New beginnings

Pastor Adrian Raethel - NNSW Conference president

As you read this issue of NorthPoint, the first month of the new year will already be behind us. I trust that you had an enjoyable and relaxing Christmas break. For around 3000 Pathfinders and their leaders, being at the AUC Camporee was an exciting and action filled experience. I pay tribute to our local church volunteer Pathfinder leaders who gave up some of their precious Christmas holidays and travelled from across the country to give our energetic Juniors/Teens an amazing experience and spiritual memory event. Not to mention the summer camps before and after, run by the youth departmental personnel and their team of volunteers (seriously, please continue to pray for our youth directors, Dana Howard and Blair Lemke).

Let me share a promise with you at the beginning of this new year. It comes from John 16:33. Jesus says to us, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” What a precious thought. We know how the story ends. We know the outcome. We don’t have to worry. In Jesus, we can have peace, now, right through this year. When we face sickness, death, loss, whatever trouble it may be, let’s remember that evil is a conquered enemy. At the end of the day, Jesus wins. He always does.

Speaking of new beginnings, it is likely that the Conference office will relocate sometime this year from its current location at 112 Lake Road Wallsend to the Avondale estate in Cooranbong. With nearly all of the operations of Sanitarium having moved to the main factory at Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast, there are a number of vacant buildings on the estate that the South Pacific Division are willing to make available at reasonable rent. If we then rent out our current office building to a suitable long term tenant, it is possible to generate an additional income stream for ministry within the Conference. We will share further information as it comes to hand.

In the meantime, have peace in Jesus.