NorthPoint - September, 2011

Adventist singles enjoy African safari

From 14 June to 4 July, a group of Adventist singles took part in an African safari that saw them visit South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The group of 20 people was led by Pastor Peter Cousins, director of the Adventist Singles Network for the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference, and his wife Meredith.

Most people on the tour hailed from NNSW, but others from Queensland, Victoria and Perth also attended. Pastor Cousins says, “There was a very wide range of ages, from 30s to 70s. There were a lot of singles who are professionals. The fact we’ve included this type of event has pulled in a whole new demographic of singles, and they’re getting involved in things like singles’ and Easter camps, as well as getting involved with the national singles board.”

The group flew from Australia to Johannesburg on 14 June, and then took a bus to Kruger National Park, where they stayed in a private game reserve by the name of Honeyguide. “This was luxury tented accommodation where guests have to be escorted back to their accommodation at night because the wildlife is able to roam around,” says Pastor Cousins.

They spent four days there and went on game drives, took photos and enjoyed a visit to a traditional village, where there is no running water or electricity. The staff at Honeyguide put on a special meal for the group on one of the days there, with tables set up near a waterhole and a beautiful meal served.

Following this, the group spent a couple of days exploring the Blyde River Canyon area. From here, they went to Victoria Falls. People could take helicopter flights over the falls. Others went on a walk with lions, and those who went on that said it was the best thing they’d done. Others also went on elephant rides.

A brand-new Seventh-day Adventist school has been opened in the Victoria Falls area. “Some of our group who are interested in teaching visited the school,” says Pastor Cousins. “The school is set up for 600 students, and there were virtually no library books for them. They were desperate for Bibles.”

Members of the safari group also gave away spare pairs of spectacles to people there when they discovered that there are no optical services in the area. Meredith took a number of pairs to give away, and one person who received spectacles said to her, “Praise the Lord! I can see again!”

They also visited the Chobe National Park in Botswana, where one of the highlights was the four hours spent on a boat on the Chobe River looking at wildlife. The park is home to around 600,000 elephants, and Pastor Cousins says the group saw a lot of game. From there, the group returned to Johannesburg, before travelling to Port Elizabeth. They then visited Knysna, Kango Caves and an ostrich farm, where one of the tour group rode an ostrich.

“From there, we went on to Franschoek, where French Huguenots settled, after first going to Holland,” says Pastor Cousins. “We then went on to Cape Town and visited Table Mountain, the Cape of Good Hope, and Robin Island where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated.”

Pastor Cousins says the response to the tour was very positive and he was amazed at how smoothly it went, with no injuries or sickness. “The work we do in Singles Ministry is about creating unique, special memories, as well as building lasting friendships,” he adds. “All of this is done in a spiritual environment, and people are excited to be part of this.”

— Adele Nash

OUR YOUTH

Groups STORM towns and communities in NNSW

So far this year, the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference has had 19 STORM Co teams go out to visit towns and communities around the conference over the April and July school holidays.

With an average of around 20 people per team, a typical day on a STORM Co trip was spent running a Kid’s Club in the morning and undertaking community work in the afternoon. Pastor Jeff Parker, Youth Ministries director for the NNSW Conference, says, “They ask the community what they need. Some don’t require a Kid’s Club, but at least 90 per cent of teams run them. It’s no-strings attached, seed-planting ministry.”

Towns that teams have visited so far this year include Moree, Goodooga, Glen Innes, Cobar, Brewarrina, Bourke, Armidale, Quirindi and Walgett.

In the past two school holidays, Pastor Parker has led a team of youth on week-long tours of STORM Co groups to run the Pinnacle Challenge. “The concept of that is to challenge young people to step beyond their boundaries,” says Pastor Parker. “It takes them on a journey to teach them they can do things and is part of a program of building up self-esteem.”

On their last trip, the group drove around 2900 kilometres, visiting Maclean, Toomelah, Walgett, Bourke and Lightning Ridge. In April, they visited Glen Innes, Tenterfield and Armidale — meaning that they’ll have travelled close to 5000 kilometres over the two holiday periods.

The towns are ones that STORM Co teams visit regularly. Pastor Parker says, “For example, teams have visited Wee Waa for the past 16 years. There are some towns they’ve only started visiting in recent years, but many have been regulars. The philosophy is that you adopt a town for years. It’s not STORM Co if you only go once. It’s about building a connection. The communities really look out for our teams to come back.”

Pastor Parker says the teams make a big difference to the towns they visit. One example is the community of Toomelah, where teams have visited for around 15 years.

“The place was a mess, but STORM Co teams have helped to transform the place,” he says. “The hall was full of junk, but the teams cleaned it out, and now work on teaching people how to look after their lives and bodies, as well as how to drive.”

He notes, “Every team has a tremendous response, and we’ve had nearby communities asking for STORM Co teams to visit them because of what they’ve heard from other towns. It’s good fun.”

Chrys Martin, director/coordinator for STORM Co teams and trips conducted by Avondale Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church, says all churches with teen and youth groups should actively be involved with STORM Co.

“I love the way God impacts our teams — we go to make a difference in our communities, but the way God transforms our team members never ceases to amaze me,” he says. “Our youth are on fire for God and I believe STORM Co is a huge factor in this. I believe STORM Co was given to the youth of our church at a time when many were leaving. Now our numbers are growing and the youth are heavily involved.”

