Christian Life issue Ten March 2014 by Initiate Media

MARCH 2014 • Issue TEN • www.mychristiandaily.com

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THE VOICE OF REASON Tak Bhana and his quest for Christ

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

World’s first autobiographical account on Body Dysmorphia by a kiwi!

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Contents...

Issue TEN | MAR 2014

04 The Voice of Reason: Tak Bhana 06 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Suzanne Tocher 08 Veil of Tears 09

New Ministry Broadcast For NZ

10 Childhood poverty & abuse in New Zealand 12 Making Sense of Jesus through Song and Dance 14

COVER STORY: Get ready for Easter with Sophie Gray

16 Shine TV programme guide 18 Christian Life Classifieds 09

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Profile

THE VOICE OF REASON

AN INDEPTH CHAT WITH NEW ZEALAND’S OWN TAK BHANA ~ BY SARAH TENGVALL Most Kiwis know Tak Bhana’s voice better than his face. Of Radio Rhema fame the Senior Pastor of Auckland’s Church Unlimited hosts a daily show Running With Fire broadcast throughout New Zealand. But he nearly turned down the opportunity twice! After being recommended for the job he felt he was too busy and that radio was not something he would do well. Then about a year later he was asked again. Tak takes up the story, “knowing I would probably say no, the Chief Executive Officer said that before I replied I was to fast and pray. I prayed and the Lord gave me a verse indicating I should do it. I am now so glad I did. It pays to pray before decisions.” And as it turned out Running With Fire has enabled Tak to fulfill a desire of his to share the truths of God’s Word into homes, offices, prisons, all across the nation and also into other countries like United Kingdom, Indonesia, Australia, and South Africa. “It’s been encouraging to get feedback from other nations. My heart is to stir God’s people with a passion for Himself and to reach a lost world with the love of God and message of salvation. Radio, television, our Running With Fire magazine which goes into seventy nations, and the NZ And Beyond conference have been great vehicles to achieve this. Tak’s Christian story begins as an Auckland law student. “I was nearing the end of my law and commerce degrees when I began to think there had to be more to life than being born, going to school, having a career, getting married, having kids, making money and dying. I was

missionaries. “Being a missionary was always my dream from the early days of my salvation. Nations burned in my heart even though I didn’t really know what that meant. As a young Christian I dreamt of taking the Word to the world. Our three years in the Philippines were not at all easy years. Our only daughter Jodi was born there and Adrienne went through a very difficult pregnancy. We came home on furlough not in great shape. While back in New Zealand we accepted an offer to be assistant pastors at what was then the Queen St Assembly Of God. Four years later I became senior pastor of what is now Church Unlimited.” From its small beginnings in 1987 Church Unlimited is now one of Auckland’s biggest. And for Tak the journey pastoring it has been incredible one. “In the first few years we experienced explosive growth which was very exciting. Growth since than has been steady. We have faced some turbulent times that have pushed me to the edge of being able to cope, but God has been gracious and seen me through. Knowing with great certainty that God called and appointed me as senior pastor gives me faith and strength in difficult times.” Prayer is one of the key reasons for this church’s success. “I think some of the reasons for our success would be firstly a strong prayer base. We have a number of prayer meetings every week. All church departments are required to have a weekly prayer meeting and we have also had 24/7 prayer running for eight years. I believe prayer releases God’s blessing and helps avoid and limit some

of God it is so much easier to live for God, serve him, have a strong devotional life, attend church, sacrifice and the like. These people don’t need a lot of motivating, they have an inner fuel that drives them.” He advises Christians facing problems and setbacks in their life to stay connected. “Don’t isolate yourself but stay in fellowship with God’s people. Ask for help, the sooner the better. Always remember the answer is in God not elsewhere.” He also advised people to pray, “even if it’s a weak prayer God will hear and hopefully work on your behalf. Realise that even bible champions like David faced major setbacks, defeat, depression and discouragement. Don’t let the devil condemn you.” As Christians Tak believes our primary goal should be to discover God’s plan for our lives and seek to fulfill it. “A major key to the Christian walk is ever increasing surrender to God. Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Finally, Tak, who says he is not a conference junkie, has a good reason for hosting the upcoming NZ and Beyond conference. “The reason we began to host this conference was because I realised that even though we had seen good growth in our church, there were barely

Also by God’s grace I have determined not to allow my commitment to church and serving Him to ever wane. I have made it a high priority to jealously guard my relationship with God and my zeal for him.

Pictured left: Tak and his wife Adrienne missing something, so I began a search. I looked at some other religions but was not persuaded. Then a radical new Christian started witnessing to me at law school and at the same time I ended up sitting with a Christian school friend in accountancy 3 classes. God was on my case in a big way. After a number of months I gave my life to The Lord. The major revelation I got was I had found the truth. To this day my desire remains to declare the Truth to others. He is the Way the Truth and the Life.” And all these years later Tak is still as strong as ever in his Christian faith. He believes the main keys are maintaining a disciplined daily prayer life and time in the Word, and not letting other things squeeze this out. Daily time with God fuels and maintains passion for him, he said. “Also by God’s grace I have determined not to allow my commitment to church and serving Him to ever wane. I have made it a high priority to jealously guard my relationship with God and my zeal for him.” Shortly after becoming a Christian Tak and his wife Adrienne headed off to the Philippines as young

4 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

problems that may have arisen or hindered the church. Holy Spirit leading is the second reason for the church’s success. “I regularly seek His leadership and guidance and acknowledge Him as my senior partner. With virtually every major decision and new initiative we have heard from God to do it. This is true for NZ And Beyond Auckland and Christchurch and our 1500 seater auditorium. Finally Tak believes they have been successful because God has blessed us with great teams of pastors and staff over the years, who for the most part have maintained unity. My wife Adrienne, daughter Jodi and son-in-law Sam have been a huge support and strength to me and the church. Tak stands out among preachers in New Zealand for his unquenchable zeal for God. He says this comes down to maintaining a strong relationship with God through prayer, worship, bible reading, church attendance and serving God. “We need to maintain our hunger for God by not filling our lives with junk and other things that reduce our passion for God. When you burn with the fire

any more Christians in west Auckland than when I started 25 years ago. I believe this scenario is played out all across our nation. Church growth is not equating to Kingdom growth. NZ and Beyond has as part of its vision to inspire and mobilise, churches, leaders and Christians to do what they can to advance the gospel in their street, community, family, workplace, community, New Zealand and nations. “Also New Zealand once had more missionaries per capita than any nation on earth. We were once leaders in this field. I want to see New Zealands’s calling to be a great missions nation fulfilled. Not many conferences in our nation tackle these two important issues.”

