NorthPoint - January and February, 2024

North New South Wales Conference News January/February 2024

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Celebrating Faith: more than 20 baptisms across the Conference

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Restored: Summer Camp revives youth spirit

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100 years of blessings at Boolaroo church

North New South Wales

Grey Nomads Camp

advnt.au/GreyNomads24

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Pastor Cristian Copaceanu NNSW Conference president

A Higher Calling We are all called to and gifted for ministry, but we are not all called to and gifted for the same ministry. The Holy Spirit endows us with gifts according to His will, knowing what is best for us, in us and through us (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Within the gifts shared by the Spirit, some are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These five roles usually involve full-time commitment and are often referred to as "ministers" or "pastors". But what are they to do? Paul continues by emphasising that their mission is to equip churches for active service, ministry and mission (verses 12-13) building up communities of faith that can stand on their own in love, truth and service (verses 14-16).

In both the early Apostolic and Adventist churches, ministers had a very specific focus: “Our ministers are not to spend their time labouring for those who have already accepted the truth. With Christ’s love burning in their hearts, they are to go forth to win sinners to the Saviour. Beside all waters they are to sow the seeds of truth. Place after place is to be visited; church after church is to be raised up. Those who take their stand for the truth are to be organized into churches, and then the minister is to pass on to other equally important fields.”Ellen White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7, pp 19-20, 1902 (see also pages 18-19).

Our current experience bears little resemblance to the biblical and inspired ideal. In some circumstances our reasons for doing so are pertinent, however, the essence of the message remains the same: • The call of full-time ministers is to disciple new souls for the kingdom – in new places and in new ways while, • Church members use our God-given gifts to care for one another and make disciples of Jesus in our local communities.

This is not to discount the sacrificial, faithful, passionate ministry of so many church members—but rather to explore how together we can make an even greater kingdom impact.

How do we truly become a movement with a priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) doing our part with and for Jesus? Through surrender, prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit as we follow in the footsteps of Jesus, who did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28).

January/February 2024

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C4 hosts community morning tea Teresa Robinson Central Coast Community Church

Churches combine for community carols Megantha Kiruwi Associate Editor, NorthPoint Lake Macquarie City Council's annual carols celebration at Speers Point Park on December 10 saw a collaboration among different churches in the community. Members from Newcastle Multicultural, Newcastle Tongan and West Wallsend Korean churches joined as a choir to accompany various local acts on the main stage. Sam Scanlan, a participant from the Newcastle Multicultural church, expressed gratitude on social media, stating, "It was great to combine with our family from Newcastle Tongan and West Wallsend Korean. I'm grateful to God for the opportunity to glorify [Him] in singing hymns together."

Young missionary returns home NorthPoint staff Local young adult Kelepi Tikoicina, a member of Gosford church, has recently completed a three-month mission in Maasai Mara, Kenya. Inspired by a conversation with a Bible worker at Avondale University, Mr Tikoicina left his job at Sanitarium Health Food Company and studies at Avondale to answer the call to overseas mission work. While in Kenya, he contributed to building projects and mentored young students. Returning to Australia in late December, Mr Tikoicina plans to accompany several members from Gosford church on a one-month mission trip to India in February. For those inspired by his journey, volunteering opportunities overseas can be explored at <volunteers.adventistchurch.com/> 4

Due to October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Central Coast Community Church (C4) hosted a Pink Ribbon Morning Tea on October 25, bringing together 35 attendees for a tea party with various food options. The event fostered connections among participants, facilitating reunions, family time and forming new connections.

The event successfully raised $A500.00 for Breast Cancer Australia.

Happy Hands Ministry started in Lismore NorthPoint staff The Happy Hands Art Outreach program, recently launched by Lismore church in their local community, reached full capacity within two days of advertising, with 18 participating families and a waiting list of 23 eager families. Program organiser Amanda Foster shared that “as a working mum, I knew that opportunities to connect with our kids and other like-minded parents and carers were a great pathway to having meaningful connections and building relationships.”

