NorthPoint - July, 2015

In this issue:

2015 ARISE class graduates

On Saturday, 16 May, the third group of ARISE (A Resource Institute for Soul-winning and Evangelism) students to undertake ARISE classes since 2013 celebrated the graduation of the 2015 class. One student described their ARISE experience this way: “We arrived as strangers, grew as friends and leave as family.”

The Kingscliff Adventist Church once again played host to 2015’s capacity class of 36 students and, as usual, were amazing hosts. The ARISE outreach efforts in 2015 centred around the Tweed Heads Church Plant’s mission to their community. This was a blessing, both to the students and the church. As the students began to develop friendships in the community, they brought those friends along to church where they were able to connect with local church members.

Just the same as the past two years, the ARISE students participated in running an evangelistic series for the Tweed community. This involved an apologetic-type mini-series by Grenville Kent, health talks by Dr Russell Ing, and an evangelistic series co-preached by pastoral intern Daniel Christie and Bible worker Braeden Entermann. Many came to listen to the presentations, including people in the community who did Bible studies with the 2013 and 2014 students. This resulted in 11 people making decisions for baptism.

The effect that each ARISE class has had on the community and church is still becoming apparent. There were many people who, over the past three years that ARISE has run, were door-knocked by an ARISE student one day and today they are either in Bible studies to prepare for baptism, are baptised, or are involved in the Kingscliff Church or Tweed Heads Church Plant. Praise God that He is the One who lovingly tends the seeds we sow, whether we see the fruit of our labours or not, and in His perfect timing, He produces the harvest.

While ARISE is a 14-week program, over the past three years, the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference has developed a practicum component to the course for those who feel the calling to continue on as a Bible worker. Many of the students who come to ARISE do so with the intention of going back to their work/families/ study. However, many times, those plans have changed as they get a taste of being part of outreach ministry.

Over the three years that ARISE has run in Australia, there have been approximately 40 ARISE graduates who have continued on as full-time Bible worker students. They’re then placed in a local church, where they get involved in door knocking, doing Bible studies and various other church outreach ministries. Having Bible workers in the local churches has been a really positive and exciting addition to the work of the NNSW Conference. Churches have grown, members have received more training, people are excited about evangelism and, ultimately, there have been more people who have come to Christ.

— Tarenne Greenwood

Visit <www.lightbearers.org/arise-australia>

Page 2: From the President: Our glass ceiling

Pages 3: Lives changed by UR Church | Change My Life campaign launched Pages 4: Grey Nomads celebrates seven years

Page 11: Amelia feature: Modelling bravery to our girls

OUR CONfERENCE

From the President: Our glass ceiling

I am fully convinced that God wants to work through the church today in a demonstration His power far greater than that of Acts 2. Of course, the Bible supports this fact when it tells us that before Christ’s return, God will once again visit His church with the deep moving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17).

I am also convinced that we have a glass ceiling in place that stops this power being poured out. So often, we do things that prevent God from giving us that sort of revival today. I would like to bring your attention to four of the things that I think we can change to make a big difference to this situation:

1. That we become a dependent church

It is vital that we depend on God through prayer. Our first response to everything should be to seek God, and to ask Him for His help and power. This was Jesus’ constant lesson to His disciples — to put their faith and trust in God — and is the reason the events in Acts 2 took place.

2. That we, as leaders, become empowering leaders

Whenever we allow ministry to only be the domain of the professional paid pastor, God has no reason to pour out His Spirit. Every baptised believer has been called to ministry, and we, as leaders, need to start to support this fact.

3. That we become a disciple-making community

This is what the church was intended to be. Closely related to being empowering leaders is that we spend a major portion of our time in training, developing and coaching other people to multiply the ministries that happens through the church. In the conference office, we have come to the realisation that our only reason for existence is to develop or invest in other people. We have to invest more time and put more energy into developing each other!

4. That we become a true community where it’s safe to be vulnerable and real about our problems

Whatever our struggles — whether they’re personal or spiritual — if they remain secret, they will have power over us. It is in sharing and supporting one another that we are given victory, and can be released from our imprisonment. What a wonderful place church would be if we could genuinely provide a safe place for sinners to share their battles, and be supported rather than judged; for people to be lifted up rather than condemned; and prayed with rather than gossiped about.

If we can do these things, I believe God’s Spirit would be doing the thing that He’s desperate to do — being poured into the church with great power!

— Pastor Justin Lawman

Around The Traps is a weekly e-newsletter from Pastor Justin Lawman. It features a devotional and news from the conference. To subscribe, fill out the form at <http://nnsw.adventist.org.au/around-the-traps>

In ministry, as in life, there is often joy in spending a little time in one location and seeing the longer-term impact of decisions you have made or lives you may have changed.

As a local church pastor, it is rewarding to baptise some youth, officiate at their wedding, dedicate their children and be a part of their circle of life. Having been in my position now for almost four years, it is nice to start seeing some fruit from some of the decisions that the conference office has made and implemented.

One of the best examples of this is the ARISE Discipleship Training School that has now run for three years at Kingscliff Church. There have been almost 100 students attend the 14-week training school now, and Tarenne’s article on the front page of this issue of NorthPoint is an excellent summary of the aims of the school and impact that it is having in our conference. It has really been a very significant part of the strong growth in baptisms over the past couple of years.

