Together in Mission | February 2019

TOGETHER

IN MISSION February - March 2019

IN THIS EDITION Easter Camp returns in 2019 What’s happening at: Port Lincoln Baptist Church How will we use power in 2019?

A movement of local churches thriving in Jesus transforming the world.

Dr Karen Walker President

FOR PRAYER 11 - 19 FEBRUARY •

Pray that Christian leaders will be inspired by the CMA Ministry Governance Seminar in Adelaide on 18 February featuring a key note address by Dr Gary Hoag.

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Global Interaction: Thank God for the exciting Ciyawo-English dictionary launch in Malawi recently with Dr Ian Dicks, local Yawo chiefs and government.

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Pray for good season-opening rains for those on the land.

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Global Interaction: Pray that Catherine’s home will be filled with the Spirit of God as language nurturers and Khmer team members meet to learn together.

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West Beach: Praise God for the good numbers of visitors at Sunday am services; some live locally and are coming back! May the Lord encourage them to become His followers.

Global Interaction: Pray for Luke & Rachel’s patience as they continue with Cultural and Language learning, that they will develop good relationships in Cambodia.

Pray for Ms Janine Lenigas (Enfield Baptist) as she takes up an exciting new role as Executive Leader – Service Development at Baptist Care SA. Pray that people will be raised up through our churches to serve as members of various State and National Boards.

1 - 10 MARCH •

Pray for the growth of Baptist Care SA’s Community Food Hub, giving the needy the opportunity to shop for cheaper food, etc.

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Global Interaction: Pray for the Ban Luang and Ban Sra faith communities in Thailand – that their leaders will be filled with the Holy Spirit as they are examples to others in the community.

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How will we use power in 2019?

Power can be used to bless or to harm. The account in 2 Samuel 13 illustrates forcefully the abuse of power for personal benefit. Tamar was King David’s young daughter living under the protection of his household. Whilst she had many privileges like most females of her time she had little personal agency, that is, she had to do as she was told by her father and the other significant individuals in her life. When she raised her voice and said ‘No!’ to Amnon her half-brother’s unwelcome sexual advances she was ignored and violated. After which, suffering upon suffering, she was silenced by Absalom her full-brother as she sought some justice for her suffering from those in the best position to act for her.

The rape narrative in 2 Samuel 13 provides confronting reading. It reveals that even people chosen by God can do awful things within their family and intimate relationships. It repels because it illustrates how power can be misused to dehumanize and objectify an individual turning them into objects or things for the use of an individual.

The abuse of power and objectification of girls, women, boys and men is a narrative as alive today as in times past.

A computer program has been developed that creates fake videos using inserted faces of innocent women onto the bodies of women in

Pray for the multi-million $ upgrade at Mylor Adventure Camp. Pray that the construction works proceed safely and efficiently, that God will bless all involved in the project and that our clients utilizing the campsite during the construction works will be empathetic to the works undertaken.

pornographic videos that are then circulated on the internet and demean

Pray that vulnerable children and marginalised young people living under SA State Guardianship (3,695 living in out-of-home care; 3,402 on care and protection orders in June 2018) will find hope and encouragement in nurturing home-like environments.

rising tide of abuse which, in most cases is targeting women.

and degrade the women. One recent newspaper article heading used the phrase ‘Fake porn videos are being weaponized to harass and humiliate women.’ Weaponized – the language of war being used to describe this

As followers of Jesus who are looking ahead to this new year within our faith communities, families and wider communities, are we aware of the

11 - 20 MARCH

power we individually and as a church community have in the lives of those

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Pray for encouragement of Baptist Care SA’s managers and staff in country regions.

around us? Are we conscious of those in our lives who are often powerless

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Salisbury: Pray for the church to grow and be effective in evangelism & making disciples.

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Global Interaction: Pray for David and Susie, that God will open doors to churches and individuals to join their partnership team as they prepare to serve in Malawi.

and voiceless and thereby more likely to experience violence in its many forms (physical, sexual, emotional, economic) - the girls and women, boys and men who for numerous reasons are unable to speak up for themselves?

