January-February 2023 IntraSyd

intrasyd

GSC Ski Ministry: Fun & Faith on the Water

P. 18-19

FEATURES: ELIA WELLNESS & The

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Pr Alban Matohiti

Brothers and sisters,

PRESIDENT

Alban Matohiti

Editors & Staff Writers

Joyce Taylor

Lauren BongardSchwarz

Graphics

Lynda G. Abreu

Katrina Jorgensen

Nathalia Valenca

Other Contributors

ADRA Australia

Ethan Beyers

Beryl Landers

Daniel Lavaiamat

Dr Christiana

Leimena-Lehn

Ashley Stanton

I enjoyed watching the World Cup and was intrigued by a particular television ad. “No soccer. No worries.” Well, catching some of the games early in the morning added some major worry to my daily life, so the ad spoke to me.

I wish life was that simple. That we could easily identify one thing and eliminate our worries. But there are many different worries for each of us.

As we begin 2023, we do so thanking God for Him many blessings in 2022. We started out the year with Think Tank. With local lockdown restrictions in place at the time, we were unsure how it would turn out. In the end, some of our members were unable to attend but many more were, leading to a successful meeting of the minds.

Our quorum-met, 30th Constituency Meeting followed. A number of selection committees were formed and our team of directors were selected to serve the conference for the next four years. I have seen clearly seen God’s hand work through those committees.

As we welcome Nadelle and Pr. Travis Manners, Pr. Daron Pratt and Pr. Asofitu Leatuavao to the Conference team, we wish them God’s blessing and the leading of the Holy Spirit in their lives. We look forward to seeing His hand lead in your ministry.

The Lord's word comes to us in Job 19:25: “But as for Me, I know that my redeemer lives.”

I pray that assurance of our living Saviour drives the church as we wait for him. Pray that the assurance of our living God fuels the fire of His mission in our hearts. May our plans and decisions be influenced by the premise that our Saviour will lead our destiny.

As we watch the last-day events unfold upon our eyes and battle the temptation of doubt daily, I pray that the gift of faith burns strongly in our hearts. Our living Saviour will return to keep His promise and take us home.

Rest assured, brothers and sisters, that our Redeemer lives, and—most importantly for all of us— I pray that we will truly experience Jesus as our personal Redeemer.

Next content deadline 24 FEB bit.ly/intraSyd

I take this opportunity to acknowledge Vicky Johnson, Beryl Landers, Natalie Lopez, Angela Kim, Jane Taupe, Patricia Antas, Linda Ciric, Pr. Roger Vince, Pr. Craig Vanas, Pr. Rodney Woods, Ian Low, Roger Fairfax and Colin Raymond for faithfully serving in Greater Sydney Conference for a number of years. You will be missed at "HQ".

My prayer on behalf of all of you is very simple: Lord Jesus thank you for being our Redeemer. Help us totruly believe and trust that you are with us and will always lead Your church. We have nothing to fear as our Redeemer lives. Alban

SydneyAdventists @ February 2023

UPCOMING

148 Fox Valley Road, Wahroonga NSW 2076

GSC Ski Ministry

The Conference Ski Ministry Team runs through the warmer part of the year, from October to early May by volunteers who donate their time, skills and passion for the ministry. Page 18-19

turers

Most Memorable Conference

BREATHE Women's Conference

2022 was truly a great celebration to mark the end of a decade of BREATHE-ing together and the beginning of a new quinquennium. Page 10-11

The Blossom Project

In Vanuatu, teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse negatively impact girls and women at disproportionate rates. With little institutional and governmental support, orgs like ADRA step in to help. Page 12

Healing and Hope

GSC Health has endeavoured to inspire, empower and equip Adventist members to join the mission of Jesus by hosting a plethora of activities, events and training programs. Page 16-17

From our Schools

Abi shines bright at MVAC, Hills and WAS students recognised for HSC achievements, Zaccary receives a major scholarship and Road to Bethlehem returns. Page 13-15

editorials

General Secretary Cheonneth Strickland

We thank the Lord for 2022. Some of the highlights from 2022 include:

• 730 respondents of 4740 or 15.4% were from GSC.

