Baptist Magazine v135 n2

Baptist Churches of New Zealand

baptistmag.org.nz

A beautiful Expression!

When the Spirit moves... he moves!

The impossible God

From the mouths of babes

GOD PREPARES THE TABLE †100 YEARS OF BBCF

| A p r i l / M a y 2 0 1 9 | v. 1 3 5 n o . 2 |

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Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

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Recently added THE TRAIN A book review.

~ JANETTE BUSCH

WE ALL NEED A LOGAN The value of a grandfather-like role model.

~ ETHAN MILLER

EDITOR Linda Grigg | linda@baptistmag.org.nz

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E B I R C S B SU

Baptist Churches of New Zealand PO Box 12-149, Penrose, Auckland 1642, New Zealand 09 526 0338 — Printing Image Print, Auckland — Front cover photography Rebecca McLeay — Scripture Unless otherwise specified, Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright ©1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.

All rights reserved.

— Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand or the magazine’s editorial team.

— The NZ Baptist Magazine is the magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand and the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society.

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“Marvel”— be awed, be filled with wonder

CONTENT 04 07 08

A word from the editor This issue our theme is ‘marvel’ and is loosely based on Acts 2:43, which recounts the reaction of disciples to the signs and wonders “being done by the apostles”. Even today, when we encounter the presence, power and works of God, are we not moved to awestruck wonder?

To worship? Do we not echo the psalmist who wrote: “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23)?

Accordingly, we share some real-life examples of God at work and also look at the subject of worship. What is the cornerstone of our worship? What happens when we allow children to lead worship? How do we make space for Spirit-led spontaneity in our services? Is enjoying the natural world, and taking care of it, a form of worship?

By now you will have heard we Baptists have a new national leader. We are very pleased to present Charles Hewlett’s first article for the magazine in this role. Charles has set himself an inspiring key performance indicator: “If Baptists are focusing on Jesus then I am doing my job.” You can read more about this, and about what he believes his initial priorities will be, on page eight and nine of this issue.

On page nine we also have a letter from Kim Peters on behalf of Baptist churches in the Canterbury region. Kim conveys their thanks for the response from our Baptist family to the recent tragic shootings in Christchurch, and also gives some helpful prayer suggestions.

~ Blessings to you Linda Grigg

10 12 15 18 21 32 33

FEATURE

Worship—a beautiful expression!

CREATIVITY

Obstacles drag us back

REFLECTIONS FROM CHARLES HEWLETT

Getting to know the new national leader CULTURE

The impossible God

CHILD & FAMILY

From the mouths of babes

NEIGHBOURHOOD & JUSTICE

God prepares the table

LEADERSHIP

When the Spirit moves... he moves!

OUR STORIES

DIRECTORY

GLOBAL MISSION

100 Years of BBCF Small bites Opportunities to serve

Baptist / F E A T U R E

A beautiful Expression!

Reflecting the glory of God “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.”

How do you respond to these six words? Alan Burnett reflects on our response to the beauty of God.

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Drawn to the beauty of the Godhead If we are to take seriously the vision that both Isaiah and John share with us through Scripture, then we must also take seriously their clear description of worship. They show us that before all other things, true worship is the recognition and adoration of the beauty of God, a reality that can only lead us to fall to our knees.

For many this will not come as a surprise.

In one way or another, it is the beauty and glory of God that brings us to worship.

Through our experience of creation, of relationship, of love, but fundamentally through our experience of grace, we witness some measure of that glory and can do nothing other than praise God. But does this adoration always find its way into the worship of our community’s life? If we, in all that we do as the people of God, could see the throne of God before us in all moments of our gathering—would it change how we practise things, how we treat the moment, and how we treat one another?

In human life, when we encounter beauty we honour it by recreating it. In the world of art this is particularly true. When an artist encounters a glorious vista, they begin to copy it, trying to capture some essence of its beauty to share with others. When that same artist finds a beautiful person they do much the same, feeling that they cannot see this alone and honour it—such a beauty must be shared by all.

Do we as the church really try to replicate, depict, and express the beauty of God in our life together? Or do we primarily try to reach a demographic, cater to a niche, or hit the nerve of potential converts?

That is not to say that sensitivity to those things is not important, but it is to say that at the heart of our worship and our community resides the glorious throne of the Lord—not the angels, not the prophets, and not the people who worship him. Our communities are called to be a beautiful expression that captures something of the

TRUE WORSHIP IS THE RECOGNITION A N D A D O R AT I O N O F T H E B E A U T Y O F G O D , A R E A L I T Y T H AT C A N O N LY L E A D US TO FALL TO OUR K NEES.

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Rebecca McLeay

“H

oly, holy, holy is the Lord.” In these six simple words, we have revealed to us the cornerstone of heavenly worship, of what worship at the feet of the Lord looks and sounds like.

These are words revealed to us in two instances. The first is in the prophetic writings of Isaiah as the prophet details a vision of the Lord, high and exalted, being worshipped by seraphim in the heavenly court (Isaiah 6). The second is in the book of the Revelation of John, where a very similar scene is witnessed and reported (Revelation 4). As with Isaiah, John is called into the heavenly realm and sees before him the throne of the Lord with creatures surrounding him. Again, those same six words are declared, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.” Reading it, one could almost believe that John and Isaiah witnessed the same moment—beside each other yet unaware due to the glory that was before them— but we will come to that later. In the first instance I wish to identify what these texts, and the revelation they provide us, say about worship.

Baptist / F E A T U R E

Our communities are called to be a beautiful expression that captures something of the glory of God. glory of God, and our worship, like the moon to the sun, is called to reflect that glory to those in the darkness.

Worship that was, and is, and is to come I mentioned earlier that the similarity between the visions expressed by the Prophet Isaiah and John of Patmos could lead to the idea that they were in fact in the same moment at the same time.

The biblical scholar in me would likely argue that John deliberately alluded to Isaiah in his writings, and through the placement of the 24 elders, who could be martyred Christians, offers hope to his fellow Christians who may have been facing persecution. (This extends on work

by Simon Woodman, who argues to identify the elders as the church, but also throughout his book notes the importance for John of recognising them as martyrs as he was writing to churches where some had died for their faith.)1 However, the reality still stands that this is an image God gave to John and so we must look beyond the convenience of authorial intent to a spiritual truth that may lie behind it. In this case I believe we are called to see the untiring reality of heavenly worship, but also that heavenly worship is forever only a moment—a moment we also join every time we worship.2 Let me explain.

Heavenly existence is something that is outside of time and space.

It exists in a dimension that is timeless and eternal, never starting

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and never‑ending. For the human brain, this is incredibly hard to digest.

Our linear brains trap us in time, but heaven dwells outside of it.

To accept this means that, for heaven, our yesterday is not chronologically different from our tomorrow; our eighth century BC is no different to our first century AD. This would suggest that our centuries of worship, our countless Sundays, our multiple moments of praise and thanksgiving, are to heaven only ever one moment!

The profound nature of this rests not so much in that information, but in what follows from it. It means that in every moment of worship our voices join with the voices of those seraphim loudly exclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.” It means our offering of praise and treasure is matched by the casting forward of the crowns from the 24 elders. And it means that our moments of revelation are matched by the overwhelming sight the prophets experienced standing before the throne.

That is all well and good, you may say, but what does it change? In honesty, not a lot. However, it should deepen our experience of worship if for no other reason than that it brings our hearts rest to know that when a choir or a singer can’t quite hit a note, or a pastor can’t quite say a prayer, the angels in heaven sing just a little louder.

Broken things for broken people; holy things for holy people Isaiah’s response to the worship of the seraphim and the presence of God was to be made aware of his own lack of holiness. To be given an audience

by God is an overwhelming reality, but as the church it is one we often take lightly. A reality and knowledge that should bring us to our knees, often does not impact us deeply.

We who are blessed to join in the worship of a God who is eternally worshipped by angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, often

have the audacity to boast how our worship is better than another kind or that of another church. We who have met the beauty of the Lord in grace, arrogantly declare that we are the holders of all truth and have contained this God, whose robe could fill the temple, to the exclusion of other brothers and sisters.

In six simple words from Isaiah and John of Patmos we have the reset button to our frustrations, our weariness, and our judgements. As we share in the worship of the apostles and prophets, of the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, let the acclamation “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord” ring clearly in your spirit; let it transport you above the brokenness of our human fellowship to the place that God calls us—the throne room of heaven.

For all its brokenness, its messiness, and its frustrations, the church shares in a glory that is unsurpassed in the world and that goes beyond any one fellowship, any one church, and even any one time, to that which is at the centre of all true existence—the eternal worship of the triune God.

Story: Alan Burnett The Reverend Alan is the chaplain at Hereworth School.

This article was first published as ‘A Glorious Mess’ in the Baptist v.132 no.5 October/November 2016 (7-9).

1. Simon Woodman, The Book of Revelation (London: SCM Press, 2008), 95.

2. Adrian Langdon, God the Eternal Contemporary: Trinity, Eternity, and Time in Karl Barth (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2012), 107-108.

Baptist / C R E A T I V I T Y

Obstacles drag us back

Prixel Creative/lightstock.com

Sure, we’d like creativity for this weekend’s talk or sermon, but some of our own habits may cramp us. Busyness or over-focusing on problems leave no time to stop and think. Is that you or me? We are set in our ways, or afraid, or shy, or don’t want to be different. We rely on others or even reject our own ideas.

In the 1950s a Christian called Alexander Osborn, who did some of the first research on creativity, noted hampering environments. Traditional schooling asked for dull rote learning. Families or co-workers may laugh at creative ideas. In hierarchical organisations, people fear rigid rules or harsh words.

Without logic, the new idea may come after hours of work, or in an instant.

It can be a finished piece or a process, a new invention or a development on an existing one. It’s the insight of Newton and the apple, or of Sabeer Bhatia inventing Hotmail. Or it’s the Holy Spirit showing you or me how to present the age-old message in a new way. I’ve learnt I must include something for the listener’s imagination in every message. But I have to ask.

