Together in Mission | October 2018

TOGETHER

IN MISSION

October - November 2018

IN THIS EDITION The challenges for our chaplains What’s happening at: West Beach Community Church Jesus’ kaleidoscope of emotions New child protection resources for churches

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

FOR PRAYER

Dr Karen Walker Acting President

15-22 OCTOBER •

Global Interaction: Praise God for the appointment of new State Director, David Turnbull.

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Pray for the faith communities in Thailand as one of their members passed away due to a car accident.

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Pray for Baptist Care SA’s dialogue with State Government Ministers in relation to strengthening families and addressing the needs of vulnerable children.

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Global Interaction: Pray for Catherine’s relationships with language nurturers in Cambodia.

Jesus’ kaleidoscope of emotions Until recently I have thought Mark’s gospel was rather terse and truncated. As the shortest gospel of the New Testament I thought it tended to skip over events and lacked the fullness I found in the other gospels.

That was my perspective until just lately. As I started to use Mark’s gospel for

23-31 OCTOBER

my times of personal reflection I began to notice the frequency with which He

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Global Interaction: Pray for Luke, Rachel and their children as they begin a new life in Cambodia.

observed and commented on the different emotions expressed by various people

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Pray that young lives will be transformed as a result of the facility upgrades planned for the Mylor Adventure Camp Site.

Mark narrated various encounters where I can see Jesus speaking sternly, being

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Pray for Mike Mills and staff, Andrew Turner, Melinda Cousins, Beth Hoy and Elliot Keane.

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Global Interaction: Pray for Rachel and Andy while they are on leave from partnership development.

and also by Jesus. filled with compassion, showing anger and distress, displaying amazement, compassion, looking with love, sighing, demonstrating indignation, revealing deep distress.

1-8 NOVEMBER

One writer described the gospels as painting ‘portraits of Jesus using a

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2-4 Pray for the Growing Together in Marriage retreat in Tanunda.

kaleidoscope of brilliant emotional colours.’ He further writes that in our quest to

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West Beach: Praise God for increased enthusiasm in our youth group. Pray for more leaders to be involved.

fully human and made in the image of God. Emotions are part of His humanity as

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Pray for the Khmer people whose rice harvests have been reduced by unreliable rain.

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Pray for Mr Paul Nixon (former Chief Social Worker for NZ) as he prepares to take up the role of Lead Practitioner with Baptist Care SA later this year.

be like Jesus we often overlook His emotions. Jesus reveals to us what it is to be indeed they are of our own.

The Greek word ‘kardia’ often translated as heart in the New Testament refers figuratively to the centre of our personality - our intellect, our emotions and our will.

9-16 NOVEMBER

As you spend time reading the gospel accounts of Jesus and see when, how and

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May the Holy Spirit move ahead of Paul Nixon to open doors and further strengthen the influential voice of Baptists amongst policy decision makers.

to whom He expresses His emotions, may you be challenged to consider your own

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

to be more Christ-like.

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Pray that the new SA Govt will be attentive to the need for a balanced approach to social and economic development.

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Global Interaction: Pray for Susie who has taken on study at Bible College and for David as he continues their partnership development towards Malawi.

17-24 NOVEMBER •

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Global Interaction: Pray that Rob and Deb’s language skills and cultural understanding will develop so they can share their own stories with their Khmer friends.

Pray for our pastors.

25-30 NOVEMBER

emotional expressions and possibly identify those areas where you desire to grow Let us not forget then as we pray and seek daily to become more and more like Jesus, that our emotions as well as our minds and our will, will also be in need of daily renewing and reshaping.

Assembly Board Update Over the past month there have been some changes on the Assembly Board.

Rev Mark Foley has resigned as President to take up a role on the Ministry Team as Pastoral Services Facilitator. This is a position more aligned to his passion and gifting. We are thankful to Mark for his time as President and for the manner that he has served our movement in this role.

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Pray that God will provide the financial needs of the Kompiam PNG hospital.

