QB Magazine, April 2018

QB MAGAZINE THE VOICE OF QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS | APR/MAY 18

Health Check for our churches – Part 2

What can we learn from our ANZAC forefathers?

The case for the Empty Tomb

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34

40

Print post approved ISSN: 100003837 | The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 16 Issue 2. | qb.org.au

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QB MINISTRIES

CONTENTS

20

QB Kids and their Families Your church can bring hope and a future for a child in foster care

22

QB Women Seen and Valued - Reflecting God’s Love

24

QCCC Youth Investment

26

QB Archives Bridging the ‘Never Never’ - Chinchilla

28 Carinity

Digital tablet the pill for social isolation 29

Malyon Baplink Graduate of Influence Award

QB PARTNERS 30

18

Global Interaction Home Assignment

REGULARS

32 BWAA

Save Innocent Lives

4 From the Acting General Superintendent

07

24

Townsville Baptist Church Touch Team late 80s

32

7

Persecution brief

8

Knowing God Series

10

Speaking out: John Sweetman

12

Baptisms

13

Around the regions

17

God moments

18 Milestones 44

Fun zone

46

Reviews

47

Classifieds

ARTICLES 33

Finishing Well

34

What Can We Learn From

Our ANZAC Forefathers?

36

Sensing God Series

38

The Birds

40

The Case for the

Empty Tomb

42

Farewell Billy Graham

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 3

FROM THE ACTING GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

Change of Focus I am a keen dirt bike rider. Every now and then I get together with a mate or two, and we hit the bush trails for some thrills and spills! On one occasion, a riding companion thought he would take the ‘easy’ way down a very steep ridge.

He ended up hitting a tree and breaking his hand! I asked him what happened. He said, “I saw the tree and thought—I am going to hit that tree, and I did!” Of course, he did not want to hit the tree, dirt bike riders might be crazy, but not that crazy! He was simply demonstrating the principle that you hit what you focus on! It is counterintuitive, but it is so often the case that the very thing that we are focused upon avoiding is the very thing we end up crashing into.

What is true in the physical, is often true in the spiritual and emotional aspects of our lives. It seems to me that the problem is not so much with negative or changing circumstances, but our response to them, and what we focus upon in those moments.

This principle is true when facing times of crisis, change or 4 APR/MAY 18 QB.ORG.AU

uncertainty. Often what we focus on will determine how well we process and respond to change.

In February, David Loder concluded as QB’s General Superintendent after eighteen years of faithful and fruitful service. We are thankful to God that under David’s capable and godly leadership Queensland Baptists has enjoyed a season of blessing, stability and growth, but we now find ourselves in a season of change and transition.

In this regard the experience of the children of Israel can be helpful.

Joshua chapter three describes how the Israelites found themselves in a place of transition. They were transitioning out of one season, but had not yet entered God’s preferred future for them in the next season.

They were in an in–between place, a new place that was unfamiliar to them.

What can we learn from the experience of the children of Israel in a time of transition?

1. Focus on God when the way ahead is not clear After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” Joshua 3:2-4 When God is doing a new thing in our lives, we cannot not rely on our previous experience. The people of God could not turn to a map or a plan, this was a new journey. They could not use the old map of their experience.

God wanted them to rely on and focus on His presence, made tangible through the ark of the covenant, and not focus on the circumstances around them.

Likewise, we each need to keep our focus on the presence of God to keep things in a proper perspective when the way is uncertain.

It is instructive that there was a distance between the ark of the covenant and the people. Why the distance? It could have been about the Holiness of God, but there may have been a practical reason as well. It would seem that God wanted the ark to be clearly visible to every single person! Had there been no space between the ark and the people, those who followed closely behind it would obscure the view of the others—only those in the first few ranks would be able to see it. As a result, every Israelite would end up focused on following the person in front of him, and not focused on God! However, the ark was carried by the priests ahead of the people, and would be visible to every individual.

When we are faced with challenges, transitions and new directions in life we need to shift our focus away from problems, challenges and fears. We need to keep our focus on the Holy Spirit who quickens God’s word to us, who speaks to our hearts, who speaks through others, and who often addresses our situation in dreams and visions.

2. Consecrate ourselves to God and get ready Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves….”

Joshua 3:5a The Israelites had to prepare themselves—to consecrate themselves. The Hebrew word for consecrate is ‘qadash’.

It means to be set apart, to dedicate, to be purified, to be made holy, to be sanctified.

Exodus 19:10 sheds some light on what it meant for the people of God to be consecrated or sanctified: “And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and

tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes.” Exodus 19:10 They had to get cleaned up! The outside rituals were meant to represent an inward cleansing and setting apart to God and His service. God wants us as His people to be holy on the inside and the outside; to be holy and godly in both our thoughts and our actions. God is the one who sanctifies us, but we need to position ourselves to be sanctified. God wants to work in us and though us. We, like the People of Joshua’s day need to be sanctified, consecrated and holy. Not so God will accept us, He accepts us by grace through faith in Christ, but to be able to receive from God all He has for us. To be all that He intended us to be.

In times of transition, I believe that God wants us to clean the junk out of our lives. He wants us to be holy and ready for His service.

3. Get ready for amazing things!

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you…

When we focus on following God and setting ourselves apart for His service, we can expect great things to happen! The Israelites focused on God, and got themselves cleaned up, and when they stepped out in faith, the obstacles before them were miraculously removed! It is good and right to celebrate the season we have enjoyed as a movement and honour appropriately, but with the knowledge that God wants us to use the past as a springboard to move into His preferred future. As a movement we want the best that God has for us, and to become all that He intended us to be. As we enter into a season of transition, let us keep our focus on God, consecrate ourselves to Him and step out in expectant faith. Let’s not miss out on God’s best because we focused on the wrong things!

Image: Stewart Pieper (left) at David Loder’s farewell

Ministry Matters: After eighteen years of distinguished service, David Loder has concluded his role as General Superintendent.

I want to take this opportunity to honour David. It has been a privilege and blessing to work closely with him over the last two and a half years, both as a member of the Regional Consultancy Team, and for the last 6 months ‘shadowing’ David as his Associate. I give thanks to God for the way He has worked through David to bring blessing and stability to Queensland Baptists over the time of his tenure. He has left big shoes to fill! Shoes that the QB Board have asked me to step into as Acting General Superintendent until the end of the year. With God’s enabling I will seek to serve Queensland Baptists to the best of my abilities in this season.

The Regional Consultancy (RC) team is currently operating with three members instead of the full complement of five, and the RC team have taken on an extra load.

We will do our best to respond to needs and are exploring creative options to cover things in this interim period. However, we may not be able to provide the same level of support that we could when we were fully staffed. We would all appreciate your prayerful support at this time.

QB Prayer week 3rd-10th June 2018 will provide a perfect opportunity for the churches to gather and pray intentionally for the QB Ministry team and the QB Board, as they look to the future and seek to discern God’s best for the movement.

Stewart Pieper Acting General Superintendent stewart.pieper@qb.org.au

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 5

QB MAGAZINE

FROM THE EDITOR

THE VOICE OF QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS

The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bi-monthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December.

Editor: Linda Nevell Design: Shell Graphix Print: Printcraft This magazine is printed with soy based inks and paper from sustainable forest plantations.

We welcome reader feedback and opinions about our articles. Remember to include your full name, email and postal addresses.

This is a special time of year with Easter and ANZAC Day upon us. We thank God for the ultimate sacrifice in sending His son to die for us, and give us the undeserved gift of eternal life. As Romans 5:8 states, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners”. What amazing grace! ANZAC Day is also a time to reflect on the sacrifice of so many men and women, who laid down their lives for another.

The last few months have been a time of transition and reflection at Queensland Baptists. As you probably know, David Loder left QB after 18 years of faithful service. I pray that God continues to bless David and Ann in the next path of their journey. Farewell David, we will miss you. Stewart Pieper will now write the regular column as Acting General Superintendent. He has some wise insights to share on change, trusting the Lord, and moving toward the best that God has for us.

We also have part two of the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) data. Emil Rahimov explores the areas of Vison, Leadership and Innovation in QB churches (Knowing God). This issue, Allan Quak contributes the first instalment of his “Sensing God” series. The series will explore how we can relate to God using all the senses he gave us, and starts with our sense of Sight.

Don’t forget to complete the Easter themed puzzles, and put in your entry for a chance to win a $30 Koorong voucher. We hope you enjoy this edition of the QB magazine, and that you find something to encourage you.

God Bless,

Linda Nevell Editor, the qb qb@qb.org.au

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PERSECUTION BRIEF

don’t be lukewarm!

WHAT THE AUSTRALIAN CHURCH CAN LEARN FROM THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

BY TIM REID - OPEN DOORS “We [celebrate Easter] knowing that at any time a suicide bomber can come and disrupt our service, our worship, our praying. Then I think: Will it really be disrupted, or will I be sent into the fullness of worship?” - Mother of two who used to be Muslim, now celebrating Jesus at Easter The Australian Church is undoubtedly blessed by not having this problem. Our situation could not be more different than for those in Pakistan. In the 2018 World Watch List Pakistan ranked as the 5th hardest country to live as a Christian. It is the most violent place for believers. Most of us in Australia, live in a period where we don’t have to attend church wondering “will I go home afterwards?”

For many, myself included, the concern can occasionally be the opposite: “What time will I get to go home?” That attitude is also a problem. One of the biggest threats to the church in the West and in Australia, is a lukewarm attitude. Only once is this talked about in the bible where Jesus says, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16). A lukewarm attitude isn’t initially embraced within church, but without us even knowing it, that attitude can begin to grow over time. Like a weed, if it is not pulled out, it has the ability to choke the good roots and destroy what was planted in the beginning. So what are some ways we can avoid being lukewarm? Well to start with, the answer is not persecution. Persecution does not guarantee a passionate, sold out church.

There have been many persecuted Christians who walk away when the pressure got too hard to continue following Jesus, just like in our own churches. But those who continue to hold onto Christ above all else, have a few things in common that we in Australia can do as well.

In a changing climate of Christianity, where the tide may be beginning to turn, we can take the opportunity to learn from the persecuted church now.

The first thing these brothers and sisters have is a robust prayer life. In many of the churches I visit I ask this question: Do you pray more in the good times or when you have a problem? Every time people say it’s when they have a problem. For Christians in persecution, they are often facing nothing but problems. But those who also have a glorious and inexpressible joy in persecution, as Peter describes it (1 Peter 1:8), these are the brothers and sisters who have a strong prayer life.

There is no shortage of commentaries and articles that talk about our ability to come to God with any problem as witnessed time and time again in the Psalms. We do not have to pray always with upmost thanks or hide our true thoughts. God knows our hearts regardless and as we talk with him more and more our relationship grows and our faith is strengthened.

