QB Magazine, April/May 2019

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QB MAGAZINE THE VOICE OF QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS | APR/MAY 19

Maintaining a Godward

07

Are we there yet?

A Mother’s encouragement to Persevere

28

In the Face of Betrayal

40

Print post approved ISSN: 100003837 | The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 17 Issue 2. | qb.org.au

Inspire 2019 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Hugh Halter Craig Ogden HOW TO REGISTER

TO REGISTER, VISIT: EVENTS.QB.ORG.AU/INSPIRE

QB MINISTRIES 16

QB Women Hope to people in Nepal

18

QB Archives Thirty years to plant a church

20

QCCC Summer Daze

24

QB Kids & Their Families Everybody can do something

26

QB Youth & Young Adults Pastors & Leaders Retreat 2019

30

Malyon Vocational Training

CONTENTS

32 Carinity

Lord’s word crystal clear thanks to

Carinity Innovation Grant

36

ARTICLES 28

Are We There Yet?

38

In Christ you can... be Gentle

40

In the Face of Betrayal

41

What are little Boys and

Girls Made of?

13

REGULARS 4 From the Acting General Superintendent

12

Front Cover: Truly He has risen!

7 Maintaining a Godward Focus 10

Speaking out: Peter Francis

12

Baptisms

13

Around the regions

23

Called home

37

Persecution brief

42

Reviews

44

Fun zone

46

God moments

46

Classifieds

QB PARTNERS 20

34

Global Interaction The way forward in South Asia

36 BWAA

Your 2019 Ethical Fashion

Report... Coming Soon!

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 3

FROM THE ACTING GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

PREPARATION PRECEDES PARTICIPATION How many times in the last six months have you gone to the supermarket, filled your shopping trolley with groceries and turned up at the check-out only to realise that you have forgotten your reusable bags?!

When this happens you are faced with a dilemma: Do you leave your groceries and go to the car to get some bags from the ever-increasing supply in the boot? Or do you just cough up the extra 15 cents per bag for more bags that you will most likely forget next time! I know from experience that since single use plastic bags were banned in mid-2018, a trip to the shops has required a bit more preparation!

There are not many activities in life that do not require some form of preparation. We make preparations to go to work, to cook meals, to attend meetings, to socialise with friends, even something as routine as going to bed requires some level of preparation! There are significant times in life that require more focused preparation others; for example, you would not enter into a marriage, purchase a property, attend a significant job interview or sit an exam without adequate preparation.

I cannot think of a time in the Bible where a significant move of God involving His people did not first require some form of preparation on their part. For example, in the Old Testament, Noah had to prepare for the judgment of God by building a big boat, the Israelites had to make specific preparations for the Passover event and their departure

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from Egypt, and Exodus 19 records that they had 3 days to prepare themselves to meet with God at Mount Sinai.

In the New Testament, we see many more examples; The ministry of John the Baptist was a preparation for the coming of the promised Messiah. Jesus told many parables

about the importance of preparation.

For example, in the parable of the foolish and wise virgins (Matthew 25), Jesus agonised in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare himself for the horror of dying for our sins through crucifixion on a cross.

The disciples of Jesus in coming together to wait for the Holy Spirit were preparing themselves for what was a new and powerful move of God. Another example of preparation is found in Acts 13 where out of a time of preparatory worship, prayer and fasting Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the church in Antioch to undertake world changing missionary work.

It is clear that God wants to involve His people in accomplishing His purpose in the world, and He invites us to participate with Him to that end. What an awesome thought; that the God of the universe wants to work in us and through us! Obviously then, it is important that we are properly prepared so that we can be ready to join God in His work. It seems obvious to me that when it comes to moves of God that preparation precedes participation!

In this season of transition, we collectively as a movement should be faith filled that God wants to do more that we can think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). But we have to be prepared! A passage from the Old Testament that shines a spot-light on the importance of preparation is Joshua 3:5: “Joshua told the people,

“Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.”

The context of this passage is that the people of Israel under Joshua’s leadership were on the cusp of entering the promised land. They were about to enter uncharted territory as well as face the impassable Jordan river which was in high flood. We know from the narrative that God led the people and provided a miraculous way for them to cross over the Jordan river.

A precursor for this move of God was that the people had to consecrate themselves. The Hebrew word for consecration is “kawdash” — it means to be holy, totally set apart, made clean both ceremonially and morally, sanctified and prepared.

I think that the same principle applies for us today. If we expect God to do something special among us either as individuals or corporately, we have to firstly prepare ourselves physically and spiritually—to consecrate ourselves prayerfully to God and His purpose.

We need to make sure that we are obeying Him in every area of our life, that nothing is contaminating our relationship with Him, and that we are bringing our wills into submission to His will. Ultimately, I think consecration is an action that declares, “God, I want what you want, and I am putting aside my own preferences to surrender all that I am to your purposes.”

As we anticipate our annual convention, where we will be considering some significant changes for the future structure and functioning of Queensland Baptists, let us prepare prayerfully so that we are in a position to participate fully in all God wants to do in us and though us as His people now and into the future.

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

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 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.

Sacrifice. This time of year reminds us of ultimate sacrifices. Our Lord gave His precious life for us, so that we could enjoy the gift of eternal life. Easter reminds us of this unfathomable and undeserved act of God’s love. ANZAC Day also reflects a tradition of courageous love – laying down your life for others, and for something beyond what this world values. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 We continue to focus on the new journey for our Queensland Baptists (QB) Movement. Stewart Pieper writes about the importance of preparation and prayer to ensure we follow God’s leading, and the best God has for us (From the Acting General Superintendent).

Pieter Henning also writes about maintaining a godward focus during times of change (Vision Series).

Please continue to pray for QB during this important season.

Allan Quak contributes the next instalment in the “In Christ you can…” series. The five-part series takes a closer look at Philippians 4:4-9, and the second part explores how we can cultivate a gentle and humble spirit.

For the puzzlers – there is the annual Easter Fun Zone competition, with a chance to win a $30 Koorong voucher. We also have movie pass giveaways (Reviews). I hope you enjoy this edition of the QB magazine, and that you have a happy and peaceful Easter. Truly, He has risen!

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

Articles and advertising in The qb express the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the correctness of facts and information however we cannot accept responsibility for errors. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising.

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Copyright © 2003 by Queensland Baptist Services Group. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses appearing in The qb are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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MAINTAINING A GODWARD FOCUS

MAINTAINING A GODWARD FOCUS DURING SEASONS OF CHANGE (FOR REFLECTION - JOSHUA 3:1-17)

BY PIETER HENNING REGIONAL CONSULTANT

Joshua was dealing with a season of change, not only for himself, but specifically for those around him.

God transitioned Joshua into the key leadership role of the Israelite nation to fulfil the succession plan after Moses’ time (Deuteronomy 31:7 / Joshua 1:6). His Godordained mission and mandate required him to lead God’s people into a new season. This involved a new chapter for Israel, occupation of new geographical locations, and directing the nation toward a different and unknown future for them as a people.

Challenges during this process of change were inevitable, not optional.

Way back in Joshua 1:14 we read the words “…ready for battle, …” – a forewarning to Joshua to be proactive in his own preparation for the challenging obstacles ahead. In our contextual thinking today, we can imagine Joshua as a leader, probably contemplating how he might adapt his leadership style, methods, and communication to connect with the minds, hearts, and attitudes of the nomadic multitudes.

Notice the reference to Joshua’s

“…fighting men…” in Joshua 1:14.

Just a side note…I love the way God defines them as He saw them – according to their future conquering capacities, and not by their past actions! Take heart today—a Godly perspective defines us by our potential for the future, not by our past.

Notice Joshua’s focus on God. The evidence of God’s call upon his life was recognised by those assigned to his charge (Deuteronomy 34:9).

This new leader of Israel had been affirmed through the promises of God’s Word (Joshua 1:6, 1:89, 1:13). Joshua confidently approached his assignment using strategic and tactical skills.

I will focus on the scene and events around the crossing of the Jordan River – more specifically, along the theme of this being their first steps into a new season, and on “maintaining a Godward focus in “times of change.”

Some principles in maintaining a Godward focus involves:

a) Having a heart for, and a desire to follow, where God is leading - “…When you see…move… follow…” (3:3). “Seeing” the Ark of the Covenant. This is a visual representation of the presence of God, and leads the way forward.

“Seeing” also involves cognitive recognition, comprehension, and acceptance of God’s leading into the next season. “Moving” is a heart attitude to adopt necessary actions as a result of what has been seen and perceived, and then implemented by stepping up and stepping forward. “Following” God’s leading implies a fresh surrendering of our hearts and personal agenda in submission to the Lord – this is not a one-off surrender, but rather a surrender that permeates our very DNA as Christ-followers. The principle implies that we must follow God! In the account of Joshua, the focus is not on the river – namely the obstacle / challenge! Neither is the focus on the people, especially during challenging times, when there is the temptation to entertain a “woe is me” attitude! Furthermore, QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 7

the focus is not centred on the community leaders – when we focus on community leaders, we run the risk of playing “the blame game!” Likewise, Joshua the key leader in this season of change, was not singled out – because when we draw attention to a key leader or leaders, we run the risk of embracing a sense of entitlement – a “you owe me” attitude, or “they owe me!!” Or “they must do this or that because…etc. etc.”

Instead, the focus of this account is constantly on the Ark of the Covenant! It is mentioned 17 times in Chapter 3 and 4, and at least 10 times in Chapter 3 alone! Everything revolves around the key issue – the presence of God with them!

When we look at the position of the ark during the entire crossing – it is in three places: • …ahead of them (Vs.6,11), symbolising that God is always going before His people, leading them.

• …in the middle of the Jordan River (Vs.17), symbolising the presence of the Lord in their midst, during their time of difficulties and obstacles. God is present during the challenge!

God is right there with His people.

• Chapter 4 records that the Ark was carried out of the river, following behind the people, symbolising the Lord’s protection. The Lord is our rear-guard and watches over us. God watches over you today – right there during whatever uncertainty you might be facing at this time.

That is God! Ahead of us! Behind us! With us in the heat of it all!

Friends, please grasp this today – God IS with us – and He wants us to follow Him! Faith is rooted in the conviction that God is with us!

Our obedience is expressed by us choosing to follow His leading in faith – even when, at times, it may seem unrealistic from our human perspectives!

Question / Challenge: Are you ready and willing in your heart 8 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

to be obedient to follow God’s leading today? b) Holding to a faith believing that what God has spoken is true – “…then you will know…” (3:4-6).

When God told Joshua to cross the Jordan, at least two important things stand out in Joshua’s faith-response to God. i) It was not up to Joshua to invent a new way of crossing the flooded river. He did not suddenly come out with a military manual on how to cross un-crossable rivers!

Likewise, it was not his job to call his commanders together and form a “river-crossing committee.” He did not call the people together and declare; “Hey guys, we have an un-crossable river to get over today, so please form three groups.

Group One – those of you who can swim – please get your swimming gear on. Group Two – those of you who recognise that you are weak swimmers, or those of you who would like to undergo an emergency course in swimming lessons, please join Caleb over there so that he can give you a refresher course and some handy tips. And Group Three those of you who can’t swim, please join the prayer meeting to be held for you near the tabernacle!

As far as Joshua was concerned, it wasn’t up to him to decide how to get a nation across an un-crossable river. That was up to God! Joshua’s

assignment was simply to follow the Ark – to follow the path of God. Wherever the presence of God was leading, he was to follow! ii) Furthermore, it wasn’t up to Joshua to decide on the method of crossing or to negotiate the timing / moment of the crossing.

Nowhere do we read of Joshua coming to God and saying, “Uumm, God, how about waiting for the water-level to go down? How about we return here another day or another season? After all, this IS flood-season…and flood seasons are not generally a good time for a national river-crossing exercise!

How about we wait until this flood is over? Or at least for the river to subside a bit? It was not Joshua’s task to negotiate the timing of the commencement of the new season.

