JUNE 2014 • Issue THIRTEEN • www.mychristiandaily.com
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OUT OF ZION
David Silver on the spiritual forefront in Israel
LEW MEYER
Reaching Out in Multi-Ethnic Cities
CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF THE BIBLE IN NZ
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Contents...
Issue THIRTEEN | JUNE 2014
04 David Silver: Out of Zion 06 Johannes Balzer 10 Local news 12
Reaching Out in Multi-Ethnic Cities
14
The Gospel of Wealth and Giving
06
16 Shine TV programme guide 18 Christian Life Classifieds
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Publisher Matthew Danswan Editor Marie Anticich Proof reader Susette McLachlan Art Director Nicole Danswan Accounts Elizabeth Yeo
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DAVID SILVER OUT OF ZION On tour with ‘Out of Zion Ministries’, David and Josie Silver talk to Marie Anticich about living and working in Israel at the forefront of the spiritual battle “The restoration of Israel in 1948 is a clear and unmistakeable sign that we are living in the end times,” says Auckland-born evangelist, David Silver who is touring New Zealand with his wife Josie, in June and July. Today David and Josie and their family live on Mt Carmel in northern Israel having ‘made aliyah’ (immigrated) to Israel 22 years ago. They now travel internationally, teaching believers about the Jewish roots of true Christianity. While in New Zealand, David will be speaking to churches about Israel, encouraging Christians to pray for that nation. OneDay prayer and teaching seminars will be held in Auckland, Napier and Christchurch. “As a Messianic Jew, I desire to fulfil my calling by being a blessing to the church,” says the founder and director of ‘Out of Zion Ministries’, an evangelistic outreach to both
Jews and Gentiles. “The churches need to work with God to complete the restoration process and hasten the day of the Lord’s return,” says David whose book A Slow Train Coming outlines God’s redemption plan for Israel and the church. “There is a tremendous amount of power in the church, if believers would get on with the job of praying for and standing with Israel, for its right to exist - because most of the world is telling us we don’t have that right. “There needs to be a major change in attitude towards Israel before the Lord pours out the full portion of His spirit as a precursor to revival and His return,” David asserts. “In Matthew 28:39 Jesus said to the Jews in Jerusalem, ‘You won’t see me until you are ready to welcome me back,’ and so we need to work with God until the church is ready to
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We are living out a prophetic life – the Bible talks about the return of the Jewish people in the latter days - and living in Israel we see ourselves as part of that fulfilment of God’s prophetic word.
receive him, and help Israel to get to that point.” The Silvers feel safe living in Israel, except, of course, in times of war. “Life is hectic there, but satisfying,” says David. “We are living out a prophetic life – the Bible talks about the return of the Jewish people in the latter days - and living in Israel we see ourselves as part of that fulfilment of God’s prophetic word.” He cites Ezekiel 36:33, ‘On that day I will cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns’ and verse 37, ‘So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.’ What is happening in Israel? “Israel is temporarily peaceful, but heading towards a major war. However, it has the best future prospect of any nation because Jesus is coming back to Jerusalem to rule and reign over the whole world. It’s not very comforting but the Bible states that the nations are going to suffer and be judged and punished for their ungodliness and the way they have treated Israel. (Joel 3:1) When David set up ‘Out of Zion Ministries’ in 1997, he initially focussed on taking the Gospel to Jews, but a few years later he sensed the Lord redirecting him to fulfil the ancient calling for Israel to be ‘a light to the nations’. Since then David and Josie have travelled to 41 countries, telling believers about God’s end-time plans for Israel and the church, and his weekly newsletter Carmel Alert is emailed to more than 10,000 people world-wide. Profile David’s Jewish grandparents emigrated to New Zealand from the United Kingdom. “My mother was an agnostic and my father was an atheist but they took us four children to the Auckland Jewish Synagogue as a cultural obligation. But after my Bar Mitzvah, at age 13, I didn’t want anything to do with being Jewish,” he adds. At Mt Albert Grammar, David met Barry Curle, son of evangelist (the late) George Curle, and this friendship later bore fruit. In 1978 David married Josie who grew up in a Christian home. In 1986 Josie re-committed her life to the Lord and began to pray fervently for David. “I was really angry with her because I was a staunch atheist” recalls David. “I started to read the Bible to prove she was wrong and that God didn’t exist.” At that time Josie was pregnant with their second child and feeling sick. Halfway through her pregnancy she came home from Auckland Elim Church totally healed: “Her healing compelled me to find the truth. “Finally, I watched a video called Rock and Roll Seminar - Search for God? . . . an expose on the satanic imagery in the rock music scene that Barry Curle lent me, which his brother Ray Curle had given him.” “Watching that video, I realised I had been brainwashed by the world. And so I gave my life to the Lord and was radically saved.” That was in 1987 when David was 32 years old. “From the first day I received the Lord, I’ve had a natural unction to share the gospel,” says the former salesman who was a partner in an Auckland auto parts and accessories firm. During the eighties, the Silvers made two trips to Is-
4 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
rael as tourists. “But they were happy living in the peace and comfort of New Zealand,” David admits. “After our second trip to Israel, in 1991, God spoke to me seven times in one week, calling me to emigrate to Israel and confirming it through Bible verses. I told Josie, and the Lord also confirmed it to her through a vision and the song ’Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord’ from Isaiah 2:3. After applying to the synagogue for papers to prove they were Jewish, they sold their brand new home in Blockhouse Bay and David’s share of the business, and moved to Israel. By August 1992, they were living in a new immigrants’ absorption centre in Haifa with their two sons, then aged seven and four. Seven months later they rented an apartment on top of Mt. Carmel, studied the Hebrew language, and joined the Kehilat HaCarmel (Carmel Assembly) on top of Mt. Carmel, along with other immigrant families. In 1993 David opened a small car detailing business, doing cosmetic repairs and waxing. “As I worked on people’s cars, the Lord gave me incredible opportunities to speak with them,” he marvels. “One of my first customers, Paul Sherbow, now ministers to thousands through an internet-based Messianic radio station.” In 1995 they helped establish a messianic congregation called ‘Tents of Mercy’ in Haifa and served there for 16 years. But those early years were difficult. “It’s very hard to make it financially in Israel,” says David. “It’s a new country with hundreds of new immigrants arriving every week and lots of highly intelligent and creative Jewish people competing for jobs in a tight market, with low wages and high taxes making things expensive.” In 1995 he began working with a large ministry which evangelised Jews in Russia, but two years later he sensed the Lord moving him to start his own ministry. “The business was now established and so I handed most of it over to an Arab Christian brother and founded Out of Zion Ministries,” says David. “Our focus is on teaching the church about her relationship to Israel and her responsibility to pray for Israel and the Jewish people.” Their two sons were conscripted into the Israeli army at age 18 for compulsory service. Eldest son, Stefan, served as a Company Commander in the 2006 Second Lebanon War, and youngest son, Jordan, rose to the rank of Platoon Commander and took part in the Gaza War in January, 2009. Jordan (27) now works full-time with Out of Zion Ministries doing computer work and graphic design. Stefan (30) and his wife Keren serve with ‘One for Israel’ and live a kilometre away with their three-year-old daughter, Avigail. Stefan regularly preaches at Kerem El, a Hebrew-speaking daughter fellowship of Carmel Assembly and Keren, an Israel-born Messianic Jew, is a worship leader and songwriter and recently produced her first music CD called Show Me Your Glory. Prayer for Jews In 2010, David and Josie felt called to return to Carmel Assembly, a congregation of largely Messianic Jewish
immigrants, and Josie is involved in the church’s Intercessory Prayer Watch. She also heads up an international, email-based network called ‘Intercessors for the Restoration of Israel’. This intercessory ministry focuses on bringing about the full restoration of Israel and hastening the coming of the Messiah, thus bringing peace to Israel and the world. “We are persuaded that Yeshua (Jesus) is Messiah to both Gentile and Jew,” says David. “We believe that God’s covenant with the Jewish people is eternal and that their return to their ancient homeland is central to God’s end-time plan in preparation for their national salvation. “We believe the Jewish people will finally fulfil their calling to be ‘a kingdom of priests, a holy nation’ as cited in Exodus 19:6 and Isaiah 11:11-12. And when Israel’s restoration is complete, Yeshua will return to re-establish the Kingdom of God on earth in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the nation of Israel.” Because the church has been grafted in, it has a legitimate claim on God’s promises to Zion. “We are one people under God - Jew and Gentile - and our covenant is sealed by the blood of Christ. The enemy had stolen our inheritance by propounding the lie that the church has replaced Israel, instead of being grafted into it,” David continues. “Today, Christians are living in the time of restoration, and the churches’ role is to help bring the message of salvation to the Jews. Salvation has come to the Gentiles to provoke the Jewish people to jealousy as in Romans 11:11. One day we will be ‘One’ in the Messiah. “It is vital for Christians to understand what God is doing in the world and to prepare themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually, for what is going to happen. Church isn’t supposed to be a holiday camp – it’s more like a boot camp,” he adds. Going to Jerusalem always blows David’s mind. “You’re walking where the Lord walked and where He is returning to. Israel is still the apple of God’s eye.” He reminds believers that in 1967, east and west Jerusalem became reunited (before that Jordan controlled the east) and Jerusalem came under Israeli control for the first time since AD 70. “At that same time, many Jewish young people in America rebelled against their upbringing and became hippies - and thousands joined the Jesus movement and got saved. These youthful converts formed themselves into congregations which eventually became a messianic movement and God began to draw many of them to Israel.” “In 1967 there were very few messianic congregations in Israel or anywhere else, but today there are 180 plus Messianic congregations in Israel and more than 600 congregations around the world, and about one million Messianic Jews worldwide.” David Silver challenges believers to move out in faith. “Ask God for a fresh vision for your life,” he encourages. “Remember we serve a covenant-making and covenant-keeping God and we are all saved for a specific purpose.” See www.out-of-zion.com for their New Zealand Tour details.
