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AUGUST 2015 • Issue TWENTY-SIX • www.mychristiandaily.co.nz “I used to ride an unbridled fast stallion. It would race here and race there and cover a lot of ground. But I realised in the hurry I was missing a lot of things God was doing. Now I ride a donkey, nice and slow. But a donkey carries a heavier load.” PHIL PAIKEA page 3
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Issue TWENTY-SIX | AUGUST 2015
03 COVER STORY: Phil Paikea, Leading from the front 05 There’s Something in the Struggle 08 Is Seeing Believing? 10 Local News 11 Book reviews
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Inspiring Story
PHIL PAIKEA
LEADING FROM THE FRONT
JANET BALCOMBE catches up with one of God’s NZ Generals with his boots firmly on the ground...
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tanding at my mate’s committal, the crematorium fire roared in our ears and I braced myself for the inevitable flowery speel from the minister at the Mongrel Mob funeral. I loved my mate; he was an awesome guy. But it takes more than that. Jesus said, “No-one comes to the Father except by me.” I was in for a surprise. The minister was ex-hardman Phil Paikea. He spoke truth in love to the heavily-tattooed crowd with a concise five-minute gospel message that ended with a challenge. It was refreshing to hear him say that although my friend had lived for himself, he hoped he’d been given a chance to accept Jesus in the closing moments of his life. Part-Maori, part-Irish is a volatile mix. Phil grew up in Helensville in a two-parent family but suffered violent discipline and ran away at 15. After working in forestry then living the street life he went to Christchurch and his crime career began with gang members. On-the-run from police in 1977 he landed in Whangarei where he helped establish Whangarei Black Power in 1979 with a group of mates and family members, and was soon President. Then he met the future Mrs Rowena Paikea. Eventually she tired of the gang lifestyle, cops turning up at their home, gang members coming and going and issued an ultimatum — he chose the boys. She left with their daughter. In time the penny dropped and he left the gang and won his family back. In 1987 Rowena gave her heart to Christ at a Luis Palau crusade in Whangarei and the hound of heaven wooed Phil through the change in her — her love and unconditional acceptance, friendship and perseverance of Rowena’s pastor, Mike Norman. One day Phil found himself completely undone on Mike’s floor, repenting and surrendering to God. He felt he was floating as a huge weight lifted off him and he got straight into evangelism.
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Inspiring story
enced before and says this experience always serves as a backstop whenever he is tempted and never wants to risk being in that place ever again. Then, still in the vision, he saw a row of Maori warriors doing a Haka on the rocks. He started speaking what sounded like an ancient MaoAbove:Phil (on the right) in the company of good men; Middle: From Black Power to ri language but Phil thinks he could God power (Phil on the ground); Far right: The White Ribbon Ride 2012 have been speaking in tongues. Phil saw a small light that got bigger and Two weeks after surrendering to Christ, Phil had a bigger then it fell on his face. He saw near-death experience through drowning. Semi-con- himself standing back to back with Mike Norman, surscious after being revived, God showed Phil a vision of rounded by patched gang members, who were in turn his calling and destiny ministering to gang members. surrounded by angels. As Phil was dying he called out to God, “Father, receive In 1988 Phil was baptised and married Rowena. She my spirit!” Instantly, he was in a very dark, cold place. He wanted to bury the old man and marry the new man on tried to touch his face with his hand but his hand went the same day. Phil built a solid foundation spending time right through it. Voices screamed, “Let me out!” and an- in church and completing the Lifeway bible college Army other voice said, “Shut up! You deserve to be here!” Phil’s teeth training. One day Jesus said to him, “Follow Me” and then started nashing, he began weeping uncontrollably as spo- He walked right outside the church. Phil followed Jesus ken of in Matthew 8:12, “But the subjects of the kingdom will out the door and into the community of Ruakaka Vilbe thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and lage. He has been there ever since on his journey of regnashing of teeth.” Phil felt a fear like he had never experi- demption putting back what he took from the community
VICTORY CONVENTION CENTRE
where he was one of the original drug dealers. Phil has worked with youth, started a social service and together with Rowena, runs a foster home. I saw them welcome their 180th foster child during this interview. Phil was involved in organising the White Ribbon Ride to create national awareness of family violence, which has since taken on a life of its own. In January 2015, after 20 years of being violence, drug and alcohol-free, Phil joined two existing speakers and champions for the national R U OK anti-violence against women and children campaign. But in all of this, Phil’s family comes first after God. He has things in right order: his relationship with God comes first, then his relationship with his wife and family, and his ministry comes last. And how God blesses all of those things. Phil and Rowena have been together for 36 years (married for 27), have 5 daughters, 1 son and 7 grandchildren. “I used to ride an unbridled fast stallion. It would race here and race there and cover a lot of ground. But I realised in the hurry I was missing a lot of things God was doing. Now I ride a donkey, nice and slow. But a donkey carries a heavier load.” Phil is on Facebook if you would like to make contact.
MANIFEST PRESENCE 2015
H E A L I N G T H E WAT E R S
R A N DY C L A R K R U S S E L L E VA N S
BILL JOHNSON
BANNING LIEBSCHER
REGISTER NOW MANIFESTPRESENCE.ORG 4 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
2 6 -2 8 AUGUST
Overcoming
There’s Something in the Struggle
BY TAK BHANA
Sometimes I wonder why the plan of salvation had to be such a difficult road for Jesus to walk. I can’t give you an answer but Isaiah tells us after the suffering of His soul, He was satisfied. (Isaiah 53:11) There’s something in the struggle. Wrong Expectations I think one of the major reasons we are surprised by the struggles and adversity we face as Christians is that we have wrong expectations of what it’s going to be like. A few days after Paul’s dramatic conversion, he was bluntly told what he was signing up for. Acts 9:15-16. But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Jesus didn’t try to present Paul with an attractive offer, on the contrary, He told him that he had a tough road ahead. In 2 Timothy 2:3-6, Paul tells Timothy that there will be times when his commitment to Christ will demand that he endure hardship like a soldier, push on with the discipline and staying power of an elite athlete and persevere with the diligence and patience of a hardworking crop farmer. Jesus didn’t lead an easy life Himself and He doesn’t promise us it’s going to be easy. Many of you know from experience that Jesus has called us to a battle, not a picnic. Forewarned is forearmed. We know trouble is going
to happen so we don’t need to lose our faith when it does happen. On our part we must be careful not to present a “sugar coated” Gospel to unbelievers. Come to Jesus and you’ll get healed, your marriage will be fixed, your finances will fall into place. Yes, God does bless us, however, we must be careful to give a balanced view of the truth, otherwise we will be contributing to the problem of false expectations. There are two sources of our struggle: the world and the church. The world makes it difficult to be a Christian, we face opposition from unsaved people who are often hostile for one reason or another. The second source of struggle, comes from within the church. Some of our deepest grief comes from where we would least expect to experience betrayal and cruel criticism. In Luke 17:1 Jesus said, “Things that cause people to sin, (in other words, offences, or more literally, occasions to stumble) are bound to come.” At this point let me affirm that despite all the struggles I’ve been through, I wouldn’t trade my Christian life
for any other. Overall, it’s a life of joy and victory. God has a way of blessing us and making all the struggles worthwhile. What do we gain from the struggles? Struggle can press us into our destiny Goliath presented a fearsome and seemingly insurmountable problem to Israel and I’m sure this aggressive giant was a enormous challenge to David. However, confronting him was one of the hinges on which the door to David’s future as the King of Israel swung open. When Joseph’s brothers threw him into a pit to die, then changed their minds and sold him instead to some slave traders on their way to Egypt, it must have seemed like the end of the world. It was unthinkable and worse was to follow. But those dreadful circumstances pressed him into his destiny. Struggle can lead to a (good) change of direction A dream that burned in my heart was to serve God as a missionary on a foreign field. In 1980 God supernaturally opened the door for us to go to Cebu City in the Phil-
G R AC E D 1 0 -1 2 S E P T E M B E R , 2 0 1 5 . Then Jesus visited her and asked her to make another tough journey. That tough journey was saying goodbye to Bill as the Lord took him home after a battle with cancer.
