Christian Life Issue 45 May 2017

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MAY 2017 • Issue FORT Y-FIVE • www.christianlife.co.nz

VIEWPOINT

The Shack movie: helpful or dangerous page 05

SCHOOLS SPECIAL

What’s Happening in New Zealand Secondary Schools?

Rosita Hendry was born to fly Her inspirational full story page 04

page 08

FAMILY FIRST

From a Father to his Daughters about ‘Consent’ & ‘Rape Culture’ page 13

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY NZ CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLERS ASSOCIATION AND MANNA CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES


IN THIS ISSUE

Contents...

MAY 2017

03. Brad Pitt, I’m hurting for you 04. COVER: Rosita Hendry – Born to Fly 06. Fasting: A vital tool 07. The Critical Balance of Leadership 08. SCHOOL SPECIAL: What’s Happening in New Zealand Secondary Schools? 12. Here’s Why You Need A Big Goal 13. From a Father to his Daughters about ‘Consent’ & ‘Rape Culture’ 14. Get Your Theology From The Bible And Enjoy The Shack 15. The Shack: Helpful or dangerous? 16. Local News 18. Shine TV programme guide 21. Christian Life Classifieds 23. 5 Dos And Don’ts To Help A Loved One Beat Addiction

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HOT TOPIC

Brad Pitt, I’m hurting for you with MATT DANSWAN

I

read this story today about Brad Pitt and my heart went out to him. Brad Pitt is a megastar, one of Hollywood’s A-list. He has fame, he has fortune, he has good looks. In most people’s eyes, he has it all. But in the midst of all of this, a tragic and well-publicized divorce means that he is also probably at his loneliest. Going through divorce, he spoke to GQ magazine about his struggles with alcohol and needing to go to rehab. For all his fame and fortune, he is after all human, and like all humans, being loved and respected would be at his core. Also, to have his brood of children nowhere near him would hurt deeply. Yes, I am in media and get that this recent publicity is PR to sell GQ’s latest issue. I’m sure it will produce amazing circulation for them, as it was done well. But that said, his comments were not

structured by someone in GQ’s PR team. This is a man who is bearing his heart, explaining his issues with alcohol, missing his children, and all the money in the world will not replace the most basic things most humans crave and need, love and acceptance for who they are. Many people think that celebrities have it all, but in reality many would be totally lonely. Most also have a very short career. There are only a few actors and musicians that are still going year after year, decade after decade. Most get a TV show here, a movie there, and then it’s all over. Once over, they then have to learn to live in the shadows of the next generation of stars. And the next, and the next… I only have to think about mega shows like Friends and Seinfeld. Other than Jennifer Aniston, the stars of both shows are pretty much nowhere to be seen

now. Their careers are seemingly over. Your life might feel like it is insignificant to others. You may have neither fame or fortune, but sometimes it’s better to live a quiet, peaceful life than one where you’re up for one season, and down for many others. The best things in life are family, friends, a quiet, healthy lifestyle, and a God you can rely on and trust in. I pray that Brad Pitt uses this season of his life to look at the bigger picture and see what life is truly about. Matt Danswan is the CEO of Initiate Media, publishers of Christian Life he regularly blogs at www.mattdanswan.com

LOS ANGELES, CA. November 9, 2016: Actor Brad Pitt at a special fan screening for “Allied” at the Regency Village Theatre, Westwood.

12 - 16 J U LY 201 7

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

Dr. Dharius Daniels

Ps. Bill Wilson

Not long after blowing the roof off at SUMMIT 16, Rev. Rodriguez led a prayer at the inauguration of US President Trump. This influential man also leads New Season Worship Center in California, and is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership conference, representing more than 100 million Christians.

Founder and Senior Pastor of Kingdom Church in New Jersey, Dr. Daniels’ vibrant ministry has grown into a church of several thousand. He speaks at Yale Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Divinity, and a Doctorate of Ministry. Dr. Daniels goes deep into the Word but comes out punching.

Abandoned at 12 by his own mother, Ps. Bill developed a compassion for suffering children. In 1980, he established Metro World Child in one of Brooklyn’s roughest neighbourhoods. Today his ministry serves more than 150,000 children around the world every week. While Ps. Bill often speaks internationally, he can still regularly be found in Brooklyn, driving the school bus to pick up children for Sunday School.

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PROFILE

Rosita Hendry – BORN TO FLY HASTINGS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Exemplary Learners In All Walks

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Or feel free to call in and have a look around! Hastings Christian School, Copeland Rd 06 878 6696 office@hcs.school.nz 4 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

with JANET BALCOMBE

I

want you to meet Rosita. She’s no ordinary circus artist, dancer and musician – they don’t come much better. She is a woman of substance and character living her dreams in full technicolour on the eve of her graduation this month from the National Circus School in Montreal. For Rosita, the sky is not just the limit; it’s her natural habitat. She’s a Kiwi kid, the oldest in a large and remarkable Christian family from Auckland. She was homeschooled and always loved the performing arts, climbing, jumping and being airborne – to her mother’s horror. Rosita began preschool gymnastics at age 4 and it was obvious even then that she had skills. Her passion increased over the next few years as she began competing and eventually established herself as an elite gymnast, winning the New Zealand National Junior Championship for three consecutive years. A classic all-rounder, Rosita’s early investment in music lessons revealed she was also gifted in piano and piano accordion and excelled in her classical ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance training. After two years studying with the elite Apollo Theatre College, she graduated in 2010 with a Diploma in Musical Theatre and went on to work as a professional musician and dancer. She loved what she was doing but always had a secret dream to join the circus (as you do!). Her love for music, dance and gymnastics makes a perfect mix for circus; however she didn’t consider this a real possibility until she attended her first aerial circus class. When she saw a contemporary circus show in Auckland, she realised this was a passion she couldn’t ignore. So, in 2012 she moved to Australia and in 2013 graduated from the National Institute of Circus

This page clockwise from top left: Performing with Apollo Theatre Company. Photo taken backstage by Angela Taylor; Rosita on the aerial rope (Photo credit: JP Röllin); Rosita, multi-talented maestro; The Hendry family a few years back - Back row (left to right): Jesse, John (dad), Jaedon, Aaron, Caleb - Front row (left to right): Joshua, Serena, Julie Ann (mum), Rosita; Opposite page: Cyr wheel (Photo credit: JP Röllin)


PROFILE

Arts with a Diploma in Circus Arts. In 2014 Rosita moved to Montreal and flew through three years training with the National Circus School, specialising in Aerial Rope with a minor in Cyr Wheel. “I love that every day I get to wake up and do what is my passion, that I can travel the world, experience new cultures and share this passion with others and hopefully inspire them to pursue their dreams, however challenging it may be...” Rosita made a commitment to the Lord at a young age. Her journey has been in growing in her faith and learning to hear the Lord for herself. She offers her performances to the Lord as worship and prays they will be anointed so people will feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. She doesn’t ever want them to be entertainment for entertainment sake. Growing up home-schooled, her education was very much centred on character. Rosita’s mum often said, “Don’t allow your talent to take you where your character can’t hold you.” She’s seen so many Christians fall because they were not grounded in spiritual disciplines and their walk with God. The performance world can be a hard one and you can often feel all alone as a Christian. So many performers have their self-worth wrapped up in what they do. “Performing/circus are part of my life and I love it... but my identity is not wrapped up in it. My identity and self-worth has been God-focused and I have sought not only God’s direction, but that my path would be ordered in the right time and season.

events; the 2015 Cirque du Soleil/42 degrees Pan Am Games Opening Ceremony, as an aerialist and acrobat stands out. Rosita graduates this month and takes a wellearned breather. Not surprisingly, she’s been spoilt for choice with post-grad opportunities, and has accepted a contract with 45 Degrees/Cirque du Soleil for the summer. Following that, she has another contract with Cirque Éloize. I hope you loved meeting Rosita as much as I did. She gives us all permission to go after our dreams and proves, beyond reasonable doubt, that with Christ all things are possible.

When moving to a new country, no matter where in the world, I’ve always found a church home; maintained daily, my relationship with God, through the word and prayer and lived my life of faith, being available to the nudges of the Holy Spirit.” To support herself, Rosita plays piano accordion in the Metro in winter and outside in the summertime for 8-10 hours on the weekend. “The Lord has always provided enough, I’ve never had a fear of not having enough…” she says. Over the years she has performed in many events, functions and shows including TV commercials around the world. Just to pick one from an incredible list of over 20 stunning

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You can find Rosita on Facebook and at www. rositahendry.com and watch out for her on www.45degrees.com over the Canadian summer. You can also see Rosita in action on YouTube. Psalm 18:32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You make your saving help my shield, and your right hand sustains me; your help has made me great. You provide a broad path for my feet, so that my ankles do not give way.

