November/December 2022
North New South Wales Conference News
Each Conference in Australia is allocated a Mission within the South Pacif ic region as their official “Partner in Mission”. For the NNSW Conference, it is Fiji Mission. Due to the pandemic and the closure of international borders, we have been unable to do much work with them over the last couple of years However, some borders have re-opened and I had the privilege to spend a week with Fiji Mission in August, sharing material on leadership and govern ance as they work towards becoming a Conference themselves by 2025. But first, some context:
• Fiji, the country: around 300 separate islands, the two largest and most populated, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu;
• Capital: Suva, on the eastern side of Viti Levu (annual rainfall, 3m, yes 3 metres);
• Fiji Mission: around 145 worshipping congregations, 17,000 mem bers, 90 pastors and 14 schools.
God is working miracles in Fiji Mission. Across the country, there are seven commercial, free-to-air television stations. Hope Channel is one of them. The Adventist denomination is not the largest Church in the country by a long margin, but it is the only denomination broadcasting 24/7 on free-to-air TV. But wait, there is more! Hope radio is the only commercial FM radio station on freeto-air radio. Pastors are regularly coming across people in regional areas who are keeping the Sabbath because they watch or listen to Hope Channel.
But Fiji Mission also has some significant challenges. Many members are subsistence farmers or gardeners with low incomes. Resources can be scarce. Some pastors have up to eight worshipping groups/churches to care for. I visited the Navesau Adventist High School with around 220 students, 170 of those are boarding students. Navesau receives no government fund ing. In the computer lab, there are six working computers full stop. Credit goes to Tweed Valley Adventist College and Kempsey Adventist School, who have—over the years—supported Navesau, Isa Lei and other schools.
We want to support the work of the Church in Fiji where we can. Oppor tunities will be communicated in the coming months where we can partner with them to grow God’s kingdom over there and here.
Pastor Adrian Raethel NNSW Conference president
The computer lab at Navesau High School.
The Fiji Mission Communications team with president Pastor Nasoni to my left
The Bible is full of numbers and some of them are quite significant and tell a story, like the examples below:
• How many rivers flowed out of the Garden of Eden? 1
• How many days did it rain during Noah’s flood? 2
• What is the number of the beast from Revelation 13? 3
• What is God’s number? 4
While space does not allow us to expand on the pat terns found throughout Scripture, I’d like to briefly share with you the North NSW Conference numbers that tell a beautiful story.
Our Conference has 68 organised churches and 13 church companies, with a combined membership of 12,399 (Female: 6,873; Male: 5,440; Unstated: 86) as of September 30, 2022. This represents a net increase of 27 members compared to the same peri od last year.
It is important to celebrate that 98 precious people joined the Seventh-day Adventist movements in the first nine months of this year. Please don’t look upon these numbers as simply a statistic because behind every number, there is a precious person with a wonderful story to tell.
There are nine operating schools and two early learning centres within the NNSW Conference, totalling 4031 enrolled students. When you consider that only 25 per cent of those students come from Adventist families, the missional opportunity is in credible, and our chaplains, teachers and pastors are intentional about ministering to them. Every student represents a family within our reach, so please con tinue to pray for our schools and the bridge they are between the church and the local community.
While the rest of the country has forgotten about the COVID-19 regulations, the aged care sector is still dealing with the challenges created by the virus. I would like to thank our 384 nurses and workers within our five aged care facilities5 for their tireless work and the Christ-like service they offer to all sen iors in their care.
Please know that while we may have databases of numbers and statistics, everyone is valued and precious in God’s eyes.
If you have any questions regarding our mem bership database, do not hesitate to contact me at <abeliorgulescu@adventist.org.au>
1 Four rivers 2 40 days (this number seems to be closely associated with times of trial and testing. For example, Moses and Jesus Christ fasted for 40 days (Moses on the mountain, and Jesus in the wilderness). 3 666 4 Seven (God rested from creation on the 7th day, the book of Revelation is loaded with sevens [churches, seals, angels, trumpets, golden bowls, altars, hills, etc). 5 Alstonville, Avondale, Jewells, Wyee and Tweed Heads.
