Christian Life_issue 34_May by Initiate Media

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MAY 2016 • Issue THIRTY-FOUR • www.mychristiandaily.co.nz

ELIM CHURCHES

MINISTRY

LOCAL NEWS

Plans for a Future and a Hope

Has the Church Lost its Voice?

Bear Grylls to star in Alpha doco

page 04

page 07

page 10

In 1998 Hillary gave her heart to Jesus then was baptised in the Holy Spirit at a meeting in Hawera. But the black dog seemed to bite down harder after she got saved and she was helpless in the grasp of the demonic for years. Hillary Kieft; Angels Wings page 06

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IN THIS ISSUE

contents...

MAY 2016

04. Plans for a Hope and a Future 06. Angels Wings 07. Has the Church Lost its Voice? 08. Family First: Thank You Nick Willis For Your Honesty –Porn Harms 09. Book Reviews

10. Local News

12. City Impact Summit 13. By My Spirit 14. Shine TV programme guide 16. Spirit-Led Living 17. Christian Life Classifieds

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VISION

Plans for a Hope and a Future National leader of the Elim Churches of New Zealand, LUKE BROUGH talks to MARIE ANTICICH about trends in the Elim movement and exciting new developments in the five Elim Christian Centre congregations he oversees.

seasoned campaigner, Luke Brough is now in his thirteenth year as national leader of the Elim Churches of New Zealand which encompasses 40 churches nationwide. “In many ways it’s a new season for Elim – we’ve seen many older pastors retire and pass the baton on to younger ministers,” says Luke (68) who has come back for another three year term as national leader to help with the transition. “I’m gradually stepping back, but we want to pass on some of the history and experience,” says the grandfather of two. Luke founded the Elim East church in the Howick Intermediate School Hall in 1985 and had ‘an audacious vision’ to build a large church with a school, kindergarten, Bible college and bookshop. Land was purchased in Botany Road, Howick and construction began on the church, which was officially opened by the Mayor of Manukau, Barry Curtis in 1991. Inspiration came from Jeremaiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future, and this verse is inscribed in the church foyer. Today Elim East is a thriving community centre with three Sunday services, Korean and Tamil language services, and 200 young people flocking to Friday night ‘Oxygen’ youth events. What has happened since has exceeded Luke’s wildest dreams, and the church now encompasses five congregations, including Elim South in Manurewa, Elim Elim City in Cook Street, Elim North in Whangarei, and Elim Franklin in Pukekohe. Collectively these congregations are known as the Elim Christian Centre. “We’re one church in five locations,” says Luke who was asked to manage the other churches when they were struggling to keep their facilities. “All congregations have the same ‘flavour’ and are growing and financially healthy and sound,” reports Luke who oversees a combined property portfolio of $50 million. A Growing School Elim Christian College began on the Botany Road site in 1995 with an intake of 66 students. In 1997 it became a state-integrated school with a special Christian character, and is the only Christian, non-Catholic, integrated school in SE Auckland. Flourishing under the leadership of principal Murray Burton, the college now has 1,000 students and 500 on the waiting list. Tragedy came in 2008 when six students and one teacher were drowned at Maungatepopo Gorge near Turangi. In 2012 the college built a $12 million state-of-the-art Junior Campus in Golflands Drive, Howick, which was opened by the Prime Minister John Key. “We’re waiting for the Ministry of Education to grant a roll increase to 1,500 students, so we can complete the final stage of the Junior Campus and transfer our middle school students there,” says Luke. “This will provide space to accommodate more senior students at the Botany Road school.” Eventually the college hopes to have 1,700 primary, middle and secondary school students, and is planning to build a new Senior Campus on the corner of Botany and Cascades Roads. Elim Kindergarten, established in 1991, provides pre-school education for 100 families and families compete for places as it is a pathway to enrolment at Junior Campus.

From top: Luke and Marilyn Brough; The new Elim South campus in Mahia Road, Manurewa; Students at Elim College’s Junior Campus in Howick

4 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

Elim South A few years ago the Elim South congregation moved from its old church buildings in Manurewa into the former Jehovah’s Witness headquarters in Mahia Road. This modern brick building complex is set in nearly 4.8 hectares of park-like land. “When the Mahia Road property came up for sale the purchase price of $14.5 million was way beyond anything we could consider, as we were fully committed to building the new Junior Campus. A verse about Jesus feeding the 5,000 came to mind: He asked this only to test him for He already had in mind what He was going to do. John 6:6. Luke thought: ‘If this property is for us then we need to possess it because ‘He already had in mind what He is going to do,’ and so we purchased the property through a series of miracles. Already Elim South is running three Sunday service, and having to look at doing ex-

“I was baptised in the Holy Spirit at one of Bill Subritzky’s house meeting in 1974,” says Luke “and we went to Faith Bible College in Tauranga in 1976 when a move of the Holy Spirit was sweeping through New Zealand.” tensions. Elim Leadership College has moved to the Mahia Road property and has 80 students, including online distance learners. Principal Darryl Booth also pastors the new Franklin Elim congregation which was planted in Pukekohe last year. A Pen Portrait “I’m number seven of ten children,” says Luke Brough whose parents brought him home in a taxi because they didn’t own a car. The family attended the Ellerslie Open Brethren Assembly and his father was a boiler attendant at the Kauri Timber Company. “Dad had lots of time on his hands so he taught himself Greek and Hebrew and gained his Masters degree in Divinity from Auckland University. He became quite a scholar and preacher and lectured at Assembly Bible College. “In those days many Brethren assemblies didn’t have pastors as they believed in the priesthood of all believers, which I do too. Brethren were strong on camps and sent lots of missionaries overseas.” Luke left Penrose High School at age 16 and worked as an upholsterer. A keen rugby league player, he was an Auckland school-boy and under-21 representative. He and Marilyn were married at the Pakuranga Chris-

tian Fellowship (Brethren) in 1968, built a house in Pakuranga and raised their four children. “I was baptised in the Holy Spirit at one of Bill Subritzky’s house meeting in 1974,” says Luke “and we went to Faith Bible College in Tauranga in 1976 when a move of the Holy Spirit was sweeping through New Zealand. “Several years later the Pakuranga Brethren fellowship asked us to pastor their church and so we did that for three years. But we were doctrinally in a different place, and so we started Elim East in the Howick Intermediate School hall in 1985.” Elim East serves missions in Sri Lanka, India, Cambodia, Samoa and China where John Chen from Elim City campus oversees a church in Shanghai, and a drug rehabilitation centre has recently opened on Hainan Island. Luke and Marilyn live near the beach at Maraetai, and he enjoys fishing. He says Marilyn isn’t an upfront person but has been ministering at the Wiri women’s prison with a team for the last 12 years. What is the secret of your success? “Godly parents,” declares Luke Brough. “Another strength has been getting people around me who have skills and vision and are smarter than me – and not getting threatened by that.”

Brief History of Elim The Elim Pentecostal church was birthed out of the 1904 Welsh revival which was sparked by a young Welshman, Evan Roberts. A fellow Welshman, George Jeffreys formed the Elim pentecostal church in Wales in 1915, and the UK leader John Glass visited New Zealand last year to mark the centenary. Following a New Zealand-wide crusade by British evangelist, Smith Wigglesworth, the Pentecostal Church of New Zealand was formed in 1922. At a combined conference in 1949, these churches agreed to link up with the Elim Church of Great Britain. Today there are 40 Elim churches in New Zealand, 500 in the UK and approximately 9,000 Elim churches worldwide. Elim’s annual One conference will be held in Auckland from September 27-29 for an estimated 1,500 delegates, including youth and children. Pastor Bayless Conley from Cottonwood Church, California is keynote speaker.

