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EDITOR’S NOTE:
What we can see at Calvary
Jarrod Stackelroth Editor
There is no hardship that we experience in life that He hasn’t tasted and doesn’t understand.
Darkness covers the land. Those not on the hill of Calvary must have wondered what was going on. Even without social media or live news coverage, you can imagine everyone in Jerusalem at that time had heard that Jesus was to be crucified that day. When the sun hid and the earth shook, you can imagine the terror and panic that spread. Some must have questioned the decision to kill Jesus; others must have thought the world was ending.
While most turned their faces away or joined the throng baying for blood, the celestial bodies themselves bore witness to Jesus’ importance in the cosmos and the significance of this event.
For those of us living 2000 years distant, it can be hard to understand the terror and humiliation of the cross. Few, if any of us have ever seen a public execution, been in a blood thirsty mob or smelt the blood and fear of a crucifixion. And then we need to understand what it means. So, we lean on cliches and abstract explanations that have the unintended side-effect of sanitising and distancing us from the cross.
Yet the death of the Son of God and His subsequent victory over death through resurrection are at the centre of the Christian faith. We must spend time reflecting and wrestling with their meaning and significance.
Paul acknowledges the cross of Christ as a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23). He often refers to the gospel as a mystery—the idea that through Jesus’ death, sinners could be reconciled to God (Romans 5:10) and also to each other (Ephesians 3:6).
By reflecting on the scene together, perhaps we can be filled again with wonder at the great love of God.
We can see the compassion He held for humankind, in that even on the cross He was thinking of others not Himself. “In Christ’s humiliation, he, as a prophet, had addressed the daughters of Jerusalem; as priest and Advocate, he had pleaded with the Father to forgive the sins of his destroyers; as a loving Saviour, he had forgiven the iniquity of the penitent thief who called upon him. Many who witnessed those scenes upon Calvary were afterward established by them in the faith of Christ” (Ellen White, Desire of Ages). He asked John to take care of His mother. While He was suffering almost the worst fate known to man, His thoughts were for others, including us. Such compassion is a model for us and can encourage us.
We can see the forgiveness He prayed over us.
“That prayer of Christ for his enemies embraced the world. It took in every Sinner that had lived or should live from the beginning of the world to the end of time. Upon all rests the guilt of crucifying the son of God. To all forgiveness is freely offered. ‘Whosoever will’ may have peace with God and inherit eternal life” (Desire of Ages).
We can see the breaking of the curse on humanity and the power of evil in this present age. Galatians 3:13 tells us that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.” What curse is this? The curse of Adam and all flesh after him. Death, sin, sorrow and separation from God.
And we see a suffering God, who understands what we are going through. He was naked, beaten, humiliated, falsely accused, afflicted, poor, abandoned, abused and betrayed.
There is no hardship that we experience in life that He hasn’t tasted and doesn’t understand. And yet Isaiah (chapter 53) predicted that the suffering Servant would be abused but ultimately justified and justify man, being allotted “a portion with the great”. Paul can proclaim that “death has been swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:54) and whatever pain and suffering we experience in life will be set right.
While it may be hard to imagine the scene at Calvary, reflecting on it from time to time is necessary for a robust and complete faith. It reminds us that the One who spoke everything into existence thought you and I were worth fighting and dying for, in order to restore us to a right relationship with Him.
Glenn Townend
South Pacific Division president
When I participate in General Conference meetings (at least twice a year) I rejoice in hearing the big numbers that show God’s blessings. East Central Africa Division has baptised more than 900,000 people in just over three years. In Zambia, 133,000 people gave their lives to Jesus and were baptised and 3000 participated in the African Youth Congress in the West African Division recently. What SPD saw in PNG for Christ also demonstrated what God could do in a short time.
However, I also rejoice in the 26 baptised in a new area in Bangladesh (a majority Muslim country). That although church buildings are being closed in China God’s people still meet in homes and disciple their neighbours and friends. That, 75 new churches are in various stages of development in the Trans European Division despite the post-Christian secular mindset. That a city in the Middle East which has not seen any significant growth in many years has four new church groups reaching four different people groups. Although two Adventists have been expelled from Israel for being Christian the church still grows and had six immigrants baptised last month. The numbers are small but God has not abandoned any people group. A small seed can grow into a large tree (Mark 4:31,32). Where God’s kingdom is growing there is impact despite the cultural/religious challenges.
A story from Prague inspired me most. Prague is the capital of Czech Republic where only 13 per cent of people are church goers—a very secular, post-Christian society similar to Australia and New Zealand. One young man there used social media to connect with people during the Covid pandemic. He shared how Jesus was helping him cope through the pandemic. He shared the hope of Jesus in a practical and relevant way. Other young adults liked it. As life went back to normal the group discovered they had the foundations of a house church. People wanted to be baptised. Safe Point was planted and this new hybrid (on line and face-to-face church) has baptised 22 people in the past five years. Eighty people meet together each week—most are seeking God and Christianity. They use social media to share Jesus values that are relevant and have worked out how to connect face-to-face with the people who like their content. As one participant said, “It’s a place where you can belong, as you are!” I rejoice in the
Adventist Review visits SPD; flags changes
Wahroonga, NSW | Jarrod Stackelroth
Adventist Review news editor and communication director, Pastor Enno Mueller, visited the South Pacific Division (SPD) to attend the Digital Discipleship Conference, tour some historic sites and share with the team at Adventist Media some of the changes that are happening at Adventist Review
The announcement of a $US3.6 million Adventist Review budget decrease at Annual Council, means a reduction in the subsidy for printing the Adventist World magazine. For Adventist Review, this means that they plan to combine Adventist World magazine with Adventist Review, presenting one product worldwide. For the South Pacific Division, it means the subsidy provided to print Adventist World was reduced by 25 per cent, meaning a further three issues have been cut from this calendar year.
The Adventist World issues that will not be printed this year will still be available digitally.
The changes to the Adventist Review brand, including a new logo and combined publication, will be launched at this year’s General Conference Session. Part of the reason for Pastor Mueller’s visit was to help communicate some of those
changes to the SPD as well as strategising ways to communicate the changes around the world.
“At this year’s General Conference Session, the two publications that have brought believers together will themselves come together to become one,” shares Adventist Review editor, Justin Kim, in the March 2025 issue of Review “Using the legacy name of Adventist Review, with a new logo that points to its history, the editors hope the reimagined magazine will be as deep and wide as its predecessors were.”
Pastor Mueller spent a day with the Adventist Record team, sharing ideas and comparing how the two publications distribute and gather news and articles.
“Magazines like Adventist Record are pivotal for us to be able to share the news beyond the South Pacific territory,” said Pastor Mueller.
“We, especially in the news, are working a lot on the aggregation model. Adventist Review, would not be able to feature a global narrative of news simply based off the work that we do. So we are fully dependent on the work that happens in each one of our church world territories.”
Hope Channel International new vice president
Ringwood, NSW | Kymberley McMurray
Pastor Robbie Berghan has been appointed vice president of global media and engagement at Hope Channel International. He transitions into the new role after serving as content and promotions manager at Faith FM since 2020.
During his time with Faith FM, Pastor Berghan contributed to content strategy, promotions and listener engagement initiatives.
“It’s been an absolute blessing to be part of the Faith FM team,” he said. “I’ve loved working with our dedicated team at the Australian office, and alongside passionate presenters, producers and local supporters around the country. While I’m sad to be moving on, I know the impact of Faith FM will continue to grow across Australia.”