NZ And Beyond 2014, Christchurch 17-19 March and Auckland 20-22 March.

Broadcasting across New Zealand from April 2014

Leading The Way broadcasts on over 600 radio and TV stations across Australia and New Zealand.

Moore College alumnus Dr. Michael Youssef is the Founding Rector of Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, and the Founder and President of Leading The Way.

To find out more visit us online at www.leadingtheway.org or call 0800 111 589 www.mychristiandaily.com | 5

Exclusive

GRACE ABOUNDS for first-time Kiwi author SUZANNE TOCHER has battled her demons and written the first autobiographical account of living with Body Dysmorphia... by Sarah Tengvall

Kiwi author Suzanne Tocher has written a world first according to an international psychology expert. Professor Don Jefferys of Deakin University, Victoria, Australia believes ‘Well-Come Grace’ it is the first autobiographical account of the rare but increasingly common disorder, Body Dysmorphia. However, the book is also achieving other firsts in that it is a mixture of artwork work, poems and narrative – all

intertwining to present the healing story of Suzanne’s life. It is this uniqueness that led to it being snapped up by United Kingdom Christian publishers Highlands, who were attracted to this unusual presentation, and because it was a book of transformation not a sob story, said Suzanne. The Wellington-based education lecturer uses this combination to effectively convey her feelings and findings about healing from this unique mental disorder. This is an illness where people become dissatisfied with their looks, thinking parts of their body are ugly, and it can escalate into clinical obsession. Throughout the book Suzanne uses the biblical image of the Olive Tree, and its grafts, as her inspiration. It is divided into two sections. The first phase is Suzanne’s faith journey following her father into a mental hospital. The second section, the step of insight, is working with her therapist to uncover the core disorder and receive healing through the symbol of grace. Part one called “Well connected” was published in New Zealand in 2010 and that thought Suzanne was that. But after the discovery of the BD diagnosis in 2010, the story needed to continue. And it was following the visit of Professor Jefferys, who passed through Wellington, and offered to see Suzanne’s manuscript that she was inspired to seek international publishers. His comments in the book’s forward state that, “BDD is a preoccupation with a defect in appearance. The defect is either imagined or exaggerated and causes significant distress and impairment of normal social functioning.” After Highland’s acceptance of the book it was still another three years until the actual publication, a time for which Suzanne was grateful. “During this waiting time I

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Serving all NZ 6 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

received more spiritual insights and especially revelation concerning the dynamics of the cross, and the provision of healing available there. “ Suzanne said the day her book was finally published she felt very thankful to God. “He is so faithful. Writing the book felt like a commission from God. I felt like I was meant to write it. “It reinforces for me the sense that God is faithful and he brings you through. And if he gives you a vision he gives you a way to complete it. I now have a passion for girls that have these symptoms, I want to advocate for them and help them understand the formative stages before it becomes chronic. “It is also showing to the world God’s deep healing. I’ve still got the scars but I have God’s deep love in me. I want to get the word out about BD and second- generation war trauma. “Finally I am beginning to see me, how God sees me, rather than the reflection of illusion on the wall, and when I finally finish my face, God’s revelation will be complete.” And for Suzanne there is some relief in writing and publishing the book. “I feel like I can move on now and go more into outreach then ‘in reach’. I feel humbled by the process and just that God’s such an awesome God and he got me through this.” Much of Suzanne’s healing journey was re-connecting with herself as a baby, which, was done by drawing pictures of herself as a baby and then expressing feelings. “It was not about patching up the old lady but becoming a new me.” “There was the old tortured baby and now there is the new baby Grace. So if the old tortured baby starts to come out I just click back into the new Grace in me – the Holy Spirit flows in her. God gave me something concrete to hold onto. “This book is about a God inspired journey and linking it back to the divine exchange at the cross.” ‘Well-Come Grace’ is available at Amazon.com

www.cba.net.nz HAMILTON: Living Word Bookcentre, 634 Victoria St, Ph: 07 839 5607 CAMBRIDGE Solomon’s Couch, Capernwray, 3553 Cambridge Rd, Ph 07 823 1800 TAURANGA: Lighthouse Bookcentre, 54 Wharf Street, Ph: 07 578 6944 Sonshine Bookcentre, 84 1st Avenue, Ph: 07 578 8477 Sunrise Books, Shop 16 Cherrywood Court, Ph:07 576 1092 ROTURUA: Sonshine Bookcentre, 1129 Eruera St, Ph:07 349 1661 HASTINGS: Pleroma Christian Supplies, 38 Higginson Street, Otane Ph: 06 856 8378 NEW PLYMOUTH: Good News Centre, 581 Devon Street East, Ph: 06 758 4912 LEVIN: Beacon Christian Bookshop, 198A Oxford Street, Ph: 06 368 7683 BLEHEIM Christian Books and Music Centre, 14 Maxwell Rd, Ph: 03 366 1917

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Missions

VEIL OF TEARS For women in Asia, every stage of life can be a perilous minefield. Gendercide, sex-trafficking, childlabour, and persecution of widows are among the most serious issues facing women today in South Asia. Christian Life takes a look at what some say are the most pressing issues for the worldwide Church to tackle in the early 21st Century.

