MAGAZINE
intrasyd MARCH - APRIL 2019
IGNITE 2019
Greater Sydney
Features: Personal testimonies & Every child. Everywhere. in school.
FROM THE PRESIDENT Terry Johnson
We’re on a journey in our conference to turn up the spiritual temperature! PRESIDENT Terry Johnson terryjohnson@adventist.org.au
Editor Joyce Taylor joycetaylor@adventist.org.au
Graphic Designer Lynda G. Abreu lyndagomes@adventist.org.au
Other Contributors Kathryn Carey Cathy Hookman Katrina Jorgensen (Graphics) Jungyook Ryan Park Connor Phipps Lauren Bongard Schwarz Vera Su
Next content deadline 26 APR bit.ly/intraSYD
What does that mean? First, we have to CHOOSE to turn up our personal spiritual temperature. God will not do it for us. Second, we have to OPEN ourselves up to Him in total surrender so that He can fashion us into what He’s always desired—firedup Christian men and women who are far from being lukewarm! Third, UNITED as 98 churches, 6 schools and 2 aged-care facilities, we turn up the corporate temperature so that our city and islands feel the spiritual heat being raised. What would that look like? I was talking with Pr Phil Yates recently, and he mentioned a dream of his for Greater Sydney. “Terry, wouldn’t it be wonderful if I walked down the street in my Pathfinder uniform and asked people if they knew who Pathfinders were and they responded by saying, ‘Ahhh, yes, those young people who are always doing acts of service in our community! We know them and they’re awesome!’? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if when people talked about the Scouts, they said, ‘They’re like Pathfinders, right?’ instead of the other way around?” I resonated with Phil’s dream. What if I were to walk the streets of Waitara, Wollongong, Woollahra or Windsor and asked, “Do you know who Seventh-day Adventists are?” and people responded “Ahhh, yes, they’re the ones who make a difference in our community,” instead of “They’re the ones who don’t give blood, right?” We are constantly confused with other faiths and not known for who we are: a Bible-believing, gospel-preaching, Three Angels mes-
sages-prepared people who are fired up and in love with people all around us. Our mission is to emphatically with empathy love people into the Kingdom! That’s who we are, but it’s not what we’re known for. Let’s change the narrative! “And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write; These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know your works, that you are neither cold or hot: I wish that you were one or the other, but because you are lukewarm and neither hot or cold, I’ll spew you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:14-16) We in the Greater Sydney Conference are turning up the spiritual temperature because lukewarm is not the temperature we want to be. For too long we’ve been sitting on the sidelines expecting. But the time of expecting is over, and the time to choose to be on fire is now. Our biblical passage indicates that God knows us intimately. We can’t hide our spiritual temperature from Him. Every Christian can develop a deeper relationship with God. As James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” Fired-up Christians are needed. What does it mean to be fired up in a spiritual sense? Simply that we are spending time in God’s Word, prayer, worship and godly service that transforms our communities. It’s nothing new, but when it’s being done by godly people, it sets the world on fire. I want to be part of that, don’t you?
Terry Johnson
@ SydneyAdventists
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APRIL 2019
UPCOMING EVENTS
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IGNITE 2019
A photographic recap of our citywide intergenerational event, IGNITE. Did you miss anything? Is there something you want to relive? Find livestreams, podcast and more at bit.ly/GSCIgnite19. Page 20
ARTICLE
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No Coincedences with God
My name is Cathy. I’m 44 years old and a mother of two boys. I was baptised on 19 January. For as long as I can remember, I have believed in God, but not in religion, and definitely not in going to church. Page 08
ARTICLE
2019 Calendar Features
Meet the Mar - Apr features! Want to be in the 2020 calendar or create art for it? Have someone to nominate? Write to us at sydney@ adventist.org.au. Page 15
NEWS
An ADRA Experience
If baptism is the highest point of one's spiritual life, then I could see myself going downhill easily after the excitement wore off or if I had no support. However, ADRA brought me back up and kept me stable. Page 14
INTRASYD
Every Child. Everywhere.