In his new role, Pastor Berghan will
lead global media engagement efforts for Hope Channel International. “What excites me about this next chapter is the opportunity to build on what I’ve learned and work with an international team dedicated to sharing hope through media,” he said.
Faith FM station manager Michael Engelbrecht acknowledged his contributions: “Robbie has played a pivotal role in strengthening our mission and expanding our reach across Australia.”
Australian Union Conference president Pastor Terry Johnson added, “We’ve been blessed by Robbie’s leadership and passion for ministry and we’re excited to see his gifts continue to bless the global work of Hope Channel International.”
Pastor Berghan is married to Rebeka and they have two children.
Pastor Berghan and his family.
Pastor Mueller visits Sunnyside and finds an early copy of Adventist Review
Game-changer for following up contacts
Technology to help churches provide follow-up care to individuals who connect with Adventist churches, ministries and institutions is being rolled out in Australia and internationally.
Developed by Adventist Technology at the South Pacific Division, the Thrive app allows churches to track personalised discipleship journeys, ensuring that every contact receives intentional and timely follow-up care. By integrating insights and analytics, Thrive enables church ministries to understand their audience better and make informed decisions about outreach and engagement.
“One of the greatest challenges churches face is managing and nurturing relationships with those interested in learning more about faith while ensuring that no-one falls through the cracks,” said Pastor Russ Willcocks, senior ministry systems specialist for Adventist Technology.
“Thrive is an interest management system built to help churches track, organise and engage with individuals who express interest in Bible studies, evangelistic events or spiritual growth opportunities.”
After a successful pilot in North New South Wales, Thrive is being implemented across the South Queensland
Conference. Internationally, Thrive is also being rolled out across the entire North American Division (NAD), where it will support more than 6700 churches and schools with managing their contacts from a range of online and in-person sources. This expansion marks a major step in standardising and strengthening follow-up efforts throughout the Adventist Church.
“Thrive is a game-changer for the Church,” said Pastor Matt Atcheson, who was responsible for overseeing the app’s design. “We dream of a future where no-one ever has to ask for follow-up more than once.”
Thrive integrates seamlessly with consent, membership and other ministry systems, ensuring that church members, pastors and chaplains can securely manage contacts from first connections through to membership. The system allows pastors and chaplains to assign follow-up responsibilities to trusted local leaders, track group attendance, and share contacts between mentors and ministry teams—all while providing real-time insights into discipleship engagement.
To learn more, visit <thrive.adtech. org.au> or email <russwillcocks@adventist.technology>.
PAU hosts Pacific education ministers
Port Moresby, PNG | Kym Piez
Pacific Adventist University (PAU) hosted a dinner for Ministers of Education from 20 Pacific nations—including Australia and New Zealand—on March 19 as part of a regional education gathering.
Held on the PAU campus near Port Moresby, the event welcomed around 300 delegates and featured cultural performances representing the region’s diversity. Faculty, staff and students collaborated to organise the evening, with contributions from PAU’s international staff and student body.
The dinner showcased traditional attire, music and food.
PAU deputy vice-chancellor academic and provost Professor Lalen Simeon
thanked all those involved. “The Education Ministers and their delegations were very impressed with everything that happened tonight,” she said. She acknowledged the kitchen staff, campus team, students, faculty and assistant registrar Ridley Joseph, who served as master of ceremonies.
Deputy vice-chancellor administration Mere Vaihola also thanked the PAU community for their effort and professionalism, noting that the attention to detail and warm hospitality left a lasting impression on guests.
The event was one of several activities hosted at PAU during the week of regional education meetings
Wahroonga, NSW | Russ Willcocks/Record staff
Ministers of education from 20 Pacific nations attended the event on the PAU campus.
[Credit: Bruno Kokinai]
The app was developed by Adventist Technology at the South Pacific Division.
Young people make an impact across the South Pacific
Wahroonga, NSW | Juliana Muniz
Adventist youth from across the South Pacific Division embraced the theme “A Community Transformed” on Global Youth Day (March 15), engaging in a range of community outreach initiatives that brought hope and practical help to those in need.
In Australia, Greater Sydney youth provided food and clothing to homeless individuals, offered mobile health screenings, visited seniors homes and conducted community clean-ups. In the Parramatta city centre, volunteers distributed smoothies to encourage conversation, while others spent the day assisting vulnerable individuals in practical ways. Signs of the Times also provided more than 400 magazines to be handed out to those interested.
Reflecting on the day, Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) youth department director Pastor Dejan Stojkovic highlighted the impact of youth-led service. “Some churches closed their doors for the morning, not to pause worship, but to become worship—meeting people where they were, bringing hope, kindness and practical help to the streets of Greater Sydney,” he said.
A number of initiatives also happened across Papua New Guinea, with youth groups organising blood donation drives, hospital visits, community clean-ups, and distribution of food and essential supplies. Young people shared literature, sang and prayed with community members.
In the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM), union and mission office staff also joined the movement. TPUM office staff visited a school for children with physical disabilities and hearing impairments and Fiji Mission office staff visited an orphanage, a Deaf boarding school and a school for blind children. The team distributed donations in each location, including toiletries. In the Solomon Islands, the Burns Creek church youth cleaned roads and served breakfast for the community.
South Pacific Division youth ministries liaison Dr Nick Kross commented on the importance of initiatives that promote community service. “This is our mission as an Adventist Church. We believe that we should send the Adventist message to the world in our generation, and we do that through service and loving the community. I pray that we can continue to do Global Youth Day every day until Jesus comes back,” he said.
See more details about individual GYD initiatives in Flashpoint.
making headlines
Puppy therapy
Several Adventist schools in southern Brazil have introduced golden retriever puppies to their classrooms. The dogs provide emotional support for students while fostering positive interactions and lowering anxiety levels. Plans to expand to other schools and further integrate the puppies into the school routine are underway.—SAD
Saving lives in Sunyani
The Seventh-day Adventist Hospital in Sunyani, Ghana, has reported zero cases of maternal death in the past four years. Staff were commended and advised not only to care for patients’ physical health but ensure their own characters reflect the character of God. The hospital is currently undergoing expansion and is working to upgrade to a secondary healthcare facility.—Ghana News Agency
Elders baptise thousands
Recent evangelistic efforts in the Inter-American Division have resulted in the baptisms of more than 16,000 new believers. The baptisms highlighted the crucial role of church elders assisting pastors, who oversee an average of 15 churches each. Hundreds of elders were authorised to baptise, many of whom found joy in baptising those they had studied the Bible with.—IAD
AI vs microplastics
Monash University has developed an AI program to assist scientists in the fight against microplastics. The program can analyse thousands of samples in a fraction of a second—something that would take humans months—and is an important step in finding ways to decrease microplastics in the environment.—Monash
Greater Sydney Adventist youth engaged in several community outreach activities on GYD.