Joshua recognised that, as a faithfilled follower of God, there was no need for negotiations with God. God knows best! And Joshua simply knew that God was with him—and that was enough, because he had a heart to follow, and a faith to believe. c) Having the courage to act upon God’s leading – “…they took it up…their feet touched the water’s edge…” (3:7-15). This required getting their feet wet! Hearts to follow, and the faith to believe, are inner realities. The courage to take intentional action, in obedience to

carrying the Ark came to the edge of the water. Did the waters part?

No. The priests had to step into the water, and as they did so (imagine the people as they stood around— probably in hushed silence). Did the waters part? No. We tend to assume that it parted immediately—just as we sometimes see in films. But nothing happened! I used to think that when the feet of the priests were in the water, there was a loud “whoosh,” the waters parted, and the people crossed over on dry land singing something similar to “Kumbaya!” However, it did not happen that way in this particular case.

God, is the external expression of these inner realities. Joshua displayed the courage to act by declaring with great confidence, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” (Vs.5). Joshua could have said, sharpen your swords, lace up your sandals, produce more spears, for tomorrow we will fight a great battle.”

However, Joshua’s priority and leadership demonstrated that everything revolved around the presence of God, the promise of God, and the power of God! We need the courage to act upon that which God has promised. These verses serve as a reminder to us that moving forward will sometimes require that we first “get our feet wet” by acts of faith, before God answers our prayers! We cannot afford to say, “I believe, Lord” and then take no action at all.

Faith without works is dead.

Maintaining a Godward focus in seasons of change means that we act—stepping forward in faith and waiting for “the waters” to part! In Joshua they stepped forward in great faith - they came to the edge of the un-crossable river and the priests, by faith, stepped in. d) The God of “the already!” (3:1617) – “…the water from upstream stopped flowing…”

The God of the already! The priests

As the priests neared the water – nothing happened.

As the priests dipped their feet into the water – nothing happened.

They stepped a bit further in – nothing happened.

A little deeper – nothing happened!

If it was me standing there, by this time I would probably be thinking something must be wrong because nothing was happening—I can imagine that the priests may have started to feel rather foolish, maybe wondering if Joshua has heard correctly from God? Perhaps we imagine that the crossing of the Jordan ought to happen in the same manner as the crossing of the Red Sea. Those of you who have seen the film “The Prince of Egypt” may remember how Moses took the staff and struck the water and “boom!” the sea parted immediately.

However, it was not like that in Joshua Chapter 3. The waters did not part as expected. The Bible tells us exactly what happened in Verse 16 – it tells us that “…a great distance away…” up in the north, at that city of Adam, near Zaretha, the water ceased. Again, picture the scene—the priests are standing in the water and nothing observable is happening. However, at the city of Adam, the water had already ceased. Scholars suggest this was approximately 20 kilometres away from where the nation was crossing, at a place near Jericho.

For the priests in the water—the water was still flowing. However, they were standing on “holy ground”, and although it may have seemed to them that nothing was happening, God’s miracle for them had already begun! At Adam, “a great distance away”, the waters had already ceased flowing!

Why didn’t God open the waters right there where the priests stood?

Why did He stop the flow a great distance away? Did God get it wrong with His aim? Did He miss the spot where they were crossing? Of course not! Here’s the point—this was a new day, a new season under Joshua’s leadership, and God was doing away with the old! God was doing a new work in a new day, in a new way. He was teaching them to walk by faith!

Friends, we need to maintain a Godward focus and trust in times of change—we can trust in “the God of the already!”

You may be facing challenges and wrestling with the uncertainties of an unpredictable future. Be encouraged that God has already acted. God has already been at work preparing something “a great distance away”. Keep seeking the Lord – the outworking of His miracle has already begun!

Our God of “the already!” The question we need to ask ourselves is—are we ready? Ready with a heart to follow God’s lead? Ready with a faith to believe what God has said?

Ready with the courage to act upon God’s lead? Ready to experience the blessing and deliverance of “the God of the already!”

We consider the proposed structural changes that will impact the Queensland Baptists movement, if they are successfully voted on at the April Assembly. Take some time to reflect on the principles in Joshua, and how they may apply to you, your spouse or family. How will it apply to your current role? To the QB leaders and churches? Are there any other reflections?

God Bless!

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 9

SPEAKING OUT

REMEMBRANCE

BY PETER FRANCIS

MALYON THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE PRINCIPAL

We will soon celebrate what many consider to be a sacred day in the Australian calendar. No, I’m not talking about Good Friday, but ANZAC Day. In our increasingly secularised post-Christendom world the sacredness of Christian celebrations, like Christmas and Easter, have been somewhat stripped of their original meanings and purpose. They have become little more than another excuse for a public holiday and a marketing opportunity for retailers.

Yet, there is still a moment in the Australian calendar which causes many Aussies to pause, stop, reflect and remember. On 25 April many will brave the early morning chill to attend dawn services. Some might even be planning a trip to ANZAC Cove. Still others will content themselves with watching some of the services on TV. But for all who participate in these services, there is one piece of common liturgy that defines every ANZAC Day service—the concluding words of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “Recessional,” in which he writes, “Lest we forget.”

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Why is that line so important to the ANZAC Day liturgy? It is simply because we, as human beings have a bothersome tendency to forget important things—important things that have shaped and fashioned us and instilled in us the values we hold dear.

Memory is a curious thing, isn’t it?

Have you ever wondered why we remember some things and forget others? Psychologist Shahram Hesmat from the University of Illinois suggests that emotion plays a significant part in our memory: “emotion acts like a highlighter pen that emphasizes certain aspects of experiences to make them more memorable.”1 In other words, our emotional engagement in a memory, for good or ill, will tend to reinforce that memory.

We can all recall some of the more wonderful moments in our lives, moments we have relived a thousand times over, and found fresh delight with every recollection—maybe a wedding day or the birth of a first child, or some other life-defining event. Yet, we can also recall those more painful moments in our lives, when perhaps we were greatly injured—the memory of which still brings bitter pain and distress to our hearts. On the other hand, we have all known what it is to have forgotten things from the past, sometimes from just a few minutes ago! It’s like my wife asking me to pick up certain groceries at the shops when I’m there, only to find that when I get home, I have forgotten at least one of them (I hate when I do that!) But the truth is, too often my mind has been elsewhere when she has asked. Sometimes we don’t remember because the matter or incident was never really that important to us in the first place.

But sometimes our failure to remember is on account of what we call “repressed memories”. These are memories of things or events that have caused us significant pain and distress. Psychologists put this down to what they call “cognitive dissonance”. This is where we have conflicting experiences in our past, and our mind seeks to block some memories to relieve us of pain.

A number of years ago I had the gut-wrenching experience of visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. I had also visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem and so thought that I was well prepared for what I was about to encounter. Yet, as I walked through the Washington DC Museum, I once again found myself being moved to the point of feeling physically distressed. As I neared the exit of the Museum, I had to pass through the obligatory gift shop, which at first glance seemed to me to be singularly inappropriate. However, as I entered the gift shop, I spotted something which I felt I could hardly pass by.

It was a small polished stone, with one simple word engraved upon it, “Remember.” I bought that small cold stone which spoke to me so powerfully. Its purpose was to make sure that people, like me, never blocked out or forgot the horror of the Holocaust!

What was the value of this stone?

It was a powerful and yet tangible object that served as a highlighter to engrave upon my mind the memory of what I had seen and been emotionally drawn into, as I walked through the museum that day. Each time I pull that stone out of a drawer, my mind is immediately taken back to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. The emotions and horror that I felt that day, suddenly come rushing back!

As I read the Scriptures, I am reminded that God also places great value on tangible objects and ceremonies which cause us to pause and remember. For example,

in Joshua 4 we find the record of God’s command to Joshua to have twelve men, from the twelve tribes of Israel, take up twelve large stones from out of the midst of the Jordan River as they crossed over on dry land. Once safely on the other side of the river, they were instructed to pile up these stones on the west side of the Jordan at a place called Gilgal.

Then God gave the instruction, “In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD… These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:67). God seems to know that we as humans need tangible objects which will be perpetual reminders of his goodness and faithfulness to us.

We will soon be celebrating another sacred day in the church’s calendar. That is Good Friday! As we approach this time, it does us good to pause and reflect. As we contemplate the gruesome reality of the cross, we are also reminded how Jesus, the night before the cross, shared the Passover meal with His disciples, and in the process gave it a whole new meaning and significance. As He did, He gave these words of admonition to his disciples, “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:24).

Each time we share in the Lord’s Supper, we are being invited by God to pause and remember—to call to mind the goodness and faithfulness of God who made it possible for us to be brought into the glorious life He has promised to all who embrace the Lordship and life of Christ.

But this “remembrance” is to be more than a simple calling to mind.

Dr A J Culp, our Old Testament and Hebrew lecturer at Malyon Theological College, suggests that the kind of remembering that is called for in the Book of Deuteronomy is not just a remembering of facts that might

Shahram Hesmat, “Why do we remember certain things, but not others.” Psychology Today, Oct 2015. https:// www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/science-choice/201510/why-do-we-remember-certain-things-forget-others A J Culp, “More than Mindfulness: Memory and the Motivation of Ethics in Deuteronomy” (SBL Conference Paper, 2018).

motivate obedience, but rather that “remembering is done in order to obey.”2 He goes on to say, that “It is the kind of remembering that turns observers into participants.”

Deuteronomy, he argues, “aims for each new generation to identify with Israel’s defining events, so to feel the weight of covenant responsibility and the desire to love God in obedience.” By actively entering into the remembrance, one can truly express participation in the covenant relationship with God. Surely this gives us a deeper insight into what Jesus is saying. This memorial feast, the Lord’s supper, is designed to provide the physical elements that serve as highlighters, to reinforce the recall of all that Jesus accomplished on our behalf upon the cross. But it is more than that. It’s a call for us to be not merely passive, albeit grateful, observers of all that Christ did but, active participants, sharers in this great redemptive story. Only then can we truly identify with the depth of Paul’s testimony when in Galatians 2:20 he says, “I have been crucified together with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”

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

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Baptisms

Boonah Baptist Church

Boonah Baptist Church • Kayla Wong • Olivia Wong • Maryke Neller City Tabernacle Baptist Church • Jesse Churchill Coorparoo Baptist Church • Fiona Payne • Matthew Watson Emerald Baptist Church • Morne Van Zyl • Avril Van Zyl • Robyn-Lee Van Zyl • Matthew Van Zyl • Feltus Du Toit • Shane Du Toit • Pauline Lamela • Aaron Hill • Michael McEwen • Samantha Aitonean • Grace Gellatly Rivers Baptist Church – Lawnton • Michael Taylor

Emerald Baptist Church

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. 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!

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Around the regions

Awaken Conference Hope Community Baptist Church - Burpengary Tom Jones and the Global Awakening team from Pennsylvania USA were key speakers at the Awaken Conference hosted by Hope Community at Burpengary.

The church prayed that they would be equipped and empowered to answer God’s call upon lives within the Community.

The team witnessed God healing’s power for conditions of the brain, such as autism. One of the church members shared “What a blessed time it was. My Dad received some healing after 50 years of ear imbalance issues�.

Prayers of healing and revival were part of Thursday evening, and testimonies were shared on Sunday morning. Tom said “Pray for those in your life. I always love ministering around the world, but especially when I’m building relationships with people who steward God’s presence well. Australia was full of these relationships.

God is up to something special there!�.

Thank you, Lord, for revival and healing!

Franklin Graham Tour In February 2019, Franklin Graham shared the Gospel across Australia, like his father did 60 years earlier.There were just under 9000 people who went along to hear Franklin Graham speak at the Gardens Point River Stage in Brisbane.

Stewart Pieper (Acting General Superintendent of Queensland Baptists) and Emil Rahimov (Regional Consultant) joined other Baptist and Christian leaders who were blessed to meet Franklin and, along with others, pray for him before he spoke.