One week I wrestled. How could I illustrate the sacrifice Joseph and Mary made to be the parents of Jesus? On Saturday evening I paced back and forth praying. I must not leave my sermon boring. Despairing— it's not usually that hard—I retrieved from the living room an Indian clay water‑carrying pot to stand for Mary’s sacrifice. She gave up the chance to ever be an ordinary working village girl with nobody gossiping about her.

Now Joseph. A hammer. But it was too late to go borrowing. A couple of pieces of sawn timber. Hardly brilliant, but better than nothing.

The next day, well into my sermon, I brought out the visual aids and unexpectedly God gave me another creative moment. Standing beside the altar, I turned and placed the clay pot on it. Mary placed on the altar for God even her right to be a respected village woman. That spoke. I could almost see the listeners sit up. The altar. Were they willing to put anything on the altar? Next the pieces of wood representing Joseph’s trade and tools, lost when he took his wife and child to Egypt. I didn’t need to say much more.

The visuals spoke.

What had worked? I think the idea came because I kept seeking creativity.

Dr Beulah Wood President of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand and the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society

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Baptist / R E F L E C T I O N S F R O M C H A R L E S H E W L E T T

Getting to know the new national leader On 20th February 2019, the Assembly Council together with the Mission Council nominated Charles Hewlett to the position of national leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand.

The resounding response from the churches across our movement was, “Yes!” Charles commenced his role on Monday 11th March 2019. Here Charles shares some of his thoughts about his new role, his leadership style and what he loves about being Baptist.

W

hat does the national leader actually do?

I believe my number one task is to keep the eyes of the Baptist movement on Jesus.

We must look to him for our direction.

He will show us what our priorities must be. How to treat one another. How to live in our neighbourhoods. How to lead those entrusted to us. It is the power of his gospel that will bring renewal and transformation. It is his Word that we must listen to the most.

Can I suggest we are not Baptists first, but followers of Jesus first? What we do as Baptists flows out of who we are as his followers. If Baptists are focusing on Jesus then I am doing my job. Then we will have strong churches. Then we will have healthy relationships. Then we will impact our nation.

Then we will bring honour and glory to God! What do you like about being Baptist?

I immediately think of four core Baptist distinctives.

First, I love that we are committed to the Bible. Historically we have stressed the centrality and authority of the Bible.

Second, our commitment to baptism. I love that we call for uncompromising discipleship—Jesus Christ and the gospel are worth giving up your life for.

Third, our system of church governance. The fact that

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we all have the potential to minister for God (the priesthood of all believers) is important to me. How good to be part of a movement where everyone’s voice should matter when it comes to decision-making.

Fourth, our belief in freedom. Traditionally Baptists have taught that the church and state should be independent of one another. I love our radical edge and the flexibility we have to reinvent ourselves.

I believe that when these four things come together—God’s Word, committed followers, inclusivity, and imaginative thinking—things will happen!

How would you describe yourself as a leader?

From my experience of training leaders, and working alongside some very outstanding leaders, I absolutely believe that the greatest influence comes through character, the fruit of God’s Spirit. My leadership philosophy comes from Ephesians 4— not verses 11 and 12, but rather verses 1 and 2. How do we “live a life worthy of your calling”? “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

I have quoted Mark Labberton many times: “Charisma, winsomeness, popularity, charm, cleverness can matter.

The greater testimony, however, comes from a character shaped by the love of Jesus, consistently demonstrated in ordinary action.”1

This is not weak leadership—this is strong leadership. And I would argue that this is the sort of leadership that makes Baptist ecclesiology work, particularly congregational governance! This is the type of leader I aspire to be.

What will be some of your initial priorities?

After ‘keeping our eyes on Jesus’ I have set myself a few personal initial priorities. I want to communicate well with people so they know what I’m doing and thinking. I have set myself a goal of phoning at least one Baptist pastor a day. It is important for me that they know I respect the work they are doing and that I want to help them the best that I can. Please follow me on Facebook or Instagram!

Another initial goal is to develop strong relationships with the regional associations, particularly the chairs and regional mission leaders.

I think this is crucial to the health of our movement.

I also want to work hard with the staff team at the National Centre.

They do an amazing job in serving us and I want to get to know them well.

Also, I think it is important for me to generate conversation about who we are as a movement in 2019. I hope to start doing this at the Baptist LEAD Conference in June. Can I encourage anyone involved in ministry and mission to attend—I am keen for lots of discussion and interaction. We need you there!

I hope too that people will begin to pick up my commitment to the development of new faith communities—the unleashing of our resources to proclaim and embody the Kingdom of God. What have you been reading?

The other day I read a comment by Andrew Menzies and Dean Phelan (Kingdom Communities, Morning Star, 2018). They write “we are living in a cultural moment that is calling followers of Christ to be more biblical,

flexible, creative, and meaningful in the birth and support of what we call ‘Kingdom Communities.’”

This sentence is going to be a good challenge for me as national leader. I want to facilitate discussion with people that results in the birth and support of Kingdom communities.

Together, we must become more flexible, creative and meaningful in the way we use our resources, in how we spend our time, in how we define leadership, and in how we empower our emerging generations.

How was your first week?

The horrific events in Christchurch in March really defined my first week.

What a privilege to be able to visit the city on your behalf and to participate in services of prayer and lament with our Baptist family. To hear and see the way people were actively providing pastoral care to those suffering was humbling. Thank you again, Canterbury, for showing us what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

I also became quickly aware of the international family that we belong to—the World Baptist Alliance.

I received messages of support for Christchurch and Muslim people from every continent, including countries I never imagined. I love the church!

I appreciate that I have much to learn. While I know I won’t always get it right, I will work the best that I can, “depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me” (Colossians 1:29 NLT). Please be aware I will need lots of help and encouragement!

Story: Charles Hewlett Charles is the national leader of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand. He is often heard saying, “I love Jesus. I love the Bible. I love the gospel. I love the church. And I love mission.”

1. Mark Labberton, Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today (Downers Grove: Inter-Varsity Press, 2014), 8.

Sin is never the last word In the midst of great tragedy, we’ve been deeply encouraged in Canterbury by your prayer, support and financial generosity over the last few weeks.

Thank you so much.

Churches across our region changed their services significantly following the shooting. We also met together for a combined prayer vigil at Oxford Terrace Baptist Church. Everyone hugely appreciated the presence and support of our new national leader, Charles Hewlett, over the 15th March weekend. There was also a citywide vigil for all churches across the denominations, who met to pray.

If your church is taking an offering, please deposit funds into the Baptist Union account 02-0232-0146287-04 and reference this as ‘Chch Relief’. The Baptist Union is working with the Canterbury Westland Baptist Association in regards to the best ways for this to be used.

Please pray for: • Comfort and healing for the families who are grieving.

• Strength and hope for all walking alongside the Muslim families, particularly our churches who are very close to those affected.

• Courage and wisdom for the Canterbury Youth Services staff as they navigate preparations for Easter Camp.

• Peace and healing over Canterbury.

Romans 5:20 reads, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (NIV). Sin is never the last word. Please pray that the Christians in our region will apprehend the grace of God all the more at this time, and live out the call to be the bearers of God’s grace, particularly to the stranger and those on the margins in our midst.

Kim Peters Regional Mission Leader On behalf of our Baptist Church family in Canterbury.

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Baptist / C U L T U R E

the impossible God See what the Lord has done!

In 2010 Akang Ko and his wife Xiaoou Tang settled in Palmerston North to make a fresh start. Today he is an associate pastor at Palmerston North Central Baptist Church. It is a lifestyle far removed from the one he formerly experienced in the entertainment industry. Here Akang shares his testimony.

2010 年高继康和太太唐小鸥定居在北帕莫斯頓，重新開始他們 新的生活。今天他成為了北帕中央浸信会中文堂牧师，他現在 的生活方式跟以前在娛樂圈的生活完全不一样。以下就是阿康 Stephen Hocking/unsplash.com

的見证。

I

grew up in Hong Kong. After high school, I began work at a television station. For 10 years I was involved in the production of multiple TV shows and became responsible for special broadcasts such as beauty pageants, fundraising programmes for several hospitals, and music shows. I met many singers in the process and made a lot of showbiz contacts, including important figures at various record companies.

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GOD MADE POSSIBLE W H AT WA S I M P O S S I B L E— FREEDOM FROM ADDICTION. About 1990 one such record business asked me if I wanted to become a promotions manager. I had only ever worked as a scriptwriter and I didn’t have a musical background, but that didn’t concern the company; they were more interested in my industry connections. I was eager to develop my skills, and the salary they were offering was attractive, so I accepted. Within eight years I became the director of marketing for an international company. It was the first of several ‘impossible’ turning points in my life.

Addiction Through my job I worked with many famous singers. I had a high salary, and a flash car and home, but the role also brought incredible pressure.

Budgets and pop charts defined my life.

To de-stress, I turned to marijuana.

This daily habit eventually led to cocaine use. Within two or three years, I was addicted. I was eventually fired from my job. The wealth I had built up over the years was squandered on drugs. I lost my car, my home and my girlfriend.

My family tried to help me. They sent me to a hospital, but because Hong Kong hospitals do not have detox wards, I spent a year in psychiatric care. My sister is a Christian and she tried to share the gospel with me.

On the night I was released, I rented a room on my own. I planned to find

work and go back to a normal life, but within three hours I had purchased drugs. I began using more than before and soon was addicted again.

However, this time it was different.

Every time I took drugs, I felt sick and suicidal. Several times I threw my drug paraphernalia out the window, only to return to my addiction once more. I hated myself, but fortunately my second ‘impossible’ was about to occur.

Freedom During the three months after I was released from hospital, I had many hallucinations. In one of these I clearly heard a voice say, “Akang, do not take drugs. Jesus loves you.” I replied, “If Jesus loves me, is there anything in the Bible to say people should not take drugs?” The voice said, “Yes, open the Bible to 1 Corinthians 6:12.”

