The voice of Queensland Baptists June 2010
Togo experience keeps Rachel grounded Dealing with delay Moved by God! Print post approved ISSN: 11323-7829 The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 8 Issue 3.
www.qb.com.au
GRow
your gift
today!
‘let uS not love with worDS or tonGue but with actionS and in truth’ 1 John 3:18
See your $1 become up to $6 in action * For every dollar we use from the Matching Grant Fund on approved projects, we may access up to five dollars from an Australian Government grant, giving us up to six dollars to put into action. See your gift grow to help those living in poverty. use the envelope included, visit www.shareanopportunity.org or call 1300 789 991. Donations must be received by 30 June, 2010. *Strict conditions determine how funding in this scheme is allocated. See www.shareanopportunity.org for more details.
Current interest rates and terms effective 01 JUNE 2010
Term Deposits 6 months 12 months 24 months 36 months
5.80% 6.00% 6.25% 6.50%
Matching Grant Fund
Contents
In this issue 05 06 08 12 14 25 35 38 40 44 46
Comment: David Loder Speaking out: John Sweetman Around the regions Baptisms Convention 2010 Called home Quotable quotes Reviews Persecution brief Fun zone Classifieds
08
21
QB ministries 16 17 19 20 22
CALAM expands to meet demand Don’t throw it out! (QB Archives) KidsGames – a first for Dalby (QB Kids) Moved by God! (QB Women) The power to excite (QCCC)
28
QB partners 26 28 30
Haiti in shock (BWA) An injustice of global proportions (BWAA) Run Cambodia (Global Interaction)
12
Articles 31 34 36 41 42
Remarkable country 5,6,7,8 Dealing with delay Outback chappies urgently needed A welcome gift
36
42
Our cover: Rachel Miller (Around the regions) has a growing passion for missions and serving God with her nursing skills.
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
03
News, views and issues
From the Editor John Sweetman (Speaking out) makes pertinent comments about Facebook in this issue. It’s worth highlighting his point that it is vital that this tool is servant and not master. Whatever upsets a healthy balanced life is to be avoided. So far, I admit that I’m not a great fan. I subscribed a while back, just to see some photos posted by a friend, and was overwhelmed by the messages that immediately cluttered up my inbox. It was so nice to click ‘unsubscribe’ as I muttered, ‘my life is cluttered enough already!’ However, there’s no doubt it’s an excellent tool if handled correctly, so I’ll probably give it another try again soon.
The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bi-monthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, JUNE, June, August, October and December.
It always touches the heart to read stories like Bernie’s (Baptisms) and we are reminded about the greatness of our God and the depth of his love for us; how he draws us to himself and is longsuffering and compassionate. It also reminds us how, if we’re willing and available, God uses us in other people’s lives.
We welcome reader feedback and opinions about our articles. Remember to include your full name and postal address.
Jesus is being made known in our schools all around Queensland (Outback chappies urgently needed; Around the regions). Let’s never be complacent about this wonderful open door. We can certainly praise God for it. The presence of godly men and women in our schools (including our teachers) provides outstanding opportunities to make a real difference in our communities. Jim Greenbury (Dealing with delay) tackles a hard issue as he discusses delayed answers to prayer and reminds us that when this happens, we are not unique. Through the ages mighty warriors of God have experienced the same and grown in their faith because of it. I trust that you will enjoy this issue of The qb. Robynne Milne
Editor: Robynne Milne Advertising contact: Robynne Milne Design: Shell Graphix Print: Fergies Print & Mail This magazine is printed with soy based inks and paper from sustainable forest plantations.
Articles and advertising in The qb express the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the correctness of facts and information however we cannot accept responsibility for errors. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising. Deadline for advertisement and copy: 10th of the month prior to publication. PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 qb@qb.com.au Ph: (07) 3354 5633 Fax: (07) 3354 5646 Advertising rates are listed at www.qb.com.au - follow the links to qb magazine. Prices are also available on enquiry and advertising packages can be tailored to suit your budget. Reduced contract rates apply to three bookings within a 12 month period. Please contact us for details. A limited number of inserts are also accepted. Copyright © 2003 by Queensland Baptist Services Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher. ISSN: 11323-7829
Need to grab some attention? Advertise in the qb For more information or to submit your ad please email qb@qb.com.au for our current rate sheet or phone 07 3354 5633.
04
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne Qld 4051 PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Qld 4053 Ph 07 3354 5600 Fax 07 3354 5646 E admin@qb.com.au
Comment: David Loder
Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’ John 14:6. Before reading my comments, please read the verse again, and then let me introduce you to Tina! You have heard about Tina. Actually Tina is not a woman but an acronym. There is no alternative! The verse I have chosen is a ‘Tina’ verse. There is only one way to Father God, through the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no alternative! This is one of the exclusive claims of Jesus which separates Christianity from other religions and modes of thinking or philosophies. This is one claim which may make us sound arrogant or dogmatic. Sadly, some people would like Tina to be present in settings where there are alternatives. In other settings, diversity is to be celebrated or at least explored. Many decisions you make in life are made when there several reasonable alternatives. Each alternative has its merits as well as its pitfalls. We make the decision, not on the basis of which outcome has no problems, but rather which problems are most easily managed. There are several paths to the same outcome. Wisdom is required to clearly discern when it is time for Tina to be present! Ministry Matters Convention for 2010 is now in history books. The ministry of Rev Dr Nigel Wright, Principal of Spurgeon’s College, was highly regarded and widely appreciated. The Pastors’ and Spouses’ Conference is always a great time of fellowship and our minds were stretched and refreshed as Nigel spoke about the Holy Spirit, God on the inside. His theological input was stretching and his application challenging. The Multicultural Festival is a celebration of the cultural diversity within Queensland Baptists. There are more alternatives to
styles of worship and we thoroughly enjoyed the input from some of our ethnic churches. Business sessions are necessary. Enjoyed by some, endured by others! Discussion took place on the role of the President, a matter on which the Board will invite further feedback before bringing some recommendation to Assembly in 2011. The Ministry Financial Plan (budget) for 2010-11 was also accepted. Assembly also re-elected Gary McGinty, Wendy Jarrott-Smith, Richard Wray and Brian Zeller to serve a further term on the Board. Ordination is always a highlight and Nathan Harris and Billy Williams were ordained into Christian ministry. Andrew Rutley (Townsville) and Simon Baek (Ashgrove) were ordained in their local churches during the year and this was also acknowledged. Michael Pocklington, who had been previously ordained in the Assemblies of God Church, also had his ordination recognised. We acknowledge God’s call on these men and continue to pray for them. It is noteworthy that Billy Williams is the first Indigenous pastor ordained since Graham Paulson, some forty years ago! Graham was the first indigenous ordained Baptist minister. Encountering God Over the last several months I have been conducting ‘Encountering God’ sessions in area meetings with our pastors. A total of 256 pastors (with a few others) attended these sessions. I sense this initiative of the Board has been well received and significant in our lives individually and together. Later in the year, the Board will encourage a movement into the next phase, Imitating Jesus. Finally Today we affirm, Queensland Baptists, following Jesus! There is no alternative! However we go about doing this involves fantastic diversity! David Loder General Superintendent, Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
05
Speaking out
Using Facebook Well Facebook is impacting the world. In 2009, five million people signed up to Facebook every week. In March 2009, Facebookers were using the site for up to three billion minutes a day. In March 2010, Facebook passed Google as the most visited site on the web. Facebooking is not limited to younger people. In 2008, the fastest-growing population on Facebook was 55 year old women. If you’re interested in using Facebook effectively, here are a few suggestions that might help you make the most of this tool. To help me develop my list, I talked to various pastors and spouses. Read the full text including their comments at www.qb.com.au Using Facebook effectively 1. Facebook can be an effective way to maintain or re-establish community. Many people stay in touch with friends and family through Facebook and some can find friends from previous times with whom they had lost contact. This was the original purpose of Facebook. It facilitates helpful connection in an easy and inexpensive way. 2. Facebook can be an efficient way to connect with those who have similar interests. All sorts of groups congregate around pages that express common interests. Facebook is a useful way to stay in touch with people in the groups and organisations that express your interests and concerns. You can discuss issues and learn more. 3. Facebook can keep us in contact with helpful information. As we become skilful at sorting through and filtering the huge amount of information that is passed on through Facebook, we can gain access to
06
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
news and ideas that are helpful for our relationships and ministry. 4. Facebook can be a useful way to disseminate and discuss information. It’s an inexpensive way to get the information you want straight into the hands of those who might be interested. Our church uses it extensively to invite to events and obtain feedback about ideas. 5. Facebook can be used to influence and evangelise. The more personal and friend-oriented nature of Facebook (compared with blogs and internet sites) allows more honest and open discussions about real issues. We can try to influence and make a difference in the lives of our ‘friends’. Using Facebook healthily Facebook and other social networking sites look like they’re here to stay. If we can’t or don’t want to hold them back, some of us have to find ways to be at the cutting edge of this change and to shape it in ways that reflect
Facebook is a tool.
1. Remember Facebook is not a substitute for community. As I’ve already pointed out, Facebook can contribute to the building of community and may assist the maintenance of community that has already been established in another place, but by itself it can build connection but not community. We all need life-on-life relationships from which we cannot escape if things get tough. We need friends who can see us and care for us as we are. We need community not just connection. 2. Make sure that Facebook remains a servant and doesn’t become a master. Facebook can move from being a great forum for connection to a dominating activity in our lives. How much is too much Facebook? It depends of course on your context and use of Facebook and the time that you have available, but if you find that sleep or work or friendships or family or relaxation or time with God are suffering, then it’s probably becoming a master. Listen to what the people around you are saying. 3. Facebooking must be grace-filled. People can be especially harsh, egotistical, self-serving, and arrogant on-line. They justify it by saying they’re just being honest, but in fact they’re being proud, unloving, judgmental and just plain sinful. You can have a mighty fine argument, you can make some impressive statements, you can be incredibly right, but without love it’s all just damaging hot air (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). There certainly is a place to speak your mind and tell the truth; just make sure it’s full of grace and motivated by love.
You can control it.
4. Be aware of the public nature of Facebook. This is a big issue. Remember that whatever you put on Facebook will be read by a wide variety of ‘friends’. It’s like telling everyone at a party. Don’t have your closest friends in mind when you post on Facebook, but write for the general public. You are not anonymous. Don’t say things that you would not like your parents or children or workmates or church family to hear. If it helps, think ‘How would I feel if my pastor or my boss or God read this?’ Nothing is absolutely secure on Facebook. You can have no secrets. Don’t say things that you will later regret. Be very careful. I’m not saying don’t be authentic. Just don’t say the authentic things you would say to an intimate friend.
Speaking out
Kingdom values. Here are some thoughts on how to use Facebook well and avoid the possible dangers.
5. Be careful about forming inappropriate relationships. The intimacy of Facebook can provide a fertile ground for the development of relationships that are unhealthy and inappropriate. I realise that this can happen anywhere, but Facebook offers an easily accessible and somewhat private environment for people to get close, especially as many of the difficulties of real relationships can be avoided. Predators are a danger for younger people, but more prevalent is the problem of people connecting with friends and old flames when their marriages are not going well or they’re feeling vulnerable. Be careful. Guard your heart. Choose your friends wisely. 6. Be aware of and honest about your reasons for Facebooking. Maybe you’re looking for a close circle of friends with whom you can share. Then be upfront about it and be selective in who you accept as friends. Maybe you’re wanting to grow your influence with as many people as possible. Then certainly invite and accept lots of people, but don’t try to treat them all as close friends. Maybe you just want to see what is happening among your friends and family, but don’t want to participate. Great. Don’t feel pressured to do any more. Maybe you’re mainly using Facebook to stay in touch with overseas missionaries. That’s very useful. There are many different ways Facebook can be used. Remember that Facebook is a tool. You can control it. Don’t let the Facebook system or the expectations of your fellow Facebookers control you. Know why you’re doing it, be upfront about it where appropriate, and shape your time and approach accordingly. John Sweetman Principal, Malyon College
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
07
Around the regions A window of opportunity Raelene Robinson Tabernacle) writes:
this amazing window of opportunity open in our schools so that we can teach children about Jesus. (Rockhampton
‘Every week, in all of our Rockhampton and Gracemere State Primary Schools, nearly 3000 children get together to pray, sing and learn the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just recently I heard about a conversation between a grandmother and her granddaughter. The granddaughter asked, “What religion are you?” Grandma answered then the little girl replied, “I’m RE”. The Church in Rockhampton is growing thanks to God’s obedient people who are praying and providing for these children to hear the Gospel each week. I can’t thank them enough for having a passion for our children. Our RE teachers love the opportunity to share openly about the character of Jesus Christ. There is a wonderful presence of God in our community. His love is being shared. I believe the seeds of faith being planted will make a huge difference to our faith community. Recently a child asked, “How do we get to heaven?” And another: “Can you really hear God speaking?” I’ve seen children cheering as they see their RE teacher arrive and teachers hugging RE teachers while saying, “Thank you so much for coming: 10 out of 10!” Please pray for all RE teachers, wherever they are, and ask God to keep
08
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
RE is a priceless opportunity to let children know God’s wonderful plan for them and they can be given a real sense of hope and a wonderful future. The seeds that are planted now could change our future, but if those seeds are never planted, God’s love may never be known. Please pray: • for this ministry and for the children in our community • that the children will grow up to be all God has called them to be and that their families will know God’s love. It is exciting to see the Christian Community working together to see this happen.’
