The voice of Queensland Baptists October 2011
Lives changed; hearts healed! Catch your second wind A long history of servant leaders Print post approved ISSN: 11323-7829 The Queensland Baptist - first published in 1890. This series Vol 9 Issue 5.
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at h t s Gift ly real e lives! g chan This Christmas, give a gift that really changes lives Life changing gift ideas like pigs and chickens, access to clean water and medical training will make a real difference to families living in poverty. See the full range of gifts in the catalogue included, visit www.baptistworldaid.org.au or call 1300 789 991 today!
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Contents
11 In this issue Comment: David Loder Speaking out: John Sweetman Baptisms Around the regions Milestones QB Convention 2012 Food for thought (BapLink) A long history of servant leaders (QB Presidents) Make a stand Persecution brief Reviews Fun zone Classifieds
05 06 10 11 14 19 26 27 31 34 42 45 46
QB partners Transitions = progress (Global Interaction) Power with purpose (BWAA)
28 32
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QB ministries Tragedy and triumph (QB Archives) QB Kids Connect (QB Kids) Let’s not wait! (QB Youth) Lives changed; hearts healed (QB Women) Beyond the limits (QCCC) Expanding the Mission (QBC)
15 16 18 20 22 24
Articles Mould Back to the sea A king fails Flying high Catch your second wind Tragedy on our doorstep I will follow
30 35 36 37 38 40 41
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Our cover: Women of all ages flocked to She is… when events were held in Hervey Bay, Cairns, Mapleton, Brisbane, Yeppoon and Townsville through the year. 1000 women heard those wonderful words, ‘So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!’ (John 8:36), and went back to their busy lives encouraged and refreshed. Pictured: Time out for some fun at QCCC, Mapleton.
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News, views & issues
From the Editor Welcome to this issue of The qb. Baptists in Queensland have a long and fruitful history and there are some significant anniversaries highlighted in the following pages. Wondai Baptist Church will celebrate its Centenary in September (Milestones), and the Archives team is producing a book to be published next year to coincide with the 150th Anniversary of the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle (Tragedy and triumph). QB Convention 2012 will be held in Rockhampton at that time so that people from our wider Baptist community can join with the Rocky folks as they celebrate this significant milestone. We are so blessed to be living in a country where we can worship in freedom and where we can speak about our faith without fear of retribution. We are hearing more and more stories about believers in other countries who are suffering for their faith (Persecution brief). Many are dying. Passages in the Bible about the end times (that, to be frank, scared me a lot as a young believer) are coming to fruition. The extent of the persecution is so vast that it’s too difficult to comprehend. Wendy Francis (Salt) reminds us that we need to ‘make a stand’ if we want to protect the precious freedoms we enjoy here in Australia. Just last week a school in Western Australia abolished their tradition of reciting the Lord’s Prayer at School Assembly. Only 36% of the families at the school responded to a survey prior to the action being taken, so it seems that for the majority it just wasn’t important. On a happier note, it’s exciting to report on the success of this year’s She is… events around the State (Lives changed; hearts healed). Sue Peters and her team have, once again, delivered events that are Christ focussed and uplifting to QB women. And, while we can write about how many women attended and the content of the programming, only God knows the full impact of these events on women’s lives. If you missed She is… this year, the events will be back in 2012. Please enjoy this issue of The qb. Robynne Milne Editor
The qb is a member of the Australasian Religious Press Association, published bimonthly by Queensland Baptist Services Group in February, April, June, August, October and December. Editor: Robynne Milne Advertising: Emily Twible 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 and postal address. Articles and advertising in The qb express the opinions of the authors, not necessarily the editor or publishers. Every effort is made to ensure the correctness of facts and information however we cannot accept responsibility for errors. The publishers reserve the right to accept or decline any advertising. Deadline for advertisement and copy: 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Ph (07) 3354 5633 Fax (07) 3354 5646 Advertising rates are listed at www.qb.com.au - follow the links to qb magazine. Prices are also available on enquiry and advertising packages can be tailored to suit your budget. Reduced contract rates apply to three bookings within a 12 month period. Please contact us for details. A limited number of inserts are also accepted.
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Comment
‘As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem’ (Luke 9:51).
BETTER - Intentional Ministry Nothing took Jesus by surprise. Rather his was a life lived with intention and purpose; one of obedience to the Father. We, too, as followers of Jesus take on the characteristics of living our lives and ministering to others with intentionality. The Board, at its recent annual retreat, considered this and its implications for Queensland Baptists. The Board has defined Intentional Ministry for our purposes, as: ‘Building on our encounter with God and aligning ourselves with Christ we will minister better by reflecting on our purpose, evaluating our ministry and actively responding to our context.’ This definition underpinned the theme for our recent Focus Dinner, ‘Loving others better – Intentional Ministry’. We considered our Australian and Queensland context and stressed the need for local churches to have a good understanding of their immediate ministry context. Our ministry mandate has remained unchanged – to make disciples of the Lord Jesus by going, baptising and teaching obedience to his commands. Intentional decisions need to made after careful and prayerful planning to ensure that we are ministering in the most effective manner. Ministry Matters: Convention 2012 With last Convention fading into history, we are stepping up our planning for Convention 2012. This will be held in Rockhampton from 14 – 20 May and promises to be an inspiring time. We have engaged Rev Karl Faase and Mark McCrindle to be keynote speakers. Further information will be released in time but mark it in your diary now and plan to attend! Vietnam Grace Church Each Sunday about twenty-five of our church services are conducted Photo: BUPNG delegation meets with David Loder, QB Regional Consultants Stephen Ball, Col Peaker and Emil Rahimov and Geoff Cramb (Global Interaction).
in languages other than English. Our Vietnam Grace Church recently celebrated their 25th Anniversary and it was a delight to be there for the event. The church is an effective church with a congregation of around 200. It has planted one other church and is currently planting yet another, this time in Rockhampton. Pastor Hoa Trinh has been used effectively by the Lord in this work and it is having impact back in Vietnam and among the wider Vietnamese Churches community in Australia. The church also recently hosted a conference for pastors and leaders from other denominations and from all over Australia. Congratulations and well done! Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea We recently hosted a delegation from BUPNG here at QB, Gaythorne. The team has travelled to Australia to thank the missionaries and churches who took the Gospel to PNG. In many instances they were able to do this personally, but on their behalf, to all those who have been involved over many years, thanks for a job well done. Another reason for their visit was to cement relationships with Baptist Unions in Australia as a neighbouring Baptist Union. We are delighted to do so! Finally… Luke informs us that when the right time had come, Jesus resolved, in obedience to the Father, to set out on the journey to Jerusalem. It is always the right time to walk in obedience, with intentionality, to our Lord Jesus. It is my prayer that Queensland Baptists will be noted for this! David Loder General Superintendent, Queensland Baptists gs@qb.com.au
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Speaking out
The challenge of church planting (Part 2) In the previous issue, John Sweetman prefaced Part 1 of this article by saying: I have both avoided and supported church planting. I have pastored a large church for 14 years that always believed in church planting but never did plant for what seemed to be good reasons at the time. More recently, I have been part of the pastoral team of a church that has planted three small churches in six years.
The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for the numerical growth of the Body of Christ in any place. Nothing else will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting.
Church planting is not an easy issue to talk about honestly, but I want to have a go at putting all the cards on the table. I may well be the only person that thinks in the way I describe in these articles, but I suspect that such thinking is reasonably widespread, at least among church leaders. See what you think. John continues. In the previous article, I showed that while almost all church leaders are committed to church planting, there are valid reasons why we don’t church plant and why we don’t want a church plant near our church. There’s never a right time to plant a church and there’s no right place to plant one either. 4. The consequences (of not planting) Despite our commitment to church planting, it’s no wonder that very few churches are actually being planted. If it’s not right for our church to plant at this stage and we don’t want any other churches planted in our area, then who will plant and where will these church plants be? I realise that there are some areas of residential development that are probably far enough away from all other churches to make a church plant less of a threat. But there are far fewer of these areas than most churches think and they’re often lightly populated. We all know that there are hundreds of thousands of people who are not being reached and never will be reached by any church. Maybe they don’t have contact with any Christians or churches. Maybe they don’t identify with the types of churches around them. Maybe they haven’t felt welcome in a church. Maybe nobody has asked them to come to church. Maybe they have never thought of church as an option for them. They need a church that will reach them. Many churches are doing a great job, but they will never effectively reach all the people in their area no matter how big or gospel-centred they are. One church just can’t do it. We need lots of churches and people working together with a heart
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for lost people and a willingness to risk for God’s Kingdom. But how will this happen if churches don’t feel ready to send people to plant, and they resist other church plants in their area? The fact is - it won’t. Our churches might be healthy and wellresourced, but many lost people will remain unreached and ignorant of the gospel. 5. The call As a pastor, I want to confess that I have tended to be defensive of my church and have deeply felt the need to protect and preserve her. Church planting often appeared to be a drain on the health of the church. I publicly supported it, but didn’t really practically encourage it in my church. Slowly I’m grasping in my heart what my head has always known: that our church is actually God’s church and that he has a far bigger picture and plan than I have. This may actually mean some loss for me and even my church, as it did for John the Baptist (John 3:30), but God’s Kingdom
Speaking out
than church planters, he certainly included them in this request for prayer. I’m sure he had people like Paul in mind. The harvest is waiting, but we need more church planters and church plants to do the harvesting work. 6. What can my church do? Here are a few suggestions to start the ball rolling. 1. Pray for the lost and for harvesters. When our eyes are on the needs of lost people, we become less defensive and more faithfilled. Reaching the lost calls for every possible effort and approach. 2. Be honest about your commitment to church planting. Make the call. Do you believe in church planting or not? Be honest. If you are committed, there will inevitably be sacrifices involved and some may impact your church. Church planting is costly. I know that it’s tough to think about more sacrifices when you’re already feeling significant pain in your church, but lost people matter deeply to Jesus (Matthew 18:10-14). Jesus talks about leaving the flock to seek the lost. Lost people are of immense importance. 3. Ask God whether your church could be planting. The plant could be a separate church, another congregation targeting a different group, whether in a different place or in your own building, or a house church trying to reach their friends in a particular place or community. This may not be God’s time for any form of planting, but at least check it out. Remember that there will never be a ‘right’ time for your church. is on the move and nothing can stop it. God is determined to reach lost people. I do want to be a part of that. We have to plant churches whatever the cost. It is the most effective way to reach lost people. Tim Keller (a well-respected American pastor, author and Christian leader) says: ‘The vigorous, continual planting of new congregations is the single most crucial strategy for the numerical growth of the Body of Christ in any place. Nothing else - not crusades, outreach programs, parachurch ministries, growing megachurches, congregational consulting, nor church renewal processes - will have the consistent impact of dynamic, extensive church planting. This is an eyebrow raising statement. But to those who have done any research at all, it is not even controversial.’ Jesus said: ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field’ (Matthew 9:37-38). While Jesus was talking about more
4. Encourage those you know who are trying to plant. Church planting is a tough job. It sounds attractive and there are some exciting times, but most of it is plain hard work. Planters are often working with limited resources, a diverse congregation, a lack of reliable, long-term committed people, few programs to offer newcomers, and no real security for the future. Many are disappointed. Many fail. Show your support for these pioneers. They do need encouragement. Adopt and pray for someone who is doing it. 5. Engage with church plants in your area. You may have some questions about their intentions or approach, but please don’t ignore them or oppose them. Do what you can to work with them. Express any misgivings you have, but don’t see them as the competition or even the enemy. We’re all trying to reach lost people. I know that church planters are not always easy to work with, but make the effort. Take the initiative and see what you can do to stand with them. Be generous. 6. Help raise up church planters. Keep looking for leaders and potential leaders that have a heart for evangelism and the strength to persevere under significant challenges. Mentor them and encourage them to get some biblical training. Give them opportunities. In time, talk to them about planting a church. John Sweetman Principal, Malyon College John.sweetman@malyon.edu.au
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Something for Everyone
Malyon College, the Queensland Baptist Theological College is entering an exciting new phase. For over 100College, years the has trained pastors and missionaries for service, but increasingly Malyon theCollege Queensland Baptist Baptist Theological it is equipping a new generation of ‘lay’ church members studying part-time. Not only are Pastors College is entering an exciting new phase. For over being equipped for ministry but so are Worship Leaders, Small Group Leaders, Youth Leaders, Malyon College is a theological 100 years the College has trained Baptist pastors and Children’s Workers and Pastoral Carers. Others are studying at Malyon in order to develop a Biblical college with an emphasis on missionaries service, but increasingly it is foundation forfor being a better parent or Christian leader in their workplace.
leadership. In response to equipping a new generation of ‘lay’ church members Jeremiah 3:15, the aim of studying part-time. Not only are Pastors being Malyon college is to develop Units available equipped for ministry but soin are2012 Worship include: Leaders, leaders of influence with a Small Group Leaders, Youth Leaders, Children’s Introduction to the Old Testament 1 – an introduction to the heart for God, wisdom and Workers andand Pastoral Carers. Others studying at Pentateuch the historical booksare of the Old Testament with skills. Malyon in Francis. order to Peter develop a Biblical foundation for Rev Peter is an outstanding communicator and teacher willparent makeor the Word ofleader God in come being a and better Christian theiralive. workplace. Introduction to the New Testament 1 – An introduction to the life and teaching of our Saviour as revealed in the Gospels. This Unit was developed by Rev Dr Charles de Jongh. Charles isCheck an outstanding academic with for doctorates both theology out the website moreindetails: www.malyon.edu.au and education. He brings a passion for social justice emerging from his study of the Word. Christian Apologetics – Are you ready to defend your Christian faith? This Unit is taught by David Benson, Pastor of Evangelism and Community Outreach at Kenmore Baptist Church and leader of Logos, an apologetics group looking to bridge the divide between church and contemporary culture.from Every Tuesday night
Tuesday Nights at Malyon
6:15pm 9:00pm 80 students are at Malyon Christian Worship – Giving a theological andabout practical perspective on the sacred practice of College attending classes. Many are partworship leading. College Principal, Rev Dr John Sweetman brings time students working towards his passion and knowledge theological degrees. to this . crucial area.
