Transformed Magazine October November 2013 by HumeRidge Church of Christ

Commitment Day 2013

TRANSFORMED HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine Body Building I hardly qualify as an advocate for body building. I’m thin and weak and hardly last half an hour at the gym! Yet when it comes to the Church - which is described in Scripture as the ‘body’ of Christ - I become an enthusiastic activist for body building!

contents

Commitment Day 2013 Dale White

Refugee Ministries Tracey Foreman

Freeing Up Finances

Mosaic Ministries Will Henderson

What’s on Sundays 11

October / November 12 Pull Out Calendar

SOAP Studies 14

HumeRidge House 15 Danny Salzke

Youth & Children 16 Lauren England

Christmas Island 18

My Story (not a fan) 20 Lachlan Savill

Young Adults 23 Chris England

Girls Night Out 24 Laurene Bardsley

Contact Details 21

The Bible teaches us that the Church is like a body. Jesus is the head and the people of the Church make up all the various parts, such as the hands and feet, the mouth and so on. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12). When all the parts of the body understand and carry out their function, and do so in love, the body is built up. The church is strengthened. In our church survey earlier this year, less than half of respondents (47%) said, “I actively serve my HumeRidge church community with my gifts and abilities.” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see this level of involvement increase? Wouldn’t this make us more effective in caring for one another, serving the church and reaching out to our community? And so our theme through October & November is Body Building. We want to see our local church built up, strengthened, and invigorated. We will look at how we serve one another, encourage one another, care for one another, and build each other up. We will then focus on how we combine our efforts in reaching out, serving and giving. “The whole body grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16).

DALE WHITE

Commitment Day 2013

â&#x20AC;&#x153; He [Christ] makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of loveâ&#x20AC;? Ephesians 4:16 (New Living Translation)

Commitment Day 2013 NOVEMBER 10

by dale white

This year the theme for Commitment Day is Body Building. We want to see the local Church – the ‘body’ of Christ – built up and strengthened as we experience and reflect God’s love together.

Primarily this ‘body building’ occurs as we increase our genuine commitment to one another – and to the mission of God through the local Church – through serving, caring, encouraging, praying, and reaching out together. But it also comes about as we give generously to His work. The focus of the various Commitment Day Projects in 2013 is to invest finance and resources where God is already at work. These include our work among international refugees, migrants & students; our youth and children’s ministry, Mosaic Community Services, Jack & Anne Kamst in Christmas Island, and the redevelopment of HumeRidge House. We are seeing where God is at work, noticing the ministries He is blessing, observing the obvious needs around us – and then seeking to give them the emphasis and resources that they need to succeed! We want to see HumeRidge flourish, grow, reach out, and mature in Christ; to be built up!

These will be available to all members, or can be collected from our Info Counter and Office. As you prayerfully consider your commitment to HumeRidge in the coming year we invite you to discuss any questions you may have with any of our pastors or elders. The Bible says that, “the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). Please consider your part in making this happen as we continue to Transform Lives together and move forward as a Church. COMMITMENT DAY - NOVEMBER 10 5 SIMPLE STEPS 1. Pray, asking God to show you how much you can give on a regular basis to support ministry at HumeRidge Church of Christ in 2014. 2. Fill that amount in on the Regular Giving 2014 side of the Commitment Card.

So on Commitment Day, November 10, we simply invite you to do two things:

3. Select one or more of the Commitment Day Projects and ask God how much you should give.

1. Make a special one-off Celebration Offering to support one or more of our listed Commitment Day Projects.

4. Complete the Commitment Day Projects side of the Commitment Card to indicate your one off gift allocations.

2. Sign our Commitment Card indicating how much you aim to give to support the ongoing ministry of the Church next year (including Building Loan)

5. Seal your Commitment Day Card in the Commitment Day envelope. Bring the envelope to the service on Commitment Day, 10th November 2013 - or at another time if you are away on November 10.

Commitment Cards, along with further information, will be included in our 2013 Commitment Day Pack.

HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine 3

Commitment Day 2013 NOVEMBER 10

transforming

HumeRidge Youth & Kids Ministry

HumeRidge House

Youth & Children’s Ministries have been strengths of HumeRidge Church for a long time. But this is only because people have invested time, energy and finances into this vital area! Your gifts will be used for equipment, resources, transport, Youth Camp sponsorship and more… but all for our own outreach and spiritual nurture through youth & children’s ministry.

