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Blankets and PJs: Spreading Warmth Across New Zealand

At Community Impact Day across the country this May we were able to really “make a difference” to thousands in our communities by giving away FREE Blankets and Pyjamas to those in need.

Our Blanket and Pyjama drive extended across New Zealand, with dedicated volunteers at four Auckland locations, Hamilton, Christchurch, Queenstown and Invercargill, working tirelessly to bring comfort, food and prayer to those in need.

The Heart of Auckland
In Auckland alone, our efforts were supported by 400 enthusiastic volunteers. Here are the numbers and remember that every number represents a precious person.

1.      West Auckland: Provided for 942 adults, 1068 children and 373 families.
2.      Onepoto: Distributed blankets and pyjamas to 353 adults, 390 children and 149 families. 
3.      North Shore: Blessed 243 adults, 285 children and 107 families.
4.      Panama: Assisted 1214 adults, 1446 children and 603 families. 

In total, Auckland saw the distribution of blankets and pyjamas reaching 1232 families and touching the lives of 5941 individuals. How good!?

Reaching Beyond Auckland
Our reach extended far beyond Auckland:

  1. Hamilton: 33 volunteers lovingly gave out 123 blankets and 121 pyjamas to bless 39 families. This location helped over 237 individuals and had to turn away a further 10 families due to running out of supplies.

  2. Queenstown: Distributed 30 blankets, 33 pairs of pyjamas and provided 15 trailer loads of wood for the upcoming winter season. They also gave out meals and canned food to 25 families, all with the help of 30 volunteers.

  3. North Canterbury: This Campus that has only been open for a couple of months did so well! Giving away Blankets and PJS to just under 60 people.

  4. Invercargill: Our southernmost campus deployed 12 volunteers to distribute 44 blankets, helping to combat the winter chill in their community.

  5. Dunedin: For the second consecutive year, Our Dunedin Gathering has brought warmth and comfort to families in need at Musselburgh School by delivering blankets and pajamas. This year, we were delighted to provide 20 bundles of cozy blankets and pyjamas, spreading a little extra love and care to our community.

Community Efforts in Numbers
To make these efforts possible, here are some other figures:

1.      Sausages and Bread: We bought 2600 sausages and 168 loaves of bread to feed the families at each location.
2.      North Shore Jobs: 12 house clean-up jobs were completed, involving 4 skip bins and 7 hired weed eaters. Here is a beautiful message from a family we helped:
‘I can’t thank you enough for today. Everyone was so lovely and I appreciate everything that have done for me. It means so much. I can actually breathe for the first time in a long time in my house”
4.      Logistics: We needed 5 trucks and five storage units to manage and distribute supplies.

Join Us
Our mission every winter to bless our community with blankets and pyjamas is far from complete. Each blanket and every pair of pyjamas represents the warmth and care of our community. We invite you to join us, volunteer, donate, or simply spread the word. Together, we can continue to make a difference, one family, one person, at a time. Why not come to our next Community Impact Day in November? Well done City Impact Church – We are large enough to make a difference, yet small enough to care. 

As we continue exploring this topic, we’re unpacking a key tension in the Christian life: why we still struggle with sin even though Jesus has already defeated it. Read the notes below to understand what Christ has done at the cross, what we experience today, and how God is shaping us through the ongoing journey of sanctification.

The Power of Sin

  • Overview
  • The Defeat of Sin’s Power
  • The Struggle with Sin’s Influence
  • Why We Still Struggle With Sin
  • The Victory We Can Have Over Sin
  • Conclusion

Overview

Many of us understand that when Jesus gave His life on the cross, He defeated the power and authority of sin. He became sin in our place so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Yet, it’s clear that sin is still present in the world, and many Christians still struggle with temptation and sinful habits. This can feel confusing. If sin has been defeated in Christ, why do we still struggle with it?

In this blog, we’ll explore:

  • The defeat of sin’s power at the cross
  • The ongoing influence of sin
  • Why believers still struggle today
  • How we can walk in victory over sin

The Defeat of Sin’s Power

At the cross, Jesus didn’t just deal with sin emotionally or symbolically. He broke its authority and dominion over believers completely.