To see God’s plans and purposes realised, one thing is for sure: we must make room and allow the Holy Spirit to direct and empower us to live the life He has called us to. LIFE Conference 2016 will be a time to fan into flame what we have been called to be and do. We believe this year will be like no other that has gone before – inspiring, imparting and encouraging you to truly allow His Spirit to lead and fuel your life and purpose like never before.

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TRANSFORMED

Janet Balcombe catches up with Hillary Kieft, the woman behind Hillary’s Law

hen I met Hillary Kieft for the first time in Napier earlier this year I knew I had just met a very special woman even though I knew nothing about her. I was right. In spite of having endured more than her fair share of hell and heartbreak, she boldly goes where angels fear to tread with a lion’s share of the heart of God and His courage. In 1972 Hillary was born in Masterton and raised in Clinton, Otago, the fourth of seven children. Her dad was a shearer and her mum was constantly sick as far back as Hillary can remember. Hillary’s childhood played out on the stage of parties, domestic violence and further blackened by sexual abuse due to her mother’s affiliation with a local bike gang. During mothers’ endless hospital visits the kids were farmed out from pillar to post. From age eight, Hillary began to live in fear when a boarder in their home bribed her with lollies and raped her every night when her parent’s were away. It went on for years. Hillary’s heart switched off and she just sat looking blankly at the world. Her ability to learn also switched off and she partied and did drugs through her teenage years to cope. She left school barely able to read or write. Hillary loved to cook and at the tender age of 15 she moved to Brisbane to work as

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6 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

a chef. By 16 she had moved to Muttaburra, North of Queensland to cook for a shearing gang and met Peter, the love of her life. Their relationship was rocky. Drugs and alcohol were a foundational part of their daily lives. After Hillary was raped by a shearer, she returned to New Zealand with Peter and they continued the shearing life here. After a while they split and Hillary found herself pregnant, alone, and very scared. She was only 16. She moved back to her brothers home in Brisbane and had an abortion after finding herself still unable to deal with the pregnancy. She didn’t think much of it at the time but once it was done she was wracked with so much grief she couldn’t stop crying. It was the worst day of her life. She realised, too late, she had just killed her own child. The next day she packed up and moved back to Muttaburra into a renovated old chapel with some others. She threw herself back into work but couldn’t outrun the grief. The first night in the chapel a foul presence came into her room and gripped her with incredible fear. She ran from the thick, smothering blackness to the neighbours, screaming. Peter and Hillary crossed paths again and fell back into their old ways. Work hard; play harder. She remembers hearing stories of people hearing God but it didn’t mean anything to her. She had never known God or gone to church. When Hillary fell pregnant they moved back to New Zealand. They raised their family with many struggles on the way and ended up working on Peter’s uncle’s dairy farm. Depression dogged Hillary constantly. In 1998 Hillary gave her heart to Jesus then was baptised in the Holy Spirit at a meeting in Hawera. But the black dog seemed to bite down harder after she got saved and she was helpless in the grasp of the demonic for years. Depression, gambling and drinking gripped her and she was raped again after someone spiked her drink. When she ended up in a mental ward God really began to deal with her life. Over the last seven years Hillary has finally, truly come to know healing, forgiveness and a true relationship with the living Christ. Hillary and Peter now own the wonderful Well Café in Stratford, Taranaki. The aim of the business is to help fund mission projects the family is involved in through their church, the Stratford Baptist Church. However the war continues, although on a different battlefield. One afternoon their daughter didn’t come home on the school bus. Later, a local health nurse dropped her off, having taken her without her parent’s knowledge during school hours to a ‘counselling appointment’. So Hillary and Peter had no idea why their daughter began to plummet downhill so fast. Depression, self-harm and suicide attempts escalated until one day they found her hanging in the garage. They put two and two together that she had had an abortion that day the health nurse had dropped her off to deal with the aftermath of the abortion alone. Today, at age 22, Hillary’s daughter is still struggling. Hillary has been campaigning since 2015 against the law which removes parental consent from the process of girls under the age of 16 having school-assisted abortions. On 26 May, 2015 Hillary presented her family’s petition (aka Hillary’s Law) to the parliamentary select-committee which requests new legislation be passed to the effect that a parent of a girl under the age of 16 years: 1. Has the right to know if that girl has a pregnancy confirmed, before she is referred for any resulting medical procedure; and 2. That any consent sought for the medical procedure be fully informed as to procedure, possible repercussions and after-effects. Apart from the Catholic Church, the body of Christ has been largely silent on this issue. CW Evil prospers when good men do nothing - John Philpot Curran

MINISTRY

Has the Church Lost it’s Voice?

had an interesting conversation with some friends last week during which one of them shared about a Christian gathering they’d attended. I was aware of the meeting, but was unable to go so I asked how it went. My friends told about the guest speaker, a conservative evangelical American guy, whom I’d heard at a conference the week before. (When I refer to him as a conservative evangelical I’m referring to his faith not his fee. Apparently he speaks for $US23,000); to quote Kylie Minogue, “I should be so lucky.” My friends mentioned that during his speech the presenter stated he believed “the Church has lots its voice”. I thought it was an interesting statement – as well as a huge judgement call – so I asked what he meant. Apparently it boiled down to two ethical issues on which, in the speaker’s opinion, the Church has not been vocal enough – abortion and same-sex marriage. It’s important to understand the speaker’s cultural and religious background at this point. To a conservative, evangelical from the United States these are the two most important ethical issues. This guy had made similar comments at the conference I attended the previous week. He called them the biggest “hot button” issues of our time. It struck me how little research he had done into the culture of Australia in general and specifically into the Australian church. He brought his own cultural baggage with him and then proceeded to lecture us on our failings. Let’s pause a moment and consider what it means to “lose your voice”. We’re coming into the colder months here in Melbourne Australia, a time when people tend to succumb to all sorts of ills and chills that can include laryngitis – inflammation of the larynx, typically resulting in huskiness or loss of the voice. I’ve had it a few times and, for a preacher and a radio announcer, it’s never good! When you lose your voice you can’t speak, or you

speak in a whisper that’s hard to hear. That’s the inference in the statement, “the Church has lost its voice”. We’ve either failed to speak or not spoken loudly enough. People haven’t heard the church speak enough on these issues (abortion and same-sex marriage) and we have thus failed in our mission. The speaker’s premise is flawed for a few reasons. Firstly, I think the church in Australia has, by and large, made its point very clear on these two issues. I’ve read plenty of blogs, heard sermons and watched media reports on the church’s stance on these things. If you were to ask the average Aussie what the church believed on these two ethical issues I don’t doubt that they would have a very clear answer – we’re against both! Secondly, I call into question the choice of just two ethical issues as the “hot-button” issues of our time. I don’t doubt the relevance and importance of the matters the speaker mentioned. I just question his narrow perspective. Considering the emphasis in the Bible, I believe the most important issue for Christians is addressing the causes and relief of poverty. This is mentioned over 2000 times in Scripture. In Jesus’ teachings he emphasised the “Law of Love” – love of God, love of self, love of neighbour and love of enemies. He particularly applied this to helping the disadvantaged – those in need of the basic necessities of life (food, drink, shelter, clothing and company – especially for those who are sick and in prison). The church has not lost its voice on these issues and neither should it. We need to keep speaking out for (and working towards) justice on behalf of the poor, the widows and orphans, the asylum seekers, the homeless, the abused, as well as those living with disability or mental illness. Let’s not lose our voice on these things. Thirdly, it’s vital that in speaking out on ethical issues the Church doesn’t lose its voice on its core message.

