NorthPoint - June, 2016

N O R TH N S W CO N FE R E N CE N E WS

June 2016 Big Camp 2016 — full report inside

Testimonies shared of lives changed at 2016 ARISE grad The ARISE Australia Class of 2016 has graduated in an inspiring and emotional ceremony at Kingscliff Church on Sabbath, 14 May. More than 200 people were there to support the students, including some of the community members they met during the door-knocking component of the 14-week discipleship program. The 30 students hailed from six countries, including Norway, Germany and the USA. They spoke candidly about how the ARISE Cornerstone experience has transformed them.

American Bethany Erb described herself as being “broken and raw” when she arrived at Kingscliff. “I didn’t know if I believed in God. I felt so out of place, and so confused and artificial. Now I am basking in the fact that God is alive and real in our lives,” the 18-year-old said.

Mitchell Grolimund, 20, who attends the Kingscliff Church, put his university studies on hold to enrol in the course. “It’s really changed my life and set my eyes for eternity — to get myself there and anyone else I can,” he told the congregation.

And that is precisely the point, according to the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference President Pastor Justin Lawman, who commissioned the students during his message to remember “There’s no evangelism in heaven. There’s no soul-winning in eternity. That happens now.”

Pastor Lawman drew on the story of Nehemiah and how he was chosen by God because of his heart, not his knowledge; how he gave everything to the task of rebuilding the walls; how he was organised; how he enlisted the help of others; and how he stood strong in the face of opposition.

“Don’t expect that there will be no opposition,” Pastor Lawman said. “If you’re going to do anything of value in this world, there will be opposition from the places that you least expect. May the enemies of the Gospel give you energy for your cause,” he said.

In a video message congratulating the class, Light Bearers Co-Director and ARISE lecturer Ty Gibson said the highest form of intelligence is empathy.

“When Jesus was in this world, He did a lot of teaching, but there was something underneath all the words. As scripture says, virtue went out from Him. Jesus loved people and they knew it,” he said. “I encourage you first and foremost to calibrate your heart to the heart of Jesus and love people like He did.”

18-year-old Benny Makoloane from South Africa gave a brief testimony of how he felt called to attend ARISE, but didn’t have the money. With the help of a community leader, he undertook a three-month fundraising plan. It wasn’t very successful and, with only weeks to go, he was still way off his $6000 target, until at the last moment, a donation came in from Australia.

(Continued on Page 3)

In this issue:

Page 2: From the President: Your ministry Pages 4 to 6: Big Camp 2016 report Page 8: Camden Haven crew “Lends A Hand” Page 10: Week of Worship sets the tone for 2016 at Avondale

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N O RT H P O I N T // 1

OUR Conference

From the President: Your ministry

Yes, you do have a ministry. According to my Bible, our Saviour did not come as one to be served, but to serve and gave His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28). In our consumeristic society where we are constantly buying, using and exhausting things — and always seeking more — it’s become quite unnatural to serve and give.

Jesus’ words seem out of place in this context, but they are true just the same.

The Bible says that all of us been given a spiritual gift. And that gift is not for ourselves alone — 1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that spiritual gifts are given for the edification of the body of Christ (AKA: the building up the church). It’s fair to say that many of us fall into the trap of thinking the church should serve us, rather than seeing the church as a place where we serve God and our fellow man.

In the recent conference-wide church health survey (Natural Church Development), one of our low areas was “I know my spiritual gift.” You can’t really serve in ministry long-term unless you understand that you’ve been gifted and called by God to do that ministry.

How do I discover my gifts? > Take a spiritual gifts inventory test. Your local pastor can help you source a good one of these, or you can look online for Adventist spiritual gifts tests (there are a number of churches and conferences who have them available — you could start by trying <http://brixtonsda.co.uk/spiritual-gifts-assessment>). > Get involved! You’ll never know what you’re gifted to do unless you try new things. Ask God to guide and lead you. > You feel passionately about a certain area of ministry. If God has gifted you in a particular way — whether it’s discipling or proclamation or service or any other area — you’ll be very passionate about it, and can often have an emotional response when you see it not being done well. > You enjoy or gain energy from your involvement through it. When I preach, I often find it’s like therapy. It just helps me, and I enjoy and love it because it’s my gift.

But if something is not your gift, it can be a demoralising and draining experience. > The church affirms that you’re gifted in this way. > Your ministry produces fruit (ie: good results and new believers).

You will never find more fulfilment in life than when you are wholeheartedly serving God in the way that He has designed you to. Be faithful to your calling and don’t let other people push you into areas that are not your gift. Our entire church will be built up by each of us working together, sharing our gifts.

— Pastor Justin Lawman Around The Traps is a regular 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>

From the General Secretary: Fostering balance

Back in early 2012, the conference administration team sat down to think prayerfully and strategically about what we, as a conference, should be doing. We had only recently been voted into office and wanted to seek the heart of God for His will. We were also acutely aware that our capabilities fell short of our calling. We took the counsel of Matthew 10:25 seriously: “It is enough that a student be like his teacher and the servant like his master.” So what did Jesus do when He was on earth and shouldn’t we be like that?