• "My local church is more focused on mission" received 49.7% positive response. In GSC, our response was 59.2%. This seems to indicate that our churches since COVID and the use of digital media are more mission focused.

• GSC leaned more strongly to the positive when it came to questions on my local church maintained contact with me during Covid. Nationally, the percentage was 61.9%. In GSC, this percentage was 68.4%.

• GSC members feel more connected with their church family. 62.4% responded in the affirmative, 50.5% across the AUC.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS

• Churches being able to function and worship fully again.

• Baptisms for the year to up to 19 December 2022 was 160, rebaptism’s of 5 and Profession of Faith of 24. That is a growth of 189 for 2022. This is compared with baptisms of 64, rebaptism of 1 and profession of faith of 12 in 2021. We praise God for the growth of baptisms in 2022!

Back in September/October of 2022, the Australian Union Conference (AUC), did a survey of Churches response to Covid 19. Here are some of those findings:

CFO Nadelle Manners

During the last two months, the GSC office staff have “moved house” to the other side of Fox Valley Road. The settling in has taken a little time and just this week the last few paintings were hung. The new office space is starting to feel like home. We are grateful to the SPD for sharing their workspace with our team.

While this move has happened, there has been movement of another sort at the old Conference site at Epping. If you’ve had the opportunity to drive past the Cambridge Rd site, you may have noticed that demolition work is now taking place. The building is dressed in scaffolding, the internal spaces are becoming unrecognizable and wearing a hard hat necessary. The excitement is building as the option to potentially be relocated back to Cambridge Road dream is starting to look not as distant.

In regards to finances, here is a

• COVID has reduce our connection with our neighbours. Across Australia, 33.9% disagreed with this question, with only 28.6% agreeing, 37.5% neutral on this statement. For GSC, 27.7% said they did not connect with their neighbours while 35% said they did and 37% were neutral.

• Another worrying tread: 48% said that attendance had dropped off at church. 23.6% said they are more likely to attend church online. This was both for the AUC and GSC.

• On "whether I am more likely to watch a service from somewhere other than my home church": For the AUC, 37% agreed or strongly agreed, whereas 29.4% for GSC. Church members are surfing online to watch services from other churches. We need to resource and encourage churches to develop their online presence more.

snapshot of the financial wellbeing for the last financial year for the group of entities that comprise our conference. Some points to consider:

1. In our church, retained tithe for 2021 increased by 11% over the previous year - despite the challenges of covid, the church has been blessed by the faithful giving of church members. The year ended with a moderate surplus of $120K. Thanks each of you for your contribution to supporting church ministry.

2. The school system in 2021 saw a healthy surplus of $4.7 million. The growth over and above the financial result for 2020 has been a blessing that helps to support the continued capital investment in our schools.

3. In our Aged Care, the financial year 2021/2022 was a challenging year financially which saw the entity in an increased deficit position from 2020/2021. We ask for your continued prayers as we work on strategies to provide a firm financial foundation.

4. The conference remains in a healthy financial position despite the 2021 deficit. The entity maintains strong capability to meet its short-term obligations as there is $1.86 in current assets to every $1 owed in current liabilities).

The church continues to be abundantly blessed and we praise God for his guidance and your faithful support. In Philippians 1:3-6 Paul shares how he gives thanks to God for his people. This same prayer of thanks is being prayed over you as partners in spreading the Good News about Jesus.

