NorthPoint - August, 2010

A DREAM REALISED

A dream which began more than 20 years ago, to provide quality Christian education to Indigenous children in outback NSW, will finally be realised when Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College opens in 2011.

initial AUD $2 million investment prior to government funding assistance is the reason. However, with thousands of students being educated in 21 schools the Church is already operating in NSW alone, they feel that CAAC is a project worth backing. Regarding successful cooperation with the local Indigenous community, Mr Piez said, “We need to move carefully and make sure what we do is in their best interest”.

In this regard, the school board is drawing experience from Karalundi, another aboriginal school the Adventist Church manages in Western Australia. According to Pastor Murray Chapman, the Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries in North NSW, that is a parent controlled school.

The new Seventh-day Adventist educational institution at Gongolgon, known as Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College (CAAC), is due to begin operating in the first school term of 2011.

Just before the first on-site board meeting, held Monday, 7 June 2010, the local newspaper Brewarrina News visited the property to see the progress made since it was purchased 18 months ago. Caretaker Geoff Mainstone, who has lived on the property with his wife Sue for a year, has done a lot of work to make an all-weather road, and clear a site for the college buildings. Despite the recent floods delaying progress, it was a blessing in disguise as it revealed a raised area most appropriate for a dry, flood-free college. The site now has the pegs marked for erecting four large dormitories, as well as the teacher’s dwellings, first classroom, and the kitchen where Sue Mainstone will work as CAAC’s cook.

Steve Piez, the Australian Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries, was not afraid to admit how nerve-wracking the project is. An

BIG CAMP

The idea of creating a remote school in the local area began over 20 years ago with Pastor John Lang, the President of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North NSW. Since then, the dream has been kept alive and now brought to reality by the hard work of Pastor Chapman and a team of others throughout the North NSW Conference.

When asked about the need for a school in a shire which already provides public education for high school students in Years 7 to 10, Mr Piez replied, “A private education is not necessarily better or worse than a public one. But Aboriginal parents have the right to make a choice. We’re not saying one is better than the other. This is a way to strengthen the education scene here and provide a local choice rather than students going to Sydney to receive a Christian-based education. Students can see their parents during weekends instead of waiting until the end of term”.

Seventh-day Adventist Pastor Leo Wright of Bourke is building relationships within the local community, as well as scouting for the first Year 7 students of 2011. Pastor Wright is another school board member. The plan is to build the school student population in stages, up to Year 10 by 2014 and then possibly a senior school. Pastor Wright is looking

Road to Currawah Adventist Aboriginal College, Gongolgon NSW

to attract students from outlying areas within a 200 kilometre radius. Because CAAC will be a boarding school, Mr Piez said that only two or three students would be coming from each area abutting Brewarrina Shire Council’s territory. He added that some of the students coming may not currently be attending any other school at all; therefore there would be no threat to local schools.

The ethos of Seventh-day Adventist education naturally promotes Christian values, although interestingly not all students belong to the church. Using the Kempsey Adventist School as an example, around 25 of the current 320 students are Adventists.

Adventist education supports holistic education. Mr Ralph Luchow, the North NSW Education Director of Adventist Schools said, “Academically, we look at the abilities of a student when he or she enters and leaves our school, and how that’s changed. But that’s just one facet of education. We also monitor a student’s relationships and socialization, and their spiritual development. The Adventist Church believes in the holistic nature of life, including education and health for example”.

Another part of this holistic approach is that the school teaches leadership skills through trips to other parts of Australia.

CAAC has already employed the first academic staff — Headmaster George Spero and his wife Tomasina Spero, who is one of the school’s teachers. The couple has already been employed to promote the school and assist in its initial development. They will no doubt also help to find new staff, such as boarding house parents, a part-time Aboriginal Education Worker, and more academic staff as the need arises.

As published in the Brewarrina News, June 2010

OUR SCHOOLS

Macquarie College Rugby Builds Resilience

the boys in Macquarie College’s first game of Rugby Union at Walters Park, Boolaroo.

“The players are a credit to themselves and the College, lifelong friends have been made through the game of Rugby, and it’s a wonderful start to the College’s playing program.”

Deputy Principal Mr Marvin Anderson added that “exchange programs such as this are significant moments in the College program, and a highlight in the players year”.

The BAC team defeated Macquarie 45 to 19 in a game of 15 minute quarters.

