May / June Edition 2010 by Mackay Christian Family

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Mother’s Day Special. CELEBRATING MUM!

E M O C L E W 2

It’s so grea t tha t you’re a par t of our Sunday cele bra tion ser vice. As we cele bra te Jesus today, we pray tha t you feel right a t home. We would lo ve for you to join us in the “Meeting Place” after our mor ning ser vice for a cuppa so we can enjo y some grea t coffee and connection!

In the month of May we celebrate Mother’s Day. What began as a day of appreciation for mothers nearly 100 years ago has become a day recognised and celebrated in many nations on the earth. God created mothers to be nurturing and caring for their children and there is a special bond betwe en mother and child that endures through all of life. Denise lost her mother earlier this year and I have watched the pain and grief she has gone through as well as the regrets like, ‘I wish I had done... said... spent more time with..’ and other things that are now not possible. With this thought in mind, may I encourage you on the following: 1. Don’t take your mum for g ranted: She may have always be en there, but start to appreciate her and express your love for her. 2. Tell your mum how much she means to you: If you cannot say it, then write it – make sure your mum knows she is special to you and fe els appreciated for all she has done. 3. Honour your mum: God says to honour your parents. Do this even if your mother has died and by what you say, (especially in front of your children), by having photos displayed, by giving a flower on special days or even putting one on her grave on Mother’s Day. 4. Value your mother throughout your life, as she gets older and age may take its toll: It’s not about repaying what she did for you but it’s about loving her through the seasons of life. 5. Share the hope of eter nity you have: Pray that God will open your mother’s eyes to the reality of God’s love and provision in Jesus Christ and that you will se e her again in heaven after she dies. Mothers, you are so special. We pray that you will be blessed by God and your family, not only on Mother’s Day but throughout the whole year. With love, PAST ORS ROB AND DENISE

CONTENTS NEWS // p.6 p.7 May / June Bir thdays p.8 Fascina ting Women’s Camp p.10-13 Church Life

FEATURE // p. p.17 p.22

Mum’s the Word // Mother’s Day Spec Finding the Man in RoMANce

ARTICLES // p p.28 p.35

GET going // Missions Fea ture The sur ve y.

FAMILY LIFE p.38 p.40 p.42

RATE IT // Chocola te Jour nal Readings MCF Calendar // May & June

.17 ial

p.28

S CHOIR W WORKSHOP E With Andre w Ironside N

The next Choir event is Sunday 16th May & we will be having a special CHOIR WORKSHOP with Ps. Andrew Ironside on Thursday 13th May commencing @ 6.45 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 8.45pm. If you would like to be a part of this exciting event, then please RSVP to Cameron at cam.murison@mccmky.qld.edu.au or just come along on May 13th

THANK YOU

We want to say a HUGE thank you to the following sponsors and our Church family who made our HOPE DAY extremely successful! Over $2000 was raised to specifically support the work of our global workers, John & Yolande Leroy in Indonesia. Your contribution is impacting the nations!!!

MAY

Birthdays! 01/05 – Elizabeth Watson 03/05 – Claire Kelly 04/05 – Corrie Fouche, Anthony Fouche, Gabriel Barton 05/05 – Rhonda Smith 08/05 – Brenton Hawkins, Bro oke Herbert, Piaata Ritchings 10/05 – Alaana Kirupal, Jonah Lister 12/05 – Garry Zimmerman, Stewart Zimmerman 13/05 – Ps Catherine Spark 15/05 – Greg Frost 16/05 – Gail Evans, Wendy Jung 17/05 – Amie O’Callaghan

20/05 – Tiana Fry, Melissa Lloyd-Jones, Nicholas Wilde 23/05 – Beverley Smith, Rhonda Thomas, Krysti Rosmalen, Lauren Rosmalen 26/05 – Amber Clark 28/05 – Duncan Coppo, Bobbi-Jo Tass 30/05 – Debbie Winterstein 31/05 – Grace Loss

JUNE

Birthdays! 01/06 – Nicole Blignaut, Olivia Hyatt, Kara Buttle 02/06 – Elise Aprato 05/06 – Teah-Monique Savage 06/06 – Bryan Scott, Catherine Wo odworth 07/06 – Reuben Elias 08/06 – Simon Stubbs 09/06 – Jarryd Bowater, Luke Kelly 10/06 – Rene e Zimmerman 11/06 – Kayla Quilliam 12/06 – Jacques Du Toit 13/06 – Paul Smith 16/06 – Elijah Smith

19/06 – Mary Vella, Caleb Bedville 23/06 – Bill Clifford, John Mallett 24/06 – Ps Jill Hyatt 26/06 – Jill Gay, Charli Dixon, Isaac Ritchings, Marissa Vigliante 27/06 – Jason Riley, Peter Lister

In June ’08, MCF women convoyed their way to Camp Kanga in Proserpine for what is remembered as a truly remarkable time of ministry and fellowship at our ‘Generations’ Ladies Camp. Here’s a couple of personal highlights:

25th - 27th june 2010

women

We are FASCINATING WOMEN and we’re going to cele bra te!

