Adventist Record - February 21, 2015

FEBRUARY 21 2015

ISSN 0819-5633

WE WILL RISE page 9 AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS AND NEW HEALING GARDEN FOR THE SAN page 7 A DIFFERENT LIFE page 16

POSITION VACANT Chief Executive Officer | Adventist HealthCare

AHCL Board is seeking applications from suitably experienced and highly motivated individuals for the position of Chief Executive Officer of Adventist HealthCare.

Adventist HealthCare Limited is based in Wahroonga, NSW and comprises the following entities: Sydney Adventist Hospital, Dalcross Adventist Hospital, San Day Surgery Hornsby and San Diagnostics and Pharmacy. Adventist HealthCare is currently operating 551 registered overnight beds and 28 operating theatres and has almost completed a major development project on the Sydney Adventist Hospital (SAH) site. The new development at SAH will see the hospital expand bed capacity to 535 registered overnight beds, 24 operating theatres and an integrated Cancer Centre. The new Clark tower includes 40 state-of-the-art maternity beds and 9 delivery suites. Currently plans are in progress for the development of rehabilitation beds at Dalcross and an expanded role is being considered for the San Day Surgery Hornsby site.

As CEO you have practical experience in infrastructure management and a broad knowledge of the issues, challenges and opportunities within the private health sector. The successful applicant will have a strong commitment to the beliefs and philosophy of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and must have the following: • Previous health care management and leadership • A proven management track record in terms of effective leadership, strategic thinking and positive organisational commercial outcomes • A proven track record in managing finances and resources, and a history of delivering profitability efficiently and effectively through the implementation of a range of strategic operational and financial initiatives • People management skills which will guarantee you effectively build and manage a high performing team and culture aligned with the Adventist Church beliefs and philosophy, ensuring the effective design and implementation of policies and procedures, corporate governance, compliance and risk management initiatives • Effective communication skills and a customer focus. A proven ability to negotiate effectively and be articulate and persuasive • A capacity to align individuals with the overall strategic direction of the organisation combined with your demonstrated professional ethics and exemplary leadership, advocacy and influencing capabilities which ensure you not only increase the public profile of this highly respected organisation but personally succeed and excel within this growing church institution.

• A minimum of 8 years management experience, including managing large numbers of employees and familiarity with human resources Applicants are required to provide: current curriculum vitae tailored to support the proposed position plus, a covering letter outlining your interest in the position, your experience and suitability for the role and the names and contact details of three (3) professional referees.

For further information please contact: Dr Barry Oliver, Chairman Board Directors.

Email: Barry Oliver@adventist.org.au or Phone 9847 3211.

Address applications to: Melva Lee, Director Human Resources.

Email:Melva.Lee@sah.org.au Sydney Adventist Hospital 185 Fox Valley Road Wahroonga NSW 2076 Applications close 5 pm 27 March 2015

NEWS Plain packs progressing through Pacific Wahroonga, New South Wales

Australia’s plain packaging laws are having the desired effect, with the vast majority of smokers admitting they don’t like the look of their ugly cigarette packs.

News.com.au reports that eight out of 10 smokers are turned off by the graphic health warnings featured on the packs. According to the British Medical Journal, the number of smokers worried about their habit has also doubled in the two years since the plain packs were introduced.

Meanwhile, a recent study by the Cancer Institute shows a 78 per cent increase in calls to Quitline.

South Pacific Division (SPD) Health Ministries director Kevin Price said church leaders are “delighted” with the results.

“When I started running stop smoking programs back in the early ‘70s, I wouldn’t have dreamt we could have made such progress,” he said.

Despite the success of the plain packaging laws in Australia, Pastor Price said there is still a lot of work to be done in getting the message out to the rest of the world.

“Recently I travelled in Asia, Europe, and it comes back to you again how many people are smoking,” he said.

One country that has followed Australia’s lead is Solomon Islands, which introduced graphic health warnings to its cigarette packs at the start of this year to counter the smoking epidemic plaguing the nation.

According to the World Health Organisation, more than 40 per cent of the island nation’s population are current tobacco users. The ABC also reports that approximately 24 per cent of young people—aged The plain packs have decreased 13-15—are smokers. smoking rates since their introduction.

The change, however, hasn’t come without a struggle.

The nation’s leaders have been debating and negotiating the issue since 2007, with tobacco manufacturers being accused of interfering in the process.

SPD Health Ministries associate director Dr Chester Kuma said it was “great” to see the plain packaging laws finally being implemented in Solomon Islands.

“We hope that this won’t be just something that happens in the Solomons but it can be something that can happen right across the South Pacific,” he said. “Cigarette smoking rates in the Pacific are some of the highest in the world.”—Record staff

Local church wins grant for hearing impaired Logan, Queensland

Logan Reserve Adventist church has been awarded the Christian Services for the Blind and Hearing Impaired (CSFBHI) ministry’s Personal Pursuit and Empowerment Scholarship (PPES) grant for 2015.

CSFBHI manager Lee Dunstan said the grant of $A2000 will support the church’s comprehensive, integrated outreach to an often ignored demographic, the Deaf.

CSFBHI—funded from donations and a biannual offering—provides a range of services to the sight and hearing impaired.

The Logan Reserve church initiative is driven by its Personal Ministries coordinator, Mark Davey. “Our church’s longterm intention is to share the gospel message with deaf people in our local community through L-R: Mark Davey, Jayde Perry, and Pastor Neil Auslan-interTyler with cheque. preted church

programs, and also in the wider Auslan/NZSL community by placing interpreted programs on our YouTube channel,” he said. “In this way we hope to reach deaf people for Christ who may otherwise have no opportunity, or very little opportunity, to hear the gospel message.”

The ministry now has a comprehensive online presence, on YouTube—SDA Deaf Church Down Under, where signed videos are available—and on a website <www.sdadeafdu. org>, which provides information on its services and contact details. The ministry is planning a camp at Natural Bridge in the Gold Coast hinterland in October with General Conference deaf ministries coordinator Pastor Larry Evans.

Previous PPES awards went to a blind young person training for independent living and the Eyes for India sight restoration project operated by It Is Written Oceania.

“It’s my pleasure to this year award an amazing ministry team—the whole Logan church membership and its pastor—helping us to address the needs of the Deaf, better balancing the ministry service. Well done Logan Reserve,” Mr Dunstan said.—CSFBHI/Record staff Information about the award (and the wider CSFBHI services) is available at <www.adventist.org.au/csfbhi>.

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

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EDITORIAL Doom and Glare James Standish Have you heard of the “Doomsday Clock”? It isn’t a particular cheery timepiece but it’s ticking. At least that’s what the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board proclaimed last month. They pushed the metaphoric Doomsday Clock forward to 3 minutes to midnight. That can’t be good.

To the surprise of many, Russia and the US are once again fighting proxy wars in Europe and the Middle East. At the same time China and Japan are uneasily eyeing each other. And Israel and Iran are staring each other down. Is history stuck in a terrifying loop?

Today the US, Russia, China, France and the UK all have nuclear weapons. So do Pakistan, India, North Korea and Israel. And Israel claims Iran is on the path to acquiring them.

There are currently in the range of 45 million displaced people, experts predict faster moving outbreaks of disease as population density increases along with the rapidity and frequency of global movements, and threats from sophisticated and well-resourced terrorism are increasing.

According to Oxfam, the richest 85 people on earth control as much wealth as the poorest half of the world. That is, 85 rich people have as much wealth as 3,500,000,000 poor people. Further, Oxfam reports that if the world’s billionaires were taxed at just 1.5 per cent on their wealth exceeding their first billion, the tax would raise enough money to send every child to school and provide comprehensive healthcare to the world’s poorest. It is staggering.

Then there’s the weather. According to the US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, last year was the warmest on record; a number of experts predict more frequent and more intense weather fluctuations in the future.

And what of human rights? The Pew Research Centre reports three out of every four humans alive today live with serious restrictions on their religious freedom. As for slavery, the BBC reports that various sources estimate there are between 20 and 30 million in forced labour today.

But there is an alternative way of viewing the present.

Bloomberg reports the global average life expectancy for a child born in 2014 exceeds 70 years—it was just above 30 at the beginning of the 20th century! And that’s just the Dr Barry Oliver Senior consulting editor James Standish Communication director Jarrod Stackelroth Associate editor Kent Kingston Assistant editor Vania Chew PR/editorial assistant Dora Amuimuia Sales & marketing Tracey Bridcutt Copyeditor Linden Chuang Assistant editor—digital Loopeck Lewis Graphic designer twitter.com/RECORDadventist

beginning of the good news.

According to the Economist, from 1990 to 2010 one billion people escaped extreme poverty. The World Health Organisation reports global infant mortality rates almost halved between 1990 and 2013, and maternal mortality rates during the same period declined 45 per cent. If all that wasn’t good enough, the percentage of people who are malnourished in developing nations has more than halved since 1969. In the past 50 years we’ve seen enormous progress in the respect for rights of women and minorities in many nations around the world, we’ve seen leisure time increase and an immense world of information opened up to anyone with a mobile phone—the ownership of which is rapidly expanding even in the poorest nations.

Are we living in a golden age of enlightenment and progress or a selfish age of chaos and conflict? Or both?

There’s increasing evidence that as we make astonishing progress, that progress itself creates new challenges. There is even a term for the idea that as things get better, we get worse: affluenza. And there’s evidence to back it up.