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Overcoming
ippines. To cut a long story short, it was a very difficult experience. After three years we came back on furlough and during that time I was asked to take on the job of being one of the associate pastors of what was then the largest church in New Zealand. Eventually we were convinced that taking the pastor’s job in New Zealand was what God wanted, so we did that for four years before we came here to Church Unlimited. All this shows that if we hadn’t struggled in the Philippines, we may well have gone back there and missed what I have come to recognise was a critical change of direction to position us for greater kingdom impact. This is by building what we hope will become a great missionary church that will impact the nations of the world. Struggle develops in you essential qualities for greater effectiveness The well-known analogy of the butterfly in the cocoon serves us well here. We often read variations of the story
6 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
of a child who makes a cut in a cocoon to help a struggling butterfly out. Sure enough the butterfly crawls out easily but as the child waits for it to spread its wings and fly, nothing happens. Without the great struggle to free itself from the cocoon, the butterfly doesn’t have the opportunity to pump vital fluid into its wings and develop the strength it needs for the next phase of its life. Depriving it of the struggle, deprives it of the chance to survive. Struggles give us the opportunity for self-discovery Through some of my struggles I’ve discovered that I had insecurities, fears, jealousy, lack of love and could be unreasonable. It’s not nice to see, but it is better to face these things and deal with them rather than carrying on making the same old mistakes decade after decade. On the positive side, we can also discover some good qualities like faith and perseverance which we didn’t know we had.
Conclusion Just before Jesus died he shouted out, “It is finished!” His struggle was over, He had come through victorious with His mission accomplished. With God’s grace and help we can also come though victorious and fulfil our calling in God.
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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IS SEEING BELIEVING? Christian Life catch up with BRIAN FRANCE, the founder and Director of Charisma Christian Ministries... must have been a sand bar under His feet. When He fed the 5,000, the loaves and fishes must have provoked the people to get out their sandwiches. When He restored sight to the blind; well, I never worked y family were not Christians and I grew up being told that “seeing is believing”. So anything that one out and I never thought the day would come relating to God or the supernatural was not part of our when I would receive a miracle. I was an officer in the Royal Air Force Regiment worldview. Some years later when I became a Christian serving as a Platoon Commander in Northern Ireland as it initially never dawned on me that the Bible was telling part of the British security forces. This was in the early me something quite different. I assumed that when Jesus walked on water there 1970s during the time of the “Troubles” when the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was endeavouring by force of terrorism to have the six Northern Counties reunited with the rest of Ireland. Two-thirds of the people didn’t want reunification and so the terrorism The Hope Project is a powerful multi- church initiative that’s with its bombings, working for Christian churches throughout New Zealand. snipers, petrol bombs, The first two phases have used TV and online advertising to sectarian murders, engage audiences with content and with local churches – kneecappings and with interactions being counted in the tens of thousands. bloodshed continued. An important ingredient has been the creation and The Royal Air distribution of high quality booklets, with two in the series Force Regiment had now delivered to 1.4 million Kiwi homes. That’s 2.8 million been deployed in booklet deliveries – each containing reflections on our Northern Ireland Christian nationhood, the authenticity of scripture and why as part of the Christians believe what they do. Plus stories from everyday peacekeeping forces New Zealanders which link to online videos and more. for some years and this The third ‘hope’ booklet is now in production and is due for was my third tour of release at Easter 2016 – but now is an important time to help duty there. I was now with funding. To assist, please go to: responsible for the security of the Walled www.AllTogether.co.nz/donate City of Londonderry. Through your giving, prayer and conversations, you can help It was early March, the ignite even more hope in our nation. weather was cold and damp, and my men were on the streets providing mobile and standing patrols. They searched cars and pedestrians alike, looking for weapons and explosives, whilst all the time running the risk of sniper fire, petrol bombs and stone-throwing mobs. They were on duty
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Something remarkable has been ignited in our country.
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twelve to fourteen hours a day in all weathers and stoically did everything that was asked of them. Saturday morning dawned fine and clear. The city was in the process of coming to life, shops were starting to open, people were beginning to move around, and then the bombs started to explode. By the time the third bomb had detonated and three buildings had been destroyed, leaving a number of casualties, I realised the IRA were targeting my sector. As these bombs continued to explode, houses and shops were damaged or destroyed and people were killed or injured. By the time we got to bomb number five, we were really into the swing of it. As unexploded bombs were discovered, my men cordoned off the area and called the Bomb Disposal Squad. In dealing with the aftermath of bomb explosions they did what they could for the injured and kept people from entering damaged buildings. I was alerted to bomb number six, an unexploded bomb, by a radio message from our Control Centre through the radio receiver in my right ear. My senior sergeant and I made our way to where we were told it was located. Taking a short cut through a line of terraced shops and houses and entering a bakery by the back door, I found myself in an empty room about four metres square. In front of me was a counter and I was looking out through the front windows of the bakery at a line of terraced houses set at 90 degrees to the building in which I was standing. The front doors of these houses opened directly onto the street, and every door was ajar with a person’s head peering around it, apparently looking at me. It took a second or two for me to realise that what they were actually looking at was the shop I was standing in, waiting for a bomb that had been planted there to explode. I turned to my left and was going to shout, “Get out” to my senior sergeant who was coming in behind me. I never quite spoke those words, as at that instant an estimated fifteen pounds of high explosive went off a metre behind me. In a flash, my entire world was dominated by the exploding bomb, as the sound of it momentarily became my whole existence. The detonation completely demolished the room I was in, stripping the linings off the walls, bringing down the ceiling and blasting a large hole in the floor. It picked me up in its destructive grip, endeavouring to destroy me as it hurled me out the front of the bakery, along with a mass of debris. The force of the blast threw me about eight metres from where I had been standing and I found myself lying on the road at the front of the shop with bricks, smashed wooden beams and a mass of rubble around and over me. The front doors of the houses now opened and people came out towards me. I knew I was badly injured and one of two things was about to happen. If these people now coming towards me were IRA sympathisers they would complete the work the bomb had started. If not, they would offer assistance; it was a 50/50 chance. Thankfully they picked me up and I was draped over the shoulders of two burly Irishmen who
Ministry Fortunately I was wearing a flak jacket made up of laminated layers of fibreglass with a green nylon cover. The jacket’s function was to protect my vital organs of heart, lungs, kidneys etc. from the flak produced by bomb explosions. That’s exactly what it did.” took me to one of our Standing Patrols some distance down the street. My men applied field dressings to the worst of my injuries and called an ambulance which took both me and my senior sergeant to the Londonderry General Hospital. Fortunately I was wearing a flak jacket made up of laminated layers of fibreglass with a green nylon cover. The jacket’s function was to protect my vital organs of heart, lungs, kidneys etc. from the flak produced by bomb explosions. That’s exactly what it did. The green nylon outer covering was vaporised by the explosion and the back and sides of the jacket were impregnated with pieces of steel, wood and concrete flak that the bomb had unleashed at me. Undoubtedly the flak jacket saved my life, and had I not been wearing it, the outcome would have been very different. The end result of being blown up was that I was invalided out of the RAF with no hearing, and legs that didn’t work properly because they were full of shrapnel. Walking was painful, with hundreds of tiny pieces of metal in my muscles, knees and ankle joints. The larger pieces of metal had been removed by hospital surgeons who had also stitched together a large wound in the back of my head. My hearing was so bad as to be non-existent. When I asked to have hearing aids I was told, “Sorry fella, you don’t have enough hearing to amplify; they’ll do you no good. So get used to being profoundly deaf. That’s how
you’re going to spend the rest of your life”. I came to New Zealand and for three years lipread and guessed my way through conversations with “umm”, “well I never!” and “is that so?” being my major contributions. I refused a wheelchair and did all I could to get my legs functioning again. One sunny day I was shopping in Darfield and bumped into a small group of Christian street evangelists, who on discovering I was deaf, asked if they could pray for my hearing. Don’t forget, I was brought up with the understanding that “seeing is believing” - but I figured that I couldn’t hear now, so they couldn’t do me any harm. I’d let them give it a go. I went with them to a nearby house where they sat me in a chair and prayed for my hearing to be restored. Absolutely nothing happened and I went to bed that night as deaf as I had ever been. However, in the morning I was awakened by the ticking of a small electric clock that sat on my bedside table. I leapt out of bed with incredible relief, realising that I could hear and the deafness nightmare was over. This was a life-transforming moment. God’s healing power had restored the damage the explosion had caused and it changed my life. I went from being largely unemployable, depressed, nonproductive and feeling useless, to suddenly having a full life again, apart from my legs which only functioned with considerable pain.