RE is a vital ministry and currently an open door but the need for more teachers is urgent. Is God challenging you to become an RE teacher in your community?
New pastor for Highfields An Induction Service was held for Pastor Noel Wilcox at Highfields Baptist Church on 11 April 2010. The service was conducted by Rev Frank Hall, Area Representative for the Darling Downs.
And from Cairns… Late last year, Rev Trevor Saggers, Chairman of the Cairns Religious Advisory Committee wrote: ‘I am convinced that the greatest opportunity he (God) has provided for us is to be granted permission by our State Government to go into our local schools and teach the children of Cairns all about Jesus. This means that we can teach approximately 10,000 children every week in a 30 minute lesson that God exists, that he has a plan for their life and it all starts with Jesus. The challenge we face with this, and it’s a recurring one, is trying to get enough teachers and helpers.’
Noel was a student at the Baptist Theological College Brisbane from 1979, graduating in 1985. From 1981 - 1991 he pastored the Tent Hill Baptist Church. He was Area Co-ordinator for North Queensland (1991– 2006) and Pastor of the Bowen Baptist Church (1991-2009). He and Bev also spent six months in China (2006-07) teaching English.
Around the regions
Noel is passionate about young people being the church of today; not tomorrow. He encourages Mission for spiritual development and outreach to the community, both locally and overseas. Noel enjoys woodworking and is involved with State Emergency Services. His wife Bev teaches RE in schools and has volunteered to teach at Highfields. She also teaches music.
Togo experience keeps Rachel grounded Rachel Miller, who attends Kenmore Baptist Church, recently completed nearly two months of service as a volunteer on the world’s largest charity hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, in the West African nation of Togo, one of the world’s poorest countries. Now in her fourth year of nursing and currently working at the Royal Children’s Hospital in Brisbane, Rachel
says she had previously undertaken short term medical work in India. ‘I have been interested in mission work, particularly of a medical nature, since I was 16. I find that doing this work keeps me grounded and I appreciate how God has blessed me while using the skills I have been given.’ Mercy Ships volunteers pay their own way and weekly crew fees while aboard. This helps offset running costs and ensures that all health and community development services can be provided free of charge. Rachel’s time was spent working as a general ward nurse, but because of her paediatric experience, she mostly dealt with younger patients who required a range of surgical procedures to correct deformity and disability. Rachel says what is being done in the hospital and throughout the community is very worthwhile. ‘Many of those suffering from conditions like facial tumours, cleft lips and palates and
women who are incontinent because of childbirth injuries are broken in spirit.
They are often rejected by family and community and excluded from normal living. It is such a joy to see their lives transformed, knowing they will again be accepted by their families and communities. ‘I have made friends with people from around the world, my time in Togo has taught me new nursing skills and my passion for missions and serving God with my nursing skills in the future has deepened,’ Rachel concluded. Mercy Ships focuses on the needs of the world’s poorest nations in West Africa, where the Africa Mercy with six operating theatres, a 78-bed hospital and crew of more than 400 volunteers provides the platform for a range of services. Mercy Ships works on land-based projects in Sierra Leone in partnership with other organisations, while teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. www.mercyships.org.au
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
09
Around the regions Leichhardt ladies The Leichhardt Baptist Church and Hall was a-buzz with chatter and laughter on Saturday morning, 8 May 2010, as almost 100 ladies gathered for the 17th Annual Ladies’ Breakfast. Ladies, their families and friends gathered to enjoy a lovely meal prepared by the men of the Church. The cook was up at 4.00am to prepare the rolled oats and scrambled eggs. Other men came and made the toast, served the meal and, most importantly, washed up afterwards! During the morning, chrysanthemums were presented to the ladies with the most grandchildren and greatgrandchildren, the newest Mum, and a young lady being married soon. Jackie
On the move Pastor Bruce Wilding has accepted a part-time call as Interim to Wondai-Proston
Bernas, speaker, gave a challenging message which included her testimony. There were a large number of nonchurch ladies present and the church is praying that some will have been challenged to consider where they stand with the Lord Jesus.
Rev David Daniels has concluded as Interim at Minden and Intentional Interim Ministry (IIM) at Sunnybank Church of Christ Pastor Ron Turner has concluded at Northern Beaches (Townsville) Rev Laurie Wallace has accepted a part-time call as Interim Pastor to Narangba Rev David Blackburn has accepted a call to Browns Plains Pastor Wal Cane has concluded at Samford and retired
10
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Queensland Baptist Care We Care For The elderley; the homeless; the disadvantaged; the sick and the depressed
Mount Alford Lodge Take ak! A Bre
Christian Bed & Breakfast and Conference Centre
Because Jesus told us to “Love God and love others”. Please help us to continue to offer hope, care and compassion to a needy society. Tax deductible donations can be made
60
celebrating QUEENSLAND BAPTIST CARE
years EST 1949
Ph 07 3550 3737 or online www.qbc.com.au
Mount Alford Lodge is just 15kms from Boonah in S.E. Queensland. Rest, relax and refresh on our 140 acres with its breathtaking views. Ideal for;
B&B Stays Leadership Retreats Small Conferences
Ph: 07 5463 0999
Email: info@mountalfordlodge.com.au
A Service Group of Queensland Baptists
THINKING OF EDUCATING YOUR CHILDREN AT HOmE? LET US HELp YOU! l
Prep to Year 12 for Queensland students Christian curriculum that meets all statutory requirements of the Queensland standards of education Tailored education paths for individual student needs Tutor support and home visits Workshops and sporting carnivals
l
l
l
l
GROVES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE DISTANCE EDUCATION
www.groves.qld.edu.au l Phone: (07) 3827 6527 l Fax: (07) 3808 3755 Email: de@groves.qld.edu.au l 70 Laughlin Street, Kingston QLD 4114
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
11
Those who followed Jesus...
Baptisms
On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, siblings Lauren, Andrew and Luke Miller were baptised by Pastor Stewart Pieper at Tannum Sands Beach. Pictured above L-R Stewart, Luke, Graham (father), Andrew and Lauren. We praise God for these newly baptised believers: Biloela: Jane De Long Ben Kooiman Elise Kooiman Janine Krueger Andy Lonsdale Heather Lonsdale Birkdale: Sarah Cronin Jess David Ally Neville Craig Rackemann
Bundaberg: Nathan Cornelissen John Kirkegaard Jeremiah Meliendrez Sarah Nichols Theresa Woetai
Greenslopes: Wayne Bills
Gateway: Anna Beveridge Jason Cooney Adam Seccombe
Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle: Bernie Bartley
Gladstone: Andrew Miller Lauren Miller Luke Miller
Hertford Street: Alan and Heather Miles (husband and wife)
Sunnybank District: Ho Ching Lau Hooman Maneshi Raymond Wong
E100 CHELLENGE DL (ADVERT)
THE E100 CHALLENGE IS COMING!!! Are you ready to take on the world's most engaging Bible reading challenge? Visit: www.e100challenge.com.au THE E100 CHALLENGE IS AN INITIATIVE OF SCRIPTURE UNION
12
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
SCRIPTURE UNION
Baptisms
Learning along the way Bernie Bartley was baptised earlier in the year. This is part of his story: I’m Bernie. I’m a tattooist and have been a tattooist for 30 years. Five years ago, if someone had said I’d be at the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle getting baptised in five years’ time, I would have said they were nuts. I always had a belief in God but it was mixed up. Five years ago I got into some really bad trouble. I was suicidal and depressed. My life was in turmoil. I prayed to God for help and he listened to me because I was sincere. A bloke named Paul Sabre came into my life seven years ago. He bonded with us in the shop over time. He would speak of Jesus and God but I thought he was a religious nut. But when I got in trouble back then, I turned to Paul. Over the next twelve months, Paul helped me through and he would talk about Jesus and God, and we prayed. I promised God that if he helped me I would seek knowledge
of him. Paul was leaving town as the trouble passed. He said that I had to find a church that taught from the Old and New Testaments. Next thing he was off, but then Pastor Dan came on the scene. We met through the Second Chance ministry and it was eventually through that meeting that I came to the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle. Over the next three years I got a better understanding because of what was taught here at the church. People started to ask, ‘Bernie, why do you go to church?’ First of all it was for peace and comfort, but later it became to worship God. I really like to listen to Pastor Chris; it just flows along. Over the next 18 months, Pastor Dan and Amanda became my really good friends, but then it came up that they were leaving the church too. I thought about leaving. I was a bit discontented and self-centred, I think. But that was not to be how things worked out. Dan left for Yeppoon, but then Pastor Richard preached a sermon
on baptism and some things really hit home. I went home and prayed as I lay in bed. I had a dream; I went to sleep and saw Jesus. He said to stay with it and plod along, and that is why I am still here today. That was something that was really special. What I am trying to say is that God works through people. In all that has happened to me, I believe that God put people in place to help me over the last five years. Just now, Pastor Richard has left also and gone to the Gold Coast. It is not about Richard or Dan going, it is about what you do. It is about going to church and God will look after it all. He’ll make it work for you. Even though I say this, I hope Pastor Chris doesn’t go away anytime soon! Some other good things have happened that have brought me to this point. I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to the Holy Land. This was another way to learn about Jesus. Also, two months ago my dear friend Maureen was at death’s door. I’d never done anything like this before but I came up the front of the church and prayed for her with Chris and some elders. Months later, this lady is here in the audience with us tonight. So I truly believe that if you really ask, you will receive the help and you will learn along the way. At the moment I’ve just had a short walk with Jesus and God, but I hope, no, I know that this will be a long walk for the rest of my life with him. You can hear more at http://www. rockybaptist.org.au/resources 2010-0131-pm. www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
13
Queensland Baptists’
CONVENTION 2010
Photos: Sponsor displays; Ordination 2010; Multicultural Concert; Pastors’ & Spouses Retreat, and Global Interaction Dinner.
Convention DVDs ilable now ava
Dr Nigel Wright - Five teaching sessions at Pastors’ and Spouses’ Retreat available for $60 per set, including postage and handling. Email orders to dean@hwcreative.com.au or contact Queensland Baptists, ph 3354 5600. Include your details for invoicing. Payment may be made by cheque or direct deposit.
Together, we can make a difference. Pastor and friends Many of you will know us – Rowan from his involvement with the Brisbane funeral industry which goes back 25 years, Max from his many years of pastoral ministry and both of us from our families’ connections to the Baptist community in South-East Queensland. We believe genuinely that through Integrity Funerals, a truly Christian family company, we have discovered the place and plan God has for us. Integrity Funerals is a company that offers a rare combination of the practical and personal issues surrounding death and the associated loss and grief it creates with the need and desire to show concern and love for God’s people as they experience the saddest time in their life. Integrity Funerals provide a 24 hour service 365 days of the year that covers all of Brisbane and the Gold Coast. In addition, we can offer you a wonderful publication, ‘Personal Choices Program’, available to all members of our community, that contains invaluable information about funerals and assists people in planning ahead for funerals. If you would like a copy, please let us know. To contact us personally, please call us on the mobile numbers below. We would welcome the opportunity to be of help and assistance to you at any time. Rowan & Max
RussellÊFirth
Integrity
Funerals
1800 671 310
www.integrityfunerals.com.au Max Wheat Tel 0416 226 686
100% Australian owned and operated and a Christian family company Brisbane • Gold Coast • South East Queensland
Rowan Steer Tel 0417 738 501
QB archives
‘Gospel Waggon’ fitted out for itinerant evangelists, 1946
Don’t throw it out If we don’t know our church’s history, we can’t have a full appreciation of its value. This history is largely contained in documents such as meeting minutes, church newsletters, baptismal and marriage records, photographs and other similar material.
