4 April 2015 NZFT War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION | 04 April 2015 | Issue 6614 | $1.50

Celebrating 150 YEARS Internationally

Hand Your Life Over to God

Share the Joy of Easter GENERAL’S EASTER MESSAGE NEW ZEALAND CADETS ENTER TRAINING WHY DID JESUS HAVE TO DIE? GLOW BRIGHTLY ONE ARMY TEACHING RESOURCE 10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO CHURCH

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Kia ora Death is beaten WAR CRY

The Salvation Army Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji & Tonga Territory FOUNDER William Booth GENERAL André Cox TERRITORIAL COMMANDER Robert Donaldson The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination.

War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR

Major Christina Tyson GRAPHIC DESIGN

Lauren Millington, Amber Wilkinson STAFF WRITERS

Ingrid Barratt, Robin Raymond, Vanessa Singh CONTRIBUTORS

Martin Barratt (movie reviewer), Kris Singh (music reviewer)

PROOF READING

Major Jill Gainsford OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Phone (04) 384 5649 Fax (04) 382 0716 Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department Phone (04) 382 0768 Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT MakeReady | www.makeready.co.nz

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All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

Publishing for 131 years

ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6614

Why is Easter so important to the Christian church? Because it commemorates the death and then the life-after-death-is-beaten of Jesus Christ. Because of this historic event, any person can experience an awakening from the bondage, hopelessness and emptiness of sin to freedom, with the power to live life differently.

As Jesus said, ‘I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemned. They have already gone from death to life’. Because Jesus has already made the journey from death to life, so can we.

In this edition, we introduce Evan and Jill. Because of Jesus, they are no longer living the lives they had for years—lives of chaos and emptiness. Although not even aware of looking for God, God sought them out, working in Evan and Jill’s lives individually, and making them stronger together.

When I think of Evan and Jill, some other words that Jesus spoke also come to mind: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest … learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’

Don’t we all want rest for our souls? Don’t we all need to know God’s peace in our lives? This is why Jesus came to our world, to offer us the chance for a life re-connected to God—one of peace and fulfilment, of stronger relationships, of hope and direction for life. Of living for others, not just for ourselves.

Read the Bible as Evan and Jill did. Sign up for an Alpha Course or something similar that will explain the meaning behind the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Open your heart and mind to the reality that God loves you, that Jesus died for you, and that his life after death is your guarantee of a better way of living.

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Christina Tyson Editor

BIBLE VERSE

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1 Peter 3:18 Contemporary English Version

‘Christ died once for our sins. An innocent person died for those who are guilty. Christ did this to bring you to God when his body was put to death and his spirit was made alive.’

1 Pita 3:18

‘Kotahi hoki whakamamaetanga o te Karaiti mō ngā hara, te tika mō te hunga hē, kia ārahina ai tātou e ia ki te Atua, i whakamatea ko te kikokiko, i whakaorangia ia ko te wairua …’

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WISE WORDS salvationarmyNZFijiTonga @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft

salvationarmy.org.nz

So he came To grips with nail and sword and angry men, His weapon Love—and Love—and Love again.

Catherine Baird

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Let’s Talk | 03

BY ROBIN RAYMOND he death last month of the actor Leonard Nimoy, who famously played the Star Trek character Spock, got us thinking here at the War Cry. A few years ago a friend pestered me to watch the 1982 Star Trek movie Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan. I am definitely not a Trekkie, and I don’t like bad ’80s special effects. But even I found myself captivated by the final few scenes, apparently the most famous of Star Trek moments, where Spock enters the radiation filled engine room to repair the engine and save the crew, knowing this will kill him.

Spock has become part of popular culture, renowned for his pointy ears and lack of emotion. That lack of emotion was certainly how he started out as a character in Star Trek. At first Spock is an outsider among the crew of the Starship Enterprise. Although mostly human looking, as an alien from Vulcan, Spock has been trained to suppress all emotion and act on pure logic. Throughout the crew’s space adventures, Spock is always looking to the bigger picture and guiding the other characters through, while still remaining somewhat aloof and separate.

But over time, Spock was shown to be less and less emotionless. In fact, we learnt that Vulcans actually possess extremely strong emotions that they must try to control. Spock is constantly and courageously fighting for the right thing and is fiercely loyal to his friends. The moment where he gives up his life is perhaps the most Spock-like thing he’d done. He goes out of his way to

say how logical this act is, but it is also clearly a highly emotional decision—to do the right thing for his friends.

Throughout the Old Testament, the ‘otherness’ of God is regularly described. Here is the being that created the universe and us. That’s amazing! If God really did make the universe then he is totally, awesomely, other.

In the Old Testament, God is depicted as somewhat Spock-like, sitting outside of time, but always acting for the greater good, the bigger plan, trying to fix the mess that we made of the world and our relationship with God. Gradually, though, as we keep reading through the Bible, God is also revealed as deeply emotional and overflowing with love.

And finally, we see God stepped down among us as Jesus. We see God becoming human to heal the gap between us and him, accomplishing this through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus’ death.

As Paul puts it in Philippians: [Jesus] had equal status with God, but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status … When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn’t claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death.

That is the amazing good news of Easter, that God was never satisfied with distance and detachment; he wants to get up close and personal and have a relationship with us. And he did that as Jesus.

Photography: CBS via Getty Images

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Bookshelf Sport The Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Aaron Cruden Part autobiography, part picture book and part how-to manual, All Black Aaron Cruden ups the game for the ‘rugby-bio’ genre. Cruden is a New Zealand rugby star, ‘known for his tactical flair and exciting skill set’. But he comes across as your typical Kiwi bloke from Palmy, albeit with true grit, overcoming cancer at 19 and competing against much bigger blokes to get to the top level of his sport. Its colourful, pictorial design printed on glossy paper makes this book especially accessible for young rugby fans, who will spend hours pouring over Cruden’s step-by-step guide to basic skills, techniques and drills.

(Penguin Random House)

Playlist

Culture Whispers and Vanities Samoan Indigenous Knowledge and Religion When a book’s opening line is about the ‘hermeneutical revolution’ of biblical scholarship, you know it isn’t for everyone. But if you can get through the somewhat dense text, this book tackles fascinating and often hidden aspects of Samoan culture and religion. It’s a collection of 38 essays from Samoan commentators, responding to an address from their head of state to the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions, which spoke of the ‘whispered’ traditions often subservient to post-colonial religion. In response, this collection tackles topics from St Augustine to indigenous sexuality. (Huia)

Faith Formation The Kid-dom of God Nancy Reeves and Linnea Good A collection from an awardwinning column on children and faith, offering guidance on ‘how to listen and respond to children’s God-wonderings and spiritual experiences, as well as communicating your own values and faith’. It’s refreshing to read a book about growing children’s faith that isn’t dependent on catch-all answers. Instead, it calls adults to bring out the spirituality God has already placed in children and gives a voice for children’s faith stories.

It’s full of great, simple ideas for helping children discover their own faith. A lovely, charming perspective on the precious gift of faith God gives our kids. (Woodlake)

Reel News

Pop Rock Diamonds Hawk Nelson Hawk Nelson are back with their latest record, Diamonds, which explores the idea that God uses pressure, struggles, trials and stress in order to create something beautiful. It’s an upbeat and bright record, retaining the pop and discarding the punk that typically characterised Hawk Nelson’s sound.

There’s a definite One Direction vibe in the production and songwriting, although the lyrical content is far richer thematically. Combined with the upbeat power pop sound of the four-piece band, Diamonds is a surprisingly satisfying listen. Hawk Nelson don’t hide their faith; they present it with a mature subtly in an otherwise bombastic and fun record. Well worth checking out.

Worship Passion: Even So Come Passion The annual Passion Conference is aimed at high school/university students, and its annual album presents a yearly snapshot of popular and new praise and worship songs. The opening title track, ‘Even So Come’ by Chris Tomlin is a typical arena anthem worship song, but it has a chorus hook with surprising theological depth. Multiple songwriters, including Matt Redman, lend their style, with David Crowder taking the most musical licence, utilising lazy hip hop grooves and shuffling blues to great effect in ‘Lift Your Head Weary Sinner’. If you’re looking for a taste test of 2015’s upcoming hits, this is definitely the place to go.

GIVEAWAY To win a copy of The Beginner’s Guide to Rugby, tell us your proudest sporting moment.

War Cry Giveaway, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org. Entries close 20 April.

Animated/Comedy Home Tim Johnson / PG The latest Pixar offering, Home, sees a cute yet inept alien race called the Boov invade Earth to hide from their mortal enemy, the Gorg.

All humans except for a teenage girl named Tip (Rihanna) are rehoused in barren parts of the planet. On the run and looking for her mother Lucy (Jennifer Lopez), Tip befriends Oh (voiced by Jim Parsons of The Big Bang Theory), a lonely accident-prone Boov who has accidentally informed the Gorg of the Boovs’s current location. Together, Oh and Tip go on a road trip around the world to solve both their problems.

At first, the young girl rebuffs Oh, since his species was responsible for her mother’s kidnapping. But the understandably wary Tip eventually warms to Oh and his unfortunate habit of creating havoc.

Based on popular 2007 children’s novel The True Meaning of Smekday, the film gets plenty of mileage out of the Boov, a relationship-phobic bunch that speak comically fractured English and change colour according to their emotional state. With their curly ears and gap-toothed faces, the Boov are certainly fun to watch, although not quite as endearing as the Minions in Despicable Me. As Variety’s reviewer points out, Home presents ‘the friendliest alien invasion ever, in which the Boov arrive in soap bubble-like pods, slurping up all the humans via giant vacuum tubes, and relocating them to amusement park-style communities in the barren expanse of Australia’. Home also emphasises the longstanding Pixar lesson: that misfits aren’t losers; they simply haven’t figured out how or where they belong yet.

While Home lacks a bit on the humour scale and is a little generic, this is a bright and breezy family movie that will appeal greatly to younger audiences.

Feature | 05

When they first met, Evan and Jill were living chaotic lives driven by drug use. But both were desperate enough to give God the chance to work in their lives.

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van freely admits he was no saint, but even so it was hard to accept deportation back to New Zealand after 20 years in Australia. Evan was deported in 2001 after serving a sentence for manufacture and supply of drugs. When he stepped off the plane, he was angry and out of control.