I got my sister’s Bible, turned to the passage and read: “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are beneficial. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” I asked the voice, “Why are you helping me?” The reply was: “Because we are all children of God.” This made me determined to fight again. I went to a Christian rehab programme in China. Day after day I rose early in the morning to pray and read the Bible, and did the same after lunch and dinner, and then I slept. You could call it a ‘gospel detoxification’.

Yes, God’s method really is that simple—relying not on drugs, but on Jesus alone. Other programmes focus on the physical being only, but Jesus deals with our hearts, our sin, pride and inferiorities. God made possible what was impossible—freedom from addiction.

A change of direction It was while I was at the rehab centre that I met my future wife. She was visiting from New Zealand and had brought a relative to the centre. When she returned home, we kept in contact by email.

When I was about to graduate from the programme I asked the pastor who ran it whether I could study theology.

From my Bible reading and prayer, I believed I was being led away from the entertainment industry.

The pastor said to me, “Have you ever thought about working for God? Come to Taiwan, the future mission field to the Chinese. But you will need to learn Mandarin as well as theology.”

In 2010, after my four years of theological training in Taiwan, my wife and I married in Hong Kong and we settled in Palmerston North, to minister to Chinese in our community.

According to the 2013 census, almost 10% of this city’s population is of Asian ethnicity.

It was in Palmerston North that God also made another ‘impossible’ possible: at the age of 50, I became a father for the first time. My son is a gift from God. My past lifestyle was self-destructive but God is rebuilding me. My entertainment career taught me many communication skills but some of those skills are manipulative and I do not want to use them anymore. I am re-learning how to interact with people in a way that gives God joy. My new life is a simple one. Every day I say, “I don’t deserve this.”

Story: Akang Ko Akang is an associate pastor at Palmerston North Central Baptist Church, where he ministers to Chinese people. His ministry now extends beyond Palmerston North, to Levin and Whanganui. His vision is sharing the gospel to all Chinese people in the Manawatu region.

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Baptist / C H I L D & F A M I L Y

from

the mouths of babes

Impacting your church with child-led worship

Every once in a while, a child hits us with a profound thought that comes out of their innocent point of view. It causes us to rethink our preconceived notions, brings us back to reality, or merely simplifies our outlook. Then we lovingly and a bit sarcastically quote, “And a little child shall lead them.” It’s true that kids can point out the obvious and teach lead? What if we encouraged them to lead? And—are you ready for this?—what if we encouraged them to lead adults?

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Sean Waller

us a thing or two, but, as Tina Houser asks, what if we intentionally taught them to

S

mall and medium-size churches, sit up and take notice of what I’m going to say here because you’ve got an advantage over megachurches. Because of the intimacy and the small community atmosphere of your congregation, you have an incredible opportunity to make something wonderful happen, not just with the children in your care, but also with the entire church. You’re at the advantage because of your size!

As part of your programme, children can learn about leading worship, and I’m not talking about leading other children. Children, when given direction and supervision, can be a remarkable addition to the leadership of the corporate worship service.

In megachurches, there are so many talented and capable adults who can lead, but it’s not always the case at the more common size local congregation with its three-digit attendance. It’s a perfect environment to introduce children to what it means to lead in worship and to have instilled in them that they truly are important to this particular body of believers.

The benefits to the congregation are numerous. These benefits include:

1

Enthusiasm When children are included in worship leadership, they bring with them a certain enthusiasm and light‑heartedness, and that’s something everybody needs to be reminded of. After all, the scriptures tell us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Children bring a smile, either to our faces or to our hearts, but really what they bring is strength.

One of the most difficult things for anyone to do when they come into worship is to leave their worries of everyday life at the door and give God their undivided attention. Children have a blessed way of breaking down barriers, refocusing our attention, and moving us physically into a more relaxed state. With that accomplished, everyone is definitely more ready to worship.

I heard a lady say one day, “When I walk in the door on Sunday and see that the children will be singing, I know it’s going to be a good morning. They always set the tone for praising.” They change an atmosphere of quiet and tradition and stoic faces to one of celebration and praise!

2

Hope When children are involved in the corporate worship leadership, it gives adults hope. It’s easy to feel hopeless when every form of electronic communication delivers news of disasters and moral failures. The trap of hopelessness snatches people when they’re in the middle of a personal crisis. But when we witness children

‘getting it’ and really leading with their hearts, it fills that empty tank with fresh hope. They realise that what we’re doing here does matter. We are making a difference.

Our commitment to the Lord with our time, money and dedication will change tomorrows because of these children. As attorney and author John Whitehead is often attributed as saying, “Children are the living messages we send to a time we will never see.” Hopelessness makes us fear the message that children might take into the future, but witnessing children truly worshipping revives the hope that the living message we send to that time we will never see is a message full of God’s promise.

3

Inspiration Children can also be an inspiration and motivator for adults. When adults witness children reciting passages of Scripture by memory, they can’t run from that moment when they are challenged to rethink what they’ve personally done to engrave God’s Word on their own hearts.

Families who know how much time and rehearsal have gone into being able to give God their best can’t help but re-evaluate how they prepare for being part of worship.

It breaks my heart when adults get up to share a solo, and they start off by saying, “I didn’t know what to sing, and this song came to me this morning in the shower.”

What a terrible attitude for anyone to admit and an awful message to send to kids.

Children, in contrast, take the part they play in worship seriously and will work for months in order to participate.

That kind of commitment will raise the bar for adults as they contemplate their part in the service.

4

Growth Another delightful benefit of including children in worship leadership is that it leads to numerical and spiritual growth. Grandparents who have not attended church in years have been known to start coming because their grandchildren were regularly part of the worship leadership. That led to those grandparents offering their hearts to the Lord and families being

WHEN CHILDREN ARE INCLUDED IN WORSHIP L E A D E R S H I P, T H E Y BRING WITH THEM A C E R TA I N E N T H U S I A S M . v.135 no.2 † tekau mā toru 13

Baptist / C H I L D & F A M I L Y

Leading in worship is the perfect place to teach children to serve the Lord with excellence. changed. School teachers invited to see one of their students in a musical led to devoted and hungry disciples of Christ.

Children have enormous influence over what adults do and are anxious to share what they are doing in worship with the special people in their lives. The inhibitions of asking someone to join you at church that seem to be part of getting older aren’t yet present in kids. They are anxious to invite others to anything that is exciting to them, and leading worship is just that. When was the last time you really sensed that an adult was excited about leading worship? Oh, yes, a little child will lead them.

5

Children’s ministry As the children get more and more involved in worship, it will benefit your local children’s ministry efforts in unexpected ways. The adults who make decisions at the church will have a more positive attitude about other things that are going on with the kids. They will be more likely to allocate funds and lend their support and encouragement because they witness something powerful going on.

In a smaller church, pastors are often not as hesitant to give children that initial opportunity to lead in worship, and maybe that’s because there’s a common atmosphere that “we’re all family here.” Those opportunities lead to lifelong commitment to worship leadership

and accepting the call into full-time ministry. What pastor wouldn’t love to look back in retirement and know that they were part of that?

Child-led worship fundamentals There are some key elements to keep in mind, though, which keep children’s leadership from having a ‘show and tell’ performance characteristic and move it toward actually getting all ages to focus their hearts and minds on worshipping God. First of all, monitor the vocabulary you use. Drop the words performance, show, recital and act from anything you might say to the children when referring to the part they will play in the worship service. It is critical to teach a humble attitude of offering yourself to the Lord, an attitude that is expected of anyone who leads in worship.

This attitude has to be the focal point of everything you do with the kids as they prepare. If the children approach what they are doing in the worship service the same as they would their part in a music recital or school play, then there’s no reason to do it. Their mindset must be to bring God glory, not to get any kind of applause themselves. Waving to parents and bowing for applause have no place, because they don’t fit into the purpose of pointing others to God. By watching adults, children may get locked into thinking that leading worship means singing. Singing is a great way, but kids can introduce adults to other ways. Individually or in small groups, kids can share memorised passages of Scripture, be included on the worship team, share an offertory on the instrument they play, learn sign language to a song, ring bells, be included in a skit, or make a video representing the theme of the service. You might just find the adults swiping a few ideas for themselves.

Leading in worship is the perfect place to teach children to serve the Lord with excellence. God deserves the best we have to give. He doesn’t

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ask us to be perfect, but he does ask for our best. We can do that by being totally prepared. As the children work toward the day when they will share in worship, help them understand that if they’re not completely ready, then their part will have to take place at a later time. Our serving should never be half-hearted or make-do. It’s not uncommon for children to work for months preparing for one service.

What a great example!

First steps If you’re in a small or medium-size church and are wondering what kind of impact children’s ministry could have on your congregation and community, make one of your first steps to find ways that kids can share in worship. Be ready for a transformation because your church will love it!

Story: Tina Houser After 40 incredible years in children’s ministry within the local church, Tina thrives on being able to train those who share her passion for reaching kids for the Kingdom. She is a member of the Kidmin Academy faculty, and a faculty member of Kidmin Academy Next, which focuses on next-level leadership.

Tina has authored 19 books, the latest one being Fascinating Preschoolers, and a book to help grandparents be a spiritual influence on their grandchildren will come out July 2019.

She loves—really loves—spending time with her three grandkids who give her tons of ideas to use in Kidmin and refer to her as Silly Grandma. Check out tinahouser.net.

This article appears on ChurchLeaders.com at https://bit.ly/2NgspA8 and is used with the author’s permission.

Baptist / N E I G H B O U R H O O D & J U S T I C E

God prepares the

table Russell McMahon

Sharing the love of Jesus

Henderson Baptist Church’s community meal has been running weekly for almost seven years. Larissa Tamaseu shares how it all began when God spoke to her at a conference.

“When we reach out to others, we complete our worship.” – Marjie Dempster1

I

have been going to the Sistas Conference for about eight or nine years. It is a time to enjoy worship and a word from God. Sometimes I come out feeling more nourished in my personal walk; other times I feel directed to do something. It’s fantastic. I’m definitely addicted to it!

