The Advocate November 2015

theadvocate.tv

In Conversation Rodrick Gilbert talks about the disciple making movement he leads in the slum areas of New Delhi, India. PAGE 12 >>

NOVEMBER 2015

“What surprises await us as we take up His challenge?”

SHERIDAN VOYSEY PAGE 13>>

3 Prayer for justice Hundreds pray on the lawns of Parliament House >>

7 SportsFest

Photo: Ross Daniels

Participants’ reflections on SportsFest >>

15 For the children Puzzles for the kids to enjoy >>

Lakeside Baptist Church were pleased with their results at this year’s SportsFest as they claimed the overall title.

A sporting success story

Terry Hicks

The words ‘let the games begin’ was the cue for over 1,300 competitors and volunteers from over 30 churches to excitedly exit the Leschenault Leisure Centre to commence SportsFest 2015.

Thus commenced three days of friendly competition across 40 different sporting activities ranging from basketball, football and ultimate frisbee and fishing to the more mentally challenging UNO and Scrabble.

SportsFest is an annual event coordinated by Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) held annually over the September long weekend

at various sporting venues in Bunbury, Australind and Eaton, with the aim of bringing young adults together for ministry, fellowship and sport.

The hugely popular event once again created great opportunities for young people to get to know each other in a non-threatening environment where people could just enjoy the fun of being together.

A highlight of the event is always Saturday morning’s opening ceremony where all churches present their team banner and theme, often cleverly based on well-known movies, brands or slogans, while all team members are decked out in their matching t-shirts.

Sunday night’s service was eagerly anticipated and saw an exciting time of worship, with the sound of 1,300 people singing very stirring to all present. As part of the service BCWA Pastoral Consultant Rob Furlong presented a challenging gospel message which lead to many of those present respond to the message by

heading to the front of the stage for prayer or noting this on their response card.

The service was not without some serious incidents with a power surge totally disabling the sound desk and the power units of various electronic devices.

This resulted in ‘controlled’ frantic activity to repair equipment before the service began, including a return road trip to Mandurah. Event coordinators shared that despite the disruptions and issues they felt it was evident that overall this was God’s hand in control as the service successfully came together. }} Continued P10

We are stronger when we work together.

BAPTIST CHURCHES WESTERN AUSTRALIA

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my view NOVEMBER 2015

Building community today Believers are architects. We are charged with designing and redesigning community life in relation to our faith in Jesus Christ. God has chosen that His key instrument for this building program is the Church, despite all its imperfections.

Stephen Nosworthy Stephen Nosworthy is Senior Pastor at Lake Joondalup Baptist Church.

It is the very community which is a visible symbol of Christ’s presence and His activity in the world. While it’s true that some people have distorted this image and even misrepresented what the church is all about, the Church continues to mediate God’s real presence to humanity, seeking to transform the quality of people’s lives.

During the last months of his life, from prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sketched the outline of a book which he did not live

to complete. He wrote about Christian discipleship as ‘being there for others’. This was and is an emphasis on servanthood which represents the life of Jesus.

Being part of a servant community means exactly what Bonheoffer wrote about – ‘being there for others’. Community amongst people only becomes possible in its deepest sense in the context of our communion with God. This seems to be consistent with being called to love God first. It is this devotion

that leads us to love others. How we do this in the midst of busy lives is a great challenge, but it has to be met. Jesus demonstrated the importance of valuing people, with His love being the supreme quality in all His relationships.

Consider again the gospel in which we see Jesus continually engaging with people. When He talked about love, He was quick to demonstrate it. There was never a credibility gap

between what He said and who He was. In His teaching on love, Jesus preferred stories to lectures. He demonstrated the depth of what He taught by how He lived. None of us can adequately stand against the measuring stick that is Jesus Christ; yet we are challenged to respond to His grace and live for Him each day.

‘Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.’ [1 Thessalonians 2:8]

When I no longer remember ...

The Bible has many striking images, but one of my favourites is the creation of Adam from the dust of the earth and the breath of God. It wonderfully conveys that we are simultaneously frail and majestic ... mere dust, but animated by the very breath of God.

Dr Brian Harris Dr Brian Harris is the Principal of Vose Seminary and Pastor at Large for the Carey Group.

At times the truth of this strikes deeply – as with the unexpected news that my indestructible mother-in-law, at the age of 98, has developed dementia. We thought she was too old for that – she seemed forever immune to the ailments that strike other mortals. But we were wrong.

Her husband was John, but preferred his second name Grady. He died 24 years ago, having served as a Baptist

pastor for all the 54 years of their marriage. She (and he) were ‘old school’. They saw sacrifice as normal – even a privilege. One of the first churches they served had no manse, and as they had no money to rent a house, they stayed in the church office which had to be home for them and the two young boys they had at that stage. It was a time of great economic hardship, a time to trust God to provide.

It birthed so many stories ...

Mother-in-law: “Did I tell you about the time we had no food?”

Us: “There must have been some?”

Mother-in-law: “No nothing, nothing at all. Dreadful to be a mother with no food for your children.”

Us: “Couldn’t you have asked for help?”

Mother-in-law: “We did. We asked God.’”

Us: “And what happened?”

Mother-in-law: “Nothing.

I was desperate but Grady just said, ‘keep praying’. And pray we did. But nothing happened until ten minutes to seven that night, when a stranger knocked at the church door (our home) announcing he had heard God tell him to drop off a large supply of food. He was not to delay.

Never did a meal taste better, and I’ve never doubted God since.”

Ah mother-in-law ... you’ve forgotten that story now. Never mind. We haven’t. And God can still be trusted ...

Line in the sand Upon leaving the church I began to ask myself the question, “Why does this church, whose theology usually supports infant baptism, place so much emphasis on believer’s baptism by immersion – even more emphasis than the Baptist churches that I visit or have been a part of in Australia?”

Phil Bryant Phil Bryant is the Church Health Consultant for Baptist Churches Western Australia.

We were in Singapore on a Sunday and being unfamiliar with the church scene my wife and I looked for a church with an English speaking service.

We were greeted enthusiastically by Chinese people. We knew nothing about the church but as we read literature and listened to the preaching and comments we gradually discovered that it was a Presbyterian church. However,

we were surprised to hear so many mentions of baptism by immersion.

It was even a requirement for those participating in communion.

As I thought through my big question I came to the conclusion that this church is located in a very multicultural society. The hotel was surrounded by meeting houses and temples of many religions.

By placing a strong emphasis on believer’s baptism the church was calling on people to draw a line in

the sand and say to the culture, “We are now followers of Jesus”.

That reminds me of the church of the New Testament. Existing in a multicultural society with multiple religions or no religion, new believers were baptised the moment that they chose to follow Jesus. Acts 2:41 begins a theme that is continued throughout the New Testament when it says ‘Those who accepted his message [Peter] were baptised and about 3,000 were

added to their number that day.’

Belief is followed by baptism.

