NorthPoint - April, 2012

Families prayed for at Table Talk launch

interrupted by beeps and tweets, or by multi-media that now invades the sanctuary of the home.”

Julie Weslake, Director of Children’s Ministries for the SPD, says, “It is great to see this important project completed and finding its way into our homes. This tool is part of our Deuteronomy 6:4-12 emphasis, where we want to see our homes claiming God moments during the rhythm of their day to pass on faith to the next generation.”

Recent studies demonstrate that the often-overlooked family meal can be described as the “silver bullet” for a whole lot of reasons — the more often families eat together, the less likely their children are to smoke, drink, do drugs, get depressed, develop eating disorders or consider suicide. Families that eat meals together also have children who are more likely to be healthy, do well in school and delay having sex.

On Sunday, 19 February, the new resource Table Talk was launched at the New South Wales Home Grown Children’s Ministries Expo in Sydney. Participants gathered around a table, symbolic of the tables found in our homes, and dedicated the resource to God.

Pastor Daron Pratt, Director of Children’s and Family Ministries for the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference, says, “We prayed that homes right across this nation would be impacted by this resource and that many faith conversations will develop because of Table Talk.”

The Table Talk cards are designed as conversation starters, and are based around the Gracelink Curriculum themes of grace, community, worship and service. Questions are relevant to all ages. The development of the series has taken around two years from the initial idea to getting it “on the table.”

Pastor Pratt says this tool really works. “I road-tested it with my extended family one Friday evening when we gathered for our regular special Friday night meal. Gathered in the room were people aged from four to 67. It was a great success and a great family bonding moment.”

Table Talk was written by the Australian Union Conference Children’s Ministries directors and Amanda Bews to encourage spiritual conversation in families. It is a response to the challenges many families now face, as they are often busy and over-scheduled. It was produced and sponsored by the South Pacific Division’s (SPD) Children’s Ministries department and Pastor Pratt.

Pastor Pratt says, “The home-cooked family meal is under threat, and is often replaced by fast food zapped in the microwave and eaten hastily. The meal is also constantly

“Besides these protective factors, families that eat regular meals together build their identity and culture,” says Pastor Pratt. “Stories are passed down, jokes are shared and eventually the wider world is examined through the lens of a family’s values. The magic at the dinner table is not found in the food — it is found in the conversations that happen around it.”

Robin Fox, an anthropologist who teaches at Rutgers University in New Jersey, says, “If it were just about food, we would squirt it into their mouths with a tube. A meal is about civilizing children. It’s about teaching them to be a member of their culture.”

Pastor Pratt hopes that the Table Talk tin and cards will become an heirloom in many homes, and that the memories it helps to create will be ones treasured and shared by the families who use it.

Table Talk is available from Adventist Book Centres for $14.95. For more information, contact Pastor Pratt via daronpratt@adventist.org.au.

— Daron Pratt/Adele Nash

Autumn leaves

OUR CONFERENCE From the President: Where are the elders?

It is interesting to study the leadership structure of the local church in the New Testament. When Paul established a new church, one of the first tasks was to appointed elders (Titus 1:5). These ‘’overseers” (Philippians 1:1) would be ‘’shepherds of God’s flock,’’ leading as servants and taking their example from the “Chief Shepherd”(1 Peter 5:2).

Elders were entrusted with God’s work (Titus 1:7) and were expected to teach sound doctrine with the ability to refute false teachers (1:9). Their hard work was to be honoured and the nature of their work was to bring respect (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 1 Timothy 5:17). Elders were to be chosen according to their godly character (1 Timothy 3:1-3), their management skills (1 Timothy 3:4-5) and the ability to teach Scripture (1 Timothy 3:2).

From what Scripture has to say, it appears that New Testament churches had a shared leadership, or as Alexander Strauch says in his book Biblical Eldership, “pastoral oversight of many of the first churches was committed to a plurality of elders” (p 36).

In other words, the churches had pastoral teams.

When James encourages the sick to ‘’call the elders of the church to pray over him and

anoint him with oil” (James 5:14), note that elders is plural and the church is singular. Each church had a team of elders providing pastoral care and leadership.

We see this again in Acts 20:17. When Paul is on his final journey to Jerusalem, he “sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.” Note that he did not call for a pastor, but the team of pastors who were called by God to lead the church.

What does all this mean for us today?

It has been my observation that often our elders are missing in action at the local level. While there is involvement during board and business meetings, and an everdecreasing role during the worship service, what about pastoral care and leadership?

Of course, this is not always the case, but with more than 2700 members completing a church health survey in North New South Wales Conference, it is very clear from the results that local leadership is missing in action in most of our churches. Why this has happened is open to debate (i.e. role of paid pastors, lack of training, etc). But one thing is for sure, the Devil rejoices while the church sleeps.

It is my dream to see the biblical role of the local elder restored to its rightful place. I would love to see elders meet and study the Bible, and rediscover a correct view of this important leadership role in the church.

— Pastor Justin Lawman

“Around The Traps,” a weekly e-newsletter from the North New South Wales Conference President Pastor Justin Lawman, is available to subscribe to. If you would like to join the mailing list, please email northpoint@adventist.org.au with the words “E-newsletter subscription” in the subject line.