‘New Zealand wasn’t home anymore. My kids were in Australia, I had a house in Australia. Now everything was gone, and I was spat back out on the streets of Auckland.’ It was a big ask for Evan to stay out of trouble without any support.

And he didn’t. ‘Birds of a feather flock together,’ he says. ‘And being as angry as I was, it didn’t take long.’

In the 12 years after Evan arrived back in New Zealand, he always found opportunities to work, being a skilled panel beater and painter.

But because of his drug use, he also lost plenty of jobs. Finally, Evan moved south from Auckland to be near his brother in Levin.

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I can’t stay clean One day, Evan made the decision to seek help with his drug addiction.

‘I was sick—so sick I wanted to die,’ he says. ‘I desperately wanted to stop using, but I didn’t know how to make that happen. I just didn’t know how to get it under control. So I sought professional help.’ He visited a nearby doctor and was referred to a drug counsellor.

Evan says he’d never considered rehab before, because he didn’t see himself as an addict. ‘I mean, I knew I was using drugs—I knew I was a “drug user”—but I never thought of myself as a “junkie”. When I came to understand I was a junkie, that was my own personal rock bottom, and it changed everything. There were many falls from grace after that, but it was the realisation “you’re not just a drug user, mate; you’re an out-of-control junkie” that finally did it for me.’

It was about this time that Evan met Jill, who was also living in Levin. Despite knowing Evan was trying to break free from drugs, and having experienced the chains of addiction in her own life, Jill couldn’t keep herself at a distance. ‘We were both empty people at that point,’ she explains. ‘And so it was easy to get sucked into the temptation to try to fill that emptiness with each other and with drugs.’

One thing led to another. ‘We went on this massive drug bash and kind of woke up two weeks later. I’d shifted out of my house and moved into his house, and we didn’t even know each other. We used to fight all the time and he’d kick me out every day, but I’d say, “No, we’re supposed to be together—I’m not going!” ’ Evan lost his job in Palmerston North and started working in Pahiatua, where he was visited by a drug counsellor. After Evan hadn’t used for about a month, the counsellor said he seemed to be doing fine and discharged him. Evan says, ‘I remember going home to Jill that night and saying, “He discharged me!” I was horrified.'

He continues, ‘At this stage, I didn’t know about a spiritual awakening, or about honesty, or about openness’—things Evan now believes are crucial for recovery from addiction. ‘So I was white knuckling it, trying to stay clean. But I knew I couldn’t.’

‘We crashed really hard after that,’ Jill remembers.

Evan headed to Hamilton for work and Jill followed, but then Evan again lost his job. In Taupō, on their way back to Shannon, the couple was found by Jill’s dad. ‘He kind of rescued us. He took us into a hotel room, fed us, and said God had told him to come,’ Evan recalls.

Jill continues, ‘And then he told us, “You know, maybe you should consider filling that gap with God.” ’ The idea had merit, admits Evan. In fact, he said to Jill later that night, ‘How crazy can that be? After all, look at our lives without God!’ But although her parents and her daughter are committed Christians, ‘I just couldn’t get it,’ Jill says.

‘So we crashed and burned again,’ says Evan. ‘And then, again, we had nowhere to go, no money, no food.’

Eventually, Jill found work in a Paraparaumu quarry and a place to live, but she wasn’t prepared to let Evan jeopardise things by living with her. ‘So I was homeless,’ he says, ‘And I’d never been homeless in my life. It was the most desperate time of my life. I was at rock bottom.’

Just pray Evan ended up in court—the first time he’d ever come close to going back to jail since he did time in Australia. Walking out of court, down the front steps and turning around, Evan found himself looking toward the flag flying over the Salvation Army hall in Levin. ‘I don’t know what drew me there,’ he says. ‘I don’t even know what made me think they’d help me. But I went in and talked to a lovely lady. I was in tears—I’d lost it, I was so desperate.’

Within a short time, Evan was in a social detox unit run by The Salvation Army in Palmerston North. ‘You’re usually only there for one or two weeks, but I was allowed to stay until I could get into a Salvation Army rehab programme. They saved my life really, because I was in a lot of trouble at that stage,’ he says.

The last thing Evan had done before going into rehab was to sell Jill’s van, which he’d been living in, to buy drugs (which, Jill is quick to point out, he didn’t share). So Jill was now having to walk to work as she tried to save enough money for a car to visit Evan, who was feeling abandoned and sorry for himself in Palmerston North.

At work, Jill had established a job for herself to look out for people as they came and went from the quarry. ‘I’d sit in my little box, and I had all day to think—I’d never spent so much time on my own.’

One day, Evan phoned and told her he’d found God. Jill responded with disbelief. ‘I was like, “What?!” And he said, ‘Just pray, Jill.’ And I said, ‘Well, how do you do that?’

For Evan, reaching out to God had happened because as alcohol and drug counsellor Anne Te Kawa led a karakia every morning, Evan found himself following along. ‘And I looked at all the scriptures and stuff on the walls and started reading them. And then, one of the support workers gave me a Recovery Bible and I just started reading it.

And the more I read, the more it made sense. It resonated with me; I could feel something happening. So I’d read stuff in the Bible, and then I’d text Jill and say, “Hey, read this!” ’ Daryll Collins, another support worker at the hostel, would come from the other side of town on a Wednesday night to take Evan to a men’s home group at his church. ‘There were just four or five of us sitting around in this room,’ Evan says. ‘There were all these tattoos, and they were bikers, and they were this and they were that, and they all sat around and talked about God. And you could see their lives on their faces. And that really got me.’

I was white knuckling it, trying to stay clean. But I knew I couldn’t.

It’s going to be alright But for Jill, none of the spiritual awakening that was going on in Evan’s life meant anything to her until her new car was stolen.

‘I worked my butt off to buy this $700 car, then leant it to a girl to go visit her kids and she swapped it for P.’ Jill knew the girl’s dealer well and where she could go to get her car, and usually this was the sort of offence that she would have sorted in a blaze of anger. ‘But instead, I spent that whole day, a Saturday, sitting in my room at home and reading the Bible. And when I did speak to Evan about it—and he was angry—I said, “It’s going to be alright.” I just knew.’

Jill’s dad had given her that Bible after her daughter’s wedding, ‘and we’d carted it around, even though I never read it and it never meant anything to me,’ she says. ‘But with what Evan had been saying and the peace he was beginning to show, I just decided to read it. And it changed everything.’

Jill was able to borrow a car and travelled up to visit Evan the next day. He says, ‘When I saw Jill, I said to her, “Wow, you look really amazing!” And she did. She’d come to see me once before and I knew she was on drugs then, because we all have that look—I call it the “hunted look”. But this time, she looked so peaceful.’

After this, every day—especially because the weather was bad —Jill would sit in her little box at work and read the Bible. ‘I just read and read and read,’ she says. ‘My friends and all the truck drivers up at the quarry were saying, “One day you’re sticking needles in your arm,

Feature | 07

How bad has your life been? Is it that much of a stretch to hand it over to God? Just surrender. and the next you’re reading the Bible!” And I just asked, “Which one do you like?” ’ After six weeks, Evan entered rehab at The Salvation Army’s Addiction Services in Wellington, graduating in September. As he was finishing the programme, Jill moved down to Wellington, doing voluntary work at the Army’s Family Store in Newtown while looking for work—at the same time as Evan was doing community service hours there. ‘So we’ve done this whole thing together,’ says Evan. ‘And we’ve enjoyed getting to know each other,’ adds Jill. ‘Right back when we were using, there were snippets of who the real Evan was, so I never had any intention of leaving him.’

The couple jumped in part-way through an Alpha course being run

by The Salvation Army in Johnsonville. This was when Christianity became real, they say. ‘Before that, I was quite embarrassed about it,’ Jill admits. ‘But while on the course, I read the book Questions of Life, and that was brilliant. And when they prayed for me, there was such an awesome feeling.’

Evan really enjoyed the presentations of the Alpha course. ‘I don’t know if there was an earth-shattering moment, but the whole thing was really good. And the weekend Alpha camp was very cool!’

Surrendering to God Jill says opening herself to God has changed her life.

‘Everything I’ve asked for since, I have got—with putting work in. But I’ve handed everything over to God. It’s about walking in faith and trusting him. I’ve been desperate before on rehabs, but it wasn’t until I

opened up and surrendered to God that I got it.’

She adds, ‘I know my parents were always praying for me. And every time I’d ring my daughter, she’d say, “I prayed for you, Mum.” And she’d text me, “I just prayed for you, Mum. I’m praying for you, Mum.” ‘There was a lot of hurt for her in what I’d been doing in my life, but she was still praying for me. Her love is unconditional. And she’s stoked that I’m a Christian now—she just loves it!’ Jill’s son had a tougher time growing up, so she understands that it’s been harder for him to accept that his mum is now happy and clean.

For Evan, who has been clean for almost 10 months (with just one brief relapse that assured him the romance was well and truly gone out of drug use for him), his new life has meant the chance to reconnect with his son, who he saw at Christmas.

‘Over the years, my family spent thousands of dollars, with all sorts of treatments, trying to fix me,’ says Evan. ‘They did everything they possibly could. But there was nothing that could fix me from the outside; it was an inside job that had to be done. My will is the wrong will, and I know that. I’m acutely aware that if I try to take my life back from God, I know where I will end up. I have no doubt about that whatsoever.’

Jill and Evan agree that theirs was a life of chaos. ‘When you’re using, there’s an empty space,’ says Jill. ‘It wasn’t filled until we surrendered to God, and I know that gap is now filled with his Spirit.

We appreciate the little things now: having a home for more than a few weeks without mucking up the rent, cars that haven’t been sold for drugs—I used to go through a car a week, and then I’d go out to the dealer and buy it back again. I just thank God every day that he is with me. He is always with me in everything I do and every decision I make.’

‘God found us,’ Evan says. ‘It took a lady like Anne to introduce me, and then it snowballed to Jill. But when you immerse yourself in something and don’t resist, that’s when life changes.

‘I mean, how bad has your life been? Is it that much of a stretch to hand it over to God? Just surrender. I don’t doubt that only a power greater than myself can help me—and that’s what I’m grasping hold of.

Life is so good now.’

Is your drug, alcohol or gambling out of control? We can help!

Contact Addiction Services, www salvationarmy.org.nz/ addictions or freephone 0800 53 00 00.

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HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

Healthy Easter. Yeah Right.