The second thing our brothers and sisters have is a deep love and respect for God’s word. While I was meeting with some ministry partners in Central Asia, in countries all ranked very highly on World Watch list, I was struck time and time again as they said, ‘it is written’ before quoting a passage of scripture. For these believers memorising large parts of the bible to have on call at any moment was totally normal. It put me to shame but it is something infinitely more accessible for us in Australia to achieve. Unlike in Central Asia we have no restrictions on accessing bibles or other Christian literature.

Memorising God’s promises and having His truths ready to recall is better than any reflex. How can we have a deep love or trust of a God we do not know? Memorising the bible will mean that any reminder we ever need of how great God is or how amazing his promises, they are always at hand.

The third thing that keeps Christians from falling away in persecution is making disciples. Saudi Arabia is the 12th hardest country to live as a Christian and Christians are forced to keep their faith a complete secret. A believer in Saudi Arabia said, “It is unnatural – maybe even wrong – to keep one’s love for Jesus entirely to oneself. I cannot tell my wife. Or my children. Or my parents. I found Christ in a dream, and only He knows I follow him. But I have to, or I’m dead.”

We are called to be discipleship making disciples. It is as true for Christians in Australia as any other country. If we share our faith regularly we are relying on the work of the Holy Spirit in us and others and so trusting God. Having a strong prayer life, a deep abiding love for His word and making disciples are all common disciplines of the persecuted church that can have a profound impact on our faith. Our churches in Australia are in a time of change. 2017 saw some big challenges for the church and in the next few years it is likely more will follow. Now is a good opportunity to look to those who not just stand under persecution but thrive and learn what keeps their affections for God new.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 7

KNOWING GOD

HEALTH CHECK FOR OUR CHURCHES - PART 2

BY EMIL RAHIMOV REGIONAL CONSULTANT FOR THE ETHNIC AND MULTICULTURAL CHURCHES EMIL.RAHIMOV@QB.ORG.AU

This is the second part of a series based on the National Church Life Survey (NCLS) results for our denomination. In the February/ March issue, Stewart Pieper wrote on the health of our churches internal qualities, namely: faith, worship and belonging. Now we explore the NCLS results on vision, leadership culture and innovation.

VISION There is a verse that is often quoted in our churches - Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

We spend a lot of time developing and promoting church vision, and getting people involved.

NCLS results for QLD Baptist Churches show that there are areas of improvement in how we communicate our churches’ vision, and how we can get people committed and involved in fulfilling that vision - see the infographic for statistics – (right).

We need as many people as possible to be involved in church programs and activities, to get the vision fulfilled. I believe our local church vision is a part of the picture of the Great Commission, where we are called to proclaim the Word and make disciples—and that will not be achieved unless we strive to get everyone actively involved in

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our churches’ vision. Mark Dever in ‘Understanding Church Leadership’ wrote the following: “Uninvolved ‘members’ confuse both real members and non-Christians about what it means to be a Christian. And we ‘active’ members do voluntarily ‘inactive’ members no service when we allow them to remain members of the church, since membership provides the church’s corporate endorsement of a person’s salvation. Please understand: membership is the church’s corporate testimony to an individual’s salvation. So how can a congregation honestly testify that someone it never sees is faithfully running the race?”

We, as pastors and leaders would like to see people run their race. We want them to achieve great things in their daily life for Jesus. We want our church members and attendees to share the vision, and recognise it as part of the Great Commission—all of us should be on board.

Can I ask you to think and pray about how to better promote your churches’ vision and achieve even greater commitment? Remember, Christ counts on everyone to fulfil his Commission, and that has a lot to do with leadership style and how we communicate.

LEADERSHIP In the area of Leadership, the NCLS results for QB churches is again static - see the infographic for statistics – (right). It is interesting that 74% of church attendees say that their leaders inspire them to action. Our leaders are good at inspiring people to do something for the Kingdom, but we need to do more training in equipping people to take the Gospel outside of church walls. Mark Dever in ‘Understanding the Great Commission’ said the following: “A Great Commission church works to train its members in evangelism, because it knows they will collectively see more non-Christians throughout the week than will ever be able to fit in the church building.

So ‘success’ in evangelism is not simply bringing your non–Christian friends to church so that they hear the gospel. Success is sharing the gospel with your non–Christian neighbours and friends.”

It is here that there is so much scope for new ideas and innovation in taking the Word outside of church walls. We may have certain expectations of church programs and activities, but the inspiration from the Holy Spirit and His leading can create new ideas and fresh approaches in proclaiming the Word.

We, as pastors and leaders would like to see people run their race. We want them to achieve great things in their daily life for Jesus.

INNOVATION For innovation, our trends are going from strength to strength. 50% of our church attendees agree that their local church is always ready to try something new, and 20% strongly agree. 50% agree that leadership encourages innovation and creative thinking, and 21% strongly agree with this.

We live in times of volatility and unpredictability, and without fresh and innovative approaches, our message may not reach others. Many recognise that we live in a post–Christendom era, and this requires a shift in how we think and engage in ministry.

Russell Moore in in his new book ‘Onward: Engaging the Culture without Losing the Gospel’ writes the following “Let’s not aspire to be a moral majority but a gospel community, one that doesn’t exist for itself but for the larger mission of reaching the whole world with the whole gospel. That sort of kingdom–first cultural engagement drives us not inward, but onward.”

Russell Moore also stated this: “Our story is that of a little flock and of an army, awesome with banners. Our legacy is a Christianity of persecution and proliferation, of catacombs and cathedrals. If we see ourselves as only a minority, we will be tempted to isolation. If we see ourselves only as a kingdom, we will be tempted toward triumphalism. We are, instead, a church. We are a minority with a message and a mission.”

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:59)

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SPEAKING OUT

Over recent years we have also had the privilege of investing in the lives of some who have come to us from the armed services, with a clear sense of God’s call to prepare for Military Chaplaincy. Indeed, it has been a delight to see both Marcaus Muller and Haydn Lea returning to the services to take up their roles as Army and Airforce Chaplains respectively. Chaplain Muller says, “Whilst Malyon prepared me to be a minister of the word, just as importantly it prepared me with a deeper understanding and practical awareness of the reality of caring with a pastoral heart for the needs of the weary and the broken, a preparation especially suited for the ministry of military chaplaincy where most of the needy have little or no foundation of faith.”

As we start the 2018 academic year we have yet another student who has come to us from the Armed Services to be trained and equipped to serve God in this vital ministry.

Chaplain Hayden Lea and family.

SERVICE AND SACRIFICE On 26th February we had the thrill of seeing 48 of our Malyon students graduating with awards as diverse as Diplomas of Ministry, through to Bachelor’s degrees in Ministry and Theology and Master’s Degrees. It was a fabulous night, as families, friends and church supporters all came together to celebrate the achievements of our students who have invested so much time and energy into the completion of their studies. Graduation is often an emotional time for graduates and staff alike as we, at Malyon, farewell those into whom we have poured our lives.

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As I reflect on this year’s graduating cohort, I cannot help but wonder just how far and wide God will take them and use them as faithful Christians of influence, who will invest their lives in the great mission of God in this world. Many of our graduates will end up serving in churches, as pastors, youth and young adults workers or as theologically grounded worship leaders. Others will continue in their calling towards cross–cultural service in other places around the world. Still others will find their calling in a chaplaincy role, perhaps in a school, or a hospital or even in a prison ministry.

No doubt with ANZAC Day just around the corner, each of our Service Chaplains will be called upon to lead services of remembrance and thanksgiving for all those who have given their lives in the service of our country, and the defence of the freedoms which we cherish.

For any who have attended the ANZAC Day dawn services, you will be familiar with ‘The Ode’, a poem by the English poet Laurence Binyon, which concludes with the stirring refrain, “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.”

To which a common exhortation is added, “Lest we forget.”

Many are probably unaware that this final exhortation comes from the famous 1897 poem by Rudyard Kipling entitled ‘Recessional.’ This phrase is the concluding exhortation to four out of the five stanzas of this remarkable poem.

As a child growing up, I was captivated by this line. Having had both of my grandfathers and my father serve in the armed services, I was deeply moved year after year with the ANZAC Day services held in our school. In addition to my fascination with my father’s and grandfather’s war stories, I was always drawn to the remarkable story of John Simpson Kirkpatrick.

On 25th April 1915, around 16,000 Australian and New Zealand troops landed on the shores of what has become known as ANZAC Cove.

The invasion was intended to be a strategic move, designed to neutralize the Turkish bunkers that controlled the passage of the Dardanelles straits. But things didn’t go according to plan. As the ANZAC troops landed on the beach, they were immediately confronted with some of the most furious combat imaginable. Within the first 5 days alone, 500 ANZACs had been killed, 2,500 were wounded and around 2,000 were missing. What was planned as a swift operation became a protracted 8–month struggle, in which nearly eleven and a half thousand ANZACs would die.

As the Allied troops dug in, the intensity of the fighting only increased. During those fearsome days, many men were heard to cry out to God for help. As they lay wounded and dying in the trenches, their moans and cries for help must have been gut–wrenching!

But then, for so many, help did come in the form of a man, John Simpson Kirkpatrick. Simpson, as he became affectionately known, found a donkey which had been left wandering around on the peninsula.

Chaplain Marcaus Muller and family

As the troops landed at ANZAC Cove, a shipment of donkeys had been dispatched, along with their drivers, with the intention that these animals would serve as water and supply carriers for the troops. The only problem was that the donkey drivers soon fled the scene of the conflict, and the donkeys were left to roam aimlessly amidst the hail of gun–fire and exploding munitions.

Simpson commandeered one of these donkeys which he nick-named “Duffy” and began to use him to ferry the sick and wounded from the battle ground in Monash Valley back to the beach, where their wounds could be tended, and evacuation arranged. Each day, Simpson would report to the field ambulance and go out on his mission of mercy. But on 19th May, 24 days after landing in the middle of this terror, Simpson was tragically shot while trying to save the life of yet another of his comrades.

Well we might say, “Lest we forget!”

Lest we forget the incredible sacrifice of one man who gave so much, indeed, ultimately giving his life, for the one sole purpose of saving the lives of others!

reminded of an even greater sacrifice–the one man, who freely gave up his life so that the world through him might be saved. That man, of course, was our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says to us in Romans 5:7 - 8, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly be prepared to die.” But then Paul drives his point right home to our hearts, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners [while we were living in rebellion towards God], Christ died for us.” Well we might say, “Lest we forget!”

This is the message that has captivated our hearts here at Malyon.

We are utterly convinced that this message lies at the very heart of the mission of God for this world.