Dementia awareness program at Hillview Mary Fedorow Hillview Church Hillview church hosted Dr Simon Pedzisi, head of dementia care at Opal Health Care on October 29 for a program titled "Dementia Is Not a Part of Normal Aging." Dr Pedzisi shared insights on dementia's impact and practical ways to interact with those affected. He reassured that adhering to health and biblical principles such as hydration, exercise and nutrition, aligns with faith and can potentially delay dementia onset in the community.

Brewarrina church celebrates 10 years of bringing hope to Indigenous community Henrique Felix and Juliana Muniz NorthPoint and Adventist Record Around 50 past and present members of Brewarrina church plant (NSW) came together to celebrate the church's 10th anniversary on December 2, 2023.

The church plant started as a house church in 2013 when pastors Keith and Danuta Stockwell started giving Bible studies to Aboriginal elder Uncle Les Doole. He was baptised along with his wife, Aunty Joyce, in December 2013—the first baptism in Brewarrina.

A small leadership team was formed with community members Aunty Mary, Sid and Rongo Richards to help pick up people in the community, provide breakfasts and lunches each Sabbath and disciple all who came. Since the first church service, the church plant has regularly averaged around 40 people from the local community, predominantly children and teens.

Reflecting on the church plant's history, pastors Keith and Danuta Stockwell said, "God has blessed and impacted the church plant and local community as arms have been linked with Adventist Aviation, who have been flying to Brewarrina over the past 50 years, STORMCo teams and prior Currawah staff and students, and others."

Based in a predominantly Indigenous town (61.4 per cent), Brewarrina church is offering programs and support to meet the community's needs.

According to Aunty Mary, the influence of the church has contributed to a drop in domestic violence and drug and alcohol consumption in the communiJanuary/February 2024

ty. "Those issues are there, but we don't see them as strong as before. The kids we've been picking up over the years came from homes that struggled with those issues, but through the influence of the church and getting to know Jesus and His love, they've been transformed and want to take care of their families and their community to reflect Jesus' love," she said.

Doreen Waites is one of the people who had her life impacted by the ministry of pastors Keith and Danuta Stockwell, her mother, Aunty Mary, and the work of the church. Growing up in Brewarrina, Ms Waites studied pastoral ministry at Mamarapha College in Perth and has been pastoring at the church plant since 2020.

Commenting on the 10-year milestone and her own journey, Ms Waites said, “I grew up in this community not seeing hope for our people, not seeing hope for my own future, but having a church, having people here that remind us of God’s love showed me that there’s more to life and that God is our hope. I just love giving back that hope to my people.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ministries (ATSIM) director for the Church in Australia Pastor Darren Garlett explained that Adventist churches in remote areas such as Brewarrina become "the centre of everything".

"Our churches become places where people want to be. Leaders like Doreen do all these events, creating an identity in the community, and people want to be part of it," said Pastor Garlett.

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2023 Big Camp Appeal Six Month Report

Pastor Abel Iorgulescu NNSW General Secretary

Partnering with God in His divine work is a recurring theme in the Bible. Moses and the people were tasked with constructing the tabernacle, yet God provided the blueprint. Jesus supplied the grape juice at the wedding in Cana, but it was the servants who filled the jars with water to the brim. Although Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, it was the people who rolled the stone away. While God is capable of the extraordinary, He encourages us to be faithful in carrying out the ordinary.

Hence, I would like to thank you for partnering with God and empowering our Conference to champion innovative initiatives, spreading the message of salvation with all those around us.

As a result of God’s spark in your life, more than $700,000 are now invested or allocated to creative evangelistic initiatives to prepare our region for Christ’s soon return.