After all, God so loved the world that He didn’t send a committee – or a political lobby group – He sent His Son so that “whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The core message of the church is a message of grace, forgiveness and reconciliation with a God who loves people. One of the most impacting books I’ve read this year is Philip Yancey’s Vanishing Grace in which he offers some sage advice for Christians and churches that desire to speak into culture. Yancey warns that the church risks “losing its central message” if it tries to Christianise any nation. He says, “When the church accepts as its main goal the reform of the broader culture, we risk obscuring the gospel of grace and becoming one more power-broker. That is how many in the secular world view us now, as a right-wing conspiracy intent on passing laws against them. In the process, they miss the good news of the gospel, that Christ died to save sinners, to free us from guilt and shame so that we can thrive in the way God intended.” In his second letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul made it clear that the church’s core message and ministry has to do with reconciliation: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” The church loses its voice when it spends an inordinate amount of time moralising – literally counting people’s sins against them – when God did not send His Son for such a purpose. Our core message has to be Jesus’ message – the Son of God who had a particularly soft spot for sinners. Remember, “God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” So Church, Christians, let’s not lose our voice! Rob Buckingham is the senior minister of Bayside Church - www.baysidechurch.com.au

Guest Ministry

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

Ps. Benny Perez

Rev. Samuel was nominated by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He is the Pastor of New Season Christian Worship Center in California, and the President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, representing more than 40,000 U.S. Churches. This will be his first time in N.Z. and we know he will bring a powerful word at SUMMIT 2016!

Ps. Benny and his wife Wendy are the co-founders of The Church Movement, which began in 2003 with just a few believers gathering in their home. They now have several campuses including The Church LV, in South Las Vegas, The Church OC, in Irvine California, and The Church Online. We are super excited to be hosting this bold, ground-breaking preacher at SUMMIT 2016!

All Welcome // No Conference Fee summit.cityimpactchurch.com // #seeyouatsummit Subscribe to receive your daily Christian news at www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 7

FAMILY FIRST

THANK YOU NICK WILLIS FOR YOUR HONESTY –

Porn Harms

BY BOB MCCROSKIE

e should all be thanking Nick Willis for lifting the lid on the harms of pornography. His honesty is a ‘reality check’ for society, and it takes a real man to front up to the harm that porn does. That’s why there was such media interest (including overseas) in Nick’s simple Facebook post. In Nick’s facebook post he said “Porn makes you think you are having sexual needs met, but really they are hollow and leave you feeling empty and lonelier than before. Basically, pornography is a very unnatural (and very temporary) solution that people use to satisfy a natural desire.” “Pornography will not and cannot love you back.” I am 2.5 years porn free (and it feels AMAZING). Since I was a teenager, it had been a rollercoaster ride of shame and justification as I was on and off with this addiction. Not until I realized the true implications this had on my marriage, and ability to father could I finally break free. His post came about after reading an article “What It Means To Be Pro-Sex And Anti-Porn” on the “Fight The New Drug” website fightthenewdrug.org He then followed up with another post which was in response to the huge media interest in his admission: “I think it is extremely important to shift the focus of this issue to the real victims, the women and girls who are being exploited because of the high demand for porn. Even if someone thinks there’s no harm for themselves in viewing a little porn here and there (despite the extensive research that refutes this), there are real victims being exploited to provide that viewing content.” The porn industry pedals the myth that porn is harmless, but society is fortunately being woken up to the fact that pornography is harmful and leads to addictions, broken

marriages, increased sexual violence, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking and prostitution. I have interviewed one of the lead players in the New Zealand porn industry and even he admits that it’s becoming more extreme. But Nick Willis’ honesty and bravery will be the catalyst for a national conversation on the harms of pornography and will hopefully be an incentive for other men who struggle to seek help. Part of this societal change is happening because social scientists, clinical psychologists, biologists and neurologists are now beginning to understand the psychological and biological negative effects of viewing pornography. They show that men who view pornography regularly have a higher tolerance for abnormal sexuality, including rape, sexual aggression, and sexual promiscuity. Prolonged consumption of pornography results in stronger perceptions of women as commodities or as “sex objects”. A 2002 meta-analysis by the National Foundation for Family Research and Education (NFFRE) at the University of Calgary found that viewing pornography leads to perceptions of sexual dominance, sex role stereotyping, viewing persons as sexual objects, sexual aggressiveness, and sexually hostility and violent behaviours. A 2013 study by Cambridge University found that porn addiction leads to the same brain activity as alcoholism or drug abuse. And a recent study out of Indiana University and the University of Hawaii at Manoa which was a meta-analysis assessing 22 different studies from seven different countries around the world found that internationally the consumption of pornography was associated significantly with both verbal and physical aggression among males and females alike. Research has also shown that – not surprisingly – porn is harmful to marriage. Individuals who have had an extramarital affair are three times more likely to have used internet pornography than individuals who did not have affairs. An Australian commentator recently wrote “A largely untold story in the ongoing debate about pornography is the fact that a growing number of women are very distressed by their partner’s porn use. A number of persistent themes are emerging in research, on internet support sites (for women), in therapists’ offices, in the accounts of divorce lawyers, and anecdotally. This paints a clear picture of women’s distress, and provides an additional argument for the harms of pornography.” La Trobe University in Australia said; “This is not about couples going to the porn store to spice up their sex lives. Men in growing numbers are using porn in ways that are secret, shameful and damaging. It is having a damaging impact on intimacy and sexuality.” But it’s not just adults that are harmed. Children who are exposed to pornography develop skewed ideas about sex and sexuality, which lead to negative stereotypes of women, sexual activity at a young age, experiment with drink and drugs and indulge in sexting, and increased aggression in boys. And as Nick has reminded us in his follow-up post, women and children are being exploited to feed the demand for pornography. Thank you Nick Willis for being a real man, fronting up to the issue with brutal honesty, and reminding us all that yes – porn harms.

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

8 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

BOOK REVIEWS

ATTACK AT SHARK BAY A Riwaka Gang Adventure

NOT BY MIGHT The Graham Preston Story

By Denis W. Shuker

By George Bryant Price: $26.99

A high-octane, rip-roaring adventure story for kids seven years and up set in a quiet, seaside, country town in New Zealand.. The ‘Riwaka Gang’ series, based on Christian values have an underlying theme of faith and prayer plus teaching courage. When their favourite teacher suddenly goes missing and the police haven’t found him, The Riwaka Gang; four country kids, decide to get involved. Jackson, Jessica, Rangi and Sam (Samantha) will need every skill plus a ton of courage. Many extreme challenges and dangerous situations confront them. The odds are stacked high against them. Can they succeed? Will they find Mr. Chapman? With so many challenges, it seems impossible. The wise advice from Grandpa Kingi

who teaches them to pray gives them hope. Denis (and wife Joan) managed their pharmacy 20 years. Then served 20 years with a Christian missionary organization. Happily married with four children and eleven grandchildren, he now writes for children. His books have many 5star reviews. “Simply fantastic 5/5 thank you Mr. Shuker for writing this epic novel.” Available online: www.kiwibooks. org or though your local Christian bookstore.

