Christian Life_Issue 36 July 2016 by Initiate Media

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JULY 2016 • Issue THIRTY-SIX • www.mychristiandaily.co.nz

TRUE STORY

FAMILY FIRST

OPINION

Stephanie Harawira: The People’s Prophetic Princess

The ‘Eggsploitation’ Of Surrogacy

Painful lessons from a pastor’s viral transgender post

page 06

page 08

page 16 “Many households don’t earn a lot of money and couples with a combined income of say $50,000 can’t afford to buy a home. That’s when you get two or three families crowding into one house in South Auckland, and spilling into garages, caravans and shacks on the lawn. Home Sweet Home? page 06

NZ’s HOUSING CRISIS

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IN THIS ISSUE

contents...

JULY 2016

03. Moralise, Christianise Or Evangelise? 04. COVER: Home Sweet Home? 06. Stephanie Harawira 08. The ‘Eggsploitation’ Of Surrogacy 09. Local News 11. Importance Of Missions: 7 Reasons To Support Them

12. Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously 13. The Fire of God 14. Shine TV programme guide 16. Painful lessons from a pastor’s viral transgender post 17. Christian Life Classifieds

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IN SHORT

MORALISE, CHRISTIANISE OR EVANGELISE?

any people I speak with think that being a Christian is about being a “good” person and living a “good” life. This message is communicated when the church takes on the role of moral policeman for society – thinking that its main role is to say what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour for everyone – even those who don’t consider themselves to be Christian. The problem is that this moral message gets in the way of the church’s real message – the gospel, which is good news. Some Christians are so busy trying to clean up others’ lives by Christianising them that they miss their real mission – that of evangelizing by sharing the true gospel. The message of the moral police actually drives a wedge between Christians and the world that God loves. Jesus didn’t behave this way so why has so much of the church

bought into the lie that we are here to moralise and Christianise rather than evangelise? It’s like trying to clean a fish before you’ve caught it. Jesus hung around with all sorts of people who had been regularly rejected by the religious crowd of his day (see Mark 2:13-17). The religious right, who did not understand such love and acceptance, scorned him. God gave the same message to the Hebrews who had been taken into captivity to Babylon in 597 BC (see Jeremiah 29:4-14). Jeremiah 29 is a letter to the exiles giving instructions on how God’s people are to live when they are foreigners in a strange land. And what a strange place Babylon was! It was the place where astrology, and other occult practices, was developed. In their worship system, they had 37 supreme gods, and one of these, the god associated with the sun, was supreme over all the oth-

er gods. These people believed that numbers in some way had power over the gods they worshiped. They counted their gods and assigned a count number to each of the 36 lesser supreme gods, and then added up all of these numbers (from one to 36) and assigned the sum to the sun god – 666. They also practiced Knot Magic: The belief that tying and untying knots could cure all manner of illnesses. In light of these and other strange and immoral practices you’d think that God would instruct his people to make banners and hold protest marches down the streets of Babylon – “Down with Knot Magic!” “God hates 666.” “Astrologers will go to hell!” But the message from God was very different. God instructed his people to “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have car-

ried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” “Peace and prosperity” is the Hebrew word “shalom” which includes things like safety, happiness, friendliness, welfare, health, prosperity, peace, contentment, completeness, soundness and restoration. This was the impact God’s people were to have on Babylon – this is the impact the church is meant to have on the world today! Christians are not called to live as conspirators banded together against the world that is for the time their home. Rather Jesus calls his people to live as salt and light “that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Rob Buckingham is the Senior Minister of Bayside Christian Church. www.baysidechurch.com.au

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HOUSING CRISIS

Exorbitant house prices, an insufficient housing stock, high rents, cold, damp rental houses and overcrowding are putting families under pressure. Salvation Army social policy analyst, ALAN JOHNSON talks to MARIE ANTICICH about the housing crisis.

? E M O H T E E W S HOME W

inter is here and our thoughts turn towards home – a warm, dry, comfortable home. But for many Kiwis the dream of home ownership is becoming a nightmare of skyrocketing house prices, escalating rents overcrowding and homelessness. Home ownership in New Zealand has reached its lowest level in 60 years and the government is coming under scrutiny for its handling of the Auckland housing crisis. Although house building has increased in Auckland, the shortage of housing continues to worsen, mainly because of high net migration. This is bad news for both tenants and would-be house-buyers. Salvation Army social policy analyst Alan Johson, author of the army’s ‘Moving Targets’ 2016 State of the Nation report, says house prices are increasing faster than wages, making it hard for the average wage or salary earner to buy a home. Many of those who have bought a home are mortgaged to the hilt, and the house price bonanza is increasing household debt almost to levels seen before the 2008 global financial crisis. Salvation Army Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit director, Lt Colonel Ian Hutson says the government needs to urgently address root causes of the housing crises and examine possible solutions, such as investment and development in the regions and the building of large scale State residential housing projects. Lt Col Hutson is concerned that ingrained inequality and poverty is causing many to live at a grim level of misery with homelessness, overcrowd-

4 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

ing, child poverty and its attendant ill health, dysfunction and loss of opportunities becoming accepted as the new norm. Despite the significant upturn in residential building activity in Auckland – more consents for new dwellings were issued in 2015 than in any of the previous ten years – the overall deficit of housing continues to widen, due to even stronger population growth. “We need to build around 13,000 new houses a year to keep up with the demand for housing in Auckland but we’re only building around 10,000 houses, and so the shortfall keeps increasing. What we’re seeing on our TV screens and the homelessness in our streets is a consequence of what we haven’t done over the last five to ten years,” says Mr Johnson. “There’s a gap between income and housing values. No-one is building cheaper houses and so we now have a critical shortage of affordable housing – new houses in Papakura are costing $1.1 million. People ask me ‘What’s affordable?’ and I say ‘Anything less than $400,000.’ Unspectacular houses in Auckland are selling for twice that price,” he remarks. “Many households don’t earn a lot of money and couples with a combined income of say $50,000 can’t afford to buy a home. That’s when you get two or three families crowding into one house in South Auckland, and spilling into garages, caravans and shacks on the lawn. Over-crowding places huge stress on families and facilitates the spread of respi-

ratory illnesses and diseases.” It’s not just an Auckland problem. “Population pressure is spreading to Northland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Wellington. People at the bottom end of the housing market in those communities are finding it tough to find a home. “Migrants are putting pressure on the housing market, but it’s really important we don’t blame them for our housing problems,” says Mr Johnson. “The government has been pursuing a liberal immigration policy and allowing migrants to come in without providing the infra- structure needed to support them. “Migrants bring money and contribute to Auckland’s growth by spending on new houses, cars, whiteware and appliances, which bolsters our economy. They’re coming to New Zealand to access to our social resources – I’ve got no problem with that – but it’s tough on everyone if the government isn’t meeting people’s needs for housing, schools and hospitals. New Zealand’s net immigration figures are around 90,000 a year, and this includes returning Kiwis. Last year Auckland’s population grew by about 60,000, requiring some 15-20,000 homes. “New arrivals need somewhere to live the moment they step off the plane, but councils, government and industry haven’t been able to cater for that demand. The government blames land zoning but that’s nonsense – they have a 30-year supply of undeveloped land. They needs to take a hands-on approach with State housing and State-led residential

HOUSING CRISIS

“LANDLORDS NEED TO THINK ABOUT JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS AND ASK ‘WOULD I LET MY KIDS OR GRAND-KID LIVE IN THIS HOUSE?’ IF THE ANSWER IS ‘NO’ THEY SHOULD IMPROVE THE PROPERTY.” developments. “Back in the day families used to be able get low-interest loans from State Advances and capitalise on Family Benefit payments.” The Family Benefit was introduced in 1946 and families could access 3% State Advances Corporation loans. By the 1970s, home ownership in New Zealand had reached 70% as baby boomers began to marry and start a family. RENTAL HOMES Auckland rents have increased much faster than background inflation and wages, and Wellington is experiencing modest rent rises. Christchurch rents rose about 35% after the earthquake – and the demand created by migrating workers during the rebuild – but this is tapering off as damaged housing stock is replaced. Children’s Commissioner, Russell Wills, who is also a paediatrician with the Hawkes Bay District Health Board, says more than 40,000 children are admitted to New Zealand hospitals each year due to poverty and housing-related illnesses, and some children die. In 2012 Wills’ expert advisory group on child poverty recommended targeting the poor quality of rental housing by introducing minimum health and safety standards for building, determined by an agreed warrant of fitness. But this hasn’t happened. Respiratory diseases have increased and Third World illnesses like acute rheumatic fever and tuberculosis are emerging. A University of Otago study reports that rental housing is often in poorer condition than social housing or privately owned homes, and a 2010 Building Research Association (BRANZ) survey showed that 43% of rentals had ‘moderate to high levels’ of mould. “Greedy investors often look to maximise profits without reflecting on the welfare of their tenants,” Mr Johnson observes. “Some landlords have increased rents by $50 a week so I think it’s unreason-

