Growing Faith

The Bull That Preached—Part 2

This is the second and final part to the story. The first part can be found in the October issue of Adventist World. –Editors.

Pastor Timothy waited, but the bull said nothing more. The pastor dropped to his knees in the field and began to cry. “I’m supposed to be a spiritual leader,” he moaned. “But instead I’ve been teaching my church members the wrong things! I’m sorry, Lord.”

The pastor and his family immediately headed back to their house, taro plants and weeds forgotten.

“I must look up the text the bull mentioned,” Pastor Timothy said when they reached home. He found the passage in his Bible and read it aloud: “‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations’ [Jeremiah 1:5, NIV].”

“What does that have to do with the Sabbath?” asked Bofanta.

“I think God is saying that I need to share this message with others,” his father replied.

Pastor Timothy called the entire village together and told them what had happened. “It was the voice of Jesus that spoke to me through the bull,” he said. “We must not do any work today. We must begin resting on the Sabbath.”

The people stared at him in amazement. But they respected their pastor and chief, so everyone in the village kept that Sabbath.

Early the next morning Pastor Timothy set off through the bush toward Atoifi Adventist Hospital. Questions rushed through his mind as he walked along the steep rocky mountain trail. There were so many things he needed to ask the Adventist pastor!

After a four-hour hike through the lush tropical forest, he reached the hospital and approached the first employee he saw.

“My name is Timothy, and I’m the chief of Kwaibaita,” he said. “I am looking for Pastor Bata.”

“Who told you about Pastor Bata?” the puzzled employee asked.

Pastor Timothy didn’t answer the question directly. “I have a story to tell Pastor Bata,” he said.

Someone took him to the village where Pastor Bata was working. “I’ve already kept the Sabbath,” Pastor Timothy told him. “I need to know more.”

The two pastors studied the Bible together for three months. “I want to be baptized,” Pastor Timothy decided. “And I want to do it in my village so that all my people can see the choice I’m making.”

Pastor Timothy’s baptism was a big event in Kwaibaita. Most of his church members showed up to see the man who had warned them against Adventism become an Adventist himself.

“For many years I taught you things that I knew were not according to the Bible,” Pastor Timothy confessed. “I ask your forgiveness for leading you astray.”

He looked out over the crowd, full of people he cared about. “I’ve shared with you many of the things I’ve learned from the Adventist pastor. I believe them to be the truth. Will you join me in following God’s Word? If you will join me, come stand over here to my right. If you want to stay with your current beliefs, stand on my left.”

For a moment no one moved. Then several people jumped up and strode purposefully toward Pastor Timothy’s right. A few, with looks of horror on their faces, headed in the opposite direction.

As more and more people in the crowd chose one side or the other, Pastor Timothy’s face broke into a broad smile. The majority of the villagers were taking their stand with him to follow God’s truth!

Soon a new church was built in Kwaibaita where Pastor Timothy and his people could worship God every Sabbath.

And the talking bull? He hasn’t said a word since. He doesn’t need to. He lets Pastor Timothy do all the preaching about the Sabbath.

Guide’s Greatest Animal Stories (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2005).

Weddings

LAWRENCE—SULLIVAN. Lachlan Lawrence, son of Steve and Jeannie Lawrence (Mandalong, NSW), and Tegan Sullivan, daughter of Geoff and Kassie Sullivan (Townsville, Qld), were married on 25.10.22 in a beautiful outdoor chapel overlooking the Glenworth Valley, NSW. Lachie and Tegan plan to set up their home in Morisset. Tegan is a physiotherapist and Lachlan is a carpenter. Both are very active in the Plus One church at Avondale Memorial church.

Jeff Parker

STOLLE—DU PLESSIS. Heinrich Stolle, son of Fredrick Stolle (Saudi Arabia) and Maria Mulder (Toowoomba, Qld), and Mialette Du Plessis, daughter of Eugene and Aletta Du Plessis (Brisbane), were married on 18.8.22 at The Acre on Boomerang Farm, Mudgeeraba. Heinrich and Mia met on Facebook. He made enquiries with a work colleague and ended up studying the Bible with an Adventist and a year later, together with Mia, was baptised. They plan to live in Brisbane where Heinrich is working as a nurse and Mia is an administrative assistant.

Gideon Okesene

Obituaries

BOYLE, Graeme Alezander, born 24.1.1938 in Sydney, NSW; died 28.9.22 in Brisbane, Qld. He was married to Margaret. He is survived by his wife (Brisbane); sons, David (Melbourne, Vic) and Stephen (Warwick, Warwickshire, UK); and grandchildren. Graeme was a fun-loving, adventurous, big-hearted man who gave his time and life to God and to his church.

