January - February 2017 Intrasyd

MAGAZINE

intrasyd JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2017

June - July 2016

FROM

THE PRESIDENT Michael Worker

PRESIDENT Michael Worker michaelworker@adventist.org.au

Editor Joyce Taylor joycetaylor@adventist.org.au

Graphic Designers Lynda G. Abreu Lyndagomes@adventist.org.au

Katrina Jorgensen Katrina@SpearmintStudio.com

Joyce Taylor joycetaylor@adventist.org.au

Other Contributors Peter Butcher Michele Robertson Sanitarium David Sedgman Maree Worker

Next issue content due 10 MAR

What a time to be alive.

Our world is certainly going through an amazing period of change and uncertainty. It is in these times of political, financial and societal instability that we need Jesus more than ever. I find myself praying constantly, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

In spite of what is taking place in our world, 2016 was an exciting year for the Greater Sydney Conference. Mission to the Cities, an initiative of the General Conference, with generous funding from the South Pacific Division, has enabled the church here in Sydney to commence a number of new churches and ministries in Sydney. As I visit around the churches in our Conference, I give thanks to God for the faithful members who serve the Lord week after week, prayerfully seeking ways to make disciples and share their faith.

Whether it be in a large church, a small church, an English-speaking church or one of another language, we are all drawn together by our common belief in the soon coming of Jesus.

I look forward to seeing what God will continue to do in this city for the sake of His kingdom. Thanks to Mission to the Cities, we have a new bible worker commencing on the Northern Beaches, and in the near future, we will be appointing a health worker to support the work of Dr Andrew Pennington at the Sanctuary Lifestyle Clinic. These

projects are commencing alongside the new Lilyfield and Parramatta 3am Churches. We are also looking forward to seeing what disciple making outcomes develop from the Digital Discipleship project and the second Digital Discipleship Conference in July 2017.

Maybe you have a ministry idea or a church plant idea that you would like to see take place? What is it that God is placing on your heart? If you have an idea that you want to explore, contact Pastor Sven Ostring or myself. We will be more than happy to pray with you and see how we can assist you in making it a reality.

Lastly, Ignite is coming! I am looking forward to seeing members from across our Conference gathering at the Sydney Showgrounds for Ignite on 1718 March. I am sure we will be blessed by the ministry of Dwight Nelson ably supported by the music ministry of Aidan Rosa and the Conference Orchestra. On Saturday Night we will be blessed by an inspirational concert from Reggie and Ladye Love Smith.

This concert will be a great opportunity to invite your friends and family. Be sure to look at the pages of information we have included in this edition of Intrasyd about children’s programs, meals, parking and more. I look forward to seeing you at Ignite.

Michael Worker

febrUARY 2017

@ SydneyAdventists

COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT

ISSUE FEATURE

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UPCOMING EVENTS

ADDRESS 4 Cambridge Street Epping NSW 2121 PHONE 02 9868 6522 EMAIL sydney@adventist.org.au

SUNSET TIMES

Remember the Sabbath

11-03 / 7:21 Friday to 7:19 Saturday 18-03 / 7:11 Friday to 7:10 Saturday 25-03 / 7:02 Friday to 7:01 Saturday 01-04 / 6:53 Friday to 6:51 Saturday 08-04 / 5:43 Friday to 5:42 Saturday 15-04 / 5:35 Friday to 5:33 Saturday

$ OFFERING

eGiving.org.au

11-03 / Adventist World Radio 18-03 / Mission2Sydney 25-03 / Local Church 01-04 / Mountian View Adventist Col. 08-04 / World Mission Budget 15-04 / Local Church

2017

CALE NDAR

Summer Camp 2017

Crossland Youth and Convention Centre was abuzz with energy and laughter as juniors and teens descended upon the retreat for summer camp. Scott Fatt and Kayla Serafim fill us in. Page 20

ARTICLE

H.U.G: Help Us Grow

Are you in a big, vibrant church where you’ll never get a chance to grow your talents? Are you comfortable spiritually? Michele Robertson would like to rattle your cage!

Page 04

ARTICLE

#Sydney Adventist Awarded

Dennis Perry of Wahroonga Church receives the NSW Government Community Service Award in recognition of and appreciation for his significant contribution to the community.

Page 12

Save the Date

17&18-03 / IGNITE 18-03 / 40 Days of Prayer Begins 31-03–02-04 / Parenting Workshop 01-04 / AdSafe Training 07-04 / CHIP Training 04-04 / HOPESTAYZ

NEWS

2017 Pastoral Appointments

We’ve had very little movement in and out of the Conference. God has blessed as we have prayerfully worked through appointing pastors to churches, plants and chaplaincy roles. Page 10

NEWS

Containers of Generosity

In 2014, GSC formally adopted the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) as our Mission partner. Funds are desperately needed to complete a project and further mission work there. Page 14

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editorials

General Secretary

beyond, with the goal of building confidence in the Bible. The Conference has given a start-up capital grant has been given to this project.

Adrian Raethel

Twenty-nine delegates from Greater Sydney (including lay people, pastors and Conference representatives) recently attended the SPD Church Planting Conference held at Avondale College, along with delegates from across the Division. Church Planters from across the South Pacific shared their stories of how God has lead them to plant and grow new churches. This Conference was followed by a SPD organised Mission to the Cities Think Tank on how to more effectively evangelise our major cities. Representatives attended from the division, including institutional leadership.

FROM THE CHURCH BOARD LTD

• Filming has commenced for the rebranded I AM project (formally Imagine: Faith).