The aim and focus of the visit is to build a bond and create fellowship between the two College’s Rugby Programs; the intent is to help develop each College’s Rugby squads, fostering skills and building resilience.

Brisbane Adventist College (BAC) conducted its first Rugby Tour to NSW, arriving at Macquarie College on Wednesday, 16 June and staying to Friday, 18 June. BAC is a sister school to Macquarie College, and both schools have a Rugby Development Program.

“Many of the 18 BAC team had never travelled out of Brisbane, and most had never left the state”, said rugby coach and BAC Principal, Mr Jack Ryan.

He also went on to say what a “great spectacle the game was, played hard and fairly by both teams in the true spirit of Rugby”.

The BAC boys were hosted and billeted by Macquarie College players and attended Macquarie College classes for part of the day.

Macquarie College rugby coach Mr Shaun McLeod, is immensely proud of

At the post game function, BAC captain Matthew Faletui formally invited the Macquarie College players to travel to BAC next year, co-hosting visits each year, which Macquarie College warmly accepted.

The College’s Rugby Squad would like to thank the parents and spectators for their support and billeting BAC, Lake Macquarie Rugby for hosting the game and their oval and Argy Tyres for their jersey sponsorship.

Phil Payne, President of Newcastle Rugby Senior Competition commented on what a pleasure it was to referee the rugby game, saying “It was the first time I have refereed a game where not one decision was questioned and there was not one swear word, which is a credit to the Principals, Coaches and the boys.”

Aaron Williams, Macquarie College

Avondale School Sets New Benchmark

Last month was accreditation at Avondale School with the results proving to be outstanding. Head of the team from Adventist Schools Australia, Mr Lynden Chapman, reported that “The achievements in curriculum and satisfaction of Board of Studies Requirements are outstanding”.

The two-day audit produced a report that set out 140 positive commendations. These covered the areas of Administration and Finance, Strategic Planning, Special Character, Buildings and Facilities, and Curriculum.

The review, including commendations and recommendations, was made by 18 education professionals. They assessed how Avondale School met compliance requirements for registration with the Board of Studies and accreditation with the Adventist Schools Australia.

Solid preparation was made for effective documentation, policy review and plans. The teachers and coordinators have worked tirelessly in the lead up to accreditation.

The incredible effort put in from staff across the school was combined and cooperative. Avondale School received 38 recommendations for future achievement goals and looks forward to working towards these in a continuing quest for improvement.

Susan Rogers, Avondale School

OUR MINISTERS

Pastor Ben Galindo — Ordained in Armidale

On 15 May 2010, Armidale Adventist Church overflowed with friends, relatives and church members there to witness Ben Galindo’s ordination to gospel ministry.

The local membership made room for the large number of visitors, displacing many out into other areas of the premises. The program included songs of praise and worship led by Pastor Galindo’s friend, Bob Dale, and his family shared stories of his life, his natural leadership qualities and the blessings his ministry has already achieved.

Australian Union Conference ministerial secretary, Pastor Graeme Christian, preached while Pastor Gordon Smith and Pastor John Lang, president of the North NSW Conference, shared in the privilege of ordaining Pastor Galindo to the continuing mission of the Lord’s work. An abundant luncheon followed the service.

Ben’s Journey...

Ben Galindo was born in Santiago, Chile on 5 September 1969 and is the eldest of five brothers: Edson, Jonathan, Jimmy and Josue. He moved to Brazil then back to Chile by the age of 5. At the age of 15, he moved to Australia with his family.

“I had thought about becoming a missionary as a little boy many times, as I used to read stories about missionaries” Ben said.

On completing his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1998, Ben initially decided to study Computer Engineering, but changed his mind.

“I had a thought that I should check Avondale College,” Ben explained. “I went and investigated and asked about the Theology course.”

This enquiry led to his enrolment for the BA Theology Course. While this decision was a big surprise to his parents, family, and friends, Ben knew in his heart that it was the right decision.

“Before going to College I worked for a year at Sanitarium to gain a scholarship to pay for my fees. I started Theology in 1990 and continued working the 3:00am to 7:00am night shift to support my study.

