Article Two Article Three Article Four
Feature Article WE WISH YOU A MESSY CHRISTMAS A DIARY FROM SLC 2012 MORE TEMPLES THAN CHRISTIANS MISSION 2014
ISSUE 66 | SUMMER 2012
Article One
canvaseditorial
CANVAS aims to inform and encourage all who are interested in reaching students for Christ, and in thinking Christianly about their life and work. It is published four times a year by TSCF. Canvas Issue 66 Summer 2012 Article Two Article Three Article Four
Feature Article
ISSUE 66 | SUMMER 2012
Article One
Cover Design Rose Wu
WE WISH YOU A MESSY CHRISTMAS A DIARY FROM SLC 2012 MORE TEMPLES THAN CHRISTIANS MISSION 2014
TSCF is a founder member of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and serves to help students reach students for Christ nationwide by enabling them to reach maturity in Christ, so that they understand and proclaim the truth about Christ and serve God by showing his love in the student world. Send your thoughts, comments, questions and letters to us at canvas@tscf.org.nz TSCF PO Box 9672, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 +64 04 3847274 www.tscf.org.nz | tscf@tscf.org.nz Editorial team Mark Grace Peter Jackson Nigel Pollock Emily Purdy Andy Shudall Rachel Turner Maryanne Wardlaw Design Maryanne Wardlaw
canvasgreen If you would prefer to receive a PDF version of Canvas, or an email reminder when it is available on the website please email canvas@tscf.org.nz
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“T
he only thing we have to fear,” Franklin D. Roosevelt said in the depths of the Great Depression, “is fear itself.” Well, no sir; fear can be a perfectly good thing, depending on its object. Like pain, fear restrains us from stupid choices. The Bible has contrasting comments on the topic – the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, on one hand. But on the other, perfect love casts out fear. So which is it? Do we need fear, or need to avoid it? One of Ajith Fernando’s comments at November’s Student Leadership Conference brought those contrasting views into alignment for me the way that 3D glasses pull a smudged image off the screen and give it sharpness, depth and life. If God is for us, he said, the only thing we need to fear is disobedience. If we love God, we obey him (John 14). If we love Him, He is working all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Sickness? Failure? Loss? Yes, all things. Even death – so what else is there to fear? We rightly celebrate Christ’s birth this season, but His obedience in suffering death-conquering anguish on the cross is what we’ll sing about in eternity. Obedience trusts that even in the darkest situation we have no reason to turn around. So we can follow the crucified Christ anywhere He leads us in the new year without hesitation. We must; not going where God calls is far scarier than anything we’ll meet on the journey. Just ask Jonah. I saw a joyful commitment to follow God in the plans, prayers and conversations of students at SLC. (See Hamish Cartwright’s diary from SLC on page 4.) There’s a freedom in their decisions as they commit their futures to God – freedom from self interest, freedom from self doubt. And freedom from fear. Maryanne Wardlaw Communications Manager
canvasthebottomline We want to thank those who have responded to the letter that accompanied the last issue of Canvas, written by the Chair of the TSCF National Board, Andrew Becroft. We continue to work hard at tightening our expenditure but, without more people responding in sacrificial generosity, we will end 2012 with a significant operating deficit. We appreciate this is a difficult time for many, and at this season there are many demands on your resources. However, we encourage you to prayerfully considering giving TSCF a gift this Christmas so that the ministry can continue to serve students in years to come.