Why? Because to choose to follow Jesus means a change in a person’s life beliefs and direction. As I have the privilege of visiting many Baptist churches in Australia I have discovered that generally baptism is rarely mentioned. It is the exception to see a church challenging people to be become followers of Jesus and be baptised. And yet we are living in a multicultural and multi-religious society. My thought – maybe we could learn from the New Testament and our Singaporean brothers and sisters in Christ about encouraging people to ‘draw a line in the sand’?

letters to the editor send us your letters The Advocate welcomes your letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Send your letters of no more than 100 words to editor@theadvocate.tv by the 10th of each month.

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NOVEMBER 2015

United in prayer for justice

Voices for Justice participants gathered in prayer on the lawns of Parliament House.

“Having Christians around the country praying in this way sends a powerful message to politicians and reminds them that we hold politicians to their highest calling which is to work for the common good and to protect the rights of the poor and needy both within our borders and beyond them,” said Micah Australia National Coordinator Ben Thurley.

Voices for Justice event participants combined prayer with action by meeting with over a hundred Federal politicians to discuss ways Australia will support the new Millennium Development Goals by restoring Australia’s aid program and increasing emission reduction targets to combat climate change.

Baptisms in the gorge

Photo: Jon Arnott

Since 2006 Micah Challenge’s annual Voices for Justice event has been held in Canberra to raise a united voice for justice and influence Australia’s leaders to act against global poverty, and empowering Christians to become lifelong advocates for the poor.

Lobby group leader and Carlingford Baptist Church (New South Wales) member Sarita Hales was amongst the almost 200 participants who joined with Federal politicians and local Christians in a public candlelit prayer vigil on the Parliament House lawns.

“Prayer is an incredibly vital part of advocacy because we’re not the ones that can achieve justice, only God can, He is just gracious enough to work through us,” Sarita said.

“The prayer vigil was a great opportunity to remember this, and to join our brothers and sisters all around the country in praying for justice.”

As participants gathered outside Parliament House to pray for the nation’s leaders, Christians from over 40 local churches and Christian groups across the country, representing all major denominations, joined in corresponding prayer vigils.

Photo: Lewis Best, Micah Australia

Hundreds of Christians from churches across the nation gathered to pray for Australia’s leaders and contribution to a world free from extreme poverty as part of the annual Voices for Justice event in October.

Tom Price Baptist Church Pastor Gavin Douglas, Jakayla Reid, Sharnee Meagher and Emma Bradbury prepare for Sharnee’s baptism.

Gavin Douglas

The church door was locked and a sign was posted on it saying, ‘No service here today’.

The community of Tom Price Baptist Church, along with a team from Youth for Christ (YFC), had jumped into their four wheel drives and headed out on the dusty road to Hamersley Gorge.

Sunday 20 September was no normal Sunday – it was a baptismal service for Sharnee Meagher. This was the first baptism in many years for the community, and there was great excitement that Sharnee was

making a public declaration of her faith.

An hour after leaving the church, the people descended into the gorge. Attendees shared that God’s creation was on display in all its glory, with one member stating “we live in God’s country”.

The community gathered together in the natural cathedral and sung ‘God of Wonders’ and ‘Indescribable’. Those present shared stories, readings and prayers, affirming Sharnee and her faith.

Sharnee confidently shared a testimony of her faith in Jesus and thanked the support of her family, church and YFC. Emma Bradbury and Jakayla Reid from YFC had been to Tom Price on mission trips a couple times over the past three years

and had seen the transformation in Sharnee’s life. On this trip, they were asked if they were willing to baptise Sharnee at her request.

“From all the seeds that YFC had planted in young peoples’ lives across the North West, a seed had sprouted in Sharnee and it was a privilege to have the opportunity to water it and celebrate in baptism,” one church member said.

The children, family and friends gathered at the water’s edge, while Sharnee, Emma and Jakayla, along with Tom Price Baptist Church Pastor Gavin Douglas, stepped into the chilly water of the gorge, and Sharnee was baptised. As Sharnee stepped out of the water the community sung her favourite song ‘Oceans’.

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news NOVEMBER 2015

Pastors accredited for ministry

Jill Birt

the financial report and acknowledged the extensive service of BCWA Accountant Peter Lu. Peter is due to retire in February 2016 after 20 years serving the denomination.

“Peter has done an amazing job – this report includes his 20th unqualified audit,” Greg said.

“I want to personally acknowledge the significant contribution he has made to our churches.”

Phil Beeck, Jeff Jackson, Eliot Vlatko, Malcolm Good and Van Cung Ling were welcomed as accredited pastors at the Baptist Churches Western Australia Annual Assembly.

20 years of service

Terry Hicks

Peter Lu became the longest serving employee of Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA), celebrating 20 years of service in October.

As a much loved member of staff, Peter has witnessed many changes in the time he has been with BCWA, including software upgrades on financial systems and the start of the partnership with Baptist Financial Services.

BCWA Business Manager Greg Holland spoke at the staff gathering to recognise his years with BCWA, thanking Peter for his significant contribution

to Baptist churches. Greg also outlined a brief history of the process of Peter’s appointment.

The Baptist Churches Western Australia Annual Assembly held in 1995 decided to appoint an accountant and Peter commenced work on 16 October 1995.

Peter’s quiet, helpful and thorough work is illustrated in part by the fact that there has been 20 years of unqualified audits.

At the time of his appointment, Trevor Harvey was President, Bob Clark was the Director of Ministries, Neil Campbell was General Secretary and Brian Read was Chairman of the Finance Committee for BCWA. Baptist Churches Western Australia management, pastors and staff congratulate Peter on 20 years of service in the ministry of Baptist churches.

Photo: Terry Hicks

During the half-day event, five pastors were accredited for ministry in Baptist churches: Phil Beeck (East Fremantle Baptist Church Senior Pastor), Van Cung Ling (Western Australia Chin Christian Church Pastor), Malcom Good (Katanning Baptist Church Pastor), Jeff Jackson (CranbrookFrankland Baptist Church Pastor) and Eliot Vlatko (Kalgoorlie Baptist Church Senior Pastor).

Another group of leaders had their accreditation transferred from interstate or overseas: Grant Ludlow (Australian Defence Force Chaplain), Pa Hrang Humng (Western Australia Chin Christian Church Senior Pastor), Alex Huggett (Coastal Community Church Pastor), Victor Owuor (BCWA Cross Cultural and Indigenous Ministries Consultant), Graeme Ritchie (Denmark Baptist Church Pastor), Robin Taylor (Sorrento Christian Church Pastor) and Garth Wootton (Newman Baptist Church Interim Pastor).

The 50 voice choir from the WA Chin Christian Church performed a four-part harmony choral item in the Chin language.

The group predominantly consists of young adults.

Vose Seminary Principal, Dr Brian Harris was guest speaker at the gathering, highlighting answers to some of the arguments against Christianity raised by the new atheist movement.

BCWA Director of Ministries Pastor Mark Wilson presented a comprehensive report of the ministries of BCWA. BCWA Business Manager Greg Holland spoke to

Photo: Terry Hicks

Over 200 delegates from city and country Baptist churches converged at Morley Baptist Church for the Baptist Churches Western Australia Annual Assembly on Saturday 17 October.