We distilled Jesus’ actions into three areas: preaching the Gospel, making disciples and serving humanity.

For Seventh-day Adventists, “preaching the Gospel” comes naturally, and is our area of comfort and strength. We have been called to preach the everlasting Gospel in the context of the Three Angels’ Messages of Revelation 14:6-12. It’s contained in our conference constitution. However, if that is all we do, there is a world that is largely apathetic or hostile to that message. So there must be something else that should be done in concert with the preaching to make it more effective.

“Making disciples” has become the latest big thing in Adventism. At the Australian Union Conference session in September 2015, there was a discipleship theme running through each of the local conference presentations. The South Pacific Division has formed a discipleship cluster to focus attention on this great need.

Our conference’s own contribution to that journey is the development and implementation of the UR Church program to a large number of churches in our conference. However, making disciples still seems to be the younger, less mature, sibling of preaching the Gospel.

Which leaves “serving humanity.” That’s ADRA’s job isn’t it? Yes and no. ADRA does an outstanding job supporting projects and ministries in our conference — from Hope Haven Women’s Refuge in Ballina to Southlakes Refuge in the Lake Macquarie Area, and a growing number of emergency food distribution programs in local churches. But it’s not just ADRA’s job to serve humanity. It’s the job of all of us. And it doesn’t need to be anything big — just one person sharing compassion with another.

Ellen White put it this way: “There is need of coming close to the people by personal effort. If less time were given to sermonizing, and more time were spent in personal ministry, greater results would be seen. The poor are to be relieved, the sick cared for, the sorrowing and the bereaved comforted, the ignorant instructed, the inexperienced counselled. We are to weep with those that weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice. Accompanied by the power of persuasion, the power of prayer, the power of the love of God, this work will not, cannot, be without fruit” (Ministry of Healing, pp 143,144).

Jesus managed to keep each of these three things perfectly in balance. If each of our churches were able to foster that balance, I believe our preaching would bear more fruit. There is a lot more that could be said, and there will be at our Leadership in the Local Church Conference in 2017. Registration will open soon.

— Pastor Paul Geelan

NorthPoint is published by the Communications Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (North New South Wales Conference) Ltd. President: Pastor Justin Lawman | General Secretary: Pastor Paul Geelan | NorthPoint Editor: Adele Nash Readers are invited to send news items, stories, testimonies and photographs to: PO Box 7, Wallsend NSW 2287 | Telephone: (02) 4951 8088 | Fax: (02) 4950 1102 | Email: northpoint@adventist.org.au | Website: http://nnsw.adventist.org.au

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OUR Conference Testimonies shared of lives changed at 2016 ARISE graduation (Continued from Page 1)

Avondale caters well for Adventist community

The NNSW Conference’s Evangelism Director Matt Parra revealed that people had donated from this conference with the specific purpose of bringing people to ARISE who couldn’t afford it. In pointing to Benny, he said, “this is an example of a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I praise the Lord for people that gave and invested in you.”

Benny thanked his donors and encouraged others to also give. “You’re not giving towards something fruitless and in vain; it can have a tangible affect on somebody’s life as it did on mine,” he said.

Amazingly, Pastor Lawman later revealed that only hours before the graduation, he had been at the Grey Nomads camp and was approached by two individuals, both wanting to donate $5000 toward an ARISE student.

“That messes me up,” Pastor Lawman said. “I don’t like crying. I’m an Aussie male — we don’t do that sooky stuff — but I find myself becoming very emotional.”

Several of the students provided the worship component of the ceremony, selecting hymns including “Because He Lives” and “How Great Thou Art.” The entire class also sang a song that they penned about the ARISE experience. It was both moving and quirky, speaking of the many reasons they have to praise the Lord, of how they travelled far to learn about Jesus, how they met new friends who they will meet in Heaven again, how they’ve learnt to apply the pillars of their faith, faced the challenges of knocking on doors, and had the joy of living by the beach and eating delicious healthy food (prepared by David, Lisa and Michaela Entermann)!

The closeness of the group was evident, with quite a few tears shed.

Marika Petterson from Norway said she was grateful for this bond. “I come from a long way. I thought I would get homesick, but I didn’t. I found family here. I just love you all. I want to thank God for all of you,” the 25-year-old said.

Stuart Clarke, 62, said, “This has been the most amazing, life-changing thing that’s happened to me. I’ve never experienced so much love from people. It’s been wonderful. I want to say thank you for your love and your goodness.”

Rachael Pullen from Kempsey, who was also one of the more “mature” students, received a few laughs when she referred to all the children she had just “adopted!” She spoke of the blessing ARISE is to the NNSW Conference, and how students are well equipped to go back to their local churches and win souls for the Kingdom.

During ARISE, the students made many connections in the Tweed–Kingscliff community.