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CHRISTIAN LIVING

Fasting: A vital tool kingdom must be to see our nation healed, and 2 Chronicles (7:14) probably most clearly outlines God’s requirements for national blessing: “If My people will pray!” That’s got to be the biggest IF in the Bible. But there’s more! “If My people will humble themselves and pray.” We must also humble ourselves. Psalm (35:13) gives us a big clue to humbling ourselves: “I ….. humbled myself with fasting.” Let’s get real here; fasting is the tool we would prefer to leave gathering dust in a corner of the tool box, while clutching at the vain hope that the task can be completed without it. Why don’t we fast? Why not more often or more regularly? That’s easy; because it’s hard! It’s not fun. I tell my church, “The thing I hate about fasthen the house behind ours was going up, the ing is that it works”. That reality wipes out any exbuilder would arrive early each morning with cuse not to do it. Both history and the Bible teach us that prayer his van full of tools (so handy when I needed an aland fasting put us in the best possible position for a len key to fix my waste disposal unit). He knew what tool to use for each task and was competent with all breakthrough, and who doesn’t need a breakthrough of them. But imagine how difficult his job might or a miracle of some kind? When we find ourselves have been if he didn’t want to use certain tools, or in desperate situations and nothing else is working; how shoddy his work could end up if he flat-out re- prayer and fasting is like bringing in the big guns. I have used this tool untold times and have seen for fused to use one particularly vital tool? God has given us all the tools we need to build myself that few obstacles can withstand it. Please lives; ours included; His kingdom; His church; and don’t fail to notice how fasting is linked to prayer. to heal our land. But sometimes we refuse to use They go together, in fact there’s probably not much certain tools, and then we wonder why we don’t see point in fasting without prayer. Fasting and prayer can change the course of a nathe results we hoped for. One of the greatest goals of “building” God’s tion. The book of Esther (3:6) gives a clear example of prayer and fasting being the key to a supernatural breakthrough; in this case saving a nation from genocide. Some Christians question whether or not fasting is necessary in this day and age. I believe it is, maybe more than Join us for a life changing, life enriching experience in ever, as I look at the Israel – the heartland of the Bible. Highlights include: state of our nation * ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles celebrations with thousands of believers and our world. Fastfrom around the world ing is mentioned one third as often as * Fully guided visits to Beer Sheba, Masada & Dead Sea prayer in the Bible, * Explore the Old City of Jerusalem and that’s a lot. It * In depth visit to Yad Vashem was practiced by the * Boat Ride on Sea of Galilee Early Church and by * Encounters with locals and experts and much, much more! Christians for many We look forward to journeying with you through this wonderful country. centuries afterwards. Derek McDowell, ICEJ New Zealand Director Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul, Jesus, *Twin share basis – SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: NZ$1,650 Luther, Calvin and (price based on minimum of 25 full-paying participants. Conditions apply. Subject to change.) Finney, were among those who fasted. In Matthew (6:3) we read Jesus’ words: “when you give; when you

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pray; and when you fast.” Do you get the point; it’s not if, it’s when. We have no more reason to cut fasting out of our lives than we do to cut out giving and praying. There is a clear expectation that every Christian will do all three. Fasting is for all believers; health permitting, just as prayer and giving are for all Christians. Fasting releases God to work on our behalf, but going without food can be hard; so let’s look at some motivating factors to prod us along. Firstly, fasting increases the power of God in our lives; it gives us spiritual muscle. Would you like to have washboard abs and rock hard biceps? Of course you would. Maybe your only hope is to get a 6-pack in the Spirit; now that’s a much better deal, way more powerful and if the devil punches you he will smash his fingers! Spiritual power manifests in many ways - miracles of provision, salvation, victory, restoration within families, and healing. In 1985 over 5,000 students spent a day praying and fasting for Vernon Brewer, their much loved dean, who had cancer and was expected to live six months. Twelve years later it was reported that he was alive and well because God heard and answered those students who fasted and prayed. Prayer and fasting will give us victory in a major battle and/or success in a new venture. Back in Ezra (8:21-23) Ezra proclaimed a fast for the returning exiles, so they could express their humiliation and dependence on God for His protection, as they made the dangerous journey from Babylon to Jerusalem. (Verse 23): “So we fasted and petitioned our God about this, and he answered our prayer.” A further motivation and reward for prayer and fasting is to see souls saved. This was brought home to me early in my Christian walk when my Hindu father, at the age of 59, was given just three weeks to live. He actually lasted for three more months, and he became a Christian before he died, for which I’m eternally grateful. That’s when I really learned the power of prayer and fasting in reaching the lost. On a personal level, fasting and praying has many benefits, including humbling ourselves; humility being a key Christian attribute; changing our lives; giving victory, even over things like addictions and habitual sins; repentance; personal revival; a greater awareness of God’s reality and presence; a closer relationship with Him; not to mention a higher strike rate when it comes to seeing our prayers being answered. If you already use this tool; well done and maybe this can be a reminder to get it out of the toolbox more often. If you have never, or only very occasionally, fasted, I’d urge you to pull this one out, dust it off, give it a go, and see what God will do.

Tak Bhana is the Senior Pastor of Church Unlimited. He has a radio and television program called Running with Fire, which broadcasts in New Zealand and other nations. His church also produces a magazine with the same name which is distributed in 70 countries, and he has written a book titled “Wired for the Supernatural”.


LEADERSHIP

The Critical Balance of Leadership C

hurch leadership has under gone a tremendous transformation over the past twenty years. Fuelling this has been a proliferation of books, an abundance of conferences and a reliance on developing mentoring via networks. This transformation was both an echo and a response to secular concerns that leadership (including church leadership) was “out of touch” and “ineffectual”. At the core of this transformation was a desire to see leadership deal effectively with moral failures, societal factors and the uncertainty of the future. I was an early convert to the emphasis on leadership. It answered many questions that I was struggling with at a local church level. In fact, formal leadership studies with Alphacrucis College proved to be a ministry life saver. Organisational development, change management, critical decision making and strategic planning became, and still are, invaluable tools within my leadership skill set. But these leadership tools alone will not form leaders who are better equipped for the rigors of church life.

Yes, we need missionally aligned and better run churches but we must also seek to see the kingdom established, justice outworked and grace extended through our leadership activities and methods. There are two key areas that I believe need to be foremost and central in our drive for better leadership. Firstly, H. and R. Blackaby write, “Spiritual Leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda”.1 Simply put, Christian leadership is an extension of the discipleship process - teaching and training people to do and obey (Matthew 28:19-20). It is a spiritual pursuit. Good leadership should always be rooted firmly within a biblical framework and supported in prayer with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit. As leaders, we are responsible for the discipleship of those we lead as well as the goals that are to be achieved. The best leaders find ways to combine discipleship within the complexity of setting

1 H Blackaby, & R Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership (Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2001)

objectives and strategic planning. We see this within the model of leadership that Jesus displayed. Time and time again he would be about Kingdom objectives and also take time to challenge, instruct and encourage his disciples. Secondly we must never lose sight of our core values and beliefs. Leadership is both a science and an art. It can be learned and must also be mastered. We live in an age where the models of good leadership come from books read, conferences attended and networks that we belong to. However, it is unwise to simply and totally accept methods and paradigms that we see in a successful church or leader. As such, there is pressure at times to conform to leadership theory that accompanies a current success story. I have observed that this can often be at the expense of our core values and beliefs. My caution is that unless these match your core values and beliefs then the adopted programme or method can create confusion of who you are and result in missional drift. Guard your core values and beliefs. These deter-

mine who you are. They help you communicate what is important and will empower and guide your leadership. What we learn from church history is that each revival and renewal is different in both context and methodology. Your leadership success will be yours. It will not be imported from elsewhere. It will reflect your context, the people around you, and your core values and beliefs Successful Christian leaders continue to disciple people and remain true to their core values and beliefs. They take advantage of every opportunity and develop and hone their skill set. They are faithful, diligent and hard working. They also acknowledge that it is the Lord who brings increase (1 Corinthians 3). Paul Gordon (MA Leadership) is a church planter, pastor and is currently the Business Development Manager and a lecturer at Alphacrucis (www.acnz.ac.nz) a Pentecostal training college in New Zealand and Australia. He also supports Alphacrucis Post Grad students in New Zealand.

Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 7


SCHOOLS SPECIAL

Top left: Headmaster, Roger Moses in front of Wellington College’s famed Memorial Window which will be re-installed in the new hall which is under construction; Top right: Roger Moses proudly holds the Wellington Shield with students from Wellington College.

What’s Happening in New Zealand Secondary Schools?

A ministry of the Asia Pacific Discipleship Trust www.apdiscipleshiptrust. org.nz

8 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

The Pilgrimage to the Holy City is a journey like life’s journey.

www.thepilgrimage.net.nz

The Pilgrimage

Leading educationalist Roger Moses talks to Marie Anticich about current trends in education. Roger has been headmaster of Wellington College for 22 years and will oversee the school’s 150th anniversary celebrations in October.