#GYD: Community outreach
Youth from Buimo Road Seventh-day Adventist Church in Lae, Morobe Province, PNG, participated in Global Youth Day (GYD) with a series of outreach activities focused on serving their local community. On March 15, the group travelled from Nawae to Eriku, where they distributed literature, prayed with community members and sang in various locations. “Our goal was not just to talk about faith but to live it out in practical ways,” said youth leader Theresa Kilako. The initiative continued the following day as Buimo Road Adventist Youth Ministry (AYM) joined forces with the Adventist Community Services team and church members for a large-scale community clean-up. Starting at Timber College and the police station, the group worked their way through the area, finishing at the church premises.—Ken Doulos
#GYD: Bookended by service
In the lead-up to Global Youth Day, youth from Kerenda and Kupoa churches in Southern Highlands, PNG, organised a road clearance and drain cleaning project along the Highlands Highway on March 14. A 100-metre section of the road had drainage issues that caused debris buildup, obstructing both pedestrians and vehicles. Recognising the safety concerns, the youth ministry organised a volunteer team to clear the area, improving accessibility for students and residents. To conclude the global Youth Week of Prayer, 29 young people from Kerenda church visited Ialibu Hospital on March 22 to bring messages of hope and support to patients and staff. Led by ministers Joe Aki and Harry Nasi, the group distributed fruit lunch packs and handwritten notes with Bible verses and words of encouragement.—Harry Nasi/Juliana Muniz
Hygiene upgrade
Ghatere Adventist Primary School, Solomon Islands, has received a new sanitation facility from ADRA. The facility will directly benefit the 64 students enrolled in the school—located on South Kolobanagara Island in Western Province— as well as the surrounding communities who attend meetings and church services in Ghatere. A handover ceremony took place on March 18 at the school compound. The project was funded by ADRA Australia and implemented by ADRA Solomon Islands through the Turn on the Tap Project.—Denver Newter
Children’s Day
Children and youth from the Hamilton Hispanic church in NZ led the worship service on March 23 to celebrate Children’s Day. Eleven-year-old Samuel Barrios preached the sermon, titled “Can we trust the Bible?” Children also prepared songs, recited Bible verses and created a banner for the event with the support of their parents. Pastor Erwin Boggiano said the program showcased the young people’s commitment and involvement in church life.—Plugin
By women of faith
The Australian Union Conference (AUC) Women’s Ministries department has launched I AM Women’s Devotional Volume 2, the second instalment in a devotional series created to support personal reflection and small group discussion.
Compiled by Pastor Sylvia Mendez, AUC Women’s Ministries and resource development director, the book features a collection of devotions by women of faith from across Australia and New Zealand. Each reflection explores an aspect of God’s character and ends with questions designed to encourage personal application.
A set of affirmation cards accompanies the book, with each card corresponding to one of the devotional’s I AM statements— such as I AM wanted, I AM healed and I AM Wonderful.
“As I visited events across Australia— from Big Camp to women’s retreats and Converge—I kept being asked when we were planning to release a second volume,” said Pastor Mendez. “It was these requests, from women both young and older, that inspired us to develop a new series of I AM statements and invite local women to once again write from their personal experiences.
“It is my prayer that this resource will be a blessing to the many women—and even men, I’ve heard—who dive into these real stories of God’s anchoring love in the ups and downs of life,” she added.
I AM Women’s Devotional Volume 2 is available from Adventist Book Centre stores or at <bit.ly/IAMvolume2>.—Kymberley McMurray
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#GYD: Blood drive
Youth from the Wewak Island District, East Sepik Province, PNG, organised a blood donation drive at Boram General Hospital in Wewak on March 15 as part of GYD. The initiative was led by the West Coast Wewak Island District Adventist youth, with participation from five local churches—Meni, Niugo, Tangara, Gander and Wom—as well as youth from Yawasoro, Passam and Rainumbo. A team from Boram General Hospital’s blood bank facilitated the donation process, with 49 participants giving blood. In response to the successful turnout, the blood bank team requested another donation drive on June 14 for World Blood Donor Day. Plans are already in place for the district to facilitate the next event and continue supporting the hospital’s blood supply.—Joe Philip
#GYD: Buckets of hope
More than 300 children and young people from Maranatha Adventist Youth Ministries (AYM) Club at Meltan Adventist Church in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, celebrated Global Youth Day on March 15 with a community outreach initiative in Sivasat and Sule villages. The event featured the “Bucket Ministries” project, where participants distributed 45 buckets filled with essential supplies, including soap, oil, clothing, Bibles and Christian literature, to families in need. Youth also shared messages of hope, prayed with villagers and supported a community worship service led by the children’s ministries team. AYM team leader Elaine Okove expressed her appreciation for the children’s involvement. “It was inspiring to see them boldly share God’s Word in unfamiliar communities,” she said.—Paul Bopalo
THE HEART OF THE EASTER STORY
Let’s take a moment to pan out . . . to the treetops, to the clouds, up past the sun, moon and stars to the heavenly realms (Ephesians 1:3). Let’s rewind to eons ago before planet Earth existed . . . when only God existed. God, who is three in one. Elohim, Yahweh, Creator God.
Let’s rewind back to a heavenly council when planet Earth was conceived in the heart of God—a world of magnificent human beings, created to reflect God in character—to be free agents, choosing to live in the vitality of love. This love wasn’t cheap. It was beautiful and deep, and always had the other’s best interests at heart. It never conceived of pain, getting ahead or being better than. It always served.
The Godhead was filled with a bubbling joy at the beautiful creation they had in mind. But then there was a pause . . . what if this creation chose the other way? The way of Lucifer, the fallen one, who chose self-exultation and coveted Jesus’ place. He chose to use free will for himself and evil was conceived. There was war in heaven (Revelation 12:7) and arguments, betrayals, lies and anger followed. Lucifer would now be known as Satan.
What if Satan interfered with the human race and led them astray? What if the Godhead’s hopes for love between themselves and humanity turned into a recipe for death, because humanity chose Satan’s ways? Without God’s life-giving love,
eternal death would come.
The Son, Jesus, raised His hand and spoke up. “I’ll give my life for them if it comes to that.”
A dreadful silence followed this spoken moment. Jesus was promising to give His life for humanity from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). It was absolutely horrific to consider a separation of the Godhead–because that is what this would require, if it was needed. There would be a severing unlike any other.
Let’s return to planet Earth in 2025 for a moment. Think about the person you’ve got the strongest bond with. The one who lights you up, who you long for when you’re apart, who you delight in and adore. Have you got that person? You have only an inkling of the bond and love that the Godhead had for each other, which they were willing to sacrifice for humanity.
Only a short time after humanity was created, the Promised One was needed—and there was no hesitation. God came looking for His lost humankind, and already He could see the negative effects of their choices: they hid from Him and their faces were not open. They were separated from Him and each other.
This separation needed repairing. So, Jesus made a promise to Satan:
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will bruise your head, and you bruise his heel.
(Genesis 3:15)
The Hebrew word for bruise can also mean overwhelm. Jesus would be overwhelmed by Satan, but in return Satan would be overwhelmed by Jesus.
Rewind to around 2000 years ago, to a modest home in a modest village. Actually, it was more than modest Nazareth around 1 BC was a village with a reputation. “Nothing good comes from Nazareth,” they’d say (John 1:46). There lived a young lady, a teenager, unmarried—though engaged. This woman was about to have the worst reputation in town. You can hear the news: “Did you hear about Mary? She’s pregnant! Her and Joseph aren’t even married!” This was a social disgrace, even deserving of death.
In this time, in this place and in these circumstances came Jesus, the Son. The Godhead acted in unison to save humanity and an angel visited Mary.
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus . . . The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” (Luke 1:28-35 abridged).