Join a global movement to ensure that every child, everywhere, attends school, completes their education, and has hope for a better future. Page 11
OCTOBER
2018
3
EDITORIALS General Secretary
Adrian Raethel FROM THE CHURCH LTD BOARD
• The Conference President and General Secretary represented the Greater Sydney Conference at a Faith Leaders briefing that was held in December last year on the issue of religious freedom and, specifically, proposed amendments to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 that could have implications for our schools.
discussions with the Dundas Church about conducting a school of evangelism at the facility; • The 3AM Eastwood Company members have transferred their membership and joined with the Ryde Church. As a result, the 3AM Eastwood Company has disbanded.
AUC ATTENDANCE SURVEY
• Thank you to all those who participated in the biannual attendance survey in February. The data from 2019 is currently being processed. From the 2017 survey, the head count was 4,162 out of a membership of 9,567. A total of 14.1% of attendees were aged between 15-24 (the highest group percentage), followed by those aged 65-74 (13.7%) and 55-64 (13.6%).
FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• In that a number of churches are regularly involved in food bank ministries, the Conference is investigating the possible purchase of a refrigerated truck/s that would be financed from a generous bequest; • The Incredible Journey ministry, lead by Pr Gary Kent, is in
Chief Financial Officer
Eva Ing There is no doubt that the real estate market in Sydney has slowed and in fact house prices have fallen in recent times. This has impacted our Conference Office development at 4 Cambridge Street, Epping, in that apartment sales have also been affected. But we remain confident that the development will commence this year. Southern Han, our developer, has already achieved presales in other residential projects. There are renewed efforts in marketing both domestically and offshore for our project. The bank (one of the four major Australian banks) remains committed to the project. It is good to be reminded that our share in the
proceeds of the project remains at $12m, strata title to 1,650 sq metres of floor space, and 50 car parking spaces. This will not change despite the downturn of the market. We praise God that we negotiated this outcome during a time when the market was buoyant. At this point of the project, we have already benefited significantly as an approved development consent has been achieved for our building, and that has greatly improved the value of the property. In the meantime, we’ve enjoyed being at the San at Wahroonga. There have been great benefits for us to be located within our hospital in the Shannon Building. The relationship between the Conference and the hospital has never been better, and it has been a great opportunity for our staff to be directly involved in mission in our everyday working lives. We have been actively involved in taking morning worship, which is broadcast to all staff and patients through San TV. We’ve also added to the chaplaincy team above our requirement. We believe that we are contributing the Adventist culture of the San, and this has been a mutual blessing. PS: Please remember that our Adventist Book Centre remains at 4 Cambridge Street, Epping until the building is knocked down, so come and support our ABC!
“Nathan Brown and his fellow travellers have delivered an interesting and inspiring account of their travels through the Holy Land. Their vivid writing style brings these places to life!” —Dr Kayle de Waal, head, Avondale Seminary
Since the time of Jesus, visiting the places of His life has held a fascination and attraction for His followers from many parts of the world. This is one of those journeys, encountering and reflecting on the stories themselves, as well as the realities of visiting these places today. From the rugged wilderness of Petra and the Dead Sea to the sparkling waters and lush valleys of Galilee, this is a story of re-discovering the stories of Jesus and the Bible, and how this journey changes and challenges us as we seek to follow Him as His disciples today.