Occasionally, the phone at the QB Archives rings and the conversation that follows goes something like this: Caller (C): ‘We’re having our 50th anniversary the week after next and I’ve been asked to write the church history. What do you have about us in the Archives?’ Archives (A): ‘The best source of information will be your own church documents. Normally churches look after their own records. Has your church passed any documents on to us for safe keeping?’ C: ‘I don’t know.’
Baptism
TESOL Certificate IV in TESOL TESOL Teaching Conversational English
Certificate IV in Certificate IV in (30664 QLD) Teaching Conversational English Teaching Conversational English Conducted by nationally recognized and highly qualified experienced team of (30664 trainers. (30664 QLD) QLD) Presented by Intercultural Training Associates Conducted by nationally recognized and highly qualified Conducted by nationally recognized and highly qualified RTO: CALAM Training. Prov. No. 30002 team of trainers. experienced experienced team of trainers.
Distinctive ‘hands teaching skills & ideas Presented by Intercultural Training Associates Presented by on’ Intercultural Training Associates An apprenticeship model for gaining TESOL RTO: CALAM Training. Prov. No. 30002 RTO: CALAM Training. Prov. No. 30002 & cross cultural skills Distinctive ‘hands on’ teaching Distinctive ‘hands on’ teaching skills & ideasskills & ideas Brisbane An apprenticeship modelTESOL for gaining TESOL An apprenticeship model for gaining Part-time (Tues evenings + prac) & cross cultural skills & cross cultural skills rd 23 February 2010 27th July 2010 Brisbane Brisbane (Tues evenings + prac) Part-time(Mon, (TuesPart-time evenings 7 week semi-intensive Wed, Fri +rd+ 3 prac) Sat + prac) rd 23 February 2010 23 February 2010 Course 1: 29 January 2010 th th – 19 March27 July 2010 27 –July 20102010 Course 2: 9 April 28 May
Course 3: 2 July – 20 August 2010 7 week semi-intensive (Mon, Fri + 3 Sat + prac) 7 week semi-intensive Wed, Fri + 3 SatWed, + prac) Course 4: 27 August –(Mon, 15 October 2010 Course– 1: January 1: 29 January 1929 March 2010– 19 March 2010 CourseCourse 5: 29 October – 17 December 2010 2: 92010 April – 28 May 2010 Course 2: 9 AprilCourse – 28 May 3: 2 July – 20 August 2010 CourseThe 3: 2Training JulyCourse – 20 August 2010 Venue: Centre Course 15 4: October 27 August – 15 October 2010 Course 4:Road 27 August 2010 Windsor Baptist– Church Course– 5: October 2010 – 17 December 2010 Course 5: 29Hill, October 1729 December Red Brisbane
Venue: The Training Centre Venue: The Training Centre Townsville Windsor Road Baptist Church Windsor Road Baptist Church 2-6 March, 20-24 April, 22-26 June 2010 Red Hill, Brisbane Red & Hill, Brisbane Contact ITA for course venue details Townsville
Townsville Contacts/Enrolment Packages: 2-6 April, March, 20-24 April, 22-26 June 2010 2-6 March, 20-24 22-26 June 2010 W: www.interculturaltraining.com.au Contact ITA for course & venue details Contact ITA for course & venue details E: admin@interculturaltraining.com.au Packages: P: 0438 273 954 /Contacts/Enrolment 3311 Packages: 5595 Contacts/Enrolment W: www.interculturaltraining.com.au W: www.interculturaltraining.com.au E: admin@interculturaltraining.com.au E: admin@interculturaltraining.com.au P: 0438 273 954 / 3311 5595
QB archives
A check of Archives records follows and then the conversation resumes: A: ‘We hold the records of some churches, particularly material that’s quite old and beginning to deteriorate or where the church does not have storage space and there’s a danger they will be lost, damaged or destroyed. We also hold the records of closed churches and, of course, of the Union. But our catalogues show that we do not hold any of your church’s records.’ C: ‘What can I do? I have to produce a history of the church in the next two weeks!’ Individual churches are responsible for looking after their own records. The Archives can help with an advice sheet that sets out how to do this. We are also available to come to your church to help you set up your own archives. It is especially important to note that church records belong to the church and not to any person (e.g. Secretary or Treasurer) responsible for keeping the records. We do have some material which may assist in writing a church history. For example, the Year Books of the Baptist Union of Queensland contain much valuable information. The Queensland Baptist (The qb) is also a valuable source of statistics and other information and the now defunct Australian Baptist can also be of value. But the best information will normally come from
the individual church’s own records, and that is why it is so important that these records be properly kept and stored. The Union does not own or control them. At QB Archives we try to monitor the whereabouts of Baptist church records and we are very much dependent on individual churches to maintain a useful catalogue of historical documents. The Archives include a collection of photographs of historical significance. For example, we have the photographs of all Baptist Union Presidents as well as church buildings, past and present (and some building plans). We have begun to collate information on individual churches, but this is a long term project which is in its early stages. We are also starting to collect biographical material on Queensland Baptists who have passed away. Again, this project is in its early stages. By all means contact us for assistance in writing your church history, but first check on the location and availability of your own church records. Local historical societies, Baptist websites, local newspapers and individual church members often prove to be valuable sources of information. It is a sad fact that records are sometimes destroyed by people who do not appreciate their historical value. From time to time we are advised of entire church records being destroyed, and our current survey of churches on the north side of Brisbane indicates that this has occurred in a few instances. Please contact the Archives before destroying or disposing of any church records. We are prepared to take them, sort through them and store those items which are of historical value. Don’t throw it out!
Providing Christ like care for grieving families Personalised care & support Pre-paid Funeral Planning
For further help and a copy of our guide sheet for managing local church records, contact the Baptist Church Archives Qld at archives@qb.com.au or phone 3256-8897. Bill Hughes QB Archives
Pictured Beaudesert Church, 1955 Rev R E Jarrott, QB President 1969-70)
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
17
CALAM
CALAM expands to meet demand CALAM Training provides TAFE-level training opportunities to hundreds of people involved in a wide range of ministries in local churches and para-church organisations. Although it started as a regional Bible College to serve North Queensland, it has now expanded to be an Australia-wide ministry of Queensland Baptists that trains believers (and others) in multiple ways to serve God and the community. The Director (Rev Rod Bullpitt) works with a very capable and dedicated team of trainers and administrators who are scattered around Australia. The primary management centre for CALAM Training continues to be located on the campus of the Townsville Baptist Church, but Rod has been relocated to Brisbane to give direction and oversight to development of CALAM Training in SE Queensland. Presently there are 300 students actively pursuing studies through CALAM Training; 24 of whom are classified as fulltime. CALAM Training extended its registration to offer nationally recognised qualifications in Christian Ministry and Theology within the range from Certificate III to Vocational Graduate Diploma. Following the recent incorporation of CALAM Training as a wholly owned company of the Baptist Union of Queensland, it is expected that VET FEE HELP will be available to Diploma students and higher by the end of 2010. The Townsville Baptist Church is moving ahead with its plans for increased ownership and management of the Townsville campus, including a change of name to GENERATE Training. Courses in Townsville have been expanded in 2010 to include church-planting, specialised pastoral ministry training, crosscultural mission, in addition to the core of Bible College training for church workers.
18
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Plans for the expansion of CALAM Training at a wider level include: • Conducting up to five different workshop intensives in the Brisbane urban region, based on five participating churches spread around the city. These workshops will be two months apart, allowing keen students to attend five intensives in the year, based on one ‘at-home’ and four ‘away-from-home’ workshops. Combined with ‘on-the-job’ training and internet-based distance mode training, students would be eligible for full-time enrolment (with Youth Allowance or Austudy/ Abstudy). Trainers could include Dr Don Hardgrave, Rev Rod Bullpitt, Rev Dr David Loder and regional consultants, in addition to other interested volunteers • Managing a ‘circuit’ of workshop intensives in the Queensland non-metropolitan region. Expressions of interest have been received from a number of regional and rural churches. CALAM delivers the Cert IV in Training and Assessment, with more than 30 students participating in Brisbane, Townsville, Hervey Bay, Sydney, Melbourne and internet-based distance mode. A number of experienced VET practitioners have indicated expressions of interest in participating in a CALAM VET support network. For further information visit www.calam.edu.au
QB kids
KidsGames – a first for Dalby It comes around every two years and involves competitors from all over the world. Records will be broken, past heroes honoured and new champions established. Devoted fans will scream wildly, enthusiastic teams will give their all and the media will be there to capture every highlight. No I’m not taking about the Soccer World Cup - I’m referring to KidsGames. KidsGames is a global movement which began in Egypt in the year 2000 and has grown to involve thousands of children in over 75 countries. KidsGames is an exciting program for primary school children which includes great sports and games, craft, Bible activities, World Championships and much more. The program is organised and run by local churches working together. The KidsGames vision is to see all children united globally, learning and playing together to bring about personal, spiritual and community transformation. In June, Dalby Baptist church will host the first ever KidsGames in Dalby, seeking the support of other churches in town through the Ministers’ Fraternal and the cooperative Religious Instruction program in the State primary schools. We have chosen to run the program in the first week of the mid-year school holidays from our newly completed church complex. The program will run each weekday morning and will finish with an exciting closing ceremony on Friday afternoon where families will be invited to a BBQ tea to witness the kids receive their medals and other prizes. We hope to inspire and equip other churches in Dalby to run their own programs at the same time in future years then combine for the closing ceremony. The Bible teaching material ‘Champions that Change the World’
is available on the international KidsGames website and has been specially written to reach kids with the good news of Jesus Christ. The Dalby team have had tremendous support in getting started from the KidsGames Teams in Brisbane and Toowoomba who have both run very successful multi-site programs for many years. I am so encouraged by the generosity and commitment of these teams who have assisted us with resources, advertising, training, insurance and much more. I am very excited about reaching children and their families for the Lord Jesus in Dalby and KidsGames is a wonderful tool to enable churches to do that. If you are looking for a way for your church to connect with your local community and build the Kingdom of God in partnership with other churches, let me encourage you to consider KidsGames. There is a wealth of information and resources online at www. kidsgames.com and www.brisbanekidsgames.org. au to help you get started. Pastor Bruce Eckersley Dalby Baptist Church
and their families
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
19
QB women
Moved by God! Late last year I wrote about my dancing daughters in this magazine. As it turns out, my girls aren’t the only dancers in our family... my husband can move it and groove it with the best of them too! He is a loving and gracious husband, and he was humble enough to agree to feature in the first of several DVDs that we have produced to promote the upcoming Qld Baptist Women She Is... events; all focussed on his dance moves and set in various places around beautiful Stanthorpe. Our first DVD shows him dancing and playing the guitar among the rows of vines in a beautiful autumn vineyard. You see, my husband (a born introvert) was so moved and excited by the message God has given for Qld Baptist women that he was willing to put himself out there (and perhaps risk some ridicule) so that women are inspired to come to the She is... events. The message to God’s women is this: each woman is worthy and incredibly valuable before God; each exquisite woman is significant to God and his awesome plans for this world; and each beautiful woman has unlimited capacity to do amazing things for God. The message finally is that each gorgeous woman is so deeply loved by God that he sent his son to die expressly for her. This message is not new, it isn’t even radical, and yet this is the foundational message God wants us to get right now. I admire my husband’s willingness to go out on a limb – I’m not sure if many of us would be willing to do what he has done, and yet when the conviction of the message is so strong, he couldn’t help but jump into action. Are we all so willing to ‘put ourselves out there’ because we believe in God’s message? You can view our She is... promo DVD at http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=VMmN6ACBa6Q or contact admin@qbwm.org to receive a DVD in the mail.
20
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Upcoming events She is... Far North Qld Conference 24 July at Cairns Baptist Church Contact Paula Fuller, kieranpaula@westnet.com.au for more information. She is... camp at Mapleton 6-8 August Contact Cathy Ballantine, admin@qbwm.org for more information She is... conference at Mitchelton 21 August Contact Cathy Ballantine, admin@qbwm.org for more information Central Qld Women’s Camp @ Yepoon 27-29 August Contact Jennise Carr on Ph: 4957 3784 email: admin@mackaybaptist.org.au Follow Qld Baptist Women on Facebook for the latest updates and news on what’s going on in the lives of Qld Baptist Women. Search under groups for Qld Baptist Women. Check out our new website www.qbwm.wordpress.com Sue Peters State Director of Qld Baptist Women Email sue@qbwm.org or phone 0438287638
The message to God’s women is this: each woman is worthy and incredibly valuable before God; each exquisite woman is significant to God and his awesome plans for this world; and each beautiful woman has unlimited capacity to do amazing things for God.