Malyon College is a theological college with an emphasis on leadership. In response to Jeremiah 3:15, the aim of Malyon college is to develop leaders of influence with a heart for God, wisdom and skills.
Tuesday Nights at Malyon Every Tuesday night from 6:15pm -9:00pm about 80 students are at Malyon College attending classes. Many are part-time students working towards theological degrees.
Distance Education at Malyon Malyon has a wide range of units available for distance study over the internet. More and more students are finding the flexibility and quality of the Malyon Distance units are meaning that tertiary theological education is possible when they never thought it would be.
LAUNCH – Gap Year Program 2012 LAUNCH is designed for young adults (17-25) who are passionate about serving Jesus and who are prepared to take a year off uni or work to invest in gaining a strong biblical foundation and growing their effectiveness in Christian leadership, ministry and mission. The program involves: • Two days per week (one of these days will be Sunday if in a church) serving in the sponsoring organisation. • One half day weekly session (Thu 1.00 to 4.00pm) with other Gap Year students organised by Malyon Leadership. • A study program (from 15 to 35 hours per week) with Malyon College or CALAM leading to a formal qualification. • A live-in week intensive - Jan 9-13 at the Brookfield Conference Centre. • A mission trip for two weeks in the semester break (June/July). • A weekly or fortnightly mentoring session.
Check out the website for more details - www.malyon.edu.au
Baptisms
Cairns Baptist Church Chinese Fellowship gathers each Sunday afternoon for services conducted in both Cantonese and Mandarin. Karen Tse, Robin Fang, Carrie Lui and Mary Chang were baptised earlier in the year. Enjoy these special moments!
Please pray for those baptised All Nations Christian Revival Anitha Ernestino Claude Ernestino Odetta Mukeramana Rosia Nahayo Oscar Ntahomvukiye Fabrice Uwizetimana Annerley Ashlesha Shrestha Kalpana Shrestha Bethel Romanian Corina Barta Maria Barta Manuela Niculescu Rene Niculescu
Cairns Mary Chang Robin Fang Carrie Lui Karen Tse Cleveland Jacob Drummund Jacqui Farley Samuel Garrad Ryan Goleby Ian Symington Bryn Walker Coral Coast Karen McBride Sandra Oakes
Gateway Theresa Nelson Gavin Ong Leisa Maree Patrick Danielle Williams Liesl Wium Gladstone Tim O’Driscoll Sean Pieper Jarek Reah Sara Jane Steer Emily Young Longreach Tobias Edwards Lisa Neuendorf Andrew Smith
Stafford Heights Jayme-Anne Castley Madeline Choi Sunnybank Florence Fu Ching-King & Kitty Ng and their sons Alfie & Alex Vietnam Grace Rockhampton Muoi Do Ai Huynh Minh Huynh Vu Nguyen Hung Tong Ngoc Tron
Birkdale Howard Beard
Ashlesha Shrestha with Bethany Puffett, Children’s and Youth Ministry (LtoR) Shova Gurung, Kalpana, Ashlesha and Arbin Thapa singing praises to Coordinator, Annerley Baptist Church. God in Nepali during the Baptismal Service.
‘Baptism is the immersion of believers upon their repentance and profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism pictures the connecting of the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection’
(QB Guidelines for belief & practice, http://develop.qb.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/QB-Guidelines-for-belief-and-practice.pdf )
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Around the regions
Around the regions
Pastor Stewart Pieper hands over water project materials to the Local Water Committee Chair.
Living Water
In 2010 Gladstone Baptist Church (GBC) established a sister church relationship with the Praise and Worship Church in Williams Bay, on the Island of Erromango, Vanuatu. There are many remote villages in the islands of Vanuatu where people live in third world conditions. In places like Williams Bay, people lack basic services, employment opportunities and they must rely on subsistence farming for their survival. Through a partnership with the small fellowship in Williams Bay, GBC is seeking to spiritually equip the local church as well as minister to their physical needs. Earlier in the year, GBC sent food for disaster relief after cyclones, earthquakes, a tsunami and wild pigs devastated their local food source. However, their greatest need is for a consistent and reliable water supply. In the past, Aid organisations had established a rudimentary water system in the village but locals could not afford to maintain it, or purchase fuel to run the pump which drew water from the river. As a result, people were forced to walk for up to a kilometre to the river to carry water in heavy plastic drums.
Being a blessing
Benjamin Lewis from Leichhardt Baptist Church was part of a team who recently embarked on an amazing journey to show Christ’s love in practical ways. The group of 25 students and six staff from Westside Christian College, Goodna, volunteered to work in Belaga Village on the island of Nggella in the Solomon Islands. During their time there, the students were involved in numerous projects such as: building desks and cementing classroom floors, repairing water tanks, installing a ceiling in the medical clinic, replacing fly screens and carrying out maintenance work. The team took part in various activities with approximately 400 primary and secondary students. They had the opportunity to reach out to local schools and minister to the youth and children of the area and they performed drama and items in various churches. Teacher in charge, Dave Butler, said that the students gained a great deal of satisfaction helping the villagers. They lived with them in simple dwellings thatched with coconut leaves and as they got to know the locals, became very attached to them. Dave Butler added that it was an adventure just getting to the island. The team flew into the capital, Honiara, boarded a ship to Nggella Island and then transferred to canoes to be taken around to the far side of the island.
This year the GBC congregation purchased materials to install a gravity fed water system to Williams Bay. After overcoming many logistical and technical challenges, GBC representatives handed over the gravity system materials in a civic ceremony in July. The community is now praising God that both physical and spiritual living water is flowing to their village.
The trip is designed to give students an appreciation of the difficulties faced by people living in third world countries and an opportunity to minister to the Solomon Island people. We pray that this experience will be life changing for each of the team and a real blessing to the people of Belaga Village.
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Around the regions
Brian Robertson and FamilyVoice supporters present the Open Letter to Paul Neville (at left).
Gone fishin’
More than 20 men and boys from Biloela Baptist Church enjoyed a fishing camp at Agnes Waters Baptist Church in July. They camped out on six acres of church land and invited local men to join them. Six fishing boats of various sizes headed off to the reef early on Saturday morning but later the winds whipped up 1.5m seas. The men returned for lunch in the church shelter shed and then moved off to fish in Eurimbula National Park’s protected waters which turned out to be a good move and more fish were landed. On Sunday they attended the Family Service where the church presented a trophy for the ‘Biggest Catch’. The visitors from Biloela have promised to return soon!
Ready for action
Regional Consultant Steve Twible spoke to the men who attended a weekend camp recently about what it means to be ‘God focused’. The group camped at Brandon Grove, a property about an hour out of Longreach. The Thomson River winds through the property so it was an action packed couple of days of fishing, hunting wild pigs and buggy riding.
Open Letter presented to the Member for Hinkler
Earlier this year, FamilyVoice Australia organised an ‘Open Letter to the Prime Minister’. The campaign was in support of the traditional understanding that marriage is between one man and one woman, and in opposition to any proposal to amend the Marriage Act to redefine marriage to include same-sex relationships. Over 32,000 people across Australia signed a copy of the Open Letter and these were presented to the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard in May. Subsequently, FamilyVoice Australia has been in the process of presenting a copy of the Open Letter, along with a list of the names and postcodes of all those who signed it, to every Federal parliamentarian across the country. At the end of August, Brian Robertson, Senior Pastor of the Coral Coast Christian Church in Bargara and FamilyVoice Australia’s State Officer, met with Paul Neville, the Federal Member for Hinkler. Brian, along with a group of FamilyVoice Australia supporters, presented Mr Neville with a copy of the Open Letter, a list of the signatories, and an information paper on the dangers of legalising same-sex marriage. Mr Neville was able to re-assure FamilyVoice Australia supporters that his own ‘poll’ of the Hinkler electorate had resulted in 595 responses against same-sex marriage and only 14 in favour. Brian was also able to inform Mr Neville that the Australian Christian Lobby had conducted an on-line petition on this issue and had received over 52,000 signatories in support of the traditional definition of the marriage relationship. This petition had been presented to the Senate.
On the move Pastor John Pirrotta has accepted a call to City Tabernacle as Associate Pastor (part time). Rev Dave Tidey has concluded with Global Interaction and is now full time at Yandina. Pastor Karen Haynes has accepted a part time role with Global Interaction and retains a part time role with Northeast.
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Around the regions
Big Shed Happens Day is coming up soon!
For many Shed Night regulars, Big Shed Happens Day will be the culmination of regular Shed Nights throughout the year. To others it will be a taste of what a Shed Night is all about. Many who attended last year said that they came away inspired and encouraged to be a better bloke.
Being real
One bloke’s vision resulted in a great turnout of men at the initial Caloundra Baptist Men’s Shed Night recently. 54 men got together for a time that was designed to be relaxed, authentic and non-judgmental. ‘Men’s Shed’ is essentially based around Christian principles but it isn’t a church. It’s not a movement, but simply a place where blokes can be real with each other and hear how other men balance their roles in today’s complex society. It brings a sense of hope for men and boys as stories are shared and role models discovered.
‘I was inspired and excited, especially by receiving permission for us to be Aussie men and not pretend to be anything else.’ ‘I related to so many stories. I thought I had a unique and different life, but it appears so do lots of other blokes!’ At this year’s event, you will hear World Swimming Champion, Duncan Armstrong and AFL legend, Simon Black talk about how different life was away from the cameras. Get an understanding that blokes today aren’t alone in the many struggles of life and learn ways to deal with them.
Milestones
What a great start to celebrations on 20, 21 August when Wondai Baptist Church commemorated the 100th Anniversary of the church’s commencement. Saturday’s Fellowship Tea was followed by an evening program. Some past members were able to attend and the Worship Team from Victoria Point Baptist church led the praise and worship time. It was a delight to listen as they presented a mixture of songs that encouraged the church to praise God. A short skit focusing on principles needed to build a church was presented by three members of the congregation. LtoR Christopher & Johnston and Les Goschnick
Wondai Centenary
Guest speaker for the weekend was John Sweetman, Principal of Malyon College. John encouraged the church to celebrate what God had done through them and then to move forward by allowing God to bring down the walls of conformity, security and capability. Wondai Baptist Church will continue their celebrations on 15,16 September 2012 as they commemorate the centenary of the opening of the Wondai Baptist Church building. Enquiries, please phone the Church Secretary, Ivan Sinclair, phone 4169 0020.
