NorthPoint - December, 2012

High point for Hymns

A neutral venue, and the appeal of a popular journalist and broadcaster has delivered a music program produced by an Avondale lecturer its biggest audience. About 1000 people attended Hymns & Songs of Praise at Panthers Newcastle on Saturday, 3 November. While the program has an eight-year history at Avondale College, musical director Dr Lyell Heise — also a senior lecturer in the School of Ministry and Theology at Avondale — moved it to reach a new audience. He also collaborated for the first time with the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference.

“Hymns & Songs in a leagues club — that’s Newcastle,” says Pastor Justin Lawman, President of the NNSW Conference, who recommended the venue. “It’s a workingclass city, so we needed a working class venue.”

Pastor Lawman describes Hymns & Songs as making “an important statement. It builds so many bridges with members of the community — they get to know us for who we are rather than just for what we believe.”

Inviting Geraldine Doogue, host of the religious program Compass on ABC TV and the political program Saturday Extra on ABC Radio National, to compere also sent a message. “One of mutual validation,” says Dr Heise, who co-produced the concert with Valmai Hill in their roles as Director and Assistant to the Director of the South Pacific Division’s Institute of Worship.

The program featured traditional and contemporary music, “from hymns by the prolific Isaac Watts to songs by the prolific Chris Tomlin,” says Dr Heise. The 50-piece Institute of Worship Orchestra provided the accompaniment for the congregational singing and for Avondale vocal ensembles Avondale Singers, the Contemporary Choir, The Promise, soprano Marian Maroney and tenor Albert Mataafa.

Dr Heise also vacated the podium during the program for three other conductors — Aleta King, the music strand convenor at Avondale; Benjamin Milis, a music specialisation student at Avondale; and Daniel Brinsmead, a young alumnus of Australian National University’s School of Music. The world premiere performance of his arrangement of an orchestral score of “We Shall Behold Him” added to the song’s poignancy. The performance featured Benjamin on piano.

This song and another — “As The Deer,” featuring children Maegen and Georgia Craig on piano, and Zara and Jayden Lynch on violin and cello — were examples of the institute’s “conscious attempt to mentor the next generation of leaders and musicians,” says Dr Heise. “We’re keen to stand as an interpreter of the past to help children and young adults better understand their heritage, and as an interpreter of the future to reassure older adults it’s possible to be thoroughly Adventist, thoroughly contemporary and thoroughly relevant.”

Photos courtesy of Ann Stafford

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Hunter Valley Gardens

— Brenton Stacey (with Adele Nash)

OUR CONfERENCE From the President: Staffing

It’s the time of year when pastoral staffing changes are made. It can be very scary for both the pastoral family and the church family as they both go through a shift. No-one likes shifting and we try to leave pastoral families in the one area for as long as possible.

But with retirements and calls coming from all around the division, changes happen for most of us every three or four years. Some fortunate pastors get 10 years or more, but on the other end of the scale, I was once moved after three months.

There are some things we all need to keep in mind:

We Try Our Best

Moving is never easy, and more and more pastors are not accepting calls to other conferences. The North New South Wales Conference does its best to match the pastoral family with the church. We try to consider the family situation, which can be very complex with schooling, spousal employment and medical conditions. Each church has its own character and history, and not every pastor will match every church. Sometimes our options are quite limited.

Support Your Pastor and Their Family

This is easy when a good match takes place, and you like and agree with the pastor. But it is how you treat them when things aren’t so perfect that makes the real spiritual commitment of a congregation stand out. The Holy Spirit gifts each of us in different ways. Discover your pastoral family’s gifts and pray for them like never before. It amazes me how God uses even the worst situations to teach us and grow His people.

Trust in God

Sadly, members and pastors can revert to bad behaviour when things don’t work out. The devil wants to destroy the church by destroying its leaders. Sometimes pastors lose their passion and even their connection with God. Help them. Be honest, but supportive if your pastor seems to struggle. Pray, pray, pray. Jesus is the Head of the church and has held nothing back from its success. When God’s people unite in humility and prayer, nothing will stop us.

— Pastor Justin Lawman

Around The Traps, a weekly e-newsletter from the NNSW Conference President Pastor Justin Lawman, is now available. To subscribe, email northpoint@ adventist.org.au with the words “E-newsletter subscription” in the subject line.

General Secretary’s report

At Big Camp 2011, Pastor Vadim Butov famously introduced the then-General Secretary Bob Dale as “The Keeper of the Scrolls.” When discussing the acceptance of this position with Vadim late in 2011, I jokingly indicated to him that it would be important that I have a sign at the door of my office bearing that title. I was surprised several months later to receive a beautifully-engraved sign that now welcomes visitors to my office.

I mention this because I was reminded of it when I read a modern translation of the words of Psalm 127:1 — “If the Lord does not build the house, its builders labour uselessly, and if the Lord does not keep the city, its keepers wake up uselessly” (emphasis added). I am not keen on useless labour or useless getting out of bed. So to avoid being useless in my role, all that I do needs to be God-built and God-kept. In your role as a minster (lay or with pay) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (1 Peter 2:5), your efforts need to possess the same qualities — or we are wasting our time.

There has been a lot going on in 2012. However, the most important thing that we as a team of administrators, conference leaders and church pastors have achieved in the past 12 months is to articulate and come together around our Adventist identity, the core actions that the identity motivates and the challenges that stunt our growth.