… Before You Go to Church You might be thinking about going to church this Easter, but it can be daunting if you’re not used to it. Here’s 10 things you need to know …

1 It’s not just for ‘good’ people: The whole point of Christianity is that none of us are ‘good enough’ to make it on our own. If you are feeling like you need some support and help in life, then get yo’self to church!

2 You don’t have to wear your Sunday best: Nowadays most people don’t dress up for church—just wear what you feel comfortable in.

3 You don’t have to know what to do: Most churches have a fairly similar structure that goes something like: songs, announcements, donations, and a talk of about 20 to 30 minutes. Just follow the crowd and you’ll be fine.

‘Healthy’ and ‘Easter’ go together like ‘cream buns’ and ‘diet’. In other words, they don’t! But here’s a guide to enjoying Easter in a way that is healthy for your body and your mind.

Don’t deny yourself: Firstly, if you want a healthy attitude towards Easter, don’t deny yourself some of the treats that make it feel like a celebration.

Instead, allow yourself your favourite treat, and mindfully enjoy the experience. Simply ask yourself, ‘Do I really feel like it?’ If you don’t actually want that treat right then, enjoy it when you really do feel like it.

4 Singing out of tune is a good thing: Churches sing songs as a way of expressing their love for God. No one else is looking at you—just join in if you want to.

Indulge on quality: Many of the mass-produced Easter eggs are made with low quality chocolate. For real enjoyment, splash out on something that may be smaller and a little more expensive, but will truly satisfy the special place in your tummy reserved for chocolate.

6 You’ll listen to a sermon: It’s not as bad as it sounds. You get to learn about who Jesus is, what the Bible says and why we celebrate Easter.

Enjoy magical eggs: There is something really magical about dyed eggs at Easter, and it’s something you can do with the kids in your life. Simply prepare a dye bath with ½ cup boiling water, 1 tsp vinegar and 10 drops of food colouring. Dip hard-boiled eggs into the dye for 3–5 minutes, remove with tongs and place on wax paper to dry. Then peel the eggs, cut in half and make ‘chick faces’ on the yolk using two sesame seeds for eyes and a small triangle of carrot for the beak. This can be part of a fun, nutrient-rich Easter lunch.

8 Church is not a building: The building is where we meet, but a church is a community of people who want to support each other.

5 You don’t need to pay: You are not expected to give any money—it’s just something that people committed to the church may choose to do.

7 You’ll be rewarded with biccies: Church usually ends with a cuppa and biccies—and maybe even hot cross buns!

9 It’s not about rules: Christianity is not about following rules, but about allowing the presence of Jesus to guide us through life.

10 It’s all about Easter: Easter is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Jesus is God, who came as a human and took on our burdens by dying.

Then he rose to life, showing us that through God, we can conquer everything that defeats us and have new life.

Have an Easter egg hunt with a difference: Buy empty plastic eggs that can be opened. Fill them with small toys, including something that represents a part of the Easter story—such as a donkey, cross, and a stone to represent the tomb. Each person gets to keep one egg they find. Get together and show your symbols, using them to tell the Easter story. Then the kids can keep the other toys included with their egg. You can buy premade ‘resurrection eggs’ from FamilyLife NZ if you prefer.

There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. Blaise Pascal

Get moving: Get together with friends to do something active during the Easter break. Try something new, adventurous, or just a leisurely walk.

Anne Ford’s Churchill Squares

Simon’s wife, Sam, has many happy memories of her mother making this for picnics and gatherings | Serves 4 Filling 1 cup desiccated coconut 2 Tbsp sugar ¾ cup milk Base 100g butter ½ cup sugar 1 large egg 1½ cups plain flour 2 Tbsp cocoa 1 tsp baking powder Icing 1 Tbsp cocoa 2 Tbsp boiling water 2 tsp butter 1 cup icing sugar

Heat oven to 180°C, with rack just below middle. Line bottom and sides of 18x28cm pan with baking paper.

For filling, put coconut, sugar and milk in a non-stick pan. Heat until sugar dissolves and milk is soaked up. Take off heat and cool in pan.

For base, beat softened butter, sugar and egg. Sift in flour, cocoa and baking powder, and mix well. Divide dough in half. Roll half the dough to cover pan—rolling this on a piece of baking paper cut to line the base of the pan. Place rolled dough in pan. Roll remaining dough on another piece of baking paper cut to the same size.

Spread cool filling evenly on dough in pan. Flip remaining dough on top, and lift off baking paper. Pat to neaten edges.

Bake for 20–30 mins until centre feels firm. Cook on a rack. Ice when cold. (For icing, pour boiling water on cocoa in a small bowl.

Beat in softened butter and icing sugar with a knife. Spread.)

From 100 Favourite Muffins & Slices by Simon & Alison Holst. Go to www.holst.co.nz

Lifestyle | 09

Q&A How do I start reading the Bible?

The Bible is one of the best ways to get to know God. But it’s a big book and can get confusing, so here’s a guide on how to start out and read the Bible for yourself.

What we call the Bible is actually a collection of books written by different authors, over thousands of years. It doesn’t read like an ordinary book, from front to back. Instead, it’s more like a library, with a collection of genres and topics in one place.

The amazing thing, though, is that all the stories form a cohesive whole that tells the story of God’s relationship with us. God’s story culminates with the coming of Jesus, who was God in human form. So the best place to start reading the Bible is in the books that tell the story of Jesus.

There are four accounts of Jesus: the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Each tells the story of Jesus from a different point of view. If you’re starting out, read the book of Mark first—it’s fast-paced and gives a great overview of Jesus’ life. Then move on to John, as it focuses on the things that Jesus said about himself.

Next, read the book called Acts: this tells the exciting story of the things that happened after Jesus died and rose again. Then, you may want to move on to Romans, which is a letter that explains the Christian faith.

Make sure you have a modern version of the Bible—the writings are thousands of years old, so it’s important to have a Bible we can understand. The most widely read version today is the New International Version (NIV).

It can be a wonderful experience to read a small portion of the Bible each day, pondering on the passage and thinking about what God is saying. It’s a great idea to talk to God before you read the Bible, and ask him to speak to you. God’s presence will bring the words on the page to life. The Bible is often called the ‘living word’ because of its ability to transform us.

There are many free Bible ‘reading plans’ available—www.biblegateway. com/reading-plans has several you can choose from.

Testify Ben Cola of Fiji is one of five young Salvationists who will carry flags to represent the Army’s five international zones at the opening ceremony of this year’s 150-year anniversary congress in London.

I grew up in The Salvation Army, the son of Salvation Army officers (ministers) Majors Iliesa and Litiana Cola. I thank them for bringing me up into the person that I am today. I was born in 1995, a premature baby weighing just one kg. This was while my parents were in their second year of officer training. I always thank God for healing me during the six weeks that I was in an incubator, and for the prayers prayed by so many of those who knew my parents.

At 16, I decided to become a senior soldier. I made the decision because I wanted to commit myself to corps (church) work, particularly in youth and children’s ministries. At that young age, many of my peers would have laughed at my decision and some would have been surprised, but I wasn’t concerned about that, because I knew I was taking that next step for God. I involved myself in my youth group and occasionally I preached in Sunday meetings and as part of corps cadet and junior soldier Sundays.

I enjoyed being part of the youth and children’s ministries because this is the stage when our faith in God is being nurtured— we are taught what God requires of us as his children and we are

reminded to study the Bible and pray every day.

There were lots of temptations and peer pressures that wanted to drag me away from being in God’s presence, but as I continued to learn more about the Christian life and got a lot more involved in my corps, I realised that serving God is far greater than enjoying the unholy things the world offers.

I later became the welcome sergeant at my corps. It was such a blessing to be handed this task, because you get to be the first person to greet and welcome every person with a smile who walks through our doors.

I was the only young person to be on our corps leadership team. Sometimes I was afraid to share my views and opinions as a young person, but I thank the other leaders for being open to understanding what I shared.

I’m currently studying a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Literature at the University of the South Pacific. I believe that God is leading me to a particular ministry within the Army, through officership. I am motivated by Proverbs 23:19, which says, ‘My child, listen and be wise. Keep your heart on the right course.’

As we celebrate 150 years of The Salvation Army, it’s my prayer

Are you struggling with alcohol, other drugs or gambling? … Or do you know someone who is?

Get tools to change your life: a personal recovery plan tools to identify your triggers skills to deal with trigger situations community and/or residential options available Call 0800 53 00 00 or visit salvationarmy.org.nz/addictions

that we will all feel blessed to be part of this great Army of God, which is such a unique church that serves the needy and the lost.

God bless The Salvation Army, its officers and all Salvationists around the globe!

I knew I was taking that next step for God.

Let’s Talk I would like: to explore what it means to follow Jesus information about Salvation Army worship and activities prayer for the following needs:

NAME: ADDRESS:

Please post to: War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wgtn 6141 or email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

10 | WarCry 04 April 2015

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A new initiative encourages us to glow brightly, as we pray for and invite our friends to church.

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Unfolds Purplish Obstinate Loved by pandas Tables Products Assembled Rules for speaking and writing Tight-fitting spectacles Calling out Nightlong Video store category Overseas Smatterings Push forcefully Fidgety

Get off the fence Disappearing The Prayer Ancient structure Unreal Pigeonhole Pants Emblem Tabular array of days On a very small scale Lacking knowledge Breathe deeply Kind of industry Campaigns Boo-boo Old English word for ‘did’ or ‘do’

QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5

Glow Brightly

Who gave his name to the doctor’s oath?

Who is the Prime Minister of Israel?

What does the musical term mezzo-piano mean?

How many sides would three rectangles and three triangles have?

In what country did Jesus talk with a woman beside a well?

We know the importance of an invitation. It’s how you get people to come to things—whether a coffee date, brunch, a party … or church. But many congregations struggle with this.

The worldwide stats tell us that even if a congregation is encouraged to ask friends to an upcoming event, only 20 per cent of people will do it. Conversely, Tearfund did some research a while back asking people on the street, ‘If you were invited to church by a friend, would you go?’

Eighty per cent said they would.

That’s why Alpha has launched a new campaign called ‘Glow Brightly’. As Jesus said: ‘We’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on lightstand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a lightstand—shine!’ (Matthew 5:14–16, The Message) Glow Brightly works around a simple principle: asking God who he has been preparing for

you to invite. Then praying for that person, and inviting them.