Avondale Memorial currently has four STORM Co teams operating. The fourth and most recent team to be formed runs a local Kid’s Club in the Cooranbong Park on a number of Sundays during the year. Their other teams visit Lightning Ridge, Glen Innes and Tenterfield. STORM Co teams from Memorial have visited Lightning Ridge for 13 years, Glen Innes for eight years, and Tenterfield for six years.

Teams that visit Glen Innes and Tenterfield go in the first week of the April school holidays. The Lightning Ridge team goes out in the first week of the July school holidays. All teams visit their towns for a 10-day period. “They leave very early on the Friday — around 6.00am — and come back on the Sunday evening 10 days later,” says Chrys.

Kid’s Clubs events are always well received. Chrys says, “At Kid’s Club, we do games, crafts, puppetry, drama, action songs, balloon sculpting — such as animals and flowers or whatever the kids want, which can sometimes be a real challenge — and face-painting. Everyone on the team has a role to play. We’ve had up to 150 kids come to Kid’s Club.”

He adds, “This year at Lightning Ridge, we had a couple of second generation children come to our Kid’s Club — their mother told us she had come to our Kid’s Club as a young teenager.”

Teams also visit retirement and nursing homes. Members of the STORM Co teams sit and talk with the residents, sing for them, and give them cards they have made. This year at Glen Innes, one of the retirement homes brought a busload of residents along to see the Kid’s Club. “They had a wonderful time,” says Chrys. “As Crunchy the Clown, I made every one of them a balloon flower creation.”

Chrys says the teams from Memorial have had an “amazing impact” on the towns they visit.“When a community puts on a lunch for a team after their last Kid’s Club, when you see tears on the faces of team members and community children and adults, and hugs all around at the end of the week, that’s when you know you’ve had an impact,”

Karen Muirhead, associate pastor at Gateway Church, says that although their team of 38 people from the church and Avondale Schools was a big group, “they worked really well together.”

David Truscott, a Year 12 student at Avondale School and member of Gateway Church, and Josh Waring, an Avondale College student, led the team. It was the first time they had led a group, although they have been on STORM Co trips before.

She adds, “We had a number of students — about six, I think — that attended who weren’t from Gateway Church or Avondale School. They came from a Christian church at Maitland, and really became part of the team.”

The group went to Maclean and ran a STORM Co program over four days. They ran Kid’s Clubs in the morning, with community service projects in the afternoon — cleaning people’s yards, doing landcare work and so on.

Karen says, “The kids on the team were incredible with their respect for the children. They accepted treatment that was, at times, a bit rough, but they were very patient and gracious. We had a child with learning disabilities whose parent brought him to the Kid’s Club on the first morning and was happy to leave him there with our team for the following days. He even tried the Pinnacle Challenge and enjoyed it.”

A local high school teacher brought her child to Kid’s Club and, according to Karen, said it was great to see teenagers showing young children that not all teenagers were “depressed and weird, but had something to offer young children.”

Karen says the team members also came out of their shells, “You could see them growing as part of that experience,” she says. “All up, it was very well received. The group worked closely with Paul and Jane Richardson, the local church pastoral family.”

For Avondale Schools, this year was their 15th year of STORM Co in Cobar. Students described it as their best trip ever. Students from the school visited the Lilian Brady Aged Care Home, ran Kid’s Clubs, did a pancake meal for the whole community and went from house to house to offer help to residents.

Pastor Mel Lemke, Avondale Schools chaplain, says, “Local leaders love STORM Co. The trip is about putting joy into people’s lives in unexpected ways. Kids who come on a STORM Co trip return home changed. They experience what it is like to serve others, to think of others, to do something for others without expecting anything in return. Our hope is that these values become a part of their new way of life, not just a one-week adventure.”

Kevin Humphries, state member for Barwon, wrote to Avondale School to thank the STORM Co group, and said, “I would like to thank all concerned with the STORM Co group that travelled to Cobar. Your kindness and generousity through the community service and organised children’s programs at the Cobar Primary School was welcomed, and will be remembered by many.

“I am sure I can speak for the Cobar community in praising all STORM Co teachers and students for taking the time to encourage the youth of Cobar to be good citizens and enjoy life, but also put some joy into the lives of those less fortunate.”

— Adele Nash

Youth Department hosts TAE course

Over a three-month period this year, the Youth Department of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference provided a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) course. This featured eight days of training work in the “classroom” at the conference office, as well as a homework portion.

Ray Bredenkamp of the IPS Institute conducted the training, with 12 people taking part.

Pastor Jeff Parker, Youth Ministries director for the NNSW Conference, says, “The reason we did this was because in our Registered Training Organisation (RTO), which is managed by the Youth Department and provides TAFE-like training through the conference, we train our Pathfinder leaders to a nationally-recognised standard. The health department here also got involved with the course, sending two people along.”

The RTO can issue nationally-recognised certificates, conduct assessments and issue qualifications, and the TAE course has mainly been run to benefit Pathfinders. “The most important thing is the safety of our Pathfinders,” says Pastor Parker. “We train them how to be safe in the outdoors, and needed to update our qualifications. The biggest benefits from this are that we have better-trained leaders, and can keep our Pathfinders safe, especially when out in the bush.”