Stewart said, “He struck me as a wonderful humble man who deeply loves the Lord Jesus and is passionate about others coming to know Him!� Franklin told people about Jesus Christ— how faith in Him can change hearts and bring hope and healing to the nation. Over 345 people responded and came forward on the night for prayer. Of these, 158 made decisions to follow Christ! Another 259 responded through the online streaming, which was received in 28 countries and another 28 responded by text. Praise God for the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of so many as the Gospel was proclaimed!

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 13

Townsville. We have had the privilege to form some great friendships with all these volunteers”.

Pastor Michael Stainbrook from Northreach Baptist Church with some of the donations received at the pop-up op shop.

Townsville and North Queensland Flood Disaster Tim Jones – Northreach Baptist Church, Kirwan Tim Jones is the Administrator at Northreach Baptist Church at Kirwan and he talks about the flood, and events as they unfolded: “On the 3rd of February 2019, the flood gates of the Ross River Dam opened releasing over 1800mm of rain that had fallen over the city in the previous week. Over 2,000 homes were damaged as waters burst the banks of the Ross River. Many people in the northern and south eastern suburbs of Townsville were evacuated. Many families from our sister Baptist churches in Townsville were also severely impacted. Thankfully, although many lost a lot of their possessions, very limited lives were lost.”

The city responded to this disaster remarkably, as locals and those from the wider regional community assisted those in need. The church was also quick to spring into action. Northreach Baptist Church established a small Facebook group to connect assistance requests with available helpers. It eventually became an avenue for a workforce of over 150 volunteers from both the churches and community.

“It was encouraging to hear from some of the pastors around Townsville about how they have been able to collaborate with each other and with groups like Samaritan’s Purse to meet the needs of a community suffering from a natural disaster. The team from Samaritan’s Purse headed up by Rob Rolley arrived about a week into the response. Samaritan’s Purse went on to induct approximately 100 volunteers who spent over 2,100 hours assisting over 120 more homes in the weeks following their arrival. The churches also hosted Stuart Beveridge and the team from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) to assist both emotionally and spiritually, and connect those effected with Jesus and the church. We know of at least one instance of a lady coming to Christ through their work.

BGEA also ran a training session called “Hope in Crisis” that was appreciated by the combined churches of

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During the recovery, the community hall at Northreach was turned in to a “pop up op shop” collecting and distributing donations, and providing people in need with furniture, clothing, sheets, hygiene products and other items. Pastor Michael Stainbrook said he was excited to receive donations by the truck loads.

“We’ve got every possible thing people could need to get themselves started again, at least until they get a bit of money and accommodation.

“We’ve given out around 1,500 packages which represents about 8,000 families and the trucks keep coming so we’ll keep on going until people don’t need it anymore” Mr Stainbrook said.

“Through the strong relationship shared between Northreach and Food Relief NQ, fresh and frozen food was obtained and distributed. It was also through this relationship that we received approximately 1300 “Hello Fresh” food boxes that were distributed to the community from the church off a large refrigerated truck. It was amazing to reconnect with many that have fallen away from the church over the years through this event, and provide for their urgent physical needs, while prompting them to reconnect in their relationship with Jesus”.

While the flood levels have subsided, and the clean-up is underway the effects of the flooding are still having a dramatic impact on the Townsville community.

For instance, many residences have been rendered unliveable, not because of water inundation, but because of toxic mould which has thrived in the wet humid conditions.

The clean-up.

“It has truly been amazing to see the resilience and compassion of the community, along with the opportunities that God gave to assist those in crisis.

So many volunteers have helped in providing food for volunteers, sorting donations, counselling, cleaning, administration and the list goes on! We are so proud to be part of a city and also a group of churches that has such a willingness to work together. Please continue

to pray for our city, that as people settle back into their homes and lives there will be opportunities to share the hope of Christ in the midst of recovery.”

Stewart Pieper (Acting General Superintendent) recently visited the region and advised “ The message I got from those I talked to was that while the flooding has been devastating for the community, the disaster has provided a wonderful opportunity for the churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to serve the community sacrificially in this time of need, and has provided an open door to share the good news about Jesus. As a result of the churches practical assistance to the community, some have started attending church for the first time in their lives. Please continue to pray for the churches in the Townsville area as they work together to show the love of Jesus to those in need”.

Adrian Pratap from Northern Beaches reported that the situation continues to present opportunities for the Church to demonstrate Christ’s love in ministering to the local communities. Steve Ballin from Sugar Reef, Ingham also reports that there is a sense of positivity in that Christ-followers have the opportunity to demonstrate the love of Christ to the community.

What an inspiring story to hear how the people of Northreach, and our other churches in the district, and beyond have been able to make a difference in their communities through this time of crisis. We continue to collect funds in our tax-deductible flood appeal to help those in need in North Queensland. You can also help by donating to the appeal and continuing to pray for our North Queensland friends. Thank you for your support!

North Queensland Flood Appeal Queensland Baptists, in conjunction with Carinity (QB’s Community Care Arm), has opened a flood relief appeal in response to the needs of those who have suffered damage to their homes in the Townsville region. The appeal will be open to the general community but managed through our churches and ministries in the district who will connect with affected families and provide them with direct monetary relief. 100% of all donations will be placed in the hands of people who have been affected by the flood and are Tax Deductible.

Donations can be made now through the Carinity Donations account as follows or call 07 3550 3737 or visit www.carinity.org.au and click the Donate Now Button.

Bank: ANZ BSB: 014-002 Acc: 8361 39088 Description: “Flood” Thank you for your support for Queensland communities and making a real difference to people in need.

Clontarf Beach Baptist Church Pastor Cam Celebrates 80!

Pastor Cam Bennett is the much-loved Associate Pastor (Pastoral Care) at Clontarf Beach Baptist.

He has recently been overwhelmed with the huge gathering of over 200 family, friends and Church family for his 80th birthday.

This is a testament to the high regard in which he is held, and for his faithful work in visiting the sick and isolated, and serving the homeless through the Church’s Tuckerbox ministries. The occasion was made even more memorable with an unannounced visit by one of his sons, David, who flew in from Dubai.

The Lord has created each of us for good works which he has “prepared in advance for us to do”. Age is not a barrier for Cam and, together with his wife Anita, he intends to continue serving his Lord. A great example for all of us!

Pastor Cam, his wife Anita and friend Daniel

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 15

QB WOMEN

Hope to people in Nepal

BY CATHY KNECHTLI

When I was a little girl, one of my favourite stories was about the legendary city of Kathmandu – with its narrow, winding streets, bright colours, and beautiful people. I didn’t think about it being a real place, but rather an amazing, mythical, storybook legend.

In January of this year, I was immensely privileged to be invited

by Baptist World Aid to participate in a Women in Leadership trip to Nepal.

hours at a time to reach them. Here, the project had been running for almost 9 years, and the changes this community achieved since Baptist World Aid’s Christian partner in the field began its work in the area was huge.

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, really is like that storybook city of my girlhood: a labyrinth of twisting streets; a palette of colours to arrest your gaze, and a home for beautiful, joy-filled people.

We saw a school that now has university-trained teachers, a library with several thousand books, and a computer lab with 36 computers, that each class gets time with every day.

But I wasn’t on the trip to stay in Kathmandu, I was there to see the work supported by the women of Queensland through the giving at the Anew Conferences. And as we travelled out of the city’s tourist district, the landscape changed. In other parts of city, the devastation caused by the 2015 earthquakes was still highly visible. Many buildings had not been rebuilt, and piles of rubble still littered the streets. But as we left the city limits, the landscape shifted once more.

We met a Cooperative that manages 48 Self-Reliance Groups in the area, representing 1123 people who have had opportunities to learn skills and take small loans to grow their income. Now families in the community are running their own businesses, growing enough food to feed them all year round, raising animals… and more!

The first community we visited was quite remote. We navigated narrow dirt roads, carved into mountainsides, and travelled for 16 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

We visited schools, Child Clubs, women’s Self-Reliance Groups and Cooperatives (which are formed to oversee and support the work of self-reliance groups in the area).

We met a women’s Self-Reliance Group, none of them had completed their education... But despite their lack of schooling and education, they had worked to learn new skills and raise enough funds to build a road to their village. Now they no longer have to trek through the

jungle when they go to market!

We also met with a Child Club that has raised awareness regarding child marriage, domestic violence, alcohol abuse, sanitation and health in the community. We asked the chairman of this group what impact the project has had on his life. His response: “Extraordinary impact. By being a member of the club, I have built confidence and championed child rights”. Now he is excited to see child participation in all structures throughout his community.

And we visited the home of a young girl—15 years old, in year 9 and the youngest of four siblings. Life has not been easy for her family. Her mother and father are both deaf and mute. But since becoming a child partner, things have steadily improved. Her family’s livelihood has increased through income generating activities such as goat, poultry and vegetable farming.

Which means she has been able to stay at school.

Interestingly, one of the things that we heard from everyone we met with—regardless of their age or gender, was that their confidence had increased through being part of a group; meeting together and learning together. They also told us, that before these groups existed, they didn’t even really know each other. Now they have a great

network of friends and support! And as their incomes have increased, thanks to the new skills they’ve learned, life is so much better.

Without the support and giving of the women at the Anew conferences, this might have been a very different story. I am thankful for your generosity!

The second area we visited couldn’t have been more different.

We only visited two projects during our trip. The first, which I’ve just told you about, had been going for many years. The second was still in the design phase, and just about to start up.

We travelled through the night to get there… and woke up in the morning to flat land, as far as the eye could see! The mountains had disappeared!

The community we visited was in the very early stages of the project.

As such, groups had not been finalised, but we were able to meet with people that would become part of these groups in the future.

Most of the parents in the area are illiterate and don’t understand the value or importance of education for their children…yet.

We met with three teenage girls, none of whom currently attend school. One girl went to school until year 4, while her brothers were allowed to attend until year 6. Another went until grade 7. All

of them said that they used to love school, and are sad they are no longer able to attend. Their days are now filled with preparing food for the family and working on the farm. They don’t have any free time, or spare hours to play with their friends. And they will possibly be married before they are much older.

We were all quite emotional leaving these girls, thinking about our own children and how we would feel if they were in a similar situation.

The next stop was a school attended by 222 children, and run by only 4 teachers. The teachers said they have a lot of challenges at the school—not enough space or staff, no clean drinking water, no access to safe toilets, no electricity and (on top of all that) the building itself is not safe.

After that, we met with 25 women who shared their belief that people don’t care for them because they are women. None of them went to school, they are all illiterate and none can speak the national language. But they still have big dreams for change in their community. They want to get rid of the Dowry System and they want their children to be educated and employed.

However, one of the most impacting moments for me was when we met with a family from a nomadic tribe.

This tribe travels from community to community and are one of the poorest and most underprivileged people groups in the country. There are around 100 family groups in

this new area of project work who are part of this moving community.

They are Nepali citizens, but they don’t own any land. The father of the family we met told us that to get money to survive, they have to beg in the communities and at festivals, and their children have to play in bands or go into the jungle to collect honey to sell. His face and voice are burnt into my memory— his determination to tell their story, the hopelessness of it all. None of his children had been to school and without your generous support, their future would be grim.

After seeing the strength of the first community, and hearing about the amazing change, I am convinced that all the people we met in this new area of project work will greatly benefit from your generosity.

Nepal is so much more than my childhood storybook legend. It’s a country of warm and generous people, wonderous landscape and diverse geography. The Nepalese resilience in the face of disaster and devastating loss is incredible. At our Anew conferences this year, our focus and giving will be directed towards Nepal…and as we give, we will help children, women, families and communities in this area make incredible life changes.

Let’s do what we can to make a real difference. Let’s stand together as a movement of Queensland women— with women around Australia and women around the world, and give hope to people living in poverty in Nepal.

Perhaps the earliest Baptist connection was when Rev James Mursell, minister of the City Tabernacle Baptist Church, spent a vacation in Stanthorpe early in 1911, attracted by its healthy climate.

C H Buzacott, the well-known newspaperman and politician, spent his last days in the district.

