The story of a young Christian movement growing in a young country, sharing in the hardship of pioneering a faith and a nation. Neither the early Brethren nor the colony of New Zealand had a background of long tradition and history to hinder vigorous growth. Thus the movement expanded with the zealous pioneering spirit of its first settlers. This first full-length history of that development shows the impact a minority evangelical group has had - an impact far in excess of its numerical strength.

An examination of a group that rejected formal services, ecclesiastical leadership and national organisation, replacing them with fellowship in autonomous local churches of "laymen" is not easily made. The evidence that such a spontaneous attitude to church planting worked is clearly seen today.