LtoR Jean Clark, Ailsa Goschnick and Ann Webber
Victoria Point Baptist Church Worship Team
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QB archives
ARCHIVES Tragedy and triumph The story of the Mount Morgan Baptist Church is one of a number to be told in a book about the churches of Central Queensland which will be published next year to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle. It is a story of tragedy and triumph! The Mount Morgan Baptist Church existed, as a Baptist church, from 1899 to 2000. It was started by a group of Welsh miners led by William P James, a Baptist lay preacher, who later also started a church in the Hunter Valley, NSW. The life of the church was inextricably tied to the life of the Mount Morgan gold mine on which the town relied for employment. The mine closed down on several occasions – sometimes because of economic factors and sometimes for other reasons. The whole ethos of Mount Morgan militated against the church. It just wasn’t a town that made it easy for church folk to live there. In 1925, a huge fire broke out in the mine and destroyed many of the underground workings. Efforts to control the fire flooded the mine and disrupted employment for some time. When the mine changed to an open cut process, the workforce dropped from 1400 to 350. Accidents and death at the mine were quite common and a pall of sorrow often hung over the town. On top of these ongoing problems, the church suffered many losses as families left the town to seek employment elsewhere. A number of key figures died, particularly in the early years and a heavy burden often fell on a small number of loyal workers. When it rained the roads were practically impassable and mine workers were on a five day rotational working system which regarded Sunday as an ordinary day. This meant that they only had fourteen Sundays off each year. Most pastors did not last in Mount Morgan for more than a year. Some left because of ill health. Others simply asked to be transferred out of there. The church was often without a pastor for long periods and the already heavily burdened church leaders often had to step into the pulpit. But despite all this, Mount Morgan Baptist Church battled on and lasted for just over one hundred years. At times it
had a large Sunday school. It erected and paid for its own church building and manse. Frank Aldridge, who pastored Mount Morgan for seven years, described it as ‘the hardest in Queensland’ and few would argue with this assessment. But the Mount Morgan story is not one of failure. It is a story about endurance and triumph over adversity. This is just one of about twenty stories that will be published in the Central Queensland project to be launched at Convention 2012. Baptist Heritage Queensland welcomes enquiries and contributions to this project. Electronic or printed copies of the Mount Morgan history are available on request from Bill Hughes at roslynbill@bigpond.com Missionary Mementos It is 33 years since the Jireh Baptist Church in Gipps St, Fortitude Valley closed, and 24 years since the National Trust listed building was destroyed by fire (the site is now a backpacker hostel). But recently the Baptist Church Archives Qld received a number of items retrieved from the site which show the church’s dedication to missions. The items all relate to the church’s missionary committee, made up of representatives of all of the organisations of the church. They date from just over one hundred years ago. The church was obviously very serious about missions and organised itself to support and promote its passion in an effective way through prayer, finances and practical efforts. This is an interesting sample of the type of documents housed in the Archives which help to tell the story of how Baptists in Queensland have lived out their faith. This collection also included some business papers from McWhirters Emporium – someone got their work and church folders mixed up! Baptist Heritage Qld welcomes interest in the Archives, and encourages enquiries from people with suitable skills and time to devote to the development of this important ministry. The Baptist Archives archives@qb.com.au Phone 07 3878 3178, 07 3354 5642, 07 3256 8897 Mail The Baptist Archives, QB Centre, PO Box 6166, Mitchelton Q 4053
www.qb.com.au October 2011
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QB kids & their families
QB Kids Connect Reflections on QB Kids Connect, July 2011 Children in the Kingdom of God – Imitating Christ’s attitude How do we imitate Christ’s attitude towards children? ‘Unless you become like little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God’ (Matthew 18:3). What does it mean to live out this upside down Kingdom where the first shall be last and the last first; where adults are being asked to be child-like? If the Gospel is about the transformation of lives, how do we partner with parents to bring holistic faith transformation to children? What is a child-friendly church? How does a church meet the needs of families? Patrick McDonald, Viva Network says: ‘Children are a priority for the King and his Kingdom: They are many, they are strategic, they suffer and God’s unambiguous mandate in their favour shouts for urgent action right across the pages of scripture. They are both key to the Great Commission and an essential expression of the Great Commandment. The Christian response to children today stands in many ways at a crossroads. Most children at the turn of the century are ‘children at risk’ or children that need more than mere words to demonstrate the love of God. They are hungry children, homeless children, hurting children. Faced with the urgent 16
October 2011 www.qb.com.au
need to nurture and protect these children, lots of Christians respond compassionately, even sacrificially, but most struggle to engage effectively and consistently.’ What is your church community doing to reach the ‘at risk’ children in your community? Children at risk in poverty, children at risk in prosperity – we must identify the ‘at risk’ children in our neighbourhoods and prayerfully consider what Jesus would do to reach them with his love. We often consider our children to be loud (the unwritten definition of ‘boy’ is noise with dirt on it!). We are always telling them to talk softer, cry less, and quieten down. And yet, when it comes to children at risk, all we hear is silence: from them, and from us, as so often we acknowledge only the children sitting at our own dining room tables. So what is it that stops us from ‘speaking up for those who can’t speak for themselves’ - our preoccupation with our own noise; or our own vulnerability? In child-likeness we need to approach the Father and ask for the courage and direction to break the silence on children at risk. Perhaps we need to love more and worry less, to plan less and trust more? Perhaps we need to try again where we have failed before? Jo Stotschek For the QB Kids & their families Team
Gain a degree & strengthen your Christian worldview.
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Education Education & Humanities Humanities
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Christian Christian Heritage Heritage College College | www.chc.edu.au www.chc.edu.au | 07 07 3347 3347 7900 7900 Children’s Advocacy Forum Presented by Kids Ministry Queensland 9am – 3pm, Wednesday 26 October Gateway Baptist Church What is God saying to us individually? Denominationally? Corporately? $40 – Register online at kmq.com.au Morning tea and lunch provided Don’t miss this unique opportunity to consider the world of children’s and families today through the experiences of practitioners at the ‘front line’. An opening interactive session will lay a platform for the rest of the day. Small group time in denominational and organisational groups will allow for reflection on current strategies and listening to God’s plans for the future.
‘The speakers at the 2010 Forum were of the highest calibre and provoked great discussion throughout the day. The opportunity to meet in our denominational group was also an encouragement to me as a denominational leader as we encourage churches to see children as an essential part of today’s church.’ (Col Peaker – Qld Baptists Regional Consultant) ‘The Children’s Advocacy Forum provides a forum for those who can make a significant improvement in children’s lives to offer some practical support for those in the front line of children’s services. Hear what the impact of neglect, paedophilia, poverty, race, broken families and isolation has on our young and future adults of this nation. Everyone involved with children should hear these inspirational speakers.’ (Simon Boss-Walker – Principal Pialba State School & Past President Australian Council for Educational Leaders (Qld)) Enquiries Terry Williams, ph 0403 818 070; email info@kmq.com.au
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www.qb.com.au October 2011
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QB youth
Let’s not wait! Can you believe that some of Jesus’ disciples may have been around the same age as some young people in our youth ministries today? While there’s no hard Biblical evidence that proves the age of his disciples, it is quite likely that many of Jesus’ followers were in their mid-to-late teens. That would certainly explain some of their immaturity and foolishness! But these young men gave up all they had to follow Jesus – they answered his call to learn from the Master how to become fishers of men. This learning did not take place in a lecture theatre, isolated from the realities of the world. No, these young men literally followed in Jesus’ footsteps. They heard his parables and questioned him about their meaning; they played a part in his miracles, and their faith was tested and stretched as they tried to cast out demons or watched healings happen before their eyes. Jesus provided them with opportunities to learn, take action and reflect on their experiences. Their training was certainly ‘on the job’. I believe that many teenagers in our youth ministries today want to be activists like Jesus’ first disciples. They don’t just want to be told to do the right thing, they want to jump in with both feet and get their hands dirty as they explore how to make their faith real. They want to contribute something real to make a difference, they want practical opportunities to show love towards others, and they want to play a direct part in helping usher in God’s Kingdom. They don’t just want to be lectured to... they want to be involved. Young people are co-contributors of online content – posting videos to youtube, sharing photos on flickr, adding their insights to topics on Wikipedia, and having lengthy debates on Facebook. In the same way, they want to be contributing to, and co-creating, their expression of faith within their youth ministries. Young people see their teenage years as an opportunity to live out the calling of Christ now, rather than as years of preparation or education before they can engage with the ‘real world’ after they leave school. This has been particularly evident among our Grade 11 and 12 students. Recently, a number of them were excited to be involved in a local outreach to the poor and marginalised. They spent the afternoon preparing food, and as darkness fell, they visited three sites to provide physical and spiritual nourishment
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to people in need. They had a chance to feed the hungry, to pray for the lost, and to reach out to the lonely. The climax of the experience was when one of these people asked to accept Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Our high schoolers returned to church absolutely buzzing, and they were eager to report back to the rest of the youth group about what they had seen, learnt and experienced, and encourage their peers to get their hands and feet dirty in following Jesus now. Also, many of their peers are not content with just sitting back and listening. They choose to get actively involved in helping others follow Jesus, by taking on leadership opportunities in children’s ministry, worship and welcoming teams. Creating opportunities for young people to grow and develop by serving others has its challenges. They make mistakes, it can get fairly messy at times, and it is imperative to have wise mentors to guide them in the process. But in our churches and our homes, we need to be providing opportunities now for our young people to try things, to contribute, and to grow God’s Kingdom. Let’s not wait until they reach eighteen. After all, it seemed to work out well for Jesus and his disciples! Tim Lucas tlucas@gatewaybap.com Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, Gateway Baptist & QB Youth Vision Team member
Loving othe
rs better...IN
TENTIONAL
MINISTRY
Queensland Baptists’ Convention 14 - 20 May 2012 in Rockhampton
Program • • • • • • • • •
Guest speakers, sessions, electives Fellowship Dinner at Glenmore Homestead Prayer breakfast Queensland Baptists’ Business Day Recognition Service including Rockhampton Baptist Tabernacle - 150th Anniversary Tours around Rockhampton & visit to QBC Shalom Multicultural Markets & Dinner Combined Central Qld Church Service Prayer in Baptist Churches around Qld
and a special day conference for Pastors and their spouses.
Special guest speakers We are delighted that two outstanding and highly regarded speakers will present at Convention 2012: Karl Faase is the Senior Pastor at Gymea Baptist Church in Sydney’s southern suburbs. Gymea Baptist is a multi-faceted church with a heart for reaching its community. Karl was the Executive Director of the Australian Arrow Leadership Development Program until December 2010 - a leadership development program for emerging Christian leaders across Australia. Karl also co-founded the Media Project, ‘Jesus. All about life’, a high profile media campaign working in conjunction with local churches that has been conducted in several Australian states. Karl is experienced in media ministry in both radio and television, his radio spots are played across Australia and internationally as are the television series such as “The Mens Series and the recently released ‘The Family Series’. Karl will speak on Tuesday 15 May. Mark McCrindle is one of Australia’s foremost social researchers. He has an international reputation for tracking emerging trends, demographic change and customer shifts. Mark also has a mission-focused Christian faith that enables him to present information to equip church leaders with perspectives about cultural trends in Australia. A regular social commentator for prominent media channels, Mark’s understanding of the key issues facing the emerging generations as well as his engaging communication style, places him in high demand as a commentator in the press, on radio and on television shows such as Sunrise, The Today Show, 7pm Project, A Current Affair, Today Tonight, 2UE and ABC. Mark will be joining us on Wednesday 16 May.
Plan now to attend! More information available soon.
QB women
Masterchef; chocolate hearts; trampolines; bird cages; bluebird rings; running free; giant balloons. All of these are highlights from our She is… Freedom adventure this year.
Lives changed; hearts healed!
Looking back on the journey, as I come to write my thoughts, I am overwhelmed about where to start! Our year started off in May at Hervey Bay and will finish in Townsville in early October. In between, we visited Cairns, Mapleton, Brisbane and Yeppoon in Central Queensland. Overall, 1000 wonderful women attended our She is… events. We had the privilege of seeing women in all of these centres come to learn and believe that they are FREE. And that freedom is found in Jesus. Elissa Macpherson gave us some valuable and practical ways to find freedom in our lives. Lives were changed and hearts were healed.
Elissa Macpherson
Sue Peters gave us an insight into her trip to India, where she saw the amazing work that Kerry and Annie Hilton are doing with Freeset. It has been such a blessing to see the women of Queensland embrace Freeset and give so generously. Through our times together, we have had fun joking about shoes – one of our badges said, ‘Shoes are my love language!’. Those of us who love shoes enjoyed seeing what shoes Elissa and Sue were going to wear next! I know shoes aren’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’, but in thinking about Freedom I have come to realise that shoes, as a concept, really do fit. In choosing shoes, we need to make sure they fit us correctly. They can’t be too big or we worry about how we will walk. If they are too small, they restrict our feet and it hurts. When they fit just right, we can walk, run, jump, dance with confidence and FREEDOM. 20
October 2011 www.qb.com.au
Jesus is our freedom. He is the ‘One size fits all’. When we have Jesus in our lives, we have freedom. We can walk in Jesus’ shoes and he will carry us and support us, whatever we need. ‘So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed’ (John 8:36). I am so thankful to be a part of this message and for seeing Jesus work in the lives of Queensland women.
