NorthPoint - March, 2023

North New South Wales Conference News March 2023

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Re gi s tra ti on s ope n on 1 F e b ru a ry 20 2 3 Re gi s tra ti on s c l os e on 30 J u n e 20 23 On l y 20 s pots pl u s on e pa re n t/c a re gi ve r

Pastor Adrian Raethel NNSW Conference president

Making a difference As readers and students of Bible prophecy, it shouldn’t surprise us that the frequency and severity of natural disasters seems to be increasing. We don’t even need to look overseas. Just reflect on what has occurred within the state of NSW over the last 3 years: severe drought, widespread fires and record-breaking floods, not to mention the global pandemic. Our Church is blessed to have ADRA Australia working both within our country and overseas. Below are some highlights from the 2021/22 annual report. Over the course of the last financial year: • Over $424,000 has been raised to support flood victims in NSW and QLD; • Over 2,000 volunteers have contributed 371,438 hours of time; • The 93 community projects across the country have impacted 249,443 people.

In addition, ADRA Australia works with communities in the Pacific, Asia and Africa to bring transformative change. Overseas, their work is primarily focused in the areas of health, livelihoods and disasters.

PHOTO: Neville (right) is a retired maths teacher who faithfully gives of his time as the ADRA leader at his local church. Like every other week of his life, he was ready to serve his community during this difficult time. He is pictured sorting through donated goods to be distributed to those affected by flooding in Lismore.

• ADRA Australia supports 48 international projects across 23 countries that have positively impacted 722,828 people; • The total amount of international aid and development program expenditure is $8,273,600; • ADRA Australia has responded to 17 disasters in 19 countries.

ADRA Australia is working to strengthen its relationship with local churches. A key focus area is resourcing local churches to be “disaster ready”, so that members can be prepared to respond quickly and support their local communities when disasters occur.

Thank you for your on-going support of ADRA Australia.

2023 NNSW Pastoral Staffing Alstonville Armidale Avondale University Avondale University Associate Avondale University Associate Avondale Memorial Avondale Memorial Associate Avondale Memorial Associate Ballina Boolaroo Bourke Bray Park Brewarrina Byron Bay Camden Haven Cameron Park Fellowship Casino Caves Beach Central Coast Community Central Coast Samoan Cessnock Charlestown Coffs Harbour Coffs Coast Bay Community Church Coonabarabran Coonamble Dora Creek Dorrigo Dungog Forresters Beach Forster/Tuncurry Gateway Gateway Associate Glen Innes Gloucester Gosford Grafton Gunnedah Guyra Hamilton Haven Campus Church Hillview Inverell Kanwal Kempsey Kempsey South Kingscliff Kingscliff ARISE Kingscliff Associate

Dada Fialho Luke Reeves Norman Hurlow Morgan Vincent Trent Keegan Steven Magaitis Stephen Duncan Leticia Moreno Dada Fialho Danny Milenkov Doreen Waites Steven Teale Doreen Waites Tema Pologa David Price Trent Keegan Tim Kingston Marcial Hernandez Kevin Robinson Asovale Isitolo Ken Love Kim Parmenter Ben Rea Ben Rea Sau Finau Nathan Andreoli Nathan Andreoli Uriah St Juste Tim Turner Ross Chadwick Grant Fataaoia Graham Stuart Michael Chapman Tarenne Greenwood Brad Cooke Shaun Hepworth Andy Matthes Greg Fernance Tim O'Keefe Luke Reeves Justin Torossian Ian Cangy Leslie Ncube Ted White Phil Bishop Bob Manners Quintin Dutlow Quintin Betteridge Lynden Parmenter Andrew Pratt

Kurri Kurri Kyogle Lakeside Lightning Ridge Lismore Living Abundantly Macksville Maclean Maitland Moree Mullumbimby Murwillumbah Murwillumbah Associate Muswellbrook Nambucca Heads Narrabri Nelson Bay Newcastle Multicultural Newcastle Polish Newcastle Samoan Newcastle Spanish Newcastle Tongan Newcastle University Ocean Shores Ourimbah Pottsville Church Plant Port Macquarie Quirindi/Manila Raymond Terrace Mission Scone Singleton South West Rocks Swansea Tamworth Taree Tenterfield The Vine The Well (Kempsey) Toronto Tumbulgum Wallsend Wallsend Associate Warners Bay Wauchope West Wallsend Windale Aboriginal Wingham Upper Clarence Woy Woy Wyee