HEART ATTACK Seven Lessons From a Near Death Experience By Stepehen Whitwell Price: $23.99

Prolific Christian author, George Bryant, has produced another winner – the story of Graham Preston, the visionary, inspirational founder and former principal of Bethlehem College, Tauranga, the largest school of its type in Australasia. Graham was also instrumental in establishing Chapman College in Rotorua and other Christian schools both in New Zealand and overseas. In his usual no-nonsense, concise style Bryant analyses the mind, heart and soul of this man and his dream, including 25 pics among the 236 pages. The last three sentences in the book say it all: “When God laid his hand upon Graham Preston things began to happen. He could have found someone else, but he didn’t. He found GP.”

“Stephen Whitwell should never have written this book! It is a miracle he is still alive to tell his story. His journey from near-death to improved health is related with humour and reality. A personal faith, along with strong support from family and friends, has seen him overcome the odds”. - Kelvin Clout, Deputy Mayor, Tauranga.

“A great read. Stephen has captured a moment in time that is not unlike the picture that Jesus painted of the house built upon the rock versus the one built upon the sand. The storm certainly shook his ‘house’ but his principles stood firm”. - David Dishroon, Senior Pastor, Changepoint Church, Tauranga.

This is George Bryant’s eighteenth book, following hard on the heels of his successful one about Christian movers and shakers in New Zealand – Making A Real Difference. The Hon. Simon Bridges, MP for Tauranga, says “Graham is a driving force in New Zealand Christian education. I admire him greatly and am inspired by the godly legacy he continues to create.” A must read, not just for educators, but for anyone interested in what motivates a Christian leader to make a difference. Available from Christian bookstores and info@daystarbooks.org

Stephen Whitwell has ministered for over 30 years in Timaru, Nelson, Auckland, Taupo and Tauranga. He writes a monthly e-letter, Brief Word, which circulates worldwide. He has a passion for helping people discover who they are, and for writing and speaking. He is married to Wendy and they have two adult children.

More details: www.goodwords.nz

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Alpha is being updated for a new generation with the launch of a series of 16 new 30minute documentary style films which will be offered to churches as an alternative to the traditional Alpha talks.

LOCAL NEWS

The Alpha Film Series, which has been produced at a cost of £1.5 million, is presented by CBBC TV presenter Gemma Hunt and a young Church of England clergyman Toby Flint. Alpha pioneer Nicky Gumbel features strongly, presenting some of the key material.

Alpha talks filmed in documentary style for new generation Alpha has being updated for a new generation with the launch of a series of 16 new 30- minute documentary style films which will be offered to churches as an alternative to the traditional Alpha talks. The Alpha Film Series, which has been produced at a cost of $1.5 million (funded mainly from donors around the world), is presented by CBBC TV presenter Gemma Hunt and a young Church of England clergyman Toby Flint. Alpha pioneer Nicky Gumbel features strongly, presenting some of the key material. The new series covers all the familiar Alpha topics including Who is Jesus?, How can we have faith?, Why and how do I pray?, How does God guide us?, and Who is the Holy Spirit? The films feature inspiring stories and interviews from all around the world. Filming took place in Canada, Ireland, Austria, Italy, France, India, UK, Hong Kong, Israel, USA, Chile and Kenya. Contributors include: • Bear Grylls, world-renowned adventurer, writer and television presenter.

• • • • • • • • • •

The new series covers all the familiar Alpha topics including Who is Jesus?, How can we have faith?, Why and how do I pray?, How does God guide us?, and Who is the Holy Spirit?

Julia Immonen, Sky Sports News presenter and double Guinness World Record The films feature inspiring stories and interviews from all around the world. Filming took place in Canada, Ireland, Austria, Italy, France, India, UK, Hong Kong, Israel, USA, Chile Atlantic Ocean rower. and Kenya. Ugo Monye, former English international Contributors include: rugby union player. Jackie Pullinger, one of the world’s best• Bear Grylls, world-renowned adventurer, writer and television presenter. known missionaries, based in Hong • Julia Immonen, Sky Sports News presenter and double Guinness World Record Kong. Atlantic Ocean rower. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbish- • Ugo Monye, former English international rugby union player. • Jackie Pullinger, one of the world's best-known missionaries, based in Hong op of Vienna. Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to • Kong. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna. the Papal Household. • Father Raniero Cantalamessa, Preacher to the Papal Household. Jose Henriquez Gonzalez, one of the thir- • Jose Henriquez Gonzalez, one of the thirty-three miners trapped for sixty-nine ty-three miners trapped for sixty-nine days at the San Jose mine in Chile. • Alister McGrath, professor of science and religion at the University of Oxford. days at the San Jose mine in Chile. • Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water. Alister McGrath, professor of science and religion at the University of Oxford. More than 29 million people have now tried Alpha at a local church or venue, in 169 countries. Scott Harrison, founder of Charity: Water. All the money to pay for the film was raised through voluntary donations from

More than 29 million people have now tried all around the world. The first episode of the Alpha Film Series will be Alpha at a local church or venue, in 169 counavailable free online on April 14, 2016, and new episodes will be released tries.

Contact the Alpha office for more details: 09 525 3139 Web: www.alpha.org.nz

Influence Men’s Event

Christchurch 19-20 August • Wellington 16-17 September • Auckland 7-8 October Right now, your life is shaping your legacy. Each decision, word and action affects others and how they interact with you. Promise Keepers works with men to help them realise their godly potential to bring life and hope to themselves and others. The annual men’s events are a key because at them men make life-changing decisions that are a catalyst for a better life. When these decisions are lived out, especially in the company of brothers, great legacies are created. This year there will be more electives than ever before on topics including career, finance, health, business, healing, sexual integrity and spiritual growth. There will also be sessions especially designed for pastors & leaders, senior men, singles, youth, grandparents, and quarter-lifers (1830 years). Visit www.promisekeepers.org.nz to find the information you want about these powerful events for men.

Record number of children being helped by Orphans Aid International

In just over a decade, Orphans Aid International has significantly increased its capacity to support abandoned and destitute children in Romania, Russia, India, Uganda and Nepal. CEO Sue van Schreven says that while being able to care for more children is most certainly positive, it is unfortunate that the need for organisations like theirs continues to intensify. “We are caring for more children than ever before, with 37 children in the care of our Casa Kiwi orphanage in Romania – 23 of whom are infants. Total numbers in all our projects now exceed 840 children daily. If we weren’t able to care for these children, their situation and future would be very bleak indeed. However, Sue points out that an increase in capacity to care for more children does come at a financial cost. “We would not be able to care for this amount of children if it weren’t for the generous support of our donors.”

10 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

TAIPA - MANGONUI 1,662 WHANGAREI 55,400

ROTORUA 65,280 NEW PLYMOUTH 56,300

GISBORNE 43,656

WANGANUI 43,560 PALMERSTON NORTH 80,079

NELSON 46,437

BLENHEIM 30,600

GREYMOUTH 9,850 HOKITIKA 2,967

WANAKA 7,390

ASHBURTON 19,600

TIMARU 37,205

499, 986

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LOCAL NEWS

US Presidential Advisor at City Impact Church SUMMIT “In the midst of moral relativism, spiritual apathy and cultural decay, what the world needs the most is a fresh outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit.” Rev. Samuel Rodriguez