Identity:

A Jesus-centred, prophetically-inspired, Bible-anchored, mission-focussed movement.

Actions:

Proclaim the Gospel. Make disciples. Serve humanity.

Challenges:

Disempowered leadership. Lack of training and equipping. Lack of deep and strong biblical relationships.

In 2013 and beyond is to endeavour to align all we do to being true to our identity, consistent and intentional in our actions, and address our cultural challenges so that the Spirit of Christ can do a mighty work through His church. I pray you feel blessed to have experienced 2012, and are looking forward to the blessings the true “Keeper of the Scrolls” has in store for you in 2013.

— Paul Geelan

OUR CONfERENCE

Avondale hosts Women In Leadership training weekend

Advisory Committee and her local church; Gloria froude, who will work in her church and community; Jenny Howard, who works as a counsellor, and in her church and community; Lucky Henderson, who works with youth in her church and community; Jennifer Sampson, who works with teens and youth in her church and community; and Judy Williams, who will work in her church and community.

The Women’s Ministries team extends their congratulations to these women and hopes that they feel God’s blessings daily as they serve Him in all they do.

Val ferris says, “You have planned how you intend to do this. You each have your special touch. You each will be ministering in many areas — from youth to the elderly, from church groups to community groups — communicating God’s love for women everywhere. So congratulations to you!”

— Val Ferris

It was exciting to see so many women signing in for the long weekend intensive course on the friday evening. The course was focused on improving theirs kills and knowledge in order for them to become better-qualified leaders in their local churches. The success was due to the presentations by qualified speakers, who were much appreciated.

Level 4 women were kept on their toes in every class as Julie Nagle walked them through their lessons. The North New South Wales Conference Women’s Ministries team thanks Julie for the marathon effort she put into her presentations, which the participants said gave them inspiration and knowledge.

Those who attended and took part were congratulated for the achievements gained in the levels that were offered. The plan is to present this training program twice a year so that all four levels can be completed in two years.

There were six women who completed the Level 4 course over the weekend.

It was a very moving experience for them to have finished the course, which was followed by a dedication and anointing of the women. This was to prepare them for venturing out to take their roles seriously as they work to lead and empower others in the future work of their churches and communities.

The Level 4 graduates are Julie Thompson, who will work on the Women’s Ministry

Avondale Retirement Village recognised in National Over 50s Housing Awards

Avondale Retirement Village has taken out the award for the best Regional Retirement Village Plan in Australasia for 2012 at the recent Australasian Over 50s Annual Housing Awards in Melbourne.

The award was one of a number handed out at the annual over 50s housing seminar held in Melbourne in November. It recognises the planning and design of the next stage of the village’s redevelopment.

In receiving the award, David Knight, Managing Director of Seventh-day Adventist Aged Care (NNSW) Ltd, thanked the award’s sponsors, and acknowledged the hardworking and dedicated staff who have been involved in the project, noting that construction had now commenced with everyone excited to see the results of many years of planning.

— David Knight

Women in Leadership training certificate seminars for Levels 2 and 4 were held at Avondale College from 19 to 21 October.

OUR CHURCHES myCHURCH plant grows as community of faith

following an incubatory period, consolidating the core group and during which the guide Steps to Church Planting by Pastor Tom Evans was studied and followed, the group took the name myCHURCH. They also adopted statements of vision (to know Jesus), values (belonging, relevance and worship) and mission. All reflect those of the wider Seventh-day Adventist Church community, but specifically address the church plant’s mission to seekers and the unchurched in their demographic.

Since September, myCHURCH has held “realTALK” meetings on the first and third Sabbath afternoon of each month. There is involvement from Adventists who share and value its mission, and from Christians seeking a home church in their community. It’s a growing community of faith, with attendances of 15 to 30 at each meeting. The program includes “cafeBar” (a time for informal discussion) and “Kids4JC” (a spiritual activity time for young children, based on the ideals of Sabbath School and the principles of the successful MOPS program for mothers and preschoolers), and a series of mid-week meetings following the “small group” principles have begun.

In June 2012, with the support from the Maitland Adventist Church, a “small group” was formed with a shared vision of working toward a church plant to be based on the site of the Maitland Adventist School (1985–1998) at 209 Cessnock Road, Maitland. The core group recognised that the Maitland–Kurri Kurri growth corridor was a fastgrowing development without a church presence of any denomination. This would be the community that they would connect with and, in doing so, complement what Adventists already provided in the Lower Hunter Valley, and add a new dimension to evangelism — church, but not as we expect it.

myCHURCH has support from the North New South Wales Conference and Avondale College, and appreciates nurture and support of its mother church in Maitland. from the very start, this church plant has been an exercise in faith. At the beginning of the journey, everyone involved is already inspired by the way God’s Spirit has worked, bringing people together, creating opportunities and providing resources. The church plant members are in awe of the way people, ideas and events have fitted together to become myCHURCH.

— Russell Schulz (for the leadership group of myCHURCH)

Tea” fundraiser held at Kingscliff

The women of Kingscliff Seventh-day Adventist Church really value their fellowship time together, especially when it’s in aid of a truly worthwhile cause. On 14 October, the church hosted a Sunday afternoon “High Tea” to raise funds for the Light of Hope Village — an orphanage run by International Children’s Care (ICC) in Cambodia.