Stanthorpe Baptist Church - crest

THIRTY YEARS TO PLANT A CHURCH – STANTHORPE BAPTIST CHURCH Baptist work began officially at Stanthorpe, the capital of the Granite Belt, which is the apple and grape centre of Queensland, in 1955. This was about eighty years after the district was first opened up as a promising tin mining centre, and well after other churches were well established. Even though the Baptists trailed the others by so long, there was a period of about thirty years during which seeds were being planted. This process involved people from many different places with a wide variety of connections.

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As part of an energetic postWorld War I evangelistic drive, the Queensland Baptist Home Mission listed Stanthorpe amongst the areas for new churches. The Home Mission Superintendent encouraged the Warwick church to initiate this outreach, which began in the 1920s with weeknight services, and later a mission. Key contacts were the Walter Hodgson family at Ballandean, the Goodwin family at Cottonvale and the Stephen Stephens, son of one of the prominent Queensland Baptist pioneers. There were many others, including the Flood family who had strong Baptist backgrounds but joined up with existing churches, especially the Presbyterian church at Thulimbah which, with wide vision, was home to many of Baptist persuasion; an interim minister for the Presbyterians was Arthur Barnard, part of a large well-known Baptist family.

Particular impetus was given when the Baptist Union ‘King’s Business Campaign’ led by Rev Thos McColl, and supported by Pastor Rupert Frewin, focused on the Soldier Settlement area around Amiens and Pozieres. The beginnings were very promising, with property promised and the support of the Presbyterians, but the work did not establish itself then.

However, interest was not lost and during the later 1920s and 1930s, pastors from Warwick maintained ministry in different parts of the Granite Belt through weeknight services, visitation and religious instruction – with occasional special efforts. They were often rewarded with conversions, usually through personal evangelism, and additions to church membership. Christian Endeavour was a vital link which enabled Baptist leaders who were speakers at conventions to maintain contact with people in the district.

Although there was never much success with ministry in Stanthorpe itself, a pharmacist from Nambour who visited the area had enough faith to donate a good block of land for future use – even though at the time the Baptist Union could see no value in it.

The Gospel Waggon at the Thulimbah Border gate with Mr Geoff Rolls, Mrs and Rev R G (Dick) Walker, 14 Nov 1946

Stanthorpe Baptist Church – with visiting Missouri-Australia Crusade evangelist and John Dunn, and Rev R C Bickerton, April 1964

But soon a dramatic change took place. After World War II, the Baptist Union ‘Gospel Waggon’, operated

by Rev Max Howard, took a special interest in the area, initially the old Soldier Settlement area (which again did not produce lasting results).

The Warwick minister, Rev Dick Walker, was strongly supportive of this outreach. Together, in the late 1940s, these two seasoned evangelists made many forays into the district, building on years of earlier contacts, with some remarkable stories recorded in the Gospel Waggon diary. They also decided the block of land was ideally suited for advance.

By 1951, it was obvious that regular services could begin, and the Home Mission gave the area increased priority. Another visit by the Gospel Waggon helped, and by the end of the year, the Home Mission announced that, despite serious staff shortages, Pastor Rob Beeston, an outstanding young man from Fairfield, would be appointed to the work. Commencing in March 1952, the ministry blossomed and was reported to be a church ‘ full of zeal ‘ and progressing in ‘victorious style.’ The church was officially formed 21 April 1955 with 15 foundation members. Activities were held at first in the CWA Hall and then the disused Salvation Army citadel, but soon the block of land was developed and a church building was opened 8 Feb 1958; a manse was purchased as well.

Salvation Army citadel used by Stanthorpe Baptist Church, 1954

The Home Mission supplied pastors during the following years, who served well, but were often moved on quickly due to the needs of the Home Mission and for health and other reasons. Some who served longer periods included Rev Robert Bickerton (1962-65), Rev Len Maycock (1965-68) and especially Rev Ray McKenzie (1974-81). By its twentieth anniversary, the church had become financially independent of the Baptist Union and had many different activities such as a Dorcas Society, Sunday School, Brigades, CE and evangelistic activities.

Membership at the centenary was around 80. Later there was significant renewal ministry, resulting from the visit of a team from the Solomon Islands. Several people entered full time services including Joyce Mayers, Carol Neville, John Johnston and Andrew Carnell.

Property development took place to meet the widening ministries, with the erection of a fine new church in 2000.

So a century or so after the first Baptist contact with the district, Baptist witness was well established, fulfilling in a way what an Australian Baptist missionary leader had blogged about during a visit to Queensland in 1915— travelling by rail from the south, he mentioned the border town of Wallangarra, but said, Stanthorpe was ‘the real gateway to the State’.

He declared: ‘(L]oyal Queenslanders should make [this] prolific fruit centre the introduction to their giant country.’

This is a cameo version of the history of Stanthorpe Baptist Church. For the full story, become a member of Baptist Heritage Qld and a receive our journal Qld Baptist Forum – only $10 per annum for individuals, $15 family and $20 church. We need you to help preserve, promote and publish our Queensland Baptist Heritage!

WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THOSE OLD CHURCH RECORDS? Most churches have now switched to computers for making and keeping their church records. So the question is, what should be done with that collection of old paper records cluttering up the church office which go back to the origins of the church? Answer: check out the new Guide Sheet from the Archives which gives practical step by step solutions.

Visit https://tinyurl.com/yyko6tf2

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

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 19

QCCC

SUMMER

Daze

In February my university-aged son and I flew to Canada and the USA for a two-week visit to the polar vortex (which was not a bad thing when it included time on the world class ski fields of the Rockies). As much as it was a personal holiday, camp directors can’t resist the urge to check out what campsites are around, wherever they are in the world. In Crowsnest Pass there were several campsites, all in jawdropping locations on the shores of lakes, surrounded by mountains.

The land for most Christian campsites was secured decades ago, and generally they enjoy an extraordinary location (*cough* Mount Tamborine *cough*).

the bitter cold months and emerge in Spring for a primary focus on Summer Camps. A few remain open through the year, but still refer to their summer as “ministry camps” with the remainder of their service provision described as “rentals”.

Many camps there are reliant on donations and volunteer labour.

The Christian camping scene is quite a bit different in North America to Australia. Most of their northern sites are forced to “winterise” during

However, QCCC’s summer of 2018/19 was also an extraordinary time of ministry, and we are humbled by how God took the clay of our

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Australian sites, and particularly in Queensland with our yearround warm weather, tend to have embraced a broader vision of ministry and stewardship. It would be incongruous to dismiss most of the camps we host as a “rental” conducted purely to justify school holiday camps.

sites, and people, and filled it with a rich summer wine.

Straight out of Christmas, Mapleton was filled with the annual family summer holiday program, a 35-year old tradition which blesses multigenerational families, some of whom have attended unbroken since 1983.

Morning worship and devotions and a kid’s program were followed by long days enjoying the splendour of God’s creation on the Blackall Range.

In January, Brookfield was alive to the throbbing of drums, as an African prayer group filled every room, and grooved and moved in the auditorium - as only they can. At the same time, QCCC Tamborine was hosting and catering for the annual CMS Summer School, another event with a long-standing heritage of inspiring global missions.

At the back end of family program, Mapleton hosted several families of the Jinibara elders, local custodians for the Blackall Range. Their endorsement of the Triballink program is essential to its authenticity, and over the last two years they have come to value QCCC as a venue for their

retreats and meetings, inspiring the comment “The workshop went off extremely well, with genuinely great outcomes. Perhaps it was the prayer-filled room in which we met?”

Their stay was followed by a camp of Aboriginal foster children, staying for their first time to have a cultural experience at Triballink.

By the middle of January things took on a youthful edge. Tamborine hosted the Gold Coast Churches of Christ Youth Camp which saw scores of faith decisions and rededications. As they were leaving, Power to Change (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) were arriving, their annual camp at the start of the year is an essential part of discipling and inspiring young mission operatives on university campuses throughout Australia.

At Brookfield, drums had given way to the orchestral splendour of the Queensland Band Association.

The site then hosted a sequence of leadership retreats, Baptist church leadership groups, Baptist ministries, and some of Queensland’s highest profile notfor-profit organisations who stayed at the venue. Their deliberations heightened by the diligence and excellence in hospitality QCCC Brookfield is famed for.

The last week of the school holidays has become “Baptist Week” for Mapleton, though hosting some very different events. Gateway Baptist combined their campuses and bought enough campers to fill nearly every bed. Immediately afterwards was the QB State Youth Camp, with similar numbers but drawing from multiple churches from around Queensland. The State Youth Camp is gathering momentum as an opportunity for smaller youth groups to come together in one peak event. It also gives our next generation a greater understanding of the Statewide movement that is Queensland Baptists. With a reconciliation theme, the first night saw the Triballink stage graced by indigenous leaders Billy Williams and Kerry Williams providing an inspiring message of what it means to care for God’s Creation and His people, reconciling our purposes to His grand story.

Personally, my involvement in the planning and delivery of the State Youth Camp is an annual highlight – the youth leaders in Queensland Baptists are committed, innovative and dedicated to the discipleship of their youth groups. They’re a great bunch to work with. Both camps saw a high number of faith decisions and people committing to baptism.

As Australia Day gave way to a new school term, the school buses returned to each site - Term One is always booked to capacity with Outdoor Education programs, retreats and music camps. However, as the dust settled on the month, we did a quick tally of the lives changed through the hazy days of summer. I am always very reluctant to quantify people’s personal spiritual decision, particularly since it’s a small marker on a lifelong journey of discipleship and spiritual growth.

Through the month, QCCC hosted well over 4,000 people. Nearly every one of those people heard or saw the gospel proclaimed, and the probability is that more than 200 people responded with a first-time faith decision at one of the venues.

Scores more re-dedicated their lives, and many will be baptised. Major ministries, church leaderships and youth groups were all able to use our venues to plan and implement their ministry and discipleship for the year ahead. For QCCC, this summer was certainly a fertile one for the growth of the Kingdom of God.

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

Leave a legacy to honour their memory.

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Valerie and John Lane

John Lane Rev Dr John Lane died on 17 January 2019 in his 76th year. The funeral service was held on 25th Jan 2019 at Bethshan Bible Church, Wyee, NSW. John was a good friend of Queensland Baptists, and a prolific contributor to Archives and the Baptist history in Queensland. He was a ready source of information about Baptist people and movements, and could always be relied upon to come up with helpful insights. Perhaps his best and favourite publication was the biography of his father, Rev Sam Lane, of whom John was immensely proud.

John trained at the Queensland Baptist College 1969-73, was ordained —- and served at Lawnton, (now Rivers) Toowong, and Nambour/Yandina, before moving to NSW in 1980, where his churches were Ingleburn, Belmont, Dungog and Cardiff. Most at home in the country, he returned to Queensland in 2002 to take up the work at Wondai and was honoured with the presidency 2007-2008. He made a special feature of the fact that he was a President from a country church – quite rare, but it was quite a sacrifice for him with the extra distances involved in travel to official functions.

Upon retirement, John and his beloved wife Valerie moved to Glen Innes where they were again active in the church.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 23

QB KIDS & THEIR FAMILIES

Everybody can do something.

Did you know that for a time during the Roman Empire, it was legal to leave an infant outside and abandon them if they were unwanted? The practice was called infant ‘exposure’.

It was a way of dealing with costly, ‘defective’ or illegitimate children in the ancient world. Many children died this way, while some were taken by strangers and eventually raised as slaves. The early Christian church however, moved by the gospel, decided to change this practice.

Christians began to listen for the cries of these babies, find them on rubbish heaps, and bring them home. These children were rescued and raised - not as slaves, but as adopted children and heirs.

Did you know that in Australia right now, there are over forty-six thousand children who don’t live at home with their families? Did you know that there are over 9000 children in Queensland alone who live in out-of-home, kinship and foster care? All of these children are in need of loving, permanent homes.