• • •

able for them to say they can’t afford to insulate their properties. “Landlords need to think about justice and fairness and ask ‘Would I let my kids or grand-kid live in this house?’ If the answer is ‘No’ they should improve the property.” Few landlords have taken advantage of government subsidises to retro-fit insulation and clean heating in cold old house, available through the Warm up NZ: Heat Smart and Warm Up NZ: Healthy Homes schemes. “Housing standards need to rise,” Mr Johnson asserts. “We need to bring in minimum standards for insulation, building materials and energy efficiency and deter ‘cowboys’ in the construction industry. Our minimum housing standards are based on regulations made in 1947 – imagine building cars and aeroplanes to 1947 standards!” BOOMERS Baby boomers are people born between1946 and 1965. The oldest boomers began receiving national superannuation in 2011, and by 2031 one million Kiwis will be aged over 65, twice the current number. A recent Salvation Army report estimates that 200,000 baby boomers living in Auckland don’t own their own home. “There is a whole host of reasons for this including business failure, financial losses, high interest rates, low incomes, ill health and patchy employment,” says Mr Johnson. “New Zealand’s retirement income policy is largely based on the idea you will own a home when you retire. Superannuation provides a reasonable income if you own your own home, but it’s really tough if you don’t. As more baby boomers retire, we need to be planning for more affordable rental housing for them.” Marriage and family breakdown contribute to the problem. “The reality is that marriages do break up and for all sorts of reasons. But when matrimonial property is divided up, women may struggle to find credit to buy a house as they usually have lower

incomes. You end up being disadvantaged after a lifetime of effort.” What can Christians do? “Christian people can express public opposition to what’s happening, especially with regard to housing for children, families and older folk,” says Mr Johnson. He himself spent two nights sleeping in his car during last month’s Park Up for the Homeless events in Auckland. A group of young Christians supported this initiative which saw more than 1,000 people sleeping in cars to demonstrate solidarity with homeless people. Protestors included Mangere Labour MP, Su’a William Sio, Green Party MP, Marama Davidson and representatives from Lifewise, Child Poverty Action and Te Puea Marae. The Salvation Army has 300 social housing units throughout New Zealand and some emergency housing, mainly in central Auckland and Christchurch, and its Community Ministry offers advocacy and advice. Other church-based organisations helping with housing in Auckland include the Bays Housing Trust, Vision West, Monte Cecelia and De Paul House. “As part of our Christian commitment,” says Mr Johnson “we need to lend a helping hand to the work these organisations are doing.”

As Christian Life was going to print the government announced that rental properties with no insulation will need to be upgraded by July 2019. Minister for Building and Housing, Dr Nick Smith expects 180,000 properties will be insulated by 2019, saving around 129 lives a year. From July 1, 2016 landlords must include in all tenancy agreements a declaration of the level of insulation underfloor and in walls and ceilings.

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TRUE STORY

JANET BALCOMBE MEETS THE PEOPLE’S PROPHETIC PRINCESS

nly God could tame this daughter of Ngapuhi from Auckland’s wild west, and even tamed, she is a supernatural force of nature. From her humble beginnings Stephanie overcame serious challenges, and now does more than humanly possible for her community. Find out why Stephanie and her husband, Taiawa (Tai) have been recognised locally and nationally, including four accolades in two categories of Kiwibank’s New Zealander of the Year Awards. I was honoured when Stephanie invited me to speak at one of her Pacific Pearls meetings in Ranui, and stay at the family’s ranch out west where the New Zealand, the Maori and the Israeli flags fly together, the sound of the shofar pierces the heavens, and the peace lies thick. The beautiful Green Bay tomboy was the youngest of six in this hard working family. Stephanie’s dad was a drain layer but was rarely home, her mum a sewing machinist and hard drinker. Being the youngest, she was spoilt and earned the nickname, ‘Queenie’, because she often got away with murder and learned to manipulate and deceive. But whenever things caught up with her she suffered brutal punishment with the jug cord, or anything within reach. If she were going to be beaten into submission, she would have been. It didn’t work. With the boozy parties came the inevitable sexual molestation by uncles, aggravating her anger and rebellion. In her search for God, Stephanie’s mum took the kids to a Jehovah Witness church and Stephanie learned there was a God, but didn’t meet Him. She certainly needed Him, however, “Growing up spoilt, I was demanding, loud and proud. I was my universe. It was always all about me.” She didn’t care about anyone and had no respect for anything. And this was before she started her moral free-fall. After trying her first joint at age 15, she was hooked on getting high and a year later added the power of sex to the mix. At 18 she was serving smoko to the wharfies in the canteen on Auckland’s waterfront where her father now worked. The next few years disappeared in a fast blur of alcoholism, promiscuity and at times prostitution, drug addiction and dealing, until one day her father said something to her at work that pierced her blankness. “Go and have a look at yourself. You look like a mess.” Stephanie went to the bathroom and looked at her reflection. All of a sudden she was fully present and keenly aware of her surroundings.

6 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

“I looked into the mirror and heard a small voice inside me say, “This is not me – this is not the real me.” I saw how gaunt and pale I was, and how dark and sunken my eyes had become. I hadn’t eaten or slept for days… I WAS A MESS.” She snapped. She flushed all the Class A drugs down the toilet, leaving just the sticky bud, then marched into the bosses office and quit. “I knew if I was to change the dial, I had to leave the lifestyle, so I did.” Stephanie was 25. Jesus still wasn’t in the picture but she cleaned up somewhat, stopping drinking and doing hard drugs, just smoked weed. After completing a computer course she entered the the fast-paced world of marketing and fashion media with ACP Magazines. She loved it and hated it. It became all about the money, good cars, houses, and jewellery. She was living the Kiwi dream, on her second house with her nice Pakeha boyfriend, and planning to marry and have kids. One day Stephanie suggested they pray for supernatural help for her boyfriend to pass an exam needed for a promotion, “Lord, if You give us this exam, I will go to church.” He passed the exam, but Stephanie forgot the prayer and carried on, business as usual. Until three months later when her neighbour shared about a church up the road and she remembered the prayer. She went along and God used this church to lovingly embrace her and draw her to Himself. Six months later, she asked Him to show her if He was real. A visiting speaker carrying the Toronto blessing was there and the Holy Spirit was moving in power. She saw a flash of light and then was flat on her back for over an hour weeping, with waves of warmth flowing over her. She could hear “I love you,” over and over, and when she got up she was changed from the inside out. “I knew God was real and I knew He loved me. I was flying high, filled with peace and joy for two weeks.” It confused her boyfriend and blew their plans to bits. Two months later, Stephanie felt God saying this was not the man to marry, and she left the relationship. Shortly after she met her husband, Taiawa Harawira, a baby Christian fresh out of prison and a life of violence and crime. They married six months later and have just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Tai has 11 children and they have 5 together. The early years were stormy and Stephanie gave as good as she got, while the Holy Spirit slowly transformed their minds with the help of a wonderful Pakeha pas-

TRUE STORY

tor. Today their home is alcohol and violence-free, defined by love and peace, and abundant provision enough for a community. They started the Ezekiel 33 Trust in 2005 and worked with community organisations to meet needs, strengthen, empower and improve the wellbeing of individuals and community services. They launched and ran free family events including Whanau Day Out, Flava Out West, Oceania Festival, Watchman’s Christmas and Waitangi Smoke Free, drawing crowds in the thousands. Stephanie and Tai ran a faith-based community drop-in centre, called The Underground, and helped hundreds of families and youth between 2008 and 2013, until one of their sons was diagnosed with Leukaemia. Taking a step back to focus on family and get their boy well, they closed The Underground. The cancer journey began a precious time of deepening faith, love and healing. In 2013 Stephanie was called to start the ministry, Te Hau Wairua, with her friend Jenny Matheson. Te Hau Wairua launched the Pacific Pearls Prophetic Women’s Christian Ministry in 2014 in Waitakere City. Pacific Pearls is a multi-cultural, prophetic ministry called to equip, empower, impart and release the Body of Christ into all that God has called Her to be. It is first and foremost, Holy Spirit-led. Pacific Pearls is spreading revival fire throughout the nation with ten conferences planned all over the North Island – and climbing. See Pacific Pearls National NZ on Facebook for conference details.