A week or so later, I was again shopping in Darfield and bumped into the same group of Christians. I told them of my healing and thanked them profusely for praying for me. They jumped around shouting “Hallelujah!” and “Praise the Lord!” We chatted for a few minutes and were about to part when I had a sudden thought. They had prayed for my hearing and it had been restored, what if they were to pray for the pain in my legs? They enthusiastically agreed to do this and took me to the same house, into the same room and sat me in the same chair. Placing their hands upon my legs they asked the Lord Jesus to remove the pain. As they prayed I felt the pain drain down my legs and out of my feet. I have had no pain in my legs since. God really got my attention that day, and I realised that the “seeing is believing” worldview on which I had been brought up was false. I now understood that what the Bible says is true, that “believing is seeing”. If we want to minister in miracles, we must first accept that God is a supernatural God of miracles, just like the Bible says.
Charisma Christian Ministries facilitates a healing ministry every Tuesday evening at 7pm at the Salvation Army Centre, 18 Allright Place, Mt. Wellington. www.charisma.org.nz
Phone us on 0800 469 269 Email nzadmin@mwbi.org Go to mwb.org.nz or fill in and return this coupon below
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Local news
Promise Keepers Launches New Study Guide to Boost Men’s Groups!
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en are under greater pressure today than ever before. There is a vital need to see men succeed and be strong spiritually so they can positively influence their friends and family. This Sunday some men will come to your church with pressing needs. They may be carrying burdens of addictions, relationship problems, anger, financial issues, health, or parenting concerns. How can your church meet these needs, and see men grow spiritually to be influencers for God on all those around them? The answer is through focussed men’s groups. Men tend to become more isolated as pressure builds, so it’s important to have these groups available that value, accept and can really help them, not just with the pressure points, but with real spiritual growth. These groups are vital to see men overcome issues that are not addressed elsewhere in the church. For example, statistics tell us that about half of the men sitting in church with you this Sunday will have accessed porn in the last month. There are massive difficulties (if not
10 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
impossibilities) in trying to deal with this issue in a mixed gender home group. Since June last year the Promise Keepers men’s ministry consultants have been travelling around New Zealand meeting individually with over 300 church representatives. They have seen a greater desire than ever before to help men grow more effectively. Men’s groups are the foundation stone of a man’s growth. These can be either open or closed groups. They then become the powerhouse for an effective men’s ministry in the church. Promise Keepers has developed resources to ensure men’s groups are successful. A proven resource is the Promise Keepers study guide, written by Kiwi men for Kiwi men. The ninth book using their proven male-friendly format has just been published last month. Promise Keepers National Director, Paul Subritzky, says, “This is the most powerful resource for men we have created in over 20 years of ministry. I have personally seen the immense impact these study guides are having on men in my own men’s group! Having a variety of rel-
evant life topics presented by a range of great NZ Christian men is a winning combination.” The value and importance of equipping men through men’s groups is also reinforced at the annual PK Men’s Events. Men focus on issues confronting them by discussing questions in small groups at the Event, by praying for one another, and by experiencing the ministry opportunities that men’s groups offer. Maximum value is achieved if men are able to travel to Promise Keepers as a group, as this makes it easy to process the content together over the weekend. After the Promise Keepers Event it is crucial to then capture the momentum from the Event and build men’s groups that can transform the lives of men - impacting their family, their church and their community.
For more information visit www.promisekeepers.co.nz
Local news & reviews
Thousands of New Zealanders read gospel booklets Almost 3 million gospel booklets were delivered by the Hope Project through their first two media efforts. Stories are consistently confirming that booklets are being kept and read. A church group who regularly talk with people the streets report, ‘The project is having more impact than most people realise.’ A man who visits homes to do medical checks found the booklets on the dining room table in house after house. A lady visiting a needy client’s home sees the booklet separated from other circulars, sitting next to her client’s favourite chair. The patterns are consistent: New Zealanders are spiritually interested – but also spiritually shy! For the conversation to go further with most, church people will need to engage! The final media effort will take place at Easter 2016, and churches are being encouraged to partner (see AllTogether. co.nz/vision-tour-2015). “Nearly every home will hear of Christ again”, says project coordinator, Dave Mann. “Its an outstanding and unique opportunity. We invite churches to make of it?” Find out more at AllTogether.co.nz.
At some point in their lives, many people feel they have been rejected and forgotten. Their lives are filled with a sense of rejection, whether real or imagined.
BIOGRAPHY - AUTOBIOGRAPHY - MEMOIR
Author Dennis R. McLeod understands that feeling and shares it in Small Beginnings. Because of the verbal abuse he suffered as a child and being told he would never amount to anything, plus a marriage and divorce at age thirty-three, he suffered very badly from rejection. Even though he achieved much, the feeling of rejection remained. This is the story of the journey that started when—unbeknown to Dennis—God took him as a fifteen-year-old and started training and equipping him for the future. Dennis shares how God used him to minister in several countries, as well as pastor a church in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Small Beginnings
A
t some point in their lives, many people feel they have been rejected and forgotten. They may see friends and family members go on to lead fulfilling lives and believe such a life will never come to them. Their lives are filled with a sense of rejection, whether real or imagined.
The truth is God is there for us, but we are sometimes so tied up in our situations that we cannot hear His voice calling us. Small Beginnings shows how our lives can be turned around and fulfilled if we stop and listen to what God has planned for us. We are never truly rejected when we know and have faith in God’s love.