The BCWA team gathered to celebrate Peter Lu’s milestone in October.

digital church 06/10/15

07/10/15

leadingsmart.com The vision – It is the vision that draws people. Proverbs 29:18 says ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (KJV).

stephenmcalpine.com With God, unlike fallen humanity, there is no dissonance between the word spoken and what the word achieves. Sin has corrupted language, just as much … as it has corrupted everything else.

Praise God there is one King’s man – but only one – who can put language back together again.

Tim Stevens

07/10/15

JD Greear jdgreear.com Other religions say, “Do this and you’ll earn your way to heaven.” But only the gospel says, “It’s already done. Come broken, come sinful, come empty … and receive life eternal.”

Stephen McAlpine

08/10/15

CS Lewis twitter.com/CSLewisDaily Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant

inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.

08/10/15

Donald Miller twitter.com/donaldmiller If you want to be the most courageous leader, just be vulnerable. Most ‘tough’ leaders aren’t bold enough. You’ll stand out.

09/10/15

Eugene Cho twitter.com/EugeneCho There’s no such thing as a selfmade person. Someone believed, encouraged, invested in you. Be grateful ... and be that ‘someone’ for others.

10/10/15

Ron Edmondson ronedmondson.com Be Kingdom-minded. Think of others interests even ahead of your own. (That’s biblical.)

11/10/15

Rick Warren rickwarren.org We’ve been waiting 2,000 years now for Jesus to come again.

When is He going to come again?

At just the right time – God’s time … You need to apply this to your time of waiting and remember that a delay is not a denial. When you think God is saying “No,” He may just be

saying, “Not yet. Will you keep trusting me through this?”

12/10/15

John Piper desiringgod.org Christianity means change is possible. Deep, fundamental change. It is possible to become tender-hearted when once you were callous and insensitive.

12/10/15

Todd Adkins twitter.com/ToddAdkins How completely satisfying it is to turn from our limitations to a God who has none. – AW Tozer

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NOVEMBER 2015

Karen refugees cleaning Carey

Caitlin du Toit

Carey Group Business Manager Mark Wagenaar was inspired to find employment for a group of Karen refugees after meeting with Miranda Cooper. Miranda, a member of Carey Baptist Church was teaching the refugees English. In turn Mark had an idea to turn Carey’s need for cleaning services into a missional platform opportunity.

Carey ended their external cleaning contract at the end of Term 3 and have since employed seven Karen refugees to be the cleaning team for the Carey Group, which encompasses Carey Baptist Church, Carey Baptist College and Jump Carey Early Development.

This initiative was established to provide the Karen people with stable employment, but more

importantly an opportunity of hope and compassion.

The Karen people experienced great hardship in Burma due to violent attacks by Burmese soldiers. Although many were left without their families and homes, remarkably they still speak of the wonderful things God has done for them.

The team, consisting of one full-time and six parttime employees, are led by the Property Services Team Support Manager, Tony Dower. Tony will also act as a mentor to the Karen people and provide them with any support or encouragement they need. He has worked with the team since their commencement at Carey early October and has since trained

Photo: Carey Group

The start of a new school term always brings about new and exciting projects, but for the Carey Group it has been so much more – they have seen the beginning of a new missional platform.

Multicultural Workforce Development Coordinator Paul Kyaw with Karen cleaning team members La Bleh, Klo Seh, Naw Ti, Daisy and Kin Sweh, and Carey Baptist Church member Miranda Cooper.

them to be a fully functioning cleaning team. The team will also be given the opportunity to complete traineeships while employed at Carey.

Although this project has not been without challenges, the staff at Carey all feel encouraged and excited about this new platform.

“It’s amazing how God allows us to work and we are so grateful for the opportunities He gives us to be a hand and foot to these people,” Mark said.

For Scott Ingram, starting his own business was a childhood dream.

“In Year 6, one of my teachers started a ‘micro-economy’ in our classroom,” Scott said.

“Students were given ‘fake’ money for good behaviour.”

Even at this young age, Scott quickly discovered an aptitude for business.

“Rather than treating the teacher as the only source of

income, I realised I could start a business and make ‘fake’ money that way.”

“By the end of the year I had employed half the class and sent the teacher bankrupt,” Scott said.

“From this experience I knew I wanted to one day start a real business.”

Now the owner of Helium Digital Marketing, Scott’s dream has become reality. Helium offers services which help small business owners with their online presence.

Through helping others, Scott gets the opportunity to let God’s presence in his life shine through.

“I get great satisfaction from giving value to our clients. We’ve had clients jump out their chair to give me a high five.”

While it took a leap of faith, Scott has always felt that starting Helium was the right decision.

“I feel God has given me a passion and aptitude for business, and that being involved in business is His plan for my life,” he said.

“By taking an honest and authentic approach to business, I find I’m given an abundance of opportunities to share why I do business the way I do, which means sharing my faith as well.”

Photo: Kirsty Russell

Dream a reality for Christian entrepreneur

Scott Ingram was guest speaker at the ‘After 5’ Business Edge networking event earlier this year

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news NOVEMBER 2015

Morley cares for chaplains Chaplains play a crucial role in looking out for the needs of others, but who is there to support the needs of chaplains?

“Being connected in the context not to the context where the spirituality that motivates our pastoral care practice has its foundations in a theologically reflective faith community,” John explained.

One of the major issues that chaplains face is that of isolation.

People can assist chaplains by regularly praying for those involved in chaplaincy ...

Photo: Terry Myers

The question of how to care for chaplains prompted Morley Baptist Church to conduct a training morning for Baptist Churches Western Australia’s network of contacts involved in chaplaincy.

Chaplains from a variety of areas including sports, prison ministry, aged care, schools and Baptistcare attended the seminar.

Morley Baptist Church Senior Pastor Rev. John Crosby, an active mentor and trainer of chaplains in the Australian Defence Forces, was the main presenter at the first training morning held on Saturday 19 September. He spoke on the topic of ‘Injury and Moral Repair for the Chaplain’, including the need for self-care in the push for the secularisation of the chaplain’s role to become ‘mental health providers’.

The training highlighted that it the need for chaplains to have a support team to sustain them in critical times of ministry and service. There is a real need for the church to reclaim the identity and purpose of their chaplains to sustain them in tough times.

“One of the major issues that chaplains face is that of isolation.

People can assist chaplains by regularly praying for those involved in chaplaincy, ensuring they are connected into the wider body of the fellowship of the church and regularly asking them, “How are they going?,” John said.

John also shared that connecting with the local church can help chaplains to maintain their focus on the ‘big picture’ of God’s world whilst they serve in a world that at times lacks connection.

Chaplains gathered for caring support at Morley Baptist Church.

A minute with ...

Specialising in: Commercial cleaning

Industrial cleaning Offices general cleaning Those that attended the training were reported to be extremely positive and found the information beneficial to their individual situations.

The training session was organised by Morley Baptist Church member Terry Myers, who is currently completing a Graduate Diploma in Chaplaincy at Murdoch University. Terry is involved in sports chaplaincy with a local football club. Following the success of the first training morning, more activities are being planned for chaplains through the ministry of Morley Baptist Church.