Bob Bolst Adam Cinzio David Kosmeier Beulah James Tim Merritt David Eastham Quintin Dutlow Adam Cinzio Bob Bolst Peauvasa Afoa David Haupt Ashley Smith Boris Jovinov Christopher Peterson Tim Turner Peauvasa Afoa Danuta Stockwell TBC David Eastham TBC Roberto Velasquez Efoti Tangulu Ernst William Tema Pologa Mike Parker Steven Teale Kendall Cobbin Brian Holloway Mark Sutherland TBC Christopher Peterson Bob Manners James Lee Kolia Afamasaga Graham Stewart Brad Cooke David Stojcic Jack Ryder Susan Magaitis David Stojcic David Riley Adam Schulz Ernst William David Price James Lee Keith Stockwell Shaun Hepworth Tim Kingston Mike Parker Grego Pillay

Food pantries making a difference Newcastle Uni Church celebrates baptism Hana Nakagawa Bible Worker, Newcastle University Church The Newcastle University Church officially welcomed Hamish Bottin into the congregation as he was baptised in Lake Macquarie on November 5, 2022. He was baptised by NNSW young adults director, Pastor Blair Lemke and a beautiful afternoon was enjoyed by friends and family.

Mr Bottin was raised in an Adventist family in Kempsey and moved down to Newcastle in 2021 to attend university. He discovered the Adventist Students on Campus (ASOC) group, who are a student group connected to the Newcastle University Church company. He participated in Bible studies and made the decision for baptism in October 2021.

Lazio Crescentini ADRA NSW Regional Director Throughout the NNSW conference, food pantries have been a direct answer to God’s call to feed His sheep.

Deane Street Food Pantry is an example of this and runs each Thursday in the community of Narara, Central Coast. Recently, a community member showed her support by writing a letter detailing how she could use groceries to make healthy meals for her children during a period of severe financial difficulty.

Singleton Food Pantry operates each Tuesday and has been a blessing in its local community. In June 2022, with help from Singleton church, the organisation provided food to the Broke and Bulga regions affected by flooding.

Food pantry is a brilliant ministry that connects the local church with the community and meets the needs of people.

TOP: University Church community together for the baptism at the lake. LEFT: Pastor Blair Lemke shares a Bible message with Hamish. RIGHT: Hamish being baptised in Lake Macquarie.

Mr Bottin recognised that he lacked a personal relationship with God and over several weeks and months, church members earnestly prayed for him. The church made many appeals, but his response was always uncertainty.

During a church camp in October, a church member asked Mr Bottin if he wanted to be baptised, and his answer was a confident “yes”. Overwhelmed with excitement he already had a date in mind.

Tears were shed at his baptism as the day was a long-awaited answer to the prayers of many.

Be an agent for change! Join thousands of generous individuals volunteering their time and talents to support people and communities in need. ADRA Australia has many opportunities for you to engage with local programs. Visit <adra.org.au/volunteer> to register and ADRA Australia will be in touch with more information about opportunities that match your interests and unique skills sets.

Youth camp draws teens closer to God Megantha Kiruwi Associate Editor, NorthPoint More than 100 teens had a week of fun and spiritual growth at the annual North New South Wales Conference (NNSW) Youth Summer Camp from January 16 to 22 in Yarrahapinni, NSW. According to NNSW youth director Pastor Dana Howard, the aim of the youth summer camp is to provide an opportunity for teens to hear Jesus. “One young girl has grown up in the church her whole life and has never had a Bible study. She has had her first Bible study here in the mornings and wants to be baptised,” he shared.

From this age group, 19 have requested baptism, 20 are interested in Bible studies and 25 sought mentorship, with more decisions made separately in the Junior and Teen camps.

Tony Bentley, a member of the Kingscliff church, has been attending NNSW summer camps for more than 20 years. “[This week] has been an absolute blessing.