‘This is about invite a friend not bring a friend,’ explains Alpha NZ executive director Jonathan Hesp.

‘Only God can be responsible for how our friends respond. He is the only one that can influence the “yes” or the “no” we get in response. We must focus on the invitation.’

Alpha recommends buddying up with another person who wants to invite a friend, and catching up (even if it’s just at church) to pray for each other and let each other know how it’s going.

If you’re a church leader, Alpha can visit your church to help with your Glow Brightly campaign, and resources can be found at the Alpha Shop online.

But for anyone, this is a chance to pray for a friend and simply ask, ‘You want to come along?’

Whether it’s to an Alpha course, an Easter service or your regular Sunday morning church. More importantly, it’s a chance to be a light-bearer for Jesus.

Go to www alpha.org.nz for more information

When we cringe at the thought of inviting a friend to join us [at church], the best idea is to stop dismissing and start adjusting—our attitude, our motivation, our presentation and our communication. After all, if Jesus thought inviting others to follow him was a good idea, it probably still is.

Find more Cartoons by McKerrow on www.facebook.com/cartoonsbymckerrow

www.relevantmagazine.com

Close Up | 11

BY GENERAL ANDRÉ COX

The Power of the Resurrection An Easter reflection from the international leader of The Salvation Army What a glorious celebration Easter Sunday represents for each one of us! God in raising Christ has defeated death. God in raising Christ has freed us from sin. God in raising Christ has established a sure eternal future for all who know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Life can be so full of uncertainty, danger and fears. Easter, however, serves to remind us that the life Jesus brought and bought cannot be undermined or extinguished.

As we celebrate the glory of the risen Christ, our hearts are filled with praise. We rejoice in worship as we gain new insight and understanding of God’s eternal purposes and his plan of salvation for the world! As Jesus was raised from the dead, so will we be if we place our hope, trust and faith in God who sent his only Son into this world—not to condemn but to save!

How many times do we fail to sense Jesus’ presence within our life and in the world today?

It is not difficult to understand the consternation, disappointment, fear and discouragement of the disciples following the terrible events of Good Friday. They were devastated, shocked and completely thrown off course. Jesus had told his disciples on numerous occasions that he would die and rise again on the third day. Why, then, does it appear that not one of the disciples understood or realised what happened on that resurrection morning? Had the forces of darkness and injustice won the day? There are those today who seem to think so.

Amidst scenes of despair, suffering, injustice, greed, violence and the consequences of continued economic instability across the globe, I wonder whether there are Christians who this day feel despondent.

Perhaps there might even be a sense of disillusionment for one reason or another. The disciples on the road to Emmaus expressed such feelings well: ‘We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.’

When Jesus appeared to the disciples following his resurrection they did not recognise him. Possibly their preoccupation with personal sorrow and despair obscured what should have been clear.

How many times do we fail to sense Jesus’ presence within our life and in the world today? Do we, as Christians, always reflect the joy and the power of the resurrection in our daily living? If we are honest we would have to admit that we don’t always. However, it shouldn’t— indeed it needn’t—be like that!

It is as our spiritual eyes are opened and we gain ever more understanding of God’s eternal purposes that through faith we begin to experience triumph over darkness and despair. Moment by moment, day by day, we can know the power and the victory of Christ’s resurrection in our life. Hallelujah!

It is my prayer that these familiar words will resonate in your heart as we celebrate once again the reality of our risen Lord Jesus: Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.

Angels in bright raiment Rolled the stone away, Kept the folded grave clothes Where thy body lay.

Lo! Jesus meets thee, Risen from the tomb; Lovingly he greets thee, Scatters fear and gloom; Let his Church with gladness Hymns of triumph sing, For her Lord now liveth; Death has lost its sting.

Chorus Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.

No more we doubt thee, Glorious Prince of Life!

Life is naught without thee; Aid us in thy strife; Make us more than conquerors Through thy deathless love; Bring us safe through Jordan To thy home above.

Edmond Louis Budry (1854-1932), trs Richard Birch Hoyle (1875-1939) The Song Book of The Salvation Army, Song 152

12 | WarCry 04 April 2015

Living the Story PART TWO of a four-part series

Chick Yuill explains that being a disciple is about sharing the dust from Jesus’ feet, passionately following his ways—and Jesus didn’t live at church.

These days—especially in conversation with people who have little knowledge of the gospel—I’m reluctant to describe myself as ‘a Christian’ and leave it at that. Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that I’m ashamed of my faith or unwilling to share it with others. It’s simply that often the person to whom I’m speaking has so many confused ideas as to what a Christian is that it can take an hour to sort out their misconceptions!

So I say something like, ‘I’m an imperfect but passionate follower of Jesus.’ And that usually leads to a much more productive conversation.

The apprentice But there’s another more important reason for my reluctance. It’s highly significant that the word ‘Christian’ appears only three times in the entire New Testament. We learn in Acts 11:26 that it was at Antioch the believers were first called ‘Christians’, in all probability a derogatory term meaning something like, ‘these Christ people’. We hear it again from the lips of King Agrippa in Acts 26:28 when he cynically asks Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ And it occurs just one more time in 1 Peter 4:16 when he tells his readers not to be ashamed if they suffer ‘as a Christian’.

I’m not suggesting that we should abandon the word ‘Christian’ entirely. That would be foolish, not to say impossible. The point I’m making is this: in the four gospels and in the Acts of the Apostles, ‘Christian’ is not the characteristic word used to describe the followers of Jesus. Instead, it is ‘disciple’—a word that actually appears 250 times in the New Testament. It means ‘a learner’ or ‘a pupil’, or more accurately ‘an apprentice’—someone who is not simply learning facts, but who is learning by doing, learning a way of life. In Acts, it is used alongside another illuminating collective term to describe the early Christians—‘followers of the Way’.

What we are being given is a picture of a small but rapidly growing band of men and women who not only believed that Jesus was the Son of God who had died for them and been raised from the dead, but who based their way of life on his example and who sought to live and behave like he had lived and behaved. They were seen by the authorities of the day not as a quaint group of people who had embraced a new religion, but as a dangerous company of passionate followers who had engaged with a radical new way of life and who were empowered by an energy that was difficult to explain and impossible to extinguish.

Dusty feet To understand what being a disciple means, it’s important to recognise two things. Firstly, the concept of discipleship didn’t begin with Jesus.

If you had walked the dusty roads of first-century Palestine, you would have seen more than a few Jewish rabbis (‘rabbi’ is just a term of

respect for a teacher who was skilled in understanding and teaching scripture) walking along followed by their disciples, who would be listening to their teaching and learning their way of life. They even had a neat phrase to describe just how closely the disciple followed and observed his rabbi: ‘Cover yourself in the dust from your rabbi’s feet.’

Discipleship was learning life from a teacher who understood deeply the way God wants us to live.

The second important thing to know is that becoming a disciple was a privilege available to a relatively few gifted young men. They would apply to the rabbi of their choice, and he would accept them only if he thought they had the potential to emulate him and become rabbis themselves one day. Other young men went into the family business and got on with the task of earning a living. But Jesus turned that prevailing culture on its head. At the beginning of Mark’s gospel we witness him walking by the Sea of Galilee, announcing the good news that the reign of God has broken through, and calling Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, and James and his brother John to be his disciples. He calls them—calls them to walk with him, to know him, to grow like him.

That’s the truth that rings through the gospels and Acts, and through the centuries of church history. As the good news about Jesus is declared, men and women answer his call and become his disciples.

We in our generation need to do no less than that.

As the good news about Jesus is declared, men and women answer his call and become his disciples.

Answering the call today What does it mean to live as disciples, to answer the call of Jesus, today? A Salvation Army corps officer (pastor) once told me that every year, after Christmas, he would make a point of individually thanking people in his corps (church). He did so because he was conscious of the fact that they had devoted long hours to maintaining the Christmas carolling programme and helping with the distribution of parcels to needy families.

And he went on to say that often they would reply with the same words: ‘I’m glad to do it. That’s my service for God.’ And that response began to worry him. ‘It wasn’t that I doubted their sincerity,’ he explained. ‘It was simply that their words implied that their service for God was concentrated almost exclusively on what they did “at the Army”, and that the rest of their life was simply “stuff” that had to be done, “stuff” that had little to do with their Christian service.’

My corps officer friend was definitely on to something. He was, in fact, identifying one of the biggest challenges to thinking clearly about discipleship—the widespread tendency among Christians to divide life into two separate and distinct compartments. There’s the ‘sacred’ bit, which is all about our private spiritual life and our church commitments; and then there’s the ‘secular’ bit, which is the rest of life

Soul Food | 13

where faith and discipleship have little, if any, part to play. When we think like that, it’s all too easy assume that the only relationship of our ‘secular’ activity to our life as followers of Jesus is to provide us with enough money and allow us sufficient free time so we can financially support and be fully involved in the ministry of our corps.

Wherever disciples are, whatever they’re doing, and whoever they’re with—they should make a difference.

No ‘no-goes’ But the God we encounter in scripture is the God who created everything and who sustains it by his love and power. There are no ‘no-go’ areas for God! As we read in the Psalms, ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.’ When we turn to the New Testament that truth is proclaimed even more boldly. Those early disciples were not persecuted because they had embraced a private belief in Jesus. What got them into trouble was their fearless assertion that ‘Jesus is Lord’, that he rules over every area of life—finance, business, politics, entertainment, and the rest—just as much as our own personal world.

One of the most powerful antidotes to the spiritual malaise of the ‘sacred-secular’ divide is to do some simple arithmetic: • There are 168 hours in a week • subtract 48 hours for sleeping time • that gives us 120 waking hours • surveys show that on average Christians spend a maximum of 10 hours a week in church-based activities • that leaves 110 hours to do the ‘stuff’ of life —earning a living, raising a family, shopping, engaging in leisure pursuits, and so on.

Even if we believe that Salvationists spend 15 or 20 hours at their corps, that still leaves us with an unavoidable conclusion: if our service for God is concentrated exclusively or even primarily on what we do ‘at the Army’, we’ve reduced discipleship to a leisure-time pursuit that happens mainly on Sundays and on week-day evenings.

That’s not for one moment to suggest that the time spent at the corps is unimportant. It certainly isn’t. It’s vital that we meet together for worship and teaching; it’s essential that, as a company of God’s people, we serve our local community through the various programmes that go on throughout the week.