This is a small group interactive Bible study series specifically designed for unchurches professional young adults • Dr Wayne French, chaplain at Avondale College, is building a mobile archaeological interactive and visual education experience to take to schools (public and private) around NSW and

FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• The 3AM Parramatta Church plant that meets in the Parramatta CBD has been granted regular group status • The Jacob’s Well Company has been disbanded at their request, with many of the members joining together with the XCell Company that meets on the campus of Mountain View Adventist College – also Seven Hills Samoan and Merrylands Samoan have recently disbanded • The Northern Beaches is one of the strategic focus areas of the Conon the spd church ference and has been the recipient of planting confersome Mission to the Cities funding ence, the mission over the next 5 years. In alignment to the cities think with this strategy, action has been tank and updtes retaken to sell the Conference house garding conference at Westleigh and use the proceeds matters. to purchase a house in Forestville to house a Bible worker • Galston Church has received a grant to assist with some major repairs and maintenance in accordance with the Conference building grant policy.

chief financial officer

Eva Ing

2016 seemed to have flown by. One blink and the year is over. This is a busy time of the year for the Finance team. We’re busy finishing up our year end financial reports, and preparing for the audit.

Happy 2017!

It’s a time for reflection, of how God has led us personally, as a conference and as a church.

It’s a time for thanks giving for the abundant blessings He gives us, and also a time to think about those who are doing it tough. We thank our members who donated so generously to the Fund for the Needy, the 2016

Christmas Offering. We collected $23,153.18 towards this important fund which directly helps people in difficult financial circumstances.

It’s a time to think of the challenges 2017 will bring. To successfully complete our Schools, Aged Care and the numerous local church building and renovation projects this year. To potentially relocate the Conference Office temporarily while we redevelop. To ensure our Schools, Aged Care, and Churches are places that are safe for vulnerable people. To never take for granted our role as Stewards for the resources that God and His church places for a time in our hands.

Eva Ing

H.U.G. = HELP US GROW: A Cry from the Heart

By Michele Robertson, Mona Vale Church

i

t’s nearly Sabbath, and the summer sun is setting over the Newport Beach escarpment. The rock face is tinged with gold, and the sunset is mirrored on the glass frontages of expensive homes that perch precariously on the cliff face. The tide is low and my dog is amusing himself as I sit quietly contemplating the end of another week that has passed into eternity.

I am surrounded by beauty and a sense of peacefulness and gratitude fills my entire being. I pray quietly on the beach and thank the Lord for the blessings of the week, and for this special moment in time when it is just God and I. I pray for a myriad of other things, too – notably the family He gave to me. I thank Him for His sacrifice on the cross and for my little home church of Mona Vale and its members. I sing the words of “I Love to Tell the Story”.

And I do love to tell The Story. But no one is listening, Lord. Here I am living in one of the most beautiful places on earth, surrounded by wealthy, selfsatisfied people; people who, on the surface, seem to be happy; people who seem to have more than enough money to get by on, which gives their lives – and the lives of their families – more stability than most. These are people who neither feel a need for You nor do they want You. They are mostly good, kind and law-abiding people. Talented, creative and well educated. The women of the Northern Beaches are turning to the New Age movement in droves… No one wants to know about you, Lord…

Tomorrow I will go to Mona Vale Church to worship with my church family. What’s left of it. It was originally established by members of Wahroonga Church as a satellite church, an evangelistic outreach to the Northern Beaches and was a thriving church.

Us Grow. Mona Vale Church is in a life and death struggle for survival and we know that we cannot go on much longer. For this church on the Northern Beaches to close would be a huge loss, to its members, this community and the Adventist Church itself.

But twenty years ago, the Adventist young people left the Beaches to live in areas that were more affordable.

And this left us with an older group of people. Age and death have taken their toll, too. We have valiantly tried everything to grow our numbers through prayer, evangelistic outreach, health programs, “Signs”, and letterbox dropping thousands of Bible study cards. We have pleaded with the Lord to help us grow. But, for whatever reason, nothing we have done has been successful. And our numbers get smaller each year. We no longer have a pianist; however, it’s nothing that cranking up a CD cannot fix!

Would you consider giving two years of your life towards helping a small church survive, grow and renew itself? Or even a few months? A commitment to come here each Sabbath to teach, play a musical instrument or do whatever the Lord asks of you? Do you remember the words of the hymn “I’ll go where you want me to go, dear Lord. I’ll be what You want me to be”? Each time you sang this song, did you really mean it?

Our church should have folded years ago, but this loving, generous little band of people keep holding on by their fingernails, clinging to the Lord and to each other and their precious church.

Through it all, we have stayed financially sound and that is a miracle in itself.

Have you ever wanted to be a missionary? Even as you read this, maybe the Lord is challenging you to move out of your comfort zone and to do something extraordinary. We desperately need a H.U.G, that is: Help

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We need a H.U.G. So come and Help Us Grow. Contact Pr Panapa Leuluai at PanapaLeuluai@adventist.org.au if you want to get involved.

EDITOR’S NOTE The Northern Beaches is a Mission to the Cities church revitalization project.

Joshua Gonzales has just commenced at Mona Vale and Manly churches as a Bible worker to support the work of Pr Leuluai. In the coming months, a special rally will be held on the Northern Beaches to cast a vision for discipleship and growth.

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IGNITE IGNITE is for everyone and all churches right across our Conference. It will be held at the Sydney Showgrounds on 17-18 March 2017 and will be a catalyst for a number of initiatives that will help us to Grow in Discipleship.

Two of these initiatives are prayer and reconnecting with former and inactive members. We will also have a special offering on the day to help establish new churches and ministries on the eastern seaboard of Sydney–from the Northern Beaches right down to the Shire.

Following on from our IGNITE weekend on 17-18 March, we would like every church in Greater Sydney to have a ‘Welcome Home’ Sabbath on 6 May. This will be a focal point for connecting with and inviting back to church all those who have drifted away over the years.

