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Summer Camps provide fun and spiritual activities for more than 350 juniors and teens
By Juliana Muniz
For Annabelle Burrett, 11, Summer Holidays used to be, as she describes, “kind of boring”. “I pretty much went to the beach and also had to go to work with my mom,” she recalls. Now, in her second year at Summer Camp, she has been using that time to learn new and interesting skills. Yet, more than sailing, horse riding and archery, she and around 350 other juniors and teens have been learning more about Jesus.
That is why Summer Camp is such an essential evangelistic initiative. “It is one of the most important things we do as a Church. Here we present Jesus in a fun environment where the kids make lifetime memories.
We also have a great number of non-Adventists, so this is a great opportunity to present Jesus to them,” explains Dana Howard, Youth Director for the Adventist Church in North New South Wales.
This year, the three original camps grew to four due to the high demand for registrations. Each of the four camps run with a staff of 70, formed almost entirely by volunteers. Cullen Partington is one of those volunteers; he worked as a counsellor at the second juniors camp, guiding and taking care of one of the boys’ cabins. “I’m basically their parent for the week,” he jokes.
“I’m not being paid to be here, but for me, it’s a real blessing because I can see the difference in their lives. When you see them coming to Summer Camp, a lot of them don’t have the background of a Christian faith, and when they come here to experience God it’s just amazing to see the smiles in their faces and them learning from activities and life skills and learning about God as well,” he says.
Adopt a Church
The last few months have been incredibly trying or many of our communities and residents in regional parts of New South Wales. After enduring years of drought, our farmers and outback towns were hit with some of the largest and strongest fires on record. Many have lost absolutely everything. There are reports of families living out of burnt-out vehicles. Some of these areas have received support from ADRA Australia, Adventist Community Services (NNSW Conference) and from local Adventist churches, yet there is so much more that needs to be done.
How can you help? If you are from a coastal church that has not been affected by the drought and fires, one of the best things you can do as a church community is adopt a church that has been affected. By partnering in this way we can support each other. Some of our coastal churches have already been working toward this and it has been very effective and appreciated.
(continued on page 2)
North New South Wales Conference News February 2020
One example of this is Coonabarabran. The Adventist church in Coonabarabran contacted Adventist Community Services Director David Haupt requesting assistance for their efforts supporting the local community. Their request was for $3000 allocated to specific initiatives. Murwillumbah Adventist Church agreed to partner with the church in Coonabarabran and presented this request to their congregation. The Tweed Valley Op Shop was also brought in on the partnership and they pledged to match any funds raised by Murwillumbah dollar for dollar. A total of $18,000 was raised for the church in Coonabarabran - funds which will go directly to helping residents who are trying to rebuild their lives after losing everything.
As mentioned, some of our coastal church are already in the process of partnering up with regional churches, however there are still around 12 churches in affected areas that desperately need help.
There are also other ways that you can help. One family has donated a caravan which they were not using. This caravan will be used as temporary accommodation for those without a home. Why not plan for a special SES and Fire Brigade Appreciation Sabbath? Invite your local SES and Fire service to your church, have a special lunch with a celebration cake and a service to match. You can also present a “Thank You” certificate. Make sure that you invite local media.
If your church would like to adopt a church, run an SES appreciation Sabbath or want to support in some other way, please contact David Haupt (Adventist Community Services) to receive more information and begin supporting struggling Australians.