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THE GIFT FOUNDATION Yes, coming to the end of a busy season, we are looking forward to some rest, but we are so excited about what fun things God has in store for us next year. We know that he will go exceedingly above and beyond what we can ever imagine for his Kingdom: because HE IS GOOD! Tracey Cossgrove State Team Member for Qld Baptist Women Sue Peters, State Director for Qld Baptist Women holds chocolate hearts; just one of the beautiful gifts each woman received at She is… sue@sheis.net.au www.sheis.net.au
- A gift in a will - A letter to beneficiaries - A gift from a Family Trust www.qb.com.au/giftfoundation Telephone: 0400 795 302 Hope through Christ
QCCC
Beyond the limits
Transcendent: ‘Extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience.’ I spent the first ten years of life growing up in the midst of a civil war in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). During the time I was aged five to 10, my dad was drafted into compulsory military service as a chaplain, meaning that for most of those years he would spend three weeks on ‘call-up’ away from home, followed by six weeks at home where he’d frantically have to make up for lost time at work where he was National Director of Youth for Christ. Transcendent memories are those that remain with us for a lifetime, moments where the ordinary is disrupted by something remarkable. Some transcendent memories about dad’s callups are the sorrow of the day he’d depart, and one particularly memorable day where he unexpectedly returned home early with tick bite fever (I’m not sure dad was as overjoyed about this as mum and I were). It is very hard to watch the scenes in Mel Gibson’s film, Once were Warriors - where he farewells his children before going to Vietnam – without emotional memories flooding back; or, for that matter, any war movie that involves a chaplain delivering news of a soldier’s death as this was dad’s lot in his war. But there is also a stream of other transcendent memories from my childhood, cherished ones of the many times dad played with me, prayed with me, talked to me, watched me play rugby, let me join in with his exciting work, took me on camps or hunting. Memories of things like games of backyard soccer where I’d secure a dramatic 20-19 victory, whooping and hollering and never having it occur to me that the last goal was more than a little soft. And I also had the blessing of a brother, 17 years older than me, who invested in me. Favourite memories involving my brother include an overnight hike together in the wilds of the Matopos National Park when I was 11 and a 100km bike ride around the stunning peninsulas of Cape Town when I was 13. And now that I have three boys of my own, I find myself on the other side, playing the role of dad with three formative souls hungry for my time, attention, affirmation and inspiration. I journey with many Generation X dads. My observation is that they (like me) are deeply committed to the important task of investing into our children. Over recent decades, large strides forward have been made to greater enable fathers to be involved in the lives of their children, but I think that many fathers with children at home still live with the tension between ‘provision’ (aka work) and presence with our kids. I feel very fortunate to be involved in camping and to have my family living on site where they can be involved in my
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QCCC workaday world. In fact, my boys often have input vital to our operations because they see things through the eyes of one of our major constituencies; their peers. And I’m also very grateful that within the context of our camping ministry we’ve been able to establish a program that creates transcendent memories for dads and kids and actively encourages the role of father with support, advice and encouragement.
an improved relationship and encouragement in effective fathering. Nearly everyone who comes to a Fathering Adventure weekend leaves with a life changed. When Darren gets up in front of a group of fathers I know he practises what he is about to preach. Here are some of the issues we wrestle with over the course of a weekend (interspersed with a lot of fun one-on-one time with your child):
Fathering Adventures Group
In early September a mate of mine, Darren Lewis, was named the 2011 Queensland Father of the Year. I’ve only known Darren for a year but we’ve formed a friendship as we’ve journeyed together to provide Fathering Adventure weekends in South East Queensland. Time enough for me to be convinced that Darren is a worthy winner, such is his commitment and effort to raise his four boys, investing in them and also involving them in his ministry to other dads.
Are you fathering intentionally? Do you father with the end in mind? What will your child leave home with? Has your child already left home? It’s never too late! What would you have loved to experience with your dad? What would you have wanted to receive from, or hear from him? Offer those things to your child now. Discuss this with others on the same journey.
Research reveals that on average, a child spends only eight minutes per day with his or her father.
My family has been blessed by our participation in the Fathering Adventure weekends and I’m excited that QCCC is able to offer it in South East Queensland. The next weekend is a FatherSon weekend at Mapleton from 4-6 November. Details can be found at www.fatheringadventures.com
A child spells LOVE, ‘T-I-M-E’, and eight minutes per day, does not, and cannot, answer the key questions every child asks in a healthy, life-giving way: ‘Do you love me? Are you proud of me? Do you delight in me?’ The Fathering Adventure weekend we offer with Darren at QCCC is no substitute for regular and life-affirming interaction between father and child. But it is a wonderful opportunity to create a transcendent memory and to go forward better equipped with
‘Not every successful man is a good father. But every good father is a successful man’ (R. Duvall). Andrew Grant Andrew.grant@qccc.com.au Director of Camping - Queensland Conference and Camping Centres
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QBC
Expanding the Mission Queensland Baptist Care (QBC) is set to embark on a journey that will not only change the life of the organisation but the lives of thousands of people for the better. Recently announcing the five year strategic plan, QBC CEO, Jon Campbell, has outlined a visionary plan, giving the organisation clear direction for the years 2011 to 2016. The new strategic plan focuses on six main areas critical to serving the community: strengthening our Christian ethos; developing and empowering our people; client focused services; engaging our stakeholders; ensuring services are sustainable; and developing efficient and effective support systems. Since Jon’s appointment as CEO in February 2009, financial performance has improved from a loss to a surplus of $2.7 million in 2010 with further improvement expected in 2011. Achieved with minimal disruption to the lives of employees and clients, Jon says the quick turnaround is the result of a management team that are engaged with the business and aligned with the mission. ‘I have a strong executive team who are very committed to the organisation and I have a supportive Board,’ Jon said. ‘QBC is now in a stable financial position and while there are still challenges ahead, we are ready to take up a number of exciting opportunities that have been identified to expand the mission.’ Over the next five years, a number of positive changes will be implemented including the 24
October 2011 www.qb.com.au
...by the end of
2016,
we will be assisting
13,000
Queenslanders every year.
expansion of aged care, alternative education and hospital chaplaincy. ‘Expanding these services will be the first steps in our long-term aim to offer services to every major regional centre. It’s important that our services match the footprint of the Baptist denomination in Queensland,’ Jon said. When asked about the future of QBC, the CEO’s enthusiastic response is a testament to his passion about leading the organisation to the next level. ‘It is envisioned that by the end of 2016, we will be assisting over 13,000 Queenslanders every year,’ Jon said. ‘One of the areas we will be growing is our schools for young people who come from marginalised or disadvantaged backgrounds. There is an urgent need to reach out to teenagers who are struggling with everyday life.’ Currently, QBC has two alternative education centres that provide high school education, vocational training and mentoring to disengaged youth. These independent secondary schools have been successful in removing the barriers to education and nurturing the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and ethical development of young Australians. According to Jon, the number of students attending QBC schools will double by the end of the five year plan. When asked about plans to expand hospital chaplaincy, Jon said, ‘Other denominations are struggling to provide hospital chaplaincy and we need to be prepared to step in and fill the gap so
QBC
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A key theme of the plan is a renewed focus on quality care and service excellence. ‘As Christians, we should be striving to be the best we can be, as serving people well is what our Lord asks of us,’ added Jon. To achieve this, Jon said the organisation will continue to invest heavily in new IT systems and training for staff at all levels of the organisation. Additionally, to enable QBC to raise its profile and build market confidence, the organisation will undergo a brand refresh during this period. ‘These are exciting times for the organisation,’ Jon said. ‘Over the next 12 months, we will be looking to progress our expansion plans, refresh our brand and engage staff in development of organisational values aligned to the Christian faith. ‘Not only will this enable us to reach out to more people in a broader geographical sense, it will create extra jobs and, most importantly, provide greater opportunities to offer compassion, care and hope. This is the mission of QBC, this is why we exist as an organisation and why we need to expand.’
BapLink Grants
Benny
Chef Winson
Ladies at work
Food for thought In 2010, Cairns Baptist Church received a grant from BapLink to commence cooking classes as a ministry in their community. The classes are aimed at bringing together the Chinese fellowship and the main church congregation and offering outreach opportunities for both by inviting friends and family. Spin-off opportunities include using the ministry to teach street kids a skill for life through Street Level Youth Care and allowing youth and children’s ministries access to the resources. As well as promoting healthy living through good food choices and cooking practices, it is the church’s prayer that people will build relationships and come to know Jesus through their involvement in the classes. Associate Pastor, Josh McGinty writes: ‘At these initial stages the classes seem to be achieving what we have in mind. We have offered to teach recipes like special fried rice, Massaman curry, and Kung Poa chicken. The classes have been well attended by church people, their non-churched friends, and have encouraged our Chinese fellowship to be involved. We have seen both the kids and youth ministries conduct cooking classes. All in all the resources have been put to good use and people are really enjoying the classes, including a recently married guy who had never cooked.’ Now that the church has conducted a few classes, they are beginning to realise their potential as cooking food 26
October 2011 www.qb.com.au
First class
and a love of food brings people together for fellowship and learning.
QB Presidents
A long history of servant leaders Since the Rev James Voller accepted the first position in 1877, 115 men and one woman have taken on the role of President of the Baptist Union of Queensland (Queensland Baptists). In his inaugural address, the Rev Voller said that it is ‘in the spiritual vitality of the Churches [that] we find the solution of many of the problems often discussed amongst us’ and of the social problems facing the community. He concluded his speech by saying, Let us, then, in spirit and in truth, lay as deeply and surely as we can the foundations of this solemn union, by pledging ourselves to each other, and to our Lord, to do what we can, by word, deed, and sympathy, to promote the spiritual vitality of the Church, and win the colony to Christ’.
The need for spiritually vital churches remains paramount and the need for us, as Queensland Baptists, to promote that vitality is crucial if we want to draw people to Jesus. The message of the gospel is unchanging. However, roles and responsibilities in unions of Baptist Churches here and in other places have changed significantly over the years. In response to these changes, and in line with the other Australian states, at this year’s QB Convention Business Day, the role of President was abolished. Our presidents have served us, and our God, well. They have ministered in churches around our State, mentored our pastors and encouraged our lay people in their efforts to impact their communities. We are thankful for their efforts, and sincerely grateful for their willingness to serve.
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Global Interaction
Transitions = progress Whether it’s adapting to first baby coming home, learning a new job, preparing for retirement, graduating from a course, moving house, a new phase of ministry, transition and change seems a normal aspect of life. Is it a case of coping or can we assist ourselves (and probably others) by being intentional? Like how? David handed me a letter. We’d travelled together for a week in remote parts of Papua New Guinea. He is a gifted pastor and teacher; young in ministry. I observed him assisting others to analyse community needs and develop steps to effective ministry. We had met with church leaders to discern how the church of God could be effective in advancing the gospel. It was clear that a significant transition was underway!
‘. . . I say thank you very much, Geoff. It is a new chapter in my life and I will treasure it in my heart,’ David wrote. Yes, I was encouraged to receive those words. Yes, I felt blessed to be in that situation. Yes, I was aware of an enormous task in equipping pastors and leaders during this time of change. (There are more than 400 churches involved and the majority of pastors are not formally trained.) David and his wife, Kellinda, live simply in their village home in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. They have made a commitment to God to give themselves wholeheartedly and entertain changes for the sake of the Lord. Kellinda is well known for the special event women’s garments that she sews on her hand-operated machine. David completed his college degree and he is now giving himself to what some would call a ‘neutral zone’ – a time of continuing to live as a follower of Jesus and discerning the future. While he is looking to the input of others in his community of faith, he is also actively seeking the empowering of God (1 Corinthians 2:4-5). He teaches in a Bible College part-time while equipping himself for wider ministry. He unhurriedly remains open to what the Lord has for him. He is being intentional and focussed as he seeks God’s purpose for his future. Transitions are not just about change; they are also about the progress of adjustments of mind and attitude enhanced and strengthened in community. At Global Interaction we are excited to be
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Global Interaction
partners with many (and their local congregations) who are in various stages of transition on their life’s journey with God; all tracking to communicate the Good News to those who have least heard. Karen Haynes (North-East Baptist) began in September as Young Adults Consultant in Queensland. Scott & Janelle Windus, together with Rosie and Isaac (Reedy Creek Baptist), are preparing for long-term service with a people group in Asia.