canvasnotablenotes Engaged James (Peng) Wong and Annie Ling Moving on Richard Deeble, Wellington staff worker, finished at the end of November. He and his wife, Sarah, will remain in Wellington while they both look for long-term work. During his time with TSCF, Richard Richard has met with students, both Christian and non-Christian, delving into the gospel and sharing the message of hope in Jesus. Richard has been a dedicated mentor to me over this past year, keeping me accountable in my spiritual, study and personal life, and ensuring that I stayed afloat during a busy year involving honours study and the WICF presidency. I’ve been privileged to tap into his theological knowledge on issues like predestination while he led me through a study of Revelations. It’s been a joy to work and socialise with Richard, hearing his beer brewing stories and political rants. He has been an important asset to student ministry and will be sorely missed. – Samuel Ponniah, Wellington student With the end of this year comes the end of Michael Misomphane’s involvement in TSCF as a student and, this year, a Mintern. Casting my mind back five years to when I first met him Michael in AUTCF, a shy second year computer and information science student who had only just encountered Jesus, it seems like a long time ago. The Lord has used these years to grow Michael amazingly in his knowledge and love, his joy in Scripture and his desire to see people reached for the Gospel. This year Michael has been doing MINTY alongside students in AUTCF. His investment in individuals has been significant in seeing growth in the group and his joy for life has
established a culture that has welcomed many and gathered people around the Word. We know this is not the end of Michael’s involvement with TSCF, but we bid him farewell from MINTY as he looks to the next chapter. – Gillian Wildgoose We say a fond goodbye to Dave and Rachel Turner, who have returned to the UK as they await the birth of their second child. We also farewell Caleb, who was added to their family during their time in Rachel NZ. We trust Caleb will grow up to be a proud Kiwi and his citizenship will allow him to represent the land of his birth. Rachel has made an immense contribution to TSCF as Communications Manager. She applied for the role from England in response to an advert in Canvas. During her time with TSCF, Canvas has been further developed into an increasingly quality communication, the Annual Reports have received much positive feedback and our communications strategy has enabled our effectiveness to increase. Rachel has a real heart for partnership and helped develop a range of initiatives and relationships that have had great impact in TSCF and beyond. We wil miss Rachel and her family and all they have contributed to TSCF, the Wellington office, the wider staff team and the fellowship as a whole. – Nigel Pollock Deceased As this issue of Canvas was being finalised, we heard of the passing of two long-standing TSCF supporters: Caleb Tucker and Beryl Howie. We express our condolences to their families. We also give thanks for these lives, well lived, as examples of the power of the gospel to take ordinary men and women and make an extraordinary impact. We hope to reflect on their heritage in a future edition of Canvas.
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The 2012 SLC crew
A diary from SLC Hamish Cartwright reports back from the Student Leadership Conference, 15-20 November, where staff and students came from around the country for fun, fellowship, and good teaching. Thursday This year we’ve got the Elm complex at El Rancho in Waikanae for Student Leadership Conference! The facilities are great, it’s good to be back. Friday We started with devotions before moving into track time [groups for student at different stages of study and leadership] for the rest of the morning. I love to hear new focuses that people bring with their unique perspectives. Richard’s questions about the culture and context of university are valuable in thinking criti4 | canvas summer 2012
cally in our tertiary setting. Gillian’s wisdom in thinking of our campus groups as mission teams opened my attitude to how our vision and purpose works – that we are sent by God, supported by Christ’s body, to put in action God’s vision. Friday evening Powerful experience and wisdom by the truckload. Ajith Fernando’s teaching these last two sessions has been a huge privilege to hear. It’s a blessing that God sends people with a lifetime of wisdom to share, we are just lapping it up. Saturday I love the revelation that God works through His people when we gather in His Name. I’m so thankful for the understanding that Ajith brings to
Monday As I’ve said, Ajith’s experience and practical advice is invaluable. He spoke of leadership through crisis and loving God’s people, continuing from the themes “loving God” and “loving God’s word.” Throughout the whole conference, Ajith has urged Ajith Fernando, left, joins students in worship.
Deuteronomy, by God’s grace and mercy, which opens our eyes to the truth.
us to pray, and today he made a point of prayer before everything else. “SLC was the highlight of my trip to New Zealand because I’ve talked to many who are earnestly
Saturday evening Amazing worship – such loud and passionate singing. The unity we have in encouraging heartfelt praise and exaltation of God is one of the things that defines SLC for me.
seeking to obey God.” – Ajith Fernando
The wisdom of Ajith on maintaining long-term freshness is so relevant, and made real through scripture and life stories. Ajith has lit the way for new generations to follow. Every piece of advice has God at the centre!
sex is portrayed by the media. Thanks, TSCF, for
Sunday James began our day with breath prayer in our gathered devotion. Then Ben led us in short a cappella worship and teaching from the verse “I will build my church.” What a great reminder that all we do honours God and is done in and through Him.