Another example is the Grey Nomads camp that operates every May at Stuarts Point. This was the brain-child of Pastor John Lang and Bob Dale, and now has a seven year history. It continues to be a tremendous blessing to the many people that attend it from all over Australia each year. I want to pay tribute to Pastor Lang’s ongoing commitment to the organisation and operation of Grey Nomads. They say that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” and the fact that two other conferences in Australia have commenced Grey Nomads camps reinforces the wisdom of the initiative. Adele’s article and photos on page 4 give a wonderful insight into the experience of the campers this year.

One of the recent “new born” ideas that we are very excited about is UR Church. It’s new, it’s scary, it’s exciting. Many miracles have been seen as the UR Church local church discipleship training materials have been developed, rolled out to the Mid-North Coast and prepared churches for the media campaign that commenced in mid-June. The articles on page 3 give you some deeper insights into what has been going on and we would beg your prayers for this program.

Over the next few months, we will be giving you reports on what has been happened as a result of the media campaign. Also watch this space, as UR Church is coming to a local church near you in the future!

I hope that in your family, in your local church and in your personal ministry you are experiencing the joy of good decisions bearing good fruit. Psalm 37:23, 24 says, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”

— Pastor Paul Geelan

From the General Secretary: Good decisions bear good fruit

Lives changed by UR Church

OUR CONfERENCE

Change My Life media campaign launched at Port Macquarie

On the final Sabbath in May, the mid-way point of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference’s UR Church training was reached on the Mid-North Coast. To mark this special occasion, a special program was held at Port Macquarie Adventist Church, featuring the launch of Training Manual 4 in the afternoon and an evening program, where the Change My Life media campaign to complement UR Church was shared with attendees.

Bible worker Braeden Entermann ran the training for Manual 4. This manual focuses on how to better let your light shine as a Christian; building on the work of the previous three manuals that have aimed to foster better personal spirituality, healthy corporate worship and ambassadorship for Christ. Pastor Justin Lawman, President of the NNSW Conference, says, “UR Church is all going gang-busters, and numbers have actually grown since our launch back in february. We had more than 260 people there at Port Macquarie Church that Sabbath.”

The evening’s program provided an excellent opportunity for people to share testimonies of how their lives — and the lives of those around them — had been changed by taking part in UR Church small groups. One family — the Masons — spoke about how UR Church had helped to create a boldness in being open about God with others. Their 12-year-old made the decision to be baptised at Big Camp, and they credit UR Church with leading to that choice. It has also opened up opportunities to speak about God with other family members who aren’t religious, and they have been receptive to this.

Jenny from Kempsey Church spoke about how she felt called by God to be part of UR Church, even though she’d only been baptised this year. She said that her group shares major things together and are supporting each other. This is reflected in the experience that Pastor Steve Magaitis has had with UR Church, as he says, “People in the small groups are able to be really honest with each other.”

In presenting a short sermon, Pastor Lawman noted that nothing in UR Church would be possible without the Holy Spirit. Speaking about Acts 1, he emphasised the instructions Jesus gave to the church to prepare themselves. “God alone has the glory in this work,” said Pastor Lawman. “The manuals, TV ads and so on will not do anything without God’s Spirit. Ellen White said that when the Holy Spirit is given, He’s the gift that brings every other gift with Him. How will that happen? The same way it happened in Acts 1 — prayer.”

Prayer for and about UR Church and Change My Life would be greatly appreciated from everyone in our conference — not just those on the Mid-North Coast. “If we have a good response to Change My Life, it will mean big things for our churches,” says Pastor Lawman. “We all really need to join together in prayer and bring this before the Lord. Our church members’ lives are being changed by taking part in UR Church and we know it will make a difference in the lives of people in our communities too.”

— Adele Nash

On the evening of Saturday, 30 May, the Change My Life media campaign — the externally-focused element of the UR Church program — was launched at Port Macquarie Church. The advertising campaign is focused on three target groups: teens, young mums and middle-aged men. Churches in the area have been working to make sure they’re ready to welcome people from those target groups to their churches, as the TV ads began to air from 16 June, with other advertising following on from this.

The ads — covering TV, newspaper and radio — feature the testimonies of three people from local churches. Jack Ryder, Jessica Spoljar and Chris Ward speak about the difference that God has made in their lives. The testimonies will also feature on the Change My Life website.

At the launch, Chris and Jack (pictured above with Pastors Daron Pratt and Bob Manners) shared their experiences of making the ads. Jack has a lot of non-Christian friends who are excited to see the ad he features in, and he says, “It compelled my heart and I just wanted to share it with others. It was amazing it took a day and a half to get 30 seconds of an ad!”

Chris says, “I’d only just gotten back from Europe and had a call to do the ads. The toughest thing was for them to get me smiling! But it’s been a great journey and I’m loving the experience.”

The advertising was done under the direction of Sanitarium Health food Company’s General Manager of Marketing, Daniel Derek. Daniel and his wife Delphine, who has also been heavily involved in the production and marketing of Change My Life, attended the launch and explained why the target groups were chosen and the needs they all have.

The over-all theme is that everyone has the desire to be valued. Delphine says, “The series of Change My Life TV, radio, digital and print ads are all about introducing a God who is real, ready and willing to change the lives of the people in the Mid-North Coast. To be able to communicate this notion to our audience, we first had to appeal to them by understanding who they are, and what their unmet needs are concerning their general livelihood and wellbeing. Once identified, we sought to deliver ads that empathised with these needs.”