— Adele Nash

Women’s Ministries department encourages support for Pastoral Appreciation Day

By all definitions, it had been a bad day. The conservative contingent had been offended during my sermon on Michaelangelo’s David, my Bible study had been cancelled and I had to cut my afternoon of visitations short, due to a new contact’s kitten using my pants as toilet paper.

I drove home grumpy and smelly.

When I got home, I checked the mail to discover a small floral card perched in my mailbox. The card was from a non-Christian woman I had given Bible studies to more than two years ago in another conference.

It was a thank-you note.

Although she was never baptised, she wanted to thank me for my time and enthusiasm. My day was redeemed and I was re-energised by the thoughtfulness of that wonderful woman.

Pastoral ministry can be difficult — many pastors struggle with the overwhelming (and sometimes unrealistic) expectations placed on them by administration, church, family and themselves. In addition, we are mindful that we work for and on behalf of God. This means our labour often has eternal

Teachers in NNSW connect for CAPE & CASE meetings

Teachers from all over the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference converged on Avondale School for the annual CASE & CAPE meetings. They enjoyed two intensive days of learning and networking amongst other professionals over 11 and 12 July.

The theme for CAPE & CASE 2011 was Authenticity. Ralph Luchow, Adventist Education executive director for the NNSW Conference, says, “For those who are unfamiliar with the concept of CAPE & CASE, the event is a major professional development conference for the School Company in NNSW.

“This year, all the staff in schools across NNSW met together for two days in early July at Avondale School and participated in a variety of curriculum-based workshops.”

The keynote speakers addressed social issues and helped the teachers to reshape their attitudes toward students. They found it a particularly helpful experience in regards to better understanding children.

Don Hansen challenged those present to be authentic in their Christianity. He presented on the topics of “The Authentic Jesus” and “Authentic Faith.” Paul Dillon, founder and director of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) presented on the trends in schools with regard to alcohol and other drugs. He encouraged teachers to present data in a positive manner, reminding them that the majority of our students are doing the right thing. Ann Woolridge from GAPP Solutions spoke about child protection issues, and the way marketing, advertising and the media are adversely affecting our students.

There were also specialist presenters from the Board of Studies, local universities and the Association of Independent Schools. The opportunity to interact with professional colleagues and peers maximised the effectiveness of the conference.

Ralph says, “Many of the sessions were coordinated and run by teachers of the various schools and their work was very much appreciated. CAPE & CASE 2011 provided opportunities for colleagues to share resources, experiences and to have significant professional conversations.”

It was a very busy, but productive two days for the teachers who caught up with friends and discussed current issues to do with their profession. It will influence their skills and choices as they return to the classroom for the last half of the year.

— Susan Rogers/Ralph Luchow

consequences. If that wasn’t enough pressure, our families can feel both isolated and exposed simultaneously.

October has been designated Clergy Appreciation Month (CAM) in the wider Christian community. This year, the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference’s Women’s Ministries department would like to encourage the local churches of NNSW to join in, and make a special point of appreciating your pastor and their family.

Women’s Ministries will be sending out a card and letter with ideas to provide appreciation for your pastor. Ideas include praying for your pastoral family, giving them the provided card signed by the church, mowing their lawn or inviting them to a meal.

Due to Big Camp, Women’s Ministries suggest that the church set aside the last Sabbath of October for a special thanksgiving service in which you can appreciate your pastoral family.

For more ideas, Focus on the Family provide a CAM planning guide, which you can download at <www.parsonage.org/cam>. Alternatively, you can contact the Women’s Ministries Director Susan Magaitis via email <susanmagaitis@ y7mail.com> or phone 0405 277250. God bless you as you appreciate your pastors and their families.

— Susan Magaitis

OUR CHURCHES Memorial youth take mission to Zambia

A group of 15 Avondale Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church youth, along with three members of Lakeside Seventh-day Adventist Church and one member from Erina Seventh-day Adventist Church, organised, raised funds for and went on a mission trip to Zambia in the middle of the year.

The whole process took them six months — an impressively short amount of time in which to organise such an undertaking — and saw members of the group, many of whom are college students, get odd jobs, sell cars and collect donations to enable them to pay for the trip. They also took it in turns to pray and fast over the 40 days before the trip commenced.

Roxanne Bailey, a member of Lakeside Church and registered nurse who went on the trip, says, “We left on 29 June and returned three-and-a-half weeks later on 23 July. We visited the Kidz4Him Orphanage in the Itumbi District in Zambia.”

Kidz4Him is run by Rob and Sheree Moodie, who have dedicated their lives to serving the growing number of HIV/AIDS orphans in the region. The Moodies had lived in the Lake Macquarie area, but felt called to move to Zambia to start this work three years ago. They currently sponsor 113 orphans in community homes, and are building an orphanage to house them.

The main purpose of the trip was to run a mission outreach program, which was conducted by Uriah St Juste, associate pastor at Avondale Memorial Church. The meetings ran for two weeks, and started each evening at 6.00pm with a song service. This was followed by the meeting, which could feature dramas, puppets, plays and other performances before Uriah would begin to preach at 7.00pm.