GLORIA JOPLING: “I had lots of fun! It made me feel young.” OLIVIA HYATT: “It was so fantastic tha t I was able to connect with the ‘older’ women in our church and glean from their wisdom.” KERRY BRANNAN: “I lo ved the camp because it was all about women. Ease, comfor t, healing and rela tionship - e ver ything a girl needs - was there and experienced b y us all.” Now we all know that Christianity is a journey; taking steps forward, growing and becoming more like Christ. With this is mind, even though our last camp was incredible, we ne ed to strive to improve upon that. We have come to the conclusion that this simply cannot happen unless YOU come! Women aged from 13 to 113, please accept this as a personal invitation to come and be ‘spoilt’ with fun, fellowship and fo od at our fabulously fascinating camp. When did you last put aside your wife/mother/employe e/ student hat to do something ‘just for you’? Do you think God’s worth it? Why don’t you spoil Him with some undivided attention and allow Him to remind you of how truly fascinating and precious you are. Da tes to mark in your diar y: Friday 25th June (star ting with dinner a t 6.30pm) through ‘til Sunday 27th June after Mor ning tea.

REGISTRATION FORMS OUT SOON!

Guys, if you’re stuck for ideas on wha t to buy your wife for Mother’s Day, cut out the voucher belo w to trea t her to something she’ ll LOVE! Kids, if you want to sho w your mum just ho w special she is, cut out this voucher, fill in your name, and see ho w excited she is through her smile!

“

fascinating women” CampVoucher

“Happy Mother’s Day!”

With Lo ve From ______________________________ Go and be blessed a t the Ladies Camp. Don’ t worr y about anything here a t home. I / We will have e ver ything under control.

MCF BANK DETAILS

Lo ve you! x x x x

Tithes and offerings can be paid via the internet. Bank details for MCF are: Account number: 69481 8914 BSB: 084 792 Please label your transfer with the appropriate title so we can direct your money to the right area. eg. ‘tithes and offering’, ‘Leroy sponsorship’, or ‘missions’ etc. Cheques should be made payable to Mackay Christian Family.

E s R l l e A c C

family bush dance 2010// coming soon...

By Pastor Jill Hyatt

As Mother’s Day approaches we are again

preparing gift bags to pass on to the women’s shelters in town. Some great news is that because of our hard work last year in renovating the units for Kalyan Youth Services, we are now able to bless 3 young, single mothers living there as well. Who could forget the wonderful time we all had doing the ‘He el and Toe’ last June at our Church Picnic Bush Dance? One can only wonder what will be happening this Que en’s Birthday long we ekend on Monday 14th June, so make sure you ke ep that afterno on fre e for fun and ke ep watching this space for more news. This term, we are running our Spiritual Parenting Training over May and June. Your Care Cell Leader will be passing out invitations if this course is for you. Remember what our Care Cells are about: crea ting hope, expressing

lo ve, giving life.

Z D I K

walking the talk. By Cheryl Greer

It is so exciting to be Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ambassador out in the schools. The children are so hungry and open to

hear about this unconditional love. Recently, I had the opportunity to pray for two situations in which the teacher personally asked me to minister with prayer. One was because a child in her class was hit while crossing a road and ended up having broken legs; the other was for another child in her class whose mother had just died. We have the opportunity to bring hope to the world. Will you come and join us to reach the children in the scho ols. George Barna says in his bo ok, Transforming Children into Spiritual Champions, that â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we do a grea t job of training children to lo ve God with all their hear t, mind, strength and soul, then we will no longer have to invest time ba ttling o ver moral and spiritual issues such as abor tion, homosexuality, gambling and por nography. The ways of God will flo w na turall y from the lives of the people who have embraced Him and His principles. We could trust our children to do wha t is right, because entrenched in their hear t, mind and soul is an unshakable understanding of wha t is right and a compelling desire to act accordingl y.â&#x20AC;? Children are so very important to God and if we train them well, can you imagine what the world would be like? Our children ne ed us to teach them in the ways of God.

V E R

By Pastor Tim Spark

Revolution is the place to be for ages 12 - 18years. Every Friday night and Thursday afterno on we

pump up the intensity of life and blast of the ro of with our praise and worship band, cell wars, ‘test the best’ and a lot more craziness. If you want any more information on Revolution or our we ekly Rev Care Cells, check out our brand ne w we bsite, www.re vyouth.org.au , or call Ps Tim or Ps Kat on 4963 1155

COMING UP @ REV / Friday nights 7pm-9pm: 7th – 8th May 14th May 21st May 28th May 4th June 11th June 18th June 25th June -

We ekend Explosion Guest: Ps Andrew Ironside Revolution Encounter with Ps Tim Guest: Ps Kerrin Wallis Rev Senior + Rev Junior ROMANOPOLY So You Think You Can Preach? Guest: Ps Brendan Anning

COMING UP @ REV NORTH / Thursday after noon’s 6th May 13th May 20th May 27th May 3rd June 10th June 17th June 24th June -

Relationships “How Great is Our God” DVD Pt 2 What is Salvation? “Alive” DVD Pt 1 I’m Saved...Now What? “Alive” DVD Pt 2 END OF TERM PARTY NO YOUTH (SHOW HOLIDAY)

E T I N IG

the RED FROG district By Amber Clark

Red Frogs uptown is off and r unning!