QCCC
The power to It seems most people can speak of the significance of a camp, or camping, in their lives. Mine is no exception. I gave my life to the Lord as a youngster at a Scripture Union (SU) Camp at Shalom Camp in the rugged Matopos Hills, Matabeleland, Africa. It was a campsite I would return to often (as war allowed) with my parents in their role with Youth for Christ and also with SU school camps as I grew older. As a child, the highlight of the year was when YFC Bulawayo packed a bus full of 100 teenagers and motored 1000km down the highway to Johannesburg, South Africa for the annual YFC ‘Youth Week’ of more than 1000 campers from all over Southern Africa. Australian camping experiences have been many and varied. The epic Family Camps with Townsville Baptist Church on the May Long Weekend, inevitably sheltered in tents at Jourama Falls in pelting rain and the Easter youth camps at Magnetic Island. There were regular camps at the old Camp Cal site at Dickey Beach (where I was baptised). I remember: swimming the freezing waters of the Tumut River at Easter Camps; sleeping under the stars on Alma Bay; bunking down under Victoria’s Grampian mountains; attending Survival Camp near Townsville’s Rattlesnake Island; hiking the Blue Mountains; and bedding down at Burrendong Dam, to mention but a few. And recently I realised the wheel is coming full circle when I packed my eldest son off for his first solo camping experience with SU at Coolum Beach!
22
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
e t i ex c
Since assuming this position I’ve been tapping my memory well of dozens of different camping experiences and proactively talking to others and listening to their stories of significant camping adventures and experiences. There is no doubt that, for many of us, camping has been an important part of our personal and spiritual development. Think of the times you have been able to get away with like-minded people, to enjoy scenery, hospitality and unhurried time out with good company. One thing that has fascinated and challenged me recently is that the deep and continued goodwill that people of all generations have for camping is somewhat dampened by a sense that life has crowded in and made camping less achievable. Christian Camping International President Bob Kobielush wrote in 2003 that camping ‘provides an isolated environment that can remove influences and interruptions which often crowd out considerations that lead to change’. Elsewhere he noted that camping ‘breaks the cycles of habit-establishing routine and daily duties, freeing people to examine them and then set new habits that may be more appropriate’. And finally, camping ‘establishes an environment for out-of-the-ordinary experiences, which tend to be remembered more than experiences in ordinary settings’. Every time a bus rolls into the Mapleton Centre (and there are several each week) a sense of anticipation crackles in the air. There is no doubt that camping retains a special power to excite. The pace of change
QCCC
Mapleton climbing wall
in modern society is escalating and is being particularly driven by rapid changes in technology. The challenge for us in QCCC is to ensure that the excitement and anticipation camping engenders remains relevant to modern expectations and requirements. I’m confident that camping retains a great relevance to modern life, and that our role is to provide an enjoyable break from the everyday, and empower people to return to their ‘normal’ life better equipped to cope with it.
There is no doubt that camping retains a special power to excite.
In an increasingly fragmented world where internet and technology means niche communities are increasingly prevalent, we have to be flexible and innovative in the ways we cater, serve and minister to our guests. And in this age of myriad commitments and time-challenged people, our role is to make camping accessible so that the potential of this much-loved ministry is unleashed in the lives of people, creating new decades of special memories for them. Andrew Grant Director of QCCC andrew.grant@qccc.com.au
An dre w an d Ha mi sh (D
ad) at Sh alo m Ca mp, Af ric
a
Get in quick! Only two places remain If you know someone who would be interested in studying Outdoor Recreation in a Christian environment, including units of study aimed at youth ministry, get in quick! QCCC Mapleton has only two places left in this year’s intake starting 12 July. Phone Ben Cann at QCCC Mapleton on (07) 54563600, or email on outdoored3@mapleton.qccc.com.au for an information pack and application form.
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
23
Advertorial
Would you like to equip yourself as a qualified counselling practitioner, youth worker or chaplain? Do you have a calling for assisting people who are marginalised, wounded or disadvantaged? be prepared to let God you to bring hope through practicalyouth care Would you like to equip yourself asuse a qualified counselling practitioner, to a world need? worker or in chaplain? Do you have a calling for assisting people who are marginalised, wounded or CHC’s you professional preparation in Counselling, Work, youth disadvantaged? Would like to equip yourself practitioner, ascourses a qualified counselling Youth practitioner, Would likeequip to equip yourself a qualified counselling youth Would you you like to yourself as aas qualified counselling practitioner, youth Community Development, Human Services and Chaplaincy, attempt to engage Would you be prepared to let God use you to bring hope through practical care worker or chaplain? worker or chaplain? worker or chaplain? with the individual while developing qualified, knowledgeable and well practiced to a world in need? Do you have a calling for marginalised, assisting people who are marginalised, wounded or Do you a calling for assisting people who are wounded or relating Do you havehave a calling for assisting people who are marginalised, or graduates. Our professional practicewounded explores issues to ethics, disadvantaged? disadvantaged? disadvantaged? interpersonal relationships, philosophy and values, and the capacity to share the CHC’s professional preparation courses in Counselling, Youth Work, Would you be prepared to let through God usepractical you to bring hope through practical care Would be prepared let God you to bring care Would you you be prepared to lettoGod useinuse you to bring hopehope through practical care ethos their work place. Community Development, Human Services and Chaplaincy, attempt to engage to a world in need? a world in need? to a to world in need? with the individual while developing qualified, knowledgeable and well practiced Throughprofessional flexible study options (including distance part time) in both graduates. Our professional practice explores issuesand relating to ethics, CHC’s preparation courses in Counselling, Youth Work, CHC’s professional preparation courses in Counselling, Youth Work, CHC’s professional preparation courses in Counselling, Youth Work, undergraduate and postgraduate aServices coreand focus CHC’s professional preparation interpersonal relationships, philosophy values, and the capacity share the Community Development, Human andofChaplaincy, attempt to to engage Community Development, Human Services and Chaplaincy, attempt tolife engage Community Development, Human Services and Chaplaincy, attempt to engage courses is the ability to integrate personal and Christian faith with ethos in their work place. with the qualified, individual knowledgeable while developing qualified, knowledgeable and well practiced the individual developing and well practiced withwith the individual whilewhile developing qualified,practice. knowledgeable and well practiced professional Students are equipped toissues tacklerelating real world challenges and graduates. Our professional practice explores to ethics, graduates. professional practice explores issues relating to ethics, distance graduates. Our Our professional practice explores issues relating to ethics, in turn make vital and innovative contributions to their communities. Through flexible study options (including and part time) both interpersonal relationships, philosophy and values,the and the capacityintoCHC share the interpersonal relationships, philosophy values, and the capacity tothe share interpersonal relationships, philosophy and and values, and thegraduates capacity to share the endeavours to prepare its with necessary skill, knowledge and undergraduate and postgraduate a core focus of CHC’s professional preparation ethos in their work place. ethos in their place. courses ethos in their workwork place. characterisattributes the abilitytoto integrate personal life and Christian faith with professional practice. Students are equipped to tackle real world challenges Transform the World around them. Through flexible study options (including distance and part time) in both and Through flexible study options (including distance and part time) in both Through flexible study options (including distance and part time) in both in turn make vital and innovative contributions to communities. CHC undergraduate and a core focus of their CHC’s professional preparation undergraduate postgraduate a core focus ofpostgraduate CHC’s professional preparation undergraduate and and postgraduate a core focus of CHC’s professional preparation endeavours to prepare its graduates with the necessary skill, knowledge and courses is the ability toChristian integratefaith personal life and Christian faith with courses is ability the ability to integrate personal life and with courses is the to integrate personal life and Christian faithcare with character attributes to Having been involved in pastoral for many years and professional practice. Students are equipped to tackle real world challenges and professional practice. Students are equipped to tackle real world challenges professional practice. Students are equipped tothe tackle real world challenges and and sensing a true passion for effective counselling, current Transform World around them. in turn make vital and innovative contributions to their communities. CHC in turn make innovative contributions toshares their communities. CHC Wallis his experience of CHC . student Tim to in turn make vital vital and and innovative contributions their communities. CHC endeavours to prepare its graduates with the necessary skill, knowledge and endeavours to prepare its graduates the necessary knowledge endeavours to prepare its graduates with with the necessary skill,skill, knowledge and and character attributes to character attributes character attributes to to Having been involved in pastoral care for many years and
Transform the World around them. sensing a true passion for effective counselling, current Transform World around them. What drewthe youthe to study Social Sciences at CHC? Transform World around them.
Timimprove Wallis shares experience of CHC. “It was the realisation that I couldstudent greatly myhis effectiveness in helping people negotiate the challenges of life that led me tofor many years and Having been involved in pastoral care Having involved in program pastoral careat for many years and Having involved in pastoral care for many years and enrol inbeen thebeen Counselling CHC”. sensing a true passion for effective counselling, current sensing true passion for effective counselling, current sensing a truea passion effective counselling, current What drew you tofor study Social Sciences at CHC? shares his experience of CHC. student Tim Wallis student Tim Wallis shares his experience of .CHC. student Tim Wallis shares his experience of CHC How did equip you yourgreatly job? improve my effectiveness “It was theCHC realisation that for I could “Teaching me Counselling and placingofinlife my hands tools in helping people negotiateskills the challenges that led me to that enable me to do the task. I have learned that my brokenness is a enrol in the Counselling program at CHC”. What Sciences drew you at to CHC? study Social Sciences at CHC? ustudy to study Social Social Sciences at CHC? valuable commodity I can bring to the counselling task as I join and “It wasgreatly the realisation that I could greatly improve my effectiveness sation I journey could improve my effectiveness on that that I could greatly improve my effectiveness with other pilgrims”. How did CHC equip you for your job? in people negotiate the that led me to le negotiate thehelping challenges ofthat life that led mechallenges to placingofinlife egotiate the challenges of life led me to “Teaching me Counselling skills and my hands tools that enrol in the Counselling program at CHC”. unselling program at CHC”. lling program at CHC”. What aspect of your job Ido youlearned enjoy most? enable me to do the task. have that my brokenness is a “Having learnt CHC thatbring it’syour the pain and the disappointments of life that qualify me to be the carrier of valuable commodity I you can to the counselling task as I join and How didjob? CHC at equip for job? equip for your p you you for your job? God’s grace asCounselling a broken healer, every person meet in the counselling relationship enriches me, journey with other pilgrims”. “Teaching me skills and placing in Imy hands tools that Counselling placing in hands my hands tools that nselling skillsskills and and placing in and my tools thatsomething challenges me imparts to me of value”. enable me to that do the I have learned that my brokenness is a the task. I have learned mytask. brokenness a eo task. I have learned that my brokenness is a isenjoy What aspect of your job bring do you most? task as I join and valuable commodity I can to the counselling to counselling the counselling as join andand the disappointments of life that qualify me to be the carrier of yodity I canI can bringbring to the tasktask as I it’s joinIthe andpain “Having learnt at CHC that journey with other pilgrims”. her pilgrims”.Please pilgrims”. shareasa alife defining moment that has empowered you? God’s grace broken healer, every person I meet in the counselling relationship enriches me, “Whilst caring for John, a child with severe Downs Syndrome, I remember asking God what value my life challenges me and imparts to me something of value”. What aspect of your job do you enjoy most? f your jobyou do you enjoy most? ur job do enjoy most? now had, when the spiritual care of a middle class church seamed a far more worthwhile occupation! “Having learnt atthe CHC that it’s the pain and the qualify disappointments of life that of qualify me to be the carrierThe of at it’s the pain and disappointments of life that me to be the carrier HCCHC that that it’s the pain and the disappointments of life that qualify me to be the carrier of answergrace cameas almost immediately… God’s a broken healer, every person I meet in the counselling relationship enriches me, a broken healer, every person meet inof the counselling relationship me, 25:40, NIV) Here I learned that my roken healer, every person meet inleast the counselling relationship enriches me, Please share aIand life defining that empowered you? ‘Whatever you did forIimparts the these brothers ofhas mine, you didenriches for me” (Matt. challenges me to moment me something of value”. and imparts to me something of value”. imparts to me something “Whilst caring John, aischild withtosevere Downs but Syndrome, I remember asking God what value my life value and thatoffor ofvalue”. others not tied performance directly to our God given origins”. now had, when the spiritual care of a middle class church seamed a far more worthwhile occupation! The answer share came almost immediately… Please a has life defining moment that has empowered you? a defining life defining moment that empowered you? moment that has empowered you? ‘Whatever you did for the least of these brothers ofDowns mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV) God Herewhat I learned “Whilst caring for John, a child with severe Syndrome, I remember asking valuethat mymy life or John, a child with severe Downs Syndrome, I remember asking God what value my life ohn, a child with severe Downs Syndrome, I remember asking God what value my life value and that of others is not tied to performance but directly to our God given origins”. now had, the spiritual care of a middle class worthwhile church seamed a far more worthwhile occupation! The the spiritual a when middle church seamed far more occupation! spiritual carecare of a of middle classclass church seamed a faramore worthwhile occupation! The The answer came almost immediately… lmost immediately… st immediately… ‘Whatever you did the you leastdid of for these brothers of25:40, mine,NIV) you did forI me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV) Here I learned that my dthe forleast the least of these brothers of for mine, me” (Matt. learned of these brothers of mine, you did for me” (Matt. 25:40, NIV) HereHere I learned that that my my value and that of others is not tied to performance but directly to our God given origins”. of others is not tied to performance but directly to our God given origins”. hers is not tied to performance but directly to our God given origins”.