Uriah requested that, while he was preaching, a group of four people from the team should meet to pray, requesting guidance and protection from God for the meetings and those in attendance. Although some memebers of the team wondered why they had to do it rather than get to listen to Uriah preach, they found it to be spiritually beneficial. In addition to that, on one of the early nights of the meetings, they had just begun to pray when they heard chanting in the distance. It grew louder, and the group praying for Uriah and the meetings began to pray for protection. The chanting stopped. They later found out that those chanting were telling them to be quiet and stop preaching.

On the final Sabbath that the group was there, there were 59 baptisms as a result of the meetings. A number of parents also had their babies dedicated. There were a further 11 people baptised after the program ended, bringing the total to 70 people.

The group also laid bricks for a church, roofed the clinic/school, conducted a Kid’s Club every afternoon, and ran a clinic that saw more than 300 people treated for everything from worms to tropical ulcers.

Roxanne ran the clinic with her daughter Jess and says, “We saw some things we would never see over here.”

Jess, who is in Year 11, says she loved working with the people there and prayed every day for God’s help with the clinic work. She also encourages people to listen to God’s leading, saying, “It’s so important that we move out of our comfort zones and let God have our lives.”

Roxanne says, “There were so many miracles on the trip — we really should count them sometime, but they happened on a daily basis. Some were more dramatic than others, but all were incredible.”

The group believe the first miracle of the trip was when they were at the airport in Sydney, and were allowed 130 kilograms of excess luggage at no extra cost. This excess luggage contained medicines donated by Sylvio Michel, a pharmacist and member of Lakeside Church; books for the school; balls and things for the Kid’s Club; and tools for building. It also included toothbrushes and toothpaste donated by dentist Curtis Kempanien, and beanies crocheted by Rick and Jerry Dunne.

Another miracle the group is thankful for was the protection of two of the Moodie’s sons. Brad Moodie, their brother, went on the trip and explains that his brothers had gone to pump water from the river to the house tank. His younger brother had taken his pellet rifle with him that day, but hadn’t found anything to shoot at. When they turned around to go back to the house, they discovered a 2.26-metre long forest cobra in the tree separating them from the path back. Brad’s brother used the pellet gun to shoot the snake. “I praise God that he protected my brothers,” Brad says.

Roxanne encourages anyone interested in finding out more to visit <http://Kidz4Him. com>, as it has information about the organisation’s current needs. “They aren’t sponsored by any particular group,” she says, “Like George Müller of old, they rely on faith and free-will offerings. But $4 can pay for a whole year of school for one child.”

— Adele Nash/Roxanne Bailey

OUR CHURCHES

Lake Macquarie Recovery Services Centre men blessed by All Power outreach

A number of men from the Lake Macquarie Recovery Services Centre (LMRSC) in Morisset attended the All Power outreach programs run by Pastor Leo Schreven in Gosford recently (see more about the All Power seminars in the August 2011 issue of NorthPoint). Six of these men are now taking part in the follow-up series — a Revelation seminar run by Pastor David Price.

Mark Hampton, an alcohol and other drugs support worker at the centre, is a caseworker for the Salvation Army and counsels men who have substance abuse problems. He attended the seminars in Gosford and escorted some clients to them. He says, “I would like to express how wonderful I found the seminars, and how Leo and his message changed my life.”

Mark says he has put into practice most of the suggestions that Pastor Schreven made. “I am happy to say that my life is so much better. I feel empowered, and also much healthier in body, mind and spirit,” he adds. He has shared some of the things learned at the seminars with family and friends.

The men from the centre who attended the seminars enjoyed what Pastor Schreven had to present, and Helen Batcheldor, who works as a nurse at the centre, says of their attendance at Pastor Price’s seminars, “They are soaking in the truths of the Bible.”

Luke Hilditch, who is a patient of LMRSC, wrote about his experience of the All Power seminars. He writes, “I had the privilege of meeting Leo Schreven in person before attending any of his seminars. He came up to me, and introduced himself and shook my hand. I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict who is currently in a rehabilitation centre. Leo came to the centre to speak to the participants.

“My lifestyle had stopped me from having a healthy relationship with anyone, and I had no self-esteem. Leo is a great person to talk to — he could relate to me and never judged me. It was a surprise to me that he was interested in what I had to say, and for a man with such a busy schedule, made time to listen to me. I decided to give him the same respect and attend his seminar, All Power 1.”

Luke had worried that he might be too uneducated to follow the information in the seminars, but attended regardless. “The first seminar discussed health,” he writes. “I hadn’t laughed so much for a long time — it was incredible. The information was presented so well that when the lesson finished, I knew that this was going to be something special. Instantly, I made a decision to put a greater effort into my health. One week later, I quit smoking, which had been a 15-year addiction.”

Luke says Pastor Schreven taught him how to deal with emotions and learned to

overcome his anxiety issues. One week after the seminar, staff at the rehabilitation centre had seen such an improvement in his behaviour that they asked him to share his experiences with drugs at the local high school. “I agreed and before I knew it, I was in front of more than 100 Year 12 students, telling them about my experience without concern or worry.”

The conclusion of All Power 1 saw Pastor Schreven make a statement that “struck a chord inside me,” says Luke. “He referred to spirituality and how it had empowered him. He said that All Power 2 was about spirituality and having a relationship with God, and that it was the most important of all the topics covered.”