More than 75 people attended, with many ladies using it as an opportunity to bring along friends from outside the church. They were treated to a magnificent spread of sweet and savoury delicacies, lovingly prepared by the church social team, plus a vast selection of flavoursome teas and other drinks (all herbal of course)!

Both the church hall and lawn were transformed for the event. Just as much effort went into the decorating as the catering. Large umbrellas provided shade outside, and the tables featured specially-made menus and vibrant flowerpots, which were later purchased by guests as part of the fundraising effort. Beautiful Christmas angels, handmade by Cambodian ladies suffering from HIV, were also sold on the day. Event organiser Karyn North says the “High Tea” was a great opportunity to connect, have fun and support a very worthwhile cause.

“It’s wonderful to be a part of a church community that places value on supporting projects such as this — the $3560 raised that afternoon is testament to that,” she says.

Originally the money was destined to buy washing machines for the Light of Hope Village, however Karyn says that has now changed.

“Recently an Australian company informed ICC that it will be donating 16 washing machines to the village and a local hospital that ICC supports, so the funds raised at Kingscliff will cover the plumbing and installation costs. The Lord has worked it out perfectly,” she says.

The washing machines are scheduled to arrive in Cambodia in the new-year and with the funds already transferred to ICC, they should be connected and usable soon after.

— Summer Lockley

“High

OUR CHURCHES

Toronto Church member gets creative for orphans

You wouldn’t think that a fine arts degree and a penchant for making dolly pegs would be the perfect background for raising thousands of dollars in support of an orphanage, but it is. It might not work for everyone, but for Toronto Adventist Church member Lesley Coverdale and the children who have benefited from her fundraisers and support, it’s the perfect combination.

Since retiring, Lesley has been busier than ever. A self-described “travel addict,” Lesley visited an Asian Aid orphanage in India — as a stopover — on her way back from an Avondale College Arts Trip in 2011. Meeting up with fellow church member Jennifer Sampson in Kolkata, India, the two taught extra-curricular subjects, such as painting, drawing and computing, to the children at Bethel Home. Lesley recalls a story of her cutting the children’s hair and Raju’s, the local director’s, surprised reaction: “What a marvellous thing you have done! The children are respectful of age and cutting their hair speaks volumes,” he told her.

Lesley was touched by “the real, raw generosity and appreciation” shown by the children and orphanage directors, Raju and Josephine. Lesley’s love and support for Bethel Home has continued ever since. from “Roaring 20s Nights,” to selling dolly pegs in hair salons and dormitories, Lesley has raised thousands of dollars for the

Lakeside hosts vegetarian cooking series

Lakeside Adventist Church members conducted a series of vegetarian cooking demonstrations on 16, 23 and 30 October, with more than 30 people attending each of the sessions. The “encore” session on 6 November was attended by more than 20 people. Presenters included Beth Kosmeier, Jenny Neale, Margaret Mulligan, Pam Hill, Dr Julianne Millar, Moira Irvine and Pastor John Kosmeier. They were ably assisted by florrie Whatson, Sue Bellette, Alan Whatson, Stephenie Watson and Troy Watson.

The series covered a number of topics, including “8 Health Rules,” “The Use of Soy Products,” “Why Be A Vegetarian” and “The Sour Side of Sugar.” The presentations included making healthy vegetarian recipes and then sampling them. The programs also featured informative talks and video clips.

Beth says, “We had very gratifying numbers attend the demonstrations. Interest in healthful cooking has once again demonstrated to be at a high level. The people enjoyed the programs so much they wanted further programs, which are being done. Special thanks go to Stephenie for her work on reception and Troy for his work with audio/visuals every night. Thank you to everyone else who helped to make it a very successful program.”

— Pastor John and Beth Kosmeier

orphanage. And her enjoyment of creative fundraising events led to the recent “Taste of Asia” event at Toronto Church, which raised more than $2100.

Lesley, her husband Cliff, Leigh Dunne, Graham and Glenda Weslake, and other like-minded people at Toronto Church have been actively involved in meeting many of Bethel Home’s needs. A new playground and classrooms were built using local labour earlier this year, and the orphanage has been given computers and desks. But Lesley plans to continue helping. She is planning a trip to revisit the orphanage and the nearby Bhutan because she believes that, “if you meet the people, you develop a bond with them and a fuller understanding of their needs.”

Lesley says, “If I can create a movement in my local church on the back of a stopover trip, anyone can make a difference too. God’s in charge so have a go, and people will get behind you if you have an idea.”

— Julian Bremner

Asian Aid is currently looking for sponsors for 115 children in Bangladesh, one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, through the Hope-a-Thon campaign (1 September to 24 December). You can give hope to someone special by sponsoring a child yourself or helping organise for your church, work or community group to sponsor a child together.

Visit www.asianaid.org.au, like Asian Aid on Facebook or call (02) 6586 4250 to sponsor a child or for more information.

Law Society President’s Medal won by Stuart Tipple

Justin Dowd, President of the Law Society of New South Wales, has congratulated prominent Central Coast defence lawyer Stuart Tipple on receiving the 2012 President’s Medal. The Law Society of NSW President’s Medal is awarded annually in recognition of significant personal and professional contributions made to the betterment of law and justice by a solicitor in NSW who is also a member of the NSW Law Society. Stuart was presented with the medal at the society’s annual dinner in late October.

