Word of Life NZ

What Word of Life NZ does

Word of Life NZ is a non-profit parachurch organisation registered in New Zealand as International Word of Life Trust (charitable trust CC43849), operating as the local chapter of Word of Life International, a network spanning more than 70 countries with over 1,400 missionaries. It is headquartered at 28 Dinsdale Road in Hamilton with a second regional office at 7 Gosset Street in Christchurch, and is led by Director Dave Gow alongside roughly six paid staff and a cohort of about 10 multi-year interns. The organization's mission is to partner with local churches to evangelise and disciple youth across New Zealand, serving approximately 100 ministries from Whangarei to Invercargill each year and reaching thousands of young people with gospel content.

The organization's product portfolio spans devotional tools (12 Week Quiet Time Journal NZD 12, 4 Week Quiet Time, 21 Day Challenge NZD 3, and the free Digital Quiet Time App available in 16 languages), gospel tracts (Good News NZD 1.80, Only Once, free Mobilise booklet), and a tiered curriculum library (Gopher Buddies for ages 4-6, Olympians for Years 2-8, and Fifty1 for Years 9-13), each with lesson plans, leader guides, and parent connection tools. Event programmes include the annual Leadership Conference (NZD 20 per leader, NZD 10 for Year 12/13 students), Word of Life Camp, Youth Nights, Holiday Programmes, the Mobilise Youth Conference, and the three-week Youth Reachout cross-cultural mission trip to Fiji priced at NZD 3,900 per student (churches may nominate up to three students). The organization also runs a 1-4 year internship programme structured as 40% ministry, 40% study, and 20% personal growth, which functions as a leadership development pipeline.

The business model is donation-led: as a registered charitable trust all contributions are tax deductible, with donors able to designate general fund, specific projects, or individual ministry support. Secondary revenue comes from nominal-cost product sales (gospel tracts and devotionals priced at minimal margins) and program fees for events and the Youth Reachout trip. The underlying technology stack is built on off-the-shelf platforms (RocketSpark for e-commerce, Church Center for newsletter signups, Typeform for donation and nomination forms) with SSO via Google, Apple, and Microsoft; the Quiet Time App represents the only first-party digital product, available on both Apple App Store and Google Play.

Name

Word of Life NZ

Legal name

International Word of Life Trust

Website

https://wol.org.nz

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Word of Life NZ is a non-profit parachurch organisation partnering with approximately 100 churches across New Zealand to evangelise and disciple youth, delivering age-segmented curriculum, gospel resources, youth events, cross-cultural mission trips to Fiji, and a multi-year internship programme under the global Word of Life International network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Youth Ministry Services

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Missions & Evangelism Organizations (Domestic & International) (BPAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Faith-Based & Mission Service Programs (EDAIAGAI), International & Local Implementing NGOs (HLAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Youth ministry resources
• Gospel curriculum
• Devotional journals
• Faith-based events
• Church partnership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamilton

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Support: Word of Life is a non-profit charitable trust (CC43849) that relies on supporter generosity. All donations are tax deductible. Partners can give to general fund, specific projects, or individuals' ministry.
2. Product Sales (Shop): The store sells devotionals, gospel tools, and curriculum materials. Products include Quiet Time Journals, the 21 Day Challenge, gospel tracts (Good News, Only Once, Mobilise), and other ministry resources.
3. Youth Reachout Program Fees: The 3-week cross-cultural mission trip to Fiji costs $3900 per student, covering training, ministry, and trip expenses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Word of Life NZ is a parachurch organisation that partners with local churches across New Zealand to evangelise and disciple youth. It delivers age-specific curriculum (Fifty1, Olympians, Gopher Buddies), devotional tools (Quiet Time journals and app), gospel tracts, youth-focused events (camps, conferences, Youth Nights, Holiday Programmes), and a 3-week cross-cultural mission trip (Youth Reachout) to Fiji, alongside a multi-year internship programme for emerging ministry leaders.

Product overview

Word of Life NZ is a parachurch organization offering a portfolio of devotional tools, gospel resources, curriculum, events, and youth development programs. The product suite consists of: devotional journals (12 Week Quiet Time Journal, 4 Week Quiet Time, 21 Day Challenge, Digital Quiet Time App); gospel tracts (Good News, Only Once, Mobilise); Bible study resources (4 Week Reading Plan Bookmark); age-specific curriculums (FIFTY1 for Years 9-13, OLYMPIANS for Years 2-8, GOPHER BUDDIES for ages 4-6); event programs (Leadership Conference, Word of Life Camp, Youth Nights, Holiday Programmes, Mobilise Youth Conference, Youth Reachout mission trips); and the Internship Programme. These resources work together to support churches in evangelizing and discipling youth across New Zealand.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mobilise Youth Conference: One-day intentional training conference for young followers of Jesus to help them take the gospel out in practical and realistic ways
• Youth Reachout
• Word of Life Camp
• Fifty1 Student Ministries
• Olympian Program
• Gopher Buddies
• Quiet Time App