M A N I F E S T

In 2014, in response to the serious synthetic drug problem, Stephanie and Tai joined forces with local community to get rid of it and began protesting outside the synthetic shops and petitioning government. Stephanie became the national chairman of Ban Synthetics NZ and worked with national lobby groups pressuring government until 2015 when they won the fight. They continue to monitor government and run Ban Synthetics Facebook pages. If that’s not enough, Stephanie and Tai have been running a food bank for the last 18 years feeding hundreds, if not thousands of families. Stephanie and Tai’s work has attracted nine local and national accolades between 2006 and 2012. The tomboy became a lady, and a drama queen - the people’s princess. Stephanie has always been extreme; nothing has changed there, and faithfully gives glory to God in all that she does. Stephanie is on Facebook (Ezekiel 33) and you can visit her website ezekiel33.co.nz “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:1-4

P R E S E N C E

Opposite Page top to bottom: Stephanie at home in Waitakere; The Harawira Family; A Ban Synthetics NZ march; Stephanie and Taiawa’s wedding day; This page: The whanau

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FAMILY FIRST

THE ‘EGGSPLOITATION’ OF SURROGACY

he recent media coverage of the same-sex couple who travelled to Mexico to have ‘triplings’ raises a number of issues. Three babies, born from one set of sperm and one egg, but carried by different surrogates, was bound to bring difficulties. And then there is the coverage of a surrogate offering to be impregnated with a dead kiwi teenage filmmaker’s sperm. The media report says that the offers have ‘breathed life’ into the grieving mother’s dreams of ‘creating a grandchild.’ While completely sympathising with adults who cannot have children and understanding why some consider going to extreme lengths in order to have children, surrogacy cannot be in the best interests of the child. What is it like to be a child and know that you were ‘bought and sold’? Can the child be blamed for feeling disturbed that money may have been exchanged in their conception? How does the child deal with the loss and possible rejection from a biological mother who is labelled as the ‘gestational carrier’? What is it like to find out that your biological father donated his sperm and is known only by a number? Children have a deep longing and a right to know who they belong to, where they come from, and who they look like. Australian commentator Miranda Devine argues that “to have carried a baby in your womb, shared a blood supply, felt its little feet kick against your abdomen, heard its little heartbeat, sensed it growing bigger and stronger, while it changes your metabolism, and the way you sleep, breathe and eat, and then to have given birth to a living, breathing human child you have been longing to cuddle is not a trivial act. So to have it described in such clinical, remote terms is insensitive and thoughtless, to say the least. It is so much more than being ‘born through a gestational carrier’...” Commercial surrogacy must lead to the commodification of children. There is something ethically questionable about the very notion of ‘renting a womb.’ In December 2015, the European Parliament

adopted a resolution condemning “the practice of surrogacy, which undermines the human dignity of the woman since her body and its reproductive functions are used as a commodity…” Clearly commercial surrogacy can be exploitative. The contracting parties are seldom equal. It treats women and children as tradable objects, whether or not payment is rendered. The women most at risk are poor and vulnerable women, easily tempted by financial incentives. Surrogacy often facilitates multiple embryo creation and embryo destruction via selective reduction of ‘less perfect’ or extra embryos. Surrogacy and IVF opens the door to sexselection and the prospective designing of children. A surrogate mother was ordered to abort a baby in the USA after learning she was having triplets, and a Melbourne couple using IVF aborted twin boys because they already had three sons and wanted a daughter instead. The father told the media it was “our right” to decide the gender of their future child. The documentary ‘Breeders: A Subclass of Women’? with the stories of four surrogate mothers, reveals a much darker and more serious side to the whole industry. Angelia Robinson, 51, agreed to carry twins for her brother and his male partner. But the arrangement turned sour and degenerated into a three-year legal stoush where she was legally recognised as the twin girls’ mother, and later given limited custody. She admitted: “Everything is focused on the people that can’t have children. Nothing is focused on the children themselves or the breeding class of women we’re creating.” Surrogate mothers are at risk of emotional trauma and psychological burden. Surrogacy, even when done altruistically, can create lifelong emotional issues for both. Deep bonds are formed between mother and child during gestation and the inability of some surrogate mothers to relinquish their babies has resulted in excruciating levels of anguish for the surrogate, and often in high-profile lawsuits.

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Gammy was born to a Thai surrogate mother, and believed to be abandoned by his Australian parents after they discovered he had Down Syndrome. But it was later revealed that the surrogate mother had “fallen in love with the twins she was carrying and decided she was going to keep the boy”. Surrogacy can also endanger women’s health. There are various health complications with any pregnancy, but there are many surrogacy-specific health risks. Our Mexico ‘tripling’ case is a warning that legal liabilities readily develop due to the unknown outcome of a host of factors, including multiple births, incurring unforeseen medical costs due to complications, payment issues, coercion to abort one or more of the children, custody battles, and the abandonment of children by sponsors midgestation. Although largely ignored by the media, the rights of the child should remain paramount. Many children conceived via surrogacy are prevented from knowing intimate aspects of their heritage and biology. Surrogacy isn’t as simple as it seems. As Jennifer Lahl, the President of The Center for Bioethics and Culture in the U.S. rightly says - “Women are not Easy Bake Ovens and our children are not cupcakes.” Acknowledgement: The term “Eggsploitation” comes from the title of a documentary film by The Center For Bioethics And Culture. http://www.eggsploitation.com/

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

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LOCAL NEWS

HOPE PROJECT TEAM BRING NEW NATIONAL VISION

ope has been the message of the Hope Project team – and not just for those outside of the church. “Inside its walls things have been changing too”, says Dave Mann, the project’s initiator. “And our next hope is that this might continue!” So, what effect did the project have? In a nation where the Christian message had rare appearance in secular media, the gospel was communicated through that media to the nation. The multi-media effort strategically used ads on our main TV channels, booklets in letterboxes and web-media to initiate a conversation. Quite apart from the tens of thousands who engaged online, or the 4.5m+ gospel booklets that were delivered to homes, the project encouraged Christians! The Christian message was communicated through secular media channels, with a surprisingly positive reception and very little negative reaction! “However, it was the equipping content that made the biggest difference,” says Mann. Because of this the Shining Lights Trust are now presenting a five-year strategic plan for ‘evangelism’ that they hope many NZ churches will make their own. “The project had 650 partner churches, and surveys showed that 80% of them equipped their members for outreach through their main services as a part of their involvement. So we’re talking about tens of thousands of New Zealand Christians being introduced to a conversational evangelism approach in a nation where the average church previously didn’t have any evangelism training at all. The potential

that exists within this pattern cannot be underestimated. With a five-year effort into the Hope Project concluding, and miraculous provision seen in the financial side of the project also, Dave and his team are now looking to the future. “We are presenting a five-year strategic plan that we boldly hope churches

throughout the nation will take on as their own” says Mann. “In fact, we’re hoping that some ministers’ groups in cities and towns will even take this on so they can encourage each other to apply it. This is the ‘holy grail’ of evangelism – not big events! For decades our churches have been running events – and we need them. But they aren’t working like the used to, and Christians here have known for years that that we need to somehow transition from our

dependence on these ‘come to us’ outreach efforts to a more ‘go to them’ approach in outreach. We need to engage the God-conversation! What we’re hoping to inspire is that very thing; the actions and thinking necessary for that kind of change to take place. If we keep running programs we will only ever get addition. But if we could shift our focus onto mobilising members, with sensible content and strategy behind it, not only would every outreach program and event be a greater success - we could unlock the possibility of multiplication!” One of the new initiatives is the starting of a national evangelism conference called ‘Engage’. Purposed to fuel the ‘outreaching fires’ of the NZ churches, the conference will give all Christians inspiration and equipping they can take back to their church and community, to make a difference. Dave and the team are far from alone in this: 15 other outreaching organizations have partnered in the conference, timed for Friday 2nd to Saturday 3rd September in Tauranga. “More is possible than we thought was possible – I think that’s what the Hope Project has shown us,” says Mann. “The opportunity before us is to now test just how far those possibilities might go!” For more information on the five year plan or to download the final Hope Project report visit AllTogether.co.nz. For more on the conference go to EngageConference.nz.

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LOCAL NEWS

SISTAS ‘FREEDOM’ CONFERENCE RETURNS TO VODAFONE EVENTS CENTRE September is fast approaching, and Sistas Women’s Conference is almost here! Held 8-10 September 2016, this years’ conference is themed ‘Free’, it is a reminder to take a stand and live in the freedom Christ has given to us. Since its birth in 2000, Sistas Women’s Conference has annually seen thousands of women join together to worship our amazing God, be inspired and equipped, deepen friendships, and unite together in purpose. The conference host, Ps Maree de Jong, will be joined by her husband Ps Paul de Jong, and this year’s guest speakers Ps Charlotte Gambill (Life Church, UK), Lisa Bevere (Best-selling author) and

Ps DawnCheré Wilkerson (Vous Church, USA). In addition to the full programme, the conference also offers Miss Sistas, a space dedicated for all girls aged 13-19 years to hang out and hear from God. The Miss Sistas speakers include Ps Dawn Cheré, Ps Nadia Marychurch from Arise NZ, and LIFE’s own Ps Melissa de Jong. Returning to the Vodafone Events Centre in Manukau, Auckland, this year’s conference is looking bigger and better than ever. The conference gets closer to reaching capacity each day, so the best time to register is today! www.sistas.org.nz

A GRIEF THAT DOES NOT DISAPPEAR “I had not expected it would be so hard. I thought once it was over I would get back to normal. Nothing is normal. I think of it every day and wonder, what if….” (Sue) Today abortion is commonplace, widely accepted as a means of dealing with unplanned, unwanted or difficult pregnancies. But no one really tells you what it might be like afterwards. Any pregnancy termination carries the potential for loss and trauma. It leaves a person marked and changed. But there is such a taboo talking about abortion. Secrecy, stigma