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World changer
Johannes Balzer ‘Interserve NZ’ director, JOHANNES BALZER talks to MARIE ANTICICH about his youthful involvement in radical politics and Eastern religion, and his passion for missions.
Coming to faith by a long and circuitous route, Johannes Balzer gives much of the credit to his faithfully praying father. “I was a bit of a wild child,” says Johannes who grew up in post-war Germany and as a teenager became a protestor and demonstrator. He then travelled along the hippie drug trail to the East, trying to find the meaning of life. “Wherever I went, my father tracked me and kept in touch. He was never reproachful or negative and never gave up on me,” says the former prodigal. A German, married to a Kiwi, the much travelled European now lives in Auckland, and as director of ‘Interserve NZ’ sends Kiwis out on mission assignments around the globe. With their two sons, the Balzers arrived in New Zealand in 2001, after working in ‘business as mission’ in Central Asia for 14 years. Initially employed at Edenz Colleges, Johannes ran business courses, taught English, and being reasonably fluent in Mandarin, helped an influx of Chinese students using a bi-lingual approach. Organizing homestays, Jan, his wife, helped place students from Asia and the Middle East into Christian homes, facilitating for many their first opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ. When the Interserve director’s position was advertised in 2006, a friend shoulder tapped Johannes and said, “That job is for you!” With some hesitation, Johannes threw his hat into the ring. “And to my surprise,” he says, “I got the job.” That was eight years ago, and Johannes continues to oversee strategic development, mentor mission
Youth Film Series
partners, run seminars, preach around the country, and administer staff and networks both at home and abroad. “Prayer, passion, and solid family support are a vital key to accomplishing the heavy work-load,” he asserts. Growing up in Europe’s turbulent post-war period, Johannes recalls his nation’s collective sense of guilt and shame. “We were burdened with the understanding that Germany had caused two world wars.” Further tension was caused by the Cold War between the super powers, communism in Russia and behind the Berlin Wall in East Germany, and the stock-piling of nuclear arms on German soil. Globally, there were wars in Korea and Vietnam, famine in Biafra, the fight against apartheid, and liberation wars being fought in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Like many, Johannes became politically active at an early age, and at 13 led fellow High School students in demonstrations against emergency laws designed to unduly empower the German government in the event of internal or external threats.
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“We didn’t want another dictatorship and felt that these laws impinged on our human rights and personal liberties. My generation grew up in this highly charged environment and we were saying, “This isn’t the kind of world we want to live in - we believe there’s a better way, based on care and compassion.” Political Unrest Becoming increasingly radicalised, Johannes travelled around Germany joining protests and demonstrations. “Many of us rejecting western capitalism and rigid communist regimes in the East turned towards socialism,” he says. Refusing compulsory military service at age 18, he became a conscientious objector. “I had religious, political, and social reasons for not joining the military,” he recalls. “I was a pacifist but also open to consider anarchism.” Approved by a tribunal, Johannes volunteered with ‘Action, Reconciliation and Peace’, a group formed by confessing church members who had resisted the Nazis.
“While I was involved in radical politics, drugs, and travel, my father acted much like the prodigal’s father in Luke 15, and did two vital things which helped bring me back to faith;- he and his friends prayed for me daily and he kept relationship with me. Wherever I went, he tracked my journeys and sent letters ahead of me care of Poste Restante. He never said, ‘Come home and stop this nonsense.’ There was no barrier and his door was always open.”
“ARP aimed to build bridges of peace and work towards reconciliation with people our forefathers had persecuted and murdered,” he explains. Following two weeks of orientation at Auschwitz (former concentration camp and now a museum), he spent 18 months serving in Israel among holocaust survivors and their Arab neighbours. Living on a kibbutz to study Hebrew, he helped Oriental Jews at a youth centre near Mt Hermon contend with regular rocket fire from across the Lebanese border. He also worked with disabled children and institutionalised criminal youth in an Arabic village bordering the West Bank. “While in Israel I explored both the Jewish faith and Islam but neither really satisfied me,” he muses. Returning to Germany he continued to meet with politicised friends but felt unsettled. “When several leaders from the anarchist Red Army Faction died in prison, I felt we’d failed in terms of trying to change things within the system. I’d resisted the draft, protested against wars, restrictive laws, and nuclear rearmament, and had pushed the envelope as far as I could.” So, like many other young people, he decided to travel to the East and try to find something worth living for. Driving along the hippie trail, Johannes headed south through Austria, Yugoslavia, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to Iran and Afghanistan. On his second trip to Afghanistan in 1977, he found an invitation to lunch on the windscreen of his car. It was from Hans Martin, a German pastor based in Kabul. Johannes was introduced to the local Dilaram community, a movement started by Floyd McClung to reach out to hippies, and seeds of change were sown. From Afghanistan he went on to Pakistan, India, and Sri Lanka, visiting churches, Buddhist monasteries and Hindu temples en route. “I was trying to make sense of life. I still had some residual Christian ideas about beauty and holiness and so the starkness, the poverty, and the sacrifices of Hinduism repulsed me, but the logic and transcendence of Buddhism struck a chord.” He was reading a little worn German Bible his father had given him (which his father had given to
him before going to war) and also a book by a French Tibetan Buddhist, recounting his intriguing supernatural experiences. “I’d never quite given up on Jesus, knowing him to be a great ethical teacher and role model. But I hadn’t met Christians who’d experienced the supernatural, and I couldn’t seem to connect the dots between Jesus’ teachings, the powerful biblical stories, and personal salvation.” Back in Germany, his parents were praying. “Mum and Dad were wonderful Christians who quietly lived out their faith. I’m sure I brought them much brokenness and shame in those early years,” he reflects. “While I was involved in radical politics, drugs, and travel, my father acted much like the prodigal’s father in Luke 15, and did two vital things which helped bring me back to faith;- he and his friends prayed for me daily and he kept relationship with me. Wherever I went, he tracked my journeys and sent letters ahead of me care of Poste Restante. He never said, ‘Come home and stop this nonsense.’ There was no barrier and his door was always open.” Salvation God finally ‘arrested’ Johannes while he was travelling along the Himalayan foothills. “I was open to embracing Buddhism after meeting an American who had received ‘hidden teachings’ from a Buddhist Rinpoche. I’d been invited to a Buddhist initiation ceremony but decided to first look up a Dilaram community which I knew was somewhere in the hills near Mussoorie.” Unbeknown to him, God had told the community to intercede for a young traveller in the area who would come to Christ. With some divine guidance, Johannes found Dilaram and was invited to stay. “The leader felt impressed to bring me a word from Jeremiah 2:13: ‘My people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters and made themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water’.” “It was like a ‘video’ went off in my head,” says Johannes. “I saw all my attempts to dig ‘cisterns’ –