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28-29 Prayer retreat for Accredited Ministry Formation.

step into the role of Acting President with this to be recognised at the November

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Pray that generous hearts will be stirred as Baptist Care SA commences planning toward a major redevelopment of the WestCare Centre over the next twelve months.

initially anticipated.

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Pray for finance to keep coming in for the Grace Family Home. Also for Hoa’s health.

Dr Karen Walker, the current Vice President, has been approved by the Board to Assembly. We thank Karen for her willingness to step up into this role earlier than Rev Daniel Gardiner, a current Assembly Board member, has been affirmed by the Assembly Board to fill the casual vacancy of Acting Vice President until the 2019

1-9 DECEMBER

AGM, this will be confirmed at the November Assembly. We thank Daniel for his

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Global Interaction: Pray for the dictionary team in Malawi as they launch the Ciyawo-English dictionary.

willingness to serve in this capacity.

Global Interaction: Pray for Dema and Carolyn’s ministry in Thailand.

Board, in your prayers.

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We commend these folk to you and ask that you uphold them, and the Assembly

TiM News from our churches

What’s happening at

WEST BEACH COMMUNITY CHURCH Recently, as part of a renewed passion to

unprogrammed presence, is to represent

be a fruitful missionary community in the

Jesus to people and point people to Him.

West Beach/Henley South area, we’ve just

Over 5 years, we hope that a cumulative

completed a thorough renovation of our

process of ongoing witness, invitation,

church buildings. We’ve been investing

sharing our great message, baptising

strongly in community connections and

and discipling those who respond, and

presence, but our buildings were getting to

developing believers in maturity and

the point where they were working against

ministry will result in a church that is not

our mission more than for it. It took us a

just self-sustaining but able to release

couple of years, but our facilities are now

others for mission and ministry elsewhere

much more modern, accessible, hospitable

as God calls them.

and great for all generations.

We are also facing challenges, as every

We aim to be all through the community

church does. Currently, we’re in a pastoral

all through the week. Our most prominent

search process, which always is a time

ministries are ‘The Sunday Feast’ (our main

of uncertainty. We’re also, sadly, facing a

all-age weekly gathering which begins

bit of slander online, which isn’t fun. And

with a cooked breakfast), a booming youth

thirdly, we’re all also pretty tired, having

group, children’s ministries (as part of The

poured a lot into our mission over the last

Feast but also outreach holiday programs

5 years. But we’re pressing on as we’re

in school holidays), several home groups,

able, trying to keep things fairly simple,

‘The Lighthouse’ (a drop-in morning) and

and looking to be a great team ready to

more.

go (indeed already on the go) when our

The aim of all our programs, and our

pastoral leadership settles.

Join in prayer Please pray for more workers for the harvest and the raising up of more ministry leaders. We’re the only church in West Beach, but still most local Christians drive off to other churches. Pray that the Lord would call some to join us in our local focus. Please pray for discernment as we look for a new pastor. Pray that the ‘mud’ a few people are slinging online won’t stick. But most of all, please pray for our neighbourhood, and for many hearts and minds open to the gospel message, particularly among the local kids we’re seeing a lot of.

TiM News from our churches

Sacred Agents

Slowing down for faster roads

By Andrew Turner Church Development Facilitator Richard Hawke with a member of the Breaking Free Program

The challenges for our chaplains The role of a chaplain provides the

relationship with a convicted offender

opportunity to display God’s unconditional

serving time in prison, it can be a tough

love and compassion to people, often

gig.

when they find themselves in a context

But as Richard noted, ‘I can often share

they’d never have expected.

the great hope of the gospel to these men

Paul Tyler recently began work as the

who so often have no hope. That is my real

Chaplain at the Royal Adelaide Hospital

joy and privilege as a chaplain. To see the

(RAH), and feels privileged to be able to

power of Jesus transforming their lives,

listen to people’s stories and walk with

giving them a fresh start for the future.

them and their families through the

Join in prayer

experience of being in an acute hospital setting.

