TOGETHER
IN MISSION February 2018
IN THIS EDITION What’s happening at: Aboriginal Berean Church Serving in the New Year Sacred Agents: Measuring Mission Global Interaction: Mylor Baptist Camp celebrates 60 years
A movement of local churches thriving in Jesus transforming the world.
FOR PRAYER 12-18 FEBRUARY • West Beach: Praise God for our well attended Christmas program with parents joining children for a BBQ and carols. May our Lord be at work, drawing them to Jesus. •
Pray for kids and youth pastors as school returns and their programs resume for the year.
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Pray for our President, Mark Foley, that his ministry will be blessed.
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Pray for David Mills and the hospital at Kompiam in PNG.
19-28 FEBRUARY •
[24th] Please pray for the Invigor8 conference, a one-day Children’s ministry conference here in SA.
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Pray for the Baptist Care Board.
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Global Interaction: Pray for Board members Heather Coleman & David Bird.
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Global Interaction: Pray for Cate as she expects to resume her ministry in Cambodia about now.
Serving in the new year Mark Foley President
I grew up in a home in which there was a plaque. Funny how I can’t remember where exactly it was: the living room mantel piece, the entrance hallway wall, the kitchen… I just cant’ remember! It was the words of Joshua as he bid his final farewells to the people of God he had lead into the promised land. Here he implores them to continue to faithfully obey God and that as they continue to live among godless people they must stand firm and faithful. In reality he doubts their capacity to do so, and in fact this scepticism is proven sound. Yet, as he implores them to remain committed he expresses
1-11 MARCH
his own commitment to do the same with the words found throughout my
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[2nd-4th] Growing Together in Marriage at Weintal, Tanunda.
home: “As for me and my house – we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:10
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Pray for Mike Mills and staff, Andrew Turner (Church Development Facilitator), Melinda Cousins (Dir. Ministry Accreditation), Beth Hoy (Next Gen Ministry Facilitator) and Elliot Keane (Leadership Development Facilitator).
This profound declaration – modelled by the family in which I grew up and
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Pray for revival.
my actions. It has been significant for our marriage and the choices we have
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Global Interaction: Pray that Luke & Rachel and Marc & Rachel would grow in their trust in God as they prepare to serve Him in Cambodia
made about being family and it was determinative in me following the path
the Mt Gambier Baptist Church in which my faith was formed, has shaped me deeply. From as early as I remember it has helped define my priorities and determine
into vocational paid Christian ministry.
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But it is also fitting for today. As we commence a new year and settle into
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Pray that the Baptist Care’s Friendship Program will greatly bless refugees and asylum seekers settling in Adelaide.
the familiar routines, having failed in our New Years resolutions and slipped
Pray that the finance will come in fast for the new Grace Family Home for abandoned children.
However, this challenge is secondary to, and in fact responsive to, something
Global Interaction: Pray that Rob and Deb will be well advanced with their knowledge of the Khmer language and culture.
as a Church is secondary to something far more momentous and compelling.
Global Interaction: Pray that Andrew & Rachel would grow in faith as they prepare to serve God in Malawi.
Jesus’ final words while on earth finished with the remarkable promise: “I
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back into bad habits. It is good and right to consider this challenge afresh. far more profound. In fact all of our Christian lives and all that we do in and And that is God’s commitment to us! am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt.28:20b)
26-31 MARCH
Paul encourages us in Romans when wrestling with the challenge that death
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[30th] Good Friday – Remember the cross where Jesus suffered for us.
brings that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
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Thank God for the many volunteers at Baptist Care.
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Salisbury: Pray for the church to grow and be effective in evangelism and making disciples.
As we commence this new year, surely it is this truth that is the firm
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Thank God that a printer has been chosen for the Yawo dictionary.
encourages us to be faithful. Which is exactly what Paul says in the very next
Jesus our Lord” Rom.8:29b. For, as he tells us in 1 Cor.15:57 He, that is God, gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. foundation upon which we can stand. It gives us confidence to be bold. It
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verse: “Therefore, stand firm, let nothing move you. Always give yourselves
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[1st] He is risen!
fully to the work of the Lord.” 1 Cor.15:58
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Pray for our pastors.
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Global Interaction: Dema and Carolyn are praising God for Grace and Daniel’s excellent school results in Thailand.
Praying God’s blessing upon us all as these truths continually become our lived reality.