On Friday night, the 5th of March, we began our infiltration of the City Heart to change the atmosphere and bring the light and love of Jesus to our community! 15 Young Adults and Ps David were passionate and ready to make a difference. Our marque e was pumping out the snags and our roving teams had awesome connection time with club goers and bouncers. We all had so much fun and nearly all of us had the opportunity to share Jesus with a non-Christian. Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favour is all over this ministry!! It still amazes me how effective we can be by just walking out the Fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart. He loves people and longs for His children to come back to Him. Thank you to all the Froggers for working so hard and for se eing the harvest to come. You are champions and will change your world!

Red Frog Uptown dates for May - June are; May 7th and 28th, June 11th.

A Gentleman’s “The Female D System” In the world of romance, one single r ule applies: Make the woman happy. Do something she likes and you get points. Do something she dislikes and points are subtracted. You don’t get any points for doing something she expects. Sor ry guys, that’s the way the game is played. Here is a guide to the point system:

SIMPLE DUTIES: You make the bed +1 You make the bed, but forget the decorative pillow 0 You throw the bedspread over rumpled she ets -1 You go out to buy her what she wants +5 in the rain +8 But return with be er as well -5 You check out a suspicious noise at night +1 And it’s nothing 0 You check out a suspicious noise at night and it is something +5 You pummel it with iron rod +10 It’s her pet -20

HER BIRTHDAY: You take her out to dinner +2 And it’s not a sports bar +3 Okay, it’s a sports bar -2 And it’s all-you-can-eat night -3 It’s a sports bar, it’s all-you-can-eat night, and your face is painted the colours of your favourite team -10

s Guide to Demerit A NIGHT OUT: You take her out to dinner +2 You take her to a movie she likes +3 You take her to a movie you hate +6 You take her to a movie you like -2 It’s called ‘Death Cop’ -3 You lied and said it was a foreign film about orphans -15

YOUR PHYSIQUE: You develop a noticeable potbelly -15 And exercise and get rid of it +10 You develop a noticeable potbelly and resort to baggy jeans and baggy Hawaiian shirts -30 You say, “It doesn’t matter, you have one to o.” -8000

THAT QUESTION: She asks, “Do I lo ok fat?” -5 YES, YOU LOSE POINTS NO MATTER WHAT! You hesitate in responding -10 You reply, “Where?” -35 Any other response -20

COMMUNICATION: When she wants to talk about a problem, you listen, displaying what lo oks like a concerned expression 0 You listen, for over 30 minutes +50 You listen for more than 30 minutes without lo oking at the TV +500 She realised this is because you have fallen asle ep -4000

M M M U Y

MALT ‘O’ MILK ICECREAMS

RECIPE WINNER: Toni Woolcock!

Ing redients 400ml Swe etened condense milk 600ml thickened cream 2 packets malt ‘o’ milk biscuits 75g crunchies (chopped into small pieces) or chocolate ripple biscuits or any favourite chocolates of your choice!

Instr uctions Mix can of swe etened condensed milk and thickened cream and whip it until it’s thick. Stir chopped crunchies through mixture. Layer the malt ‘o’ malt biscuits in the same direction in a rectangular dish (normally about 16 biscuits – 4 down x 4 across. Then spread the ice-cream mixture evenly over the malt ‘o’ milk biscuits and cover with another layer of malt ‘o’ milk biscuits on top. Put dish in fre ezer and cut the sandwiches apart when frozen. Sprinkle lightly with coconut if desired before placing in fre ezer. (Makes a huge quantity – ideal for big family get togethers – only thing they ke ep going back for more!)

GOT A YUMMY RECIPE WORTH SHARING?

Send it in! Email your yummy food ideas to: info@mcf.org.au If your recipe is chosen for the month, you’ ll receive a $20 Coffee Club voucher! This se gment is not just for the ladies, C’MON MEN! Sho w off your culinar y skills!

y a D s ’ al r e i h t c o spe M

mum’s the word. six mum’s six stories and an innumerable amount of love...

gail. Ho w many children do you have? 4 kids, 9 ½ grandkids and one foster child.

As a mum, wha t makes you smile? All of the funny, unexpected things that kids do.