DavidHaupt@adventist.org.au nnsw.adventist.org.au/acs
Executive Committee 2019-2022
Name
Role
Adrian Raethel President
Abel Iorgulescu Secretary
Russell Halliday CFO
Afiipu Tuaoi Director Staff
Norman Hurlow Director Staff
Michael Brown Director Staff
Karen Davis Director Staff
Justin Stafford Director Lay Person
Colin Hone Director Lay Person
Sam Sooialo Director Lay Person
Sherryn Bailey Director Lay Person
Sharon Rusterholz Director Lay Person
Malvinas Penland Director Lay Person
Kevin Johnson Director Lay Person
Eva Race Director Lay Person
2020 Pastoral Staffing
Alstonville Dada Fialho
Armidale David Cherry
Armidale/Inverell Intern
Steven Duncan
Avondale College Nimrod Maua
Avondale College Associate Alex Green
Avondale College Associate
Michaela Truscott
Avondale Memorial Peter Watts
Avondale Memorial Associate
Steven Magaitis
Avondale Memorial Associate
Susan Magatis
Ballina Peter Howard
Bellingen
TBA
Blue Haven Morgan Vincent
Boolaroo
Bourke
Bray Park
Grego Pillay
Shaun Hepworth
Steven Teale
Brewarrina Doreen Waites
Byron Bay Brad Hoffman
Byron Bay Associate Glen Hughes
Camden Haven David Kosmier
Cameron Park
Lynette Moodley
Gloucester Andrew Pratt
Gosford Miroslav Stillinovic
Grafton Adam Cinzio
Gunnedah Fomai Mohr
Guyra Stephen Duncan
Hamilton Justin Torrisian
Haven Campus Church Ian Cangy
Haven Campus Church Asociate Kim Parmenter
Hillview Danny Milenkov
Inverell Stephen Duncan
Kanwal Peter Ansell
Kempsey Marty Thomson
Kempsey-South Quintin Dutlow
Kingscliff TBA
Kingscliff Lynden Parmenter
Kingscliff Matthew Atcheson
Kingscliff Quintin Betterridge
Kurri Kurri Neil Thomson
Kyogle Tim Kingston
Lakeside David Price
Lightning Ridge Beaulah James
Lismore Tim Merritt
Living Abundantly David Stojcic
Macksville Marcus Mundall
Maclean Adam Cinzio
Maitland Neil Thomson
Moree Keith Stockwell
Mullumbimby Jessica Trevithick
Murwillumbah Ashley Smith
Muswellbrook Leticia Moreno
Nambucca Heads William Moala
Narrabri TBA
Nelson Bay Joseph Skaff
Newcastle Multicultural Uriah St Juste
Newcastle Polish David Stocic
Newcastle Samoan Talai Mohr
Newcastle Spanish Roberto Velasquez
Ocean-Shores Brad Hoffman
Ourimbah Fred Chilesea
Port Macquarie Obed Soire
Quirindi Ray Dabson
Raymond-Terrace-Mission Blake Penland
Scone Leticia Moreno
Prayer Conference
6-8 March 2020
Register on the conference website today.
Creation Summit
20-22 March 2020
Stuarts Point Convention Centre
Big Camp
17-25 April 2020
Register on the conference website today.
Grey Nomads
8-16 May 2020
Stuarts Point Convention Centre
Upcoming Events More News Online...
nnsw.adventist.org.au/news-and-events
Casino Tim Kingston
Caves Beach Robbie Morgan
Central Coast Community
Michael Chapman
Central Coast Community Associate
Bethany Chapman
Cessnock Ken Love
Charlestown Bob Bolst
Coffs Coast Associate Luke Reeves
Coffs Harbour Bob Manners
Coffs Harbour Associate Luke Reeves
Coffs-Coast Bob Manners
Community-Church-at-the-Bay Sau Finau
Coonabarabran Fomai Mohr
Coonamble Shaun Hepworth
Dora Creek David Price
Dorrigo William Moala
Dungog Ross Chadwick
Forresters Beach Jared Smith
Forster / Tuncurry Graeme Stewart
Gateway Norman Hurlow Glen Innes Afi Tuaoi
Seeds Joseph Skaff
Singleton Leticia Moreno
South-West-Rocks Jack Ryder
Stuarts Point TBA
Swansea James Lee
Tamworth Ray Dabson
Taree Graeme Stewart
Tenterfield Afi Tuaoi
The-Vine Daniel Christie
The-Well Jack Ryder
Toronto Grego Pillay
Tumbulgum Matthew Atcheson
Wallsend Ben Rea
Wallsend Lizeth Momanga
Warners Bay Boris Jovinov
Wauchope David Kosmier
West-Wallsend James Lee
Windale-Aboriginal Uriah St Juste
Wingham Andrew Pratt
Woodenbong TBA
Woy Woy Fred Chileshe
Wyee Ken Love
Executive Report
Adrian Raethel President