A major renovation has commenced to make the former church manse at the top of our property into a welcoming environment that can be used for church programs and ministries that aim to build Personal Connections and Intentional Friendships. This may include Young Adults activities, English Centre programs, Connect Groups, LifeKeys Courses and so on. Building Materials and furniture will soon be needed to complete this project!

You are invited to make a special one-off gift to one or more of these exciting Commitment Day Projects. Each project is for ‘Body Building’ in that they will help to build and strengthen the Church; which is the Body of Christ. These projects also help Transform Lives – so please give generously on Commitment Day, November 10. Commitment Cards & Envelopes will be available in the Commitment Day Pack, in the HumeNews and from the Info Counter, or by request to the Church Office.

transforming

Clearing the Debt / Freeing Up Finances

HumeRidge Refugee & Migrant Ministries

Recently our Church Loan dropped below one million dollars. Commitment Day Gifts to further reduce our Loan will mean that significant funds can soon be released for ministry and mission, instead of loan repayments! We are aiming to clear the debt in the next few years (or sooner!)

We are building bridges and sharing the gospel with migrants, refugees & international students from all around the world. Ministries include Homework Help, HumeRidge English Centre, Youth Groups and more. Gifts to this ‘project’ will provide resources for teaching, social needs, transport and integration! This has been a major growth area for the Church in the past year!

Mosaic Community Services Mosaic has been growing fast throughout 2013, with hundreds of broken people finding love and healing in Christ. The Mosaic team deals with many issues including depression, anxiety, burnout, and relationship counselling. Your gifts to this project will assist Dr Sandra Baker, Will Henderson and team in developing Mosaic’s pastoral care program.

Jack & Anne Kamst (Christmas Island) Our Commitment Day Missions Project this year is to support Jack & Anne Kamst as they serve God among Asylum Seekers in Christmas Island Detention Centre, and work with the multi-cultural Christmas Island Christian Fellowship. Surplus finds will be used to purchase Bibles & Equipment.

TRANSFORMED October November 2013 5

transforming

HumeRidge Refugee & Migrant Ministries Tracey Foreman

Friday mornings have become the highlight of my week. Each week a group of ESL (English as a Second Language) ladies gather for some fun, and English conversation, over morning tea. Sometimes we do a craft or cooking activity. We have girls from Iraq, Iran, China, South Korea and Japan. 6I

In the beginning the only thing the ladies had in common was that they were all learning to speak English. Now weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been meeting together for nearly six months, close friendships and bonds have formed. It has been wonderful spending time with this group of women who are open and friendly and incredibly grateful to be shown some

Australian hospitality and love. If someone had asked me if I would be interested in an evangelism group for foreign ladies, particularly Muslim, I would have run a mile. That’s not me! But offering simple hospitality and showing love to a group of women is something I can certainly handle! In fact, it was after Colour Conference last year when we were all challenged to go back into our Churches and Communities and “be the light” – that the penny dropped. Keep it simple, just show love and care for these women. Over the past months we have shared in celebrating newborn babies, birthdays, weddings and dinner parties together as the husbands are now keen to join in with this motley crew of Aussies they have gotten to know. Recently one of the Japanese girls arrived and expressed how nervous she was about a job interview she had and how desperate she was to get this job. I asked if it was ok to pray for her and she quickly responded “Yes” - two ladies in the group bowed together in prayer as we asked that Jesus grant her the blessing of employment! Whoo hoo, the next day she came bursting through the door announcing she had gotten the job! I was quick to remind her that we had prayed about it! I have been overwhelmed by the responses