‘We often find ourselves ministering to many marginalised people within the setting of the RAH. (We have) an opportunity to connect with people of all faith and cultural backgrounds and it uniquely places us at the heart of proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to all

For Paul Tyler Pray for the connections that Paul is making, as there are many ongoing demands involved with connecting with a large number of new people daily. Pray for renewed energy as much of his ministry is emotionally and spiritually demanding.

For Richard Hawke

people, whatever their background and

Pray for open doors in the Remand Centre,

story.’

and continued dependence on God.

Richard Hawke, chaplain at the Adelaide Remand Centre (Correctional Facility), runs the Breaking Free program in partnership with Baptist Care SA and Baptist Churches of South Australia. Breaking Free is a post-

Pray that he would know the ones God is preparing, whether inmates or staff.

Pray for the Breaking Free program, and discernment in introducing ex-offenders to churches.

release mentoring program that supports

For all chaplains

Christian ex-offenders to transition back

Pray for wisdom for all chaplains in finding

into their community. The need for post-

ways to attend to the emotional and

release support is immense, and Richard

spiritual demands of this vital ministry.

is hopeful that in his role he will be able

Chaplains are challenged to trust God

to build wider networks of support

and be open to the promptings of the

including access to housing, employment

Holy Spirit on a daily basis. Pray that they

opportunities and links to more churches

will remain focused on the heart of the

and mentors.

ministry in proclaiming the gospel.

Chaplains work on the front lines. They

If you’d like to get involved in pastoral

meet people where they’re at in life.

visiting at the RAH, please contact Ruth at

Whether chatting to a patient struggling

rgrace@sabaptist.asn.au.

with bad health news, or building a

I’m a frustrated commuter. In Adelaide it seems that around every corner is a new set of road works, and the dreaded signs telling you to slow down to 40 (by displaying the number 25*). Sometimes it feels like you just can’t get anywhere.

Traffic jams can reach back for miles and run thousands of people late.

Why all these slow-downs? Because we’re making our roads faster. Why is it so hard to get anywhere? Because we’re making it easier to get places.

It’s counter-intuitive. What would happen if we stopped doing roadworks? It would be wonderful ... for a few months.

But after that, increasingly disastrous. So I’ve been using stuck-in-traffic time to do some theological reflection.

Sacred agents can be the most idealistic of people. We have a vision for God’s kingdom and we want to see it now.

But there are the road-works of disciplemaking. The frustration of ministry development. We dream of having a church entirely made up of mature Christians. Wouldn’t it be heavenly … for a few months.

But God is choosing to pave the road to his fulfilled kingdom with future generations of sacred agents and given us the glorious job of being his roadworkers. Churches need to be training centres and not just teaching centres.

We should ask pastors to be star-players less and coaches more. And whilst it’s counter-intuitive, more responsibility needs to be given to those who aren’t quite ready for it.

But this will only pay off if we’re intentional about it. The most frustrating driving of all is when you slow down for road works and find that there’s no actual work taking place. Fines now apply for road crews who do that. And if we just delegate ministry without deliberately and efficiently building up others, we too should be fined rather than rewarded.

So next time you’re stuck in a roadworks jam, bless a road-worker. And prayerfully consider the wisdom in a slower ministry that intentionally prepares a holy highway for many others. *That was a joke. Sacred Agents should never speed.

TiM On mission

Risks worth taking for M&M Camp Missions and Me (M&M) Camp Executive

We were blessed to have Rachel and Andy

encounter God. We look forward to next

took a big risk this year with some very

Stevens and David and Susie Haydon to

year with great anticipation – save the

specific goals in mind. We held our

help us with understanding God’s heart,

date for 5-8th July 2019!

breath and shifted M&M Camp from the

the culture and their experiences of

traditional June long weekend, to the July

Malawi. They took part in sharing stories,

school holidays. It was a risk worth taking.

along with other leaders, of their walk

As a result, we gained a strong excited

with God and the changes He brought to

team of leaders that brought a new level

their lives when they encountered Him

of maturity, skills and integrity to the

face to face.