An essential element of the Christian life, we often don’t spend enough time with our Lord in prayer. At the Ignite program in March we will be launching a Conference-wide 40 Days of Prayer and we would love every member across Sydney to join with us in this special prayer focus. The 40 Days of Prayer will commence on 18 March and will continue until 29 April 2017.

Michael Worker GSC President Pr Michael Worker

EVENT SCHEDULE

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Friday 17 March 07:30pm - 09:30pm

Friday Worship

Sabbath 18 March 08:30am - 09:30am 09:30am - 10:30am 11:00am - 12:30pm 01:00pm - 02:30pm 03:00pm - 05:00pm 05:30pm - 07:00pm 07:30pm - 09:00pm

Breakfast (Free) Sabbath School Church Lunch Sabbath Meeting Dinner Gospel Concert

MEAL OPTIONS There will be meal options for those who do not wish to bring their own food. Please note that applications close 14 days prior to the event. For bookings visit the following website: bit.ly/2kUyaaF. If you experience any problems speak directly to the venue by phoning 02 9704 1265.

VENUE LOCATION IGNITE will be held at the Olympic Park in Sydney Showground’s Southee Pavilion (Exhibition Halls 5A, 5B & 6). The street address is 1 Showground Road, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW 2127. Visit sydney.adventist. org.au/ignite for printable maps.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Sydney Showground is accessible via train, Ferry and bus. Train services to Sydney Olympic Park depart Lidcombe Station every 10 minutes. Sydney Ferries operates a daily service between Circular Quay and Parramatta stopping at Sydney Olympic Park Ferry wharf with a connecting bus service into the park. For more info or to plan your trip, visit www.transportnsw.info.

CAR PARKING There are free 2-hour parking spaces located on Grand Parade, Olympic Boulevard and Dawn Fraser Avenue.

Carparks P1, P5 and P6 are in close proximity to Sydney Showground. Carpark P1 and pre-book parking are recommended.

Cost per car: $5 per hour and $25 per day.

Book parking (until midnight 16 March) at www.sydneyolympicpark.com.au/parking.

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Keynote speaker

17&18

Dwight Nelson, Lead Pastor at Andrews University’s Pioneer Memorial Church, is coming to Sydney for IGNITE! Since 1983, Dwight Nelson has served as the pastor of the Pioneer Memorial Church on the campus of Andrews University.

Nelson was born in Tokyo, Japan, of missionary parents, and converses in Japanese.

He attended the now-defunct Far Eastern Academy in Singapore and graduated from Southern Missionary College (now Southern Adventist University) in

MARCH

2017

Collegedale, Tennessee (USA), receiving a bachelor’s degree in 1973.

He attended Andrews University where he received a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree in 1976 and a doctor of ministry degree in 1986 from the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. His books include Outrageous Grace, Countdown to the Showdown and Built to Last.

In 1994, the Pioneer Memorial Church hosted ABC Television’s National Christmas Eve service. He is the speaker for a weekly radio and television program, New Perceptions. Nelson is married to Karen Oswald Nelson, a registered nurse. They are blessed with two married children, a son Kirk, a daughter Kristin and one granddaughter.

FREE BREAKFAST

SACE ORCHESTRA

SPECIAL OFFERING

Thanks to our sponsors at Sanitarium, we will be providing you all with a FREE breakfast on Sabbath morning from 8:30am-9:30am.

The talented Sydney Adventist Chamber Ensemble (SACE) will be providing our worship music.

Our biggest mission field is the Eastern Seaboard. Over 1.4 million people live in this area. However, there are only eight Adventist congregations with 647 members.

Don’t forget to tell your family, friends and church members so nobody misses out!

The ensemble plays a wide variety of music, from traditional hymns, contemporary and classical, and holds a number of performances throughout the year.

We’ll be collecting a special offering to help plant new churches on the Eastern Seaboard. We invite you to give generously so people in our city will hear about Jesus.

Children AND TEENS CHILDREN

TEENS

Wondering what activities and spiritual programs will be provided for your children?

Not to worry! IGNITE will be providing a Children’s Sabbath School program from 9:30am10:30am with the four divisions and their church hosts:

This program will be for all high school ages. Teens will be enjoying activities such as ice breakers, worship service and the Sabbath school lesson by Pr Nick Kross Junior.

• • • •

Beginners, Hoxton Park Kindy, Wahroonga Church Primary, Castle Hill Church Juniors, Mile End Church

We’ll have crafts, worship and the Sabbath School lesson.

There’s also afternoon program from 3:00pm-5:00pm!

An exciting afternoon program will also be held for the teens from 3:00pm-5:00pm. Be sure to come early for breakfast!

If you would like further information on either of the children’s or teens programs, please visit us on the web at www.sydneyadventistyouth.com.

40 DAYS OF PRAYER

SPECIAL CONCERT

WELCOME HOME

The 40 days devotional is designed to prepare God’s church for Christ’s second coming, as well as to reach out to others in preparation of the glorious day.

IGNITE will be putting on an inspiration concert with gospel singers, Reggie & Ladye Love Smith of the Gaither Homecoming Family.

“Welcome Home” is a Greater Sydney Conference initiative to reconnect with and invite all our former church members to attend a special church program on 6 May.

Welcome Home This begins by committing to 40 days of prayer and devotional study. Get your prayer book for $10 whilst supplies last. Full retail price $21.95. Available at ABC.

The concert will also feature key performances by the powerful duo L&C MUSIC, as well as the talented a cappella group, REDEEMED. Don’t miss it!

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We believe that being part of a local church community is an important part of growing as a disciple of Jesus in preparation for His soon coming.