The strategic approach to the timing and location saw a tailored media program developed, with prayerfully-drafted scripts and rigorous testing of the ads. It is hoped that the advertising campaign will help to encourage people on the Mid-North Coast to explore and engage with their local Adventist churches, who have worked to become ready to welcome them through the UR Church training they’ve taken part in.

— Adele Nash

Photos courtesy of Pastor Justin Lawman and Adele Nash

Find out more at <www.changemylife.org.au>

OUR CONfERENCE

Grey Nomads celebrates seven years

This year’s Grey Nomads Camp, held from 8 to 16 May, marked seven years of the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference running these camps. They have proven to be remarkably popular in this time, and this year’s Grey Nomads was again well attended by people from all around Australia.

Pastor Justin Lawman, President of the NNSW Conference, was to have opened the camp, but was unable to attend due to undergoing an emergency appendectomy. This meant that Pastor John Lang, who was President of the conference when Grey Nomads was established, was the one to welcome this year’s attendees to the camp. Rome Ulia stepped up to take the first friday night talk, which was enjoyed by those who heard it. Dr David Jamieson was the main guest speaker for the camp, and he challenged the Grey Nomads to become involved in acts of kindness. He spoke about “extreme servolution” — the concept of revolutionary service that fulfil the words of Jesus in Matthew 24. “Christ’s methods alone will give us true success in meeting people,” Dr Jamieson told a packed tent on the first Sabbath of Grey Nomads. “A servolution is about serving people in our community with the grace and love of God. It’s a tangible expression of His love and grace in this world. . . . We serve not to grow the church, but to grow the Kingdom of God.”

Pastor Geoff Youlden took the mid-morning Bible studies, and there were a number of afternoon workshops that the nomads could attend. There was still plenty of free time for socialising, but the spiritual blessings were significant too. Attendees were also blessed by great music provided by the Grey Nomads band, the Lakeside Vocal Ensemble and the Institute of Worship team.

Adventist Senior Living (ASL) was also involved in this year’s Grey Nomads Camp, promoting the camp as one of the main sponsors of the event. The highlight for ASL was involvement in the annual Trivia Night, which provided great entertainment and questionable David Knight “poor dad” jokes for the 300+ who attended. Winners on the night went home with prizes that included Stuarts Point accommodation and meal vouchers. ASL also hosted a Monday afternoon talk featuring major nationwide changes to the aged care industry and their impact. During his talk, David outlined the future of ASL and the introduction of homecare services across their villages as they face the new directional shift to a higher level of acuity in residential care facilities.

— Adele Nash

Photos courtesy of Adele Nash and the Institute of Worship

OUR CONfERENCE

forresters Beach Church is “born”

Women’s

Ministries hosts “Train

the Trainer” weekend at Avondale

“What’s really been wonderful about this weekend is today I can walk out with confidence and know that, as a woman, I can bring other women to Christ and we can all be in the Kingdom of Heaven, not one can be missed or left out . . . all has been to the glory of God!”

This is how Keryn Hicky, Women’s Ministries leader for Lakeside Church, felt about the Women’s Ministries Leadership Training at Avondale in mid-March. She and other women spoke about their training under H. Naomi Andersen, who has worked as a Women’s Ministries Director and adult educator.

Avondale College hosted the Women’s Ministries Leadership “Train the Trainer” weekend for 22 church leaders from 12 churches. Women came from as far north as Casino, from Tamworth in the west, and the Central Coast in the south for this very intensive training.

Each leader was challenged to teach as they learned. Involving them in the teaching is a new concept for Women’s Ministries Leadership Training. According to Women’s Ministries leader Jill Richards from Wyee Church, the training “was uplifting and encouraging, and also challenging . . . really good for our personal development and personal growth, and it’s been wonderful to have the tools that we have to give us confidence to go out and run programs in our churches and to impact our women locally — pooling our resources, drawing together women from our church communities and our communities at large so Christ’s name can be glorified.”

Since the training, other Women’s Ministries leaders are planning to put their training into practice. Women’s Ministries leader Nancy Odhiambo from Hamilton Church feels the Holy Spirit is guiding her to teach the “Impacting Teens” unit because of the many young people she feels are not cared for in and outside of the church.

Gladys Asuga, Newcastle Multicultural Church’s Women’s Ministries leader, is planning for her women to visit the low socio-economic suburbs of Newcastle with recycled clothing to make their presence known and, more importantly, to take Christ to the community.

Great things are happening for our women in the North New South Wales Conference and the Women’s Ministries Department is so excited about the outcome that another “Train the Trainer” weekend is scheduled for early August. If you did not or could not attend this one in March, then plan to be at our August training. You will not be disappointed, for God is moving by His Spirit!

— Lynelda Tippo

There was great joy on Sabbath, 30 May as The Entrance and Erina Churches were officially amalgamated into a new entity: forresters Beach Adventist Church.

It was an historic moment because The Entrance Church had been functioning for 69 years and Erina Church for 96 years.

A large group of worshipers met at Erina to celebrate together. The weekend began on the friday night with a six-hour prayer vigil. A number of members met to praise God, recall His blessings and pray together for the ongoing progress of the planned forresters Beach Church building.