At the 2011 conference one of the speakers talked about how we have to reach out to the community. I felt like God said, “Listen.” It wasn’t anything specific at that point. I just sensed I needed to pay attention. Later another presenter talked about feeding the 5,000. The Holy Spirit gave me excitement and clarity as I realised that starting a community meal was what God wanted me to do. What better way to share the love of Jesus than feeding the needy and homeless?

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Baptist / N E I G H B O U R H O O D & J U S T I C E

It was confirmed through a conversation with another lady from Henderson Baptist. She mentioned how some homeless people had broken into one of the rooms at the church and had stolen basic essentials like toothpaste and toothbrushes. It struck me how they were really struggling.

I also knew this idea was from God, not me, because food and meals and setting up stuff like that is not my thing!

Sharing the vision The church had held a Guy Fawkes event on the Friday night of Sistas. When I got back to church on Sunday, I couldn’t believe how many people were talking about how wonderful it was that some homeless and hungry people had come in and ate with the church.

I thought, “Oh my gosh, you put this on my heart, God, and I have walked into church and you have already changed all their hearts.”

I’m not a book person but I wrote down what I thought we’d need to do to set up a community meal—the goals,

W H AT B E T T E R WAY T O SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS THAN FEEDING THE NEEDY AND HOMELESS? 16 tekau mā ono † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

vision and the basics. I then approached our pastors and the eldership, who supported the idea.

Getting started God was already leading me to where I needed to go for sponsorship. I sent an email to a local PAK’nSAVE store.

I didn’t get any reply but I felt to keep persevering. So, every week I would send another email. I had a little conversation with God about it on the fourth time. I said, “OK, God, this is the last email. If this is the sponsor we are meant to get, then you do it.”

Less than two minutes after I sent that email, I got a phone call from the supermarket owner. The reason he hadn’t replied earlier was because he had just bought the business and was setting it up. They agreed to be one of our sponsors and for nearly seven years they have donated dry goods, tinned food and dairy products. At the time my husband Paul was working for another supermarket and they also have provided us with food.

I felt God say to approach a certain family-run greengrocer store. I said, “God, there are five veggie shops in Henderson. Why am I going there specifically?” But when I did, the connection was amazing. A family member had been best man for one of the guys from our church. The father said, “Oh, you’re local. I think that is fantastic. Yes, we will support this.” And they have done so all that time, until their shop was gutted by an electrical fire late last year.

We started the community meal in the church foyer and used a small kitchen near the front of the church for meal preparation. As the numbers coming increased, we shifted it to the church hall. We received funding to help to pay for

a beautiful big kitchen right next to the hall, which is much more practical.

Outcomes This ministry has blessed both guests and servers. The families and homeless people who come, find friendship and love. It is a safe place for them to socialise. We have also pointed a few people who were sleeping rough to alternative accommodation. Once the meal is finished and the hall has been cleared up, there is a fun kids’ programme, while the adults go to the foyer for tea, coffee and biscuits.

From the beginning we have included a short devotion during the meal. A lot of the guests don’t go to church, so this way they hear a bit of God’s Word. They don’t say, “That was fantastic,” or anything, but some of it must stick. For example, once I gave a devotion about love and acts of kindness. A lady that came to the meal was so moved she invited one of the homeless people to stay at her home for the night.

Some community meal members now attend Henderson Baptist regularly. Likewise, some of the

children have joined our youth group.

We’ve even had people come to our church because they have heard about what we’ve been doing and they want to join a church that is active in the community.

Although we are an average-size church, we have four teams, with each team serving once a month. A few people from other churches come to help, like a Catholic church down the road from us. For the servers, beyond the buzz of volunteering and team work, it has turned our hearts to the homeless and to having more empathy for people from all walks of life.

It has been great for my family. My youngest son was quite sickly when he was born, so Paul took over organising the community meal. He loves it; giving and serving is a real joy for him.

My 16-year-old son has helped with setting up, too.

Where to next?

At the time of writing both the PAK’nSAVE and the greengrocer stores are closed for refurbishment, so we are seeking more sponsors for the community meal. In the meantime, God has prepared the hearts of the

church for us to be able to pay for it for the next little while. And he will provide whatever we need.

If your church is considering starting a community meal, pray and ask for God’s wisdom and guidance all the time, because he will be the one to lead it and help it grow.

Story: Larissa Tamaseu Larissa is wife to Paul and the mother of four boys, one of whom is severely autistic. She is also a part-time hairdresser and image consultant.

She loves to serve God and make connections with fellow Christians, supporting and encouraging them.

1. Marjie Dempster, “I Was a Stranger...” in The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide May-June 2009 Vol 75 No 2, ed.

Stephen Bryant and Raymond Hughes (Unley: MediaCom Education Inc., 2009), 55.

v.135 no.2 † tekau mā whitu 17

When the Spirit moves...

HE MOVES! Making space for spontaneity

At the 2018 LEAD Conference, Markus Schonberger spoke about making room for the Holy Spirit to move during church services. He said, “At times it gets messy, but I’d rather have that than people not experience the voice of God.” We asked Markus to tell us more about how this is happening where he pastors, at Putaruru Baptist Church.

Y

ou can’t manufacture a move of God. God is sovereign, and when he moves, he moves. However, we can position ourselves. It is about being humble and looking to him, and about creating room and giving the Lord opportunity.

When we arrived to pastor this church 11 ½ years ago, it was small and fragmented. The vision the Lord gave me was of a manikin that had been kicked over. All the body parts were there but everything was doing its own thing. I felt the Lord say to me, “I’m calling the Putaruru Baptist family back to unity.”

He gave me the illustration of tuning a piano with a tuning fork. Jesus is our tuning fork and we all need to be in tune with him. So for us it began with a call to put our eyes back on the Lord. Through that he drew us together.

You can feel the love of God in this place. While people might shy away from some of the spiritual gifts, nobody shies away from the love of God. And when people feel loved and accepted, they feel safe to share.

Spontaneity in our services Often at the end of a song in our services, people will break out into prophetic word or God will give them a Bible verse to read out. I tell our worship leaders, “Just pause. Give people the opportunity to respond. You will sense God is doing

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Hannah Merritt/lightstock.com

Baptist / L E A D E R S H I P

W hen people feel loved and accepted, they feel safe to share. something here. Allow the silence and through that people will begin to share.”

A recent Sunday was a great example. One person spoke the Lord’s word to us powerfully. Another person brought a psalm. A third person prayed about our eyes being fixed on the Lord. A few others spoke too. I was one of the singers that Sunday. I nudged the elder standing beside me, grinned, and said, “I don’t need to preach now. They have said everything that was in my message.”

Sometimes someone will start singing praise and worship in response to the word that is given, and everyone will join in. It is not planned; it is not part of the repertoire of songs for the day. We had a really full service on Christmas Day last year and this happened then as well. We didn’t sing all the carols we had planned to, but God moved powerfully.

Parameters and practicalities Paul talks in 1 Corinthians 14:3 about prophecy being for the building up of a church. In the past there were times when we opened up the service for people to share but didn’t put any parameters around it. We are more cautious now, reminding people that the purpose of sharing and allowing the Holy Spirit to move through them is always to edify, encourage or comfort. God never wants to do anything in a destructive way. So, if someone has a word from the Lord that they feel is corrective or directive, they must run it by the elders or the pastoral team first.

On a practical note, we used to have someone run around with a cordless microphone so everybody could hear very clearly. There are two reasons we don’t do that anymore. One is that it actually stifled the spontaneity. And two, there were some individuals who liked the microphone a little too much! We have found that what people say can still be picked up through our sound system pretty well when we record the service, without a microphone needing to be there.

When spontaneity gets messy In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul writes about testing and holding on to what is good and true. It is important that we do that. None of us hear perfectly all of the time. We are all fallible. When we keep that in mind, it is not so difficult to bring a little bit of correction if needed, while still affirming the person.

Several years ago, a young lady who was normally quite reserved came to church dressed in white and with bare feet. God brought her a word that was powerful and transformative for many. Of her attire, she said, “God is only

having me say this once in this way.” But the following two weeks she got up and again spoke in the same manner.

I was not convinced it was just God anymore so I met later with her and her husband. “The first word you brought was undoubtedly the Lord and the fruit is there. We can see people really changed as a result,” I said. “But you also said that was the only time you were going to bring the word like that, and you have done it twice since. Can I ask you to pray about whether this is from God or not?” They agreed to do that. She did not speak again in the church, feeling that, yes, maybe this had been a little bit about her. It was a slightly messy situation but I am glad we dealt with it in that way.

Another time a lady told me God wanted her to speak to the church that day. When I asked her to tell me what it was about, she refused. Because it sounded like it would be a word of correction or direction, I said, “Well, you need to share it with me, and if you can’t, then, sorry, I can’t let you speak to the church.”

She got upset with me. It was before the church service and we had a prayer meeting. I could hear her in the background, telling others, “Markus won’t let me speak to the church this morning.” I quietly tapped an elder and a couple of others on the shoulder, and said, “We need to pray for her. She is determined to speak to the church, and it’s not right this morning.” So, we quietly prayed and the funniest thing happened—in that moment, as we prayed, she lost her voice!

Sometimes people can share something that is a little offensive to others. We had one person who spoke out of brokenness. That was messy in the sense that people were upset. I went and saw the person. I said, “You spoke with conviction but could it be that this was a word for you as an individual, not for the church as a whole?” Initially they got defensive but then they quietly prayed about it and said, “Yes, God has put his finger on things in my life where he wants to bring healing and a change of attitude.”

I have lost lots of sleep at times when I have heard God say, “I want you to go and see this individual about what they have said.” I have prayed through the night, “Lord, how do I go to this person and deal with the issue and see them actually grow through this and grow nearer to you?”

That’s the aim of everything. We want people to become more like Christ. That means we bring correction, but it has got to be done in love. Hebrews tells us only illegitimate children go without discipline. It’s not always easy, but in the end it is fruitful.