Our aim is to develop faithful men and women who will be relentlessly committed to taking this message to our desperately needy world

Peter Francis Principal, Malyon peter.francis@malyon.edu.au

Yet, as we also approach Easter time, we cannot help but be

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Baptisms PRAYER IS POWERFUL Please set aside some time to pray for the people recently baptised. They have taken a courageous and life changing step in their walk with Christ.

Glasshouse Country Baptist Church Glasshouse Country Baptist Church (GCBC) has celebrated six baptisms over the last couple of months.

For many, the most difficult part of being baptised is giving their testimony in front of about 200 people of their home church and invited friends and family. Three of those being baptised (Jayde Curtis, Emerson Grange and Jasmine Andrews) are Year 12 students at Glasshouse Christian College (GCC) and they had three very different journeys to reach this point in their lives. Jayde and Jasmine were raised in Christian families but recently accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour for themselves. Emerson had a powerful testimony of God’s grace and saving power in rescuing him from darkness into light.

Martina Clarke came to know Christ after being prompted by questions from her six-year-old son and doing Christianity Explained with GCBC member Kirsty Newell.

Tanya Martin bravely spoke of how God had rescued her from certain death and to give her abundant life.

Tanya’s husband Steve Martin told how ironic it was that he became a Christian while looking into infant baptism for their daughter and even more ironic that he was now going through believer’s baptism while a theological student at the Presbyterian College.

• • • • • •

Emerson Grange: Emerson gave a moving testimony of God’s grace and was later baptised by GCBC Youth Worker Mathew Vaoesea.

Jasmine Andrews: Jasmine with her parents Donna and Phil Andrews after her baptism by GCBC Pastor Chris Johnson.

Jayde Curtis: Jayde spoke of God’s goodness and her need to become a Christian in her own right.

Martina Clarke: Martina was baptised by Kirsty Newell who led her to Christ through Christianity Explained classes.

Steve Martin: Steve was baptised by Pastor Chris Johnson in Ewen Maddock Dam. Tanya Martin: Tanya was baptised with her husband Steve at the local dam near Beerwah.

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Baptism is an important event in the believer’s walk with Jesus Christ. The Bible talks about water immersion baptism, in which a believer makes a public confession of their faith. Jesus led the way in example of water baptism!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!

Calvary Karen Baptist Church • Shee Wah Tin • • Keh Blu Thaung • • Myint Oo

Eh Ka Pru You Lah Say Tin

City North Baptist Church • Jossy Joseph • Priya Philip

Nathaniel Rose

•

City Tabernacle Baptist Church • Sera Ju Forest Lake Baptist Church • Josh Bray • Helen Coles • Rowena Coles

• • •

Nicholas Greenway Lani Tunchon Nikki Swart

Gateway Baptist Church • Amad Badri • Keshia Ballard • Jesse Cocker • Vafa Elahe

• • • •

Haylee Habour Anastasia Kapeleris Emma Ott Chris Toumpas

Rivers Baptist Church • Brodie Newton Toowoomba Community Baptist Church • Luciana Gainsford Images: Forest Lake Baptist Church Baptisms

Around the regions

Food Garden

ReView Summit

Dalby Baptist Church

Queensland Baptists recently held the ReView (Reframing Evangelism) Summit. The summit started with worship and fellowship on Friday evening the 16th March at Hosanna Logan and continued on Saturday the 17th March at Gateway Mackenzie. The event was attended by church leaders, and others who wanted to see family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues come to know Jesus.

Construction of a Food Garden attached to the Dalby Baptist Church was completed prior to Christmas last year. The construction of the garden was made possible because of generous financial support from both Carinity and Queensland Baptists (Baplink).

The garden production program is supplying local ‘Not for Profit’ community support agencies with fresh, chemical free produce. Gradually, as production volumes increase, more agencies will be supplied with produce.

The supply of this produce eases the financial burden on these not-for profit groups, and hopefully their funds will stretch further!

Further development of the garden complex will continue as funds become available. Please pray for wisdom and direction in how the church can further develop the Garden concept, and how we can engage the local and wider community.

There were excellent contributions from Karl Faase, Jenny Allan and David Benson, and the feedback was very positive! We received some inspirational input as well as creative ideas about how to show the love of Christ in practical ways, especially in a changing and often daunting Aussie culture.

Footage of the event is available from Darryl Severn (Darbeth Trust) – please contact Darryl.severn@darbeth. com.au or phone 0422 414 829 to find out more and order a copy.

Combined Ipswich Area Service 1 Corinthians 12 reminds us that we all belong to the one body. In this spirit, churches from Ipswich and surrounds came together at Churchill Baptist for a combined evening service. We were all encouraged to witness a baptism and share communion together as a family. Reverend Robert Howells reminded us of the traits our churches are displaying - cooperation, innovation, and future focus. We will continue to run combined services throughout the year and each church will take the opportunity to host a service.

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From Beach to Bush Clontarf Beach Baptist Church It is not new for Baptist churches to form links between a city and a country church. This often takes the form of two exchange visits. Clontarf Beach Baptist and Mundubbera Baptist have extended this concept to focus on outreach ministry with children.

Last September, Rev. Bruce Eckersley and a team of 27 from Clontarf Beach Baptist joined with Sue Lederhose, John Baskerville and a team of 7 from Mundubbera to run a successful holiday program in Mundubbera.

Indigenous Art - A Striking Presentation of the `Good News’ Mount Isa Baptist Church In 2016 the Lord prompted us to acknowledge our Indigenous brothers and sisters who invariably occupy the seats along the back wall of our auditorium.

The wall was an obvious ‘blank canvas’ that could be used to allow the ‘good news’ to be presented in a culturally appropriate way, and at the same time provoke curiosity and questions with respect to its message.

The mission was geared for children between Prep and Year 6. The morning program was CSI (Christ Scene Investigation), and outdoor activities such as canoeing, were held in the afternoons. The final day concluded with a community BBQ. Some of the team from Clontarf also assisted Mundubbera complete several maintenance jobs.

The result: happy children (some of who gave their lives to Christ) and great fellowship and encouragement between two very different Baptist churches.

Planning is already underway to repeat the experience in the future. Every child deserves to hear about Jesus!

Conversations took place, and the process of creating three large dot paintings began in earnest. Outline sketches were drafted and painting began.

The completed art works depict, Heaven and Earth, Giftedness of All, and Two Roads. We encourage you to visit us to gain a greater understanding of their stories.

They have provided a platform for discussion with visitors to the church especially during the dry season when tourists flock into ‘The Isa’.

We are so thankful to all who had input into their creation, and the three paintings certainly provide a focal point to all who enter our building.

A special thanks to all the believers at the Lake Nash Community who contributed in any way to these wonderful art works. The Community is represented by the brother and sisters in the photograph.

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The Law Year Church Service City Tabernacle Baptist Church – Brisbane The City Tabernacle recently hosted the Law Year Church Service. This annual service marks the commencement of the law year, and was attended by His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, the Honourable Chief Justice Catherine Holmes and other distinguished members of the law community.

Under the conductorship of Mr Gabriel Perry, the Crown Law Choir and members of the Tabernacle Choir sang “All People that on Earth do dwell” (R Vaughan Williams) and “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Franz Schubert).

Our Pastor, Rev Richard Kingham led the service which was followed by morning tea in the Church Hall. He preached on Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Romans 3:19-31.

His message reminded those gathered that while the human response to failure to meet the law is to add more laws, God’s solution was to put His law in men’s minds and write it on their hearts. One solution is about enforcement, while the other is about men and women owning and loving God’s law. While we often respond to the sad and sorry state of the world and ask ”What is God doing about it?” Our Pastor reminded us that God did do something about it - he sent the Lord Jesus to die for the sins of the world.

Please pray for our judiciary. Pray particularly that this message will continue to resound in the minds of those who attended.

QB Prayer Focus 2018 CALL TO PRAYER (3-10 June) Stewart Pieper (Associate to the GS) As we read the gospel accounts of the life of the Lord Jesus we cannot help but observe our Lord’s commitment to prayer. In this, Jesus modeled for us that prayer is not an optional aspect of a relationship with God; it is a fundamental necessity! Prayer is a tangible expression of our absolute dependence on Father God. In 2018 Queensland Baptists will be seeking to intentionally follow in the steps of Jesus in a number of ways. One of these is in the area of prayer. While it is good and right to cultivate our own individual prayer life, we also need to be deliberate in deepening our expression of corporate prayer. The QB prayer week provides a perfect opportunity for us to intentionally join with others in the body of Christ to seek God in unity.

Last year 73 churches registered their involvement in the QB prayer focus. What was notable about the prayer focus last year was the increased number of cooperative combined prayer events organised between churches, as well as the number of churches involved in combined area events.

Acts 4:31 describes what is possible when we intentionally take time out to pray together as a united body, “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”

May the power of God be released through the people of God as we prayerfully follow in the steps of Jesus in 2018!

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kept at bay. Saturday afternoon I cleaned up and packed up the ministry centre and made my way (via kayak) to my house, which still had flood water through the bottom of it.

Sunday morning, with Church cancelled and the water just receding from our house, we got stuck into cleaning, and praised God that there was no significant damage from the water.

On Monday we were at the neighbour’s place, helping them clean. The water receded and we were finally able to leave our house.

Floods in North Queensland Steve Ballin, Sugar Reef Baptist, Ingham “…life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I respond to it.”- Charles R. Swindoll We have been in Ingham since 2005. We have been here through the 2009 floods, Yasi and a myriad of other smaller natural events. Natural “disasters” have pre-conditioned our community so that all local supplies of bread and milk are immediately sold out the moment we get more than 200mm of rain!

Now, I believe that I have developed a keen sense of awareness of this local area and know when to prepare for a significant event and when not to. I was of course wrong. Thursday the 8th of March found me madly running around lifting and moving items at my house, and preparing Sugar Reef’s ministry centre with boards, sandbags and silicon.

At midnight I found myself cut off from home at the ministry centre as the flood waters engulfed the centre of town. I spent the rest of that night…and the next day…and night…and another ½ a day, at the ministry centre raiding any food I could find with my sanity fading away. The pump did its job and the water was

I find it odd to use the word disaster to describe this event, even though it adequately conveys its significance.

It is often the hardest journeys of life that press us into God, it is through these journeys that He develops His character in us, and in the space beyond our control that He gives us opportunities that we would never otherwise have. The opportunities that we (and the rest of Sugar Reef) were given to connect with our community, and show the love of God have been amazing. The most significant thing about these opportunities is that they change the way we view our circumstances to match with Gods.

I don’t know what is going on in your life, but even during the most out of control disaster, please remember that these are the spaces that God loves to work— if we can keep our eyes focused on Him.

Leave a legacy to honour their memory.