What is happening in New Zealand secondary schools? “More students are staying on for five years of secondary education and so, as well as everything else, we’re having to deliver curriculum and create pathways for students going into trades, polytechnics and universities. My school has as many students in Year 13 as in Year 9, which is indicative of a growing trend. It’s getting increasingly difficult to attract high-quality teachers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. You can have all the right systems and philosophies, but you can’t run a good school without good teachers. There’s also a growing gender imbalance and nearly70 percent of secondary teachers are women. Teaching has to be made a more attractive option, but there’s no easy answer: it’s not just salary. Teaching can be a tough job, and we’re having to deal with more youngsters from challenging backgrounds. Schools are increasingly being called on to fulfill social functions previously met by family and institutions like the church. However, and I may sound curmudgeonly, we mustn’t lose sight of the original purpose of schools which is to provide a broad education for students and teach them to think so they can make intelligent choices. There’s been significant thrust to prevent students leaving school with no qualifications – the Minister of Education has been criticised, but she has tried to ensure all students have basic training to at least

Level 2 NCEA to give them realistic career options later on. The international PISA tests indicate that the top 80% of NZ students are doing well, but the bottom 20% aren’t. When a significant number of these are Maori or Pasifika there’s a danger they’ll miss out on career opportunities. What Issues Are Principals Facing? Principals are increasingly having to deal with unpleasant social media issues like cyber-bullying and sexual exploitation. I’ve recently had to deal with a difficult situation involving two young men making offensive comments on a Facebook page, outside of school hours. Exposure to violent video games and pornographic stuff on the internet blurs the distinctions between right and wrong, fantasy and reality. Where does schools’ jurisdiction begin and end? Where do parents take responsibility? If schools are effectively being asked to be responsible for youngsters 24/7 – then it’s nigh impossible. As these problems become more prevalent, the inexorable trend for schools to take over the moral and ethical education of children may seem like a good thing. But there’s a danger in shifting responsibility from the home and community to schools, which are already doing a big job. Are we to move from teaching the ABC’s to teaching about the birds and the bees? And you can’t necessarily assume all teachers have common moral and ethical views. What defines a teacher is their ability to


SCHOOLS SPECIAL

Many kids pick up a warped moral compass from social media and, despite more electronic communication, there’s increasing pressure around isolation and self-image. Suicide is a big issue.

teach a subject – maths or science – not values education. Schools are being asked to take on more of the roles previously filled by the family, church and community. But it’s not as if kids are all going to the dogs. Students’ moral sensitivity is heightened in areas like bullying, environmental awareness and global poverty – we raise huge amounts for World Vision every year through our annual Runathon I believe any teaching with a Christian perspective is going to become more difficult: it’s long been that way in America. However in my experience opposition doesn’t come from people who practice other religions, but from those who take a secular humanistic view of life and oppose any Christian emphasis in the State system. This causes Christians to look closely at what they do believe and how they can convey this to others. I believe we’re called to live out our faith in the community. That’s the reason I’ve stayed within the State school system. Our college has traditional values and we still have a Bible reading, hymn and prayer at assembly, and a wonderful chaplain. What challenges do teachers face? Teachers’ workloads have increased due to a huge amount of paperwork, including the setting and marking NCEA student assessments. Teachers can spend more time on paperwork than on actual teaching. Your thoughts on NCEA? There’s good and bad. Superficially there are advantages – schools are able to devise a curriculum ‘relevant’

to themselves – but there’s more emphasis on the process through which you deliver the curriculum, rather than on what’s actually in the curriculum. There’s a prevailing philosophy that plays down the importance of content and emphasises the importance of transferable skills. Students may emerge knowing how to push buttons to access information, but know little about past values that have shaped our society. My concern is that when we move from a knowledge base to a skills base, we’re in danger of losing knowledge of the civilisations that have shaped our language music, art, justice and democracy for 2000 years. These things didn’t come out of a vacuum. By reading the classics we learn what makes us human; for a study of jealousy look at Othello, for ambition look at Macbeth. I believe that classic art and literature transcend time and space, and I’d like to see more specific content in history, geography and English literature. C.S. Lewis used the term ‘chronological snobbery’ to describe the notion that what’s happening now supersedes past knowledge. When we become immersed in being culturally relevant we’re in danger of being owned by ‘the spirit of the age.’ We think we’re liberated, but we need to honour greater minds than our own or we risk losing the fundamental truths that have shaped us. What issues do students face? The main issues don’t change – it’s a time of life when they are questioning underlying issues of purpose: ‘What’s life all about? Who am I? What career

path should I follow? Will there be a job when I qualify?’ There are also philosophical questions like ‘Should I take out a student loan?’ – it’s hard to pay off a loan when you and want to buy a home and have a young family. Another deep-seated questions is: ‘What is my moral compass? Where does it come from?’ Many kids pick up a warped moral compass from social media and, despite more electronic communication, there’s increasing pressure around isolation and selfimage. Suicide is a big issue. Kids can be destroyed by people whose technical acumen far exceeds their sense of moral responsibility. Sadly the vast majority of youngsters today know nothing about the Christian faith, and we have to assume that most students are raised pretty much in a secular environment that’s apathetic to Christianity, and in some cases antagonistic. What about funding? If schools are truly being adequately funded by the State, let’s get real and stop asking parents for fees and contributions, let’s stop taking international students and hiring out our facilities and holding galas. This would starkly reveal the true state of New Zealand school funding. My point is, we’re under-funded. We’re dealing with financial pressures all the time. I often feel like I’m a professional fundraiser. Is classroom violence increasing? Generally schools aren’t violent places - I think there’s more caring, positive inter-action between teachers and students than when I went to school in the sixties. But some

students are hell-bent on destructive and disruptive behavior which makes teaching incredibly difficult for young teachers, so we have to look at alternative education for those who don’t fit into the broad structure. Learning requires a safe and settled environment. Kids like clear rules, firm boundaries and consequences. I’m strong on issues like bullying and abusing teachers and I’ve kicked out a few boys for continual disobedience or selling drugs. At times there can be forgiveness, but without consequences for wrong actions you count for nothing. What makes a great teacher? Enthusiasm, personality, humour. The ability to pass a depth of knowledge on to students. But I wouldn’t presume to think there’s only one way of teaching. Some great teachers are conservative and often kids love a eccentric teacher who has a passion for their subject. The pedagogical approach to teaching has changed, but the basic relationship between student and teacher remains. You lose that at your peril. Thoughts on being a headmaster? It’s an honour and a privilege to be involved in people’s lives and have the opportunity to make a difference. I’ve come to appreciate Christians from other backgrounds – we’ve been too preoccupied with looking at points that divide us rather than where we can agree. Theologically I can stand alongside anybody who believes the Apostle’s Creed. I’m no plaster saint but I’m more convinced than ever of the reality of Christ as my personal Saviour.”

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SCHOOLS SPECIAL

ALPHACRUCIS Alphacrucis seeks to provide its students with an educational experience that integrates faith, learning, and living. Through the fostering of their intellectual and spiritual development within the framework of a Christian worldview we will prepare and challenge our students to take an active role in shaping their culture and their world. At Alphacrucis we want to create an environment for excellence in learning. Our highly qualified and experienced faculty provides quality teaching that consistently achieves excellent feedback from students. They combine specialist knowledge with practical insight and open conversation. This produces an inspiring and innovative classroom experience with solid content. We advocate a holistic approach to education through active learning. Our education is not about transferring information. It is about meeting students where they are at and building their understanding. This includes providing students with a

LAIDLAW COLLEGE

critical knowledge of subjects; skills in problem-solving; people skills and conflict negotiation through group work; and, the ability to effectively communicate to a large range of audiences. This inspiring learning environment is also available in flexible delivery options – where the classroom comes to you! Beyond the classroom, our faculty demonstrate individual attention and care for students. They also function as mentors and inspirational role models for many students. Alphacrucis is NZQA accredited and you may be qualify for NZ Study Loans and Allowances. For more details to enrol in any of our awards visit our website www.acnz.ac.nz or contact the Registrar on 09 5801500 or email info@acnz.ac.nz

For 95 years Laidlaw College has been preparing New Zealand Christians for participation in God’s purposes for the church and the world. Starting in 1922 with ten students, Laidlaw College is now New Zealand’s largest interdenominational Christian College, offering tertiary qualifications in theology and biblical studies, mission, ministry, counselling and teacher education. Campuses are located in Auckland (Henderson and Manukau) and Christchurch, as well as distance learning opportunities. Study pathways take students from certificate level right through to doctoral studies. Our programmes bridge the gap between faithful reflection on God and a deep engagement with the world. Graduates of Laidlaw College are teaching in New Zealand primary schools and employed as professional counsellors in a variety of roles and settings including educational, family, health, chaplaincy, church and private practice. They are involved in pastoral ministries, leading churches, engaged in mission or development

work; or pursuing careers within the public and private sectors, providing leadership within their spheres of influence. Laidlaw College is committed to seeing our students flourish academically, socially and through encounter with God and others in an intercultural College that reflects and celebrates the cultural diversity of Aoteroa New Zealand! Whether you have a particular vocational dream in mind, or simply want to go deeper into God’s Word, we would love the opportunity to hear your story and talk about ways that Laidlaw could better equip you. Call us on 0800 999 777 or check out our website www.laidlaw.ac.nz Contact Details: Phone: 0800 999 777 Email: info@laidlaw.ac.nz Website: www.laidlaw.ac.nz