Just like that, God the Son became human, and yet divine, in Mary’s womb . . . and the separation of the Godhead began. We know the story. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up in Nazareth. While He was God, He was also man. Yet He loved with the love of God, not the love of man. Unlike Satan, Adam and Eve, and us—Jesus didn’t prioritise Himself and His desires, needs or curiosities. He chose others. He chose us. He became love personified. His life was one of care, courage and
commitment towards us, to His much-loved human race.
This love took Him to the cross. The heart of the Easter story. He took the eternal death we deserve. As He made this decision in His humanness, He felt it might indeed be an eternal separation, an eternal sundering from oneness of the Godhead and from us.
As He wrestled in the garden of Gethsemane, with tears of blood, His heart was breaking as He contemplated the separation. He stood erect, calm in the face of jeers, enduring harsh questions and mockery from religious and Roman leaders, being beaten by the soldiers—and all along, continued to choose us. As He strained from muscle to muscle and aching limb to aching limb on the cross, He continued to choose us–He wanted us to have the opportunity for vitality and life that He and the Godhead had envisioned from the beginning. That love sustained Him and He didn’t falter in completing His promised mission.
Darkness covered the land for three hours as He hung and suffered the weight of things every person from Adam to the time of the end has ever thought, done and felt that was not in line with perfect love. He carried the pain of every victim of abuse, every slave, every forgotten child, every guilty offender, every war, every disaster, every injustice . . . and it crushed Him.
But what crushed Him even more was the separation from the Godhead. He cried, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Little did He know that while God the Father couldn’t rescue Him and the fallen human race at the same time, the Father was with Him in the darkness. God breathed deeply and bore presence to the suffering of His Son, as would any father who loves his son with every fibre of his being.
“It was finished.” The breath of life left Jesus and there was a separation, a sundering, like never before and never again— all of heaven gasped in horror.
Yet, there was also hope . . . the question hovered: could perfect love conquer even eternal death?
Early Sunday morning, while stars still hovered in the sky and the light of dawn shimmered on the horizon, a heavenly messenger came with a joyous and thundering mission. He who gave His life for them was raised to life. Jesus rose to His Father. Love prevailed!
As a new day dawned on planet Earth, Mary, who anointed Him for burial, was the first to share the good news on which the gospel hinges. The tomb is empty! He has risen!
Jesus Messiah, God the Son from eternity past to eternity future, succeeded in overcoming the evilness of humanity. He made it possible for all of humanity to be connected back to Himself, if they so wish. They can choose to lead full and meaningful lives of service, certainty, hope and purpose. Not just now, but for eternity to come.
Therefore, the heart of the Easter story is captured in this verse: “Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Jessica Bishop wife, mother and clinical psychologist who is passionate about living the life she is called to by God. She and her family live on the Gold Coast, Qld.
Hot Cross Bun Tray Bake
Serves 12 Prep 10 Cook 60
This hearty breakfast bake is a great way to feed a crowd using leftover Easter buns, with the added goodness of Weet-Bix and So Good.
Ingredients
6 Weet-Bix™, roughly crushed
4 hot cross buns, packaged or homemade
8 large eggs
¾ cup So Good™ Unsweetened Soy or Almond Milk
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp maple syrup, divided
½ cup chopped raw pecans (60g)
¾ cup blueberries (125g)
Tips:
Blueberries can be replaced with raspberries, diced strawberries or sliced banana.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Method
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly oil a 1.5–2L baking dish.
2. Cut each hot cross bun into 4 slices. Layer sliced buns and crumbled Weet-Bix in the prepared baking dish.
3. Whisk eggs, milk, cinnamon and 1 tbsp syrup in a large jug. Slowly pour egg mixture over the buns and WeetBix. Sprinkle over blueberries, then allow to sit for 5–10 minutes, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Toss chopped nuts in remaining 1 tbsp maple syrup, and scatter over the bake.
5. Loosely cover dish with foil and bake 55–60 minutes. Remove foil and bake a further 5 mins, until golden on top and firm in the centre. Cool on a rack at least 15 minutes before cutting.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Blood saves lives
James Harrison, known as the Man with the Golden Arm, was an Australian who held the world record for giving blood, donating blood 1173 times across 60 years of life. He passed away recently on February 17, 2025, but has been credited with saving the lives of 2.4 million babies through his blood plasma donations! His blood donations were used to create anti-D medication, a vital treatment for preventing a potentially fatal disease called hemolytic disease of the newborn, where a pregnant mother’s immune system attacks her baby’s blood cells.
Holding this record was no minor accomplishment, but as he rolled up his sleeve to give blood for the last time at the age of 81, he said, “I hope it’s a record that somebody breaks, because it will mean they are dedicated to the cause.” Over his entire life of donating blood, James Harrison never received payment in any form; for him, giving blood was exactly that—a gift.
Blood donors are never paid for
their blood, and there are no conditions placed on who that blood will be given to. When someone consents to give blood, there isn’t a clause to say that your gift of blood is going to a worthy recipient. There is no opportunity to request that your blood only be used for kind, loving, respectable and upright citizens who don’t break the law, don’t beat their wives and children, never speed or run a red light or make fraudulent claims to the tax office. There is no opportunity to ask that your blood be withheld from drug dealers and sex workers, or people who vote differently from you. Your blood is to be freely given to whomever needs saving.
While there are no conditions on who can receive blood, there are certain conditions on who can give blood. Individuals who donate their blood must be free from diseases and illnesses, and not have been exposed to certain diseases like malaria or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (mad cow disease). Even things like low iron, sexual activity, travel and certain
medications can be barriers to prevent someone from giving blood. The reason for this is because the people on the receiving end of a blood donation are often sick and need the best quality or healthiest blood possible to get better. And some blood is better than others—James Harrison, for example, had a unique “Golden” blood type which made him the perfect donor for saving millions of lives.
Easter, which is celebrated by a long weekend, is often a time when I hear the plea on TV and radio news programs for people to donate blood. “Blood Saves Lives”, “Give Blood, Give Life”, are just some of the slogans used to promote the cause. I have often been the recipient of letters from the Red Cross Blood bank suggesting that with my highly sought after blood type (O-), this might be a good time to make an appointment and come help top up their supplies.
Sometimes these calls are accompanied by statistics telling us of low blood stocks and how much is needed to be prepared for the coming holiday traffic, which inevitability comes with the sorrow of road accidents and the need for blood to save lives. Three out of every 100 people in Australia give blood, and yet one out of every three of us will need it over the course of our lives. If you think of the maths, 3% are giving for 33.33%. Alternatively, 97% of the community rely on 3% of the community to keep the blood banks full. Little wonder that we hear the call for blood donors, because blood saves lives.
Easter gives us the wonderful opportunity to reflect on Jesus Christ, the One, true universal Donor. His blood, shed over 2000 years ago, His pure cleansing “Golden” blood, can save everybody. It doesn’t matter where you are from, what you have done or what you have not done. It doesn’t matter the colour of your skin or your amount of education, His blood was freely given for you. His blood is sufficient for all.
Kathy Burns grew up in India, the youngest of five in a missionary family. She has lived in six countries, and her passion is overseas walking holidays with her husband Doug. They are both retired and have just become grandparents.
Ellen and the “Ocean of God’s Love”
It has sometimes been suggested that the early Ellen White did not have a great appreciation for the love of God. It’s true that her grasp of God’s love grew as time went by. In this article we will explore what Ellen understood of God’s love in the early years of her ministry. It needs to be understood that in these years there is not a lot of written material, but what is there yields some nuggets of gold.