Chief Financial Officer’s report: 2011 finances

Financial results for the 2011 calendar year have arrived, and we can report that the church company has made a surplus of $500,000 after three years of accumulated losses totalling $1.4 million.

Under God’s blessing in 2011, we reported a surplus of $200,000 before interest and a surplus of $500,000 after interest earnings.

Our goal is to fully recover our pre-global financial crisis reserve position by 2015, which means there will be more resources available for Gospel workers, evangelism and new church plants

Tithe from church members increased by 4.5 per cent in 2011.

Whilst this sort of increase does enable us to maintain our existing workforce, it does nothing to provide resources for new church plants and aggressive church growth strategies, which we desperately need if we are going to break the cycle of stalled

church membership growth in our conference.

Overall, however, we can acknowledge God’s leading in our 2011 financial results, and I pray that we will remain united in our desire to see the lost saved for the Kingdom.

— Russell Halliday

To find out more about treasury and stewardship, or to watch Russell’s video reports on financial matters, visit http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/stewardship.

Coaching training for area mentors

On 20 and 21 February, the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference’s area mentors — Pastor John Lang, Pastor Murray Chapman and Pastor Neil Watts — and 11 members of the Central Coast Community Church (CCCC) undertook coaching training. Pastor Mark Venz, Pastor Tim Kingston and Pastor Brett Townend also took part in the training. The coaching program included reading material, question-and-answer sessions, discussions and role-plays.

The two-day program was led by Gary Hourigan and is part of official accreditation. Area mentors will work with local pastors to help them grow personally and spiritually, to build leadership teams, as well as equipping members for ministry.

It is planned that there will ultimately be five area mentors in total, with ones still to be organised for the Hunter and Northern Rivers area. Pastor Chapman covers the MidNorth Coast, Pastor John Lang looks after the Western region and Pastor Watts cares for the Central Coast. Each mentor will have a maximum of nine pastors to care for.

The idea of area mentors has been a dream of NNSW Conference President Pastor Justin Lawman for a number of years. He says, “We discovered through Natural Church Development surveys that effective structures are our lowest score. We want to work to create more effective support structures, changing our culture to invest more in people. As a church, we’ve been very good at investing in programs, but people are more important.”

Having these pastors as area mentors means they bring their extensive church service records — and knowledge — with them. “They bring so much to the table,” says Pastor Lawman. “It’s exciting to have this happen. John, Murray and Neil are naturals at this, and all know how to empower others who work with and for them.”

The area mentors will invest time and effort into pastors to enable them to meet their own personal pastoral goals. “When pastors are better supported, they can better support the lay people,” says Pastor Lawman. “This is in line with the biblical model found in Ephesians 4:11, which explores the different spiritual gifts of leaders — apostles, prophets, evangelists, teachers and pastors equipping the saints for ministry. Rather than doing all of the ministry work themselves, which is unfortunately the pattern we’ve fallen into, we want to help our pastors equip their church to ‘do’ ministry.”

Pastor Wayne Krause, CCCC minister, worked to facilitate the training program and says, “The area mentors have been established to give our pastors in the various regions around this conference access to coaching and mentoring, and to help them clarify their own personal and church goals. It’s part of Justin’s desire to see empowered leadership develop further in our conference.”

Part of the plan for the mentoring will involve the area mentors meeting with pastors to explore what their vision is for their churches and how far they are along the path to making that vision reality. Ministers will also be encouraged to reflect on their ministry. With once-a-month coaching sessions, pastors won’t be told what to do, but helped to find new ways of working through things, exploring new perspectives and having someone who can act as a sounding board for ideas.

“It will take a year or two to settle in and for relationships to build,” says Pastor Lawman. “But I’m really excited about this. The world has become complicated and leadership becomes harder, which is why we need to care for our leaders better. When our pastors are supported and enabled, they can provide the same care to their congregations. Every Christian is called to service, and when we are all willing to sacrifice for one another, we will better meet the needs of those around us.”

— Adele Nash

Training weekend enjoyed by NNSW Pathfinder leaders

Pathfinder and Adventurer leader training took place at Yarrahapinni Convention Centre over the weekend of 17–19 February. The training weekend saw more than 50 Pathfinder and Adventurer leaders in attendance, representing clubs from across the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference.

There were also 32 young people aged between 16 and 18 in attendance, who completed the new skills development component of their Master Guide course (pictured below). Master Guides are junior counselors.

The program for them focused on group, communication and camping skills, wile providing them with creativity and resource skills and the fundamentals of club leadership.

In total, there were almost 100 people at Yarra for the weekend, including trainers, assessors and District Directors. Presenters included Pastor Jeff Parker, Youth Ministries Director for the NNSW Conference; Rick Hergenhan, Associate Youth Ministries Director for the NNSW Conference; Tim Etheridge; Russell Schulz; Graeme Frauenfelder; Melanie Windus; Katrina Boyd; Ros Camps; and Alan Bates

The Pathfinder Specialist Award (PSA) was introduced to the NNSW Pathfinders this year to run alongside the Pathfinder Leadership Award (PLA).