SCRIPTURE UNION NZ'S CONFERENCE FOR ALL CHILDREN’S MINISTRY LEADERS INVERCARGILL

AUCKLAND

WELLINGTON

27 MAY

10 JUNE

24 JUNE

To register or for more information visit www.sunz.org.nz/WAY2GO 10 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017


SCHOOLS SPECIAL

CITY IMPACT CHURCH SCHOOL City Impact Church School is a private Christian school on Auckland’s North Shore. Founded in 2004 by Pastors Peter and Bev Mortlock, it is the realisation of a dream that has long burned in their hearts. Our school is a place where students can freely worship God, achieve academic success, grow in wisdom, knowledge and Godly character; all the while laying a foundation in Christ and developing a Biblical perspective of the world in which they live. We are honoured to be charged with the task of raising up a generation of servant leaders, confident in themselves and in their God; equipped to

RENEWAL MINISTRY SCHOOL

be influencers and change agents in their chosen fields. City Impact Church School offers a full primary and secondary school with excellent facilities and resources. An emphasis on academic excellence is complemented by a strong arts and sports programme. In the Senior years, we offer the Cambridge International Examinations. Created in God’s image, with unlimited potential, we know our students carry unique gifts and qualities, and given the right atmosphere, opportunity and encouragement, students are empowered to succeed in all spheres of life. We are passionate about discovering students’ potential and equipping them for a life of fulfilment, influence and success. For further information please go to our school website www.cityimpactchurch.school.nz or contact the school office on 09 477 0302. The annual school open day will be on August 13 from 12 – 2pm. Alternatively, families are most welcome to receive a tour of the school throughout any week days.

Hastings Christian School We are a vibrant, diverse, Christ-centred learning community offering excellent support to committed, evangelical parents in the nurture and education of their children. All curriculum areas are offered to students from Years 1 – 13. Phone: 06 878 6696 Email: office@hcs.school.nz Address: Copeland Road, Hastings Website: www.hcs.school.nz

Bishopdale College Bishopdale College focuses on growing leaders for a life that participates fully in God’s mission. Study towards accredited qualifications, from Certificate to Degree level, offered in partnership with Laidlaw College. Studying at Bishopdale College leads to knowing God better, living with God more fully, and being equipped to communicate God’s message. Learn more, and contact us through www.bishopdale.ac.nz.

Renewal Ministry School is an intensive 10-week course being held on Thursdays and Fridays – for 10 weeks – focused on living by Kingdom principles while learning to love people and influence families, communities and world around us. The heartbeat of Renewal Ministry School is to help people understand the Kingdom of God so they can be more effective doing life and influencing people. This will mean an initial focus on personal wholeness, then how to impact and bless people in the world around us. The course is about developing greater intimacy with God, leading to greater personal confidence while dealing with issues such as shame, lack of identity, value and significance. This will then lead to study which identifies personal gifts and passions to understand more clearly role and purpose in God’s Kingdom, and how to live Kingdom lifestyle Our heart is to build – so people are “blessed to be a blessing” and become more effective for service in church and ministry, as well as in our local community. We have a passion to see people equipped – with not only a sense of destiny but more competent in the supernatural – so that we see “Your Kingdom come … on earth as it is in Heaven…” Contact Details: Gary Mawson, Renewal Ministry School, PO Box 106 Whangarei 0140 www.renewal.school.nz

Get ready to step into your destiny renewal.school.nz

Course dates: 27 July to 29 September 2017

Renewal Ministry School is an intensive 10-week course

held on Thursdays and Fridays for 10 weeks focused on living by Kingdom principles while learning to love people and influence families, communities and the world around us.

Renewal Ministry School helps people understand the Kingdom of God so they can be more effective doing life and influencing people.

• Develop greater intimacy with God, leading to greater personal confidence while dealing with issues such as shame, lack of identity, value and significance. • Identify personal gifts and passions to understand your role and purpose in God’s Kingdom, and how to live Kingdom lifestyle. • Become more effective for service in church, ministry and local community. • Be equipped with a sense of destiny and competency in the supernatural.

Contact: Gary Mawson, Renewal Ministry School, PO Box 106, Whangarei 0140 Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 11


DREAMING BIG

Here’s Why You Need A Big Goal E

verybody needs a big goal or a project to work on. It may be your job, but in most cases, it’s something else. Some call it a “hobby,” but to me a hobby is more about relaxation than accomplishment. Retirees often die if they don’t have any more goals. Once they start feeling they can’t contribute, then their lives seem over. Your project should be a passion, something you’re good at doing, something you have a concrete plan to complete, and something that could change your world. So far, I’ve been able to mix my job and my goal. Both involve helping Christian organizations engage today’s media-driven culture more effectively. The only difference is that my job is about helping others do it, and my project is about my personal vision – launching The Influence Lab. Both are focused on the same ultimate purpose – getting our message heard, and changing the perception of the culture toward

Christianity. If you don’t have a big goal or project – something of significance that you’re passionate about, then I encourage you to start thinking. What do you want to leave behind? What do you want to be remembered for? What are you better at than others around you? If you’re having trouble identifying it, then you should read my book “One Big Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do.” And if you’ve already read it, then what are you waiting for? Your project begins today. Phil Cooke is a producer and media consultant to churches and ministries across the country. His latest book is “Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of Brands and Social Media.” Find out more at www.philcooke.com.

Our school is a place where children can freely worship God and grow in their faith while achieving academic success. Emphasis is placed on developing a biblical worldview and an understanding of their destiny and place in the world. • •

Individualised learning approach

Supportive partnerships between home and school • •

Years 1 - 13

Small class sizes

Sports, arts, drama and music programmes

Cambridge International Examinations

794 East Coast Road Albany, Auckland 09 477 0302 cityimpactchurch.school.nz

An excellent Christian learning environment.

12 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017


FAMILY FIRST

From a Father to his Daughters about ‘Consent’ & ‘Rape Culture’

To my daughters, There’s been a huge public discussion about ‘consent’ and ‘rape culture’, and the concern that most guys have no respect for you or for your ‘consent’. It’s great that we’re having this discussion. The statistics and the stories are disturbing. It seems this culture is everywhere. There are some mongrel guys out there who want to take advantage of you. Some go to Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat and think that in the privacy of social media, they can speak in degrading terms about their sexual prowess and their disrespect for females. They’re feeding their minds with pornography, which leads to negative stereotypes of women; the desire for sexual activity at a young age; and increased aggression towards girls. That’s what the research shows, and I bet you can see some of the evidence. And it’s not just the boys at school. The objectification and the narrowing down of you and your friends, to just your sexuality, is everywhere in your world – online, in the media, in movies, in advertisements. By adults who should know better and who should be protecting you, not exploiting you for financial gain. I can understand the pressure you are under to look skinnier, look prettier, look sexier, and the weight of the message that that is where your value lies. It is unacceptable pressure and I’m sorry and

Dome of the Rock

Replica Tabernacle, Timna

I’m angry you have to experience it, and that so few people are connecting the dots between sexualisation in the media, the porn industry, and the sexual aggression, of which you could be a victim. But here’s the good news: The overwhelming majority of guys are not like that. They’re not sexually aggressive towards you. When they’re with you and talk to you, they respect all of you. There will be those guys who don’t automatically give you the respect you deserve and don’t offer it when you demand it. If you happen to find one of these guys, lose him. Fast. Don’t even risk it. Don’t think you can change him. If and when he changes, maybe then. But that’s not your job. Your welfare and wellbeing come first. Back in 2014, Hunger Games’ star, Jennifer Lawrence spoke about some stolen nude photos of her, which were published all over the internet. It was a disgraceful act, by whoever stole them and then published them. But in justifying why the nude photos were taken of her in the first place, she said: ‘’… either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he’s going to look at you.’’ That’s not correct. Not at all. That’s not demanding the respect you deserve – that’s buying into the rape culture we all deplore. Boys and men do not need to look at porn. Those that are, need help, not enabling. By suggesting that a female needs to provide naked images to her boyfriend betrays both her and their relationship. It objectifies the female and reduces her to little more than a sex object, designed

to satisfy the sexual desires of a male. If it happens to you, don’t feed it. Don’t even provide a snack. You’re more than that. Please know that. Guys who respect themselves and respect others don’t do this. There are guys out there who will respect you. Who will treat you well. Who will see the value of the whole you, not just the sexualised being. As you know, from living with me and your brother, males are not perfect. Far from it. And the culture that we live in, tries to tell you that you’re only as good as you look, and that your value is to be measured by how much guys appreciate your sexuality. But know this: You are worth so much more than that. I love you and would do everything to protect you. I see your potential. I see your worth in who you are, and not in what you do, or how you look. I want the absolute best for you. Set that as your litmus test. I have great confidence that there are many young men who will hold to that same standard. Anything less – and he’s not worth it. Love, Dad. (First published in the Sunday Star Times in April)

Bob McCoskrie is the National Director of Family First NZ. Visit www.familyfirst.org.nz for more information on how you can become involved.