Hamilton, New Zealand.
Dennis R. McLeod
Author Dennis R. McLeod understands that feeling. He shares in Small Beginnings how our lives can be turned around and fulfilled Dennis R. McLeod was a top teacher at a local trade school, where he taught for over thirty-fiveif years. has served as a church synod to what weHestop and listen representative. He and his wife, Penny, served as missionaries in many countries and pastors in aGod church in their planned hometown of for us. has
Order your copy now $25 (incl p&p) email dpmcleod2@icloud.com or your local Christian bookstore
“I believe pastors and churches throughout the country will one day thank God for the day this book came into their hands.” ‘The Elephant in the Room’ is for church lead- Baptist) says “I believe Dave Mann to be one of THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM By Dave Mann Published by Big Book Publishing,
ers and thinkers. It addresses an area of neglect that many seem disinterested in discussing: Evangelism is often in the ‘too hard basket’ in our churches, yet it is integral to our mission. It’s the elephant in the room! However, this book is only written because of a belief that there is hope. Specifically, it puts solutions on the table that it claims could remedy the current situation. They are profound – yet simple. The question is, are we ready to consider and apply them? Tony Collis (Hope Centre, Levin) says: “I believe pastors and churches throughout the country will one day thank God for the day this book came into their hands.” Keith Harrington (Taupo
the clearest thinkers concerning evangelism in New Zealand today.” Alan Vink (Executive Director, Willow Creek Association) says “…we face a crisis of confidence in the gospel in New Zealand… Dave understands our context, and in a thoughtful and insightful way he addresses these challenges.” If our behaviour comes from our thinking, and we want different results, could it be that we need to think differently? Available from www.BigBookPublishing.co.nz
www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 11
PROGRAMME GUIDE August 2015
Details correct at time of printing. (Dates in italics indicate programme change during the month) For up-to-date 24-hour listings and programme information go to shinetv.co.nz
SUNDAY 6:00 6:30 7:00
Lakewood Church: Joel Osteen
MONDAY P
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
Unlocking the Bible: David Pawson
P
Leading the Way: Michael Youssef
P
The Catholic Guy: Bruce Downs
P
Derek Prince
P
Hope Centre: Wayne Alcorn
P
Jovis Bon-Hovis and the Creation Crew
C
6:00
Joni and Friends
D
Hearts Wide Open
D
Give Me An Answer: Cliffe Knechtle
D
Rhema Worship
M
Your Best Life: Phil Pringle
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SHINE FEATURES August 2015 Courageous
Four men, one calling: to serve and protect. When tragedy strikes home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Protecting the streets is second nature. Raising their children in a God-honouring way? That’s courageous. Fri 14 Aug @ 8pm; Sat 15 Aug @ 12pm
The Derby Stallion (run time: 98 min) 15-year-old Patrick doesn’t know what to do with his life. A misunderstood horse trainer convinces him to train for the Derby Cup. Sat 8 @ 12pm This Is Our Time (run time: 88 min) After graduation, five friends set out to make a difference in the world for God. But will they have the courage to fulfill their calling regardless of what comes? Sat 8 @ 2pm Season of Miracles (run time: 79 min) An inspiring story about sportsmanship, friendship and courage in the face of adversity. Sat 8 @ 7pm; Sun 9 @ 2pm; Sat 29 @ 2pm WWJD2: The Woodcarver (run time: 86 min) Matthew is from a broken home. When he vandalises the local church to get back at his parents, Matthew has to repair the damage to the church. Sun 9 @ 8.30pm; Mon 10 @ 1.30pm The Trial (run time: 100 min) An emotionally crippled lawyer, who has lost his faith in God and himself, takes one final case: defending a young man facing the death penalty. Mon 10 @ 8.30pm; Tue 11 @ 1pm Two Hats (run time: 86 min) In 1998, Brad and Deborah Wells left the comfort and familiarity of Idaho and moved their family to the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea. Tue 11 @ 8.30pm; Wed 12 @ 1pm Uncommon (run time: 103 min) When the students of Rosewood High School lose their theatre, music and dance departments due to budget cuts, they create their own. Wed 12 @ 8.30pm; Thu 13 @ 1pm Hope is Erupting (run time: 79 min) With passionate melodies and Heavenbreathed lyrics, Citipointe Live’s latest record is set to open people’s hearts to the reality of the hope we have in Jesus. Thu 13 @ 8pm; Fri 14 @ 12.30pm
To watch Shine Freeview Satellite 25 Sky 201 or online at shinetv.co.nz
Rosemont (run time: 87 min) In a raging blizzard, two people meet: Lisa, pregnant and scared, and Brad, a professional snowboarder. Both want to make it over the mountains ahead of the storm. Sat 15 @ 2pm Home Run Showdown (run time: 89 min) Two little league teams end up doing battle in a place the baseball world would never expect: in the outfield of the Home Run Derby. Sat 15 @ 7pm; Sun 16 @ 1.30pm WWJD3: The Journey Continues (run time: 90 min)
When the local pastor loses his way, a drifter leads the community back to faith. Sun 16 @ 8.30pm; Mon 17 @ 1.30pm Undaunted (run time: 68min) Josh McDowell’s story left him with deep scars, until God’s overwhelming love touched him and he came to face a life-changing truth. Mon 17 @ 8.30pm; Tue 18 @1pm Saints and Soldiers (run time: 86 min) Five soldiers in Europe during World War II struggle to return to Allied territory after being separated from U.S. forces during the historic Malmedy Massacre. Tue 18 @ 8.30pm; Wed 19 @ 1pm
Stand Strong (run time: 92 min) Through a series of financial and family A man coping with the loss of his wife crises, Matt and his family lose all they and the obsolescence of his job finds own and are humbled enough to learn redemption by becoming a role model what success is really all about. to an equally lost 12 year old. Sat 29 @ 7pm; Sun 30 @ 1.30pm Sat 22 @ 7pm; Sun 23 @ 1.30pm The Velveteen Rabbit (run time: 88 min) Hopeville (run time: 91 min) A lonely boy wins over his distant father Amos is trying to force a relationship and strict grandmother with help from with his estranged son. When they a brave velveteen rabbit whose wish is arrive in the town of Hopeville, they to become a real rabbit someday. change the town for good. Sun 30 @ 8.30pm; Mon 31 @ 1.30pm Sun 23 @ 8.30pm; Mon 24 @ 1.30pm Civil Love (run time: 90 min) A bitter Civil War widow reluctantly The Moment After (run time: 84 min) In a split second, a mass disappearance takes care of a wounded soldier and occurs. After the initial turmoil, the FBI is discovers the courage to love again. called in to investigate. Mon 31 @ 8.30pm; Tue 1 Sep @ 1pm Mon 24 @ 8.30pm; Tue 25 @ 1pm The Last Brickmaker in America (run time: 88 min)
Captivated (run time: 107 min) Stories from individuals and families who have escaped media addiction and learned to make discerning and God-honouring choices. Tue 25 @ 8.30pm; Wed 26 @ 1pm
And, coming up on Sep 1st
Tomorrow Comes (run time: 60 min) Sons of missionaries tragically killed in Mexico in the 1950s hold a reunion to celebrate the rich legacy of their parents. Wed 26 @ 7.30pm; Thu 27 @ 12pm
Ambulance Girl (run time: 83 min) Jane takes her life in a new direction by volunteering as a medical technician. Believe in Me (run time: 104 min) A young man’s wish to coach the boys’ She learns how to save her marriage Veil of Tears high school basketball team is halted and career by saving the lives of others. A gripping documentary film by a school board decision that makes Wed 26 @ 8.30pm; Thu 27 @ 1pm about the untold story of millions him the new coach of the girls’ team. of women in South Asia who are Let Freedom Sing (run time: 94 min) Wed 19 @ 8.30pm; Thu 20 @ 1pm In one of the most turbulent periods abused and trampled for no other in American history, daring musicians reason than because they are Moving On (run time: 84 min) A documentary about choosing to risk, brought music, medium and message women. to enter the lives of others and to not together as never before. However, despite centuries of define people by their circumstances. Thu 27 @ 8pm; Fri 28 @ 12.30pm this cultural oppression, there are Thu 20 @ 8pm; Fri 21 @ 12.30pm now those who are reaching out Season of a Lifetime (run time: 92 min) A football coach, terminally ill with and trying to restore the dignity of The Redemption of Henry Myers (run time: 101 min) Lou Gehrig’s disease, refuses to retire, these women, one day at a time. After his latest heist goes wrong and his instead coaching for one last season. Tue 1 Sep @ 8.30pm partners leave him for dead, Henry is Fri 28 @ 8pm; Sat 29 @ 12pm Wed 2 Sep @ 1pm surprised to find extraordinary kindness from a widow and her children. Fri 21 @ 8pm; Sat 22 @ 12pm
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Details correct at time of printing. For up-to-date 24-hour listings and programme information go to shinetv.co.nz.