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politics, anarchism, good works, demonstrations, drugs, other religions – but I realised none of them held water. I still felt bankrupt and faced the same fears and challenges. Finally, I understood that Jesus is the well of living water, and gave my life to Him. This was the pivotal turning point.” Revelation followed. “God asked me to get rid of the drugs – which I gladly did as after the initial excitement they’d become a horror trip. And right there Jesus challenged me to missions, which became my life calling.” Interestingly, Johannes also has a missionary heritage: a great-great-grandfather and four of his children died in China in the 1800s, while other ancestors served in Indonesia and Thailand. Staying at a Dilaram community in Kathmandu, Nepal, Johannes became grounded in his faith, and was baptised in a mountain stream. Later, while he was doing a discipleship training course at YWAM’s Heidebeek community in Holland, his more traditional Lutheran parents came to visit. “They were overwhelmed by the 350-strong worship meetings and sacrificial giving,” he says. “We walked in the woods and my mother said, ‘Now I understand how the early Christians could face lions in the Roman Coliseum and still worship God.’” Today Johannes encourages families with prodigals not to lose hope. “Keep loving your prodigals regardless,” he says. “It’s easy to become critical and negative but my Dad was always positive towards me, with never a word of judgement.” Johannes returned to Germany in 1980 and eventually several of his radical friends came to Christ. During a two-year joinery apprenticeship he suffered a work accident and lost the lens in his right eye. Missions While he was recuperating in hospital, Johannes felt God re-activate his call to missions, pointing him to an unreached people group in Central Asia. He decided to do linguistic training with Wycliffe, and later took YWAM teams to India and the Himalayas. “While there I encountered ‘a bit of a set-up’,” he
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World changer
MAKING A DIFFERENCE “We aim to help ordinary Christians achieve extraordinary things,” says Johannes Balzer, the director of Interserve NZ who recruits people to serve in some of the hardest places in Asia and the Arab world. Interserve has its headquarters in South East Asia, with 15 national offices spread across the globe, and some 800 long-term mission partners working in 35 countries. Currently 30 of these are sent out by Interserve NZ, with a number of short-termers serving from one month to two years. “We have mission partners of all ages and stages out there – singles, married couples, families, empty-nesters and retirees, many of whom are qualified professionals,” says Balzer. Although no extensive theological training is required, there are many opportunities for pastors and theologians, and some university students also choose to do overseas electives for medicine, engineering, business, theology or development. Interserve was founded in India in 1852 by two British women who wanted to help the millions of Indian women trapped in zenanas (female quarters) with no access to education, medical care, or the Gospel. Their initial educational work quickly expanded into healthcare, and despite the rigours of travel and disease, volunteers arrived from England and also from far-away New Zealand. The organisation became Britain’s first interdenominational mission society and a pioneer in women’s medical mission. Over the next century, schools, colleges, training centres and medical institutions were established across the Raj. In 1987 the mission was renamed ‘Interserve’ to reflect its international nature and emphasis on holistic service. www.interserve.org.nz
recalls. “I’d met this young Kiwi lady, Jan, in South India and, deciding we’d make a good match, her team leaders helped bring us together.” Married in Madras (Chennai) India in 1986, Johannes and Jan travelled around the world to visit their families. In Germany one night a difficult topic came up over dinner. Mr Balzer Snr. told Jan he’d driven an armoured truck during the war and asked about her father. Hesitantly, she told him that her father was an RAF pilot who’d flown 75 missions over Germany. “Isn’t war crazy? said Mr Balzer. “Then, we had to kill each other, and now we sit here together loving each other!” While Jan sensed a call to the Chinese, Johannes had a vision for the unreached Central Asian people group, but God eventually showed them how their seemingly contradictory visions fitted together. “We moved to China, studied Mandarin, and learned a different way of working with God,” says Johannes. “At YWAM we’d been ‘in-your-face’ people, but in China we were placed amongst people emerging from a totalitarian regime, struggling to trust anyone. Living among them we came to a more holistic understanding of mission.” A door eventually opened in Central Asia. “But we had to push through in prayer and spiritual warfare for those closed territories. And there were other challenging markers on that journey – our first baby was still-born in China. That shook us deeply but made us realise our total dependence on God.” They now have two grown-up sons who were both born in New Zealand during short breaks from Asia. After being stuck, praying, in an Asian gateway city for more than a year, the Balzers finally received permission to pioneer a language study programme for foreigners at a university in those closed regions. “We expected to study longer-term but the authorities cut our studies short. So we prayed again, ‘Lord, what do you want us to do?’ God clearly showed us to go into business and so we explored
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8 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
what would later be termed ‘Business as Mission,’ but which at the time seemed like an oxymoron.” With friends they spent the next ten years developing a successful tourism-based business model with four planks: local handicrafts, a guest house, restaurant and organised tours. “We discovered that business is an amazing place to demonstrate God’s kingdom values and truth,” says Johannes. Their guest house soon became a Lonely Planet Guide favourite and was mentioned in the New York Times travel section. “Many of the tour groups we sent around the country were believers who were praying to bless the nation at strategic locations,” he adds. In 2001 they again got their marching orders. “We’d expected to stay, but God made it clear it was time to move on. We ended up coming to Auckland, and shortly afterwards Jan’s mother was diagnosed with cancer so it was good to be nearby – and our boys needed secondary education – and these things helped us be at peace with the Lord bringing us to New Zealand.” “It’s been a full-on journey ever since,” says Johannes who recently took a six-month sabbatical. “I love pouring myself into my work but slowly I added more hours to my days, often working through weekends. It’s dangerous when you work in a field where there’s no end to the need - the brokenness of our world; the least reached and marginalised peoples in huge parts of the world crying for attention, the daily joys and challenges of mission partners and enquirers, opportunities to impact and influence, and a dose of ‘self’ wanting to ‘win’, thrown in for good measure. So God made it clear He wanted us to draw aside for a while; no agendas or to-do lists, but simply time to be with Him – what a privilege and joy! Being with Jesus transforms us, and fruitful service can only flow from there.” Johannes is passionate about prayer and being in God’s presence, about the Kingdom of God, about ‘Business as Mission’ and sending out more Kiwis with Interserve.
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Local News
Faith, Hope, Love… Common Sense He grew up in a single parent home and challenged by dire poverty, poor grades, a horrible temper, and low self-esteem until his mother, with only a third-grade education, challenged her sons to strive for excellence. The young boy persevered, and today is a full professor of neurosurgery, oncology, plastic surgery, and pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He is Dr. Benjamin S. Carson who among many things is also an author of 4 bestselling books, president and co-founder of the Carson Scholars fund and founder of Angels of the OR. Dr. Carson has been married for over 30 years to his wife, Candy, and is the father of three sons. His mother, Sonya Carson, who made all this possible, is alive and living in Maryland. The Seventh-day Adventist church in partnership with Sanitarium Health & Wellbeing are honored to host a special evening with Dr. Carson and his wife Candy on July 1, 2014 at the Vodafone Events Centre, Manukau. Bring your friends and family to hear him share his life experiences, his faith journey and his insights on overcoming adversity. Tickets are available at www.ticketdirect. co.nz. A limited number of family passes are also available.