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llip Donnell For full details, please contact Phi on.net.nz P: 021 172 3244 E: pjdonnell@orc

Lord’s prayer in Maori Mount of Olives

Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 13


VIEWPOINT

Get Your Theology From The Bible And Enjoy The Shack Avraham Aviv Alush plays Jesus, Sam Worthington plays Mack Phillips, Octavia Spencer plays Papa, Sumire Matsubara plays Sarayu

M

y wife Amy and I haven’t had a proper date night for a little too long. So when she asked me to take her to watch The Shack – adapted for the big screen from William P. Young’s 2007 fiction book – I jumped at the chance. I am not usually interested in that particular genre of cinema (I think books are a better way to experience most stories. Still, Amy wanted to see it and I am totally interested in her). I walked into the theatre having read the book itself, as well as the reviews both for and against the movie. I had read criticisms of the author’s portrayal of the Trinity, the gender of Papa (God) being that of a woman, and the near Universalist theology to which the book alludes. I also read reviews that celebrated the arc of the story of God’s kind invitation to Mack, his redemption and the deliberative journey he experienced through the process of forgiveness and healing in the face of gutwrenching circumstances. I walked into the theatre understanding the purpose of this book and the resulting movie was never intended to be a theological treatise any more than other fictional work that alludes to certain aspects of the Christian faith. I walked in thinking The Shack fits in a mostly-non-theological-butfaith-friendly category with other important literary works like The Lord of the Ring or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This is to say The Shack, in many respects, represents something that is not particularly heretical when compared to countless other

WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO SEE THE SHACK

14 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

with JONATHAN WIGGINS Assist News

Christian-friendly, fictional works. I have seen this kind of thing before. Therefore, I don’t fear the premise of the story. I don’t depend on them either. Instead, I allow myself to profoundly enjoy and appreciate them while looking exclusively to the Bible for the foundations of my theology and faith. It had been a while since I read the book so the narrative of the movie was almost like new to me. Certain moments in the movie triggered my memory of when I read the book years ago. Those cinematic moments were coloured by that memory. Most were not. The movie was well-produced, well-written and powerfully portrayed in ways many faith-friendly films fall short. I appreciate excellence. What is more worthy of note perhaps, is that the premise of the story, theologically imperfect as it may be, reinforces and parallels my own journey of healing, forgiveness and “severe” mercy. The movie almost forces the viewer (at least this viewer) to dig deep into one’s own story to unearth and attempt to resolve the seemingly impossible questions many of us have about God, pain and forgiveness. How can a good God allow terrible evil? Is God always good? Why do I need God to be the Judge rather than myself? How can I forgive the “unforgivable?” Can we really know good from bad without God’s help? These are just a few of the questions The Shack tackles in profound and richly meaningful ways. These themes, to my mind, represent some of the truly useful philosophical themes – ones that perhaps still fall short of sound

theology per se. About 90 minutes into the film I looked around the theatre to find at least half of the viewers sniffling, sobbing or crying to some varying degree of intensity. I got the distinct feeling that some in the theatre weren’t crying so much for Mack as much as they were allowing their own painful questions to surface. It felt to me as if some were trying to emotionally open up to the idea of a God that could actually heal them. It was a profound moment for me to observe as it seemed to be similar for many others in the theatre. As Christians, we must hold to biblical tenants of theology in our lives. No exceptions. I believe we can faithfully do so, while appreciating one author’s good-faith attempt at answering some of the most basic questions, which effectively keep some unbelievers from accepting the fact that God is always good. After all, it is God’s goodness that calls many people to turn to Him. We can be faithful to God’s truth, while celebrating The Shack as a literary and cinematic device, which deals with deep issues (such as forgiveness, mercy, humility and the kindness of a God) that hold too many Christians back from experiencing God’s best for them. In short, The Shack is a theologically imperfect and extremely disarming invitation for millions of readers/viewers to reconsider God’s goodness as well as our own complete inadequacy without Him. As a Christian pastor, I want to recommend this movie to everyone.

Name the character in the movie who is played by Sam Worthington: _______________________ Name: ______________________________________ Phone: __________________________________ Postal Address: __________________________________________________(Postcode)___________ Email: ________________________________________________________________________________ Cut this coupon out or photocopy and post to The Shack Movie Competition, Christian Life, PO Box 318334 West Harbour, Auckland 0661 First ten correct replies received will win one double pass to the movie. No correspondence will be entered into. Winners will receive notification by email.


VIEWPOINT

The Shack: Helpful or dangerous? with JOHN KIRKPATRICK

T

his book, by American writer William P. Young, has sold millions of copies. It has now become a very popular movie which was endorsed by 1000 USA ‘faith leaders’. This movie will soon be shown in NZ cinemas. It’s a story of a young man, ‘Mack’, who suffers from pain and brokeness in his search for meaning and truth... He seeks answers to life’s greatest questions: Who is God? Who is Jesus? If God, then why evil? God invites Mack to a meeting in a remote shack in the wilderness. While at the shack, he discovers that God is not what we expect Him to be. In fact, God the Father, (Papa), appears as a large beaming African-American woman. Jesus is presented as a Middle Eastern labourer, complete with tool belt and gloves, and the Holy Spirit is named Sarayu; a small, distinctively Asian woman. The book identifies these three people as the Trinity. The aim of the book is to present Christianity through religious fiction in a casual style that appeals to people seeking solutions to life’s basic questions. PROBLEMS WITH THE SHACK 1. A rejection of traditional Christianity The clear implication of the book is that Christianity needs to be revised in order to be understood by modern society. As Norman Geisler has observed, “The Shack, as gripping as its story is, trades a church occupied with people who hear the Word of God preached, to an empy shack where there is neither.” The book overlooks that Jesus established the Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matt.16:16-18). Without regular meetings with edifying believers, normal Christian growth and maturity will fail.

2. A claim that justice and love cannot be reconciled The book reasons that God will never judge people for their sins because He is limited by His love. Neither will He enact eternal judgment and separation on those who reject Him. But the Bible shows that God’s anger is not human anger that flares up because of wounded pride. Theologian J.I. Packer explains in his book, “Knowing God,” that God’s judgment is a ‘right and necessary reaction to objective moral evil’. Jesus Himself warned about the coming judgment and the eternal destinations of heaven and hell. He commissioned His followers to proclaim the gospel so that the lost might choose life and be saved (Matt.25:31-46). 3. The book claims that the Bible limits God The author alleges that it was men who limited God’s voice and reduced it to paper. It was never God’s intention for people to only listen to and follow Scripture. “Nobody wanted God in a box, just in a book” (p.63). However, it is through Scripture that God chose to reveal Himself to us. The Bible is a divine book. Jesus Himself trusted the Scriptures and used them to teach about Himself and to defeat Satan (Matt.4:1-11). The Scriptures are our authority to determine and monitor all key matters of faith and practise. 4. The unbiblical view of the Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit The Shack presents an unorthodox view of the Trinity. God appears as three separate persons. The author rejects traditional theology that the three persons of the Trinity are of one essence, possessing the one divine nature. Rather, the Trinity is viewed as a social union of three separate persons.