“So the LORD sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the enthusiasm of Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the enthusiasm of the whole remnant of God’s people. They began to work on the house of their God, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” – Haggai 1:14 NLT

Allow me to share with you how the funds have been distributed: Project

Amount

Outcome

Church Multiplication

$200,000

$139,000 has been allocated to contribute to the wages of leaders of the following church plants: • • • •

Evans Head Pottsville Coastlife Central Coast Samoan Church

A further $38,555 has been allocated for project funding of the following projects: • • • •

Central Coast Samoan Evans Head Pottsville Newcastle University

The remainder, about $22,000, will be invested in subsidising training opportunities in disciple-making skills for the core teams of our current church plants.

Health Department

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$100,000

This amount of money has been divided into two main initiatives: 1. Sustainable living $50,000 – which is about establishing Community Gardens that service both the local community and church through sustainable living

2. Wellness Centre of Influence $50,000, which is meant to help churches run health programs for the community.

Health Department cont.

Adventist Community Services

Local churches will have the opportunity to apply for funds from both initiatives, in order to connect with the community and implement Christs method alone. The grants will match the church’s investment in either the Wellness Centre of Influence or Community Garden initiatives up to $5,000. $50,000

The World Health Organisation released a report, dated 2 March 2022, stating that in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, global prevalence of Anxiety and Depression increased by a massive 25%. In view of this, it is concerning to read that while the current best practice is treating clinical Depression and Anxiety, a combination of pharmacological and psychological intervention has only a 27% success rate.

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In 2007 Dr Neil Nedley (MD) introduced Australia to a revolutionary approach of treating Depression and Anxiety with a 90% success rate.

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The Conference is offering a “10 Day Mental Health- residential program”, between 29 Jan–8 Feb 2024, where individuals get a $2,525 program for $250.

Bible Workers

$100,000

The Evangelism Department gratefully accepted $100,000 from 2023 Big Camp funding, to put toward wages for 9 Bible workers and 5 Local Missions Volunteers. The following Bible workers have been ministering at the following churches: Byron Bay Church and Manna Haven Café, Avondale University Church, Newcastle University Church, Dora Creek Church, Murwillumbah Church and Tweed Valley Adventist College, Gosford Church, Coastlife Church, Alstonville and Ballina Churches, Coastlife Church and Lismore Church. Collectively they have studied the Bible with over 150 people, bringing 76 seekers to church or church programs.

Faith FM

$50,000

A significant portion of these funds will be invested in new licenses and sites around the Conference.

Once those are in place, we then need to work with the churches to share in the cost of purchasing the equipment to broadcast the signal.

Digital Evangelism

$100,000

These funds have been allocated to finalise and promote the “Kingdom Come” trilogy, which was successfully launched on Saturday night at our 2023 Big Camp.

We are excited about the potential reach of these films as episode 1 has been translated into 8 languages and viewed more than 20 million times.

The remaining balance will be invested in a new initiative called “NNSW Digital Outreach Project” that will seek to pioneer the mission of the church in the digital space. More information to follow.

Thank you for being a part of what God is doing through the Big Camp Appeal in the NNSW Conference.

All praise to God….

January/February 2024

CIRCLE-QUESTION Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the 2023 Big Camp appeal, don’t hesitate to get contact Abel Iorgulescu at 0404 46 44 77 or abeliorgulescu@adventist.org.au 7

BLESSED WITH

BAPTISMS In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Luke 15:10

Newcastle Spanish Church

The Bay Community Church

Doris Lobos, who came from Chile to Australia as an international student 10 years ago, was baptised

by Pastor Roberto Velasquez at Newcastle Spanish church on August 12.

Kye Endacott, Michaela Galindo, Vasiti Lokotui, Betty Lokotui, and Melesia Lokotui were baptised into The Bay community church family at Shingle Splitters Point in Lake Macquarie on September 30.

August 12

September 30

Ourimbah Church October 7

Ourimbah Church celebrated the baptisms of Dominic Levae and his son Saint on October 7, conducted

by Pastor Michael Parker and theology student Josh Contaoi, marking a significant highlight of the year with hopes for more baptisms.