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Pastor List We have a few people joining us. Avondale Graduate Nick Kross Jr heads to Castle Hill Church and Hills Adventist College-Castle Hill, Geoff Youlden joins as the Conference Evangelist and Stanmore Pastor, So man Chu is under call from Hong Kong to strengthen our Chinese ministry and Shiu Kumar provides leadership in the Indian work.

3am Macquarie (COMPANY)

Campbelltown

Conference evangelist

Daniel Przybylko

Stanley Togafau

Geoff Youlden

3am Parramatta (GROUP)

Campbelltown Fijian (Group)

Corrimal

Daniel Przybylko

Usaia Baravilala

John Tompson

Ashfield

Campbelltown Spanish

Dundas Croatian

David Cherry

Mario Guzman

Edvard Miler

Auburn

Caringbah

Eastwood Chinese (group)

Usaia Baravilala

David Cherry

Daniel Chong

Bankstown

Castle Hill

Echo christian community (gp)

Tai Mokoroa

Pablo Lillo

Hope Chomczynski

Bidwill (Company)

Castle Hill associate

Elizabeth Lodge (group)

Mele Lolohea

Nicholas “Nick�Kross Jr

Tuni Laikum

Blacktown

Chatswood

Enmore Fijian

Martin Luke

Lyndelle Peterson

Joseph Talipuan

Blacktown Spanish

Chatswood associate

Epping

Igor Shemet

Tuni Laikum

Nigel Ackland

Cabramatta

Cherrybrook (group)

Fairfield

Tapiwa Mutseriwa

Eddy Johnson

Tapiwa Mutseriwa

Cabramatta Fijian

Church in the Fields (Company)

Fairfield Spanish (group)

Alexis Ratu

Warwick Sawyer

Edvard Miler

Cabramatta West Spanish

City Cook Island (group)

Filoship Connect (company)

Jonathan Valls

Sitiveni Teaupa

Carlos Hernandez

Concord

Fountain in the City (Company)

Roger Vince

Barend Nieuwstraten

Fountain in the City (company) associate Tim Shelton Fountain Maroubra (group) Barend Nieuwstraten

Fountain Maroubra (group) associate Tim Shelton Fox Valley Mark Baines

Fox Valley Associate Landry Patii

Galston David McKibben

Ghanaian (group) Roger Vince

Granville Radomir Svonja

Granville Fijian Alexis Ratu

Granville Multicultural Jimmie Cha

Guilford Italian Igor Shemet

Harvest fellowship (Group) Matthew Pearce

Holroyd (COMPANY) Edvard Miler

Hoxton Park Mario Guzman

Hoxton Park Associate Anders Svensson

Hurstville Jimmie Cha

Hurstville Associate - Chinese So man Chu

Indian (group) Mario Guzman

Indian associate (group) Shiu Kumar

Indonesian (group) James Fletcher

Katoomba Duane Haora

Kellyville Martin Vukmanic

Kellyville Associate Adrian Peterson

Kings Langley

Norfolk Island

Ubuntu (Group)

Chaplain Kings Langley Aged care Alwin Hilton

Tuni Laikum

Dion Fourie

Eddy Johnson

Lakemba

Parramatta

Wahroonga

Ana Lolohea

Garth Bainbridge

Alban Matohiti

Light Hope (Group)

Parramatta associate

Wahroonga associate

Warwick Sawyer

Benjamin Turner

David McKibben

Chaplain Macarthur Adventist College Abigail Figueroa

Liverpool Samoan (Group)

Pendle Hill Polish

Wahroonga associate

Asofitu Leatuavao

Roger Vince

Richard “Richie” Reid

Chaplain Mountain View College

Lord Howe Island

Penrith

Waitara

Allen Bierschbach

Janusz Jagiello

Roger Govender

Manly - Warringah

Punchbowl Samoan

Waitara associate

Panapa Leuluai

Brian Leuluai

Andrew Russell

Chaplain Mountain View College Associate Craig Vanas

Manly - Warringah Bible Worker Ryde

Wantok (Company)

Joshua Gonzales

Andre Vieira

Joseph Talipuan

Chaplain Prisons

Marrickville Spanish

Ryde Korean (Company)

Warrimoo

Carlos Hernandez

Carlos Hernandez

Chris Manthey

Mile End Community (Company)

Stanmore

Wetherill Park Spanish

Nigel Ackland

Geoff Youlden

Jonathan Valls

Minto Samoan

Sydney Central Korean

Ramese Tupe

James Fletcher

Wetherill Park Spanish associate

Mona Vale

Sydney Chinese

Anders Svensson

Panapa Leuluai

Daniel Chong

Windsor

Mona Vale Bible Worker

Sydney Chinese associate

Chris Manthey

Joshua Gonzales

Marcus Pereira

Wollongong

Mountain View

Sydney Cook Island

John Tompson

Ramese Tupe

Tai Mokoroa

Woollahra

Mount Colah

Sydney Portuguese

Daniel Przybylko

Robert “Bob” Saunders

Andre Vieira

Xcell (Company)

Chaplain Macarthur Adventist College Dwayne Manoa

Iorangi Eiao

Chaplain Mountain View College Associate Ramese Tupe

Duane Haora Stanley Togafau

Chaplain Prisons - Long Bay Wellington Caqui

Chaplain University Students Tim Shelton

Chaplain Wahroonga Aged Care Tuni Laikum

Chaplain Wahroonga Aged Care Assistant Toni Marsh

Chaplain Wahroonga School Richard “Richie” Reid

Chaplain Wahroonga School Associate Landri Patti

Mount Colah associate - korean Sydney Russian

Frank Ropati

Kabsuk Ko

Igor Shemet

Chaplain Auburn School

Mt Druitt

Sydney Tongan

John Wells

Matthew Pearce

Sitiveni Teaupa

Mt Druitt Samoan

Tahmoor (Company)