$24.95
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www.FalafelsandFollowingJesus.com Available from Adventist bookstores INTRASYD
April
2019
5
PastoralList
2019
GREATER SYDNEY CONFERENCE
New Staff in Camden Valley Group Yellow Anders Svensson
Ministerial Secretary Nataniel Pereira
REGIONAL
Campbelltown Stanley Togafau Warrick Sawyer
Campbelltown Fijian Usaia Baravilala
Fairfield Spanish (Group) Edvard Miler
Filoship (Company) Geoff Youlden
Freshwater Panapa Leuluai Joshua Gonzalez
Fountain in the City (Company) Barend Nieuwstraten Tim Shelton
Fountain Maroubra (Group)
Regional Coordinator - Central
Campbelltown Spanish
Barend Nieuwstraten Tim Shelton
Andre Vieira
Mario Guzman
Fox Valley
Regional Coordinator - North
Caringbah
Alban Matohiti
Ian Cangy
Mark Baines Landry Patii
Regional Coordinator - NorthWest
Castle Hill
Galston
Martin Vukmanic
Pablo Lillo Nicholas Kross
David McKibben
Ghanaian (Company)
Central Sydney Samoan
Felix Opoku-Gyamfi
Frank Ropati
Granville
Frank Ropati
Chatswood
Boriss Soldat
LOCAL CHURCH
Boriss Soldat
Granville Fijian
Cherrybrook (Group)
Shiu Kumar
Ashfield
Eddy Johnson
Warrick Sawyer
Granville Multicultural
Church in the Fields (Company)
Jimmie Cha
ATSIM Bible Worker
Iorangi Eiao
Henry Dunn
Guilford Italian
City Cook Island (Group)
Janusz Jagiello
ATSIM Director
Sitiveni Teaupa
Horace Evans
Harvest Fellowship (Group)
Concord
Matthew Pearce
Auburn
Roger Vince
Holroyd (Company)
Corrimal
Edvard Miler
Bankstown
Allen Bierschbach
Tai Mokoroa
Hoxton Park
Dundas Croatian
Bidwill
Edvard Miler
Andrew Russell Tapiwa Mutseriwa
Mele Lolohea
Eastwood Chinese (Group)
Hurstville
Blacktown
Daniel Chong
Marty Luke
Echo Christian Community
Blacktown Southern Asian Church Plant
Indian Church Plant
Charles Chellaiah Jeya
Hope Chomcyzynski Bernard Deojee
Blacktown Spanish
Elizabeth Lodge (Group)
Katoomba
Regional Coordinator - South/SouthWest Jonathan Valls
Regional Coordinator - West
Felix Opoku-Gyamfi
Jimmie Cha Soman Chu Shiu Kumar
Leandro Cisterna
Tuni Laikum
Duane Haora
Cabramatta
Enmore Fijian
Kellyville
Usaia Baravilala
Joseph Talipuan
CAbramatta Fijian
Epping
Martin Vukmanic Anielle Deojee
Nigel Ackland Kenneth Lee
Kings Langley James Fletcher
Fairfield
Lakemba
Alexis Ratu
Cabramatta West Spanish Leandro Cisterna
Tapiwa Mutseriwa
Ana Lolohea
Light Hope (Group)
Stanmore
Xcell (Company)
---
Geoff Youlden
Frank Ropati
Liverpool Samoan Asofitu Leatuavao
Lord Howe Island John Wells
Marrickville Spanish Carlos Hernandez
Mile End (Company) Craig Vanas James Fletcher
Minto Samoan Rams Tupe
Sydney Central Korean Daniel Chong Abigail Figueroa
Sydney Indonesian (Group)
Mt Druitt Samoan Asofitu Leatuavao Brian Leuluai
Andre Vieira
Bernard Deojeei
Wahroonga
Garth Bainbridge Ian Cangy
Alban Matohiti David McKibben Richie Reid
Tuni Laikum
St Marys Samoan Company Rams Tupe
Abigail Figueroa
AGED CARE CHAPLAINS
Chaplain - Kings Langley Aged Care Alwin Hilton
Joseph Talipuan
Wetherill Park Spanish
Ryde Korean (Company)
Chaplain - University Students
Wantok COMPANY
Panapa Leuluai Joshua Gonzalez
Andre Vieira
Richie Reid Landry Patii John Wells
Roger Govender Dwayne Manoa
Warrimoo
Ryde
Chaplain - Wahroonga Adventist School
Waitara
Pitwater
Brian Leuluai
Marcus Pereira Hope Chomcyzynski Raul Moran
Eddy Johnson
Parramatta
Punchbowl Samoan
Chaplain - Mountain View Adventist College
Thornleigh
Ubuntu (Group)
Mario Guzman
Iorangi Eiao Alexis Ratu Horace Evans Jacqui Namakadre Kalivati Namakadre
The Way (Group)
Norfolk Island
Penrith
Chaplain - Macarthur Adventist College
Janusz Jagiello
Janusz Jagiello
Tim Shelton
Soman Chu
Tahmoor (Company)
Toongabbie
Pendle Hill
Chaplain - Hurstville Adventist School
Sitiveni Teaupa Ben Turner
Lloyd Grolimund Igor Shemet
Daniel Przybylko
Anielle Doejee Jessica Laws
Igor Shemet
Cheonneth Strickland