To say that we are having an extraordinary summer is a gross understatement. On top on crippling drought, we are acutely aware that a number of states across the country have experienced devastating bush fires resulting in the tragic loss of life, homes, businesses, livestock and native animals. However, we can be proud of the work that ADRA, Adventist Community Services and local churches have been engaged in to support their local communities through this difficult time. On top of the immediate Government grant, 30 Adventist families have received the emergency $500 cash payment from ADRA. Churches such as Dorrigo, Foster and Wingham have provided shelter for evacuated people, their animals and emergency services workers. Ten churches within our Conference have provided first responders and displaced residents with food and water. ADRA has supported each of the local churches serving their community with a $2000 grant. The Alstonville Senior Living kitchen has provided meals and water to local RFS personnel. We appreciate the ministry of David Haupt as the Conference ADRA and Adventist Community Services director in facilitating much of this support. One of the 4 key focus areas of the Conference strategic plan is “Serving Humanity” and we thank all church members for their tireless service to their local communities.
In mid December, the Australian Union Conference (AUC) president Pr Jorge Munoz requested that churches across the country participate in a week of special prayer for rain in drought affected areas. We praise God for the rain that has fallen, particularly across some of the fire grounds but so much more is needed, especially in rural areas and across the water catchments. Tens of thousands of Christians around Australia are praying for rain. God hears every one of their prayers but significant rain has not yet fallen. I’m reminded of the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18. Jesus introduces the parable by stating that we should always pray and not lose heart (v.1). As an officer team, Abel, Russell and I invite you and your local church to continue to pray for rain. Choose a convenient Sabbath early in the new year to have a special prayer focus as part of the worship service. The chapter on Prayer in Steps to Christ provides excellent resource material on the conditions of prayer. These would be great discussion points.
As well as praying for rain, the AUC have 2 additional prayer requests that they have asked that we focus on:
- Praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
- Praying for the various ministries that are operating around the country.
For example, by the time you read this, 4 summer camps would have been held at Yarrahapinni requiring a huge amount of planning, organization, energy and resources lead by the Youth Ministries team, Dana Howard and Blair Lemke.
In addition to Serving Humanity, the other key focus areas of the Conference strategic plan are:
- Growing spiritually
- Making disciples
- Proclaiming the gospel
As a new year gets under way at a rapid pace, how am I working towards these goals in my own life, in my family? What plans does my local church have in place to address at least one area?
Wishing you God’s continued rich blessing for 2020.
Water For Life Project - Wallsend Church
By Joy Guy
The Sunday morning news bulletin included an item that the town of Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter Valley was facing Level 6 water restrictions and its bore water sources had run dry.
As Robert & Julie Norris sat eating their breakfast, they contemplated what they could do to help. They immediately prayed for rain. Later they felt impressed to contact Jenny, the Country Women’s Association (CWA) representative for the Murrurundi area with an offer to deliver 10 litre containers (jugs) of water to the town.
Jenny expressed her surprise and extreme gratitude. She arranged to take delivery of the water at the old church which had been converted into a food pantry. Full article on the conference website...
Adventists and Muslims Support Coonabarabran Community
Last month Paul Bennetts, one of our NNSW Adventist members, had the opportunity to present at a Muslim gathering in Sydney. Paul was warmly welcomed at their gathering and he spoke on Revelation. He also talked about the drought out west and presented photos from Coonabarabran and the support our Adventist church there is providing to local residents. The listeners were deeply impacted by the stories and indicated that they wanted to contribute to these efforts. They took up an offering and sent the donations to the Adventist Church in Coonabarabran…
Full article on the conference website...
The Gospel shared in a Hospital WardKelvin’s Story
Kelvin’s interest in spiritual things was sparked when he was in hospital and rooming there with Alan Craig, one of our village residents at the Avondale Retirement Village. Alan introduced him to Jesus.