24
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Called home
Richard A (Dick) Scanlan, AOM (1924-2010) The Laidley Baptist church and community has lost one its most honoured men, Richard A Scanlan (always known as ‘Dick’), with his death on 16 May 2010. The very large crowd which attended his funeral service was an eloquent tribute to a man who was not only a devoted family man and hardworking dairy farmer and cattle producer, but also one who found plenty of time to contribute to the welfare of the district.
A man of faith and practice
One of 10 children brought up at the foot of the Toowoomba range, Dick moved to Mount Berryman near Laidley after his marriage to Doris Berlin in 1945. They raised their four children (Ken, Jeff, Jill, Kathy) there and involved themselves in local activities. He was a prominent member of the Laidley Baptist Church, serving as Sunday School teacher and deacon for about 50 years. He was also involved in Boys’ Brigade. In particular, he was a driving force behind the establishment of Karinya Home at Laidley where he spent his last years after the loss of his wife. He was secretary of the Karinya Board for nearly 30 years and only recently completed a history of the home. He also supported numerous other charities and showed a great concern for social justice and fairness in all his relationships. Dick’s interests were broad – he was an enthusiastic supporter of many local causes and spent 18 years on the Laidley Shire Council, with a special focus on promoting tourism in the area. In later life he became interested in conservation and began planting trees, after years of clearing them from his land. He proudly devoted a large section of his property which was still virgin scrub to remain that way for perpetuity, being the first to do so under a state government scheme. He was officially recognised for this work and, in addition, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1992 for ‘service to the community’. He was also well known for his passion for singing and was a member of various choirs and singing groups. Although circumstances did not allow him to go on to high school, he was a poet, and he encouraged his family to seek higher education. He also became deeply involved in family, local and church history, especially the background of the German Baptists. He wrote a large number of books and papers, and was a long-time valued and active member of Baptist Heritage Queensland. www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
25
BWA
Haiti K C O H S
in
Within 24 hours of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, Baptists were already making preparations to fly into the Caribbean country. Members of Hungarian Baptist Aid quickly mobilized and linked up with team members from North Carolina Baptist Men. The two groups formed the team of Baptist World Aid Rescue24, which does search and rescue for BWAid in response to natural disasters.
11-year-old daughter. ‘My mother and father were talking in the living room; my father was just standing up to leave the house. A piece of the ceiling fell down, hit his head and he fell on the ground. My mother also fell down on the ground and rolled under the table. As for me, I don’t know what happened to me. All I remember is my older brother pulling me out from under the rubble. My leg was hurting very badly but it only had scratches on it.’
The conditions they met on the ground were horrific. Bela Szilagyi, head of Hungarian Baptist Aid said they came across ‘immense chaos, confusion, and the terrible smell of dead bodies’. The team set to work, doing the best they could to mend broken bones and bodies, providing medical care for several hundred persons at a community clinic in Pétionville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, close to the epicente of the 7.0 earthquake.
‘I was watching TV on the second floor and I heard a screeching, exploding noise as the house collapsed,’ recounted Bethill, age 16. ‘I was not hurt and I was able to pull my little sister out from under the ruins. My younger brother was not at home, he was at [our] grandmother’s place. We heard the screaming of our mother and we found her under the concrete rubble. She could not move. My sister and I tried to rescue her and pull her out. I don’t know how we managed it. I’m only 16 and not very strong; Bioutelle’s just a little girl,’ said the eldest of the three children. ‘Our dad was too deep under, we could not move him. He did not speak a word and he did not move. My mother is saying that it is possible that he died immediately when the ceiling fell on his head.’ A number of other Baptists died in the quake, while many more were displaced.
Baptists suffered badly in the aftermath of the quake, with several pastors perishing. One of the pastors who died was Bienne L’Amerique, pastor of the 600-member Shiloh Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince. His children recounted the tragedy of what happened that day. ‘I was reading on the first floor when the earth moved as if a great chasm opened up and our house fell into it,’ said Bioutelle, the
26
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
BWA
Baptists have had long experience in assisting in rebuilding lives, leaning ever resolutely on the power of prayer and the compassion coming from our Lord.
Baptists in the country mobilised relief efforts, while Baptists from around the world began to send in aid. At the time of reporting, more than US$600,000 was either pledged or received by BWAid for Haiti relief. In true Macedonian fashion, less financially endowed Baptists have been making their own contributions. Otniel Bunaciu, President of the Baptist Union of Romania, reported that ‘churches in Romania are responding well to the appeal’ that was launched to assist victims of the Haitian earthquake. His union raised and sent almost US$50,000 to the BWA for Haitian relief. After the massive destruction in Haiti which saw more than 200,000 persons lose their lives and between 60-80% of the buildings in Port-auPrince badly damaged or destroyed, the challenge is to rebuild the infrastructure of the country. It is also to help to meet the spiritual needs of the people. Fortunately, Baptists have had long experience in assisting in rebuilding lives, leaning ever resolutely on the power of prayer and the compassion coming from our Lord. Excerpt from ‘Haiti in shock” Baptist World, April/June 2010, reprinted with kind permission.
Save money, protect your pension and ensure your funeral goes the way you want. Call us about a fi xed price funeral plan.
1800 636 660 Proudly Australian Owned
MFU0083
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
27
BWAA
An injustice of global proportions A little boy called Akhter grew up with no education in a rural community in Bangladesh. From an early age he worked alongside his father to support his nine siblings. Because their mother passed away while many of the children were infants, much of the task of raising them fell to Akhter’s sisters. There was no understanding of hygiene and sanitation in their community and the children were often very sick with conditions that could be easily treated or prevented. They drank contaminated water, did not always have enough to eat, and they had to take on adult responsibilities long before they were ready to finish being children. This kind of poverty is not caused by an individual’s poor money management or decision making. For the vast majority, poverty is caused by local, national and international systems
28
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
that exploit the work of the poor while denying their rights and access to resources. Although God created the earth to provide for all people, and implemented systems to protect the poor and prevent poverty that spans generations, 40% of the world’s population lives in poverty, struggling to get by on less that $US2 a day. This sort of poverty is an injustice of global proportions and a sinful misuse of the ‘good’ world God has made. As God’s workers in his world, we are called to hate injustice and everything that oppresses, marginalises and exploits. This should lead us not just to a feeling of compassion when we read about a little boy growing up with nothing, but to action that seeks to right the injustice of a system that forces over 2.5 billion people in our world to live in poverty.
I am convinced that giving to projects like this can change the lives of people living in poverty.
Working for Baptist World Aid Australia over the last few years, I have had the privilege of seeing how community development can make a significant difference to quality of life. By working with individual communities and families in ways that address their specific needs and the causes of their poverty, they can truly be empowered to lift themselves out of it. Akhter’s story is one of these inspiring examples. I met him on a field visit to Bangladesh and I was blown away by how he had overcome his disadvantaged childhood and was now working to benefit his whole community. With training and assistance from PARI, one of Baptist World Aid Australia’s partners, Akhter has set up two businesses and created 11 new jobs in his community. One of these businesses makes the concrete elements for sanitary latrines and sells them at an affordable price to help the local community improve their health. He is also part of a committee that represents the community to liaise with the local government to make sure the voices of the poor are heard and that their needs are addressed.
After seeing the difference in Akhter’s life and in his community, I am convinced that giving to projects like this can change the lives of people living in poverty. On a larger scale, we have seen nations like South Korea significantly reduce poverty and standards of living to almost Western levels for the whole nation in just 50 years. These examples show that overcoming poverty is possible. By joining with other Christians supporting projects like PARI across the world, we as God’s workers can actually make a difference in the struggle against poverty – the great injustice of our time. To give to the work of PARI and other similar projects, please use the envelope included with this QB and grow your gift by up to six times! And giving can be just the beginning. To find out about other ways you and/or your church can respond to the injustice of global poverty, visit www.5050.org.au. Katherine Roberts Baptist World Aid Australia
Petrie Terrace.
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
29
Global Interaction
Visit Cambodia in November, fundraise and RUN! Lisa West-Newman and Elissa Cramb (pictured) set off through the mist on a training run at Mt Tamborine recently. They were attending Gateway Baptist’s retreat for cross-cultural staff currently in Australia, the church’s Mission Resource Group and a few keenly interested candidates for cross-cultural involvement. (What a great idea for a local church!) Lisa and her physiotherapist husband Steve, together with their children Joel, Emma and Noah, are Global Interaction staff in Cambodia. This year they are on home assignment in Brisbane. Lisa is passionate about developing sustainable strategies to respond to issues of poverty and injustice. Elissa Cramb taught for a semester at Hope International School in Cambodia and has a heart for, and interest in, Khmer people. She didn’t need a lot of persuading, she says, to agree to lead a team of people later this year to run in the Pursat River Run in Cambodia. Running in mini-triathlons is Elissa’s hobby and she assured me that Run Cambodia is an event for people ‘who have always dreamed of being fit’ as well as for regular runners. She adds that training would be necessary to ensure adequate fitness to complete the 10 km run in Cambodia’s heat and humidity. If participants only want to run 5 km, that’s okay too! And support persons are welcome! Participants will fundraise for Global Interaction work in Cambodia. They will spend two weeks there in November this year. Global Interaction worker in Cambodia, Pip Miner, has invited this Global Xposure team (Run Cambodia) to visit and see, firsthand, the work that Global Interaction is doing. The funds raised will assist in Pip’s sphere of work. The Run Cambodia participants will learn about the history and culture of the Khmer people. Other Brisbane locals in Cambodia are Mitch and Alyssa who are currently working with Pip for up to six months. They are assisting with teaching English, playing sport with village children and designing a pre-school curriculum, as well as building classroom desks out of recycled materials - all while finding opportunities to share their faith.
Contact Elissa lis@cramb.id.au 0418 260 373 or call Global Interaction 07 3354 5603 for more information about Run Cambodia. Mitch & Alyssa Hindle
30
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Run Cambodia The vast majority of disabilities in Cambodia is preventable. Poverty is both a major cause and consequence of disability. The Human Poverty Index assesses Cambodia as one of the poorest nations on the globe.
YOTO5
Remarkable country ‘The outback’ - it is quintessentially Australian. The term evokes images of huge deserts and wild rocky peaks, yet it is somehow more than merely a landscape. The outback’s unique colour palette and vastness is the very fingerprint of God – surely this wonder is his creation. Jesus warned the Pharisees who were complaining about his disciples singing his praises as he entered Jerusalem: ‘If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out’ (Luke 19:40). In the outback, the stones indeed cry out in testimony to the glory of our God.
This was one reason I responded so positively when Rev Arthur Payne, then pastor at WA’s Karratha Baptist, announced in 2002 his desire to share his unique part of the country with fellow Baptists.