Some of those people have been attending The Vine (Tweed Church Plant), with five recently committing to baptism. The Spirit also moved on the students themselves, with 18 baptised or rebaptised.

James Rafferty, Light Bearers Co-Director and ARISE teacher, spoke fondly of the class and the affect they’ve had on the staff. “We travel a long distance to come to Australia and also sacrifices are made by our families, we are weary of travelling and then we’re here for three weeks and we say ‘wow’ — it’s so powerful and beautiful and worthwhile.

It can’t even be explained — so thank you,” he said.

18 of the students will this month begin the ARISE practicum, which is a seven-month outreach-based training program.

Avondale Lifestyle Community continues to fulfil its original mission of providing care for the retired and aged. “Interestingly, 75 per cent of villas in the most recent two building stages at Cooranbong are occupied by Avondale graduates,” says Adventist Senior Living CEO David Knight.

“The village was originally built to cater to the housing needs of college lecturers, church workers and other members of the church. It is clear that it continues to fulfil its mission to this day, providing excellent service with a choice of beautifully designed and high quality homes that continue to be in high demand,” he added.

“For those who may have lost a spouse, have declining health or can no longer maintain a family home, there is little doubt that life in our villages offers a real social connectedness and supportive environment with no maintenance obligation, the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, and ready access to community and care services.”

As the concept of living in a supportive retirement community becomes increasingly attractive for seniors across the country, Adventist Senior Living operates four retirement villages across New South Wales. From the southern shores of Lake Macquarie at Cooranbong and Wyee Point, to the Newcastle region of Jewells, to the Mid-North Coast hinterland township of Alstonville, Adventist Senior Living provides quality accommodation in well-managed villages. Prices start from around $200,000 and range up into the mid-$500,000, catering for a wide cross-section of our community.

Expansion is well underway at each of its Lake Macquarie and Newcastle villages. The last two major builds at Avondale Lifestyle Community in Cooranbong (pictured above and below) have seen construction of 19 brand-new two- and three-bedroom villas, all of which have sold, and are either already occupied or nearing completion ready for occupation.

For those who prefer not to be part of a traditional church retirement community, both Wyee Point Lifestyle Community and Jewells Lifestyle Community offer further retirement options.

— Felicity Pittaway

Much goes on behind the scenes in hosting a program of this calibre. ARISE Administrator Kyle Morrison thanked the Kingscliff Church for its ongoing support. Several families were presented with a gift for going above and beyond, providing hospitality for staff and students, and helping with the various logistics.

ARISE Australia started in 2013 and has run yearly since. Pastor Lawman has confirmed it’s been locked-in again for Kingscliff in 2017, with a variation of the program planned for Newcastle as well. Watch this space!

— Summer Lockley N O R T H P O I N T // 3

Big Camp Big Camp 2016 sees a renewed focus on prayer, a commissioning and record offerings

Big Camp 2016 provided a spiritual feast for the capacity number of campers on the grounds at the Stuarts Point Convention Centre. There was a renewed emphasis on prayer at the camp, with early-morning prayer and worship sessions held in the Big Tent each day, and a wellattended screening of the movie War Room on the first Saturday night of the camp. There was also a War Room tent set up by the Family Ministries department for people to use as a prayer space — and it was very well-used, with written prayers posted on the walls of the tent.

This spirit of prayer flowed into the presentations given in each of the tents at camp, with many campers providing feedback about the blessings they had received from each guest speaker’s talks. Guest speakers for this year’s Big Camp were Pastor John Bradshaw, Director of It Is Written (Big Tent); Brian Simmons, Associate Pastor of Hood View Adventist Church (Connections Tent); Dr Kayle de Waal, Head of Avondale Seminary at Avondale College (18+ Tent); and Peter Casillas, Associate Director of Evangelism and Church Planting for the Potomac Conference (High School Tent).

Pastor Bethany Chapman, Director of Women’s Ministries for the North New South Wales (NNSW) Conference, was commissioned on the first Sabbath of Big Camp. You can read more about her life and faith experience on Page 6.

There was also an intentional space each afternoon that was cleared of programs and workshops so families could have time together. Pastor Daron Pratt, Director of Family and Children’s Ministries for the NNSW Conference, says, “One of our conference strategies is to promote family togetherness, so we dedicated free time for families to connect and enjoy being together. We provided equipment for games, along with running waterslide afternoons at Yarra. Families took advantage of doing things together, with lots of happy children as a result of it! These family memories shape children’s lives and shape their faith. We’ve had a lot of good feedback about it — people enjoyed the program being less cluttered.”

Events run by various departments of the conference office proved successful too. These included Super Sunday, the Women’s Ministries Breakfast and the Men’s BBQ. Super Sunday provided an opportunity for campers to explore what various ministries and church-run companies have to offer in a fête-style environment. Numbers of exhibitors were up from last year’s inaugural Super Sunday event, and people enjoyed great food, free samples, buying handcrafted goods and face-painting. The Women’s Ministries Breakfast enjoyed a strong attendance, with women from around the conference sharing great food and the opportunity to make new friends. The Men’s BBQ — surely now a firm Big Camp tradition — also saw more guys than ever connect over a (ginger) beer and (veggie) burger.