In the US1 and Australia2, for example, youth suicide rates almost tripled from the 1950s to the late ‘90s/early ‘00s. Gender selection abortions have exploded in Asia as growing wealth has increased access to sonograms. And the rate of depression? Speaking in the late ‘90s, the then president of the American Psychological Association stated: “the rate of depression . . . is now between 10 and 20 per cent [higher than it] was 50 years ago.”3 Last year, a major report found anxiety and depression increasing at a worrying rate among Australian and NZ teens—particularly girls4.

And health experts are warning wealthy societies that, due to obesity, this generation may be the first in memory to live shorter lives than their parents.

What are we, as Christians, to make of all of this? While we want a just, healthy, well-educated world, that isn’t enough. In good, bad, dangerous or peaceful times, the human soul needs more than this world can provide. And we are privileged to know, experience and share what that is.

References online at <www.record.net.au>.

James Standish is editor of Adventist Record.

Letters editor@record.net.au News & Photos news@record.net.au Noticeboard ads@record.net.au http://record.net.au Mail: Adventist Media Network Locked bag 1115 Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia Phone (02) 9847 2222 Fax (02) 9847 2200

Subscriptions Mailed within Australia and NZ $A43.80 $NZ73.00 Other prices on application subscriptions@record.net.au (03) 5965 6300 Cover Credit: ADRA Australia “A child receives an ADRA hygiene kit with joy. The kit includes a bucket, purifying tablets, soap and other items.”

Official news magazine of the South Pacific Division Seventh-day Adventist Church ABN 59 093 117 689 Vol 120 No 3

INSIGHT BFF <3 Vania Chew By the time I turned one I had lived in three different countries. No, my parents weren’t missionaries or refugees. We were just looking for the right place to settle down. We found that place in Sydney and we’ve been here ever since.

I was too little to remember the stress and excitement that accompanied those moves. I didn’t even understand what moving was. Not until I was five and I found out my best friend Amy* was moving away.

I now know the suburb she moved to was only 10 minutes’ drive away. But when you’re five (and can’t drive), that 10 minutes seemed like forever.

“I’ll visit you,” Amy promised.

“I’ll call you,” I said.

I still remember waving goodbye as she turned and walked away. But she never did come to visit. And I never ended up calling.

It wasn’t long before I had two new best friends—a school best friend and a church best friend. They were special to me in different ways. Tamara* and I played pranks on our teachers, came up with entrepreneurial ideas and teased each other about our first crushes. Meanwhile, I loved going to Zoe’s* house where we spent countless afternoons making up stories about her toys, challenging each other to races and trying to cook.

Around the same time, their families decided it was time to move away.

After my experience with Amy, I wasn’t expecting Tamara and Zoe to keep in touch. So I wasn’t altogether heartbroken when they didn’t. I just figured it was time to make new friends again.

The problem was that by the time you reach Year 6, you know all the kids in your grade. If you haven’t become close friends before, you’re unlikely to suddenly discover each other now.

It was around this time that “Best Friend” necklaces became popular. There were two necklaces involved, each with half of a heart dangling from the chain. When you put the two halves together, you had a complete heart with the words “Best Friends” inscribed on it. Oh, how I wanted one of those necklaces! But where was I going to find a new best friend?

“Will you be my best friend, Vania?” The request came from Cherie*, a girl I was friends with but had never been particularly close to. I hesitated, knowing the real reason I was being asked was that Cherie had recently had a fight with her ex-best friend Michelle*.

Cherie sensed my hesitation. “You can have this,” she offered. My eyes brightened. It was half of a Best Friends necklace. I quickly agreed. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that our “best friendship” didn’t last all that long.

As I write this, a close friend is preparing to move interstate. Through the four years we’ve known each other, she has shown me shortcuts in my own hometown, challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and urged me to depend more on God. And in doing so, she has pointed me towards my true Best Friend. One who will always be there when I need Him, who will never move away and who loves me more than anyone else on earth. * Real names not used.

Vania Chew is PR/editorial assistant for Adventist Record.

Understanding God We have just concluded a series of Bible conferences in the South Pacific Division.

They were conducted on the campuses of Avondale College of Higher Education, Fulton Adventist University College and Pacific Adventist University. I joined with the attendees at each of the conferences, listening to the presenters and enjoying the healthy discussion affirming the leading of God and the centrality of God’s revelation for the life and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

One of the topics of discussion was our historical understanding of God. Many of us are aware that there are some who differ from the position of the Church as stated in our Statement of 28 Fundamental Beliefs. For example, I am aware of a recent meeting with hundreds in attendance where the speaker proposed that Jesus holds a position of perpetual subordination to God the Father. This is not the teaching of the Bible or the Seventhday Adventist Church. Do not let anyone or anything influence you to believe that there is a hierarchy in the Godhead, or that one member of the Godhead stands over or apart from the other Members. While readily conceding that, as creatures, we can never fully understand all that God is, we are, nevertheless, very clear on our position. It reads: There is one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all and ever present. He is infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is forever worthy of worship, adoration and service by the whole creation (Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 14:7).

Dr Barry Oliver is president of the South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

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NEWS IN BRIEF Paying it forward Adu Worku, an Ethiopian-born library director of Pacific Union College (California, USA), received a hero’s welcome in his native land during a two-day dedication of a new school named in his honour. Worku’s childhood education was sponsored by Adventist missionaries. Now he’s an enthusiastic fundraiser and advocate for education.—Adventist Review

Madam bishop After the Church of England voted to allow women bishops last November, it has moved quickly to consecrate the Right Reverend Libby Lane as Bishop of Stockport. During the ceremony one priest shouted “Not in the Bible!” There was lengthy applause from the crowd of around 1000 after the dedicatory prayer.—BBC

Old old story After much delay, 2015 may see research published on what’s claimed to be the oldest existing record of any of the four gospels.

A fragment of the gospel of Mark is among hundreds of papyrus pieces used by ancient Egyptians to make paper maché masks placed over the faces of mummies.—Live Science

President’s promise United States president Barack Obama has met the wife of jailed American-Iranian pastor Saeed Abedini, and assured her that his freedom is a top priority. The 10-minute visit in January occurred after more than 100,000 people signed a petition asking the president to meet Naghmeh while he was in her home town of Boise, Idaho.—Christianity Today

Peacemakers New York Adventists organised a church service focusing on hope and healing after a series of fatal encounters in 2014 increased tension between police and the AfricanAmerican community. The church service, involving government and police representatives, upheld the example of the famously non-violent civil rights activist, Dr Martin Luther King Jr.—Adventist News Network

Hammer time Neo-pagans in Iceland are building a shrine to the Norse gods—Thor, Odin and Frigg—the first such structure in 1000 years. Membership in the group, Asatruarfelagid, has tripled in Iceland in the past decade and numbered 2400 last year. Government statistics list 754 people as Seventh-day Adventist.—Reuters/ Religion News Service

Calling ALL past, present and future Colporteurs/Literature Evangelists.

A very special Sabbath has been set aside to celebrate the great work you have done, you are doing and you will be doing.

We want to thank you!!!

Where? Mardon Road Hamilton Eastside SDA Church North New Zealand

Coming

Ready or Not

Annual Literature Ministry Reunion Day!

When?

Sabbath, March 14, 2015 at 9.30 & 11.00 am, and 2.00 pm (exciting afternoon program)

Who is Invited?

You, who have worked as a Colporteur or a Literature Evangelist You, who have an interest in God’s Last Day Work You, who love the Lord and have an interest in Soul Winning

Why Should You Come?

* Meet your old LE Team Mates and Friends! * A Reunion Day to Remember! * Hear Powerful Colporteurs/Literature Evangelists’ Stories!

* A Great Day of Fellowship!

More Information: Contact: John Brereton <johnbrereton@adventist.org.au> or Visit: www.movemelord.com

NEWS Australia Day awards and new healing garden for the San

Photo: San

Wahroonga, New South Wales

The Sydney Adventist Hospital and Open Heart International were well represented in the Australia Day 2015 Honours list announced by Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove.

Professor John Watson AM was recognised for his significant service to medicine in the field of neurology, to medical education and his mentoring role as associate dean and head of the hospital’s clinical school of The University of Sydney, which is NSW’s first private hospitalbased clinical school providing training for medical students.

Associate Professor David Baines AM was acknowledged for his service to medicine in the field of paediatric anaesthesia as a clinician, administrator and mentor, and for his contribution to medical education. He is also a volunteer with Open Heart International, the San’s humanitarian arm, undertaking more than 42 trips since 1984.

Similarly, Dr Neil Street AM was named for his service to medicine in the field of paediatric anaesthesia and for his role with Open Heart International since 1996.

L-R: Ron Hunt, Joan Koerstz, Norma Rosenhain, Dr Leon Clarke, Sue Rosenhain, Ashley Rosenhain, Trevor Roy.

Businesswoman and philanthropist Norma Rosenhain was made an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for her service to commerce, and her philanthropy and support for disadvantaged families in Asia, and to Australia-China relations. Mrs Rosenhain donated Professor David Baines during a funds for a purposerecent Open Heart International trip to built, dedicated healCambodia. ing garden for cancer patients at the San. The Rosenhain Healing Garden was opened on December 30, 2014. “I believe,” states Neale Schofield who spoke at the opening, “the garden will become the heart and soul of Sydney Adventist Hospital. Sydney Adventist Hospital is a centre for healing—not just physical healing, but healing of the mind, our emotions and the soul. People will come to this garden to reflect and be inspired, to find hope and healing in a world of pain.”

Funding for the garden came from Norma Rosenhain, international ambassador for the Sydney Adventist Hospital Foundation. She dedicated the healing garden to the memory of her mother Dulcie Hunt and her sister Mavis Hunt.