camp. About half of the 43 leaders who

Our Malawian meal on Sunday night was

volunteered their weekend were new, and

very special as we prayed for the people

we were grateful to local churches that

of Malawi and three families going on

supported the camp by releasing leaders

mission. It was exciting to see campers

of such quality to be involved with the 87

serious about their faith and responding

campers.

to the opportunity to have leaders pray

We also changed our timetable quite a bit

with them during that time.

to fit with the campsite and although it

The executive team would like to thank

was another risk, we saw a lot of positive

everyone who contributed to camp this

outcomes and our team really pulling

year in helping us provide a fun, safe

together to make the adjustments.

environment

where

campers

could

Southern Indian state struck by monsoon floods Destructive monsoon floods have killed around 400 people in the South Indian state of Kerala since rains began in June this year. At least 800,000 have been forced to flee their homes by the rising flood waters, seeking shelter in relief camps across the southern state.

In August, as the flooding reached its peak, Baptist World Aid Australia released $20,000 from its Disaster Action Fund to its Christian Partner on the ground in India.

“Our Disaster Action Fund allows us to respond with immediacy when a disaster like the floods in Kerala strikes,” says Baptist World Aid CEO, John Hickey.

“In this case, the funds have been used by our Christian Partner to provide urgently needed food rations and clean drinking water for food affected families.”

The situation in Kerala has been made even more dire by the sodden earth, giving way to landslides in hilly regions.

“Sadly, families have been ill prepared to deal with the effects of their collapsing surroundings,” says Mr Hickey.

“Homes have been destroyed, livelihoods have been swept away, and lives have been lost.”

They were the worst floods the state of Kerala had experienced in nearly 100 years.

The devastating monsoon season has left families with nothing. They have no means of providing food for their hungry children or safe drinking water to prevent against the rapid spread of waterborne disease.

And, now, as the flood waters recede, the southern Indian state has declared a heath alert following a rat fever outbreak.

“Our Christian Partner on the ground, the Emmanuel Hospital Association is continuing its disaster response,” says Mr Hickey.

For Baptist World Aid, the disaster in Kerala followed week of urgent response to the Lombok earthquakes in Indonesia.

“It’s been a demanding time for our partners on the ground in both nations,” says Mr Hickey, “I’m just so grateful for the faithful generosity of our supporters, which means we can respond to disasters, very soon after they strike.”

“In the Little Book of Big Hearted Gifts this year, you’ll find the Big Hearted Gift of Emergency Shelter.

Find your copy of the Little Book of Big Hearted Gifts in this issue of Together in Mission today!

TiM On mission

Comings and goings God has provided a new State Director for SA/NT with David Turnbull commencing on 30 July. Let’s get to know him: What is your background?

My intercultural journey began in PNG as a child.

Boroko Baptist Church played a key role in my formation.

Since returning to Australia my love for God’s mission and responding to culture developed.

This almost forty-year journey has involved engagement with international students, with missions in local churches and with training and mobilizing activities within mission agencies, three extended short-term trips to PNG and Nigeria, four years undergraduate study of mission and theology at Bible College of Victoria and a placement with Action Partners in Nigeria at a theological college. In 1998 God opened the door to lecture for five years at Bible College SA and fifteen years at Tabor, along with over ten shortterm experiences overseas with conferences and travel, and involvement in church-based mission promotion in number of churches. Engagement with the Lausanne Movement and Missions Interlink has also opened up my world. I am about to complete a PhD in cultural Intelligence and ministry.

What excites you about Global Interaction?

My passion is to connect with God’s heart and purposes, and respond to God’s invitation to partner in pioneer contexts. Global Interaction’s vision for the least reached people groups provides a placecrafting context for God to work. The nature and philosophy associated with pioneering relationship building is cutting edge. The commitment, innovation, theological reflective practice and faith of the workers provides opportunities for those of us in Australia to be reminded of a sovereign God. For South Australia to have nine adults and seven children preparing to go or working in contexts is very exciting.

What are your goals for the year ahead?