Ben & Petra Magerl (Northreach Baptist) are preparing for long-term service along the Silk Road. If you’d like to partner with them or discuss possible avenues of serving the Lord cross-culturally, please contact me, or contact Karen Haynes, Young Adults Consultant, khaynes@ globalinteraction.org.au Geoff Cramb Queensland Director, Global Interaction & Global Interaction Consultant with the Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea gcramb@globalinteraction.org.au
A Great fire may follow a tiny spark
Anna works with Global Interaction in Thailand and has seen how prayer has the potential to transform people’s lives and move them closer to God. One day when Anna visited her friend, Win, she told Anna that her father was sick and she was deeply concerned for his health. Anna prayed with Win and assured her that many others would also be praying for her and her father. A few days later, a very excited Win phoned Anna to tell her that Jesus was real. Win’s father had been restored to full health
without the need for medication. Win has discovered that she can pray to Jesus directly without having to ask others to pray on her behalf. Win is not yet a believer but this experience of prayer, the single spark, has helped her move one step closer to the God who listens and cares. Of the 16,000 people groups in the world, more than 6,000 are considered least-reached. These groups do not have access to the gospel due to cultural, linguistic, political or other barriers. Many people in these groups will go from birth to death without hearing about Jesus in ways that are meaningful to them. Less than 1% of people in these groups are believers, and few Christians in nearby areas are reaching out to them.
For further information: gcramb@globalinteraction.org.au or see Global Interaction website.
There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says, ‘A great fire may follow a tiny spark’. Some of the most remarkable inventions and life changing moments the world has seen have come from the tiny spark of an idea, a single hope or a simple prayer.
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Servant leadership
Mould We have renovated our bathrooms. It was a slow, rewarding and sometimes painful process (cleaning concrete off tools at 1:00 am in the dead of winter is unpleasant to say the least) but now we have two shiny new bathrooms for our 18 months of slog and investment. Early on one of these recent cold mornings I noticed some condensation on the shiny new roof and thought I saw a dark spot. Was mould entering our little sanctuary of shiny newness? I was overwhelmed with an urge to protect the integrity of our labour and prevent any destruction of our asset. Like most renovators, we started our project with high hopes. It would be quick, cost effective and our efforts would be rewarded with shiny bathrooms, which we would all enjoy for years to come. The project, however, followed (to perfection) the three rules of renovation: 1. It made more mess than anticipated. 2. It cost more than anticipated. 3. It took longer than anticipated. Once done and the effort made, however, we are not about to let it be ruined. When we lead, we invest large amounts of time, energy and heart - heart, soul, mind and strength, so to speak, into projects, missions or visions. We usually start out with noble intentions. So many good pursuits are birthed in our times with God. We catch something of God’s heart from scripture, from a revelation by the spirit in a particular context and we sense the fire of God empowering us to proceed. And so we begin. One day though, there sneaks in an expectation. The energy and commitment becomes an investment and an expectation begins to grow that there should be a return. Effort in; reward out. It may not be about money or prestige. It might be an expectation that people will love what you do, that some healing will come to a life or a community, that you will be thanked. And so the mould begins to grow. This is the time of year (or soon will be) when we get tired in our labouring. We start expecting returns on our labours, start feeling entitled to outcomes. And yet our call is more
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truly to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and our neighbour as ourselves, doing the things we see in our Father’s heart for the world he has created. So if you spy the mould of entitlement and expectation on what has been a beautiful God-inspired labour of love, get out the scrubber and open up the windows. Restore your labour to one that is an overflow from God’s heart and yours. It is called servant leadership. Monica O’Neil with kind permission from The Advocate, Western Australia’s newspaper for Christians.www.theadvocate.tv. Monica O’Neil is the Director of Vose Leadership www.vose.edu.au
Salt
Make a stand New research for kids University of Sydney legal academic, Professor Patrick Parkinson, is the author of the newly released ACLcommissioned research report For Kids’ Sake, offering hope to Governments and communities searching for answers to the crisis affecting our nation’s troubled children. It’s available online http://australianchristianlobby.org.au/wp-content/ uploads/FKS-ResearchReport1.pdf or contact me for a copy. Recommendations include: • A Families Commission reporting to the Prime Minister’s office, encouraging parenting and relationship courses, overseeing legislation affecting children and families, and coordinating ongoing research and promotional activities • Community trusts in every Local Government Area to raise and distribute funds to community organisations delivering goods and services to children • An expanded role for Family Relationship Centres to accredit and facilitate parent-child and relationship training and education programs. Marriage update Federal politicians recently reported their electorate views on same-sex marriage to Parliament. Support for the traditional definition of marriage being retained is overwhelming. Of the 30 MPs who spoke, 18 said an extraordinary majority in their electorates supported the current definition, six favoured changed and six didn’t indicate the numbers in their electorate. Thank you if you contacted your MP – it really makes a difference. For example, Hinkler’s Paul Neville reported responses for marriage staying the same were 595 to 14; in Dawson, George Christensen reported 456 to 78; in Blair, Shayne Neumann reported 580 to 115. Chaplaincy update Peter Garrett recently announced that from 2012 the chaplaincy scheme will be expanded so that schools can choose a chaplain or a secular welfare worker. Tim Mander (SU) is confident that this will not necessarily have a negative impact on the current program. Almost 2700 schools participate; this will now be extended to a further 1000 schools with regional, remote and disadvantaged communities being given priority. ACL is calling for new secular welfare workers to be funded over and above the amount currently available for faith-based chaplains. This is in line with the Government’s commitment, before the election, that the chaplaincy program would retain its faith-based pastoral care emphasis. Asylum seekers ‘Help us,’ they cry. ‘Defend us against our enemies. Protect us from their relentless attack. Do not betray us now that we have
escaped. Let our refugees stay among you. Hide them from our enemies until the terror is past’ Isaiah 16:3,4. Anyone working with refugees hears repeated stories of desperation and a hope-filled struggle for life and freedom against a background of sometimes unspeakable trauma and suffering. One mother mourns the loss of a baby who died from a preventable infection; another still prays for her daughter, captured from the refugee camp by raiding soldiers, never to be seen again. Four children from one family have nightmares having seen their father shot before their eyes, while four others cry with their mother every day for the father who could not come with them. Their stories and their scars are frighteningly real and deeply affecting. The world keeps coming to us, crying out to us, to help if we can. And we can. The recent High Court’s decision on the ‘Malaysian solution’ continues to keep asylum seekers at the forefront of Australian politics. The solution should be driven by truth, compassion and justice – not a need to find a compromise position to please everyone. We must a) stop criminality deciding our refugee policy and b) extend generosity and compassion to as many of those refugees in shocking circumstances as we physically can. ACL’s role is to urge governments to observe justice and compassion in any solution they devise. We will continue to do that. Removing BC/AD from our national school curriculum The Australian National Curriculum will replace the historical terms BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini, Latin for ‘In the year of our Lord’) with the new politically correct neutral terms of BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era). Australia is what it is today because of our foundations in the JudeoChristian heritage. The curriculum was to have been introduced next year but has been delayed which allows opportunity to urge our Federal politicians NOT to seek to remove this important acknowledgement of our heritage in our school classrooms. Add your voice to this issue and other relevant topics at www. makeastand.org.au Wendy Francis State Director Australian Christian Lobby www.acl.org.au
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BWAA
Power with purpose Andy Coller, Church Relationship Coordinator at Baptist World Aid Australia, shares his thoughts as he reflects on our annual theme, Imitating Jesus. Throughout my adult life I have witnessed various renewals within Christian congregations. The Spirit of God truly does bless and there is great excitement. But most of the time, the excitement wanes and the congregation settles back to where it was before renewal. I have heard that in these renewals the Holy Spirit challenges people to share what they have received from God with those outside the community of faith, particularly with the poor and needy. For many this is a hard message. Often, instead of sharing the message with those outside the Kingdom, it is shared with other congregations of believers. It becomes a Renewal Movement purely for the saved. Then, sadly, the renewal experience grinds to a halt.
day of Pentecost, the result of the Holy Spirit’s filling was the proclamation of the Gospel. The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because... In Luke 4:14-21 we see the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He was empowered by the Holy Spirit because he had ministry to perform. It wasn’t to make him feel good or so that he could brag that he was anointed. And note where the ministry was directed: not to the rich, not to the religious, not to the comfortable and not to the healthy. Jesus needed the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfil his ministry, and not just for the ability to perform the actual act of ministry but also for the fortitude to endure rejection and misunderstanding.
Spiritual Renewal given for a purpose
We continue the ministry of Jesus
When we look in the Bible it seems that the Holy Spirit is not given primarily for the personal benefit of the receiver. Bezalel was filled with the Holy Spirit so he could serve God and the Israelite community in building the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-5). The Spirit filled the prophets so that they could deliver God’s often unpopular message. On the
Until recently, our Queensland Baptists’ focus was ‘Imitating Jesus’. This is not just doing the same things Jesus did; it involves continuing his ministry. Jesus promised his followers that they would receive the same power and the same filling or anointing that he received. (Acts 1:8) The same power that Jesus had is available to every believer. Like
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BWAA
Jesus, it is power with purpose. We are to ‘Imitate Jesus’ and continue the work he started. Our work, too, is to ‘preach the gospel’ in all its fullness. Jesus proclaimed the gospel in word and deed. Likewise we should be looking to minister to the poor and oppressed in word and deed. This ministry has been spiritualised by some to only refer to the spiritually poor and spiritually oppressed. This is a valid ministry. Spiritual oppression is a real issue that needs the Holy Spirit’s power to tackle it. Jesus did minister to the spiritually oppressed. However, Jesus also spent a lot of time with the rejected people in society. He ministered to the physically sick. He was loved by the poor. His strongest supporters were tax collectors and prostitutes. And, interestingly, he was hated by the religious rich! Do you want Holy Spirit power? I know lots of people praying for the Holy Spirit to fill them and give them power. How about you? Do you want Holy
Spirit power? If so, are you willing to accept all that goes with it? It will be power with purpose. Are you willing to leave the comfort of the congregation and befriend prostitutes, those suffering mental illness, the single mum across the road who has a noisy party every weekend, or the old guy down the road who tells the same story every time you talk to him? Are you willing to use the financial blessings God has given you to help the poor? Andy Coller - Andy.Coller@baptistworldaid.org.au Thankyou to all who have donated to the BWAA East Africa Appeal. To date we have received nearly $700,000 nationally and over $100,000 from Queensland. Baptist World Aid Australia’s partner Ukamba Christian Community Services (UCCS) is providing essential food supplies to the most vulnerable families; working with local communities to construct water catchment infrastructure and reduce vulnerability to future droughts; and helping communities prepare their fields for the next rains due in November. For more information visit www.baptistworldaid.org.au
4th Annual Effective Evangelism seminar with Michael Frost and John north
THE ROaD TO
MIssIOnAl lEADERsHIP 30 november 2011
Kenmore Baptist ChurCh 57A Kenmore roAd Kenmore QLD, 9am-3pm register before 16 nov for earLy birD price of $20 per person + Bring your team to receive a bonus Discount anD for
maximum impaCt
www.afci.com.au/evangelismseminar Attendees at the 2010 Effective Evangelism Seminar said: ‘We really appreciated the opportunity for us, as a pastoral staff team, to come and spend the time getting fed and challenged in the area of missional evangelism. We also really appreciate the opportunity this provides for us to then discuss the issues and work through how this applies in our specific context – both in regards to our church and our community.’ ‘I appreciated the engaging teaching that helps us really think about missional evangelism and what it looks like in our context. Personally, it is also fabulous to get to rub shoulders with some other pastors from different churches.’
‘I loved the session on the presence of Jesus in our evangelism. This takes such a burden off people, the burden of pressure and the anxiety of having to try and manufacture some spiritual conversation in their own strength as well as the guilt of not accomplishing some amazing spiritual moment with not-yet-believers. In its place, there is the proper biblical perspective that it is God who is at work and we just partner with him. I think a lot of our churches need to be released and challenged with the message that they are to seek how God is already at work and be more receptive to his leading. It was a great session.’ www.qb.com.au October 2011
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Persecution brief Pastor Seng Aroun and three other Christians were holding a meeting in a home in Sounya village in Namtha district of Luang Namtha province in July. They were arrested and charged with assembling for worship without approval. All but Pastor Aroun were released after three days. Christians in Sounya village have faced persecution since the conversion of around 400 residents in 2002; they have been meeting in homes since the authorities destroyed their church building two years ago, but now they have been forbidden to worship in private homes.