PASTor LIST

Ministerial Secretary

Andre Vieira

Regional Coordinator

Daniel Chong - Central

Panapa Leuluai - South/SW

Frank Ropati - West

TBC - North

Martin Vukmanic - Northwest

ATSIM Coordinator

Richard Reid

Cycle of Evangelism Coordinator

Travis Manners

3AM Ryde SDA Church

Joshua Gonzalez

Ashfield SDA Church

Abigail Figueroa

Auburn SDA Church

Felix Opoku-Gyamfi

Bankstown SDA Church

Tai Mokoroa

Bidwill SDA Church

Mele Lolohea

Blacktown SDA Church

Marty Luke

Blacktown Spanish SDA Church

Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez

Cabramatta Fijian SDA Church

Usaia Baravilala

Cabramatta SDA Church

Usaia Baravilala

Cabramatta West Spanish SDA Church

Leandro Cisterna-Hernandez

Camden Valley SDA Group

Tapiwa Mutseriwa

Campbelltown Fijian SDA Group

Frank Ropati

Taunese Marsh

Campbelltown SDA Church

Travis Manners

Justin Boyd (Associate)

Campbelltown Spanish SDA Church

Mario Guzman

Caringbah SDA Church

Mario Guzman

Castle Hill SDA Church

Pablo Lillo

Joshua Stothers (Associate)

Jessica Laws (Intern)

Chatswood SDA Church

Boriss Soldat

Cherrybrook SDA Group

Eddy Johnson

Church in the Fields SDA Company

Fred Chlieshe

City Cook Island SDA Group

Sitiveni Teaupa

Concord SDA Church

Domenic Rosina

Corrimal SDA Church

Allen Bierschbach

Dundas SDA Church

Andrew Russell

Chris Campos (Intern)

Dundas SDA Church

Arthur Hudson (Associate)

Eastwood Chinese SDA Company

Toon (Robert) Zhang

Echo Christian Community SDA Group

TBC

Elizabeth Lodge SDA Group

Nigel Ackland

Tuni Laikum

Enmore Fijian SDA Church

Joseph Talipuan

Epping SDA Church

Nigel Ackland

Kenneth Lee (Associate)

Fairfield SDA Church

Edison Akrawi

Fairfield Spanish SDA Group

Igor Shemet

Filoship Connect SDA Company

Frank Ropati

Taunese Marsh

Fountain in the City SDA Company

Timothy Shelton

Abigail Figueroa (Associate)

Fox Valley SDA Church

Marcus Pereira

Renee Vaovasa (Intern)

Freshwater Community SDA Church

Mark Baines

Galston SDA Church

Andrew McCrostie

Ghanaian SDA Company

Felix Opoku-Gyamfi

Goshem Fellowship SDA Group

Sione Kite

Granville Fijian SDA Church

Shiu Kumar

Granville Multicultural SDA Church

Jimmie Cha

Granville SDA Church

Boriss Soldat

Guilford Italian SDA Church

Wellington Caqui-Bazan

Harvest Fellowship SDA Group

Andrew Russell

Holroyd SDA Company

Shiu Kumar

Hoxton Park SDA Church

Andrew Russell

Chris Campos (Intern)

Hurstville Chinese SDA Group

Soman Chu

Hurstville SDA Church

Jimmie Cha

Indian Fellowship SDA Group

Shiu Kumar

Ingleburn Group

Vitolio Vaifale

Katoomba SDA Church

Tuni Laikum

Kellyville SDA Church

Martin Vukmanic

Aubree Harrington (Associate)

Joshua Carnie (Intern)

Kings Langley SDA Church

Chris Manthey

Lakemba SDA Church

Ana Lolohea

Liverpool Samoan SDA Church

Brian Leuluai

Living Water Group

Joshua Gonzalez

Lord Howe Island SDA Church

John Wells

Marrickville Spanish SDA Church

Carlos Hernandez

Mile End Community SDA Company

Craig Vanas

Alexis Ratu (Associate)

Minto Samoan SDA Company

Ramese Tupe

Mount Colah SDA Church

Carlos Hernandez

Mountain View SDA Church

Terence Greenfield

Mt Druitt Samoan SDA Church

Brian Leuluai

Panapa Leuluai (Associate)

Mt Druitt SDA Church

Edison Akrawi

New Hope SDA Company

Lloyd Grolimund

Fred Chileshe (Associate)

Norfolk Island SDA Church

Anders Svensson

Old Central Sydney Samoan SDA Co.