Trained industry professionals presented a range of subjects from nature awareness to responding to emergency situations.

Pastor Parker says, “The training weekend has four components — Junior club leaders, Adventurer club leaders, and Pathfinder leaders at two levels with PLA and PSA.

“PLA is completed over a three-year period and has 10 Pathfinder-specific subjects, with four subjects that are part of Cert IV in Outdoor Education. PSA follows on from PLA, with many specialist electives that the leaders can choose from — we had around 15 start the PSA, which is new this year. We had a great response to the training for that weekend, and it continues to grow every year.”

— Susan Manson/Adele Nash/Jeff Parker

OUR CHURCHES

Memorable day as father and son ordained at

Lakeside Church

Lakeside Adventist Church member Calvin Hunter and his son Caleb were ordained together as an elder and deacon respectively in a moving family experience on Sabbath, 11 February.

Lakeside Church minister Pastor Clive Nash offered the ordination prayer for both candidates, while ordained elders and ministers gathered around them, laying their hands on father and son to commit them to their sacred work.

Calvin and his wife Wendy are valued members of Lakeside Church, along with their two children, Jasmine and Caleb. Jasmine led the praise team and coordinated the worship service on the day of the ordinations.

Both Calvin and Caleb have attended Lakeside Church for many years. Caleb was baptised in December 2010. Both men have made important contributions to the life of the church, and this has been recognised by their church family who have entrusted them with their responsibilities as elder and deacon in 2012. Having father and son ordained on the same day was a memorable experience for the Hunter family as well as their Lakeside Church family.

— Monica Nash

Wallsend Junior Sabbath School cycles for Cambodian children

On Sabbath, 10 March, the Wallsend Junior Sabbath School group cycled 20 kilometres on the Fernleigh Track from Belmont to Whitebridge and back to raise money to buy bicycles for children in Cambodia. Around 40 people took part in the ride, which has raised more than $2000 and was organised by Junior Sabbath School leader Russell Halliday.

Russell says, “This quarter, our theme has been poverty and justice. This was one of our awareness projects. The ride raised money for an Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) project where every $55 raised buys a bike for a kid in Cambodia. With a bike, the kids can go to school. If they’re more than 10 kilometres from school, they don’t tend to attend in rural areas.”

Russell consulted with Nathan Hawkins, ADRA Director for the North New South Wales Conference, and the ADRA website for the best project that would be achievable and get the children involved. “One kid raised more than $500 himself,” says Russell. “The kids seemed to enjoy the ride too. I asked them at the end if they were ready to go again, and a few were up for it.”

The Junior Sabbath School has explored poverty and justice in the Bible; been visited by guest speakers including Nathan, Jo Darby and Dr Brad Watson; and have been exposed to projects around the world that aim to alleviate poverty.

— Adele Nash

Healthy numbers for Dr Winston Craig presentation at Memorial

More than 100 people attended a health lecture presented by Dr Winston Craig at Avondale Memorial Adventist Church on 16 February. Dr Craig was welcomed by Pastor Danny Milenkov, associate pastor at Avondale Memorial, and noted that he had given presentations a number of times before at the church. Dr Craig joked that he had agreed to do the presentation when asked by Pastor Adrian Craig on the condition that he received a mango each day for breakfast.

Dr Craig focused on the theme of “Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle,” and focused on the “Big Seven” as being ways to health — eating a variety of fruit, vege, grains and legumes; getting 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each day;

drinking enough water; getting enough sleep; trusting in God to direct life; having meaningful friends; and living a balanced life without extremes. He commented after introducing the “Big Seven,” “If we closed the meeting and went home now, you’ve got the lifestyle package right there.”

Dr Craig spoke about the dangers of the typical Western diet, and explored the benefits provided by following a Mediterranean diet and lifestyle. Studies have shown that this lifestyle has a lower risk for Type 2 Diabetes, while the typical Western diet is high in processed foot and fat, and presents a 59 per cent higher risk for the disease.

He noted the importance of a wholistic approach to health — not simply focusing on diet, but also paying attention to the way we live and interact with those around us. “We want to go beyond food to a whole lifestyle,” he said.

The presentation was concluded with a question-and-answer session, which engaged the audience. Various issues were explored, including what a “Dr Winston Craig Food Pyramid” would look like —”Full of mangoes. And some avocados,” was the reply.

Dr Craig works at Andrews University as the chairman of their nutrition and wellness program. The course currently has around 110 majors.

— Adele Nash

From left to right: Caleb Hunter, Calvin Hunter and Pastor Clive Nash.

Prophetic Insights series proves popular

Doctor Allan Lindsay spoke for four Sabbath afternoons in February at Lakeside Adventist Church under the banner of Prophetic Insights. Dr Lindsay had been sharing insights into the book of Daniel with a small group at the home of Lakeside members Pastor Mike and Ann Browning. Pastor Browning felt that what Dr Lindsay was presenting there was too good to keep to a small group. This led to planning with Lakeside minister, Pastor Clive Nash, for a public series. Dr Lindsay’s topics were Daniel 7 — Identifying the Anti-Christ (4 February); Daniel 8 and the 2300 days prophecy (11 February); Daniel 9 — the 70 weeks prophecy — identifying the Messiah (18 February); and Jesus in the Sanctuary as Priest and Judge (25 February 25). In each of the illustrated lectures, Dr Lindsay gave convincing evidence to support the established viewpoint of the Seventh-day Adventist Church on these key passages of apocalyptic literature. Many people in the audience expressed disappointment that the series was not to be continued in March.