Ingham Floods – Source Twitter - @AnnastaciaMP

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16 APR/MAY 18 QB.ORG.AU

Because Bethel is a ‘not for profit’ company, we actively invest back into mission, humanitarian and community work. So your loved one will be honoured with a legacy that can make a real contribution. A legacy that leaves behind more than memories.

To find out more, go to bethelfunerals.com.au or call us on 07 3219 9333

DR MILES KITTS BRIDGEMAN BAPTIST COMMUNITY CHURCH Since coming to Bridgeman Baptist Community Church, I have had a series of insightful conversations with one of the pastors concerning the issue of human suffering, and how it often brings people to God. Skipping to the next thread of the story, in August last year my car wouldn’t start so I called out an RACQ car mechanic to fix it.

While I waited for him to arrive, I read the Bible and prayed that the mechanic would fix my car. The mechanic arrived, inspected my car and then pointed out to me that it wouldn’t start because it was in gear. I had been so focused on other things that I had forgotten the basics of driving! Once taken out of gear, I started the car without delay.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn’t drive away fast enough!

The threads of this story tied together soon after, when I competed in my Toastmasters club’s annual Table Topics contest. This involved being given a topic, without prior knowledge, and having to speak about it for a couple of minutes. It was only the second time that I had competed in this contest.

The topic I was given was ‘What good comes from suffering?’. This topic was chosen by the contest official from a list of 300 suggested topics. This official did not know of my conversations with my pastor concerning suffering. I spoke about having the RACQ mechanic sent to fix my car, only to tell me that it wouldn’t start because I had it in gear, and that this was an example of self-imposed suffering. I concluded my short speech by stating that the good which comes from suffering is that it leads to humility. I came second in the contest, and it was the first time that I had placed in the Table Topics contest.

I thank God for this remarkably fortunate series of events. It tells me that suffering leads to humility before God, and it can draw us closer to Him. We should remember Romans 8:18, ‘I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.’

Tired JUDY BREINGAN Lord? do You know what it’s like, to feel sooo tired?

Physically drained from sheer hard work and never-ending running around.

Emotionally strained from being ‘somebody’ to everybody the never-ending shoulder.

Spiritually drained from being so busy, that time with You is a never-finding emptiness.

Lord? do You know what it’s like, to feel so tired?

Judith, do you remember How many miles I walked from Judea to Samaria and back again to feed the hungry souls?

How on the side of Lake Galilee five thousand flocked to me with needs of healing, comfort and advice or just a word?

How upon the cross I took upon My shoulders your sin and the sins of the whole world and yet they still ignore Me?

god moments

Humility in Suffering

Judith do you really know what it’s like, to feel so tired?

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR OWN “GOD MOMENT”?

It can be a poem, short story, testimony or quote. Please email your entries to qb@qb.org.au or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053. Every published entry will win a $30 Koorong gift voucher.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 17

MILESTONES

DAVID LODER CONCLUDES IN THE ROLE OF QB GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT The board of Queensland Baptists reluctantly accepted the timing of David Loder’s conclusion as General Superintendent.

The Board expressed its appreciation of David’s great contribution over the past eighteen years, and stated: “We are thankful for David’s God given gifts which have brought us as a denomination through some very difficult periods, and his ministry to so many in our movement over such a lengthy season of service.

We assure David and Ann of our ongoing support and prayers for them as they discern the future ministry the Lord has for them”.

David had a farewell gathering with many new and old faces coming along to thank David for his service to QB. The speeches honoured

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David, and his wife Ann for their integrity, faithfulness and support over many years.

ON THE MOVE • • • •

David also received some sporting gifts from QB staff including a personal State of Origin jersey, Broncos season pass, Gold Class movie tickets and cricket bat & accessories (for the grandkids of course!)

Please pray for David and Ann as they continue in the next stage of their journey.

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” Psalms 37:23

• • • • •

Pastor Rhys Tregenza has concluded at Gateway Pastor Steve Goleby has commenced at Taringa Rev Stephen Berry has concluded at Maryborough Rev Andy Coller moves to the Retired Minister’s list Rev Keith Buxton moves to the Retired Minister’s list Pastor Col Peaker moves to the Retired Minister’s list Pastor Murray Lawrence has commenced at Mareeba Pastor Brent Sweeney has concluded at Bracken Ridge Pastor Aaron Fozzard has concluded at Crosslife (Helensvale)

kmsmith.com.au

Phone 3252 2031

Your church can bring hope and a future for a child in foster care.

There are over 46,000 children in Australia living in outof-home care. There’s 9103 children in Queensland who are living separated from their families. Many of these children have suffered heart-breaking separation and trauma. They are in need of love, rescue and healing.

They are in need of hope and a future.

hour morning or afternoon tea, where you can come hear from Lucas & Heather, from ARK Australia & Crossway Baptist. You can hear about the difference the church family can make in the lives of these children. How we, the church, are bringing healing and hope to their hearts.

We know our God has called us to be a voice for the voiceless [Proverbs 31:8-10], and has told us that whatever we have done for the marginalised in society, we have done in service for Jesus himself [Matt 25:40-45]. We know he has a heart for the lost, the heartbroken, the abandoned and the forgotten in our world. We know He has a plan for each of these children.

That He has made a way for the lost to hear about the hope we have in Jesus. And we know that plan is us, the church.

We are inviting pastors, church leaders and all those interested in rescuing and renewing the hope for foster children, to join us at our free event in April. It’s not a program to run; it’s not more resources to buy. It’s a chance to for us as the church to learn how we can step in and make room for these children in our church families, that we may show them God’s plan for them – a hope and a future.

It is our God’s desire that each child He has created be given ‘a hope and a future’ [Jeremiah 29:11]. It is the Lord who directs the steps of His children – not the world. And it us, the church, who He has charged with the mission to carry this hope into the darkest of places.

QB Kids & their Families is hosting a day with ARK Australia, an organisation that works alongside churches and families to provide homes and support for foster children, families & communities. We are hosting a 2

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Sally Contessi Team Leader QB Kids and their families sally.contessi@qb.org.au

QB WOMEN

Seen and Valued – Reflecting God’s Love How would you feel if your 11-yearold daughter was to be married? Or if your 14-year-old son was soon to become a husband?

To Australians this might sound like a crazy joke – a game children play – but, in rural Bangladesh, child marriage is not uncommon.

I met Tahamina and her husband, Parruz, while in Bangladesh earlier this year. I was there on a Baptist World Aid Women in Leadership trip, visiting projects that Australian women help to support through giving each year at our conferences.

Tahamina’s marriage was arranged by a man in her village and, at just 11 years old, she said that getting married “just felt like a game”. She had no idea what it even meant for her or her future. Her parents paid a 50,000 taka dowry and, as is the custom in Bangladesh, she went to live with her husband’s parents in a different village.

From the moment she arrived, she was treated like a slave and physically abused by her husband’s family. This went on for three long years, at which time, her husband’s parents demanded another dowry.

She was still only 14 years old.

Sometime after this, Tahamina’s husband encouraged her to leave his parent’s house and go back to her family, as he could see how badly she was being treated.

When she arrived home, Tahamina discovered a Savings Group had been set up in her community.

She joined, and received training in tailoring. Three years later, she bought a sewing machine and, a year later, something amazing happened!

Her husband left his family and came to live with her, bringing back 20,000 taka from the dowry that had been paid to his parents.

Together, they started a small business – a tailoring shop.

The man who had originally arranged their marriage felt so bad about what had happened to Tahamina as a child, that he helped to financially support the business in its early days. To this day he helps the young couple.

Tahamina and Parruz have now expanded their business. They have three sewing machines and Tahamina has trained two other women in tailoring, who work for her.

Parruz, now 35, told me he never dreamed they would be in this place.

That he’s so impressed with how far they’ve fought to come since being married as children. And this has only been made possible by your generous support.

This is just one of the many stories I heard while in Bangladesh. We

heard of the many changes that are happening - child labour is disappearing and poverty is decreasing. Communities are strong and are working together for a better future for themselves… and their children.

For me, the whole trip can be summed up through one experience – when visiting with a group of women, we asked them, “What do you want from us, what can we do for you?” Their answer? “We want to be seen and valued.”

To be seen and valued.

How much do we see and value those in Bangladesh… and other countries around our world? The poorest of the poor?

Far away, in Australia, it’s so easy to close our eyes to the plight of families living in poverty – to forget that, every day, little children are

being married off or sent to work when they should be enjoying their childhood.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31: 8-9 (NLT) Let us no longer close our eyes, let us no longer forget that these stories exist. Instead, let’s stand together to let them know they are seen and valued. That across the sea, in Australia, we stand with them in their fight against poverty, child marriage, and injustice.

This year, as women come together across the state at our Anew Conferences, they’ll be challenged to reflect God’s love so that women like Tahamina can know that they are seen… and valued.

Together, we can pray and we can give, so that our friends in Bangladesh can live a life free from the fear of poverty and injustice - so that they might experience Jesus and His love for them.

I’m looking forward to seeing you and sharing more with you at our Anew conferences this year.

Registrations are now open for all events and you can register online at www.anewconference.org.au.

Cathy Knechtli, State Director, Queensland Baptist Women director@anewconference.org.au

QCCC

YOUTH INVESTMENT The reason I’m in Australia is because of the vision of Stan Solomon. In the mid-1980s he was senior pastor when Townsville District Baptist Church purchased a big block of land on the far fringes of Thuringowa. One of the onsite, youth-related facilities built was Willows Lodge. Initially a hostel for kids of missionaries serving in Papua New Guinea, it eventually morphed into a boarding house for university students in the early 90s. Mum and Dad were sponsored across from Zimbabwe to run the Lodge, meaning I became one of the “Lodgies”.

It was a fish bowl existence.

Lodgies were called upon every time

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chairs needed moving in the church auditorium. We couldn’t avoid the Working Bees which paved the enormous car park, and we were expected to attend every church event happening. On the flipside, we had a personal gymnasium onsite, with enough numbers for a cricket team, and constructed a hideaway loft in the Church Hall, where “what happened in the loft, stays in the loft!”

than anywhere near the church property. At the same time a new youth pastor hit town.

When I hit university, the clamps were taken off a bit, and I exercised this new freedom to become disengaged from the church’s Young Adults group. In my first year, I was more likely found fishing Ross Creek with university mates and a six-pack

The next year we decided we might have more mission by forming a rugby league team, and so the Cheetahs were born, sponsored by the Chester twins. This team bravely surrendered itself to the wolves of the railway workshops and abattoirs,

Rob Koch slowly and gently reeled me back in. He met with me and discovered my passion for sports, so recruited me to the church touch football team where we’d wage pitched battles against the Pentecostal churches and Pressys, where touch often turned to punch.

a bunch of teens going up against hard, working men. We were generally thrashed, beaten to a pulp from opening to closing whistle, and we’d bleed into our schooners of lemon, lime and bitters as we went “drinking” with our opponents after the game in the grimy surrounds of the Rising Sun Tavern.