“Stuart has made a significant contribution, not only to the local community, but also to the legal profession and the administration of Australia — and indeed the world,” said Justin. “His work and dedication has helped to ensure best practice in the NSW criminal justice system by identifying deficiencies, and bringing about change in forensic testing and procedures.”

Stuart has practised law in NSW since 1978 and was one of the longest-serving members of the Chamberlain family’s legal team. He his also an active member of his local community, and contributes to the Central Coast Adventist School’s board and Sydney Adventist Hospital.

— www.lawsociety.com.au

OUR CHURCHES

families do matter at Lakeside

Two theology students — James London and Matt Pearce — ran a publicly-advertised series at Lakeside Church in October and November under the banner of family Matters. Participation was capped at 20 couples and this number was realised. Each session ran for two hours, with five topics conducted over four Sabbath afternoons.

Each of the five sessions began with a look at the practical side of modern family life. James and Matt covered the following topics:

1. Secrets of a happy marriage — this dealt with how to love yourself and your spouse in the way God intended, and delved into the existence of the God who designed family and is able to help in any situation.

2. How to help my child obey the happy way — this session looked at how to have both an obedient and happy child. They discovered one of the best ways for parents to raise obedient children is for the parents themselves to be obedient children of God.

3. Essentials of communication and conflict resolution — this session explored the types of positive communication needed to resolve conflict in the home. Matt and James say this was a “very lively discussion,” with participants sharing from personal experience. The need for effective and regular communication with God was also covered.

4. Ways to manage stress — managing stress in a way to strengthen your family was explored in this session. They looked at a variety of techniques and had practice within the group. The session also introduced the Sabbath as God’s stress release and family refresher.

5. Understanding the opposite sex — this final session looked at the differences between men and women, and how each brings beneficial things to family life. They also explored the spiritual man and woman, Christ and the church, and what this brings to the life of a family. After the practical session, they then looked at the spiritual side of each issue and how it reveals God is at work in the life of the everyday family. As a result, they were able to present some of the key doctrines of the church in the context of healthy family life.

feedback from the sessions was very positive from both people from the community and church members who attended.

The material was provided by Gordon and Waveney Martinborough, founders of Happy family Bible Seminars International (BSI), a family life ministry based in North America. Matt took some considerable time to modify and contextualise the material for Australian families, without compromising the well-researched methods and tips compiled by the Martinboroughs. His efforts resulted in presentations that enhanced the practical application, and allowed them to weave the spiritual essentials into the session in a natural and non-confrontational way.

— James London (with Matt Pearce and Pastor Clive Nash)

Dungog discovers “Reformation in British Isles”

During October, Dungog Seventh-day Adventist Church completed a four-part series following in the footsteps of the Protestant reformers in the British Isles. With the support of Glynn Hefren, company leader at Dungog, the small country town of Dungog was covered with handbills advertising the series. The local newspaper, The Dungog Chronicle, also advertised the programs, and ran a story and photo before the commencement of the series. This outreach ran every Sabbath afternoon in October. Church members and community guests who came were fascinated with the pictures and stories that Pastor Clive Nash shared.

Pastor Nash is the pastor of Lakeside and Dungog Churches. He presented pictures he shot during the 2009 Reformation Tour led by Pastors Harold Harker and Russel Stanley, as well as photos that he took during subsequent private study tours of the United Kingdom in 2011 and 2012. Accounts of Reformers — such as the Oxford martyrs, William Tyndale, the Wesley brothers, John Bunyan of Pilgrim’s Progress fame, John Knox and the Covenanters of Scotland, and the early Celtic Christians, such as Columba and Patrick — brought to mind how, in many cases, a great price was paid for liberty of conscience and for preservation or restoration of Bible truths.

free study notes were given out at each session. While the sessions were free, some of the participants expressed their appreciation by making unsolicited donations. The series was made possible with the support of Matt Parra at the Evangelism Department of the North New South Wales Conference and encouragement from the conference President, Pastor Justin Lawman. An added attraction to the series was the display of historic books provided by David fitzgibbon, QC, which were relevant to each topic.

— Monica Nash

Adventurer investiture at Maitland

Eight Adventurers were invested at Maitland Adventist Church on 10 November. The children led out in the church’s praise time, offered a reflection on the year’s activities and enjoyed presentations by a very special guest.

Natalie Miller is Australia’s top children’s ministry presenter. She’s been a ventriloquist and puppeteer for 25 years, and has been nominated (alongside The Wiggles and Hi-5) as Australia’s best children’s performer. Natalie brought her “friends” Sally, Summer and Bear with her, and entertained and challenged children (and adults) with Bible stories and commentary. Natalie’s ministry takes her to all states of Australia, New Zealand the USA and South Africa — and Maitland was privileged to have her visit.

It was a very special investiture and Children’s Ministries day that will be remembered for a long, long time!

— Russell Shulz

OUR CHURCHES

Avondale Memorial Church’s year of outreach

This year has been a year of outreach for Avondale Memorial Adventist Church, with church members and leaders getting involved in a number of outreach campaigns both within Australia and overseas.

Earlier this year, Memorial Church was involved in the running of the largest European campaign in the past 12 months.