The youth that have come to this camp are so invested; they are just so hyped for God. You can see in their eyes that they are just so open to being taught and spoken to, and learn and just accept who God is and what He has done for our lives,” Mr Bentley said.

Campers began each day with a combined morning devotion led by Pastor Josh Kross. During the mornings, campers had a choice of multiple activities, which al-

lowed them to learn and enhance their skills. Options included abseiling, watersports, mountain biking, horse riding, snorkelling and a range of other activities.

The night programs were a particular highlight for most campers. These programs featured worship music, vibrant icebreakers with a spiritual application, testimonies from campers and staff, a message led

by Pastor Kross and a drama to conclude the night. The theme of the camp was “All In”, and campers were encouraged to accept the invitation to experience the fullness of God’s love by giving Him their all.

For 15-year-old first-time camper Abigail Hammond, it was refreshing to be in an environment where teenagers could worship together without the feeling of being judged. “I knew it would be a Christian camp . . . but I didn’t realise how committed people were to God here. I thought [everyone] would just go along with their own thing and pretend that [God] doesn’t even exist, but everyone here is so into it,” she added.

NNSW young adults director Blair Lemke explained that summer camps are more than just a fun week for our youth. He said

summer camps are “an evangelistic campaign for young people . . . A lot of people think evangelism is for those out in the world, but we need to reach our young people and a lot of them have not had an experience with God. We bring them here to give them an authentic personal experience with Jesus Christ.”

Craft and cuppa at Wallsend Church Narelle Arblaster Wallsend Seventh-day Adventist Church Ladies of all ages had a blast on October 30 at the ‘Craft and Cuppa’ afternoon hosted by the Wallsend Church Women’s Ministries Team. Many women from the local community and church members attended the event.

The afternoon began with a devotional thought from Linda Ross followed by an afternoon tea coordinated by Melissa Nowicki. A variety of items were crafted from air dry clay, polymer clay, timber and yarn and artworks were created both on paper and rock. Wallsend Church would like to thank Belinda Fedorow, Natalie North and Tessa Greive for their assistance in organising the event.

BIBLE NAMES OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: FIND-A-WORD MATTHEW MARK LUKE JOHN ELIZABETH MARY MARTHA LAZARUS

PETER SIMON PAUL TIMOTHY ANDREW JUDAS JOSEPH STEPHEN

ATSIM regional meetings to continue in 2023 Keith Stockwell NNSW ATSIM Director Last year the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) team was able to organise three regional days which were celebrated over three different Sabbaths in different rural communities.

The ATSIM regional held at Coonamble on June 18 was a high day, as Coonamble church was filled with around 30 people from diverse cultures. This was the second ATSIM regional day for 2022 and all who participated were enthusiastic to worship together.

Attendees travelled from as far as Lightening Ridge whilst others came in groups from Bourke, Narrabri, Coonabarabran, and Newcastle. The Sabbath school lesson was led by Indigenous elder, Eddie Trindall and the main message was presented by NNSW ATSIM director, Pastor Keith Stockwell.

The final regional day was hosted by Moree church on November 26. The determination to attend the day was witnessed as some families travelled eight hours from the Bre-

warrina region, detouring around flooded regions of inland NSW. NNSW conference president, Pastor Adrian Raethel was the main speaker, who travelled to Moree by air with help from Adventist Aviation.

Pastor Raethel shared a powerful and thought-provoking message from Daniel 7, encouraging the congregation to remember and invest in God’s everlasting kingdom, rather than investing in a temporary one.

The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way throughout the church service as powerful testimonies were shared and praise and worship was led by Moree church.

Our regionals are safe for all cultures, and this year the ATSIM team will hold three meetings. The first on March 25 in Tamworth, the second on May 27 in Lightening Ridge and the final on August 12 in Casino.

For interest in ATSIM regionals or reaching our First Nations people for Jesus, please contact ATSIM director, Pastor Keith Stockwell on 0425 270 960.

TOP: Conference leaders pray with members at Moree church. ABOVE: Pastor Adrian Raethel, NNSW president, speaking at Moree regional ATSIM meeting. BELOW: Coonamble church attandance during the ATSIM regional meeting.