Remember the gift-giver Sandwiched between what Paul says in regards to gifts of the Spirit and prophecy in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14 is the ‘love chapter’. All these things need to be done out of the love of God and out of relationship with him through Jesus Christ. If it is just about the gifts, we can quickly forget about the Gift‑giver.

v.135 no.2 † tekau mā iwa 19

Baptist / L E A D E R S H I P

I ’ D S AY TO EVERY MINISTER AND CHURCH, JUST KEEP PRESSING INTO GOD FOR MORE. I often tell people about an uncle of mine. When I was a kid, he lived two houses down the road from us on the same street. The only time we ever heard from him was when he needed to borrow a tool of Dad’s or wanted something. It used to really annoy me. I thought, “You are my uncle.

Why don’t you just want to come

be pressing into him, holding the Word before him, praying Scripture, and allowing the Holy Spirit to move. I really believe that the best is yet to come.

I am looking forward to the day that our church building is not big enough to hold everyone who comes along!

around and spend time with us?”

If we just run after the gifts and the manifestations of the Spirit, we can be like my uncle, when what God wants is deep relationship with us. It’s hugely important that it’s out of relationship that we do all things.

Don’t get comfortable What we are seeing happening at Putaruru Baptist is largely due to a lot of prayer—three prayer meetings a week and much prayer individually.

The risk is that we get comfortable.

We can think, “God, this is great what you have done here.” But God has so much more for us. I’d say to every minister and church, just keep pressing into God for more.

I think about us as Baptists and how there has been a lot of talk about decline in numbers. We need to push back against that and remember what Jesus says: “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). We need to

Story: Markus Schonberger Markus has been pastoring at Putaruru Baptist Church for more than 11 years.

He is married to Leanne, who is a vital part of the team.

PASTORS! How are you financially providing for your retirement?

The issuer is Baptist Retirement Trustee Limited

The Baptist Union Superannuation Scheme is tailored for people in pastoral positions in Baptist Churches.

Your terms of call should have provision for such an arrangement.

You contribute 6% of your stipend and your church similarly of which a proportion is deducted for tax. Investment earnings are exempt from tax.

Talk with your treasurer and request a Product Disclosure Statement from the Scheme Administrator admin@buss.org.nz.

Windsor Funerals’ new premises officially opened On Friday 22nd February 2019 the new premises of Windsor Funerals on Auckland’s North Shore were officially opened by local Northcote (National) MP Dan Bidois.

Windsor Funerals is the fifth social enterprise business unit of Windsor Park Hub Limited, a charitable company set up by Windsor Park Baptist Church to be an expression of the church in the marketplace. Business-as-mission has been part of Windsor Park Baptist’s story for the past eight years.

Since its foundations in May 2017

Windsor Funerals has conducted more than 80 funerals from its base in offices at Windsor Park Baptist Church.

However, the intention was always to develop its own specialist premises. An opportunity arose in an old optometrist building in neighbouring Glenfield. After six months of renovations, a spacious and modern facility has been procured.

This comprises offices, meeting rooms, a 24-hour viewing facility for families, and modern service rooms that Windsor Funerals now offers to support other local funeral operations.

MP Dan Bidois (2nd from right) cuts the ribbon of the new premises.

Senior Pastor Grant Harris said that the planting of this missional business has been a dream come true.

“I’d thought about this idea for over a decade, but God’s timing is always perfect. Our manager, Hazel James, and funeral director, Ryan Berry, came along at the right time and have been instrumental in living out the mission of the business.”

Windsor Funerals is only the second charitable full-service funeral business in New Zealand and the only one fully owned by a local church.

Mr Bidois said it was a privilege to formally open the new premises, being only the second ribbon-cutting ceremony that he’s been part of, and certainly the only funeral business he’s officially opened.

“It’s incredible that a local church would have the courage to undertake this endeavour,” he said. “The Government needs to somehow support social enterprise more comprehensively, as this is making a difference for people in our communities.”

v.135 no.2 † rua tekau mā tahi 21

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Our stories

Baptist / O U R S T O R I E S

Baptist

bike

ministry Baptists in Christchurch are exploring lifestyles that show our care for God’s creation. Transport is one area where significant changes can easily be made to our environmental impact.

Carrying loads is a common barrier for making more journeys by bicycle, but with a suitable trailer, any shopping or carrying of big objects suddenly becomes much easier to do by bike.

In October 2018 Oxford Terrace Baptist Church hosted a workshop where 14 participants made their own bike trailers from recycled pallets. I provided the tow bar, hitch and wheel attachments, and everyone had a great time practicing their woodwork skills, reconstructing the pallets into a bike trailer after three hours of work. The parts cost $50, with some funding to help subsidise the costs.

One load usually carried by car is a kayak, but often multi-sport kayakers want to train for cycling as well, so why not cycle your kayak to the water on a trailer?

In February 2019 six members of the Oxford Terrace Baptist and South West Baptist churches demonstrated how enjoyable this can be. They went on a week-long holiday from Christchurch to the West Coast and back again, towing kayaks behind tandem bikes. The journey involved biking around 450 km, walking 30 km over the Southern Alps and kayaking 67 km down the Waimakariri River. The tandem bikes were used to pick up half the team at the other end of the walk/kayak section. I am building more kayak trailers to encourage others to take up the pastime.

It has been encouraging to see environmental issues being discussed more frequently in the Baptist magazine and Baptists being involved in a variety of conservation work. It would be good to see creation‑care practices continue to build in all churches around New Zealand as we seek solutions to one of the biggest spiritual issues of our day.

Story: Steve Muir Member of Oxford Terrace Baptist Church

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Te Atatū Baptist Church’s new pātaka kai (free open street pantry) is a hit with the local community. The sign on the pantry says it all: ‘Take what you need. Leave what you can’. And plenty of both are happening. Locals stock the shelves with tinned and packaged goods, or fresh vegetables from their own gardens; those needing food help themselves.

“The Bible tells us we should feed the hungry. This is a really simple way of doing that,” says the church’s new pastor, Debbie Spackman. “It governs itself; the food just comes in and goes out. We haven’t had any issues of produce sitting out and going bad. You can go down there four times in a day and it will have completely different items in it each time.

Tindall Foundation changes Baptist Churches of New Zealand are faith funding managers for the Tindall Foundation and have given away more than $2m to community initiatives over the last 10 years.

The criteria to receive these donations is changing and all projects will now fit into a ‘Families’ category.

The Tindall Foundation wants to see tamariki/ children, rangatahi/young people and their whānau/families resilient, secure and thriving. Their work prioritises whānau/families who experience multiple and intergenerational disadvantage.

We are looking for projects that support children through their early years, support young people’s well-being, and ensure the goals and aspirations of families are met in a holistic way.

If you think you are working in this space and could do with some funding advice, please contact Fiona Maisey at the Baptist National Centre Ph 09 526 7956 for more information.

Please note, some exclusions do still apply.

David Spackman led the build team and Manuela Mayow was the driving force behind the pātaka kai.

property to include space for social housing—to more of the simple, like installing a u-shaped seat at the front of their site as a place for passers-by to sit and talk.

come andsee nau mai kia kite ā kanohi

open day

Te Atatū pātaka kai

“I think sometimes it can be hard for people to go to food banks and ask for a parcel when they might just need a loaf of bread to get them to the end of the day when they get paid or something like that. Even if one family gets helped by some food in a week, then it’s worth it.”

The pantry is one of several plans that were on hiatus while the church journeyed alongside Debbie and her family as her husband, Roger, faced terminal illness. Sadly, he died in August 2018.

“We’re not a very big church,” says Debbie. “With Roger being unwell, everybody had to, as we termed it, ‘pick up suitcases’ to help each other through the airport, as it were. By the end of last year particularly, we were all weary.”

Now, while they still mourn Roger’s passing, they are picking up their plans once again. These range from the large-scale—developing the church

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Baptist / O U R S T O R I E S

Waitangi Community Fun Day Two Rivers Community Trust (Darfield Baptist Church) hosted its fifth Waitangi Community Fun Day on 6th February.

With the busyness of the start of the school year, many took the opportunity the event provided to catch up with friends, share food and listen to music. The attractions, which were all free, included novelty bikes, bumper boats, bumper balls, archery, pony and vintage fire engine rides, face painting, balloon creations, sack races, tug-of-war and continuous cricket. Repurposing coffee cups by sowing seeds to plant in the garden was a hit, together with the community garden produce giveaway.

“It was a wonderful opportunity to share with people about how the community pantry works in the community garden,” says event organiser, Kelly Maude. “Glass jars were also repurposed as vases with some beautiful flower arrangements with contributions from local gardens. It was lovely to see all ages having a go at flower arranging and realising how therapeutic it is!

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“We enjoyed a fabulous day and created our own sunshine, as it had gone into hiding behind the clouds again this year. Many commented, though, on the welcome break in the hot weather, which was testament to the great positive attitude our community has to get together for events such as this.”

Kelly says the event began five years ago as a ‘Community Country Picnic’. As it has grown over time, it has evolved to a 'Fun Day', to communicate a clear message to the community about being together for some free fun.

“Being a public holiday right at the beginning of the year, it is getting harder to get volunteer and community involvement in the event. People want to be involved, but are already at maximum capacity. So, we need to be smart about how we acknowledge and work with that. Hiring more activities costs us more to organise, but the freedom for our community just to be there to have fun, and the far‑reaching positive impacts, are well worth it.”

It has been a real privilege to walk the journey with the national leader call team over the past six months and to see Charles Hewlett welcomed into the role so warmly. Charles is no stranger to our movement; as principal of our college we have been exposed to his passion for Jesus and his gospel, the Bible, the church and the development of God’s people for the work of ministry.

Charles loves being Baptist, and in his words “is looking forward to developing a culture of confidence and excitement in our movement—where people are proud to be Baptist and for very good reasons.” We will be having an official commissioning for him at a date yet to be determined at the

writing of this article. This event will be advertised widely and all are welcome to attend.

Assembly Council normally has two meetings during summer. One was in December, where we welcomed new members voted in at our Hui, discussed regular updates, and reviewed our year. Our two-day retreat planned for February was rescheduled so the new national leader could be welcomed and engaged in the planning and visioning for the coming year.