School general cleaning Window cleaning Carpet steam cleaning High-pressure cleaning Post-construction cleaning End of lease, move in, move out or bond cleaning * Special discount for brothers and sisters in Christ within Baptist Churches WA Community For a free quote, contact Chris Phone: 0455 331 957 Email: chris@mtdcleaning.com.au Web: http://www.mtdcleaning.com.au Armadale area, Perth, WA

Tom Price Baptist Church Pastor Gavin Douglas

briefs Pastoral changes Pastor Daniel Rodgers has commenced as the new Youth and Young Adults Pastor at Lake Joondalup Baptist Church. Pastor Hrang Hmung is the new Senior Pastor at Western Australia Chin Christian Church. Pastor Alex Huggett is concluding as the Pastor at Coastal Community Church. Pastor Robyn Christie has concluded as a Young Adults Pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

Attadale Baptist Church closed on 4 October 2015 after 60 years of ministry to the area of Attadale. Former Pastors Glen Lock and James (Jim) Gibbon were present, and Mark Wilson reflected on the Church’s history.

The property was sold to the Covenant Bible-Presbyterian Church by the members of Attadale Baptist Church. The

proceeds of the sale have been donated to Baptist Churches Western Australia.

Retirees’ round-up The sixth Retiree’s Round-up for retired Baptist Pastors was held recently at Riverton Baptist Community Church and was attended by over 30 pastors and their spouses. The annual event was initiated by Bob and Sue Clark over five years ago as a way of drawing together those who were no longer in ‘full-time’ pastoral ministry and as a means of keeping in contact with each other for support and encouragement.

The Clarks have now handed the responsibility for the event over to Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA). “This is all about recognising the significant

ministry of a number of our pastors who have moved into the ‘retirement’ phase of their life as well as drawing them together for fellowship, prayer and encouragement,” BCWA Pastoral Consultant Rob Furlong said.

Colouring-in for Christians There is a colouring-in for adults movement happening at the moment which is thought to help with stress. Australian Lorien Atwood from Lorien Illustrations is currently working on a Christian colouring-in book Meditations: Beautiful Bible verses for colouring. This book allows you to meditate on a particular verse of scripture while colouringin. To place a pre-sale order or for more information, visit www.lorien-illustrations.com

What led you to this role?

Some say “Once you get the red dust of the Pilbara in your blood, you never get rid of it.” God had placed a love for the North West in me during childhood. When God opened a way for our family to head north into ‘God’s country’ we had to follow.

Where is the church located?

In the heart of the Tom Price community at 87 Oleander Street.

What time are services held?

We have a service at 9.30am every Sunday.

How and when did the church start?

The church started as a Baptist fellowship back in the late 1970s.

What is a feature of your church or ministry you’d like to share?

We have a lot of people pass through Tom Price, from all different denominational backgrounds. People often stay for a couple of years then head off to somewhere else. I love that people are given opportunities to have a go at serving in different aspects of the church, and the broader community, and then use those skills in other churches when they leave.

A final thought …

A big thank you to everyone that has passed through our community, engaged in the town and church. It is great to see so many of you have gone on to serve God in different ways within the Kingdom of God. To anyone passing through ‘God’s country’, visiting places like Karijini; drop-in and celebrate God’s handiwork with us. We love visitors!

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NOVEMBER 2015

Reflections on SportsFest

Wez Blackett, East Fremantle Baptist Church

and on fire for our great God and beginning to become involved in our young adults ministry! A special mention goes to our two New Life Christian Community Church team members who I trust will join us again next year.

We thank God for the strong Bible teaching exhibited at this year’s event, providing all of us with the challenging thought of who do our hearts belong to?

Do our lives and our goals in life reflect the fact that our hearts should belong to Christ?

This year’s event, from our team’s perspective, was exciting because as a ‘small church’ we came seventh overall and top of the small church category, but final placings are irrelevant when you begin to consider that out of 26 team members, ten were ‘youth groupers’. How exciting it is to see these great kids becoming excited

captains with the 2015 Small Church trophy.

My SportsFest experience

SportsFest provides a great opportunity in which Christians can come together ...

Baptist Churches Western Australia Director of Ministries Mark Wilson presents East Fremantle Baptist Church

Sally Pim, Riverton Baptist Community Church

Even though this was to be my seventh SportsFest, the excitement was no less as I walked into the gym where our team from Riverton Baptist Community Church would be staying over the long weekend.

Some things had changed since my first experience at SportsFest back in 2005, not least of all my choice of bedding for this occasion. While the younger crew mocked and laughed at the stretcher I set up, the older ‘SportsFest veterans’ looked on with respect and admiration, knowing I had got my priorities right.

As it turns out, it seems the rest of the ‘Rivo team’ didn’t need the good night’s rest to

play well and by the end of the weekend we were all stoked to take home second place.

It wasn’t just winning the games we enjoyed. Spending a weekend building friendships with those both on our team, and from other church teams was a huge highlight. Another was Rob Furlong’s inspiring message at the Sunday night rally reminding us to turn from our selfish ways and commit to and follow Jesus in obedience.

Photo: Terry Hicks

Perhaps more importantly, it is an event where not yet Christians feel comfortable in coming along and are exposed to the truth of Jesus in a way that does not feel too forced or too ‘preachy’.

What does this mean for us at East Fremantle Baptist Church?

Well for starters, talk about ‘cool themes’ for the team begin about one week after the end of the previous year’s SportsFest.

These ideas range from the ridiculous – ‘The Amazing Spider Jesus’ was quickly rejected – to the more theologically appropriate. More significantly, these conversations are between the non-Christians and Christians alike and show the enthusiasm that this event has.

Photo: Terry Hicks

In a society and culture where sport is such a prominent way of socialising and keeping active, SportsFest provides a great opportunity in which Christians can come together and spend a weekend in fellowship with one another.

Riverton Baptist Community Church showing their strength as team.

Every year this weekend provides such a valuable opportunity to connect with

others, have a lot of fun, and discover something more of who God is. Bring on next year!

Photos: David Alderson, Ross Daniels, Terry Hicks, Ian Walker and Sarah Wickham.

10 news NOVEMBER 2015

}} Continued from P1

A sporting success story The worshipful atmosphere was again very evident when a musician collapsed on stage, which resulted in the service being stopped for some time as the person was treated and taken to hospital by ambulance. (They were fine after a night in hospital.) The crowd of 1,300 chatted, prayed and waited patiently as the musician was treated.

Amazingly someone from the congregation came up and offered to fill-in for the person and with no practice and fitted in perfectly. Service organisers had no idea who this person was, but again shared their gratitude at God’s provision.

Lakeside Baptist Church’s team was the overall winner of SportsFest 2015 competition, while East Fremantle won the small church competition.

As SportsFest concluded for another year, Mark Wilson thanked Jeff Cross for his 13 years of involvement in leadership roles, nine of these

as Sports Coordinator and four as Director. Jeff was given a standing ovation by those in the crowd.