Vitolio Vaifale

Parramatta Central SDA Group

Daniel Przybylko

Parramatta SDA Church

Roger Govender

Stanley Stuski (Intern)

Pendle Hill SDA Church

Timothy Shelton

Penrith SDA Church

Janusz Jagiello

Pittwater Community SDA Church

Mark Baines

Predestined Group/Riverstone SDA Group

Andrew Russell

Punchbowl Samoan SDA Church

Panapa Leuluai

Ryde Korean SDA Company

Tuni Laikum

Southern Asian SDA Group

Charles Chellaiah Jeya

St Marys Samoan SDA Company

Ramese Tupe

St Marys SDA Group

Edison Akrawi

Stanmore SDA Church

Stanley Stuski

Sydney Central Korean SDA Church

Kenneth Lee

Sydney Chinese SDA Church

Daniel Chong

Toon (Robert) Zhang (Associate)

Sydney Cook Island SDA Church

Tai Mokoroa

Sydney Indonesian SDA Group

John Wells

Sydney Portuguese SDA Church

Richard Valenca

Sydney Russian SDA Church

Igor Shemet

Sydney Tongan SDA Church

Sitiveni Teaupa

Tahmoor SDA Company

Mario Guzman

The Way SDA Group

Warwick Sawyer

Henry Dunn - Bible Worker

Thornleigh SDA Church

Andrew McCrostie

Ubuntu SDA Group

Eddy Johnson

Wahroonga SDA Church

David McKibben

Igor Shemet (Associate)

Gary Webster (Associate)

Waitara SDA Church

Barend Nieuwstraten

Fabian Eden (Associate)

Wantok SDA Company

Joseph Talipuan

Warrimoo SDA Church

Frank Ropati

Taunese Marsh

Wetherill Park Spanish SDA Church

Wellington Caqui-Bazan

Joshua Gonzalez (Associate)

Toon (Robert) Zhang (Associate)

Windsor SDA Church

Igor Shemet

Wollongong SDA Church

Allen Bierschbach

Bernard Deojee

Woollahra SDA Church

Daniel Przybylko

Xcell SDA Company

Frank Ropati

Taunese Marsh

Associate Ministerial Secretary for GS Schools

Richard Reid

Chaplain Hills Adventist College

Jonathan Dawson

Joshua Carnie

Jessical Laws

Joshua Stothers

Chaplain Hurstville School

Cassandra Wallace

Chaplain Macarthur Adventist College

Jess Hick

Chris Manthey - Counsellor

Alexis Ratu

TBC

Azora Ufagalilo

Chaplain Mountain View College

Terence Greenfield

Raul Moran

Craig Vanas

Chaplain Sydney School Auburn

Soman Chu

Chaplain University Students

Eden Ashcroft

Chaplain Wahroonga School

Nick Kross Jr

Renee Vaovasa (Associate)

Jess Metz (Associate)

Chaplain Prisons

Tuni Laikum

Long Bay Prison Chaplain

Saki Marawara

SDA Chaplain Kings Langley Aged Care

Charles Skiba

SDA Chaplain Wahroonga Aged Care

Tuni Laikum

Nigel Ackland (Assistant)

Agreat line up of both local and international speakers who will explore science that actually supports faith.

This Conference will build your confidence in sharing the good news of the history of Jesus’ love for humanity & how He has interacted with our planet: education. adventistchurch.com/ faith-science-conference

01. HOXTON PARK CHURCH CELEBRATES SENIORS

BY SANDRA LEHN

The Hoxton Park Seventh-day Adventist Church (NSW) celebrated its seniors in September during the church’s annual seniors’ lunch and a special outing to view the tulip bloom.

joyed a three-course meal, consisting of soup, savoury, and dessert. “[This event is] to thank them for their past service and also in appreciation for their love and devotion to our Lord, Jesus Christ,” shares Sandra Lehn. “It was a happy day of fellowship because many have been attending HPC for 30 years and more. It is so nice to be remembered.”