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
31
YOTO5 The trip was unashamedly a tourist opportunity, visiting outback wonders such as Mount Augustus and Karrijini National Park. But, importantly, it also incorporated opportunities to observe Christian ministry in that environment and meet the people who had dedicated their lives to it. As remarkable as the landscapes were, more remarkable still were the people ministering there. There was: the never-to-be-forgotten service with the Martu people on the dry bed of the Fortesque River; the insight into the challenges of ministry in remote mining towns; and the bone-jarring drive over hundreds of kilometres of corrugations to witness the ministry of a couple working in Nullagine, to find that their congregation had cleared out to attend a tribal funeral. That unattended function taught us more about outback ministry than any orchestrated display ever could. The tour had a profound effect on the small group of us who had made the long journey across the Nullarbor to join it, and we wondered if we could recreate the journey for new participants from the eastern side of Australia. Every two years since, we have sought to do so. Trips to the Flinders Ranges in 2004, Central Australia in 2006, and the Corner Country of NSW in 2008 have captured some of the magic. My newly adopted state of Queensland is better known for its tropical beaches than its outback, but that doesn’t mean it lacks for outback regions. Indeed, the tiny ‘far-western’ settlement of Cunnamulla, more than 800 kms inland from Brisbane, is not even half-way to Birdsville and the edge of this vast state. Western Queensland contains its fair share of outback gems in all senses of the word. Experience the wonders of the landscape. Fossick for an opal or a
32
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
sapphire. Meet people who teach Religious Education in schools in a region so vast they fly a plane to get to the next classroom. Remarkable country. In September, it is time for another outback trip - YOTO5 to outback Queensland. If you’ve ever wanted to explore this empty corner of our state, what better way to do it than in convoy with other Christians? And what better time than this year, with the autumn rains promising an outburst of life and colour? And along the way, what could be more significant than to hear of the challenges and joys faced by those who live and serve our God in this corner of the country? YOTO5 offers these opportunities. Over a two week period, it journeys to the far west through such places as Cunnamulla, Yowah, Quilpie, and Windorah. There is an option to continue to Birdsville, before turning north and east to return via Longreach and Carnarvon Gorge. Travelling into these regions of Australia has a fearsome reputation among many. This is often misplaced. A wellmaintained 2-wheel drive car will handle our carefully selected route for YOTO5 comfortably. Bring your own caravan or camping equipment and enjoy your own facilities for the evenings. Convoy travel enables you to relax about the more dangerous aspects of remote travel, while doing so with other Christians invokes another layer of fellowship and friendship. It’s a great way to experience the wonders of God’s creation – in Australia’s own outback. Phillip McCallum Contact Phillip on 3354 5618 or email yototours@hotmail.com for a YOTO5 tour prospectus.
Subscribe to The qb Order by phone: 07 3354 5633 Payment via credit card. OR Complete this form and post back: The qb Editor, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive) Personal Details Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss (circle) Full Name
Address
State Phone (
Postcode
)
Payment Details I have enclosed a cheque/money order for $19.50 payable to Queensland Baptist Services Group. OR Please charge my credit card Mastercard / Visa (circle one) Number
Expiry Date Cardholder’s Signature
/
Callum, third from left.
Callum’s dance
5, 6, 7, 8… 21 year-old Velocity Dance Director and Choreographer, Callum Mansfield who attends Kenmore Baptist church, is the brains behind the Broadway dance training for teenagers, beginner adults and intermediate adults in Harvest Rain Theatre Company’s Triple Threat Training program. ‘Through Christ-centred entertainment and training I hope to inspire people and impact the industry with a Christ-like attitude instead of an egotistical one,’ Callum said. ‘Most of the Velocity Dance performance crew aren’t Christians. This excites me because John 15:9 says that we are to live in the world but not be a part of it (just like Jesus did). ‘It’s moments like before a production when we all pray together that unites them with God’s children and in God’s providence,’ he said. You may recognise Callum from numerous Harvest Rain productions including David Atkin’s 2008 Hot Shoe Shuffle, which was also Callum’s directorial debut. Or you may have even seen him playing the young Peter Allen in the original Boy from Oz production in 1998. However, it’s Callum’s experience at choreographing Harvest Rain productions such as Cats and the 2009 hit Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat that has prepared him for his next interstate adventure.
The literature for the Velocity Dance class I undertook earlier this year informed me about Callum’s dance experience; however it wasn’t until I was actually on the dance floor that it hit me how refreshing a Christian male choreographer is. ‘The dance industry needs more males and whilst it is hard for a male, it is not impossible. By God’s grace I am walking proof of that’ Callam said. ‘It’s important for dancers and their parents to realise that femininity and dance are not synonyms. Some boys are more sensitive than others but that doesn’t make them any less masculine. For anyone wanting clarity on what it means to be masculine I would recommend the book ‘What’s the Difference? Manhood and Womanhood: Defined According to the Bible’ by John Piper. I would also encourage fathers to be very involved in seeking advice on how to demonstrate masculinity and manhood to sons who enjoy dance. The dance industry is an incredible, athletic industry that involves discipline of the mind and the body. For me there is no greater feeling than to dance,’ he said. Sarah Cann
Photo courtesy of Justin Nicholas
Catering for different needs in our diverse community As a supporter of Australian faith organisations and the community for nearly 50 years, we are proud to offer an outstanding range of flexible insurance products for individuals, families and businesses – all wrapped up with a social conscience.
Callum’s recent appointment as Choreographer’s Assistant for the 2010 Australian Touring production of Disney’s Mary Poppins musical came about through a series of events coordinated by God.
Household • Business • Motor Vehicle • Faith Organisations Call us today on 1300 650 540 to find out how we can assist you. Member of the Ecclesiastical Insurance Group These products are issued by Ansvar Insurance. You should consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Policy Wording before deciding whether to acquire of to continue to hold the product. These are available from Ansvar Insurance or from our website ansvar.com.au ABN 21 007 216 506 AFSL 237826
‘It started in 2007 when renowned Broadway choreographer, Geoffrey Garratt, was in Brisbane for the Miss Saigon production and he happened
1300 650 540 34 The qb JUNE 10 www. qb.com.au
upon Harvest Rain’s Cats production,’ Callum said. ‘Lo and behold, he played the character of Skimbleshanks, the railway cat, in the 1998 Cats musical film and he liked the work I did on Harvest Rain’s Cats,’ he said.
ansvar.com.au
AUSADQBR 0907
Those four numbers and my mind races, my body jumps into position and I wait for the music to trigger my first moves. There’d be less pressure if I wasn’t in the first row of dancers at tonight’s adults’ beginner Broadway class, but the full length mirror shows there isn’t space to inconspicuously slink into the back row. Trying not to notice that the choreographer is watching, I focus and try to imitate his fluidity and coordination. My dancing is devastatingly short-lived, as my body gathers pace in the wrong direction and smacks into another dancer.
Quotable quotes
Quotable Quotes
‘The cross is more than a mechanism that enables us to be saved. It is a revelation of the eternal nature of God who acts in this self-giving way. It is therefore that against which all our ideas of God need to be tested.’ Dr Nigel Wright, Saturday Seminars Plenary Session, QB Convention, 15 May 2010 ‘The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you.’ Robert Louis Stevenson ‘You don’t have to be alone in your hurt! Comfort is yours. Joy is an option. And it’s all been made possible by your Saviour. He went without comfort so you might have it. He postponed joy so you might share in it. He willingly chose isolation so you might never be alone in your hurt and sorrow.’ Joni Eareckson Tada ‘We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.’ Charles (Chuck) Swindoll ‘I seek the will of the Spirit of God through, or in connection with, the Word of God. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions. If the Holy Spirit leads us, He will do it according to the Scriptures and never contrary to them.’ George Muller
Quotes printed receive a Word bookstore voucher. Email to qb@qb.com.au or post to PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Q 4053
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
35
God’s timing
Dealing with delay To introduce the New Covenant, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah in the Temple and revealed that his wife Elizabeth would soon conceive and give birth to a child who would become the Messiah’s forerunner (Luke 1:5-20). For many years, their infertility had caused Zechariah and Elizabeth a great deal of emotional pain and anguish, and they had spent much time in prayer about it (Luke 1:12). However, Zechariah would by now have been at least sixty years old, and he and his wife had abandoned all expectation of having a family. Yet it was when all their pleading had ceased, and their eager hopes had faded, that they received a startling response from heaven. The long delay they experienced in receiving an answer to their prayers is not uncommon. Abraham prayed for thirty years for a child before he held Isaac in his arms. Joseph was imprisoned for many years before he was released and honoured. God promised to bring Abraham’s descendents out of Egypt, but they were in captivity for over four hundred years before they were delivered (Genesis 15:13; Exodus 12:17, 41). There are many biblical examples which demonstrate that God sometimes defers his response to prayer until the last possible moment.
Has this been your experience?
36
out my prayer’ (Lamentations 3:8). David similarly lamented: ‘O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you do not hear; and in the night-time, and I am not silent’ (Psalms 22:2). Similarly, Job exclaimed: ‘I cry out to you, O God, but you do not answer; I stand up, but you merely look at me’ (Job 30:20). Though we should recognize that it is not our role to prescribe the time or manner in which God will answer us, in practice we are not prepared for delays, and we quickly become confused and distressed by God’s silence. Why does God do this? Why does he delay in answering prayer? His reasons have to do with his own glory and our good. In part, his delays are designed to test the faith and patience of his people. He wants them to learn to depend on him and wait for the good things they desire, even if it takes a long time for their fruition. Ultimately though, God’s thoughts and ways are infinitely beyond ours (Isaiah 55:9), and our finite minds cannot possibly fathom those vast designs of his that terminate in eternity and comprehend the end from the beginning. One day we will understand his reasons for delaying, but for the time being we must admit our limitations and confess our ignorance.
You have excitedly prayed for something that means a great deal to you, yet time passes and God doesn’t appear to answer. You plead earnestly and agonise over your prayers, yet receive no indication that you have made any impression on God. The heavens seem like brass and everything goes on as it had before. If that has happened to you, then take heart: it is no new thing. It happened to Zechariah and Elizabeth and it has been the experience of God’s servants in every age.
However, the great danger at such times is that we will grow tired of waiting and give up, taking the attitude of those in Malachi’s day who complained: ‘It is useless to serve the Lord; what benefit is there that we have kept his commands, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?’ (Malachi 3:14). Yet, the experience of Zachariah and Elizabeth - and many others of God’s people - demonstrates that we should not hastily conclude that God has refused to answer our prayers. Instead we must judge that a postponement is not necessarily a refusal, and a delay not necessarily a denial.
These delays break the heart and cause us to become impatient and discouraged. Jeremiah, for example, complained, ‘Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts
Because God is utterly faithful, he cannot fail to answer in time. It is, in fact, a part of his nature to answer prayer. The Psalmist describes him as a prayer-answering God
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
If that has happened to you, then take heart: it is no new thing. (Psalms 65:2). So if you have a long time to wait, you will not wait in vain. God’s faithful nature and his promises provide an assurance that he will ultimately grant our petitions, as far as they are good for us. This stipulation must be added because sometimes we ask amiss. Then God does not grant that for which we ask, but something else which he judges better for us. And if we could view our situation with his penetrating insight, and assess the outcomes of possible events from an eternal perspective, we would entirely agree with his judgment. The experience of Zechariah and Elizabeth further teaches that, when an answer seems utterly refused, when God seems farthest from responding to us, his intervention may be imminent. Because we are dealing with an infinite being – to whom sheer impossibilities are mere trifles - a great paradox of the Christian religion is that our situation may be most promising when we judge it to be most discouraging. In God’s economy then, hope may be lost before mercy is found. Furthermore, when God closes the door of mercy
for a long time, he adds interest to the blessing that he ultimately bestows. Couldn’t Zechariah and Elizabeth have attested to that? They received the son they sought - but what a son! God makes the long wait worth our while: generally, the longer the delay the more copious the blessing. So whatever you do, don’t entertain the thought that the Lord can abandon you. Never believe that your sinfulness exceeds his goodness. When he tries you, don’t doubt that he loves you. If he has appointed special trials for you, be assured that there is a special place in his heart for you. A person who is greatly tested is greatly loved – and never forsaken. Jim Greenbury jimncath@tpg.com.au
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
37
Reviews
BOOKS . DVDS . MUSIC BOOK: Prayer – Does It Make Any Difference? By Philip Yancey WORD’s Price $16.95 ‘Why is it that prayer ranks so highly on surveys of importance and so low on surveys of satisfaction?’ Philip Yancey once described himself as not being an author, rather just a normal person who has questions that need answers - just like any other person. Yancey has an easy writing style that makes reading his work enjoyable and fulfilling at the same time. What he seeks to achieve with this book is to answer fundamental questions about prayer; questions that most people have asked themselves: What is prayer? What difference does it make? What about unanswered prayer? This is a thoughtful book filled with anecdotes that remind us that we’re all on a similar journey. If you have enjoyed any of the author’s previous works (such as What’s So Amazing About Grace and The Jesus I Never Knew) you will find this title worthwhile.