On Sabbath, the church was packed as the youth led out in the service. This was followed by a luncheon before the special amalgamation service. Chris Reynolds, Pastor Vern Parmenter and Yong Shin Chee told of the journey the churches have been through in planning to build a new church to reach out to people on the Central Coast.

Attendees were reminded of the many ways the Lord has blessed and opened doors in the process. Pastor Paul Geelan, General Secretary of the North New South Wales Conference, gave a sermonette and shared the story of Samson and his strength, and encouraged the church to “lean on the pillars” of the early church described in Acts 2:42. In this verse, it is described how the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, sharing meals and prayer. He also spoke of the importance of uplifting Jesus Christ as our Saviour.

Pastor Geelan then officially declared the amalgamation of the churches. The new nominating committee report was also voted on by those present at that time. forresters Beach Church will continue to meet in the Erina Church building until the new building is finished. This has been an additional blessing, as the new owners of the Erina Church building have allowed the group to continue to use the facility rent-free. They thank and praise God for His continued blessings and guidance.

Glenda Harker

Photos courtesy of Glenda Harker

Notice of Constituency Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the 56th Constituency Meeting of the Seventhday Adventist Church, North New South Wales Conference, will be held at Melville High School Auditorium (44-50 Nicholson Street, South Kempsey).

The meeting will be held on Sunday, 23 August, 2015 commencing at 10.00am.

Delegates will be appointed in harmony with the Constitution. The business of the Constituency Meeting will be as provided in the Constitution, including the presentations of reports and financial statements for the quadrennial period 2011—2014 inclusive.

The Executive Officers, Departmental Directors, Associate Departmental Directors, Executive Committee, Constitution Committee and Appointments Committee for the North New South Wales Conference will be elected.

— Pastor Paul Geelan, General Secretary

OUR CONfERENCE

Introducing Life Health foods Australia’s fresh, plant-based meal products

Life Health foods Australia’s first manufacturing facility has commenced operations, with the new 6000-square metre factory encompassing frozen, chilled and canning technologies.

These technologies will be used to showcase the growing Life Health foods (LHf) range of fresh and innovative plantbased meal products. Located on Berkeley Vale on the New South Wales Central Coast, the LHf factory was officially opened in early May by Karen McNamara MP, federal Member for Dobell.

“It is fantastic to be opening a new manufacturing facility here on the Central Coast which will provide a boost to employment opportunities for local residents,” Karen said.

“It is exciting to see innovative manufacturing deciding to call the Central Coast home. It demonstrates that the Central Coast is a region that can support manufacturing and builds upon the success of other major companies, including Sanitarium, a local employer of choice.”

Dean Epps, General Manager of LHf Australia, said, “Life Health foods products provide people with healthy choices and quality cuisine. Scientific research confirms that adopting a predominantly plant-based diet will provide optimal health outcomes. People choose our brands because they are convenient, healthy, and add excitement and variety to their meals.”

Dean noted, “We know an increasing number of people are recognising the benefits of plant-based eating and are interested in including more plant-based meals in their diets, and our products are family favourites that are healthy, easy to use and taste great.”

He adds, “LHf Australia is a new entrepreneurial start-up company. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of LHf New Zealand, which is proudly part of the Health food Department of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

“As part of the commencement of the new business, the market-leading vegetarian brand Vegie Delights has transferred ownership from Sanitarium to LHf, along with its related production machinery. LHf’s purpose built facility is a testament to the churches dedication to support the Australian community with great-tasting, healthy, plant-based options.”

LHf is the market leader in plant based cuisine having acquired the market-leading Vegie Delights range in 2014, previously produced by Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing, and also launching additional gourmet plant-based brands into Australia, such as Bean Supreme and Naked Cuisine.

The LHf Australia team are investing heavily in innovation to continue to lead the rapidly growing global trend of plant-based eating, and have set aside additional space within the factory for expansion and future growth opportunities.

LHf Australia employs more than 70 staff, supporting Australian manufacturing and local communities.

Laurina Warman

Response work continues in Vanuatu following devastating cyclone

supplies, thanks to the generous support of our donors.

While Vanuatu is no longer making headlines, there’s so much to be done. As ADRA’s work shifts from response to recovery, the focus will be on long-term development and rebuilding even better than before.

Details of further planning are still being determined, with some of the funds to be spent improving the response capability in dealing with future disasters. Throughout the crisis, one thing stood out: people’s resilience and hope. Within hours of the storm passing, locals were picking up the pieces and rebuilding their lives. Thank you once again for your support in helping ADRA respond, and providing opportunities for people to thrive.

The devastating cyclone that hit Vanuatu in March (see the April issue of NorthPoint) caused untold damage across multiple islands. It will take years — decades — to rebuild. Cyclone Pam gave plenty of warning, but still produced catastrophic results. It was the worst storm to hit the Pacific in living memory. Winds of up to 300km/h lashed the country, destroying almost everything.