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10 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
Next month, as many as 1,700 churches throughout New Zealand will receive packs of specially designed resources, including a DVD, from Bible Society. The campaign, a first in this format, is called Bible Month and is all about encouraging people to engage with the Bible. And there couldn’t be a more perfect time to do this than 2014 - the year of the 200th anniversary of the first proclamation of the Gospel in New Zealand. “In looking back at the beginnings of the Bible story in New Zealand, we can see the influence and impact it had on New Zealand society,” said Bible Society Programme Director Stephen Opie. The DVD, called Nga Timatanaga /Beginnings, depicts the remarkable story of the arrival, translation and spread of the Bible in New Zealand. The film was shot onsite at Marsden Cross as well as other key historical sites in the Bay of Islands. During Bible Month, Bible Society will also be fundraising to provide 33,000 specially designed Bibles for New Zealand children and young people. Included will be the production of a children’s Bible in Maori, the only one of its kind available. Bible Society is aiming to give away 1,000 copies of The Lion Children’s Bible in Maori when it is completed later this year For further details contact: Stephen Opie Bible Society New Zealand Programme Director Phone (04) 04 55 00 837 Email: stephen.opie@biblesociety.org.nz
Local News
OPERATION STARFISH For the past couple of years Alpha has been encouraging Christians around New Zealand to focus on invitation. Whether they are inviting to an Alpha, Marriage or Parenting course personal invitation has always been the best way to get people to attend. Operation Starfish (http://starfish.alpha.org.nz) has helped facilitate this explosion of invitation. With over 35,000 starfish sent around the country, people are praying and inviting their friends, colleagues and family members to explore the Christian faith. Executive Director of Alpha, Jonathan Hesp, has been amazed to see how this simple idea has taken off. “The dream was to see courses full and churches doubling in size,” he said. “We were inspired when we met a church that had focused on invitation and had doubled the size of their congregation in six months. Every member was encouraged to invite and then share their experiences. The church leader mentioned that he had the problem of too many brand new Christians and was looking for something that would give them a chance to explore the faith more deeply and that is where Alpha came in.” Alpha, in January, released a new Alpha Youth Film Series and with the invitation initiative still going strong they hope to see many young people invited to Alpha up and down the country. For more information contact jonathan@alpha.org.nz or visit www.alpha.org.nz
A one-year-old girl rescued off streets marks 10 year journey On the 3rd of June 2004, then Invercargill residents Carl and Sue van Schreven, together with sons Ben and Daniel first met four very special children in a dimly lit Romanian hospital. Siblings Andrei and Rosa together with Emmanuel and Cristian were a handful of a multitude of infants abandoned at birth, but these four would become the first residents of the Orphans Aid International’s Casa Kiwi – a home in Romania funded by New Zealanders. Now, ten years later, they are thriving. With more than 56 children having been rescued from abandonment, the doors were reopened last month after an extensive renovation thanks to the homes Kiwi supporters and a grant from the EU. The renovation is a timely gift as the charity celebrates 10 rescue years, and means there is now more room and space for the desperate children who need their help. The newest arrival, Anna, was rescued off the streets last month – having been physically abused and carried around in a shopping bag by an adult who used her for begging. She is safe in the care of Orphans Aid International’s home, having survived her ordeal. Her future will be brighter than her past.
Above: Anna is the reason we exist. She was found on the streets with someone who abused her. She was being carried around in a bag at the age of one. Treated worse than a person. Now, rescued and safe in our care in one of our very special foster homes in Romania. Welcome Anna! Your future will be brighter than your past.
Kiwi Founder of Mission Aviation Fellowship Passes away Murray Kendon: 1917 – 2014 Murray Kendon, the New Zealand WWII pilot who founded Mission Aviation Fellowship, has died aged 97. Murray died peacefully at around 12:30pm NZST on Tuesday 27 May 2014, with his wife, Minnie, by his side. Murray began Mission Aviation Fellowship in 1945, starting with a handful of fellow Christian aviators in the UK, and a vision to see aircraft that had been used as instruments of war now used to bring peace, hope and help. He lived his life in an outpouring of ministry, preaching, and gospel work, and saw his dream for aviation-based mission become a global reality, with men and women around the world taking up the call to “Fly for Life”. MAF International services more than 2500 airstrips, supporting over 1500 organisations, with 140 aircraft, in more than 30 countries worldwide. Every three minutes, an MAF plane takes off or lands somewhere in the world. These flights enable crucial work by many aid and development agencies, missions, local churches and other national groups, delivering practical and spiritual care to people in places of deepest human need. MAF flies over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts to bring thousands of men, women and children medical care, emergency relief, long-term development and Christian hope. Across the world, multitudes of sick and poor people, many with no spiritual support, depend on basic services that can only be supplied by using light aircraft. Today, countless men, women and children live and even thrive because of Murray’s God-given vision and passion for aviation, technology and life-changing mission. Here in New Zealand, we are proud and honoured to give respect and praise to this Kiwi dreamer and pioneer of MAF, who strove to fly goodness and peace, help and life into remote and isolated communities. For the many people and places who rely on the planes, Murray Kendon’s vision of peace, birthed out of WWII, has become their reality of hope.
www.mychristiandaily.com | 11
Profile
Reaching Out in Multi-Ethnic Cities LEW MEYER (pictured left), OAC Ministries’ national director, talks to MARIE ANTICICH about evangelism and preaching the gospel in today’s multi-religious, multi-ethnic, and multi-cultural society
evangelism training programmes in churches,” says Lew. Founded in Sydney in 1892, OAC is now an international organisation with branches in 30 countries. A group of committed believers established the ministry in New Zealand in 1954 and there are now nine branches in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, and Otago-Southland.
“Preaching the gospel ‘by all means to all people everywhere’ is our number one emphasis,” says seasoned evangelist, Lew Meyer, who is national director of OAC Ministries (formerly Open Air Campaigners.) “Our mission is to reach people wherever they are - in schools, prisons, churches, holiday camps, markets, and on the streets of New Zealand – and to equip the church with evangelism skills,” says Lew who has served with OAC for 25 years. New Zealand cities have become increasingly multicultural “On an outreach in central Auckland, one might meet Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists, and Moslems, agnostics and atheists – and many are open to talk about spiritual issues. “The Lord may well have brought these people here just so they can hear the gospel, and be free to respond without the cultural consequences they would likely face in their homelands,” he adds. OAC Ministries also equips believers in churches for the work of the ministry as in Ephesians 4:12, by teaching them how to share the gospel in their local communities. “We aim to work evangelistically with local fellowships in every region of New Zealand,” says Lew “and provide them with ongoing training and support.” From the Auckland office, Lew oversees fourteen full-time evangelists and numerous voluntary workers, and shares an office with four staff members, including Auckland director Tim Toehemotu, and evangelist and former international president, Robert Siakimotu. OAC headquarters is based at the Church Ministry Centre (previously called the Evangelism and Discipling Centre) in Penrose, together with a cluster of other ministries. Originally an acronym for Open Air Campaigners, OAC now stands for ‘Outreach And Church’ Ministries. “When we entered the new millennium we changed our name to ‘Outreach And Church’ Ministries because that’s what we do - reach out to people and run
12 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
Profile Lew joined OAC in 1989, having trained under Gerald Bradley at the OAC School of Evangelism. “That training was the most wonderful six weeks of my life,” he reminisces. “We went out as a team to try different kinds of evangelism and I was sold on ‘school outreaches’ and ‘open air’ work.” Describing himself as an ‘apologetics evangelist’, Lew is a visiting lecturer at Capernwray Bible School, teaching on ‘Religions, Cults and the Occult’, ‘Creation’, ‘Evangelism’, and ‘Evidence for Christianity’. He has a B.Sc. degree and a Diploma in Biblical Studies and spent three years as a church youth worker and three years with Scripture Union working in schools and camps. Beach missions are an important part of OAC’s work. “Last summer, my wife Angela and I lead a 45-strong team on beach missions in the Bay of Plenty,” says Lew.” We love taking youth teams with us on beach missions and outreaches and seeing their excitement and growth as they share their faith.” Summer missions are held at camping grounds in the Nelson Bays, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu, Raglan, and Waikato, and include children’s programmes, beach games, sports afternoons, family events and evening drop-in cafes. The Meyers live in Glen Eden, Auckland with their three teenagers, aged 17, 16 and 14. A former Horticultural Research Scientist with a Ph.D., Angela home-schooled their children for 13 years and is now the children’s ministry leader at New Lynn Bible Chapel. She also speaks on ethical questions such as Abortion, Cloning and Euthanasia. To offset his work-load, Lew recharges his batteries by hunting, fishing and reading. Reaching Out Outreaches are a family affair. “When our children were young we used to travel around the country with a 10 metre caravan, preaching and teaching” says Lew. This same caravan has now been loaned to evangelist Dave Mann, who is currently touring New Zealand with his young family for the 2014 bi-centennial Hope Project. OAC networks with other organisations with a similar heartbeat. These include CVIC (Churches Volunteering in Communities), the NZ Association of Evangelists, and the Hope Project. At their upcoming weekend conference at Forest Lakes Camp near Wellington on June 27th to 29th, Lew will teach on ‘How to reach Buddhists and Hindus’ and Bryan Johnson will teach on reaching Moslems. “We’re trying to get evangelists to meet regularly, to encourage one another and to up skill themselves in order to reach a changing New Zealand,” says Lew.