In 1992 I became involved with Graeme Frauenfelder at the North NSW Conference, planning an outreach trip to Spain. I went to Spain in June with several youth to perform at the Seville International Expo and Barcelona Olympic Games. When the other youth left for the Prague Youth Congress, I stayed in Spain and while in Madrid, I was asked to become a volunteer teacher at Timon Seventh-day Adventist School. I agreed to take a year off College and work as a volunteer. As the volunteer allowance only covered meals and accommodation, I also found a night job at a Spanish Publishing House as a Graphic Designer. In October 1992, I was “officially” employed as Production and Systems Manager and I agreed to help them get started on

two collections of books before I returned to Australia. It was another seven years before I eventually returned to Australia. There were a few detours along the way, including a volunteer role for Global Mission in June 2002, working with a church plant in New Zealand.

Despite their wishes, but with the blessing of my superiors at the Publishing House and the Spanish Union, I decided to go back to Avondale College and finish my course, later discovering that if I had come back later, I would have needed to start the course all over again. It was the right time to come back. It was also the time I met and started dating Cathy, who is now my wife.”

Ben worked in New Zealand for eighteen months planting a Spanish Church in Auckland. Ben baptised eight people in that time and the church grew from a handful to about 30 regular attenders. In that time Ben says he finally discovered what ministry was all about. He then worked at the Discovery Centre in Sydney, initially as an instructor, then as Web Designer/Developer setting up the online version of the Try Jesus! course. He then volunteered for the Newcastle Spanish Church.

Ben married Cathy on 26 September 2004, completing his degree and graduating at the end of the same year. He started his internship in 2005, working at Swansea Adventist Church and Newcastle Spanish Church, then with Hamilton and Hillview Adventist Church. From 2007 to 2009, Ben worked as associate pastor for Wallsend Adventist Church and became chaplain for the University of Newcastle. In 2010, Ben moved north to work with the Guyra, Tenterfield, and Armidale Adventist Churches.

On 3 August 2007, Ben and Cathy became the parents of Isaiah Benjamin. Their second son, Seth Miguel was born 27 February 2009.

(L to R) Pastor Graeme Christian, Pastor Ben Galindo and wife Cathy, Pastor John Lang and Pastor Gordon Smith

OUR ADRA Speak Up and Act

Stephanie grew up in regional Australia with a home life she describes as ‘perfect’. But during her senior years of high school she started to experiment with drugs. It wasn’t long before Stephanie’s habit got out of control. “I wasn’t just addicted, I was a complete junkie”, she said. “I had total disregard for everything and everyone. But I hated the life that I was living. I was tired of lying to everyone. I had a fake life and I wanted to change”.

Realising that her life needed a change, and following the advice of a friend, Stephanie entered drug rehabilitation. However, despite finding freedom from drugs, Stephanie needed direction or else she would risk falling back into old habits. That’s when she heard about free computer classes offered by an ADRA Centre. And so she enrolled.

Since joining ADRA Australia’s computer literacy class, Stephanie’s life has turned around. Not only has she gained new skills in computer literacy, but with the support offered through the centre she has also discovered her future pathway. Now Stephanie looks forward to a brighter future.

Stephanie is one of the many people whose lives have been changed through ADRA’s work. Every year ADRA Australia supports over half a million people through its work in Australia and overseas.

Last year, in Australia alone, ADRA:

• Supported people struggling with unemployment, abuse, addiction, depression and relationship problems with counselling, short-term crisis assistance and housing assistance provided through six ADRA Centres across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria,

• Provided refuge and support for women and girls experiencing crisis, homelessness and domestic violence with accommodation, counselling and support through four women’s refuges and a girl’s refuge across New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria,

• Gave youth in Victoria and Queensland a second chance at education by providing a range of training courses to help early school leavers identify and access alternate job pathways,

• Assisted families and individuals in crisis by providing food and financial assistance via more than 40 crisis relief outlets throughout Australia, and

• Helped people affected by disasters such as floods, fires, gas leaks and explosions by providing accommodation support to those affected.

Overseas, ADRA has also had an amazing impact on the lives of people living in poverty through more than 37 projects across 14 countries in the Pacific, Asia, and Africa. Last year alone, ADRA Australia helped more people by establishing new projects which are:

• Helping to improve the social status of women in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vietnam by providing adult literacy and numeracy education,

• Equipping vulnerable women in Fiji and Papua New Guinea to earn an income, by providing them with skills, knowledge and resources to enable them to start a small-scale business,

• Enabling Mongolian youth to build their resilience and deal with life’s pressures, by providing youth resilience education, and

• Improving the health and nutrition of communities by providing vulnerable households in Malawi and Mongolia with skills, knowledge and techniques in farming; by equipping mothers in Indonesia to better care for their child’s nutritional needs; and by enabling communities in Vanuatu to access clean water and reduce the incidence of water-borne illnesses.