Parramatta Central (Group)
Chaplain - Hills Adventist College @ Kellyville
Sydney Portuguese
New Hope
Ken Weslake
Nicholas Kross
Ben Turner
Sydney Tongan
Matthew Pearce
Chaplain - Hills Adventist College @ Castle Hill
Tai Mokoroa
Rams Tupe Toni Marsh
Mt Druitt
Fabian Edian
Sydney Cook Island
Mountain View
Carlos Hernandez
Chaplain - Sydney Adventist School Auburn
Sydney Chinese
Sydney Russian
Mt Colah
SCHOOL CHAPLAINS
Kenneth Lee
Chaplain - Wahroonga Aged Care Tuni Laikum Nigel Ackland
Chris Manthey Jonathan Valls Raul Moran
PRISON CHAPLAINS
Windsor
Nigel Ackland
Chaplain - Prisons
Duane Haora
Long Bay Prison Chaplain
Wollongong
Wellington Caqui
Allen Bierschbach
Woollahra Daniel Przybylko
INTRASYD
April
2019
7
"God works in mysterious ways. Do I believe in coincidence? No, not at all. Looking back I see God’s leading in everything: the Sabbath lunches, fellowship of the Galston Church members, Sibilla and her CHEP course, Malcolm and Recipe Club, Bible studies with Pastor David, wonderful people and friendships in Christ, and, most importantly, seeing how God blesses and touches our lives every day."
By Cathy Hookham
M
y name is Cathy. I’m 44 years old and a mother of two wonderful boys. I was baptised on 19 January, 2019. For as long as I can remember, I have believed in God, but not in religion, and definitely not in going to church. My mum, Sheryl, attended Galston Seventh-day Adventist
Church, but she knew I was not interested in attending. She had
been invited for lunch many times after church, and she decided it was time to return the invitations. She started inviting people home for lunch on Sabbaths, six at a time. Initially I didn’t want
to be included in those lunches with her “churchy friends.” She finally persuaded me to sit in on her first Sabbath lunch. The
people were so lovely, it was hard not to like them. The next
Sabbath, more people were invited. Pretty soon, I knew half the church congregation.
Over lunch one Sabbath, I mentioned that Mum played the pia-
no. Not long after, she was asked to play for church, so I thought I’d better support her and come to church that one week.
Just by coincidence, there was a church lunch that day, and I knew lots of people. I was introduced to Missy and Andrew, who, by coincidence, were visiting that week. They had two young children, one of whom was the same age as my son
Couper. I liked Missy’s Christian values, and we quickly became
friends. Our sons had much in common, and we started meeting for play days in the park.
Mum attended a Women’s Ministries breakfast, where she met Jane. At Jane’s recommendation, she and Jane enrolled in a
CHEP course through Avondale College. It looked interesting,
so I also enrolled, and I met many lovely people. Then I received a voicemail message from Malcolm, asking me to contribute at Recipe Club. She said Malcolm was the Health Director at the
Conference, and he was calling to ask me to contribute a recipe. As we would be needing to demonstrate a recipe as part of
our CHEP exams, she thought Recipe Club was a good way we could learn to demonstrate in public.
At that time, whilst I believed in God, I was new-age believer. I was involved in new-age practices, angel and archangel cards,
crystal energy and cleansing and reading tarot cards. I was also
studying angelology and how angels related to the Bible. Mum mentioned the three angels’ messages from Revelation, and I thought it was very strange that my angelology course didn’t
mention these three angels. I started reading Revelation to find
out about these three angels and why they had not been included. I knew Pastor David, and I had gradually started coming to church regularly, so I asked if he would give me Bible studies. Soon we were having weekly Bible study sessions.