Summer was especially busy for me as volunteer chairman. As well as being involved in our national leader search team, I also transitioned into a new role with Bethlehem Baptist Church and moved my family south from ‘the big smoke’.

I look forward to what God has in store for us as a movement in this coming year. As a leader on your behalf, I leave you with the encouragement from the Apostle Paul

to the young Thessalonian church: “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3 NIV).

Ngā mihi nui Rob Stacey Assembly Council Chair

Assembly Council acts as the Assembly between annual Baptist Assemblies (Hui) and provides leadership for our Baptist movement. It is responsible for establishing policies and practices consistent with the determinations of Baptist Assembly and the well‑being of the movement.

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ALL RESOURCES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FREE ONLINE

Ph: 07 573 3367 E: office@longstoryshort.co www.longstoryshort.co

Baptist / O U R S T O R I E S

>

meet… Andrew Urquhart

Radio/ TV announcer

Andrew Urquhart and his wife Johanna attend Māngere Bridge Baptist Church. Andrew is an announcer at Rhema Media, where he co-hosts a radio interview show and presents Shine TV interviews and features. This is his story.

Tell us about the Kiwi Audio Bible project you recently completed.

Rhema Media partnered with Bible Society New Zealand to produce the Kiwi Audio Bible. It is the only Kiwi-voiced audio Bible currently available in New Zealand... and it is my voice. The project took five years, with me recording weekly slots of four hours each.

That’s a mammoth commitment on your part.

What kept you going?

It was a real privilege to be involved, and it regularly gave back much more than it took. There was blessing and treasure to be found in every book. What also helped was that we recorded the New Testament first. By the time we got to some of the weightier, more challenging sections, it was too late to turn back!

One aspect I found rewarding was reading aloud. Much of the Scripture is from an oral tradition and is meant to be spoken out loud in community. I was always looking for the meaning and the emphasis of each passage, trying to find the right tone or voice.

I also enjoyed reading from the New Living Translation, as this was a version I wasn’t as familiar with. It forced my brain to retranslate it, particularly with familiar passages, and to find different ways of viewing it.

Did you feel God’s hand on this project in a special way?

There were many answers to prayer throughout the project, though most of those are easier to see looking back. At times it did feel that there was a lot of personal, or even spiritual, pressure on all of those involved in the

26 rua tekau mā ono † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

project. We often seemed to face more than an average share of obstacles and distractions. In all of that, God showed his faithfulness, and we felt a sense of purpose that encouraged us in the challenging times.

One of the most dramatic incidents was a system-wide computer crash, where all audio was lost or corrupted across the Rhema Network. Our audio engineer had the foresight to keep backup copies off-site on a separate system, which meant that we didn’t lose months of work.

What do you think is the benefit of an audio Bible?

This was a wonderful project to be involved with and I have been encouraged by how popular the Kiwi Audio Bible has become. It’s a great way for busy people to get more Bible in their lives, redeeming their commute or exercise sessions, by listening to God’s Word at the same time.

Regular Bible reading is transformational. I would encourage anyone to do it, out loud if you can. If you feel that you haven’t got time, just get your own Kiwi Audio Bible and I’ll read it for you.

Is there a new project on your horizon?

For my next challenge I’m planning to re-read the Bible in the original Greek and Hebrew, and then perhaps in Vulcan.

Not really, I think I’ll leave those projects to someone else! I remain busy with my work at Rhema Media, both in radio and TV. I’m excited about how we can take the Word of God and apply it to how we live out our faith in the communities in which God has called us to serve.

Check out an audio clip of the Kiwi Audio Bible at biblesociety.org.nz. 

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Baptist / O U R S T O R I E S

What’s on your mind?

Two reflections

All thy works shall praise thy name Psalm 29:1-2 defines worship as giving God the honour he deserves.

Rick Warren says: “Anything you do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship.”1 So, worship is not so much a ‘bless me’ exercise as a ‘bless God’ one.

Nature is tailor-made for any ‘bless God’ activity. It is both a place for, and participant in, worship.

For years I wondered why I didn’t connect with God very much through corporate worship within a church building. Then I read John Walton.

He writes: “God not only sets up the cosmos so that people will have a place; he also sets up the cosmos to serve as his temple.”2 Gary Thomas’s 1996 book Sacred Pathways identifies me as a naturalist. God communicates

Life is worship “It’s great to worship together,” I say, innocently.

“And what do you mean by worship?”

The loaded question. The trap.

“I mean singing.”

“Ah, but Pete, all of life is worship.

Watch your theology.”

Thomas Hetzler/unsplash.com

I fell straight into it. All of life is worship.

Yes, this is theologically correct.

Romans 12:1 tells us that our whole lives being lived out in ways which honour and please God are truly worship.

Singing can be worship but so also can changing the oil in the car or doing the grocery shopping. Maybe even watching the All Blacks beat Australia could be worship?

Anything it seems can be worship, except for an obvious choice to sin. Opting to spend several hours out on the water catching waves will be worship. The untamed serenity of that turbulent interface between land and sea draws me into the

28 rua tekau mā waru † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

most deeply to my heart through the

choir. That’s a key reason why I want

beauty, grandeur, space, silence,

to preserve and protect the natural

symbolism and parable of the

world. The way we treat nature either

natural world.

facilitates or frustrates, helps or

Nature is also a participant in

hinders worship. When we damage

worship. Psalm 96:13 says, “Let all

the environment, we harm not only

creation rejoice before the Lord”

a context for worship, and a source

(NIV). Throughout Scripture we see

of inspiration for worship, but also

praise to God coming from trees,

some of the very phenomena that

fields, the heavens, seas, sun, moon,

God created to render worship. I also

Reflection: Phillip Donnell

stars, clouds, ocean creatures,

regard caring for nature itself as an

lightning, hail, snow, rivers, mountains,

act of worship because those caring

hills, wild animals, cattle, birds,

actions bring God honour, bless him,

small creatures, and much more

fulfil his purposes, align with his heart’s

(1 Chronicles 16:29‑34; Nehemiah 9:6;

desire, and give him pleasure.

Phillip is the Director of New Creation New Zealand, a Christian environmental organisation that helps churches to utilise creation care as a mode and means of mission. He is happy to do presentations to groups on this theme.

Email pjdonnell@orcon.net.nz.

Isaiah 55:12-13; Revelation 5:13).

Caring for creation should become

Everything that breathes joins in

an integral expression of worship,

(Psalm 150:6). Creation’s praise is

a natural outworking of our love for

largely inanimate and inarticulate,

God and others. Conversely, when we

visual rather than verbal, but it is

fail to care for creation we may well be

nonetheless real.

dishonouring God, and causing God

Creation, then, is both temple and

presence of God. Worship, yes!

With an infinite number of possibilities for worshipful expression at my disposal, I might have little motivation to turn up to church and sing. I don’t particularly enjoy singing and, after all, ‘sung worship’ is just one option amongst a multitude of equally viable alternatives. So why bother, especially when the ocean beckons?

If Jesus paid the ultimate price to take the sin of this broken world upon himself, my sin included, surely my response in ‘worship’ to him should be intentional, deliberately honouring of him and perhaps sacrificial?

Scripture talks about a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) as an offering.

By definition, offerings, cost us. Nothing we give to God can save us, but we give sacrificially in worship because he has saved us. We sing when we don’t feel like it and we part with our cash after counting the cost because we love Jesus and we are grateful for what He has done. I will croak like a frog rather

displeasure. Food for thought.

than stay silent and I will give financially when it hurts, not because I should, but because of who he is.

All of life is supposed to be worship, but from my observations this lofty ideal can, and does, quite rapidly degenerate into worship being nothing at all. The scary part is that nobody really notices the difference, but I bet God does.

Once we uncritically adopt the ‘all of life as worship’ idea we are so easily robbed of genuine worship. Worship quickly degenerates into a meaningless ethereal concept quite detached from any tangible expression.

All of life being worship is a short step away from nothing being worship.

To keep us honest and to test our dubiously motivated hearts there are regular Sunday morning events that we can unashamedly refer to as ‘worship.’

These events require sacrifice and perhaps they even act as a litmus indicator of the degree to which the rest of our lives express worship to our God?

1. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 64.

2. John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One: Ancient Cosmology and the Origins Debate, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2009), 148. The idea that God has made the world his sanctuary finds scriptural support in Acts 7:48 and 17:24.

And so, my final statement in the short conversation should have been something like this: “All of life is worship only if I ensure that everything that I do glorifies God; and that is one pretty bold claim for somebody who cannot even bring himself to move his lips on a Sunday morning, my friend.”

Reflection: Pete Slaney Pete holds a B.Sc (Auckland University), a B.App Theol (Carey Baptist College) and a Dip Teaching. He is the principal of Immanuel Christian School in Auckland.

When he is not at work, he may be found playing music, studying God’s Word, doing DIY jobs or attempting to catch waves on his stand-up paddle board.

v.135 no.2 † rua tekau mā iwa 29

Baptist / O U R S T O R I E S

In Memoriam

Les Arnold was born in Auckland in

Men’s Missionary Fellowship. In

as a bookbinder before being accepted

1963 he was elected onto the BMMF

into the Baptist Theological College

committee and in 1965 he became the

in 1952. He completed his training in

Dominion Secretary.

1955 and in 1956 he received a call

2 December 1926 – 25 January 2019

Les was a keen photographer

to Thames Baptist Church, where he

and produced photos for weddings,

remained for five‑and-a-half years.

funerals and other celebrations

In total he had 18 years in Baptist

Leslie Samuel Arnold: Good & faithful servant

He was also involved in the Baptist

1926. After finishing school he got a job

associated with the church. He always

ministry. In addition to Thames,

took his duty of doing home visits very

he also pastored at the Merrilands

seriously and it upset him in the last

(One Tree Hill), Island Bay and Kaikohe

years of his life when he was unable to

Baptist churches. He spent more than

do this task that God had given him.

50 years in the Boys’ Brigade, and was

In January 2019 Les passed away

active in various roles at Whangarei

in Whangarei. As he was an only

Central Baptist for more than 20 years

child and never married, there is no

after his retirement.