Through it all Rob addressed my disillusionment with the church and, by identifying my passions and harnessing them, lit a fire under me to “go out into all the world”, not to be part of it, but to be salt and light. And it didn’t have to be street preaching, or door–knocking strangers, it could even be relational, adventurous and enjoyable!

The work of Rob in my life, and our Youth Group, came to mind over the Summer when we hosted the re-boot of the Queensland Baptists State Youth Camp (QBSYC).

It was a tremendous privilege for our site, and staff, to host 16 individual churches, coming together under the “Brighter Together” banner for a peak youth event. Most importantly, we could partner with sixteen youth leadership teams as they focussed on discipleship, and set up the year ahead for their individual youth groups. No doubt there were many rat-bags just like me in each group, yearning for redemption and a vision for how they can serve the Kingdom. Who knows what this QBSYC, and the ones to come, will achieve in the lives of these young people, and the future life and witness of Queensland Baptists.

Anyone visiting QBSYC would have seen a collection of diligent, and committed youth pastors investing deeply in the lives of more than 150 youth who attended—not bad for a first-time event. On the first day, the 16 individual groups were easy to identify. 48-hours later the group was as one, a unified body of Baptists representing our future.

Image: Group of lodgies circa 1989

The statistics are clear. The most recent National Church Life Survey (NCLS) identified 90% of people will come to faith before the age of 30, and a staggering 80% of people come to faith before the age of twenty.

Nearly half of people suggest a Christian camp is where they came to faith, or suggested camping ministry was instrumental in their faith decision and subsequent spiritual formation. It makes a compelling case for investment.

QCCC subsidised QBSYC to the tune of $20,000 to keep the camp accessible for as many young

Baptists as possible, but a lot of the remaining camp costs (e.g. equipment and speakers) had to be met out of the QB Youth budget.

Despite the cut-price cost, many of the youth pastors still spoke of many young people who couldn’t attend for financial reasons. I’d urge our church leaders to be engaging with their young people and youth pastors to ensure as many of them can get to future QBSYCs, or youth camps like it. (The weekend after QBSYC, Gateway bought a further 240 young people to Mapleton for a camp).

The NCLS is also tracking the ageing of congregations. Many denominations look to be in

lock-step, at varying stages on a conveyor belt headed towards the cliff of oblivion. In every age group below fifty, church congregations have a much lower percentage of congregants than you will find in the general population for that demographic. Whilst 15-29-yearolds (where many people come to faith) make up 25% of our national population, they are just 13% of the church. On the other end of the spectrum, over 70s are 13% of the community, yet 29% of the church population.

A profound opportunity exists for Queensland Baptists to break ranks from the direction most Queensland denominations seem to be taking, by investing heavily in youth and young families. We are the only denomination left with a significant camping ministry, and QCCC works with, and teaches, more than 40,000 young Queenslanders annually, most of them unchurched. We could grow that number significantly with more resourcing. Many of our youth and children’s ministries are the domain of hard-working and passionate volunteers, operating on shoe-string budgets. Yet it’s statistically proven the under-20s are not only where the low-lying fruit for church growth exists, but also the ones we need to invest in if we want Queensland Baptists to have a longterm future.

I often wonder, who would be the Director of Queensland Baptist Camping had Rob Koch not been available and willing to invest in me nearly thirty years ago?

Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au

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Chinchilla Baptist Church

BRIDGING THE ‘NEVER NEVER’ - CHINCHILLA When Rev William Higlett arrived in Toowoomba from London as a young pastor in 1882, he was overawed by the vastness of the Darling Downs. He wrote to his friends back home: “Westward [from Toowoomba] for over 2,000 miles extends the vast ‘never, never’ country, without any Baptist church and but few ministers of any denomination.”

His main concern, of course, was his church in Toowoomba itself, which he called “the vanguard of the Baptists towards the interior”, but he also did what he could to bridge those immense distances to the west. He would make residents of those areas who might be passing through town welcome, but also went out of his way to travel to those places in person when he could.

On one trip to Chinchilla, 165 kilometres north west, he visited former members of his church, calling on them in their homes and conducting services in the

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Boonarga Cacotblastis Memorial Hall near Chinchilla – the only memorial hall in the world dedicated to an insect!

local court house. It was rare for a clergyman of any denomination to appear in town, so he was approached by many parents wanting their babies christened— which he had to tactfully decline, although he did offer to pray for them instead.

Pastor Higlett moved away from Toowoomba in 1890, but he had not been able to establish a Baptist witness in Chinchilla (or other western towns)—and it would be many years before that would happen, but when it did, it was in an unusual way. Over the succeeding years, a small town began to grow in the midst of the pastoral run which covered the district, but development, while promising at the start, was severely handicapped by the rapid and widespread growth of prickly pear.

This blight on the countryside had been introduced into Australia with the first settlers, to provide red dye for soldiers’ uniforms, and had appeared in Chinchilla soon after Ludwig Leichhardt had passed through there in the 1840s. By the 1920s “the green plague” was spreading at about 400 hectares a

day, growing to a height of up to 4 metres. It covered well over 24 million hectares of land—more than the area of the United Kingdom! This scourge made it impossible to grow crops or to run stock. It devastated the economy and destroyed the livelihoods of families. Many attempts were made to control this pest until the cactoblastis moth was introduced from South America in 1926. This produced almost instant results, and allowed the economy and town to grow again.

One initiative to help develop the region was to invite settlers from Victoria to establish farms. Some of those who took up land in the localities in the southern part of the region were devout members of the Churches of Christ. They soon commenced services in their homes and later built chapels.

In 1950, they also started a church in the township which grew steadily. However, severe tensions appeared over matters of doctrine, missionary support and adherence to denominational ideals. This resulted in a group of people leaving the church, and

Formation service brochure

forming their own independent fellowship. They erected a building on land they acquired in Heeney Street which was opened in 1958.

They called a pastor from Victoria, Meyrick Roberts, who after training in Melbourne, had already enjoyed several years of ministry experience.

After nearly ten years of faithful service, this independent church felt the need for closer ties of fellowship. So, because the pastor and some of the other families had Baptist connections, an approach was made to the Baptist Union of Queensland for affiliation. The application was successfully processed through to the Assembly of 1969, when the official decision was made to recognise the church as Baptist. The service of dedication was held in their Heeney Street building on 8 March 1970, conducted by the BUQ President Rev Dr EG Gibson, with 16 people forming the foundation membership.

At about the same time as these developments had been occurring, the Dalby Baptist Church (80 kilometres to the south east) had begun some outreach to Chinchilla with occasional services and visitation. However, there was no outcome from these efforts, so it was the already existing church transferring over that fulfilled Wiliam Higlett’s hopes ninety years earlier of an organised Baptist witness in the town.

Roberts remained as honorary pastor until 1976 and was succeeded by others, including Michael Cooke, Lester Kelly, John Roth, and Graham Ballin—all making significant contributions to the life of the church and the community.

Michael Kluske, formerly of South Australia, began his ministry in 1993, and continues to the present.

Over the years, the tensions associated with origins of the church eased, and the church took its place in the normal Christian life

of the district. It has had to meet the challenges of a town that has enjoyed periods of great prosperity (coal and gas as well as the original agricultural and pastoral industries) and times of decline, which are typical of rural areas of the country.

The town, with a population of over 5000, and about 300 kilometres from Brisbane, has also been seriously affected by flooding of Charley’s Creek, a tributary of the Condamine River – the floods of 2011 were particularly bad.

The church’s original strong missionary support was well maintained, and for many years some of its people were key figures in the long running Chinchilla Christian Convention. Christian Endeavour was important in the district from early days, and the church has sponsored many evangelistic crusades. It reached its peak membership in the early 1990s.

This cameo is part of the Darling Downs Project of Baptist Heritage Queensland, which is tracing the origins of Baptist witness in this large part of southern Queensland. Despite dedicated service, permanent Baptist work has extended only about 160 kilometres westward since Mr Higlett’s day. The combined reported membership of the 10 churches is about 700. We invite people interested in helping with this project to contact us.

DIGITAL ARCHIVING - EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INVITED The Baptist Archives has plans for a significant extension of its digital holdings and would like to hear from people who might be willing to assist in this work in a voluntary capacity. They need to have digital experience, aptitude, involvement in, and some knowledge of Queensland Baptist life and regular time to devote to the project (some work can be done from home).

Baptist Church Archives archives@qb.org.au Phone 07 3354 5642, 07 3878 3178

Formation service brochure

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 27

CARINITY

Digital tablet the pill for social isolation Jean Jones had never used a digital tablet and didn’t know what Skype was before getting her own Mobi device.

The 77-year-old can now do things “that I never dreamt I ever would” with her new Mobi tablet, including video calls to interstate relatives via the Internet.

“I especially love Skyping my grandkids each week and my daughter can send me photos of the artwork my grandchildren do at school or videos of them playing sport,” Jean says.

“I have also watched The Crown TV show and some movies on the tablet. Sometimes I like to play music on it to listen to when I clean inside my house or play Solitaire.

It’s also handy to check the weather before I go out.”

Carinity Home Care’s new Mobi digital hub makes it easy for seniors to access online activities and services and stay connected with family and friends.

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Specifically designed for older people and available exclusively to Carinity Home Care clients, Mobi powered by Breezie is a personalised Samsung Galaxy tablet with simplified and user-friendly functions and unlimited data through Telstra’s 4G wireless network.

Nychelle Hanlon, who runs classes on tablets and technology for seniors, says tablets can help older people to stay connected to family, friends and the wider community.

“Isolation is a big issue for seniors and there can be great loneliness for those who don’t get out and about,” Nychelle says.

“Tablets are a brilliant way to keep in touch with family. By using video calling through the Internet, you can speak to and see people anywhere in the world.

“One of the big advantages of tablets is mobility. You can take them anywhere and there’s more and more hot spots where people

can access the Internet at many public locations.

“Quite a few people over the age of 80 have really got into the new technology and are switched on.”

Carinity Home Care Manager Robyn Jones says clients can also use Mobi to do video calls to their Lifestyle Coordinator, organise transport, meals, groceries and care visits, and access telehealth services.

“Using Mobi can lead to better health and wellbeing for seniors and help them to maintain mental fitness via apps and games and reading e-books,” Robyn says.

For more information on Mobi powered by Breezie phone 1300 109 109 or visit CarinityHomeCare.org.au.

developing Christians of influence Degrees in theology and ministry

Baplink Graduate of Influence Award

Bachelor | Masters | Doctoral

At the recent Malyon Graduation Ceremony, Robert Chapman, Manager of Baplink (pictured left), announced that Sam Jackson was the worthy recipient of the 2018 Baplink Graduate of Influence Award. Sam is the Senior Pastor of Toowoomba Community Baptist Church.