Coffee anyone? Buy 1 Coffee Get 1 Free
at Cafe’ Word
Visit the Word Superstore
before 31 June 2010
to redeem this voucher and check out the wide range of books, music and resources available. 442-444 Enoggera Road, Alderley
BOOK: The Case For Christ By Lee Strobel WORD’s Price $7.95 Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? With this question in mind, Lee Strobel sets out on a journey to find out what, if any, evidence exists to prove that Jesus is the Son of God. Seeking out experts from many fields, Strobel doesn’t shrink from asking the questions that we, as Christians, often ask ourselves – Does evidence exist for Jesus outside of the Bible? How reliable is the New Testament? As a former legal editor of the Chicago Times – and having been a sceptic for many years – Strobel mounts a logical argument in a well laid out book and provides insight into his personal journey as a man who still has unanswered questions. This book is worth reading, whether you have been a believer for many years or you are just starting your spiritual journey.
BOOK: Tozer Classics: 10 Pack By A W Tozer WORD’s Price $44.95 A W Tozer died in 1963, yet his spiritual legacy continues to impact people every day. This collection of ten titles includes some of his most notable works (such as The Pursuit of God, The Knowledge of the Holy and That Incredible Christian). Tozer authored over 40 books; a tremendous accomplishment considering he did not receive a formal theological education. It is difficult not to be impacted by his writings. He writes honestly and does not avoid the hard questions or topics. Although written in a vastly different age, it is easy to see why his writings continue to impact the lives of people around the world. If you have not read any of Tozer’s work, this collection is a great introduction. Thanks to Word Bookstore – Alderley Manager, Iain Costello for these book reviews.
38
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Reviews
BOOK: The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology By David Malcolm Bennett When David Malcolm Bennett finished his PhD thesis, he knew he had more to do. David had written and published several books, and knew that his thesis, The Origins of Left Behind Eschatology, would be the latest. David wrote his first book, a short biography on Salvation Army founder William Booth, in 1985. He has been considering writing this new one for almost as long. ‘For a long time I’ve been concerned about the doctrine of the Left Behind books, even before the Left Behind books, as such, were ever written,’ he says. ‘It seemed to me that the dispensational views of the last days were a misunderstanding of the Bible. I thought, “Where do these ideas originate?” Most of those who’ve tried to investigate this subject have done so in a piecemeal fashion and have come up with piecemeal answers.’ David has identified eight essential characteristics of Left Behind eschatology and has searched through writings from the early church to the present day seeking to find each of them. ‘I also looked at when these characteristics came together to form a system, which happens remarkably late in church history,’ he says. ‘Five of them I found in the early church, but the other three didn’t come in until quite a bit later.’ David says that characteristics such as the two stage return of Christ and the pre-tribulation rapture did not arise until the eighteenth century and the sharp distinction between Israel and the Church did not appear until the early 1830s. Available at Christian bookstores or contact David direct Ph: 07 3398 3755 email: bndv@primusonline.com.au
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
39
Persecution brief
Please Pray EGYPT: COURT PROCRASTINATES ON CHANGES TO CONVERT’S ID CARD An Egyptian court has suspended the case of Christian convert Mohamed Hegazy who has been trying for three years to have the religion that is listed on his national ID card changed from ‘Muslim’ to ‘Christian’. Hegazy initially requested the change in 2007. Although amending an ID card is easy when converting to Islam from other religions, Egyptian authorities do not acknowledge the conversion of Muslims to any another religion. ID cards are vital in Egyptian society and being considered legally as ‘Muslims’ creates huge practical problems for Egyptian Christians from a Muslim background. Hegazy’s lawsuit was suspended in April this year, pending a ruling yet to be made in a 2009 case in the Constitutional Court which has challenged the section of the Civil Code that allows citizens to change their names and religions on official documents. This postponement could leave him in limbo for years while the courts continue to evade making a decision. This is a key test case as approval could set an important precedent for Christians in Egypt. NIGERIA - ATTACKS AGAINST CHRISTIANS CONTINUE IN PLATEAU STATE Reports of anti-Christian attacks emerge almost daily from Plateau State which was the location of horrific violence and massacres in the last few months. On 6 April Muslim youths, chanting war songs, blocked the road as a group of Christians were returning from a church meeting in the Nassarawa Gwom area of Jos, the scene of violence in January. The ensuing clash between the two groups led to the death of one Christian youth at the hands of the security forces who arrived to restore order, according to the Information Commissioner for Plateau State, Gregory Yenlong. On 10 April the homes of three leading officials in the Christian village of Kura Jenta, 20km south of Jos, were targeted by a Muslim gang. The attackers planned to set the homes ablaze and then wait for the residents to come out in order to kill them. But
40
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
these homes were made of concrete blocks with zinc roofs; the residents did not leave their houses until after the attackers had fled. Tensions have risen further in Plateau State following the murder of a Christian pastor and his wife in a neighbouring state. The bodies of Ishaya and Selina Kadah were discovered on 15 April in Boto village, Bauchi State, two days after they were kidnapped. Police have arrested two suspects and security has been stepped up in the city. Four days later, the mutilated bodies of two elderly Christian farmers were also found in the village of Rim, south of Jos. KYRGYZSTAN - CHRISTIANS FAST AND PRAY FOR STABILITY Christians have come together in Kyrgyzstan to pray for the stability of their country following a bloody uprising in early April. At least 80 people were killed and up to 1,500 injured in violence that broke out in the capital, Bishkek, on Tuesday 6 April, prompted by dissatisfaction over rising prices and allegations of corruption. There was widespread looting across the city, leaving a trail of destruction. The country’s president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, was forced to flee the city. He initially insisted that he would not resign and said that any attempts to arrest him would result in ‘a great deal of bloodshed which no-one will be able to justify’. However, on 26 April, it was reported that Bakiyev is now in prison, having been detained by Russian law enforcement agencies in Moscow. An interim government, headed by opposition politician Rosa Otunbayeva, was established and a degree of calm has now returned to the city with police patrolling the streets, but the country is still considered to be in a precarious state. Three days after the turmoil began, Barnabas Fund’s coordinator for the Former Soviet Union reported that Christian church leaders in Kyrgyzstan had gathered for prayer and action. Groups of Christians were giving practical help: visiting hospitals; caring for the wounded; assisting with cleaning the streets; and helping to restore damaged public buildings. The church leaders also organised four days of prayer and fasting for their country. Source: Barnabas Fund
Ministry opportunity
Ilfracombe Outback Adventure Camp 2009
Outback chappies urgently needed Tony and Billie Dodge are members of Townsville District Baptist Church. After completing a Certificate IV in Christian Ministry through Calam Training, the Townsville church sent them to Alpha with their blessing, in order to take up roles with SU Qld. Alpha is situated on the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Barcaldine. The town took its name from the Greek word meaning ‘the beginning’, which is why Alpha locals call their town ‘the beginning of the west’. Tony and Billie travel a network of Baptist Churches from their home church in Townsville to Charters Towers, Longreach, Emerald, Rockhampton and Bowen. All these churches support them in prayer. Billie’s role with SU Qld is as District Coordinator , overseeing the work of school chaplains in the region, and Tony is a school chaplain. ‘We believed we had a strong calling to work in a rural and remote area,’ says Tony. ‘The first year was really about connecting and building relationships within the school and community. We have held Kids Clubs at schools in Alpha and nearby Jericho. We screened movies for older youth and we helped start the first youth group in town. We average above 90% local youth attendance on these nights. School chaplaincy in the outback is not a one or two year stay. When you are committed to the community, the community will commit to chaplaincy. ‘In my case there are no ministers or pastors or priests who live within 130kms of the town. There are very limited student or community support services. So, in a sense, you do school
chaplaincy work within the wider community. Wherever I go around town they call me “Chappy”, so it’s more a lifestyle than a job. You really are part of the community.’ What is Tony’s advice to those considering becoming a school chaplain in the outback? ‘I believe you must be able to make a long term commitment, but most of all pray about it and seek advice from wise advisors. There is nothing better than finding your “sweet spot” with God.’ SU Qld says there are currently 130 school chaplains in outback Queensland, but there is a need for many more. CEO, Tim Mander, says most of the 340,000 Queensland school students who don’t have access to a chaplain are in regional and outback areas. Tim is urging Christians to consider school chaplaincy in regional and outback areas as a ministry to thousands of young Australians. ‘For many children in the outback, school chaplains will be their only connection with a practising Christian,’ says Tim. ‘School chaplaincy in the outback is all about offering friendship and positive role models for the thousands of young people living in regional areas. Many of these youth struggle with feelings of isolation, depression and loneliness...While working alongside local Christians, school chaplains are a constant presence and a beacon of hope in their school communities. They are offering a hope that is only found in Jesus Christ.’ More information about chappies at chappy.org.au
It’s more a lifestyle than a job.
The qb JUNE 10
41
A welcome
gift
A steaming mug of sweet black tea in the faint light of the early morning is a welcome gift. Delivered fresh from the open-fire kitchen of the Khopra Ridge lodge, 4000 metres above sea-level, it warms the hands and kick-starts the day. This morning the air is clear, the hazy atmosphere of yesterday is replaced in the dawn glow by horizons that are jagged silhouettes of some of the tallest and most spectacular mountains in the world.
along narrow mountainside tracks and up steep ridges to get here. Along the way we’ve stayed in lodges with great food, mostly comfortable rooms and taken bucket showers. Our daypacks, with a jacket, a bottle of water and a snack have been easy to carry. Our feet and legs have struggled at times with unaccustomed demands but our backs and shoulders have been spared the task of carrying our packs. Instead our team of porters and guides have done the hardest work; smiling, singing, whistling and laughing their way from lodge to lodge under the weight of all our bags.
Annapurna, Annapurna South, Dhaulagiri, and the spectacular Machapuchare, are ringed around us; each snowcapped peak still thousands of metres above us. Dhaulagiri, the tallest of them at 8167m (the 7th highest in the world) catches the earliest rays of sunlight and glows. The other peaks soon follow the example and, an hour or more before direct sunlight reaches us, the gold peaks and swirling snow flurries are lit up in a majestic display of God’s creation.
Nepal is a spectacular country. Most famous for its mountains, it is a ‘mecca’ for adventure tourists and trekkers. Ranged along the Himalayas between India and China, it has remained fiercely independent and has never been colonised. Religiously and ethnically it also spans the India - China divide, with Hindu temples and shrines side by side with Buddhist stupas and monasteries. Because of its mountainous terrain it is a country which is still largely remote and difficult to access, with few road connections.
It’s taken us four days of trekking up thousands of stone steps, through lush rhododendron forests,
42
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Our team of nine English and Australian trekkers came to Nepal with a love for adventure and, for many of us, a long-held dream to experience all that is Nepal. We came also to support the work of International Nepal Fellowship (INF). Established in 1952, INF is
INF Nepal
skills such as tailoring, weaving and basket-making to people who are usually poor, marginalized and precluded from normal community life because of the stigma surrounding their illness or disability. This program focuses its activities in remote areas, bringing skills, income and hope to many individuals and families for whom there is little other assistance available. With my cup of tea finished it’s time to start walking. The air is thin, the track is steep and breathing soon becomes laboured. A small plane flies past below us in the valley between the mountains. We climb towards the snowline, past abandoned shepherds’ huts and small shrines. Icefalls cling to the rock in shaded gullies. Just above 4500m we reach the highest point of our trek. We break for lunch below the steep face of Annapurna South. The sun is harsh but the air is cold and silent. We are far from anywhere, but close to creation, and close to the creator. Thank you God for mountains! Dean Herring dean@hwcreative.com.au hwcreative.com.au Dean attends Helensvale Baptist Church and specialises in video production and photography for mission and ministry organizations. For more information about INF including job vacancies www.inf.org
Nepal’s longest-serving international non-government organisation. A Christian mission called by God to serve Nepali people, INF is involved in health and development work with Nepal’s government, non-government organisations and local communities. INF helps people affected by TB, leprosy, disability, HIV/AIDS and drug abuse, facilitates development among poor communities, runs medical camps and provides medical training. Green Pastures hospital in Pokhara began as a leprosy hospital. It continues that work and now also specialises in treatment and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries. Near the hospital, INF’s Partnership for Rehabilitation (PFR) program works for the socio-economic rehabilitation of people affected by leprosy, disability and HIV/Aids. It teaches marketable
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
43
LIKE A CHALLENGE? WELCOME TO THE FUN ZONE! COMPLETE THESE TO WIN PRIZES!