New staff at the office Henrique Felix Editor, NorthPoint

Conference commemorates new Indigenous plaque Keith Stockwell NNSW ATSIM Director The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) department hosted a special ceremony on November 2, 2022, at the NNSW Conference office to unveil an acknowledgement of country plaque at the main entrance. The plaque honours God and pays respect to the traditional custodians of the land, the Awabakal people.

Johnny Robinson, a well-known Aboriginal artist, played special didgeridoo music for the opening and closing of the ceremony. Speaking at the event were NNSW president Pastor Adrian Raethel, ATSIM director Pastor Keith Stockwell and Brewarrina minister Doreen Waites. These leaders brought their perspectives and voices to the conversation surrounding culture, reconciliation, and acknowledgement of country.

ADRA NSW

Last year ADRA Australia appointed Lazio Crescentini as the new ADRA NSW Director. He replaces Pastor David Haupt, who continues serving as NNSW Adventist Community Services director and Mullumbimby church pastor. Born in South Africa, Mr Crescentini worked in the medical area for 12 years as a services engineer and salesperson.

He is married to Toya Crescentini and they have two children. He looks forward to working with local churches to meet the community’s needs and share the love of Jesus.

Literature Evangelism

TOP: Conference team around the new acknowledgement of country plaque during the ceremony in front of the Conference Office. LEFT: Pastors Keith Stockwell (left) and Adrian Raethel (right) speak during the ceremony. RIGHT: Aboriginal artist Johnny Robinson playing a didgeridoo.

The special luncheon that followed provided an opportunity for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions surrounding these topics. The plaque at the entrance, as well as the large flags near the foyer, serve as symbols of reconciliation and promote a spirit of inclusiveness and respect.

The NNSW Conference also announced the appointment of Emmanuel Higgins as the new Literature Evangelism Coordinator for 2023. With experience in LE and Youth Ministry since 2012, Emmanuel also has a tech industry background. Married to Liesl Higgins, they have two children. He is eager to inspire and support more people to take up this important work.

Consulting Editor Adrian Raethel Editor Henrique Felix Associate Editor Megantha Kiruwi Cover Juliana Muniz We would love to share news from your local church with the Conference in print or online.

Please send through relevant contributions to <nnswcommunication@adventist.org.au>.

More than 600 ‘Lift Him Up’ at Prayer Conference

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Juliana Muniz Assistant Editor, Adventist Record

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Church members from across the the Conference and interstate gathered at Stuarts Point from February 3 to 5 for a weekend of prayer and revival at the annual Prayer Conference.

In its eighth year, the event exceeded expectations with a record attendance of 650 delegates—three times more than the average of 180 in previous years.

According to NNSW prayer coordinator Charissa Torossian there were many highlights over the weekend. “Record attendance, beautiful weather, spiritual and powerful messages, fellowship, amazing testimonies of answers to prayer, powerful and uplifting singing. Everything was such a blessing,” she said.

Main guest speaker General Conference associate ministerial secretary Pastor Pavel Goia explored the event’s theme—”Lift Him Up” —emphasising the importance of developing a closer relationship with Jesus. “Without God’s power through the Holy Spirit, we can’t finish the work. He is calling the church to revival, to pray for the latter rain, for the Holy Spirit,” he said.

Speaking at the event was also AUC personal ministries director Pastor Nicu Dumbrava. Worship was led by Sabbath Singalong ministry creator Sandra Entermann. The event also featured a children’s program run at Yarra for 90 kids aged 5 to 14. The program incorporated prayer into fun activities for the little ones.

advnt.au/NorthPoint

Visit our website for the latest news and events. advnt.au/NewsEvents

Publisher The NorthPoint Bulletin is printed 10 times per year by the Seventh-day Adventist Church (North New South Wales Conference) Disclaimer Articles express the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The North New South Wales Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church acknowledges the First Nations People as the traditional custodians of this land. We also pay our respects to the elders, past, present, and emerging.

Read the full acknowledgement at advnt.au/AckCountry

TOP: Hundreds answered Pastor Goia’s appeal. LEFT: The event featured many prayer sessions RIGHT: Pastor Dumbrava conducted the Sabbath school study.

Phone (02) 4951 8088 Email nnsw.conf@adventist.org.au Website nnsw.adventist.org.au

16 April 2023

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