Memorial’s senior minister Pastor Vadim Butov says, “Eastern European countries are becoming like western countries: expensive cars, beautiful mansions, huge supermarkets, high salaries. With that comes a mentality that has hardly any room for God. This year, Kiev hosted the Euro 2012 soccer finals. The city was packed with fans from Spain and Italy. Old Mother Europe was celebrating its new religion: soccer. To run an evangelistic campaign 100 metres from the main stadium during those days was called a stupid idea by most Adventists in Kiev. Nevertheless the meetings commenced on 27 June, three days before the finals.

“We tried an experiment and ran Pastor Leo Schreven’s ‘All Power’ seminar from 27 June to 2 July. Pastor Schreven spoke and I translated — and the audience numbers kept increasing. On the first day, we had 400 non-Adventist visitors. On 2 July, we had 700. Actually, we rang all 25 Kiev churches and asked their members not to come because our venue had only 670 seats.”

On 3 July, Pastor Butov and his team from Memorial Church started the biblical program “Mysteries of Ancient Predictions.” Two hundred people, mostly young, stayed from the “All Power” seminars, but because the team did additional advertising, they had 846 visitors for the first night of the Bible presentation. Pastor Butov says that between 400 and 500 attended right through to the end and 183 people signed up for baptism; 96 were baptised at the end of the campaign. He adds, “Thus the Kiev campaign became Europe’s biggest evangelistic series in the past 12 months. The one before was also run by Avondale Memorial one year ago in Kharkov.”

He notes, “People in the well-to-do countries have become highly sceptical of public evangelism. They say it doesn’t work. What we discovered is that we don’t work! Was it easy to get huge crowds in Kiev? Well, to get 700 people for Leo’s seminar, we had to give personally, without letterboxing, 100,000 invitations. To get a crowd for my program, 250,000 invitations were personally delivered door-to-door.

“All that involves hard work, courage, sacrifice, the desire to get out of your comfort zone and wholeheartedly dedicating yourself to the mission. Public evangelism will work in any well-to-do country if the local church will spend enough, innovate enough and sacrifice enough. Members of Avondale Memorial Church were of real help: Rina Maidment, with her charming personality made literally hundreds of friends and made people feel warm; Kris Twine helped a lot behind the scenes by welcoming people and helping with the baptisms; and Naomi Brazier applied her administrative skills in helping to run the meetings smoothly and nicely.”

Pastor Butov adds, “At Avondale Memorial we want to breed a culture of evangelism. We want to grow disciples of Christ, missionaries, leaders and evangelists. Why don’t you try it? You will never regret it.”

This wasn’t the only outreach program Memorial members were involved in for the year. from 8 September to 22 September, Memorial Church sponsored three missions in the city of Blantyre, Malawi. Pastor Danny Milenkov, Pastor Uriah St Juste and Pastor Vasily Nichick (a minister from Russia) conducted the nightly programs at the three venues. Pastor Milenkov says, “Two months prior to this, Anthony Mitchell, a member of the Memorial Church, also conducted a mission in the same city for a week. At the end of the four campaigns, 1009 individuals had been baptised, with many others preparing for baptism in the future.”

The Memorial Church members were thrilled to have an opportunity to share the everlasting Gospel on the other side of the world. Along with the missions during the two weeks in September, a mobile health clinic ministered to the needs of the people in all three locations.

Pastor Milenkov says, “Malawi is a country with a number of health challenges — the

greatest being the AIDS epidemic that ravages the country, with more than 10 per cent of the population infected with the virus. Hundreds were tested for AIDS, and received counselling and information as to the medicines that are available to treat their illness.

“I had the opportunity to talk to and pray with many people over the two week period. So many that I talked and prayed with either had the AIDS virus or had family members who had it, or were suffering the sadness of losing family to this deadly disease. Even though their is great poverty in the country, the people are so warm, friendly and kind. Malawi is known as ‘The Warm Heart Of Africa,’ and it certainly is a warm and loving place.”

The Adventist Church in Malawi, in particular the South Malawi Mission field, is highly active in evangelism and each year the church grows by more than 10,000 members. Pastor Milenkov says, “God provided many miracles while we were over there and He moved in a mighty way in the conversion of souls. Memorial Church was greatly blessed to serve in this way. According to Pastor Vadim, Memorial Church is a ‘Mission Station’ that sends its members locally, as well as all over the world to share the everlasting Gospel.”

Outreach was also conducted by a retired Memorial member named George, who undertook two trips to the Philippines and another to Georgia. Rui Coelho also went to Kenya with some young people from around the North New South Wales Conference, and they had close to 3000 baptisms as a result of the outreach (see the September issue of NorthPoint for more information).

— Pastor Vadim Butov/Pastor Danny Milenkov

OUR CHURCHES

Bush baptism at Alstonville

four young people from Alstonville and Ballina Churches chose to be baptised in a picturesque rainforest setting at Chillcott’s Creek, Alstonville, on 3 November.

following a morning bush church and a fellowship lunch, the afternoon baptisms highlighted a day of celebration, with visitors coming from all over coastal New South Wales — and as far south as Canberra.

Pastor Tim Kingston, who ministers to the Alstonville and Ballina Adventist Churches, had the joy of baptising his two younger daughters, Johanna and Tebany.

Tyler Hobson, son of David and Megan Hobson, decided to be baptised before leaving to transfer to Cooranbong.