Ebenezer Emergency Fund sponsors the Steve Lightle Tour The author of bestselling books “Exodus II” and “Operation Exodus II” will be speaking in New Zealand this July and August. A former businessman from Seattle, Steve Lightle has lived in Israel among his people and now, as a keynote speaker, travels the world extensively. Being an onsite intercessor he has witnessed the breakup of Communism in the former Soviet Union, the rebuilding of Israel & current turmoil in many nations. Steve has a key message for both the Church & the Jewish people today. In August 1974, Steve received a vision of how God would judge the Soviet Union & bring their Jewish people back to Israel by ship & plane. He has made many trips into the Soviet Union to pre-

pare Jewish communities for exodus. For 25 years since its start Steve has been involved actively with Operation Exodus, assisting Jewish migrants to Israel. With insight into some of the deep current issues in the Middle East, fSU and ancient Babylon, Steve will be sharing on the regathering of the exiles of Israel, the spiritual battle entailed and importance of intercessory prayer birthed into action. Amazing testimonies of the Lord’s valiant intervention on behalf of His Jewish people and Body of Messiah will lift your faith to new horizons. For details of the tour see the advert in the Events Classified page of this issue or email ebenezernz@xtra.co.nz

10 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

and shame are still the hallmarks of the experience. Understanding the complexity of the issues and knowing how to respond is imperative. We all have a responsibility to talk about it safely least we cause more hurt and harm. Attending a P.A.T.H.S. seminar is a way to become informed about this very sensitive and contentious issue and become aware of the needs around healing. For more info see advert in classified section or visit www.postabortionpaths.org.nz.

“The Princess and the Goblin” to be performed in Orewa

Chris Wyatt (pictured), a Science teacher at Kings Way School and regular performer at Centrestage Theatre has written a new production – an adaptation of George McDonald’s children’s classic, “The Princess and the Goblin”. In 2013 Chris was diagnosed with a form a bone marrow cancer, multiple myeloma. As part of the treatment, he received a stem cell transplant, which involved being given a dosage of chemotherapy that brought him literally close to death’s door. During the long recovery process, he read several Christian books which inspired him to write a musical, “The Prisoner”. It examined the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The production was centred on the life of John the Baptist, who seemed a suitable

character to use. Chris formed the Crossbridge Theatre Company as a way to stage the musical. Running to nearly full houses over eight performances, it touched the lives of many and generated much discussion. Its success led to Chris being asked to write a second production, which is now in rehearsal. With more of a family focus, it tells of a young princess who discovers a great-great grandmother (an analogy of God) living in a castle tower, who gives her an invisible thread to follow when in trouble. It always leads her back to the grandmother. It is a lovely story of faith and trust in an all-seeing, protective God. The music for both productions has been written by Christchurch’s John McNeil who himself has written many scripts. “The Princess and the Goblin” will be performed at Centrestage Theatre in Orewa 6th – 13th August. For further information visit www.crossbridgetheatre.com.

WWW.FINDACHRISTIAN.NET

Importance Of Missions: R E A SONS TO SU PP ORT T H E M

upporting the idea of missions and individual missionaries is important because it is God’s plan in this world to establish new churches and bring new believers to Christ through the work of missions. When we think of missionaries and mission movements we often think of foreign works; however, missions is something that can be done in your own home town. Maybe the purpose of missions is needed in your own house to bring your family to Christ. Here are some thoughts on why we should support missions. Early Church – Our Example When Christ was ascending into Heaven after His resurrection from the grave, He told the crowd standing around that they should tarry in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came to indwell them (Acts 1:8). After they had received the filling of the Holy Spirit (whom Jesus had promised would be a comforter to them in John 14), they were to spread out in the area and around the world carrying the Gospel to those who had not heard. It was a direct command from Jesus for the early church to carry the good news to other places. New churches were established in the region and beyond by these early believers. Missionaries Are Dependent On Churches We often think of the financial dependence a missionary has on a church, but there is much more to it than that. Paul often talked about the church praying for missionaries so that the missionary could accomplish his work. In 2 Thessalonians 3 Paul says that the church should pray for the missionaries so that God’s Word would be effective and glorified in the lives of the believers. He also said that the missionaries needed

protection from the world and from wicked men. Paul implied that without the prayers of the churches he and his missionary team could not do the work God called them to do. Missionaries Work On Behalf Of Their Supporters In the book of Philippians the great missionary Paul wrote to the church in that city to thank them for their support for his ministry. In chapter four of the book Paul told the church that he knew that it was God who took care of him. Yet, God used the people in Philippi to be the agents of that provision. Paul thanked them for their part in the ministry. At the end of his letter he made sure the people understood he was not thanking them because he wanted them to give him more things. He already acknowledged that God would give him everything he needed, either with, or without the help of the church in Philippi. Because of the gifts of the Philippian believers, Paul said that God would put the fruit of his own ministry to the account of the church in Philippi (v. 17). People Need To Hear The Gospel God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). His plan is that those who already know the Gospel share it with those around them. God could have chosen any means to propagate the story of redemption; however, He chose current believers to be the ones who shared Christ’s love with others. An individual can only do so much for spreading the Gospel in the world. Yet, through a church mission program we are privileged to pool our resources to help fund the spread of the Gospel throughout the world. God wants the world to know about

Christ. He has chosen us as individuals and as churches to share that Gospel with others. Jesus Requested Prayer For The Laborers When Jesus was talking with His disciples one day He looked up at the crowd of people. Jesus could see a great harvest of souls. He knew that there were many people who were ready to hear and receive the Gospel. In Matthew 9:38 Jesus said that we should pray for the laborers to carry the Gospel to the harvest field. The harvest is plenteous. The work to be done is tremendously large. What is necessary are the people to go out and do the work. Jesus said that we should pray that the laborers would step up to the task and accept the challenge of carrying the Gospel to the people. We Are Commanded To Go Some of the last words of Christ before He ascended to heaven was that we should go and carry His Word to the world. In Matthew 28:19 and 20 Jesus said to go into the whole world with the Gospel, teach the hearers and baptize believers. Interestingly, the command in those verses (according to Greek scholars) is not emphasized in the word “go,” rather it is on the word “teach.” The verse reads more like this in the Greek, “As you are going, teach…” It is implied that we will go into the world. Jesus knew the persecution that would soon come to the church in Jerusalem. He knew the believers were about to be scattered in the world. He knew they would “go.” He emphasized the fact that since they are going, they should teach what they knew about Christ. Isn’t that even more true about us

We nee d your help.

today? Just a couple of generations ago people were born, lived, worked and died in the same town or close to the same area. Today the world is such a mobile place. We don’t need to be told to go. We are going. What we need to do now is teach what we know about the Lord. Who Will Go? Who Will Send? Paul wrote in Romans 10 that preachers were needed to carry the Gospel. Who will go to preach? Obviously those who are called to the ministry should be the ones preaching. Then Paul follows up the question of “who will preach” by asking “who will send them?” The church and current believers have the responsibility to support those who are going into the world with the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ. Your Part What will your part in missions be? We should all be sharing the Gospel with those around us. But, does God want you to be more involved by committing to full-time ministry? Even if you are not called to be a missionary on a foreign field, you can help the cause of missions by supporting missions in your local church. This support can come by way of prayer, finances, or time and labor for the work of the ministry. www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com

Bible Society New Zealand Bible Society is a charity dedicated to making the Bible accessible to everyone and encouraging interaction with it. We serve the whole Christian community working with Christian churches of all denominations. Bible Society was established in New Zealand in 1846 and partners with Bible Societies in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Ph: 0800 424 253 // www.biblesociety.org.nz

Voice for Life Voice for Life, New Zealand’s largest and oldest voluntary prolife organisation – with branches all over the country, has been building a culture of valuing human life from the moment of conception to natural death for more than 40 years. Our members have been committed to peaceful advocacy on behalf of the most vulnerable and voiceless members of our communities.We promote support, education, and sensible researchedbased solutions to facilitate our goals, knowing that this is a long term effort that can be reached by incremental change with widespread public support. Join, donate, or more information www.voiceforlife.org.nz

Mission Without Borders Mission Without Borders. Expanding work in 6 countries in Eastern Europe alongside local churches, giving material help and the Gospel to poor families, children, elderly, homeless; runs soup kitchens, summer camps for 3000+ kids, outreaches, Bibles distributed. Kiwis help through child and family sponsorships and donations; some knit for Operation Cover Up. Ph: 0800 469 269 // www.mwb.org.nz

Promise Keepers NZ Promise Keepers exists to help men focus on life purpose, destiny, character and integrity, based on Christian values. PK has the know-how and tools to equip men to grow into courageous manhood; men respected for making a real difference in people’s lives. Ph: 0800 PROMISE (77 66 47) // www.promisekeepers.nz

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CHRISTIANITYWORKS

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

ometimes, I think we take ourselves way too seriously. And as things turn out, it’s a syndrome that’s ruining many a life today. So here are four simple tips for, well … lightening up on yourself just a little bit:

festival, many believed in his name because they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part would not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people.” (John 2:23-24) And as things turned out, He was absolutely right! Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. (John 6:66) A few decades later, the Apostle Paul put it like this: “Am I now seeking human approval, or God’s approval? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still pleasing people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)

. STOP INSISTING ON YOUR ENTITLEMENTS It’s amazing the things we get annoyed about these days. Can you believe how long that waitress is taking to bring my coffee? … or … I deserve better from the pastor at church! After all, doesn’t he realise how much I give each month? … or … That idiot! Why couldn’t he put his indicator on before hanging a left? … or … You know what those things are called these days, don’t you? “First world problems”. And it’s amazing how busy we are, getting stressed over the things that we think we’re entitled to. It’s almost as though we’re expecting a perfect world, right?! So, let’s just get all that stuff into perspective for a moment. Jesus: If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life? (Matthew 16:24-26) It’s truly amazing how many burdens are lifted off our shoulders when we stop insisting on the myriad of things that we think we’re entitled to and start submitting to Jesus with a good heart, in the little things as well as the big things of life. The result, is a whole bunch more peace, and a whole lot more joy. Go figure!

. DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS How much time, I wonder, do you spend comparing yourself with the people around you? Your lot with their lot. Your financial position with their financial position. Her husband with your husband. The car he drives with the car you drive. The house they live in with the house you live in. The things their children are achieving with … I think what we do is that we cherry-pick all the good things in the lives of the people around us and create a composite picture of what we think the perfect life looks like. When you think of it that way, you get to realising that you’re setting yourself up for a lifetime of failure and disappointment. As far as the Apostle Paul was concerned, that’s not such a smart thing to do: “We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves

12 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

with some of those who commend themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they do not show good sense.” (2 Corinthians 10:12) Bottom line? God has a unique plan for your life, with plenty of ups and just a few downs. His plan for that person over there is completely different. It’s time we made peace with that fact … because when we do, we become much less touchy and a whole lot more relaxed about who we are and the lot that we’ve been given.

. STOP WORRYING SO MUCH WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK For the first thirty-six years of my life, I was so desperately concerned about what you and everybody else thought of me. I wanted you to think the best of me, to admire me, to speak well of me … to look at me and think to yourself “Man, I wish I was more like Berni Dymet. He has it all!” How stupid is that? And yet, how many people – even people who believe in Jesus – live out their lives as “people pleasers”? Trying to make everybody happy. Trying to march to the beat of other people’s drums … and in doing so, completely losing sight of who God made them to be and what He made them to do. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. But these days, and don’t get me wrong, but frankly I don’t care all that much what other people think of me. Am I perfect? No. Do I, like the next guy, need to listen to good advice? Absolutely! But I am not going to spend my life trying to please a bunch of fickle people. Fortunately that’s something that Jesus figured out nice and early in His public ministry: “When he was in Jerusalem during the Passover

. POKE FUN AT YOURSELF The sign of a person who is comfortable with who they are, where God has them, and what He has them doing … is that they’re able to make fun of themselves. Not out of a position of insecurity, not as a doormat – but as a son or daughter of the living God who entrusts their very being into His hands. You know what – I do some stupid things sometimes (just ask my wife). Hopefully a few fewer stupid things this year, than last year and the year before that. But … we all make mistakes, right? We all have blind spots. We all have inherent weaknesses. And from time to time, that’s something to laugh at ourselves about. How awesome is it, when we’re living our lives so much in the knowledge that God is with us, that He has a plan for us, that He has a future ready and waiting for us, and that, like any great dad, He’s ready to pick us up, dust us off and set us back on our way when we stumble – that we’re able to stop taking ourselves too seriously. That’s something to be truly, truly delighted about. So lighten up, give yourself a break, smile, laugh, laugh a lot … “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” (Ephesians 2:10)

Berni Dymet is the CEO of the global media ministry Christianityworks. Each week his radio and television broadcasts are heard by millions of people in 160 countries around the world. To obtain your FREE copy of his latest booklet, visit christianityworks.com.

CHRISTIAN LIVING

THE FIRE OF GOD BY TAK BHANA

ohn Wesley travelled two hundred and fifty miles a week; preached forty thousand sermons; produced four hundred books; knew ten languages; and got upset with himself for not keeping up the same pace in his eighties. We could say Wesley lived Romans 12:11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” The Greek word translated ‘fervour’ there refers to temperature, it means boiling for liquids and glowing for solids. We need the kind of zeal for God that boils and glows. Our personal mandate is to keep the fire of the Spirit burning continually in our hearts. 1 Thessalonians. 5:19 says, Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. The inference is that we can let the fire of God in our hearts can die down, or even go out, clearly keeping the fire and zeal flowing in our lives is our responsibility. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said on his death-bed, “tend to the fire, for the nature of fire is to go out”. When it comes to fire, God sends it and our job is to diligently and jealously guard it. This takes effort, and it will be an increasing challenge as this age winds up. Matthew 24:12 “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.” The effect will be like a cold wind cooling the fervour of God’s people. We see Christians now who are casual in their walk with God, not enthusiastic about Him, or worship, or serving, irregular in church, while prayer and Bible reading may be erratic, even non-existent. But when God’s fire burns in our hearts everything changes. The fire makes our walk with God exciting and it helps us to be more like Christ. In John 2:17, Jesus said, “Zeal for your (God’s) house will consume me”. We are to be like Him. God wants to give us greater zeal and passion for relationship with Him and for serving Him than ever before. We often hear the phrase, ‘baptism of fire’ and it sounds like a tragedy or a ‘fiery trial’, but there is a ‘baptism of fire’ which is a powerful and life-transforming encounter with God accompanied by a fresh release of fire and zeal. Luke 3:16. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of

whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”. The fire of God is not just for young Christians, if it’s properly tended it should burn brighter rather than die down as time goes on. The older we are the more we can, and should, know God, His ways, His word, and His voice, and the more we will have to offer. When it comes to serving God we should be refiring rather than retiring. Let’s not waste all the preparation God has put us through, He wants a good return for His deposit in our lives. Of course all this begs the question - how can we keep the fire burning? Firstly, by living a pure life. Sin and uncleanness have a dampening effect on God’s fire. We are virtually bombarded with impurity today so we need to carefully guard ourselves in this area. Much of the material we see on television, movies, videos, and

long to one family, and we’re members of one body. It’s hard to be on fire for God on our own. As one preacher put it, “it’s the banana off the bunch that gets peeled”. Fourthly we need right relationships. Over many years I’ve observed how conflict and broken relationships diminish a person’s fire and love for God. We must also forgive others and to put things right and do our best to be at peace with everyone. Years ago, as an associate pastor I had some wrong attitudes, which were negatively affecting my passion for God. God told me to humble myself and go to three ministers to put things right and ask forgiveness. It was hard, but when I obeyed my fire was restored. The Dead Sea principle. This simply means that unless we’re giving out in by serving we can lose our

Likewise for Christians who neglect meeting regularly with God’s people. We’re not lone-rangers, we’re involved in relationships with God and His people, we all belong to one family, and we’re members of one body. It’s hard to be on fire for God on our own.

the internet can quickly quench the fire. The ready availability of pornography is a master-stroke of Satan, it’s like a blast from a fire-extinguisher, and has ruined the fire, and the lives, of untold Christians. When we mess up in these areas we need to confess our sin to God and repent or turn away from it. Confession and repentance then are keys to purity and reigniting the fire. Secondly we must pray for fresh fire. When I was at Bible College I was in my car with 2 other guys, as we sang, ‘let the fire fall.’ I stopped at the roadside and a drunk driver crashed into us, he hit the petrol tank, and my car went up in flames. We all got out with only minor injuries, but that incident showed me, when we ask for fire it will fall. Thirdly we keep the fire burning by fellowshipping with God’s people. What happens if you take a red-hot coal out of a fire and put it on the hearth? The heat and glow soon fade out. Likewise for Christians who neglect meeting regularly with God’s people. We’re not lone-rangers, we’re involved in relationships with God and His people, we all be-

zeal, so service is another key to maintaining the fire. Lastly, the fire falls on the altar of dedication and sacrifice. One example we see in scripture was at the dedication of Solomon’s temple. If we want our zeal to stay on the boil we need to build altars and offer sacrifices by placing our lives on God’s altar in surrender to Him. We must ask ourselves, how is my fire today? It’s so worth doing whatever it takes to tend and maintain it.

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”.

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PROGRAMME GUIDE August 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 6:30 7:00

Living Truth: Charles Price Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

MONDAY P

In Touch: Charles Stanley

TUESDAY P

Living Truth: Charles Price

WEDNESDAY P

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

Kingdom Connection: Jentezen Franklin

5:00

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

6:00

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

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Kingdom Connection: Jentezen Franklin

Derek Prince

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave and Jill Moore

Superbook

6:30

Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew

Hillsong Kids

Fifty the Tractor

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

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

8:00

Harvest TV Rotorua

Bed Bug Bible Gang

Jovis Bon-Hovis

Hillsong Kids

What’s in the Bible?