SportsFest could not be held without the valuable support of sponsors and this year they were: • Baptist World Aid • Baptist Financial Services • BLK Expresso • Imagepak Marketing • Makit Hardware Albany • Vose Seminary The 120 volunteers who tirelessly made the ‘wheels turn’ and the event run well were also significant contributors.

briefs Christians beheaded Christian Aid Mission reports 11 indigenous Christian workers and a young boy living near Aleppo, Syria had the option to leave the area and stay alive but chose to stay in the area where Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), other rebel groups and Syrian government forces wrought carnage and destruction. They stayed to provide aid in the name of Christ to survivors. Relatives of the group said ISIS militants captured the Christian workers on 7 August. On 28 August they asked the Christians to renounce Christ and return to Islam. All refused and were beheaded then hung on crucifixes. The 41 year old team leader led a number of house churches in the area.

Conversion ban World Watch Monitor reports bills proposing a national ban on conversions from Hinduism could soon come before both houses of India’s parliament. Two members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party plan to introduce a private member’s bill, in response to a recent census showing the percentage of Hindus in India has dropped below 80 percent. Tarun Vijay, an MP from Uttarakhand state, has reportedly said that his bill in the Upper House would advocate for a ten year jail sentence for any ‘person found

engaged in the act [of conversion]’.

The MP in the Lower House, Yogi Adityanath, is head priest at a prominent Hindu temple.

Strengthening freedom Christian Solidarity Worldwide joined a range of other faithbased, intergovernmental and United Nations (UN) agencies in endorsing a Conference Declaration on strengthening freedom of religion or belief in Southeast Asia at a groundbreaking two day conference in Thailand in early October attended by approximately 70 human rights defenders, members of religious groups, rights groups and UN agencies.

Nepal trouble BosNewsLife reports Christians in Nepal flocked to prayer services after several church bombings, carried out by suspected Hindu militants, which injured at least three people in September. On 21 September a bomb rocked the Jhapa District police station, wounding three police officers.

Police said the device was originally planted at a local church in the Surunga area. It was being diffused at the police station when it suddenly exploded, police said.

Those injured were rushed to a local hospital. Police had reportedly brought the bomb to the station following a tip-off by residents.

Just prayer

Jill Birt

Global Interaction and Australian Baptists across the nation are planning events for the Just Prayer weekend from 6 to 9 November. The inspiration for the focus on prayer comes from the belief that all people, regardless of culture or community, should have the chance to hear the gospel.

Just Prayer focuses on asking God to open up possibilities and opportunities for nine least-reached people groups where Global Interaction serves, to encounter the love of God. Churches, youth groups, small groups, friends and family will use this time to focus prayer on these groups which are among some of the least reached people groups of the world.

People are encouraged to pray for the right to hear about Jesus and for people to have choices to believe and have a relationship with Him. Another point for prayer is for Global Interaction’s cross-cultural workers who seek to serve and work to empower entire communities to worship Jesus within their own culture.

Unrestricted access to the Bible and other Christian resources

will also assist these least-reached groups encounter Jesus and see their lives transformed.

Convinced that prayer changes things and transforms lives, Global Interaction has produced a series of materials to help people focus their prayers for justice over the weekend.

The materials also contain some creative ways to engage church communities in prayer and ideas suitable for youth and adults praying in groups or on their own.

Global Interaction has been advised by a number of churches that they plan to host events around hospitality where food from one or more of the leastreached groups will help people connect more deeply with culture.

To obtain the materials or for more information, visit globalinteraction.org.au

news 11 NOVEMBER 2015

Sustainable goals launched

Jill Birt

Not-for-profit and aid organisations from around the world have backed the new SDGs. Micah Global’s vision of seeing communities living life in all its fullness, free from poverty, injustice and conflict, embraces the SDGs as an important framework to strive for the common good for all.

Baptist World Aid Australia also supports the SDGs. “While Christian development efforts will take us further and deeper than the SDGs, the intent expressed in these goals represent powerful targets that will help move the world closer to the one God intends, and for that reason, we should champion them,” Baptist World Aid Australia Advocacy Manager Gershon Nimbalker said.

The Sustainable Development Goals fall into seven core groupings: 1. Dignity and wellbeing for all: ending poverty and embracing equality for all 2. Life in all its fullness for all people: ensuring basic needs are met, enabling access to services, training and jobs, with a special emphasis on inclusion of all people 3. Just societies: enabling just and fair institutions and polices that promote justice for all 4. Peace: working towards sustainable peace while embracing diversity 5. Restoring and protecting our planet: living within planetary boundaries and ensuring recovery of ecosystems

IMB lose workers

Jill Birt

The International Mission Board, an arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, announced in late August that it will reduce its staff by approximately 600 to 800 workers.

Photo: Jill Birt

Budget constraints are the cause of the staff cuts. Currently International Mission Board (IMB) has 4,800 missionaries and

450 staff in the US but will need to shed a total of 800 workers to put IMB in a responsible and sustainable financial position.

IMB currently has two workers in Western Australia who may be offered a ‘voluntary retirement’ option.

Baptist Press reports that while Southern Baptist giving through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering has increased in recent years, it will fall $21 million short of its current annual budget, marking several consecutive years of budget shortfalls for the 170 year old organisation.

The International Mission Board has staff working in some of the least-reached people groups in the world.

6. Sustainable development: encouraging fair economic productivity within ecologically sound frameworks with a commitment towards renewable energy sources 7. Cooperation and partnerships: seeking the best for one another in which joint initiatives aim to enhance the common good for all in the realisation of all the SDGs Girshon Nimbalker reported that the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, describes the Millennium Development Goals as the most successful anti-poverty movement in history, having helped to lift more than one billion people out of extreme poverty and more than halve the number of children dying before their fifth birthday.

Photo: Getty Images

Two hundred nations gathered in New York in September at the United Nations to launch the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 new goals build on the previous eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which were adopted 15 years ago.

Liu Bolin created a special artwork ‘The Future’ to raise awareness of the UN’s Global Goals to end extreme poverty and fight inequality, injustice and climate change.

“Astonishing achievements that we as Christians should delight in,” Girshon said.

Micah Global acknowledged there are risks and hurdles in each commitment of the SDGs,

but there are also inspirational opportunities for people to unite behind a common vision and framework to advocate for world governments to implement the new commitments.

12 in conversation NOVEMBER 2015

Saving souls across India Rodrick Gilbert is based in New Delhi, India. He leads a disciple making movement that permeates slum areas of the mega city as well as rural communities across the north of India. He spoke exclusively to The Advocate’s Jill Birt while she was in India in September.

Can you describe the breadth of the movement today?

We started in 1992 in the Delhi slums. There was a word vision of Delhi: smoke of spiritual life rising from the slums. We started to see people coming to faith in Jesus. In 1996 I met Curtis Seargent who has done significant work and research into church planting movements in India.

We wanted to work out how to translate the slum work to the rural areas of India.

By 2000 I was involved in the Dawn Ministries (Discipling a Whole Nation). I had the responsibility to reach Delhi.

