Meet the City Impact Church North Canterbury Location Pastors

From Surrender to Revival: A Life-Changing Journey to City Impact Church North Canterbury

Ps Jonah and Tineke Tuiletufuga’s journey to being Pastors of City Impact Church North Canterbury began in 2020. After serving in a large church in Christchurch for over 20 years, they had a special encounter with God. One night, while on their knees praying in their lounge, they surrendered everything to Him—their careers, their finances, their entire lives. They prayed, “Lord, use us. We want to fulfil Your purpose.”

Following this encounter, the couple were gripped by a call to do more for God. Immediately, they faced many tests and trials, which felt like a test of whether their words matched their hearts. During this time, God ignited in them a passion to see New Zealand turn back to Him and a desire to plant more churches.

Ps Jonah began exploring Bible colleges and found more options in Auckland so took a trip to investigate. While in Auckland he also looked for a church to visit. One Sunday Night he arrived at a church with a full carpark and it started to pour with rain, soaking him before he could get inside. He called home and decided to dry off and find another church to visit. The only other option that night was City Impact Church, he felt inspired. God was clearly at work there.

When Jonah returned to Christchurch the couple started researching City Impact Church, even watching every video on the website! A Vision Sunday video featuring Ps Joe preaching on the re-evangelization of the nation and the strategy to plant more churches resonated deeply with them. This confirmed their calling to help build this church and they decided to move to Auckland to be part of City Impact Church but before they discovered a City Impact Church was being planted just 10 minutes away from their home in Pegasus, on the outskirts of Christchurch.

This was getting weird, visiting the Pegasus church gathering they were impressed by the spirit of excellence, the welcoming atmosphere and the friendliness despite its small size. They were eager to help it grow and realised that this was where God was calling them to be part of City Impact Church in their hometown! Throughout their journey, Jonah and Tineke have always trusted in God, never seeking positions but serving faithfully in whatever capacity was needed. Whether it’s serving, cleaning floors, or anything else, they are committed to giving their best to God. Jonah and Tineke have since been ordained as Location Pastors of our North Canterbury Location which launched on the 21st of April 2024.

They believe it will take many people stepping up to serve the Lord and they are excited to be part of this mission They are thrilled to contribute to the launch of City Impact Church in North Canterbury and are eager to see more souls won for Christ.

Get to know the Campus Pastors - Ps Jonah & Tineke Tuiletufuga

Where were you born?
Tineke: Christchurch
Jonah: Christchurch

When & how did you get saved?
Tineke: I grew up in a Christian home, but I experienced the Fathers Love that saved my soul when I was 12 at a youth event in Christchurch. I knew that the Lord saw me and loved me. I have been in pursuit of Him ever since.

Jonah: Was out partying hard one night as a 21 year old, really just frustrated at the world and ended up punching through a glass door, cutting a main artery and two nerves in my right arm. Blood was flowing out of me and I was close to dying but by God’s grace I woke up in a hospital a few days later and my brother shared the gospel with me. The whole experience caused me to reevaluate my life and I gave my heart to Jesus and made it my life’s mission to live for Him. Now I am blessed with a beautiful family of 4 kids and lovely wife who is amazing!

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
Tineke: A missionary when I was 12, but in my younger childhood, I actually wanted to be a mechanic – I am very practical person.

Jonah: A professional sportsman

Have you studied or got a qualification?
Tineke: I have studied Social Work and was a Social Worker in schools and in the community, before having our 4 beautiful children.

Jonah: Yes, I have a Level 6 National Diploma in Business Management as well as a licensed real estate agent.

What inspired you to join our church?
Tineke: Seeing the big vision to re-evangelise NZ with the gospel of Jesus. Also, the amazing Christian School and Preschool.

Jonah: So many things, but ultimately it was seeing how big our God is and how much He has done through City Impact Church. The many ways City Impact Church has discipled people through various courses to loving our community by giving away 1000’s of PJ’s and Blankets for families in need. I was inspired to see a church reach people for Jesus through love and action.

Favourite bible verse?
Tineke: 2 Timothy 1:7 – “for the Lord has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” One of the first verses I memorised as a young child and used at night to help fight terrible nightmares. The Lord gave me the victory with this scripture!

Jonah: Ephesians 3:20 – Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

If you could travel to anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Tineke: I am yet to go to Holland – where my father was born

Jonah: America – So much of our lives are influenced by America so would travel there

Best advice you have ever received?
Tineke: It’s okay to be a little bit weird
Jonah: Be yourself, its too tiring being someone else

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):

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.

Flourish

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