– Jen Allaway, Otago staff worker
Student forum was both encouraging and challenging. Our discussion over the IFES pledge [how much TSCF students will raise to support the student movements in Fiji, India and Ecuador] was difficult. The wisdom of staff proved invaluable; I’m reminded that in our weakness God works, just as He does in our gifted strengths. The election of our new student coordinators and hearing from all the TSCF groups of their work for God this past year was encouraging. “SLC was a good opportunity to grow and learn how to serve God better in the university environment.” – Josh Shong, Auckland OCF, Track 1
This afternoon everyone met in the main room for a talk on pornography, sex and masturbation. These are modern day crises and a healthy Christian perspective is so lacking in the battle against how making these discussions happen. “In the conference itself there hasn’t been a wasted space. Everyone has wholeheartedly engaged really well. I feel that we’ve been very well fed from Ajith.” Tuesday This morning Ajith spoke on the neediness of the poor from Deuteronomy 24. He shared insight about treating the needy with honour and reminded us of what Paul tells us: “Whatever happens, don’t forget the poor.” Our closing session was so powerful. The prayer for people finishing, for people continuing on, Val’s proverbs and the final goodbyes were full of God’s love and Spirit. I pray that we will all keep close to our Christian friends, that we will be encouraged in walking with God, filled with His peace and joy!
Hamish Cartwright Otago VCF leader
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We wish you a
messy Christmas I
love Christmas! That may rub you the wrong way. You may have be reading Canvas after coming home to a pile of Christmas appeals, Christmas cards and secular circulars. Perhaps you’ve been jostling through crowds of shoppers and gaudy Santa Clauses while “Jingle Bells” played on loop. Still, I really love Christmas. It encompasses so much that is “me”: gifts given and received, traditions, family, faith, parties, and holidays. Christmas. I stay up late baking and packaging goodies, cut stars out of pastry for scrummy minced fruit tarts, prep food for end-of-year functions. I write a list of present ideas to slip into my husband’s wallet and scheme what we’ll buy our children, our siblings, our friends. I might even send Christmas cards. On Christmas Eve we celebrate with my extended family. We enjoy the lights of Auckland’s Franklin Ave. Then we race across town to a Christmas Eve service, to look at a pristine nativity scene – Joseph and Mary, clean, serene and clothed in ornate fabrics. We sing of baby Jesus who, of course, “no crying he makes.” I love the build-up and culmination of this frenetic feast. But I wonder, how do my celebrations compare with the first Christmas? The first Christmas also had quite a build-up. Once Mary and Joseph heard the news, there would have been a flurry of activity as they packed for their (approximately) 145 km journey. That’s like going from Wellington to Palmerston North. On a donkey. On rough roads. Pregnant. Mary was probably no more
than 12, Joseph not much older than 14. Both had new responsibilities to shoulder. They had recently left their own families, they were in a new relationship, learning their new roles together. And they had to get their head around the bizarre circumstances of the baby’s conception. On hearing from Gabriel that she was to give birth to a son, Mary reasonably asked, “How will this be since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). But she embraced God’s plan, proclaiming herself God’s servant. Similarly, Joseph showed courage in his obedience, not ‘quietly’ divorcing Mary but instead trusting in God’s plan and taking Mary home to be his wife (Matthew 1:24). Then, they arrived in Bethlehem to discover no room at the public shelter. They had to bed down in an animal room, amongst the noises, the scratchy hay, and the excrement. What happened next was remarkable for all humankind, but it was also a remarkable time for Mary and Joseph. Mary went into labour – a painful, terrifying, thrilling and messy process at the best of times. In one sense, Jesus’ arrival to the world was met by silence. Mary was not surrounded by family celebrating with them. The custom was to have local musicians hang out nearby, ready to strike up a tune of celebration if a son was born. But there was none of that for Mary and Joseph. Instead of family finding out about the new birth, shepherds do. People whom Mary and Joseph have never met are first notified. Instead of local musicians, there was a choir of angels. They decanvas summer 2012 | 7
canvasfeature scend not to a temple in Jerusalem but to a group of lower-class folk. What a remarkable notification, and rightly so! It was God’s son who Mary and Joseph welcomed into the world.
... The Christmas story tells us that a saviour of humanity came not as some great warrior or prince but wrapped instead in swaddling cloth – a baby born amongst farm animals.”
Jesus’ kingly status was recognised by the Magi, who were waiting for the coming Messiah and followed the sign given them. They brought gifts fit for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Yes! Jesus’ birth deserved choirs of angels, throngs celebrating in the streets, a nursery in a palace, gifts fit for a king, feasting, a national holiday and edicts on how this infant son of God must be worshipped.
This picture looks less like a gorgeous nativity scene. The baby Jesus looks less like a silent doll and more like the Sunday school pageant gone wrong, where the baby doesn’t act the scripted sleeping infant but – heaven forbid – cries!