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100 Years Ago Passing Notes A Prayer for To-day. O Lord, we praise Thy holy name, for Thou hast made bare Thine arm in the sight of all nations and done wonders. But still we cry to Thee in the weary struggle of our people against the power of drink. Remember, Lord, the strong men who were led astray and blighted in the flower of their youth. Remember the aged who have brought their gray hairs to a dishonoured grave.

Remember the homes that have been made desolate of joy, the wifely love that has been outraged in its sanctuary, the little children who have learned to despise where once they loved. Remember, O Thou great avenger of sin, and make this nation to remember. May those who now entrap the feet of the weak and make their living by the degradation of men thrust away their shameful gains and stand clear. But if their conscience is silenced by profit, do Thou grant Thy people the indomitable strength of faith to make an end of it. May all the great Churches of our land shake off those who seek the shelter of religion for that which damns, and stand

with level front against their common foe. May all who still soothe their souls with half truths, saying, "Peace, peace," where there can be no peace, learn to see through Thy stern eyes and come to the help of Jehovah against the mighty. Help us to cast down the men in high places who use the people's powers to beat back the people's hands from the wrong they fain would crush. O God, bring nigh the day when all our men shall face their daily task with minds undrugged and with tempered passions; when the unseemly mirth of drink shall seem a shame to all who hear and see; when the trade that debauches men shall be loathed like the trade that debauches women; and when all this black remnant of savagery shall haunt the memory of a new generation but as an evil dream of the night. For this accept our vows, O Lord, and grant Thine aid. Amen.

—Walter Rauschenbusch, in 'Prayer of the Social Awakening'.

Baptist magazine, April 1919

We had two comments to articles in our February/March issue.

In response to Jordyn Rapana’s article ‘A Fervour for Justice’ about Tuaiwa (Eva) Rickard, her faith and her vigorous campaign for land rights, one person wrote: “Ngā mihi nui ki a koe, Jordyn. Thank you for sharing this story. I was unaware of her faith. I have recently come to understand and now support her activism but was unaware of her faith. Thank you for sharing.” You can read Jordyn’s article at baptistmag.org.nz/a-fervour-for-justice.

And in response to the article ‘Making Poverty Personal’ by Dave Tims, someone wrote to thank Dave, saying “What a confronting and challenging article. It is a timely piece as we find ourselves talking at the water cooler about proposed models of capital gains tax.” Dave’s article can be read at baptistmag.org.nz/making-poverty-personal.

Don’t forget you can have your say by either commenting directly on articles, or by submitting a letter to the editor. The submissions can be made online at baptistmag.org.nz/submit-articles.

Linda Grigg Editor v.135 no.2 † toru tekau mā tahi 31

Directory SENIOR PASTOR

PASTOR

GAY & CHRISTIAN

PONSONBY BAPTIST

Gay & Christian support & discussion group monthly meetings

God is calling a new senior pastor to Westgate. Is this you?

We are seeking someone who: • is a courageous, relational leader with a heart after God. • is passionate about communicating the Word and inspiring people to be growing, Spirit-filled, prayerful, worshipful and missional, who will demonstrate Jesus in the community.

We want a leader to create a collaborative, inclusive, generous and transforming culture within our church family and in our homes, neighborhoods and workplaces for God’s glory.

Westgate is situated in a fast-growing diverse area of north-west Auckland.

ENQUIRIES VIA CLIFF EDMEADES cd.edmeades@gmail.com 0274 416 111

Applications close 10th May 2019

027 279 4461

“LIVING FAITH FROM THE INSIDE OUT” The Hawera Baptist Church is looking for a part-time pastor who can partner with us to spread the Good News in our community.

We are a multicultural church with approximately 40-50 attending service on Sunday mornings.

office@ponsonbybaptist.org.nz ponsonbybaptist.org.nz/gay-andchristian-information

SENIOR PASTOR

Ideally the person will be forward‑thinking and help us to further develop our model of outreach in today’s society.

Enjoy the great lifestyle that comes with living in South Taranaki.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL office@hawerabaptist.org.nz

Milford Baptist Church are looking for a senior pastor.

ALL ENQUIRES PLEASE TO MARK CAPILL 021 966 915 mark@capill.com

CONVERSATIONS ABOUT WHO WE ARE, OUR PURPOSE, AND HOW WE SERVE.

2019

REGISTER AT WWW.BAPTIST.ORG.NZ/LEAD

HUTT CITY BAPTIST

24-26 JUNE

Glo bal Mis si on

Photo of the month Between 21st and 23rd February, people from throughout Bangladesh and overseas gathered to celebrate 100 years of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship. This included a number of past and present NZBMS workers. Pictured are a number of delegates—can you spot the New Zealanders? A report of the event is on page 34.

TOG ETHER W E CA N RE A C H T H E W O RL D

v.135 no.2 † toru tekau mā toru 33

Baptist / G L O B A L M I S S I O N

A word from Rachel KA MUA, KA MURI Organisational and personal histories have always fascinated me. I think it’s the knowledge that the present is just a moment in a far broader story; and to arrive at that present point in time, many people have contributed, decisions have been made, tears have been shed and joys have been celebrated. Because of it all, the future is moulded. It’s the essence of the whakataukī, “Ka mua, ka muri,” which means "walking backwards into the future”—the concept that we look back and acknowledge the past (learning from it) as we step forward into the future.

Along with a few others from New Zealand, I was able to be present at the February centenary celebrations of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship (BBCF). This is a movement that NZBMS has had the privilege of contributing to in the past, in its establishment and subsequent development before releasing responsibilities to work alongside local leadership. As I listened to the stories of those who have come before—Kiwis, other foreigners and Bangladeshis alike—and observed the interactions of people who have served together for decades, it was hard to ignore the place of the past. There was much to celebrate and give thanks for. God’s faithfulness and hand on BBCF and Bangladesh as a nation was very evident. Our prayer remains that he will continue to be sovereign through the present and into the future for the sake of the Kingdom in this nation that has always been so close to New Zealand Baptists.

It led me to think about those of us here in New Zealand. When the future church looks back to right now, what events, people and decisions might they recognise as having shaped them, and how might they celebrate who we are now, and in the future, as they continue to serve God? Perhaps this is a challenge for us all as we form our current stories—personally and organisationally.

Ngā mihi nui Rachel Murray General Director

34 toru tekau mā whā † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

100 Years Between 21st and 23rd February 2019, the

Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship (BBCF) celebrated their centenary. Many people gathered from all over the country and overseas, including New Zealand, to remember and celebrate 100 years of God’s faithfulness to Bangladesh and his people there.

In these pages, we pay tribute to the BBCF and those who have been a part of this work.

Included below are reports from some of the people who were at the centenary celebrations— all of whom have had some part in this work.

N Z B M S

s of BBCF The first New Zealand Baptists to serve in Bangladesh arrived in 1886.

Working alongside Australian Baptists, a range of ministry activity, led mainly by women, was quickly established. As the body of local believers grew and national churches began to establish themselves, the desire for a closer association increased. NZBMS and the Australian Baptists were present at a meeting in March 1919, which resolved to establish a Baptist Union of Churches in Bangladesh. As a result, BBCF was born.

In the 100 years that have followed, we have been privileged to partner with local churches and BBCF through evangelistic work, discipleship and leadership training, medical work, education initiatives, literature publication, and relief and development work. Throughout this time, including the years of World Wars and the local Liberation War, the church in Bangladesh has continued to grow.

Today, God’s call for New Zealand Baptists to continue our involvement in mission in Bangladesh remains, although the emphasis has changed. No longer is it about programmes and initiatives we establish; today it’s about how we can partner and support our Bangladeshi brothers and sisters in the work they are doing.

Over 100 New Zealand Baptists have served in Bangladesh, and NZBMS was privileged to be represented at the centenary celebrations by some of these. Carley, Ross and Cindy are the currently serving personnel, where their focus is on education, discipleship, mentoring and leadership training. They were joined by John and Susan Osborne (1975-2016), Paul and Adrienne Thompson (1979-1999), and myself.

It was a joy to observe these people reconnect with many of those whom they served alongside in their years in Bangladesh. All current and previous New Zealand personnel were acknowledged with high regard and thanked for their input, past and present.

It was truly a privilege to be part of a local celebration of God’s faithfulness in Bangladesh knowing that, as New Zealand Baptists, we have been a small part of the work God has done here, and continues to do, through BBCF.

From Rachel Murray—NZBMS General Director

-

R E A C H I N G

T H E

W O R L D

We left Dhaka at 8.30 am on a cool morning. Blue sky sat somewhere above the smog. We had only 40 km to go. Still, the journey took over five hours. Five hours of bumps, near misses, going nowhere, sudden bursts of speed, strategic changes of direction followed by more waiting.

It felt like we’d never get there, but we did, welcomed by smiling volunteers into a huge gathering of Bangladeshi Baptist believers.

Our journey to this place was a bit like the journey we’d come to celebrate.

Over 100 years of bumpy travelling.

Spurts of growth and times of stagnation. Dangers avoided, struggles endured, and finally, in partnership, a pause, a time to look back and marvel at how far we’ve come.

I was so fortunate to be there.

My great-grandparents, Charles and Emily North, were among the early missionaries to East Bengal. Paul and I arrived 70 years later, invited into a solidly established Bengali church in Chandpur and participating with the wider group of churches that had grown from the work of New Zealand, Australian and Southern Baptists.

Worship. Teaching. Eating. Talking.

The essential components of any church celebration. It felt both familiar and different to us. Some old Bengali songs, some modern translated ones.

Long, loud sermons. Dance and drama. Rice and fish to eat with fingers.

Stories and memories shared. Hugs and conversations. “Do you remember me, Aunty?” (No, you were six!) It was such a delight to see children and young people we once knew now leaders in their congregations.

I think the words that remain for me now are ‘maturity and confidence’.

Christians are still a tiny minority in a strongly Muslim country. Many congregations are small. But they have proved God’s faithfulness over 100 years and they’re leaning into it for the next century.