In contrast, the Scriptures present the Trinity as the Eternal Godhead, who has revealed Himself as One God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are indivisible in essence, co-eternal and co-equal. 5. A false view of the incarnation The book states, “When we three spoke ourselves into human existence as the Son of God, we became fully human. We chose to embrace all the limitations that this entailed. Even though we have always been present in the universe, we now became flesh and blood” (p, 98). This is a serious theological error. The Bible is clear that the three persons of the Trinity were not incarnated. All the major branches of Christianity teach that only the Son was incarnate (Jn.1:14). And this incarnation did not merely result in the Son becoming human. He assumed a human nature in addition to His divine nature. Each nature remains distinct. Jesus is fully God and fully man. This truth makes Christianity unique among religions. Conclusion Author Michael Youssef ended his evaluation of the Shack in this apt way. “Beloved, the best place to meet God is not at the shack, but at the Cross. For the gospel is the greatest story ever told, and better still, it is true. John Kirkpatrick and his wife, Claire, live in Auckland, and have been involved in pastoral leadership, teaching, and theological training in NZ, Indonesia, Pakistan, Mongolia, and Singapore. During 20112014 John served as Senior Pastor of the Greenlane Christian Centre. John is the director of Kingdom Ministries, a charity devoted to train and equip Christian leaders. John can be reached on jwkirk7@ gmail.com

God’s mission • Your life • Let’s talk... We’re about people: partnering with you and your church in spreading the gospel where it’s thinnest

Explore the options. The coffee’s on us. 0800 46 46 86 | mobiliser@wecnz.org Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 15


LOCAL NEWS

Joining a short-term missions’ team Going short-term can be an exciting first step on the road to a life-long pursuit of God’s mission. Or it can be part of your on-going, growing journey with Jesus. Wherever you find yourself, the challenge is there to step out and go deeper into your life purpose and relationship with God. Interserve NZ has three options to choose from: 1. Exploring medical missions

- designed with medical students or junior doctors in mind (3 weeks in December 2017 or January 2018) 2. Showing practical love - a team for anyone to help at a home for destitute women and children at Mukti in India (2 weeks in November 2017) 3. Working with refugees - not a team for the faint-hearted serve alongside a local church in

the Middle East (3 weeks from late December 2017 into January 2018) For more information on the team, how to register interest or join, and for costs contact Interserve NZ: Ph: 09 630 0981 or visit www. interserve.org.nz

Porn and the grace of God Seminars coming to NZ Jessica Harris is a 31-year-old author, blogger, and international speaker characterised by her courage, transparency and grace. Pornography is fast becoming a public health issue moving from a private or moral issue to one with well-known addiction and public health consequences. Using her own experience, and with her passion for authenticity, Jessica brings to light the issues of

women who are addicted to pornography. She also speaks on relationships, abstinence and prolonged singleness; all from a godly perspective with honesty, humour and candour. In 2016, Jessica released her selfpublished book, Beggar’s Daughter, with more of her story on porn addiction in her teens and her healing journey. Her message encourages others to live abundant lives full of freedom.

Her day seminars in New Zealand are suitable for pastors, youth pastors, children and family pastors and counsellors. Her evening meetings are suitable for parents, youth, church staff and teachers. For more info: http://www. eventzilla.net/user/willowcreeknz

Gospel Outreach goes International!

Gospel Outreach International recently expanded its Gospel Outreach Team network into its 82nd country! GO started in Auckland and there are currently over 360 GO Teams launching out around the world. As well as the teams there are over 12,700 online students from 173 countries who have signed up for training and customised resources are now available for all 194 official countries in 34 languages. So far there are Gospel Outreach Teams (GO Teams) in a number of NZ cities including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Whakatane but ex-

16 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

pansion into other towns and cities around the country is planned. If your Church would like to set up a GO Team or you have an existing team that would like to join the GO Team network please e-mail Matt Old at info@ gospel-outreach.org for more information. To receive free online evangelism training go to www. gotrainingcourse.com or visit the GO International website at www. gospel-outreach.org or NZ site at www.gospel-outreach.org/nz


LOCAL NEWS

Is this your year in Jerusalem? Derek McDowell from ICEJ-NZ is hosting a 14-day tour of Israel, from 4 to 19 October to celebrate the ICEJ Feast celebrations with thousands of believers worldwide. With an experienced local Israeli tour guide, this will be a life-changing and life-enriching tour. Highlights include dynamic evening

celebrations, communion at the Garden Tomb and the Jerusalem March through Jerusalem streets with thousands of participants. Experiencing much of what Israel offers, we will also visit the ANZAC sites in Southern Israel, Masada, the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, the Med Coast, the Galilee and lots in between.

Make this October your special opportunity to visit Israel, the heartland of the Bible, during the vibrant Feast of Tabernacles. For more info go to nz.icej.org/downunder-tour-feast or contact me direct: Derek McDowell 021 207 6061

Experience SUMMIT at City Impact Church City Impact Church SUMMIT is happening from 12 to 16 July at their North Shore Campus. All are welcome to come and hear from international guests; Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, Dr. Dharius Daniels, and Ps. Bill Wilson. SUMMIT kicks off with a huge opening night and includes daytime ‘REAL TALK’ sessions with each of the guests, and Senior Pastors Ps Peter and Bev Mortlock. One of the most influential Christian leaders of our time Rev Rodriguez is the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference representing over 100 million Christians. He led a prayer at the inauguration of US President Trump. Founder and Senior Pastor of Kingdom Church in New Jersey, Dr Daniels’ is a theological powerhouse. He speaks at Yale Divinity School and Princeton Theological Seminary and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, a Master of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry. After being abandoned by his mother at 12, Ps Bill Wilson developed a compassion for suffering children. In 1980 he established Metro World Child in one of Brooklyn’s roughest neighbourhoods. Today his ministry serves more than 150,000 children around the world every week. All are welcome at this complimentary conference – www.summit.cityimpactchurch.com.

We encourage and equip Christians around New Zealand to share the Gospel.

Tools We offer customised outreach tools designed to connect with people in New Zealand using Kiwi designs and plain everyday language.

Training Our online course is free and has over 12,000 people from 173 countries signed up. Go to www.gotrainingcourse.com to join.

Teams The GO Team network is expanding around New Zealand and is part

of the wider international network of GO with over 360 teams in 82 countries. To set up a team or find out more go to www.gospel-outreach.org/teams.

Great evangelism tools for Kiwis Practical training Team network

To find out more go to www.gospeloutreach.co.nz, e-mail us at info@gospel-outreach.org or ph/text Matt Old on 0221028060 Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 17


PROGRAMME GUIDE

Watch Shine on Freeview 25 / SKY 201 Online shinetv.co.nz

June 2017

Details correct at time of printing at the beginning of April. For up-to-date 24-hour listings and programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

5:00 6:00 6:30 7:00

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Living Truth: Charles Price

In Touch: Charles Stanley

Living Truth: Charles Price

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

P

P

P

P

P

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

P

Life Questions / Kingdom Connection

P

5:00

P

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

6:00

P

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri) Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

P

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

P

Kingdom Connection: Jentezen Franklin

P

Derek Prince

P

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave and Jill Moore

P

Superbook Season 3

C

6:30

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

Superbook Season 3

C

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

Paul the Little Missionary

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

7:00

Jovis Bon Hovis

C

Friends and Heroes

C

Paul, Little Missionary

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

Superbook Season 3

C

Paul the Little Missionary

C

7:30

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

P

8:00

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave and Jill Moore

P

Blello TV / Theo: Teaching God’s Word

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Jovis Bon Hovis

C

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Jovis Bon Hovis

C

8:00

8:30

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

P

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

P

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

P

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

P

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

P

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

P

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

8:30

In Touch: Charles Stanley

P

Scaly Adventures

C

9:00

P

P

What’s Cooking with Young & Free

C

9:30

10:00

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

10:30 11:00

7:30

9:00

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri) Bobby Schuller

P

P

The Restoration Road

D

Songs of Praise

M

The Exchange

D

P

Be Amazing

D

11:30

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

9:30

Leon Fontaine

P

P

Roots and Reflections

D

Coop Dreams

D

100 Huntley Street

D

Long Story Short

D

100 Huntley Street

D

13:00

Give Me An Answer

D

14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00

Living Truth: Charles Price

P

17:30

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

P

18:00

Joni & Friends

18:30

Jerusalem Dateline

16:30 17:00

When Calls the Heart D (Season 2)

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

In Touch: Charles Stanley

P

Hillsong Kids: Cubbyhouse

C

Theo: Teaching God’s Word / Blello TV

C

Be Amazing

D

19:30

Songs of Praise

M

Coop Dreams

D

20:00

Long Story Short

D

100 Huntley Street

D

21:30

D

The End of Me / Cross Purposes (13 June)

D

Travelling Light

D

LivingTruth: Charles Price

N

Noon

M

12:30

Liberty University Convocation

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

SERIES

D

FEATURE:

14:30

P

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

P

Friends and Heroes

C

Paul the Little Missionary

C

Captain Chuckleberry

C

Superbook Season 3

C

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

P 16:00

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Jovis Bon Hovis

C

Super Simple Science Stuff

C

Hillsong Kids: A Big Life

C

Jerusalem Dateline

N 16:30

M

Studio 5

D 17:00

D

Creation Magazine Live

D 17:30

N

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Full Circle (Tue-Thu)

Christian World News

P

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

N

Joni and Friends

Be Amazing

D

P

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

D

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

D

The End of Me / Cross Purposes (12 June)

D

Travelling Light

D

Bobby Schuller

P

Leon Fontaine

P

P

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

P

Jerusalem Dateline

N

Studio 5

D

Godsong Cafe

M

Jeni: Seeking the Extraordinary

D

Liberty University Convocation

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Long Story Short

SERIES

Hillsong TV

P

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

P

P

Creation Magazine Live

P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

P

The Exchange

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri)

P

Midnight

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore

P

00:30am

Roots and Reflections

D

1 am

Songs of Praise

M

1:30am

The Restoration Road

D

P

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri) Living Truth: Charles Price

2 am

A Shine viewer says...