I have had from these women especially the Muslim ladies. Some of them have never once been invited to an Aussie’s home. Some of them have never once had a conversation with an Aussie. Some of them are doing it tough being so far away from their families. Most of the girls are younger than my own children! I consider it a privilege to be able to spend time with them showing hospitality and kindness – pretty basic stuff really isn’t it. I am reminded of the verse from Hebrews that talks about showing hospitality to strangers as we may be entertaining Angels. I’m not sure about entertaining any Angels lately but it’s amazing how quickly those “strangers” have become very good friends. I would encourage anyone who has a smile on their face and knows how to put the kettle on to become involved in this incredible Ministry that is crying out for help! Some Ways You Can Get Involved • Host a morning tea or meal in your home • Assist with “Homework Help” • Train in TESOL to work with the English Centre • Help Parents to complete Forms • Assist with Transport For more information of these and other ways to support this ministry please contact Pastor Neale Proellocks at adultministries@humeridgechurch.org or phone the office on (07) 46 350350.

www.humeridgechurch.org 7

transforming

Clearing the Debt / Freeing Up Finances

RELEASE FUNDS FOR TRANSFORMING LIVES BY REPAYING OUR BUILDING LOAN On the 1st July 2007 we had a debt of $1.8 million dollars for our new facilities which was due to be paid by June 2022. We are extremely grateful for the many faithful contributors who have helped reduce the debt to below 1 million dollars. As at the end of August this year we owe $970,000.00. 8I

Your one off gift will help reduce the loan. As soon as we have repaid the load in full we will have around another $4,000.00 per week to be released into HumeRidge ministries and missions that Transforms Lives. Just imagine the impact being Debt Free could have in our community and beyond!

transforming

Mosaic Ministries Will Henderson

Mosaic Community Services Mosaic Ministries desire to see broken people loved and healed in Jesus. Regardless of background or religion, we seek to share Jesus and His amazing gospel with everyone. This past year our client base has continued to grow. We have cared for Church pastors & their families, SU chaplains, children, people with mental illness (including pregnant women) and their families, cancer sufferers, people with chronic disease & their families, single mums, victims of domestic violence, Indigenous youth, foster carers, the elderly to name but a but a few. Statistically mental illness is to blame for the most non-fatal illnesses worldwide: contributing to more than a fifth (22.8%) of

cases. Depressive disorders equal 40% of worldwide disease/death burden, with girls and women over 14 being the majority of victims. Mosaic Ministries is committed to helping those in our community, who are in need of support as they and/or their family members, journey through life in all its stages. Our team consists of Dr Sandra Baker, Pastors Will Henderson, Bruce Armstrong, Brad Morris, Alan Beardall, Lezette DeBrassic. Pastoral care staff including Tanya Machin, Wendy Merrin, & Carolyn Cole. Also a mental health nurse Sheree Campbell and administration staff Beck Cameron, Lyndall Hobbins, & Janet Kleidon.

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humeridge October 13 Building the Body by Serving Dale White / Ross Savill

October 20 Building the Body by Caring & Encouraging Natalie Roy & Dale White

October 27 Building the Body by Reaching Out Together Neale Proellocks

November 3 Building the Body by Giving Dale White

November 10 Commitment Day 2013

Commitment Day Dale White / Ross Savill

NOVEMBER 10

November 10 “The whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work”

Commitment Day Dale White / Ross Savill

Ephesians 4:16 NIV Church = body of Christ

Building the Body by Celebrating Together Dale White / Ross Savill

New Sermon Series Discussion Sheets for Connect Groups will be available each week for this series.

November 17

November 24 Family Service Featuring HumeRidge Kids

www.humeridgechurch.org 11

calendar 2013 FRIDAY 11TH AND SATURDAY 12TH OCTOBER SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

october WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

13 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

20 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

27 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer 5pm COMBINED CHURCH SERVICE 12 I

9.30am Playgroup 7pm Grade 13’s

9.30am Playgroup

15 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

22 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

29 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 1.30pm Hymn Singing 6.30pm English Classes

12.45pm KYB

6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

23 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

30 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

10am English Classes 4pm Music Team Practise

6.30am Prayer

SATURDAY

9.15am Golden Eagles 12.45pm KYB

12.45pm KYB

12.45pm KYB 7pm The Marriage Course

11 GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 9.30am Playgroup

12 GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 10am English Classes 4pm Music Team Practise

9.30am Playgroup 10am English Classes Youth Group 4pm Music 5-7pm Grades 7&8 Team Practise 7-9pm Grades 9-12