That’s a big number! Overwhelming even, when you consider how many foster and kinship families are still needed right now to take care of them all. But not so overwhelming when we remember that each of them has been uniquely made by our God, on purpose, for a beautiful purpose. He knows each of their names and has plans for each one.

Not one is forgotten by Him.

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celebrating.

y er

c

orth sw i d h il ev So, as the family of God, the question is not if we can help these children – but how. Maybe we can’t all be adoptive families, but what can we do to help demonstrate God’s love to these children? Well, everybody can do something. We need mamas who’s hearts are moved by firey compassion to fight for the hearts of these children.

We need fathers who will stand to protect them from harm, provide for them and teach them of their Father in heaven. But we also need ‘grandparents’ to read them bedtime stories and be at the sidelines of their sports matches, cheering them on louder than everybody else. We need ‘aunties’ and ‘uncles’, and friends to encourage, to pray for, to babysit, to play with and to share their wisdom. We need families.

We need tribes. We need places for them to belong. We need the village.

Maybe we can’t all adopt these children, but we can fulfil our calling as the adopted children of God: to love as He has loved us.

Be c a us e

God’s plan for the church is to make known His greatness, and demonstrate His great love to the world. Our God is the ‘father to the fatherless’ and the ‘defender of orphans’. He gives ‘homes to the lonely’ and is ‘close to the broken hearted.’ So, we know our God is concerned for these children, and we know that it is our calling as the church to care for these vulnerable, hurting children in our nation.

In answer to this call, we’ve been working on a resource for your church family. To help you step in and help be the family of God on mission together. It’s called You Parties. It’s a party-throwing kit that allows a team of a few to partner with a foster family, and help them celebrate their foster-child. Because every child is worth celebrating. And every child is created by God, in His image – and it is the church’s call to love and care for these children and extend the love of our God’s great big family.

If you’d like to know more about our upcoming resource, and the ways you can be involved in supporting foster families and loving these children, please email me at youparties@qb.org.au and visit youparties.org.au.

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

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QB YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

PASTORS & LEADERS RETREAT 2019

BY AARON FOZZARD - TEAM LEADER

used during that period, and what will be used in the future—wherever they go. Colin Stoodly from Mission to Queensland (MTQ) shared the details of the “Inspire” conferences in May. Colin also interviewed the oversight team to draw out more of their stores of what had been and was being experienced, as they focus on missional discipleship in their contexts. After a full day, everyone went to dinner and shared their hearts, stories, and ideas of the future.

This was the best Retreat we’ve had! (You were probably expecting a Youth Pastor to be excited about their programme, but it’s true, it was next level). We had great input (some would say, “too much”), continued to set a culture of community across the State, and had a tour of one of our missionally church communities. We spent time sharing about our ministry spaces, shared coffees and hearts, and attempted to rest.

After arriving on the beautiful sunshine coast the group was struck with humidity, and anticipation for the time ahead. LIfepointe Baptist Church at Buderim was already abuzz with young adults worshipping and fellowshipping together. After some greeting time, the crew made their way into the auditorium for our first round of sessions. We worshipped with song and word followed by the insights of Ken Conwell. Ken spoke about child safety, and the relevance and

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necessity of having child safety at the top of our to-do lists as we lead under 18s. The QB Youth and Young Adults (QBY&YA) oversight team gave direction into what was next for QBY&YA. This was done through the sharing of 3 years of stories, the presentation of tools

Tuesday was set to be our most information intense day. After a morning jolt of coffee, sleep was removed, energy filled the room, and the worship begun. As we focused, up, to God He spoke to our hearts refreshing us where needed.

Followed by the worship time, we heard from Tim Fawsset. Tim brought an eye opening and earthshattering session. Speaking into our possible racism and prejudices towards other people, groups and

kmsmith.com.au

religions. This was a confronting and timely session due to the nature of our nation’s multicultural diversity and international terrorism tensions. After the morning sessions we moved from Lifepointe to Goodlife Community Church also at Buderim. Here we were met by Tim Lovell and Daniel Gettis. These men embody the focus of reaching the surrounding communities. Tim Shared his heart, structure and future hopes for the community that use the Goodlife facility, leaving listeners with a newly found or rekindled fire for missional communities and social enterprises. Then came the time to head back to Lifepointe to hear Patricia Weerakoon speak about sex and gender. There was anticipation around the group. A huge issue that is being faced by leaders was about to be addressed.

Patricia spoke with clarity, speed, and humour, and didn’t shy away from any of the tough issues as some communicators do. Lots

of questions from the floor were answered, and some new questions were posed to the audience. After the sessions we made our way to dinner. As people retreated back to the hotel, some remained at the restaurant and continued to talk life, strategy and ministry over drinks.

Day three came way too fast.

However, it was not over yet! We worshipped together and prayed for each other, with each context and region represented. Steve Dixon, brought a punchy reminder of the facts of the Baptist movement and its aging nature. He spoke into the problem of discipleship to help us see that mission, evangelism and leadership are all parts of discipleship. For some this was a new concept as they have only seen and participated in the other models, separating them all or at most categorising them differently.

Steve pointed us to mission Australia to find facts about our young people, so that we might

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be more effective in our missional discipleship. After lunch we heard from Mark Westhuyzen. Mark spoke into the need for strategies to keep the pastor/leaders going through hard times. He reminded us that being a Christ follower is painful, yet pain is a good thing, as it helps us to become stronger for the next project or calling. He gave us helpful strategies and space to share some of our painful stories (yes, Youth and Young Adult pastors/leaders struggle with pain!) As the emotional day came to an end, people left ready for what God was going to do through them next. Retreat is a valuable time, this retreat was the best – lets hope and pray that it won’t be the last.

QBY&YA would like to thank Lifepointe Baptist Church and Goodlife Community Church for their generosity in hosting the retreat. May God continue to bless your ministries.

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Are we There Yet? A MOTHER’S ENCOURAGEMENT TO PERSEVERE

BY CHRISTINE WOOD

“Are we there yet?” I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard it from your kids, but I heard it from mine, a lot.

I moved from Yeppoon to go to university and married a Brisbane boy. He was building a business and it was pretty clear from early in our marriage that if I wanted to spend more than a few days a year with my family, I would have to learn to drive to Yeppoon with the kids by myself.

And so I did. At least once, and often twice a year, I would pack up my 3 kids and hit the road. 700kms of road, each way.

Are we there yet?

It is a long way. 700kms. And I knew that whatever was happening in the back seat of the car, fights, tears, vomit… I had to just keep my eyes on the road ahead. As much as we stocked up the car with toys and games and snacks, the question was inevitable.

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Are we there yet? No honey, not yet.

Are we there yet? No sweetheart, we’ve still got a long way.

Mummy, are we there yet? No! We are not there and we won’t be there for a very, very long time, now find one of those 200 toys you have in your bag and play happily, Sweetheart.

Turn up the High Five cassette tape and take a few deep breaths.

I had 3 kids in three and a half years.

Strangers would stop me in the shopping centre to comment on my beautiful kids. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said to me, “Enjoy them while they are young.

They grow up so fast.”

Fast? These years didn’t seem fast.

Like the long drive to Yeppoon, the days dragged on in fights and tears and mess.

When do we get there? How long until they grow up? How long before they can put on their own seat belts and peel their own bananas and put on their own shoes? God, are we there yet? When do I get to sleep through the night, or drink my coffee while it’s hot, or take a shower all by myself? Are we there yet? God, when do I get to go through a whole day without yelling? Or crying? Or feeling completely overwhelmed and out of my depth?

You don’t need to be a mother of small children to pray this prayer.

Anyone who has ever studied, or got a job, or served in a ministry, or worked a business, looked after elderly parents, or been married for more than 5 minutes knows that the journey is long and can be difficult at times. We all get to the point where we cry out, “God, are we there yet?”

I believe God meets with us in those moments, when the road feels too

long and we’re not sure we have enough strength to make it to the end. Here are 3 answers that God gives to us as we cry out to Him.

GOD IS WITH US He promises to be with us, always, and wherever we are.

this. God says, when you and I work together we can accomplish great things. Don’t give up.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

— Galatians 6:9

God promises to be with us. When we feel desperately alone, when we feel like we cannot cope any longer, when we are so tired it hurts to breathe, God is with us. His presence never leaves us. We are never, ever alone.

In the New Living Translation it says we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up. God brings blessing through faithful endurance.

God is faithful, and all of the hard work will be worth it, if you don’t give up. Whatever God has called you to do, it may be hard, and the journey may be long, but at the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing. It may not get easy, but God will complete the good work that He started. Trust Him, and don’t give up.

HE WANTS TO HELP US

How did I do it?

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

— Hebrews 4:16

How did I survive the journey?

Sometimes I honestly don’t know, but this I am sure of, it is by the grace of God.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” — Isaiah 41:10

God invites us to approach Him—to confidently come to Him and ask for His help. What an amazing invitation and promise. But it is an invitation that we must accept and proactively engage in. God is available, He makes the invitation, and He waits for us.

I hate asking for help. Always have.

There is this independent pride that tries to convince me that if I don’t do it by myself that I have somehow failed. What a load of rubbish. We were not designed to do life alone, or without God. Accept His offer and ask for help. Like a loving parent standing over a child struggling with a heavy load, He is waiting for us to look to Him and hand over the burdens we carry. He wants to help us. We just need to ask Him.

DON’T GIVE UP Don’t give up. Hang in there.

Persevere. Keep going. I’ve got

I have a wonderful husband who has been totally engaged the entire time. Marriage hasn’t always been easy, but it has been totally worth it. Parenting our children has been a team effort. To all the single parents doing the journey alone, I take my hat off to you. Double grace to you today.

God has been there for me when I cried out to Him. During the long nights in the rocking chair, the longer nights in the recliner next to a hospital bed, God has been there with me to comfort me, and give me the strength I needed for one more day.

When I found time to open God’s word I found the wisdom I needed to face the situation I was in. I have a shelf of journals with verses written out, recording the moments when God spoke to me from the Bible, with the encouragement I needed for that day.

I always had a community of faith around me to speak hope and courage into my family. We rarely missed church, and the support of the parents who were doing the journey around us was truly invaluable.

The most amazing thing for me, is that all the nice people in the shopping centre were right. They do grow up so fast.

We have made it through. We blinked, and it is now virtually all over.

In the space of less than 4 months my eldest daughter graduated from university and got engaged. My next daughter found a lovely little apartment and moved out of home.

My youngest, my son, graduated from high school and a week later started his carpentry apprenticeship.

They are all independent, young adults who don’t need me to manage their lives for them anymore.

We made it.

The landscape has completely changed. God has been incredibly faithful. Murray and I have celebrated 25 years of marriage, and we look forward to everything that the next season brings.

To all the parents doing the hard yards today, remember, God is with you and wants to help you. Cry out to Him. Don’t give up. It will be worth it!

Christine is a mum, wife and pastor at Gateway Baptist Church. Like many women, Christine struggles to find a good work/home/faith balance that honours God and serves her family well.

Visit Christine’s Blog to read more stories and devotionals - www.livingwithmargins.com

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 29

MALYON VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Yandina Baptist Training

Training Collaborative) has been facilitating training at several Baptist churches for those looking to be better equipped and skilled in providing pastoral care and support to those God has placed in their lives.

This is not part of formal accredited qualifications, but rather practical training directed at Christian people who are keen to be better equipped to care for others.

We all have people in our lives who we seek to care for in loving and compassionate ways. But sometimes we feel that we don’t know how to do that well, and we long to do better. Caring for others is at the heart of who we are, as people who follow Jesus. We all know Jesus’ response when he was asked about the most important mission for us as His followers, “to love God and love others.” Loving others can be challenging, as we may find ourselves confronted with situations that stretch our capacity and skills.

In the second part of 2018, and in the early months of 2019, Malyon Vocational Training (formerly The 30 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

The facilitator of these workshops and the Malyon Vocational Training Coordinator of its Pastoral Care course, Janelle Tidey, has been greatly encouraged by the response and feedback she has received to this training, and answers some common questions: Why is Malyon Vocational Training (MVT) doing these workshops?