TiM News from our churches
What’s happening at ABORIGINAL BEREAN CHURCH “What’s happening at” features a story from one of our churches, its ministries and challenges. Stay tuned for more stories in our next edition! The Aboriginal Berean Community Church Incorporated (ABCC) has its roots deeply imbedded in the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship of Australia who originally formed Aboriginal Churches to provide and develop opportunities for Aboriginal leadership in the context of the Church and to provide a specialist ministry to the Aboriginal community. At the moment, we conduct a Sunday Night Service (which incorporates Sunday School), a weekly Prayer Meeting, a Women and Men’s Discipleship Training Program, a fortnightly Women’s Meeting and every two months hold a combined service with the South Pacific Islander Christian community. Over the next twelve months, we plan to start a weekly Men’s Ministry, a Youth Ministry focussing on high school aged Aboriginal people, and implement a training program designed to develop the nex t generation of Aboriginal leaders within the context of the Church. Driven by vision The Aboriginal Berean Communit y Church’s vision is ‘to be a place of hope for the Aboriginal community where lives are transformed through the power of Christ’. All the ministries are driven by this vision, so we believe in faith that many Aboriginal people will come to know Christ as personal Lord and Saviour of their lives and that their lives will be radically transformed by His power. The intent of these ministries is also to provide great opportunities for our young Aboriginal people to fulfil God’s purpose for their lives and to take on
their responsibility as the next generation of leaders in the context of the Church. On the move Our Church began meeting at the Queenstown Churches of Christ 20 years ago and for the last 10 years at the Northwestern Community Church on Port Road, Queenstown. We are now in the process of moving into our own building, which was formerly operated by the Open House Community Church in Cheltenham. It is a very exciting but very challenging move for the Aboriginal Berean Community Church and the Church does acknowledge the support of the Open House Community Church, Baptist Churches SA and many others in bringing about this reality. Join in prayer Pray that God would provide all the necessar y resources for the 3 year transition plan for the Aboriginal Berean Communi t y Church de velop e d in conjunction with Baptist Churches SA in ‘making the move’ from Queenstown to Cheltenham. Pray that with ‘this move’ the Aboriginal Berean Community Church will be able to work in partnership with other members of the Baptist Churches SA and the wider Church community to strengthen its capacity to have a greater impact within the context of the Aboriginal and wider community to bring about healing, as defined by God, that needs to so desperately take place in Australia.
BAPTISMS Rostrevor Baptist Church
Faith was baptised by immersion by husband Stephen on 26/11/17 On the same day they publicly gave thanks to God for their 3 younger children Gabriela, Qianen and Stephen
What’s on IN OUR COMMUNITY
Sacred Agents
Measuring Mission
Neighbourhood Mission Network Jesus, James, the OT and Paul agree, ‘For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”.’ (Galatians 5:14).
Baptist 40+ Singles Our next dinner for 2018 Place: Fresh Choice, 373 Diagonal Road, Sturt Time: 6.30pm Date: Saturday, 17/2/18 Cost: $26.50 ($23.50 Seniors Concession) All you can eat !! RSVP: Tuesday, 13/2/18 Helen and Brian, 8341 8283 (Emergency only: 0411 772 475)
As most of our neighbours never set foot in a church building, we need to go to them. We are introducing the Neighbourhood Mission Network, for people who want to live as followers of Jesus in their neighbourhood. If that’s you, join with us on Instagram. We will give opportunity to meet together several times a year to share stories, to encourage and to pray. To find out more, meet with us on Instagram. Email us. Phone us. Keith and Marilyn Ingram Instagram: #sabcneighbourhood or @beattytceneighbourhood Email: kcingram@telstra.com Phone: 0428 464 726
S.A. Baptist Historical Society 2018 Meetings Our meetings for 2018 are as follows: Friday 16th March Friday 15th June Saturday 15th S ep temb er (morning workshop at the Archive Room at 35 King William Road, Unley 5061) Friday 16th November These meetings will be in the Raws Room at Flinders Street Baptist at 4.30pm. We have a light tea together at the end of the meeting.
World Day of Prayer 2018 The World Day of Prayer Service for City Churches will be held at the Flinders Street Baptist Church on the 2nd March 2018 at 1.30pm. This year the International World Day of Prayer is placing attention on the Republic of Suriname, a small country located on the north eastern Atlantic coast of South America. The title for the Service is “All God’s Creation is Very Good”, the speaker being Ms Merilyn Packer with music supplied by organist Mr John Hall and soloist Ms Carolyn Crowley.