From Adrienne Thompson—NZBMS Bangladesh (1979—1999)

v.135 no.2 † toru tekau mā rima 35

Baptist / G L O B A L M I S S I O N

We felt truly honoured to join the BBCF Centenary Celebrations in Bangladesh.

To see the historic pictorial presentation with so many familiar NZBMS faces made us aware of what a huge contribution has been made over 10 decades and how highly NZBMS and its people are regarded.

This relationship spans back to the first worker, Rosalie MacGeorge, who was sent out from our home church, Dunedin City Baptist Church (then Hanover St Baptist Church), in 1887. The Lord blessed her faithful service and that of those who went after her. He has grown his Kingdom through these members of NZBMS. A century on, it was a thrill to join 2,000 other delegates in rejoicing for all the Lord has done in the past 100 years.

From Trevor and Helen Geddes—Former pastors of Dunedin City Baptist Church

From our beginnings 100 years ago, BBCF is now a fellowship of 525 Churches, with over 800 full-time workers engaged in mission and ministry. One major factor contributing to this success is the long-standing commitment of mission partners like NZBMS who have focused on training, equipping and releasing indigenous local leaders.

This 100th anniversary provides a marvellous opportunity for us to ‘Reflect God’s Glory’ in our personal and church life, and renew our collective calling for evangelism and integral mission. We continue to value the approach of planting indigenous churches, and our future success will be predicated in part by our continued commitment to planting new indigenous churches, training local leaders, and valuing historical partnerships.

From Leor Sarkar, General Secretary, Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship

N O I S S I M

TRIVIA

rld’s the wo f o % s What tion live popula s? in citie ge 38 Answe

36 toru tekau mā ono † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

r on pa

N Z B M S

-

R E A C H I N G

T H E

W O R L D

Leaving a Legacy Susan Osborne reflects on events from days gone by.

Each edition, in this column, a member of Mission Council reflects on one of the themes surrounding Prayer and Self Denial 2019. This month, Rāwiri Auty reflects on “We’re making a difference.”

We all like to think we’re making a difference, don’t we? We invest our time, effort and resources into things that we care about, and we grasp onto a deep desire to see something good come of it all. Sometimes we’re delighted by what we see, but other times we wonder if the effort was really worth it.

Recently, I completed a Master’s thesis. It’s been the single hardest piece of work I’ve ever done. There were times when I wondered if it was even possible for me to achieve. More than once I spent weeks working on something that never made the final cut. Other times I found myself delighted by a piece of work, only then to discover something that challenged it so profoundly that significant changes were needed. Praise the Lord that I got it done in the end, but one question still bugs me, “Will it make any difference?”

When we’re looking for significance in the things we invest ourselves into, it’s important that we don’t become short-sighted. We need to remember that we don’t get to see all of the results of our work in a single moment in time. It’s also important to recognise that there are ups and downs on any road that takes us forward, and that we can say, like Samuel, “thus far the Lord has helped us” (1 Samuel 7:12). With that in mind, we can have confidence that he will lead us on.

With NZBMS, what we’re investing into is something much bigger than ourselves. The outcomes we see today are due to the significant contributions made yesterday. The investments we make today will determine the difference we can make tomorrow.

Yes, we’re making a difference. Let’s keep it up!

It was a sight to behold—over 2,000 people gathered together to celebrate 100 years of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship (BBCF)—the church body that we, NZBMS, have worked with since 1919.

In attendance were church leaders of many denominations, and local and foreign partners, but mostly it was ordinary church members from cities, towns and villages across the country. As Rev Prodip Dawa, President of the BBCF, stood in front of this gathering I thanked God for his life, and for the part that our mission has played in it; his story is one worth telling.

In 1917, Emma Beckingsale took in a number of widows and gave them shelter and protection on the mission compound.

An NZBMS worker, she had already been in Bangladesh for 22 years doing medical work and had been challenged by the life of those women who had been widowed. Rejected by their families, they were generally forced into begging or prostitution to provide for their children. The Home of Hope offered them an opportunity for a better life.

Rev Prodip Dawa’s mother was one of those widows. She grew up in this Home of Hope with her mother and two siblings.

Educated by the mission, she married a school teacher and lived in Agartala until her husband died of TB. With a 15-year-old daughter, and pregnant with Prodip, she returned home—back to the Home of Hope in Brahmanbaria. Here Prodip grew up as a ‘mission’ boy with his education sponsored

by NZBMS. He graduated with a BCom in 1978. Rev John Garwood mentored Prodip for several years as he worked in different Christian organisations, eventually becoming the Country Director of World Concern.

He has served the BBCF for many years as its treasurer and a pastor. His appointment as President of the BBCF in its centennial year is a great honour for him, and for NZBMS. What a tremendous return on our investment—a legacy of leadership and service.

v.135 no.2 † toru tekau mā whitu 37

Baptist / G L O B A L M I S S I O N

A DAY OF PRAYER AND ENCOURAGEMENT

SMALL BITES

COMINGS AND GOINGS… PAUL & SARAH Paul, Sarah, Mikayla and Malachi are in New Zealand on sabbatical, expecting to return to South Asia around the end of 2019. This will initially be a period of rest and healing, especially for Sarah.

Paul and Sarah are truly grateful to leave their work in the hands of a great team. Please remember Joel and Lizzie, Nathan and Rosie, Andy and Lou and their children.

We are grateful to all of you for your support of Paul, Sarah, Mikayla and Malachi. While they are here in New Zealand, they remain firmly part of our team. For that reason, it’s important that you continue supporting the family. In fact, Paul and Sarah’s support levels are actually down on where they need to be.

If you are one of Paul and Sarah’s financial supporters, please don’t stop—in fact, please consider increasing your support of this family. And don’t forget to continue to pray for Paul, Sarah, Mikayla and Malachi as they rest together, receive counselling and enjoy New Zealand.

JO & CHARLIE In late February, Jo and Charlie left New Zealand as a married couple. They are spending time with Charlie’s family and supporter churches in the UK before heading back to South Asia to resume their work in early May. JOHN & HELEN John and Helen arrived back in New Zealand for home assignment in mid-March and will return to South Asia in mid-May. Pray that they will have good times of sharing with churches and supporters, as well as rest and refreshment, time with family, and safe travels around New Zealand.

38 toru tekau mā waru † v.135 no.2 baptistmag.org.nz

Those who want to hear more about the work of NZBMS and our partner organisations in mission, and join with others to do something practical to support the work, have the opportunity through a series of regional meetings throughout 2019.

In March, a good turnout of supporters from the Taranaki/Whanganui region came together at New Plymouth Central Baptist Church to hear from NZBMS and to pray for the work.

Future meetings will be held: 22nd June – Wellington 27th July – Auckland 14th September – Hamilton 6th November – Christchurch (Hui time).

Further details will follow, or you can email, info@nzbms.org.nz.

Make sure you make time to join us in prayer and be encouraged by what God is doing in the nations.

STAFFING SHUFFLES • Marketplacers Sales and Admin Manager—following a five-month absence due to illness, Mairi Barrett has stepped out of this role. However, she is doing well and, as of 20th March, Mairi began as Accounts Assistant for 10 hours/week.

• Finance Manager—John Osborne picks up this role and remains as Managing Director of Marketplacers International Ltd. • Communications Manager—We have been so grateful to have had Kathryn as part of the team over the last year and have enjoyed her enthusiasm, skills and passion for mission. Kathryn concludes her time with NZBMS on 3rd May and Stephanie Nayagam will return from parental leave N MISSIO on 6th May.

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OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE Whatever you do—whatever your skills—whatever your level of education—there will be a role for you somewhere in the world of overseas missions. If you have any of the specific skills needed below, please pray about whether you are being called to serve and contact the emails below for more, no obligation, information.

BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND PROJECTS ASSISTANT

WORKERS FOR GALMI HOSPITAL, NIGER

EXPERIENCED NURSE

Serving with SIM.

Serving with MAF in Papua New Guinea—up to 12 months.

Galmi Hospital (www.galmi.org) is owned and operated by SIM International, seeking to provide patients with both medical treatment and spiritual care. Current roles are in the areas of:

Serving with WEC in Mexico.

To assist with the nationwide MAF-PNG Building Maintenance Programme for up to 12 months; assisting with ongoing and future construction projects, the vehicle fleet register; cover for the Building Maintenance and Projects Manager in their absence.

For more, email: info@maf.org.nz

• • • • • •

Pharmacy Finance Rehab/allied health Orthopaedic and general surgery Administration/Hospital Director Construction manager for the new medical ward.

For more, email: nz.info@sim.org

Long-term role, preferably with overseas experience and Spanish language or a willingness to learn, working in a medical service, alongside an experienced doctor.

For more, email: mobiliser@wecnz.org

For more information and to express an interest email info@missionworld.org.nz or phone 09 526 8446

JOIN THE WOVEN LIFE TEAM! Do you have a background in: If so, contact us!

 Teaching  Coaching  Youth and children work

The Woven Life Foundation in Thailand is currently reaching out to communities primarily through the vehicle of teaching English in a fun and interactive way (forget the textbooks and grammar). Through these openings, we aim to use the connections to be a witness for Jesus.

The present communities we are working in include village children (and caregivers), the youth detention centre, a local high school and an adult English conversation class in town. A TESOL or similar qualification would be desirable.

 Social work  Horticulture  Agriculture  Business

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There are also opportunities for coaches to reach out through sports ministry, children and youth workers, social workers, horticulturalists, agriculturalists and people with business or entrepreneurial skills.

The Woven Life Foundation serves in a poor socio-economic rural area of Thailand, with a very small church. We require people passionate about Jesus who are pioneers, relational, flexible, and self-starters.

Could God be calling you to this work?

Contact Andrew Page at andrew.page@tranzsend.org.nz

NCE E R E F S CONY LEADERS ’ Z N ION MINISTR N U E TUR DREN’S P I R C S HIL C L L FOR A

D N A L N I K C D E U A N DU DAY SATUYR2019 25 MA

DAY SATUER2019 8 JUN

N O T G IN WELL SJAUTNUERD20A1Y9 22

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