“It was humbling to receive this award!”, Sam said in his own words.

“Not in the cliché, this-is-what-Ishould-say, humbling type of way.

It was the realisation that everything that was mentioned, everything that earned me this award, was achieved in the context of a team. I am incredibly thankful for the city in which I am serving, and for the people I serve with.”

The Baplink Graduate of Influence Award is given to acknowledge Malyon College alumni who are ministering in their contexts as Christians of influence, and are embodying the mission of Malyon.

This year there were several nominations, each of them deserving

give you shepherds after my ownwon heart, who will lead you he recognition for their contribution to ‘Then I willcommented, “Sam because with knowledge and understanding’ (Jeremiah 3.15). advancing the kingdom of God in the has demonstrated passion for his sphere where God has placed them. calling beyond his role as a pastor, www.malyon.edu.au Choosing from among them was a and through his work on Movement difficult task.

Day and as Area Coordinator, he is influencing his city and connecting “Sam was actually nominated twice. with city leaders.”

It was his heart for unity and faith, to reach the community, which were Sam told Malyon, “I am planning particular qualities we wanted to to use the prize money to go to really celebrate.” Malyon College Washington D.C. in November for Principal, Peter Francis, explained. a Movement Day event called, ‘100 “This was my first year being Cities Summit’.” involved in the Award. Although it would be wonderful to celebrate Movement Day is an initiative of the every graduate’s achievements, New York City Leadership Centre, I think it is important to honour and supported by the Lausanne publicly what God is doing through Movement, Youth for Christ, and Malyon graduates after completing others. It is an opportunity to bring their studies, and this award is one together global Christian leaders way in which we are able to do so.” and to empower them to change cities through gospel movement and The Award provides a cash prize engage with various contemporary donated by Baplink, which supports urban issues.

Queensland Baptist churches and affiliates through the provision of Malyon congratulates Sam Jackson a range of financial services. This as the 2018 Baplink Graduate of Award is another way that Baplink Influence, and prays that God will is demonstrating its commitment continue to use him for His glory and to investing in ministry for the for the good of many.

Kingdom of God. Robert Chapman

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GLOBAL INTERACTION

HOME ASSIGNMENT

BY REV BOB ROGERS – STATE DIRECTOR

This year we are pleased to have five cross-cultural families returning to Queensland on Home Assignment (HA). They are: • • • • •

Tim & Melanie Downes from Milawi (Jan-July), Bill & Pauline Morrison from Central Australia (1st-24th March), Muana & Villy from Thailand (16th-31st July), Maz & Esther from South East Asia (July-Dec), and Luke & Belle Harland from Thailand (Dec ’18-June ’19).

I know some people who still refer to the Home Assignment as a “furlough”. As though they are returning to Australia for a well-earned six-month holiday, occasionally broken up with speaking engagements at churches and home groups! However, I don’t think any cross-cultural worker in the history of Christian mission has ever enjoyed such a liberty! Maybe that is why this time is now referred to as, “Home Assignment” (HA).

A typical HA program for Global Interaction cross-cultural workers (CCWs) involves undertaking three main activities: 1. Partnership development requires two months, with CCWs sharing their ministry experiences at church services, home groups and other meetings. This usually includes two to three church services every Sunday, and five to six meetings each week - a total

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of around 60-70 meetings in all. Added to this is their own visitation with personal contacts.

2. Two months are used for Professional development, including attendance at several “in-house” Global Interaction 5-day courses, and other short courses of their choice as they enhance their future ministry.

3. Two months are given for Recreation leave, usually a month taken early in their HA and a month short, before they return to country.

Home Assignment does not begin when the CCWs arrive in Australia.

Prior to departing their country of ministry two things will have taken place–the cross-cultural worker/s will have met with the in-country team leader to discuss the three-year term they have just completed, the culmination of a series of pastoral meetings they have shared during their time in country.

Meanwhile, here in Queensland, Lynda McMahon at the Queensland state office, will have been busy contacting their “sending church” and other supporting churches to arrange church service and Home Group visits. This busy program will often involve the CCWs travelling many thousands of kilometres across our vast state.

Almost immediately upon arrival back in Australia, the CCWs and their family will take a month’s recreation leave. They deserve it, having spent a considerable amount of time before departure from country “winding up” their ministry

prior to their return to Australia. Time can be spent with family, but may also be away from everyone, as they unwind from a busy schedule prior to their arrival home.

Soon after, the CCWs meet for a debrief session with the State Director and Global Interaction’s National Director of Member Care.

This is a confidential meeting where the CCWs are given an opportunity to reflect on their time overseas, the breakthroughs and challenges, where they have seen God at work in their service and how their culture and language learning has progressed. They also share how they contributed to their team, what they have learned about themselves, about God, and where they see their physical and mental health. Finally, they discuss their future plans, and how the organisation could assist them with training, to prepare them for return to their area of ministry.

Then it is “on the road” as the CCWs visit churches and home fellowship groups, sharing how God is changing lives through Jesus Christ.

They share the highs and lows, the challenges and victories. Often, for various reasons, their financial support has dropped while they have been away from Australia. There is a requirement for them to seek new investors in their ministry. They also seek prayer partners who will do their part in the spiritual battles that take place in their areas of service.

CCWs are always on the lookout for folk who will come alongside them and invest in their ministry through prayer and financial support.

Sunday mornings are usually an early start, leaving home in time to set up a display at the church, meet with the Pastor, load any visual aids into church computers (never a smooth operation) and taking a breath before the service commences. Some CCWs find public speaking easy, but some do not. Presentations take time to prepare, and practice and courage is required for some, to whom public speaking does not come naturally.

Few CCWs are “born preachers”; rather their spiritual talents lie in building one-on-one relationships with individuals, seeking ways and times to share their faith in Jesus. To stand in front of a church congregation can be a daunting experience. Finally, in the rush after the service, the CCW meets with people to thank those who are investing in their ministry or meet new friends interested in making that investment through prayer or

financially. And, so it goes, with follow-up coffee mornings, home groups, youth meetings and men’s breakfasts throughout the week.

And…next Sunday it starts again.

Global Interaction cares deeply about the health and welfare of our CCWs. “In-house” training sharpens skills and provides opportunity to meet with other staff and new candidates. This is often the only time CCWs will see they are part of the larger Global Interaction team. Many serve in isolation, even apart from other Global Interaction CCWs within a given country. Some, however, form part of a team in a city or similar location and enjoy the fellowship of others. While culture and language studies will always be a part of a Global Interaction CCW’s vocation, often there is a requirement to reskill in a new area to enhance ministry opportunities, or to assist as a skilled team member with administration. Others may undertake further studies to increase their understanding of other religions in areas where they serve. Home Assignment provides time for this to occur.

CCWs are given annual four-weeks’ leave, usually spent outside their country of service. While appearing rather exotic to some, the desire is that CCWs obtain a real holiday, away from the language and culture they have been so busy learning.

There is no provision for Long Service Leave for Global Interaction CCWs. Instead the HA leave of two months is granted.

Home Assignment is not a sixmonth holiday. However, it is a great privilege for our CCWs to renew friendships, to rest and reflect, to learn, to thank supporters and share what God is doing in His world. We at Global Interaction are grateful to God for those who walk with us in God’s mission to, “Go into all the world…”

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SAVE INNOCENT LIVES

BY BAPTIST WORLD AID AUSTRALIA Have you heard about the world’s fastest growing refugee crisis?

Since August 2017, violent and deadly attacks on entire villages in Myanmar’s western state of Rakhine, have left hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people fleeing for their lives.

Families are enduring harrowing journeys and, through it all, they carry the weight of unimaginable loss.

The stories reaching us from the Rohingya crisis are heartbreaking.

When violence arrived in their village, Zuwail and his wife, Unia, gathered their four children and ran.

“We had to flee because they burned down our houses… they were shooting,” says Zuwail.

Only four of the six would reach the relative safety of Bangladesh.

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“When we were running, we lost two of our children because everything went so fast and everyone was so scared,” he says.

They were just 7 and 10 years old.

“When we heard that our children got murdered, we had to leave them behind, because they were still coming after us” says Zuwail.

“We wanted to go back, but we couldn’t - we still had two other children to take care of. We cried and cried and cried”.

Zuwail and Unia made it to a refugee settlement with the two boys they had left.

But their camp is overflowing with refugees and there’s not enough of anything. Not water, not food, not medicines.

“Our most urgent needs are shelter and food,” Zuwail tells us. “If I would not get that, what would I do? We might just die.

One of our sons is already sick.

He has fever, feels cold and then

warm and is coughing”.

This is one family’s story… but there are thousands more like it.

Those who make it to refugee settlements in Bangladesh are living without adequate food, shelter, and drinking water. Having escaped a violent death, they now face the prospect of dying from exposure, starvation… or both.

But your generous gift to the Disaster Action Fund will save innocent lives… and help provide urgently needed shelter kits and emergency relief to keep distraught refugee families safe, healthy, and alive.

Whether it’s earthquake, cyclone, or war, the Disaster Action Fund is for families in poverty who need urgent emergency relief.

Families like Zuwail and Unia’s have already lost too much. Give generously to stop them from losing the loved ones they have left.

Save innocent lives.

Go to: baptistworldaid.org.au/ disaster-action-fund

Finishing Well

BY JON POLK – THE PARK FORUM | WWW.THEPARKFORUM.ORG

In 1968, John Stephen Akhwari, a long-distance runner, was one of four athletes sent from the East African nation of Tanzania to the Olympic Games in Mexico City.

Unaccustomed to the high altitude, Akhwari began to cramp up during the marathon event. He was also involved in a collision with other runners and dislocated his right knee. Encouraged to drop out, he instead received medical treatment and continued with the race.

Athletic imagery is a common New Testament analogy for the Christian life. For a faith focused on the ideals of selflessness and sacrifice, it seems odd that biblical writers draw parallels with sports events focused on individual winners. A closer look at a few of these passages, however, reveals that there is more at stake in our spiritual life than winning.

Over an hour after the winning time, Akhwari finally entered the stadium, where only a handful of spectators remained. Struggling to put one foot in front of the other, he limped across the finish line, coming in dead last among the 57 who completed the race (18 others had quit along the way).

When interviewed afterwards, Akhwari was asked why he persevered through such a painful experience. He replied, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

Reflecting back on his own life in 2 Timothy 4, Paul does not mention winning, but states that he is one of many who has finished the race.

The author of Hebrews also discusses training through strengthening of arms and knees, stresses running the race with perseverance, and encourages us to follow the example of Jesus who finished the task God set before him and now sits at God’s right hand, the ultimate finish line.