Wha t is one thing you no w kno w tha t you wish you had have kno wn when you first star ted your journe y as ‘mummy’? I wish that I was a Christian when I first started out; it makes such a difference because you parent in His strength and with His wisdom.”

jodie.

Mums kno w e ver ything! Wha t ‘mothering gem’ can you share?

Words stick! Cho ose carefully what you say to your children.

Ho w many children do you

We have our quiver full with 5 child Tarago has ro om for still one more!

As a mum, wha t makes you

What makes me smile? Shopping O makes me smile? Our rowdy Rober much joy. God knows what He’s ta calls them a heritage and a blessin

Wha t is one thing you no w wish you had have kno wn w star ted your jour ne y as ‘m

priscilla. Ho w many children do you have? 3.

As a mum, wha t makes you smile? Se eing my children happy.

Wha t is one thing you no w kno w tha t you wish you had have kno wn when you first star ted your jour ne y as ‘mummy’? Love is unconditional. Having children evolved the meaning of love for me.

Mums kno w e ver ything! Wha t ‘mothering gem’ can you share? Nothing is new under the sun for mums! It’s true; we do know everything!”

u have?

dren, however, the

u smile?

ON MY OWN! Who rtson team brings me so alking about when he g!

w kno w tha t you when you first ummy’? I wished

that I’d known that one parenting style does not fit all! I’m learning that God wants to give us a custom made plan for each of His designer originals. I’ve become one of those ‘desperately praying housewives!

Mums kno w e ver ything! Wha t ‘mothering gem’ can you share? Remember to ENJOY the ride, to savour the season, to remember that the housework will always be there, but the kids won’t be. (That’s my latest excuse for my messy house!)

kerry. Ho w many children do you have? 2 children, I granddaughter.

As a mum, wha t makes you smile? Knowing that my kids are going for God.

Wha t is one thing you no w kno w tha t you wish you had have kno wn when you first star ted your jour ne y as ‘mummy’? You don’t always get it right, and that’s ok.

Mums kno w e ver ything! Wha t ‘mothering gem’ can you share?

You can be a fo ol for your kids; don’t worry about other people’s perceptions.

corne.

Ho w many children do you have? 2 girls.

As a mum, wha t makes you smile? Lots of things; all the cute things they say, their hugs and kisses, and when they are asle ep!

Wha t is one thing you no w kno w tha t you wish you had have kno wn when you first star ted your jour ne y as ‘mummy’?

Ho w many children do you have? 2 girls, Ke eley and Kadie

As a mum, wha t makes you smile?

charli.

Watching them learn something new and they’re little faces lighting up when they’ve realised they’ve done it.

Wha t is one thing you no w kno w tha t you wish you had have kno wn when you first star ted your jour ne y as ‘mummy’? How little sle ep id get and how easily children can wrap you round their little finger without you even realising it!

Mums kno w e ver ything!

Wha t ‘mothering gem’ can you share? Bandaids/plasters are magical creations that fix everything…even if there is no sore….a bandaid se ems to make everything better!!

“Your children will ne ver remember the clean house, but the y will remember the time you spend with them.” So many things!! With your 1st child, you want them to grasp everything you teach them quickly. Just relax! They will get there. Mums kno w e ver ything! Wha t ‘mothering gem’ Your children will never remember the clean house, but they will remember the time you spend with them.

E R U T A E F

keeping the M in roMANce By Pastor David Westbrook

MAN War rior poets; that’s what the men of this House are! We are not afraid of feelings, nor ashamed of strong emotions. We love deeply and tr uly. Ours is the domain of ‘love which is as strong as death’. But of course, that’s on our best day! Most days we’re distracted by things that happened at work …. or, or, or … give us time and we could come up with a number of really go od excuses. Ah, I mean reasons!

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Men - You are responsible for the level of romance in your marriage. If the fire is burning a little low these days, then it’s time you got busy with what really matters!

Here’s 5 things every man can do to enhance romance in his marriage.

1. See the benefits of romance. Most blokes tend to be more logical than emotional but romance is a wonderful combination of both. There is a lot to be gained by cultivating and maintaining positive levels of affection. I’d rather fe el positive fe elings about my marriage than negative ones and I’d rather fill my marriage with positive experiences as well. The choice is ours to make and the benefits of romance far out weight the effort it takes. Make the quality choice of continually putting deposits into your romance account.

2. Lear n to speak her lo ve langua ge – speak it fluentl y and frequentl y. Quality Time, Acts of Service, Words of Affirmation, Gifts and Physical Touch. According to Gary Chapman, these are ‘The 5 Love Languages’. Do you know which one your girl responds best to? Great thing about learning is, you can never tell how else or where else you’re going to be able to apply it. Learning to relate better with your spouse will enable you to relate better to others as well. That’s just the way Father has built the ADDED BONUS into things done His way. Hey, buy the bo ok. Read it together. Learn, laugh, grow! You are on a journey together – why not learn to enjoy the ride?