The workshops started with churches asking us to help people to support people both within and outside the church community. There has been a lot of change on how we used to “do” pastoral care, and what is needed now. Many Pastors saw the change, and knew that for effective

pastoral care, the broader church community needed to understand, be skilled, and get a broader and more accessible vision for pastoral care.

Janelle said “In doing these workshops, I’m acutely aware that I am not THE expert in pastoral care.

There are some amazing people who are diligently doing this role without any recognition, both in the local churches and in areas such as hospitals, prisons, schools, aged care centres, crisis services and other places. There are also some very dedicated people who have taken the time to research, write, and continue to challenge us in the area of pastoral care.”

“What I try to do in the workshops is to be a representative of all these amazing people, and share their skills and knowledge in a manner where the local church can grow in their understanding of how to bring Jesus to others. This means, much of the learning and response is because of two factors – the willingness of those doing the role to share their skills and insights, and the openness of the local church to challenge themselves

to be Christ-like in the tough areas of life” What sort of issues were addressed? What are people are looking for in guidance and training?

I remember growing up with a church cultural belief that the issues touching those outside the church should not affect those within the church. Well, we’ve moved on.

The church is now more open to admitting that we can all be affected, either directly or indirectly, by the same issues. Issues such as mental illness, addiction, domestic violence, pornography, trauma, and grief.

These raise challenges for churches in the area of care. How do we make our church community inclusive to those with long term complex mental illness? Do we need complete healing from our own trauma before we can help others? How do we become vulnerable about our own challenges so that others can become vulnerable in accepting God’s love?

In the workshops, we take the time to process these types of questions, to learn from each other, and to make a commitment as a church community to reach out and care for those experiencing these hard issues.

Bundaberg Baptist Training

Flametree Baptist Training

Is there any feedback from those involved in the workshops?

‘Don’t question whether to do this workshop or not. Just do it!’

Anyone who knows me, knows of my belief that the most powerful voice is the voice of experience. So here are some statements that have been given as part of our feedback.

‘After the workshop a group of us went out for dinner and for 4 hours we continued to discuss points the workshop brought up’

‘I live with a mental illness, and in this workshop, I felt understood, lifted up and encouraged. Thank you’ ‘I have so many ideas now on how I can do pastoral care within the ministries I’m already involved in’ ‘As part of church leadership, we were excited to see the “light bulbs” go on for people on just what Pastoral Care can be. It’s no longer just us, but something we can all do as the body of Christ’

If you would be interested in exploring the possibility of a workshop taking place at your church, or a group of churches in your area, then please talk with your Pastor(s) who can contact Malyon Vocational Training on 07 3354 5656 to discuss it further.

By Andrew McCafferty and Janelle Tidey Malyon Vocational Training www.mvt@malyon.edu.au

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 31

CARINITY

Lord’s word crystal clear thanks to Carinity Innovation Grant Hearing-impaired churchgoers in the Gatton region are able to hear the word of God again thanks to Carinity.

Tenthill Baptist Church received a Carinity Innovation Grant to purchase “audio loop” hearing augmentation technology to help people with hearing difficulties hear church services.

Equipment installed in the church auditorium uses magnetic fields to send sound directly into the user’s ear canal, without background noise.

Tenthill Baptist Church Pastor Tim Grant says the audio loop technology has “greatly benefited several of our church members” such as pensioner Ula Binggeli.

“Ula has been a member of the church for a very long time, however in the last several years she continued to attend even though she could not hear anything in the service,” Tim says.

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Joy Neuendorf wears audio loop equipment at Tenthill Baptist Church purchased with a Carinity Innovation Grant.

“After wearing the audio loop device for the first time, she told people with a big grin that she was able to hear the service for the first time in five years.”

Tenthill Baptist Church was one of nine Queensland Baptist churches to last year be awarded a Carinity Innovation Grant, which enable churches to start or expand a community outreach.

“Particularly being in a farming community, many of our congregation and people in the community have industrial deafness from working with farm machinery,” Tim says.

“Thanks to the grant from Carinity we have seen the elderly and people with a hearing disability positively reengage with the church community.”

The latest round of the Carinity Innovation Grants, in its 15th year, is now open to Queensland Baptist churches.

“Carinity supports churches across Queensland to work in their local communities to help people in need.

A Carinity Innovation Grant can help you fund your bright idea that innovatively responds to emerging community needs,” Carinity CEO Jon Campbell says.

“Grants of up to $7,000 are available to approved sustainable initiatives to enable Baptist churches to start a new community outreach, expand an existing ministry, or collaborate to introduce a Carinity service into your community.”

Since 2005, Carinity has helped kickstart more than 130 church initiatives in local communities across the state through total grants exceeding $400,000.

Applications for the 2019 Carinity Innovation Grants close May 31.

To find out more phone 3550 3737 or visit carinity.org.au/innovationgrants.

Carinity leading the way in dementia care for seniors

Around 440,000 Australians live with dementia and almost 1.5 million Australians are involved in their care.

However, dementia training is currently not mandatory for aged care and home care workers.

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe told the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality that about 70 per cent of the aged care workforce did not receive any training about dementia as part of their training.

Carinity Home Care is passionate about providing specialised quality service to older residents living with dementia, including conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

All Carinity Home Care Bribie Island lifestyle carers are completing dementia-specific training through Dementia Australia and the University of Tasmania.

Carinity Home Care Bribie Island Lifestyle Coordinator Julie Harrison says it is important that her team members be skilled in understanding the complexities of dementia.

“Dementia is one of the most prevalent conditions to affect the older members of the community.

Therefore, it is important that our care staff are supported in accessing knowledge in understanding dementia and learning skills how to best communicate and encourage persons affected by this disease,” Julie says.

“This Carinity team has taken advantage of every opportunity to complete courses in dementia care, whether online, at workshops or at university.

the activities of daily living but also participating in activities that bring enjoyment to their lives.”

Julie says Carinity Home Care also supports local Dementia Support Groups and the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative.

Carinity Home Care offer a full range of service to support seniors to remain living independently at home including household support, nursing care, personal grooming, and getting you out and about to the shops and with friends in your local community.

For more on Carinity Home Care visit CarinityHomeCare.org.au or phone 1300 109 109.

“Knowing how to communicate effectively with persons affected by dementia means Carinity carers can support our clients in not just

Julie Harrison from Carinity Home Care Bribie Island, a supporter of the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative and whose carers are completing dementia-specific training.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 33

GLOBAL INTERACTION

The way forward in South Asia missionary couple was allowed to initiate a new work during their first term “in the field’ — they needed time for language and cultural adjustment. It was resolved that missionary couples would adopt a lifestyle compatible with their locality. Learning the local language, including significant religious vocabulary, was a priority. It enabled them to understand the culture and share in festivals and activities with their community. No pork was cooked in their kitchens, the wives would not answer the door to male callers, and the women would not go into the towns unless accompanied by their husband, their children or women friends.

Morris and Ros

I’m sure you know of a person who seems to have been “made” for the roles in life they are pursuing.

It appears they have been “born” for the task. So many things seem to come easy to them, even in the most difficult of circumstances. One such person who could fall into this category is Morris Lee. Morris, who, with his wife, Roslyn, has served with Global Interaction full-time since 1977 - 42 years!

across the globe, and following the war, many former European colonies pressed for independence.

Independence for South Asian countries brought a number of changes – “…gone were the days of automatic entry to a country and freedom of movement, as more and more restrictions were gradually imposed on the presence and activities of foreigners, particularly missionaries.”1.

Morris started work in South Asia during a time of turmoil and change.

In the mid-1970s, the work of Christian mission was changing.

Australian Baptists had long felt led to serve God in South Asia, the first missionaries arriving in 1882.

World War 2 brought great change

By the mid 1970’s new guidelines were established for the placement of Australian Baptist missionaries into the South Asia region. It was decided to place the work in communities where there were no known followers of Jesus.

The decision was made that no

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1.

Further, community service projects were an important factor in gaining acceptance of the missionary presence in the town. Reading rooms, libraries, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) classes, and services such as a driving school, hair dressing academy, health and disability services and advocacy groups for rural mothers were established.

Such programs brought an important breakthrough in the work by providing a point of contact with local people and bringing opportunities to build relationships.

The missionaries decided to employ local staff who were believers within the majority community, rather than import staff from the more “traditional” Christian communities already established. Such changes were often difficult to achieve, but God blessed their perseverance.

Over time, local believers had the

T Cupit, R Goodens & K Manley (Ed.), From five barley loaves. (Preston, Mosaic Press, 2013), p. 139

opportunity and freedom to develop their own forms of worship and developed their own distinctive faith communities.

In 1977, having graduated from the Queensland Agricultural College (now part of the University of Queensland) with an Agricultural Degree, and also from the Baptist Theological College of Queensland (now Malyon Theological College), Morris was placed into this “new” approach of cross-cultural mission. Morris and Roslyn (who joined him following their marriage in 1982), saw many people come to faith as they worked with a team of nationals and other Global Interaction staff. Since 1991, Morris and Roslyn have lived in Brisbane, with Morris continuing to serve fulltime, travelling to South Asia on a regular basis. Over the last 25 years, he has overseen the establishment of a social development organization that not only allows a relational ministry of witness but also seeks to empower people in their struggle to feed and educate their families.

Recently Morris met with a man who had come to faith some time ago. Initially this man’s new step of faith was opposed by his wife, son and daughter. Now his wife and son share his faith. They are now praying for their daughter. During Morris’ meeting with the man, he mentioned a problem with his eyes.

Morris was able to refer him to an eye project run by the development organisation. In his eye examination, it was found he had glaucoma. With the recommended treatment, the duration of his sight will be extended by many years. Morris sees this as part of the

pattern of Jesus’ ministry—good news for the poor and sight to the blind.

Recently Global Interaction announced Morris will undertake a specific path over the next three years prior to his retirement from fulltime ministry. This will involve: •

Praying and seeking God’s appointed replacement for Chief Executive Officer of the social development organisation which runs very effectively in the country. This will include assisting that person and the organisation in Australia and South Asia to transition to a new dynamic, without constant reference to Morris.

•

For Morris to concentrate on developing courses in the language specific for the background of the people with whom Global Interaction has worked for many years, including: •

•

Developing on-line Bible study material which will include intensive courses, enabling personal interaction with believers;

•

Mentoring Australian crosscultural staff and writing Bible-based practical materials.

There is much to do during the next three years. We rely on God for guidance, wisdom and resources to accomplish His purpose.

Global Interaction continues to be committed to “empower communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus” in least reached communities.

We look to His people across the state of Queensland to join with us in seeking God’s blessing on this vision. Will you join us in prayer and financial support to see this achieved?

You can receive further information at www.globalinteraction.org.au or by contacting the Queensland office on 07 3354 5603.

Bob Rogers – Global Interaction, Queensland State Director

Discipling strategic leaders in South Asia; and

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 35

YOUR 2019 ETHICAL FASHION REPORT… COMING SOON!

BY BAPTIST WORLD AID AUSTRALIA Later this month, Baptist World Aid Australia will publish the latest edition of its Ethical Fashion Report and accompanying Ethical Fashion Guide.

The fifth of its kind, the 2019 Ethical Fashion Report will continue and expand on the work of its predecessors, evaluating labour rights management systems in the fashion industry.

“This year, our research assesses 130 companies, representing over 400 brands,” reveals Baptist World Aid’s lead Ethical Fashion Researcher, Jasmin Mawson.

“Each company will receive a grade (from A to F), based on the strengths of their systems to mitigate against the risks of forced labour, child labour and exploitation in their supply chains.

Australian consumers can use this information to help make more ethical choices, every time they have need to shop for clothes.”

The first Ethical Fashion Report was published in the wake of the fashion industry’s most tragic disaster, the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, which claimed the lives of more than 1,000 garment workers.

However, the research itself did not grow out of a response to the collapse.

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“Baptist World Aid had long understood the need for research of this nature,” says Mrs Mawson.