I am really encouraged to see so many Baptist Churches supporting global mission endeavours. I am looking forward to building on this foundation in South Australia and Northern Territory for Global Interaction’s vision amongst the least reached people groups. I long to see God’s communities educated and participating in God’s mission through prayer, financial support, recruitment and member care. To have the Stevens and the Haydon family preparing to join God at work requires resources to make happen but I believe we will rise to this challenge.

I am available to share with churches and groups that would like to be part of Global Interaction’s vision.

Luke, Rachel, Isaac, Tahlia and Michaela Hutchinson After five years of dedicated and valued service to Global Interaction, Luke and Rachel Hutchinson were commissioned on Sunday 9 September at their home church, Glen Osmond Baptist, and are in Cambodia beginning their language and culture commitment and providing leadership to the team in Siem Reap.

Luke and Rachel in Cambodia

David Turnbull encouraged the packed congregation to see this occasion as a commitment to partnership.

Financial pledges are still required as we seek God for 100% support for this family.

TiM On mission

Our Baptist Movement is uniquely anchored in local communities HERITAGE -Many of you may know that Baptist Care SA was established over 100 years ago in response to the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged South Australians by working ‘Together in Mission’ with and on behalf of local Baptist churches. A large part of what our organisation does today is focused upon developing and providing services that individual churches are not resourced to do, e.g. enter in contracts with government and employing staff (now over 1000 plus more than 200 volunteers) with professional expertise.

As we look toward and plan for future Horizons, I believe our heritage provides a platform upon which we can design and launch new approaches to transforming lives and communities. But do you know and appreciate how the history of our Baptist movement underpins and guides our future?

HISTORY records that the Baptist movement had its origins in political protest. It was founded on the conviction that neither the State nor the bishops of the Church had the right to dictate to the conscience of the believer.

The last 2-3 decades have seen Australian Baptists and Australian Baptist churches re-engage with social justice as a key dimension of the Church’s mission.

The 2011 National Church Life Survey found that 84% of people attending Baptist (and Churches of Christ) churches agreed that Christians should work to create a more just society. This was the highest response of all denominations. The 2016 survey showed that, in the twelve months prior to the survey, 94% of Baptist churches were involved in some form of social service or advocacy, including 32% of churches that engaged in political or social justice advocacy.

NOW in the context outlined above, it is perhaps not surprising that a Strategic Focus Session recently conducted with representatives from 14 Baptist churches was grounded in faithful optimism and enthusiastic about the potential for collective impact. This exploratory discussion was focused around the working relationship between local churches and the professional services provided by Baptist Care SA. The room was filled with vibrant dialogue that revealed some shining examples of when joint ventures have been highly effective. We also had to face up to some instances where there have been struggles and disappointments that we need to review and learn from.

The resoundingly positive outcome of our interactions with Baptist church representatives was a mutual expression of genuine interest in finding ways to work more closely together into the future to strengthen lives and communities.

FUTURE. I invite you to pray for and with us that the groundswell of commitment to social justice across the Australian Baptist movement (as summarised above) will guide us all into purposeful, and mutually beneficial, partnerships and collaborative community ventures into the future, and that these enable us to Be SALT and Shed LIGHT in local communities.

Will you join with me by praying that our Lord will move ahead of us and show us how we might more effectively engage in mutual endeavours that have transformational impacts upon the lives of those that He has shown special compassion for… “Come to me, all of you who are weary from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:27 Blessings

Therapeutic non-verbal activities help sisters feel safe Despite their youth, 8 year old Molly and 11 year old Matilda* have already experienced so much. Their history of trauma includes domestic violence, family separation and exposure to drug and alcohol abuse.

Experiences like these are so often linked to diagnosis of mental health disorders, and when Matilda and Molly were referred to our Family Mental Health Support Services, both were living with hyper vigilance, anxiety and emotional dysregulation.

Sadly, their story is not an unfamiliar one. In Australia, one in seven 4-17 year olds have experienced a mental health condition in the past 12 months*.