With a strong, existing presence in the country, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) was able to provide immediate relief. Almost as soon as the winds had died down, ADRA was providing food parcels, shelter kits and water filtration kits for families in desperate need. It was the important work leading up to the cyclone that helped prepare for what was to come, and lessened the impact. ADRA Australia raised close to $500,000 for Vanuatu, with the money funding the emergency response actions, plus longer-term rebuilding. Thousands of families received these vital

The North New South Wales Conference is grateful for the generosity shown by its members, who gave more than $40,000 toward the Vanuatu cyclone response in offerings collected at this year’s Big Camp. A number of our churches have also worked hard to support the Vanuatu aid efforts. The Newcastle Multicultural Church and Wallsend Adventist Church are coordinating a fundraising night to support the rebuilding of churches and ministers’ houses. This will be held on 18 July at 7.00pm at the Wallsend Adventist Church. The fundraising night will feature The Atara Singers, who have travelled all the way from Vanuatu to help with this fundraising effort. Local talent from the Newcastle area will also support them, and there will be a variety of traditional and contemporary spiritual music featured on the night. This will be followed by light refreshments. free-will donations will be collected, with all proceeds to go to the Vanuatu Mission for their rebuilding efforts.

— Josh Dye/Pastor Esava Koro

Joey joins Jesus with special Big Camp baptism

The North New South Wales Conference’s Big Camp is always a special event, but moreso this year for the Central Coast Community Church group this year, as Joey Crow gave his life to Jesus through baptism.

Joey has been studying the Bible with Nimrod Maua over the past year, and he became convicted to bring his baptism date forward after listening to Pastor David franklin’s presentations in the eighteen+ Tent at this year’s Big Camp.

Around 60 people attended the earlymorning event on the Thursday of Big Camp. Many friends and family came forward to express their love for this man, not least being his wife Miranda, and his mum and dad. After affirming the baptismal vows, and being accepted and welcomed into the Central Coast Community Church, Nimrod and Joey’s dad Gary had the pleasure of baptising Joey.

After the baptism, a breakfast organised by the church group was shared by friends and family in Joey’s honour — showing that, even when camping, a delicious meal can be enjoyed when everyone bring something special!

— John and Melissa Sanburg

Photos courtesy of Ann Stafford

Sophie baptised at Toronto

Sophie Weule is only young, but she knows for certain that she loves Jesus, and wanted to show how much she loved Him by being baptised. Her family are all proud of her decision and delighted at the choice she has made. Sophie attends the Toronto Primary School campus of Avondale Schools, and is a welcome member of the school community with her winning smile and caring nature. She and her parents (Tim and Milca) and older brothers (Matthew and Jarrahd) are valued members of the Toronto Adventist Church. Sophie was jointly baptised in a beautiful ceremony on Sabbath, 23 May by Pastor Michael Chapman, Brock Goodall, Alex Green and Tim Weule. It was a touching tribute to a little girl’s love and commitment.

— Michelle Ward

OUR CHURCHES

Charity organ-playing marathon raises more than $3000

The organ was running hot, but not a single player ran out of breath! That’s because this particular journey was shared by 22 organists, young and old, associated with the unique organ programme at Avondale Memorial Adventist Church on 30 May.

Suzuki organists, some as young as seven years old, were joined by an intergenerational group of enthusiastic participants up to 90 years old. The marathon lasted for three hours of non-stop organ playing. Music from all eras included old gospel favourites, hymns and Bach preludes.

The aim of this charity marathon was to raise funds for the cyclonedevastated areas of Vanuatu, where many communities were wiped out by the category 5 cyclone in March. Our marathon players raised more than $3000 to help with building materials and supplies. This was only made possible by the hundreds of “fans” who dropped in to listen during the afternoon, leaving donations in two large baskets.

The marathon finished with a closing Sabbath reading of Psalm 150 taken by Senior Church Pastor, Vadim Butov.

Pictured above at the Johannus organ at Memorial Adventist Church is the oldest participating organist, Glen Laurie, now in his ninetieth year. Seated alongside Glen is the youngest player, Johann Thompson, aged seven.

— David Clark (Director of Avondale Memorial Church Suzuki Organ School)

Pathfinders visit Tumbulgum Church

Sabbath, 17 January found the little Tumbulgum Adventist Church on the hill packed and overflowing as they welcomed 27 Pathfinders from Bunbury in Western Australia, as well as 17 leaders and family members.

Passing through on their way back home from the South Pacific Division’s iThirst Pathfinder Camporee in Queensland, they blessed us by taking our Sabbath service. Lionel Ainsworth, Assistant Pathfinder Director, shared a personal testimony of how God saved his life. We viewed a slideshow of the Pathfinders’ experiences at the Camporee. Then Lionel interviewed a few of the Pathfinders. One thing that stood out from the interviews was a statement made by one young man, who said he was involved in Pathfinders because of the opportunities for him and others to learn about Jesus in a different way.

The sermon was taken by Graham Cole, Pathfinder Director, and was based on John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another.” Afterward, we had a great time of fellowship over lunch.

— Karen Austin-Schofield

OUR CHURCHES

“Conquer Series” run at Lakeside

Pornography is one of the biggest enemies of Christian men today. Throughout history, Satan has cunningly devised ways of destroying men’s spirituality and usefulness for God. In Noah’s day, written in Genesis 6:2 — four verses before God is grieved to his heart that He ever made man — it says that “the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair...” In 2015, it is no different.

If you go back to 60 years ago, if someone wanted to find a pornographic image, they’d have to seek it out. Today, however, it’s almost unavoidable. It’s no wonder that the average age of first exposure to pornography is now between eight to 11 years old, and that first exposure age is rapidly decreasing. No longer can we assume that our children are safe, because for most, it is only a matter of time.