“At the time of the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013, the organisation was already preparing to launch the first Ethical Fashion Report.”

When news of the deadly collapse broke, it threw the issue of exploitation in the fashion industry into a global spotlight. People began to ask the questions: ‘Who makes my clothes?’ and ‘How are the workers who make my clothes treated?’

In Australia, there was a newly published report with the answer.

“Because of this, the reception to the first Ethical Fashion Report was way beyond anyone’s expectations,” says Mrs Mawson.

“Since then, the research has continued to grow go from strength-to-strength.”

In subsequent years, the Ethical Fashion Report has benchmarked and tracked the efforts of fashion companies to ensure that the rights of the workers who make their products are upheld. These rights include a safe workplace, a living wage and freedom from slavery.

Each year, the research continues to grow in scope and industry engagement. The 2019 Ethical Fashion Report will assess more

than three times the number of companies assessed by the initial report, with 75% of companies being actively engaged in the research process. And, for the third time, the report will also be released to our neighbours in New Zealand. But one of the most exciting new developments in the 2019 Ethical Fashion Report, is the inclusion of an environmental metric of assessment.

“We know that a truly ‘ethical’ company not only ensures that their supply chain empowers its workers and pays them a living wage, but it also understands its impact on the environment and manages it’s footprint to steward natural resource wisely and keep our planet healthy,” says Mrs Mawson.

“Last year, for the first time, Baptist World Aid began an initial assessment of company policy in the area of environmental management. However, this preliminary research was not counted toward a company’s final grade. In the 2019 Ethical Fashion Report, that will change.”

The 2019 Ethical Fashion Report is due to be released soon.

You can register to be notified of its publication at: www. baptistworldaid.org.au/fashionguide-register

PERSECUTION BRIEF

2019 world watch list

The Open Doors 2019 World Watch List has been released. It shows that persecution is increasing around the world, and the 50 most dangerous countries for Christians.

“The World Watch List shows that where the gospel is being shared, persecution exists.

The reason these 50 countries remain on the World Watch List is because Christians there choose to keep professing their faith in Jesus.” – Mike Gore, CEO

1 in 9 christians are persecuted for their Faith Of the 150 countries surveyed in the 2019 World Watch List, 73 countries showed extreme, very high or high levels of persecution.

That means 1 in 9 Christians globally experience ‘high’ levels of persecution. In 2018, it was the equivalent of 1 in 12.

Across Asia and the Middle East, 1 in 3 Christians experience ‘high’ levels of persecution, while across Africa, it’s 1 in 6, and in Latin America, 1 in 21.

Here are some of the trends in Christian persecution for 2019.

Source: Open Doors - www.opendoors.org.au

north korea remains number one North Korea has remained number one since 2002. Even after the Donald Trump-Kim Jong Un summit in June 2018, experts say there is no sign of any improvement in the lives of the estimated 200,000-400,000 Christians in North Korea.

Around 50,000–70,000 Christians are believed to be in labour camps.

russia enters the world watch list Vladimir Putin amended Russia’s religious laws regarding evangelism, and Christians were no longer allowed to share their faith outside of a registered church building. However, the Russian Orthodox Church, favoured by the regime, don’t actively evangelise and therefore aren’t affected by the new law. But those actively sharing the gospel in Russia will receive fines up to US$780 and possibly imprisonment.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 37

IN CHRIST YOU CAN …

ALLAN QUAK

Gentle

At the end of 2017 my year 12 graduating class of 1987 had their 30th anniversary reunion. As part of the preparation I have been thinking back to my High School years and some of the teachers we had. Some of them were renowned for being irritable, impatient and grumpy. But when I also think about the way they were often treated, it’s a miracle that they didn’t just give up teaching altogether. Perhaps they had a reason for being the sort of people they were.

Ministry workers have left the ministry because of the way people have treated them.

Let’s be honest.

Teachers have left teaching because of the way students have treated them.

In response to this life situation God gives Paul an inspired Word That calls us to a have a very specific reaction to the irritating situations, and the irritating people, in life.

People have bailed out of marriages because of the treatment they have received.

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (Philippians 4:5)

Teenagers have left home because they couldn’t live with their parents.

Business have folded because business partners couldn’t get along.

Have a look at the context of these verses. When writing this book, Paul is in prison for preaching the Gospel. Jewish enemies are falsely accusing him, and blaming him for

It happens.

And I’m sure we can look into our own lives and think of justifiable reasons when strained relationships with people have caused us to become angry, impatient, irritated, abrupt, intolerant and unsociable.

Times which have caused us to giveup, or blow-up, or clam-up.

BE

creating dissent, and convincing the government that Paul is a traitor.

But also the Philippian church is suffering. People in the congregation are trying to create division. Some are publicly questioning the message which Paul taught. Persecution is taking place. In that context irritation, impatience and retaliation seem to be justifiable reactions.

But Paul does not encourage such a response. Instead Paul commands that gentleness it to be seen, not just by other Christians, but by all.

What this means is that, in Christ, you can be a person who has such a gentle approach to life that everyone around you can see.

What is gentleness?

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Barnabas is a great example. Paul, Barnabas and John Mark go on a missionary journey. Unfortunately, John Mark found the missionary work too difficult, he fizzled and failed miserably, then he abandoned Paul and Barnabas. For the next mission Barnabas wanted to

What is gentleness? take John Mark, but Paul did not want to, “they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left” (Acts 15:39-40).

Paul and Barnabas were not necessarily gentle to each other.

But the gentle treatment of Barnabas towards Mark demonstrated that Mark gets another chance. Barnabas has stood up to the great Apostle Paul— for Mark! The irritation of failure has not caused Barnabas to dismiss Mark.

Does this act of gentleness have an impact?

Indeed it does.

This John Mark becomes the author of the Gospel of Mark.

Additionally, later Paul writes to Timothy and says, “Do your best to come to me quickly … Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry” (2 Timothy 4:9-11).

Mark could have been turned off ministry because of his failures and the impatience of Paul. The gentleness of Barnabas brought about a very different outcome.

This one example demonstrates that showing gentleness is going to be a lot more difficult than justifying becoming angry, impatient, irritated, abrupt, intolerant and unsociable.

It means that we have to be willing to accept that we can’t always have everything under control … and there will be times when people don’t meet our expectations.

It means that we have to be willing to put away a judgmental and critical spirit … and replace it with a spirit that wants to encourage even when failure occurs.

It means that we have to be willing to allow one another to make mistakes … and when we give an assignment or a task to recognise that perfection is not going to come and people will let you down.

It means that we have to be willing to acknowledge that our way and our desire may not always be the best way … and even if it is the best way, we need to allow people the opportunity to learn new techniques without being condemned before they start.

What is gentleness? Ultimately gentleness is grace in action. God has been gentle with you, despite how much you irritate Him.

The Lord is … patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

God has revealed a heart which desires us to be encouraged. So God took the way of gentleness by sending a gentle Saviour.

That is what God has done in Christ.

It is the work of redemption and renewal. Now you, you who are in Christ, you need to be gentle with others, despite how irritating they are.

Live like this and you will be a powerful witness for the Lord Jesus Christ. In a world where irritation, impatience, abruptness and retaliation has become the norm, your gentleness will stand out like a beacon to everyone.

This article series is based on a series of sermons preached by Allan Quak. You can listen to the full sermons here: www.nec.org.au/listen-to-asermon-series/in-christ-you-can

Isn’t it so true that God had to be very gentle with us. In fact God allows us to make mistakes— to sin—and then He gently helps us move on. God could rightly immediately punish us for our sin.

However God is gentle because He does not want to crush us or make us fearful of approaching Him.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 39

In the Face of Betrayal

BY JOHN TILLMAN THE PARK FORUM THEPARKFORUM.ORG

While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me.”

They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?” Mark 14.18-19 Jesus was familiar with the entire spectrum of betrayal.

He was betrayed on a national level.

Jesus was the rightful king. The Messiah. But He was never accepted by those in power. He was the rejected king, the rejected cornerstone. In some ways, He was never truly allowed to return from exile in Egypt, being forced to live his entire life in obscurity. Even at the height of his popularity He stayed in out of the way places to avoid those who wanted to kill him.

He only returned to Jerusalem at the end of his ministry for the purpose of being rejected and killed.

He was betrayed on a broad, societal level.

40 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

Jesus experienced “Twitter-storm” levels of betrayal. The religious leaders, just a few days prior, wanted to arrest and kill Jesus but refrained for fear of the great crowd that supported him. In a matter of hours, the crowd that was his protection, became the engine that drove the wheels of government to crush him.

He was betrayed on an intimate and personal level.

Even though Jesus knew betrayal by Judas was coming, the intimacy of it—the sign of the kiss—still shocked him. And Peter’s betrayal, cursing and denying Christ after so boldly claiming that all could fall away and he would still not, is one of the most heart-wrenching moments of the New Testament. The account in Luke contains the cinematic detail of Christ, in the midst of being beaten and accused, hearing the cock crow and turning to catch Peter’s eye just after what Peter had done.

Pause right now and film this scene in your own mind. Imagine Christ’s face looking at Peter in that moment.

Imagine His face looking at Judas.

Imagine His face looking at Jerusalem.

Imagine His face looking at the crowds berating him and calling for his death.

The look you imagine on Christ’s face in these moments says a lot about what you believe about who Jesus is and what his character is like.

Imagine his face looking at you.

Our sins are an intimate betrayal. Yet still Jesus looks at us with longing.

He weeps for our mistakes and sins, but longs for our repentance and return.

Look full in His wonderful face. Do not despair over your betrayal as Judas did. Weep over it as Peter did.

And wait. Jesus will lovingly come to you.

Prayer: The Morning Psalm Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind; in your great compassion, turn to me. — Psalm 69.18

What are little Boys and Girls Made of?

BY WENDY FRANCIS Until recently, no one questioned the God-ordained natural division of humanity into female or male.

But a strange thing has been happening. This scientific reality is now not only being questioned, but it is being challenged. In a puzzling and retrograde twist, outdated stereotypical interpretations of what it means to be a girl or a boy are being used to channel children into considering, and even exploring, the possibility that they have been ‘born in the wrong body’. Kindergartens and schools are introducing books that teach young children that they can choose whether they want to be a girl or a boy. Ideologies, are being espoused that maintain there is no such binary entity as a girl and a boy, but rather that our gender exists on a variable locus. This is an affront to children who naturally have inquisitive minds. The result of this gender-confusing message is an erosion of their right to innocence and wellbeing as they unknowingly participate in a social experiment that can only end badly.

Academics and medical practitioners are warning of an ‘epidemic’ of confused children presenting to medical clinics, unsure of who they are. Parents are speaking out, describing the incalculable damage being caused to children by gender-fluid teaching in schools and the promotion of the same in the media, but their rights are being eroded.

The truth remains that a child’s biological sex determines whether they are a girl or a boy. That does not change. The differences

between male and female remains one of the miracles of life. No scientist will ever find a way to obliterate the X and Y chromosome and replace it with a G for genderless. No matter what a child looks like, no matter what toys they gravitate to, a girl will always be a girl, and a boy will always be a boy. And this is to be celebrated.

This does not ignore the reality of children born with intersex conditions which, whilst rare, account for a number of genetic or developmental situations. That is a very different conversation. Nor does it discount the suffering of children experiencing gender dysphoria and the need for a compassionate response to relieve that suffering.

But children deserve to be taught the truth in love. That is when they will truly flourish. I have written these books with the prayer that they will be used as a tool for meaningful family discussions on

what is happening at your child’s, or grandchild’s, playgroup or school, and within their circle of friends, and that as it is read, it will cause us to together marvel at the truly wonderful nature of humanity, along with all of the promise that this truth holds.

Wendy Francis is the State and Territory Director of the Australian Christian Lobby and will be taking an elective at QB Convention 2019 on Children and Gender Issues.

The Books can be ordered online from Connor Court Publishing www.connorcourtpublishing.com. au or from wjfrancis@optusnet. com.au - for a signed copy with optional personal dedication from Wendy.