Several members of Mrs Rosenhain’s family were present including Arthur Schofield, the 100-year-old brother of Dulcie Hunt, who spoke at the opening. Geoff Rosenhain, Dulcie’s grandson, was the Master of Ceremonies.—Leisa O’Connor/Record staff

New building for Wauchope church Wauchope, New South Wales

Members of the Wauchope congregation have celebrated the opening of their new church building.

Around 350 people attended the special event, including past and present members, members of surrounding Adventist churches and the local community. With an estimated capacity of around 250, the new church was overflowing.

The ribbon cutting was carried out by North New South Pastor Justin Lawman cuts the ribbon with Wales Confercurrent and former pastors.

ence president Pastor Justin Lawman. He was assisted

by Pastor Danny Milenkov (Wauchope church pastor until 2011), Pastor Uriah St Juste (pastor from 2012 to 2014) and David Kosmeier (current pastor).

Wauchope church was officially formed in 1926 with members meeting in homes and rented premises. It wasn’t until 1962 that they had their own building in which to worship.

That building was sold in 2013 to enable the building of new premises on land generously donated by church member June Moe. Wauchope church members expressed their thanks to God for blessing them with a modern facility in a beautiful setting.—Maureen Bradley

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

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NEWS March 20–22, 2015 Avondale College of Higher Education kend new wee : a progr m ening to friday ev ternoon af ay nd su

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arts meet

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g sin o p om ing C ak ng s So ilmm Art F l a u Vis riting W

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Manifest is an annual creative arts festival exploring, encouraging and celebrating faithful creativity.

◗ Competitions (cash prizes) Entries close March 6, 2015

◗ Gabe Reynaud Awards Saturday, March 21 at 3pm

◗ “Tell Me a Story” Saturday, March 21 at 7.30pm

◗ Workshops Sunday, March 22, 9am–3pm To find out more or to enter, visit

www.artsmanifest.info

Global mission plant growing Makira, Solomon Islands

A Global Mission church plant in the Makira Province of Solomon Islands is off to a good start with 22 people baptised at the end of the second year.

Located on Ughi Island—an Anglican Church dominated island—the new group sprang up when patriarch Ezekiel invited the Adventists to One of the nine recent baptisms. begin work in the village of Suena. Global Mission pioneer Pandris Muke and his family have nurtured the interests and three baptisms were conducted last year.

The most recent baptism was held on December 9 when nine new candidates were baptised by three visiting pastors: South Pacific Division Global Mission coordinator Pastor Ray Coombe, Solomon Islands Mission coordinator Pastor Irving Vagha and Makira District director Pastor Clifton Mark.

Earlier in 2014, a plot of ground was purchased for the church compound at Tarau, which currently includes the pastor’s house and a temporary worship shelter, but will eventually include a church, medical clinic, nurse’s house and community hall.

In the past two months Volunteers in Action (VIA)-sponsored layman Martin Solomon has cut more than 2000 lineal metres of timber and building of the church is scheduled to begin in April when the timber is dry. Even the Anglican catechist donated 10 logs of timber to the project. The local bishop visited the village and “unblessed” the site of an Anglican Church structure that had remained unfinished for 30 years.

Village spokesman Frank thanked the Adventist Church for coming to their village and encouraged them to think of extending their plans in the future. Later in the day his wife and daughter were among five people who responded to an appeal for those who wanted to prepare for baptism. Pastor Mark is very pleased with progress made in opening this new area and the good witnessing work of pioneer Pandris Muke.

Other Global Mission projects in the Solomon Islands include a volunteer missionary couple from mainland China who are working with the Chinese community in Honiara and the completion of a new church company at Rereona on the island of Isobel.

This year there will be an attempt to start a new Global Mission church plant on the very isolated Polynesian island of Sikaiana and there are plans for a VIA team to make a preliminary visit to the atoll of Ontong Java, both outer islands of the Malaita Province.

The words of the welcome song presented to the Ughi Island visitors in December express the Islanders’ gratitude and desire: “We thank the Lord who safely leads across the rolling sea, May the Word you bring our people be filled with hope and praise, May we all enjoy your presence here with us today.”—Ray Coombe Global Mission focuses on new areas and unreached people groups. You can support Global Mission through donations and the annual sacrifice offering.

NEWS FEATURE

We will

Y

OU COULDN’T BLAME THE PEOPLE OF AJUY, Philippines, if they simply gave up, packed up and moved on. Every year the 47,000 people who call this coastal district home bear the brunt of 20 typhoons as they whip west across the Pacific.

The island made international headlines following Typhoon Haiyan, which broke records for its strength and destruction in 2013—but this was simply the strongest in a perpetual cycle of destruction.

If it was me, and my home and belongings were being destroyed on an almost annual basis, I would probably throw my hands in the air and walk away—or sit in the corner and cry.

But the people of Ajuy had a message for me late last year. In a very literal "wear your heart on your sleeve" moment I was taught a lesson about the strength and resilience found in communities.

The 34 communities that make up Ajuy had come together to collect life-saving and early-warning equipment as part of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency’s (ADRA) ongoing work following Haiyan. The communityelected leaders had come to ensure the people they represented were better prepared for and protected against future disasters.

As they entered I noticed a green band tied around each of their arms. It simply read: "We will rise again".

This message of stoic hope, exemplified by their smiles and "God bless yous", demonstrated that more than just life-saving food and water, a renewed sense of confidence had grown in a population that was weary from continually being knocked down. Seeing the sea of green ribbons showed me how far these communities had come.

rise

by Beryl Hartmann

It wasn’t long after this, as my husband and I boarded up our windows in preparation for Typhoon Ruby, that my thoughts returned to the people of Ajuy and others like them. Almost exactly a year-to-the-day since Haiyan, Ruby’s driving rain was my first typhoon experience, but it was simply another disaster for these communities as they rebuild.

Shortly after Ruby had passed I flew with our team to Ajuy to assess and assist. It was here I spoke with Romulo.

In the middle of the storm, which was feared to match Haiyan in strength and destruction, Romulo crawled from his home towards the local evacuation centre.

Forced to the ground by the wind, Romulo, who has previously lost an arm above the elbow, feared for his life. Stinging memories of Typhoon Haiyan returned—it was a storm that took his home and everything he owned.

By activating the community’s new emergency plans no lives were lost during Typhoon Ruby and destruction was minimised. Taking ADRA’s lessons on board Romulo had also secured the roof of his home by tying it onto nearby trees.

"When we returned from the evacuation centre it was a priceless feeling to see our house was still there," he said.

Romulo passed on his sincere thanks to ADRA. "We are thankful because after the typhoon we know that we still have a secure house to live in. We are very happy because this is a durable house—not a single trace of destruction is visible.”

The immediate aftermath of disasters, and sometimes too the agencies that rush to the scene, grab the headlines. I can personally testify that the most amazing thing

I noticed a green band tied around each of their arms.

It simply read: "We will rise again".

(Continued on page 10)

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

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8–16 May, 2015 Stuarts Point Convention Centre

OPINION

Julian Archer

Cross-eyed Christianity Some passages in the Bible seem to be completely out of place. For example, what on earth inspired Jesus to explain that "our eyes are the lamp of our body" right in the middle of some materialism-blasting verses like “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . .” and “You cannot serve both God and money”? (Matthew 6:19-24) What do earthly treasures and the “cannot serve God and money” scenario have to do with our eyes?

I know that looking with my eyes at slick advertisements can have a direct impact on how I use the material blessings God entrusts me with, but could it also be that Jesus was warning me against the folly of following (stumbling?) after Him—with my right eye on heaven and my left eye on earthly treasures?

Maybe He was gently warning all of us against the pitfalls and stubbed toes of "cross-eyed Christianity"—a total loss of focus on what really matters.

Thank God that Jesus is not only the Way but He’s also the Light for our path, and He even offers us eye-salve to help us see.

Jesus is our Path, our Light and our Vision.

What a God we serve!

Julian Archer is the author of Help! I've Been Blessed! and writes from Toowoomba, Queensland.

(continue from page 9)

in these situations is not the destruction or millions of dollars spent but the incredible strength and resilience of the communities affected.

The most powerful work we can do is to build on this inherit strength so that future disasters can be avoided or at least their impact minimised.

In many ways this work, which we call disaster risk reduction and resilience, is a reflection of God’s character. He isn’t there just to pull us out of crises—He builds us up, teaches us and protects us so we can thrive despite the disasters that come. And He tells us, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

While many agencies have left the people of the Philippines—and certainly the world’s media has long gone—ADRA remains. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this is only possible because people like you support our mission. ADRA is only able to respond immediately and continue to work long after the headlines are gone because there are thousands of Australians—and millions of others across the world— committed to helping others thrive.

Your support means that when they need us we’re already there.

ADRA’s disaster and famine relief offering is collected in churches today, February 21. Gifts can also be given by calling 1800 242 372, online at <www. adra.org.au/disasteroffering> or by returning the donation slip on the back page of this edition of Record to ADRA Australia.

Beryl Hartmann is humanitarian program officer for ADRA Australia.

FEATURE

I

New Light

by Graham Morris

N ISAIAH 28:9-14 THE PROPHET RECORDS THAT GOD’S people of that time were to be punished because they refused to search the Scriptures “line upon line” and “precept upon precept”.

Had God’s people searched the Scriptures they might not have found themselves in their predicament. The reasons to study deeply are to know God’s prophetic word and the time in which we live and what He requires of us.