But those 10 hours or so spent worshipping and working together should also equip and inspire us to go back into our everyday lives and live well for God. That’s where we’ll have most contact with unbelievers, and that’s where our presence and witness are most needed.

What’s a disciple?

Disciples should make a difference! Wherever they are, whatever they’re doing, and whoever they’re with—they should make a difference just by their presence.

There’s no getting away from it: the street where you live should

be a safer place, the office or the factory where you work should be a better working environment, and the company you keep should be a kinder group of people, all because of your attitudes and actions.

Jesus himself made this very plain when he said, ‘You are the light of the world … let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven’ (Matthew 5:14–16).

As disciples living in the 21st century, we should still be sharing the dust from Jesus’ feet—who has gone before us in all parts of our lives.

Chick Yuill served as a Salvation Army officer for 35 years until 2006. He currently works as a speaker, writer and church consultant in the UK and abroad. His latest book, focused on discipleship, is entitled Moving in the Right Circles (IVP).

Spot the Disciple Disciples model godly character. The reality of what they believe is seen in the way they behave. The best argument they make for the existence of God is the example they set.

Disciples minister grace and love. They make it their business to demonstrate God’s gracious and loving heart by their attitude and their actions towards the people around them.

Disciples make good work. Whatever they’re doing and however seemingly menial the task, they do it to the utmost of their ability as a way of serving God and blessing others.

Disciples make culture. In other words, they change things for the better, helping to create a healthier social environment by their encouraging words, their positive attitude, their openness and honesty, and in countless other ways.

Disciples are messengers for the gospel. They’re not afraid to share their faith, speaking about Jesus in ways that are natural, appropriate to the situation, and respectful to those who don’t share their faith and their convictions.

Disciples are mouthpieces for truth and justice. They stand up and speak up for what’s right, particularly when there is injustice and oppression towards those the poor and the powerless.

14 | WarCry 04 April 2015

Salvation Army Gets Behind World Vision’s Vanuatu Appeal

Tropical Cyclone Pam has torn a devastating path through Vanuatu, with winds up to 270km/hr and torrential rain. This Category 5 super storm, the strongest category possible, has caused massive destruction, with people killed and injured, villages destroyed and many thousands relocated into emergency shelters.

Although a Salvation Army international disaster assessment team arrived in Vanuatu on 20 March to assess needs and connect with local organisations, The Salvation Army in the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory is asking its supporters to donate to World Vision’s relief efforts at this time. The Salvation Army works closely with World Vision New Zealand in partnership opportunities when appropriate.

For instance, World Vision supported the Army’s on-the-ground response in Tonga when Cyclone Ian struck there in January 2014 as this was a location where The Salvation Army had strong local ties.

‘We know that World Vision’s strong working relationships supporting families and communities in Vanuatu positions them well to make a terrific difference in this time of crisis for the nation,’ said Commissioner Janine Donaldson, Territorial Overseas Development Officer for The Salvation Army in New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga.

‘We’re asking our own supporters to get behind this response by donating to World Vision’s Cyclone Pam Pacific Relief Appeal. The generosity of donors will mean that much-needed aid can be delivered promptly and efficiently to people who are in desperate need.

World Vision has 80 staff working in six provinces across Vanuatu, and extra World Vision emergency relief experts have been brought in.

‘Our staff on the ground spent last week helping communities prepare as much as possible for the impact of Cyclone Pam. We are now assessing the full damage and needs of children and families, and have started to provide emergency supplies to those in most need,’ said Alex Snary, World Vision New Zealand’s General Manager of International Partnerships, speaking from Vanuatu.

World Vision was the first NGO to reach Tanna Island, which has suffered severe devastation.

‘Please help World Vision respond to the needs of children and families in Vanuatu by donating to the World Vision Cyclone Pam Pacific Relief Appeal,’ says Commissioner Janine Donaldson.

Go to www worldvision.org.nz/CyclonePam to donate

Aspire Youth Programme Kicks Off More than 530 vulnerable young people have begun a year-long programme aiming to help them change their lives.

The Salvation Army’s Aspire youth development programme has begun at 35 centres around the country, providing support for teens aged 11 to 16 years at risk of poverty and social exclusion, with strained school involvement or a lack of engagement in positive social groups, and with their families.

Programme coordinator Jono Bell said they had originally hoped to get 500 people for Aspire, but demand for places had been huge.

There had been a very good response from schools, which helped identify young people who would benefit from the programme, along with youth and community groups. ‘Some are struggling, but have leadership potential, others have behavioural issues.

We’re getting some of the most vulnerable young people, and

the response from communities and schools has been, “Yes, there’s something for these kids!” he said.

The programme will work in four sections across the year. Teams of 10 will work through a course based on the Circle of Courage model, which identifies four key development areas for teens: the need for connectedness, the need to achieve, the need for responsibility and independence, and the need for purpose and generosity. It has been funded

by The Warehouse Group, which chose The Salvation Army as its charity of the year for 2015.

Along with groups from the main centres, Aspire has been popular in smaller towns around the country, with groups signed up everywhere—from Winton in Southland to Whangarei in Northland.

As well as working with the Territorial Youth Department, a group of five external youth work organisations have

partnered with the Army to add their experience and also gain additional expertise, Jono said.

‘Most of [the groups] will be attached to a faith community, but we’ve got a few at Community Ministries and Education and Employment centres and schools,’ he said.

There has also been a lot of interest from potential leaders, with close to 58 youth workers attending one of the training days in Auckland, ranging from young leaders to older and experienced people. The training was already having a wider impact, with some youth groups adding additional support for young people in their group with complex needs, Jono said.

One of the first challenges for teams will be engaging with parents. One of the aims of the course is to support families and maintain the good work done by their children while on the programme.

The groups were also busy planning for an outdoor

adventure experience in the April school holidays. The teens will go kayaking, caving and take on a high ropes course among other outdoor activities.

Many of the teens did not have the opportunity to test themselves in the outdoors, Jono said. ‘For many of them, it’s going to be their first time experiencing this. Families can’t always afford it, and many schools, instead of an adventure experience are instead opting to go to something like Te Papa and then see a movie on another day.’

Our Community | 15

Joyful Intercessors Welcomed into Training

The Joyful Intercessors—He Kaiwhakawhiti o te Hari—were officially welcomed into the first year of two years of Salvation Army officer training in an evening meeting at Wellington City Corps on 8 March.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to welcome Captains Ian and Liz Gainsford to the staff of Booth College of Mission (BCM).

Captain Ian Gainford as Principal, and Captain Liz Gainsford as a Senior Training Officer and Project Manager, Officer Development, at BCM’s Centre for Leadership Development. The couple recently returned from Tanzania. Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson thanked them for their service in Africa and their willingness to return home to significant roles at BCM. Welcoming Cadets Emma and Jacob Howan, Erica and Fraser Kearse, and Aram Kwon and Tae Hwan (Ted) Kim into training, Captain Ian Gainsford said that as ‘joyful evangelists’ the cadets would ‘not just pray happily’, they would also intercede for those in need and step forward on behalf of those in darkness. The training college staff would do their best to see that the session was ready to serve as ‘blood and fire Salvation Army officers,’ he said.

Cadet Ted Kim shared his testimony and also thanked the secondyear cadets of the Messengers of Light—Kaikere O Te Māramatanga —Session for the support and encouragement that they had given the new cadets. Despite his reservations that it would be hard for him to preach and teach the Bible in English, South Korean-born Cadet Kim had confidence that God would equip him. ‘My God is almighty, nothing is impossible to him,’ he said. ‘He picked us from the other side of the earth, and he made this boy stand here as a man. God is so faithful and I trust that he will continue to work in me. When we rely on Jesus, nothing can stop us. Whatever problems come, we can go through it with joy.’

Territorial Candidates Secretary Lieutenant Pauleen Richards, who is also a member of the BCM training faculty, noted the sacrifices the six cadets had made to enter training. ‘I commend you for your

faithfulness and trust in God,’ she said. Although the session was small in number, great things came from small things. However, the need to recruit candidates for officership was critical, she said, and it was important that Salvationists pray for others to respond to God’s call for officer service.

Prayer cards were distributed as a reminder to regularly pray for the first-year cadets. ‘We need to be interceding on their behalf, because prayer changes things!’ Captain Liz Gainsford reminded the congregation.

Commissioner Robert Donaldson said the territory pledged to pray for, support and resource the new cadets. In response, he asked that they give attention to their training tasks with passion and commitment. No Salvation Army officer could serve unless their heart was true, he said. ‘So, above all else, seek the development of God in your life every day. You cannot give what you do not have, so seek after the Lord in all that you do as you submit to the training process, in order to serve God in this nation and perhaps in others as well.’

Commissioner Donaldson reminded Salvationists that they had been made right with God, and that there was no fear for anyone who was in a right relationship. ‘So hold this life loosely—give it your absolute all for God’s glory!’ he said, calling for a Salvation Army that stood out in society, with people boldly and courageously living out the Bible’s promises.

During the meeting, the Territorial Commander acknowledged the presence of retired officers Majors Laurel and Malcolm Herring, who were waiting for visas ahead of taking up appointments as officers in charge of The Salvation Army’s work in the Solomon Islands. The Herrings will give leadership in the Solomons until the end of the year.

Captain Ross Wardle was welcomed as the new Director of the Heritage Centre and Archives Centre at BCM. He is being assisted by Selwyn Bracegirdle of Wellington City Corps, who has begun work at the centre as a research assistant.

Salvation Army Releases Statement on Social Housing The Salvation Army has decided against negotiating with Government for the transfer of Housing New Zealand stock.

The Army does not believe the lives of tenants would be sufficiently improved by such a transfer. Neither does The Salvation Army have the expertise, infrastructure and resources to successfully manage any social housing transfer of this size.

This decision comes after the Army undertook a robust external study testing its capacity to become a major social housing landlord.

Major Campbell Roberts, The Salvation Army’s social housing spokesperson, says, ‘The Salvation Army has taken very seriously the opportunity to be the recipients of a Government housing transfer.

However, we are not convinced that on our own The Salvation Army can offer a service that would markedly improve the lives and living conditions of State tenants.

‘The Salvation Army is supportive of the Government’s intentions to have community organisations involved in the management of social housing, but at the moment it is beyond our capacity to become involved. People’s lives and futures are our priority, and we must do the right thing by them.’