A couple of weeks later, on 29 September, the seniors again gathered, this time for a bus trip to Tulip Top Gardens, Sutton, NSW. “We have these outings twice per year to different places, and it is a very happy and joyful day full of fellowship and fun,” explains Sandra. “It is a day we can invite a friend or a family member who is not an Adventist to come along.”

The group saw God’s blessings through the weather that day, as it was raining as they set off. However, as soon as they left Goulburn, the rain ceased and remained paused for the remainder of their visit. As they got back on the bus for their journey home, the rain suddenly started again.

02. CONCORD CHURCH CELEBRATES CENTENARY

BY DANI PIOT

Have anything exciting or extraordinary to share? Email us at sydney@adventist.org.au

The luncheon took place in the church hall, returning after a two-year hiatus for COVID reasons. The event was hosted by the deaconesses and featured serving help from the church youth. Approximately 30 seniors aged 60 and upwards attended. They en-

The Concord Seventh-day Adventist Church (NSW) celebrated its centenary on 22 October 2022 with a high Sabbath service. Approximately 80 visitors joined the church’s membership of 70 to commemorate the hundred-year event.

“It is once in a lifetime that we can come together and celebrate a centenary of a church, and we are so grateful for this wonderful

opportunity to give thanks and glory to God,” says Domenic Rosina, volunteer pastor. “One thing we know for a certainty is that the coming of the Lord is much sooner than it was. This is not only our hope, but the hope of every Christian throughout history.”

The special day began with a morning service that reflected on the past and looked forward to the future. Church members praised God with music, then supported its newest member as she was baptized. “We watched her go through the waters of baptism as a public declaration that she is not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” shares Pr Rosina.

After the morning service, church members and attendees shared a celebratory lunch and gathered again for an afternoon musical concert.

“Old friends met after many years, many photos were displayed, reunions took place, lots of fond memories shared,” says Pr Rosina. “It was truly a wonderful day we won't ever forget, and we thank God for it.”

Looking forward to the church’s next 100 years, Pr Rosina says that the members have a better grasp of where they came from and where they’re going. “Time is something very valuable, something that we can look back on and know for sure that God has led us in the past and will definitely lead us in the future as we move forward in faith.”

03. COMPILMENTARY SERVICE BY GSC: WILLS & TRUST SERVICES

In February of this year, Pr Jonathan Valls began as Trust Services Director for Greater Sydney and North New

South Wales Conferences replacing Pr Rodney Woods who accepted a call to South Queensland Conference. Trust Service is a complimentary service for church members in the preparation of wills—and YES, YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE! Visit our website and head to the “Resources” tab then filter by “Services” for information.

MOST MEMORABLE Women's Conference

BREATHE Women's Conference 2022 was truly a great celebration to mark the end of a decade of BREATHE-ing together and the beginning of a new quinquennium. After two years of not being able to gather, we were privileged to meet face to face for a celebration of all that God has done in and through women in Greater Sydney Conference since the official inception of Women’s Ministries in 1996.

“There was so much joy, excitement, and energy throughout the weekend,” shares outgoing director, Beryl Landers. “The multigenerational group of attendees worshipped with verve and enthusiasm.” She explains that participants gave generously and prayed fervently while being blessed by a variety of special music by talented people. Many meaningful connections and friendship were made, and there were laughter and tears.

The women in attendance were challenged and inspired by powerful messages. Pr Sylvia Mendez, Director of Australia Adventist Women, opened the conference, delivering the devotional message on

both mornings. During the event, each of the former Women’s Ministries directors had an opportunity to speak to the theme, “Called”. Those former directors, Ann Campbell, Joy Butler, Dulce Ferguson, Erna Johnson and Gilda Roddy, challenged and encouraged the women through their presentations, three of which were in person and two that were by video.

Words seemed inadequate to describe what took place at BREATHE Conference this year. As Ann Campbell, the first Women’s Ministries Director put it, “We experienced sisterhood and feminine spiritual care” in the presence of God. One of the very special moments was the announcement of the new Director of Sydney Adventist Women, Meleofa Tovo, as past leaders and prayer warriors gathered around to bless and anoint her.