“But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, […]: ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine’.”
LismoreAdventist Senior Living, Alstonville Warners Bay Seventh-day Adventist Church, Lake Macquarie
Bates Mid-North Coast Adventurer Director
More than 600 Adventurers, parents and staff attended the highly anticipated NNSW Adventurer Camporee at Stuarts Point Convention Center (NSW) during the last weekend of the September school holidays. There was great excitement being the first Conference-wide camporee post-pandemic, howev er much apprehension considering a torrential rain forecast for the same weekend. Nevertheless, prayers were answered as rain only fell at night, allowing for a safe and joyous weekend.
The Camporee began with an opening Sabbath program held in the main tent. The stage area was decorated as a farmyard with hay bales, cut-out ani mals and a barn backdrop to accompany the “Spread the Word” theme. A formal welcome was delivered by Colleen Savage, NNSW Children, Family Ministries and Camporee director, followed by the raising of the flags and the reciting of the pledge and law. Formali ties were concluded with the Adventurers and leaders from 20 different clubs parading into the venue.
Throughout the weekend, children and par ents were encouraged to spread the word through praise and worship led out by Happy Hands founder Caroline Schmitz. The music was a mixture of old classics and contemporary favourites, including the Camporee theme song “Truly Free”, an original piece composed by Tamworth church member Amy Cherry.
Alan
Pastor Sean Berkeley preaching during a night program.
Worship team and band singing with the kids.
Each program included a short message from Bris bane-based (QLD) Pastor Sean Berkeley, which centered around the key verse in 2 Timothy 4:2 that invites God’s people to be ready to always share the gospel. That evening Pastor Berkeley retold the parable of the Sower, encouraging the Adventurers to grow their faith on good ground. To accompany each worship pro gram, Pathfinders from Wallsend performed a series of dramas that echoed the messages.
The Sabbath was a special day as Adventurers interacted and responded to the messages through various crafts and activi ties. The activities included herd ing sheep, scarecrow first aid and finding a needle in the haystack. There were 12 different rotations and after each activity, the camp
ers received a corresponding stamp which assisted in solving a puzzle to locate a lost sheep.
For Louise Ginn, NNSW Chil dren and Family Ministries ad ministrator, the highlight of the event was “watching the whole weekend unfold [and] seeing God work firsthand.”
From the favourable weather to the positive responses from Ad venturers, Mrs Savage highlighted how “there were many prayers answered” during the weekend.
Each element from the music, activities, drama, worships, and craft, complimented each other perfectly to ensure that each camper had a blessed time. “It
was such a privilege to work with such a bunch of dedicated lead ers who genuinely care for our children,” said Mrs Savage.
NNSW Secretary Pastor Abel Iorgulescu expressed his grati tude to all Camporee volunteers who supported the inspiring program. “It is important for the future of the Adventist movement that our young children are en couraged to ‘Spread the Word’.”
Heeding God’s call to ‘go into all the world’, a team of youth from NNSW have recently em barked on an Outback Mission Trip to the rural community of Finke (NT). Located in the geo graphical centre of Australia, this remote Aboriginal community of 200 represents an important mis sion field. Despite being in one of the most isolated parts of the country, the town is blessed with a Seventh-day Adventist church as well as two full-time volun teers, Mancel and Jubilee.
Led by the Youth and Young Adults department in collabora tion with Pastor Quintin Dutlow, the team conducted a series of evening evangelistic meetings explaining how to be ready when Jesus returns. The team facilitat ed a community kids club during the morning, which involved face painting, activities and the re nowned pinnacle challenge. After this, they conducted basic repairs and painting to the church build ing, revitalising the church both physically and spiritually.
Please join us in praying for God’s work to go forward in the community of Finke.
The NNSW Appointments Committee has appointed Pastor Lyle Southwell as the new Evan gelism, Personal Ministries and Sabbath School director. He was previously serving the Confer ence as one of the Conference evangelists and as Faith FM’s Breakfast Show host and coordi nator. Pastor Southwell will take up the role at the end of the year.