Gideon Okesene

JONES, Julie Anne (nee Mercer), born 9.5.1942 in Perth, WA; died 25.6.22 in Nunawading, Vic. She is survived by her husband, Graham (Nunawading); and children, Ashley (Forest Hill), Craig Schleicher (Perth, WA) and Nari Tonkin (Brisbane, Qld). Julie and Graham lived and worked in many different places around Australia. This included Darwin, where they were highly involved in Pathfinders and as community volunteers, living through Cyclone Tracy. They continued to travel widely before more recently living in Warburton before their final move to AdventCare, Nunawading. Despite recent health challenges she shared a close and loving relationship with Graham, who misses her deeply. Julie loved the Lord and now sleeps in His care.

Darren Croft

MARTIN, Margaret Victoria (nee Brown), born 24.5.1941 on the Isle of Arran, Scotland; died 24.7.22 in Yeppoon, Qld. In January 1962 she married John. Margaret is survived by her husband (Yeppoon); children, John Jnr and Janette (Peregian Springs), Jackie and Steve Plahn (Dakabin), Julie (Yeppoon) and Peter (Calgary, Canada); six granddaughters; one grandson; and two great-grandsons. For many years Margaret was the dean of nursing at the old Yeppoon Hospital and toward the end of her career, she and John were instrumental in the establishment of the Capricorn Adventist Retirement Village in Yeppoon and the associated high care facility. Margaret’s skills were greatly appreciated over the years in maintaining accreditation for this facility. She was a long-time member of Yeppoon church.

Ray Hobbs, Peter Rollo, Steve Plahn

PREUSKER, Beryl Elizabeth (nee Puddy), born 25.8.1939 in Blackburn, Vic; died 18.9.22 in Box Hill Hospital. She is survived by her husband, Merv (Cockatoo); children, Jennifer (Cockatoo), Karen (Mitcham), Wayne (Carrum Downs) and Kerri (Traralgon); six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Beryl and Merv touched many lives for good. Beryl was interested in other people and was very proud of her children and grandchildren. Merv and Beryl met when they were part of the Salvation Army and were married for 62 years. Her faith in Jesus was strong, and when she passed away it was with faith and hope in Jesus who will return.

Darren Croft

PURTON, Stanley James, born 8.7.1940; died 6.12.21 in Launceston, Tas. Stan is survived by his wife, Norma; and sons, Paul and Mark. Stan had a strong faith and looked towards Jesus’ soon return. He enjoyed keeping in touch with what was happening in church through the Record and regular pastoral visits. He is remembered fondly by his family and friends.

David Maxwell

TANNER, Lynn Roberta, born 13.3.1927 in Wellington Mill, WA; died 26.10.22 in Midland Hospital, aged 95 years, surrounded by family and loved ones. She is survived by her children, Marion, Glynis, Janet, Robert, Julie, Rhonda and Beth. Lynn loved the Lord and her family.

Steve Goods

WALDRIP, Pastor Harold, born 18.10.1944 in Takoma Park, Maryland, USA; died 9.9.22 in Yarra Junction, Vic. He is survived by his wife, Verlie (Yarra Junction); son, Luke and Suvi (Gold Coast, Qld); and daughters, Michelle and Darren Robinson (Bendigo, Vic) and Rebecca (Yarra Junction). Harold served faithfully as a pastor beginning in 1967, serving in Sydney, New Zealand and Victoria, where he retired but continued to serve. He used specialist qualifications in nutrition and dietetics, gained by studying in America, as a means of using health to benefit many and reach people for Jesus. He was generous, committed and hospitable, with a genuine sense of humour. To the end his first concern was his family and his church. Death held no fear for him because he knew he was safe in Jesus.

Darren Croft

WARWICK, Lloyd, born 6.4.1939 in Sydney, NSW; died 9.10.22 in Gosford Public Hospital. In 1960 he married Robyn (nee Hawkins) in Maitland. He was predeceased by his son, Steven in 2008. He is survived by his wife; children, Deborah and Karen (Gosford), Nicole (Rockhampton, Qld); six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Lloyd was a successful builder, both in Australia and Fiji, and constructed the Adventist church in Darwin (NT). He had an enquiring mind, good sense of humour and was loyal and generous. Lloyd passed to his rest, strong of faith, awaiting the return of Jesus.

Roger Nixon

Position Vacant

DIGITAL MARKETING ASSISTANT—ADVENTIST MEDIA (PART-TIME) WAHROONGA, NSW Do you want to use your digital marketing skills to share Jesus? Adventist Media is searching for a resourceful, organised and enthusiastic part-time digital marketing assistant. In this role you will create engaging social media content that takes users from awareness to advocacy, conduct market research to identify new and existing product opportunities and develop marketing strategy to measure performance against targets. If this is you, why not contact us by emailing <corpserv@adventistmedia.org.au> for a copy of the full job description. The appointing body reserves the right to fill this position at its discretion and to close applications early. Only those who have a legal right to work in Australia may apply. Applications close December 16, 2022.

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