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Newcastle Tongan Church October 14

Alemuka he Ofa ki Middlemore Fonua, Davuan Salesi Mafoa'aeata Finau, and Tristan Siomita Tukia of the Newcastle Tongan church were baptised

by AUC Youth director Pastor Jeff Parker on October 14. These baptismal decisions were made at the 2023 AUC Treasured camporee.

Charlestown Church October 21

Charlestown church witnessed the baptism of five children—Caleb King, Lachlan Keft, Ryan Keft, Hugo Wawrzonek and Eraliya Luchow—conducted by Pastor Kim Parmenter on October 21. Friends, family and visitors witnessed their decision to follow Jesus after making commitments during Pathfinders camporee and summer camps.

Murwillumbah Church

Central Coast Samoan Church

Three generations—Wendy, Holly, and Willow Dawes— were baptised on November 10 at Murwillumbah Church, inspired by Wendy's grandson, Hudson, whose faith journey influenced them to dedicate their lives to God.

Pese Faofua, Analise Tufi, Xena Key, Revelation Sio, Josephine Faaifo, Precious Faaifo, Sophia Talaimanu and Mike Talaimanu were baptised into the Central Coast Samoan church community by pastors Asovale Isitolo and Erika Puni.

November 10

January/February 2024

December 2

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Families encouraged to “Shine for Jesus” at Homeschool Camp Megantha Kiruwi Associate Editor, NorthPoint Families from NSW and beyond convened at Yarra Holiday Park (Stuarts Point Convention Centre) for the Homeschool Families Camp from November 10 to 12. The camp is an initiative of the Light Carriers Adventist Homeschool Network, supported by the North New South Wales (NNSW) Children’s and Family Ministries Department.

Approximately 115 parents and children, ranging from babies to 15-year-olds, participated in the event.

Attendees included families who travelled from as far as Victoria and Queensland.

Guest speaker Pastor Brad Rea, chaplain at Macquarie College (Wallsend, NSW), spoke on the topic “Shine for Jesus”, with activities and worship centred around the theme. The camp featured interactive games, crafts and challenges for children and parents to enjoy, including STEM activities, water activities, bubble machines and other games. Each activity aimed at fostering intergenerational connections and relationships between homeschooling families in NNSW. The Sabbath program involved different stations where attendees could interact with distinct characters that “shone for Jesus”, encouraging families to do 10

the same in their lives. The Sabbath program also included intentional time in nature, collaborative family worship and a Bible nature scavenger hunt.

There were also various opportunities for the attending mothers to spend time together in prayer and fellowship over a hot drink at the “Mum’s Rejuve.”

Homeschooling mother and founder of Light Carriers Adventist Homeschool Network Marilyn Östring shared that “connecting Adventist homeschooling families to other families in the same boat is the main objective.”

NNSW Children’s and Family Ministries director Colleen Savage added that the camp’s intention was to connect with like-minded families in the conference who may be going through similar experiences, challenges and triumphs regarding homeschooling. “It was wonderful to see the parents connecting, forming a support group and sharing as well as the children of various ages playing together,” said Mrs Savage.

The Homeschool Families Camp will return in 2024 on September 26 to 29 at Yarra Holiday Park with NNSW president Cristian Copaceanu as the guest speaker.

Catalyst graduates first disciple-makers Brenton Stacey Avondale University A new program equipping, empowering and deploying participants for mission-minded discipleship is now offering places for 2024 after graduating its first cohort this past year.

Catalyst is an initiative of the SPD in partnership with Avondale University. Promoted as a discipleship adventure, the 12-week non-accredited short course is for those who have “a burning desire for their lives to matter for God, regardless of age and circumstance, but need the knowledge and skills to become disciple-makers,” says Pastor Gilbert Cangy, director for the SPD Centre of Discipleship.