Will She Be Allowed to Be Born? Asian women face tremendous hardships throughout their lives, and even before a baby girl is born her life is at undue risk. Due to cultural preferences and economics, sons are preferred among many Asian families. Sons are able to provide for their family and care for their parents in old age, as well as manage the family business; daughters require an expensive dowry when they are married off—something many parents cannot afford. Slogans such as “Spend 600 rupees now, save 50,000 rupees later” demonstrate the mentality of many parents: an abortion is cheaper than a dowry. This practice of sex-selective abortion of baby girls, or “gendercide,” means that more than 160 million females are missing from Asia’s homes. Making it outside of the womb doesn’t increase a baby girl’s chance of acceptance either. With the ingrained cultural preference for males, many new parents of a baby girl find themselves tempted to dispose of the girl in infancy. In South Asia, a couple was reported to have given birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The new parents rejoiced over the boy, but refused to accept their daughter—the baby girl was found dead in the street outside their home just a short time later. This story along with countless others illustrate the reality that girls in Asia can be considered as worthless, often seen as just another mouth to feed. Pre-teen Years: Terror on Every Side Once past childhood, girls navigate their preteen years like walking through a minefield. At the least, adolescent girls are subjected to the lewd comments and harassment of men in their neighbourhood. In the darkest corners of most Asian cities are those who prey upon young girls, kidnapping and trafficking them into lives of terror. Because parents in Asia’s poorest areas consider girls a liability, some even sell their young daughters into this evil trade. According to the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation, India occupies a “unique position” as a source, transit nation and destination for human trafficking – mostly of women and girls for the sex trade. Marriage Years Bring More Bondage If a girl makes it to marriageable age, she will be negoti-

ated away to the man her parents choose and will move to her husband’s home, but she may not be automatically welcome. The wife may receive favour for a while, if she is lucky enough to give birth to a son, but if she bears daughters, that only brings further grief. A husband who feels the dowry he received for his new bride was too small may take matters into his own hands: “accidental” kitchen fires prove an easy route to be freed to look for a new bride with a larger dowry. Every year there are more than 9,000 reported cases of this “bride burning” in India. The hopelessness is so rampant that suicide is the number-one cause of death among women at this stage of life. Cursed for Her Husband’s Death Traditional bias means that if at any time a husband dies—no matter what the cause—the wife is blamed. She will be considered a curse on her family. To deal with this “curse,” society adopts a series of rituals. The family will typically shave the widow’s head, take away her jewelry and make her dress in white to distinguish her as someone to avoid. If she is lucky, her eldest son may give her a corner of his house to live out her life. Tragically, most are not that fortunate to even have this to call home. Rejected by her family and society, she may be cast out onto the streets. Her only choice for survival may be begging or even becoming a prostitute.

Veil of Tears Movie View the trailer and book your place at a release screening at www.gfa.org.nz/veil This gripping new documentary from Gospel for Asia tells the untold story of millions of women in India who are culturally persecuted for no other reason than the fact that they are women. Along with highlighting the serious issues raised here, the film provides a glimpse into the work of those who are reaching out and trying to change this culture towards women from the inside out. These are the stories of true survivors. Those who have withstood a lifetime of adversity in the face of a culture stacked against them. Veil of Tears takes viewers on a heartfelt journey through the eyes of women who unveil their personal stories of persecution, rejection, abandonment, tragedy, and triumph. Get a glimpse of the hope that has changed the lives of millions of women and is helping change millions more. Narrated by Dove Award-Winning, Grammy-Nominated recording artist Natalie Grant, directed and produced by the critically-acclaimed filmmakers, Kenny & Kyle Saylors (Kimjongilia, The Gamebreaker, My Finish Line), the documentary was shot on-location across India – from some of the most remote tribal villages in Asia, to some of its greatest cities. It’s a film about the transformation of lives that will take viewers on a journey where few outsiders have been before.

Register for your free tickets to a screening of Veil of Tears, or host a screening at your church this year, at www.gfa.org.nz/veil

ABOUT GOSPEL FOR ASIA... While the film Veil of Tears brings into focus a dark reality existing in the world today, it also highlights the hope that millions of women receive each day through the work and ministry of Gospel for Asia (www. gfa.org.nz). For more than 30 years, Gospel for Asia has continued to bring aid and hope to some of the most downtrodden people in South Asia. Gospel for Asia works to reach the most unreached in Asia with God’s love through national missionaries. Gospel for Asia also ministers to children through our Bridge of Hope programme, providing education, nutritious meals and a loving environment to more than 60,000 children in need.

Sources: • http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2010/s10070022.htm • http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2013-03/27/suicide-women-india

8 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

Outreach

NEW MINISTRY BROADCAST FOR NZ In April 2014, New Zealand’s premier Christian radio Broadcaster, Rhema Media will begin broadcasting Leading The Way’s radio and TV programmes across New Zealand. LEADING THE WAY - SOUND BIBLE TEACHING FOR OVER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY What began in 1988 as short form radio spots on Atlanta radio in the United States has grown into a worldwide ministry that is heard in 190 countries, in 21 languages, over 4,000 times per week. In the last 10 years, Leading The Way has been an established entity in Australasia. Presently, we broadcast on over 600 TV and radio stations in Australia. Who is Dr Michael Youssef? Michael Youssef was born in Egypt in 1948 the seventh of eight children. At the age of 16 he gave his life to Christ. As a young man living under a dictatorship Michael dreamed of emigrating to the West. In 1967, God enabled him to escape to Australia. While living in Sydney he studied at Moore Theological College and obtained a Bachelor of Theology. He met and married his wife Elizabeth at church in Sydney and was ordained in the Sydney Anglican Diocese. For a number of years they served the Lord in parish ministry. In 1976 Michael and Elizabeth and their family moved to the United States. Michael went on to com-

plete a Master’s degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and earned a PhD from Emory University in Atlanta. From 1977, he was the Managing Director of the Haggai Institute, travelling the globe teaching and mentoring leaders. However, Michael felt that God had called him to preach, so in 1987 at the urging of some local Atlanta Christians, Michael Youssef founded The Church of the Apostles. The Church of the Apostles is an independent Evangelical Church in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Leading the Way began broadcasting one year later. Today, Dr. Michael Youssef continues as founding Rector of Church of the Apostles and is Leading the Way’s number one volunteer. He is not paid for the work he does for Leading The Way, nor does he receive royalties for the over 30 books he has published. Leading The Way is a truly global broadcast ministry. Along with partners committed to changing the world, Leading The Way is bringing the light of Christ to those living in spiritual darkness. By passionately proclaiming uncompromising Truth through creative methods, this international team of experts is uniquely providing hope that is revolutionizing lives in Western culture, developing nations, and the Muslim world. Leading The Way also produces DVDs, CDs, books, a monthly devotional magazine, solar-powered Navigators, and daily e-devotionals to spread the light of Christ.

In 2009, the ministry launched THE KINGDOM SAT television channel to broadcast biblical truth from 50 ministry partners to five continents on five satellite platforms in English, Arabic and French. At the beginning of March 2014, THE KINGDOM SAT added Bahasa Indonesian to its language offering and launched as MALAKOOT SAT INDONESIA – preaching Christ in the world’s largest muslim nation – 24 hours a day; 7 days a week. Leading The Way also partners internationally with in-country follow-up teams to encourage new believers in their faith, helping God’s Kingdom to grow around the world and funds Help The Persecuted to provide vital aid to believers being persecuted for their faith in Christ. Dr. Youssef and the Leading The Way staff are committed to sharing the Gospel with the lost and equipping believers to grow into a deeper walk with Christ. It is with great thanks to the Lord that Leading The Way begins broadcasting in New Zealand. From April 1st you can hear the Leading The Way progamme on Southern Star FM. Concurrently, Leading The Way’s TV programme can be seen on SHINE TV - check the programme on page 16 for more details.

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Hope

Childhood poverty & abuse in New Zealand It’s incredible how quickly we respond to a crisis overseas but fail to see the need in our very own backyard. SARAH TENGVALL reports... The Salvation Army is urging everyday Kiwis to take a stand and voice their concerns over growing child poverty and violence in New Zealand as the government is unlikely to. “As a nation we must take a brave and more interventionist approach if we are to see child poverty and family violence significantly reduce,” said Major Campbell Roberts, Salvation Army Social Policy Director. This was one of the recommendations from its recently released State Of The Nation Report, which highlights the lack of progress in these areas along with alcohol abuse, criminal re-offending and serious crime. The report shows that the number of substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect has risen 3.7 percent to 22,984. The number of offences against children, including violence and neglect has risen 1.3 percent to 5,212. In total it is estimated that 200,000 children are living in poverty in New Zealand – the same number for the last five years. Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills attributes the jump in abuse figures to the change in reporting which now includes children, who witness domestic violence, a big chunk of the figure, he said. But physical assaults for children have actually plateaued, and for Maori they have actually fallen, he said. “That tells me there has been an increase in the understanding of the harm of domestic violence and the intolerance of that.” Mr Wills was keen to report that New Zealand may well have a world first in achieving a ‘Faith Communities Against Violence National Statement’ signed by more than 40 religious leaders around the country. The document declares that family violence is one of the most significant challenges facing New Zealand today. And the signatories commit to taking responsibility to address the challenge. It declares that children are a gift and deserve kindness, love and care. The leaders commit to refusing to tolerate family violence and to strive to provide places of safety and nurture for children and families. Mr Wills acknowledges that there is increasing public concern about child poverty in New Zealand. Homes of Hope, Chief Executive and founder, Hilary Price, agrees more kiwis should be joining the fight against poverty and says it is about the body working together.

BEYOND DISABILITY The unique role of the Church

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10 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

“The first step is to become informed and accept child poverty is a reality in New Zealand, this will stop the debate. Then ask what do I have in my hand that I could contribute. It might be volunteering for some hours at an existing community service or befriending a single parent,” she suggested. “New Zealand is a very emphatic nation and fantastic at responding to overseas crisis but we can do something here. Jesus went first to Jerusalem and then Samaria. We don’t all have financial resources but we all have time to advocate, help a single-parent, pray and deliver leaflets. “The existing system in New Zealand is over loaded and struggling to cope with present needs. We need to raise the bar and that takes a collective role – we do too much finger pointing. It’s going to take all of us.” Ms Price says there were no surprises for her in the findings of the State Of Nation report. “It’s time we get to grips with child poverty – it is endemic in parts of our population. Poverty strips the human body of dignity and fulfillment but for children it is a piercing pain, and a financial disaster for the country. ‘The compounding problems that come with living in these environments limit the potential of these children to fulfill their potential and become contributing members of society. We see this daily, children with decaying teeth and skin lesions, mostly under-weight – it is going to impair their learning. “There are many drivers that contribute to this poverty and not one magic bullet to fix it. But if we could all come to a collective agreement and acceptance that there needs to be change – this will be the first part of the solution. “Isolation and lack of sense of community is a big contributor. Family and relationship breakdown is a big part of it today. And as people lose their sense of support and community they lose their identity.” Ms Price says Homes of Hope was a Holy Spirit inspired calling. “God has gifted with the ability to connect with children. I am passionate about children. They are a representation of our humanity. I marvel at God’s creation in each of them and long to call out what God has placed in each one of them. “If we can plant the anchor of how much God loves them – that is a good thing and something they will always have.” Her background includes primary and early childhood teaching as well as social work. Ms Price says of her work at Homes of Hope, “It’s because we engage with these children on a daily basis that they have hope and light. We make a difference in all these children but we always be advocating for the system to change for all children. It must change.” Hilary’s final comments were a reference to James 1;27:”Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” Homes of Hope are a charitable Trust that was set up to 2002 to care for children suffering from abuse

and neglect. To date the home has helped more than a hundred children in need. The homes are based on giving foster care to siblings in a strong and transparent community, and preventing children from being separated while in their care. They are committed to providing stability and security for the children often in the midst of family chaos. Each home has dedicated house parents supported by a team of key staff, volunteers, related agencies and services. Their overall goal is to restore health and wholeness to the children so they are able to take their place in society. For The Sake Of Our Children Trust say they are committed to being a voice for the voiceless. ‘We speak for the children in New Zealand who have fallen victim to abuse and neglect” The Trust does this through raising awareness of issues like poverty in the media, through action groups and through government. Chairman John Sax, says their group believes every child should be born into a family environment where two committed parents, who are married, will love the child unconditionally.” Their research shows that a high percentage of child abuse occurs in single parent families, with the perpetrator being the partner who is the nonbiologically related to the child. This group is advocating for education and raised awareness especially for the younger generation. They want to develop and implement solutions in a collective manner with other like-minded organizations, said Mr Sax. “I look forward to further connecting with more of these organizations in 2014 and God willing develop a collective declaration of ‘principles’ to mitigate child abuse and neglect, further promoting what is the ideal and best for the well-being of our children in New Zealand, “ he stated.

Transform Lives: Study to be a Teacher, Counsellor or Social Worker

GREAT PLACE, GREAT PEOPLE,

GREAT HEARTS MINDS

www.bti.ac.nz www.mychristiandaily.com | 11

Missions

Making Sense of Jesus through Song and Dance

“So, what is it that you do in Pakistan, Paul?” I was at a missions committee meeting and had just been asked THE question! I turned towards the enquirer, a smiling woman in her sixties, and stammered, “Oh ... uh ... music, drama; that sort of thing.” (It had certainly been much easier to answer that question when my job was to run a hostel for tribal village boys!) “How interesting. What exactly do you do with music and drama?” she persisted, looking intently at me. I could feel my face flush and perspiration appear on my forehead. I know what I do, I enjoy what I do, but I am never sure how to clearly explain what I do? “I work with a talented team of tribal believers at an Audio Visual Centre in a small village called Rattanabad,” I told her. “The tribal people in the Sindh province of Pakistan have a very interesting culture, with fascinating customs and unique wedding songs and dances. We want the message of Jesus Christ to make sense to them so we are preparing songs, dances, skits and visuals to aid in sharing the Good News in culturally appropriate ways.” “How… nice,” said the woman with a practiced smile, used for missionaries when you can’t understand what on earth they are talking about. As I looked around the room of caring faces I could see that I just wasn’t getting through. So I tried again: “Let me give you an example…” They all nodded and the woman showed her interest by moving closer. As I looked into her sweet face with its lightly applied makeup, the faces of other women – tribal women – began to flood my mind. Tribal women with their brightly coloured full skirts and large flowing head coverings, and their own type of make up: a tattooed dot in the middle of the forehead and a tattooed cross on the right cheek. Women who preserve the cherished traditions and customs of their people, and sing their haunting songs at wedding and birth celebrations… It was two years earlier. I was standing beside the five banana trees that had been set up for a wedding – one banana pole in the centre and the other four making a square around it. Two chairs waited side by side at one end of the square. A group of chattering, giggling women and girls escorted the groom to one of the chairs then sat noisily down on mats laid out behind him. The bride’s party soon did the same, seating themselves behind the proper chair. Then, as if on cue, women from both parties took the corner of their head cloth in their hand, covered half of their mouth in the traditional way and, with no instrument except their vocal chords, they sang, their voices sliding up and gliding down with little glottal stops that I still find it impossible to imitate. The bride and groom began to walk slowly around the central banana tree. Their four short laps around the tree could take up to half an hour. They were tied together with a special rope, the groom in front and the bride following; her face was completely covered and she was supported

12 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

by one of her brothers. “What is your father’s name?” sang the women. “Nathu is your father’s name.” “Who is your mother?” came the next question. “Meena is your mother,” was the reply that was sung. In my mind I began to think of a possible additional verse for the song: “Who is your Lord?” How I would love to hear them sing in reply, “Jesus is your Lord.” I made a decision: the next project for the Audio Visual Centre would be to write some Christian wedding songs for the women to sing. “Christian marriage partners need to live with Jesus as the Light and Centre of their lives.” I watched my mother, Margie Stock, as she bent over the paper where Shamu, my co-worker and boss, was working on the first wedding song. Shamu had asked her to assist us, drawing on her 25 years of experience with tribal people. Shamu and I worked on the words. “How about: ‘Young bride and groom, walk in the light with Jesus’?” Shamu suggested. “Good. There should be something about forgiving each other. That is essential.” “And committing to be faithful in sickness and health.” “For better, for worse, as long as we live.” “Who is your Lord? Who is your Guru? Jesus is my Lord. Jesus is my Guru.” The words flowed and six songs took shape. Then, after hours of learning the new songs, some 20 women were ready to record. Our small recording studio was ablaze with colour as the women crowded in. They had never seen a recording studio, or microphones, before. When we were finally able to quiet them, the recording began. “Young groom, do you vow before God and man...” “Move over! You’re crowding me!” one woman’s reprimand was clearly heard above the singing. “Cut!” said Shamu patiently. And that is how it went. One woman could not keep to the tune, another couldn’t stop coughing, a third kept clearing her throat. But, finally, we ended up with a decent recording. We then copied the songs onto cassette tapes and began to distribute copies. We also took the women who knew the songs to as many Christian tribal weddings as possible. There they would teach the songs to the other women and sing them during the different rituals and customs. Our strategy worked and the songs began to catch on. We also held camps where we brought tribals together to teach them the Christian wedding songs and dance songs. And when Narsingh, one of the boys who works at the Audio Visual Centre, got married, he taught the Christian wedding songs to all the young girls in his village and at the wedding the women sang all six Christian wedding songs over and over again. “Mamu [Uncle] Paul, I’d really like you to come to my

wedding.” Chander had come himself to deliver the invitation. I had grown to love this kid, with his shy warmth and quick smile. “You’re getting married? You’re only 16! Just a baby!” I teased, knowing full well that the tribal boys usually get married before the peach fuzz turns to mustache. Chander is a friend of Narsingh and lives in the same village. He’s a Hindu from a strong Hindu family, but has heard about Jesus and shows interest. “I’ll be there, Chander! I wouldn’t miss it!” I said. The night before the wedding we danced the tribal dances and sang all night (the actual wedding takes place the following day at the bride’s village). “Please come to the bride’s village, Mamu,” Chander pleaded. “But I was here all last night. I have so much work to do.” It was culturally appropriate to only attend the groom’s part of the wedding, plus I really didn’t want to go to the wedding ceremony, which would be totally Hindu. “I really want you to come,” he said quietly as his eyes filled with tears. I went. I stood by the banana trees and watched as the bride and groom were led to the rickety seats and fussed over like a king and queen. The splashes of colour and chatter of voices announced the women’s arrival and positioning behind the chairs. A Hindu priest was standing by the banana pole. He lit a fire and began muttering mantras and dripping oil and fat over the fire. Chander was tied by the rope to his bride and as he began the slow pilgrimage around the banana tree the women of his village began to sing, “Young bride and groom, walk in the light with Jesus!” I was riveted to the spot: these brave Christian women were singing about their Jesus at a Hindu wedding! Chander’s eyes met mine. He did not smile, because tradition demands that a groom remain serious throughout the wedding ritual, but his eyes said, “Thank you for being here.” “Who is your Lord? Who is your Guru?” the women were singing. And I longed to hear Chander reply, “Jesus is my Lord! Jesus is my Guru!” A year later, when we were having a baptism service at Chander’s village, and those who wanted to be baptised came forward, Chander joined them. My eyes were wet as Chander boldly announced his faith in Jesus in front of his strict Hindu family. Chander is now trained as a Bible translator, and works with the Language Project here in Mirpurkhas. Paul and Pat Stock have been serving in Pakistan for 25 years with Interserve. You are invited to join us on Interserve Day (10 May at Grace International, Glen Innes, Auckland) when they share more about their inspirational ministry. For more information visit www.interserve.org.nz

New kids art and craft subscription - with a twist... How many ways are there to explore a Bible story?

Nyree - the day the starter kit rucksacks arrived. The rucksacks come with a luggage tag kit, passport and craft supplies.

“Hundreds,” according to Nyree Tomkins, who has just launched Rucksack Safari – a kids activity, art & craft subscription with a twist: the packs are all themed around a Bible story.

The rucksacks are made by Freeset in India, which provides employment to vulnerable girls and women escaping the sex trade industry.

Designed for kids aged 6-10, each monthly pack contains at least 2 craft kits, a pack guide containing a Bible story, nature fact page, puzzles, a ‘secret assignment’ and a sticker to collect in the Rucksack Safari passport. “It’s an easy way,” says Nyree, “to introduce Bible themes into the home in a fun and informal way.” Inspired partly by the desire to introduce Bible stories to her adoptive niece and nephew, she was able to bring her talent for writing and creativity together to produce a package that is fun for kids and introduces them to a God who loves them and can be relied upon for their life-long journey. “As I have developed these packs,” says Nyree, “I have had in mind people like myself – these are aunties, friends, uncles, grandmas and granddads on the sidelines of a child’s life who, perhaps separated by distance, would like a way they can connect with those kids regarding the things of God and eternity. “I have also had in mind mums and dads who would like to engage more with their kids regarding matters of faith but who lack the ideas or the time to source materials. With the rucksack packs you get the ideas AND the stuff you need to make them with AND it all gets delivered to your door!”

Product testers Summer and Jesse hard at work on the baby Moses diorama - part of the first Rucksack Safari craft pack, to be delivered April 2014.

Rucksack Safari is an ideal gift for a grandchild, niece or nephew! To subscribe to the monthly activity packs, or to get Nyree’s e-mail newsletter with FREE downloadable activity sheets and creative ideas, go to:

www.rucksacksafari.com

Get away to

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6/03/14 10:23 am

Easter CRANBERRY AND ORANGE EASTER TEA RING 3 ½ cups plain flour plus extra for sprinkling 75g brown sugar 4 tbsp butter or margarine 1 cup orange juice – approx 3 big oranges or use store bought real juice ½ cup dried cranberries/ Craisins ½ cup currants 1/3 cup milk 2 eggs ½ tsp salt 1 ½ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves 1 sachet instant yeast For the filling 50 g butter ½ cup brown sugar 1 tsp cinnamon For the glaze ¾ cup icing sugar a squeeze of lemon juice a dash of water orange zest to decorate - optional

Method Place the cranberries and currants in a small saucepan with the orange juice, bring to a simmer then remove from heat and leave to cool. When cool strain over a bowl to separate the orange juice and dried fruit which now will be plump and tender. Place the flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your finger tips, or if you have a processor pulse together in the processor then turn into a large bowl. Mix in the salt, spices and sugar. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, cooled orange juice and enough of the milk to form a dough. Turn onto a well floured board and knead for 3-5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and springy. Sprinkle with extra flour during kneading as required to prevent sticking. Place dough into a clean greased bowl, cover with cling film and microwave on low power for 1 minute, rest the dough for 10 minutes then repeat. After the second rest the dough should have doubled in size. (Alternatively set aside in a warm place until doubled in size -45-50 minutes). While the dough is rising prepare the filling and glaze. For the filling mix together the butter and brown sugar in a small bowl to form a paste, then stir in the cinnamon. For the glaze mix together the icing sugar lemon juice to taste and enough water to form a spreadable icing. Cover with cling film and keep in the fridge until required.

Get ready for Easter with Sophie Gray Easter is just around the corner and this month popular Christian chef, food writer, presenter and author, SOPHIE GRAY, shares some special recipes and her story with Sarah Tengvall... I didn’t dare write the word ‘celebrity’ in the introduction to this story as humble Sophie Gray doesn’t see herself that way. In fact, she even flinches at the use of ‘successful’ being attached to her, or to anything she has achieved. She prefers to describe ‘success’ as choosing the right husband. Sophie is well known to kiwis nationwide through her cookbooks and brand “destitute gourmet”, and her testimony/cooking events. Her latest cookbook, ‘Fill The Tins,’ is ninth in a procession of top-sellers. By the way her other ditties on success are; “don’t do anything you are ashamed of and say yes more often than you say no.” Sophie describes herself as a ‘prodigal.’ “I spent prodigiously, got myself in a horrible terrible mess and when I prayed the desperation prayer, ‘God help me, I don’t deserve any help but I need it’, I was answered with God’s grace, and a second chance that I didn’t deserve and for that I am eternally grateful. “That period in my life, also gave me the experience of being extremely poor, a situation of my own making, but nonetheless I have walked the uncomfortable path of the low income, invisible, anguished, indebted suburban poor. We also went through a second period of seriously low income when my husband Rich and I started a business with two young children, and a mortgage. So I also know what it feels like to be scared to open the mail, to postpone taking a sick child to the doctor and the embarrassment of struggling to cover school costs such as trips or correct uniforms, birthday parties and sports. And I know the pressure that can come from, well meaning but out of touch, school boards. We were a decile two family in a decile ten school.”

14 | Christian Life Issue Ten March 2014

When the dough has risen knead lightly and roll out to a rectangle roughly 42 cm long and 15 cm wide. Spread with the spiced butter paste and scatter on the dried fruit. Roll up from the long side into a long log and join into a ring as best you can, shaping the ring to even out its thickness and carefully transfer to a greased baking sheet. With a pair of kitchen scissors make slanting cuts 2/3rds into the ring at roughly 3 cm intervals then give each section a little twist to reveal the filling. Leave to rise until almost doubled in size. Cook in a preheated oven at 200 ° for 25 minutes. When cool, stir the glaze and spread or drizzle onto the ring and scatter on some orange zest before the glaze hardens.

And it was that period of Sophie’s life, borne of necessity, which saw the birth of Destitute Gourmet. And for Sophie the success is about helping the families get ahead by following her low-cost budget ideas. “I don’t see myself as a success at all. I have survived in publishing by the skin of my teeth and every year is more uncertain than the last, the successes are the households who embrace my ‘dg’ philosophy of shopping smart, eating healthily and in season, and making a little luxury go a long way. They use those changes to turn their situation around. My ‘dg’ Facebook page is a populated by those smart, funny, struggling, and succeeding people.” She says her success is having healthy kids and a lovely husband. Sophie says she manages to keep afloat through her paid writing for Food magazine and Taste magazine. “It is a tiny market in New Zealand but people perceive that if you have a successful book you are making money. But you don’t. We survive because we toil. All food writers live hand to mouth” The business is in fact a ministry and Sophie says they charge for it because they have to survive. “It’s not a business empire, if we have helped people get by, it’s for eternity.” The ‘dg’ brand stands for fashionable food that doesn’t cost a fortune. During the interview she reads out a recent email from a grateful ‘dg’ mum coping with a gluten-free child who says, “your cookbooks really do work the way you want them to.” For some ‘dg’ has been a ‘life-ring’ says Sophie as she recalls the heavy days of the recession when she released, ‘100 plus $10 meals’, and received much positive feedback. “Positive feedback is like a blood transfusion.”

I ask Sophie how she stays strong in her faith in the business/ publishing world. “I can’t separate who I am from what I do. The people I work with regularly are photographers and they know about my Christian faith. I’ve even prayed for some of them but I don’t stamp my faith over everything I do.” “But I do have to cling to the values the longer I am in the business and my faith helps me carry on. I have never set out to be “the Christian cooking lady” as what I have to offer is of value to everyone, not just Christians. The hardest thing has always been balancing the business side with the “ministry” side. I give away recipes constantly and have foregone many lucrative opportunities because it would have compromised us or involved endorsing something that didn’t line up with our core values.” Sophie’s Christian faith is paramount in everything. “I have always considered ‘dg’ was a God idea, not a good idea. In the light of eternity if what I have done has helped a few people, nourished them physically or spiritually in some way then perhaps it has been of use to the Kingdom. “Cooking is an economic necessity and for a lot of us it is a chore, day in and day out, even for Sophie I was amazed to hear! “The bit is the helping and we know the ‘dg’ formula works and it is a major stress buster if a family is well fed and under budget. It gives people choices and that empowers them. And the large majority of our recipes, except the baking, are healthy.” At home Sophie tries to menu plan and her kids both have a cooking night. “Not having to make that nightly decision and stand in front of the fridge wondering what there is helps hugely. It’s not that there’s nothing in there,

Lemon Sugar Cookies READY IN 45 MINUTES PLUS CHILLING MAKES 50–60 COOKIES

125 g butter ¾ cup sugar 1 egg ½ cup sour cream 2 tbsp lemon juice zest of 1 lemon 4–5 cups plain flour 1 tsp baking powder caster sugar for sprinkling silver balls (optional)

Sugar cookies keep well and are dead easy to make. If very pale, the cookies will be soft in texture; if golden, they’ll be a crispy texture. The mixture makes loads, and they are good plain, iced or sandwiched together with jam or lemon curd. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Grease several baking sheets. Cream the butter and sugar together, add the egg and sour cream, then stir in the lemon juice and zest. Stir in the flour and baking powder, and knead the mixture, adding more flour if required to make a firm but rollable dough. Chill the dough for half an hour, then roll out and cut into shapes using cookie cutters, re-rolling the trimmings as you go. Place on the cold greased sheets. Sprinkle with caster sugar and press a silver ball into the middle of each if desired. Bake for 10–12 minutes. Smaller cookies will cook more quickly. Cool on a rack.

it’s that there is no inspiration. I am a home cook, not a master-chef. I’m looking at what the average family eats, there are no exotic ingredients and I try to be honest about what it’s like.” Sophie still remembers when her family was struggling financially. When you are in that situation you keep track of every penny and know exactly what you have. Then sometimes an extra $50 would appear from nowhere. At these times we realized it just had to be God. We never prayed for money but we did pray for paid work.” I ask her if ‘tithing’ was her breakthrough?’ “God can’t fill a closed fist,” she replies. “I wouldn’t like to say God won’t bless you if you don’t give. We continue to be very generous everywhere we can. For example there are free recipes on the website and if I do a two and half hour class I try to give away as much information as possible. I try to apply lavish generosity in my life as much as I can. God is interested in attitudes and willingness to give is the ability to trust.” Sophie’s speaking and presentation skills come into play at demonstration events around New Zealand. “I basically share my story at every event I do, whether it is for a Christian group or a regular community group – it’s part of dg. I can’t separate what I do from what God has done for me. So in telling people how dg came about, I talk about my propensity to overspend, our tough years and my “prodigal daughter” experience. “It’s very light as usually people haven’t come to hear a sermon, but it is my story and many people relate to my weaknesses as similar to their own. It is unusual, it seems, to have someone talk about struggles with money. Frequently you could hear a pin drop when I am chatting about some of the toughest times, and it is not unusual to see people quietly weeping as I talk truthfully about things they have been trying to keep hidden. I am a

chaotic mess usually so it’s done with a lot of laughter too.” Talking about her personal life Sophie shares that she has been married to Rich for 23 years. They have two kids, Belle and Jack both nearly grown up, and a nasty cat Daisy that bites! She says juggling the roles of motherhood and the business were tough when the kids were younger and Rich was often left at the helm while she was on tour. This meant Sophie sometimes felt like she was missing out. But now with the kids nearly grown up it’s much more of team. “I feel supported by the family in what I do, the kids give me very frank and honest feedback, help me with YouTube, Facebook, and they kindly eat leftover photo shoot food with few complaints!” Sophie’s latest book Fill the tins is a baking book for real people she says. “You won’t need fancy equipment or special tins or ingredients. Its very practical with biscuits for the lunch boxes, fancy ones for gifts, cakes to treat your coffee group and posh ones when you need a show stopper for a party. There’s also savoury stuff you can make for dinner or take on a picnic, slices, breads, desserts, scrolls, toffee apples and marshmallows. And nothing is too weird for the kids!” Sophie’s next project is the launch of an my Phone app ShopCookSave. Although her dream is to get funding for a low cost cooking television show so people who can’t afford to buy a book don’t have to. “I have never succeeded so I hope to continue to explore how I might reach the people who want what I can offer through new media, but it’s hard to get investment for something “worthy” in NZ sadly.” Sophie says her inspiration for cooking is often to do with ‘food fashion’ or visual promptings. “I am a visual person and a very greedy person so I might see a really beautiful red colour in a magazine photo and then start

thinking about strawberry jams and beetroot relishes. Then sometimes I have an urge to eat really clean and will make up salads and flavor profiles for this. Or it could be my own take on food we’ve experienced on holiday – we go camping – so like fresh fish or berries.” In discussing becoming a Christian Sophie said her parents were anti-God. But one of her father’s friends was a Christian Bill Haythornthwaite. And he led Sophie’s sister Fran to the Lord aged 6 years. Uncle Bill it turns out smuggled bibles into China and used to pray with Kathryn Kulhman. Today Sophie’s sister and her husband pastor the Shore Vineyard churches. And Sophie is convinced he prayed for the whole family. And while the family continued to be anti-God throughout her whole childhood and wouldn’t let either Sophie or her sister go to church or Sunday school they did like to send them to Christian Youth Group camps in the holidays. And it was here that Sophie found God. These camps became her church until she left home Sophie described. Then a miracle occurred for Sophie’s mum Jan in the last year and half of her life when her sister led her to the Lord. After this she was so keen to serve at her local Anglican church that she ran the youth group and used to host youth sleepovers. “The fact we move away from God doesn’t mean he moves away from us. It also shows that sometimes people wait for God to reveal his plan to them when actually the plan is just do something!” “As you get older you know less about God than you did at the beginning. Now I think I have a more child-like faith. I do a lot of ‘help praying’. I am much less black and white in my forties than in my twenties. It’s much more to do with God’s grace compared with doing things right.”

www.mychristiandaily.com | 15

Programme Guide Monday March 10 - Saturday April 12 SUNDAY 6:00

Living Truth: Charles Price

6:30 7:00 7:30

Buzz and Poppy

MONDAY P

What’s in the Bible? C

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Days of Wonder

Quick Study

Unlocking the Bible

Hillsong TV

Unlocking the Bible

Precious Word of Truth

Bayless Conley

Derek Prince

Quick Study

The Edge

From Aardvaark to Zucchini

Buzz and Poppy

OK TV / What’s in the Bible? (3 Apr)

The Lads TV

Paul the Little Missionary

Wemmicks / What’s C in the Bible? (19 Mar)

From Aardvaark to Zucchini

Paul the Little Missionary

The Edge

Buzz and Poppy

The Lads TV

C 8:00

Connection Point

Jacob’s Ladder

C 8:30

Hour of Power

OK TV / RocKids TV (1 Apr)

From Aardvaark to Zucchini

The Lads TV

Jacob’s Ladder

8:30

Connection Point

Impact for Life

Word For You

LIFE TV P with Paul de Jong

Living Truth: Charles Price

Turning Point: P Dr David Jeremiah

Beyond Adventure / Towards Belief D

The Bishop, the Chef and the Fisherman

Days of Wonder

In Touch: Charles Stanley

9:30 10:00

Life Questions