www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 13
News
Healing the Waters More than 2,000 delegates from all around New Zealand will attend the twelfth annual Manifest Presence conference at the Victory Convention Centre in Auckland from August 26-28.
T
he three-day conference is run by Pastor Martin Steel and his team from Harbourside Church in Esmonde Road, Takapuna on Auckland’s North Shore. Manifest Presence started at Harbourside in 2004 with a few hundred delegates, and exponential growth has necessitated the move to the larger Victory Centre. Comprised of three daily sessions at 10am, 2pm and 7pm, the conference includes with worship, teaching, impartation and ministry in an unhurried atmosphere of faith and expectation. On Wednesday, August 26 the first ever ‘Healing Symposium’ will be held. Presented by church leaders Bill Johnson from Bethel Church, USA and Randy Clark from Global Awakening, the symposium will teach and equip believers to receive and minister healing. It will be Bill Johnson’s eleventh consecutive year
of speaking at the conference, and Randy Clark’s first visit. Other keynote speakers are Russell Evans from Planetshakers Church, Melbourne and Banning Liebscher from Jesus Culture Church in California. “In 2005 I felt God tell me that Manifest Presence was to serve as a ‘well-spring’ for our nation, releasing apostolic and prophetic ministry that empowers and equips believers to represent and advance the Kingdom of God in their world,” says Martin Steel. “This year’s theme ‘Healing the Waters’ comes from 2 Kings 2:19-22 where the elders of the city of Jericho approach the newly mantled Elisha and request his help to solve the problems of their city. “Although Jericho was ‘beautiful and well situated,’ its waters were bitter and unproductive and Elisha’s solution was to release salt into the city’s wellspring. This is a tremendous analogy of the church bringing healing and transformation to our communities and cities through the influence and engagement of ordinary believers living out their ministry in everyday life. “Our aim,” Says Martin Steel “is to empower believers to bring influence and transformation to all areas of society through service, love and engagement. We believe that transformed people can transform communities, cities and nations.”
Encouraging Young People to Engage with the Bible Youth Bible engagement expert Adrian Blenkinsop (pictured) is on tour in New Zealand next month aiming to encourage Youth ministry leaders. Editor of The Bible According to Gen Z, Adrian says, “Generation Z doubts the authenticity and relevance of the Bible, struggles with its language and is baffled by its stories of strange rituals, bizarre laws and violence.” However, Adrian who works for Bible Society Australia, has some innovative solutions including reading the Bible ‘on location’. This means going to a setting similar to the Bible scene you are reading. For example, if you are reading
the story of Jesus stilling the storm, you go to a beach or lake shore. Adrian will share more of these practical and proven ideas at Baptist venues in August: 13th, Auckland (Carey Baptist Bible College), 14th, Hamilton (Hamilton South Baptist), 18th, Wellington (Maungaraki Baptist) and 19th, Christchurch (Canterbury Youth Services). The tour is supported by Baptist Youth Ministries and Bible Society New Zealand, who has Children’s and Youth Ministries Specialist Emma Dyer presenting on new biblical literacy research commissioned through Nielsen, including digital solutions. For more details or to register ($20) go to www.bym.org.nz (Gen Z is the generation born since the mid-1990s, often called ‘the Net’ generation)
14 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
Peter and Heather Toth return to the North Island
Based in Queensland, Peter and Heather Toth run an international counseling practice called ‘Anazao’ [NT Greek: ‘to come to life again’] with a high percentage success rate in bringing healing to physical and mental problems. Returning from five months in the USA and Trinidad, they are coming to WARWORTH for the first two modules of their school from OCT 17-22. Using a methodical approach to eliminate blockages, they work closely with the Holy Spirit to bring long term healing to a range of disorders. Having published four books internationally, they are invited around the world to run training schools. Peter hails from Tane Umaga’s territory; Wainuiomata, and Heather from Auckland. Originally both teachers, involved in local church ministry, they have used this platform to gain further training and began ‘Anazao’ 12 years ago. Visit the website for more information: www.anazao.com.au
Sistas Women’s Conference - held
10-12 September at LIFE Convention Centre, Auckland In 2015, the theme is GRACED - in all things, at all times and having all you need. Host Ps Maree de Jong and the Sistas Team have been busy working on a spectacular gathering with special guests Ps Bobbie Houston, Ps Helen Burns, Ps Leanne Matthesius and Ps Sy Rogers ready to inspire. Due to an overwhelming response, Sistas has now reached full capacity but don’t let that stop you from attending. Ps Maree would still love you to be our guest and has graciously organised for two special additional night sessions to take place on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 September at 8pm. All who attend will be part of great worship and hear an inspiring message from one of the guest speakers. Further information and to purchase tickets to these new sessions can be found at www.sistas.org.nz
Profile
TEEN REBEL BECOMES
Community transformation is a major theme of PASTOR MARTIN STEEL’S ministry at Harbourside Church in Takapuna. Here Martin tells Marie Anticich about his own amazing transformation from rebellious teenager to leading pastor.
