Robert Godley

Robert Godley led the first group of English settlers who arrived in Christchurch in 1850. During the earthquake his statue in the centre of the city toppled to the ground. It looks as if he is having his nose rubbed in the dirt.

In a way that is what has happened. In 1848, when revolution was spreading across the cities of Europe, he had a vision for a establishing a base in the antipodes from which the influence of the Kingdom of God could spread out into the rest of the world. (More here) He fulfilled his calling and planted the city of Christchurch. Sadly, his vision for Christchurch has been forgotten, even among Christians.

The mayor is keen to lift Robert Godley’s statue back onto its plinth. I am keener for the Christians in Christchurch to lift up their eyes from their narrow and limited church visions and re-capture the vision for the Kingdom of God.

Let Christchurch become a place that is ready to receive the Kingdom, and work with the Holy Spirit to spread the influence of the Kingdom throughout the earth.