9.30am Girl Fridayz 9.30am Playgroup Youth Group 10am English Classes 5-7pm Grades 7&8 4pm Music 7-9pm Grades 9-12 Team Practise

calendar 2013

november SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Commitment Day 2013 NOVEMBER 10 3 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

10 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service COMMITMENT DAY 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

17 8am Prayer 9am Sunday Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

24 8am Prayer 9am Family Service 4pm Prayer Sunday@5

9.30am Volunteers Morning Tea 9.30am Playgroup

9.30am Playgroup

5 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

19 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

26 9.30am Playgroup 3.30pm Homework Help 7pm Grade 13’s

6 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

13 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 1.30pm Hymn Singing 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

20 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

27 6.30am Prayer 9.45am KYB 6.30pm Stumpy’s 6.30pm English Classes

12.45pm KYB

9.15am Golden Eagles 12.45pm KYB

12.45pm KYB

FRIDAY

1 9.30am Playgroup Youth Group 5-7pm Grades 7&8 7-9pm Grade 9

SATURDAY

10am English Classes 4pm Music Team Practice

9.30am Playgroup 10am English Classes Youth Group 4pm Music 5-7pm Grades 7&8 Team Practice 7-9pm Grades 9-12

9.30am Playgroup 9.30am Girl Fridayz 10am English Classes Youth Group 4pm Music 5-7pm Grades 7&8 Team Practice 7-9pm Grades 9-12

HumeRidge Church of Christ Magazine 13

s.o.a.p. studies October

Galatians 2

November

Judges 10

Galatians 3

1 Samuel 1

1 Samuel 14:24-52

Judges 11:1-29

Galatians 4

1 Samuel 2:1-11

1 Samuel 15

Judges 11:29-40

Galatians 5

1 Samuel 2:12-36

1 Samuel 16

Judges 12

Galatians 6

1 Samuel 3

1 Samuel 17:1-31

Judges 13

Ruth 1

1 Samuel 4

1 Samuel 17:32-58

Judges 14

Ruth 2

1 Samuel 5

1 Samuel 18

Judges 15

Ruth 3

1 Samuel 6

1 Samuel 19

Judges 16

Ruth 4

1 Samuel 7

1 Samuel 20:1-23

Judges 17

Ephesians 1

1 Samuel 8

1 Samuel 20:24-42

Judges 18

Ephesians 2

1 Samuel 9

1 Samuel 21

Judges 19

Ephesians 3

1 Samuel 10

1 Samuel 22

Judges 20:1-18

Ephesians 4

1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 23

Judges 20:19-47

Ephesians 5

1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 24

Judges 21

Ephesians 6

1 Samuel 13

1 Samuel 25:1-19

Galatians 1

1 Samuel 14:1-23

1 Samuel 25:20-44

Jude

transforming

HumeRidge House danny salzke

A Place To Connect The former church manse at the top of our property is being renovated in order to keep up with the ever increasing demand on our HumeRidge facilities. Alterations have commenced to create a comfortable and welcoming environment that can be use for church programs and ministries that aim to build personal connections and intentional friendships. This may include Young Adults activities, English Centre programs, Connect Groups, LifeKeys Courses and so on.

Having facilities that help us cater for the wide variety of church and community activities held here each week is vital. Ongoing costs in maintenance and upkeep, along with renovations and new work, require constant financial input. We thank God that our church staff and volunteers have started the renovations and work will continue as the finances allow.

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transforming

HumeRidge Youth & Children’s Ministries Lauren England

At HumeRidge, we have a passion for young people’s lives to be transformed and grow in Christlikeness. We desire the young people we come into contact with to feel valued and of worth in God’s sight. Through Stumpy’s and Youth Group, along with Sunday morning programs, we have created and maintained

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relationships with young people from a variety of different backgrounds and lives. Our Tuesday and Wednesday tutoring programs, which stemmed from a need identified by some of the Sudanese community to assist with English and homework help, have been one of the important links to building relationships

with young people. Every Tuesday afternoon over 50 school-aged students, and 30 volunteers between the age of 14 and 80, work together to help students with their schoolwork. Along with this, is the connection with local AFL club, University Cougars, with not only the under 8’s, 10’s, 12’s and 14’s, but with many of our volunteer leaders playing in the reserve grade and senior side. Our involvement in this area has seen a strong connection develop. This has meant a number of young people have come to check out our programs or receive assistance from our tutoring programs. Building relationships with kids have been made possible by the support of many who assist in transportation needs. Currently, with the help of 2 buses, we have 11 bus runs each week. For many of these kids, without transport, it would prove nearly impossible for them to attend church or programs. Currently, our programs are being funded by the generous support of the church community. On a Friday and Wednesday night the $2 donations from young people certainly contribute but do not cover all of the costs.