Lakeside Church was full for each program. Podcasts of the lectures are available for downloading or listening on the Lakeside Church website for the benefit of those who wish to hear the lectures again or recommend them to others. Doctor Lindsay is in-demand as a speaker at camp meetings, churches and retreats. He is also a former director of the Ellen G White Research Centre at Avondale College and presenter of the popular Keepers of the Flame television series.

— Monica Nash

OUR CHURCHES

Journey of prayer for Kingscliff Church members

Members of Kingscliff Adventist Church have recently completed a powerful prayer and devotion program, based on the Dennis Smith book 40 Days

Each day for 40 days, church members prayed for five special people in their life, including friends, relatives and colleagues, asking God to comfort them, protect them, and to draw them to Himself.

There were 60 families who took part, praying for more than 1000 people in total. However, the 40-days-of-study-and-prayer devotional is not only designed to bring others to Christ — it also aims to strengthen the church members’ own relationships with the Lord in preparation for His Second Coming.

Participants were encouraged to pray with a buddy or in small groups, preferably with people outside their immediate family. As a result, some wonderful new friendships have been formed and existing relationships have been enhanced.

Each day, members would gather together in person, or conduct their prayer and study discussions on the telephone or via the internet.

Kingscliff Church member Jennifer Baillie says taking part was really rewarding.

“I must admit that at the commencement I wondered how I could find the time necessary each day for 40 days straight. However, it quickly became the highlight of my day. Every night around 7:30, I would have a conference call with the two ladies in my prayer circle. I looked forward to it and loved our time together. I have become very close to my prayer buddies. I feel that we’re connected into the body of Christ, all in the same spirit and of one accord. Plus, it was an absolute privilege to present my family and close friends to the Lord during this special prayer time,” she says.

Many people also used the 40 days as an opportunity to fast from something detrimental to their physical or spiritual health — such as sugar or television — and are praying that God will give them the strength to overcome these addictions permanently.

The prayer event was planned as a lead-up to an outreach seminar being presented by Pastor David Asscherick on the Tweed Coast this month. Church members are inviting those people on their prayer list, in the hope of introducing them to Christ.

John Barron, Personal Ministries Leader for Kingscliff Church, says the outreach potential is enormous.

“We’ve only just completed the 40 Days program and already there have been so many answers to our prayers. We are so grateful to God for even the smallest of these and are excited to see what other miracles he has planned. We truly hope that many of the people who were the subject of our prayers will come to the outreach event, learn more about our awesome creator and want to walk in his footsteps,” he says.

— Summer Lockley

From left to right (above): Pastor Mike Browning, Dr Allan Lindsay and Pastor Clive Nash.

OUR CHURCHES

Dora Creek youth reach out

Back in 2010, the teens and youth of the Dora Creek Adventist Church were challenged to go and find people in the community who were in need of physical, emotional and spiritual help.

The Sabbath School group of roughly 15 young people, under the guidance of Personal Ministries and parent mentors, initiated a door-knocking campaign to go and meet the people in Dora Creek. The group’s goal was to use surveys to discover people’s needs, to show interest through conversation at the doors and then to find ways to help meet those needs — the ultimate goal being to lead each person one step closer to Christ.

By the time the group had covered the town, they found a large spectrum of needs — from the need for help in managing family budgets to those seeking Bible studies.

Roughly eight community members have since been involved in Bible studies. With the help of Personal Ministries and local church members, a Stress Management Series was run in September 2011 to help those tackling stress in their lives.

At present, a budgeting seminar is in planning as a response to the comparatively large number of people feeling the pressure with the current economic climate.

This year, the group is also focusing on praying for the leadership of the Holy Spirit in their lives, along with God’s guidance in leading others to Jesus. The young people have organised themselves into an outreach arm of the local church. They are called GROWTH (Go Reach Our World Through Him), and meet once a fortnight for training and outreach activities. In March this year, they embarked on Operation Global Rain.

— Brad, Dora Creek youth group

Photo courtesy of Damien, Dora Creek youth group

Maitland hosts Beyond information night

Addendum to “ADRA responds to flooding in northern NSW”

In addition to the names mentioned in the article “ADRA responds to flooding in northern NSW” (March 2012 issue of NorthPoint), Gary Jackson should be mentioned for his work in the flood response. Gary is the New England Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Area Coordinator.

Kevin Munro, ADRA’s NSW Disaster Welfare Coordinator, says “Without him, the response to Moree, Narrabri and other locations would not have happened as well as it did. He was the person who sourced the individual ADRA volunteers on the ground, while I arranged the plane and other logistics.”