With a reported 60 to 70 per cent of church-going Adventist men regularly viewing pornography, as a church it is time to fight back! There can’t be a revival in the church while pornography is holding men back. The particular nature of pornography watching puts many men in a place where they are ashamed to ask for help. When they come to church many feel like they are alone in this battle. But they are not alone — there is hope and there is lasting freedom!

This is why Lakeside Adventist Church member Tim Turner decided to run the “Conquer Series” at the church. The five-week program is designed to give men a fighting chance in the battle against pornography, and to give them the tools to help their fellow brothers in Christ to stand pure. It is a men’s only ministry, which all men were encouraged to attend, whether they are struggling or not. In total, 36 men attended and were blessed by taking part in the series.

The “Conquer Series” is being followed up with small groups for men who are struggling with the issue. Other resources are also being made available, including The Mouse Trap set of DVDs and the Every Man’s series of books. There are also resources available for wives of men who are struggling, including the book Every Heart Restored If your church would be interested in running the series or having a copy in your church library, you can visit <www.conquerseries.com> for resources and information, including a trailer.

— Tim and Ellie Turner

Raymond Terrace celebrates

After a horrendous week of storms and localised floods in April, Raymond Terrace members had reason to celebrate when one of their members, Reg Hyde, turned 90. A planned celebratory lunch in the church hall had to be cancelled as most members were without power throughout the week. Instead, an impromptu get together was held in one of the homes.

Reg was baptised in 1952 at Hamilton Church and has been a faithful member of first Stockton and then Raymond Terrace Churches. He is a wellknown boat builder in the area. At 90, Reg is still building boats, working on a 20-foot boat at present.

— Mary Fedorow

God blesses Hillview’s CHIP series

In November 2014, a CHIP Committee was formed at Hillview Adventist Church, and Dr Trevor Hurlow, a General Practitioner and member of Hillview Church, chaired the meetings as plans were made for advertising and inviting volunteers to implement the program.

Information Sharing Sessions were held on 3 and 4 March this year so that people could make an informed decision as to whether CHIP was appropriate for them. A total of 76 people attended these sessions.

fifty-one people enrolled in the 18-session course, which ran from 3 March to 5 May, when graduates attended a graduation dinner and received their certificates. family and friends of graduates were invited, and a total of more than 90 people were in attendance. Each graduate brought food, and the table was overflowing with tasty, attractively prepared and healthy dishes.

Health checks, which included blood pressure, height, weight and waist measurements, were completed for participants on 8 March and again four weeks later.

At the end of this four week period the group had the following results:

— The average drop in cholesterol levels for the group was 9.5 per cent

— The average drop in LDL cholesterol was 14 per cent

— The average drop in triglycerides was 8.5 per cent

— The average weight loss was 2.2 kilograms

Some lost much more than that. Others did not need to lose a lot of weight, and some who needed to actually gained some weight. This is how the CHIP program usually works for individuals. Some participants had amazing results, with improved blood pressure and lowered cholesterol levels as a result of the changes they made in their lifestyles — exercising more and applying the principals presented at the CHIP sessions. The program ran for a further five weeks, and participants continued to improve in health and fitness levels.

A number of Hillview Church members who did the course acted as table hosts, thus giving opportunity to build friendships with our community members. Participants were seated five per table with a table host at each session. Hillview Church members Colleen and Tony Stevens, Larry and Kaye Kew, Elsje Minns and Eileen Clarkson were some of the 11 table hosts.

Other Hillview members volunteered to care for setting up the hall, working in the kitchen, preparing the food samples and caring for other items to facilitate a smooth running program. Lenora Hurlow and Elaine Woolley demonstrated two recipes at each session. The kitchen staff included volunteers Rebecca Chilton, Lei Johnston, Leona Dawes, and Theo and Hannah Van Bezouwen.

Alvin Christian, our IT specialist, faithfully gave many hours of his time to make sure the program ran smoothly. He was assisted by Greg Humphris, who has helped to run a number of CHIP programs since he and his wife Joy successfully completed a CHIP program at Toronto Church a couple of years ago.

— Elaine Woolley

Avondale’s Year 10 students hit the workforce!

Work experience for students is an important part of Avondale School’s Year 10 PDHPE program, with students exposed to the world of work, often for the first time. After a term spent learning about careers and considering life after school, Year 10 students participate in a one-week Work Experience placement in May where each student has the prospect of learning firsthand about a chosen occupation or industry.

Avondale School’s Careers Coordinator Mike Alt said, “As part of the Careers Program at Avondale School, Year 10 students spend a term considering the options in their future. This involves students discovering their personal strengths and passions, and researching jobs and occupations that may match these.”

He adds, “This program is aimed at prompting the students to consider their future and the direction that they are hoping to head in the following years. We research university, TAfE and other training institutions that may help them on their journey and help them reach their goal.”

Work experience is a major part of this, and Mike says, “Students make contact with businesses in the fields and areas that they believe they may be working in one day. They spend the week involved in the career that the have chosen and discover the reality of being part of the work force. Many local businesses have been supporting us in this endeavour for a long time and we are very privileged to be allowed into their work places.”

Students were keen to explore a range of different careers and trades and found placements as lawyers, journalists, hairdressing, equine management, animal care, health care, retail, floral arranging, engineering, carpentry, education and many more.

Year 10 student Zoe Kent found work placement in Sydney at a Nutrition and Well Being Clinic and spent the week experiencing what a career in dietetics would be like.