LarryBoy

Hillsong Kids

8:00

8:30

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

Give Me An Answer: Cliffe Knechtle

Veggie Tales

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

Colour in Your Life

Songs of Praise

The Exchange

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Noon

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong

Precious Memories

100 Huntley St

12:30

Monumental

Creation Magazine Live

Jump Shipp

7:30

9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00

The Restoration Road Give Me An Answer

D D

Travelling Light SERIES

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

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Leon Fontaine

Bed Bug Bible Gang

What’s in the Bible?

LivingTruth: Charles Price

Friends and Heroes

Hillsong Kids

Bed Bug Bible Gang

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

Veggie Tales

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

LIFE TV: Paul de Jong Signed, Sealed, Delivered

SERIES / When Calls the Heart (from 17 Aug)

Running with Fire: Tak Bhana

Life Questions: Jeff Vines

FEATURE:

Studio 5

See adjacent for detail Beyond Adventure

SERIES

TV4DADS SERIES

P D D

SERIES

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

Leon Fontaine

FEATURE:

Global Leadership D Summit 2015

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

19:30 20:00

Brought to you by

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

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

SERIES / When Calls the Heart (from 20 Aug)

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

1:30am

The Exchange with Ed Stetzer

The Catholic Guy: Bruce Downs

Derek Prince

Hillsong TV

Harvest TV Rotorua: Dave & Jill Moore

Quick Study with Ron Hembree (Mon-Fri) P

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

Hour of Power: Robert Schuller

21:30 D

23:00

Give Me An Answer

21:00 D

Convocation

18:30

20:30

SERIES

Bayless Conley

18:00

19:00

FAMILY FEATURE:

FEATURE:

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

MID WEEK FEATURE:

Your Best Life

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

“I love Shine because it teaches us about God and what to do to follow Him, and it has the most amazing movies.”

N News

Preaching

C Children E

M Music

Entertainment

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

D 00:30am P M

A Shine viewer says...

14 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

P 16:30

22:30

2 am

Colour in Your Life

The 700 Club (Mon-Fri)

The Restoration Road

Living Truth: Charles Price

P 16:00

D 17:30

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

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

Creation Magazine Live

FEATURE:

In Touch: Charles Stanley

15:30

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

15:00

Full Circle (Mon-Fri)

14:30

D 17:00

Christian World News

Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson

14:00

Studio 5

13:30

100 Huntley St

Kingdom Connection

13:00

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

Rhema Worship (Mon-Fri)

22:00

12:30

SERIES

Superbook

Songs of Praise

21:30

19:30

FEATURE:

D 11:30

FEATURE:

Global Leadership D Summit 2015

What’s in the Bible?

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

Word For You: Terry & Jayne Calkin

FEATURE:

The Exchange with Ed Stetzer

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

FEATURE:

LarryBoy

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

11:00

Noon

FEATURE:

Impact for Life: Peter & Bev Mortlock

21:00

Beyond Adventure

Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen

20:30

Y 10:30

Go to shinetv.co.nz for more detail

Precious Memories

SERIES

SERIES / When Calls the Heart (from 18 Aug)

Life fm Presents

FEATURE:

Turning Point: Dr David Jeremiah

19:00

The Find

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

9:30 10:00

FEATURE:

SERIES

Christian World News

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

Colour in Your Life

Travelling Light

18:30

20:00

Brian Houston @ Hillsong TV

Enjoying Everyday Life with Joyce Meyer (Mon-Fri)

The Restoration Road P

Leading the Way: Michael Youssef

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

In Touch: Charles Stanley

Full Circle (Mon-Fri)

FEATURE:

Answers with Bayless Conley

9:00

The 700 Club (Tue-Fri)

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

FEATURE:

Joni & Friends

Destined to Reign with Joseph Prince (Mon-Fri)

1 am 1:30am

2 am

D Doco/Drama

Y Youth

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

Global Leadership Summit 2015 A SERIES TO HELP SHARPEN LEADERSHIP SKILLS!

No matter where you lead, The Global Leadership Summit can help you get better at it and embrace your grander vision — the reason God called you to lead. A diverse line-up of speakers, led by Bill Hybels, including Brian Houston, Sheila Heen and many more.

Thursdays at 9.30pm Fridays at 2pm

The Find: Nicaragua: Mondays at 8pm

The Frontier Boys: Fri 12 Aug at 8.30pm

South Sudan: Tue 9 Aug at 8pm

FEATURE SERIES IN AUGUST

The Amish: How They Survive (2005) (60 min) An intimate journey into Ohio Amish life The Find: Nicaragua (2015) (15 min) and culture. The Hansows are on a worldwide Thu 4 @ 8.30pm; Fri 5 @ 1pm search for life-changing projects. They travel to Nicaragua to find stories of The 5th Quarter (2010) (94 min) hope, love and redemption. Driven by the death of his brother, Jon Mondays @ 8pm; Tuesdays @ 12.30pm leads his football team to the most successful season in school history. Global Leadership Summit (2015) (30 min) Fri 5 @ 8.30pm; Sat 6 @ 12pm Inspiring teaching from the 2015 Global Leadership Summit. With teaching from Pitching Love and Catching Faith Brian Houston, Jim Collins, Brene Brown. (2012) (60 min) Thursdays @ 9.30pm; Fridays @ 2pm Falling in love wasn’t in their plan. Tyler must choose between his dream and Studio 5 (2016) (30 min) Heather. She between love & loneliness. CBN’s Efrem Graham interviews artists Sat 6 @ 2pm from the entertainment industry. Fridays @ 7.30pm; Saturdays @ 5pm Lost Wilderness (2015) (100 min) Two families dealing with death and Traveling Light (2015) (28 min) divorce are forced to bond during an Max Lucado journeys through the 23rd outdoor holiday. psalm to unpack the burdens we were Sat 6 @ 7pm; Sun 7 @ 2pm; Sat 27 @ 2pm never meant to carry. Sundays @ 8.05pm; Mondays @ 1pm Moving On (2012) (85 min) An American couple’s hearts are stirred When Calls the Heart (2014) (80 min) by the war in Uganda. Their move there Back by popular demand! alters the course of their lives forever. Elizabeth, a young teacher from high Sun 7 @ 8.30pm; Mon 8 @ 1.30pm society, experiences culture shock on her first assignment. Cutback (2011) (87 min) Starts Wednesday 17 @ 7.30pm Luke dreams of being a pro surfer, but Thursday 18 @ 12pm when a tragedy strikes close to home Saturday 20 @ 9pm he takes a hard look at his life. Mon 8 @ 8.30pm; Tue 9 @ 1pm

Missions in the Wilderness: Milk and Honey Cambodia (2014) (60 min) Dan and Renuka Brooker, a young Australian couple, take an unusual approach to missions in Cambodia. Thu 11 @ 8.30pm; Fri 12 @ 1pm The Frontier Boys (2012) (115 min) Four schoolboys‘ undefeated basketball season and friendship are threatened after a drive-by shooting. Fri 12 @ 8.30pm; Sat 13 @ 12pm Underdogs (2013) (102 min) A small-town high school football team rises to play their powerful rival, while standing up for an entire community. Sat 13 @ 2pm Christian Mingle (2014) (103 min) Gwenyth is looking for Mr Right. But she realises her superficial life, and her need for a personal relationship with God. Sat 13 @ 7pm; Sun 14 @ 2pm Remembering ‘59 (2013) (60 min) Karl Faase looks at the impact of the 1959 Billy Graham Australian Crusades. Sun 14 @ 8.30pm; Mon 15 @ 1.30pm Stand Strong (2011) (92 min) Matt and his family lose all they own and are humbled enough to learn what success is really all about. Mon 15 @ 8.30pm; Tue 16 @ 1pm

The Custodian (2012) (80 min) Josh finds heaven’s entrance and is trapped with souls unable to cross over ‘The Custodian’ is his only way to freedom. Mon 1 @ 8.30pm; Tue 2 @ 1pm

South Sudan: The Newest Country on Earth (2016) (30 min) A Samaritan’s Purse project to bring safe and clean water to South Sudan. Tue 9 @ 8pm; Wed 10 @ 12.30pm

Rescue, Raise, Rebuild (2014) (60 min) With extraordinary faith, Gary and Marilyn Skinner moved their family to Uganda to start Watoto Child Care Ministries. Tue 16 @ 8pm; Wed 17 @ 12.30pm

Tomorrow Comes (2010) (45 min) Sons of missionaries killed in Mexico in the 1950s hold a reunion to celebrate the rich legacy of their parents. Tue 2 @ 8pm; Wed 3 @ 12.30pm

Once We Were Slaves (2014) (30 min) Two Jewish prisoners await their fate: one, a criminal and political dissident, the other, a student and peacemaker. Tue 9 @ 8.30pm; Wed 10 @ 1pm

