary, we invite you to join us to celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness. 

Our centenary will be a time to both reflect on our rich heritage and look forward to our next chapter. Accordingly, this special event will also mark the formal opening and dedication of our new campus—an investment into the next generation of leaders who will carry the good news of Jesus into a changing world.

Celebrate with us

Friday 20 – Saturday 21 March 2026

This month we celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness to Carey Baptist College. Held over two days at our brand‑new Penrose campus, this special weekend will feature times of worship, plenary talks, workshops led by current Carey faculty, a panel conversation with past and present principals, and a special centenary chapel service. Check out the programme below for more information.

The weekend also includes and options extra Centenary Celebration Dinner at the Ellerslie Novotel on the Friday night—a memorable evening of celebration, storytelling, and connection with special guest speaker Brian Smith.

Registrations for this event have now closed.

Carey Centenary Programme

Day One: Friday 20 March

8.30am

Registration (tea and coffee available)

9.00am

Mihi and Welcome
A time of worship together with a short message from Grace Chamberlain

10.15am

Morning Tea

11.00am

Plenary Presentation:
Martin Sutherland - A History of Carey in Six Locations

12.30pm

Lunch

1.30pm

Workshops Session One (Choose between the following two options):
Jonathan Robinson “Say to this Mountain” — What Does Jesus Really Promise Us in Mark 11:23?
or
Emma Stokes Mission Reimagined: Reflecting on the Journey and Discerning the Path Ahead

2.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.00pm

Plenary Presentation:
Michael Rhodes and Luke Kaa-Morgan Tuning Our Hearts to the Psalms: Renewing Worship and Witness in Aotearoa

4.30pm

End of Day One

Celebration Dinner

6.00pm

Arrive: Music, mingle, find a seat

6.30pm

Welcome and Dinner

7.30pm

Guest Speaker: Brian Smith

7.50pm

Dessert

8.30pm

Day Two: Saturday 21 March

8.30am

Tea/Coffee

8.45am

Worship
A time of worship together with a short message from Julie Chamberlain

9.15am

Principals' Panel
A conversation with past and present principals of the college (Brian Smith, Paul Windsor, Charles Hewlett, John Tucker, Paul Jones) hosted by Reti Ah-Voa

10.45am

Morning Tea

11.30am

Workshops Session Two (Choose between the following two options):
Phil Halstead Shape Your Future by Taking Stock of Your Life
or
Siong Ng, Michael Rhodes, Jarrahmal Tanielu and Denise Tims One Gospel, Many Voices: Equipping the People of God for Intercultural Ministry and Mission

12.30pm

Lunch

1.30pm

Workshops Session Three (Choose between the following two options):
Christa McKirland Baptist Ecclesiology and Human Flourishing
or
Jonny Weir Forming Pastors Together: Cultivating a Baptist Leadership Ecosystem for the Next 20 Years

2.30pm

Afternoon Tea

3.00pm

Celebration Chapel Service: Looking to the future with a message from Paul Jones

4.30pm

Close of Centenary Celebrations

Stories of Faith and Formation

As part of Carey’s Centenary celebrations, we’re sharing stories from graduates across the decades—stories of calling, community, challenge, and transformation. These reflections offer a glimpse into how God has been at work through Carey and its people over the past 100 years.

We hope you enjoy reading these stories of transformation, and seeing how study at Bible college shaped and formed students for life beyond Carey.

100 Years of Stories