“The Tender Love of God”
This expression appears in a broadside titled, “To Those Who Are Receiving the Seal of the Living God”. There she wrote, “I have seen the tender love that God has for His people, and it is very great.”1 She then goes on to describe what she saw take place in heaven when individual Christians responded or rejected the working of God in their lives, and the impact that had in heaven. When it was positive, the angels “would touch their golden harps and sing with a loud voice—Alleluia! and the heavenly arches would ring with their lovely songs.”2 This expression is used only once in her writings, though it is republished several times. In addition, the phrase, “the tender love of God”, is used only four times in her writings, the first of which was in 1888.3
Ellen went on to describe what heaven is like and added, “I long to be there, and behold my lovely Jesus, who gave his life for me.”4 Note how she describes Jesus as “my lovely Jesus”. Surely that shows something of her experience at that time. She continued to express her desire for the “living streams that make glad the city of our God” and bemoaned the lack of human language to portray what she had seen.
“The Ocean of God’s Love”
Then comes this powerful expression that is used only three times between September 1850 and August 1851: the ocean of God’s love! It first appears in her recounting a vision at Sutton, Vermont, that begins with, “I saw the loveliness of Jesus and the love that the angels have for one another. Said the
angel, Can ye not behold their love? Follow it. Just so, God’s people must love one another.”5 Thus, the love of God is displayed among the angels of heaven and is to be seen among God’s people here on earth.
But there had been disunion among the shepherds of the flock, the ministers, and this had impacted the members negatively. The angel counselled that Joseph Bates needed to “drink deep, deep from the water of the fountain. Said the angel, Ye must reflect the lovely image of Jesus more and more.”6 James is included in the need to show the love of God. Then comes this beautiful statement: “Said the angel, Press together, press together, press together, press together, ye shepherds, lest the sheep be scattered. Love one another as I have loved you. Swim, swim, swim, plunge deep, deep, deep in the ocean of God’s love. Come into a nearness with God.”7
What imagery! What descriptive language! Yet when this is republished in Early Writings, this section is deleted and these descriptive terms are not found anywhere else in her writings.
There are two other occurrences in private letters written some nine months apart. In the first she urges, “Let us not rest unless we know that our lives are hid with Christ in God. We must have daily the full assurance that we are accepted of Him.”8 Note the certainty Ellen believed Christians should have of their standing with God! She went on to outline her desire to have “the mind that was in Christ” and how she wished to “reflect the lovely image of Jesus”. Then she wrote: “At times I feel the power of God even in my flesh and yet I am not satisfied. I want to plunge deeper and deeper in the ocean of God’s love and be wholly swallowed up in Him.” This expresses the hunger of her soul to be like Jesus and for self to be completely subdued in the process. What drove that desire? For her, “Time is almost finished, almost finished, almost finished.” Further, she had developed an almost unquenchable thirst for more of God’s love.
The last reference was written to her friend, Harriet Hastings, dated August 11, 1851. It was written the day after enjoying a beautiful Sabbath worship experience. Ellen wrote:
“The Lord met with us and the glory of God was shed upon us and we were made to rejoice and glorify God for His exceeding goodness unto us. I had a deep plunge in the ocean of God’s love. It seemed that the angels of God were hovering all around. The love of God was shed abroad in my heart, my whole being was ravished with the glory of God and I was taken off in vision. I saw the exceeding loveliness and glory of Jesus. His countenance was brighter than the sun at noonday. His robe was whiter than the whitest white.”9
The language here is vivid and the metaphors profound, even confronting. They illustrate the depth of her experience with God, someone who deeply and passionately loved Him for Who He is and what He has done for them. This could only come from a deep spiritual experience with God that would continue to grow and strengthen over the coming years of her ministry.
One final example is found in her 1854 Supplement to the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. There is a sub-heading: “The Love of God in Giving His Son”.10 Here she discusses the “great love and condescension of God in giving his Son to die that man might find pardon and live”.11 She is reflecting on Who God is in contrast to who we are as human beings, and yet how God, because of His parental love for His children, chose to make the greatest sacrifice to give us the hope and certainty of eternal life in Jesus.
Thus, Ellen knew the love of God in Jesus Christ personally. She wanted you to know and experience that love too.
Full references are available online
Mark Pearce director, Ellen G White/Seventh-day Adventist Research Centre, NSW.
The man in the winepress
Something is going to happen tonight.”
The men of the midnight watch shuffle nervously in their place, scanning the darkness for a sign of life, the light of a fire, anything to convince them that their fears are unfounded. There has been unrest in the camp since rumours began circulating about a dream of a round loaf of barley bread tumbling into the tents, causing chaos in its wake. In these tense times, the dream can mean only one thing. The sword of Gideon, son of Joash, is about to come upon them.
A sudden flaring of torches in the darkness accompanied by a piercing cacophony of trumpet blasts washes over the Midianite stronghold.
Gideon is here.
The perfect recipe for humble pie
What was it that made Gideon special? At first, the answer certainly isn’t clear.
While Gideon’s actions have led to him being known as a mighty man of valour, he spends most of his time in great fear and distress. Indeed, when we first meet him, Gideon is in the midst of swallowing a large serving of humble pie.
“The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Oprah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, ’The Lord is with you, mighty warrior’.”
In the Old Testament, specific details are of extreme importance. Limited description is given unless those details are
imperative to the narrative or the spiritual emphasis of the story. The imperative detail we are given during the opening of the story is that Gideon is hidden inside a winepress. Gideon does not receive the word of God on a lofty mountain top, in a dazzling temple or any other place of grandeur. He receives the word of God in the midst of the lowest point in his life, huddled in a winepress, desperately trying to keep what little he has from being taken away from him.
How often have we found ourselves in a similar situation? Hiding ourselves away from friends and foes alike, holding tight to the shreds of hope we still have left? It’s during these trying times that we are truly humbled.
Personal lessons in humility
While I may not have been huddled in a winepress, when my final year of high school began, I was, nonetheless, hiding. For years I’d been confidently proclaiming my desire to become a museum curator. I had chosen all the right subjects and was excited about the future. But every time I shared this desire with others, a look of confusion would wash over their features, and most of them would then say, “Strange, I always thought you’d make a really good teacher.”
After a while I began to sense that there was more to these interactions. Some strange feeling, which today I believe to have been the influence of the Holy Spirit, encouraged me to speak to God about it. Like Gideon, my close experience with God didn’t happen in a grand or mighty way, but through a short prayer I uttered while navigating my church carpark. “Lord, if you really want me to be a teacher then please send someone to ask me about teaching at church today.” I didn’t even make it out of the carpark before I received the exact sign I’d asked for. Message received. The next day I printed an early entry form for Avondale University’s teaching course and the rest, as they say, is history.
While this may not seem like a major event, for me, this call from God shifted the whole course of my life, and when I sat down to write about Gideon, I found I had a lot in common with this unexpected hero. Like Gideon, my call from God was an incredibly humbling experience, testing whether or not I would make good on my many promises to follow His will in my life. Like Gideon, I didn’t want to take the call at face value and prayed for a sign that this was really what He wanted for me. Like Gideon, I wasn’t certain that I was going to be able to measure up to God’s plan.
