About us

Emmanuel Church began on 23 June 1974. From the outset the doctrine of God’s saving grace was preached in the Church. There was also a strong emphasis on missions. By late 1974 international students from the University of Auckland and the Auckland University of Technology began attending the Church. These students were mainly from Singapore and Malaysia. Hundreds of such students passed through the Church from 1974 to 1979 and from this momentum a Reformed Baptist Church (Shalom Church) was established in Singapore on 5 August 1979.

In 1984 Emmanuel Church set apart Stephen Turner and David Sterne to establish a new work on the North Shore of Auckland. This is now called Shore Baptist Church. From the student nature of the Emmanuel Church in the 1970s and 1980s, the Church has developed into a family church. Around 80 to 100 people gather each Sunday morning for Bible study and worship.

David Yan is the founding pastor of the Church and is ably supported by dedicated faithful deacons, some of whom have served in Emmanuel Church for many years. David was baptised in London at Providence Baptist Church (now Highbury Baptist Church). The Pastor there was Joseph Hewitt and it was a great joy to have Pastor and Elizabeth Hewitt with us for our 25th anniversary in June 1999.

In 1999 the Church purchased an Exclusive Brethren hall, having previously met in rented premises. In late 2012 the Church completed a new extension to their building.

Over the years Emmanuel Church has joined with other churches in the hosting of camps and conferences. Emmanuel Church is active in missions and is involved in Asia, northern Africa and the middle East.