The Salvation Army is keen to pursue other models of housing partnerships between itself, Government and other groups—including iwi—that could potentially provide additional social and affordable housing. The Salvation Army is also open to providing supportive community services for other social housing providers. ‘We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with Government and other possible providers,’ says Roberts.

The Salvation Army will continue to provide and expand its social housing services. The Salvation Army currently delivers a range of social housing services in New Zealand, including 298 houses for elderly people, 198 supportive accommodation beds, and seven emergency houses.

In partnership with Government and other community housing providers, The Salvation Army has built 39 homes for the elderly in Mangere and West Auckland. It is also in a housing development partnership in the Christchurch suburb of Hornby with four other community organisations. As part of this development, The Salvation Army will provide an additional 10 houses suitable for families. The Salvation Army also has plans to develop social housing in Auckland.

16 | WarCry 04 April 2015

‘People’s General’ Eva Burrows Promoted to Glory

General Eva Burrows (retired) was promoted to Glory from Australia on 20 March.

A daughter of officer parents, Eva Evelyn Burrows was born on 15 September 1929 in Newcastle, Australia. She committed her life to God for service as a Salvation Army officer while studying at Queensland University. Having received her Bachelor of Arts degree in May 1950, with majors in English and History, she entered William Booth Memorial Training College in London, and was commissioned in 1951.

Her first appointment was as an assistant officer to Portsmouth Citadel Corps, in the British Territory. Eva Burrows was appointed as an officer teacher to the Howard Institute, a large mission station in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). During 14 years at Howard Institute, Eva became particularly concerned with the training of teachers for the network of Salvation Army schools throughout Zimbabwe. During her first homeland leave she undertook a course at Sydney University for the degree of Master of Education, and presented her thesis on the training of African teachers in Zimbabwe. Returning to Howard Institute, she became the first woman vice-principal and, from that appointment, became the Principal of the Usher Institute, a secondary boarding school for girls, became well known in Zimbabwe as an outstanding girls educational centre.

In 1970, Eva Burrows was appointed to London, where she spent five years at the International College for Officers, first as viceprincipal and then principal. A significant impact on Eva Burrows’s life was her appointment as leader of the Women’s Social Services in Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 1975 to 1977. This brought her into close touch with the effects of poverty and exploitation.

Adaptation to a new culture became necessary when, in January 1977, Eva Burrows became Territorial Commander for Sri Lanka. In December 1979, she became leader of the Army’s work in Scotland.

After 30 years of officer service, on 1 October 1982, Eva Burrows was appointed to the first assignment in her homeland. Based in Melbourne, she served as Territorial Commander for the Australia Southern Territory. Significant and innovative initiatives characterised her leadership style over the next four years.

On 2 May 1986, the High Council elected Eva Burrows as the 13th General of The Salvation Army. She succeeded General Jarl Wahlström to office on 9 July 1986. Eva Burrows was welcomed for her energetic style of leadership, her infectious enthusiasm and her impatience with anything inefficient. She was the focus and symbol of unity, and her varied international experience eminently equipped her for the role.

The restructuring of the Army’s work in the United Kingdom was a complex issue that had been considered a number of times over many years, and with characteristic boldness and determination General Burrows launched the Army’s most fundamental administrative change in the its 125-year history, restructuring the Army’s International Headquarters and its British Territory.

Under the Army’s constitution, General Burrows was scheduled to retire from office in July 1991 but, as a result of the process whereby a General may be extended in office if more than two-thirds of the active commissioners agree to the proposal, General Burrows was asked if she would extend her term of office by two years. She agreed, which enabled her not only to preside over the early development

of the fledgling United Kingdom Territory, but also to give vigorous leadership to another of her visionary initiatives: the return of The Salvation Army to a number of Eastern Bloc countries where it had previously worked. General Eva Burrows led The Salvation Army back into eastern Europe, with work re-established in the former East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Russia itself.

General Eva Burrows was honoured in many ways during her worldwide travel, not least by a number of honorary degrees. On Australia Day (26 January) 1986 she was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), with the citation: ‘In recognition of service to the temporal and spiritual welfare of the community and to social justice as the world leader of The Salvation Army.’ On the same date in 1994, this honour was upgraded to Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), with a similar citation.

However, it was through her willingness to spend time with individuals, whatever their status, that General Eva Burrows became known to many as ‘the People’s General’, a title she did not seek, but one that she cherished. People were Eva Burrows’s passion. Her interest in people at every level was an integral part of her nature.

Having met a person, she had no difficulty in recalling the name, the face, the family situation, many years later.

General Burrows said, ‘The focus and dynamic of my life is Jesus Christ. I will lift up Christ and would challenge all Salvationists to a commitment to Christ which makes them a powerful witness for him in the world today.’

General Eva Burrows entered honourable retirement in July 1993, but hardly slowed down. She maintained a busy schedule of international travel and, when not travelling, could be found taking her place as an active soldier of the Army’s urban corps in Melbourne, Australia, not only attending Sunday meetings, but engaging with homeless youth during the week, leading Bible studies and being what she had always been: a good soldier of Jesus Christ. She also served on the board of the International Bible Society from 1995 to 2005.

To the very end of her earthly journey, Eva Burrows was an amazing role model and an inspiration to all who had the privilege of sharing her life. Salvationists of the world salute one of our great Army leaders of modern times. Servant of God, well done!

GAZETTE Promotion to Glory Aux-Capt David Ralph Widdowson on 12 March 2015 from New Plymouth Hospital, aged 85. David and his wife Ada are retired officers of the Southern Africa Territory who served as Corps Officers in various corps on St Helena Island. In 1999, David was appointed to Malawi as Regional Administrator for the new Malawi Territory. The Widdowsons moved to New Zealand in 2003 to be nearer

family. A service of remembrance and thanksgiving was held at Tawa Corps on 19 March, conducted by Mjr Keith Wray. Please uphold Ada and their children David, Duncan and Douglas and their families in prayer.

Engagement We congratulate Capt Lindsay Andrews (Manager, Dunedin Community Ministries) and Mjr Wendy Barney (Director, Christchurch Addiction Services) on their engagement on 16 March.

Noticeboard | 17

CALENDAR APRIL 3: Good Friday 5: Easter Sunday 7: Southland Anniversary 7–11: Kids Peak Adventure / Blue Mountain Adventure Centre 9–11: Regional Music Camp / Tonga Region 13: Officers Councils (North) / Fiji Division 17: Red Shield Golf Tournament / Christchurch 15–19: Brass Band Development Camp / Silverstream 21: Women Officers Connect / Northern Division 21–23: C2 Course / Booth College of Mission 25: ANZAC Day 25: Sports Day / Tonga Region 25: Taupo 7s / North Island 27: ANZAC Day Observance 27: South Island 7s / Southern Division 30: Marriage Seminar (Fua’amotu) / Tonga Region

OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 2–6 April: Hamilton City Corps 12 April: Kilbirnie Corps 18 April: Glen Eden Corps 22 April: Red Shield Breakfast / Wellington 22 April: Spiritual Day / Booth College of Mission 24 April: Red Shield Breakfast / Auckland 25–26 April: Wellington City Corps Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 3–5 April: Easter Meetings in Auckland 25–26 April: Rolleston Corps Plant 11–15 May: International Headquarters

PRAYER FOCUS Please pray for: Nelson Tasman Bays, New Lynn, New Plymouth Corps and Nuku’alofa Corps, North Shore Korean Corps Plant, Midland Division staff, The Salvation Army in the USA. Crossword Answers: Across: 1 Develops, 5 Violet, 9 Contrary, 10 Bamboo, 12 Desks, 13 Multiples, 14 Pieced, 16 Grammar, 19 Goggles, 21 Crying, 23 Overnight, 25 Drama, 26 Abroad, 27 Handfuls, 28 Thrust, 29 Restless. Down: 1 Decide, 2 Vanishing, 3 Lords, 4 Pyramid, 6 Imaginary, 7 Label, 8 Trousers, 11 Flag, 15 Calendars, 17 Miniature, 18 Ignorant, 20 Sigh, 21 Cottage, 22 Causes, 24 Error, 25 Didst. Quiz Answers: 1 Hippocrates, 2 Benjamin Netanyahu, 3 Moderately soft, 4 21 (12 + 9), 5 Samaria (John 4:5–15).

International Bible Reading Challenge WEEK 12 Luke 22–John 2 | WEEK 13 John 3–7 Go to www.salvationarmy.org/biblechallenge for daily reading guides and more.

New Christian School for Wellington While there are now some 20 integrated interdenominational Christian schools in New Zealand, Wellington has yet to have such a co-ed college. ‘We believe that now is the time for Wellington,’ says Natalya Mansell, of the Wellington Christian Education Trust, which is heading the establishment of the school.

Research and the advice of the Ministry of Education confirm that the location needs to be in the Northern corridor, which is equally accessible to students from the Hutt, Porirua and Wellington. Beginning with a PledgeMe campaign, the Trust is currently hoping to raise the deposit to buy the land and existing school buildings well placed in Johnsonville, able to meet all the criteria, for a school starting with Years 7–9, gradually expanding to cover Years 0–13.

While the Trust (a registered charitable trust) aims to raise $5 million, the goal is to provide affordable Christian education to a wide variety of families. Once the school is purchased, WCET will immediately look to finalise the integration application and to continue to fundraise for establishing the school in 20l6.

Tumanako (Māori for ‘Hope’) Christian College is planned to be a co-ed, integrated, Christian school with the aim to ‘grow students who are passionate citizens of heaven and engaged citizens of the world’. It is about integrating faith in every aspect of life through the school. ‘We want to encourage servant leadership,’ Natalya says.

For more info, contact Natalya Mansell, p: 021 393 306 or e: wcetnz@gmail.com

New Salvation Army Book Available Commissioner Ross Kendrew, the third New Zealand-born Salvation Army officer to be appointed Territorial Commander of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory, recently published his memoirs. In I Might Have Been a Patternmaker, Ross celebrates his background, tells about the unmistakeable call of God, offers insights into his thinking, and reflects on what his story might have been had he chosen a different path. An additional print run means more copies are now available. $40 (plus p&p). To order, e: Ross_Kendrew@nzf.salvationarmy.org

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES online:

www salvationarmy.org.nz/employment

To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org

CALL FOR PAPERS:

Thought Matters 2015 4–6 SEPTEMBER, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ‘Living as people of hope in a time of despair: a Christian response to evil and suffering.’