P

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

P

Hour of Power: Bobby Schuller

SERIES

P

Overnight until 4:30am - Shine Worship (Sun-Sat)

‘Shine has helped me learn the importance of character and to have a more Jesus-like character instead of a worldly character.’

18 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

P

21:30

M

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri)

P

D 21:00

Worship by Hillsong

P

Derek Prince

20:00

D

D

P

Preaching

N News

C Children E

M Music

Entertainment

22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30 Midnight

D 00:30am P M

P

18:30

19:30

Liberty University Convocation

The Catholic Guy

The Catholic Guy: Bruce Downs

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for moreto detail Brought you by

FEATURE

23:30

P

18:00

19:00

FAMILY FEATURE:

Footprints of Hope Faces of NZ

23:00

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Give Me An Answer

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

FEATURE:

P

P

20:30 D

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail Bayless Conley

15:30

Brought to you by

Impact for Life

P

15:00

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

D

In Touch: Charles Stanley

14:00

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

P

P

P

13:30

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

The Find: India

Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

22:30

P

D 11:30

P

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

When Calls the Heart D (Season 2)

22:00

Studio 5

Godsong Cafe

The 700 Club (Mon-Fri)

Roots and Reflections

FEATURE:

11:00

Jerusalem Dateline

FEATURE:

Long Story Short

N

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

D

Y 10:30

D P

Joni and Friends

Life FM Presents

13:00

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

D

D

19:00

21:00

N

The Find: India

D

20:30

Be Amazing

D

Shine Worship (Mon-Fri)

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

(starts Sun 28 May)

Christian World News

10:00

N

FEATURE:

FEATURE:

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV

P

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri)

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

14:00

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Full Circle (Tue-Thu)

Noon

When Calls the Heart D (Season 2)

P

The 700 Club (Tue-Fri)

12:30

13:30

Answers with Bayless Conley

1 am 1:30am

2 am

D Doco/Drama

Y Youth


S H I NE F E A TURES June 2017

LONG STORY SHORT What is the Bible actually about? NEW KIWI SERIES Starts Sun 28 May 8.30pm

Series presenter Graham Burt in the Garden of Gethsemane

NEW

Saved by Grace Fri 9 June at 8.30pm

NEW

NEW

NEW

Love Finds You in Charm

Love Finds You in Valentine

They Grow Up Fast

Sat 17 June at 7pm

FEATURE SERIES IN JUNE

Beyond Zero (2015) (30 min) Psychologist Dr Robi Sonderegger visits Long Story Short (2014) (30 min) NEW refugee camps in Iraq to introduce a A Kiwi series that strips the Bible to its new programme to help overcome core and then presents it in a way that’s post-traumatic stress. accessible to everyone. Sun 4 @ 10.05pm; Tue 20 @ 8pm Sundays @ 8.05pm; Mondays @ 12.30pm Wed 21 @ 12.30pm Tuesdays @ 9.30pm Faith, Hope and Gloves (2015) (30 min) When Calls the Heart (Season 2) (2015) The Hoppers are motorbike enthusiasts The continuing saga of Elizabeth who answer God’s call to sponsor Juan Thatcher, a young teacher from high David, a little boy living in poverty in society, who receives her first classroom the Dominican Republic. assignment in a small coal mining town. Tue 6 @ 8pm; Wed 7 @ 12.30pm Mondays @ 8.30pm; Tuesdays @ 1pm; Sundays @ 1.30pm Flight: The Genius of Birds (2013) (65 min) The ingenuity of a bird’s behaviour Godsong Cafe (30 min) and biology showcase unmistakable From Shine’s Kiwi Classic archives, Kiwi evidence for design and purpose. poets and musicians share their talent Tue 6 @ 8.30pm; Wed 7 @ 1pm and stories before a live audience. Thursdays @ 8pm; Fridays @ 12.30pm Saved by Grace (2016) (90 min) NEW A retired police officer who has lost his Liberty University Convocation (2014) family meets a mysterious woman who North America’s largest weekly gathering gives him a reason to re-examine what of Christian students, host to more than is most important to him. 80 speakers from every sphere of society. Fri 9 @ 8.30pm; Sat 10 @ 12pm Thursdays @ 8.30pm; Fridays @ 1pm; Saturdays @ 10pm Unshakeable (2015) (90 min) After brain surgery, Hoovey learns to play basketball again, and takes another Youth Revival: The Documentary (2016) shot at his championship dream. (60 min) NEW Sat 10 @ 2pm Experience the buzz and anticipation as Hillsong Young & Free records their My Why (2014) (30 min) Youth Revival album live in Los Angeles. A project designed to bring the message Thu 1 @ 9.30pm; Fri 2 @ 2pm (Part 1) of Jesus to pop culture conversation Thu 8 @ 9.30pm; Fri 9 @ 2pm (Part 2) through the art of storytelling. The Ultimate Life (2013) (105 min) A billionaire with questionable priorities re-examines his life after discovering his grandfather’s journal. Fri 2 @ 8.30pm; Sat 3 @ 12pm My New Best Friend (2014) (89 min) Penelope, ‘Polka-dot,’ finds a friend in Officer Cooper and his K-9 partner Luey, the bloodhound. They’re a mismatched trio perfect for each other! Sat 3 @ 2pm Saul: Journey to Damascus (2014) (90 min) Vengeance. Redemption. Murder. This epic Biblical movie brings to life one of early Christianity’s most notable figures, Saul of Tarsus. Sun 4 @ 8.35pm; Mon 5 @ 1pm

Sat 24 June at 7pm

Running the Rift (2014) (85 min) Is it worth giving to charities? Is anything good being achieved? Do our donations make a difference? AFL player Aaron Zucconi and his mate run through East Africa to find the answers. Tue 13 @ 8pm; Wed 14 @ 12.30pm Chasing 3000 (2015) (84 min) Mickey and his younger brother, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, travel cross-country to see their baseball star hero get his 3000th hit. Wed 14 @ 8.30pm; Thu 15 @ 1pm

Ed’s Story (2015) (15 min) Diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND or ALS) and given a short time to live, Ed Dobson wrestles with the issues that suffering raises: worry, forgiveness, identity, gratitude and healing. Wed 21 @ 8.30pm; Thu 22 @ 1pm Love Finds You In Valentine (2016)

Black Beauty (2015) (90 min) A 15 year-old girl who volunteers at a city pound convinces her grandfather to adopt a horse rescued from an abusive owner. Sat 17 @ 2pm

Reflections on the Beatitudes (2015)

Love Finds You In Charm (2015)

They Grow Up Fast (2014) (70 min) NEW Filmmaker Darren Doane captures the amazing adventures of growing as a family. Filmed over 10 years, it gives new eyes to what it means to be a father and mother and the high calling of faithful parenting Tue 27 @ 8pm; Wed 28 @ 12.30pm

(90 min) NEW

A young Amish woman visits a cousin for the summer. She is exposed to another world, and finds friendship and love. She must choose the life she wants. Sat 17 @ 7pm; Sun 18 @ 2pm

Soldier of Destiny (2012) (100 min) A marine travels from Afghanistan to Africa to deliver the news of his friend’s Ravi Zacharias in Auckland (2017) death to his sister. He witnesses their (60 min) NEW deep faith in the midst of turmoil. Will Shine presents the visit of much loved he accept Christ? apologetic Ravi Zacharias earlier in 2017. Sun 18 @ 8.35pm; Mon 19 @ 1.30pm Sun 11 @ 8.35pm; Mon 12 @ 1pm No Bright Lights (2011) (60 min) Revival School Aotearoa (2017) An up close and personal look at (30 min) NEW Networks Romania, a Christian relief Revival School Aotearoa is based at organisation reaching out to some of Fiordland New Life Church. Its aim is to Romania’s poorest people. steward revival in NZ and beyond. Tue 20 @ 8.30pm; Wed 21 @ 1pm Sun 11 @ 10pm

Freeview 25 Sky 201 or online at shinetv.co.nz

Never Give Up (2015) (15 min) In January 2014, Jodie was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND or ALS). A story of courage, inspiration and never giving up. Wed 21 @ 8pm; Thu 22 @ 12.30pm

In Pursuit of the Light (2016) (35 min) NEW Insight into the creative process and heart of Hillsong Worship’s latest album. Includes exclusive interviews with the Hillsong Worship team, including Joel Houston and Reuben Morgan. Thu 15 @ 9.30pm; Fri 16 @ 2pm

Sat 10 @ 9.30pm (Part 1) Sun 17 @ 9.30pm (Part 2)

To watch Shine

Tue 27 June at 8pm

(90 min) NEW

Kennedy inherits a ranch in the small town of Valentine. She decides to spend the summer in her house and learn more about her family. Sat 24 @ 7pm; Sun 25 @ 2pm (100 min)

Ken Curtis explores the richness and depth of the Beatitudes and challenges us to find blessedness in brokenness. Sun 25 @ 8.35pm; Mon 26 @ 1.30pm

This is not a comprehensive list of Shine’s June features. Details are up to date at time of printing. For a full and up-to-date 24-hour programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

shinetv.co.nz twitter.com/shinetv facebook.com/shinetv.nz

Check out our new site at www.christianlife.co.nz | 19


CONFERENCE

Finding MORE at LIFE Conference 2017

W

People Carers: Please mark your diary now!