BREATHE Women’s Conference also saw the culmination of the annual project. Together, Sydney Adventist women raised more than $32,000 for the ADRA Blossom Project through fundraising events and offering collected on the day. “The effort and generosity of the women in the Greater Sydney Conference never ceases to amaze and inspire me,” says Beryl Landers.

The prayer room remained the powerhouse of the weekend experience, being open 24 hours a day. Two anointing services and dedicated

For more infomation on upcoming women's event, connect with Sydney Adventist Women Facebook page: @sydneyadventistwomen

By Beryl Landers

prayer stations were also available for focussed prayer for marriages and relationships, children, health, employment and finances and breaking strongholds. Many participants experienced meaningful moments in the prayer room and the prayer stations. In response to the question in the feedback survey, What did you enjoy most about BREATHE, one respondent wrote, “The prayer room was the highlight of my time at BREATHE”.

Three of the Hope Stayz clients and their children shared the weekend with the group. There was a moving and emotional expression of thanks and gratitude by one client to the women of Greater Sydney Conference for their generosity in affording her and her child the beautiful, life-changing experience of the Hope Stayz Retreat. She said, “I had never met such friendly, loving women in my life and have never experience such love.”

At the last session, attendees heard an amazing testimony by a young woman who found the BREATHE Conference through a Google search for a spiritual women’s conference. She registered for the whole weekend. During her testimony, she praised God for leading her to the BREATHE Conference, as she had been searching for people who worshipped on the Sabbath and upheld health principles.

Amongst the list of special guests was a delegation of 24 Mums at the Table coordinators from around New Zealand and Australia. They shared of the amazing evangelistic work their coordinators are engaged in, including supporting thousands of mums through the many MUMS’n’BUBS groups around New Zealand and Australia.

Special thanks go to a faithful prayer support team, a dedicated advisory team and a committed group of volunteers who tirelessly give, did and served to make the BREATHE Women’s Conference the memorable experience it was. “Each year we say ‘That was the best BREATHE Conference,’” says Beryl Landers. “But, truly, 2022 would have to be the most memorable. God is so good. He’s been faithful."

Adventist Women Support ADRA’s Blossom Project

In Vanuatu, teenage pregnancy and sexual abuse negatively impact girls and women at disproportionate rates. With little institutional and governmental support, organizations like Adventist Development and Relief Association (ADRA) often step in to provide assistance and positive change.

When ADRA Australia started the Blossom Project in Vanuatu, it was expected to be a way to support young pregnant women and new mothers and their babies. Over the years, though, the project has grown to include help for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, prison rehabilitation and community education. In partnership with the Vanuatu government, the project also helped establish the Elang Family Care Centre, which provides further family support, including counselling services.

“We wanted to support an ADRA project,” and girls by addressing issues such as domestic violence, sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy. It is also an education program addressing

cultural gender norms and working with perpetrators. ADRA is also pioneering Wellness Centres on some islands which will provide community members with safe spaces where counselling services are offered.”

As part of GSC Women’s Ministries’ support of the Blossom Project and the project also being adopted by Australian Adventist women as a national project, at least eight Adventist churches throughout Greater Sydney held events to fundraise for the project in 2022, raising more than $21,000.

The funds will support girls and women in Vanuatu, providing education and assistance for them, as well as enabling other Blossom Project initiatives.

For more infomation or to get involved in this project visit www.adra.org.au/project/blossom-project

OUTSTANDING HSC RESULTS AT SYDNEY ADVENTIST SCHOOLS

Big congratulations to Abi at Mountain View Adventist College (MVAC) on her on your outstanding HSC results. Abi received two Band 6 results, one for Community and Family Studies and one for Food Technology. MVAC had 22 Band 5 results across a range of subjects.

At Hills Adventist College, Preston A., Aaliyah M., Hashim M., Jenny R. and Holly T. have been recognised on the HSC Distinguished Achievers list. The students achieved Band 6 results (90% or above) in one or more of the following subjects: Design and Technology, Business Studies, Legal Studies, English Advanced, Mathematics Standard 2 and Textiles and Design.