The Speaker at the March Meeting will be Rev. Dr. John Walker whose topic will be “’Educating Deacons with an Axe’: SA Baptists and their Everyone is welcome to the Service to relationship with other Australian be followed by afternoon tea. Baptists.” Further information on the 2018 Please direct questions to Marie Lines International World Day of Prayer on 8332 4887 or email linesmb@ organisation can be found at internode.on.net worlddayofprayer.org.au
By Andrew Turner Church Development Facilitator I meet a lot of down-hearted Christian leaders – passionate for Jesus and his kingdom, diligent in sharing the gospel message, but saddened and bewildered by “hardly any response”. Let’s talk about evaluating gospel ministry, for their sakes and for those to whom they’re accountable. It’s hard to measure mission, but we must try anyway. Hard, because of time-lag between sowing and harvest, and because it’s not in the power of missionaries to generate responsive hearts. We must nevertheless tr y, because stubborn, unref lec tive, unaccountable ministry wastes so much time, energy and resources. So how to measure mission? Here’s one suggestion: Look for the potency of response, not just the amount of it. The New Testament – the whole Bible – makes it clear that there’s a whole range of responses to God. Rarely do you see a message shared, and 100% of the hearers respond appropriately. If you feel like you’re speaking, but hardly anyone is listening – well, welcome to Jesus’ world. Welcome to the world of the prophets. Jesus sums it up in the Parable of the Sower, but also elsewhere where he speaks of the kingdom working like yeast through dough. God’s kingdom transforms a family - a neighbourhood, a city, a nation – not usually though instant, en masse responses, but through a small-but-power-filled minority: the yeast. If just 2% of the farmer’s seed falls on good soil and produces “30, 60, 100 times what was sown” then the farmer will be in profit! If you only reach one person for Christ, and they turn out to be a Mother Theresa or Billy Graham, isn’t that better than getting a thousand empty ‘decisions’ or ‘Jesus likes’? So before getting too downhearted, or indeed uphearted, perhaps let’s ask some better questions: If only a few are interested, who are they? How can we water what is growing? What is their potential? Who are they, in turn, connected to? And also ask if there is a reason why the message connected with them and not others, apart from simple heart-responsiveness? It’s all part of discerning wisely ‘What is God doing here?’ Believe me, it’s never nothing!
On mission
Speaking out for a world made right
By Samara Linehan
Baptist World Aid Australia will be in Adelaide on Tuesday 20 February, for its 2018 Catalyst Launch. “Catalyst is a grassroots advocacy program that equips individuals and churches to speak up for the kind of world that God wants – a world free from poverty and exploitation,” explains Baptist World Aid’s Catalyst manager, Eliza Johnson. Catalyst groups meet regularly to learn and pray about issues of global justice, but, importantly, they also act. “There are currently about sixty Catalyst groups in churches across Australia,” says Eliza. “I am constantly inspired by the creative ways they find to raise awareness about issues of injustice in their communities, from movie nights to clothes swaps!” And Catalyst groups are making a real difference. “Over the last few years we’ve seen Woolworths and Coles commit to stocking more ethically certified Easter Eggs,” and we’ve seen our Government make huge progress on enacting a Modern Slavery Act in Australia – something we’ve been campaigning hard for”. In the year ahead, Catalyst groups will campaign on the issue of modern slavery in supply chains and take part in the Australian Baptist Church’s national domestic violence campaign. “The theme for 2018 is Redeemed Relationships, for a World Made Right,” says Eliza. “Catalyst members will use their voices to stand alongside people who are victims of injustice, as we work with God to bring about a world made right”. Anyone who’d like to find out more about Catalyst is welcome to attend the launch at Parkside Baptist Church on Tuesday 20 February, from 7pm. Register your attendance at: baptistworldaid.org.au/catalyst-launch-2018
TiM
Mylor Adventure Camp (1957 - 2017):
Celebrating 60 years of service to youth and to the glory of God Last November, more than 500 members of the community, general public and distinguished guests gathered to celebrate 60 years of Baptist Care SA’s Mylor Adventure Camp. ‘Mylor Baptist Camp’ as it was formerly known was established by the Baptist Churches of South Australia “so that young people can come to know the God we love,” said Paul Madden, Past CEO, Baptist Community Services (SA) Inc.