The extra financial help that we receive, particularly through the Commitment Day giving, is extremely helpful in ensuring that we can continue to build relationships with young people and show them the love of Christ in practical ways. In the first week of December, we will hold our annual Youth Camp over 3 days for 200+ young people. Along with activities, food and fun will be the all important input sessions that aim to show young people a glimpse of the love of Jesus. The conversations and decisions that stem from this are invaluable. The cost of this camp for each young person is $250. However, we aim to subsidise this cost to $220. There are growing numbers of young people who could not afford to attend camp without sponsorships. We know that God is our Provider and has a heart for the church reaching out to children and young people. We urge you this commitment day to prayerfully consider assisting us with financial costs of the Youth and Children’s ministries so together we can continue to see young lives transformed to Christ as they experience God at HumeRidge.

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transforming

Jack & Anne Kamst (Christmas Island) 18 16 I

Anne and I are going to fulfil what the prophet Isaiah spoke of in chapter 61:1

On October 2nd Jack & Anne Kamst left Toowoomba to begin their mission to Christmas Island. As a church we have shared in their journey and have committed to supporting them as they serve the Lord ministering to the local population and Asylum Seekers. Jack and Anne share: Our main ministry is to Asylum Seekers. Many Asylum Seekers are traumatised and many are open to hear about the love of God through Jesus Christ. The trauma experienced by Asylum Seekers can be due to persecution, oppression or other similar experiences on top of the hazardous boat journey from Indonesia. Many Asylum Seekers just need an ear so that they can share their stories and know that someone cares. Others are eager to have God’s Word in their own language given to them. Many questions are often asked and people can be very open to receive the love of God into their hearts.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners Which Jesus applied to himself in Luke chapter 4 and which Christians today are called to do as well. We are conscious of the fact that this battle is the Lord’s and that, as in Joshua chapter 1: 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” And so we go in the strength of the Lord and supported by the prayers of His people. We are going to the Island of Red Crabs and arrive in time for their annual migration! If you would like to receive updates from Jack and Anne please email them at jack.kamst@hotmail. com. We encourage all to continue to pray for them as they make the transition to Island life.

www.humeridgechurch.org 19

not a fan. COMPLETELY. COMMITTED. FOLLOWER.

testimony by Lachlan Savill As a member of the Savill family, I was exposed to Christianity from an early age. It wasn’t difficult for me to believe in God. However, until recently I never made an effort to consider what his existence meant for me. I was what you might call a ‘run of the mill fan’ - someone who had grown up admiring Jesus. I was more than willing to accept that Jesus was a good bloke but when push came to shove I wasn’t willing to give him a single moment of my day. As an ‘invincible’ 17 year old male, I had my whole life figured out and felt as though I was in complete control - why bother letting God in?

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About a year ago I was in Sydney standing proudly on the first place podium as the Junior Men’s Gymnastics National champion. Thirteen years of hard yakka was finally paying off. In 2008 I received a scholarship with the QLD Academy of Sport and in 2009 relocated with my Dad to Brisbane to pursue my dream of becoming an Olympian. It was a massive decision. What followed were four extremely challenging and rewarding years of training twice a day, thirty hours per week. By the age of seventeen I had won 14 national gold medals, represented Australia in 3 major competitions in Austria, Hungary and the U.S and was a member of the Australian Institute of Sport Olympic Squad. I felt like I had the world at my feet.

lingered in my mind. Then a niggling wrist injury (later requiring a full reconstruction) flared up and I was sidelined again. I was in an extremely fragile place, feeling angry and depressed with my relationships between friends and family suffering. It was the first time in my life where I felt as though I had lost control. One night, feeling particularly desperate, I reached to my bedside table, blew the dust off my Bible and searched for this supposedly ever-caring God who, after years of pursuing my ambition, was nothing more than a fondly remembered character from my childhood. I still remember one passage I read that night from the book of Matthew, where Jesus said:

However, I also felt considerable pain in my lower back. Two weeks after being crowned national champion I met with the Doc who review my scans and congratulated me … I had just competed with two complete fractures in my L4 vertebrae (broken beyond repair) with a third starting to develop above.

“ Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?”

What followed was three months of no activity that put stress on my back. I became well acquainted with the chin-up bar and icing bin but continued to train twice a day doing whatever I was allowed. To my peers and coaches I was affectionately known as ‘The Roboman’, because I was able to maintain ‘machine like’ intensity and focus. I started my three month ‘break’, resolved to do everything possible to rehabilitate. However, slowly but surely ‘Roboman’ began to realise he was more human than machine - one broken physically, mentally and spiritually, with a dream slowly fading away.

Reading this passage felt like being woken up by an ice-cold bucket of water. It was a real eye-opener. It made me question a lot of things and realise, rather ironically, my idea of what it meant to be a Christian didn’t align with Christ’s. I certainly wasn’t letting Jesus lead because my whole existence was self centred; winning Gold no matter what. I only considered myself as a Christian because of prior church association and family background, instead of a definitive personal decision to build a relationship with God. I suddenly realised that I was a fan not a follower!

After three months I was given the all-clear to slowly building back into full training but things weren’t the same. My confidence was shattered, the thought of my broken back

The idea of being first and following at the same time is an oxymoron. So that night I prayed the shortest but most genuine prayer of my life. I simply asked God to help me. Continued next page...

TRANSFORMED October November 2013 21

Continued from previous page...

I was no longer content with my daily routine of sleeping, eating and training repeat… I was treading water, but going nowhere, with my now stagnant dream. I was merely existing; not living. I had nothing to lose and desperately needed a change. A few weeks later, Jackson phoned asking me if to come to Youth Camp. I jumped at the opportunity, longing to get away. The sun was shining, the surf was great, and the people were as friendly as always. But in Sunday morning’s session Ross spoke on being second to Jesus and I’ll never forget it. That morning I felt compelled to have a ‘real’ conversation with Ross. I was over walking around pretending that everything was okay. For the first time ever, I opened up. I told Ross that I was done training and ready to let Jesus take control. I completely broke down. The decision to have that conversion was probably the best in my life and as someone who didn’t open up I believe it was a God evoked moment. The week that followed was an eventful one. I met with my coaches and mates and told them I would 22 I

be finishing up. I packed up camp and was home by the following weekend without the slightest clue of what was to come. Now I make an active effort make the most of every opportunity. I am not the guy with a broken back and shattered dream. I’m a man with 32/33 perfectly fine vertebrae and infinitely more potential. I can honestly say in the past eight months I have lived better than ever before. Twelve months ago the guy who had it all figured out would never have thought he’d be leading Czenon, David, Tim, Nathan, Ian, Matty and Lachie on a Friday. He would have laughed if you said his friends would be Abul, Aleer, Ajack, Adhieu, Adut, Akur, Agok and Aman. He’d think you are absolutely crazy if you’d said he’d spend Tuesday afternoons tutoring instead of training. Yet that’s what I do. I finally realised the value of investing in others. I’m experiencing the immense satisfaction that comes from living like Jesus. I don’t see myself losing by surrendering control to God. Instead I am filled with excitement for whatever comes my way next.

Young Adults chris England

The Barna Group recently put out some research that suggests that nearly 3 in every 5 (59%) of YAs between 18-29 will drop out of Church. They spent 4 years interviewing just under 1300 YAs to try and find out the reasons why. They came up with these top 6 reasons: Reason #1 – Churches seem overprotective. Reason #2 – Teens’ and twenty-somethings’ experience of Christianity is shallow. Reason #3 – Churches come across as antagonistic to science. Reason #4 – Young Christians’ church experiences related to sexuality are often simplistic, judgmental. Reason #5 – They wrestle with the exclusive nature of Christianity. Reason #6 – The church feels unfriendly to those who doubt. We got a bunch of YAs at HumeRidge together to try and figure out what we can do to try and provide some practical answers to these 6 reasons. Enter, Generation Why? This is what Generation Why? is all about. We believe that if we can facilitate an environment where questions can be asked and discussed, YAs lives will be transformed.