Several months later, I had burned all the tarot cards, angel
cards, and new-age course certificates; tipped out all the alcohol, and was impressed to plan for baptism. The date was set for 19 January, 2019.
I invited Lani, a friend from church, to my baptism. She shared that she had been thinking about baptism but was not sure
about the next step. I invited her to Bible studies, and that made
NO SUCH THING AS A COINCIDENCE WITH GOD
two of us preparing for baptism.
The next week Pastor David shared that John from Parramatta
ies until her minister was transferred, so I invited her to our Bible
baptised. We were delighted that he would share this experience
Ronnie, another friend from church, had been having Bible studstudies. She also wanted to be baptised, so that made three of us preparing for baptism.
Then, by coincidence, I received a text from my half-sister Stacey from Darwin. I had not heard from her in over a year. She was
planning her holidays and wanted to know if any family events were coming up so she could coincide her visit. I shared my
baptism plans and said it would be lovely if she could attend, and
had heard about our upcoming baptism and wanted to be rewith us. That made five of us preparing for baptism.
We all have stories and testimonies, but now we are adding the
amazing step of baptism to the journey, sharing this new beginning with church family, friends and, for me, with my beautiful
mum, sister and my fantastic boys, Zayne and Couper. It was a truly a touching day.
we’d arrange a family get-together.
God works in mysterious ways. Do I believe in coincidence? No,
Stacey was educated at the Adventist school and had gone to
Sabbath lunches, fellowship of the Galston Church members,
church regularly with our grandmother until they’d moved. I
arranged to have our Bible studies taped and started sending
Stacey copies. She loved the Bible studies and asked to be baptised too; that made four of us preparing for baptism.
not at all. Looking back I see God’s leading in everything: the Sibilla and her CHEP course, Malcolm and Recipe Club, Bible studies with Pastor David, wonderful people and friendships
in Christ, and, most importantly, seeing how God blesses and touches our lives every day.
LOCAL NEWS
to speak in Melbourne recently where she shared the testimony of the group as part of her sermon. In the audience was a Sevvie car dealer. He happened to have the perfect minivan on site (a Kia Grand Carnival with a clean engine, new tires and the works) and offered it for the price of $6000 (leaving Fahina with enough to cover rego and fuel for the drive back to Sydney). Not only that: He used his own mileage points to fly Fahina and a friend to Melbourne to pick up the car! She now has a way to transport her 5 children back and forth to school––one of our schools!––to church and everywhere else they need to go in life.The family have decided to name their new car Grace.
02. PEACE AT FIRST FRIDAY BY S. STEPHENSON First Friday is an open worship event that takes place in the Sydney Adventist Hospital Chapel every first Friday of the
D
ON’T HAVE A WILL? Come and visit us at the Greater Sydney Conference office! As a church we provide complimentray service to church memebrs, their families and friends in the preparation of Wills. Our Director of Trust Services can assist you in the planning and disposition of asstes and the prepraration of a valid Will. Please contact Rodney Woods to book an appointment at rodneywoods@adventist.org. au or on (02) 9868 6522.
Have Have anything anything exciting exciting or or exextraordinary traordinary to to share? share? Email Email us us at at sydney@adventist.org.au. sydney@adventist.org.au.
month. It is a time of inspiring music,
00
prayer, reflection and stories of healing and all are invited to attend On First Friday on Feb 1, 2019 we had a
01. GOD PROVIDES A CAR BY BERYL LANDERS
lady named Tina (name changed) attend
Fahina is a mother of five (5). Her hus-
after the program. Her husband was a
band left her and the children and left them with the bad car. So often this is a
the service. She also took part in the refreshments and enjoyed the fellowship patient on level 6.
terrible reality.
Tina's husband died the following morn-
Fahina attends the Weekly Women's
attend to the death, Tina shared how
Worship (WWW) at Parramatta Seventh-Day Adventist Church and asked the women there to pray for a vehicle for her. They did and the car died as a result! But in the process, $6900 was raised to replace the vehicle. Not to be outdone, God gave prayer warrior Orette Collen an opportunity
ing at 6am. When the chaplain went to much First Friday meant to her. Though it was an expected death, she was not expecting it to happen so quickly. She felt it was a blessing that he died the way he died after she attended First Friday and made peace with God and submitted her husband to God.