We are no longer slaves to sin.

Romans 6:6–11 explains this clearly:

Our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

This is a decisive spiritual reality for everyone in Christ:

  • Sin no longer rules over us
  • We are no longer under its authority
  • We are now alive to God in Christ Jesus

Before salvation, sin wasn’t just something we did. It was something that ruled us. Paul uses the image of slavery to explain this:

“You were once slaves of sin…” (Romans 6:17–18)

A slave does not have full autonomy. In the same way, sin shaped our desires, decisions, and direction before Christ.

Freedom through Christ’s exchange.

Jesus broke that system through His death and resurrection:

“For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin…” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Through Christ’s sacrifice:

  • We are freed from sin’s power
  • We are transferred into righteousness
  • Sin is no longer our master

But this leads to an important question: If sin is defeated, why do we still struggle?

The Struggle with Sin’s Influence

Although sin’s power has been broken, its presence and influence remain in the world.

Sin is no longer our master, but it still tries to tempt, lure, and influence us. We still live in a fallen world where spiritual battle is real.

Even Jesus experienced temptation, yet He never sinned.

Scripture is clear that believers must still actively resist sin:

  • Ephesians 6:10–12 – We wrestle against spiritual forces
  • 1 Peter 5:8 – The devil seeks to devour
  • James 1:13–14 – Temptation comes through desire

We are still in a spiritual battle

While sin no longer rules us, it still:

  • Appeals to our flesh
  • Uses external influences
  • Seeks to draw us away from God

However, sin will not always remain. Scripture promises a future where it will be completely removed:

“He will wipe away every tear… death shall be no more…” (Revelation 21:4)

Why We Still Struggle With Sin

To understand the tension we live in, we need to understand the three stages of salvation (Ordo Salutis):

  1. Justification 

We are saved instantly

  • Freed from sin’s power
  • Declared righteous in Christ

2. Sanctification

We are being saved progressively

  • Freed from sin’s influence over time
  • Becoming more like Christ

3. Glorification

We will be saved fully in the future

  • Completely free from sin’s presence

Where we live now

We currently live in sanctification:

  • Sin’s power is broken
  • Sin’s influence is still present
  • Sin’s presence will one day be removed

State of sin vs acts of sin

A helpful distinction:

  • State of sin: We are no longer separated from God
  • Acts of sin: We still sometimes fall and miss the mark

Being saved does not mean we never sin again. It means sin no longer defines our identity or separates us from God.

We are:

  • Fully forgiven in Christ
  • Still being transformed in daily life

The Victory We Can Have Over Sin

We are not powerless against temptation. Scripture gives us practical ways to walk in victory.

1. Identify the sin

You cannot overcome what you refuse to acknowledge.

2. Understand there is no condemnation

“There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

Conviction leads us to God. Condemnation pushes us away from Him.

3. Recognise triggers

Identify patterns and remove environments that fuel temptation.

4. Repent quickly

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just…” (1 John 1:9)

Don’t delay restoration.

5. Bring sin into the light

Confession breaks secrecy. Sin grows in darkness and weakens in the light.

6. Remember your identity 

You fight sin from freedom, not for freedom.

“Be transformed by the renewal of your mind…” (Romans 12:2)

7. Rely on the Holy Spirit

Change is a process empowered by God, not human willpower alone.

“He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion…” (Philippians 1:6)

Conclusion

Jesus has defeated sin, but sin has not yet been fully destroyed.

That is why:

  • We are free from sin’s power
  • We still face its influence
  • We still experience the process of sanctification

One day, at glorification, sin will be gone completely. Until then, we live in the tension of already free, but still being transformed.

The good news is this:

  • Sin does not define you
  • Sin does not separate you from God
  • Sin does not have authority over your life

You are justified, being sanctified, and one day will be glorified.

And in the meantime, the Holy Spirit is faithfully shaping you into the image of Christ.

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