Leading Pastor
I
n the late seventies Martin Steel was a ‘long haired hippy with a punk attitude.’ No-one would have thought the troubled seventeenyear-old would one day become the pastor of a large church on Auckland’s North Shore. “One day I was hitchhiking from Devonport to Takapuna when two young Christian brothers picked me up and shared the Gospel with me,” Martin recalls. A scruffy teenager, he had been suspended from the local high school because of his involvement with drugs “I came from a dysfunctional family,” Martin admits. “My elder brother had done a number of prison sentences
THE
BIG
for drug trafficking, and my mother was dying of cancer.” The two brothers invited Martin to a Wednesday night service at a little Takapuna Assembly of God Church on Tahoroto Road. “I knew I needed forgiveness for my sins but I didn’t want to change and give my life to Christ,” Martin recalls. “But I went along to the Wednesday night service which turned out to be a Pentecostal prayer meeting. I saw the sincerity of the people and felt the presence of God, and silently surrendered my life to Him.” “The following Sunday I went back to the church and went forward during an altar call to make a public affirmation of my commitment to Christ. God immediately set me free from drug taking.” That was in March 1980. Baptism followed six months later. Before she died, Martin’s mother came to faith through the witness of a friend from the local Anglican church. “My father lived for a long time afterwards – he died fifteen years ago having made a profession of faith, and we’re still praying for my brother.” Martin decided to leave his sales and marketing job to study full-time at the AOG Bible College in Auckland. His first appointment was trainee pastor to the Takapuna AOG Church. In 1985 he married Nelson-born Roslyn and they spent the next five years pastoring a church in Motueka. Returning to Takapuna AOG in 1990, Martin took up an appointment as youth pastor and for five years they also headed up a large youth ministry called Youth Alive.
A change of direction came in 1996 when they joined an international mission agency called Next Level International, and began ministering in nine countries in Eastern Europe. “We spent five years being involved in leadership training courses, church planting and evangelism, primarily Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania,” Martin recounts. “This experience was life-changing as we got to see first-hand the transformation of churches and cities arising out of a 40-year spiritual vacuum imposed through oppressive communism rule.” Back in Auckland in 2005 they took up the senior leadership role at their old church, now called Harbourside, and so today he heads up the very church where he was saved. In a nice circular effect, Martin had the privilege of discipling the headmaster of the school he’d been expelled from 30 years earlier. “A teacher brought the principal to our church and he gave his life to Christ. Over the next twelve months I got to play a part in discipling him – God has a sense of humour,” he observes. As senior pastors, he and Roslyn oversee a team of sixteen staff and numerous volunteers involved in various ministries. After more than 30 years in pastoral ministry and leadership, Martin and Roslyn remain passionately committed to the cause of Christ, both in the local church and in the wider body.
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My passion is to see people experience God and discover their destiny. I reckon a middle-aged man or woman still trying to work out what they’re here for is just as much in need of freedom as a person struggling with an addiction to P or methamphetamine.”
What lights your fire? “Three things I champion as a senior leader are seeing our church become missional with an outwardly-focusing expression, and empowering people for marketplace ministry. Married for 30 years, they have two children; David is a professional cameraman in the movie industry and their newly-wed daughter Amy and her husband Sheldon Brown pastor young adults at the church. “I now have an executive minister and a great team and so my role is essentially leadership and an apostolic or external expression of our church,” says Martin. “We’re asking, ‘What can our church do to serve the wider body and bring transformation to the community?’” In 2008 Martin wrote his first book, Shame off You! – How to live 100% Guilt Free. “Sin is not the Christian’s greatest problem. Guilt is. And many believers fail to understand they are more than just forgiven,” he asserts. Two more books are in the pipeline. One is on theme of ‘The Kingdom and The Church,’ looking at the church through different lenses. The other is about ‘Faith and Generosity’ and the season between sowing and reaping. “I think a lot of preachers preach and believers expect to see immediate results, but sowing and reaping take time. There’s a season in between,” says Martin. “I want to debunk some myths such as saying ‘I tried giving but it didn’t work.’ In nature some seeds don’t regenerate for or more 20 years.” Jogging is favourite past-time. “Running around Lake Pupuke ‘defrags’ and clears my mind,” and he and Roslyn share a love of the great outdoors and enjoy walking near lakes and mountains. Building is another passion. “We’ve renovated several houses and helped build a home. It’s satisfying to see a finished product – something you don’t always get to see in pastoral ministry,” he observes. A popular overseas speaker, he regularly ministers at churches and leadership conferences in the USA, Australia, South Africa and Asia. “Serving and partnering with the wider body of Christ is a ministry expression that our church embraces fully. One of the ways we get to we serve churches in New Zealand and overseas is by ministering and teaching at church and leadership conferences. “My goal when I speak at conferences is to help
churches further develop their strategy to be kingdom focussed, engaging fully with the community and become transformational centres – transformed people, transform cities and transform nations. “One of our strongest values is saying, ‘Every believer is a minister.’ It must then follow that every vocation is a ministry. So we’re very much about equipping and empowering our people to see their vocations as a primary ministry expression, not just as a place of evangelism or witness but adding to society through work and service in all areas such as health, public service, job creation, business, and industry. Adding value, solving problems and bringing innovation. It’s all part of God’s kingdom. “This theme comes through strongly at our Manifest Presence conference and this year’s theme, ‘Healing the Waters’ of the city is very much transformational.” What do you say when someone asks what you do for work? “I say, ‘I have the privilege of leading an organisation that works in personal and community transformation.’ In that conversation I mention that it’s faith-based and as part of that role I lead a local church. “This means we get a conversation going – because I find if you say ‘I’m a pastor’ people tend to switch off straight away. I mention things people are doing in the church, trying to add value to society and solve community problems such as overcoming domestic violent and drug abuse – that means the conversation lasts for an hour rather than two minutes.” The Dream Centre In 2015 Harbourside Church became the home of the Dream Centre Auckland which came to Auckland eight years ago as an affiliate of the Dream Centre in Los Angeles started by Tommy and Matthew Barnett. “Through the Dream Centre we’re committed to serving and partnering with local church leadership to develop community ministries that transform our community, city and nation through the love of Christ,” says Martin. “So that’s our community transformation.” Led by Pastors Andrew and Moira Brown, the Dream Centre is a non-profit organisation which runs a raft of services and ministries to reach lost and hurting people with the love of Christ. These include a residential/live in discipleship programme, transitional housing, life skills
training, counselling, emergency food parcels, budgeting advice, a frozen meal ministry and Bible studies. “We’re passionate about seeing people encounter God and fulfil their potential,” Martin adds. “Offerings from the Manifest Presence conference are always designated to local and international ministry projects like the Dream Centre.” Through it Adopt-A-Block scheme the Dream Centre organises school beautification projects and neighbourhood clean-ups, distributes food and clothing and runs a Friday night street outreach. Another project sees volunteers provide literacy support, a cooked lunch and recreational activities for all the kids at Onepoto School. “We see our church as an apostolic resource centre – people get hung up on language but for us the term ‘apostolic’ is the concept of being architects of culture,” says Martin. “We see community transformation as being an expression of influence and service to society.” What gives you great joy? “It’s always a joy to see peoples’ lives change and become purposeful. The thing that drives me is to see people encounter God in such a way that they’re transformed into person with purpose and bringing goodness and change. “Like every evangelist, I love seeing people saved and forgiven but I’m also passionate about helping people find their destiny and their purpose in this planet. I’ve seen hundreds of people saved – but how do we disciple them to realise their potential and discover what God has put them on this planet for in the first place. “My passion is to see people experience God and discover their destiny. I reckon a middle-aged man or woman still trying to work out what they’re here for is just as much in need of freedom as a person struggling with an addiction to P or methamphetamine.” What is your biggest challenge? “Trying to find enough time to do everything I’d like to do,” says Martin Steel. “There are so many great things to do for the Kingdom.”