03. STUDENTS CLEAN UP BY DANIEL LAVAIAMAT Wahroonga Adventist School participated in cleaning up the bushland along Coups creek. All hands-on were on deck as students were eager to make a difference in our own back yard by removing plastic bottles and general waste, which would have ended up in our water ways. The cleanup was in conjunction with Clean Up Australia Day,
04. DONATIONS NEEDED AT SYDNEY ADRA CENTRES There's a great need for food donations at our Sydney ADRA Centres, especially at ADRA Community Centre Blacktown. Since Christmas, the shelves are now bare and they are desperately needing more food. Call (02) 9622 7188 to help.
05. RUOK? COUNSELING SERVICES Anxiety, depression and loneliness
01
can sometimes get the best of us, and that's okay––it's okay not to be okay–– but please don't let it bring the end of you. You are valued and worthy.
Tina just couldn't stop talking about the
because this is once again bringing my phi-
blessings she experienced in the service
losophy of life to light... even if it's one soul
on Friday night. She believes that her
that is saved, influenced, impacted... we
presence in First Friday and the connec-
should run the program and it's worth it.
06. EVERY CHILD, IN SCHOOL AN ADRA INITIATIVE
is the reason why her husband died so
By the Grace of God, every time we have
We believe that every child, every-
quick without suffering prolonged illness.
a program in the chapel many lives are
where, has the right to an education.
She said the message and the worship
touched and there is a miracle story every
Unfortunately, 262 million children
experience was meant just for her and
single time.
around the world are currently denied
tion she made with Gods people and God
Need help? Visit bit.ly/GSCFindHelp.
this right. Please sign the petition
she couldn't believe that the hospital put up a program to meet her needs. She felt
This inspires and encourages me to carry
below, to join a global, Adventist-led
very peaceful, very calm, and very much
on and do more so we can win many,
movement to ensure that all children
prepared for her husbands death as a
many, many souls for His kingdom.
get to attend school, complete their education and have a brighter
result of First Friday. I thought this is a feedback I should share
For more on First Friday visit sydney.
future. More: adra.org/inschool.
adventist.org.au/first-friday.
INTRASYD
APRIL April
2019
11
Couscous stuffed butternut pumpkins
Serves 4
Prep 20
Cook 60mins
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INGREDIENTS 2 Small butternut pumpkin 2 cups salt vegetable stock 1 cup Israeli couscous 1 teaspoon oil 1 1/2 cups chopped kale 1/4 cup pomegranate arils 1 1/2 tablespoon flaked almonds, toasted 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut flakes, toasted 1 1/2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon lemon zest
METHODS Halve pumpkins & scoop out seeds. Score the flesh Place pumpkin halves on an oven tray and bake in a hot oven, 200°C, for 45-50 minutes or until pumpkin flesh is cooked Place stock in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Add couscous reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir, cover and set aside. Heat oil in a skillet and sauté kale until wilted. Stir kale and remaining ingredients through couscous Scoop out majority of pumpkin flesh leaving 1.25cm pumpkin around the boarder & 2cm at the base. Transfer couscous mixture into pumpkin shells. Return back to oven and bake in hot oven, 200°C, for 10 minutes or until warmed through.