Thought Matters is the annual conference of The Salvation Army Tri-Territorial Theological Forum, which encourages theological discussion that informs ministry practice. The Forum represents the Australia Eastern, Australia Southern, and New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territories.

Jesus continually challenged mainstream perspectives on suffering and pain.

He said that he came to give us life in all its fullness, but he also said that it was those who are poor in spirit and those who mourn who will be blessed.

Jesus said that in him we would have peace, but he also said that we would face trials and sorrows of many kinds. Rather than avoid suffering, Jesus embraced it and made it his lifework. This conference aims to provide an opportunity to think deeply about what it is to suffer and yet have life. It aims to stimulate thought and inspire action.

Thought Matters is calling for papers that will address a range of issues relevant to its 2015 conference theme. Papers arising from biblical studies,

theological, historical, practical theology, or inter-disciplinary perspective are all welcomed. Possible topics may include, but are not limited to: • Christian views of active and passive euthanasia including treatment refusal.

• Responses of the church to war, terrorism, asylum seekers, etc.

• Pastoral theology—a theological basis for pastoral care/response relating to all or one of: suicide, addiction, abuse, physical and mental illness, etc.

• Reflections on the nature of despair and/or suffering arising out of the complex interactions of the physical, psychological, intellectual, spiritual and social dimensions of human existence.

• Experiences of faith in the context of the long dark night of the soul.

• Explorations of the practical and theological intersections of suffering and hope.

Submit abstracts of no more than 200 words by 1 May 2015.

Email: Thought_Matters@aue.salvationarmy.org.

Successful applicants will be notified by 30 May 2015 and will need to submit their final paper (2500 words) by 3 August.

Conference Proceedings will be published following the conference.

18 | WarCry 04 April 2015

LEADERSHIP LINKS

The divine and human Jesus had all power and authority, yet chose to be humble.

My father was a fine man with many great qualities, including being hard working, kind, strong, determined, gentle, encouraging and helpful. Dad had a strong voice, but was softly spoken. He believed in and trusted people, yet was realistic with expectations.

You will see from this incomplete list that my father was a man of contrasts. One of the contrasts that stood out to me was his use of physical strength. Dad was a hardworking man, with ‘heavy duty’ shoulders, muscular arms and large, strong hands. I was often amazed at what he could pick up with one hand.

In contrast, I was also amazed how those strong arms and hands were able to be so gentle when handling a baby. As Dad held a baby in his muscular arms, he somehow transformed all the raw power into comfort and support. When a baby was upset or unwell, Dad’s strength somehow gave comfort, peace and security. I’ve watched him hold an upset baby for long periods of time, gently soothing and bringing calm.

Contrasts of the use of power are evident throughout the Easter story. The religious leaders of the day had significant community leadership, educational and religious power. In the accounts of Jesus’ death, we see that they used this power in a corrupt, violent, jealous and manipulative manner, ultimately bringing about the crucifixion of the innocent Son of God. The political leaders of the day had the power to avert the course of events, yet out of self-protection and expediency, they failed to do what was right.

The divine and human Jesus had all power and authority, yet chose to be humble. Jesus was others-focused and forgiving, despite his horrendous personal circumstances. When the immense power of God was displayed in raising Jesus from the dead and conquering the forces of evil, Jesus expressed forgiveness and granted healing, freedom and restoration.

In Mark 10:42–45, we read: ‘Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ’ Jesus teaches us that power—whether economic, emotional, legal, physical, political, psychological, religious or social—should always be exercised to promote the values of the Kingdom of God, such as love, justice and mutual respect. It should never be used for manipulation or exploitation.

May God help us all to keep the power we hold under godly control, and to use it only for good and not for harm.

Commissioner Robert Donaldson Territorial Commander

BY CHRISTIN DAVIS

‘One Army’ Resources Aim to Unite A unique international teaching resource is uniting The Salvation Army worldwide in faith and purpose.

As a boy in a village in Bedfordshire, 40 miles north of London, Robert Street once knelt at the mercy seat in the Stotfold Corps —formerly a cow shed. Its members often recalled hearing William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, preach in London’s East End. ‘Those who spoke of the founder did so with a passion for “others” and left me in no doubt that the Army’s main mission was to the unsaved,’ Robert says. ‘Some soldiers had attended his funeral in London in August 1912, when the traffic had come to a halt, with tens and tens of thousands of people wanting to be part of the occasion—a massive expression of faith and thanksgiving.’

The stories and enthusiasm resonated with a young Robert.

‘I think I caught something of the Army spirit without knowing it,’ he says.

That spirit never left him. ‘The verse “to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48) laid on my heart,’ Robert says. ‘I felt if I didn’t respond to what was a definite call to officership, who else could I expect to respond? I felt in debt to God, and wanted to serve him out of love.’

After serving as a Salvation Army officer for 44 years, Commissioner Robert Street retired from active service in 2013 and now serves as chairman of the International Doctrine Council. A prolific author, Street penned Called to Be God’s People, based on 12 calls to The Salvation Army that emerged from the International Spiritual Life Commission in the late 1990s, which he chaired. ‘In effect, it’s based on helping us understand our spiritual life,’ Robert says. ‘If I have any gift it’s that I’m able to express things clearly and in uncomplicated ways.’

He has now put this gift to use with the release of One Army, an international teaching guide detailing the nature and purpose of The Salvation Army. ‘This resource is designed to unite Salvationists worldwide and help them and others understand its mission and message in clear global terms,’ says Robert, who has personally seen the Army at work in 50 countries. ‘One Army

Mission Matters | 19

One Army covers what the Army is called to be, what it should be and how it expresses itself as part of the universal church.

covers what the Army is called to be, what it should be and how it expresses itself as part of the universal church.’

One Army begins with the introduction ‘One Life’, which is about one army serving one God in one life. The next 12 topics relate to specific subjects—from ‘In Calling’ to ‘In Christ’ or ‘In Covenant’, and each has a corresponding video for reinforcement.

Captain Nick Coke of the United Kingdom with the Republic of Ireland Territory developed a youth component for each section, and Commissioner Margaret Sutherland wrote the leader’s manual.

‘Young people are not only the future of The Salvation Army, but they are a very real and important part of the movement now,’ Nick says.

‘If we can equip a generation of young people to live by the values of God’s kingdom and do that through local Salvation Army corps in 126 countries worldwide, what a wonderful, world-changing event that could be!’

It was General Linda Bond, former international leader of The Salvation Army, who first asked Robert to look at providing a teaching resource for the Army world. A task force developed the idea, and Robert built a team of contributors. The resource is being translated into 20 languages, with people in various areas reviewing each booklet for international clarity.

‘We want to ensure Salvationists throughout the world have the same opportunity to learn what we declare, and at the same time help people learn what isn’t part of the Army,’ Robert says. ‘[This material] can be used in Sunday worship as the basis of the meeting, or in midweek home discussion groups, in soldier classes, or for adherents or anyone inquiring about the Army.’

Dr. James E. Read, executive director of The Salvation Army Ethics Centre and soldier at Heritage Park Temple in Winnipeg, Canada, said his corps had used the One Army teaching resources to enrich worship meetings. This included using the ‘One Life’ themes as meeting themes, showing the ‘person in the street’ video interviews, and weaving the books contents into sermons, he says.

Elista Corps—located in Kalmykia Republic, Russia, a largely Buddhist region isolated from other corps—is using the One Army teaching resources. Major Svetlana Sharova says, ‘The first topic, ‘One Life’, was first presented to a group of young adults at a seminar last May, and in June the themes were used in home group studies. The leader of one home group was very pleased with the results and home group members were inspired by the teaching.’

Robert says he hopes One Army will promote interaction ‘to truly become international and truly one Army’.

Reprinted with permission from New Frontier Publications

Photo (far left): Presenters Linbert Spencer & Kerry Coke prepare for One Army filming, watched by Mjr Janet Robson, Comm Margaret Sutherland and Comm Robert Street

‘One Army’: The Series The One Army series begins with the topic ‘One Life’—we are all given one life and no two lives are the same. As the series unfolds, the material then examines a Salvation Army united: in calling . in covenant . in Christ . in truth . in purpose . in prayer . in fellowship . in service . in faith . in holiness . in hope . in love.

Each unit contains: • clear, concise teaching • a look at how the Army expresses itself in different cultures • a youth component • prayer links • Bible-based challenges • group discussion • individual interaction The first six units are available now, with the remaining units currently under development. Each provides further recommended resources for those who wish to extend their study.

Go to www salvationarmy.org/onearmy to access the One Army web-based programme, which includes teaching material and video clips.

GOD & FAITH

Everything in our faith comes down to Jesus. The Bible says he is ‘the fullness of everything in every way’. But how? Who? What? and just ‘Huh?’ Easter is a mysterious and profound time for those who follow Jesus. It’s the basis of our faith and the reason why we worship Jesus.

Here’s the short version of the Easter story: it is the celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection, which cleared the way for us to be reconnected with God. From here, we can can have our sins forgiven and get a fresh start.

You could stop reading here, and you’d know everything you need to know to follow Jesus.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE …

The story of Jesus is amazing because it can be explained in one sentence. But you could also spend your life reading the Bible, and still have more to discover. If you want to dig a bit deeper into what it all means, here’s the not-so-short version of the Easter story: It begins way back when with a very important idea: the idea of relationship. It begins in a beautiful garden where two people—Adam and Eve—enjoyed a wonderful, close, connected relationship with God. But this relationship wasn’t programmed into them as if they were robots. It rested on free will, Adam and Eve’s ability to choose or refuse God’s way.

Without free will, Adam and Eve couldn’t have a loving relationship with God—because love always has to be a choice.

God gave Adam and Eve a choice: to be in charge themselves or to let God lead them.

They decided to take charge, which broke their complete connectedness with God. The rest of the Bible is the story of how God gave everything to win humanity back.

CRAZY DAYS In the history of humanity, God has always spoken to us in ways that we can understand.

That’s just one of God’s loving traits. Soon

Adam and Eve were perfectly connected to God. But they chose to go their own way.

Nations made sacrifices to false gods. The Lord God said, ‘I have a new way for you.’

04 APRIL 2015 | 21

FIREZONE.CO.NZ

after the ‘way back when’ days, we find people making sacrifices to all sorts of gods. This was a symptom of their broken connection with God. In most of the cultures of the day, sacrifices were made to appease the gods, so they wouldn’t smite humanity.