YembiYembi (2014) (30 min) An American family’s journey from San Diego to groundbreaking missionary work with an isolated tribe in Papua New Guinea. Tue 16 @ 9pm; Wed 17 @ 1.30pm

Faultless: American Orphan (2012) (45 min) The challenges facing children in foster care and how the Bible instructs us to act in light of those challenges. Tue 2 @ 9pm; Wed 3 @ 1.30pm

A Work in Progress (2004) (46 min) Allan Lee visits the Prison Fellowship NZ rehabilitation programme at Rimutaka Prison’s faith-based unit. Tue 9 @ 9pm; Wed 10 @ 1.30pm

Running the Rift (2014) (100 min) Do our donations make a difference? Two AFL players run through East Africa in search of answers. Thu 18 @ 7.30pm; Fri 19 @ 12pm

Maria Prean (2011) (60 min) Maria was 60 years old when God directed her to start a new life, caring for and educating thousands of orphans. Thu 4 @ 7.30pm; Fri 5 @ 12pm

The Line: Poverty in America (2014) (45 min) What defines ‘the line’? How can the church and community make a difference? Thu 11 @ 7.30pm; Fri 12 @ 12pm

A Little Game (2014) (90 min) Shaken by her grandmother’s death, a 10-year-old girl finds an unlikely friend in the form of a feisty chess master. Sat 20 @ 2pm

Shineathon 2016: 29 August - 2 September

Camp Harlow (2014) (90 min) Will a chance encounter at a Christian summer camp be enough to turn Alex’s life and bullying ways around? Sat 20 @ 7pm; Sun 21 @ 2pm; Sun 28 @ 11am Briars in the Cottonpatch (2003) (60 min) The story of Koinonia Farm, a Christian community where whites and blacks live and work together as equals. Sun 21 @ 8.30pm; Mon 22 @ 1.30pm The Mighty Macs (2009) (95 min) Though her team has no gym or uniforms, coach Cathy Rush takes them to their first national championship. Mon 22 @ 8.30pm; Tue 23 @ 1pm About Miracles (2013) (60 min) Four dramatic true stories of modernday miracles where the the only logical explanation is God. Tue 23 @ 8pm; Wed 24 @ 12.30pm Faith, Hope and Gloves (2015) (30 min) A motorbike enthusiast family sponsors a boy from the Dominican Republic, and discover the impact they have on him. Tue 23 @ 9.15pm; Wed 24 @ 1.45pm Metamorphosis (2011) (64 min) Learn how butterflies challenge evolution and point to intelligent design. Thu 25 @ 7.30pm; Fri 26 @ 12pm The List (2013) (89 min) As life continues to take its toll, will Jack relinquish the power of his list in order to gain all he’s ever wanted? Fri 26 @ 8.30pm; Sat 27 @ 12pm Finding Normal (2013) (90 min) Dr. Lisa Leland is sentenced to serve three days as doctor in the town of Normal. There, her world is turned upside down. Sat 27 @ 7pm; Sun 28 @ 2.30pm The Bible and You (2013) (60 min) The Bible: examine its influence, origins, reliability and relevance today. Sun 28 @ 8.30pm; Mon 29 @ 1.30pm

SHINEATHON 2016 Shine is committed to broadcasting Uncommon (2015) (100 min) messages of life, hope & encouragement. Rogue Saints (2011) (105 min) Sabina K (2015) (125 min) When the students of Rosewood High Childhood friends run out of money. Sabina falls in love with an old friend Join us for this year’s appeal to help lose their theatre department due to They work on a plot to retrieve a huge from the Bosnian war. They plan to Shine impact more homes across New budgets cuts, they create their own. diamond buried under a church. marry, but things go terribly wrong. Zealand. Wed 3 @ 8.30pm; Thu 4 @ 1pm Wed 10 @ 8.30pm; Thu 11 @ 1pm Fri 19 @ 8.30pm; Sat 20 @ 12pm Mon 29 August - Fri 2 September Details up to date at time of printing. For up-to-date 24-hour programme information go to shinetv.co.nz

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OPINION

Painful lessons from a pastor’s viral transgender post

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA - February 8, 2013: A man carries a New Testament scripture passage through the crowd celebrating Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. The verse from Romans 10:9 reads, “If you confess with your mouth to the Lord Jesus, and believe in they heart that God has raised him from the dead, you wil be saved”.

“D

oes God still love me?” That is one of the most painful questions I have been asked in the past two weeks after writing a commentary that went viral and made me a most unlikely spokesperson for the transgender community and their families. As a result of that post being read by more than 1 million people either online or in print, I have heard the personal stories of people from all over the country. In two weeks’ time, I have exchanged personal correspondence with more than 400 people. Surprisingly, the vast majority of those conversations have been positive — and not just positive but filled with emotion and gratitude — and a fair amount of pain. I have heard from transgender persons, from the parents and friends of transgender persons, from clergy, doctors, teachers, counselors and lots of average people.

where they would be accepted. Another new friend, as a youth, had been a deeply devoted Bible study leader in his church but was asked not to attend that church anymore after coming out with a non-conforming gender struggle. And so it is no wonder that people who shared my post on social media often said something like this: “I can’t believe I’m sharing something written by a Baptist pastor, but you’ve got to read this.” Sadly, the church of Jesus Christ is most known today for what we’re against rather than who God is for. The following excerpt from an email represents a common sentiment: “You are a pastor from the most conservative, Bible-thumping part of the country. Your quiet words go a long way to helping those who have had no voice. … I cry when writing this because of what you are doing and how much it helps and means the world to me.”

We say, “Come as you are,” but we really mean, “Come as we are.” One transgender woman wrote to tell me her story and signed off with these words: “Sincerely, a woman who hopes that God still loves her.” Most transgender persons are not against God; many just fear that God is against them. Or, more specifically, they believe the church is against them. Many of them — a vast number in fact — have grown up in the church and are people of deep faith. But they are people who have been asked not to come back, have been removed from membership, have been shunned. And so have their families. One of the most heartbreaking messages I received was from a single mom with four kids, including one who is transgender. This entire family recently was kicked out of their church. The mom — who had been accused of child abuse by her pastor for letting her boy dress as a girl — wrote me to ask for help in finding another church in her city

16 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

As the original post indicated, I set out to learn more about transgender persons, to get beyond the headlines and to plunge into something deeper than the toilet wars. And it turns out that in some ways corporate America is doing a better job of addressing the essence of a person’s whole self than the church. This is not to say that all of American business has this figured out, but many corporations are trying to learn, trying to do the right thing for their employees. One of the key phrases being used — there even was a TED Talk about it — is this: “Bring your whole self to work.” The idea is that employees perform better if they don’t have to live in fear at work. Why is corporate America ahead of the church on this? It seems to me Jesus would say, “Bring your whole self to church.” Embracing that idea, though, would require

churchgoing folks to be honest in ways that transcend far more than transgender persons. In polite church culture, we have been conditioned to understand that it is dangerous to be our true selves at church — especially if we don’t fit the image of a perfect Christian. We say, “Come as you are,” but we really mean, “Come as we are.” In fact, few among us probably feel free to bring our whole selves to church. We all are fearful of talking about the ways our children have deviated from the norm, our struggles with depression or financial insecurity or even food insecurity. One of the other things I’ve learned through the years as a pastor is that most church members wait until they’re facing foreclosure before asking for help with keeping a house due to unforeseen financial disasters. Most of us only feel like we can talk about the happy stuff, the easy, fluffy stuff, when we come to church. And in all these conversations of the past two weeks, I have found myself weeping and shaken. I have learned more than I ever imagined — not only about the details of transgender life but also about what it means to be human. As my commentary went viral, I discovered that the transgender community was immediately kinder to me than the church has been to them. In the commentary, I confessed that I didn’t know any transgender persons, or at least I didn’t think I did. Immediately upon publication, I began hearing from folks who said this: “I will be your transgender friend.” Tears came to my own eyes as I read these lines over and again and realized that I was hearing from strangers who were willing to open their lives to me in much greater proportion than they feared the church would be willing to open itself to them. This is painful and convicting. One of my new transgender friends told me about attending a church in a very conservative Texas college town and hearing for the first time that God loves him specifically. In this church, the pastor made a point to say not just that God loves everyone but that God loves you, whether you’re young or old, male or female, gay or straight, Republican or Democrat, Aggie or Longhorn. And to my new friend, sitting on the back pew of that church, these words sparked a journey back to the faith that had been recently lost. As a pastor, I’m pretty sure of this one thing: The story of Jesus is much more about who’s included rather than who is excluded. “For God so loved the world” includes everyone. So as my 15 minutes of fame in the national spotlight fades, here’s the most important thing I want to say about all this: God loves you, whoever you are, wherever you are. Whether you’re a conservative or a liberal, a traditionalist or a progressive, a Protestant or a Catholic, a male or a female, gay, straight, trans, whatever. God loves you. Now, what are you going to do with that love? This article is courtesy of BaptistNews.com