There are so many ways we can bring joy to the world – not just a transient joy to our nearest and dearest. It might be messy; hopefully it will be merry. There was a choir of angels, yes. There were kingly gifts. There is (now) a national holiday. But at the time, none of the top brass – Emperor Caesar Augustus or Quirinius or King Herod – received notification of Jesus’ birth. There was no gilt-edged bassinet, just a feeding trough. No nursery; soon they are fleeing for their safety. As proclaimed in Mary’s song, “He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has lifted up the humble” (Luke 1:52). Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “For the great and powerful of this world, there are only two places in which their courage fails them, of which they are afraid deep down in their souls, from which they shy away. These are the manger and the cross of Jesus Christ. No powerful person dares to approach the manger. … For this is where the thrones shake, the mighty fall, the prominent perish, because God is with the lowly.” Green Party co-leader, atheist Russell Norman, rightly calls the incarnation of God as a baby born in a stable a “remarkable” story, “because it’s a story about the distant God of the heavens coming down to live amongst us on earth.
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Perhaps we should allow our Christmas to be more messy than merry, to let go of some of our attempts to create a picture-perfect Christmas. Perhaps we need to be challenged regarding the presents we want or give. Perhaps we are called to simplify our days. Instead of longing for peace on earth in the broad sense, maybe we need to allow peace to enter our homes and our lives. Perhaps it is time to act out the words of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and make it to church on Christmas day. We might respond to a Christmas appeal or share our resources with someone in a difficult situation. Perhaps we need to serve in our community rather than keeping Christmas a sacrosanct family time. Or maybe it’s time to have some tough but loving conversations. There are so many ways we can bring joy to the world – not just a transient joy to our nearest and dearest. It might be messy; hopefully it will be merry. Where do I start? Benjamin Franklin said, “How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, his precepts! O! ’Tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.” Like Mary, let’s unreservedly embrace God’s purpose without regard to the cost. May we, too, hear God’s call on our lives this Christmas and respond with, “I am the Lord’s servant … may it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38).
Emily Purdy
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Christmas: Do you see what I see?
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’m pretty black and white when it comes to Christmas carols. I either love them or loathe them. I’m sure we can all think of some that fit into either of those categories. Carefully crafted words sung at Christmastime convey deeper Christian truth and meaning than we may at first realise. How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given, so God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in. The words of a less traditional carol asks, “Do you see what I see?” I’ll admit, it’s not my favourite, but it does ask an important question. Different characters are told of the Christmas story and asked if they see it. As Christians, this carol should inspire us. Each year we have a ready-made opportunity to talk of Jesus and, in particular, His birth, “according to the Scriptures.” Throughout the rest of the year, we are often silenced by society and our voice isn’t heard. But at Christmas, many of our friends stop to celebrate the birth of a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. So, how can we make the most of the opportunity? Ask the question Speaking of Christmas should be seen as a fairly natural and neutral conversation – asking friends about Christmas plans, celebrations, hopes and fears. Often, in the asking of questions, those questions are returned. We have the opportunity to describe our celebrations of our Saviour’s birth. Amidst all the spending and sentiment, we can put Christ into Christmas in our conversations.
Invite them to see We often fail to invite our friends to find out more simply because we feel they would not be interested. Christmas provides a special occasion to invite friends to do something that is normal for us – to come to church for a carol service, Christmas Eve or Christmas Day celebration. It may simply be inviting them to your home or out for a Christmas meal. Above all, we are inviting friends to see Jesus. Give them a gift What better way of expressing what Christmas is about than giving a gift? For years, I have sought to give non-believing friends Christmas gifts that show generosity and kindness, and also share something of Jesus. A gift can be something they want, like chocolate or clothes, but can also express what I want to share – usually a book that gently invites them to hear more of Jesus. This varies depending on the friend, but has included some well-known authors like Lee Strobel, Max Lucado and Sally Lloyd-Jones. Last year, they all received a copy of TSCF’s Godzone publication of Luke’s Gospel. Christmas is a great occasion where Jesus should be the centre of the party. We have the privilege of sharing the “good news of great joy for all people,” asking them if they see what we see, giving them the opportunity to.
Ben Carswell National Outreach Coordinator
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Eastgate quite literally lights up its community.