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PHOTOGRAPHY
CAPTIONS/CREDITS 01 Fahina and Natalie, the WWW member who launched the fundraiser to get Fahina a new car, on their way to the airport & Fahina with her children with their van, Grace. 02 Wahroonga School students cleaning up litter. 03 The shelves at ADRA Backtown. Donations are desperately needed! 04 RUOK? Let us help! 05 Every Child. Everywhere. In School. An ADRA initiative. 12501 Old Columbia Pike ADRA.org/InSchool Silver Spring, MD 20904 #EveryChildEverywhere 12501 Old Columbia Pike ADRA.org/InSchool ADRA.org facebook.com/joinADRA Silver Spring, MD 20904 #EveryChildEverywhere 1.800.424.ADRA (2372) ADRA.org facebook.com/joinADRA 1.800.424.ADRA (2372)
Add your name and join a global movement to ensure that every child, everywhere, attends school, completes Add your name andfor join a global movement to ensure that every child, everywhere, attends school, completes heir education, and has hope a better future. their education, and has hope for a better future. “I want world leaders to commit to ensuring that all children, adolescents and youth have access to free, “I want world leaders to commit ensuring that all children, adolescents and youth have access to free, equitable and qualitytoprimary and secondary education.” equitable and quality primary and secondary education.” Name
Name
Email Address Email Address
Country
Zip Code Country
Signature Zip Code
Signature
By signing the petition I confirm that I am over 13 years old and agree to receive emails from the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA). *By signing the petition I confirm that I am over 13 years old and agree to receive emails from the Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA). Please scan or take a photo of the completed petition (making sure the entries are legible) and email it to advocacy@adra.org Please scan or take a photo of the completed petition (making sure the entries are legible) and email it to advocacy@adra.org
INTRASYD
FEBRUARY
2019
13
VERA SU’S ADRA YOUTH AMBASSADOR EXPERIENCE By Vera Su Two years ago, I had the honour of being the ADRA Youth Ambassador, and it meant a lot to me as a fresh Adventist who had been baptised for just a year. As many other young Christians, if baptism is the highest point of my spiritual life, then I can see it going downhill easily after the excitement wore off or if I had no support from others. However, the experience with ADRA brought me back up and kept me stable, which means more than anything to me. During these two years, I went to preach at different churches to promote ADRA and volunteered for events to fundraise for ADRA. These are the things that I had never done before. I also worked for a few months as a volunteer receptionist for ADRA Community Centre Blacktown. And most excitingly, I went to one of the ADRA Connections trip to Vanuatu. These experiences are very precious to me because I’ve learnt and grown so much from them. Preaching was my first and biggest challenge. As a Christian who had only studied the Bible for one year and lacked experience in public speaking, it was almost scary for me to step up and preach in front of a whole church. But after a few times, I became more confident and comfortable speaking in front of people. Working at the ADRA Blacktown centre was amazing.
It really opened my eyes to see the world, and I got to see different kinds of people and started to understand what is meeting people’s needs. Growing up I almost never experienced hardship, so if I hadn’t worked there, I wouldn't have been able to imagine what kind of lives other people could be living. Being able to help them and deliver their stories to churches through preaching really fulfilled my life at that time. The ADRA connections trip to Vanuatu was a fantastic journey; our task was to help build the administration office and a water tank for a school in a rural village. Though it was only for two weeks, I’ve gained a lot of building knowledge and made many friends. I’m not sure how much I have contributed to ADRA, but it benefited me greatly because I was amazed to see what God was able to do through me. I recommend young people to volunteer and apply for this opportunity to become a Youth Ambassador so they can be blessed and grow a stronger relationship with God by helping others.
2019 CALENDAR FEATURES Illustrations by María José Díaz Villarroel
Adventurers Club Cabramatta W. Spanish Church March | Youth Ministries Photographed (L-R): Esteban Guana (Leader), Jahzeel C., Felipe G., Aiden M., Emilia O., Isaac G., Benjamin L. “The commitment and unity of our group is strong and that is helping us create the best memories for our children. At the same time it's attracting new families to our church. Most importantly, we feel that God is using us in this ministry to prepare our little ones for the Kingdom of Heaven.” Esteban
Andrew Hunt New Hope Church April | Digital Disciple “The royal wedding was seen by 65% of the world. There's a window of opportunity to the world right now and as media evangelists we need to be rushing at it at 1000 miles an hour.”