What ways of doing, thinking and talking - within our own families and

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churches might reinforce or support a culture where individuals are at risk

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Pray that the Lord will go ahead of Baptist Care SA as we seek to support vulnerable people along Transition Pathways from Adversity to Opportunity.

of abuse?

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Pray for the Acting President, Dr Karen Walker.

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Global Interaction: Thank God for the recent opportunity for Deb & Rob to have people in their home to teach/share about Christmas.

This year can we spend time listening to the experiences of those within our families and churches so we can better address abuses of power and put in place practices which encourage the use of power

1 - 7 APRIL

in serving and self-giving ways rather than self-serving ways?

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those in our communities with Tamar-like experiences genuinely

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Pray for the Lord’s leading in further exploratory dialogue between local churches and Baptist Care SA as they seek to respond to the needs of disadvantaged people and strive for more connected communities.

Pray for Hoa’s ministry and health.

Let

know our churches as places of listening, advocating and healing.

The Washington Post, https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/12/30/fake-porn-videos-are-beingweaponized-harass-humiliate-women-everybody-is-potential-target/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.954419d8ab1a

TiM News from our churches Carols on the Foreshore

Artistic impression of new facilities

The old church building

What’s happening at

PORT LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH In ministry

At Christmas time, we combine with

We thank God for the Saints before us, as

Port Lincoln Baptist is a small family

other local churches to run ‘Carols on the

the sale of our old property has provided

church of approximately 65 committed

Foreshore’, which attracts a large turnout

a good portion of the funds needed for

followers of Jesus.

from the Port Lincoln community.

this project, however we still do not have

We have a good spread of ages ranging

We are also involved in chaplaincy

from 1 to 90. After our service each week

programs within our local schools, and

we share a meal together.

are a part of a weekly service at the local

We have most of the Ministries common to small churches. We run a Children’s Church, Home-Groups, Prayer Ministry and Mission interests in Australia and further afield. Volunteers from our congregation were actively involved in managing and staffing an interdenominational Christian Bookshop, although sadly this Ministry closed at the end of 2018. Others are involved in ‘Love Lincoln’, a support ministry to people outside the church who are in need.

prison.

Current changes and challenges A big step forward in faith was making

all the money needed. With help from Baptist Financial Services and pledges from the congregation we step forward in faith. We are excited to be moving to a more residential area and investigating how we best can engage with the community there.

the decision to sell the church buildings

Please pray for us

in central Port Lincoln, which have well-

Pray that our building project runs

served our church community since the

smoothly and that we could bless others

early 1900s. We have purchased land and

with our new facilities.

are planning to build new church facilities in 2019, so in the meantime we have temporarily relocated into a new building owned by the Church of Christ.

Pray that we can connect with our local community and that God will grow His church.

TiM News from our churches

Sacred Agents

In praise of rosters

By Andrew Turner Church Development Facilitator

I love a good roster. There, I’ve said it.

I know many Christians disagree, seeing them as a necessary evil, a secret shame. “Rosters seem so artificial. Why have some people ‘on duty’ and others ‘off duty’ at a gathering? Shouldn’t it be more natural and organic? Can’t we all just follow the inner voice of the Spirit and be prompted into ministry in the moment? Isn’t ‘organised religion’ what puts people off the most, and what Jesus himself fought against?”

Easter Camp returns in 2019 Easter always manages to creep up quickly after the year starts, and this year is no exception. Preparations for this year’s Easter Camp are well underway, with the Core Team working to secure the venue, launch promotions and registrations, organise a speaker and plan out the vision for camp this year.

Easter Camp, which will run from the 18th – 22nd April, is for anyone in Years 7-12 at school, and is a full and vibrant weekend of friendship, games, worship and growing in faith. Similarly to last year, Easter Camp will be held in Murray Bridge at Unity College, a space that is thankfully large enough to accommodate over 300 campers and leaders who attend each year.

that there are limited spaces on our bus shuttle service, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

A Facebook Event and Instagram account have been set up and we encourage everyone to invite all youth and their parents to the event and follow the page in order to keep up to date with Easter Camp news as the dates approach.