Walking through a Christmas wonderland
H
ow does a church community reach and impact its local community at one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year? How do we get past commercialism and engage despite the draw of consumerism and family commitments? Eastgate Christian Centre, Auckland, takes the challenge of Christmas seriously. Since 2005 it has developed a Christmas Lights and Walkthrough
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experience. It’s a huge feat that makes a major call on church members and draws in a significant number of locals. There are four distinct elements that shape good community engagement. Each year: One church, more than 200 volunteers, 1000 gifts delivered, 12,000 visitors to the lights, 5000 guests in the walkthrough, 7000 mince pies eaten and 55,000 light bulbs on display. The church invites all its members to become part
February for that December; the script for the walkthrough is reviewed and revised every year, keeping it fresh; the costumes are remade; we think through the experience, and the desired outcome is kept in focus.
The annual Christmas outreach at Eastgate brings church members together with each other as well as their neighbours.
of the outreach – building sets, putting up lights, acting, singing, guiding, costume making, café and hospitality, tech support, car park duties, community visiting. Around 30-40% of the church is engaged in the Christmas outreach – from youngest to oldest, newcomers to founders. It’s a great time of building relationships within the church, whilst the focus is on reaching those outside the church family. This has a year-long positive impact on church. The church is committed to its community, and expresses that by getting outside of the church building. Each year people visit the businesses and houses in the vicinity with a small gift like chocolates or sweets. They also give them an invitation and a leaflet full of information. “We’re from Eastgate. We want to give you this small gift and wish you a merry Christmas. Why not join us for the light show, the walkthrough or come to our Christmas services?” The church now does similar work at Easter and runs a series of community barbecues and other events that serve the community year round. There is a focus on excellence – not doing the very best that could be done with unlimited resources, but doing what can be done with the resources provided. A team begin to work on the lights in
There is clarity about Jesus. It would be easy for the lights to be pretty but meaningless. The light show must tell the Christmas story. The walkthrough could easily be entertaining or overbearing; people could come away either oblivious to hope in Christ or browbeaten with it. There is a real effort to make Jesus known and for people to enjoy discovering the message of Christmas – opening the opportunity even more.
It doesn’t have to be big to be creative, it doesn’t have to be cringy to be clear. Have fun, reach out and make Jesus known. The question is not to ask how churches can replicate Eastgate’s events, but rather how each church can engage its community in a way that is stretching but achievable, so that Jesus is made known in a way that intrigues and delights. Getting everyone involved, reaching the community, focusing on excellence and being clear about Jesus is applicable to everything from small groups to large churches. It doesn’t have to be big to be creative, it doesn’t have to be cringy to be clear. Have fun, reach out and make Jesus known. For more information on Eastgate’s Christmas events visit www.eastgatecc.org.nz.
Andy Shudall Head of Strategic Development
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Mission 2014 W e are heading towards some signifi-
country was a Christian one, situated among
cant markers as a country. In 2015 we
and dependent for its existence on Māori. It
will observe the centennial of Anzac
was at Oihi that Kendall first begins turning
Day’s origin in Gallipoli, and 2014 is the bicentennial of the gospel’s arrival in New Zealand.
In the early 1800s, William Willberforce encouraged a young Samuel Marsden to take an assistant Chaplain role in Sydney. There Marsden met and developed an admiration for Māori. In 1808, Marsden went to England to seek the
Māori into a written language. It’s here in the mission settlement that the first Pākehā child was born in New Zealand.”* If Marsden is recognised as the one with whom the gospel came, Ruatara is recognised by some as “Te Ara mo te Rongopai,” the gateway for the gospel. The coming of the gospel to New
Church Missionary Society’s support for a mis-
Zealand has always been a bi-cultural affair.
sion to New Zealand. On the return voyage to
Christians in New Zealand, in one sense,
Sydney he met a young Ngāpuhi chief, Ruatara, who he’d met before. Ruatara was unwell and had been ill-treaten. Marsden took care of him, and for the next three years Ruatara learnt much from Marsden, the master farmer.
whakapapa back to the the historic events of 1814. With the incredible (and at times complex) links between the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Treaty of Waitangi, it can be argued that who are as a people also whakapapa
Ruatara invited Marsden to establish a mission
back to these significant events.
