How it Began

Joshua fellowship began in Auckland, New Zealand in 1986 when a small group of men met and prayed about the need for a men’s fellowship.

We were aware that:

• There is a macho role model image of the Kiwi male, which is false.
• That many women are spiritually alone in their homes.
• That many men are searching for a deeper spiritual life.
• That Dove fellowship had clearly shown the special blessing of women to women ministry – the same was likely to be true for men.
• That men’s groups such as the Holy Name Society no longer exist.
• That many men, with today’s confused values, are struggling to maintain their Christian standards.

The group continued to meet and pray regularly for some months and numbers quietly grew.

Following a weekend retreat in August 1986, directed by Bishop Denis Browne, Joshua Men’s Fellowship was formally established in the Auckland Diocese with Fr. Ernie Milne as chaplain.

Eulogy for Maurice Schischka April 2012