Anybody interested in evangelism is welcome to attend the conference. The Great Commission What is the best way to evangelise? “There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ package,” says Lew. “Sharing the gospel should be done in a natural and unforced way -- different personalities use different styles. The two critical things for faith-sharers are being able to tell their personal testimony and to present a simple gospel message.” Why doesn’t old-style evangelism work? “Today, we’re living in a multi-religious, pluralistic society which isn’t accepting of Christian truth. Most people don’t go to church and so they are no longer open to a direct message about sin, judgement and salvation - they would find that offensive. The gospel is offensive to those who refuse to repent, but we need not present it in an offensive manner,” he adds. “Good evangelistic preaching is characterised by an outpouring of God’s love and compassion from the heart of the preacher and a non- comprising declaration of how to avoid God’s judgment. “Previously our focus was on taking the gospel to large crowds in the market-place and that strategy still works brilliantly in Africa and South America, but less so in New Zealand and Australia,” says Lew. “The message is the same but we need to be more sensitive about the method of delivery.” Training Evangelists OAC emphasises training for evangelists. “We want to have wise evangelists who are competent in every situation rather than those who are a law unto themselves or ‘a jaw’ unto themselves, and lack accountability” says Lew The ministry of evangelists has been under-rated in NZ over the past 20-30 years, he said. “This is partly because some evangelists haven’t flown the flag well, and haven’t related well to church leadership. Also, many churches have moved towards ‘lifestyle evangelism’ and underplayed the importance of ‘proclaiming the gospel’. Lifestyle evangelism is important, but we still need to proclaim the gospel to see people won for Christ.” Lew feels strongly that the church doesn’t understand the role of the evangelist. “Most pastors and church leaders are keen for evangelism but don’t have the energy or the gifting. Evangelists tend to be gifted communicators – they can be winsome and entertaining and sometimes pastors feel threatened. We need evangelists who can work humbly alongside church pastors.” OAC evangelists are required to be functioning church members. “First they should be evangelists in their own communities and then available to the wider church,” states Lew. “Our evangelists are faith workers who receive their income from gifts, donations, and honorariums for speaking at events - some have to supplement their income by ‘tent-making’ which is discouraging with so much work to be done. “Saying the church has starved its evangelists may sound strong but the Bible clearly states that ‘those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel’ as in 1 Corinthians 9:14,” he continued. “The church has gone for pastor-based leadership which aims at ‘keeping the show on the road’ and meeting the needs of believers, rather than evangelistic leadership which keeps the church ‘missional’. Notably, churches that seem to be growing – and there aren’t many – have
RI ES OUTR EACH AND CHURCH MI NIST OAC Ministries New Zealand is an interdenominational organisation which is devoted to presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ around the nation and equipping churches and individuals to do the same. “We’re passionate about sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and equipping the church to do the same,” says national director, Lew Meyer, who was raised in an Open Brethren family in Otaki, near Wellington. OAC partners with local churches to equip believers with evangelism skills. “We’ve trained up some very gifted communicators over the years and we’ve taken the gospel message to people from all backgrounds and walks of life,” he says. Jeremy Dempsey heads up the OAC Training Department in Hastings. Three-week ‘Evangelism Extreme’ training schools are held in February and in Fiji in September. Trainees learn how to share the gospel in one-on-one evangelism, how to counsel for salvation, do follow-up and discipleship, be part of an open-air team, and present ‘Sketchboard’ visual gospel presentations. Lew presents four-part ’Ignition’ seminars which are designed to re-ignite a passion for evangelism in individuals and churches. “Since 2008, we’ve used ’The Good-Person Test’ to share the gospel in a non-confrontational way,” says Lew. Networking with other ministries, OAC has shared the gospel with hundreds of Kiwis using this test. Developed by Kiwi evangelist, Ray Comfort, this flip-chart test is based on the Ten Commandments and on Galatians 3:24: ’The law is a school-master to lead us to Christ.’ oandments t in OAC also produces resources for churches, including counselling booklets and tracts such as ’Becoming God’s Child’, DVD courses, counselling booklets and ‘Great News for Roman Catholics’ and ‘Great News for Hindus’ from the ‘Great News’ series. A dream is to produce an evangelistic children’s TV programme series. “I’d like to take the message to kids in 100,000 homes on Sunday morning while Mum and Dad are having a sleep-in,” says Lew. “We’ve had some big names in Open Air Ministry over the last 6,000 years; Noah, Jeremiah, Jonah, Isaiah, and of course Jesus, Peter and Paul were all Open Air Campaigners,” Lew quips. OAC follows Jesus’ example: “Jesus travelled about with a team, training and equipping His disciples to sow the good seed after He returned to heaven. Saying to His disciples (Matthew 9: 37-38), “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”. “The workers are still few,” adds Lew. The New Zealand Association of Evangelists’ conference will be held at Forest Lakes Christian Camp, Otaki, near Wellington from June 27th-29th. The theme of the conference is ‘Evangelism in a Multi-Ethnic and Multi-religion society.’ Speakers will include Lew Meyer, and Bryan Johnson or Paul Chang, specialists in Islam at Auckland’s Baptist Tabernacle Email tania.payton@evangelist.co.nz for a registration form.
Images over page: Top: Lew Meyer; Lew with his wife and three children; This page top left: OAC evangelist Roy Ouwerkerk shares the Easter message with Christchurch school-children; top right: OAC evangelist Marty Scheib, from Christchurch with school-children and ventriloquist puppet ‘Grandad.’
leaders with evangelism as a significant part of their ‘gift mix’.” Where is the Fruit? “Most of our ‘salvations’ are children coming to faith at Christian camps and after-school programmes,” Lew recounts. “We do Easter and Christmas presentations at Bible-inSchools and Sunday School events. In today’s visual world, we have to work hard to hold kids’ attention and so we use music, quizzes, magic tricks, ventriloquism, and competitions to hold our audiences while we share the gospel.” Lew advocates a strong gospel message. “Wishy-washy preaching over the last
few decades has meant that people don’t understand the holiness of God or their own sinfulness, and they’ve got this woolly idea of Christianity with no power. That’s why we need evangelists to call Christians and unsaved people to a life of Christ-centred sanctification and not self-centred indulgence. We’ve weakened the gospel by ‘missing it’ with the current culture.” Some churches are scared of the words ‘sin’ and ‘hell’ and have tried to make the gospel politically correct and comfortable. “But a humanistic gospel doesn’t save anyone. We need to return to the gospel of Jesus which is a call to repentance and to personal faith in Him,” Lew asserts.