The Bible shows that at the time of the great flood none but Noah and his family in the end understood the time because they refused to heed God’s admonition. In Daniel it says that at the “end time” the wicked “shall do wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand” (Daniel 12:10).

Jesus told the Jewish nation—more especially the leadership—that they did not know “the time of their visitation” —meaning who and what and when He had come (Luke 19:44).

Daniel 8:14 foretold the time of the restoration of the Sanctuary “truth” and when the final “cleansing of the Sanctuary” would begin. Ellen White tells us that the theologians around the end of that prophetic “2300-days” period did not recognise the time.1 They rejected the message because they showed no desire to search the Scriptures and discover the light shown in them, as did God’s chosen people in Isaiah’s time.

But don’t we now have all the light that is to be revealed? Not according to the Word of God and the Spirit of Prophecy!

There's a danger that we could ignore these admonitions at our peril. Ellen White indicates that “new light” —which means better understanding of truth, not different doctrines—will be discovered if we will only spend the time and effort to study line upon line, precept upon precept.

Scripture directs us to study!

Daniel did not understand his prophetic visions until he was instructed as to their meaning by God’s messenger

(Daniel 10:21). He had God’s messenger. Today we have the Holy Spirit!

Paul in his epistles urges believers to study the Scriptures for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16). He told Timothy to study to be an approved workman (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Bereans were highly commended because they searched the Scriptures daily to ensure they were following the truth of God (Acts 17:11).

Ellen White has some very important things to say about why the church should continue to study the Scriptures.

She says that increased light will be given on the prophecies of the Bible and that we should “dig deeper” and will be given new light, or understanding, which we will need to stand in the very last times.

Among her many statements on the subject of new light, Ellen White says: “Increased light will shine upon all the grand truths of prophecy, and they will be seen in freshness and brilliancy, because the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness will illuminate the whole.”2 “Whatever may be man's intellectual advancement, let him not for a moment think that there is no need of thorough and continuous searching of the Scriptures for greater light.”3 “When God's people are at ease and satisfied with their present enlightenment, we may be sure that He will not favour them. It is His will that they should be ever moving forward to receive the increased and ever-increasing light which is shining for them . . .”4 If now is not the time to follow this instruction when will it ever be?

"Increased light will shine upon all the grand truths of prophecy . . ."

Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

1. Ellen G White, “The Great Controversy” p. 312 2. Ellen G White, Evangelism, p. 198; Manuscript 18, 1888 3. Ellen G White, Counsels to Writers and Editors, p 41 4. Ellen G White, 5 Testimonies, p. 708, 709

Graham Morris a retired journalist and teacher who attends Lilydale church in Victoria.

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

11

planting

a new garden W

by James Standish

HERE DO YOU BUY YOUR VEGETABLES? AT A supermarket? Or maybe a specialty fruit store or farmers' market? Or do you value the quality, economy and process of bringing food to your table so much that you’ve decided to grow your own?

There's something very special about ploughing your own garden patch, carefully planting seeds, weeding, watering, harvesting, and then the pleasure of seeing those beautiful veggies on your table one day.

We say we “grow” vegetables but, of course, what we do is a rather small part of the process. We don’t make the sunshine, the earth or the water. And there's certainly nothing we can do to take a dormant seed and breathe life into it. But still, without doing our part, those beautiful, fresh veggies would never exist.

It's not entirely different from growing new disciples. At least that’s the way Pastor Wayne Krause, who heads up the South Pacific Division (SPD) Centre for Church Planting, thinks. Talking at a recent three-day church-planting seminar, he says: “This conference is all about making disciples.” What does that mean? “Discipleship is the intentional process to let Jesus grow in and through us,” continues Pastor Krause. “We don’t just want to make

12 FEBRUARY 21, 2015 • record.net.au

church members, we want to serve God by making genuine new disciples—just as He instructed us to do.”

But what does church planting have to do with making disciples? “It is a universal attribute of church plants that they are strongly evangelistic—you don’t plant a new church without reaching out,” states Pastor Krause. “And, we’re either growing or we’re stagnating as individuals and as churches; there is no equilibrium in the Christian life. So church planting is not only about making new disciples, it is also about keeping us moving forward in our walk with Jesus. The Adventist Church started as a church planting movement. We simply want to go back to our beginning, planting new churches and regaining our momentum as a movement, not stagnating and institutionalising.” He stops, chuckles and concludes, “Church planting is the extreme sport of Christianity.” He should know. His church has planted six churches "so far . . ."

Apparently Pastor Krause isn’t alone in his thinking.

The church-planting conference has drawn 163 delegates: roughly half are pastors and half local church leaders.

“You’re all ministers,” Pastor Krause says, “some of you are paid, some of you are volunteers, but you are all ministering.” The three-day event at Avondale College is also heavily supported by division, union and conference lead-

FEATURE ership. The sessions comprise a 20-minute talk followed by a 20-minute small group discussion.

I sit in on one round table discussion. There's a young man with a hipster beard who talks about reaching his mates from Melbourne University, a woman of Papua New Guinea (PNG) heritage who now lives in Western Australia, and representatives from Auckland (NZ), country NSW and Sydney. I want to simply observe but the discussion is so engaging I can’t help but get involved.

After the discussion, I talk to Rebecca Lukale. Originally from PNG, she and her husband recently moved to Tom Price, a mining town in WA, where they work in an indigenous community. Tom Price is a 16-and-a-half hour drive north from Perth and a six-and-a-half hour drive east from the ocean. “We’ve started a house church,” she says. “Through friendship, we now have two ladies with their kids coming to church. We also had an African couple coming to church; they moved to Perth. They’re now planning to be baptised which is great! I think there are many other people who we can reach.”

So why is she at the conference? “There are plenty of churches in our community— Jehovah Witnesses, Baptists, Anglicans, charismatic—but no Adventist church.” Why is that such a problem? “A church gives a visual symbol of our presence in the community and also a place for us to meet as we grow. We have the truth and I want everyone in the community to know the truth and to be ready for the second coming. I’m passionate about door knocking, meeting people, getting to know them and inviting them to church. It is about a four-hour drive to the nearest Adventist church. So we need a church in our community where people can come.” She concludes, “Please pray for the town of Tom Price, that soon we’ll have the newest Adventist church in Australia!”

This is just one of the inspiring stories at the conference. Luke and Sau Letele have come with their young child and their friend Ron Piilua (main picture). Luke and Ron work on navy ships at Woolloomooloo, Sydney. The three have a dream of planting a church in Sans Souci, a southern Sydney suburb.

“We are focusing on the needs of single mums and young families,” Luke says. Why? “We did a fitness boot camp outreach recently and that’s who showed up. So they chose us, not us choosing them!” “It’s a demographic in great need of ministry,” Sau says. “They have complex emotional needs, generally they face a very difficult financial situation and they are rushed off their feet. We are thinking carefully how to structure our church to meet those needs.” “We won’t have a traditional service; we’re thinking about what the best times are, how to reach the

kids; we are thinking out of the box,” Ron adds.

“The vision cast at the conference isn’t about planting one more church, Pastors Mark Baines and Chris Stanley. it’s a vision of multiplication—where church planting becomes the DNA of our mission as a church,” says Dr Sven Ostring, director of discipleship movements in Sydney. “Church planting takes us out of our comfort zone—we intentionally step out and connect with a new community. Like Jesus, we learn to be comfortable in their marketplace and then call people to follow Him.” “There were people here from across the whole division—which was very important,” says Pastor Glenn Townend, president of the Trans Pacific Union Mission. “Megachurches may work for evangelicals but in Adventism, the way we’ve grown is through moderate-sized churches multiplying. One of the first churches we planted in West Australia spawned four other churches. It has about 80 members today, and some of the churches it spawned have over 100 members. Larger churches tend to foster spiritual consumerism; smaller churches require spiritual participation.

You don’t have to guess which model gives more people more opportunity to develop as disciples.” During Pastor Townend’s decade as president of the WA Conference, the conference planted roughly 63 new churches. During that period of intentional church planting, it became the fastest growing conference in Australia.

There are lots of ways to do church. We can show up at 11.10, sit at the back and then drive home at 12.30, critiquing the sermon on the way. Sort of like picking up veggies at the big supermarket and finding a few spots on the spuds. At the other end of the extreme, we can be part of a team, planting a new church, getting out in a new community, struggling to find the right messages and methods to reach new people, making mistakes, innovating, struggling through discouragement and, one day, seeing the very first new Christian give their life to God at our church plant. Sort of like growing our own veggies: it’s a lot harder but could it be a lot sweeter too?

It is a universal attribute of church plants that they are strongly evangelistic— you don't plant a new church without reaching out.

Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

James Standish is editor of Adventist Record.

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

13

FLASHPOINT

Moving on Thirteen children graduated from the Rob and Jan Patterson Literacy School in Port Moresby (PNG) in December 2014. It was the second graduation ceremony held at the school since its move to a new building in September 2013. The school currently has an enrolment of 80 students, all of whom come from poor or disadvantaged backgrounds. Those who graduate learn the literacy and numeracy skills they need to attend primary school.—OFFL

Green thumbs up A new community garden has been established at Cannington Adventist church in Perth (WA). The purpose of the garden is to allow community members to grow their own fruit and vegetables, with some of the produce going towards providing meals for those in need. Organisers are inviting more people to get involved to make the garden flourish.—Canning Examiner

Prepared for the worst Representatives from ADRA New Zealand recently travelled to Fiji to establish community disaster management committees in Viti Levu.

The purpose of these committees is to coordinate emergency procedures such as evacuation routes and centres in the event of a disaster.