3. Lo ve is grand - Divorce is a Hundred Grand! Couples stand at the Altar and mutually profess their undying love and total commitment to each other and rightly so! Reality is that the process of time has a way of quietly suffocating the romance out of you. Work, kids, friends, money pressures, hobbies and sports amongst a host of other real life commitments can slowly, but surely, put the sque eze on

“

Make the quality choice of continuall y putting deposits into your romance account.

”

your relationship. Couples don’t plan to fail, but most of them do fail to plan. What are you intentionally doing to strengthen your marriage? When did you last; Attend a marriage enrichment course? Read a bo ok on the subject? Watch a DVD series on the subject? Talk to your Marriage Mentor? The time to work on your relationships is when things are going well, not after Elvis has left the building.

4. Commit yourself to the pursuit. If we could liken the courting and marriage phases to an education, most people stop learning about each other after the honeymo on. The reality is,

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again drawing on the education analogy, you’ve only just graduated from Year 7. There is so must to learn. I hear a ‘that’s right’ from the guys and an ‘UH HUH’ from the girls! Your lady will always be a mystery but that is a wonderful part of the attraction. Don’t stop learning about her – move on to high scho ol and university and go via TAFE if you have to, but ke ep learning.

5. Are you a lo ver or a fighter? Be both! Be the MAN in romance. Love fiercely and truly. Fight for your marriage every day. No man would allow someone to come in and rob his home or harass his family. He’d defend his home, put himself in harm’s way to protect his loved ones...even lay down his own life. Trouble is most of life’s assaults are far less dramatic. They don’t induce adrenalin and so we don’t respond with the courage and tenacity our family deserves. Your lady deserves a hero, so be heroic even when it’s not life threatening. You don’t ne ed to arrive home each day with a rose betwe en your te eth or stand outside the window playing the saxophone, or sing with a French accent to be romantic. (Although it is possible that your lady might like it if you do). A walk on the beach, an ice-cream in the park, a picnic by the river, a box of chocolates, a massage that doesn’t have sexual overtones, a hand with the groceries, praising her in public, doing the ironing without your shirt on… Come on guys, get creative and ke ep the MAN in roMANce.

“

Lo ve fier Fight for e ver y day

rcel y and trul y. r your marria ge y. 27

S N O I S IS M

GET GOING By Mia Ellul

In Ma tthe w 28:19, Jesus tells us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Therefore, go and make disciples of all the na tions, baptizing them in the name of the Fa ther and the Son and the Hol y Spirit.â&#x20AC;? This command was not a suggestion, but a commissioning for us to be the a gents of change, salva tion and transfor ma tion in our world.

As a church, we are committed to pray, to give and to go for missions – across the street or across the world. Since 1989, we have be en in partnership with Ps Irvin Rutherford and his organisation, Global Ministry Training (GMT) and last year we saw this partnership take on a new and exciting direction through our connection with Daniel Ross and access to the Global Evangelism Training course. Global Evangelism Training (GET) is an intensive 9 we ek training program. It was established to train current and future missionaries as well as local church people, through exposure to mature, experienced and successful missionaries who provide academic, biblical and practical training. GET is for those who desire to be involved in cross-cultural ministry and offers an opportunity for people of all ages to share their abilities and skills, as well as evangelise, in order to further the Kingdom of God. GET provides people with extensive training and releases them on field assignment, short and long term, to specific locations on university campuses, in villages, urban centres and to unreached people groups throughout Asia and other parts of the world. The goal of GET is to raise up the next generation of workers from as many nations as possible to reach the 6 322 unreached people groups. In addition to the GET course, a 9 month internship with GMT is also available. The internship involves missionary placement in a nation that is part of GMT’s network where they will learn to live and serve in a crosscultural setting. Here interns are exposed, equipped and released to fulfil their part of the Great Commission. In May, our very own Ps Tim and Catherine Spark, Melissa Lloyd-Jones and Jennifer Bo oth-Jones are heading off to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to take part in the 9 we ek GET training. Melissa will then stay on with GMT to complete an internship. Before you freak out at us ‘losing’ some great assets of our church, consider the following prophecy by Rick Joyner in 2004. “In the coming years, Australian missionaries will be found close to the great spiritual advances in almost every country. Australia will not lose it’s youth to missions — it will lose it’s youth if they are not given to

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missions. The churches and ministries that have the strongest missions will begin to draw the next generation and arise as the great lights in the nation. However, the youth must be trained, equipped, and engaged in the go od fight. They will not settle for just being spiritual tourists. They are warriors and the ones who will take new territory for the Kingdom. For all of the great cities of Australia and the nation as a whole, missions will be the key to the future.” As these incredible young people step out to fulfil their destiny in God, we as a church are investing them into the Kingdom of God. We can partner with them in prayer, finance and encouragement – you never know how a simple email can bless someone! If you would like more information on GMT / GET or an internship, or would like any other information regarding missions, please contact the Church Office.

mel.