Hills College also had 51 Band 5 results across a variety of subjects, which the school was excited to see.

Finally, three cheers to Wahroonga School's Class of 2022 on their HSC results. Their hard work and supportive spirit have paid off. Wahroonga School’s top ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) was 97.8 with 15% of students gaining an ATAR of 90 or above. Well done to all our Year 12 students on their achievements, and to the teaching staff that motivated, encouraged, imparted wisdom and provided that extra bit of support when needed.

ROAD TO BETHLEHEM RETURNED TO MOUNTAIN VIEW ADVENTIST COLLEGE

Road to Bethlehem, a live Nativity program, returned to Mountain View Adventist College (Western Sydney) and eager audiences December 4th and 5th, 2022. The two-day interactive program, in which students and staff get to showcase their talents to families and the community, is a great kick-off to the holiday season.

The Nativity story consists of six different scenes brought to life with sheep, goats and a donkey. Around 500 people attended over the event and enjoyed an evening of food stalls, live music and the Christmas spirit.

“The Nativity Story was so well played out by students and staff, it brought the Christmas story to life,” said Ben who brought along his family, the evening had something for all, including a petting zoo, camel rides and face painting.

HEALING AND HOPE in action

Matthew recorded that Jesus’ fame spread throughout all Syria because Jesus had been preaching and healing sickness and disease (Matthew 4:17-25). Healing was Jesus’ ministry because He wanted to meet people one on one and bring healing and hope in their broken lives. This is also our mission in GSC Health, and the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In bringing hope and healing, GSC Health has endeavoured to inspire, empower and equip Adventist members to join the mission of Jesus by hosting a plethora of activities, events and training programs.

To date, we have had 33 training programs to equip health advocates to run wellness programs or clubs. Twenty-eight online facilitator trainings were conducted to run the ELIA Wellness programs: partner training, Live More Project, Wellness Snapshot health screenings, DeStress and Thrive, Retirement Ready, Forgive to Live, and the most recent group programs newly released this year: Enhance Your Gut Health and Empowered and Purposeful Living. Nerise Fehlberg from GSC Health ran a training on how to set up a recipe club. We shared with the North New South Wales Conference Health Department in hosting two back-to-back weekend programs: Journey to Wholeness

(an addiction recovery program) and Lifestyle Coaching Skills, trained by the visiting General Conference Associate Health Director, Dr Katia Reinert. In both August and October, the energetic and vibrant Katie Snyder trained on how to facilitate and conduct the Nedley Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program.

It has been a busy year of equipping our people to conduct health programs and activities for the community. One of the biggest highlights of 2022 was unitedly serving the community. In September, GSC Health and GSC Stewardship departments partnered with ELIA Wellness to hold a health screening booth at Sydney’s annual Health Wellness Fitness Expo at the Olympic Park showground. Fifty-six volunteers engaged with 200 people and served about 170 people for health screening. Ten churches were involved in running health programs to serve as follow-up programs, meeting again with some of the participants who joined the health screening service.

There were Dinner with the Doctors events, hosted by Parramatta Central, Woollahra and Wahroonga churches; cooking demonstrations held in Ashfield and Strathfield; walking clubs, fitness clubs and addiction recovery programs regularly running and ready to serve in Dundas church and Doonside with the Fijian/Indian SDA Fellowship group; and further health screening programs by the Fijian/Indian SDA Fellowship group and a health fair by the Parramatta church community.

Even prior to the September expo, health programs were run at various churches. Serving in health and connecting with the community are part of the ministry of Jesus in bringing health, healing and hope. Whether

it was at Olympic Park or church locations, people were served with love and compassion, and seeds were planted.

As the year of evangelism is approaching in 2024, the grounds need to be ploughed. There are many who are searching for answers, hope, healing and belonging. There are myriads of opportunities for us as church communities to connect further with individuals to start on the journey towards wellness. Let’s enter 2023 with new vigour, energy and leading from the Lord in how to serve and love through health services.