In preparation for the summer cyclone season, the ADRA team also assisted 15 communities in Viti Levu—one of the districts most at risk of harsh weather conditions—in establishing improved farming practices, crop diversification and financial literacy. A new water supply facility was also constructed.—ADRA NZ

Healthy request Glenvale Adventist Church (GAC) pastor Casey Wolverton was invited to speak at a health series at one of Toowoomba’s largest and fastest-growing Pentecostal churches in January. New Hope church asked Pastor Wolverton to talk about the relationship between physical health and spirituality. “Who better to talk about the Bible’s take on health than a Seventh-day Adventist pastor?” said New Hope pastors Chris and Sue Mulhare.—GAC

14 FEBRUARY 21, 2015 • record.net.au

Extra special occasion Justin and Katrina Boyd celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary as well as the dedication of their first child, Dylan John Keith, with family, friends and summer camp staff at Yarrahapinni (NSW) on December 12, 2014. The Adventist campground holds a special significance for the Boyds, as it was the place where they first met and got engaged.—Katrina Boyd

Women united About 300 women gathered at Parramatta Adventist church (NSW) on January 30 to open the Sabbath and celebrate the start of the year.

“United Night” was the first Women’s Ministries event for the Greater Sydney Conference in 2015. Among the special guests were Kerryn Baird, wife of NSW Premier Mike Baird, who offered some words of encouragement, and South Pacific Division Women’s Ministries director Erna Johnson, who led out with a dedicatory prayer. Leela Landers and Zan Long challenged those attending to let Christ lead in 2015.

—Beryl Landers

Tough road Attending worship at the Marata 2 church in Papua New Guinea requires serious commitment, and strong legs! The congregation is one of several Adventist groups who worship in informal settlements (slums) around Port Moresby. Once known for violence and other crimes, settlements are now safer, in part because of the positive influence churches have had on their communities.—Kent Kingston

MEGA Project Hope What does shooting 300 half-hour television programs in a span of one month look like? Visit <www.vimeo. com/118333454> for a glimpse into the first ever MEGA Project Hope event, which has just wrapped up production in Papua New Guinea. Upcoming issues of Adventist Record will feature more details about this exciting project.—Record staff

Send your pictures and details to news@record.net.au

HEALTH FEATURE with Cathy McDonald

Great grains As we move deeper into the new year it’s not uncommon to look back at our resolutions and see that maybe we bit off more than we could chew. Enthusiasm for a fresh start can have us planning an entire diet overhaul but it can also leave us feeling lost a few months later when we find we weren’t prepared to make such a big change. Big changes can make a huge difference to our health when we’re properly prepared to make them but new research also reveals that we don’t always have to make drastic changes to get significant benefits.

A recent study out of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health looking at wholegrain consumption and mortality found that participants with higher consumptions of wholegrains had up to 15 per cent lower mortality than those who ate the least.

The results also showed that replacing certain foods in the diet with wholegrains was also likely to lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Swapping one serving of refined grains with one serving of wholegrains was linked with an 8 per cent lower CVD related mortality.

Making big dietary changes can be daunting and usually requires taking the time to develop some new skills in the kitchen. Healthy changes can seem intimidating when we’re moving to something completely new. But a change like replacing refined grains in the diet with wholegrains shows that not all healthy changes need to be intimidating. A swap from white rice to brown rice, pasta to wholemeal pasta or a refined breakfast cereal to a wholegrain one like Weet-Bix or rolled oats shows us how truly simple it can be to make a healthy choice with real benefits.

Sesame and tofu stir fry Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Serves: 6 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 1 tsp fresh grated ginger 2 Tbsp sesame seeds 200g tofu, diced into chunks 150g snow peas 400g can baby corn, cut in half lengthways 150g can water chestnuts, thinly sliced 2 spring onions, sliced diagonally

1 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 stalk celery, sliced ½ yellow capsicum, sliced 150g Asian greens, washed, shredded 1 cup mung bean sprouts 1 Tbsp cornflour 2 Tbsp dark soy sauce 1 Tbsp vinegar 1 tsp sesame oil

1. Heat oil in a wok and fry the ginger and sesame seeds for 1 minute. Add the tofu and fry for 5 minutes until lightly browned.

2. Add the snow peas, celery, baby corn, water chestnuts, mushrooms, spring onions and capsicum.

Stir-fry for 5 minutes.

3. Add the Asian greens and mung bean sprouts and toss over the heat for 1-2 minutes.

4. Combine the remaining ingredients in a small bowl with ½ cup water, then add to the pan. Continue cooking until sauce thickens slightly. Great served on brown rice and sprinkled with extra sesame seeds NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVE: 725kJ (175cal).

Protein 8g. Fat 12g. Carbohydrate 5g. Sodium 645mg.

Potassium 360mg. Calcium 150mg. Fibre 7g.

Call and arrange to speak to one of our qualified nutritionists at Sanitarium Lifestyle Medicine Services on 1800 673 392 (in Australia) or 0800 100 257 (in New Zealand). Alternatively, email us at nutrition@ sanitarium.com.au (Australia) or nutrition@sanitarium.co.nz (New Zealand). For more great recipes and health articles visit our website www.sanitarium.com.au or www.sanitarium.co.nz

LIFEST YLE MEDICINE SERVICES record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

15

A

different life

I

WAS BORN IN FIJI TO A HINDU FAMILY. MY FATHER was a poor farmer but he had great hopes for us. He dreamed that one day I would become a lawyer. It didn’t happen. And there’s a curious reason why.

By the time I got to university I began running in a rough crowd. We were involved in drug dealing on campus. Marijuana mostly but some of the group also dealt cocaine. Our leader was from China. The money I earned was helpful but it really wasn’t the reason I got involved; I was looking for a place to fit in and this group made me feel like I belonged.

Like most uni students I wasn’t sure where I’d end up philosophically or spiritually. I was open to all the world had to offer. Well, not entirely open. I’d met a few Seventh-day Adventists over the years and I didn’t like what I saw. I liked to fit in with what was going on around me. That’s why the group I was hanging out with was so attractive to me. We all did the same things; we all went along with each other.

But the Adventists I met? They were the opposite. They didn’t compromise their own judgement just to fit in. They seemed out of step with society. And their unique style really grated on me.

One day I was walking down the street and saw a little kid handing out fliers. I tried to avoid him but he locked in on me. He ran up and thrust the paper into my hand and invited me to an Adventist outreach. I felt genuine loathing well up in me. He looked me right in the eyes and said, “This is for you.”

He was just a kid but the way he looked at me and what he said really had a big impact. I wanted to tell him to get away from me. I stuffed the paper into my purse and went about my day. When I got home I put it in on my table.

There was something about that invite that was like a pebble in my shoe—I just couldn’t ignore it.

At the same time my sister was telling me about a banner stretched across a nearby street, advertising an evange-

16 FEBRUARY 21, 2015 • record.net.au

by Romina Masih

listic meeting to be conducted by Adventist Church and Fulton College students. I took the flier and tossed it to her, saying, "This may be of interest to you."

She left the invite on the table in our living room. Next time I was there I saw it staring back at me so I removed it and placed it on the refrigerator door. Next time I was taking something out of the fridge my eyes caught a glimpse of it so I kept changing the place of that invite around our house until somehow it ended up in my room. While in my room I looked at it carefully and I heard a voice inside me for the first time in my life: “If Jesus Christ doesn’t exist why does He bother you so much?”

I decided there was nothing to be afraid of. I would go and check out the evangelistic series. I bent my sister’s arm and off the two of us went. It turned out we were the only two Fijians of Indian descent in attendance. You might think we’d feel very out of place considering some of the tensions between the communities in Fiji at the time but it wasn’t like that at all. People treated us very well—they were loving and welcoming.

Eventually I decided to make a stand for Christ. It was very uncomfortable at home. When I eventually told my dad he was furious. He had so many high hopes for me and they were all destroyed. I wasn’t going to be a Hindu anymore. I wasn’t going to study law. I wasn’t going to be the daughter he thought he would have. It was shattering. He told me he wanted nothing more to do with me. I was devastated. But I was also determined to follow Christ.

My dad wasn’t the only one who I had to tell. I went to my gang and told them my days of running with them were over. It didn’t go over well. The leader of the gang began following and threatening me. He became a stalker—it was very intimidating. We had a number of confrontations in which he described terrible things he was going to do to me if I didn’t rejoin the gang. Eventually I blurted out, “If you

FEATURE are going to kill me, kill me, because I’m never going back to that life, never!” He was taken aback. From then on he left me alone.

He was in truth a very nasty guy. I had every reason to be afraid. And I didn’t doubt he was willing to hurt me –and maybe even kill me. Not long after, however, something terrible happened. He got mixed up in a deal that went bad and he was killed. It was a reminder to me how fortunate I was to be pulled out of that life by our God of love. I was now one of those people who marched to the beat of a different Drummer. And I was so glad I did!

I decided to go to Fulton College to study ministry. In our ethnic and religious cultures this was very unusual. Women were generally in support roles, not leading. God called me to be different and I was ready to be as different as He wanted. I had no money and my dad had withdrawn all support. I said to him, “I’m going to go and study and, if God is real, He will provide the necessary resources.” You know what? He did provide. It was remarkable. To his credit, my dad came to my graduation. I think he saw God working too.