Luke had no relationship with God and didn’t want to know about Him. “Leo was such an enjoyable person to be around that I attended All Power 2 just to hear what else he had to say.”

Although cautious about what he heard, he says he was blown away by the first presentation, and found answers to questions he had had all his life. “I found a purpose for living, to praise God and follow the words of the Bible. It was as if the biggest secret in the world was just revealed to me, but the Bible has always been there,” he writes. He shared this with his friends, too. “I am continuously amazed by miracles that are changing my life for the better. My goal now is to be baptised.”

— Adele Nash/Helen Batcheldor/Luke Hilditch

Lismore Church enjoys special Sabbath presentations

In July, Lismore Seventh-day Adventist Church had two special Sabbaths with guests who came to share stories, music and worship with them.

On 2 July, the church was privileged to have two ministers from the Solomon Islands worship with them. Pastor Lynston T Piobule is the principal of Hoda Ministerial Training Centre, and he preached the morning sermon. For the afternoon program, Pastor Robinson Diosi, the vice-principal of the school, told those in attendance about the work in the Solomon Islands. Photos showed the urgent need for some refurbishing of the training centre. Lismore Church is planning a fly ‘n’ build for next year.

On 30 July, the church was pleased to welcome students from Blue Hills College. They not only led the singing, but the choir and octet delighted church members with special music. Several students took sections of the sermonette on Elijah. The students were Kirsten Finey, Jake Merritt, Caitlin Lemke and Sophie Husband.

Several of the senior students joined the STORM Co group which went to Toomelah in the July school holidays and church members got to share the fun the group had through photos. Blue Hills College will have its second Year 12 group sitting for their HSC this year and Lismore Church wishes them all the best for their studies. The college has many students from the community, as well as the church, and is a vibrant witness for the Christian way of life.

From left to right: Chris Driver, Shane Baxter, Jennifer Sampson, John Rosekelly, Pastor Leo Schreven, Blake Pender, Scott Ellul, Todd Bartlett, Luke Hilditch, Mark Hampton, Pastor David Price and Helen Batcheldor at the Gosford All Power outreach.

— Valerie Dunstan

Pastor Lynston T Piobule (left) and Pastor Robinson Diosi (right) visited Lismore Seventh-day Adventist Church on 2 July.

OUR CHURCHES

Maitland Church members encouraged by Pathfinders (and marmalade)

Maitland Seventh-day Adventist Church has a long and successful history of providing events and ongoing programs for its young people. Adventurers, Pathfinders and Teen Club are all active, and include children and adolescents from local and neighbouring church families, as well as from the wider community.

The church also appreciates times when its young people lead out in praise and worship. Recently, Maitland Church held its annual Pathfinder Day, and club director David Eastham explained the emphasis as, “All Pathfinders being involved, from the music to the preaching.”

The theme for the day was based on the club’s five themes for 2011: unity, respect, friendship through forgiveness, love and honesty.

The Pathfinder Day spearkers were all teenagers: Kalie Etheridge, a junior counsellor (pictured below left); Krysta Heath, a guide (pictured above left); and Jeremy Eastham, a voyager (pictured middle left). Church pastor Esava Koro commented that the program “captured the full essence of the Body of Christ, where each member is unique and important in the running of the church.”

Maitland Seventh-day Adventist Church also values diversity, and actively encourages participation regardless of gender, age group or cultural background. Members share a common vision: “To See Jesus.” As part of this, they have a special emphasis on Bible study, with three weeks each month seeing the lesson study period extend from 9.30–10.40am.

However, each visitor’s day (the first Sabbath of each month) sees the church feature an introductory period focussing on World Mission, personal spirituality and building relationships. In August, this preliminary discussion was conducted by the superintendent, Helen Schulz. Providing jars of homemade marmalade for every member, and after some discussion, Helen invited them to reflect on the importance of “spreading” the word. Space was provided on the lid of each jar for a personal thought, to be revisited over toast each morning.

“Being Christian is about finding opportunities for sharing,” Helen reminded attendees. “Everyone needs good news!”

– Russell Schulz

Relationship seminar weekend at Charlestown

On the evening of 8 July, around 20 members of the Boolaroo Seventh-day Adventist Church attended the first night of a weekend relationship seminar, held at Charlestown Church. The speakers were Dr Paul and Carolyn Charles from South Africa. Paul is the communications director for the Southern Africa Division.

Friday night had attendees laughing and identifying with different aspects of the “Marriage Relationship.”

The first session on Sabbath morning was focused on choosing a life partner, which was followed by a seminar on the relationship between parent and child.

After the seminars, all attendees were invited to join in with a potluck lunch, where stories were swapped about aspects of the seminar that resonated closest to their own experiences.

To top off the Sabbath experience, a very special Celebration Banquet (pictured right) was held in the church. This represented the celebration we will have in heaven when we meet Christ face-to-face.

Boolaroo Church members wish to thank the members of both Charlestown and Wallsend Multicultural Church for providing the lunch and supper meals, and the beautiful presentation that made it such a loving and moving occasion.

— Daniel Ogle

OUR CHURCHES

Bestseller revised and reprinted

An Avondale academic has revised a book about the Bible to coincide with this year’s 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Version.

Dr Bryan Ball’s Can We Still Believe the Bible? And Does It Really Matter? (Signs Publishing Company) features two new chapters, “The book that changed the world” and “The genius of Genesis.”