On 5th March 2023, everyone who is keen and passionate about health ministry and/or evangelism are invited to join the annual Health Network Expo to be inspired to hear messages, testimonies and workshops. Let us come together and be inspired. Let 2023 be the year that Adventist communities around Greater Sydney are known publicly to be oases of hope and healing.

Stay up-to-date on Health news, stories and events at bit.ly/3gRJxNp For more whole-person health and free member resources and benefits, please visit www.eliawellness.com .

By Dr Christiana Leimena-Lehn

GSC Ski Ministry: Fun and Faith on Water

By Lauren Bongard Schwarz

Who says ministry can’t be fun?

The Greater Sydney Conference Ski Ministry combines fun and faith for Sydney-area Adventist youth.

In the 1990s, Bob Saunders bought a jet ski and invited young people to join him for days on the water. That went over so well, he bought a boat and asked Leon Beyers to join him as a volunteer ski ministry staff member. When Saunders moved on to a youth director position in the United States, Leon took on the ministry leadership role.

During his tenure the ski team grew, hosting summer camps, Pathfinder ski camps, ski days for visually impaired individuals, youth ski days, Year 7 bonding camp, and Year 11 PDHPE. They also assisted the youth department with water-based activities and ski events.

In 2008, Leon passed the leadership role to Ronald and Rodney Saunders, founder Bob Saunders’ twin sons. They headed the ministry until 2016. During that time, with the help of their father, the ministry made deals with Moomba and Axis boats, increasing access for more participants.

From 2017 to 2020, Jessica Laws was the

group leader. Then, in 2021, Ethan and Shane Beyers, Leon’s son and brother, respectively, accepted the leadership roles.

Now, the Greater Sydney Conference Ski Ministry Team runs through the warmer part of the year, from October to early May. Ski days are run by volunteers who donate their time, skills and passion for the ministry. Most booking slots are Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and groups can request other days and times as volunteers are able to help.

“The best part of this ministry is that we are able to show God through a different lens,” says Ethan Beyers, who currently fronts the group alongside his uncle, Shane Beyers.

“When most people think of church, they imagine a service with a worship team and a preacher talking to them. Ski Ministry allows people to see God outside of a church building setting and allows people to see God is a fun God and wants you to enjoy the blessings he provides.”

Throughout the years, hundreds of youth and sponsors have made memories alongside ski team volunteers and leaders. Standout moments include the time a platypus swam by the boat during a summer camp ski outing. When the kids saw it, it allowed leader Bob Saunders a chance to share with them a moment of awe in one of God’s many creations. During Saunders’ stint, Portuguese church youth also regularly brought along non-Adventist friends on church ski days. “These ski days sparked the love for Jesus in them and caused [some of] them to get baptised into the Adventist church,” Ethan Beyers shares. That connection with the

Portuguese church still exists today.

Leon Beyers shared that some of the best memories from his time as ski ministry leader are showing young people God’s nature and bringing them closer to God, and watching kids come out of their comfort zones and learn new skills on the water. Particularly rewarding to him was seeing visually impaired participants conquering their fears and achieving a skill they weren’t sure was possible.

Ethan Beyers’ favourite memory is when the entire summer camp visited Cliftonville to ski. “During lunchtime,” he shares, “some of the ski team members would put on a lunchtime show for the kids to watch as they eat their lunch. They would have jet ski races and synchronised jet ski driving.”

Ethan says he’s thankful for Ski Ministry and all its volunteers have accomplished for Sydney youth. “Over the 31 years that this ministry has run, there have been many volunteers that have used their time and talents to help continue this ministry and show God through a different lens,” he says. “There are too many volunteers to name individually, but we would like to take this chance to recognise those people and thank them for everything they have contributed to the team.”

To learn more about the ski ministry or book a ski day for your Pathfinder, youth or church group, visit www.sydneyadventistyouth.com/ ski-ministr y , or contact the Youth Ministries Department by phone at 9868 6522 or email GSC_youth@adventist.org.au .