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Parachute 2010 Report - Jan 29-Feb 1
Held at Mystery Creek Events Centre in Hamilton, New Zealand, Parachute is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest Christian music event, and boasts four days of fun, food and fellowship.
The heat and dust did little to deter the excited crowds who flocked to Parachute 2010 and over 25,000 people attended to celebrate Parachute’s 20th birthday. Headliners included SWITCHFOOT, RAPTURE RUCKUS, UNDER OATH, NEWWORLDSON, FAMILY FORCE 5, PARACHUTE BAND, HILLSONG UNITED and many more, as well as keynote speakers such as PAUL DE JONG and MATT FIELDER.
Mission Aviation Fellowship was one of many groups with a stall in the Global Expo Tent where all the missions, charitable organisations and Bible colleges are displayed. It was a fantastic opportunity to make good contacts, raise awareness of MAF and it’s vital work, and enjoy fellowship with so many others who are passionate about growing God’s Kingdom.
MAF shared a double stand with LatitudeSix Coffee, one side being set up with a Papua New Guinean theme and the other side based around MAF. This was beneficial to both, as each side drew various people, with some folks eager to talk “aviation” while others chatted over a cup of PNG coffee. The large half-wing of a micro-light aircraft that hung above the stall was much admired, as were the spears adorning the PNG stand – there were even one or two offers to buy them!
 The team working the stands was comprised of Mark Fox (CEO, MAFNZ), Emma McGeorge (Communications/Publications, MAFNZ), Cherie West (Manager, LatitudeSix), Frank & Jenny Higham (O’seas Staff) and Lisa Curren (MAFNZ Candidate). It was also great to have Bill & Angela Harding (O’seas Staff) and Esther Harvey (former missionary in PNG) volunteer some of their time.
The atmosphere at Parachute was incredibly Christ-focused, even though about 25% of attendees are non-Christians, and it was wonderful to see and hear of God’s grace and love throughout the week as the many bands from NZ and overseas played, sang and glorified Him, and several key speakers shared their Spirit-filled messages.
One woman browsing through the Global Expo Tent shared how she was celebrating more than Parachute’s birthday, as it was 10 years ago at a Parachute event that she came to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ!
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