Please pray ALGERIA AND TURKEY - LEGAL RECOGNITION FOR CHURCHES In Algeria, Christians are rejoicing after the country’s largest Protestant group was given official recognition by the government. In July, the head of the Algerian Protestant Church Association (EPA) received a licence from the Minister of Interior which grants all of its affiliated churches the right to meet and worship freely. It was described as ‘an historic day in Algeria for the Algerian believers in Christ’ by a senior Christian leader. The EPA, to which the majority of Algerian Protestant churches belong, now has the right to rent, buy and/or build property for Christian activities. The new licence cancels out a police notice issued in May that threatened the permanent closure of all Christian places of worship throughout the country that had not been designated for religious purposes. A house church in Turkey has finally been granted legal status after a long battle with the authorities in a case that highlights the ongoing difficulties for Turkish Christians regarding places of worship. The Protestant group in the eastern province of Van has been meeting in a two-storey house for seven years, during which time it has made frequent attempts to obtain a licence for the building to be recognised as a place of worship. But despite granting the church’s request, the authorities appear to remain hostile to it. Vahit Yildiz, one of the church elders, said that the congregation’s only desire was to worship freely, but that the authorities viewed them as a threat.
On the same day, Vong Veu was arrested in Pookong village in the Viengkham district of Luang Prabang province. He was charged with embracing Christianity and asked to abandon his faith in order to prove his innocence and to return to the traditional Lao religion of animism, but he refused. Earlier this year, church elder Abee Weng and three other Christians were arrested while travelling back home to Luang Prabang city from Pookong village, where they had been invited by new believers there to help them grow in their faith. They were charged with ‘spreading foreign religion and eradicating Lao traditional religion’, but were released after four days in prison. • Lift to the Lord those Christians who have been arrested in Laos this year. Pray that they will continue to praise the Lord Jesus even in their times of trial. • Pray that the Church in Laos will continue to grow despite the restrictions, and pray for increased freedom for Christians to meet together and worship. SUDAN - CHRISTIANS TARGETTED IN WAR OF HORROR Sudan’s border region is verging on a humanitarian crisis as a campaign of ethnic cleansing by North Sudan’s Islamist regime targets Christians. After the South had voted for independence, President Omar al-Bashir declared that the North would be 100% Arab and Muslim, posing an ominous threat to the minority Christian community there. South Kordofan state, which has one of the largest Christian populations in the North, remained part of the North when South Sudan became an independent nation on 9 July.
• Give thanks for this good news from Algeria and Turkey, and pray that these steps will lead to increased tolerance for Christians in both countries. • Pray that the process of registration for individual churches in Algeria goes smoothly and that applications are met with a positive response from the authorities.
In August, al-Bashir announced a two-week ceasefire in South Kordofan state, where his forces had been conducting daily air strikes and house-to-house raids, displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes. A leaked UN human rights report described ‘significant loss of civilian lives... abductions ... arbitrary arrests and detentions; targeted killings; summary executions; ...mass graves; systematic destruction of dwellings; and attacks on churches’. But shortly after, human rights groups said that bombing of civilian areas in South Kordofan was continuing, despite the alleged ceasefire. Churches have been burned down and Christians targetted because they are presumed to oppose al-Bashir’s government. Pastors in particular have been singled out and tortured in an effort to get them to give up the names of those in their congregations, which they refuse to do. Reports are now coming from the North of pastors being warned not to conduct church services, or else be killed. Bishop Andudu of South Kordofan said, ‘My house was shot with guns and my chaplain was able to escape through the window and also my offices and cafe [were] burned down... It is a war of horror’.
LAOS - CHRISTIANS ORDERED TO STOP WORSHIPPING IN PRIVATE HOMES Christians in a Laotian village have been ordered to stop worshipping in private homes as several Christians were arrested in different parts of the country.
• Pray for all those who have lost loved ones in the recent violence. Pray that they will know the peace and comfort of the Lord in their grief. • Pray that the Lord will watch over his people in North Sudan and protect them from such atrocities.
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SOURCE: BARNABAS FUND
The Protestant church in both Algeria and Turkey is composed mainly of converts from Islam and their children.
October 2011 www.qb.com.au
Making a difference The Africa Mercy arriving in Sierra Leone for its current ten-month assignment
Back to the sea Every so often Mike Hughes of Mooloolaba goes back to what he loves best … the sea. But that life at sea is not just on any ship. Mike serves with Mercy Ships on a hospital ship where more than 400 other volunteer crew members bring hope and healing to some of the world’s poorest people in West Africa. Mike has just returned from his latest service, this time as Captain of the Africa Mercy, docked in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. ‘What is done by all of the volunteers working on a range of health and community development programs has a lasting effect on those who serve and those who are served,’ he said. Captain Mike, as he is known locally, is a quietly spoken man of Welsh birth. He went to sea for the first time at age 16, starting as a mess boy on coastal ships in the UK. Over the years he has worked on rail ferries in New Zealand, sailed square-rigged sailing ships, served as dock master and harbour master, taught marine studies to tuna boat operators on the Sunshine Coast and worked on ships around Australia. Since moving to the Sunshine Coast and hearing about Mercy Ships, he has served in a number of capacities with the charity over recent years. Now in his 70s, Mike makes himself available to serve among volunteers from around the world on the world’s largest charity hospital ship.
‘That has been the best decision I have ever made. There is such poverty in the nations of West Africa and a lack of health services. Without a doubt I feel I am now at the peak of my maritime career of more than 50 years, being able to use all of the skills and knowledge I have learned in the past,’ Mike said. ‘Every member of the crew is equal, from captain to deckhand. Each crew member sees his or her work as important. There is only one aim and that is to serve those who are in need. It is all very humbling. God is good. There are so many good things happening in the hospital and out in the community. It is a thrill to see patients coming on board, being admitted, treated and then returning home healed and changed. ‘For the volunteers, the experience of working with Mercy Ships is also life changing as they recognise their part in bringing faith, hope and healing to people living in countries considered to be the poorest of the poor.’ When he returns from sailing the seas with Mercy Ships, Mike worships with Goodlife Baptist Church, Buderim. Mercy Ships is a global charity that provides free health care and community development services. Working in partnership with local people, Mercy Ships empowers communities to help themselves. They focus on the needs of the world’s poorest nations in West Africa, where the world’s largest charity hospital ship Africa Mercy provides the platform for services. Teams also work in several nations of Central America and the Caribbean. www.mercyships.org.au
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Thinkspot
A king fails When Asa ascended the throne of Judah, he began a reformation in the land and encouraged the people to turn back to God. As a result of his devotion and faithfulness, there was peace in his country for many years. Increasing numbers of people migrated to Judah because of the favour Asa enjoyed. Baasha, king of Israel, no doubt alarmed by what was happening, took control of the town of Ramah which was in the territory of Judah, between Bethel and Jerusalem, about six miles from Jerusalem. He built a military outpost to control this major travel route between Israel and Judah. This act of aggression disrupted traffic from the main arterial to Jerusalem: it not only stopped people from travelling between the two countries and from migrating from Israel to Judah, but it prevented them from making their annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Of course, this was of deep concern to Asa. However, rather than petitioning God and exercising that strong faith which resulted in his victory over the Cushites, he embarked on a policy of political intrigue. Syria, then a major world power, had established a treaty with Israel. So, following Rehoboam’s earlier example (1 Kings 14:25-26), Asa removed the gold and silver from the Temple in order to pay for an alliance with the Syrian king, Benhadad. Benhadad accepted this payment, withdrew from his treaty with Baasha and sent his army against northern Israel, ravaging much of the country and capturing some important towns. As a result, Baasha was forced to abandon his fortress at Ramah and return to protect his country. Asa’s actions showed ingenuity and cunning and appeared to turn out well for him. Yet he acted wrongly in several ways. It was wrong to make a treaty with a heathen king. Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, was later condemned for making a similar alliance with the ungodly king Ahab. It was wrong to offer a bribe to Benhadad to break his treaty with Baasha. No doubt Asa judged that all is fair in war, and that the ends justify the means. But this is the world’s standard; not God’s (Romans 3:8). As a child of God, he should have rejected this method as dishonourable. As believers, we should never do what is wrong simply because others do it, or even for the sake of gaining a greater good. Instead we should live every day in God’s sight and constantly ask, ‘What is the honourable course of action in this situation? What does God want me to do?’
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It was wrong to remove gold and silver from the Temple and use it as a financial incentive. This was misappropriating the consecrated treasure. Asa robbed God and his temple to bribe a pagan king. However, what most displeased God was the distrust from which Asa’s actions proceeded. Afterwards, Hanani the seer approached Asa and reprimanded him for relying on the king of Syria rather than the King of Heaven. Hanani reminded Asa that when he did depend on God, He delivered the people of Judah from the far superior army of the Cushites (2 Chronicles 16:8). Furthermore, the prophet indicated that if Asa had relied on God, he would have been granted a victory over both Baasha and the Syrians (2Chronicles 16:7-9). Now, however, as a result of Asa’s failure, the people of Judah were to be subjected to ongoing hostilities from Baasha (1 Kings 15:32), and Asa’s remaining days were to be filled with constant warfare instead of peace (2Chronicles 16:9). Why didn’t Asa take his concerns about Baasha’s actions to God? It’s difficult to answer this question satisfactorily. Perhaps Baasha’s threat was minor compared to that of the Cushites and Asa felt he could handle it well enough by himself. Sometimes we cope with a great trial and endure it stoically yet flounder when we face a lesser one. This seems to be related to the seriousness with which we approach harsher circumstances, the urgency of our prayers and the grace we receive in response. In any case, we should take care to avoid the sin that Asa committed. We should put our trust in God and rely continually on him to deliver us from our troubles. In his prophetic message to Asa, Hanani highlighted the great truth that God watches over his people with an attentive care: ‘For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that he may strongly support those whose heart is completely his’ (2 Chronicles 16:9, NAS). How different this is from the control exercised by earthly rulers. ‘I cannot be everywhere present,’ complained Napoleon when he lost one battle in trying to win another. However, nothing can escape God’s attention, so people in right standing with him have every reason to expect him to help and protect them. So, let us rely on God’s strength alone. Created power is too frail to be trusted, but the Creator’s power deserves all our trust. God gave Asa the undertaking that if he had truly relied on Him, things would have turned out differently and he would have been wondrously delivered from all his troubles. That principle applies to us. ‘Only believe,’ the Lord promised, ‘and you will see the glory of God’ (John 11:40). There is no plight of ours that God cannot, or will not, overrule for our good if we put our complete trust in him. Asa’s failure serves as a powerful reminder! Jim Greenbury jimncath@tpg.com.au
OAM
Flying high Outback Central Queensland: sparse, tough, sometimes heartbreaking, mostly hot, dry and dusty. It is where you’ll find down-to-earth people: the battlers, the courageous and many who are often lonely. Steve and Lorraine Cavill moved to Longreach fifteen years ago to work with Outback Aerial Mission (OAM). Steve is an elder at Longreach Baptist Church and OAM Board members also attend the church. Many readers will remember that OAM was established by Es and Val Morse in response to the isolation and hardship being faced by people in the outback. That was back in 1961 and the ministry continues. OAM aims to present the Christian gospel to people in the outback, and to encourage them in their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Flying a light aircraft makes it possible for Steve to minister face-to-face to people in remote situations within an area that covers some 220,000 square kilometres in Central Western Queensland – an area that is three times the size of Tasmania! A large part of the Cavills’ ministry is bringing Religious Education (RE) to isolated outback schools. Currently they visit 31 classes in 19 bush schools usually once every term. They have developed a curriculum that starts with God and
Creation, moves on through lessons about Jesus and finishes with a lesson about heaven. This takes six years and it gives the children a good fundamental knowledge of the Bible. They are well received by the schools and they are also able to minister to some School of the Air students. Another part of the work is visiting people on isolated and outback properties to share the love of God. Most are too isolated to travel to church so OAM takes Christian ministry to them. This involves anything, from helping out in practical ways to sharing the Gospel or a Bible study with them. Sometimes, the plane is used to help with drought relief, medical fly-outs, mail and parts delivery, or Steve officiates at weddings and funerals. ‘It’s a wonderful privilege to be a part of what God is doing in the outback. To arrive in a place, not knowing the needs but knowing you’re there at God’s direction, then being able to help, comfort or counsel a hurting or needy person is wonderfully satisfying because you realise that God is at work,’ Steve said. For more information contact Steve & Lorraine Cavill, slcavill7@aapt.net.au
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Hearts for mission
Catch your second wind
“
Started work at 18… married at 21… kids in quick succession… 25 years in the job…. kids all grown up… ready to start a new chapter…
”
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Is this YOU? We plan our studies; plan for work; plan for marriage; plan for a family…and then… plan for retirement...but what about that missing ‘chapter’? In 2003, as soon-to-be ‘emptynesters’, Lindsay and Barbara Fell Barbara & Lindsay were prayerfully investigating ways to use the next stage of their lives to impact the world for the Kingdom of God. As long-term supporters of overseas mission, God had already captured their hearts for involvement in the Great Commission but the burning questions were ‘How?’ and ‘Where?’ This was the motivation that led the couple, who attend Rochedale Baptist Church, to start Second Wind Network, an organisation that exists to help Aussie believers in their 40s, 50s and 60s engage with God’s global plan.
