Outward Lights and the Gratis Story
by Ella Oh
Jesus once turned to His disciples and said:
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:14–16)
From the opening line of creation — “let there be light” — to the hope-filled ending in Revelation where God Himself is our light, Scripture shows us that light represents God’s presence, God’s blessing, and God’s mission.
When Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world,” He claims that role fully. But then, in a surprising move, He turns to His followers and says, “You are the light of the world.” Flawed, ordinary people — and yet chosen to carry His presence into the world.
This is our identity: we are light-bearers. And this is our invitation: to let that light shine before others.
To be the light is not simply to live privately inspired or comforted by faith. It is to participate with God in redeeming what is broken, to be part of His Kingdom coming here and now. We don’t have to be perfect. We don’t have to be the Saviour — Jesus already is. But we are invited to join Him in the restoration of all things. To let our lives, our actions, our love point to the God who is making all things new. If we are willing, He chooses to work through us.
The Gratis Story
Almost a decade ago this theology of lights and lampstands got a bunch from CV wondering, “What would it look like for our church to be a light on the hill for this city?”
Starting Small
In 2017, CV had just moved into a hall on Mercury Lane, off K Road. We didn’t know the neighbourhood, but we felt God’s nudge to step in.
Inspired and encouraged by a Wellington church running a free store, we decided to try it up here. Volunteers collected leftover food from local cafes, laid out trestle tables, put the kettle on, and opened the doors.
People came. Some hungry. Some lonely. Some guarded, some open. Gratis began.
More Than Food
For three years, volunteers cooked toasties, poured coffees, and shared pastries with anyone who showed up. Slowly, strangers became friends.
Two regulars—let’s call them Bevin and Tex—started arriving early to help set up. They first came for food, but ended up shaping the space with us. That kind of crossing-the-table became the heartbeat of Gratis.
Covid Shifts Us
Then 2020 arrived. The hall shut, and we all retreated indoors.
Outside, though, our street friends were still out there, and others kept serving them. Led by Owen Pomana, volunteers ran a grassroots “meals on wheels” for people sleeping rough. We realised it was our turn to cross the table. We opened our hall for their team and learned what it meant to leave comfort of walls and step into the streets.
After Lockdown
When restrictions lifted, many things went back to “normal.” But Gratis didn’t return to the hall. By then, we knew where people slept rough. We had the high-vis vests and a giant pot for curry cooking. We’d seen how good it was to show up with hot food, prayer, and presence.
Since then, a faithful team has cooked 150 meals every week, collected sandwiches from local cafes, and shared meals outside the town library—rain, hail, or shine.
What Gratis Is (and Isn’t)
Gratis is not glamorous. It won’t solve deep trauma or addiction. A hot meal won’t save anyone.
But it is kindness, a compassion that God asks of us. It’s His light carried into the shadows. And we’ve seen Jesus’ saving grace bring healing, faith, and hope to people on the margins.
The Heart of Gratis
At its core, Gratis has always been more than food. It’s about whanaungatanga—building family through hospitality, care, and compassion that point to Jesus.
We’re humbled by the story so far and excited by the opportunity before us now.
The opportunity
A generous donor has pledged up to $30,000 in start-up funding — if we can imagine a sustainable micro-enterprise that will help fuel Gratis for the years ahead.
We’re looking to our CV whānau, for ideas, creativity, wisdom, experience, and curiosity.
The invitation
If you have a passion for social enterprise, a background in business, or simply a heart to see Gratis thrive, we’d love you to join the conversation. Whether you bring a fully formed idea, a half-baked thought, or just your presence and interest, you’re welcome at Good for Gratis: An ideation workshop
📅 Tuesday 7 October
📍 Community Hall
🕖 Doors open 7:00pm for supper, 7:30pm start