Our spiritual goal is not to win (as if we could somehow “win” the Christian life), but to finish the race set before us and to finish well because we’ve trained properly and persevered through difficulties and trials.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul emphasizes an athlete’s need for training and rigorous discipline. In Philippians 3, Paul talks about pressing on, or persevering, toward the goal.

To do this, we must keep our eyes on the example of Jesus, who ran the race before us and endured great suffering on our behalf so that we might follow him on a lifelong journey of putting one foot in front of the other along the path of faith.

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WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM OUR ANZAC FOREFATHERS?

BY COL STRINGER | COL STRINGER MINISTRIES | WWW.COLSTRINGER.COM

So, at the risk of offending, I broach the subject. Whatever Happened to True Blue, Fair Dinkum Aussie Mateship? Is it a dying principle, a lost cause? I love the Light Horse motto of ‘you never leave a mate!’

Genuine Aussie mateship was the stuff of legends—shaped in the fire of Gallipoli, Beersheba and the Middle East campaigns, on the Wallaby Track during the Depression and on the Kokoda Track in New Guinea. For many, mateship became the most important of all relationships.

Jesus himself said: “Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends.” In my research on the Anzacs I was deeply touched by the story of a young man who willingly gave up his life for his mate.

Two young ANZACS had grown up together, and later joined the Light Horse. During a fierce battle one was shot. When his mate found out, he galloped his horse back to the spot where his wounded mate was lying. He picked him up on his horse and together they dodged bullets and bombs as they raced back to their own lines. He risked his life for his mate! We desperately need that sort of mentality to come to the forefront of our thinking today.

Mateship Is Scriptural The first century Christian Church were a handful of fishermen, farmers and persecuted people. They were hated by the Romans, hunted by the Jews, and despised by the rest of the world. Their most important

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relationships were with each other and with their friend Jesus.

Instead of “my mate”, the phrases expressing this relationship was “my brother” and “my sister”. They were basing their relationship on the words of Jesus, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you” John 15:1214 If Jesus had been an Aussie he would have used the term ‘mate’ or ‘cobber’! That spirit of mateship or brotherhood held the early church together.

Friends, Who Needs ‘Em? Do you know one of the deadliest diseases of modern life? It is called “loneliness.” It is called “alienation.”

It is called “having nobody.” It is called “living in a crowded city and not relating to a single person.” It is called “sitting down at the telephone and having no one to call.” It is called “waiting at night knowing that the doorbell will not ring.” It is called “looking at people in a crowded train and never seeing a face that cares for you…” That disease of urban living is loneliness. People need friends.

“Friend” in Scripture means a covenant relationship, a subject that has been sadly neglected in the modern church. The reason many churches breakdown is often due to the lack of close friendships, rather than the result of sin or apathy. It is sad and astonishing that 70% of

people today admit to having no close personal friends! This is truly the decade of relationship deficit!

The Value Of A ‘Mate’ Ecclesiastes 4: 9 -10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have good reward for their labour.

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls. For he has no one to help him up.” Verse 12 continues “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Scripture tells us to pursue right relationships, not wait for them to happen—but pursue them! Building any relationship is risky. It makes us vulnerable to being hurt, or taken advantage of, especially in this day and age. “Pursue” means “to run after, chase, to engage in”. We instigate the action.

Some feel they cannot build a relationship with anyone of a lesser economic, vocational or ministerial level. But consider the case of Onesiphorus and Paul. In Second Timothy 1: 15-18 we read. “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermongenes. The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me. The Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the lord in

that Day - and you know very well how many ways he ministered to me at Ephesus.” Onesiphorus not only “pursued the relationship”, but he was a blessing, an edifying friend.

David & Jonathan – Great Mates!

Here we witness a marvelous, almost unbelievable friendship between two men. Not only were they of varied vocations, but there was also a major age difference. It was a pure relationship, something rare between males, certainly by today’s warped standards. It was based on a genuine affection each held for the other. “And it was so, when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul”. (1 Samuel 18: 1) Verse 3 continues “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and he gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his belt”.

Read a little deeper into what was happening here, this is not just the swapping of some favourite clothes, Jonathan was the king’s son—heir to the throne of Israel! Here we find him stripping himself of his most prized possessions, handing to a shepherd boy not only his authority but also his very succession to the throne! Such was the trust and love that Jonathan had for David that he left himself defenseless and vulnerable to attack! What a remarkable man, what a remarkable friendship between two honourable men! What depth of character!

Years later when Jonathan was killed in battle, one would assume that any responsibility David had towards his friend would have ceased. Let’s pick the story up again in 2 Samuel 9: verse 1.”Now David said, “Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I might show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake.”

David was looking for survivors from his friend’s family. Verse 3 “.... There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.”

Now remember that Saul and his family had tried to kill David. They were his enemies, but despite all this, David’s covenant friendship with Jonathan reigned supreme. He sends for Mephibosheth (Jonathan’s son) and as the crippled boy stands before the king, not sure if he will be killed David says, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather, and you shall eat at my table continually” (Verse 7). For what reason would he be blessed?

For Jonathan his father’s sake. Now that is covenant friendship! Mateship that extended even beyond the grave!

Let me ask you a question. How many people do you know who would fit this description? In fact, do you fit this description yourself?

Do you pursue right relationships, and for what reason? Are you a motivator, or a manipulator? Are you a bridge builder or a bridge burner?

A mentor or just another tor-mentor?

Even the World Sees the Value of a Mate!

Readers Digest September 2002 carried an article entitled ‘Why Friends Are Powerful Medicine’.

Author Katherine Griffin wrote; “Friendships…. play a far more important role in maintaining good health and having a long life than most people realise.’ More than a hundred studies attest to the health benefits of friendship. People with strong social networks are shown to: • • • •

Boost their chances of surviving life-threatening illness.

Have stronger more resilient immune systems.

Improve their mental health.

Live longer than people without social support.

Social support can blunt the effects of stress. Researchers believe that by having good friends when trouble strikes means fewer stress hormones course through the body. Blood pressure and heart rate are less likely to spike, and over a lifetime these subtle differences may add protection against the ravages of time and illness.

Value Your Relationships Place great value on your relationships - cultivate them with everything you have! People say to me, but I have been hurt, offended, wounded. Welcome to the real world!

One of the major keys in maintaining any relationship is the willingness to be hurt. I don’t mean to go looking for it, but be willing to take the chance, to be vulnerable, pursue right relationships and take a chance on people. Value your friends—they are one of the few things you can take to heaven with you!

Of course, it goes without saying that the most important relationship we can have is with our Heavenly Father!

The closer we are to Him, the easier it is to get along with other people.

If we have no relationship with the Lord, we will not only eventually lose it all, but will find it difficult to build lasting friendships here on earth. If we know the Lord, we can live in a harmonious relationship with Him and our brothers and sisters— both here on earth and in heaven!

In 2 Timothy 3:1 Paul warns the signs of the last days. The first sign?

“Men will be lovers of themselves”.

I pray for that you will not allow this spirit of the age to influence you and your family. I pray that the ANZAC Spirit of our forefathers shines through. I pray a blessing over your home, marriage, family, friends and relationships. That you are blessed coming in and going out. That whatever you turn your hand to will prosper. That love and unselfishness will continue to flow in your home and family, and that you will continue to think of others first.

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MALYON

Sensing God Series

BY ALLAN QUAK THE FIVE SENSES - SIGHT A little boy was drawing a picture on a piece of paper. His mother came up to him and asked him what he was drawing. The little boy responded, “I am drawing a picture of God.” The mother said, “No one knows what God looks like.”

The boy confidently replied, “Well, they will when I get through drawing this picture!”

That is child-like faith in action; but the story also raises a good question.

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Is it possible to see God—not as an idol, or icon, or graven image—but see His personality, character and actions?

In seeking answers, we should recognise a significant problem—our very limited human way of thinking.

Consider Psalm 50:17-21 “You hate instruction and turn your back on My words.

When you see a thief, you make friends with him, and you associate with adulterers.

You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue for deceit.

You sit, maligning your brother, slandering your mother’s son.

You have done these things, and I kept silent; YOU THOUGHT I WAS JUST LIKE YOU.” When we start talking about what God looks like, our big problem is that we quickly focus on how we can fashion God in our own image.

The problem is that our image is very small.

God has been carrying all of us since the day Adam was put on this earth. On this day God is carrying and providing for 7 billion people.

We are so small.

find yourself watching the sunrise over the ocean and saying, “Thank You Father for this new day” More specifically, what enables you to get through tragic events, and difficulties and frantic times, the heartache and hardship—all those times when all is not going well—and still have the attitude that God is in the middle and He has everything under control?

everyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

We see the God-with-us crying out on a cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Me?” As Jesus dies we say, “That is God in the flesh, taking my sin, my rebellion, my hatred; so that I don’t need to ask, “My God, why have you forsaken me?”

How do you get to that point?

John 14:5-9 gives the answer Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.’

Philip said, ‘Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.’

WE WANT TO SEE GOD Jesus answered: ‘Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time?

ANYONE WHO HAS SEEN ME HAS SEEN THE FATHER.

Last year we sent an unmanned space probe past Pluto. At the speed it is going it will take 18,000 years to get to the nearest star. We are so small.

Not only are we so small, often we are not even looking for God. Reflect on Romans 1:20-21 Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what He has made, so that people are without excuse. FOR ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW GOD, THEY NEITHER GLORIFIED HIM AS GOD NOR GAVE THANKS TO HIM. We are small and we have rebellious eyesight. So how can we go from such inadequacies to seeing God? How do you get to that stage where you look at a flower and see the intricacy and beauty of the designer, and you say, “Wow God is such an amazing Creator!” How do you

It is possible to see God. However, if you don’t seek God through Christ then your mental picture of Him is a distortion, or an aberration, or a fake, or a misrepresentation, or a falsehood. If you really want to see God, then you must ask yourself “Have I seen Christ?”

Not, “Do I know about Christ?”

Not, “Do I read the Bible?”

Not, “Do I come to church?”

The priority question is, “Have I seen Christ?” Have I looked at Christ and learnt from Christ and understood the he is Immanuel. He is God with us.

We see the God-with-us during His ministry hanging out with outcasts, social misfits, and people on the fringe. As Jesus takes His seat among them we say, “That is God sitting there among the sinners, conversing with them as friends.”

Which means seeing the acts of God is not enough. Sitting on the beach, or looking at a flower, or gazing into the heavens, or admiring the intricacy of the human body, or marvelling at modern medicine, or being amazed at the variety of animals, or looking at microscopic viruses, or seeing order and design.

We might do these activities and say, “I can see God,” but it is not enough. The reality is a Muslim, or a Buddhist, or someone who believes in Intelligent Design, also sees God in the same way.