The generosity of NNSW Conference members was also on display, with record offerings collected. The offerings this year went to assist the Fiji Mission with rebuilding churches and church schools after Cyclone Winston struck earlier this year, and to church planting and ARISE Bible workers in the NNSW Conference. More than $100,000 was raised for the Fiji Mission, and a further $250,000+ was raised to fund church planting and Bible workers.

Russell Halliday, CFO of the NNSW Conference, says, “We have not seen sacrificial giving on this scale in NNSW in a generation. We did raise around $70,000 for aircraft in Papua New Guinea many years ago, but since then, giving at Big Camp for mission has rarely exceeded $50,000. I believe that we have witnessed first-hand a miracle, and I thank God for teaching us to ask Him for more of His blessings. The record-breaking funds raised at this camp for mission were inspired by prayer, spiritual revival, and the inspirational videos of Stanley Nelson and ARISE Bible workers’ stories.”

Matching donors committed to mission also provided funding. “Make no mistake — this money will make a significant difference to the cyclone recovery efforts in Fiji by way of rebuilding churches and schools,” says Russell. “It will also go a long way to satisfying the increasing appetite in our churches for Bible workers who will help reach the lost. God is in control. He is not limited by our small faith or vision. He will provide the resources to finish the spread of the Gospel in our generation! Are you ready to be part of this movement?”

— Adele Nash Photos courtesy of Ann Stafford A full collection of the photos from Big Camp can be viewed and purchased online at <http://northpoint.fotomerchant.com>.

N O RT H P O I N T // 4

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N O RT H P O I N T // 5

Pastor Bethany Chapman Over and over in my life, I have found myself standing at a closed door. The direction I wanted to go, the things I needed to get done, the future I was planning to build suddenly and sorely slammed in my face.

Closed, locked and bolted with no way to get through. In my despair, I have cried out to God to open it. With my own strength, I have attempted to force it open. I have sought helpers and used tools with no avail.

I have sat slumped against that door, weary from my efforts, my face stained with tears and my throat hoarse from the angry words of my heart, only to have God open a window before me.

God opened a window for my mum. She went through it to join a church choir, bringing her three teenaged children with her. I was baptised at 14, but I really struggled with trying to find balance between the choices my friends at school were making and the new faith in Jesus I had found. By the age of 16, I felt strongly like God wanted me to give my whole life to Him in service. I hated that. I didn’t want to go through that window. If I went through that window, I would be different; it would be difficult; it might even hurt. I also had a lot of people I looked up to tell me not to go through the window, to take a different path, or that maybe I was confused. I kept to my ways of trying to please both people and God. I kept trying to go through both the door and the window, but it wasn’t long before that juggling act failed.

At 21, I found myself broke, failing uni, living back at home and miserable. I was sick and tired of knocking on that door ‘til my fingers were raw and bloodied, so I prayed a radical prayer.

I told God I was fed up and that I wanted to live for Him, but it was His job to show me He wanted to use me. I told Him (and only Him) that if someone asked me I would say YES to anything I was asked to do for God — ANYTHING. Oh boy did God open that window like a rush from Heaven that He had been waiting to unleash all this time. That year I went from a broken-hearted, pew-sitting, half-baked Christian to a girl who was doing more for Christ than she ever thought possible.

The first thing I was asked to do was pray in church up the front in the worship service. I was terrified and shaking, but I kept my promise to God. Over the course of the year, I sang in church, led out in worship, became part of the worship coordinating team, was a summer camp counsellor, led a small group, attended a business meeting, studied the Bible with an unchurched person, preached my first sermon and was taken under the wing of my pastor. I went by his side to visits and Bible studies and he recommended me to Avondale College to study Theology. I’ll never forget what he told me: “If God will let you do anything else with your life, you should do it, but if you can’t do anything else, be a pastor.” Since then, whenever I have found myself faced with that closed door, I have asked myself that same question: “Will God let me do anything else?” Time and time again, I have been trying to go through the door, to do what I wanted, to plan my future, to build my own kingdom. Time and time again, I have been met by the God who opens a window in a way that only God can.

In my youth, I prayed hard about the kind of boys I thought I should be dating. I am so glad God kept that door firmly closed. He opened a window for me at Avondale College when I met my husband Chappo (Michael Chapman). We were both studying Theology at the time. I could not have asked for a better man to do life with. Together we have two beautiful daughters (Charlotte, aged three, and Zoe, aged one). So far God has opened windows for me to serve in ministry in the Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Toronto and West Wallsend Korean Churches. I am excited to have recently taken on the role of Women’s Ministry Director for the North New South Wales Conference.

As a mother and a wife, I have been faced with the challenge of a door that seems appealing.