When he got back to Bayside, Kelvin pursued this interest and after receiving Bible studies, asked to be baptised. Because of his frail condition it was proposed that he be accepted by profession of faith but he insisted that he wanted to be baptised by emersion like Jesus was.
Full article on the conference website...
Passionate Spirituality
By Gillian Knight - NNSW NCD Coordinator
What is a church without Spirituality?
We have talked about relationships and small groups and in reality these things are accessible in any organised club or even in the workplace. What sets a church apart from any other social gettogether is the level of Spirituality in that group or relationship.
So, is it possible to have a church without Passionate Spirituality?
All churches have varying degrees of Spirituality. A church may be exciting and entertaining, the people are loving and happy, a dynamic pastor and a growing membership, however, this doesn’t always mean there is a deep spirituality in that place.
If this area is low in your church, it is the hardest to change. We can have the biggest most exciting church in the nation and yes people will be attracted and come, but spirituality is something that we cannot ‘produce’, it must be ‘experienced’ by individuals. It is about your personal relationship with your Creator and Saviour!
The questions in the survey related to Passionate Spirituality are defined as “the degree to which faith is actually lived out with commitment, passion and enthusiasm”. It is important not to equate being passionate with a particular style of worship. The higher the question’s result, the greater its contribution to the spirituality of the church being passionate.
As we look at the questions related to Passionate Spirituality in the survey, seven of the ten questions can only be changed or influenced by the individual and their personal experience. These questions can be grouped into 5 categories and we will look at the first two this month.
1. God with us
2. Prayer
3. Bible
4. Belief in the future arises out of perceptions of the present
5. Spiritual leadership
1. “God with us”
Q 71 – I experience God’s work in my life
Q 42 – I experience the transforming influences faith has in the different areas of my life (profession, family, spare time, etc)
Q 41 – I often tell other Christians when I have experienced something from God
These questions progress from general experience to a transformational faith and onto sharing that with others in the church. Experiencing God in ways which are seen as relevant to our daily
life and help to transform the believer is the bedrock of testimony. If this is not happening, then there is nothing to share.
It is possible that people are experiencing God at work in their lives in transformational ways but then the culture of the church doesn’t allow the sharing of that experience, let alone encourage it. If people are not hearing regularly about God being among them, don’t be surprised if they think that He isn’t there.
The key element of our identity as Christians is that we believe in God, are transformed by the love and grace given to us through Jesus, which in turn should fill us with His Spirit, making us compelled or on fire to tell others of our experience. If this is not happening, can we really call ourselves “Christians”?
2. Prayer
Q 77 – Times of prayer are an inspiring experience for me
Q 29 – I know that other church members pray for me regularly
This is asking more than just the mechanics of spiritual discipline, to the need for churches to encourage a vibrant, relevant and engaging prayer life. It is saying that prayer is the essential ingredient to the spiritual growth of individuals and from that the healthy growth of a church.
It also implies that I am not just aware that people are praying for me regularly, but that I recognise the difference that prayer has made in my life. That relationships are such that issues are being prayed for; and people are checking with each other regarding answers to prayer.
I love the saying “Too busy not to pray”. Our lives are busy and we often use prayer as a last resort when things go wrong. My prayer life has changed and evolved over time. As a child being taught there is only one way to pray made it a long and arduous daily task. As I have grown in my understanding of God over the years I now know it is far more enjoyable and rewarding. “Pray without ceasing” is no longer seen as an impossible task but a promise of connection and availability 24/7, 7 days a week, 366 days a year (this year is a leap year)!
Let me encourage you to use 2020 as a year to reconnect with your God and truly experience His transforming power in your life – and when you do, share that experience with your fellow believers.
Ephesians 6:18 – “and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
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The NorthPoint Bulletin is printed 10 times per year by the Adventist Church (North New South Wales Conference).
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Phone (02) 4951 8088
Email northpoint@adventist.org.au Website nnsw.adventist.org.au
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Disclaimer: Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
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