Rory O’Neill, the fourth candidate paid tribute to local supporters, including Gerard and Abigail, his parents, Sabbath School teachers, Pathfinder leaders and Adventist school staff.

The professional music, ably led by the Kingston family and supporters, added to the devotional atmosphere of the day. More than 150 people gave support and inspiration to the four young people as they committed their lives to their Lord.

— Joy Hughes

Lismore member recognised for her years of volunteer work

Lismore’s Joyce Hall just loves volunteering and she’s been doing it for more than 32 years. Recently she received an award as the Senior Volunteer of the Northern Rivers, being given her certificate by local MP Thomas George and Lismore’s Mayor, Jenny Dowell. Joyce became a widow suddenly in 1979 and, although six of her eight children were still at school, she started volunteering to help cope with her grief.

She began with Meals on Wheels in 1980, then the Neighbourhood Centre and the local Adventist Development and Relief Agency office. “I do it because it makes me happy. There are no miserable volunteers. Helping others makes people happy,” Joyce says.

Joyce distributes food vouchers and blankets to the needy, and washes the clothes of hospital patients who have no-one to do it for them.

for 29 years, she has co-ordinated the weekly Community Calendar in The Northern Star newspaper for the Neighbourhood Centre. It is here that not-for-profit events are advertised. Joyce is well-known and appreciated in the community. She says, “I really enjoy meeting people and a chat can lift their spirits.”

Joyce is Lismore Adventist Church’s “ray of sunshine.”

— Valerie Dunstan

Huguenot descendant welcomed into Lakeside Church through baptism

Lakeside Church had the joy of seeing Keith Bellette baptised during the church service on 27 October. This was a cause of great rejoicing to his wife Sue, who has been a member for many years. In recent times, Keith has become more involved with Lakeside Church and has given his heart to Jesus Christ.

A major step in the spiritual journey was Keith’s decision to begin Bible studies with Pastor Clive Nash, the minister at Lakeside. Keith and his wife spent several months studying with Pastor Nash, as well as exploring the Bible on their own, joining a small group Bible study with others at the home of Bill and Barbara Ackland, and attending a special Sabbath School class at Lakeside called “Christianity — fAQ.” This class was

the initiative of Wayne Humphries, one of the student pastors at Lakeside. This class has been a blessing to other seekers for truth as well.

Besides Keith’s desire to be baptised by immersion as Jesus was baptised, the final major decision came when Keith gave notice to his employer of 26 years in order to honour God’s holy Sabbath. Other part-time work came along that enabled Keith to be able to keep the Sabbath, although at significant sacrifice of income. Keith felt that this was a small price to pay compared with the sacrifice that His Lord had made for him. family and friends came to witness the testimony of the baptism. It was a day of great joy for the family, as well as the Lakeside Church family.

In the sermon before the baptism, Pastor Nash called to mind the day Jesus was baptised. At that event, there was a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.” Pastor Nash assured the congregation that, even though we might not hear them, the same words were being spoken in heaven at Keith’s baptism. Another beloved son was being born and heaven was rejoicing.

Keith has a french Huguenot heritage. His forefathers would surely be happy that Keith is now part of the world-wide family of the remnant church, who, like many of the Huguenots, keep the commandments of Jesus and honour biblical baptism.

— Monica Nash

Beyond at Blue Haven

Earlier this year, Avondale Memorial Adventist Church started a church plant in Blue Haven. In July, the Blue Haven plant ran the Beyond Utopia mission with Pastor Geoff Youlden for two weeks. Pastor Danny Milenkov, who has worked to plant the church, says, “This was the launch of the Blue Haven Church plant, which we began planning in earnest at the beginning of the year.”

Pastor Milenkov recruited eight theology students from Avondale College to assist him in the initial planning of the church plant, and by the time the mission happened, there were six who were able to continue working with the group. The students were joined by a number of Memorial Church members who went door-knocking to conduct community needs and spiritual interest surveys. This was done in the lead-up to the Beyond series, along with the distribution of 40,000 flyers in letterboxes.

The mission was also preceded by a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program called “Search for Hidden Treasure on the High Seas Expedition.” Andrea Bentley and her team ran this at the Blue Haven Primary School hall. The VBS was attended by up to 40 children. “It started off small with about 12 kids or so from the community, but by the end of the week, there were up to 25 or more kids joining the Memorial Church kids,” says Pastor Milenkov.

The two-week Beyond mission was held at the Blue Haven Community Centre. Pastor Milenkov says, “for the two week mission, we had approximately 40 non-Adventists come along once or more, with a group of 15 to 20 regulars who are continuing to attend.”

The topics covered by Pastor Youlden included the soon return of Jesus, life after death and the search for peace, an overview of Revelation 14:6–12, the Sabbath, and how to live a happy and healthy life. following this series, Pastor Milenkov conducted the “Unlocking the Prophetic Code” series in the same venue. Only one person who attended the Beyond series failed to attend the follow-up series, which attendees responded positively to.

The meetings have all been followed by a time of food and fellowship, which has acted as a great way to connect members of the group.

Pastor Milenkov says, “We praise the Lord and give Him all the thanks for the way in which He has been and is continuing to work in the formation of this new church. God has done more than we ever imagine or expected. A lot of prayer and fasting took place before we commenced the mission, and we are continuing to pray as we know that this is the most important element. The Lord has opened up numerous doors and clearly showed us that He has a large work for us to do in this part of His harvest. We have clearly seen God’s hand leading the way, as we have prayed for Him to lead and guide in every step of the way.”