I want to build my own kingdom, to invest in my home, to grow my family, to live the dream of comfort and security. But I find God again calling me to go through the window, calling me to something bigger than what I have planned for myself. He tells me to seek His Kingdom first, that He will care for me and provide for me, and that when I am His, I don’t need to worry. He never promises it will be easy, but so far He hasn’t let me go through those doors — He won’t let me do anything else. I am excited to see what window my God will open next as I journey with Him into the future.

— Pastor Bethany Chapman N O RT H P O I N T // 6

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Celebrating a 50-year legacy If you attended the recent North New South Wales Big Camp, you may have happened upon a bustling marquee that had a distinct aroma of curry. If you stopped by to make a spice mix or take a selfie, you would have discovered a ministry — named Asian Aid — that is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Our Churches Jump Start Literature Evangelist Team make big impact in Inverell

It was in 1966, in response to the needs of war-affected children in Korea, that Sydney-based Maisie Fook founded Asian Aid. Little did Maisie know that, 50 years later, more than 5000 people in 43 countries would continue her vision for transformation and empowerment.

Today, Asian Aid is a child-focused development agency that impacts the lives of 44,300 people in six countries through education, health, advocacy and community projects. Driven

by Christian principles, Asian Aid seeks to create sustainable solutions that address the root causes of poverty. Through each season of our 50-year story, Asian Aid has been blessed by God’s clear leading and your overwhelming support.

“Reflecting on Asian Aid’s past 50 years and setting goals for the future is exciting,” shares Richard Greenwell, Asian Aid’s CEO. “Like you, we believe that everyone should enjoy a life where they can reach their God-given potential. With your help and God’s leading, we will continue to plant seeds of hope that will bear fruit today and for tomorrow.”

Asian Aid is truly grateful for the generous support of more than 1500 people in North New South Wales. You have helped support thousands of children and families living in poverty to have access to education, healthcare, clean water and improved income opportunities.

Jalmaya, a Nepali woman, is a beautiful example of a life that has been changed by Asian Aid. When I visited Jalmaya and her husband only days after she received a life-changing uterine-prolapse operation, there was utter joy and delight on their faces. The operation, which typically costs $300, ended a season of 40 years of suffering.

You can read her full story, and many other stories of empowerment in Asian Aid’s winter newsletter, or on our website.

This month, Asian Aid has set a goal of raising $2 million so that we can help transform the lives of even more people and communities. If you want to create lasting change through Asian Aid and acknowledge God’s leading over the past 50 years, please consider gifting Asian Aid with an end-of-tax-year donation. To donate, please visit <www.asianaid.org.au> or call (02) 6586 4250. Your support will help us continue growing Maisie Fook’s dream of giving hope to as many people as possible.

— Sonja Larsen

From left to right: Andrew Kochanski (Australian Jump Start Literature Evangelism Team Leader); Pastor John Lang (retired North New South Wales Conference President) and his wife Barbara; Dean Gentil (South Queensland Jump Start Team Leader) and his wife Lora; and Shane Cowan (North New South Wales Jump Start Team Leader)

In early April, a small team of Jump Start Literature Evangelists boosted the evangelistic efforts of Inverell Church by spending 90 hours working in the community, selling $1300 worth of books (of which 70 per cent were of a spiritual nature) and distributing 1200 pieces of literature.

The team prayed with 20 people at the door, found 10 hot spiritual contacts that requested follow up and left 27 Great Controversy books in the community.

It was such a thrill to see Pastor John Lang praying with the church leaders and distributing the contacts after the service, which the Jump Start LE team took.

— Andrew Kochanski

Ocean Shores members celebrate special Agape feast

If your church has never celebrated an Agape meal together, you are missing a spiritual blessing.

Ocean Shores Adventist Church recently celebrated together in a candlelight communion service, followed by a modern version of a Jewish meal.

A team effort by the Taylor families delighted the tastebuds of church members with lentil soup, olives, nuts and stuffed dates.

A lovely array of vegetables and salad, as well as a simple dessert, made for a spiritually-memorable occasion with the table setting reminiscent of Bible times.

— Lyn Scarr

N O RT H P O I N T // 7

Our Churches Three new members welcomed into Spanish Church membership

Camden Haven crew “Lends A Hand”

The Newcastle Spanish Church rejoiced on Sabbath, 16 March to welcome three new members: Cynthia Reyes through baptism, her mother Cristelia Deierl by profession of faith and Ernestina Flores in the same manner.

On Sunday, 2 April, Camden Haven Church put their first outreach program together for 2016.

Eight of the members came together to “Lend A Hand.” The church has been letterboxing flyers to the surrounding communities and has recently created the “Lend A Hand” Facebook page.

After visiting the church from its beginnings and receiving Bible studies from Roberto Velasquez, it was very moving to see them taking the decision to officially belong to the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.

The group had an opportunity to help a single mother on a disability pension who is renting the house she and her three children live in. The property was in need of a general clean up and tidy, with some rubbish to be taken away.