ADRA has also been able to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery assistance to communities affected by disasters, including communities affected by the Haitian and Indonesian earthquakes as well as the Samoan tsunami. In addition, ADRA Australia has run a number of disaster simulations and disaster-response planning sessions to help communities in Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to best prepare, respond to, and recover from a disaster.

These are just some examples of the many ways in which ADRA has worked over the last year to assist people in realising a better way of life. But, ADRA cannot do it alone. Being a ministry of compassion, ADRA relies on the generosity of others — just like you — to achieve its mission of alleviating poverty as instructed in the Bible. In Proverbs 31:9, God’s call is clear. “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” He is calling His people to care and act for the poor and disadvantaged.

This August, you have the opportunity to heed God’s call and help ADRA continue to help those that are poor and disadvantaged. By helping ADRA raise money for the ADRA Appeal you help people in Australia and overseas overcome the obstacles in their life that are preventing them from attaining a complete and fulfilling life — people like Stephanie and many others who need your support. Your support will go a long way, so please join ADRA in its ministry of compassion.

*Name changed to protect privacy of individual.

Written by Aleksandra Marek, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for ADRA Australia

The background photo used in this article is title ‘Alone’. Every day around the country, ADRA Refuges and Centres provide support to people that are experiencing abuse, domestic violence, addiction, depression, unemployment and more. Your support will help ADRA continue supporting people like these.

The 2010 ADRA Appeal Brochure has a new look and feel to help collectors’ better share about ADRA at the door.

OUR CHURCHES

Alstonville Baptisms

Four lovely young people publicly showed they are now Children of God by going through the waters of baptism on Friday night, 18 June 2010, at Alstonville Adventist Church.

The teenage candidates who were baptised by Beth McMurtry were Taflin Mowbray (16), her brother Lachlan (14) and Sam Krieg who turned 13 the following day. Pastor Tim Kingston baptised 15-year-old Kaitlyn Mitchell who had recently moved to the South Queensland Conference.

The youth were well supported with family and friends in attendance. Taflin and Lachlan had their grandparents and uncle from Cooranbong. Sam Krieg who is the fourth generation of the Lynn family, had his great grandfather from Inverell, plus his paternal Krieg grandparents who had flown in from Western Australia. Kaitlyn had her family and grandparents who had travelled from Brisbane.

One of Kaitlyn’s former teachers from Blue Hills College, Mr Andrew Harris, sang “Sweet Jesus” and it is our prayer that the fragrance of the Rose of Sharon will always permeate the lives of these young people.

Toronto Baptisms

Toronto Adventist Church has recently welcomed two lovely ladies into membership. Thuy Nguyen was baptised on 29 May 2010 by Pastor Adrian Craig, who also studied with her. Thuy is a dentist and several times accompanied the late Doug Easthope on his mission trips to help with dental work. She was impressed with his dedication and sincerity and wanted to know more about his faith. Thuy has come to know Jesus through the quiet witness of this gentle man.

Zarina Godfrey was baptised on 12 June 2010 by Pastor Aaron Jeffries. Although raised as an Adventist, Zarina did not really know Jesus personally and left the church for a while. But she always felt something was missing and knew God was calling her.

She celebrated her commitment to Jesus in a beautiful testimony to the large group of friends and family who came to support her in this important decision.

Fourteen young Suzuki Organ students featured in a Charity Concert for the Southlakes Womens Refuge on 5 June 2010 at Avondale Memorial Church, Cooranbong, raising over $2,200 for the Refuge. Organists and guest artists performed to an enthusiastic audience of over 400. The youngest organist, Caleb An, aged 4, played the three manual organ using special pedal extenders for the bass notes.

A week later, four of the students performed solos and concertos with string orchestra on the Sydney Opera House Grand Organ.

Over 30 students are studying in the Suzuki Organ program, the first in the Southern Hemisphere. Lessons with Suzuki Organ teacher trainer David Clark are held at Avondale Memorial and Wahroonga Adventist Churches, with most of the students being Adventists.

David Clark

Michelle Down

Pictured at the massive five manual pipe organ at the Opera House are brothers Ryan, Kristan and Damian Wigglesworth.