After finishing my diploma I spent two years as a pastoral intern. They were two good years. And then I was given a church to pastor. I’m not going to lie, it was tough. Yes, there were many very good experiences but there were people who saw a woman in ministry as something to be resisted. There were days I went home and just cried out in despair to God. I wanted to quit. Maybe my dad was right: I should just go back and be a lawyer. At least in the secular world I would be respected. But every time I felt the tug of God to stay the course. I’d tried to live life my own way before, and made a mess of it. I decided that, no matter the pain, I would stay on God’s path for my life. And just as well.

After five years in ministry I went to Pacific Adventist University (PAU) in Papua New Guinea to complete my BA. It was a very rich intellectual and cultural experience. It opened my eyes and it opened doors. It was at PAU that I met a Pakistani guy named Younis. As you probably know, there isn’t a lot of love lost between Indians and Pakistanis.

The two nations have fought a number of wars and there are periodic outbreaks of terrorism and communal violence in which many Hindus and Muslims have been slaughtered.

I wondered, “What is a guy from Pakistan doing here in PNG?” It seemed a bit strange.

And it was a bit strange—but in the best sense. There was something about Younis that just drew us together.

It was while we were at PAU I met Branimir and Danijela Schubert. It turned out that they had gotten to know Younis when he was a young man in Pakistan—he did yard work for them. He, too, came from a very poor family. And it was through their influence that he ended up at PAU. They have

played a very important part in our lives ever since —encouraging and nurturing us. At PAU we also met the Taskers. They are another family that has played a very important role in our lives. They are an inspiration to us!

After PAU we both went to Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS) in the Philippines and did our Masters degrees there for three years. People were just so generous to us. Joy Butler, who was director of Women’s Ministries, arranged some sponsorship for me, and Kelvin Pauser, Paul Petersen and his friends arranged sponsorship for us, and a number of others. To this day I can’t express just how thankful we are to these members of our Church family. We got married at AIIAS and after finishing our studies went to Fiji to work at Fulton College. We spent five years lecturing at Fulton before we were called to South New Zealand Conference.

Almost two years ago I was called to pastor Invercargill church. Younis and I had decided that our academic work was enjoyable and satisfying but we really needed more practical ministry experience. After all, how can you teach pastoral trainees if you don’t have a wealth of practical experience yourself? My parents had moved to Auckland in the interim.

So we were so happy to come to New Zealand. Younis is my associate pastor.

It’s a unique arrangement but it seems to be working well. We have always seen ourselves as a team.

Our church is growing. In 2014 we had 20 baptisms. In 2013 we had 22. In the past three years we have had almost 80 new people join our church. There is a real love—a sense of family. It isn’t all smooth sailing—the church had a split a few years ago so we have two church groups now in small Invercargill. I sometimes wonder, if we can’t get along here on earth how are we going to get along in heaven? I hope history and hurts can be buried and we can reunite as a single church, unified in the love of Jesus Christ and His truth.

But as sad as that split is, God has blessed. The church growth we’ve experienced over the past couple of years has resulted in the church being more full today than it was before the split. But there is a lot of work to do. We need to ensure we retain our new members. We need to strengthen our community in the faith. We all have a very long way to go to grow to full maturity in Christ.

I don’t know what God has planned for us in the future.

But what I do know is that I can trust in Him. And no matter what comes my way that is precisely what I intend to do. I want to be strong—just like those Adventists I once hated— not in myself, but strong because Jesus lives in my heart.

Does He live in your heart?

I'd tried to live life my own way before and made a mess of it. I decided that, no matter the pain, I would stay on God's path for my life.

Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment

Romina Masih is senior pastor of Invercargill church, New Zealand. She shared her story with James Standish at Invercargill church camp.

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

17

LETTERS

LETTERS Note: Views in letters do not necessarily represent those of the editors or the denomination.

Letters should be less than 250 words, and writers must include their name, address and phone number.

All letters are edited to meet space and literary requirements, but the author’s original meaning will not be changed. Not all letters received are published. See Page 4 for contact details.

READ, PRAY, WITNESS A E Hobbs, via website

"Eat, pray, love" (Editorial, January 15): three very worthy goals to strive for. My slight twist on these is: Bible study (eat), pray, witness (love).

This year I want God to truly abide in my heart. Another name for Jesus is "The Word".

In reading God’s Word—eating spiritually—I will be inviting Him into my heart (Psalm 119:11). I will set aside the early morning for daily devotions, just as was the practice of Jesus (Mark 1:35). When I pray "give us this day my daily bread" it will mean the spiritual kind. I can’t hold my breath for very long and that means I can’t go very long without prayer. This year I resolve to increase my prayer life and "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

When I spend more time with Jesus through Bible study and prayer I will know and love Him better. Our natural reaction is to talk about the things we love so it will become more natural for me to tell others about God (witness). The better I love Him, the better I will serve Him.

BLESSED

John Martin, USA

You wrote an article about going back to a hospital where your daughter was born, seeing the former neonatal intensive care unit and how the Lord blessed ("New", editorial, December 20, 2014).

I was asked to have the new year's sermon at our local retirement home. As a closing story, I read your article. It was a real blessing to all who were there. One lady came up to me and said, "that's a real keeper".

So I praise the Lord for what you wrote and wanted you to know it was a blessing even

18 FEBRUARY 21, 2015 • record.net.au

here on the other side of the world. Keep up God's work— He's coming sooner than we think.

THE 7% CLUB

Roy Richardson, Qld From 5000 applicants anticipated for 2015 and with only 350 spots available ("The 7% club", Feature, January 17), Pacific Adventist University (PAU) is in a good position to choose the best students.

It is a pity that “PAU is now more selective than Harvard University . . .” because many Adventist young people will not have access to PAU’s Christian education.

Consider these numbers for Papua New Guinea: in 2014 there were around 21,450 students completing Year 12 with only 4500 higher education spots available. That is a nearly 80 per cent education dropout rate from the end of high school.

PAU’s quota of 350 new students leaves a gulf of need for more spots for PNG students alone, let alone from the rest of the Pacific countries.

Professor Ben Thomas acknowledged (“In a class of its own”, Feature, January 17), “We could grow by 15 per cent instantly by adding day students . . .” His comments suggest that infrastructure and staffing levels could handle the immediate expansion but that spiritual needs support could not. Why not? Many young people are missing out on the benefits of a tertiary Christian education because of it.

Response: Ben Thomas, PAU vice-chancellor PAU needs to be true to its mission—to prepare graduates who are equipped and willing to serve God. PAU could grow

instantly by 15 per cent if we increased the percentage of day students, those who come by bus for first class and leave straight after the last class.

The challenge we face is this.

We are legally prohibited from discriminating on the basis of religion. This means that we cannot give preference to Adventist students.

Further, the percentage of non-Adventist students is higher amongst the day students. While a 15 per cent increase in enrolment may meet the needs of PNG in terms of producing graduates, the key question is whether those students, particularly the non-Adventist ones, will have developed a strong relationship with Jesus Christ before they graduate.

Our baptismal statistics show that we are not able to reach our day students with the gospel in the same way as we do our dormitory students. The reason is simple: our dormitory students get to participate in morning and evening worships, they are here for all of our spiritual emphasis events, they are on campus every Sabbath and are encouraged to attend church, and they witness firsthand the Christian lifestyle of our lecturers and staff outside of the classroom. We cannot grow for the sake of growing; any growth must be in the number of students who have made a commitment to serve God. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous contribution that is made by lay people towards the success of PAU. Roy Richardson is one of those people, without whose unwavering support PAU would not be what it is today.

To read many more comments and to have your say, visit <www.record.net.au>.

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OPENING HIS WORD

RECORD REWIND

Gary Webster

Israel: reach your full potential Like to make a big impact for God on the lives of others? You can, and Israel is the key. Israel was God’s treasured and purchased people whom He had chosen and called out, first from Ur in Mesopotamia, then from Egypt and finally from Babylon, so that they could be a holy nation of priests to bless the rest of humanity by their witness to God’s gracious love and faithfulness.

Read Genesis 12:1-3; Exodus 19:3-6; Jeremiah 50:8; 51:5,6,44,45; Isaiah 43:10,12; 44:8 But being a true Israelite has always been about having the right heart by the Spirit, rather than having the right genes, nose or blood by birth. The New Testament goes even further, making it clear that anyone, Jew or Gentile, who comes just as they are to Jesus, accepting Him by faith, becomes a true Israelite and a priest.

Read John 1:47; Romans 2:28,29; Ephesians 2:11-13,19; 3:6; Galatians 3:16,26-29; 6:16; 1 Peter 2:4-7, 9,10 Caught up in a great cosmic war, whose core issue is worship or allegiance, true Israelites are to worship or show forth God’s praises by their godly lives and good deeds, thus helping others to be ready for Christ’s return.

Read 1 Peter 2:9,11,12; 5:8; Ephesians 6:10-17; Revelation 12:7-13,17; 13:12; 14:7,9,11; 15:4

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Determine now to be a true Israelite by coming to Jesus just as you are and giving Him your full allegiance in this great cosmic The Merneptah Stele of war so you ancient Egypt mentions can be His Israel, revealing the Bible’s accuracy in portraying instrument ancient Israel as a nation to rescue after the exodus from others.

Egypt.

Kevin Price

The Ludowici way It was recently announced that the major roadway that circles behind the Sydney Adventist Hospital and provides access for support services to the ever expanding demands of the growing facility will be known as "Ludowici Way". For those who know a little of the hospital’s history, it is a most appropriate name for such an important, non-medical but supporting role. To understand why we need to rewind back to 1987 and read the hospital's staff magazine, Pacemaker. The March 22 edition welcomed a new doctor: "Not a medical doctor but the hospital’s new senior chaplain, Dr Tom Ludowici." Tom was described as "having perceptive insights into the possibilities offered in hospital ministry". Tom Ludowici went on to deliver big time.