Therapy sessions were challenging. Both girls were hyper-aroused and anxious around new adults and Matilda also struggled to concentrate.

To overcome these challenges, their counsellor used creative activities to build trust, encourage right brain activity, support the girls to feel calm and safe, and help Matilda and Molly express their ‘internal worlds’ on paper.

During one session, gentle music was played while the girls painted people, objects and places that gave them comfort when they were worried or scared. Both girls loved experimenting with colours and ideas, and as they painted, conversations naturally unfolded about safety and what made them feel safe. *Names and ages have been changed Baptist Care SA’s Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS) is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. Go to www.dss.gov.au

CAROLS IN THE SQUARE HOLD THE DATE!

Graham Brown

Thursday 6 December, Whitmore Square

CEO, Baptist Care SA

Everyone Welcome

1 NCLS, “Justice. A Christian Role in Society” Fact Sheet 14023 2 Powell, Gan, Pepper & Hancock, Local church activities: Social service and advocacy Baptist Church in Australia (NCLS April 2018)

6.30pm Food provided 7.30pm Entertainment BYO chair/picnic rug

Baptist Churches Child Protection Strategy Hi Friends,

Book Review Things that Jesus did

It’s Cecil the Sheep here. I’ve teamed up with my friend Carl Collins and the Baptist Church Mob to put together a Child Protection Strategy resource pack. We’ve created three nifty posters to pop up around the church, the best leaders name tags you’ve ever seen, name tags for the kids, PowerPoint slides and sign-in sheets.

We’re launching the pack in October, so make sure your church is on board.

By Doug Rowston

Would you consider spending 1 hour a fortnight visiting someone

‘Doug Rowston’s Things that Jesus did brings his considerable scholarship alongside personal stories and reflections from believers throughout the centuries to invite readers to both understand and experience the miracle stories of the gospels. He draws on insights from archaeology, geography, and history to provide helpful background commentary, but his real strength in his ability to weave personal stories – of his own, those he has met, and those both known and obscure to history – to offer an invitation to the reader to engage their imagination, enter into the events, and therein encounter Jesus.

His simple reflections and humble prayers at the conclusion of each story serve as a profound reminder that these stories can be encountered again and again.’

in a nursing home?

Rev Dr Melinda Cousins

To find out more about the new resources pack, send an email to Ruth at rgrace@ sabaptist.asn.au.

Let’s keep working together to make our young people and churches safe!

Cecil the Sheep

What’s on IN OUR COMMUNITY

Community Visitors Do you live north of the Adelaide CBD?

Salisbury Baptist celebrates their 50th anniversary Birthday Dinner From 5:00pm Saturday 3rd November Celebration Service 10:00am Sunday 4th November Past and present attendees of the Salisbury Baptist Church are invited to attend a weekend of celebration and thanksgiving for 50 years of faith and life in the northern suburbs of Adelaide.

As a visitor with the Community Visitors Scheme people are matched to a lonely resident in an Aged Care facility – and will become their friend.

Many residents have no friends or family members to visit them.

As you visit them once per fortnight, you will build a friendship with them that will bring both you and your resident great joy and reward. Training and support is provided. It’s often the little things that make the world a better place.

Come and reconnect with others over the meal on Saturday night where you can hear stories and items as well as view our historical display.

For more information contact

Join us on Sunday morning as we worship together and thank God for His kindness and grace to us over 50 years.

The Community Visitors Scheme is an Australian Government initiative funded through The Department of Health and Ageing, sponsored by

If you are unable to make it, you can also send your greetings to the church via Patrick Garton: pgarton@sbc.asn.au

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

Judy Brown or Ian Townsend P: 8261 1844 E: cvs@enfieldbaptist.com.au

Enfield Baptist Church.

Articles And Advertising in this publication are the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publisher. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising.

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

BAPTISMS West Beach Community Church

Nina Zeleny was baptised by Rev Andrew Turner on 10/6/18 To see photos from the baptisms and more articles, head to our website at tim.sabaptist.asn.au/baptisms 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.

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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