Why are you training for missions?

I am training for missions because one day, I would love to own an orphanage or at least work in one. In September last year, God showed me the path that I was pursuing. I was born obsessed with babies and wanting a huge family of my own. God showed me a picture of me settling down in Mackay, finding a nice man and having babies. Then He showed a picture of me in another country with my own orphanage being a mother to hundreds of orphaned children. He just said to me, ‘Why don’t you allow Me to dream for you? Just start taking steps as I show you them.’ I am very much a control freak and found this very hard, but once I just let go and to ok steps towards this dream....well, here I am, 5 we eks away from a 9 month internship in Malaysia. Haha!

Wha t led you to choose the GET course?

I don’t know really. Ps Daniel Ross was at our Extreme Conference and he spoke about the course and the GMT ministry and then my mum found the website and recommended it to me! I didn’t have to pray about it; Mum and I both just started planning it. I spent 3 years frustrated in my job and busting to go back to Africa and do some missions work, so Mum thought it was about time for me to go ... well, somewhere! So, ....I just printed out an application and started filling it out. I wasn’t sure about anything except that God had given me a heart for missions and I ne eded to take a step towards God in this.

Wha t apprehensions, if any, did you have about going to GET? I only applied to do the 3 month missions training but Ps Daniel Ross strongly recommended that I pursue my call to missions, so I was offered an internship which is 9 months. Apprehensions.....I would miss Milly Hyatt’s baby’s first steps and first words and all the fun growing up things. I would miss my family and friends and my cell group. Slowly but surely, God has be en opening my eyes to His Kingdom and the privilege it is to be used by Him. I’m so excited to be a part of His plan and it’s such a great fe eling knowing that you are pursuing God and the destiny that He has for you.

Wha t are your expecta tions for while you are a way?

My expectations....well, I’m kind of just hoping to find my place in GMT and find the field that God wants me to work in. I’m praying that I can get a placement in the orphanage in Vietnam, but I’m leaving the deciding up to God. I don’t have any future plans after this because I know that God will speak to me about what country He wants me in. (I’m also praying that someone will give me an abandoned baby...I’ve se en it on movies, Lol!!)

Wha t are you most looking forward to?

I’m pretty excited just for the adventure of going overseas for 9 months. I fe el like I’m quitting my life. I’ve never be en without a job or without my close friends and family around; I have lived a very comfortable, luxurious life. I am lo oking forward to growing closer to God and having to entirely rely on Him.

Wha t ‘home comfor ts’ will you be taking with you?

My hair straightener and make-up, my own pillow, my skateboard and my laptop! Haha! God must have a great sense of humour to send someone as materialistic as me to missions! Oh my go odness, I almost forgot .... Vegemite! I’m definitely a Vegemite Girl!

From your experience so far, wha t tips can you give people considering missions training to help them prepare for GET?

Um, just jump out of the boat and walk on water! It’s a fun, emotional but VERY rewarding ride. I’ve never known such favour and abundance in my life. I’ve never felt so sure about something and God continues to confirm this decision and supply ALL my ne eds. It is an honour to serve our King!

tim.

Why are you training for missions?

I read a quote from Benjamin Disraeli the other day which said, “The secret of success is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.” I am training for missions because I have a big mission. If I am not ready with the right to ols, I will find it difficult facing problems and situations I never learnt about. The wisdom and experience that I will get from this course, I believe, will set me up with to ols and insight for me to use thereafter.

Wha t led you to choose the GET course?

My relationship with Ps Irvin Rutherford and Ps Daniel Ross.

Wha t apprehensions, if any, did you have about going to GET?

Having finance to pay off our mortgage while we are there...also leaving our youth team and the church family for such a long period of time.

Wha t are your expecta tions for while you are a way?

My expectations are to learn about missions from a full time overseas missionary, learn about church from a person who does church differently to us, learn more of the Bahasa language, learn about and personally know Muslim people and experience life differently to our Aussie culture. My carnal expectations are to hopefully se e Manchester United play a pre-season friendly in Kuala Lumpur, live in a more suitable time zone for the FIFA World Cup Finals in which Australia is playing and join a local outdo or or indo or fo otball team to build relationship with locals.

Wha t are you most looking forward to?

Catching up with friends over in Malaysia that I haven’t se en for a while, and also EATING BANANA LEAF INDIAN FOOD...Far out! That stuff is amazing...

Wha t ‘home comfor ts’ will you be taking with you? My Wife...um...a laptop and my iPhone. That’s probably it...haha

From your experience so far, wha t tips can you give people considering missions training to help them prepare for GET?

Know how to budget and know how to stick to a budget. Yes, we have faith for finance, but God has also given us a brain to conjure up ways to make finance. And love people..that’s a big one to o...

Why are you training for missions?

I believe that all people all over the world ne ed to experience God’s love, not just hear about it. My desire is to share God’s love with people who have not experienced it.