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EDUCATION MOUNTAIN VIEW ADVENTIST COLLEGE's 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS Mountain View Adventist College was established in 1968, with the first students attending the college on 29 January, 1969. This year, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary of Adventist education in the Doonside area on May 25 on the college grounds. With its humble beginnings of just 29 students in years 1–6 in 1969, today Mountain View Adventist College has a student population of over 700 students ranging from Prep to Year 12. During our 50 years, we have seen 15 principals and thousands of students pass through the college. Former principal Mrs Jenny Gibbons (2004–2017) recalls, “When I first arrived at MVAC, the student population was around 245, and when I retired it was 620. God has blessed this school, students, teachers and staff, all of whom have all made a significant contribution to Mountain View. I know that God has touched the hearts of many of our students over the years, and I have personally witnessed God’s hand at work many times over within this school. Mountain View will always hold a special place in my heart, and I watch in awe at the work that God continues to do in this school.” Former student Rowan Beyers commented, “I was privileged to attend Mountain View Adventist College (Doonside Adventist School, as it was back then) from 1978 till 1985. The best thing about going to school at Mountain View Adventist College was the diverse cultures represented. This gave us the opportunity to learn how to relate and appreciate the foods and customs from around the world. May God continue to bless our Adventist schools.” Dr Jean Carter, Education Director and former principal at the college, said, “It has been a privilege to be part of the journey of Mountain View Adventist College as it has grown into the college it is today, offering quality education in a nurturing and caring environment where Christian values are upheld. The impact the school continues to have in shaping the lives of the student population who attend(ed) the college from across North West and Western Sydney is quite remarkable.” “Having just started working at Mountain View this year as principal, I am honoured and blessed to be able to continue God’s work at this school,” Principal Mrs Julia Heise stated. “All of the previous principals have all made an amazing contribution to this school, and I am excited to be able to continue to build on those strong foundations.”
We invite you to come along and help us celebrate God’s work here in Doonside. Our 50th Anniversary celebration day will be Sabbath, 25 May, 2019. The celebrations will begin with a morning service starting at 10 a.m., followed by lunch, and wrapping up with an afternoon program from 2 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there! To register your attendance at the event visit www.mvac. adventist.edu.au/50-year-anniversary-registration.
ADVENTIST EDUCATION
e ha M s r a T
Sydney Adventist Schools Scholarship Sydney Adventist Schools are a real beacon in our local community and in our church. We play a vital role in seeing more lives eternally impacted by our school system. Sadly, however, not everyone can afford an Adventist Education for their child(ren). Here’s where the Scholarship comes in.
The SAS Scholarship was created to help make Adventist Education accessible to families. There are two ways you can help support this fund. • •
Refer someone you know who could benefit from this scholarship. Donate! Help send a child to a Sydney Adventist School by giving online at eGiving.org.au (GSC School Scholarship).
All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Serving: Auburn – Castle Hill – Doonside – Hurstville – Kellyville – Macarthur – Wahroonga CRICOS Provider No: 02622J | ABN 63 106 908 767
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Daniel Lavaiamat on (02) 9868 6522 or via email at Sydney@adventist.org.au, or visit http://bit.ly/SASscholarship. INTRASYD
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JOIN US FOR A
The SDA Mingle Tour Join us for one of the best cruises organised by
Allround travel centre. Inside Cabin price from $2832* (2 adults) Inside Cabin price from $5160* (2 adults + 2 children) Outside Cabin from $3638* (2 adults) Cabin with Balcony from $5034* (2 adults) *Prices are for a Guaranteed Cabin allocated by Cruise Line within category. Includes port fees & taxes. Refund up to 150 days prior to departure.
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IGNITE 2019 O
n behalf of the Greater Sydney Conference of churches, Mrs Eva Ing, Pr Adrian Raethel and I would like to say,
THANK YOU
to each of the 700 volunteers and a further 500 singers, musicians, the audio and video production team and all manner of support ministry folk who made IGNITE run smoothly. It is impossible to do such a large event with close to 6000 people attending without you! We serve a great God and it was a pleasure to hear and see the talent that He has given to His people through spiritual gifts and the ministry of service. There was much to learn to do better from IGNITE and much to celebrate as well and we look forward to coming together again in 2 years time. Plan now to be part of the volunteering team and serve the church at large. Terry Johnson IGNITE 2019 | PAGES 20-22 PICS BY JUNGYOOK PARK
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IGNITE 2019 – YOUTH DIVISION PAGE 23 PICS BY CONNOR PHIPPS
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