— Adele Nash

Monday night, 5 March saw Maitland Adventist Church host an information evening about the new Beyond series with Pastor Geoff Youlden. Twenty people attended from churches around the region, including Lakeside, Raymond Terrace, Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Singleton.

A light tea was served before the program, which provided attendees with an opportunity to socialise together and with Pastor Youlden. When this was finished, the group went into the church, sang some hymns and began the Beyond presentation. Pastor Youlden outlined the history of the program, which has grown out of The Search series, and how funding came about to support it.

One of the episodes, which was partly filmed in the now-closed Maitland Gaol, was shown to attendees. Pastor Esava Koro, who ministers to Maitland Church, says that attendees were “captivated” by the program.

Pastor Koro adds, “It was great to see the actual presenter there to speak with us about Beyond. Geoff emphasised that this series is a tool to be used to get into the lives of people in our communities. But Beyond won’t do all the work — we need to do our part as well. It will act as a sowing mechanism to reach out to people in the community. When the audience is captivated by the first part of the programs, they will have the desire to go into the Bible study section. We need to pray earnestly for this project.”

Pastor Mark Venz, who ministers to the Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Adventist Churches, attended the information night and says, “I thought the presentation was good. It’s a great concept and we need to promote it. Those who attended enjoyed it, and what I saw was captivating. To hold my focus, it’s got to be good! It’s very low-key and it encourages you to think about different opinions through healthy discussion.”

Pastor Koro says, “The presenters are engaging — Danielle Synot and Johnny Murison are good. Young people can identify well with them. It’s a step up from the old Search series.”

“The old Search was more documentary based,” says Mark. “This one engages with the stories.”

The Beyond series has 14 feature episodes and 29 “explore” episodes, which focus on issues raised in the features. A 24-part Bible study series accompanies it all. The North New South Wales Conference has already had 500 sets of the Beyond series ordered through the conference’s $25-for-the-set offer. There are a limited number of Beyond sets still available for $25.

For more information or to order, please contact the Adventist Book Centre in Cooranbong on 1800 231 061 during business hours.

— Adele Nash/Esava Koro

OUR CHURCHES

Avondale Memorial Church continues evangelism focus with Kenya outreach

In the past two years, Avondale Memorial Adventist Church has experienced a boom in international evangelism. In 2010, there were 50 people who went overseas for all kinds of evangelistic outreaches. In 2011, there were more than 100 people from the church who conducted evangelistic programs in a variety of locations. Avondale Memorial Church’s senior minister Pastor Vadim Butov says, “As a church, our goal is to win 1000 souls a year by baptism. God has already done this for us in the past two years.”

This year’s evangelism focus started early, with an outreach program conducted in Thika, Kenya, from 7–21 January. Thika is a satellite city in Nairobi, 38 kilometres north of Kenya’s capital. The meetings involved the main site where Pastor Butov was the speaker, and three satellite sites with Leon and Carol Platt from Kingscliff Adventist Church, Russian pilot Alexey Salnikov, and Russian businessman, Constantine Karpov.

“The Australian team was small, but effective,” says Pastor Butov. “We had David North from Murwillumbah helping me on the site I was located at. Gordon Southwell from Port Macquarie went to Kenya two weeks in advance and helped prepare all the grounds. It is interesting to note that Carol was the speaker for the site the Platts were at, and Leon acted as the chauffeur and ‘gofer.’”

He adds, “For the first time, Russian lay people went to a different country to preach the Gospel. Russia has been the recipient of evangelism for many years, and now is going to become the giver. The church in Russia has matured, and a lot of church members are doing better financially.”

Pastor Butov appealed to his former countrymen to expand the limits of their mission understanding and was not disappointed with the response.

Alexey is a pilot for Aeroflot Russian Airlines, and flies airbus planes. He is an Adventist who keeps the Sabbath, and Pastor Butov notes that it is “extremely difficult” for any airline employee to keep the Sabbath, but five years ago when he joined the airline, Alexey put a condition on the table: he would work, but would rest from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday. “In Russia, Protestants are finding it hard to survive because of misunderstandings on behalf of Orthodox Christians,” says Pastor Butov. “To get a Sabbath off in an airline where everything’s scheduled a year in advance and you work as part of a team is a miracle indeed.”

Alexey caught the missionary fire and is planning to return to Africa to win more people for Christ.

Constantine is a Russian businessman who provides his personal property for camp meetings in his local conference. The outreach in Kenya was his very first campaign, but he wants to return soon. He brought a music group with him.

“Those young people took months to raise money for their air fares and other expenses. It is difficult to raise money in a country where a lot of people are still living below the poverty line, but they did it because they love the Lord,” says Pastor Butov.

The “ground work” in Thika began eight months earlier, when several Bible workers were hired to go out and give Bible studies. The local churches also got involved. “The campaign became a harvest time,” says Pastor Butov. “To cut the story short, 2000 people attended the meetings in four sites and 346 precious souls were baptised. The program was prophecy-oriented and in times such as these, prophecy remains the best tool for winning the lost.

“The program did not have an impact only upon our African partners — it impacted us as well. I firmly believe that every church in the West is capable of running at least one overseas campaign a year and baptising 100 people. If that happened, then 10,000 churches in Europe, America and Australia could easily win 1,000,000 souls a year. The harvest is there. We just need the workers.”