But God wasn’t out of the picture. He rescued the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt and set out a new way of living. God used the concept of sacrifice, which was already part of their culture. Put simply (very simply!): when people sinned or did something that broke their connection with God, something had to die because the penalty for sin is death.

Most famously, they killed an unblemished lamb. God’s punishment for the sin went onto the lamb, rather than the human, and their relationship with God was restored.

Isaiah that was a condemnation of the religious rulers. Finally, a woman anointed Jesus’ feet, symbolising his anointing as King.

DEATH TO A REVOLUTION All these actions gave the religious and Roman leaders a clear message: Jesus was claiming to be the promised Jewish King. This ‘led him on a collision course with Roman authority,’ says Tom Wright, one of the world’s pre-eminent theologians. Roman and religious leaders acted urgently to curb an uprising.

All the many years of the Israelites sinning and then repenting through sacrifice were leading up to one gigantic moment in history: the coming of Jesus. There is no doubt among the world’s leading historians that Jesus was a real person. But the Bible makes it clear that Jesus was also God, in human form.

In the last week of his life, these prophesies took on an even greater, urgent pace. Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on a donkey, and crowds hailed him as their King. Everyone recognised that this echoed King Solomon, who rode a royal mule as his declaration of kingship.

In the same week, Jesus fulfilled other prophesies in Isaiah and Jeremiah. He told the ‘parable of the vineyard’ to the religious rulers, a clear echo from a similar story in

For God, sacrifice was a way of reconnecting with people.

Jesus was born.

Through his life, Jesus fulfilled prophesies made about God’s Saviour.

Jesus broke down all barriers between the human and heavenly realms—between us and God. This time, God became the sacrifice!

THE REAL REVOLUTION IS HERE Ultimately, though, Easter is not about death, but about life. After three anxious, soul-darkening days, God showed his mighty power: he raised Jesus back to life.

God took on the powers of death, proving he was more powerful than even the grave.

Because of this we now have the choice to be reconciled to God through Jesus, which can be the beginning of a whole new life!

THE CHOSEN ONE

Many prophets during the ‘sacrifice era’ foretold the coming of Jesus as the Messiah—as the one who would save Israel and become the eternal King to rule all kings. They said he would be humble, born of a virgin, an ancestor of King David’s, come from the town of Bethlehem, and would perform many miracles. All of these things were fulfilled in Jesus.

In this passage, Jesus is described as facing death ‘like a lamb to the slaughter’. God saw Jesus as the culmination of the sacrificial system—the final, unblemished lamb that would save us from punishment.

The Jewish people expected a new earthly king. But God’s plan was for a spiritual, neverending kingdom, in which Jesus rules over all people and all the earth.

That is the real revolution: Jesus came to bring a new world order that changes us from the inside out. But only if we choose for this to happen in our lives.

In a mock court ruling, Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion. His disciples, who had expected a revolution and new Jewish order, were forced into hiding and trembled with fear.

Jesus was swiftly put to death. All the hopes and expectations that had been put on Jesus were bitterly, thoroughly, shattered.

But God had a different perspective. Like his life, Jesus’ death was foretold in Isaiah 53:3–7, ... he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him,and by his wounds we are healed.

But Jesus was a threat. He was put to death.

God’s plan was life-changingly, mind-meltingly BIG. The Bible puts it like this: ‘God placed all things under [Jesus’] feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way’ (Ephesians 1:22–23).

What an incredible thought: Jesus fills everything in every way, through us, his church! We can be used to bring new life in every nook and cranny of the world.

All this began with two people choosing to turn away from God, and it ends with God taking on life and death to turn all people back to him.

The revolution is just beginning …

Jesus became the final sacrifice, to reconnect all people to God.

Jesus was raised to life after three days, showing all people that we can have new life with God.

TESTIFY | 22

getting radical at revolution hawaii We caught up with Scott Curtis and Georgia Bellve from Miramar Corps, who are currently living and serving in Hawaii, to find out what living radically is all about.

hard work; he doesn’t tell his friends what side he’s on, they can see for themselves. A fan will come for the game and leave at the end, but a follower is practicing every day of the week.

What is Revolution Hawaii and what kind of stuff do you get up to?

When I heard this I was hit with the hard truth, I was Jesus’ fan. I decided that I was tired of never seeing God work through me and that I wanted to see God as he is in the book of Acts.

I made that transition and it was so worth it.

GEORGIA / Rev Hi is an intensive Salvation Army discipleship programme (either a year or three-and-a-half months long) located at Camp Homelani, on the North Shore of Oahu.

SCOTT / Our average day is generally split into two; before lunch and after lunch. Before lunch, we learn about Jesus and how to be better Christ followers. After lunch, we go out into the homeless communities and actually practice what we preach—sometimes it’s volunteering, sometimes we just sit down and talk with people.

In what ways have you been encouraged to be a radical Christian?

SCOTT / If we read the book of Acts there is only one kind of Christian, and they all sound radical! A radical Christian is just someone who’s willing to follow God regardless of where it leads them. I’ve been learning the differences between being a fan and a follower of Jesus. A fan will attend all of Jesus’ ‘games’, he will have front row seats and cheers and shouts for Jesus. A follower of Jesus is playing the game. He’s the one in there, doing the

GEORGIA / I have been encouraged to be a witness to God and to look like Jesus. I have Christ in me so I should look different.

We shouldn’t just blend into the world. I want to be a radical Christian in terms of my relationships with others: to genuinely feel and listen to people’s brokenness, to love like Jesus, to be intentional and be inclusive of all people. I have been challenged to be greater than just a churchgoer Christian who listens, absorbs and doesn’t act, but instead is radical and practices, teaches and walks like Jesus.

Why do you think it’s important to follow God’s leading in your life?

GEORGIA / We can make a decision to believe in Jesus, but have we decided to follow him?

I have learned that I shouldn’t be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. When we follow God’s leading, we don’t need to doubt, worry or be fearful, but instead we can believe in God’s promises and find contentment in this. I have been transformed because I followed God’s leading in my life and I challenge you, to embrace this too.

SCOTT / God wants fully devoted followers over a bunch of half-hearted, lukewarm Christians. When John wrote to the church of Laodicea, he says that because they are neither hot nor cold, neither in nor out, neither yes nor no, that they are worthless. To put it another way: what good are 10 blunt knives compared to one sharp one?

SMOKE + MIRRORS

Rock/Pop

Imagine Dragons

If you fully surrender everything and are willing to sacrifice things like time, possessions and reputation, God can start to use you! And you’ll begin to see God working in others, through you. That grace and love and forgiveness that you first felt when you accepted Jesus, you will be able to see others experience that too.

What’s your best advice for others who want to deepen their discipleship journey?

SCOTT / It’s the same thing everyone says: pray, read your Bible, fast, spend time in silence and solitude. But I had heard that same advice for years before I really began to understand. The more you discipline yourself to spend time with God, the more you will want to.

Look at your spiritual life critically and be honest with yourself. If you need to spend more time with God but just don’t want to, you won’t just suddenly want to. Again: the more you discipline yourself to spend time with God, the more you will want to.

GEORGIA / Strengthen spiritual disciplines daily and develop habits. Be intentional with relationships. Trust. Be obedient. Seek God with your whole heart. Surrender. Follow God and only him. Follow his leadings. Have joy in all circumstances—even brokenness. Be uncomfortable. Love everyone—even those we struggle to love (love them the most).

Find freedom and don’t brush over God’s grace. Be radical. Be holy. And, don’t wait to deepen your discipleship journey, renew or start a relationship with Christ; take the nearest moment.

OF BEAUTY AND RAGE

Nu Metal

Red

Imagine Dragons is a rock band originally from Las Vegas. Their debut record, Night Visions, propelled the band into the international spotlight, and this follow-up does a good job of justifying the band’s talent and flexibility. The record showcases their upbeat rock sound, but includes influences from across the pop spectrum too. The production contributes heavily to its summery vibe, with a ton of lush reverbs and delays that create a sense of space, atmosphere and depth. This is an entertaining record, and while it’s not incredibly innovative, it’s a solid and fun listen.

Of Beauty and Rage is Red’s 5th studio album. It’s a fairly standard representation of Red’s sound, building on 2013’s Release the Panic, while also referencing the heavy and groovy riffs of their debut, End of Silence, and their signature orchestral string sound. The opening track, ‘Descent’, leads into the slow building, yet crushingly heavy ‘Imposter’. Each of the album’s 15 tracks is punctuated by huge string sections, and the effect is grand in every sense. There’s a nice sense of contrast, and the ballad ‘Of These Chains’ is a good change of pace. While it’s a predictable release, this one is solid and executed well. Fans will not be disappointed.

MUSIC

MUSIC

LYRICS

GOD CONTENT

LYRICS

GOD CONTENT

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Crack the eggs Match the holes in the eggs to the eggshell fragments.

G S I G B

F F S R Y Y D

U L S R S L R B E

P Q O C L I E Y E C I

Read It

‘Jesus is not here! He has risen! Remember how he told you he would rise.’

(Luke 24:6, NIRV)

Let’s Talk It’s really hard when someone you love dies.

Everyone gets together and remembers that person— often feeling very sad because they won’t be able to see them again.

N R L J P G E N G T S D

C E A S T E R N E M E D S

L S S Y D X U T D V M M R E

P I I S E L P I C S I D E A V

U S R E I D L O S E M G P C U O

E M P K Y H U C E P H R D Y G L

P L Z A R I M D X H G O F M W A

Imagine how it was for Jesus’ friends after he died on the cross. They were not only sad, but also afraid.

Perhaps they were in danger now, too?

So just imagine also how excited they were when they heard the news Jesus hadn’t stayed dead, but had come back to life. Even though Jesus had promised this, it had sounded too amazing for his friends to believe.

Learning that Jesus had beaten death was the best news ever! Hearing this

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changed his friends’ lives.

It gave them the courage to live the way Jesus had taught them and to tell everyone they met that Jesus was alive and that he loved them!

Dear Jesus, I am so happy you are so powerful that even death couldn’t beat you. Help me to be brave and tell my friends about your love and forgiveness.

Amen.

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hi, i’m will.

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend, For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?

O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.

From ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded’ by Paul Gerhardt (d. 1676) Based on the Latin poem ‘Salve caput cruentatum’ by Bernard of Clairvaux (d. 1153)