City Impact Church is thrilled to host Reverend Samuel Rodriguez as one of their keynote speakers for SUMMIT 2016! Samuel Rodriguez was nominated by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people. He is President of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, representing more than 40,000 U.S. churches and he and his wife Eva also pastor New Season Christian Worship Center in California. An advisor to the President on matters of faith and public policy, Samuel Rodriquez is passionate about preaching the gospel while simultaneously addressing social justice issues such as poverty, human trafficking, and religious freedom. This will be first ever trip to New Zealand. Pastor Benny Perez will also be ministering at SUMMIT 2016. He and his wife Wendy are the co-founders of The Church Movement, which began in 2003 with just a few believers gathering in their home. They now have several campuses across the United States. Known for his bold ministry style and his genuine love for people, Benny Perez imparts a fresh passion for Jesus, and a desire to see people saved, healed and walking in all that God has for them. SUMMIT 2016 is a church conference open to all, with no conference fee. Senior Pastor Peter Mortlock says “All are welcome at SUMMIT, we are thrilled to make a space and time for all to encounter the presence, love and power of God like never before.” For more information go to summit.cityimpactchurch.com

Elim Replenishes Women

More than 1200 women and girls are expected to attend the twelfth annual Elim Replenish women’s conference which will be held in the four main centres next month. Conference events will be held at Elim East in Howick, Auckland from June 17-18, Dunedin on the evening of June 22, Christchurch from June 24-25 and Wellington on June 25. “Our theme is ‘Brave’ based on Psalm

31:24 Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord,” says organiser Liz Griffiths (pictured left) who, with husband Mike, is lead pastor of Auckland’s Elim City campus. At the Auckland and Christchurch events, youth streams will teach high school girls about values and affirm their worth: “I’m taking my three girls,” says Liz whose daughters are 13, 15 and 16. “We’re encouraging women to be strong and confident and growing in their relationship with God,” says Liz who is collaborating with women’s ministry leaders around the country. “As women we need to be happy in our skin and bold enough to engage with the speed bumps of life. Together we will celebrate God’s goodness and learn to navigate ups and downs with character, wisdom and humility.” The keynote speaker, Pastor Renee Bennett who, with her husband, is co-director of Youth Alive in Australia. For more information go to www.elimchristiancentre.org.nz

Interest free liberty for every Church and Home Own your own home by following God’s principles An inspired way to help your kids $38 million lent interest free to NZ households and churches to date More than 200 testimonies at www.libertytrust.nz 0508 LIBERTY (542 378) info@libertytrust.nz 12 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016 120mm high, 251mm wide Christian Life May 2016

CHRISTIAN LIVING

By My Spirit BY TAK BHANA

ears ago we had a neighbour whose house was built on a sloping section, in time he decided to excavate the front for a basement. Being a tough D-I-Y guy he took this massive project on himself. He made steady progress until he got about half way, then fatigue set in and motivation walked out. He had come so far but still had a long way to go and the work ground to a halt. It’s a common scenario and one around 50,000 Jews were facing back in 250 BC. They had returned to Jerusalem after their captivity in Babylon and had begun the arduous task of rebuilding their ruined city. After a good start on the temple they encountered opposition from some Samaritans and soon discouragement and apathy set in. The work ground to a halt for 12 years. But God knows how to move people on from apathy and inertia. He sent two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to get the Jews back on task. God gave Zechariah the word for Zerubbabel, the governor. Zechariah 4:6. “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Man’s choicest resources usually come down to huge numbers, unlimited wealth and the best brains. But they’re not God’s best, his work cannot be built by wealth, numbers, or by an amazing IQ. I’m not saying we don’t need those things or that God won’t use them, but the key to accomplishing a work for God is to put our faith squarely in him. The rebuilding of God’s temple was accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit. Is this a word for us today? Zechariah gave that word to Zerubbabel thousands of years ago, will it still work for us today? Can we really grow a church, ministry, marriage, by faith, obedience to God’s word and being led by the Holy Spirit? My answer is a resounding yes, because though times change drastically God doesn’t. That means we can cry out, “where is the God of Elijah” and expect to see miracles? Maybe not many river partings because we have so many bridges, but I believe we can see the hand of God miraculously providing, changing, and transforming lives, guiding, and healing people, and growing our churches. The task of reaching New Zealand and the nations

on some unexpected rides, which I would never have started on, or stayed on, apart from the power of God.

with the gospel looks so daunting, it’s like a so-called, “David and Goliath” type battle, when an unlikely underdog wins a lawsuit against all the odds, or the little guy miraculously overcomes the big guy. But is that really a David and Goliath battle? In the Bible David was not the underdog, he had all the power of heaven on his side. David’s great victory over Goliath had nothing to do with fortune smiling on the plucky little guy who dared to take on the big mean giant, instead it was about David’s faith in a mighty God. Not by might Man’s efforts will never accomplish God’s work. We all know of underachievers who fail to reach their potential, and overachievers who “punch above their weight”. But with God’s resources within us we can all be overachievers. Gideon, whose army was whittled down from 32,000 to 300 in order to defeat an army of more than 130,000, is just one example of God’s people who became huge overachievers by the power of his Holy Spirit. The key is receiving God’s grace by faith When all we can see is how far we have to go we need to wait on God. Isaiah 40:29-31. Waiting like this means looking to God in faith for all we need, (Isaiah 30:15). We will run and not be weary, the Holy Spirit will give us the momentum to keep going. We will walk and not faint. It’s in walking, the daily grind, the biggest chunk of life’s pie, that we’re most likely to give up, but as we wait on God he pours his strength into us. Eagles catch the wind drafts and get carried along, and to some extent that’s been my story. As I’ve waited on God and tried to catch the winds of the Spirit I’ve been

Dependence on the Holy Spirit removes obstacles In Zechariah 4:7 the angel directly addresses the mountain, “Who are you O great mountain”? The rebuilding of the temple, as with all of God’s work, would be finished through the abundant supply of the Holy Spirit. How do we make Zechariah 4:6 flesh in our lives on a daily basis? The key is the time honoured practice of prayer. Charles Spurgeon said, “God will bless Elijah and send rain on Israel, but Elijah must pray for it. If the chosen nation is to prosper, Samuel must plead for it. If the Jews are to be delivered, Daniel must intercede. God will bless Paul, and the nations shall be converted, but Paul must pray. . . . Let me have your prayers, and I can do anything! Let me be without my peoples prayers, and I can do nothing.” When Jesus taught “The Lord’s Prayer” He said, “Your kingdom come”. The key to God’s kingdom coming here and now and to seeing those mountains of sin or resistance to His plans being flattened is intercession. God’s power alone can do anything, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty”, but the praying is ours to do. Reaching New Zealand and nations can look to us like an insurmountable mountain, an invincible Goliath that mocks, but with God there are no insurmountable mountains, Goliath’s days are numbered, and we can punch way above our weight by accessing the power of the Holy Spirit through prayer.

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”.

There are 150 million orphans who still need our help

If not us, then who? 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' ~ Jesus ~

Get involved today! Volunteering, Donating, Coordinating your Church, doing a Fundraiser, helping at our Street Appeal Collections.

0800 ORPHANS www.orphan aidinternational.org

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PROGRAMME GUIDE June 2016

shineplus.co.nz

Details up to date at time of printing. For up-to-date 24-hour programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

SUNDAY 5:00 6:00

Living Truth: Charles Price

MONDAY P

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

8:00

Harvest TV Rotorua

8:30

In Touch: Charles Stanley

TUESDAY P

Living Truth: Charles Price

WEDNESDAY P

THURSDAY

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

FRIDAY

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri)

SATURDAY P

Kingdom Connection: Jentezen Franklin

5:00

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

6:00

Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Kingdom Connection: Jentezen Franklin

Derek Prince

Renewal TV: Symon Drake

Superbook

6:30

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

Hillsong Kids

That’s Amazing

Bed Bug Bible Gang

What’s in the Bible?

Bed Bug Bible Gang

7:00

What’s in the Bible?