Useful Links Find ou t more and regis ter: sabaptist.asn.au/EC2019 Facebook Event: facebook.com/ events/552534348598177 Facebook Group: facebook.com/ groups/73166858087 Instagram: @baptisteastercamp

This year, the Easter Camp team are excited to welcome Kimberly Smith, who will be speaking at camp.

Kimberly will be bringing the story of Joseph to life over the weekend, and exploring what it means for Jesus to impac t our stories in today’s world, which will bring to life our theme for 2019, ‘Faith of living colour’.

Registrations are now open, and the team is encouraging everyone to register as soon as they can to secure Early Bird pricing (ending 3rd February). Please also note

If you have any other questions about Easter Camp or would like more information, please don’ t hesitate to contact the team on (08) 8357 1755.

EASTER CAMP Easter Camp is for anyone in Years 7-12 April 18th - 22nd 2019 Unity College (Senior Campus), 45 Owl Drive, Murray Bridge Register online at: sabaptist.asn. au/EC2019

No. If you think organised religion is ugly, have a look at disorganised religion! Everyone simply following the ‘inner voice’ of the Spirit sounds great but fails on two fronts: Firstly, we’re not good at distinguishing between the inner voice of the Spirit and the inner voice of ourselves. We can find ourselves only drawn to ministries and situations that we enjoy the most.

We can confuse the way of Christ with the path of least resistance. Secondly, the Spirit also has an ‘outer voice’ – when He speaks to us through others.

This is a massive way in which God works, but time and again we miss it because we think it’s just Helen asking us to help out.

A good roster helps us to be the body of Christ – all different parts, well co-ordinated under the Head. It reminds us to work together in harmony, to submit to one another, to take turns stepping up or resting while the whole body moves on. All of this can itself be a witness – by this will everyone know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

So a good roster requires (and prompts) a lot of love, and not just from the co-ordinator. It’s a spiritual discipline to communicate promptly, clearly and humbly with the poor soul putting it together.

Signalling flexibility, willingness for others to have turns at your favourite roles, and willingness to fill in other roles if needed; are just as important as making clear when you’re unavailable and the limits of your sustainable service.

Jesus wasn’t fighting against organisation and coordination, so that everyone might be free to simply be themselves and do whatever they want.

That’s not the Spirit of Jesus, that’s the spirit of the age. One of the most radical things a sacred agent can do is to commit to a local Christian community and ask “What needs doing? How can I help?”

For discussion: (1) What was Jesus fighting against?

(2) When some says they don’t like organised religion, what might they really be saying?

TiM On mission

A New Year Dawns 2019 is up and running. The new year’s resolutions are potentially bygone memories!

At the start of this new year, I am reminded of William Carey’s famous statement, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” This statement came from his 1792 speech to Baptist ministers in northern England advocating for the Baptists to participate in overseas mission. The result was the formation of the Baptist Missionary Society What expectations emerge for the year ahead for you?

As the State Office of Global Interaction embarks on the 2019 journey, there is an exciting anticipation for the year ahead with God: For the ongoing provision for David and Susie and the children who are in the process of building a partnership team so they can depart Australia in the middle of 2020 to live and work amongst the Yawo people in Malawi.

They are seeking opportunities in South Australia and Northern Territory to share their story and what is happening amongst the Yawo.

For what will happen through the ongoing contribution of our cross-cultural workers in their settings. The feedback of provision and transformation continues to stimulate much joy. Rob

FAMILY UPDATES Ian - celebrated office dictionary project launch in Malawi David and Susie - looking for opportunities to share Jane Brown – Alumni serving in East Pakistan 195562 passed away Myra Mellow – Alumni serving in East Pakistan 1954-66 & Zambia 1986-89 passed away

and Deb report how God is working in a woman they befriended who was barren and feeling ashamed as a consequence. This woman is now expecting a child.