— Vadim Butov

OUR CHURCHES

Coonamble Church hosts prophecy presentation

On the last Sabbath in February, the Coonamble Adventist Church hosted a prophecy presentation. Several members of the Coonabarabran Adventist Church travelled across to the church in the afternoon, while representatives from the Adventist Aviation Association participated in presentations. Barbara Watson conducted a branch Sabbath School for the children who came, with a special Bible story and craft. Veronica Chandler, the only Adventist in Coonamble, preached in the morning and was beaming with joy that her church was open for worship.

A large team of young people and adults from Coonabarabran Church prayed for and letter-boxed the town, personally inviting several people. Unfortunately, no-one from Coonamble attended the first prophecy meeting, but more are planned. Others attended the first meeting who felt impressed to invite others, who responded to their invitations.

On the Sunday morning following the Sabbath program, David Fletcher and Joanne visited with parents and grandparents of children now studying at Currawah Aboriginal Adventist College. There are five students from Coonamble attending the school.

— David Fletcher

Adventist Aviation Association and NNSW Conference plan airstrip for Currawah

Plans are being set in place for the creation of an airstrip at Currawah Aboriginal Adventist College (CAAC). Pastor John Kosmeier, President of the Adventist Aviation Association (AAA) in New South Wales, says, “It takes about eight hours each way to get to Currawah from Newcastle. You go to Brewarrina or Coolabah, and then you still have to drive on to Currawah, as there’s no direct road. Flying is direct — an eight-hour drive would become a two to three hour flight, depending on the weather. This will mean the work of three days can be done in one.”

Although AAA planes have previously landed at Brewarrina when taking people out to CAAC — such as for the opening of the school when two AAA planes carried North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference leaders and others — the drive from Brewarrina to CAAC still takes another hour. “This is unnecessary travel if we can fly direct,” says Pastor Kosmeier.

AAA is currently waiting on a quote to come through for the construction of the airstrip, and will begin fundraising for it when they have that information. The airstrip will be 1000 metres (one kilometre) long and 100 metres wide, which will give it the adequate dimensions for twin-engine aircraft to land there. It will be constructed on the school grounds. “This will be good for bringing in and out staff, and for medical emergencies if they ever arrive,” says Pastor Kosmeier. “The Flying Doctor will be able to use the strip and it could be made available for the surrounding community so farmers can make use of it.”

Pastor Kosmeier hopes church members around NNSW will support the project, and AAA will soon begin raising funds to cover the cost of the airstrip and insurance for it. “The funds required for individual donations won’t be onerous,” he says. “It’s a worthwhile project that we hope will further develop Currawah. It could become a centre for outreach to the West.”

— Adele Nash

OUR BAPTISMS

Grandmother’s Bible studies lead to baptism and dedication at Nelson Bay

On 10 December 2011, Lorraine Knight of Nelson Bay Adventist Church was baptised. This was closely followed by the dedication of Lorraine’s seven-year-old granddaughter Amber. The baptism and dedication followed on from the church service held at the church, where Pastor Eddie Mackie spoke of the weekly Bible studies he had conducted with Lorraine. Her eager response to the studies showed a willingness to learn about the Lord and take on His characteristics.

Amber was also part of these Bible studies, and has been a constant companion for her grandmother at church. Her attendance at the church’s children’s Sabbath School lessons has been exemplary, and she has also taken part in the children’s service at the church.

After voting Lorraine into membership, church members, friends and family journeyed to Fishermans Bay in the Port Stephens area for the baptism and dedication. The gathered people witnessed as Lorraine rose, smilin, from the water.

After returning to Nelson Bay Church, Lorraine stood with Pastor Mackie while he spoke of her relationship to God and God to her. He prayed over her everlasting link with

For further information about the Currawah airstrip, contact Pastor John Kosmeier on 0418 248 133.

God, and members testified to Lorraine’s dedication and Christian values. Vera Urukalo, deaconess at the church, gifted Lorraine a spiritual book.

Head elder Gordon Hilleary gave a short talk and said he had watched Lorraine’s progress over a period of years in the church. Daphne Picton spoke of her rapport and relationship with Lorraine in Sabbath School and church. Others found Lorraine inspirational during the church’s activities in 2011.

The church wishes a life full of connectedness with God to Lorraine and Amber.

— Daphne Picton

Special day for family with dedications and baptism at Catherine Hill Bay

Sabbath, February 18 2012 marks a special day for the Kingston family. A number of events happened on this day at a beautiful spot called Catherine Hill Bay. First, Michelle and Paul Kingston and their children — Bella, Indi and Lela — were dedicated to the Lord.

Prior to the prayer of dedication, Pastor Mark Venz, who ministers to the Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Adventist Churches, encouraged family and friends to be a source of support and encouragement to Michelle, Paul and the children.

Secondly, Michelle was baptised at the same place. The day was just perfect — no rain and the sea was reasonably calm, in spite of all the weather predictions to the contrary. Michelle was supported by family and friends as she publicly declared the dedication of her life to Jesus Christ.