to New Zealand amongst his people. This
How can we use these events to celebrate the
offer flowed with excitement and trepidation – Ruatara had economic, social and spiritual reasons for extending it. In November 1814, Marsden and Ruatara and 34 passengers set sail for New Zealand. The passengers of the The Active came ashore
at Oihi Bay on Christmas Day. Ruatara made arrangements for arguably the first formal Protestant Christian service in New Zealand. Samuel Marsden preached from Luke 2:10, “Behold, I bring you good news of great joy.” Ruatara interpreted the events for his people. Much flowed from this. Allan Davidson writes, “The first permanent Pākehā settlement in this
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good news of Jesus? 1. In your church, use the New Zealand calendar in 2013 to celebrate what God has done in and through Christmas Day, Waitangi Day, local anniversary days, Labour Day and Anzac Day. 2. Invite Māori and Pākehā leaders to share about the gospel’s arrival in your region. Often the Anglican Church will have a good sense of who the appropriate leaders are. 3. Ask to visit the local marae as a home group, ministry team or church. Identify historical stories that embody aspects of the gospel and use them in worship and teaching.
4. The stone cross on the site of the Marsden’s first sermon will become a significant place of pilgrimage in the years ahead. Identify key sites of the gospel’s arrival in your region and consider prayerfully walking them, asking God to continue His gospel work. 5. Invite the local Bible college to run a “the history of the gospel in this region” course. Begin thinking now about how your church could celebrate 200 years of the gospel in New Zealand in 2014. It is both a significant event and a real opportunity. TSCF’s desire is to see this year as a catalyst to help young New Zealanders hear, see and experience the good news of Jesus. We want to be “ngā ara mo te Rongopai,” gateways for the gospel in our campuses and communities.
Photo of Marsden Cross by Ang Wickham
We will partner with the New Zealand Church Missionary Society (NZCMS) and Scripture Union to develop a unique Gospel of Luke. The introductions will connect the biblical story with the story of New Zealand. Woven through the biblical text, short panels will tell the story of the Gospel of Luke in New Zealand from printing through to its impact on Māori and on the underpinnings of New Zealand society.
A Bibliography * Re-evaluating Missionary Beginnings in Aotearoa New Zealand: Allan K. Davidson http://www.eidts.ac.nz/%5B102 Davidson, Allan. Christianity in Aotearoa: A history of Church and Society in New Zealand. Wellington: The New Zealand Education for Ministry Board 2004. Fitzgerald, Caroline.Te Wiremu – Henry Williams: Early Years in the North. New Zealand: Huia Press, 2011.
Our desire is for readers to get a sense of the societal impact the gospel has had, that it has been good news for our institutions, our society, and for us as people. Another strand in the gospel will be the faith stories of Kiwis. The NZCMS, under the direction of its Kenyan National Director, Steve Maina, hopes to bring African leaders, artists, student leaders and evangelists to partner with Māori, churches and student movements like TSCF in 2014. So please pray for TSCF, NZCMS and Scripture Union as we partner on these projects and others to see more people hear the incredible news of the gospel through 2014 and beyond. Mark Grace is a member of the Te Arawa tribe. He is leading the 2014 mission partnership projects with TSCF and CMS. Email markg@tscf.org.nz If you would like to know more about general initiatives around 2014. Christian Network New Zealand also has information on www.gospel2014.org.
Mark Grace National Catalyst Team Leader
King, Michael. Penguin History of New Zealand. New Zealand: Penguin, 2003. Newman, Keith. Bible and Treaty: Missionaries Among the Māori – A New Perspective. New Zealand: Penguin Books, 2010. O’Malley, Vincent. The Meeting Place: Māori and Pakeha Encounters 1642-1840. Auckland: Auckland University Press, 2012. Walker, Ranginui. Ka Whawhai Tonu Matou: Struggle Without End. New Zealand: Penguin, 2004. www.gospel2014.org
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Students and staff with speaker Tim Hodge, at the 2012 VCF retreat.
Dunedin reports back W e look back with thankfulness at how much the work here in Dunedin has grown, and in unexpected ways. Our team has grown from James and Jen Allaway and Dave Baab to include others who have volunteered their time and expertise leading Bible study training and book studies (Mike and Benedict), and volunteering time with the NewsWatch language students (Amanda, Jono, and Brett). We are so thankful for the larger team working together now.