— Pastor Danny Milenkov

OUR CHURCHES

Landmark achievement in Doctor of Ministry degree

Dr Jessica Trevithick, from Byron Bay, became the first Australian woman to graduate from Andrews University’s Theological Seminary with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “Theological foundation of the Use of Artistic Mediums and Technology in Preaching and Evangelism.”

Although there were challenges faced while completing her degree — including serious illness and a death in the family — Dr Trevithick says, “My calling and faith in what God had chosen me to do never strayed. I always looked at winning the race for Him. When you follow Jesus, there are always challenges.”

Dr Trevithick says she is a very creative person and adds, “I am made in the image of Someone who likes to create. In my experience, being creative allows for inspirational possibilities with results that may have been lost without the exploration of creativity. The post-modernist relates to the creative because it’s part of their daily life — blogging, facebooking or photography.”

Art is something that speaks to people in ways that words sometimes can’t, according to Dr Trevithick.

She adds, “Creativity inspires, confronts, motivates, influences and encourages. The Bible has shown the interaction of art forms, symbols and visuals, showing how they are essential components of conveying God’s message. Jesus used the literary and visual techniques of His day — stories, parables, riddles and visual aids, such as healing the sick and raising the dead.”

— From an interview with Dr Barry Gane

The Real Christmas Card available

Signs Ministry has produced a new flyer in its Goodwill series entitled The Real Christmas Card, which is suitable for distribution at a church Christmas event or personally.

“At Christmas time, people are prepared to listen to something religious. And this flyer gives a blend of generic Christmas with the Adventist view of salvation through the Babe of Bethlehem, Jesus Christ,” says Signs the Times editor, Lee Dunstan.

“These Goodwill flyers have been a great tool for local churches to connect with their community. It’s not their main purpose, but there was even someone who began attending the Adventist Church as a result of receiving a flyer in their mailbox!”

The Real Christmas Card has a blank panel in which a local church can advertise a local program or give contact details. To view content of The Real Christmas Card and place an order, go to www.signsofthetimes.org. au/resources.

— Lesley-ann Brown

OUR SCHOOLS

“Boys Only Camp” adventure for MAS students

Defence: alive and active in geography

In September, Avondale School’s Year 10 Geography students were visited by an RAAf pilot. fLT LT Adele Merriman shared her knowledge with the class about her job and about the broader role of Australia’s Defence force. This in-class excursion was arranged as part of their learning unit about the role of defence in relation to Australia’s links with the Asia-Pacific region, as well as on a global level.

Macksville Adventist School (MAS) recently held its annual “Boys Only Camp,” this year focusing on team building. Kerry Howard, Chaplain of MAS, says, “One of our MAS grandfathers has a history of keeping our country safe, and so he organised a boot-camp type program over two days including beach activities, fitness training, not being able to go further than two metres from their partner and having to carry a tyre everywhere they went.”

The camp was held at Yarrahapinni, and the boys completed the challenge course with a difference — they had to carry a full bucket of water through the whole course! from being physically exhausted to having to make their own fires to cook over, the boys said this camp was the best yet — the highlight being a new game called “fox and Hound.”

Over the two days, the 12 Year 3 to 6 MAS students were introduced to the concept that they were in a team no matter what, and the ultimate team they could ever be in consists of them with God as their Team Captain. The boys went home tired and happy after strengthening (and even forming) new muscles groups — and friendships!

— Kerry Howard

The class listened to fLT LT Merriman’s account of the rigorous training required to get into flight operations. Now working with the f/A-18, she previously flew the f-111, which is now a retired aircraft.

fLT LT Merriman also spoke about her tour of duty in Afghanistan and of the role of the Australian Defence force in these sort of places. The students were very interested to learn about some of the joint exercises performed with Australia’s military partners that are of great national importance.

Some very complex issues such as gender relations in the Australian Defence force were discussed. The perception of the defence force in the wider community was another difficult subject that the class was invited to consider during this presentation.

As senior students, the Year 10s have taken a great deal of insight from their study of local and global defence operations. Their in-depth study benefited significantly from fLT LT Merriman’s visit, and they extended their thanks and best wishes to her.

— Susan Rogers

Operation Christmas Child at MAS

Each term, Macksville Adventist School (MAS) contributes to a specific not-for-profit organisation by encouraging their students to be involved in acts of service. Red Cross, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and an Asian Aid sponsor child have been recipients of Macksville’s acts of service in 2012.

Throughout term four, Operation Christmas Child has seen shoe boxes lovingly and generously packed to the brim with children’s Christmas gifts by the students and families from the MAS community.

Operation Christmas Child is a unique project of Samaritan’s Purse bringing joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes.

It has been a meaningful exercise for MAS students to be involved in; a simple hands-on project with the potential to transform children’s lives. Some students have even included a personal letter to the receiver wishing them a great Christmas. As each shoe box gift is delivered, it will be treasured by the child that receives it, and is a lasting reminder that he or she is precious to God.

“Our students have really benefitted from the Operation Christmas Child project. . . . Watching the students bring their boxes to school — sometimes so full the lid has to be tied down — shows how fulfilling and how much fun it is to help others who are less fortunate than we are,” says MAS Chaplain Kerry Howard.