spirituality of risk
the reality of mission in the hard pl aces
0800 446 464
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www.mychristiandaily.com | 13
Giving
THE GOSPEL OF WEALTH AND GIVING There is such a responsibility for us to give to Christian Missions and there are lessons we can learn from the Jewish tradition of giving... LYNN GOLDSMITH
Christ’s Teaching on Wealth and Giving There was a time when the words concerning the rich man entering the kingdom of heaven were regarded as a hard saying. Today, it would be true to say that this standard of faith receives the most liberal interpretations. The startling verse has been relegated to the rear to await the next kindly revision as one of those things which cannot be quite understood, but which, meanwhile, is carefully to be noted, but not taken literally. However, it is improbable that the next stage of revisionist thought will restore the doctrine in all its pristine purity and force, as being in perfect harmony with sound ideas upon the subject of wealth and poverty, the rich and the poor and the contrasts everything seen and deplored. In Christ’s day, reformers were certainly against the wealthy. It is also none the less evident that we are fast recurring to that position today, as the gap between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’ widens; and it will not be surprising to the student of sociological development if society should soon approve that oft quoted text which has caused so much anxiety, “It is easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” The ‘gospel of wealth’ echoes Christ’s words. It calls upon the millionaire to sell all that he has and give it to the poor by administering his estate himself for the good of his people. So doing, he will approach his end no longer the ignoble hoarder of useless millions; poor, very poor indeed, in money, but rich, very rich, twenty times a millionaire still, in the affection, gratitude, and admiration of his fellow-men. But, sweeter by far-soothed and sustained by the still small voice within which, whispering, tells him that, because he has lived, perhaps one small part of this great world has been bettered just a little. The Importance of Learning to Give-The Jewish View Reaching out to those in need is central to Jewish being. Jews are commanded to give at least ten percent of their net income to charity. Tzedakah boxes for collecting coins, for those in need, can be found in central places in Jewish homes. It is common to see Jewish youth, in Israel and in the Diaspora, going door-to-door to collect money for worthy causes. Judaism holds that people in need have a legal right
to food, clothing and shelter that must be honoured by more fortunate people. According to Judaism, it is unjust and even illegal for Jews to not give charity to those in need. Thus, giving charity in Jewish law and tradition is viewed as obligatory self-taxation, rather than voluntary donation. So, giving charity in Jewish law and tradition is viewed as obligatory self-taxation, rather than voluntary donation. Importance of Giving According to one ancient sage, charity is equal in importance to all the other commandments combined. Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for charity; giving aid, assistance and money to the poor and needy, or to worthwhile causes. It is the responsibility to give a portion of one’s personal substance for the common good. But it is more than giving money to the poor; done properly, tzedakah requires the donor share his or her compassion and empathy along with the money. Judaism teaches the belief that donors benefit from tzedakah as much or more than the recipients. The duty to give is so important in Judaism that even recipients of charity are obligated to give something. However, people should not give to the point where they themselves become needy. The highest level, of which none is higher, is where one takes the hand of an Israelite and gives him a gift or loan, or makes a partnership with him, or finds him employment, in order to strengthen him until he needs to ask help of no one. Concerning this it says, “And you will give strength to the resident alien, so he may live among you,” as if to say, strengthen him until we will not falter or need. Moses Maimonides devoted ten chapters in his Mishneh Torah to instructions on how to give to the poor. One can fulfil the obligation to give tzedakah by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to synagogues or to educational institutions. Supporting grown children and elderly parents is also a form of tzedakah. The obligation to give tzedakah includes giving to both Jews and Gentiles. Beneficiaries: Recipient, Donor, World According to Jewish tradition, the spiritual benefit of
giving charity is so great that the giver benefits even more than the recipient. By giving charity, Jews recognise the good that God has given to them. Some scholars see charitable donation as a replacement for animal sacrifice in Jewish life in that it is a way to show thanks to and ask forgiveness from God. Contributing toward the welfare of others is a central and fulfilling part of one’s Jewish identity. Jews have a mandate to improve the world in which they live (tikkun olam). Tikkun olam is achieved through the performance of good deeds. The Talmud states that the world rests on three things: Torah, service to God, and deeds of kindness (gemilut hasadim). Tzedakah is a good deed that is made in partnership with God. Our Duty as Christians and World Inhabitants Poverty, homelessness and lack of food can only be described as the major and most pressing and insidious malignancy affecting today’s society. This festering malignancy is becoming an ever increasing social problem that has now reached the stage of being the greatest tragedy facing human society in the 21st century. Unfortunately, the number of poor, hungry and homeless is increasing exponentially everywhere on our planet, as is that oft quoted widening disparity between what we call in western society , the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots’. Governments everywhere have and are being forced to abandon or reduce welfare-state strategies even in Australia, yet questions on how to deal with poverty and deprivation are still highly placed on the social and political agenda of all political persuasions and societies throughout the world, no matter whether the society is developed or developing. In the midst of all the above, Christian organisations have again become important participants in defining and implementing welfare policies that have been abandoned by governments and civil society. Our urgent and most pressing duty as Christians now is to make ourselves more aware of just what our crucial Christian duty is to the needy in our society. This duty must now assume the same importance in our spiritual walk as evangelism, prayer, mercy and discipleship.
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www.cba.net.nz 14 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
Dr Ben Carson
Faith, Hope, Love ‌.and Common Sense 1 JULY 2014
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North New Zealand Conference www.nnzc.org.nz www.mychristiandaily.com | 15
Programme Guide June 2014 SUNDAY 6:00
Living Truth: Charles Price
6:30 7:00
MONDAY P
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
P
Roots and Reflections
P
Quick Study
D
Unlocking the Bible
P
Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV
P
Leading the Way
C 6:00
Unlocking the Bible
P
Leading the Way
P
Bayless Conley
P
Derek Prince
P
Quick Study
P
Jovis Bon Hovis
C 6:30
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
Superbook
C
What’s in the Bible?
C
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
Superbook
C
What’s in the Bible?
C
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
What’s in the Bible?
C 7:30
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
Superbook
C
RocKids TV
C 8:00
Connection Point
P
Superbook
C 8:30
Hour of Power
P
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
What’s in the Bible?
C
8:00
RocKids TV
C
What’s in the Bible?
C
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
8:30
Connection Point
P
Impact for Life
P
Word For You
P
LIFE TV
P
P
Living Truth: Charles Price
P
Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah
P
In Touch: Charles Stanley
9:30
SATURDAY
Life Questions
7:30
9:00
FRIDAY
Running With Fire
P
All Over the World D Life Questions
P
10:00
Life Questions
D
The Journey: God’s Epic Story
D
Wisdom for Difficult Times
D
Leading the Way
D
Give Me An Answer
D
TV 4 DADS
D
10:30
Word For You
P
Life Questions
P
The Family Series
P
Answers with Bayless Conley
P
Your Best Life
P
Roots and Reflections
D
11:00
Songs of Praise
M
Roots and Reflections
D
Journey into the Amazon
D
Basic (15 min) Christianity & Explored (15 min)
D
Hannah Help Me
The Way of the Master
D
11:30
Quick Study
D
The Exchange
D
Kiwis Can Fly
D
Christian World News
N
Leland Klassen’s Comedy
Impact for Life
P
Word For You
P
LIFE TV: Paul de Jong
P
Running With Fire
Noon
12:30
TV 4 DADS Wisdom for Difficult Times
D
Give Me An Answer
D
Precious Memories
M
2:30
Precious Memories
M
Roots and Reflections
D
The Exchange
D
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
Superbook
C
What’s in the Bible?
C
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
Life fm Presents
Y
Ultimate Choice
Y
The DRIVE tv
D
3:30 4:00 4:30
In Touch: Charles Stanley
5:00
P
P
C
TheDRIVEtv
E
Ultimate Choice
Y
The Exchange
D
Kiwis Can Fly
D
The Journey: God’s Epic Story
Life Questions
P
The Family Series
D
Answers with Bayless Conley
P
6:00
Running with Fire
P
6:30
Wisdom for Difficult Times
D
7:00
Basic (15 min) Christianity & Explored (15 min)
N
7:30
Songs of Praise
M
Journey into the Amazon
8:00
Precious Memories
M
Kiwis Can Fly
8:30
Turning Point: P Dr David Jeremiah
9:00
FEATURES
D
Hannah Help Me
D Precious Memories M
Leland Klassens Comedy
Christian World News
FEATURES
See adjacent for detail.
Impact for Life
See adjacent for detail.
10:30
TV 4 DADS
N
Facing the Canon N
P
Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen
D Facing the Canon D 2:30
Superbook
C
What’s in the Bible?