WIN A SET OF BOOKS

To win a set of two Books (“What are little girls made of” and “What are Little Boys made of” by Wendy Francis) visit the QB Magazine Blog www.qbmagazine.org.au, and enter your details, or email your full name and address to marketing@qb.org.au. Three winners will be randomly chosen, and the draw closes at midnight on 24th May 2019.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 41

reviews debilitating anxiety attacks from the age of 7 into his early adult years, Brian learned how worship ushered in the Presence of God and pushed the panic away.

WHEN GOD BECOMES REAL BRIAN JOHNSON PAPERBACK: $22.99 AT KOORONG Panic snuck up on Brian Johnson while he was out with his son, and it clung to him on his desperate drive home. Feeling almost outside of himself, his family called 911. He was spiralling into darkness. Waiting for the ambulance to arrive, unsure of what was happening, he gathered his family around him and asked them to pray for him. Then he said these pivotal words, “This is when God becomes real.” In his first book, Brian shares how the panic and anxiety of his early life - panic he’d thought he’d beaten - came back to haunt him. After experiencing

Now in his mid-thirties and believing himself free, Brian had a vision for worship in the church, built a successful music label with his wife, and written award-winning songs and albums. He was at the height of his success, and from all appearances, things were better than ever. But in the midst of that success, the ghost of his childhood anxiety returned, stronger than ever, and it pulled Brian into a downward spiral of chaos and darkness.

In the year that would follow, Brian came to experience the ultimate power of surrendering the panic and chaos to God. Whether or not you’ve struggled with panic and anxiety, you’ve found yourself in pain, asking God for relief. In When God Becomes Real, Brian shares his vulnerable story of overcoming panic and anxiety. Discover how you might find God, even in your darkest hour.

- Publisher

THE POWER OF COMMUNION BENI JOHNSON, BILL JOHNSON PAPERBACK: $21.99 AT KOORONG For centuries, the church has observed the Lord’s Supper as part of corporate worship, instituted

by Jesus Himself. But for many Christians today this tradition can be a confusing and tedious routine.

Are we missing something in this ancient ritual? Beni Johnson— renowned author and senior leader of Bethel Church in Redding, CA— had a miraculous revelation while celebrating communion. She reveals to you how this sacred practice is an often-overlooked portal to releasing God’s power in your life! The very elements—the broken body and shed blood of Jesus—eternally testify of Heaven’s victory and the enemy’s defeat.

So don’t settle for simply going through the motions. Encounter God’s supernatural presence in the sacrament of Communion, and embrace the prophetic act of remembrance, worship, warfare, and healing it was always meant to be!

- Publisher

BIRCHES DVD: $19.99 AT KOORONG Inspired by the best-selling novel by British author, Adrian Plass, Birches tells the story of a prominent author/speaker who struggles to pick up the pieces of his life and start over after the untimely death of his young wife.

- Koorong 42 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

www.koorong.com

movie review

NRSV CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS STUDY BIBLE HARD COVER: $59.99 AT KOORONG You’ve heard many Bible stories hundreds of times, but how many behind-the-scenes details are you missing? Sometimes a little context is all you need to discover the rich meaning behind the stories of Scripture. For the first time available in the New Revised Standard Version, the award-winning Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, with notes from Dr. John H. Walton (Wheaton College) and Dr. Craig S. Keener (Asbury Theological Seminary), is packed with expert insight into the customs, culture, and literature of the ancient world.

Discover new dimensions of insight to even the most familiar Bible passages as you take a behindthe-scenes tour into the world of the Bible. Expertly designed for the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) text, Comfort Print® delivers a smooth reading experience that complements the foremost Bible translation vetted by Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Evangelical, and Jewish scholars. Renowned for its beautiful balance of scholarship and readability, the NRSV faithfully serves the church in personal spiritual formation, in the liturgy, and in the academy.

- Publisher

MAY 16

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS THAT SHOCKED THE NATION... www.theleastofthesemovie.com.au TLOT_A5Flyer_FA.indd 1

14/3/19 11:40 am

THE LEAST OF THESE HERITAGE FILMS MOVIESCHANGEPOPLE.COM Banerjee (Sharman Joshi) moves with his pregnant wife to the town of Orissa in hope of a better life and the promise of a lucrative career.

When speculation mounts that local Australian missionary Graham Staines (Stephen Baldwin) is illegally proselytizing leprosy patients, Manav agrees to investigate undercover for the newspaper.

What he finds is a series of revelations that are difficult to fathom and even harder to explain, and Manav is forced to make a choice between his own ambition and the truth. In the end, his actions spark a tragic event that is felt around the world.

Based on a true story and shot on location in India, THE LEAST OF THESE beautifully illustrates the power of love, hope and forgiveness to overcome hate. Aneesh Daniel directs the film, featuring Stephen Baldwin, Shari Rigby, and Bollywood star Sharman Joshi with an original soundtrack including award-winning musical artists such as Michael W. Smith, Nicole C Mullen and Toby Mac. ‘The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story’ will be released in cinemas nationally on May 16.

To find out more go to: www.theleastofthesemovie.com.au

double pass giveaway We are offering two double movie passes to watch THE LEAST OF THESE this Easter!

For your chance to win, just email your name and postal address to marketing@qb.org.au or enter online at www.qbmagazine.org.au

by April 30th.

The first 2 entries drawn will win.

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 43

FUN ZONE WHERE IS THAT LITTLE PIGGY? Sir-Save-a-Lot the Baplink piggy bank is hiding somewhere in the magazine.

Can you find him? Congratulations! Congratulations! To all those who found Sir-Save-a-Lot hiding on page 46 (Feb/Mar 2019 Issue of The Qb Magazine).

CROSSWORD

WORD SEARCH Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

Asparagus Bean Beetroot Broccoli Cabbage Capsicum Carrot Cauliflower Celery Corn For solutions, visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GaythorneOffice/

44 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

Cucumber Fennel Gourd Leek Lettuce Onion Parsley Parsnip Pea Potato

Pumpkin Radish Rhubarb Spinach Squash Tomato Turnip Zucchini

Puzzle Choice www.puzzlechoice.com is the source of this Crossword. www.puzzles.ca is the source of this word search.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved.

WORD UNJUMBLE Easter Unjumble the words relating to Easter.

Then unjumble the red letters to answer the clue.

MEYTP INCERTUNOI SGUETS INRETTYE ADTEH BMOT FIEL Clue: Where was the veil or curtain torn when Jesus died?

Word Unjumble Answer

Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

CALM SPOT - COLOUR

EASTER COMPETITION – WIN A $30 KOORONG VOUCHER We will randomly ldraw siz winners, who have correctly answered the clue to the Word Unjumble in this issue. Please either post (PO Box 6166, Mitchelton QLD 4053) or email (qb@qb.com.au) your full name, address and clue answer for your chance to win. Entries close at midnight on the 22nd May 2019. The winners will receive a $30 Koorong Gift Voucher.

Name: Address: Word Unjumble Answer:

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 45

god moments

Resist Evil

Salvation

BY RAEWYN ROXBURGH BRIDGEMAN BAPTIST COMMUNITY CHURCH

BY ABIGAIL WEBSTER (AGE 13)

God is our refuge, our strength and song, He lives and cares, for we belong.

Our hearts are burning; burning so bright, the LORD shines down with His richness of light!

His Son is so precious He gave up His life, to protect us from all earthly sins and strife!

We are ‘heirs’ of the Father we must lay down our lives, He will protect his children, husbands and wives.

God’s living word says: “Children are a gift of God”, He challenges our weaknesses, and He changes our lives.

For all earthly things are trouble no more, as He gave us His Son to conquer them all!

In times of confusion Satan schemes, he tries; Stand firm and be strong, because He is the master of lies!

Trust in the one who has saved you from sin; keep God in your heart being obedient to Him!

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.

When all else fails, Lord you stay strong.

When the lights go out, you’re The light that stays on.

You stay by my side in the Storms of life.

And hold my hand when I’m in strife.

You never left when I thought You’d gone.

You’ve been here with me All along.

You had a plan for me, and you didn’t Give me up.

You gave me another chance when I Thought my time was up.

Whenever I had failed you, I cried out helplessly.

And your love like the tide came in Rescued me.

It was after I heard you softly knocking One day at my door.

I opened my heart and fell to The floor.

You offered me salvation with your Arms open wide.

I said, “Yes, Lord” and you Took the wheel of my life.

And ever since the day you Knocked.

I’ve built my life on the Solid rock.

So, build your life on Jesus today.

I promise you he will Show you the way.

QB MAGAZINE

Subscription Form - $19.50 per year

THE VOICE OF QUEENSLAND BAPTISTS

Name

WHY NOT SUBSCRIBE? Treat yourself or give as a gift.

46 APR/MAY 19 QB.ORG.AU

Email details to qb@qb.org.au Or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4051

Address Email Phone Send invoice via email

post

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 46

POSITIONS VACANT

ACCOMMODATION

CHURCH PLANT PASTOR (PART-TIME) A vacancy exists for a church plant Pastor at Sandstone Community Church at Sandstone Point. Hours and remuneration negotiable.

If you are interested in applying and would like a copy of the job description, please contact Pastor John Gollan on 0414 979 664 or Leadership Team Secretary Gavin Hugh on 0407 888 409.

BRISBANE: House available as a ministry for missionaries and church workers on the move.

Three bedrooms, fully furnished, everything provided. Bus stop at the door. Minimal rent.

Email: gtho4536@bigpond.net.au

CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly.

Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com.

CALOUNDRA: Sunshine Coast, Qld, beachside units from $400/wk, ph 0427 990 161.

SHARE ACCOMMODATION: Fairfield Christian Family (www.fcfchurch.org.au) is located in a vibrant inner-city suburb close to universities.

There is currently one vacancy for a female (student or worker) in a 2 person share accommodation house adjacent to the church. Please contact Pastor Neil Pattemore, ph 0435 065 035 or tarragindipats@yahoo.com.au.

FOR HIRE LARGE AUDITORIUM: Seats 290. Queensland Baptists’ Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Sharon, 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.

The Open Door

Retreat

Queensland Baptists’ Retreat Lodge

Relax

Refresh

The Open Door is situated 30km north of Gympie on Mt Kanigan in a rural setting with spectacular 360

degree views. The complex sleeps 27-30 people in seven bedrooms and one dormitory and there are two kitchens, two lounge rooms, four bathrooms, a dining room and fireplace. Other amenities include a children’s play area and games room (pool and ping-pong tables) and a small meeting room/chapel.

The Open Door is a relaxed, refreshing environment that provides a unique uninterrupted setting for leadership seminars, prayer retreats, team weekends and missionary holidays.

For further information contact: Queensland Baptists Phone: (07) 3354 5600 Email: enquiries@qb.org.au

www.qb.org.au

QB.ORG.AU APR/MAY 19 47

CARINITY INNOVATION

GRANTS 2019 Creating Stronger Communities

Start a new community outreach; Expand an existing successful ministry; or Collaborate to introduce a Carinity service into your community.

Carinity supports churches across Queensland to work in their local communities to help people in need.

Sometimes the needs are obvious, such as homelessness, substance abuse and self-harm. Other times the needs are not so obvious.

This may include people requiring counselling or assistance to get over a rough patch in their lives. It could be the provision of food, furniture or other practical assistance. It’s about having the right program in the right place at the right time. It’s identifying emerging needs and responding innovatively such as setting up a monthly dementia support group in your church in collaboration with Carinity Home Care.

With grants of up to $7,000 Carinity can help you fund your bright idea that innovatively responds to emerging community needs. We’ll even consider a larger amount for significant projects that would have a considerable impact on the community.

Applications are now open and close at 5.00pm on Friday 31 May 2019.

To apply or for more information visit

carinity.org.au/innovation-grants

CAR010-0319

The 2019 Carinity Innovation Grants are now available to all Baptist churches in Queensland. A total of up to $50,000 is available to approved sustainable initiatives to enable Baptist Churches to: