Launching Young Adults into Great Commission Living

Missions Immersion is a discipleship and missions training experience designed to launch young adults into Great Commission living. Missions Immersion is a 10-month internship opportunity where you will gain experience and training in cross-cultural disciple making as you work and live in the community of Nelson, New Zealand. You’ll receive personalized discipleship to help you grow in your love and obedience to Jesus, to improve your overall health, and help you discern His future call on your life. You’ll have fun doing life with a community of Kingdom passionate young adults, and get to enjoy the beauty of New Zealand. Lastly, you’ll have an opportunity to take 2 trips to minister in the South Pacific islands.

LOCATION: Nelson, New Zealand

Welcome to the sunniest place in all of New Zealand! A region of around 73,000 people nestled on the North tip of the South Island surrounded by three national parks. This holiday destination is loved for it’s weather, natural beauty, outdoor recreation and charm.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where will I be living?

In Nelson, New Zealand. A town of 50,000 people on the northern tip of the South Island. It's known for it's sunshine and National Parks. It's a very safe, easy to navigate town with a large arts and crafts market and strong tourism.

Who will I be living with?

You’ll be living independently in Nelson, New Zealand—either in a long-term backpackers accommodation or flatting (renting a room) with others, including locals or fellow travelers. This setup offers the opportunity to engage with the wider Nelson community and experience real-life cross-cultural living beyond the program environment.

Where will I work?

You will find a part time job in the community of Nelson. The purpose of working is both to support yourself financially, but also to build relationships and catalyze ministry within the community.

What will a normal week look like?

A typical week will include a blend of personal rhythms—daily time with Jesus, exercise, work, and study—as well as community rhythms with the Missions Immersion team. These include worship, prayer, teaching, outreach, and regular mentorship.

You’ll also be actively involved in ministry, disciple-making, and engaging with the local community through meaningful relationships and practical service. Each person will have house church roles, contributing to gatherings that reflect real-life ministry.

One day each week is set aside as a Sabbath—a time to rest, recharge, and enjoy God’s presence through fun and play.

Who is overseeing this?

Kevin and Jessica Harkins serve as the overseeing directors of the program. To ensure the safety, accountability, and well-being of everyone involved, they are supported by Foursquare Missions International (FMI) and The Rock Network, who provide spiritual oversight and counsel. Additionally, two FMI team members—Andrew and Jennifer—are actively involved in supporting and strengthening the program.

What are the pre-deployment meetings?

Pre-deployment meetings are weekly Zoom gatherings that begin in February for all accepted participants. Led by the Harkins, these sessions are designed to provide training, encouragement, connection, and prayer as you prepare for your July deployment to New Zealand.

This pre-training phase also includes fundraising support, guidance on personal discipleship, and assigned book readings to help you grow spiritually and practically before you arrive. It’s an important time to get equipped and connected with the team for the journey ahead.

What ministry will we be involved in?

Your ministry will focus on building meaningful relationships and making disciples within the local community. You’ll also work alongside the Harkins in launching house churches in Nelson and supporting their broader Foursquare ministry across the South Pacific. Together, you’ll explore roles that align with your unique gifts and passions to make the greatest impact.

How many participants will there be?

We accept up to 10 young adults at one time.

What about transportation?

Nelson is small enough that you can manage on foot, bicycle, and bus. We are recommending everyone purchase a bike upon arrival. The Harkins will have a van to transport everyone on longer trips.

Key Scripture:

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Core Values

• Living from the Love of God

• Prioritizing His Presence and Word

• Walking in Authenticity

• Choosing a life of Courage

• Making room for Creativity

• Embracing our connection in Community

• Thriving from rhythms of Health and Rest

Church Promotional Resources

Recommendations for Missions Immersion

With over 25 years of service with Foursquare Missions International and many other global missions agencies, I’ve personally witnessed the long-term fruit that comes when young leaders are sent well-prepared. Passion alone isn’t enough—we need workers who are spiritually grounded, emotionally healthy, and equipped for cross-cultural ministry. That’s why I highly recommend Missions Immersion. This 10-month, Foursquare-affiliated program—based in Nelson, New Zealand—combines hands-on ministry, intentional discipleship, and a strong emphasis on sustainable rhythms for life and mission, all within a Spirit-led environment. If you’re a Foursquare pastor or leader wondering whether to send a young person, I believe this is one of the best investments you can make. Missions Immersion doesn’t just prepare participants for a short-term experience—it lays the foundation for a lifetime of global impact, rooted in the values we hold dear as a Foursquare family.

Jerry Stott, Ph.D., S.P.D.

FMI Global Associate Director

South Pacific / Southeast Asia

I wholeheartedly endorse the Missions Immersion program offered by Kevin and Jessica Harkins. Last year, my daughter Katerina participated in this transformative 10-month discipleship and missions training experience in New Zealand, designed to launch young adults into Great Commission living through cross-cultural disciple-making. The program provided her with invaluable opportunities to step out of her comfort zone by teaching, leading events and living in community with people from all over the world. Through this experience, she learned to balance ministry service with livelihood through part-time work and community integration, and deepen her dependence on God for direction amid personalized discipleship.

As a result, she experienced profound positive life changes, growing in her love and obedience to Jesus while discerning His future call on her. I have known Kevin and Jessica for over a decade and cannot speak highly enough about their Godly Character and enduring commitment to raise up quality ministry leaders. I highly recommend this program to any young adult aged 19-30 with a heart for missions, as it fosters authenticity, courage, and community in a supportive environment that equips participants to thrive!

Dr. Ric Guerra, DBA

Chief Operating Officer - The Foursquare Church