Peter repairs mud bricks
Hearts for mission
Crusade for Christ which has an online outreach ministry and needs people who can answer questions about Christianity and disciple people via email. Now Keith is using his time and skills to reach people all around the world and he can’t believe the opportunities that have opened up for him to share his faith. Poss (Kenmore Baptist) in Thailand
‘The initial search was for ourselves – finding God’s place for us; where we might fit and if we could make a contribution,’ Barbara said. ‘This involved many hours of research on-line, asking questions face-to-face, seeking out people who knew more than we did. We discovered that finding answers was difficult and that it would have been wonderful if there had been a place to begin the process which was easy to access and which provided some research tools. “You can’t make decisions on the basis of information you don’t have” was a statement that resonated deeply with us.’
Peter and Diane became involved with Wycliffe Associates, using their various skills in the Solomon Islands. Peter, a builder, was involved with the final construction stages of building Wycliffe volunteer accommodation for the Solomon Islands Translation Advisor Group and Diane used her library and administration skills to help with translation tasks. She continues to have some input remotely via email.
Second Wind Network now provides pathways into mission through 28 mission agency partners. Research tools and an introduction agency for mission are available online and information is readily available about cross-cultural opportunities locally and globally. Almost 90 people have volunteered in some way through the network. ‘One third of the world will never hear the name of Jesus unless someone crosses a cultural barrier to tell them – and many people in the 40+ age group could do that – short, medium or long-term,’ Lindsay said. ‘Many Christians in this age group don’t buy into the media’s image of older people - there’s more to life than taking expensive holidays and then living in a retirement resort. They want their lives to make a difference and with so many people still to hear the gospel there are endless possibilities – locally and globally,’ Barbara added. ‘This age group has so much to offer – professional, work and people skills, as well as flexibility, time and life experience. They have ministry skills and faith, and want to share with others.’ Roz, previously a secondary school chaplain from the Sunshine Coast, has joined International Nepal Fellowship and is using her skills as a pastoral care coordinator for expatriate staff working in Nepal. She says that on the Second Wind site, ‘I discovered a position that seemed to match not only my qualifications but also my desire to take Isaiah Chapter 61 seriously. I remember saying – “Now that is the job I would love to do!”’ And she’s been doing it now for four years. Keith, who also attends Rochedale Baptist, has a very different story. Some years ago he had an accident which curbed his mobility and he found himself spending more and more time online. Then Second Wind Network introduced him to Campus
Ruth in Austria
Farmers are also needed. One Queensland farming couple are currently winding up their business in preparation for a long term move to Central Asia with Global Interaction while another is investigating a support role for residential staff with HCJB in the Kimberly. TESOL also opens up many possibilities. Robin and Aileen realised that they had connections with non-English speaking people in their local community and decided to acquire TESOL qualifications which have been used locally with refugees and international students. They also go to South Korea periodically where they teach English to Korean missionaries in training who will join ministry teams where the main communication language is English. Second Wind Network has an ‘introduction agency’ for mission at www.secondwind.net.au and also circulates information by email. They are also available to address church meetings, home groups or drink coffee with anyone who would like to ask questions, either individually or in groups. Contact info@secondwind.net.au Linda (Gateway Baptist) in Cambodia
www.secondwind.net.au
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Eating on the Run
Tragedy on our doorstep Footsteps for Burma celebrated its first birthday on 1 September. In that time they have raised $37,000 for internally displaced people in Burma. Recently the Townsville Baptist Church had a fundraising dinner with their Karen brothers and sisters and raised $1111 and they are receiving expressions of interest from churches in Toowoomba, Pittsworth, Castlemaine, Bendigo and Wooloongong. The word about Footsteps for Burma is spreading nationally – and the organisers are very excited about it. Eating on the Run continues...it is very much an on-going campaign because the problem still exists. THE Eating on the Run campaign was conceived by Rick Plumb (Stafford Heights Baptist Church), founder of Brisbane Community Aid and Tracy Jones (North-East Baptist Church), founder of Footsteps for Burma. Their shared vision was to help mostly displaced Karen people who were struggling to survive on both sides of the Thailand/Burma border after fleeing escalated fighting in their homeland that broke out following the sham Burma elections in November 2010.
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Some of the funds raised through the Eating on the Run campaign resulted in the supply of 11 tonnes of rice to thousands of hungry people – supplies that arrived just as other aid ran out. Funds were also used to purchase life-saving medical supplies, provided direct to the Emergency Assistance and Relief Team (EART) field workers who used them to treat the three main causes of mortality in the region: Malaria, diarrhoea and acute respiratory infections. Sixty percent of deaths of children under five inside Karen State are caused by these preventable and treatable diseases. Multiple IV antibiotics, vitamin B and folic acid and iron supplements, pain relief medications and resuscitation drugs, dehydration medicines as well as needles, syringes, gauze bandages, dressing wound solutions, gloves, stethoscopes and blood pressure monitors were also supplied. These are just some examples of the help being provided, made possible through a range of innovative fundraising and philanthropic efforts. For more information about these projects or to learn more about the devastating human tragedy that has unfolded on our doorstep visit http://footstepsforburma.org/
Listen & learn
I will
follow Carole King’s hit from the 70s, ‘Where You Lead’, was apparently inspired by Ruth 1:6 where this amazing statement is made to Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law: Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people; And your God, my God’ (NKJV). It is an incredible declaration of devotion and loyalty. No wonder this Bible verse is frequently used to describe our response to God. But how do you listen to God so that you know where to go? Sometimes it is difficult to know what he is saying. It can feel like tuning in to a radio – sometimes clear, other times messed up by interference, and maybe you are unsure if you are tuned into the right station! I have learnt there are two facets to hearing God’s voice clearly: 1. Listen to your spirit. God occasionally speaks audibly, but mostly, he speaks to your spirit as a still, quiet voice, whispering into your thoughts. Hearing these promptings comes naturally to some and is completely foreign to others. If you are having trouble listening to your spirit, ask God to make it clear. After all, Jesus said, ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’ (Lk 11:9). Keep knocking. Keep seeking. Keep asking. He will answer. 2. Learn to know his voice. It is also important to recognise Jesus’ voice. In John 10:27-28, Jesus speaks about his sheep hearing his voice, and he knows who they are. I was constantly amazed at my father-in-law, a part-time sheep farmer, who could go out to the paddock, call the sheep, and they would come running. Incredibly, he knew each one of them. Do you know Jesus’ voice when he speaks into your spirit? The other possibilities are the enemy (AKA Satan and his cohorts), or your own thoughts and imaginings.
Whatever your ability to be sensitive to your spirit, it is important to discern where thoughts are coming from. Why not ask God for the gift of discernment referred to in 1 Corinthians 12:10? When trying to discern God’s voice I ask him to remove any of my own ideas, and to protect me from the enemy’s tricks and voices. Here is a prayer for those times when you come before God, asking him to speak to you: Dear God, thank you that you want to speak to me. I really want to listen to you! Let me become more aware of the workings of my spirit. I want to recognise your voice. Please give me the ability to discern between your voice, that of the enemy, and my own ideas. If I make a mistake, help me to work it out quickly. If there is anything else I need to do to hear you better, please show me what it is. I am ready to listen! Amen Jenny Baxter is the former editor of Christian Woman magazine, and Communications Manager, Christian Radio ultra106five (Hobart). At the time of writing she and her husband Stephen are listening for God’s voice regarding responding to the call from Hobart Baptist Church for Stephen to be senior pastor. jennybaxter@netspace.net.au
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B O O K S . DV D S . M U S I C
BOOK: Many-coloured realm Author Ann Hamilton DVD: Should we Cancel Christmas?’ New DVD resource for scripture teachers, chaplains and youth ministries Olive Tree Media has just released a DVD resource kit for scripture teachers, school chaplains and youth ministries that asks the question, ‘Should we Cancel Christmas?’Based on a TV program produced for Christian Television Australia (CTA) and aired on the Seven Network on Christmas Day, 2010, the DVD is hosted by Karl Faase*. ‘When we looked at producing a Christmas program, we considered some of the calls from atheist authors challenging the validity of the Christian faith,’ he said. ‘We decided to pick up their line of thinking and ask if Christmas should be cancelled.’ The program features interviews with Mark McCrindle*, a social researcher; Professor Alanna Nobbs, an historian from Macquarie University and Professor Ian Harper, from Deloise Access Economics. It has been adapted for use in schools by Kaye Chalwell, who is currently undertaking research for her Masters of Education in SRE teaching. The DVD pack contains lesson plans and worksheets as downloadable PDFs that relate directly to each section of the program. The DVD and resource pack ‘Should we Cancel Christmas’ is available for $19.95 through the online shop at olivetreemedia.com.au
*Karl Faase and Mark McCrindle will be guest speakers at QB Convention 2012 in Rockhampton (14 – 20 May).
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A starlight fantasy for young adults, blended with science fiction and written in numerical literary style, this book falls somewhere in between those fabulous Lewises: Lewis Carroll and CS Lewis. A young reader’s comment: ‘I’ve been reading Many-Coloured Realm for a while now and I think it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read. My favourite character was Artemys the penguin. He had great personality that fit him well. The goblin king was a character that to me seemed sort of a mystery but that made the book even more interesting. The part I liked best was when they met Neil again when they could either go to the place with the winged cats or go to the place with the thimblethorns. At first I thought they would go to the winged cats but then I started to lean more towards the thimblethorns. But when Neil told them the way to get past them was by throwing a shoe at them, well, that was a pretty good way to get them out of the way. Of course this meant that ‘pack mode’ was pretty useless. Great book; love reading it.’ Many-Coloured Realm was an award-winning finalist in the ‘Fiction: Fantasy/Sci-Fi’ category of the 2011 International Book Awards. Available at Word bookstores, www.evenbeforepublishing.com. au or the author at www.singingsilence.com
DVD: The Potential Insideaction drama that takes you inside The Potential Inside is a riveting racing. Filled with spectacular race scenes thought some of the mos Heritage Film Distributors the US, this movie is a powerfully moving and compelling drama th Available at your local Christian bookstore or soul of a true champion. www.movieschangepeople.com
COMPETITION: If you would like to receive a free copy of this DV qb@qb.com.au with Potential in the subject line. The Potential Inside is ‘The a riveting action Inside’ drama that takes you inside the world of elite bicycle racing. Filled with spectacular race scenes thought some of the most treacherous courses in the US, this movie is a powerfully moving and compelling drama that examines the heart and soul of a true champion.
Competition: If you would like to receive a free copy of this DVD, be first to email qb@qb.com.au with ‘The Potential Inside’ in the subject line.
Census data is just the starting point for advertisers when it comes to understanding how audiences respond. In the first episode, panellists referred to the millions supermarket chains like Coles and Woollies spend every week attempting to understand and influence their customers. The retailers’ basic message may remain the same, but understanding the way their audiences are thinking dictates the form it will take. This is the sort of thought that can transform light entertainment into an educational experience for Christians.
TV: The Gruen Transfer (ABC 1) Why we buy and how we’re sold The census has been and gone – did you enjoy sitting down filling in the multitude of little boxes? When I was a child I remember being excited by the night, as though we were somehow writing ourselves into history. As an adult it seems more like an exercise in eyestrain. But if Christians ever wonder about the point of such a national exercise, all they have to do is tune into The Gruen Transfer to understand its value. For those who may have missed the first three seasons, The Gruen Transfer is a series on ABC TV that explains the thinking (or lack of) behind the advertising campaigns Australians are exposed to each day. As host Wil Anderson puts it, it’s ‘a series about why we buy, and how we’re sold’. Anderson is joined by a panel of CEOs and creative directors from the country’s leading ad agencies who weekly lift the lid on the methods producers use to ensure commitment to their product or message.