Grow: Our goal will always be to help YAs become more like Christ, to learn and be challenged where they are. We want to challenge YAs to seek after God in ALL areas of their lives. Think: YAs have some serious questions, sometimes their big, sometimes small, but regardless these questions are held tightly in their hearts looking for opportunities to be discussed. Over the next year we hope to continue to cover more topics from Suffering to Sex, we want to provide a place where these questions can be safely asked and discussed. Generation Why? will begin with the question: What’s up with Spiritual Gifts? Over 2 weeks we are going to try and tackle some of the biggest questions about spiritual gifts, and discuss practical ways these gifts can be integrated into our lives. It will begin on Tuesday the 8th of October from 7-9pm, and then again on Tuesday the 15th of October from 7-9pm at HumeRidge. This event is hosted by Young Adults, and open to the rest of the Church.

Generation Why? is about 3 things, to Connect, Grow and Think. Connect: We want to connect YAs at HumeRidge, not just within their own community, but to the wider Church.

For more info email Chris England: youngadults@humeridgechurch.org

TRANSFORMED October November 2013 23

with a spoonful of sugar.... Girls’ Night Out is an evening for girls of all ages. It’s an opportunity for women to connect, feel accepted and to be blessed by a message of hope and love of Christ through extraordinary words from ordinary women. Over 120 women attended the “Sugar & Spice - Let’s Be Nice” event in May and at first glance you would be forgiven for thinking you were attending a lavish sugary feast reminiscent of a child’s birthday party. I apologise to the men whose wives came home buzzing from a sugar overload; the lolly buffet was very successful, even the table centrepieces were edible and yes... made from sugar. I can happily say that this is not a regular feature of Girls Night Out, but we can promise another fabulous supper on October 24. Aside the games, the gifts, the supper and 24 I

Laurene Bardsley

that lolly buffet, the evening’s focus was about kindness and we were challenged about doing something ‘nice’ for others. This was reflected by the generous donations raised towards keeping Ugandan girls in school when reaching puberty. Our donation will assist in purchasing underwear and sanitary hygiene products for girls so they can continue their education. A total of $1200, combined with KYB, was handed over to Colour Sisterhood to give to Watoto Church. Our guest speakers were three beautiful women who shared their personal stories of compassion. Narelle Tolmie an Optometrist, who has served in India and Watoto; Susan van der Merwe, a Doctor from South Africa who worked with women suffering from HIV in Africa and Maryanne Walsh, Principal

Senior Pastor Dale White 0419 756 469 Pastor – Outreach Neale Proellocks 0419 737 950 Pastor – Congregational Care Tim Smith 0438 350 376 Pastor – Youth Ross Savill 0411 201 227 Pastor – Young Adults & Children Chris England 0413 580 012 Pastor – Communications Natalie Roy 0409 393 439 Worship & Production Coordinator Brendon Walmsley 0419 654 548 Minister Emeritus Bruce Armstrong 4635 9885 CAP Centre 0498 188 840

7.30pm Thursday October 24 “Weathering the Storms in Our Tea Cup.”

CHSHS, who partnered with HumeRidge Youth, taking young people to visit Hagar International in Cambodia. These were fabulous stories of compassion and faith. Sometimes without knowing, God places you in the lives of people you are amongst regularly and with His guidance are touching their lives even if in a small way. Keep sharing Christ’s love to others.

Mosaic Ministries 4635 3534 Email mosaictmba@gmail.com

PHONE 07 4635 0350 FAX 07 4635 4674 EMAIL admin@humeridgechurch.org WEBSITE www.humeridgechurch.org ADDRESS 461 - 469 Hume Street Toowoomba Q 4350 PO Box 7564 Toowoomba South Q 4350 OFFICE HOURS 8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday www.facebook.com/HumeRidge

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 Girls Night Out returns October 24 at 7.30pm “Weathering the Storms in Our Tea Cup.”

Editor Natalie Roy { e: communications@humeridgechurch.org } Design Kristy Fielder { www.blackcanvas.com.au } Photography Zara England { www.zarajane.com.au }