Between 1978 and 1992, Tom served as senior chaplain and he and his team expanded the work of ministry within and beyond the hospital. He established a counselling service for patients, staff and the community. He started the hospital’s in-house television channel and its supporting audio visual department. Between 1986 and 1998, Dr Bert Clifford, the hospital’s general superintendent, and Tom conducted 13 National Christian Bioethics Conferences. They also established the prestigious Bioethics Library collection that, in 2010, was named in Tom’s honour. This is considered one of the best-resourced bioethics libraries in Australia, housing more than 7000 books plus 25 regular journals.

Tom was directly involved in the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Council of NSW and encouraged all of his chaplaincy team to be trained in CPE. He also built strong relationships with the hospital’s visiting clergy of all faiths.

Tom led numerous grief and loss workshops for those visiting clergy, other hospitals and community groups. With his double Masters degrees and Doctorate in Ministry he also served as a talented lecturer for the hospital and Avondale College educational programs.

In 1992 Tom joined the administration team of the San where he served as director of Support Services and then director of Mission until his retirement in 2005. In 2003 Tom organised a year of centenary celebrations for the San. He, along with his close friend from college days, Dr Arthur Patrick, prepared the hospital’s centenary book, The San—100 Years of Christian Caring.

There have been many great contributions by husband and wife teams at the San throughout its history. Tom’s wife, Pam, also made an outstanding contribution during their years at the San. She worked as a chaplain and counsellor and went on to head up the Volunteers department. She also started the Cancer Support Centre and initiated Jacaranda Lodge, providing accommodation for country and overseas patients and families. Pam partnered with Tom in developing and delivering marriage preparation courses and practical ministry training events across Australia and New Zealand.

Tom and Pam were a great ministry team who served the hospital for more than 27 years. With their warm and friendly approach they consistently displayed their commitment to providing Christian care and spiritual ministry.

That was the Ludowici way.

Pastor Kevin Price is director of Adventist Health (South Pacific Division), a member of the Adventist HealthCare Ltd Board of Directors and a former assistant senior chaplain with Dr Tom Ludowici.

NOTICE BOARD ANNIVERSARY Rowe. Orm and Olivine Rowe (Woodford, Qld) celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with their family in November 2014.

WEDDINGS Henriques—Gilbert. Clyde Henriques, son of Anthony and Audrey Henriques (Warranwood, Vic), and Katrina Gilbert, daughter of Stephen and Rhonda Gilbert (Mooroolbark), were married 20.3.14 at Tatra Receptions, Mt Dandenong.

Clyde and Katrina live in Glen Huntly. Clyde is a scientist and Katrina a nurse.

Brian Lawty Lauratet— Bernoth. Brian Lauratet, son of Clency and Margaret Lauratet (Mauritius), and Claire Bernoth, daughter of Kevin and Janette Bernoth (Cooranbong, NSW), were married 23.11.14 in the Morisset Hospital Memorial Chapel. Brian and Claire met at Lakeside church, Bonnells Bay, while they were students at Avondale College. They plan to live in Mirrabooka while Brian continues his career as a music teacher, composer and arranger and Claire works as a merchandise photographer.

Clive Nash, Robert Collins Mercer—Tennett. Andrew Mercer, son of Bruce and Leonie Mercer (Samford, Qld), and Dr Debbie Tennett, daughter of Peter and Julia Tennett (Brisbane), were married 26.10.14 in the picturesque

Henzell Chapel, Mt Pleasant.

Many family members and friends were present to wish this delightful couple blessings and good wishes.

Ted White

OBITUARIES Boston, Graeme Leslie, born 3.9.1946; died 4.12.14 in Toowoomba hospital, Qld. He was the much-loved husband of Shirley; dearly loved father of Glenn and Julie; father-inlaw, pop, and great pop to Pud, Mark, Mitchell, Kathleen, Bailey, Riley, Bau, Matt, Brydie and Isabella. Graeme was a wellrespected and much-valued member of the Stanthorpe church. Pathfinders and fundraising for the church and community groups were his passion. Graeme was a man of invention and practicality, always ready to lend a hand to those in need of his skills.

Trevor Mawer Butler, Olive Jean (nee Mackintosh), born 6.2.1921 in Brisbane, Qld; died 9.12.14 in Victoria Point, Brisbane. She married Roy Butler. She is survived by Julieanne Keogh (Melbourne, Vic), Margaret Andersen, Herbert Greenwood and Chris Gould (all of Brisbane, Qld). Goodnight Mum, Nanna, see you in the morning. Much loved.

Bob Possingham, Alvin Coltheart Cram, Florence Irene (nee Fish), born 20.4.1919; died 22.11.14 in the Lerwin Nursing Home, Murray Bridge, SA. In 1957, she married

Albert Victor Cram in the Warrnambool church, Vic. Florence is survived by her brother, Vivian Fish, and her nephews and nieces. She was baptised with her sister, Emily, on 13.1.1936 by Pastor Foster in a water tank at Camperdown.

Florence worked at Woollen Mills, Warrnambool for four years, then as a greengrocer in Naracoorte (SA) for her brother.

She worked as a dental nurse in Warburton (Vic) and then as a nurse aid in Warburton Hospital until retirement. She and Albert travelled around Australia. They were active members of the Murray Bridge church. Florence was a woman of faith.

Lee Bowditch-Walsh Green, Lola Dawn (nee Darby), born 3.1.1932 in Guyra, NSW; died 11.12.14 in Murwillumbah.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Athol Green; daughter, Vanessa, and son-inlaw, Rodney; and grandchildren, Morgan and Maddison. Dawn and Athol became Adventists in Grafton, moving to Cooranbong in 1971. Dawn worked for Sanitarium and in aged care at Avondale. In 1973 they moved to Murwillumbah and have been members at Tumbulgum church for more than 20 years. Dawn was devoted to her family and with her generous nature was always finding someone to help. She had a love of God’s

creation, especially flowers, which she enjoyed painting in watercolours. She loved Jesus and every day is one day closer to that beautiful morning.

Hiscox, Eileen (nee Lillioja), born 21.4.1950 in Auckland, NZ; died 16.8.14 in Toowoomba, Qld. On 8.1.1973, she married Lyndsay Hiscox. She is survived by her husband (Toowoomba); her mother, Ilma Lillioja (Cooranbong, NSW); her children, Stephen Hiscox (Wodonga, Vic) and Vanessa Hunt (Toowoomba, Qld); siblings, Brenda Brewster, Stephen Lillioja, Vaino Lillioja, Yvette Bettini and Meldon Lillioja; and her grandchildren, Jasmine, Harrison, Meisha and Riley. For 42 years as a devoted, caring wife and mother, Eileen served with her husband in WA, PNG, Fiji and Qld. Throughout her life she totally trusted her Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Casey Wolverton Howard, Irene Ray (nee McDonald), born 27.2.1914 in Annandale, NSW. She attended the Wallsend church from age eight and made lifelong friends there. As a child she learned and excelled in sewing, crocheting and other handcrafts. It was at the Howard family store that she met her

POSITION VACANT

Gardener—Acacia Grove Health Education Centre (North Queensland). The Medical Missionary Training Institute delivers residential health programs at Acacia Grove. They are looking for an organic market gardener to set up and manage a market garden that will supply the health centre and local market with fresh produce. The successful applicant will be capable of running this garden as their own business in association with the health centre.

All resources, including accommodation, other than plants, are supplied. For more information or to apply, please send applications to Beverley Krogdahl, MMTI, 1 Fryers Road, Hervey Range, Queensland 4817 or email to <info@mmti.org.au> or phone 0458 536 115. Applications close March 31, 2015.

Promotions manager—It Is Written Oceania (Wahroonga, NSW). The purpose of the position is to build positive relationships with key stakeholders and donors to promote the ministry. The role involves donor and gift acquisition and management; conducting training; acquiring and developing humanitarian programs; and assisting in the development of promotional material. The successful applicant must be a baptised member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church with full commitment to its message, mission and lifestyle. He/she should have superior public speaking, written and verbal communication skills; proven ability to strategise and implement successful projects; self-starter and able to work autonomously; preferred to have a tertiary degree in divinity, business, communications or equivalent; and a proactive and “can do” attitude. Overseas applicants should ensure they satisfy Australian working visa requirements before applying for this position. Adventist Media Network reserves the right to fill this vacancy at its discretion.

For more information about It Is Written Oceania visit <www. itiswritten.com.au>. Applications and enquiries should be directed to: Kalvin Dever, Corporate Services, Adventist Media Network on (02) 9847 2222 or email <corpserv@adventistmedia.org. au>. Applications close March 13, 2015.

The above ministry is independent of the Seventh-day Adventist Church organisation but is supportive of the Church.

Sign up for job updates and find more vacant positions at <adventistemployment.org.au>

SUPPORTING MINISTRY POSITION

record.net.au • FEBRUARY 21, 2015

21

NOTICE BOARD future husband, Ronald Howard, and they married on 27.7.1937, he predeceased her in 1994. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Marlene and Graham Darby (Wallsend); her grandchildren and their partners, Lanelle and Nathan Hawkins, and Leighton and Jo Darby (all of Newcastle); and five greatgrandsons.

Beth McMurtry, Laurie McMurtry, Roger Nixon Hunt, Beau, born 27.6.1978 in Canterbury, NSW; died 2.8.14 in Wauchope.