Friends and Heroes

Bed Bug Bible Gang

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

Superbook

LarryBoy

7:30

Bed Bug Bible Gang

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

Hillsong Kids

What’s in the Bible?

LarryBoy

Hillsong Kids

8:00

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

What’s in the Bible?

8:30

In Touch: Charles Stanley

Veggie Tales

10:00

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

10:30

6:30 7:00 7:30

9:00

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri) Give Me An Answer: Cliffe Knechtle

Colour in Your Life

Songs of Praise

The Exchange

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

12:30

7th Street Theatre

Creation Magazine Live

13:00

The Restoration Road

7th Street Theatre

13:30

Give Me An Answer

9:30

11:00 11:30 Noon

14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00

See adjacent or go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail Living Truth: Charles Price

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

FEATURE:

Answers with Bayless Conley

Bed Bug Bible Gang

What’s in the Bible?

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

LarryBoy

What’s in the Bible?

Superbook

Friends and Heroes

Hillsong Kids

Bed Bug Bible Gang

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

14:00

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

Veggie Tales

15:00 15:30

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

P 16:00

Colour in Your Life

P 16:30

Full Circle (Mon-Fri)

Creation Magazine Live

D 17:30

The 700 Club (Mon-Fri)

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

19:30

Songs of Praise

Coop Dreams / 100 Huntley St (20 Jun)

Christian World News

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

FEATURE:

See adjacent for detail Beyond Adventure

Studio 5

TV4DADS

Brought to you by

FEATURE:

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

FEATURE:

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

22:00

19:00 19:30 20:00

Leon Fontaine

FEATURE:

The Mark Gungor Show

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

Creation Magazine Live

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

The Catholic Guy

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri)

23:30

The Exchange

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri)

Midnight

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore

00:30am

Precious Memories

1 am

Songs of Praise

Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

The Catholic Guy: Bruce Downs

Derek Prince

Renewal TV: Symon Drake

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri) In Touch: Charles Stanley

Living Truth: Charles Price

2 am

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

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

A Shine viewer says... “I wish everyone could get Shine. It would certainly make NZ a better place! It is great to watch inspiring content that is not in poor taste and to feel connected to others through God’s Word and feel a part of His Kingdom.”

14 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

Convocation

23:00

Hillsong TV

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

Give Me An Answer

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

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

Your Best Life

Bayless Conley

FEATURE:

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

22:30

Kingdom Connection

20:30

MID WEEK FEATURE:

The Restoration Road

18:00 18:30

FAMILY FEATURE:

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

NEW SERIES D

FEATURE:

20:30

The Exchange with Ed Stetzer

13:30

D 17:00

1:30am

13:00

FEATURE:

100 Huntley St

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

21:30

12:30

21:00

D 11:30

Rhema Worship (Mon-Fri)

Precious Memories

Jump Shipp

The Exchange with Ed Stetzer

14:30

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

19:00

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

NEW SERIES

11:00

Noon

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

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Y 10:30

FEATURE:

Life fm Presents

Colour in Your Life

Travelling Light

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

MID WEEK FEATURE:

FEATURE:

LivingTruth: Charles Price

10:00

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri) Christian World News

9:30

18:30

20:00

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV

Full Circle (Mon-Fri)

The Restoration Road

In Touch: Charles Stanley

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

The 700 Club (Tue-Fri)

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

FEATURE:

Joni & Friends

Precious Memories

Leon Fontaine

9:00

Preaching

N News

C Children E

M Music

Entertainment

21:30 22:00 22:30 23:00 23:30 Midnight

D 00:30am 1 am P

21:00

1:30am

2 am

D Doco/Drama

Y Youth

S H I NE F E A T U R ES June 2016

Traveling Light

Most of us like to travel. What we hate is the baggage we carry around. But what if you could travel through life with no bags at all? Bestselling author and speaker Max Lucado journeys through the 23rd psalm to unpack the burdens you were never meant to carry.

New series! Fridays at 7.30pm

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Weds at 7.30pm

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (2013) Back by popular demand! A group of postal detectives deliver unclaimed letters and packages that save lives, solve crimes and change futures. Wed 1 @ 7.30pm (Pilot) Every Wednesday @ 7.30pm Every Saturday @ 9pm The Gift of Hope (2000) (60 min) Tony Melendez may have been born without arms, but that hasn’t stopped him embracing life and giving hope to those in need. Thu 2 @ 8.30pm

#standwithme: Tue 7 June at 8pm

Studio 5: Fridays at 7.30pm

Courageous (2011) (130 min) Four police officers are confident and focused. They face a challenge none of them is prepared for: fatherhood. Mon 6 @ 8.30pm Everytown Down Under (2014) (125 min) Australian music evangelist Steve Grace and his team on a 25,000km road trip experiencing everything Australian. Tue 7 @ 8pm The Current (2014) (90 min) Jake’s family moves from Chicago to Minnesota, where rebellious Jake meets Peter. God uses the friendship to transform Jake’s life. Wed 8 @ 8.30pm

Studio 5 (2016) (30 min) CBN’s Efrem Graham interviews artists Affectionately Yours, Screwtape: Devil from the entertainment industry. and CS Lewis (2007) (60 min) Starts Fri 3 @ 7.30pm Journey inside the mind of CS Lewis in Every Friday @ 7.30pm this review of one of the great Christian literary works of the 20th century. TV4DADS: Alaskan Adventure (2015) Thu 9 @ 8.30pm (30 min) A series dedicated to fathers and father figures around the world. Full of Soldier of Destiny (2012) (90 min) A marine travels to Africa to deliver the solid teaching, fun and adventure! news of a fellow soldier’s death to his Every Friday @ 8pm family. He witnesses their deep faith. Will he accept Christ - and make the The 5th Quarter (2010) (94 min) Driven by the tragic death of his ultimate sacrifice? 15-year-old brother, Jon Abbate helps Fri 10 @ 8.30pm; Sat 11 @ 12pm to lead his football team to the most Snowmen (2011) (90 min) successful season in school history. A humorous and heartfelt story about Fri 3 @ 8.30pm; Sat 4 @ 12pm three unlikely heroes and the winter The Redemption of Henry Myers (2014) that changed their lives forever. (100 min) Sat 11 @ 2pm After a heist goes wrong and he’s left for dead, Henry Myers finds kindness Mercy Rule (2014) (117 min) John and his son fight their problems on from a widow and her children. their own. When they learn to rely on Sat 4 @ 7pm; Sun 5 @ 2pm friends, teammates and faith, they find Sat 25 @ 2pm their battles can be won. Sat 11 @ 7pm; Sun 12 @ 2pm Finding Normal (2013) (90 min) Dr. Lisa Leland is sentenced to serve three days as the doctor in the town Traveling Light (2015) (28 min) rd of Normal. There, her world is turned Max Lucado journeys through the 23 psalm to unpack the burdens we were upside down. never meant to carry. Sat 4 @ 2pm Starts Sun 12 @ 8.05pm Every Sunday @ 8.05pm Eduard Klassen (2015) (30 min) Eduard Klassen is a Paraguayan harpist who has presented over 4000 concerts The Frank Jenner Question (2013) (45 min) in 29 countries. He shares his music and Simply asking a question about eternity, Frank Jenner lead many men story with Shine, whilst on tour in NZ. and woman to faith in Jesus Christ. Sun 5 @ 8.05pm Sun 12 @ 8.30pm Let God (2013) (92 min) A woman heads west with her husband The Mark (2012) (90 min) during the 19th-century gold rush and Chad Turner is implanted with a powerful is left alone in the wilderness when he is biometric computer chip - he must keep it from falling into the wrong hands. killed in a savage attack. Mon 13 @ 8.30pm Sun 5 @ 8.30pm