The 16-year-old said, “It was amazing! This has only fuelled my desire more to follow my dreams as a nutritionist. I was given the opportunity to sit in on client’s consultations and learn about eating disorders, weight loss, allergies and advice on eating healthy. I was even given the opportunity to go to the fresh produce markets and prepare healthy snacks in preparation for a staff meeting.”

— Kerrie Howells

Scholarship helps Jordan set sail for

Avondale

School Year

11 student Jordan

Makin was recently a recipient of the Australian Government’s Local Sporting Champions Grant for $500 for his achievements in sailing.

bigger things

On Tuesday, 9 June, local federal Member for Charlton, Pat Conway MP, presented Jordan his scholarship. Pat was at Avondale School’s Cooranbong campus to meet and present Jordan with his scholarship and cheque at a special school assembly. “It makes me proud to be here this morning on behalf of the federal Government to present Jordan with his well-deserved scholarship. It is obvious that Jordan puts in many hours dedicated to a sport he is passionate about and this effort has now been rewarded,” said Pat.

Jordan’s next adventure on the water will be the Queensland Youth Week Regatta, held in early July. This is the last qualifying round before the Youth World titles. Jordan said, “I am grateful to be awarded the Local Sporting Champions scholarship. This will help with my travel coasts to Queensland and maybe even upgrade some boat gear before the qualifiers.”

— Kerrie Howells

OUR SCHOOLS

Year 12 students from Avondale School were on hand at the beginning of May to help load a 40foot shipping container bound for fiji. The shipping container is the brainchild of a group of retired men from the Avondale Retirement Village in Cooranbong, who recognised the need of local villagers from Buca Bay, fiji, to re-open a school that had been closed for several years and had fallen into a state of disrepair.

The local villagers, with the assistance of the fijian government and help from groups like the Avondale Container Project, will reopened the Vatuvonu School gates for intake, but there is still a long way to go before the bell can ring again for the start of a new school day!

Their primary goal is to equip and assist in making a viable, operating school for children of the village and to help establish a boarding school for the children of the outlying islands. The villagers will be responsible for the day to day running and maintenance of the school and the fijian government will pay the staff’s wages, but the school desperately needs not only restoration and fit out, but equipment and goods as well to see it open in time.

The Avondale retirees group recently visited the Buca Bay school on a fly ‘n’ build operation, with the sole purpose of taking skilled workers to help repair Vatuvonu School’s buildings and facilities. Plumbers, carpenters and other tradesmen worked solidly to restore the school’s dilapidated facilities. Upon returning to Australia, the retirees purchased a 40-foot container from donations raised and began filling it with items for the school, like 40 flat pack beds and mattresses for the new boarding wing of the school, a tractor and other supplies that the school desperately needs.

The Year 12 Avondale School students feel a strong connection with helping this project get underway. So as part of the school’s Service to the Community program, they helped load the mattresses and beds into the container, as it prepared and got ready to depart to the fijian Islands in the middle of May.

— Kerrie Howells

A container full of compassion and hope heads to fiji

OUR SCHOOLS

Avondale School’s orchestra and choir tour New Zealand

The North island of New Zealand was the destination for Avondale School’s 2015 Orchestra and Music tour. During the end of Term 1 holidays, 81 students travelled to Rotorua for 10 days and enjoyed performing to large and small schools. A total of nine schools were visited with audiences ranging in size from 50 to 520 people. The Avondale School students, whose ages ranged across all year groups, were abroad for 10 days and it wasn’t all about performing. The students were able to also enjoy some quality down time, discovering the popular visitors’ sites, like visiting the geysers and mud pools, and appreciating traditional woodcarvers art, with the choir given the opportunity of performing in a traditional carved Marae meetinghouse.

Avondale School Principal Dr David faull had the opportunity of travelling with the students and said, “The students really were great ambassadors for Avondale School. A number of schools indicated they had not seen an orchestra perform or a choir and orchestra together, so it was an outstanding cultural opportunity and a catalyst to inspire students to use their musical gifts!”

He adds, “Setup and pack up for each performance was completed in record time so that fun activities at Rainbows End and Agroventures could be enjoyed. There was a wonderful balance between the numerous musical opportunities, and exposure to the rich Maori cultural heritage and the terrific recreational activities, luge rides, cable car, jetboat etc. There was only one word to describe this tour — AWESOME!”

Avondale School Secondary Principal Benton Craig also had high praise for the students, saying, “The participation of the students and the exposure to Maori culture was a very unique experience for the students. The musical opportunities to showcase the orchestra and choir to so many audiences was an outstanding experience, especially when you realise for many of these students seeing an orchestra and choir perform together was a unique memory event. It was just a great tour with a fabulous group of very talented students and staff!”

— Kerrie Howells

Macksville Adventist School is going ahead!

Macksville Adventist School (MAS) has grown! So many changes from the end of 2014 to now saw some staff transferring and MAS increasing by 11 new students, and three new staff members! That means 39 students and eight staff in total!

Making the change from a two-classroom school to three has made an immense difference in the learning environment at MAS. Each learning stage can now work more intensively while teachers can now concentrate on preparing lessons for two to three grades in their classroom, rather than up to four.