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16 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
Freedom Diaries Mark Holloway
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Family First
WE NEED TO TALK – ABOUT SCREENTIME F
amily First recently released a report on the increasing use of screen time for children. It’s entitled “WE NEED TO TALK” and is written by UK biologist / psychologist Dr Aric Sigman. He argues that although screen technology may be a great aspect of modern life, there is growing concern from health and development experts about the excessive use in many families’ lives, particularly with children, and that many parents and teachers remain unaware of the medical and developmental risks. The research shows that excessive screen time (not including time doing homework on computers) is linked with: o significant sleep disturbances. o attention problems o obesity. o decline in face-to-face family interaction o a reduction in social skills such as the ability to read human emotion o developing a long-term addiction to technology
The report was commissioned by Family First in response to admissions by the Ministry of Health that they have only provided guidelines for screen time use outside of school time – (a maximum of two hours per day for 5-18 year olds) - and no guidelines at all for under 5’s or to the Ministry of Education or to ECE’s. And the Ministry of Education says: “It is up to individual schools to decide the extent to which they will use digital technology to support teaching and learning”, and “The Ministry has not undertaken specific research on appropriate amounts of daily screen time for young people.” Dr Sigman says that parents, children and teachers remain unaware of the medical and developmental risks and the position of medical bodies on discretionary screen time. And the majority of children and adolescents in New Zealand, including toddlers, continue to
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e: info@titokihealingcentre.co.nz p: 07 308 6503
www.titoki.org.nz
significantly exceed medical guidelines. He then warns, “Yet the ages at which children start viewing screens and the number of hours watched per day is increasingly linked to negative physiological changes, medical conditions and development outcomes including significant sleep disturbances, attention problems and impulsiveness, and children are more susceptible to developing a long-term problematic dependency on technology,” So are our kids spending too much time looking at screens? The Growing Up in New Zealand study which is tracking the development of approximately 7000 Kiwi children found that 2/3’rds of toddlers are watching TV between one and three hours every day. A Broadcasting Standards Authority survey found that almost half of kids 6-13 y/o watch tv during dinner. And more than a quarter had a television set in their bedroom. Of course then you add the smartphones, the tablets, the iPads; and the devices at school. Let’s be clear. This report is not anti-technology. Not at all. In fact, you may be reading this article on your smartphone or iPad right now! My children will be completing some of their homework today on their device. But how much is too much? Is there even such a thing as ‘too much screentime’? Should schools be pushing the use of devices as much as they are without considering the health and development issues related to excessive use? Dr Sigman makes a number of recommendations for governments and schools, including: • health professionals in New Zealand should consider incorporating the topic of media use and health into their dealings with families. • when considering any evidence on child screen use presented to them, policy makers should be highly vigilant in ensuring a high degree of ‘information hygiene’ and establish whether screen-related industries have played any part in such research. There’s also some practical guidelines for parents: • Reduce child’s discretionary screen exposure. • Consider screen access / availability e.g. bedroom. • Remember blue light (consider glasses/filters). • Minimise background media: passive viewing. • Monitor child’s screen use. • Be aware of parental screen role modelling. • Have ‘screen-free’ dinners: • turn all devices off and place in a ‘tech basket’ • If necessary, turn off wifi at night. • Focus on alternatives to DST: - physical activity - social activity - hobbies - ‘dopamine-producing’ pastimes • while health professionals can raise parental awareness, ultimately parents must stop being their child’s enabler and start to parent authoritatively. In the face of a screen-consumed generation they must learn to say “no” with conviction. Dr Sigman has written extensively on the issue. His paper ‘Time for a view on screen time’ was published as the leading article in the British Medical Journals’ Archives of Disease in Childhood. His latest paper ‘Virtually Addicted: why general practice must now confront screen dependency’ is published in Britain’s Royal College of General Practitioners’ British Journal of General Practice. He has published three papers on various aspects of screen time, physiology and health outcomes in The Biologist, the journal of the Society of Biology, and was invited to address the European Parliament Working Group on the Quality of Childhood in the European Union in Brussels on the impact of electronic media and screen dependency. We would encourage families to read this report. You’ll find it on our website www.familyfirst.nz under Research. You can also order a free copy. Bob McCoskrie is the National Director of Family First NZ. Visit www.familyfirst.org.nz for more information on how you can become involved.
www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 17
Classifieds...
brought to you by My Christian Daily Jobs www.mychristiandaily.com/jobs
EVENTS
Need an evangelist OAC has evangelists in Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Hawkes Bay, Manawatu, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin
Cutting Edge School
Warkworth Oct 17-22 2015
“Peter makes complex
topics so simple and demonstrates the healing principles he teaches”
“The best Christiian
teaching I’ve heard”
This school will teach you how to be more effective in removing blockages to healing for yourself and others. • Guaranteed fresh revelation for the most experienced Christian counsellor/minister/healer. •
Any Christian can attend. No qualifications required.
•
Deliverance streamlined.
•
Greater understanding of the kingdom of darkness.
•
Dissociation finally understood.
•
Live demonstrations.
•
“Profound,
Powerful, Enlightening, Biblical”
Anazao is founded by kiwis, based in Oz and active around the world.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
www.anazao.com.au
SPEAK UP!
FOR THE PROTECTION OF ZION
The NZ Government is using its present position on the UN Security Council to try and bear pressure on the State of Israel to give up its historical, ancestral, Biblical, God-given Land to placate the International Community by agreeing to a ‘Two-State solution’. This is where much of the Bible Land of Israel will be given into the control of those whom God has not destined to have sovereignty over it.
If we as a Nation were to force Israel’s hand in giving up her God-given Land then the prophet Joel says we should expect nothing short of judgment (Joel 3:1-2). Please sign this petition which states that we don’t agree with our Government’s present policy on Israel. ISRAEL’S CAUSE IS JUST: Biblically the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Historically they have had a claim on the Land for 4000 years. Geographically the current size of Israel, including the disputed territories, is only 10% the size of NZ. Morally Israel is the only true democracy in the region and cares for the humanitarian needs of all people.
Our weekly healing meetings have a BRAND NEW location and day
Waipu
Call 0800gospel or tania@oac.org.nz
FIND A CHRISTIAN BUSINESS
FOR ALL YOUR A U D I O V I SFOR U ALL A YOUR L N E VISUAL E D NEEDS S AUDIO P h o t o s a n d S l i d e s s c a n Photos n e d and t o Slides P h oscanned t o F to i l Photo e s aFiles n dand D DVD VD • Audio Cassette Tapes and Vinyl Records to A u d i o C a s s e t t e Ta p e s a n d V i n y l R e c o r d s t o CCD D • 8 m m & 1 6 m m F i l m a8mm n d &V16mm i d e oFilmTa p Video e s tTapes o DtoVDVD D • and V i d e o g r a p h y a n d Videography P h o t o g and r a pPhotography hy 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
Having computer problems? Give yourself peace of mind Homesupport is an exciting new service by Banx Systems. Our technicians can fix most PC issues over the Internet at low cost without ever stepping foot in your home
Every Tuesday night from 7pm The Salvation Army Centre 18 Allright Place, Mount Wellington, Auckland near Sylvia Park.
e Rd
Carbin
Rd This should benaaconcern for those who take their Bibles seriously, as the Bible calls very clearly for the restoration of the Jewish People to their Land in these, the last days. What is happening is unfair for Israel andydangerous for NZ.
Homesupport is offered by experienced local technicians
Packages start from $29 giving you an hour’s worth of technical expertise monthly — very Allright Place is off Carbine Road which can be S affordable compared to workshop-based To download a petition and further explanation, please go to Mo accessed from either Waipuna Road or tor repair and onsite calls wa flaxmerechristianfellowship.com (Events South Eastern Highway.tab) -Ea outh
y
stern H
w
Come and join us at the new location starting Tuesday 21 July.