Like Dandelion Dust: Fri 17 June at 8.30pm

#standwithme (2014) (73 min) After seeing a photo of two enslaved boys in Nepal, Vivienne Harr is moved to help in the only way she knows how: by setting up her lemonade stand. Tue 14 @ 8pm

Prodigal (2011) (95 min) Levi is tired of all the expectations of being a preacher’s son. He receives a large inheritance and takes the chance to get away from it all. Wed 22 @ 8.30pm

The Umbrella (2014) (93 min) What if an umbrella could do more than just protect its user from sun or rain? What if it protected from pain? Wed 15 @ 8.30pm

Long Road Back (2009) (60 min) Follow a woman putting her life back together after 11 years in prison. Experience the difficulties ex-prisoners face. Thu 23 @ 8.30pm

The Daniel 9 Prophecy (2014) (50 min) Follow Stephen Shephard as he travels to Iran to examine the Bible prophecy from Daniel 9. Thu 16 @ 8.30pm Like Dandelion Dust (2011) (105 min) One family is determined to keep the son they love, the other to begin a new life and rise above the alcoholism and abuse that have plagued them. Fri 17 @ 8.30pm; Sat 18 @ 12pm The Wedding Dance (2009) (90 min) A dance instructor meets her estranged father just weeks before her wedding. The pair has to sort through emotions and business decisions. Sat 18 @ 2pm

Beyond Sight (2014) (90 min) Despite being blind, Derek wanted to surf. The best journeys in life are walked by faith, and not by sight. Fri 24 @ 8.30pm; Sat 25 @ 12pm Find a Way (2013) (90 min) One morning ‘Smiley’ Cain didn’t wake up, leaving his family to question their faith and why God would allow such a thing to happen. Sat 25 @ 7pm; Sun 26 @ 2pm WWJD2: The Woodcarver (2012) (96 min) A troubled youth vandalises a church and is forced to work with the woodcarver whose work he destroyed. Sun 26 @ 8.30pm

The Custodian (2012) (80 min) Josh stumbles upon the entrance to When a stranger asks three elderly heaven and is trapped with the souls Amish women for shelter and work, unable to cross over. With help from their niece, a tough policewoman, is ‘The Custodian’, Josh must learn to find determined to uncover his secrets. his own freedom. Sat 18 @ 7pm; Sun 19 @ 2pm Mon 27 @ 8.30pm Love Finds You In Sugarcreek (2014) (90 min)

Proof Throught the Night (2012) (60 min) Within the words of the US national anthem is an expression of a Christian’s faith and gratitude. Sun 19 @ 8.30pm

Exploring Ephesus (2014) (60 min) Two distinguished historians and old friends reunite and travel together on the road to Ephesus. Tue 28 @ 8pm

The Mark II: Redemption (2013) (90 min) Chad Turner finds himself hunted by mercenaries and must summon everything he has to outrun them. Mon 20 @ 8.30pm

Love Covers All (2014) (90 min) When a new dad gets stranded out of state with his wife in labour back home, it puts his faith and fractured family to the ultimate test. Wed 29 @ 8.30pm

Waiting for Baby Noel (2015) (48 min) The story of New Zealander Dr Jared Noel who fought off cancer long enough for the arrival of his baby girl. Tue 21 @ 8pm Reunion (2014) (60 min) Experience the emotional roller coaster of the reunion of parents and child, and the loving connection between biological and adopted families. Tue 21 @ 9pm

Reflections on the Lord’s Prayer (2009) (120 min)

Ken Curtis unfolds the healing power of the Lord’s Prayer for people with cancer. Thu 30 @ 8.30pm Details up to date at time of printing. For up-to-date 24-hour programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

Subscribe to receive your daily Christian news at www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 15

EVENTS

“To see God’s plans and purposes realised, one thing is for sure: we must make room and allow the Holy Spirit to direct and empower us to live the life He has called us to.” Paul de Jong

Spirit-Led Living

IFE Conference 2016 is only a couple of weeks away, and the words of conference hosts Ps Paul and Maree de Jong invite us to consider what it means to live Holy Spirit empowered lives. With the theme of the conference being ‘By My Spirit’, Ps Paul and Maree continue to encourage us to evaluate what a Spirit-led life looks like. “Too often we end up operating out of our own giftedness, and by doing so we end up emotionally fatigued, frustrated by a ‘less than’ outcome.” Taking a moment to consider this, it is a powerful reminder that the scope of God’s calling for us always exceeds our human capabilities. God invites us to live supernaturally empowered lives, to find strength and purpose in Him. To use the words of Zechariah 4:6, that our lives would operate “‘not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit’ says the Lord almighty.” While human nature tends to lean on it’s own plans and understanding, a life reliant on God’s direction and edification helps us to trust the unknown and thrive in faith. Given the vast and unlimited extent of God’s ability, and His great desire to be in relationship with us, we must consider what life would look like when holistically surrendered to God. If He, the very creator Himself, were to shape our creative endeavours, what would that look like? If He, the definer of love, were to direct our relationships and families, how would they play out? He has gifted and purposed us all for specific callings, areas of influence and a time such as this, and living by My Spirit would see our obedience and His power unleashed in our worlds. Yes, this is a challenge, but if we take a moment to dream of what He could do through us, we quickly discover it’s an exciting challenge, and ultimately, what we were designed for to begin with. A life of supernatural strength and God’s Word in our hearts is full of humility and confidence, knowing we are limited but He is not. Ultimately, the closer we draw to God, the more we desire to follow His path for us and live in His freedom and

16 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

guidance. Ps Paul and Maree’s invitation to join them at LIFE Conference 2016 comes as an opportunity to “fan into flame what we have been called to be and do. Spirit to spirit, a rekindling of spirit, gift and future.” It is a chance to take time out to be renewed and inspired in life. They are excited for what will happen throughout the four nights and three full days of conference, believing that everyone who attends will leave feeling inspired and encouraged. This year, LIFE Conference welcomes a range of speakers from across the world. While Ps Chris Hodges (Church of the Highlands, Alabama, USA) hasn’t been to New Zealand before, his books and teaching have been influential to the conference’s host church, LIFE, as well as many other churches around the world. In addition to Ps Chris, LIFE Conference is excited to welcome Ps Donna Crouch (Hillsong, Australia), Ps John Cameron (Arise Church, New Zealand), Ps Rich Wilkerson Jr (Vous Church, Miami, USA) and Ps Steve Kelly (Wave Church, Virginia Beach, USA). Each bring with them deep revelation, a wide range of experience, and a passion to see God’s children living their lives as they were designed to—surrendered, empowered and equipped for all He has called them to do. As well as powerful main conference sessions, LIFE Conference will also hold the launch of LIFE Worship’s new album, By My Spirit. Building on the strength and success of their previous two albums (For Freedom and Through the Fire), LIFE Worship is excited to bring fresh new songs, written from an on-going revelation of Spirit-led living, to help empower individuals and churches to worship God fully. Each year, another highlight of the conference is the Master Classes, opportunities to focus in on key areas of ministry, calling and gifting. This year the conference will host seven different Master Classes; Senior Pastors and Executive Teams, Business, Community, Personal