Scarr Ocean Shores SDA
Ocean Shores Seventh-day Adventist Church recently cel ebrated the baby dedication of young Safiya Arte. The service
was conducted by Pr Tema Polo ga and was notably memorable as four generations of the family were in attendance. The occasion was a timely reminder of God’s everlasting love and care for all His children.
Pastor
Henrique Felix Editor, NorthPoint
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The group made renovations around the church.
Local kids doing activities at the pinnacle.
Mansel (seated at centre), Jubilee (front-right) and the youth team inside the church.
Young adults from eight universities around Australia gathered at the Yarrahappinni Adventist Youth Centre from September 16-18 for the an nual NNSW University Ministry Summit. The weekend centred on equip ping university students, Bible workers and passionate lay people to take the three angels’ messages more effectively to their local universities and reach campuses for Christ.
The group explored principles for building a soul-winning campus ministry through several workshops conducted by church elder Johnny Wong. Drawing from a wealth of experience in church planting, campus ministry and evangelistic CARE groups, Johnny guided the attendees through a comprehensive plan to start and grow a campus ministry. The summit provided an opportunity for collaboration and discussion be tween teams that will undoubtingly result in the spreading of the gospel.
The membership of the Mullumbimby Adventist Church has increased by two after a delightful baptism ceremony was held on September 17. Local dentist Dr Walter Piccolruaz and community member Kelly Boyle entered the waters of baptism in the Brunswick River as a public expression of their faith. Many curious onlookers witnessed this event as the local church welcomed the pair as members of the worldwide Seventh-Day Adventist Church.
Despite structural damage during the recent floods at the beginning of this year, the con gregation at Mullumbimby have faithfully continued to meet each Sabbath. Whether it be under the canopy of a gazebo or in a shed, their passion to share the love of Christ compels them to gather weekly.
Please keep this local church in prayer as they continue to wit ness to their local community.
Pastor David Haupt
Mary Fedorow Hillview SDA
Hillview Adventist Church in Morisset (NSW) recently celebrated its cultural diversity with an international Sab bath featuring 26 different nations.
Four nations were represented for the opening prayer, with each praying in their native language. The offering announcement and prayer were also presented with a few words spoken in Ukrainian and the flag displayed.
The main service was presented in the form of inter views by Pastor Danny Milenkov, who asked members from African Countries, Brazil, India, and Croatia to speak about the growth of the church in these countries.
A highlight for the congregation was a special item presented by children, many in bright colourful costumes. They sang three verses of Jesus Loves Me, with each verse in a different language.
“God sees the beautiful mosaic of all the different peo ple, all with the same hope that Jesus will take us home,” said Program organiser Sonya Muhl.
The Bay Seventh-day Adventist church plant (Bonnells Bay, NSW) became a church company on Sabbath, September 24. An afternoon service was hosted by Pastor Sau Finau and at tended by North New South Wales Conference (NNSW) president Pastor Adrian Raethel and church planting director Joseph Skaf.
The church plant stems from humble beginnings and has grown considerably during the last eight years. Church mem ber Genevieve Latu reflected on the origin of the Company as it grew from a group of Tongan students and families who wanted to meet for prayer meetings and vespers. The small group then developed into a congregation that worshipped in the Bonnells Bay Community Centre each Sabbath.
The food pantry is the heart of the church plant and has been serving the community for six years. According to Ms Latu, the food pantry “is a model of service which works so [they] can be within the community, serving and living with people.”
Pastor Finau explained that established churches should aim to benefit the community around them. “Wherever Jesus went, that community benefitted. That’s what we want to do. The emphasis is where the food pantry started, but we used that as our filter to understand our community,” he added.
Despite the comfort of operating as a church plant under the guidance of the conference, Ms Latu said that “now we’re maturing [and] we’re growing too big for our pot, we need to be planted so we can produce more seedlings and more churches.”
The process of church plants becoming church companies is a recognition of the growth of their ministries and numbers. Pastor Raethel explained that the Bay church company are “formally becoming a part of the sisterhood of churches not only within our conference but right around the world.”