Sick, in pain, depressed... come and experience the healing power of
Jesus Christ
CHARISMA CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES Our weekly healing meetings have a BRAND NEW location and day For more information see www.charisma.org.nz
Every Tuesday night from 7pm The Salvation Army Centre, 18 Allright Place, Mount Wellington, Auckland (near Sylvia Park) Allright Place is off Carbine Rd which can be accessed from either Waipuna Rd or South Eastern highway.
Come and join us at the new location For more info see www.charisma.org.nz
18 | Christian Life Issue Twenty-Six August 2015
call 0800 002 889
www.homesupport.net.nz
Classifieds...
brought to you by My Christian Daily Jobs www.mychristiandaily.com/jobs POSITIONS VACANT
Pastoral vacancy Mairangi Bay Community Church, North Shore, Auckland — Affiliated to Christian Churches New Zealand www.mairangichurch.org.nz
We are a multi-generational, multi-cultural community church where weekly life groups meet using English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. We worship in English with Chinese & Japanese translation. We value the faithful, clear preaching of God’s Word, prayer for each other & missions. We are a growing church with two Sunday morning services. Our new Pastor needs a servant heart to reach the nations. If you love God’s people, have some cross-cultural experience and enjoy preaching God’s Word please contact us. If you speak Chinese and/or Japanese, this would be a great advantage but not essential. For info call 09 478 6314 or email jacky@mairangichurch.org.nz Applications close Aug 30, 2015
Head Teacher Amana Christian School Dunedin (NZ)
“Come on over to Macedonia and help us” Acts 16:9
Amana Christian School is seeking God’s person to be Head Teacher commencing Term 4, 2015 or Term 1, 2016
For further information and expressions of interest, email office@mabc.org.nz by 23rd of August 2015.
Enquiries/applications to TCSAI Secretary Ph 00 11 64 (03) 467 2276 Cell 00 11 64 027 573 7110 Email amana.school@ihug.co.nz www.amana.school.nz
RESOURCES
YOUTH PASTOR - 30 Hours/week
For an application pack, contact: icbc@icbc.org.nz Previous applicants need not re-apply. Enquiries to Paul Redmond redmondfamily@xtra.co.nz Ph 03 2177036 or 0274690737
At Mt Albert Baptist, in Central Auckland, we have an already established international ministry, primarily amongst Asians, and are now looking to make it more multi-ethnic. Accordingly we are looking to add a half time International Pastor to our vibrant staff team.
Short-term accommodation available
Invercargill Central Baptist Church:
Invercargill Central Baptist Church is a vibrant faith community seeking to appoint a Youth Pastor for our established Youth Ministry. The successful applicant will have some previous experience in youth ministry and a passion for seeing young people grow in their faith. The Youth Pastor will form part of a supportive pastoral team. This ministry has a strong emphasis on a team approach and the Youth Pastor will value growing and equipping volunteer leaders.
INTERNATIONAL PASTOR
NEW RELEASE SECOND HAND CHRISTIAN BOOKS
The Elephant in the Room
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Evangelism has fallen into the ‘too hard basket’ in many New Zealand churches − and few seem interested in discussing it. It’s the elephant in the room! How are we to get it back out? This book provides real solutions for church leaders and thinkers. While there are no ‘quick fixes’, if we are interested, Dave writes to show us how change is possible.
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All you need, to grow your Christian Faith and share the gospel w w w.living word.net.nz LIVING WORD 634 Victoria Street, Hamilton P 07 839 5607 shopatlivingword@gmail.com
Totara Springs Christian Centre is one of the largest centre’s of its kind in New Zealand and is a venue for school camps, church retreats, business conferences, sporting and artistic events, holiday camps and weddings. We are situated in a beautiful setting, nestled at the foot of the Kaimai mountain ranges just outside Matamata. There are 90 plus acres of parklike grounds with accommodation for 420 people in fully serviced motels, 3 lodge complexes and 18 cabins. All our camps are fully catered by our resident catering team
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
www.totarasprings.org.nz or bookings@totarasprings.org.nz or phone 07-8884700
To pick up your copy each month find a Christian store near you: Visit www.cba.net.nz or www.manna.co.nz
www.mychristiandaily.co.nz | 19
Conversational evangelism you will love
WELCOME TO THE
God Space Tour! Build deeper relationships... and talk about the things that matter most A friend, co-worker, family member or someone you just met is talking -and you sense God nudging you to say something. But what do you say? What don't you say? How can you bring God into the conversation without shutting it down? Doug Pollock has ministered with Athletes in Action for
the past 32 years and is the chaplain of the largest YMCA in the world. Doug's two books, “Irresistible Evangelism”
DOUG POLLOCK
and “God Space” have made him a sought-after speaker at regional and national conferences around the world. He is a reflective practitioner whose focus is to help
Where
Christ-followers worldwide meaningfully engage in
AUCKLAND
people's lives and increase the quality and the quantity of
Mount Albert Baptist Church,
authentic ways.
their spiritual conversations in practical, doable, and
Friday 14th August 5:30pm – 9:30pm 732 New North Road, Mt Albert: Entrance $10
Saturday 15th August 9:00am – 4:00pm Full day workshop Westgate Baptist Church, 67 Hobsonville Road: Entrance $20
Author and speaker Doug Pollock will show you how simple it is to create space in our everyday exchanges so that spiritual conversations can happen naturally. Most Christians are struggling to figure out how to talk with others about spiritual things and often miss golden opportunities to nudge others
TAURANGA
closer to Jesus.
Otumoetai Baptist Church,
Doug and his book 'God Space' emboldens God’s people to re-engage in
Monday 17th August 5:30pm – 9:30pm 241 Otumoetai Road: Entrance $10 MATAMATA
Tuesday 18th August 5:30pm – 9:30pm Matamata Bible Church, 11 Meura Street: Entrance $10 PALMERSTON NORTH
these conversations in natural and winsome ways that require no scripting, sales techniques or deliberate steering of the conversation towards a predetermined outcome. In fact, the skills you will learn are good for all of life, not just evangelism! W H AT O T H E R S H AV E S A I D
Wednesday 19th August 5:30pm – 9:30pm
"Doug's ideas are the most relational and natural I have ever encountered"-
All Saints Anglican Church, 338 Church Street:
Rob Stacey, Senior Pastor Westgate Baptist Church.
Entrance $10 LOWER HUTT
Thursday 20th August 5:30pm – 9:30pm Discovery Elim Christian Centre, 148 Major Drive, Kelson: Entrance $10 CHRISTCHURCH
Saturday 22nd August 9:00am – 4:00pm Full day workshop St Albans Baptist Church, 64 McFaddens Road: Entrance $20
T O RE G IS T E R
“Little did I realise the impact that this book (God Space) would have. This has changed our whole thinking around evangelism and already not-yet-Christians are initiating spiritual conversations with us”. Spence and Trish, Matamata “If you are looking for a down-to-earth coach to give you the practical help you need to make the most of the encounters that God brings your way, Doug Pollock is one of the best there is. His insights are warm, witty – and so true! If you apply the teaching of this book, you will never need to attend another evangelism training programme.” Howard Webb, Love Your Neighbour
www.loveyourneighbour.nz/godspace
SPONSORED BY