That’s 25 million people. In 2005 we saw four new churches and 40 baptisms per day. Now there are 14 new churches and 190 baptisms per day. And, we’re working in 11 states of northern India with 450,000 followers in 40,000 small groups, led by 37,000 trained volunteer leaders who we continue to monitor and mentor. There are 98 paid workers in the movement.

Business enterprises help sustain funding for the movements.

We also mentor and encourage more than 70

independent ministries in regional areas over the last three years, helping spread in unique regions. We’re more Kingdom minded than ‘church’ so we’re very happy to be building into other organisations.

What enables continuing growth?

I’d say it is the power of the Word of God and the Holy Spirit. Some have reduced the ministry of the Word of God to intellectual discussion.

God gave us His Word for our transformation. Be careful it does not feed our information gluttony. Some groups are more into the Holy Spirit – into experiences and sensationalism.

Both are wrong.

Photo: Dave Lawton

How did the disciple making movement you lead begin?

There was a desperate need felt in my heart to see souls saved in larger numbers.

The climax could be noted in 1990. We had a team of 120 guys sharing John’s gospel in 750,000 homes over three months. Just two people came to faith. That ripped my heart apart. What would it take? I fell at the feet of the Lord.

I met with renowned Indian leader Pastor Samuel regularly for about three months. He educated me on how to commune with God on a spiritual level … and finally laid hands on me and prayed for me saying, “I impart the ministry God gave me to you.” That changed my entire perspective on ministry and I began to focus on the slums of Delhi. Six million people live there.

Some churches and NGO’s were doing mercy ministry – blankets, medications. But, there was spiritual darkness there, so we went to these Delhi slums and prayed.

Rodrick Gilbert and his wife Neetu are based in New Delhi where Rodrick leads an extensive disciple making movement in cities, slums and country areas of northern India.

How are you taking new believers and making them into fully devoted disciples of Jesus?

The cutting edge of the movement is pushing into new areas and bringing others to faith. This is often where people have no understanding or knowledge of Jesus.

Let me tell you about Sarina. She was a rude and fighting woman in her Muslim community in a slum area. She developed cancer of the uterus and became very sick. She was very poor so there was no option for medical treatment.

So she went to a local house church and asked them to pray for her. God touched her and healed her. But, it wasn’t just the physical healing.

He changed her. Her whole life was changed. In early September Sarina was baptised along with six others she has introduced to Jesus – her daughter and son-in-law and four other women.

Sometimes we see God do that and there is immediate deep change. Other times we have to teach and train methodically to help people learn to follow Jesus and obey all that He commanded us.

Can you describe what a house church gathering might look like?

Small house churches are our strategy for sustaining new believers and multiplying further into communities.

It always depends on the situation but mostly the groups are between five and 20

people. You can’t do life deeply together in a larger group. We don’t have buildings, so we’re dependent on the size of where the groups meet.

Multiplying is always the best option for growth.

Leaders are trained in the basics: prayer – for the needy; lostness and redemption – helping people meet Jesus; and leading people in worship and prayer – singing is an integral part of worship as we connect with the heart of God. When you’re in the presence of God there doesn’t have to be a slick professionalism about worship.

God appears and change happens. Worship softens the soul and our carnality is not in control, then our souls are more fertile ground for the Spirit of God to work.

What spiritual disciplines do you personally model for the movement?

The first is ‘be real’. There is no place to hide in my home.

There are always many people in it. I’m the same publicly as I am in private. Although, I’m very private with my wife and children and I work hard to have time with them.

Sometimes it may just be two or three hours together.

Other times we’ll go away for a couple of days.

I focus on three levels of relationships to keep me walking on track. The top group are several father figures who regularly ask me very hard questions about myself

and work. They are not paid, but do this willingly. Several months ago one asked me why we were not reaching our goal of baptising 38,000 this year.

That made me go back and carefully examine our goals and processes. I wrote six pages to this man in response to that question.

The second group is my peers where they can correct me and challenge me. We have fun together and can walk away encouraged.

Finally there is the next generation, the ones I’m discipling. Authenticity is very important. I can teach nothing to the new disciples that I am not doing. They see that there is more accountability through authenticity.

How do you maintain your personal spiritual vitality?

I meet with God every day.

Sometimes it may just be five minutes. Other times it’s a lot longer. I wake before the rest of the household and go into my study. It’s a private time with God to meditate on the Word.

It has kept me going. There have been attacks and crises and temptation, but there has also been this quiet time to encounter God. Are you sending workers/ trainers internationally?

Where?

Yes, we have a heavy burden for the West. I’ve been travelling in Europe teaching evangelism

and training local leadership.

The West needs to rediscover what God’s Word says about making disciples.

What books are you currently reading?

I’m writing a training manual at the moment so my reading is a bit scattered. But I’ve been spending a bit of time in Renewal Theology: Systematic Theology from a Charismatic Perspective by J Rodman Williams. I’d love to take this book and translate it into Hindi for India.

Archivist Vacancy Got a love of History and how the past shapes the future?

Then this position could be for You!

There will be some remuneration and it is expected to be one day a week.

Excited by this opportunity?

Then contact Terry Hicks at Baptist Union Of Western Australia on 6313 6300 or email resume to terry.hicks@baptistwa.asn.au

leadership 13 NOVEMBER 2015

A God of surprises

Sheridan Voysey

Sometimes I wonder what it was like just before creation sprang into existence. Were the angels surprised when God sketched out plans for a universe he didn’t need?

They must have been – as surprised as when they saw the first waters rush forth and the mountains burst up through the seas. As surprised as when they watched the first bird take flight and saw the first humans open their eyes.

God has always been a God of surprises. You find him pulling stunts on most of the Bible’s main characters.

He surprised Abraham with a promise, Sarah with a child, and Moses with a flaming bush that never burned up.

He surprised Isaac with a wife and Jacob with a dream, Samuel with a voice and Elijah with a whisper. God surprised David with kingship, Solomon with wisdom, Hezekiah with life, and Isaiah with a vision. And then one day God surprised a teenage girl with an angelic visitation.

The child born to that girl surprised the learned with His knowledge of God. After coming of age and learning a trade, He surprised those around Him by setting off on a mission. On that mission He surprised blind men by opening their eyes and the demon-afflicted by casting their tormentors into swine.

He surprised crippled women by straightening their backs and wedding hosts by turning water into wine. He surprised

the poor with His attention, children with His affection, the leprous with cleansing, and sinners with restoration. It was a surprise when this Jesus returned to life after death and offered to forgive the very ones who betrayed Him. Full of surprises was this Christmas child! Even His teaching brought gasps of astonishment. Climbing a hill to give His famous Sermon on the Mount [Matthew 5-7], Jesus surprised all who listened on. Because in His very first words He blessed the poor and troubled, not the rich and well, and said little people like us are the salt and light of the world.

He said conflicts were resolved by loving one’s opponents, by turning cheeks and going the extra mile. He rewrote the rules on relationships, equating anger with murder, and overturning ancient customs on vows. He told us the birds of the air can teach us about trust, and we can decide how to treat others by considering how we should be treated. And as He closed that Sermon, He gave a surprising promise: that our lives will be resilient when we put His teaching into practice [Matthew 7:24-27].