The ceremony took place with much gladness at the Boolaroo Church and was conducted by Pastor Edgar-Nahum Reyes, who also was one of the initiators of the Spanish Group in Newcastle.

Many hours were spent preparing for this new program, including who, what and where God needs the team to be to show His example of what Jesus would have us to do. Once a month, Camden Haven Church plans to “Lend A Hand” for someone in need, hoping to show them that God is love and there is a better way of living. With no strings attached, the team plans to come to those who are tired or lonely, or who are in need of having lawns mowed or gardens weeded. The team will also clear gutters and clean windows, do general house duties, basic car services and washes, cook meals and do shopping, or just drop by for a friendly chat. “We are at your service and want to help you today” is their slogan!

— Lilian Rodríguez

Tumbulgum’s special gifts for women In March, Tumbulgum Church’s Women’s Ministries team sponsored the Open Doors care packs for Christian Women worldwide who are being persecuted for their faith.

The whole church was encouraged to become involved in donating small brought and handmade gifts, and cards with encouraging messages. There was an overwhelming response in the donation of time, money and gifts from the Tumbulgum Church members.

In the few weeks leading up to the assembly of the care packs, preparation by the members included things such as sewing the little bags to put the items in, designing of computer-generated cards with encouraging Bible verses, creating beautiful handmade cards with special Bible verses and poems, embroidering items and purchasing small gift items. When we arrived at the church to assemble the care packs on Tuesday, 8 March — which was International Women’s Day — we were amazed at the tables full of gift items. The 10 women who showed up to assemble the bags were able to choose several items from all the tables.

In only two hours, the team transformed the property for their first “Lend A Hand” project.

Team members used a chainsaw to cut down small limbs, pruned the garden shrubs, gernied the house (and windows and pathways), de-cobwebbed the house, raked leaves, and took two trailer-loads of prunings and clippings to the dump with rubbish.

The family was very grateful for “Lend A Hand” to have come to and help them in what they were physically unable to do — or afford to pay someone to come to do it for them. Each team member felt that God and His angels were also helping at the home that day. As they prepare for their next project, they know that God has a plan for them.

We had the opportunity to personalise the cards with encouraging notes and place them in each of the 68 care packs we assembled. For more information on how you or your church can become involved in projects like this to encourage persecuted women, email <womenau@od.org> or call (02) 9451 2999.

Please pray so the “Lend A Hand” team may win souls for Jesus as they serve God in Camden Haven.

— Karen Austin-Schofield

— Ben Hinze

N O RT H P O I N T // 8

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OUR Churches Inaugural NEW Regional Camp held at Copeton Waters The inaugural NEW (New England and Western) Regional Camp was held at Copeton Waters, just outside of Inverell toward the end of last year.

The reasons for the camp were simple: many church members from these regions aren’t always able to attend Big Camp and many local churches have discussions around connecting with one another by means of a local church camp.

So Regional Area Mentor Pastor Lorenzo Berry suggested to the churches of the NEW Regions, “Why don’t we pool resources and calendars and have a single camp?” The idea gained some ground such that 50 people, including small children through to grey haired folk from one end of the region to the other, made a commitment to the journey and camp.

The journey getting there was small compared to the journey that the North New South Wales Conference Evangelist Pastor Peter Watts, the camp’s guest speaker, took the attendees on, from amazing campers with his own personal testimony of finding God through to challenging each in attendance to let their lights shine for Jesus.

Bible workers a blessing at Coffs Harbour in 2015

Coffs Harbour Adventist Church members were very happy to accept and accommodate two Bible workers following their completion of the 2015 ARISE program.

Jolie Kenny (pictured, left) and Tim Davies (pictured, below) were welcomed in Coffs Harbour to continue their work in a practical way from 14 June to 20 December 2015.

These two young people became very much part of our church family and youth group, with ongoing support and encouragement on both sides. The whole venture cast a very positive note and an eagerness in many to continue to spread the Good News in Coffs Harbour.

Jolie and Tim knocked on more than 2250 doors in the Coffs Harbour district in that time, and 33 Bible studies were given. On completion of their term here, 17 contacts were handed over and followed up by Pastor Abel Iorgulescu, assisted by several church members who help with ongoing outreach and Bible studies.

Coffs Harbour Church members wish Jolie and Tim God’s blessing as they continue on life’s journey wherever they are called to work.

The theme for the camp was “Building Community” (a preview of UR Church currently rolling out around the conference), which included worshiping together, relaxing together and, for those who braved the choppy conditions on Sunday, getting wet together! Thanks to Robyn for the many photos to choose from, and to Scott and Tania for the use of your boat. The enthusiasm for the camp was overwhelming with many not wanting to change a single thing! Stay tuned for details of the next one.

Bible workers who graduated from this year’s ARISE class will soon start work in churches around the North New South Wales Conference.

— Pastor Lorenzo Berry/NorthPoint

— Margaret Hivon

Cultural exhibition reveals missionary past The South Sea Islands Museum (SSIM) in Cooranbong (NSW) has opened an exhibition focusing on the experiences of expatriate missionaries to Papua New Guinea (PNG).