Sudoku Challenge Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!
Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved. Sukodu solutions to: QB Magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a $30 Word bookstore voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details. Name Address
Find-a-Word For kids aged 5 - 15. Every entry receives a prize! Send completed entries to The qb, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053 Being happy and friendly is good for us! Proverbs 15:30 tells us: ‘A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.’ Happiness Healthy Friend Joy Peace Laugh Strong Brave Great Heart
Name: Address:
Quiz What does James 5:13 (NIV) say we should do when we are happy?
? . 44
The qb JUNE 10 www.qb.com.au
Content Pleasure Glad Hope Trust Dream Calm Goal Care Courage
Goodness Strength Kind Family Love Helper Depend Believe Purpose Choice
Send completed entries to qb magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053.
Creative Captions Win a Word Bookstores Gift Voucher Submit your creative caption for the photo shown to the right via email: qb@qb.com.au or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053
Last issue
“It looks crooked. We should have nothing to do with it …” Congratulations to Ian Kerr.
Artists’ Corner Try drawing your own picture and colouring it with pencils or crayons. Try drawing a picture that shows what makes you happy.
‘Let me put that in the bin for you.
For kids aged 5-15. Every entry receives a prize! Send your drawing to The qb, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053. Don’t forget to include your name and address.
Well done, Jacob Wilson (7) and Miranda Scott for your drawings of ways to be kind to others. www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
45
Classifieds
POSITIONS VACANT Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle is seeking to appoint an ASSOCIATE PASTOR-CHURCH DISCIPLESHIP Full-time Is God calling you to an exciting ministry of whole of church discipleship? Are you passionate about helping people to grow in Christ? Are you a team player who wants to work with a great team? Could you live in the relaxed but developing regional city of Rockhampton? Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle is located on 10.5 hectares in a booming city of over 60,000 people. We seek an energetic proactive team player to lead our church into intergenerational discipleship. We are a strong missions’ based church. Our children and youth ministries are healthy with good leadership in place. The person appointed will provide spiritual guidance to these thriving ministries. The appointee will be someone who: -has some ‘runs on the board’ -is in touch with children and youth -can see the bigger picture of intergenerational discipleship -relates well with adults. Being able to leap tall buildings in a single bound will also be helpful! The appointee will inspire, recruit and develop new and existing leaders, and help our youth and children to follow Jesus. Please contact Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle phone 4926 9669 or email churchadmin@rockybaptist.org for an information pack. www.rockybaptist.org.au
Senior Pastor Blockhouse Bay Baptist Church is a thriving family church with a strong community outreach in Auckland. We are looking for a Christ-centered full-time Senior Pastor to work with our current pastoral team You will have: a Passion for ministry, a Desire to make followers of Jesus, and a Gift for biblical teaching. If you are interested, please contact us at: bhbbaptist@gmail.com
POSITIONS VACANT
Whitehill Church of Christ is in Ipswich, one of the fastest growing areas in Queensland. Ipswich was voted the world’s most live-able mid-size city in 2008. Our church has a strong commitment to supporting pastors and building thriving ministries with children and youth. We see children and teenagers coming to Christ and being nurtured to grow, serve and reach others. We see lives, families, communities and the world being changed. We have Senior and Executive Pastors who have both served as Youth Pastors, as well as qualified Pastoral Care and Worship Pastors and a growing administrative staff team. We are blessed with fantastic facilities: a worship centre; halls; medium sized rooms; offices and extensive grounds. CHILDREN’S PASTOR – Part Time We seek a Children’s Pastor to lead our children’s ministry leaders and develop a strong, growing church-based ministry for children aged 0-12 years. This person will build on the foundation laid by many volunteers with a heart for children and will inspire, recruit and develop new and existing leaders, volunteers and children to follow Jesus. YOUTH PASTOR – Full Time Whitehill has had fulltime youth ministry for 20 years. We seek a Youth Pastor to lead and grow our Youth Ministry by leading and developing leaders to build a strong, growing church based youth ministry. Our current youth ministry is laying the foundation for growth with a youth band of 15 youth; Tribez - discipleship and spiritual growth for 30 youth; WHY? outreach and fellowship for 50+ youth. The Youth Pastor will inspire, recruit and develop new and existing leaders, volunteers and youth to follow Jesus. If you believe God may be calling you to our church to take our ministry to the next level, find out more by grabbing an information pack. Contact Senior Pastor, Darryl Seip on 0408 737 519 or email darryl@whitehill.org.au. We see our new Children’s Pastor and Youth Pastor starting as soon as possible. If you are an Australian resident and are passionate about Jesus, the Church and children or teenagers, have some experience in ministry and see yourself serving God in the Ipswich area, we’d love to talk further with you. APPLICATIONS CLOSE WHEN FILLED.
Pastor Sandy Bay Baptist Church (Hobart, Tasmania) is seeking to call a full-time Pastor. Full job details, contacts and application information can be viewed at http://sbbc.net/pastorsearch.
Dalby Baptist Church seeks an Administration Support Officer A Position Description is available from the Church Secretary, phone 0428 280 079. Closing date for applications - 30 June 2010.
Accommodation - AROUND THE STATE ARANA HILLS (BRISBANE NORTH SIDE): Private short term accommodation available for business person. Handy shops, train, bus. Phone Olive Ward, 3351 6476.
Classifieds
POSITIONS VACANT
CALOUNDRA: Seafarer Chase luxury 2 b/r holiday apartments on the Sunshine Coast. Ocean views, heated pool, BBQ, security parking, close to beaches, shops, cinema and bowling club. Contact Marianne/Martin Burton Phone/Fax 5491 7155. CALOUNDRA: GOLDEN BEACH - Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or liz_paul@hotmail.com. CALOUNDRA: KINGS BEACH - Holiday unit, modern, pool, 100m from Kings Beach. From $360 pw. Phone Ray 0427 990 161. MALENY: Self catering fsc cottage, sleeps 4. Quiet. Walk to town. Phone 5462 2645 or email thecoles@uq.net.au.
Applications are invited for the position of FIELD WORKER with The Boys’ Brigade Queensland The position will be for approximately 25 hours per week, and will involve making and maintaining contact with local churches and Brigade groups in the State. Please contact Gordon Wallace for a Position Description. Phone 07 3374 3224 or Email - bbqld@brigadeaustralia.org.
NOOSA: By river, cafes, 5 mins from Hastings Street. 2 bed townhouse, mod FSC R/C, A/C, widescreen TV 3ht pools, spa, tennis from $595 pw Phone Jan a/h 3263 8750.
INTEGRITY TRAVEL Make your travel/holiday bookings with Integrity Travel and assist missions. Join escorted tours in 2010 and 2011 to Europe, south Africa, Phone Norman 07 3863 1007 or visit www.integritytravel.com.au
News! Cruise specialist agency, Integrity Travel, is about to commence a Christian cruising program.
FOR HIRE Large Auditorium FOR HIRE: Seats 290. Qld Baptists Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Helen 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.
WANTED If you have a spare copy of a Sankeys and/or an Alexanders music book, the organist at Gin Gin Baptist Church would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact the church, Phone 4157 2491.
BIRTH Smith, Mitchell Charlton born 16 April 2010 to Greg & Marissa. A little brother to Jasleene and Braydon. All thanks to God for this precious gift entrusted to our care.
www.qb.com.au The qb JUNE 10
47
SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE SOUND ADVICE
You can sleep soundly, knowing your money is safe and working hard for you, and can at the same time, helping support much needed projects. You sleep soundly, knowingtoyour money is safe and local working hard for you, You can sleep soundly, knowingtoyour money is safe and local working hard for you, and at the same time, helping support much needed projects. Simply, deposit your savings and investments in and at the same time, helping toyour support much needed projects. You can soundly, knowing money is safe and local working hard for you, BAPLink, thesleep investment fund of the Baptist Union Simply, deposit your savings and investments in of Queensland. BAPLink, the investment fund the Baptist Union Simply, deposit your savings andof investments in
and at the same time, helping to support much needed local projects. of Queensland. BAPLink, the investment fund of thelike Baptist Union BAPLink was set up to give people you the Simply, deposit your savings and investments in of Queensland. opportunity to enjoy interest returns, BAPLink set uphealthy to give people you while the BAPLink,was the investment fund of thelike Baptist Union creating a pool of funds from which Baptist churches opportunity to enjoy healthy interest returns, while BAPLink was set up to give people like you the of Queensland. and ministries can borrow tointerest grow servechurches their creating a pool of funds from whichand Baptist opportunity to enjoy healthy returns, while BAPLink was set up to give people like you the local communities. and ministries borrow to grow servechurches their creating a poolcan of funds from whichand Baptist opportunity to enjoy healthy interest returns, while local communities. and ministries can borrow to grow and serve their BAPLink provides: creating a pool of funds from which Baptist churches local communities. BAPLink provides: interest ratesto grow and serve their andCompetitive ministries can borrow BAPLink provides: local communities. Competitive ratesreturn on your investment Security of ainterest guaranteed Competitive ratesreturn on your investment Security of ainterest guaranteed Friendly service BAPLink provides: Security of akeeping guaranteed on your Friendly service No account fees return on savings andinvestment Competitive interest rates investment accountsfees on savings and Friendly service No account Security of akeeping guaranteed return on your investment investment accounts Exemption from the Deeming Provisions No account keeping fees on savings andfor Friendly service Pensioner investmentsavings accounts Exemption from the Deeming Provisions for No account keeping fees on savings and Pensioner savings Exemption from the Deeming Provisions for Facilities available: investment accounts Pensioner savings Facilities available: Internet Savings banking accounts call and term Exemption from theat Deeming Provisions for Facilities available: Pensioner savings Savings accounts at call Partnership accounts - a and newterm way of giving Savings accounts atfor call term Partnership accounts - both a and newdeposits way of and giving Electronicavailable: transfers Facilities withdrawals Partnership accounts - both a and newdeposits way of and giving Electronicaccounts transfers Savings atfor call term withdrawals Deposit facilities through the Westpacand Bank Electronic Partnershiptransfers accountsfor- both a newdeposits way of giving withdrawals Deposit the Westpac Bank Cheque facilities accountsthrough for churches Electronic transfers for both deposits and Deposit through the Westpac Bank Cheque accounts for Loans tofacilities churches andchurches ministers withdrawals Cheque accounts for churches Loans tofacilities churches and ministers Insurance with EIG Ansvar Deposit through the Westpac Bank Loans toaccounts churches and ministers Insurance with number EIGfor Ansvar Join the growing of ‘Baptists making a Cheque churches Insurance with EIG and Ansvar difference depositing with BAPLink. Join the growing number of ‘Baptists making a Loans to’ by churches ministers
difference ’ bywith depositing with BAPLink. Join the growing number of ‘Baptists making a Insurance EIG Ansvar difference’ by depositing with BAPLink. For more information Join the growing number of ‘Baptists making a
or an application form contact us: For1, more information or an application form Mitchelton contact us: difference’ byLevel depositing with Prospect BAPLink. 53 Road, Gaythorne PO Box 6166, 4053 For1, more information or650 an application formFax: contact Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 062PO (outside 3354us: 5605 Level 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne BoxBrisbane) 6166, Mitchelton 4053 Level 1, more 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne BoxBrisbane) 6166, Mitchelton 4053 email: baplink@qb.com.au www.qb.com.au/baplink Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 062PO (outside 3354us: 5605 For information or650 anwebsite: application formFax: contact Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 650website: 062PO (outside 3354 5605 email: baplink@qb.com.au www.qb.com.au/baplink Level 1, 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne BoxBrisbane) 6166, Fax: Mitchelton 4053 email: baplink@qb.com.au website: www.qb.com.au/baplink Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 650 062 (outside Brisbane) Fax: 3354 5605
Studio e 0785
Studio e 0785
Studio e 0785
BAPLink - Baptists making a difference email: baplink@qb.com.au website: www.qb.com.au/baplink BAPLink - Baptists making a difference BAPLink - Baptists making a difference BAPLink - Baptists making a difference