C
TV 4 DADS
N 3:00
Jovis Bon Hovis
C
RocKids TV
C
Leland Klassen’s Comedy
D 3:30
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
Superbook
C All Over the World D 4:00
D
Hannah Help Me
Midnight
Hour of Power
P
Give Me An Answer
D
Kiwis Can Fly
D
Leland Klassen’s Comedy
P Preaching C Children M Music
16 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
D Doco/Drama
N News
Hannah Help Me
D 4:30
The Relate Show
D 5:00
N
Give Me An Answer
D 5:30
P
The Verdict of Science
D 6:00
P
Basic (15 min) Christianity & Explored (15 min)
D 6:30
N
The Journey: God’s Epic Story
D 7:00
Life fm Presents
Y
D
Leland Klassen’s Comedy
D
Hannah Help Me
P
Your Best Life: Phil Pringle
P
Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV
The Relate Show
D
Give Me an Answer
D
Basic (15 min) Christianity & Explored (15 min)
N
All Over the World D
Running With Fire: Tak Bhana
TV 4 DADS
KEY
The Verdict of Science
P
D
D 1:00
D
LIFE TV: Paul de Jong
The Exchange
The Journey: God’s Epic Story
The Family Series
P
D
N
D 2:00
Word For You
Wisdom for Difficult Times
D 12:30
The Verdict of Science
D
11:30
Hannah Help Me
N
TV 4 DADS
Answers with Bayless Conley
P
Hannah Help Me
N
P
D Noon
D
Christian World News
Leading the Way
The Exchange
Kiwis Can Fly
D
D
P
D 1:30
The Verdict of Science
Roots and Reflections
D 11:30
The Relate Show
The 700 Club (Mon - Fri)
11:00
P
E
10:30
Journey into the Amazon
Y
P
Y 10:00
D 11:00
Life fm Presents
E
Life fm Presents
P
The 700 Club (Mon - Fri) D
9:30
Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV
Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon - Fri)
9:30 10:00
P
9:00
D
Adventures in C Booga Booga Land
What’s in the Bible?
Living Truth: Charles Price
5:30
Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen
Y
Give Me An Answer
D All Over the World D Facing the Canon N
2:00
Hour of Power
Connection Point
The 700 Club (Mon - Fri)
1:30
3:00
P
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Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon - Fri)
FEATURES
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Adventures in C 7:00 Booga Booga Land
The Mark Gungor Show Journey into the Amazon
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The Way of the Master
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H20: A Journey of D Faith
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FEATURES
See adjacent for detail.
8:30 9:00
FEATURES
See adjacent for detail.
Leland Klassens Comedy
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Give Me An Answer
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The Verdict of Science
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The Journey: God’s Epic Story
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Details correct at time of printing
• Programme change from date shown
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Shine TV FEATURES June 2014
En tus Manos (30 min) As a part of his initiation into a Colombian gang, troubled youth Carlos is ordered to murder a local pastor considered to be a threat to their reign over their neighbourhood. Mon 9 @ 8.30pm
A Pilgrim’s Progress (running time: 60 min) John Bunyan’s birth was humble, his childhood poor, but his impact on others is beyond calculation. 350 years after it was written, The Pilgrim’s Progress continues to be a top seller. Fri 20 @ 10pm
Ian McCormack (60 min) The incredible true story of New Zealander Ian McCormack’s brush with death after an encounter with a box jellyfish. Mon 9 @ 9pm
Little Red Wagon (running time: 120 min) Zach Bonner used his trusty wagon to collect essential items that would help survivors of Hurricane Charley get back on their feet. Sat 21 @ 7.30pm Sun 22 @ 12pm & 9.30pm
Fielder’s Choice (60 min) Phillip Fielder is struggling to rise up in his career when his sister passes away, leaving him custody of her 8-year-old autistic son. Fri 13 @ 8.30pm Through a Lens Darkly (90 min) Families and individuals overcoming loss and grief share their thoughts on the timeless wisdom of C.S. Lewis’s most personal and reflective book, ‘A Grief Observed’. Fri 13 @ 9.30pm Our Story: We Are Young and Free (30 min) Young & Free is Hillsong’s newest worship band with a new sound geared towards bringing young people closer to Jesus. Sat 14 @ 7.30pm Sun 15 @ 12pm & 9.30pm The Woodcarver (running time: 90 min) Unable to cope with the squabbles from a broken home, 15-year-old Matthew takes it out on his church. When he’s made to repair the damage, he meets the woodcarver whose work he destroyed. Sat 14 @ 8pm Sun 15 @ 12.30pm & 10pm Kabul 24 (running time: 90 min) In 2001 the Taliban took 24 aid workers hostage as insurance against the pending attacks of September 11th. For the captives it was an overwhelming journey of faith, grace and endurance. Mon 16 @ 8.30pm
Small Miracles (running time: 90 min) 12-year-old Taliesin is wrestling with some tough questions. He finds solace in friendship with a kindly piano teacher who encourages him to explore his faith in miracles. Mon 23 @ 8.30pm Billy: The Early Years (running time: 90 min) In the 1930’s Billy Graham was at a crossroads of faith, facing a decision that launched one of the most powerful evangelistic careers. Fri 27 @ 8.30pm Day In, Day Out (running time: 60 min) Three dedicated snowboarders share their testimonies of living out God’s will in one of the world’s pre-eminent riding locations - summit country Colorado. Fri 27 @ 10pm The Trial (running time: 100 min) After a family tragedy, there seems little hope for small town attorney Mac McClain, until he’s assigned a capital case that begins to transform his life and those around him forever. Sat 28 @ 7.30pm Sun 29 @ 12pm & 9.30pm Friends for Life (running time: 90 min) After losing his wife, Jim Crawford adopts four orphaned wolf cubs. When a greedy developer threatens the wolves’ survival, Jim must protect them in their natural habitat and in the courtroom. Mon 30 @ 8.30pm
Gifted Hands (running time: 90 min) Cuba Gooding Jr stars in the true life story of Dr Ben Carson, who through the guidance of his mother and his faith grows from a frustrated at-risk kid to a renowned neurosurgeon. Fri 20 @ 8.30pm
A Shine TV viewer says...
“The fact that my nonChristian husband is watching Shine TV is huge for me. He has introduced me to Joel Osteen’s work and The Gaither Band and we both watch Give Me An Answer together when he feels like watching it. Shine TV speaks LIFE into his life without me having to say anything and come across as a nag.”
How has Shine TV impacted your life? Let us know... testimony@shinetv.co.nz
Details correct at time of printing. For up-to-date 24-hour listings and programme information check www.shinetv.co.nz.
To watch Shine TV
Freeview Satellite 25 SKY 201 or online www.shinetv.co.nz
shinetv.co.nz
twitter.com/shinetv facebook.com/shinetv.nz
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FIND A CHRISTIAN BUSINESS
EVENTS
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of New Zealand 2015
February 6th to March 9th Auckland to Invercargill
Phone 0800 324 538
P H O N E : 0 8 0 0 3www.EagleTV.co.nz 24 53
For dates and venues contact Colin and Jean Sampson P.O.Box 5131 Westown New Plymouth 4343
w w w. E a g l e T V. c o . n z Looking for a local Christian business? Start your search online at www.findachristianbusiness.co.nz
Phone 06 751-0633 or colinsam24@gmail.com www.eduardklassen.com
EVENTS
DYNAMIC MINISTERS COMING TO NZ THIS JUNE Who are David and Josie Silver? The Silvers are Kiwis who have lived on Mt Carmel in northern Israel for the last 22 years. David in an international speaker on the subject of Israel and the Church. Josie oversees an email based international intercession ministry. David and Josie will be in NZ in June and July bringing a strategic message for the times we are in. Don’t miss the opportunity to be blessed by their dynamic ministry.
POSITIONS VACANT GP LOCUM REQUIRED PART TIME Long term position for Hibiscus Coast practice, starting 21st July 2014. Opportunity to extend to full time and consideration of permanent position. Super team committed to high quality care. This is a great opportunity for a doctor to establish themselves in General Practice within a supportive environment and in a lovely area.
MUST HAVE RESOURCE...
CVs required as soon as possible to practicemanager@familydoctors.net.nz
A SLOW TRAIN COMING (pbk) $12.50 David’s book is a very easy read and covers the key issues in the past, present and future of Israel and the Church
Family Doctors Associates 10 Wade River Rd, Whangaparaoa 0932 T 09 424 3001 www.familydoctors.net.nz
RESOURCES SHOW ME YOUR GLORY (CD) $17.50 12 original and very anointed Hebrew worship tracks by Keren Silver, an Israel born Messianic Jew
FOR MORE INFORMATION... To order a book or CD and to request David and Josie’s itineray whilst in New Zealand please send an email to kiwi@netvision.net.il or go to: www.out-of-zion.com/about/upcoming-ministry-itinerary
GAY AND HURTING?