The honorary senior research fellow writes to show readers the Bible is credible, substantiated and the Word of God.

“The King James Version has influenced the English-speaking world for four centuries, and in much more than matters of faith and religious belief,” says Dr Ball, a former president of Avondale College of Higher Education and of the South Pacific Division. “No other book has played such a major role in the development of Western civilisation.”

Dr Ball notes the Bible’s foundational role in Western civilisation — promoting values such as freedom and integrity. He believes Western civilisation’s decline may be because it is turning away from the Bible. So, he asks the question, “Can we still believe the Bible?” really does matter. “There has never been a time when truth is of so little consequence. The one million dollar question is, ‘Who do you believe?’”

Evidence such as archaeological discoveries, fulfilled prophesy and historic manuscripts substantiate the Bible and its authenticity, says Dr Ball. He sees the 400th anniversary

OUR BAPTISMS

of the publication of the King James Version of the Bible as an opportunity to remind us of the importance of the Bible to our life and to the values of our society.

Inspired by Sabbath school discussions with teenagers at Lakeside Church, where members of Dr Ball’s family attend church, Dr Ball first wrote Can We Still Believe the Bible? in 2007. Thousands of copies have been distributed as an evangelistic resource since then.

“The Bible is so foundational to what we believe that we needed to acknowledge this anniversary in some way,” explains Nathan Brown, book editor for Signs Publishing Company. “So when Dr Ball suggested this idea for a revised and expanded edition, we were enthusiastic.

“We hope Adventist churches and church members will take the opportunity of this new edition and this anniversary year to share the book with other churches and in their communities.”

— Sonja Larsen/Nathan Brown

Six baptisms celebrated at Forster/Tuncurry Church

Forster/Tuncurry Seventh Day Adventist Church celebrated the baptisms of six new members on 2 July.

Two of these were Keith and Gwenda Duncan, who joined the church on Easter Saturday. This was a very special day, as the couple felt they finally belonged to the right church after searching for truth and faith. Their questions started being answered as they attended the Ancient Mysteries meetings run by Pastor Justin Lawman, Evangelism Department director for the North New South Wales Conference, in 2010. They also attended Pastor David Kosmeier’s prophecy seminars, which followed those meetings.

Two other baptismal candidates, who were also introduced to the Seventh-day Adventist Church through Pastor Lawman’s meetings, were Michael Leach and his wife Alison. They also attended Pastor Kosmeier’s follow-up seminars, and were baptised along with Mick Christie and his daughter Chanelle. Mick and Chanelle have been attending Forster/Tuncurry Church for quite some time.

The most recent baptism of the four candidates Michael, Alison, Mick and Chanelle was also very special, as the Mauritian singers took the service and blessed everyone with their uplifting music.

Pastor Kosmeier would also like to thank and commend the members of Forster/Tuncurry Church for their loving care, continued support and ministry in nurturing the new members.

— Sharna Kosmeier

TVAC Year 10 resilience trip

Wednesday, 15 June found seven eager students leave Tweed Valley Adventist College (TVAC) bright and early for the drive out to Narrabri to commence their Year 10 resilience trip. Eleven hours later — after lots of singing, laughter and games, not to mention pushing the minibus out of the bog — the group arrived at the Pilliga State Forest, just south of Narrabri.

The next couple of days found the group participating in team-building exercises, using the Pinnacle of Terror, listening to the stories around the campfire from Elwyn about how God has led in his life, and taking on the wilds of the state forest to do some soul-searching.

Sabbath morning dawned with the challenge of a 24-kilometre walk. On Sunday, students from Kempsey Adventist School joined the group and new friendships were formed. Over the next few days, students hiked up, down and around the dirt roads, making their way south into the Warrumbungle National Park. With 140 kilometres down and the count of the blisters lost, it was time for some relaxation — by abseiling.

Watching the sun set over the Warrumbungles from high on a mountain top was certainly something to remember for those who went on the trip.

Students then made a spiritual impact on the congregation at Coonabarabran Seventhday Adventist Church. This varied from performing solos to sharing their stories of being alone out in the bush, abseiling, walking long distances, doing “iceburgers” (having a dip in the nearest available body of water first thing in the morning) in freezing conditions or just simply eating a different diet. Some students shared their personal testimonies and struggles.

After the church program, the group visited the Coonabarabran Observatory, currently the largest observatory in the Southern Hemisphere.

Following this, they went to Baradine School to run the Pinnacle of Terror program for its students. They then took the program to Lightning Ridge. The TVAC staff who went on the trip with the students said it was great to see them take the lead, and help and encourage students in those communities to face their fears by taking the “leap of faith.”

When the group returned to Coonabarabran, they shared some time at the local youth club before saying their goodbyes and heading home to their families after 19 days away.

The Year 10 students who went on the trip said it was definitely worth going on, and it helped to build friendships with others. Amber wrote, “The trip was definitely worth every cent and more. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I learnt so much and have grown so much, both spiritually and emotionally. I really got to think about my life and how God has worked through it.”

Leighton wrote that his experiences on the resilience trip are ones he never wants to forget, and adds, “Friendships grew and everyone’s real personalities were shown. Everyone had to overcome different fears. There was plenty of time you could spend with God.”