For opportunities to meet and share stories within the Baptist Churches of South Australia in the coming months. The annual Global Inspire event (March 16 at Richmond Baptist), the young adult initiative entitled Unearthed (February 26 at Baptist Centre) and May Missions Month are opportunities to inspire participation and prayer and stir people’s hearts to serve and go.

The State Office looks forward to engaging with you throughout 2019. May you have a rich and rewarding year too as God works through you as you bless others.

For more information about our upcoming events, to have Global Interaction share at your church or for any other information, email us sant@globalinteraction. org.au or phone us on 8357 1755.

TiM On mission

I want to live in a connected community This was the title of an article I wrote in August 2002 when I was serving as General Manager of Services for what was then Baptist Community Services.

I spoke then of a vision to see all Lord’s people, live in a ‘Connected Community’ where: The optimism of their actions outweighs the pessimism of their thoughts; Good health is more about people experiencing the fullness of life rather than merely the absence of disease, infirmity or disability

Community Food Hub customer Ray with Baptist Care SA volunteer Morgana

Inner City Community Food Hub Officially Launched

People are supported and encouraged as they explore the complex issues of life and faith People experience a sense of belonging that engenders hope for the future and prevents social isolation People feel safe and secure enough to be able to step out of their houses, but also out of their comfort zones, to explore their dreams The resources within the community are utilised to strengthen and support the growth and happiness of all

We are excited to announce that on Thursday 13 December, Baptist Care SA in partnership with Foodbank SA, officially launched the first Food Hub in Adelaide’s CBD!

Each individual is valued and respected as a unique creation of God who has a contribution to make to the richness, vibrancy and colourful blend of cultural interaction

Our Community Food Hub, located at 216 Wright St (next door to WestCare), will give those in need the opportunity to shop for food and essential items at a reduced cost. It will offer low-priced groceries to anyone with a concession or Immi card, including pensioners, students and people experiencing homelessness.

People have regular opportunities to meet together and interact through a range of social, educational, religious, recreational, therapeutic, cultural and other activities

To celebrate the official opening, we held a Morning Tea including Baptist Care SA staff, volunteers, supporters and special guests. We were honoured to have Adelaide’s new Lord Mayor Gift ideasSandy Verschoor perform the ribbon cutting alongside our CEO Graham Brown and the CEO of Foodbank SA, Greg Pattinson.

The Baptist Care SA Community Food Hub has been developed in direct response to a deep need within our community. By listening to our clients, stakeholders and the wider community and it became clear that food insecurity was a growing issue in our city.

Furthermore, the Foodbank 2018 Hunger Report highlighted that over four million Australians have experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months and 22% of these people are children.

Our Community Food Hub will provides a dignified way for people to purchase food to take home and share with their families. Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 10am - 3pm. For more information call 8118 5200.

‘Social (Biblical) Justice’ is brought about by doing all that is necessary so that people can feel that they belong.

In short, it seems to me that vibrant connected communities are evidence of the ‘fullness of life’ that our Lord Jesus Christ desires that each of us experience here on earth.

As I head into my second year as CEO of Baptist Care, reengage with our dedicated team of staff and volunteers and seek to strengthen our links with local churches, I invite you to pray with us that that the Spirit of the Living God will move ahead of us, be amongst us and in us, so that more people have the opportunity to live in a ‘connected community’ where they can experience fullness of life.

I am also very pleased to announce that Ms Janine Lenigas is joining our Executive Team as Executive Leader – Service Development. Janine has been in fellowship at Enfield Baptist Church for many years and brings significant strategic development and community leadership experience, underpinned by strong skills and expertise in the provision of disability services. We warmly welcome Janine and pray for blessings upon her important development work.

Graham Brown Chief Executive Officer Baptist Care SA

TiM On mission

UPCOMING EVENTS

Date/Time

Place

Registration details Contact Bryan Hughes 08 8118 5228 bhughes@baptistcaresa.org.au

Free training for people wanting to connect with people from a refugee background via the Friendship Program

Monday 11 and 25 February, 6-8pm

Broadview

Baptist Care SA Inner City Open Day - tour of site, engaging speakers, delicious afternoon tea

Wednesday 13 March, 2-3.30pm

11-19 Millers Ct, Adelaide

Contact Bryan Hughes 08 8118 5228 bhughes@baptistcaresa.org.au

Free workshop to learn more about issues facing homeless people in Adelaide, lunch included.