Pastor Venz says, “What a day of celebration for the Kingston family and one can only assume that the angels were also rejoicing.”

Michelle’s decision to be baptised came after a year-and-a-half of Bible studies with Avondale College theology student, Daniel Matteo (seen in the picture below, assisting Pastor Venz at the baptism). Since the decision to be baptised was made, Michelle, Paul and their three children have been attending the Cessnock Church.

— Mark Venz

OUR BAPTISMS

Eight baptisms in 12 months for Forster-Tuncurry

Over the past 12 months, Forster-Tuncurry Adventist Church has celebrated eight baptisms. The most recent was in February this year. There were also two people who have responded to an appeal for baptism — and church members are excited to know there are more baptisms in the future.

Four of the people who were baptised were originally interests from the prophecy seminar that Pastor David Kosmeier had been running on Monday nights.

Alison Leach, Mick Christie, Michael Leach, Gwenda Duncan, Chanel Christie, Suzette Emerton and Keith Duncan were baptised by Pastor Kosmeier at a local lake. A large number of church members attended the outdoor baptisms and welcomed the seven candidates into fellowship with them. Ken Stenner was baptised in February 2012 at Forster-Tuncurry Church. He was welcomed into fellowship by the church members.

Last year was a successful year for the Forster-Tuncurry Church, as many people took on roles and duties in the church that they never imagined they would do. The church has had a strong emphasis on working and praying together. This year, the church will run another prophecy seminar and a depression workshop, and has plans to be part of the community to better share the Gospel.

The church members are also grateful to the pastors and others who have visited Forster-Tuncurry to preach and would love to have more visits from other pastors and groups.

— Bruce Hopper

Above: Alison Leach, Mick Christie, Michael Leach, Gwenda Duncan, Pastor David Kosmeier, Chanel Christie, Suzette Emerton and Keith Duncan.

Below: Ken Stenner (second from right) with Forster-Tuncurry Church elder Steve Woodward, Pastor David Kosmeier and Eunice Fitzclarance at his baptism in February 2012.

OUR SCHOOLS

Avondale School gets SWOMPED with kindness

Avondale School was “SWOMPED” with kindness in the last week of February. Kind words filled young lives with joy and laughter, kind hands found a thousand ways to be helpful, and kind feet have walked and run all over campus, homes and communities taking kindness to all corners of Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, Central Coast and Hunter Valley.

Avondale School students learned how to be kind to themselves, kind to each other, kind to nature, kind to the world and kind to God. They realised how much kindness surrounds them every day, even on the tough days.

This event was the school’s 2012 Kindness Olympic Games, which was the theme for their annual Super Week Of Mega Praise (SWOMP).

These are games with a difference: in London in a few months only some of the world’s elite athletes will win gold medals. At Avondale Primary School Kindness Olympic Games, everyone wins. Every student received a gold medal as a part of the Kindness Olympic Games closing ceremony.

School chaplain Dr Mel Lemke says, “But this is not the end! The games have only just begun. For the rest of this year, students and staff will be on a mission to be known as the kindest school in Cooranbong. The kindest school in NSW. The kindest school in Australia. The kindest school in our whole world!

“Kind mouths will speak kindness, kind hearts will reach out and make someone feel treasured, and kind hands and feet will continue to do amazing acts of kindness that transform our school, our homes and our world.”

SWOMP featured balloons and bubbles, amazing singing and worship, fantastic presentations from guest speaker Graeme Frauenfelder, skits by teachers, and the opportunity for students to meet Jesus in new ways and experience His love in the Meet Jesus Room.

Graeme also visited classrooms, engaged with the children at recess and lunch times, and had a great time getting to know the students.

Dr Lemke adds, “Students excelled in the daily challenges, and there are more to come. Each student received a Kindness Game to take home as a dinner-time family activity.”

At the end of SWOMP, 247 students said they wanted to be Kindness Gold Medal Champions for life; 222 gave their heart to Jesus; 160 asked for Bible studies; 144 indicated they wanted to be baptised; and 151 wanted to join a think-tank in their class to brainstorm and come up with new ways to be kind on campus, at home and in the community.

“And that was just Grades 3-6!” says Dr Lemke. “The infant school are just as excited and ready to be kind and to be Jesus hands, feet, heart, and mouthpiece this year. And so — LET THE GAMES BEGIN!”

— Mel Lemke

OUR ABC

Comprehensive online shop coming soon for NNSW ABC

We have many people asking the question, “How has the internet affected the ABC?” We say, “Greatly!” Yes, in some areas it has reduced our sales. CD sales in particular have reduced dramatically as people download from the internet. However, Spirit of Prophecy sales have multiplied and Bibles just keep selling everyday. So yes, the internet has “greatly” affected our sales, both up and down.

Many people like the personal touch, need help in finding a book, like an atmosphere when purchasing and like asking questions — “We have a baptism coming up, what do you recommend.” “Have you read this book, or have you watched this DVD?” Our senior customers need help that is not provided over the internet and our country customers like to talk to a “real person.”

I love technology! We can use it to its full potential and there are many ways in which that is possible. But, as with many innovations, there can be some problems. For example, I recently talked to a young mother in a supermarket checkout line about how the world seems to be out of control.