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The number of student groups we work with has also increased. We began the academic year with the Overseas Christian Fellowship, newly restarted Varsity Christian Fellowship, and NewsWatch group. We’ve ended the year with the addition of a Nurses Christian Fellowship (begun second semester at Otago Polytechnic), and Christian fellowships of medics, dentists, and physios. We are so pleased that students in different faculties are catching a vision for mission to their fellow
students, and have invited us to support them.
students and volunteers. Conversations opened
With the exception of NewsWatch, each group has
opportunities to discuss who Jesus is. About
student leaders in place for the coming year. It was exciting to have 15 student leaders come together to think, pray, and plan for the year ahead!
seven students from this group are going through Christianity Explored or have completed it; one has committed her life to Christ and a couple others are
A few highlights from the year:
exploring.
VCF and OCF each had a retreat in the first se-
Red Frogs – VCF has wondered how to reach
mester, which allowed both groups to spend intentional time together studying the Bible and thinking about evangelism (VCF) and relationships (OCF). They had a combined second semester retreat where they engaged more with God’s mission and their participation in it, and returned keen to use their studies and future work for God’s purposes. Although weekly attendance at NewsWatch varied, this weekly meeting to watch news and practice English has enabled friendships to form among
students for Christ amid the heavy drinking culture here. Students decided to join with Red Frogs, a network of Christians who serve water and food at campus events. They care for students who get caught up in the drinking and talk to them about the good news of Jesus. Still a new endeavor, we all have enjoyed being able to love and serve fellow students in a practical way, and look forward to opportunities that may grow from this. James and Jen Allaway
James and Jen Allaway with OCF students at the end of semester meal, above, and some NewsWatch members with Jen, right.
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More temples than Christians M any people have asked me if Thailand, and the mission I visited, was what I expected. I don’t know if another country can ever be “what you expected,” let alone crosscultural mission.
Kevin and Jeh Sie Chan, originally from Singapore and Malaysia respectively, were part of Wellington ICF and sent from Wellington Elim International Church just over one year ago as missionaries with World Outreach International. This June and July, I had the opportunity to visit and be part of their mission, Global Connections Centre (GCC). Of course, every missionary situation is unique. But the model that Kevin and Jeh Sie have taken on is unlike more traditional missions. They call the approach “business as mission,” which means that the mission endeavour flows from a (hopefully)
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Worshippers at the statue of Princess Suranaree
financially self-supporting business, which finds its place in the local economy. The Isaan region in Northeast Thailand is primarily Buddhist; only 0.1% are Christian. I met a local Thai pastor there, Ajaan Soonan, who started at a carwash business when he moved to Korat. As customers came through, he told them about Jesus. The vibrant, inviting church I visited there is the result. A key supporter of the Chans, Ajaan knows from experience the value of a business as mission approach. Kevin and Jeh Sie have a background in corporate business and education. GCC offers English and Mandarin lessons, as well as great coffee! The vision is for the café to be a platform for Thai Christians and others to meet, and for centres like these to multiply around Isaan.
As with any mission, a number of challenges can crop up. The obvious one is that the business must succeed. When you’ve committed yourselves to it, moving your family overseas, that’s a scary thing! I was inspired by the Chans’ daily trust in God for this. Perhaps the most visual feature of Thailand that struck me was the number of altars – outside people’s homes, their shops, and the Buddhist temples, everywhere. As Ajaan remarked with humour, there are more temples in Thailand than Christians. We carried on the joke – more 7/11s (convenience stores) in Thailand than Christians, more sam-tam shops in Thailand than Christians (a favourite Thai soup). Grim humour perhaps, but reflective of the truth! The beautiful Ya Mo site, a common place of worship, has a statue of local hero Princess Suranaree, who saved Korat from the Laocian army in 1827. The freshers intake of engineering students were there when I visited, participating in their compulsory worship ritual to the statue. When two of our staff who were recently students told us about the pressure to participate in that ritual, I began to grasp that for native Thais, the persecution is a subtle one, where you can be made to feel like an outcast. What I saw of Thailand can be compared to this experience of Ya Mo, a truly beautiful land, yet full of the darkness of idol worship, human trafficking and prostitution. My last days in Thailand were in Pattaya, a hotspot for the sex trade. There I met a girl my age called Sunny. Through our broken English and Thai conversation, as we endeavoured to teach each other our native languages, Sunny showed me much of beautiful Pattaya, and of the world of walking streets (red light districts) she is now free of. Like so many in that city, she’d been working the bars before coming to the “Happy Home” for girls where we stayed. However undesirable the
position, Sunny had been lucky to find one in the bars, a better lot than those who must work for themselves on the beach. Through Happy Home, I met girls who were still in the bars but were finding friendships, the hope of the Cross and of another life outside of them – and those like Sunny, who had already found it. Back here in “safe” NZ, it’s surreal to think my world brushed so close to that one. And yet there are needs here, too. This morning my hairdresser shared her difficult family situation with me. In NZ there’s loneliness, an idol worship of our own and even poverty. God is the same God for the girl who’s been trafficked as for the girl whose home is falling apart, the same God for those in Thailand and those in New Zealand.