On 11.3.12, he married Vanessa Hiscox. He is survived by his wife; their son Riley (both of Toowoomba); his parents, Peter and Jannette Hunt (Macksville, NSW); his brothers, Tyson (Goondiwindi, Qld) and Lee (Moree, NSW); and his grandmother, Nancy Baker (Macksville). Beau’s landscaping work brought him to Toowoomba, where he met Vanessa Hiscox, became a follower of Jesus and was married. They

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moved to Dorrigo, NSW, where he started an apprenticeship as an electrical linesman and began a family. He was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident. The changes in Beau’s spiritual life were a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. He was a great husband, father and mate.

Casey Wolverton Knight, Lilley Margaret Jane, born 27.7.1923; died 24.11.14 in Avondale Nursing Home, Cooranbong, NSW. She is survived by her sister, Betty Knight (Morisset Park); and several nieces and nephews.

Lilley, along with her parents, became Adventists through a branch Sabbath School run by Avondale College students. She was a thoughtful, kind Christian woman who always showed a genuine caring interest in the lives of those in her sphere of influence. She was a charter member of the Brightwaters (now Lakeside) church and in earlier times was actively involved. Lil was bedridden the last four years but in spite of this

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resurrection. of figure who died thousands n Jesus is not some historical isn’t just mouldering in a tomb. He years ago and now lies stuff books who said some cool some guy in dusty history well, and He people. Jesus is alive and and inspired a bunch of every day. interacts with His followers so Jesus isn’t a daily reality Too often, even for Christians, Jesus to lead them getting of Instead much as ancient history. with their hearts and minds in their daily lives by impressing unengaged. sit mindlessly in church, thoughts about Him, they or a cross necklace to identify Wearing articles of clothing to being a isn’t enough when it comes one’s religious tradition with Christ relationship personal a Christian. It’s about having and transus—and now lives to shape who lived and died for

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but a married Jesus is one thing, Brown said, “Suggesting of undermines the very heart questioning the Resurrection for portraythose with a reputation of Christian belief.” So even acknowledge that the essence ing aberrant views of Christ of the d without the pivotal story Christianity is compromise

form our lives.

Knowlson, Constance (nee Sturgess), born 22.6.1919 in Basingstoke, England; died 3.9.14 in Albury, NSW. In 1942, she married Alan Hannington, who predeceased her. Following Alan’s death, she immigrated from the Isle of Wight to Albury, NSW, where she met and married Chris Knowlson, and five stepchildren were added to the family. Connie was predeceased by her husband, Chris, and brother, John Travers. She is survived by her son, Trevor (Treherbert, Wales); daughter, Carol (Crystal Brook, SA) and sister, Lyn Kaczmarek (Albury, NSW). Connie loved to paint, travel and to share her faith with others.

Benjamin Galindo Oehlmann, Allan Cecil, born 12.12.1922; died 28.11.14 in Warwick, Qld. On 1.3.1947, he married Ellie Rahe, who predeceased him on 8.4.12.

He is survived by Richard and Cathy, Lynette and Fred, Patricia and Greg, John and Carmen, Stephen and Yvonne and nine grandchildren. Allan served his country in World War II and then returned to Warwick and worked as a dairy farmer before suffering ill health. Allan loved family, church and travel. He was very much involved in his church and community.

Trevor Mawer Walker, Vivienne Mary Elaina (nee Akon), born 9.10.1955 in Albury, NSW; died 9.11.14 in the Monash Medical Centre, Vic. She is survived by her husband, Keith; children, Kristy, Andrew and Tiffany, their partners; and seven grandchildren. Vivienne worked for a period of time for Sanitarium in Warburton and

For more information and to order: ate, the facts about the foods they and pioneers. I can access were. I dysfunctional their families clothes they wore and how their pubfrom personal notes to can also read their writings, way I think times they influence the lished public works. Many it is. why the world is the way or help me understand those those books, not one of Yet for all the content inside awareness no have are all dead and people can save me. They they won’t me when I mess up and of my life. They can’t defend ends. life when this present one be able to give me a new “Since the Corinthians, Paul wrote, But in this same letter to comes the resurrection of the dead death came through a man, Corinthians 15:21). also through a man” (1 for our behalf to make amends Not only did Jesus die on also records that Jesus ascended humanity’s sin, but Scripture not have a high do “We Advocate: our to heaven in order be but we empathise with our weaknesses, priest who is unable to are— we as just way, tempted in every have one who has been to save 4:15). Also, Jesus is “able he yet he did not sin” (Hebrews to God through him, because completely those who come for them” (Hebrews 7:25). always lives to intercede Dan highly successful) novelist Even the controversial (and

she remained ever cheerful and strong of faith.

Roger Nixon, Jim Beamish, Pam Hill

Company 3485 Warburton

Highway, Warburton Victoria

22 FEBRUARY 21, 2015 • record.net.au

then at the Yarra View Hostel.

She later opened and operated an ADRA shop in Newborough for three years. Even though she had a prolonged illness her faith in God never wavered.

Paul Glover

ADVERTISEMENTS Back to Coffs Day—March 14, 2015. Coffs Harbour church invites all past members and attendees to a special celebration of renovations to their building including: removal of the steeple and replacement of a 40-year leaking roof, airconditioning the main sanctuary, new carpet and seating, changes to internal rooms and provision for a lift servicing three levels.

For further information, please contact Bob Manners on 0416 262 956 or <bobmanners@ adventist.org.au>.

Absolute Care Funerals is an Adventist family owned and operated business, providing personalised attention for you in that time of need. Contact Arne Neirinckx, who understands our Adventist philosophy, on (02) 9482 9069 or mobile 0408 458 452. Covering Sydney to Newcastle and Wollongong. <arne@absolutecarefunerals. com.au>.

Finally . . .

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.

The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.

—Thomas A. Edison

Next RECORD March 7

Note: Neither the editor, Adventist Media Network, nor the Seventh-day Adventist Church is responsible for the quality of goods or services advertised.

Publication does not indicate endorsement of a product or service. Advertisements approved by the editor will be inserted at the following rates: first 30 words or less, $A68 +GST; each additional word, $A2.26 +GST. For your advertisement to appear, payment must be enclosed. Classified advertisements in RECORD are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and institutions only. All advertisements, appreciation, anniversary, wedding and obituary notices may be submitted via <ads@record.net.au>. Please note all notices should be a maximum of 80 words and may be edited in accordance with Record style. Record reserves the right to shorten notices due to space constraints.

2015 The tour was fabulous. I had such a wonderful experience. I have learned so much history. Great accommodation, a professional and knowledgeable tour leader, and I will definitely go again.

—Banje Blanch, Casino, NSW

The Diggings tour transformed our lives and understanding of Biblical history. It was so special! —Ian & Bev Story, Victoria The four weeks were one of the best experiences I have had in my lifetime. The value for money of this tour was outstanding. —Ed North, Sydney

Hop on or hop off * at any point to suit your time and budget.

FOOTSTEPS OF THE PROPHETS Better understand the books of Daniel and Revelation.

June 8–16: IRAN See the amazing archaeological sites of Persepolis, Shush and Ecbatana that are so closely connected with the stories of Daniel, Esther and Nehemiah.

June 16–21: TURKEY Walk the streets of ancient Ephesus, Pergamos, Sardis and Laodicea; journey by boat to the island of Patmos, site of the Apocalypse of the exile of John.

June 21–July 1: JORDAN & ISRAEL Visit the fabulous ruins of Petra and Jerash, and see archaeological sites connected to Roman history, Israelite kings and prophets, and the story of Jesus.

JOURNEYS WITH PAUL

Travel where Paul journeyed; understand Baal worship and the depths of God’s grace.

July 1–10: GREECE & CARTHAGE Journey to Athens, Marathon, Thessalonica, Corinth and Philippi, and visit the Canaanite city of Carthage.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG Lachish, Israel

July 10–20: The Dig will give you a taste of the excitement of discovering objects thousands of years old in a dig at the famous ancient city of Lachish. During the Dig also visit Jerusalem, Galilee and archaeological sites of the Bible generally unseen by tour groups.

GENERAL CONFERENCE TOUR USA and Canada

July 2–12: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Two weekends at the General Conference, plus visit New York, Washington DC, Niagara Falls, Adventist historical sites at Battle Creek and Andrews University, and William Miller’s home.

AZTECS, INCAS & MAYA Central and South America

July 12–28: MEXICO, PERU & BRAZIL Discover the depths of God’s love at the ancient sites connected to sun worship and human sacrifice. See Machu Picchu, beautiful Lake Titicaca, and as an optional extra, the incredible Iguazu Falls.

Go with someone who knows the way!

Phone: Free-call 1800 240 543 (Australia only) or email editor@diggings.com.au to register your interest and receive more information. * Tours subject to sufficient numbers.

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ADRA Disaster and Famine Relief Offering 21 February Your gift to ADRA’s Disaster and Famine Relief Offering will help us raise the $250,000 we need to ensure that we’re there when they need us most.

Donate through your church, adra.org.au/disasteroffering, using the form below or calling 1800 242 372

Yes, I want to ensure ADRA is there when disaster strikes!

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ADRA Australia, Reply Paid 129, Wahroonga NSW 2076 - 1800 242 372 - www.adra.org.au ADRA New Zealand, Private Bag 76-900, Manukau Auckland 2240 - 0800 4999 111 - www.adra.org.nz Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Adventist Development and Relief Agency Australia Ltd. ABN 85 109 435 618 CHURCHFR>RECORDAD14/15>DFRO