Chaplain Hills Adventist College Castle Hill

Asofitu Leatuavao

Usaia Baravilala

Nicholas “Nick” Kross Jr

Mt Druitt Samoan associate

The Way (Group)

Brian Leuluai

Horace Evans

Chaplain Hills Adventist College kellyville Ian Cangy

New Hope (Group)

Thornleigh

Chaplain Hurstville School

Lloyd Grolimund

Robert “Bob” Saunders

Marcus Pereira

New Hope (Group) Associate

Toongabbie

Duane Haora

Janusz Jagiello

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Regional Coordinators central Andre Vieira North David McKibben Northwest Martin Vukmanic south & southwest Jonathan Valls West Frank Ropati

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LOCAL NEWS

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D

ear #SydneyAdventists, we have some great things to share with you. But first, we’d like to relay a very sweet deal: ABC has paired a special ministry offer with each month. For March, get 10% off ALL reconnecting and prayer books. For April, get 10% of Every Heart’s Cry

by Dannielle Synot. Calendar ad must be mentioned.

What’s #SydneyAdventist?

It’s the hashtag we’ve adopted at the Greater Sydney Conference to mark threads online. Hashtags make it easier to find and join specific online conversations.

Posting about your church or a fellow Adventist? Hashtag it so we can follow along!

Have anything exciting or extraordinary to share? Email us at sydney@adventist.org.au.

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01 #SYDNEYADVENTIST RECEIVES PREMIER’S AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING VOLUNTARY SERVICE

BY DAVID SEDGMAN, WAHROONGA SDA CHURCH On Monday, 19 December 2016 Mr. Dennis Perry of Wahroonga SDA church was presented with the NSW

Government Community Service Award in recognition and appreciation for his significant contribution to the community through his service with the

03 The State Member for Hornsby, Mr. Matt Kean, presented Mr. Perry with the award at a special function attended by state and local leaders and volunteers with great acknowledgement of Mr. Perry’s work with OFFL. Mr Kean said, “His selfless love and compassion is a model to all Christians. His light has made the world a little less dark, and we are in a better place because of Dennis Perry.” Moreover, “Mr. Perry is one of the most inspiring people I have ever come across,” said he.

organisation “Operation Food For Life”

OFFL is the result of Mr. Perry’s 25

(OFFL), an organisation he co-founded

years of work in developing an organ-

some 25 years ago.

isation which sponsors many projects

PHOTOGRAPHY through which hundreds of people

significant politicians in both PNG and

living just outside Port Moresby, Papua

Australia as its patrons.

New Guinea (PNG) on rubbish dumps and in prison, as well as those dying of HIV/AIDS in hospital and children who are in desperate need of schooling, are provided with food, clean drinking water, clothes and spiritual, emotional and educational support.

In addition to all the OFFL projects, Dennis Perry (now a pensioner aged 70) established a home for unwanted children called Born Free Sanctuary during 2016. “Without this sanctuary, some of these children would not be alive today,” Dennis says. Singing group Born Free Praise has come out of this development.

Mr. Perry believes practical Christianity can change people’s lives and bring them to Jesus Christ. “OFFL is all about showing unconditional love and compassion,” he says. This is resonated in the singing group’s motto: “Passion for Compassion witnessed by our actions.”

Dennis had three brushes with death before the age of 20, and each time he emerged stronger than ever in his faith that God has a direction for him. “God knew me. He kept me alive for His purpose.” After spending five minutes with him, it’s difficult not to be inspired. He is immensely positive and often spews phrases like: “Not bitter, but better”, “Aspiring to inspire before I expire”

If you would like to donate or find out more about OFFL visit www.offl@org. au, or email info@offl.org.au.

02 SANITARIUM – WHOLICIOUS LIVING INSPIRE YOUR BODY, MIND & SPIRIT Have your recipe ideas gone stale?

Want some exciting lifestyle ideas for

for money. They are just stewards of this ministry. In so doing OFFL counts

02 Operation Food For Life (OFFL) distributing food and goods to the familys living on Baruni, a majour rubbish dump outside port Moresby 03 State Member of Hornsby

A happier, healthier you – that’s what

vice Award Dec 12 2016

Sanitarium’s new Wholicious Living newsletter is all about. Nurture your body, mind and spirit with a mix of articles on plant-based foods, the latest nutrition advice, plus health and wellness tips for your whole being, delivered to your inbox monthly.

with the NSW Government Ser-

04 Sanitarium’s Tomato, Borlotti Bean and Rocket Salad. A delightfully fresh and colourful salad bursting with flavour and high in fibre. bit.ly/2kBNwib

Recipe of the Week provides fresh inspiration to get more healthy vegetarian foods in your life, feed the family or wow your friends each week. Browse our recipe collections for simple and creative cooking ideas.

For the latest health and wellbeing content, sign up to the Wholicious Living or Recipe of the Week newsletters at www.sanitarium.com.au.