Go in the strength you have
Many capable men existed in the time of Gideon, but the entire Old Testament is proof that while prideful and powerful men have their place, God sees the power of a person filled with humility. After all, Saul was the tallest and strongest of all the Israelites, but it was a shepherd boy who trusted God enough to fight the giant. Joseph was in prison for years but became second only to the Pharaoh in the span of a day.
“If you walk in humility of mind before the Lord, then He can work with your efforts, and His strength will be made perfect in your weakness,” (Ellen White, 5T 586).
Later, as Gideon prepares his forces to fight the Midianites, the need for humility becomes even greater.
“Then the Lord said to Gideon, You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’” (Judges 7:2). And again, “The Lord said to Gideon, ’There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there’” (Judges 7:4).
A more prideful man would have given up when the odds kept stacking against them. But Gideon’s humility allowed God to work through him. As someone who has had to eat a lot of humble pie, I have seen the incredible things that God can do with a person who is willing.
“But what if I am not ready to face the task God has given me?” you may ask. “What if the job is just too big?”
Gideon asked many of his questions, and the answer God offered him as just as applicable to us today. “The Lord turned to him and said, ’Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?’” (Judges 6:15).
Whether we feel ready to accept the call or not, God is sending us to work mighty miracles in his name. He doesn’t ask for perfection, or even for full understanding, He simply requires us to go in the strength we have, and make the choice to trust Him with the rest.
Zoe Cochrane HSIE and English teacher, Maitland Christian School, NSW.
BUSKER THE
In the subway station, rush-hour commuters didn’t notice the man in the baseball cap. He opened a violin case and started into Bach’s iconic “Chaconne”, the most emotional and difficult of violin solos. No-one cared.
After a few minutes, a man turned for a quick look as he walked by. Then a woman dropped a dollar into the violin case and kept walking.
No-one noticed the $4 million violin. Made in 1713 by Antonio Stradivari, it is named after Bronislaw Huberman, the Jewish virtuoso who started the Palestine Philharmonic Orchestra just as Hitler was coming to power. Huberman realised he could get exit visas for Jewish musicians and their families to leave Hitler’s Reich and join his orchestra. He raised money for this during a packed concert tour of America in 1936, supported by Albert Einstein. The tour was a
brilliant success, except for a concert in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Huberman decided to play the second half on his other violin, and his Stradivarius was stolen from his dressing room. Huberman was told the terrible news as he came off stage, but he kept calm and went back on for encores. His Strad had been stolen once before in Vienna and recovered after a few days, but this time he was not so lucky. He never saw it again, though he did receive a large insurance payout from Lloyds of London. The thief tried to sell the Stradivarius to a pawnbroker but was told it was too hot so, for more than 50 years, the thief played it, disguised with boot polish and stained with cigarette smoke from seedy bars. After a jail term for another crime, he confessed on his death bed, and his abusive, alcoholic girlfriend got a $US263,000 finder’s fee from Lloyd’s— huge wealth way back then. She blew it all within a few years and died in a trailer park. But nothing stopped Huberman playing, and he raised enough money to save more than 1000 Jewish people from Hitler’s gas chambers.
And now in the subway the Huberman Stradivarius wept, laughed, flirted, questioned, raged and worshipped through five other masterpieces, but only six people stopped briefly to listen. After 43 minutes, the violin case contained only $US32.17.
Yet three days earlier, the violinist, minus his baseball cap, had packed Boston’s Symphony Hall, where the cheapest seats cost over $100 and his fee was $1000 per minute. But only one person in the subway recognised him as Joshua Bell, a superstar of classical music ever since his debut at Carnegie Hall at age 17. Bell’s parents had realised they had a prodigy when, at four years old, he stretched rubber bands on his dresser drawers and twanged out songs by moving the drawers to vary the pitch.
Joshua Bell likes to think that his mother’s Russian Jewish ancestors heard Huberman play his violin in Palestine. Every time he plays in Israel with the orchestra Huberman started, now called the Israel Philharmonic, he knows there are musicians and audience members there who would not be alive but for what Huberman did using his violin.
One critic said Bell’s playing “does nothing less than tell human beings why they bother to live”. But none of the subway commuters in the line for lottery tickets even bothered to look.
Similarly, when a luminous choir of angels exploded into song to announce the birth of God’s Messiah—Peace on earth! Goodwill to all people!—the leaders and priests didn’t even notice. So the angels sang to a few shepherds who couldn’t read but were fascinated by ancient prophecies.
Messiah’s birth was in the city of His ancestor King David, but not in a palace. His relatives were all there for a tax census, but not one of them offered Messiah’s young mother a comfortable room for her first birth—an animal shed was good enough for a pregnancy out of wedlock.
Israel’s religious scholars knew Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but none came—only some foreign philosophers. They at least began to comprehend who was actually in front of them.
At 12, walking into the Jerusalem temple and asking questions of learned old heads, Messiah seemed bright, but just
another Bar Mitzvah boy.
He worked hard in a rough town for another 18 years, just another carpenter.
When His teaching delighted crowds, He was called uneducated, illegitimate, a threat to pax Romana. Even His mother and brothers wondered sometimes whether He was divine or not quite right in the head. But no man spoke like this Man— lepers and hookers and tax collectors and fishermen and a few priests sensed that this was God incognito. Even blind people saw it.
When He healed the sick and even raised dead people, He was called devilish, and was finally executed in the most cruel and shameful way the Romans knew, like just another criminal. Most of His friends ran, but a former prostitute, a few other women, His mother and His youngest disciple stayed to see His final minutes. The hardened Roman centurion who ordered all His pain saw such tough kindness that He blurted out, “This man was definitely the Son of God.” One crucified thief recognised Him as Lord and was promised paradise with Him, but the crowd mocked, “If you’re really God’s Son, come down off the cross!”
It was just as Isaiah the prophet predicted six centuries earlier:
“Who believed what we tried to tell them?
Who noticed God’s hand at work?
. . . He had no image or majesty to draw our attention, No special appearance that made us want him.
He was despised and rejected by people, A man who knew sorrow, well acquainted with grief. People turned their faces away from him.
He was despised, and we thought he was nobody.
Yet it was our grief he was carrying, our sorrow that he shouldered . . .
He was wounded for our arrogant foolishness, And punished for our sins.
He endured a flogging to make us well,
And because of his wounds, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53)
Three days after dying, Messiah reclaimed the eternal life and glory He had shared in heaven as Almighty God. Ruling the vast universe, He will one day take over this poor little rebel planet and reign as Prince of Peace, so that there will be no more death or pain, neither sorrow nor crying, and all tears will be wiped away—from your eyes and mine, if we let Him.
His music still plays today, though many people ignore it, underestimate Him, laugh at His followers, and ignore His teachings or, worse, twist them to support their own ideas. But those who listen know He gives joy even in sorrow, a love stronger than hate, hope in the worst times and a truth that makes you free.
His music plays for everyone, in everyday life as we work, even in rush hour. Stop and listen.
Dr Aleta King a violinist and conductor, won scholarships two years running to the Kodály Institute of the Liszt Academy in Hungary. She is director of the conservatorium at Avondale University and loves the music and theology of JS Bach.
Hello Kids!
We share Jesus'’ love with others.
SURPRISE at Sunrise
The women come early Sunday morning to the tomb and find it empty. Their sorrow, however, turns to joy when two angels tell them that Jesus has risen. At the words of the angels, the women remember what Jesus had said before His crucifixion. Understanding, they run to share the good news with the disciples. It is our joy and responsibility then to share this great hope with our community of family and friends.
