Elevate Christian Disability Trust

20/08/2025

Our friend Donna Funk is running an epic training on the 6th of September in Auckland, New Zealand. This is your reminder to register before the 29 August, 2025! 🤩🥳

Enjoy a valuable day discussing how to support neurodivergent young people!

20/08/2025

Timothy’s life changed forever after a spinal cord injury in 2010. What could have ended his story instead opened a new chapter—one filled with fresh insight, deep strength, and a passion to serve others. ✨

With the love of family and friends beside him, Timothy’s journey is a reminder that hope can carry us through even the hardest seasons.

Watch his story by Hope Project NZ in the Unpacking Life series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXvF_Io4jS0&t=2s

Coming from an active life on a farm and a subsequent career as a mechanic, Timothy's life took a dramatic turn when he suffered a spinal cord injury in 2010...

17/08/2025

Funeral for David Senior Live Stream Link

Here’s the link to the funeral if you haven’t seen it on Facebook yet.

https://evt.live/funeral-for-david-senior

The funeral will stream from the link below and the video will also be available to view afterwards.

https://evt.live/funeral-for-david-senior

As with all things, there may be some gremlins on the day (e.g. audio issues}, but everything is being recorded at the venue including digital audio, which will be made available after the event.

It would be wonderful if you could sign our digital guest book, and share your memories of David with the family.

17/08/2025

Funeral for David Senior
Tomorrow Monday 18th August
Livestream starts at 10:30am for 11am Service.

Message from the Senior Family:
Thank you for joining us for the funeral of David Senior.
The funeral will stream via the link below. The video will also be available to view afterwards.

As with all things, there may be some gremlins on the day (e.g. audio issues}, but everything is being recorded at the venue including digital audio, which will be made available after the event.

It would be wonderful if you could sign our digital guest book, and share your memories of David with the family.

Join at this link on August 18, at 10:30 AM (Pacific/Auckland time) to watch live.

13/08/2025

With heavy hearts, we share that our beloved Chairman, David Senior, has passed away.
For many years, David led Elevate Christian Disability Trust with vision, kindness, and a heart to make life better for others. He had a wonderful sense of humour, a laugh that could fill a room, and a way of making people feel instantly at ease. His gift for building community and creating spaces of belonging will be felt for years to come.
We thank God for his life and faithful service, and we hold his family in our prayers.
"Well done, good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of your Lord." – Matthew 25:21 (NKJV).

David’s Funeral Service is going to be on
Date: Monday 18th August
Time: 11am
Where: Kerikeri Baptist Church, 41 Hobson Avenue, Kerikeri.

31/07/2025

We have created a new resource that is up for pre-sale! Our resource is entitled: Can I Come Too? A Guide for Campsites to Better Involve Young People with Disabilities...and it's almost ready! Order your copy through pre-sale now! Subject to availability 📒❗5️⃣0️⃣⏱️

https://elevatecdt.org.nz/can-i-come-too-resource/

24/07/2025

God in Every Season Devotion: Faithful Yesterday, Today, and Forever by Leila Corban
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you...” — Isaiah 43:2

Whatever season you're walking through - grief, joy, fire or flood, God is with you. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His presence comforts, protects, and empowers us in every chapter of life. 🌿🔥🌧️☀️

https://elevatecdt.org.nz/blog/2025/07/23/faithful-forever/

Seasons change—but God’s presence remains constant. From loss to miracles, from deserts to detours, He has never failed. ‘When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…’ (Isaiah 43:2)

20/07/2025

🎨 Armed with a Canvas: Yung Chen’s Story
As featured in The Encourager, July 2025

In this powerful interview, Yung shares how he adapted his artistic process, found freedom through digital painting, and turned challenges into a creative business. He embraced computer art, creating vibrant pieces that reflect his love for music and his determination to work on his own terms.

🖼 Read more from The Encourager and be inspired by Yung’s courage, creativity, and determination.
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/blog/2025/07/10/armedwithacanvas-2/

18/07/2025

Have we got exciting news or what! Years of camp experiences; the generous contributions of families' experiences in camping with disability; plus, the hard-work and passion of our amazing former staff member, Siobhán Jansen, have led to this: 'Can I Come Too? A Guide for Campsites to Better Involve Young People with Disabilities'.

A brand-new resource that will be launched in September, later this year. We are so grateful to every person who has been a part of the process in creating, editing, contributing to, and shaping this resource. Our thanks extend to the generous donation that has made this resource possible. You can register now for pre-sales of the resource by visiting our website, linked below.

Let's do this! 🏕️🌳🚐

16/07/2025

T-minus 22 days until Auckland Family Camp! 🤠🌲

Elevate staff, Ella and Jacqui, paid a visit to Willow Park Christian Camp this morning getting ready for Auckland Family Camp on the 8-10 August 2025.

All is quiet at Willow Park at the moment…no people in sight…just wait until our families and volunteers arrive on Friday the 8th of August to see camp full of life!

Let’s go! 🌱🌟🍽️🏓🎨🎭

15/07/2025

🌟 Honouring 30 Years of Service: Article from The Encourager magazine!

Ruth Beale has dedicated decades to Elevate Christian Disability Trust, CFFD, and mission work in New Zealand and beyond. From early leadership in Wellington CFFD to serving in the Philippines, and today still giving by knitting for Operation Cover-Up, Ruth has walked a remarkable journey of faith and perseverance.

Thank you, Ruth, for over 30 years of wholehearted service. You are an inspiration to us all.
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/blog/2025/06/30/boldlivingwithruth/

One of my first impressions of Ruth, was that she speaks with such confidence and boldness. I have learned her boldness and deep trust comes from navigating the windy road of life, by God’s lamp to her feet. You may know Ruth from her work with Wellington Christian Fellowship for the Disabled (CFF...

13/07/2025

✨ Who would have thought? Bonus Article of The Encourager magazine!

From a young boy helping at Elevate camps to a dad of seven – including identical triplets!

Years ago, Jeremy Pyle and Anna Crisford crossed paths through CFFD Northland, Totara Springs camps, and a little matchmaking help from Jacqui and Jillian. What began as a shared heart for people with disabilities has grown into a beautiful family and a life of service together. In July 2024, they welcomed their identical triplets, bringing their family to seven children under seven! 💖

All those years ago, who would have thought what God had in store?

Sign up for our upcoming Auckland Family Camp today – you never know how God might use it to change your life too. 💫
https://elevatecdt.org.nz/blog/2025/06/30/whowouldhavethought/

We have an exciting bonus website-only ‘The Encourager’ article. Read on for bonus ‘The Encourager’ 180th Issue content written by Jillian Leather, regarding the exciting story of the Pyle family, of whom, Jeremy and Anna Pyle have helped to lead at Northland CFFD, and Jeremy has helped at n...