Wha t led you to choose the GET course?

GET will train me to not only reach Australians, but people from all kinds of cultural backgrounds. Plus, I love the GMT team  They’re awesome!

Wha t apprehensions, if any, did you have about going to GET?

I hate to say it, but I was so scared for my safety in such an unfamiliar city. I was fearful something bad would happen, but that fear led me to cry out to God for help. I refuse to be driven by fear. Through prayer, I have devoted my heart to trust God to provide for me. I have faith in my God.

Wha t are your expecta tions for while you are a way?

Lots of learning, on the job training, prayer, assignments and devotions. I believe 3 things will grow: my dreams, my understanding of God’s heart for nations and my intimacy with God.

kat.

Wha t are you most looking forward to?

Embarking on this huge adventure with God and my husband. It is going to be so stretching, but I love an adventure!

Wha t ‘home comfor ts’ will you be taking with you?

Do you think they will let me bring my house, and everything in it?? Haha.. My family photos, especially of Liam and Brianna, (my sister’s children); they always make me smile.

From your experience so far, wha t tips can you give people considering missions training to help them prepare for GET? There are 4 bo oks you ne ed to read for the course – start reading early! I’ll miss you all!

jen.

Why are you training for missions?

Because I don’t just want a ‘heart’ for global missions, I want to be fully equipped and aware of what global missions is all about so that I can be an effective vessel in what God puts my hand to.

Wha t led you to choose the GET course?

I’d heard great reports about how amazing it was and was interested in being a part of it myself, so I trusted God that if this was the next step in my life, He’d bring me to it at the right time...which He has!

Wha t apprehensions, if any, did you have about going to GET?

After I had already bo oked my flights to Kuala Lumpur, the airline company made a random, unexpected flight change so my only apprehensions were, “I HOPE I ACTUALLY MAKE IT THERE!!!”

Wha t are your expecta tions for while you are a way?

To grow more in my understanding of global missions, to be more in-tune with God’s heart and His desires rather than my own and get ready for something life-altering!

Wha t are you most looking forward to?

The whole experience!!! From learning new things about global missions, to me eting new people in the course, to simply being back in the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur and eating ridiculously go od Asian fo od!!!

Wha t ‘home comfor ts’ will you be taking with you?

My iPod, camera, laptop and hopefully my guitar or my long board... (could someone please send over some Arnott’s Mint Slice? Please? Anyone?...)

From your experience so far, wha t tips can you give people considering missions training to help them prepare for GET?

Trust God with your plans. He loves you and knows what’s best for you, so if you believe missions training is the next step for your life, have that confidence He will open the right do ors at the right time. Also, talk to your church leaders and people who have done overseas missions before and get their insight - they can give you real wisdom! If all works out for you to attend missions training such as GET, work hard, save money but most of all...trust God and enjoy the adventure with Him!

the survey. By Jacques Du Toit

Our church’s Missions Task Force has recentl y distributed a sur ve y to gain more insight into the current sta tus of our congre ga tion’s a ttitudes, interests and needs in ter ms of missions. A total of 179 people completed this sur ve y after a Sunday mor ning ser vice. The questions are based on our slogan “PRAY, GIVE, GO”, and the follo wing graphs reflect our involvements with each of these three elements ... continued next page...

“

It is clear from graph A that a majority of our members desire to take the Go od News to the nations of the earth. However, graph B indicates that many experience some form of obstacle, hindering them from actually going. While all of these things like finance, security, etc. are very real considerations to us, we must make it our priority to work on ways we can, as a church, become more effective agents of the Gospel. Our church is called to the neighbourho ods and to the nations, and the question we ne ed to ask ourselves is, “What is my part?”

“

...the question we need to ask ourselves is, “Wha t is my par t?”

”

The Missions Task Force aims to help you answer that question on an individual basis, by providing you with important information, and by connecting you with key contacts and opportunities to pray, give and go. You can speak to any of the following people serving on the Missions Task Force team if you wish to receive more information on our church’s missions involvements: Peter Lister, Ka tharine Macdonald, Mia Ellul, Ca trien Oosthuizen, Jennifer Booth-Jones and Jacques du Toit

T I CHOCOE T A LATE... R

Guylian Sea Shells

Mars Red

6 pieces Chocolate hazelnut pralines $2.95*

1 piece Milk chocolate, caramel and nougat $1.10*

Cheryl’s thoughts: Very light, not overly chocolatey. Mainly hazelnut praline. Rank: 5

Cheryl’s thoughts: Very swe et. Doesn’t taste like a normal Mars bar, a little gritty. Half the fat... so go od for someone wanting to watch their calories! Rank: 4

Chocolatier C Assor tment 15 pieces Milk and dark ch assorted centres $14.95*

Cheryl’s though Very smo oth. Not filling with a very taste. Mud cake f pick of the bunch Rank: 3

What do you do when you ne ed a last-minute, cost-effective and all-round nice gift idea? Chances are if you’re like us, you’d be running to your nearest Wo olworths to grab a box of chocolates! So, with Mother’s Day right on our do orstep, we figured that we’d help all you ‘last-minute-Mother’s Day-shoppers’ out and give you the heads up on what would be the appropriate ‘Chocolate Choice.’