FINISH
THE FIND-A-WORD
Place all the leftover letters in order from left to right below.
Find the matching Angel silhouette
WHAT DID THE ANGEL SAY?
Conversations
Front seat entitlement
In Adventist World (December 14, 2024) in the section “Bible Questions Answered”, I read the question posed by an unnamed reader: “Does Colossians 2:16 teach that Christians do not have to keep the seventh-day Sabbath?” Of course, it is important to consider the opinion of the “experts” in order to realise the value of any matter of importance. I am not an expert, but I would also like to share my understanding on the matter. In any enterprise, any proposal has to come through scrutiny by the body of directors. Then, if approved, it is presented to the owner that he may add his signature to make it effective. In my view, something similar happens in the field of religion where God represents the leading Authority. God issued His Law, written not on parchment or animal skin, but on tablets of stone. These tablets were put in the ark, in the centre of the Sanctuary. At the end of the first tablet, there was the Sabbath law, dividing the first three laws referring to the Godhead, from the other six referring to the relationship between all of us, like a signature of approval between God and us. Paul would not have thought to cross out the Sabbath
declaring it obsolete.
On top of that, in Ezekiel 20:12 we read: “Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they may know that I am the Lord that sanctify them.”
Was this sanctifying activity, operated by the Lord God, only to His people in the Old Testament time? Or is it valid for us too? From this point of view, it looks to me that the Sabbath day stays untouchable.
Gennaro Cozzi , Vic
Parkinson's law
I was befuddled by the letter “Parkinson’s law” (March 15) claiming Record never reports on activities of the Australian Union Conference (AUC). Though the editor’s note debunked that claim immediately, I tried a quick fact check myself on Adventist Record’s website. The search only features articles from the past eight or so years but still found more than 300 articles containing the acronym AUC—many pointing to AUC initiatives and activities.
As for AUC staff visiting all the churches in Australia—I think what I saw in the search results was a much better use of our tithe than funding a preaching travel budget to the 400+
churches in their Union. Thank you, AUC staff, for all you do, as reported in Record, and blessings to all the longtime faithful members in Lismore. Scott Wegener, NSW
Off the map
Re: Upon reading the Record today (again enjoyable), I found that—as is often an issue in mainstream media— our lovely state of Tasmania was omitted from the list of participants in Partners in Mission (“Partners in Mission strengthens collaboration”, March 15).
As a Conference, we partner with the Madang/Manus Mission and two of us, Pastor Maxwell and myself, presented at the PNG for Christ program last year. This year we are conducting a mission trip, comprising of a Kids’ Club for a week, an evangelistic program for 10 nights as well as building a 19.6m x 6m two classroom block in Madang.
Could you please put us on the map for the Adventist community?
Stuart Barons, Tas
Editor's note: Humblest apologies, we have updated the map to include Tasmania and South Australia.
Anniversary
TASKER. On 9.12.24 Barry and Lynn Tasker celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary. During their marriage they were blessed with nine children, Sharlene (deceased), Eugene, Clinton, Natasha, Kye, Chantelle, Melantha, Serita and Shenée. They were also blessed with 25 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. They celebrated their anniversary with many of their family members over Christmas.
Obituaries
ARRELL, Keith, born 20.3.1932 in Red Hill, Brisbane, Qld; died 16.3.25 in Greenslopes Hospital, Brisbane. He was predeceased by his wife, Daphne in 2023. He is survived by his son, Grant and his wife, Lauren; son-in-law, Gerald; and grandchildren, Joshua, Rebecca and Stephanie. The family and people in the community at Victoria Point Adventist Retirement Village and church will miss him. Keith sleeps awaiting Jesus’ soon return.
Stephen Bews
BEHRENS, Sylvia Dawn (nee Harris), born 20.2.1933 in Lady Bowen Hospital, Brisbane, Qld; died 6.3.25 in Redland Hospital, Brisbane. She was predeceased by her husband, David in 2004. Sylvia is survived by her nieces and nephews and their families. She sleeps awaiting Jesus’ soon return.
Stephen Bews
DRURY, Myrtle Marian (nee Alley), born 7.12.1927 in Elands, NSW; died 26.1.25 in Port Macquarie. She was predeceased by her husband, Reuben in 2017. Meg is survived by her sons, Clyde and Robyn (Toowoomba, Qld), Lyle and Christine (Cooranbong, NSW), Milton and Kerrie (Grafton), Bruce and Debbie (Tamworth), Wayne and Leanne (Kempsey) and Terry (Bundaberg, Qld); 16 grandchildren; and
37 great-grandchildren. In her retirement she kept busy making rugs for the homeless up to the last few weeks before she passed away.
David Kosmeier
ENTERMANN, Roy, born 14.2.1936 in Brisbane, Qld; died 25.12.24 in Ipswich. In 1963 he married Marjorie (Barritt). Roy is survived by his wife; children, David and Lisa (Stanthorpe), Calvin and Robyn (Landsborough), Gary and Leanne, Linda and Sandra (Ipswich), and Alan and Lizzy (Rosewood); 17 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He attended Avondale College in 1952 and joined the Queensland Ambulance Service in 1964 where he worked until retirement in 2006. Roy was a quiet, unassuming man of many practical skills who loved his God, his family, his church and his neighbours. He held a variety of leadership roles in the Redcliffe, Ipswich and Rosewood churches. His final hospitalisation was an influence on staff who witnessed his love of family and their love for him and one another.
Greg Campling
KITZELMANN, Clarence Arthur, born 4.3.1931 in Marburg, Qld; died 16.2.25 in Gold Coast Hospital. He is survived by his wife, Christine; and daughter, Wendy and Kevin Marshall. He served as a telephonist with the RAF in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and all Australian states and territories. In retirement he was active with many hobbies and in various community volunteer roles. He was a loved member of the Surfers Paradise church and loved by his neighbours. He was a much-loved husband, father and grandfather. Valiant in his faith and love for Jesus, he died in anticipation of the glorious resurrection.
Peter Colquhoun; John O’Malley
KNOTT, Roland George, born 20.11.1933 in Toowoomba, Qld; died 1.1.25 in Caloundra. He was predeceased by his wife, Olive in 2023. Roland is survived by his daughter, Carolyn Turner (Brisbane); son, Ken (Brisbane); grandsons, Michael and Jayden; and great-grandson, Teddy. Roland faithfully served his church as
treasurer and elder for many years and was instrumental in helping set up the Caloundra church by submitting building plans and budgeting for its construction. He was involved in the community, serving as secretary on the local school’s P&C committee, Caloundra Senior Citizens Club and Clearwaters Body Corporate. Roland was loved and respected by his family, friends and the community. He looked forward to the return of Jesus, so that he will be reunited in heaven with his wife and family.
John Rabbas, Scott Wareham
LILLYSTONE, Elaine Ruth (nee Harker), born 27.8.1945 in Wyong, NSW; died 22.10.24 in Gold Coast University Hospital, Qld. Elaine is survived by her husband, Rob; daughter, Lee-Anne; granddaughter, Sonja; and extended family. She was laid to rest surrounded by her family, friends and church family from Mt Tamborine church. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity and selflessness. Known for her deep passion for God and for teaching children, she lived her life devoted to serving others. Her unwavering faith and kind spirit touched the hearts of many and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Elaine’s compassion, kindness and dedication to others will never be forgotten.