If this is your experience, take heart. Over the last 50 years many people in similar life-walks to your own have been helped while participating in totally confidential Christian support groups. Exodus Ministries has such groups operating in several centres in N.Z. This support has resulted in a majority of participants being helped in personal growth away from same-sex-attraction struggles and gay porn attraction. While the rate of growth varies, for a significant number it has been such that they have married and raised families. Exodus Ministries Ph: 09 268 0346 | exodusnz@maxnet.co.nz PO Box 175, Takinini, 2245
PICK UP YOUR FREE COPY TODAY We are delighted to be partnering with the Christian bookshops of NZ to make Christian Life absolutely FREE of charge each month. That’s right, it won’t cost you a cent to read each edition! To pick up your copy each month FIND A CHRISTIAN STORE NEAR YOU: Visit www.cba.net.nz or www.manna.co.nz. 18 | Christian Life Issue Thirteen June 2014
RESOURCES
UNIQUE BOOK on Christchurch Quakes Endorsed by Philip Yancey
The first book to examine the churches’ response in a major NZ disaster. Dramatic previously untold stories. $28.99 from info@daystarbooks.org Or www.daystarbooks.org
Faith Outreach New Zealand
MESSAGES AND MUSIC FROM Incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957 No. H.N.811457 Registered Charitable Entity under the Charities Act 2005 No. CC29435 JOHN Website: BRIDGE Phone PASTOR 0800 432.484 email: anne@fonz.co.nz www.fonz.co.nz John Bridge Schedule of Meetings in May 2014 – All Welcome
“I am in You” theimpact Lord’sofPresence is Pastor John’s No.1 wayprophetic, of If youCD. wantSoaking to knowinthe the Gospel and the power of the spending intimate time with Jesus. Pastor John understood he needed to sing a series this is a not to be missed opportunity, it may change your life. of songs that would impress upon his own heart the truth that, “Christ was in him.” Sunday 11 May 10am Being inspired by Alberto Rivera’s “Cord” album he decided to play a cord in the Harvest City Agedled. Concern Building, background and sing as theChurch, Holy Spirit This album was the result. John has been 30 album VictoriaforStreet, HAMILTON soaking to this months and has experienced the reality of Christ’s Spirit communicating to Him, through it. We hope you will too. Be blessed. GOD IN CHRIST IN YOU
Sunday 11 May 6pm Rotorua Christian Life Centre, 20 Biak Street, ROTORUA The message “God in Christ in You” takes you on a journey
to consciousness of God who is inside you. Beginning with the Wednesday May God of14 Fire and 7pm Jesus the Man of Fire, Pastor John seeks to wake Glory Release Life Church up Ministries, your conscience to Christ’s Spirit that is within you and to 192 KentGod Street, HAMILTON whoFrankton, is within Christ in you. Describing the Lord as Fire, as the Giver of Living water, as the Light of the world, and as the Friday 16 May 7.30pm Joyous Anointed One, Pastor John leads you into His Presence WANAKA to experience the Spiritual, invisible, Blessed God who is in Christ in you. Enter into Venue to be advised Father’s heart through Jesus Christ and taste the glories of God’s nature and glory. God wantsSaturday to manifest17out of you therefore we need to know God in Christ in you. May 6.30pm 20 ©
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Revival Centre, venue St. Lukes Community Church, 2 Daniels Road, Redwood CHRISTCHURCH
Glory of God Fills the Earth. Proverbs 25:2, “It is the Glory of GLORY OF God to conceal aTuesday matter, and glory of kings to search it out.” 20 the May 7.30pm GOD FILLS THE EARTH Kingfrom of Kings Church that the earth is filled with Pastor John reveals the Scriptures Cavendish Manukau the Glory of the57 Lord and thatDrive, we need to manifestAUCKLAND the glory of Christ that abides in us. Jesus promised in John 17:22, “The glory 25toMay AND 6.30pm which the FatherSunday has given Me, I9.30am have given to them.” Pastor Crossroads Church John takes you into heavenlyCommunity places to behold the Glory of Christ MilltoRoad, and then teaches10you releaseWHANGAREI it into the earth so that the earth is filled with the Glory of the Lord. Wednesday 28 May 7.30pm ALSO AVAILABLE: 20 ©
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Harvest City Church, Aged Concern Building 30 Victoria Street,Breath HAMILTON Activations: on us. Come and Drink. -
“He walked to India” – the John Bridge Testimony All messages are available on DVD or CD except I am in You (CD only). All $15.00 plus $5 postage
Contact for purchase is Anne King, Faith Outreach NZ,
anne@fonz.co.nz
Ph 0800 432 484 www.fonz.co.nz
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POEMS TO ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE “In her poetry Janice has found a wonderful balance in writing about the challenges of life along with the joy and hope that is there for us to share”. - Jenny Tippett, New Plymouth This book features more than 40 poems that are inspired by the life of author Janice Mannex and her experience of God’s love during the rough waters of her journey. This anthology, beautiful and heartfelt, is a triumphant testimony of her faith in the Almighty. Grow in your walk of faith and find the strength you need to move forward in Poems to Encourage and Inspire - Volume 1. You can order this book in both e- book and soft cover from Xlibris Corporation 0800 891 366 || www.xlibris.co.nz || Orders@Xlibris.co.nz
www.mychristiandaily.com | 19
BE AN INSPIRING LEADER! Auckland Sat 26 July Wellington Sat 9 August
You’re heading up a ministry that you deeply and passionately believe in. How do you inspire others to get behind you? Leaders are made, not born – this workshop will give you some practical tools and life skills that will better equip you to lead whatever your context!
Rob Harley
Telling Your Story and Telling It Well No-one wants to be boring. How do we make people sit up and take notice? Rob spent more than 26 years working in TV news and current affairs before moving out into the world of communications consultancy and documentary production. In his public speaking career, Rob has specialised in speaking about leadership, and the role of the media in a rapidly changing world. Rob will help you change the way you communicate to make your story transformational!
Naomi Cowan
Leading Authentically from Personal Conviction
Dr. Brian Krum
Leading Up
Are you steering your ministry from personal conviction or out of a sense of obligation? Naomi has led organizations that make a significant difference to the lives of the people. She is currently CEO of Equip and Chair of the Sir Peter Black Marine Education Centre Board. Naomi will guide you into leading authentically in a way that inspires others to follow.
How do you wisely communicate your vision to those who have the power to either promote it or kill it? A pastor and speaker, Brian is currently the Northern Baptist Regional Leader for Baptist NZ. He also serves as a teaching pastor at Greenlane Christian Centre. Brian loves creating safe places for people to see and meet Jesus. He also loves developing and coaching others to excel in what God asks them to be and do. As a bible college lecturer, Brian taught leadership and missional transformation to help empower others to do the same.
The venues: Auckland Rawene Centre, 33 Rawene Road, Birkenhead • Wellington Discovery Elim Christian Centre, 148 Major Drive, Kelson, Lower Hutt EARLYBIRD AND TEAM DISCOUNTS! Our workshops are much more valuable when the experience is shared - bring a team for a discount! Group size 1 2 3
Earlybird each $150 $125 $110
Non-earlybird each $175 $150 $135
Group size Earlybird each Non-earlybird each 4 $100 $125 5+ $90 $115 The fee covers materials, morning and afternoon tea and lunch.
Auckland Earlybird cut-off - Friday 11 July 2014 • Wellington Earlybird cut-off - Friday 25 July 2014
CViC exists to promote church-based community engagement in every neighbourhood across New Zealand. We do that by serving the unsung heroes of community outreach – those volunteer leaders in churches everywhere who faithfully run community-facing programmes week by week. Through a cyclical series of workshops we cover 6 essential toolboxes that every community-facing leader needs. For those wanting to add mentoring, reading & reflection and networking to the mix we offer the Community Link Training Course.
Register @ www.cvic.org.nz on the Auckland or Wellington links