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MINISTRIES PASTOR This is a senior pastoral position in the Church that provides leadership to key ministries in order to grow their effectiveness and also provides support to the Senior Pastor. Key Responsibilities: For a full Position Description, please • Inclusion Ministry email: office@orewabaptist.org.nz • Discipleship • Life Groups Applications to be submitted to Earle at: doddhome@xtra.co.nz • Pastoral Applications must be received by You will be: 27 July, 2016. • Theologically trained • Experienced in ministry • Required to preach as needed • An effective leader who inspires others • Passionate about Life Groups • A New Zealand resident or hold a New Zealand work permit • Fluent in the English language

English Ministry Pastor

Full time

PASTOR WANTED

P O S I T I O N S VA C A N T

English Pastor of Chinese Alliance Christian Church We are a multi-staff, multi-language church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance of New Zealand. The weekly attendance of approximately 200 includes a large percentage of Englishspeaking congregants. Our potential English Ministry Pastor must be highly proficient in English. For more info visit cacc.org.nz Chinese Alliance Christian Church

60 Ben Lomond Cres, Pakuranga, Auckland P: 64-9-576 7070 E: caccprc2015@gmail.com

EVENTS

21 Birthday Celebrations st

Sat, 23 & Sun 24, July

ONERAHI CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY CHURCH (formerly City East)

The birthday get-together will be held at The Riverbank Theatre end of Reyburn House Lane, Town Basin from 3pm-8pm. Feel free to come and go and enjoy the ‘rolling buffet’. Please advise numbers for catering, and accommodation requirements for visitors.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY SERVICE, SUNDAY 10AM

with founding visionary Pastor Graham & Tui Cruickshank Raurimu Ave School Hall, Onerahi For more details and enquiries phone Pastor Ron & Ann on 09 436 1145 or 021 731 346

Written & Lyrics by Chris Wyatt Music by John McNeil Directed by Nikki Kent

6th -13th August

Centrestage Theatre, Orewa Book now at iticket.co.nz or call 09 426 7282

FREE

POST-ABORTION SEMINAR

2-3 SEPT 2016, CHRISTCHURCH Two day trauma-based counselling training professional development. Steps and skills are transferrable to other loss and trauma work. 2 Sep 9-3.30pm, 3 Sep 9-4.30pm Petersgate Counselling Centre 29 Yaldhurst Rd, Christchurch Koha appreciated • BYO lunch Morning & afternoon tea provided To register interest, freephone 0800 728 470 or email admin@postabortionpaths.org

AUG 1 START

postabortionpaths.org.nz

DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING FEES FREE* CONDITIONS APPLY

AGES

16-25+

BASED IN SNELLS BEACH - LIMITED PLACES - 6 MONTH LEVEL 2 FOUNDATIONS COURSE Be trained, equipped and released to fulfill your God-given purpose. Encounter God - Adventure work opportunities - Missions - Faith challenges. Local and international guest speakers: Trevor & Jan Yaxley, John Dawson, Amy Muranko-Gahan, Peter Meafou, Owen Pomana.

Text: 021 425 905 Email: info@createcampus.com

In partnership with Springboard Community Works

Join us on Facebook

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FIND A CHRISTIAN BUSINESS

Phone 0800 324 538

PHONE: 0800 324 538 www.EagleTV.co.nz w w w . E a g l e T V. c o . n z

Steve lightle on tour DYNAMIC SPEAKER & BEStSEllINg AuthoR of EXoDuS II & oPERAtIoN EXoDuS II

Insights into current issues in the Middle East: JULY

24, Sun, 2.30pm, The Landing, 35B Pokohiwi Rd, Homebush, Masterton 26, Tue, 7pm, 283B Woodside Rd, RD4, Hamilton 27, Wed, 1pm, River Lodge, 394 Vaile Rd, Reporoa 29, Fri, 7.30pm, Mt Maunganui Baptist Church, Cnr Tui & Ranch Rd, Tauranga 30, Sat, 7pm, Assembly of God Church, 83 Grey St, Gisborne 31, Sun, 7pm, Onslow Community Church, 4 Ngatoto St, Ngaio, Wellington AUGUST

2, Tue, 7pm, Richmond Community Church, Warring Square, Nelson 3, Wed, 7pm, South City C3 Church, 510 Colombo St, Christchurch 5, Fri, 7.30pm, Flaxmere Christian Fellowship, 220 Flaxmere Ave, Hastings 7, Sun, 7pm, St Albans Church, 339 Albert St, Palmerston North 9, Tue, 7.30pm, Central Baptist Church, 89 Liardet St, New Plymouth 10, Wed, 7.30pm, Lord’s Church of Auckland, 38 Mahunga Dr, Mangere Bridge

Ebenezer Emergency Fund, NZ

PO Box 5319, Palmerston North 4441 E: ebenezernz@xtra.co.nz P: 021 263 8028

Steve lightle on tour RESOURCES

Do you need an evangelist or evangelism training

RESOURCES 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.

www.psyv.org.nz

OAC has evangelists throughout New Zealand Call 0800467 735 or visit oac.org.nz

GAY AND HURTING?

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

To pick up your copy each month find a Christian store near you: Visit www.cba.net.nz or www.manna.co.nz 18 | Christian Life Issue Thirty-Six July 2016

Steve lightle on tour

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Steve lightle on tour

FOR ALL YOUR A U D I O V I SFOR U ALL A YOUR L N E VISUAL E D NEEDS S AUDIO

EVENTS

15 Organisations begin national Evangelism Conference In September 2016 a national evangelism conference will be facilitated by the Shining Lights Trust in partnership with a wide range of outreaching organisations in New Zealand.

This conference is for pastors, passionate evangelisers and church members.

Registration online at:

EngageConference.nz

It is purposed as: 1. A rallying point for evangelism.

The dates:

1pm Friday 2nd September to 8pm Saturday 3rd September

2. A strategic equipping conference at which people can get inspiration and equipping to take back to their churches.

The venue:

City Church Tauranga, 252 Otumoetai Road, Tauranga.

The cost:

$120 adult ($90 early-bird registrations prior to 19th August 2016)

Speakers include: Don McDonnell (pastor and evangelist), Alan Vink (Willow Creek NZ), Dave Mann (Shining Lights Trust), Tony Collis (pastor and evangelist), Paul Eardley (CAP NZ), Stuart Lange (Historian, Laidlaw College) and many more in seminars.

$80 student ($ 60 early-bird registrations prior to 19th August 2016) Includes tea breaks and Saturday lunch.

FACILITATED BY

PARTNERING ORGANISATIONS

(Aka, the Hope Project team) PO Box 6078, Brookfield, Tauranga 3146

Youth With A Mission

YWAM

New Zealand Christian Network

Ka mahi tahi, ka ora

NEW ZEALAND

MEDIA PARTNER

Bring a Team. Get inspired. Be equipped.

Full Of Grace

CBM Children’s Ministry Bookshop

Dunedin’s Catholic Christian Store

CBM is NZ’s largest children’s ministry resource centre specialising in books, Bibles, devotionals, CD’s, DVD’s, small gifts etc, all geared towards children. While most Christian book shops have a children’s section - our whole shop is full of product for children. We specialise in curriculum for Children’s ministry with visualised lessons, songs and other teaching resources.

The staff at CBM have vast experience in Children’s ministry. We offer training seminars throughout the year to help equip you for your ministry to children. CBM as a ministry has been established for over 50 years and produces teaching resources distributing them throughout Asia, India, and Africa as well as in New Zealand.

Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or shop online anytime shop.cbm.org.nz

Established in 1965, the Catholic Centre Shop was rebranded in 2015 to Full of Grace. Centrally located in the heart of Dunedin in the Moran Building in the Octagon and in 1992 moved to the lower ground floor. Our service covers Otago, Southland and nationwide, and has done for over 50 years.

Full of Grace has an extensive range of Catholic and Christian religious products, from Bibles and books for adults and children, to candles (beeswax and paraffin), and cards and special gifts. Our speciality New Zealand-made products include wooden handcrafted Christmas decorations and cross pendants which have become best-sellers along with paua shell crosses, crucifixes and jade rosary beads.

GREAT

Children’s Bible Ministries (CBM) 9 Walters Road, Mt Eden, Auckland Operations Manager, Ian Fletcher p: 09 630 5271 e: shop@cbm.org.nz w: shop.cbm.org.nz

BOOKS

GREAT GREAT

GIFTS CARDS

Visit Dunedin’s Catholic Christian online store: fullofgrace.nz

Full of Grace

Moran Building, 8 Octagon, Dunedin 9016 Managers, Sheryl Smith & Marie Morgan p. 03 477 6342 e. shop@fullofgrace.nz w. fullofgrace.nz

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Help shape the next generation

FOR FREE RESOURCES AND HELP IN PASSING THE BIBLE ON TO THE NEXT GENERATION, VISIT WWW.BIBLEMONTH.NZ THE BIBLE: PASS IT ON