The EDGAR Ministry promotes the

unpaid and OFFL do not make requests

special deals every month this

Mr Matt Kean presents Mr Perry

The task the organisation OFFL has set great personal risk. The work force is

tre in Epping or Wahroonga for

the New Year?

through me”.

for themselves is vast, sometimes with

01 Visit the Adventist Book Cen-

year. #SupportLocalABCS

03 EDGAR MINISTRY MARKETING PROMOTION

and “None of this is me. It’s all God

CAPTIONS/CREDITS

sale or hire of its inflatable EDGAR

04

statue exclusively to the Seventh-day Adventist movement. This eye-catching promotional tool and its associated

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PHOTOGRAPHY

CAPTIONS/CREDITS 05 Inflatable EDGAR statue, EDGAR Ministries 06 EDGAR statue on location

06

07 EDGAR statue on location 08 Solomon Island school with

07

new bright, colourful interior 09 Ablution blocks under construction 10 Mobile dental units dis-

08

patched at the Government Hospital in Honiara 11 Interior of mobile dental unit dispatched at the Government Hospital in Honiara

marketing material can be used to

and sisters live below the poverty line,

generate public awareness for proph-

and felt we needed to provide support

ecy seminars and outreach programs

for them,” said Conference President,

at your church. Fully inflated, EDGAR

Michael Worker. “About 80% of the

stands 8 meters tall. Its durable yet

600,000 people in the Solomon’s are

lightweight material makes EDGAR the

subsistence farmers. They rely on

perfect for local, domestic and over-

produce from their gardens and fish for

seas missions.

food. While they might make a few dol-

I’m EDGAR.

lars from their agricultural endeavours,

The EDGAR package includes one in-

I’mflatable the perfect your ropes next statue, addition a 240-voltto blower, prophecy seminar.Find out more on and attachments.

548,and or byfitsending email I’m0488 only999 25kg in the an boot of

household budgets are tight”.

The partnership involves collecting

clothing, books, sending containers a car.

edgarministry@gmail.com.

I’mtosort of a BIG deal.

of supplies (medical, educational and evangelistic), organising fly ‘n’ fix and

04 builds, and arranging leadership develSOLOMON ISLAND MISSION: opment and collaboration opportuniCONTAINERS OF ties between departmental directors This eye-catching promotional tool andand it’spastors in Greater Sydney and the GENEROSITY associated marketing material used

BY KEN LONG & DR ALEX can beIslands. to CURRIE generate public awareness for outreach

05

programs at your church.

In 2014, GSC formally adopted the Solomon Islands Mission (SIM) as our Mission partner. “We recognised that a quarter of our Solomon Island brothers

One of the biggest needs in the Solomon Islands is for clothes. We often take something as simple as clothing for granted. But in the Solomon Islands, clothing is treasured. SIM

uses clothing in evangelistic outreach.

• Paint for classrooms and Happy

By sharing clothing with schools and

Rooms at Tenakoga Adventist College

needy families, they let others know

other schools brighten atmosphere and

that there are people in Australia who

generated pride

care. Evangelists also use clothing as a means of entering villages.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

There are many ways you can help sup-

Two years ago Dr Alex Currie, a key

port the GSC-SIM Partnership. You can

organizer of the project, visited Ninive

donate summer clothing or volunteer

Village in Western Solomon with

to help sort them, go on a fly and build,

the District Director, Pastor Herrick

or pray for the work of God in the Solo-

Pentani, and delivered several bags of

mon Islands.

garments. While the Uniting Church Bishop opposed the Adventist witness in the village, the chief welcomed the witnessing program saying, “This village is my village and I want the Seventh-day Adventists to come to our village. You come and do good things. You can come at anytime to my village.” A few bags of clothing opened a door of opportunity. They see Adventists as doing something their church is not doing.

IMPACT OF RECENT SHIPMENT

• New electrical generators at five High Schools improved study conditions resulting in more students passing government examinations and going on to tertiary studies • Increased basic service for the needy thanks to a mobile dental unit dispatched to the Government Hospital in Honiara • A new library building at Tenakoga High School creating a study hub for the bush school • A tractor and paint improved food production at Bekabeka High School, Gatokae Island and Maravo Lagoon • Hundreds of cartons of book are opening new worlds to students and staff at several schools • A tractor and paint improved food production at Bekabeka High School, Gatokae Island and Maravo Lagoon

09

The biggest need at the moment is money to purchase and ship the containers. “We have goods ready to be packed and shipped right now, but we don’t have the $16,000 needed for purchasing and shipping a forty foot container,” said Dr Currie. “ They could and should be changing lives, but are sitting in Sydney due to lack of funds. We desperately need money for containers now.”

If you wish to support this ministry and our brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands then there is an option on the

10

e-Giving App for Solomon Islands Mission or your can write “Solomon Islands Partnership in Mission” on your tithe envelope. New electrical generators at five High Schools improved study conditions resulting in more students passing government examinations and going on to tertiary studies FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact Dr Alex Currie on 0414 777 180 or visit bit.ly/2lsZWsE. Access this link for articles published in the Solomon Star, national newspaper of the Solomon Islands. bit.ly/2jXpLQq

11

Don’t hide your news under a bushel!

Write us at sydney@adventist.org.au.

Attach image files individually.consed

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FREADA’S STORY F

reada,* a recent immigrant with very little English, had been abused so badly by her husband that she had to call the police on three occasions. They advised her to place an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order) on her husband, but she was too frightened to follow through on account of his mental state, a state deemed unsound by Australian police.

Terrified to use public transport in the event that her husband caught her fleeing, Freada remained for a long time. Then, one day, she left.

Her first stop was Housing NSW for temporary accommodation. From there she was given five nights at a refuge and advised to contact the

ADRA Community Centre at Blacktown.

washing machine, single bed, lounge, cutlery and crockery,” said Butcher.

When she arrived at the community centre, Freada was scared, desperate, and penniless with nowhere to sleep that night. She urgently needed help. The centre took her case.

Upon receiving the items, Freada broke down and wept. “When she recovered she explained that she feared her husband might come after. So I installed slide bolt security on her door.”