Paul Madden, Sam Whitwell, Michael Hynes, Ivan Copley, Mike Mills, Tim Johnson, Tobin Hanna, Allan Priest at Mylor Adventure Camp’s 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
The sixtieth Anniversary event was a celebration of the camp’s transformational past and exciting future. The proceedings began with a Thanksgiving Service in the Chapel followed by a fun-filled Open Day with activities for young and old including the Giant Swing, High Ropes, treasure hunts, information sessions, site tours and a ‘Memory Corner’ display. “Mylor Adventure Camp truly provides and facilitates a wonderful space and opportunity for young people to gather and to connect with God and each other” affirmed Sam Whitwell, Youth Pastor for Rostrevor Baptist Church who held their Youth Camp there for the first time in September. “We had a wonderful weekend filled with vibrant worship, impacting teaching, deep small groups, excellent activities, authentic community and of course, great food”. “And now it’s embedded in the lives of so many people in Adelaide” continued Tobin Hanna, Senior Manager Adventure with Baptist Care SA. “There are four things that capture what happens here. We facilitate extraordinary camps and outdoor experiences that challenge, stretch and grow people We’d like to work with Churches to continue to offer a place where young people are challenged by God We want people to come as part of a group and leave as part of a community We aim to deliver outdoor therapeutic programs that develop and build a young person’s sense of purpose, confidence and wellbeing Mylor Adventure Camp is a great place for Youth Group camps and Church retreats. It’s a place to build and strengthen relationships. Come as a group, leave as a community.” Camps can be self-catered or fully catered. The Riverview Retreat Centre is also a great option for a Leaders retreat. There are a number of special deals running for Baptist Youth Group bookings in 2018. To find out more, please contact Rebecca Francis, Administration and Booking Coordinator T (08) 8388 5234 or adventurecamping@baptistcaresa.org.au
OPEN DAY AT BAPTIST CARE SA INNER CITY Where: Baptist Care SA, 11 – 19 Millers Court, Adelaide.
You are invited to visit Baptist Care SA’s WestCare Centre and Inner City site to learn more about the services we provide to the community and how you can get involved. Hear from inspiring speakers, have some delicious afternoon tea, learn about rewarding volunteer opportunities and enjoy an interesting tour of the site.
When: Wednesday 28 February 2018, 2- 3.30 pm. Bookings: volunteer@ baptistcaresa.org.au T: 8118 5228
MAKE FRIENDS WITH A REFUGEE OR ASYLUM SEEKER Baptist Care SA’s Friendship Program provides an opportunity for you to show Christ’s love to others in practical ways. Fun, free and informative training provided on 12 February and 26 February 2018 (City). For more information, please contact Bryan Hughes, Friendship Program Coordinator T: 8118 5228 volunteer@baptistcaresa.org.au
God’s Mission, Continuing in 2018 Exciting times continue for Global Interaction, including right here in South Australia! Toward the end of last year, yet another South Australian family were accepted as long-term cross-cultural workers, for Malawi: Introducing David and Susie Haydon, and their children Anushka and Kyran. Part of David’s shaping toward cross-cultural work is the many childhood years he spent in Africa, where his parents were cross-cultural workers. David’s passion for God’s mission – to reveal His love to people using their heart language and culture – continues. Originally from Sri Lanka, Susie also spent many childhood years in Africa. She has been given the skills to relate to people crossculturally, and is excited about encouraging and empowering people on their faith journey. The local church that the Haydon’s attend has long been committed to supporting Global
Interac tion’s work among the Yawo people of Malawi and Mozambique. For David and Susie, to go to the Yawo is a natural extension of this local church’s faithful commitment. With the largest group of new cross-cultural candidates we have had for quite some time, the Baptist Churches of South Australia now has an exciting opportunity. Through effective partnership with the Haydon’s, and the many others currently preparing to go, our longstanding work in global mission is set to continue. However, our candidates need to get there first! With this in mind, please keep an eye out for ‘100 People in 100 Days’, our partnership campaign which will be rolling out very soon. All of God’s richest blessings to you all, through it all, Luke Hutchinson State Director SA/NT
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Contact Di Shearer Australian Network for Spiritual Direction dishearer@adam.com.au - 044 8536 835 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.
CONSIDER A MORE DIVERSE MISSION DEFENCE FORCE CHAPLAIN MUCH MORE THAN JUST SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE CALL 13 19 01 OR VISIT DEFENCEJOBS.GOV.AU
MAY 19 2018
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