Put His teaching into practice. That was the most surprising thing – the startling weightiness of Jesus’ words.

He didn’t speak like other Jewish teachers with their borrowed authority. He didn’t say “the law tells you” or “Moses says”. He had been more audacious than that. Without caution or apology He said “I tell you”, “My words”, and “I say” throughout his Sermon.

Each of His words echoed with divine authority.

And they still echo now.

Today the famous words of Jesus’ Sermon are quoted by presidents, chanted by activists, pondered by theologians, and shouted by rock stars. They’re printed on posters, t-shirts, fridge magnets, and bumper stickers, depicted in artwork, shared on the net, etched in stone, and tattooed on skin. They’ve been admired, ignored, scorned, adored, preached, painted and performed. But remember: the one thing required if they’re to manifest a resilient life is that they must be lived.

Which is why we must ask: “What surprises await us as we take up His challenge?” As we accept His invitation to be forgiven, restored, embraced, and rewarded. As we take up our calling to be salt and light in the world. As we develop holy hearts, words, holy commitments and promises. As we give, pray, and trust the way He has taught us.

This is all to be pondered as we approach another Christmas: that the One born in Bethlehem is full of surprises. He doesn’t just give us forgiveness of sins or hope for tomorrow, but a mission to live now, and a life of resilience.

Adapted from Resilient: Your Invitation to a Jesus-Shaped Life by Sheridan Voysey.

Sheridan Voysey is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality.

Leading into generational change Sue Ash

What are you going to do about handing over to the next generation? Perhaps like me you and others like you are the ‘elders’ of your sector at church or work. You won’t be around for ever. So I’m wondering what you are doing to handover and support the next generation of leaders.

I was sitting at an airport having a coffee with a colleague, when she asked this question. I wasn’t ready for the question, albeit I had given the idea of succession planning quite a bit of thought over the years.

Most of us face the challenge of generation change in our families – suddenly the adult son is stronger and more capable than his father or the competent parent needs to become reliant on their younger child. Organisations also face generational change and this

often forms part of the leadership change of an organisation.

One of the most important responsibilities an organisational leader has is the development of the people you work with.

Most organisations have staff and volunteers from at least four generations – the Baby Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y and Millennials. Each generation has special characteristics formed as a result of the times and culture in which they lived.

Without stereotyping individuals according to their generational

label, it is still important to be aware of the different worldview of each generation. Young people require opportunities to learn, and to succeed; people need to learn how to manage people; senior people need to learn about vision and strategic thinking.

Each group needs to learn how to become competent for different roles in the organisation.

Leaders and managers also need to discern when someone is well suited to a role and importantly assist people to recognise when they are not

suited to undertake certain activities. A question that is often not focused on is the question: When is it time to hand over responsibility and how and when do you do this?

Jesus has always provided a great example of a person who addressed these very critical issues. Put very simply, and in organisational language, He understood both the long-term objective, and also His role in achieving that objective. He influenced many, modelled leadership consistently, but formally trained and developed a few. He understood, even expected, that people would make mistakes, get the wrong perspective and nuance the message incorrectly. And when His time came to ‘move on’ it was marked by important rites of passage and final messages

before He left. Having left, He maintained an appropriate level of engagement, firstly personal and then through His Spirit.

Photo: UnitingCare West

Sue Ash is a member of Riverton Baptist Church and the CEO of UnitingCare West.

14 news NOVEMBER 2015

Rejoice a first for Perth

98five Music Director Chela Williams

Editor: Managing Editor: Subeditor: Production: Creative: Advertising: Distribution: Editorial deadline:

Terry Hicks Andrew Sculthorpe Maclain Bruce Vanessa Klomp Peter Ion Sally Phu Sally Phu 5th of each month

Global pop star Stan Walker (above) and renowned Aussie band Planetshakers (above right) will performing live at Rejoice Music Festival, 7 and 8 November.

Although seemingly different in style the two headlining acts are sure to bring more than enough energy when they come together on 7 and 8 November.

“It will be a great reminder to all that God is the centre and whether they are performing worship, praise or secular music, as long as the message of love, joy and peace is portrayed to the community,” said Wayne.

For tickets and more information, visit www.outix.com.au For more information on the latest Christian music, visit www.98five.com/latest-music

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING: Email: editor@theadvocate.tv advertising@theadvocate.tv Mail: Baptist Churches

Western Australia

PO Box 57, Burswood WA 6100 Tel: (08) 6313 6300 Fax: (08) 9470 1713

PUBLISHERS GENERAL DISCLAIMER All the articles, comments, advice and other material contained in this publication are by way of general comment or advice only and are not intended, nor do they purport to be the correct advice on any particular matter of subject referred to. No reader or any other person who obtains this publication should act on the basis of any matter, comment or advice contained in this publication without first considering and if necessary taking appropriate professional advice upon the applicability of any matter, advice or comment herein to their own particular circumstances. Accordingly, no responsibility is accepted or taken by the authors, editors or publishers of this publication for any loss or damage suffered by any party acting in reliance on any matter, comment or advice contained herein.

The Advocate is published on behalf of Baptist Churches Western Australia by imageseven. Tel: (08) 9221 9777 Email: info@imageseven.com.au

imageseven bcw J2151

The Messiah for Perth

Photo: Planken Photography

“Rejoice Music Festival is the sole vision of myself. I have been blessed enough to be able to attend three Hillsong conferences over the last few years,” said Wayne, creator and director of Rejoice.

“It’s just powerful to be praising the Lord with 10,000 plus other people and I want others to feel what I felt.”

From there Wayne established his business Creative Marquees which taught him firsthand how the event industry worked.

“I ended up doing many jobs for churches and also Easterfest in Toowoomba two years ago,” Wayne said.

“Once again the feeling of community coming together was a heartfelt moment for me [so] being involved with Easterfest [I] immediately wanted to do something for Perth in the near future.”

“WA is always considered in the ‘too hard basket’ when it comes to organising major festivals in Australia.”

“Gospel music has changed so much over the years and our Christian artists are singing many different types of genres.”

Over two days the Swan Valley will be home to some of Australia’s most popular Christian music acts. Local artists Jade Diary, Ezereve, Cate Williams, Paul Morrison and Licy-Be are just a few who will be supporting and performing alongside renowned Aussie band Planetshakers and global pop star Stan Walker.

Photos: Planetshakers

Rejoice Music Festival will premiere on 7 and 8 November as Perth’s first Christian music festival at the iconic Belvoir Amphitheatre. The innovative event was birthed out of Wayne Wairau’s own personal experience of large scale praise and worship.

Music lovers can again enjoy the Perth Symphonic Chorus’s performance of the Messiah.

Each year the Perth Symphonic Chorus, under the direction of nationally renowned conductor Dr Margaret Pride OAM, presents Handel’s Messiah to audiences in the Perth Concert Hall.

This year’s performance will feature soloists Sara Macliver (soprano), Sally-Anne Russell (mezzo-soprano), Richard Butler (tenor) and James Clayton (Bass) performing with the Chorus on Saturday 19 December.

