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About

The Background of Atomic Church

Us

Our Story

Over 20 years ago, Pastors Matai and Cissie Bennett founded what was then known as Kawerau Community Church with a simple mission: to love people, support young people, and bring hope to the Eastern Bay of Plenty.
In 1996, a small team of 10 adults and 5 children launched a kids’ club in Kawerau. Within a year, it had grown to 45 children. After a life-changing camp where many gave their lives to Christ and were filled with the Holy Spirit, the group began meeting every Sunday. What started as a children's ministry soon grew into a church family known as Kids For Christ (KFC).
As the children grew into teenagers and then adults, the church naturally evolved into Kawerau Community Church, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Kawerau Revival (2013–2014)

In 2013, Kawerau faced significant challenges, including unemployment, drug abuse, and a tragic rise in youth suicides. In response, the church opened its doors to local young people through dedicated evening services.
What followed was a remarkable move of God. More than 300 teenagers and young adults attended weekly, experiencing transformation, freedom from addiction, renewed hope, and a strong sense of belonging.
This season reshaped our church and inspired a new vision. We became Atomic Church—A Tent of Meetings In Christ—with a renewed passion to reach communities across the region.

Growing Beyond Kawerau

In 2016, we planted a second campus in Rotorua and rebranded both locations under the Atomic Church name. Today, with campuses in Kawerau, Rotorua, and Queanbeyan (NSW), we remain one church family united by the same mission: helping people to encounter God, equipping people and empowering believers.​

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ATOMIC is a spirit-filled and spirit-led church that is called to love and serve our communities with the grace, mercy and compassion of Jesus Christ.

 

We seek to change lives, empower people, and serve our community with the following values:

  • Love – Changing lives only happens when we can love people past their current situation

  • Unity – Empowering people by creating a whanau based environment, that includes things like, identity, inclusion, guidance and boundaries, giving the devil no room to cause division between each other, the Lord and the call of God on our lives

  • Serve – serving causes partnership, not only inside the church but outside the church as well.

About Us: About Us
About Us: Meet the Team
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Our Pastors

Ps Matai & Cissie Bennett

Pastors Matai and Cissie Bennett, founders of Atomic Churches, have served as prominent Christian leaders in the Bay of Plenty for over two decades. Known for driving regional spiritual revivals, they specialize in celebrating Māori culture and faith, facilitating youth outreach, and leading national initiatives like the Tent Revival Crusades Aotearoa.

Our Board

Matai Bennett - Chairman

Inuwai Hurae - Treasurer

Cissie Bennett - Trustee

Steve Holmes - Trustee

Leanne Atutahi - Trustee

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Atomic Church is a division of the Kawerau Community Church Trust Board. 

Registration number:

CC46687

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Core Beliefs of Atomic Church

  1. The Trinity
    There is only one true God, existing forever as three distinct persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit.

  2. The Bible
    The Bible is written by human authors but inspired by God. It is completely accurate and serves as the ultimate guide for what to believe and how to live.

  3. Humanity and Sin
    Every human being is made in the image of God. However, everyone has been ruined and corrupted by sin.

  4. Jesus’ Death
    Jesus died on the cross as our substitute. He took the punishment for our sins, defeated evil, and brought us back into a right relationship with God.

  5. Jesus’ Resurrection and Reign
    Jesus physically rose from the dead and went up to heaven to rule alongside God the Father. He is the only Savior who can rescue the world.

  6. Salvation by Faith
    To be saved, a person must turn away from sin and trust in Jesus. Salvation is a free gift through faith, not something earned by good deeds. True faith will naturally lead to a changed life full of good choices.

  7. The Holy Spirit
    The Holy Spirit works inside believers to help them turn away from sin, give them spiritual new birth, guide them to follow Jesus, and give them the strength to share their faith.

  8. The New Covenant
    The laws and rules given to Moses in the Old Testament are finished because Jesus fulfilled them. Christians are not bound by ancient Israel's laws but live by the commands taught by Jesus.

  9. The Church
    The Church is a global and local family made up of all Christian believers. Every believer is given unique spiritual gifts to worship God, share the message of Jesus, and fight for love and fairness.

  10. The Return of Christ and Final Judgement
    Jesus will physically return to earth to finish God's plan. He will judge everyone, giving eternal life to those who trust Him, enforcing eternal punishment on those who reject Him, and making a perfect new heaven and earth.

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“Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.”

– 1 Timothy 4:16 (NLT)

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