Take that battle between Coles and Woollies as an example. Gruen’s panel considered how Coles is still managing to build market share even though it’s currently broadcasting an irritating ad featuring large red hands pointing to price reductions. ‘In advertising we sometimes overestimate the likeability of brands,’ creative director Dee Madigan explains. ‘People might click a Facebook group to say that they hate Coles but it’s not going to stop them going there if they think it’s cheaper.’ The principle? What an outlet offers can be compelling even when the outlet isn’t. Mark McCrindle* is the head of McCrindle Research, a Sydneybased firm charged with helping international companies understand their consumers better. He’s observed the trends that have seen Australians slip in Christian affiliation from 9/10 in the 1960s to 6/10 at the 2006 Australian census. ‘It’s not that people have rejected the church as it is,’ he told a recent gathering of church planters. ‘They have rejected their perceptions of the church. A majority of people’s understanding is based on no experience at all.’ So how do they see Christianity? When Mark McCrindle carried out research
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B O O K S . DV D S . M U S I C TV: The Gruen Transfer (cont.) for the Jesus All About Life campaign he made a similar contentover-brand finding: ‘Of the elements we tested [with Australian audiences], ‘Jesus’ was strongly positive, ‘Christianity’ was slipping though still in the positive. With ‘Religion’ we were more on the negative side. ‘Bible’ was very authoritarian, and by the time we were talking about ‘The Church’, people were very negative.’ Panellist Todd Sampson translated the same research into commercial language for The Gruen Transfer: ‘When it comes to the church, [Australians] like the product, they just don’t like the retail outlet.’ Lessons like these can help churches trying to work out what their focus should be in proclaiming the Gospel. ‘Catholic’ and ‘Anglican’ are just brands to Australians. Jesus is the product that actually earns their respect. Churches that reduce his presence in favour of other differentiators like ‘community focussed’, ‘youth oriented’ or even ‘Bible-based’ are likely to decrease their appeal over time. Without Jesus, what’s on offer becomes little different to what they could get at a charity, nightclub or debating society. That’s not to say that the method doesn’t matter so long as the message is right. Humanly speaking, we still have a responsibility to connect Australians with the good news. Examining the government’s recent attempts to build support for a carbon tax, Gruen’s panel criticised the rational arguments for failing to make a heart-connection with viewers. Todd Sampson’s slogan talent cuts through again: ‘Facts are irrelevant if no-one cares.’ The same might be said about a Gospel message that perfectly argues the case for human sinfulness but fails to connect with the listener. Yet when the Apostle Peter lays out the fact of Jesus’ identity at Pentecost, he doesn’t fail to connect his audience with their personal responsibility. And what was the result? They not only ‘heard’, they were ‘cut to the heart’, and the early church was born. There’s a hackneyed expression in ministry circles about benefitting from secular practices. We’re encouraged to ‘plunder the Egyptians’ – take what’s valuable, but still head for the Promised Land. Christians can benefit from seeing how the ad industry puts their understanding of Australians to work. As a program, The Gruen Transfer has gone from strength to strength. Last year it won the Australian Film Industry’s award for Best Light Entertainment and its political special, Gruen Nation, delivered the ABC its highest ratings win of the year with an audience of 1.6 million. But what its insights have to offer to our eternal struggle might be its biggest gains of all. Mark Hadley www.markahadley.com
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INTEGRITY TRAVEL Make your travel and holiday bookings with Integrity Travel and assist missions. Interested in travelling to Israel during 2012... contact Integrity Travel to join one of their groups Floriade and Chelsea flower show May 2012, Thailand, Cruises Phone Norman 07 3863 1007 visit www.integritytravel.com.au Join Integrity Travel’s Christian Cruising Program today!
Fun zone
LIKE A CHALLENGE? COMPLETE THESE TO WIN PRIZES!
August 2011 solution:
Sudoku Challenge Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.com visit them and get a new Sudoku every day!
Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved. Sukodu solutions to: QB Magazine, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Qld 4053 Two correct entries will be chosen to receive a $30 Word bookstore voucher. Don’t forget to include your full name and contact details. Name Address
Email Congratulations to Amelia Thwaites & Aaron Gibson. A $30 Word Bookstore voucher is coming your way!
Hey Kids, Look for Lucy! Little Lucy is hiding somewhere in this issue. Tell us where she is hiding and snail mail your answer, or email qb@qb.com.au Congratulations! To all those who found Little Lucy hiding on the QB Kids page, pg29 (August issue). We especially say hello to Voilet Ausie who lives in Daru, PNG. She wrote: ‘I found Lucy behind QCCC on page 29. Every Sunday I go to the Baptist Church Kids’ Church. I love it; everyone loves me too.’
Creative Captions Win a Word Bookstores Gift Voucher Submit your creative caption for the photo shown to the right via email: qb@qb.com.au or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053. If you have a great photo that needs a clever caption, send it qb@qb.com.au or snail mail.
Last issue
“One Killer Bite!” Congratulations to Geoff Rees-Thomas! www.qb.com.au October 2011
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Subscribe to ANNIVERSARY Order by phone: 07 3354 5633 Payment via credit card.
Drummond and Elizabeth Agnew will celebrate 60 years of marriage on the 15th September 2011. They were married at the City Tabernacle and spent many years in Chinchilla and attended the Baptist Church. They are well known residents of Gympie and are members of the Gympie Baptist Church. They have four children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our congratulations go to this godly couple who have always been a great witness for our Lord Jesus Christ.
OR Complete this form and post back: The qb Editor, PO Box 6166 Mitchelton QLD 4053 Australia Price: 1 Year $19.50 (GST inclusive) Personal Details Rev / Dr / Mr / Mrs / Ms / Miss (circle)
Is God prompting you to write? If you’re serious about developing your talent to build God’s Kingdom, then you may need advice from Christian professionals in the writing and publishing fields. We’re here to help! Omega Writers is a support group for Australasian Christian writers. Check us out at www.omegawriters.com.
Full Name
Church youth worker/ School chaplain Glasshouse Country Baptist Church Beerwah Queensland
Address
Glasshouse Country Baptist Church is seeking an appropriate Christian person to be the Church’s youth worker as well as our chaplain in the local Christian School.
State Phone (
Postcode
It is a flexible position of up to four days per week. The successful applicant will meet the following criteria
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• Be a committed Christian, active in their church and youth group, and in full agreement to the Church’s evangelical statement of faith. • Demonstrate and ability to work with teenagers. • Possess an ability to run a youth group. • Possess an ability and commitment to disciple young Christians.
Payment Details I have enclosed a cheque/money order for $19.50 payable to Queensland Baptist Services Group.
This position is offered immediately for the successful applicant. More information and application forms are available from the minister. Rev Chris Johnson by email revchrisj@gmail.com or by telephone 0400175601.
OR Please charge my credit card Mastercard / Visa (circle one) Number
Expiry Date Cardholder’s Signature
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Young Adult Worker/pastor part time (2 days/wk) Inner Southside Brisbane Fairfield Christian Family is seeking a passionate follower of Jesus to work with young adults (post high school) in 2012. The successful applicant will have a deep desire is to see young adults be all that they can be in Jesus Christ. The role will include: • leading a Bible study • mentoring leaders • equipping/training young adults. For further information, please contact Pastor Neil Pattemore on 38924784 or tarragindipats@yahoo.com.au
Classifieds POSITIONS VACANT
WORSHIP DIRECTOR CLONTARF BEACH BAPTIST CHURCH Expressions of interest are sought for the position of part time Worship Director at Clontarf Beach Baptist Church. The role involves • Administration and developing the worship/music ministry through either the organized or personal delivery of instruction. • Solid organizational skills in order to coordinate the musical, creative arts, and technology ministries. • Create and develop a Creative Arts ministry striving for scope and excellence in harmony with the church’s mission statement and values • Developing a team whose aim it is to glorify and serve Christ and in the process exhibit a servant’s heart. For further information, please contact Pastor Peter Cossgrove on 0416 063 316 or peter@clontarfbaptist.org.
DALBY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE Youth Work – Christian Boarding House Parents Dalby Christian College is a co-educational, Prep-12 Christian School with secondary boarding and an early learning centre. The College was established in 1981 and teaches from a Biblical Christian Worldview with the purpose of equipping young people of character and purpose in Christ.
Accommodation CALOUNDRA: Seafarer Chase luxury 2 b/r holiday apartments on the Sunshine Coast. Ocean views, heated pool, BBQ, security parking, close to beaches, shops, cinema and bowling club. Contact Marianne/Martin Burton, phone/fax 5491 7155. CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com CALOUNDRA - KINGS BEACH: Holiday unit, modern, pool, 100m from Kings Beach. From $390 pw. Phone Ray 0427 990 161. FAIRFIELD: Fairfield Christian Family (www.fcfchurch.org.au) is located in a vibrant inner city suburb close to universities. From 2012, there will be vacancies for two male students in a share accommodation house adjacent to the church. Please contact Pastor Neil Pattemore (tarragindipats@yahoo.com.au) if you are interested. FERNVALE: House sitter required from the 29 April – 7 June 2012 only 15mins out of Ipswich at Fernvale on a 17.5 acre property. $150 per week to assist with expenses. An active retired couple would be ideal but singles will be considered. Please phone Karen on 5426 6253/0412 385 427 if interested.
FOR HIRE Large Auditorium: Seats 290. Qld Baptists Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Claire or Emily 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.
GENERAL
We are currently seeking: Boarding House Parents commencing Term 1, 2012. This position would suit a married couple who have had experience working with youth.
BOOKKEEPING: Brisbane based MYOB Approved Bookkeeper and registered BAS agent, member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers. Servicing greater Brisbane area. Andrew Richardson 0407 614 547.
The successful applicants would have: • A passion to work with teenagers in a Christian context. • Excellent behaviour management and pastoral care skills. • An ability to work as collaborative member of the wider College team. • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. • Capacity to manage a household with up to 14 Secondary students.
GIVE AWAY: Musicians please note Kruger Parade has as organ they would like to donate. Please contact Peter Richards on 0428 599 311.
For further information and to receive an application pack please contact the College Secretary, Melissa Burt, on 07 46724222 or office@dalbycc.qld.edu.au
FULL-TIME PASTOR SANDY BAY BAPTIST CHURCH Sandy Bay Baptist Church (Hobart, Tasmania) is seeking to call a full-time Pastor. Full job details, contacts and application information can be viewed at http://sbbc.net/pastorsearch
RESEARCH: Ros Gooden, who is researching early Australasian Baptist women missionaries would like to contact relatives of Martha Plested, Queensland’s first missionary. Martha’s sister’s name was Emma and she was married to Mr T Willis (Fortitude Valley). Mail Ros, 3/1 Ferguson Ave, Myrtle Bank, SA, 5064, email rgooden@werple.net.au or phone 08 8379 0459.
FOR SALE Rochedale Baptist has 6 six foot round tables for sale. They have a wooden top and a steel frame. They will sit 10 - 12 people in the plastic bucket chairs. We are asking $150, they are $280 new. Price is negotiable. Please contact Mel Thompson on 3341 6142 or 0410 005 785.
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RELAX
knowing your money is safe and working hard for you, and at the same time, helping to support much needed local projects.
Simply deposit your savings and investments in BAPLink, the investment fund of the Baptist Union of Queensland. BAPLink was set up to give people like you the opportunity to enjoy healthy interest returns, while creating a pool of funds from which Baptist churches and ministries can borrow to grow and serve their local communities. BAPLink provides: • Competitive interest rates • Security of a guaranteed return on your investment • Friendly service • No account keeping fees on savings and investment accounts
Facilities available: • Internet banking (for churches only) • Savings accounts at call and term • Partnership accounts - a new way of giving • Electronic transfers for both deposits and withdrawals • Deposit facilities through the Westpac Bank • Cheque accounts for churches • Loans to churches and ministers Join the growing number of ‘Baptists making a difference’ by depositing with BAPLink.
For more information or an application form contact BAPLink: Building 1, Level 2, 53 Prospect Road, Gaythorne PO Box 6166, Mitchelton 4053 Phone: 3354 5611 or 1800 650 062 (outside Brisbane) Fax: 3354 5605 baplink@qb.com.au www.qb.com.au/baplink