Development, Creative, Youth Ministry, and Kids Ministry. Each of these Master Classes has a range of speakers providing practical teaching and insight, each bringing their wealth of experience and understanding of what a Holy Spirit empowered life looks like in their field of expertise. Senior Pastor and previous conference speaker, Ps Chad Veach (ZOE Church, USA), spoke of his experience: “There’s something about gathering in a Master Class that you just can’t get in a general session. We need these settings where we can get together and really breakdown some principles fit for different areas of ministry. They’ve done such a great job of providing an atmosphere for us to sit and learn from some of the best leaders in the world.” Each Master Class covers two separate themes, one for each day the Master Class is held, specifically designed to dovetail with the conference theme, By My Spirit. LIFE Conference 2016 is held from Tuesday 17th to Friday 20th of May, at LIFE Convention Centre in Airport Oaks, Auckland. Full registration is available online at lifeconference.co.nz, while information about day registrations and night tickets can be found online closer to conference, or purchased onsite at the conference. As we choose to walk Spirit-led in life, we know we’ll see the Gospel shared throughout New Zealand and beyond, as the cross is held high and Christ’s love continues to spread from heart to heart. We live in exciting times, and even greater days lie ahead of us. With the team hard at work preparing, we know that LIFE Conference 2016 is set to be another highlight of the year, and no doubt we will be hearing stories and testimonies for the years to come. For more information, visit lifeconference.co.nz

Classifieds... POSITIONS VACANT

National Administrator Are you the one to join our Senior Pastor and Elders in the spiritual leadership of our church? This role focuses on three main areas:

experience and spiritual maturity.

Youth Ministry (High School - University ages), Sunday Services (including regular preaching responsibilities), and Member Integration.

We’re part of the Alliance Churches of New Zealand, a small evangelical movement in NZ that serves in 90 countries around the world. We enjoy both the independence of pursuing God’s call in our community and the strength and solidarity of shared ministry opportunities.

It would suit someone who senses a calling to a Senior Pastors role in the future. Our church is a modest size but well connected to our community and very well positioned for growth. We have our own building, and a number of great ministry teams who will flourish under an anointed leader who values people, models servant leadership, and stimulates creativity and vision.

OAC Ministries (Open Air Campaigners) are looking for a man or woman passionate about being part of a national team impacting this nation and the church with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The National Administrator will assist, facilitate and help implement the restructure of the organisation to progressively and proactively fulfill its mission. The role includes following the vision, goals and direction of the OAC National Council via the National Director. It is a servant-management style role involving administration, finance and marketing based at the National office in Auckland. Conditions of employment, remuneration and hours to be negotiated.

This is a paid staff position for 30 hours a week with the possibility of increased hours.

Please post or email your CV to: OAC Ministries National Council, National Administrator Position c/- OAC Finance Officer, 26 Valley Road, Te Puke 3119 Email: finance@oac.org.nz (National Administrator in the subject line)

If you sense God’s prompting to find out more, please email Pastor Andrew Marshall:

andrew@bbcc.org.nz

We’re a multi-cultural, multi-generational church from a wide range of backgrounds,

EVENTS

We offer an attractive remuneration package including excellent on-site accommodation.

Mental Health and the Church A one-day conference that will take a close look at a range of mental health issues including diagnoses such as depression, suicide, bipolar, schizophrenia, and the pastoral care of people who experience mental health issues.

We need a mature Christian to lead our mission and manage our business as we make further investment in facilities and activities.

Jubilee

Discounted prices available for couples and teams. For more information including prices, programme and speaker information, visit: www.willowcreek.org.nz or www.equip.net.nz

elrancho.co.nz

* * SP ECIAL O N E-O F F EVEN T * * Resources International Inc.

Tuesday 14th June | 9.00am - 4.00pm Windsor Park Baptist Church | North Shore

For more details of the position please go to

LIBERTY DOWN UNDER

Special Training Course for Christian Counsellors, Social Workers, Pastoral Care Workers, Hospital, Prison, Defence, School & Industrial Chaplains, Christian Church Ministry teams, & other caring Christians

Dr. Mike Hutchings (USA) Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Kay Tolman (USA) Specialises in counselling severe trauma survivors Greg Biddell (AUS) Divine health from a Godly lifestyle

Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th June, 2016 Dr Andrew Darby

Dr Phil Halstead

Dr Mike Ang

Amanda Christian

Maungaraki Baptist Church, 164 Dowse Drive, Lower Hutt

Hosted by Jubilee Resources

Registration details on jubileeresources.org

* * LI m I T E d C A P A C I T y , S O b O O k N O w ! * * Subscribe to receive your daily Christian news at www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 17

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The charisma and wit set it apart from other Christian-themed memoirs The Jesus Experience by Wendy Anderson Adventures in the Southern Alps of New Zealand Stories told with humour and charm Real answers to prayers along the way

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18 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Four May 2016

NOT BY MIGHT by George Bryant

Biography of the inspirational Graham Preston, visionary founder of Bethlehem College, Tauranga – the largest school of its type in Australasia.

236 pages, 25 pics. $26.99 from info@daystarbooks.org or Christian and independent bookshops

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Peter Snell Youth Village is situated on 27 acres of native bush and parkland about 45 minutes north of Downtown Auckland. With amazing sea and island views towards Waiwera and the Mahurangi. In recent years the facilities have been updated to meet the needs and comfort of the many school and community groups that take advantage of this beautiful site. Excellent catering and friendly hosts enable guests to focus entirely on getting the most out of their stay. Onsite activities include an initiative course, burma trail, horizontal bungy, water slide and trampolines, as well as an abseiling tower. Kayaking and sailing is also available but needs to be booked with an outside provider. The beach track gives access to a rocky shore as well as a sandy beach for beach games and swimming if desired.

Ark House Press wants your manuscript! Call 09 281 3796 to get published today.

www.psyv.org.nz

Good News Centre

Bamboo Resource Centre

The Good News Centre in the Fitzroy shopping centre of New Plymouth is the only Christian book shop in the Taranaki area. We have a wide range of books, Bibles, music, cards and Christian product. We do our best to keep our prices as low as possible and will try to match prices that are found elsewhere.

Under the umbrella of OMF NZ, Bamboo is the place for Bibles and Christian books in Chinese, Japanese, English, Thai, and other Asian languages. Bamboo stocks CD’s, DVD’s, gift items, tracts, greeting cards and resources. Bamboo connects people to what they need, whether it be a local church or someone to help translate for them.

We provide a speedy delivery service and offer discounts on bulk orders. We carry a good range of second hand books and have an annual sale at St Andrews Church Hall of hundreds of donated books.

Bamboo Resource Centre understands that New Zealand is a multicultural society, and local believers need to be equipped to reach the unchurched Asia community – many of whom are our neighbours.

One of our specialties is finding and sourcing “hard to find books”

Good News Centre 581 Devon Street East, Fitzroy New Plymouth 4312 Manager, Chris Angelo p. 06 758 4912 e. goodnewsnp@clear.net.nz

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We stock OMF Publications related to cross-cultural mission in East Asia and around the world

Bamboo Resource Centre 591 Dominion Rd, Balmoral, Auckland 1401 Manager, Alice Yeung p. 09 6305997 e. deniseritchie43@gmail.com

BOOKS

Subscribe to receive your daily Christian news at www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 19

Never before in human history have we been able to reach so many so easily

Who are you influencing now? Imagine yourself five years in the future, looking back at yourself today. What would you say to yourself about what is truly important? Decide what you need to do about it now.

This is your time!

Decide today to multiply your influence at PK 2016

Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Events 2016

CHRISTCHURCH 19-20 August | WELLINGTON 16-17 September | AUCKLAND 7-8 October www.promisekeepers.nz