To help us out we enlisted chocolate connoisseur, Cheryl Greer to go to ALL the trouble of taste-testing a range of popular chocolates in order to get her exper t opinion...

CHERYL’S PICK

Chocolate ocolate –

hts: to o rich. Soft nice afterfilling is the .

Lindt Lindor Assor ted

Fer rero Collection

4 pieces Milk, Hazelnut, Dark and White chocolate $3.95*

9 pieces Hazelnut/Milk chocolate Dark chocolate Almond/White Chocolate $7.95*

Cheryl’s thoughts: Incredibly smo oth and soft. Delicate and yummy. One by itself is satisfying. Rank: 2

*Prices could range from store to store

Cheryl’s thoughts: Beautiful layers and great texture. Very crunchy. Quite rich. WONDERFUL! Dark chocolate by far the best. Rank:1

MAY READINGS

L A N R U O J

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT JOURNALLING OR HOW TO JOURNAL, VISIT: http://www.mcf.org.au/resources/journalling/

1 Chr 14,15; Ps 132; Mt 18

1 Chr 16; Ps 106; Mt 19

2 Sam 7; 1 Chr 17; Ps 2; Mt 20

2 Sam 8,9; 1 Chr 18; Mt 21

2 Sam 10; 1 Chr 19,20; Ps 20; M

2 Sam 11,12; Ps 51; Mt 23

2 Sam 13,14; Mt 24

2 Sam 15,16; Ps 32; Mt 25

2 Sam 17; Ps 71; Mt 26

2 Sam 18; Ps 56; Mt 27

2 Sam 19,20; Ps 55; Mt 28

2 Sam 21-23; 1 Th 1

2 Sam 24; 1 Chr 21; Ps 30; 1 Th 2

1 Chr 22-24; 1 Th 3

1 Chr 25-27; 1 Th 4

1 Ki 1; 1 Chr 28;Ps 91; 1 Th 5

1 Ki 2; 1 Chr 29; Ps 95; 2 Th 1

1 Ki 3; 2 Chr 1; Ps 78; 2 Th 2

1 Ki 4,5; 2 Chr 2; Ps 101; 2 Th 3

1 Ki 6; 2 Chr 3; Ps 97; Rom 1

1 Ki 7; 2 Chr 4; Ps 98; Rom 2

1 Ki 8; 2 Chr 5; Ps 99; Rom3

2 Chr 6,7; Ps 135; Rom 4

1 Ki 9; 2 Chr 8; Ps 136; Rom 5

1 Ki 10-11; 2 Chr 9; Rom 6

Prov 1-3; Rom 7

Prov 4-6; Rom 8

Prov 7-9; Rom 9

Prov 10-12; Rom 10

Prov 13-15; Rom 11

Prov 16-18; Rom 12

JUNE READINGS

Mt 22

Prov 19-21; Rom 13

Prov 22-24; Rom 14

Prov 25-27; Rom 15

Prov 28,29; Ps 60; Rom 16

Prov 30,31; Ps 33; Eph 1

Ecc 1-3; Ps 45; Eph 2

Ecc 4-6; Ps 18; Eph 3

Ecc 7-9; Eph 4

Ecc 10-12; Ps 94; Eph 5

Song 1-4; Eph 6

Song 5-8; Phil 1

1 Ki 12; 2 Chr 10,11; Phil 2

1 Ki 13, 14; 2 Chr 12; Phil 3

1 Ki 15; 2 Chr 13,14; Phil 4

1 Ki 16; 2 Chr 15,16; Col 1

1 Ki 17-19; Col 2

1 Ki 20,21; 2 Chr 17; Col 3

1 Ki 22; 2 Chr 18, 19; Col 4

2 Ki 1-3; Ps 82; 1 Tim 1

2 Ki 4,5; Ps 83; 1 Tim 2

2 Ki 6,7; 2 Chr 20; 1 Tim 3

2 Ki 8,9; 2 Chr 21; 1 Tim 4

2 Ki 10; 2 Chr 22,23; 1 Tim 5

2 Ki 11,12; 2 Chr 24; 1 Tim 6

Joel 1-3; 2 Tim 1

Jon 1-4; 2 Tim 2

2 Ki 13,14; 2 Chr 25; 2 Tim 3

Amos 1-3; Ps 80; 2 Tim 4

Amos 4-6; Ps 85; Tit 1

Amos 7-9; Ps 104; Tit 2

MAY

30th April - 3rd May CATALYST ~ Ignite Retrea t

2nd 7th

cele bra tion ser vice 9:30am & 6pm