Liberty

Down Under Venue: River of Life Church, 774 High Street, Avalon, Lower Hutt. When: Wednesday 21st to Friday 23rd June, 2017 A Special Training Course for People Carers including Christian Counsellors, Social Workers, Pastoral Care Workers, Hospital, Prison, Defence, School & Industrial Chaplains, & Christian Church Ministry teams Speakers: Dr. David Kyle Foster (World expert on Sexual Addictions, USA); Tony & Aureole Piper (ministering freedom to Children & Teens, Australia); Indra Belsham (Biblical Counselling); & Suzanne Adams (Family Dispute Resolution & Elder Mediation). Accommodation options listed on our website on the Winter School page (under the Training button). Professional Development Certificates available. Hosted by

Jubilee Resources International Inc.

www.jubileeresources.org Email: registrations@jubileeresources.org Phone: +64-4-939-1910 CL LDU17.indd 1

20 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

2/04/17 12:01 PM

hile the idea of wanting more isn’t unfamiliar to us, drilling down to what ‘more’ specifically looks like is a little more complicated. From creation, God created a vast and intricate world from nothing; expansive skylines and unfathomable universes that stretch far beyond what can be seen. If a person’s desire is to see more in their lives, they first must place themselves in the hands of God, the constant definer of MORE. LIFE Conference 2017, hosted by Ps Paul and Maree de Jong, focuses on the God of MORE. Held over 16-19 May, the conference aims to create a space where a wide range of individuals will be empowered, whilst strengthening the leader within. This year sees Ps Paul and Maree joined by keynote speakers, Ps Brian Houston (Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church), Ps Dharius Daniels (Senior Pastor of Kingdom Church, USA), Joel Holm (Pathfinders International) and Ps Sy Rogers (Teaching Pastor at LIFE). In addition to these main sessions, the conference’s Master Classes delve deeper into four key areas that reflect LIFE’s four focuses—Church, Community, Business and Kingdom—providing practical insight and wisdom from experienced leaders in these areas of influence. This year’s programme has seen an expansion to its Church Master Class; covering a wide range of topics including personal development, families, relationships, ministry development, creativity,

youth, young adults, and Christian fundamentals. The human experience is wide and varied, and no doubt, with its largest delegate numbers to date, this will be well represented across the conference. Yet, when interacting with a God of MORE, it is incredible to see just how expansive His character is; able to meet each individual and lead them to a wider experience. The aim of such specific topics in the Master Classes is to create space for God to do exactly this; bring His fullness to delegates wishing to see more in what they are called to and what they have ‘in the hand’ at this moment of time. If an individual takes the time to consider what more would look like, each response would undoubtedly sound different. Even more so, if they individually took time to ask God what more would look like for them, the intricacies would stretch deep into every facet of their lives. While more resource may seem like the immediate solution, His answer might be an increase of capacity. Saying ‘no’ at the right time might open up many more opportunities to say ‘yes’ to the right things. The idea of ‘more’ isn’t always quantifiable, nor is it narrowed to one area of life. This is why LIFE Conference 2017 chooses to focus on the God of more; that all who attend may find themselves listening to what He would say to them, ready to move as He directs. After all, there is more. He is more.


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We are seeking a senior pastor who loves God and His Church, who is:

• passionate about the Gospel and preaching and teaching the Word of God, • cares deeply about the lost and this broken world, • is called to lead us to grow this Church, • is empowered by the Holy Spirit to serve and lead. The senior pastor will team with the governing board of the Church (Church Council Board, CCB), and will give leadership and supervision for implementing the vision of the Church. We are a multi-cultural church with our roots in the Chinese immigrant community. We have regular attendance of approximately 600, a staff of 12 (8 full-time, 4 part-time), and 5 congregations (2 Mandarin/English, 1 Cantonese, 2 English).

Applications close 31 May, 2017

To apply, please email us your CV and cover letter to

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GAY AND HURTING?

If this is your experience, take heart. Over the last 50 years many people in similar life-walks to your own have been helped while participating in totally confidential Christian support groups. Exodus Ministries has such groups operating in several centres in N.Z. This support has resulted in a majority of participants being helped in personal growth away from same-sex-attraction struggles and gay porn attraction.While the rate of growth varies, for a significant number it has been such that they have married and raised families. Exodus Ministries Ph: 09 268 0346 exodusnz@maxnet.co.nz PO Box 175, Takinini, 2245

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22 | Christian Life Issue Forty-Five May 2017

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ADDICTION

5 Dos And Don’ts To Help A Loved One Beat Addiction with DIXIE SOMERS Living with someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol is not an easy situation. You may be subjected to lying, manipulation, even violence. Getting the individual into treatment to deal with his or her substance abuse problem should be the primary goal, but you may be faced with a number of circumstances that require thoughtful handling. Here are a few dos and don’ts that addiction experts recommend. Do Face The Problem Honestly The thought of a loved one being addicted is not a pleasant one to accept, but it’s only when you admit the depth of the problem can you really be of help to them. Make sure the individual understands that you know about the addiction and that hiding it is of no use. Research the treatment options in your area and encourage the person to enter a program immediately. Don’t Enable The Addiction Experts in addiction encourage family members and friends of addicted individuals to take care of their own mental health as part of helping addicted loved ones. Don’t be drawn into helping them cover up their addiction, and don’t protect them from the consequences of their actions. Allowing the person to experience these consequences can

help to motivate them to get into treatment and do the work necessary to remain clean and sober.

are often part of the process of learning to manage the disease of addiction. People who are addicted must learn to recognize the events, people and places that “trigger” their craving to use the substance. This ability often takes time to master, and repeated attempts are often necessary. Getting back into counseling, treatment or 12-step support groups immediately helps to foster long-term success in recovery. If your loved one has a

Do Encourage Your Loved One To Get Treatment Make it clear to your loved one that he or she needs treatment, and you expect them to get into a program immediately. Addicted individuals are always in denial about the severity of their problem. It’s your job to push for entering a treatment program that will restore your loved one to normal behavior and function. If possible, find a clinic that specializes in your loved one’s specific addiction.

relapse, encourage them to get back into treatment to learn more skills for recovery. Addiction affects not only individuals, but also everyone close to them. Ensuring that you are taking the correct actions can help get loved ones into treatment, so that they can begin the journey back to sobriety and normalcy.

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Do Be Supportive During The Treatment Program Friends and family can help loved ones in treatment by helping to care for children, attending family therapy sessions, listening to their doubts and struggles and generally standing by them as they learn about addiction and what they must do to return to normal function. Family support can be a critical factor in succeeding in recovery, and you can show your support in practical ways and through verbal encouragement.

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Candace O’Brien is suspicious.

Why does the whispering always stop the moment she appears? There must be a big secret—one which involves her somehow. How can she find out the truth?

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In this book... Chapter one: Earth Rescue Chapter two: Snuffy Gets Sick Chapter three: A Hard Decision Chapter four: A Constant Friend

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This book of inspirational Christian writings brings hope and encouragement within moments of deep searching when experiencing the challenges of life’s journey.

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She has a mystery of her own to unlock, but is it even possible? And will the unmet desire in her life ever be fulfilled? Or will she simply have to make peace with it?

Written by Raymond Spence and illustrated by Georgia Auckram, the second book in the Chainey and Marty series uses a host of quirky characters and fun storylines to communicate Christian values and lifeskills to kids. Ideal for use at home or in a Children’s Church context, each story comes with chapter notes and suggested activities as a guide for parents and teachers.

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Truth 24 Will Out The

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Sapphire Nord has a big secret. But when will be the right time to reveal it to her loved ones? And how will they react?

There’s something worrying James. Find out what’s going on as Chainey and Marty help James to stand up for himself in four new adventures.

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RIPPLES IN THE WATER THE TRUTH WILL OUT - CLARE MATRAVERS - CLARE MATRAVERS Sapphire’s life is touched by tragedy, romance, an illness and faith before she encounters a mysterious woman with a huge secret one that involves Sapphire, and will change her life forever... Book One of Two.

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Candace O’Brien is suspicious. Why does the whispering always stop the moment she appears? There must be a big secret—one which involves her somehow. How can she find out the truth? Book Two of Two.

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