“Snippets of the Unexpected — Legacies of those who served in PNG” is a snapshot of stories from more than 20 families who experienced life in Papua New Guinea whilst introducing education, health, hygiene, Christianity and a different way of life. Visitors to the exhibition will be able to read first-person accounts that reveal the victories of missionary life, as well as the struggles of church workers who lived in total isolation, went without, travelled through PNG’s rugged landscape, risked their lives, or experienced the tragic death of a child or spouse. The exhibit includes a range of privately-owned artefacts — a full-sized dugout canoe, carvings, paintings, historic photographs and other items.

One of the wood carvings is a spirit mask linked with traditional religious practices — it’s an example of craftsmanship no longer produced in PNG. The mask is not a tourist item, but was made as a votive with significance for the clan or family who

had it. Only the initiated were able to decode the symbols on the carving. It is on loan from a private collection received during a time of spiritual revival when students were strengthening their commitment to Christianity and destroying objects connected with spirit-worship.

“Snippets of the Unexpected” is a project of the Adventist Heritage Centre. Entry is by donation.

— Kent Kingston/Penny Baker To find out more about the Adventist Heritage Centre or the South Sea Islands Museum, check out the website at <https://heritage. adventistconnect.org> and sign up for our newsletter. The South Sea Islands Museum (27 Avondale Road, Cooranbong) is open Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday 2.00pm–4.00pm. The Adventist Heritage Centre is open Monday to Thursday 1.00pm–-4.00pm or by appointment, and is located on the Ground Floor of the Avondale College library (582 Freemans Drive, Cooranbong).

For more information, email <heritage@avondale. edu.au> or call (02) 4980 2313.

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Our Schools Week of Worship sets the tone for 2016 at Avondale The week of 15 to 19 February was Week of Worship at Avondale School. Each year, Avondale School’s Year 12 class leads out, setting the tone at the start of the year with a powerful spiritual program. This year the students chose the theme “Revival — Bring it Forward.” The class prayed for a revival in our school — not something that’s happened in the past, but a move of the Spirit that will lead us into the year and beyond.

Why Week of Worship? It’s all about uplifting the God we serve, and allowing Him the space to move amongst us and touch us with His Spirit at the start of the year. The Year 12 band played each day during Week of Worship, and five Year 12 students presented their personal thoughts on Submission, Conviction, Confession, Repentance, and Revival!

and be forgiven, confess to each other for accountability! Thursday: Grace Vaqewa took us back in time to the woman at the well with Jesus. She challenged us to leave the past behind and move forward with Jesus. Friday: John Latu shared the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, and he challenged us to come out from the things that hold us back and respond to the call of Jesus for freedom!

Throughout the entire week, talented Year 12 Visual Art student Nathan Hale painted on a canvas on stage as a background to the other presenters. His incredible finished work was a depiction of the final prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Also, adding to the incredible atmosphere of inspiration and fellowship was the Worship Band, who inspired the enthusiastic audience daily as they led the audience into God’s presence.

The conclusion to Week of Worship was brought to a very special close by the number of Secondary students who responded to the call of Jesus by stepping forward and acknowledging the revival felt within their hearts and doing so, acknowledging a personal decision to give their lives to Christ.

— Kerrie Howells

The presenters this year were Braydon Hall, Madison Kendall, Jordan Woods, Grace Vaqewa and John William Latu.

Monday: Braydon Hall challenged the audience to give ourselves to God because He has given everything for us! Tuesday: Madison Kendall talked about things that block us from coming to Jesus, and challenged us to “Check it out before we Chuck it out!”

Wednesday: Jordan Woods talked about two types of confession — confess to God

Macquarie College empowers students to eliminate bullying Bullying behaviours are not tolerated at Macquarie College, with students taking the lead in eliminating bullying and being the agents of change in creating a safe, supportive community for all students.

As part of the national “Bullying. No Way!” framework, Macquarie College actively challenges its students to identify, understand and eliminate bullying behaviours which may infiltrate the playground or classroom. Teachers led a special week of anti-bullying and student welfare activities from Kindergarten through to Year 12 in early March. Students took part in lessons tailored to generate awareness, change perceptions and encourage positive behaviours by each individual.

Macquarie College Principal Dr Bruce Youlden said the Safe and Supportive Community initiative is a very important component within an overall long standing strategy to develop and maintain a positive and supportive culture within the school. “Taking responsibility for oneself and exercising self-discipline is paramount to a respectful and harmonious society,” Dr Youlden said.

“Importantly, the values of respect, integrity, service and compassion are integral to the college’s overall mission and purpose as a centre for Christian education. As a comprehensive Pre-School to Year 12 campus, the college is well placed to foster and to nurture these attributes in our young people.”

As students learn socialisation skills, develop personalities and strive to achieve their goals, it is important that they can do this by standing tall, asking for help and standing up for their friends. Students are learning to celebrate diversity and the role that every student can play, either as a leader or as a follower.