“After listening to her story, I took her to Centrelink and arranged an emergency supplement and a small fortnightly government payment. We also extended her emergency accommodation until a friend found a newly renovated granny flat. Of course she had no furniture or white goods, but thanks to recent donations to the ADRA Community Centre we were able to help her with a refrigerator,

Please continue to support local community centres with food items, white goods, furniture, clothing and monetary donations so that they can continue providing those in need with safety and comfort. Visit www. adra.org.au for more information.

by Peter Butcher, Accommodation Officer at ADRA Community Centre - Blacktown

05 BAPTISMS THORNLEIGH CHURCH Thornleigh Church witnessed the baptism of Kyi Win the Sabbath of October 1. The same day his father, Mr. Lin – a keen student of the word who can read and speak three languages: Burmese, Mandarin and English – and sister, San San, also joined the church by profession of faith. The two had been previously baptised into the Burmese Baptist Church in Granville.

Natives of Myanmar (Burma), Win and his family had been studying the Bible at their home for nearly two years before making the decision. Pr. Bob Saunders would give the weekly lessons and Dan Lwin helped translate them into Burmese. In this time, the Adventist message was slowly introduced to the family. Having

Sydney Adventist Chamber Ensemble Invites NEW Members to Join in 2017!

come from a Buddhist country and growing up with that culture, it is a big change for them.

To accompany the family on their spiritual journey and care for the Burmese group, Dan and his wife Wendy transferred their membership from Waitara Church, where they’d been members for 50 years, to Thornleigh.

Back in September, the church witnessed the baptisms of Rohan and Lionne Josey. The brothers were baptised by their uncle, Pr. Brandan Pratt. Rohan and Lionne both attend Mountain View Adventist College where their mother, Neroli Josey, is also a teacher.

W

e are a church-based community of musicians who enjoy making music together. We are currently seeking new additions to supplement our talent for the new year.

In particular, we’re looking for people who: • Play an orchestral instrument with a classical music background • Have around AMEB Grade 4 level for strings, Grade 6 for woodwinds • Will be committed to the orchestra in rehearsals and events Places for the Ignite event may be limited, but we will try and be accommodating. Listed grade levels are only suggestions. We encourage anyone interested to apply.

Hilissere, perum non renihi, que res cussi sdacedcecececua “what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” Acts 22:16

Please contact us at SACE@live.com.au with information about your musical experience and yourself. Looking forward to an exciting 2017!

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EDUCATION Local School Brings Bethlehem to Doonside to Celebrate Christmas

Road to Bethlehem event. They worked hard at making

M

by Mountain View Adventist College

ountain View Adventist College’s staff and students in con-

the scenes, delivering the performances and arranging the supporting activities. I am just so proud of everyone who was involved.”

The school plans to have the Road to Bethlehem as a regular event each year and would love to see it grow over many years to come.

junction with local churches brought the true meaning of Christmas to Doonside last week with their first production of ‘Road to Bethlehem’. Road to Bethlehem is an opportu-

nity to step back in time and experience what it may have been like at the very first Christmas. During the program, guests were taken through an interactive tour of some of the scenes surrounding the birth of Jesus.

The event was conducted over Sunday and Monday nights with tours planned to run every 20 minutes. Due to the high demand of visitors who turned out to complete the tour, tours needed to be increased to run every 10 minutes on Monday night. The Christmas event had close to 1000 visitors over the two nights.

Visitors were not only treated to the walking tour, they also had the opportunity to ride real camels, pat animals in the petting zoo, enjoy a variety of food, and sit and listen to live music, including a 30-piece brass band playing Christmas carols. As one visitor, Raul Moran, commented, “The camels were amazing to see and my daughter loved riding them. I think it just added to the

Scenes from the production of “road to bethlehem” at MVAC

authenticity of the event. The food stalls looked great and the fact we had to use shekels to purchase (food) was just another nice touch that added to the authenticity.”

Jean Carter and her husband also visited the school to see the event. When asked what she thought of the production, Jean said, “I was totally blown away by the amazing transformation that the school achieved for this program. The props and costumes just set a wonderful scene to tell the most amazing story on Earth! I loved

About Mountain View Adventist College Mountain View Adventist College is a co-educational Christian college located in Doonside for students from pre-Kindy to Year 12. As part of the Adventist School system, Mountain View Adventist

the fact that real animals were used in the scenes too.” College

College is here to serve the wider community, offering enrol-

Principal Mrs Jenny Gibbons added, “I am so proud of what the

ment to local and international applicants irrespective of their

students, staff and local churches weable to achieve with our first

religious affiliation. The school currently has 650 students.

Meet the New Principal of Hills Adventist College: Dr Malcolm Coulson

by Maree Worker

D

returned to Avondale College as a lecturer, secondary course coordinator and then as Vice President for Learning and Teaching.

Dr Coulson left Avondale College to take up the role as principal and Science teacher at Darling Downs Christian School in Toowoomba, Qld. Following this, he was appointed education

r Malcolm Coulson has joined the Greater Sydney

director of the South

Conference as the new Principal of Hills Adventist Col-

Pacific Division and served

lege. Dr Coulson has worked extensively in education

for two years in that role.

in a variety of roles. He commenced teaching in the

Most recently, Dr Coulson

Queensland State system. His area of specialty is in Science

was the principal of

- biology, chemistry and general science. He first worked for

Edinburgh College

Adventist Education at Longburn College in New Zealand.

(formerly Lilydale Academy) in Victoria where

Returning to Australia, he went to Mackay Adventist school

DR MALCOLM COULSON

he led for the past four years.

where he started as a Science teacher and then was appointed Principal. Following this Dr Coulson spent seven years at

Malcolm and his wife Marcia enjoy riding motorbikes, travel-

Avondale College as a lecturer, followed by two years as edu-

ing, and especially 4-Wheel Driving. He also enjoys photog-

cation director in NNSW. During his time at Avondale College,

raphy. They have a blended family of five, most of whom are

he completed his PhD at Newcastle University in the area of

married, and have five grandchildren.

teacher effectiveness and how to help teachers’ thinking and behaviour to improve student learning.