The appropriate moment comes to give her Steps to Christ

Do I ask her if she has an iPad, Kindle, Samsung Tablet, Nook, Xoom, Laser e-book reader, Pendo Pad or one of many other tablets so that she can download it to her devise, or do I just hand her a well presented colour Steps To Christ? I know what is the easiest!

Our conference is very supportive of the Adventist Book Centre and has invested funds for the establishment of a fully-functional e-commerce website.

Our existing site (www.nnswabc.com) has minimal e-commerce functions and has been working well — we have sold more than $90,000 in concert tickets alone through it. However, we must move forward and utilise the technology of tomorrow. Thus our new website is coming very soon — www.adventistbookshop.com.au.

Please keep trying to check it out. We will have our database online and you will be able to check out our quantities. The website will be updated three times a day to keep it accurate. We need to use every avenue possible to spread the love of God, but all avenues should work together and not be in conflict with each other. We all work for the one God and He will bless as we move forward in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember www.adventistbookshop.com.au.

— Allan Hill Manager, Adventist Book Centre — Cooranbong

Book review: Shadow Men

Acting like a moral person only helps you find fulfillment in parts of this life. Belief in the Reason morality exists is your ticket to the next life. In Clifford Goldstein’s first play, Shadow Men, he scripts his main character to be an actor, unbeknownst to the character himself.

The main theme of Shadow Men is the reasoning behind our behaviour being more important than our behaviour itself. In times of crisis, our true motives are revealed. No creature on earth lives a solitary existence — each of us exerts an influence on those around us, especially during trying times.

This play caused me to want to formulate a cast to bring the pages to life, telling the story of two men in adjacent jail cells facing imminent death. It would be a difficult prospect to find the right actors to fit such intense roles so ladened with emotions.

However, if this play could be acted as intended by the author, this is a perfect tool to jolt an audience fatigued with life’s perplexities back into the realities that actually matter.

Clifford Goldstein uses the element of surprise to grip the reader’s attention right from the beginning of Act One. The ending was anything but predictable. You’ll read it in one sitting and be contemplating its many confounding themes for days.

Becoming the person we desire to be doesn’t always come through the means we choose to employ. What happens when you find that you’ve failed in your attempt to live a fulfilling life and you have just 17 hours to live?

By authoring this play, Clifford is, in essence, inviting you to further consider this question before it’s your time of crisis.

— Sherise Parra

Shadow Men — A Play Clifford Goldstein

Above: Part of the new look for the new Adventist Book Centre website — www.adventistbookshop.com.au. Below: The old Adventist Book Centre site has had minimal e-commerce functions.

May 2013

Plan ahead for the 2013 Best of Europe Tour with Pastor Harold Harker.

Leaving mid-May, the two-week tour of Switzerland, Austria and the Dolomites of Italy concludes in Vienna. Optional extra seven-day cruise from Venice to Greek Islands and return to Venice.

This will be a holiday you will never forget!

For more information, contact Pastor Harold Harker on (02) 4385 8282 or email harold.harker@gmail.com.

GREY NOMADS CAMP

4—12 May, 2012

Stuarts Point Convention Centre

The North New South Wales Conference’s annual Grey Nomads Camp for 2012 will be held at the Adventist Convention Centre, Stuarts Point, NSW from 4—12 May, 2012. The event is open to people from across Australia, and is an excellent opportunity for retirees to meet and fellowship together.

Dr Roy Adams, a former associate editor of Adventist Review and Adventist World, will be the guest speaker. A special concert with South African tenor Manuel Escórcio will be held on the first Saturday night of the camp (5 May).

Application forms are available at http://nnsw.adventist.org.au. Applications close 27 April.

POSITIONS VACANT

Avondale Adventist Aged Care

Cert III in aged care nursing, Cert IV (team leader), endorsed enrolled nurse (team leader), CSEs, Cleaners

Due to the recent increase of staffing levels at Avondale Adventist Aged Care (AAAC), staff with the following qualifications are sought: Cert III in aged care nursing, Cert IV (team leader), endorsed enrolled nurse (team leader) and CSEs.

Avondale Adventist Aged Care offers a buddy system, extensive levels of in-house training, the opportunity to gain varied experience, career progression, specialisation opportunities and salary sacrifice options.

Direct enquiries to: Recruitment Manager, Avondale Adventist Aged Care Facility, PO Box 105, Cooranbong NSW 2265. Alternatively, call (02) 4977 0148 or email recruitment@ aacnnsw.com.au.

Adventist Aged Care South Queensland

Senior Clinical Manager

Adventist Aged Care South Queensland are seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and motivated persons to lead an aged care team in South Queensland.

Duties will include providing clinical oversight of a residential aged care service including the management of special care beds, ensuring that the quality of care provided exceeds government standards, and ensuring that financial and human resource benchmarks set by the corporate office are met.

Expressions of interest listing two (2) referees can be sent via email to headoffice@sdaac. com.au. Please direct any enquiries to Paul Mitchell, CEO, on (07) 3451 5900.

Applications close 20 April, 2012.