Products and services

• 12 Week Quiet Time Journal A 12-week guided devotional journal featuring intentional spaces for prayer, scripture reading, reflections, and daily challenges. Available in White, Black, and Green colours. Sold to individuals and youth groups for personal spiritual growth.
• 21 Day Challenge A 21-day devotional containing the Gospel of John, designed to help readers experience abundant and eternal life by reading one chapter daily. Aimed at individuals seeking to explore Christianity.
• 4 Week Quiet Time Journal A shorter version of the 12-Week Quiet Time Journal with guided spaces for prayer, scripture reading, and reflections. Can be customised for specific youth groups.
• 4 Week Reading Plan Bookmark A printable 4-week reading plan bookmark to go through God's Kingdom Plan. Free download resource for individuals.
• Digital Quiet Time App A digital version of the Quiet Time devotional tool, available as a free app download. Redesigned online experience in 16 languages with daily missions and prayer from around the world. Trusted by families and churches for over 50 years.
• Good News Gospel Tract An easy-to-follow gospel tract that walks through a clear gospel message from Creation, the Fall, the Death and Resurrection of Christ, to a response prompt. Designed for all ages. Priced at $1.80 per tract.
• Only Once Gospel Tract A gospel tract that emphasises the perfect completion of Christ's death and resurrection for assurance of salvation. Contact for pricing.
• Mobilise Booklet A free resource covering the basics of what it means to be a Christian and follow Christ. Designed to help new believers begin their journey as disciples of Christ who make disciples.
• FIFTY1 Student Ministries Curriculum A youth ministry curriculum for Years 9-13 focused on three goals: Gospel Witness, Spiritual Growth, and Disciple-Making. Contains detailed lesson plans, leader guides, small group discussion questions, and parent connection tools. For youth leaders and churches.
• Olympians Curriculum A children's ministry curriculum for Years 2-8 using an Olympic theme. Features resources, training, and encouragement for leaders to guide children in forming essential spiritual habits, with built-in parent resources.
• Gopher Buddies Curriculum A preschool curriculum for ages 4-6 teaching foundational truths of Scripture. Each lesson includes parent resources for meaningful follow-up between parents and their children.
• Leadership Conference An annual one-day training conference for youth leaders focused on development as a team, vision alignment, and equipping with practical ministry skills. Priced at $20 per leader and $10 for Year 12/13 students.
• Word of Life Camp A four-day action-packed weekend camp for Years 9-13 featuring themed storyline, competition, wide games, worship, and teaching focused on the gospel.
• Youth Nights An event partnership programme providing engaging games, inflatables, and a clear presentation of the gospel for youth groups.
• Holiday Programmes Children's holiday programmes designed to help churches reach children and families in the community with the gospel in a fun, engaging environment.
• Mobilise Youth Conference A one-day intentional training conference for young followers of Jesus to help them take the gospel out practically. Features teaching, workshops, worship, and hands-on training.
• Youth Reachout A 3-week cross-cultural mission experience to Fiji for youth aged 16+, emphasising hands-on ministry and individual spiritual development. Includes training, practical ministry, mentoring, and discipleship. $3,900 per student.
• Word of Life Internship Programme A multi-year ministry and study programme (1-4 years) designed to develop young adults into reproducing Christian leaders. Features 40% ministry, 40% study, and 20% personal growth format. Currently has 10 interns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Almost 100 ministries served last year
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Word of Life InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWord of Life NZ is part of an international story that started with the vision of one man and now spans 70+ countries. Over 1400 missionaries continue to reach the next generation for Christ all over the world.
• Word of Life FijicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWord of Life NZ partners closely with the Word of Life Fiji team for the Youth Reachout program. The partnership ensures service also helps meet Fiji's goals of reaching youth with the gospel.
• JESUS TIMEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferenced as a partner for additional gospel tools alongside Word of Life's own resources.
• Dare2ShareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerReferenced as a partner for additional gospel tools alongside Word of Life's own resources.
• SIM NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for cross-cultural mission elective at Mobilise Youth Conference, providing insights on international mission opportunities.
• Catalyst Movement & The Send NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing elective on sharing faith through school groups, supporting Jesus Clubs in high schools.
• Capernwray Australia & TeenStreet AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCallum Thomas serves as Principal of Capernwray Australia and National Director of TeenStreet Australia, speaking at Mobilise.
• UnashamedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuke Collis from Unashamed provides elective on navigating conversations and sharing faith naturally.
• Life AucklandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnna Forlong from Life Auckland provides elective on sharing the gospel through personal testimony.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Baptist Youth New Zealand: Denominational youth ministry network supporting NZ Baptist churches with youth events, training, and resources — adjacent but thematically comparable church-partnered youth ministry infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Word of Life Australia: Sister WoL affiliate running the same parachurch youth ministry model across Australia; comparable curriculum, events, and church partnership approach in a neighboring market.
• Scripture Union New Zealand: NZ-based parachurch organization running Scripture-based youth and children's ministry programs, holiday camps, and school missions — directly comparable mission, customer base (churches), and product mix (curriculum + events).
• Youth For Christ New Zealand: Parachurch youth ministry serving NZ churches and young people through outreach events, school-based programs, and discipleship resources — same target segments and church-partnership model.
• Capernwray Australia / TeenStreet Australia: Christian Bible-school and youth conference ministry comparable to WoL's Camp, Mobilise conference, and intern development programmes; overlapping audience of youth and young leaders in the region.

Broad incumbents

• Word of Life International: Global parent network of WoL NZ with 70+ country footprint and 1400+ missionaries; comparable mission, content, and event methodologies that WoL NZ adapts for the NZ market.
• Alpha (Alpha International): Global faith-based organization running evangelism courses widely adopted by churches including youth ministries; comparable resource-and-curriculum distribution model and church-partnership GTM.

Emerging players

• Dare2Share: US-based youth ministry producing gospel presentation tools and training curricula — already a minor partner of WoL NZ — overlapping in gospel tracts and youth leader resources.
• SIM New Zealand: NZ mission agency partnering with WoL NZ on the Mobilise Youth Conference; comparable cross-cultural mission and youth mobilization focus in the same geographic market.

Regional players

• SU Australia (Scripture Union Australia): Regional Scripture Union counterpart providing camps, curriculum, and youth ministry support across Australia; comparable products and customer base to WoL NZ in a neighboring geography.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/wordoflifenz
• Instagraminstagram.com/wordoflifenz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/word-of-life-nz-wol

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Word of Life NZ