Rachelle Bridcutt came to MAS following her graduation from Avondale College of Higher Learning and has settled into her Kindergarten and Grade 1 room perfectly. We recently heard that at the beginning of the year the Kindergarten students wanted to grow up to be fairies, pirates or parents. Ask them now and they will tell you they want to be teachers just like Miss Bridcutt.

Mary Prasad moved conferences to be with us at MAS and brings with her experiences from fiji to Sydney, and even Cairns. Mary has taken on the senior classroom (Grades 4-6) with a zest like no other, bringing benefits for everyone.

Rachel Kumar is new to our learning support team, instantly fitting in with her infinite number of smiles for all who are fortunate enough to spend time in her room.

If you drive through our beautiful little town, be sure to look us up. We love having visitors, making new friends and catching up with old ones!

— Kerry Howard

From left to right: Macksville Adventist School’s new staff members Rachel Kumar, Rachelle Bridcutt and Mary Prasad. Their addition to the team takes the staff numbers at the school to eight.

fEATURES

Review: Why I Try To Believe

If you keep an eye on all things Adventist, you’ll definitely remember what happened as a result of an experiment that former pastor Ryan Bell undertook. It garnered a lot of media attention — not only from Adventist outlets, but also the mainstream media, both in the US and here in Australia.

Ryan’s experiment was to have a “Year Without God” — a year of living life as an atheist, which he started in January 2014. He blogged the experience, chronicling what it was like to live without God after 19 years as an Adventist pastor. At the beginning of this year — at the end of his experiment — he announced that he no longer believes in God.

A lot of people have had a lot of opinions about this. Many column inches have been dedicated to praising or condemning his decisions. Some people have been angry about his choice, while others have been overjoyed. But what experiences and perspectives do those who know him well have from this year of Ryan’s?

Nathan Brown, Book Editor at the Signs Publishing Company, is a friend of Ryan. He says the experiment caught his attention and it “prompted me to ask some questions about my faith, about why I believe and what impact it has when a friend makes different choices about faith.” These questions led Nathan to work a series of presentations he had given on the topic of “Why I Try To Believe” into a book to further explore these ideas.

In further developing the ideas, Nathan covers topics from questions of belief to trying to believe; clinging to belief to wanting to believe; and needing to believe to choosing to believe. I have found that it’s a unique book in terms of its honesty about the struggles, challenges and difficulties of faith. Why I Try To Believe is not about living a life of unexamined faith, but about honestly exploring doubts and worthwhile questions that challenge our beliefs — and sometimes lead us to change them.

Some people might be a little frightened by the idea of being honest about trying to believe. Trying doesn’t gel with the idea that, as Christians, we’re meant to have it all sorted out and have a rock-solid faith at all times. This is why I love the opening of the second chapter — “Trying to Believe” — where Nathan writes, “One of the often-unspoken realities of our lives is that all of us are making it up as we go.” We think we should have things figured out and have our lives all together, while we still find ourselves coming up with questions and doubts. This is particularly true when it comes to faith — or at least I find it to be. There will always be things that make us question and wonder why. There will always be challenges. But what do we do with those questions and challenges? Well, that’s our choice. As Nathan notes, “When we choose how to respond to the different circumstances and events of our lives, we are choosing belief or not.”

Ultimately, Why I Try To Believe is a book about why it’s still worth trying to believe and what’s important about the attempt. That’s what makes it such a beautifully refreshing read. While providing challenges, it also gives reassurance. All we can do is try. God will do the rest.

— Adele Nash

Amelia feature: Modelling bravery to our girls

Why I Try To Believe: An Experiment in faith, Life and Stubborn Hope Nathan Brown Signs Publishing, 2015

115 pages

Bravery. Is it really important for us to model this to our young girls? Yes, it is! We have been called by God to be brave (Deuteronomy 31:6) and what better way for our daughters to learn this than by our example?

How can you model bravery?

Live honestly — Talk about when you haven’t felt brave, and how you developed bravery — did you pray about it, did you draw on past experience, were there Bible verses that really helped you? This shows that it is OK and normal to not be brave all the time, but that there are ways to be “more brave.”

Talk bravely — Ask your kids some of the tougher questions — “Is there anything causing a struggle in your life at the moment?” “What would you do if your dreams for the future were no longer possible?” (that’s a good “brave” question for mums to consider for themselves, too!) or, “What do you hope God to do in your life?”

Pray courageously — Not only pray the tough times through, but pray those prayers God has burdened on your heart to pray, that you might otherwise be scared to pray. I had God impress on my heart that I needed to pray that He do whatever it takes for my husband to take notice of Him — and it took me a long time to pluck up the courage to pray that, as I knew it would take something serious!

Step outside your boundary — Do something. It may even be something with your daughter that might normally scare you! And you’ll grow in the process too! Try something like going somewhere new, go caving or abseiling, learn a new skill, perhaps invite someone over for lunch who you don’t know very well. Getting involved with Pathfinders opens up lots of these opportunities.

These are all things that call us, as mums, to action! And remember, you don’t have to do this alone. Invite Jesus to walk with you through every step of modelling bravery. He has promised to be with us — “He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).

— Michelle Villis

This article comes from the Winter issue of Amelia Magazine Amelia Magazine is for girls aged six to 12 years and encourages girls to be girls, to grow in the potential God created them with, and to have positive relationships with their friends and mothers. To subscribe, email <michelle@ameliamagazine.net> or visit the website <www. ameliamagazine.net>