Seven participants completed the inaugural course in No-

vember this past year. They have now returned to their local churches where, says Pastor Cangy, they will work in their relational streams and indigenous cultures and contexts for the long term with no short-term end date and at no ongoing cost. “The graduates felt invigorated in their spiritual walk.”

The participants say Catalyst has helped clarify life purpose and direction. Six of the seven, for example, are interested in continuing their study at Avondale—in teaching, ministry, business, outdoor leadership and individual support.

GEMSTONES FROM THE BIBLE: FIND-A-WORD J J S Y U O N Y X J G P E T L N H A P K W X Y F V A Q L X C R I R I E M E R A L D G E D F K Z D S G B T D Y B W F A P A P M I A D T X J I Y M F E T M Q J U P P F V A X A H U O O E Y A S P E L H S R Q M Y X P T S C L H E G E P T N I O P A H G I P I Z G H E P C K N N Z Y T N J R X G D R E H Q B E D S C T I E V U Z R A Q Q E X T T Y H O W O T Q G R P P R G B G S O D Z X H Z Z L Y O Y N Z A K B C A R B U N C L E L H S V R I K X E H E U G O L D U W N January/February 2024

SARDIUS TOPAZ CARBUNCLE EMERALD SAPPHIRE DIAMOND JACINTH

AGATE AMETHYST BERYL ONYX JASPER PEARL GOLD

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YOUTH “RESTORED” AT SUMMER CAMPS NorthPoint Staff

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Around 115 teenagers from NNSW gathered at Yarra Adventure Park, Stuarts Point, for the annual Youth Summer Camp held from January 8 to 14. Of this group, 81 chose to commit their lives to Jesus, 39 showed interest in Bible studies, 18 sought special prayers, 10 committed to baptism, and four expressed a desire to join a church.

Centred around the theme "Restored," inspired by 2 Corinthians 5:17—"if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"—the camp featured nightly programs. During these sessions, campers engaged in praise and worship and listened to testimonies and sermons delivered by Pastor Josh Newbegin.

First-time camper from Central Coast, Keanu Iole, found that listening to the sermons and participating in discussions about the messages during cabin worship grew his connection with God. Staff member Olivia Morton emphasised the value of campers connecting with like-minded peers and forming strong relationships despite being initial strangers. "These girls and boys don't have a lot of Adventist friends, so it's nice for them to come here and meet people who share those same values while getting to do that in such a fun environment like Summer Camp."

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Isaac Hayden from Taree attended his last Summer Camp as a camper this year. Reflecting on his past years at Summer Camps, he appreciates the enduring friendships he has forged, particularly with boys living several hours away from him. "I love being around my new friends solely because they understand Christ just like I do, and I learn more about Him from being around them," said Mr Hayden.

According to AUC Youth Director Pastor Jeff Parker, "Summer Camps are so important in the life of the junior and teen. We believe that the Holy Spirit does in six days what can sometimes take years to do in their lives. All our youth ministries teams around Australia see the running of summer camps as vital for the Church."

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1: The night program at the Yarra Adventure Park chapel. 2: Pastor Josh Newbegin sharing the message. 3: Camper wakeboarding. 4: Campers participating in an icebreaker.

5: Teens enjoying

the beach activity. 6: The drama team performing. 7: A camper mountain biking. 8: A cabin of girls on the night of the themed dinner.

January/February 2024

Thank you Pathfinders and Adventurers!

Dana Howard, Blair Lemke and Shanna Duke Youth and Young Adult department The 2023 Pathfinder and Adventurer season has concluded, and it was an honour for the district directors and the Youth Department to visit various churches for the investitures. Each program showcased hard work, enjoyable activities and fantastic events reflecting the dedication of all involved.

A heartfelt thank you to all Pathfinder and Adventurer Club leaders.

Your commitment and contributions during life's busyness are genuinely appreciated. To those departing leadership roles, we wish you peace, and continue, our prayers accompany your planning for the coming year. Acknowledgement extends to the helpers and supporting leaders, including parents and church members, whose involvement is invaluable and deeply praised.