Sunday 24 March, 1-3pm

11-19 Millers Ct, Adelaide

Contact Bryan Hughes 08 8118 5228

Workshop equipping people to work with people experiencing mental health issues

Tuesday 19 March, 9.15am – 4pm

Enfield Baptist Church

Please RSVP via Eventbrite or to EBC Office 8261 1844 or info@enfieldbaptist.com.au

Workshop to help people effectively support people with dementia and their carers

Tuesday 26 March, 9.15am – 12.15pm

Enfield Baptist Church

Please RSVP via Eventbrite or to EBC Office 8261 1844 or info@enfieldbaptist.com.au

This year Baptist World Aid Australia is celebrating its 60th Anniversary.

Starting as a grassroots movement of Baptists in 1959 in response to the suffering of WWII refugees, today their International Program spans 25 countries. Together, we have such a rich, shared history to celebrate.

And we’d love South Australian Baptist Churches to be part of that celebration!

Baptist World Aid is passionate about equipping Australian Christians with the practical tools to “Be the Love that Ends Poverty”… and working together with you to help support your church family on this journey.

God’s call to be love in this world requires a whole of life response – it takes action and participation. In any given week, our lives are made up of thousands of choices. We believe, that it’s through these choices, both individually and collectively, that we will end poverty. It’s through these actions that we become part of building His kingdom.

Baptist World Aid has exciting plans for a new discipleship journey to help your church family build and strengthen habits of generosity, selflessness, and love. It’s called the 60/40 challenge: 60 actions to end poverty in 40 days. 60 simple

volunteer@baptistcaresa.org.au

ways for your church family to end poverty!

So… will you save the launch date, 3 March 2019, in your church calendar?

Resources including an introduction video and an app will be released soon! But for now, please set aside Sunday 3 March 2019 to celebrate 60 years of shared impact… and help launch the 40 day challenge in your church. Register online at www. baptistworldaid.org.au/the-60-40challenge

BAPTISMS

What’s on IN OUR COMMUNITY SAVE THE DATE Easter Camp 18-22nd April

Andrews Farm Community Church

4D Conference 18th May

Aiden, Wendy and Dom were baptised on 18/11/18

M&M Kids Camp 6-8th July Pastors Conference 7-8 August

BAPTIST 40+ SINGLES Mannum Community Church Yvonne Walker was baptised on 25/11/18

Upcoming dinners for 2019 Saturday 16th February Place: Fresh Choice, 373 Diagonal Rd, Sturt Time: 6:30pm Cost: $26.50 (Seniors $23.50) RSVP: Tuesday 12th February to Helen and Brian on 8341 8283, Helen on 0411 772 475, Brian on 0411 772 457

Have a story to share?

Email: info@sabaptist.asn.au

Morialta Charitable Trust Fund Morialta Charitable Trust Fund has been supporting disadvantaged Children, Young People and their families in South Australia through its annual program of Distributions for 40 years.

To enable the Fund to continue this support through Community Organisations in South Australia Morialta Charitable Trust Fund seeks donations from the public.

Saturday 16th March Place: Cruising Yacht Club (Admirals Bistro), Lady Gowrie Drive, North Haven Time: 6:30pm Cost: Reasonable RSVP: Tuesday 12th March to John on 0416 058 426

Donations of $2- and above are Tax Deductible and can be forwarded to the Morialta Charitable Trust Fund at PO Box 92 Crafers SA 5152.

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Together in Mission Issued By Baptist Churches of South Australia Inc 35–39 King William Road, Unley, SA 5061 08 8357 1755 tim.sabaptist.asn.au

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Mailing Address Baptist Churches of SA PO Box 432 UNLEY SA 5061 info@sabaptist.asn.au