Here's How It Started
By Nathan Shaw
In January 2004 I woke early one morning with a supernatural weight pushing me against the bed and the word "Dunedin" exploding from my spirit. Instantly I knew that God was directing me to plant a church in Dunedin. By January 2005 a group of us had been released to start the new work.
In 2013 God led us to also do monthly meetings in Mosgiel. I sensed that God wanted us to open a new church in Mosgiel but was unsure of the timing. The initial strategy God gave us was simple: We were to "strike the ground" by declaring His purposes over Mosgiel.
The phrase “strike the ground” comes from 2 Kings 13:18 where the prophet Elisha told King Joash to strike the ground with his bow and arrow. This was meant as a prophetic act of victory over Israel’s enemies. King Joash only struck the ground three times. Elisha was upset and told King Joash he should have struck the ground five or six times and that now they would only defeat their enemies three times. God gave us seven decrees to declare over Mosgiel. He wasn’t asking us to literally strike the ground with a bow and arrow. We were to “strike the ground” by making these seven decrees each time we met.
After striking the ground three times (three meetings) I thought we had finished. One morning while I was getting ready for the day God unexpectedly spoke to me, "Three times is not enough." We determined to strike the ground a total of seven times (an additional four meetings). God didn't tell me anything else during these subsequent meetings so I thought the seventh meeting would be our last one. It wasn't until the seventh meeting that He told me, "I want you to start a church in Mosgiel."
Celebration Church Mosgiel started in 2014. Toward the end of 2017 I received another unexpected direction from God when He prompted me to combine the Dunedin and Mosgiel Churches in the Mosgiel location. We responded promptly and combined the meetings in January 2018.
It wasn’t until later in 2018 that Pastor Sue Nesbit realized the significance of a powerful vision she had received back in 1995. In the vision Pastor Sue was positioned above Mosgiel. Suddenly God’s heart came on her for souls. In that moment she pointed down at the town and with great authority said, “This one Lord!” As she spoke she saw God’s redemption and transformation hit the town and spread out. It was a very vivid vision.
There are many other things that God has spoken to us and we continue to seek Him as He unfolds more of His heart and purpose for this community. Please feel free to join us on the journey. We know without a doubt that God has an awesome plan for you.