— Susan Rogers

The french counter-revolution

“I’ve read a book that’s changed my life! I hope to share it with the world — it’s called Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler.” Bernard told me, “In france, this is what people hear when you ask them to study the Bible.”

france is the birthplace of modern atheism. It is the womb of the modern revolution against God. The Great Controversy, an historical narrative by Ellen White, puts it this way:

“The atheistical power that ruled in france during the Revolution and the Reign of Terror, did wage such a war against God and His holy word as the world had never witnessed. The worship of the Deity was abolished by the National Assembly. Bibles were collected and publicly burned with every possible manifestation of scorn” (pages 274, 275).

Similarly, Sir Walter Scott in his Life of Napoleon wrote, “The world for the first time heard an assembly of men, born and educated in civilization, and assuming the right to govern one of the finest of the European nations, uplift their united voice to deny the most solemn truth which man’s soul receives, and renounce unanimously the belief and worship of deity.”

My question is, “Why?”

Until the 16th century reformation, the Pope was the spiritual leader of Europe. His reign over the consciences of men went unchallenged until this time. Through the proliferation of Scripture and its teachings, people began to understand that the traditionally understood version of Christianity wasn’t Christian.

These people began to be called Protestants because they protested. This protest, which preceded the french Revolution by some 200 years, called people away from the superstitious paganism of the Roman Church to the righteousness and freedom that is in Christ. The Great Controversy describes the situation in this way:

“The spirit of liberty went with the Bible. Wherever the Gospel was received, the minds of the people were awakened. They began to cast off the shackles that had held them as slaves of ignorance, vice, and superstition. They began to think and act as men. Monarchs saw it and trembled for their despotism. Rome was not slow to inflame their jealous fears. Said the pope to the regent of france in 1525: ‘This mania (Protestantism) will not only confound and destroy religion, but all principalities, nobility, laws, orders, and ranks besides…’ A few years later by a papal nuncio, the

fEATURES

king of france was warned: ‘Sire, be not deceived. The Protestants will upset all civil as well as religious order. The throne is in as much danger as the altar. The introduction of a new religion must necessarily introduce a new government’” (page 277).

So for 200 years, france, under the direction of the Catholic Church, persecuted the people (Protestants) who would have been its national strength and treasure. Consequently, the nation fell into a general state of cruel oppression at the hands of those who claimed to represent God.

A perfectly-laid satanic trap was set for the western world. He developed a system of religion that injured humanity to such an extent that the french rejected all religion. True Christianity was chased out of their country. All they had left was the depraved and rotten view of God the popery presented, so the proverbial baby was thrown out with the bathwater.

The priests were often cruel tyrants. The doctrines and dogmas made no sense, and brought no peace. People lived in fear and darkness. Unimaginable wealth was extorted from the masses.

The Bible was the cause! Or so they thought.

Behind the veil of the flesh was a fiendish mastermind and for him what a success story the french revolt was!

Rome had misrepresented the character of God and perverted His requirements, and now men rejected both the Bible and its Author. She had required a blind faith in her dogmas, under the pretended sanction of the Scriptures. In the reaction, Voltaire and his associates cast aside God’s word altogether and spread everywhere the poison of infidelity. Rome had ground down the people under her iron heel; and now the masses, degraded and brutalised, in their recoil from her tyranny cast off all restraint. Enraged at the glittering cheat to which they had so long paid homage, they rejected truth and falsehood together; and mistaking license for liberty, the slaves of vice exulted in their imagined freedom” (ibid, page 281; emphasis added).

Now, do we have a message for the people of france? for the people of Australia? Indeed we do! It’s found in the Revelation of Jesus Christ and it’s a message to give glory to the One who made, the One who redeemed, the One who will ultimately deal with the injustice of men, the One who is nothing like the medieval church (see Revelation 14:6-12).

This message is the seed for a counter-revolution and is being planted around the world by those who have not forgotten the spirit of their Protestant predecessors. Seventh-day Adventists.

— Matt Parra, Director of Evangelism for the North New South Wales Conference

Trust Services: Making a Will when you have children

You can make provisions for children when you make a Will when you get married (see the November issue of NorthPoint for more information about this). You don’t have to have had children in order to make a Will that takes their arrival into consideration.

If and when children arrive, the matter of guardianship needs consideration. “Basically, your Will is designed to ensure proper care for your child or children in both personal and financial matters,” says Pastor Rodney Woods, Director of Trust Services for the North New South Wales Conference.

“You need to ensure that you nominate a guardian — and get their approval! You can also nominate a substitute guardian in the event of a change in circumstances.” for any children who are minors, a testamentary trust is established, from which the guardian can request funds from the Trustees for the purpose of providing education, advancement and maintenance for the child(ren).

“You can give detailed instructions in your Will for the guardianship of your offspring — such as saying you would like them to have an Adventist education. But the

instructions are considered a wish rather than a legal obligation,” says Pastor Woods. It’s worth noting that in Australian succession law, there are legal and “moral” responsibilities that parents have to their children. Under succession law, there’s also a natural passing from child to grandchild.

—

Adele Nash

This advice is general and not necessarily applicable to individual situations.

To book an appointment with Trust Services, please call (02) 4951 8088 or email Pastor Woods’s secretary Lyn Price at lynprice@adventist.org.au. Visit http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/trust-services for more information about Trust Services.