Lee-Anne Dobson, a staff member at TVAC, says “The Year 10 resilience trip challenged each young person to look at their lives, step well outside of their comfort zones and challenge themselves. To see where they had come from, leave that behind, move forward and to equip them for their future — a future they now know that Jesus, their guide and shield will help them with. I certainly was blessed being able to spend this time with this wonderful group of young people.”

— TVAC newsletter/Lee-Anne Dobson

Photo credit: Lee-Anne Dobson

OUR SCHOOLS

25 years of touring for Avondale School’s music makers

A dedicated team of students from Avondale School travelled to Adelaide in the July school holidays for the annual Band and Choir Tour. It is the 11th trip for the choir and an impressive 25th trip for the Avondale School Concert Band. Performing at various schools, churches and venues, this year’s band and choir demonstrated musical excellence while on their adventure.

“The Avondale tour was just outstanding; the musicality of the students and the level of cooperation across the board was excellent,” states Avondale Schools principal Dr David Faull. On top of being a key organiser of the event, he is a performing member of the concert band, playing tuba in the brass section.

The concerts put on by the Avondale School Band and Choir were all packed. The students responded positively to the audience engagement and their evident appreciation. The musical skill and cohesion made it obvious that many hours of practice had lead up to the tour.

Their ability to inspire gives Dr Faull immense pride. He reported that the Lutheran Christian School audience they performed for in Parra Vista was left strongly impacted. This school has just commenced a music program and the students were excited and inspired to see what can be achieved.

The fun parts of the trip made all the hard work worthwhile. Staff were extremely impressed with the cooperation shown by students during set up, pack down, and at meal and bed times. The students’ rewards included ten-pin bowling, a tram ride to Glenelg, and an evening walk to see the illuminated buildings and Victoria Square Fountain.

The musical opportunities at Avondale School enrich the learning program for students in a number of key areas. Learning how to participate in a group effort develops more than musical and performance skills — although a huge bonus is being able to perform at a level and in venues that an individual wouldn’t be able to.

“It is well researched that students who learn an instrument or sing in choral groups regularly out-perform their peers on academic tasks,” Dr Faull says.

Over the years, Avondale School has visited all the Australian capital cities, as well as

Students experience Passover

Students in Year 10 at Avondale School got to experience a Jewish Passover ritual and learn about the Shabbat, or Jewish Sabbath. They were visited by Jeanie Kitchener from the Jewish Board of Education in Bondi. She led them through each practice with props and food samples to help the students understand their meaning.

The students learnt about Judaism as part of their Religious Studies subject. They spent a lot of time learning about the history and significance behind important religious rituals that Jews have practised for thousands of years.

The students had a lot of questions about the different foods they were able to taste. They also took the opportunity to learn about how contemporary Jews apply biblical guidelines today. The experience will be a memorable one for those who took part. The insight provided by Mrs Kitchener was greatly appreciated.

– Susan Rogers

Auckland, Christchurch and even Fiji. This year’s trip was memorable and rewarding for all who attended. The relationships that were strengthened and skills that were honed made this year’s tour particularly special.

Prior to this year’s tour, a group of the musicians embarked on a bikeathon to raise funds. They rode 16 kilometres around Lake Macquarie, from Booragul to Eleebana. Their efforts were rewarded by sponsors who donated money to help the students pay for the tour.

Susan Rogers

Manning Adventist School aims to raise $34,000 in 34 days

Last year, the students and staff of Manning Adventist School (MAS) believed that with God’s leading, they could raise $33,000 in 33 days. The local community support was overwhelming, and they managed to raise $35,230. The funds were raised so the school could provide the local community with facilities they could access.

This year is the second year in a three-year fundraising plan, the ultimate goal of which is to raise $100,000 in 100 days. In 2011, students and staff at MAS believe that, with God’s leading, they will be able to raise $34,000 in 34 days. They hope to raise a further $35,000 in 35 days in 2012.

During the first week of Term 3, students and staff planned 34 events. This plan was then sent to parents for their input, advice and expertise. Following this, the draft plan was sent to local churches, councillors and selected businesses for their input. MAS will enjoy a busy and exciting time with their fundraising efforts, which started on 27 August, and will finish on 1 October.

The school has more information about the fundraiser on their website, www.maschool.nsw.edu.au.

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Parents: “We want the best for our kids”

Avondale College academics’ report shows what Seventh-day Adventist schools need to do to stay competitive.

Seventh-day Adventist schools must maximise the aspirations and minimise the anxieties of parents to remain viable in a competitive market, says a report by two Avondale academics.

Drs Peter Beamish and Peter Morey’s findings are based on responses to a Perception of Adventist Schools Australia Schools Survey, a School Choice Questionnaire and interviews with Adventist families who have children in schools in an Australian capital city.

They show the majority of respondents have positive feelings about their school but identify academic orientation and the availability of extracurricular activities as needing improvement. This is typical of most Adventist schools, says the report.

The key selection criteria for parents are: quality teaching; strong discipline; high levels of care and support; a visionary principal; and a significant Christian ethos.

Advertising and branding were less influential. “These simply bring the school to the parent’s attention,” says Dr Beamish, dean of the Faculty of Education and Science at Avondale College of Higher Education.