Dr Coulson brings with him a wealth of experience gained from all levels of education. He will be a strong asset to the

After taking a 12-month break from church employment, he

continuing growth of Hills Adventist College.

JUNIOR ORCHESTRA 2017 Seventh-day Adventist combined Junior Orchestra for school aged children who play an orchestral instrument. One (1) year experience/lessons and basic skills with reading music required.

Meetings are 3.00pm every second Sabbath of the month at Mountain View Adventist College, Doonside.

Interested? Email La-Dean Malifa at ladeanmalifa@adventist.org.au to receive registration and audition details.

If auditioning for the first time you must be able to play a short melody from music and one scale of your preference. You do not need to audition if you were in the Junior Orchestra last year.

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2017 SUMMERCAMP

MISSION POSSIBLE With man this is impossible, but with God all things are POSSIBLE Matthew 19:26

K

AYLA SERAFIM AND SCOTT FATT GREW UP ATTENDING THE GREATER SYDNEY CONFERENCE SUMMER CAMP AT CROSSLANDS YOUTH & CONVENTION CENTRE. THE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS–WHO SERVED AS COUNSELLORS AT THE BACK-TOBACK CAMPS–TOOK SOME TIME OUT DURING CAMP TO CHAT WITH US.

cal way. Whatever is impossible for us, with God it’s possible.

Camp participant soars high through the trees​(Flying Fox).

We also received air cons. All the rooms were nice and cool! We still don’t have reception, which is good. It actually helps the kids step away from the outside world and focus on what they are doing at camp, on God and making connections.

INTRASYD: TELL US ABOUT CAMP THIS YEAR. SCOTT FATT: Junior Camp was smaller this year. There were 21 boys and a lot

more girls. Teen Camp was the biggest camp they’ve had in quite a few years, with the addition of four new cabins.

There’s a waiting list most years, but this year the camp was able to accommodate everyone.

KAYLA SERAFIM: Junior Camp had a

great speaker. Pr Christos Spero came all the way from Queensland and told us about his life. He really helped the kids understand “Mission Possible”, the theme of this year’s camps, in a practi-

SCOTT: The air-conditioning is one of the best changes there’s been. The

boys don’t have it yet, but will in time.

INTRASYD: WHAT MAKES CAMP SO

Duck & Cover: These girls are out to have some serious fun

SPECIAL? KAYLA: When I was younger, everyone was really good to me. Camp really

showed me who God really was, and it helped me grow my spiritual life. So I come back and help kids develop their spirituality.

It’s such an important time when

“camp’s a great opportunity to reconnect with friends.” kayla

they’re young to influence them in a

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good/positive ways and camp is a great way to do that.

Also, the kids don’t want to leave at the end of the week and can’t wait

INTRASYD: ANYTHING YOU’D LIKE TO SEE CHANGE? SCOTT: I would love to see an 18+ camp. Once they hit that age they

to come back the next year. What

start coming as staff, but it’d be

was really touching was that some

good to have one for the older

of the girls from my cabin said that

crowd. We’re looking at possibly

one day they wanted to come back

doing one in the future.

as counsellors. It was really special.

Perhaps a couple more assistants

SCOTT: I love the activities and see-

so the staff doesn’t get burned

ing the way all the different person-

out. Apart from, you don’t pay for

alities interact and work as a team.

experiences and that’s what you get

The way they push, but support

here. You can make worship better

each other. But, the thing I enjoy

with better tech, better lights,

most is the late nights chatting with

whatever. At the end of the day, it’s

the boys talking about real things.

about the people.

Stuff that they’re going through, stuff that they’re struggling with at home, at school, in their families, with their friends, their relationship with God and with church.

Some of these boys aren’t Christian.

KAYLA: I love camp. I’ll keep com-

ing back until I’m old and can’t walk.

As long as they’ll have me.

Camp returns January 2017 at Crosslands Youth & Convention Centre.

Some of them are on the border.

They’ve been brought up in church

01

and this is the time when they get to choose whether they want to stay on the path or not. being able to give them some answers, ask them some hard questions and get them to think and share my experience with how God has worked in my life.

To just discuss things with them that don’t hear preached from the pulpit.

That’s what I love the most.

02

INTRASYD: WHY SHOULD SOMEONE COME TO CAMP? KAYLA: It’s a great way to meet God and know God. A lot of the speakers help build a basis of who God is and why he’s important. Even if you’re a new comer, it’s always the best times around. The food’s great as well!

03

Pr Christos Spero of Queensland sharing message at Junior Camp.

04

05

PHOTOGRAPHY

CAPTIONS/CREDITS 01 Mountain bikers prepping 02 Campers beating the summer heat in a small pond

06

03 Experimenting with colours at cooking class

04 Flying fox-style at Crosslands 05 A group of participants perfect their aim

07

06 Canoeing on Berowra Creek 07 Praise & Worship 08 Boxing for Fitness: Cardio and self-defence all in one!

09 Praise & Worship

08

09 INTRASYD

Camp photos by Simon R.

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40 DAYS OF PRAYER The 40 days devotional is designed to prepare God’s church for Christ’s second coming, as well as to reach out to others in preparation to the glorious day. This begins by committing to 40 days of prayer & devotional study to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ.

GET YOUR PRAYER BOOK FOR $10 WHILST SUPPLIES LAST. FULL RETAIL PRICE $21.95. AVAILABLE AT ABC.

Adventist Church

in Sydney