(L to R) Kaitlyn Mitchell, Taflin Mowbray, Lachlan Mowbray, Beth McMurtry, Sam Krieg, Pastor Tim Kingston

Zarina Godfrey was baptised by Pastor Aaron Jeffries

Thuy Nguyen was baptised by Pastor Adrian Craig

Moree Baptisms

to let the Bible answer his questions. He soon decided to be baptised. He is keen to commence a ‘Wheelbarrow Ministry’ which he learned about through his time at Mamarapha. He is also leading out in the Moree Church’s Touch Football Ministry every Tuesday evening.

On the day of his baptism, he shared his testimony about how “he used to drink from dawn until he went to sleep”. People from the Mission where Charles lives who came to his baptism testified to his testimony. Charles concluded his testimony saying that this church and its teaching, and the support he’s received from Mamarapha has opened his eyes to the wonders of God and the plans God has for him. He also commented on his favourite text Jeremiah 29:11.

It was an exciting Sabbath at Moree Adventist Church recently when friends and family of John Clarke, Charles Groves and Rosemarie Ballangarry gathered to celebrate their baptisms. John, Charles and Rosemarie each gave a beautiful testimony of what God had done in their lives and the day was celebrated with beautiful music.

John Clarke is a school teacher in Moree, who began Bible studies after attending our ‘Walking With God’ evangelistic series last year. He is very supportive of Moree’s ‘Brekkie Club’ every Sabbath morning and our current evangelistic outreach at the Mission. He is always willing to help in all parts of our church, including volunteering to assist with children’s Sabbath School. He has a willingness to use his teaching skills not only for our church kids but for the kids of the Moree community, such as tutoring classes after school.

Charles Groves had Bible studies for just over a year and, after hearing about Mamarapha College, decided to enrol for 2010. After his first semester there, he came back with a lot of questions and we continued intense Bible study

Rosemarie is a quiet 28 year-old young woman who has gone through tough times and was seeking answers to her ongoing concerns. Her mum, Lyiata Ballangarry, who was baptised in 2008, introduced Rosemarie to Moree Adventist Church and its teachings and Rosemarie requested Bible studies. In her testimony, Rosemarie said “I am glad I found God and a church that loves who I am”.

Health Evangelism at Wauchope

Wauchope Adventist Church knows that the Adventist health message is an effective entering wedge that opens the way for souls to accept Jesus as their Saviour. A number are members because they first attended health programs. It is for this reason that each month the Wauchope Church Health Team invites community members to come and participate in a healthy cooking program. Each program includes a talk on some aspect of health or lifestyle, cooking demonstrations or a ‘hands on’ cooking school, and finishes with a meal of the food that has been prepared.

Recent features include a menu-planning workshop, a healthy pizza cooking school, Dr Don Miller from Uchee Pines Institute, USA, sharing the real facts regarding osteoporosis and calcium, and most recently a program featuring delicious raw foods! Coming up is ‘Christmas in July’ with an emphasis on budgeting and making your dollar go further. We have many regular attendees who come not only for the information, instruction and meal, but

also because of the positive environment, friendship and laughter they find here. Participant numbers are increasing not because of expensive advertising but through word-of-mouth of satisfied participants. Our new friends are happy to pray with us over their meals and regularly take home free books such as The Desire of Ages and Ministry of Healing.

The Wauchope Health Team prays that their interest in the Adventist health message will develop a deeper interest in the message of Jesus and His love.

Desley Bailey

Pastor Eti Seupule-Feau

(L to R) Charles Groves, Rosemarie Ballangarry, John Clarke and Pastor Eti Seupule-Feau

Rosemarie Ballangarry being baptised by Pastor Eti Seupule-Feau

Charles Groves being baptised by Pastor Eti Seupule-Feau

POSITION VACANT

Team Leader, Special Care Unit

Avondale Adventist Aged Care Facility

Full Time Position: Monday to Friday

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an AIN / CSE Cert IV or EEN to lead the team of CSEs to ensure the delivery of quality care to the 15 residents in this state of the art Low Care Dementia Specific Unit in a caring Christian environment.

For Key Selection Criteria visit http://nnsw.adventist.org.au

Enquiries: (02) 4977 0148

Applications by 16 August to: Beverly Moss, Director of Nursing

Avondale Adventist Aged Care Facility

PO Box 105 Cooranbong NSW 2265

Email: don@aacnnsw.com.au