So, the big question is not, “Do we see God?” The big question is, “Do we see God as He wants to be seen?”

God wants to be seen through Jesus Christ.

Jesus who travels around speaking messages of forgiveness and grace.

Jesus who steps into the lives of sinners and brings, … redemption. … connection. … relationship.

Jesus who dies and rises and ascends, and who will come again.

Only then will our seeing bring real sight, because only in Christ will we see ourselves as God sees us.

Holy.

Blameless.

Loved.

Forgiven.

Blessed for all eternity.

We see the God-with-us going to a high place and weeping over Jerusalem. As Jesus weeps we say, “That is God who doesn’t want to punish and destroy, not wanting QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 37

THE BIRDS

BY LIAM DENNY | PRESS SERVICE INTERNATIONAL

Sometimes I find it hard to get out of bed. The alarm buzzes violently next to my head, and my mind goes straight to the overwhelming and seemingly endless list of tasks before me that day. And I shrink back down, roll over and ignore them all.

But of course, I can’t stay there forever. I eventually make my way to the kitchen, brew myself a coffee and stare into the garden - eyes struggling to focus. All the while, the weight of the day set before me attempts to drag me under. And, somehow, before the day even begins, I long for it to end.

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And then I see the birds. The birds, already flying busily around the yard, singing with enthusiasm. Even at this early hour, wonderfully productive.

Flying, working, communicating. And I think to myself, they’ve managed it. They are up, they are completing their tasks, they are coping - even thriving. And if they can do I, so can I. It’s these kinds of mornings that help me reflect on the difficultly Jesus must have faced every day.

Jesus was human, and faced the same anthropological difficulties that face every human. However, Jesus was also God, and knew

exactly the nature and size of the challenge that lay before him. Yet each morning, he rose. Each day he completed the tasks set before him.

Each day he managed. He was never overwhelmed. And each day he drew nearer to the cross.

Easter is fast approaching. A time to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yet also a time to reflect on the life Jesus led, the example he set, in simply being. In achieving.

In living. Living with the knowledge of what was to come. Living in the shadow of the cross.

Mark 8:31 says this: He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

This may be a verse you find familiar. Jesus predicting his own death. But they are words worth dwelling on. Jesus knew full well, from before his public ministry began, he was to die. The end product of his ministry was his own death. The reward he would receive for each day’s labours was a place on the cross at Golgotha. His gift for the many long days of persecution was death, painful and slow.

Yet it was that outcome that provides for us an end goal worth striving for. It’s in the death of Jesus that we find life. Jesus receiving death means we can receive life. Our end goal is not death. Our end goal is life. Our afflictions and our trials have an end goal of life. And life to the fullest, life with the creator himself.

As 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 describes: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Jesus kept his eyes on the eternal. And so must we. When life seems too difficult. When the sheer weight of the day threatens to engulf us. We look to the eternal and we see a glory to be shared, to be enjoyed.

We may not always summon the enthusiasm of the birds. But we can enjoy the same freedom, if our eyes are fixed firmly on the unseen, on the eternal.

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THE CASE FOR THE EMPTY TOMB

BY ROSS CLIFFORD - PRESS SERVICE INTERNATIONAL

The Sydney Morning Herald recently recorded the death of an extraordinary man. He was Sir Lionel Luckhoo. The Herald called him the “Perry Mason of the Caribbean.”

And that he was.

He had 245 consecutive successful defences in murder cases. Even the fictional Perry Mason lost a case after seventy acquittals. The Guinness Book of Records lists Sir Lionel as the world’s most successful advocate.

I had the privilege of meeting Sir Lionel and he was a most humble man. You would not have guessed he was knighted twice by the Queen of England, successfully argued cases before the Privy Council and was at one stage Ambassador in England for two independent countries.

However, Sir Lionel shared with me that despite all his fame, court success, power and wealth, he felt empty inside. The older he got the more meaningless life appeared. He said, “I had no peace.” Then at age 63 he heard about the resurrection

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of Jesus. He personally checked it out using his legal skills.

He found that the message of Jesus’ resurrection satisfied not only his heart but his mind. He gave his life to Jesus. He said the transformation was immediate. It’s the resurrection and its power we celebrate on Easter Sunday.

Is the resurrection based on reliable facts? Sir Lionel Luckhoo checked out the facts and declared, “I have spent more than forty-two years as a defence trial lawyer in many parts of the world. I say unequivocally the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt!”

How can we be so sure?

WHAT’S THE REAL EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION? To establish the resurrection, one must be able to prove two things.

It’s not complicated really. One must show Jesus was dead at point A—

beyond resuscitation. Secondly it must be shown he was alive at point B—at a later date. If someone is dead then alive, the only reasonable conclusion is resurrection. And if that happened, Jesus deserves to be worshipped as Lord, as He has defeated our universal enemy— death.

What is the case for Jesus being dead at point A? Well let’s act as a jury and look at the evidence.

We have the eyewitness accounts in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John that are found in the New Testament.

They clearly testify Jesus was crucified until dead. A spear was even thrust into his side bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. He was dead.

Some sceptics like Dan Brown in the Da Vinci Code say, “Look he just swooned death and was later revived and pretended he died”. But can you imagine a man whipped to the point of death, as Jesus was, hanging on a cross with a spear thrust in his side, being able to jump around three days later 100% fit?

Even the famous skeptic about Christian things David Strauss, admitted the old swoon theory is a greater miracle than the resurrection itself! Most liberal scholars invent the swoon theory because they will never accept any miracle – miracles aren’t sophisticated enough for them – yet they can’t avoid the empty tomb.

included people who were initially skeptical but saw the risen Christ and then believed. He is saying to the reader, here are the names, check it out.

The New Testament gospels document that Jesus was dead. But of course, there is other historical evidence that Jesus was dead at point A. The Jewish historian Josephus affirms his death as does the Roman Tacitus who states Jesus was put to death by Pontius Pilate.

ALIVE AT POINT B

The Romans certainly didn’t want any rumours out there about this crucified Jesus being a resurrected Messiah and Lord. But no one produced the body to kill the story.

Also, why would the Jewish followers of Jesus change their day of worship from the sacred Saturday Sabbath to Sunday, unless they truly believed he was risen? The tomb was empty.

What is the evidence for Jesus being alive at Point B? Well, we have the direct eyewitness accounts of the disciples and others recoded for us in the reliable Gospel accounts.

The Apostle Paul states there were over five hundred witnesses (1 Corinthians chapter 15). He also records a superb list of people who saw the resurrected Christ, and that

And look at the impact the message He is Risen has had on our society.

Lord Hailsham, one of the most significant lawyers of our age stated, “Our whole system of education, public or private, our network of hospitals, our social security system itself, have each a clear origin in this Christian foundation. The tomb was empty, Jesus is alive!

Apart from the eyewitness accounts there is circumstantial evidence.

For example, no one ever produced Jesus’ body to refute the claim.

This Easter we can join with millions of people saying Christ is Risen—He is Risen indeed! The ultimate proof we have of this, is that when we put our trust in Jesus, he comes into our lives. He transforms us and walks with us. We discover it is true that God loves us so much that he sent his only Son into the world to die for us. To God we are significant.

Sir Lionel Luckhoo said of his commitment to the risen Christ, “From that day my life changed.

My life took a 180-degree change.

I found real peace and happiness and joy.” If we want forgiveness and power for living, it’s truly found in the crucified and risen Christ.

As the hymn writer wrote, “Thine is the glory, Risen conquering Son, endless is the victory Thou o’er death has won. Jesus meets us, Risen from the tomb, longingly he greets us, scatters fear and doom.”

OUR HOPE IS THE TRUTH–HE IS RISEN.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 18 41

FAREWELL BILLY GRAHAM

BY WENDY FRANCIS - QUEENSLAND STATE DIRECTOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN CHRISTIAN LOBBY

The news of the passing of Billy Graham reverberated around the world. Peter and I were honoured to attend the funeral of this great man who God used to bless literally millions of people with the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

On the flight over to the USA, different people remarked to us that they felt the world was a lonelier place without him. But Billy Graham never craved accolades or attention for himself, unless he could use it to point people to his Saviour, Jesus Christ.

At the funeral, Reverend Billy Kim, chairman of the Far East Broadcasting Company in South Korea, related a conversation he had with Billy Graham. He recalled Billy Graham saying, “Many people want to talk to me about themselves and what they’ve done. But the one we should want to talk about is Jesus, and all that he has done”.

is what Ruth said at the funeral, “He said, ‘Welcome home.’ There was no shame. There was no blame.

There was no condemnation, just unconditional love. My father wasn’t God but he showed me what God was like”.

Oldest son and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Franklin Graham, closed his father’s funeral by repeating Billy Graham’s central theme: that the only path to salvation is to accept Jesus Christ.

Millions of people once again heard this message of salvation as the funeral was livestreamed around the world.

He was a man who connected with all people, of all colours and classes.

The Trumps and Pences were at his funeral. But his simple coffin was handcrafted by Louisiana prison inmates. It was their names burned into the pine plywood casket that they had made.

It’s not that Billy Graham didn’t care deeply for people. His did not have a pious faith devoid of humility and kindness. This showed clearly when Billy Graham’s youngest daughter Ruth shared at the funeral about going home to her parents after her second marriage failed. She wondered what her parents would say because they had warned her against the marriage. She also hated the thought of embarrassing her father. But as she drove up the long driveway, she saw him waiting for her at the top of the driveway. This

42 APR/MAY 18 QB.ORG.AU

Image: Malyon Principal Peter Francis (left) at Billy Graham’s funeral with Rev Dr David Coffey OBE. The former BUGB general secretary and Baptist World Alliance president and now BMS global ambassador.

The US media were also there in force and reported much of what occurred, including the messages of a saving God. But some newspapers described Franklin’s invitation to follow Jesus as containing a “barb” - “The world, with all its political

“The Psalmist David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”

Here is the trumpet of hope that has echoed down through every cemetery of the world; it has made the experience of death not a bitter end, but a bright dawning” – Billy Graham

Credit: Shutterstock.com

correctness, would want you to believe that there are many roads to God. It’s just not true.”

This comment by media perhaps reveals just how much the world has changed since a young Billy Graham attracted record crowds at the MCG in Melbourne. It is now offensive to the mainstream Australian media for a Christian leader to claim that Jesus is the only way to God. Despite being offensive to some, the message that Franklin Graham gave is absolutely correct. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. And no–one comes to God except through Him. That message is as relevant today as it always has been. May God give us the grace and courage to share this life-giving news with the same commitment as his servant Billy Graham.

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

MATTHEW 11:28

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Can you find him? Congratulations! Congratulations! To all those who found Sir-Save-a-Lot hiding on page 16 (Feb/March 2018 Issue of The Qb Magazine).

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