During November and December, district directors leave their home churches for 6 to 7 weeks, aiding in investitures. These seasoned individuals deserve recognition for their longstanding service on behalf of the Conference Youth and Young Adult Department.

We thank Allan Bates (45 years), Ros Camps (38 years) and Daniel and Sharon Rusterholz (33 years) for their remarkable years of dedication to Pathfinders and Adventurers.

We look forward to the Pathfinder Leadership Award training, Pathfinder Fair and Rally, Pathfinder Expedition and the Adventurer Camporee and wishing blessings for 2024!

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Boolaroo Church gives thanks to God for 100 years Patrice Winter Boolaroo Church More than 150 people gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Boolaroo church on October 21. Many came from far and wide to witness the event, with one former member travelling from Katherine, Northern Territory.

Former church pastor David Stojcic travelled from Tweed Heads to lead the service and Rui Coelho from Bulahdelah facilitated the Sabbath school lesson. NNSW Conference general secretary Pastor Abel Igorulescu and CFO Russell Halliday also participated in the proceedings.

The celebration involved many musical items, including the Avondale String Ensemble, and Lyndell and Rachel Scheman, who coordinated the music for the event. The West Wallsend Korean church orchestra, led by principal violinist Dr Sohyun Eastham, also performed a special item.

Federal Member for Shortland, Honorable Pat Conroy, attended the program and shared about his involvement with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific . He encouraged all to glorify God through service, mission and community development.

The afternoon program featured a nostalgic exploration of church history, including a video testimony from John Dyer about his grandparents' foundational role in the church. In the early 1920s, Adventists from Cooranbong traveled by boat to Speers Point Park on Lake Macquarie for Sabbath evangelism. A local woman offered them land in Boolaroo and they chose a hillside plot. Today, a century later, they still gather on this land to worship every Sabbath.

Church pastor Danny Milenkov praised God for the enormous work the entire church family put in over many months prior to the day to make it a memorable occasion. "I am thankful to God for how He has led the church over the past century. It truly is a blessing to be part of such a loving church family."

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ABOVE: Pastor Milenkov (right) praying with Hon Pat Conroy (left). BELOW: The West Wallsend Korean church orchestra. BOTTOM: Attendees joining together in song.

Consulting Editor Cristian Copaceanu Editor Henrique Felix Associate Editor Megantha Kiruwi Cover Henrique Felix 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>.

Newcastle Spanish church hosts Hispanic fundraiser NorthPoint Staff The Newcastle Spanish church hosted its annual Hispanic day on October 2 at the Teralba Community Hall. The event has been celebrated for many years; however, this year's celebration included a change of venue and date due to the hall's availability and changing church locations.

According to Church pastor Roberto Velasquez, the celebration has two main objectives, “the first one is to raise funds for ADRA and the second is to make ourselves known as a church and invite individuals who are not Adventists but would otherwise be impossible to have with us.”

Subscribe now to northpoint online Don’t miss out on the excitement. Get the Conference news straight to your inbox! 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.

LEFT: Participants dressed in traditional clothing representing their countries during the event.

RIGHT: Many different stalls display traditional latin american food.

Both goals were met with around 200 individuals in attendance engaging in activities and selling cultural food to support ADRA. Around $A4555 was raised through food sales and other generous donations.

“To our surprise, this year's event surpassed all previous ones with the attendance of non-Adventist friends from the Spanish community. We thank our God for the success of the event and for the opportunity to share our faith and friendship with our community.”

January/February 2024

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

Phone (02) 4951 8088 Email nnsw.conf@adventist.org.au Website nnsw.adventist.org.au 15

21 April 2023 | 10am - 2pm

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Super Sunday is a market day event held on the first Sunday of Big Camp. There will be lots of different ministries featured along with jumping castles, food trucks, kids activities and live music. Why not book a market stall at Super Sunday? Register your stall today!

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