Sonrise Station

Sonrise Station is a Christian organization located on a 1,000 acre working sheep and beef farm surrounded in beautiful rolling hills and limestone bluffs that runs several horse camps throughout the year.

In Decemeber around a dozen teenagers came to learn to care for horses, ride on the many trails throughout the farm, abseil down one of the limestone bluffs, and enjoy meals and devotion times together in community.

The farm is owned by Gerald and Sharon Fiete, a lovely couple who have given their home and lives to blessing others through this ministry. Our friends Adrian and Bethanne Stent also work and live on the farm. Adrian directs the camp and Beth cooked our meals throughout the week.

Bethanne was an Intern at Capernwray during Carly’s first semester here in New Zealand back in 2006, and they became quick friends through Carly’s sister-in-law Jocelyn. Adrian and Beth asked if we would come as the speakers for the week to join in all the ways the campers are ministered to through their time there.

Each teenager was able to grow in their ability to care for and ride horses, as well as learn more about what being a Christian looks like in today’s world. We had a blast being a part of this ministry for those five days, riding horses along side the campers, and gave a devotion each morning and then a longer talk each evening.  We presented four themes from scripture with the purpose of sharing who Christ is, the gospel, and God’s plan for this world. It was a privilege to share from God’s word, our testimonies, and the greatest treasure of all: the good news and person of Jesus Christ and what He has done in our lives.

By the end of the week we both had come to appreciate horses in a new way, were immensely blessed by the ministry of the staff there and  got to connect in meaningful ways with the campers, one of whom was born again our last night there. What a humbling privilege it was to walk alongside someone and point her in her brokenness to the only one who can bring healing and new life, Christ.

Sonrise is a special place where people from different walks of life and brokenness are accepted and loved by the staff and owners of the camp. We saw the love of Christ being expressed and changing lives in this place.