Emma Caukill
LINDLEY, Glenis (nee Justins), born 14.12.1941 in Brisbane, Qld; died 16.2.25 on the Gold Coast. She was predeceased by her husband, Ken in 2015. Glenis is survived by her brother, Lynden Justins; and nephews, Loren and Lincoln (all of Brisbane). She grew up in Wynnum church. She dedicated her career to special education, becoming a respected and decorated teacher known for her commitment to empowering students. Beyond the classroom, Glenis was a prolific motorsport photographer, capturing legends such as Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and Tony Longhurst. Her contributions to the sport were recognised with induction into the Australian Motor Sport Hall of Fame in 2018. She was also a talented writer, contributing numerous articles to Signs
of the Times, Record, newspapers and other publications.
Ray Moaga
MILLETT, Allen, born 17.3.1935 in Leongatha South, Vic; died 22.1.25 in Geelong. He was predeceased by his wife, Margaret in 2017 and his brothers, Ron and Gordon. Allen is survived by his brother, Ross (Oakleigh); sister, Julie (Nunawading); children, Jennifer and Terry Milligan (Geelong), Sandra and Graeme McNamara (Shepparton) and Beverley and Stephen Briden (Morisset, NSW); grandchildren, Sheri Mainey, Scott Micklethwaite, Kass Smith, Trent McNamara, Aneeka McNamara, Megan Skene, Jemma Skene, Everleigh Mainey, Luke Mainey and Matthew Smith. After his early years farming with his parents, Allen married and moved to Shepparton where he and Margaret were always involved in the activities of church. He worked in the building industry until retirement.
Jayden Croft
MUNT, Graeme James, born 21.1.1947 in Crows Nest, Qld; died 19.1.25, in Mater Hospital, Brisbane. He is survived by his son, Shane; daughter, Diane; and their families. He will be greatly missed by his family and his community. Graeme sleeps awaiting Jesus’ soon return.
Stephen Bews
ROGERS, Gordon Murray, born 30.8.1931 in Adelaide, SA; died 17.1.25 in Launceston, Tas. He was predeceased by his daughter, Sally in 1985. Gordon is survived by his wife, Nell (Launceston); sons, Lynden (Mandalong, NSW) and David (Cooran, Qld); and daughter, Carolyn (Newcastle, NSW). Gordon lived his life with focused purpose and commitment. He loved his Saviour, his wife and children, serving and supporting them through church and home life with faithfulness, honour and kindness. Resting peacefully now in Jesus.
Keith Jackson
WHITWORTH, Richard Hugh, born 9.11.1946 in Sydney Adventist Hospital, NSW; died 22.2.25 in Nanango Hospital, Qld. In 1968 he married Judith Greenwood. On 31.4.1996 he married Sue in the Alice
Springs church. This was the first wedding held in this church. He was predeceased by his son, Kerrod. Richard is survived by his wife (Kumbia); sons, Mark, Bryan and Timothy (all of Qld). Richard operated the Alice Springs church for 12 months as head elder without a pastor. Richard loved writing to over 250 pen pals worldwide and spending time in his amazing garden. He is missed by loved ones and his many friends.
Victor Torrens
WRIGHT, Reginald James, born 4.1.1933 in Marrickville, NSW; died 12.2.25 in Bellinger River District Hospital, Bellinger. He is survived by his wife, Valma (Urunga); and children, Kerrie Clement (Grafton), Philip (Halliday Point), Deborah Owens and Bruce (Bonville). Reg served in the Parramatta church and later moved to Forster-Tuncurry. His faithful service and positive attitude were much appreciated in the church and community. Following a service in Hogbin Drive funeral chapel Coffs Harbour, he was buried in the Coffs Harbour lawn cemetery and awaits his Master’s call.
Wilfred Pascoe, Tim Turner
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Sunday, Aug 31–Sunday, Sept 21, 2025. Visit Rome, Florence, Venice, the Waldensian Valleys, beautiful villages in southern France, Switzerland, Austria and Prague. Relive the stories of the great Reformers—Calvin, Hus, Jerome and Luther. A never to be forgotten journey! Tour leader is Dr Peter Roennfeldt. For more details contact Anita, Allround Travel <alltrav@bigpond.net.au> or <peter@newchurchlife.com>.
SHARE YOUR STORY OF MISSION!
Adventist Media is creating a book of mission stories featuring real-life experiences from the South Pacific—and we want you to contribute a story from your life, ministry, church or community! What we’re looking for: Stories that highlight missional impact—God’s providence, life-changing faith and practical mission work, stories that demonstrate the diversity and “harvest model” process of mission and evangelism and powerful testimonies of faith, adventure and God’s leading. Submissions should be 500 to 800 words. Your story could inspire the next generation of missionaries, encourage church members and celebrate the Church’s ongoing mission to spread the gospel. Deadline for submissions: May 31. Inquiries and submissions <Communications_SPD@ adventist.org.au>.
TAURANGA CHURCH 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrating 100 years of Tauranga Seventh-day Adventist church, October 24-26, 2025. Interested persons please join us. See Facebook page, “Celebrating 100 years Tauranga”. Website <Tauranga.adventist.org.nz> for emerging details.
STUDY THE ADULT SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON YOUR WAY
Accessible formats for vision loss (large print, audio CD, app, YouTube, podcast, and braille) or hearing loss (Hope SS captioned). Contact CSFBHI on +61 (0)2 9847 2296 or email <csfbhi@adventistmedia.org.au>
AVONDALE FAMILY FUNERALS
offering compassionate cremation and burial services with dignity and care at your cemetery of choice in NSW led by an Adventist funeral director. Contact Mark Windus on 0411 797 854 or <director@ avondalefamilyfunerals.com.au>.
RECORD QUANTITIES
Is your church receiving the correct number of Record magazines? Adjust your numbers by notifying Kelli Geelan at <subscriptions@record.net.au> or on +61 (03) 5965 6300.
abn 59 093 117 689 vol 130 no 7
Consulting editor
Glenn Townend
Editor
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News editor
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Assistant editors
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Olivia Fairfax
Copyeditor
Tracey Bridcutt
Graphic designer
Theodora Pau’u
Noticeboard
Julie Laws Letters editor@record.net.au
News & photos news@record.net.au
Noticeboard ads@record.net.au
Subscriptions
subscriptions@record.net.au + 61 (03) 5965 6300
Mailed within Australia and New Zealand
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YOUTH DEPARTMENT ASSISTANT/COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, SOUTH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE, PROSPECT, SA
Are you excited about working with young people? Do you have a passion to serve the youth? Do you also have digital skills and an ability to communicate via print and media? If so, then the South Australian Conference wants you! We are seeking applications for a full-time position of youth department assistant/ communications officer on a one-year contract to start as soon as possible, with a potential for extension and permanency opportunities. For more details, go to <bit.ly/sacyouthandcomms2025ad> or you can email <yongshinchee@adventist.org.au>. Applications close May 12, 2025.
NOTE: Neither the editor, Adventist Media, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised. Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Classified advertisements in Adventist Record are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. All advertisements, appreciation, anniversary, wedding and obituary notices may be submitted via <ads@record.net.au> or online at <record.adventistchurch. com>. Notices will not be reprinted unless there is an error of fact caused by Record staff.