For many music lovers the end of the year festivities are not complete without attending a performance of Handel’s Messiah. The sheer melodic

inventiveness of Handel’s masterpiece allows the listener to indulge in an abundance of great well known arias and revel in the majesty and power of grand choruses unmatched by any other composer.

Renowned for its moving, dramatic and memorised performances of this work, the Chorus will again highlight the depths and celebrations

of a libretto that delivers the Christmas message with joy and wonder.

If you are interested in joining the Messiah Christmas Chorus, email Marian Shakespeare at mazndave@iinet.net.au To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.collegiumsymphonicchorus. com.au

intermission 15 NOVEMBER 2015

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listen

WOW Hits 2016 WOW Hits 2016 is another great compilation of contemporary Christian songs in the WOW series to add to your collection. The album hosts a wide range of contributors like MercyMe singing ‘Greater’, TobyMac with ‘Beyond Me’, Third Day’s ‘Soul On Fire’ and Hawk Nelson singing ‘Drops In The Ocean’, just to name a few of the 33 songs. This is a great listen for those who like a variety of styles and artists or as a ‘taster’ if you’re not sure who and what you like best. Available in the regular double disc format or the Deluxe version features an additional six bonus songs.

Reviews by Koorong Mount Lawley Assistant Manager Dorothy Waddingham

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Across 3. Who found someone with food?

Answers to The Ark crossword in the October 2015 issue.

6. Jesus went up the mountain to be ____.

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Answers will be published in next month’s issue of The Advocate.

read

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia CS Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia have been and are still among the most popular books written

by CS Lewis, both for children and adults alike, and in The Complete Chronicles of Narnia the stories live on. This more recent single volume collection has all seven titles in the Narnia series, such as The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, one of the most popular titles. It also includes a beautiful and personal introduction by CS Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham; the original drawings by award-winning illustrator Pauline Bayne printed in colour; and a ribbon marker – all bound together in this large deluxe hardback edition it is a great gift for anyone or something to add to your own collection.

Website: www.koorong.com Address: 434 Lord Street, Mount Lawley Phone: 08 9427 9777

The Spirit of Python Jentezen Franklin The Spirit of Python is an excellent book for any Christian seeking to understand more about spiritual warfare. Jentezen Franklin, author and pastor, uses the example of a python and how it suffocates it’s prey to describe the attacks and strategies of Satan to squeeze the life and passion of believers.

This book shows how to recognise the signs of a spiritual attack and how to break free from them. The Spirit of Python will help you see ways you may unknowingly be allowing Satan access into your mind, and how those thoughts will affect your actions. We need a closer intimacy with God and this book will explain how, and inspire you to stand your ground in the spiritual war.

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This voucher entitles you to 15% off your next purchase in store at Mount Lawley The Advocate – November 2015

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16 news NOVEMBER 2015

Serving for justice

Jill Birt

The focus of ‘The Pong’, as the event is affectionately called, is to raise funds to bring freedom, hope and a future to young people in Southeast Asia whose lives are impacted by the injustice of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Mount Hawthorn Baptist Church organiser James Cooper said this was the first year the church has been involved in the project.

Five events were held in Western Australia during October: Nedlands Uniting Church, The Billabong Community Centre, Mount Pleasant Uniting Church, Bunbury Vineyard Christian Fellowship and the Mount Hawthorn group.

Project coordinator Adrian Rowse said the first two events in WA raised more than $14,000.

98five Sonshine FM raised the profile of the project during a live broadcast of their three hour Drive program from The Billabong Community Centre on 9 October.

More than 44 churches, sporting clubs, schools and pubs across Australia joined the fun filled 24 hour table tennis event this year. By midOctober they had raised more than $75,000 by asking their family and friends to sponsor them for a three hour block of table tennis.

The Pong supports eight partner organisations, all tackling human trafficking from different angles. They have supported The Sold Project which focuses on prevention of human trafficking, since 2011.

There are 35.8 million slaves in the world, many of them in the sex trade. Research shows that every 30 seconds, another person becomes a victim of human trafficking. In Thailand it is estimated that 30 to 40 percent of the country’s 150,000 to 200,000 sex workers are children.

“We had the privilege of serving up some justice during this year’s event,” Adrian said.

Photo: The Pong

A team of 16 people from Mount Hawthorn Baptist Church played non-stop Ping Pong for 24 hours over the last weekend of October as part of the national 2015 Ping-Pong-A-Thon.

Mount Hawthorn Baptist Church raised funds by playing ping-pong.

A coach with a difference English football giant Liverpool has announced committed Christian Jurgen Klopp as their new manager.

Several years back Klopp was asked a question commonly posed of coaches by sports journalists after a loss – were the football gods against you today?

Klopp used this question to great effect to share his Christian faith.

Photo: 360b / Shutterstock.com

Klopp hails from Germany where he is a much-loved figure due to his successful coaching record with former club Borussia Dortmund, but also thanks to his honest and at times outspoken nature.

Jurgen Klopp does not hold back when given the opportunity to share his faith.

“In order to answer this question once and for all, although there is no football god, I believe that there is a God who loves us humans, just as we are, with all our quirks, and that’s why I think he also loves football! But we have to score our own goals,” Klopp said.

In an interview with Frankfurter Rundschau, Klopp provided further insight into his faith and why he chooses to talk about it publicly.

“To be a believer, but not to want to talk about it – I do not know how it would work!”

“If anyone asks me about my faith, I give information.”

“Not because I have claim to be any sort of missionary. But when I look at me and my life – and I take time for that every day – then I feel I am in sensationally good hands.”

“And I find it a pity if other people lack this sense of security – although they don’t know it, of course, because otherwise they would probably look for it,” said Klopp.

Whilst Liverpool supporters will now be putting their hope in Klopp, his hope and faith will be in something greater than football results.

SportsFest 2015 results Overall Place

1 2 3 4

Score

Church

861.5 Lakeside 578

Riverton

407.5 Lake Joondalup 382

Carey

25

100

Ellenbrook

26

90

Morley

27

77

Rockingham

28

70

Busselton

29

58

Deo Gloria

30

50

Thornlie South Perth

5

326.5 Beaumaris

31

46

6

299.5 Woodvale

32

5

7

293

East Fremantle

8

270

Gosnells

Vietnamese Evangelical

9

240

Albany

Small church

10

228

Parkerville

Place

Score

Church

487

East Fremantle

11

194

Girrawheen

1

12

170

Quinns

2

433.25 North Coast

13

170

North Beach

3

415.25 Atwell

14

165

North Coast

4

368

Ellenbrook

15

150

Lesmurdie

5

327

Como

16

148

Mount Hawthorn

6

17

147

Christian Reformed

7

18

140

Mount Barker

8

19

132

Claremont

9

245

Lesmurdie

259.5 Yokine 254

Rockingham

250.5 Claremont

10

237

Morley

121

Atwell

11

182

Busselton

22

116

Eaton

12

166.5 South Perth

23

112

Yokine

13

135.5

Vietnamese Evangelical

24

102

Como

14

78.5

Thornlie

20 21

130.5 1Church