He and Dr Morey, a former educational administrator who is now a senior lecturer in the Faculty of Business, wrote the report for one of the conferences of the Adventist Church in Australia. “Leadership, in a broad sense, is far more influential,” says Dr Beamish. He tells of two parents visiting a school for an interview with the principal.

BOOK REVIEW: 28 Stories

“The principal thought he was interviewing them, but they were interviewing him.”

As for aspirations, all parents wanted their children to realise their potential, so they chose schools that provided children with a diversity of experiences and enabled them to perform well academically.

Parents also wanted their children to be committed Christians, although not necessarily of the Adventist faith. “Parents see themselves as taking responsibility for faith development, but they want schools to give all the help they can,” says Dr Beamish.

The greatest anxiety? Keeping children committed to Christianity and as active members of the church. The tension between using Adventist schools to proselytise to those of other faiths and meeting the aspirations of parents who want their children to socialise with those of the Adventist faith is a topic of discussion among the Adventist Church’s educational administrators.

The answer is not easy, says Dr Beamish. “Parents told us they were concerned their children would remain in the church only if they had friends in the church, but many of their children’s friends don’t go to their church.”

Other anxieties include bullying and future lifestyle choices such as the use of alcohol and drugs, and the choice of career and life partner.

The report notes that parents want Adventist schools to nurture, support and mentor their children, and appreciate the role of chaplains in this process.

The bottom line? “If parents perceive Adventist schools as having strategic vision, and administrators, principals and teachers with determination to drive that vision, they’ll choose those schools,” says Dr Beamish. He cautions against simply expecting Adventist parents to send their children to Adventist schools. “Adventist schools are doing a great job and are generating goodwill, but families have a choice and intend to use that choice.”

— Brenton Stacey

Photo credit: Aaron Bellette

You can find out more about the study into Seventh-day Adventist Schools by Avondale academics at www.avondale.edu.au

They say you can’t judge a book by its cover. But I’d beg to differ when it comes to the past couple books I’ve received from Signs Publishing Company. Nathan Brown’s I Hope (reviewed in the August edition of NorthPoint) and Pastor Dave Edgren’s 28 Stories both have great covers, and their content is fantastic too.

28 Stories is a Bible study journal with a twist — it also explores each of the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s 28 Fundamentals. Reading about the 28 Fundamentals doesn’t sound all that exciting, if I’m honest. Who has time to read them for fun? Who even really engaged with them during baptismal studies? As Dave says in the introduction, we were introduced to them as “tick the box” teachings. It’s sort of like where you agree to licences on software when your computer updates — give it a quick glance, but check “agree” to get it over and done with. However, this is a genuinely interesting approach, and it was a pleasure to read.

It’s not just easy to read, but also to engage with. Dave’s great ability to weave tales, tease out fascinating aspects in stories and make things you’ve heard before fresh is at its best here as he explores Bible stories in new ways. On top of the Bible stories, there are questions and space provided to encourage the reader to reflect on what they’ve read, respond to it, make commitments, imagine how they would feel in various Bible situations or as Bible characters, and explore the 28 Fundamentals. It would make a fantastic resource for individuals interested in finding out more about the Bible and 28 Fundamentals, and possibly be even better used in groups, given the questions raised in the studies.

As Dave writes in his introduction, “Far too frequently, faith is reduced to ‘I believe’ and belief is reduced to an intellectual nod of the head. But faith is so much more. True faith is beyond belief! Beyond the head faith that we Adventists are so good at, there is so much more. These studies will take you on a faith journey, exploring the head, heart, hands and horizons of your faith story.” — Adele Nash

28 Stories is available from Adventist Book Centres. RRP is $19.95.

Dr Peter Beamish cautions against expecting Adventist parents to send their children to Adventist schools. “They have a choice,” he says.

POSITION VACANT

North New South Wales Conference, Wallsend Sabbath School and Children’s Ministries Secretary

The North New South Wales Conference is seeking expressions of interest from enthusiastic and competent individuals to provide secretarial support to the Sabbath School and Children’s Ministries Department.

This is a two-day-per-week position and requires an individual who is self-motivated, organised, has a high level of computer skills, and excellent written and oral skills. Essential criteria include: appropriate secretarial/office administration qualifications, well-developed people skills, well organised and able to work to deadlines, computer and keyboard skills, and a commitment to the teachings, values and mission of the Adventist Church. A working knowledge of the Adventist Church structure and organisation is desirable.

To apply, please forward all written applications, including your CV and work-related referees, to Mr Bob Dale, PO Box 7, Wallsend NSW 2287, or email bobdale@adventist.org.au.

Only those who have the legal right to work in Australia may apply for this position.

Applications close 19 September, 2011.

BIG CAMP 2011

If you are planning to attend the North NSW Conference Big Camp event this year, please note and make appropriate arrangements for the following:

Closure of front boomgate during Sabbath hours

The front boomgates at Stuarts Point Convention Centre will remain closed (except to emergency vehicles) from sunset Friday night to sunset Sabbath, except for late arrivals on the first Friday night (September 30).

If you anticipate needing to use your vehicle during Sabbath hours, please park your car in the entrance car park.

Disabled persons living offsite will be granted entry, if their vehicle displays an RTA disability pass.

A shuttle transport service will operate between the front gate and the main tents for those who require it.