N O R TH N S W CO N FE R E N CE N E WS
June
2014
Baptisms a highlight of ARISE 2014 graduation weekend The second ARISE Australia class graduated on the afternoon of Sabbath, 10 May with a convocation ceremony held at the Kingscliff Seventh-day Adventist Church. Family and friends of the 32 students attended, plus many of last year’s graduates returned in a touching display of support. To make the day even more special, 12 people committed their lives to Jesus by baptism or profession of faith, including four ARISE students and several community contacts made by the students both this year and last year. The Sabbath worship service was completely dedicated to hearing each of their testimonies. Terry Short shared with the congregation that he has had a traumatic life and described how just a couple of months ago, he looked up at the sky and said, “I just want someone to love me.” Three days later, two women (ARISE students) came to the door. “They were standing there offering me a path to peace — Steps to Christ — and hearing a testimony from one of the ladies, I decided to snatch the book out of her hand — she nearly came with it,” he joked. “From there it has been a rollercoaster of joy, love and understanding, and knowing about God — He already knew me,” Terry said. Laurene Edwards described herself as “your everyday single mother trying to make her way in the world, who’s been a lost soul for many years, until some beautiful people showed her a light.” Laurene had been into the “new age” for many years and was confused spiritually. Early last year, she asked God to show her the truth and, a few weeks later, her mother handed her a flier for the health talks being held at Tweed Heads South, which were run during the inaugural ARISE Australia program. Laurene attended and then stayed for the prophecy seminar. Her car broke down during the program and she was stunned when a couple of the students turned up on her doorstep offering to drive her each night! Soon she was going to Kingscliff Church each Sabbath. “It felt like I’d found what I’d been searching for for many years. I just felt like I’d come home,” Laurene said. It was a similar story for 82-year-old Marj Taylor, who immediately felt like part of the family when she started coming to church after attending a prophecy seminar two years ago. She had the congregation in stitches, referring to her age when asked about why she wants to be baptised. “I just want to get baptised because from the teachings I’ve learnt, you need to be born again to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and if I don’t make a move now, I might be too late!” (Continued on page 3)
In this issue:
Page 2: From the President: Prayer power Pages 4 and 5: Big Camp 2014 photo feature Pages 6 to 9: Life sketches of those ordained at Big Camp 2014 Page 14: Feature: Why Australia?
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