Guest speaker Robyn Moore gave a special presentation to students and parents on Wednesday, 9 March to officially launch the week. She spoke about resilience, mindfulness and authorship. To complement the week, the college hosted Robyn presenting “Being the Best Version of Me” as a free community event, which focused on personal growth, authenticity and building resilience.

There were also been special chapel programs as part of the initiative for both the Junior and Senior school, and a whole-college demonstration of solidarity for student wellbeing and taking a stand to eliminate bullying, which was held on the College Oval on Friday, 18 March.

— Michelle Slack-Smith

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Features Review: There’s More To Jesus: Encountering the Fullness of Christ in Adventism

Every now and then, something will turn up in your life that speaks right into the heart of topic that you’ve been thinking about deeply — it might be a movie, an article, a book, a conversation with a friend or some chance encounter — and you just know that it can’t be a coincidence.

When a copy of There’s More To Jesus: Encountering the Fullness of Christ in Adventism arrived from Signs Publishing Company recently, I had one of those moments and it was exciting to receive something that so comprehensively unpacked what I’d been musing on.

Shawn Brace’s latest book is an exploration of why we can’t afford to encounter anything but the complete Jesus. And that means looking at Jesus beyond the stereotypical paintings of Him as an infant with His mother or carvings of the crucifixion.

I have wondered whether the way we see Jesus has a lot to do with the way we see or feel about ourselves. But to see Jesus better, we need to put self and stereotypes aside, and truly get to understand the multiple aspects of His nature and character as revealed in the Bible (and other inspired writing).

Years ago, I read Adrian Plass’s Jesus — Tender, Safe, Extreme and enjoyed his exploration of facets of Jesus’ character, ministry and purpose. But Brace goes even deeper — even though his chapters are short, they get right to the heart of each aspect he explores, from the loving Christ to the law-giving Christ, the liberating Christ to the coming Christ.

Throughout There’s More To Jesus, the beautiful, loving nature of Jesus shines. I love the story told in the opening chapter about a young doctor inspired by the testimony shared by Ellen White at a camp meeting and how he saw for “the first time in my life the fact that God loved me, and that Christ gave Himself for me personally.” Ellen White herself had noted previously the need for people to have their eyes directed toward Jesus and His “changeless love for the human family” (Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers, page 91). As you read There’s More To Jesus, this changeless love shines through.

And we cannot forget the second part of the title of this book — Encountering the Fullness of Christ in Adventism. We have a unique place in Christianity and history as Adventists, and Adventist perspectives are woven through this book, which is deeply practical and encouraging. The challenge also is made to reinstate the complete, full Christ as the centre of Adventism and to not hide His Light away from anyone.

After reading There’s More To Jesus, that’s just what you’ll want to do — and you won’t want to stop finding out more about Him either, making it a lifelong journey of discovery.

— Adele Nash There’s More To Jesus: Encountering the Fullness of Christ in Adventism Shawn Brace Signs Publishing Company, 2016 181 pages

Amelia Magazine feature: Me? A princess?

Mums, would you agree that your daughter is a princess?

I know what you’re thinking — a bratty princess?!

A spoiled princess?!

Hmmm…

That’s not the type of princess you would want your daughter to be. But would you like her to believe that she is precious, treasured and unique?

Of course, you would! You want her to grow up with the kind of confidence that will go before her and her dreams. That is the type of princess you would want her to be.

One of the first steps in helping your little girl believe she is precious is to believe that you are. Sounds a bit strange, but your underlying, probably unconscious, thoughts about yourself, will rub off on her.

How might you show that to her?

Think about how you speak about yourself in front of her. You are modelling how you should think about yourself. It might take a week of really taking note to see what messages you are sending her. If you’re trying to lose weight, how do you speak about that when she is around? Do you talk about wanting to be smaller because you don’t like your current size, or is it because you want to be healthier so you can enjoy life more fully? When you talk about how you look in your clothes, do you compare yourself to other women or do you appreciate yourself the way God made you? Do you talk about not doing something because you don’t think you can?

Pay attention to how you respond to your daughter. Does she feel special to you because of your reaction to her? It can be so easy to react with a sigh (and perhaps frustration) when she asks you the 30th question while you’re busy doing something.

Make some time to look after yourself and do some self-care and reflection. Contemplate what it means for YOU to be a daughter of God — because that is what you are. Imagine what you would be like if you were a princess, loved and adored by the King. You are so special that He came to save you, to heal your heart. He wants nothing more than to have you in His heart. And what would it be like to be eternally a princess?

Knowing this, how will that change how you treat others? How you see your own precious daughter?

Being a daughter of God is not just something for your daughter to know.

It is something you need to know, deep down in your heart — so deep it becomes a part of who you truly are.

— Michelle Villis This article comes from 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, visit the online store at <www.ameliamagazine.net>. Follow on facebook — AmeliaMagazine.

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