Mel Mylvaganam
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canvasreviews Pure: Sex and Relationships God’s Way by Linda Marshall
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hether you’re single or in a relationship, this book has something for you. The book starts with a biblical grounding, beginning where it all began in Genesis, explaining how God made us in his image and therefore made us to be pure beings. Linda Marshall takes us through what it means to be pure, how we can live lives that bring glory to God by striving to be pure in our thinking, relationships and in our singleness. Filled with funny little anecdotes, contemporary references and real life examples, Pure is an engaging read. It is so relevant for today’s youth and young adults. With only a handful of short chapters, Pure is an easy read and has some discussion questions at the end of each chapter. Ella Wing
Out of the Saltshaker by Rebecca Manley Pippert
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decade ago I read this book for the first time, towards the end of my first year at Uni. I had made a good number of friends, most of whom were Christians, and I was thoroughly involved in the Christian Union. It was this book, written in a funny, honest and completely readable style that changed my university world. Becky Manly Pippert uses stories and encounters from her own university experiences to make alive the possibilities and potential for evangelism as a way of life in the student context. The book is grounded in the model Jesus set out in living among us, being delightful and exasperating to those around Him. It deals with individual encounters with Jesus from Scripture then draws powerful parallels to what these types of encounters might look like in our lives on campus. What draws me back to this book more than many others is how incredibly practical it is in conveying opportunities of evangelism all around us. Becky talks with a joy about sharing Jesus in all that she is and does, is honest about when it’s difficult, and does not fail to inspire me to follow after the delightful, exasperating Jesus every time I read it. For those in the midst of life as a student, this is a must read! Gillian Wildgoose
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an UNDIVIDED life “How I am to be a leader, guiding people to Christ, if in my own life I am not totally doing what I preach?”
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or most of this first year at University, I have been living a good Christian life, I guess you could say. But I have not been living an undivided life that is totally committed to Christ. In the middle of second semester I was elected the president of MUCF, which gave me a real shock as to my inadequacy. How I am to be a leader, guiding people to Christ, if in my own life I am not totally doing what I preach?
Charles talks about how SLC has impacted him on the final day of the conference in November.
At the SLC conference I was really challenged about entrusting Christ with 100% of my life, every area – work, study, home life, church. Everything has Christ at the center.
life has been the most difficult – being bold about my faith and not worrying what others, particularly classmates, will think of me. But in Christ, we are complete. Even though personally I am inadequate, in Christ I have everything I need. And in Christ we also find our true identity, so it doesn’t matter how others see us, it only matters how Christ sees us – sinners saved by grace.
Having Christ at the center of my study and uni
Charles Allen
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canvasnews Dunedin Benedict Kok has joined the Dunedin regional staff team as associate staff worker. He was involved in the graduates’ fellowship that is part of the Malaysian IFES movement, and arrived in NZ mid-2012. Benedict Benedict has a passion to see Christian students and graduates comes together from different churches. He will be working with Dunedin students as they enter their final years of study and with the Overseas Christian Fellowship. Mike Summerfield will join the team as part-time regional staff worker in February 2013. Mike is married to Michelle and they have three children, Gabbi, Keziah, and Elise. Mike and Michelle (former VCF Mike president) completed their undergrad studies at Otago and then moved overseas, where Mike pursued post-graduate study in health sciences. In 2010 they returned to New Zealand so
and will work with the Christian Union next year. Please pray for them as they adjust to the transition and that they will raise full financial support. Paul Denmead is a graduate of the University of Canterbury and was President of Christian Union a few years ago while he studied Civil Engineering. Paul has been involved rebuilding Christchurch one building Paul at a time through his engineering job the past three years. He has loved discipling blokes and sharing the gospel in a residential hall with CU. Paul is keen to explore the option of long-term Christian ministry and is joining us for a couple of years to work with CU and test the ‘structural viability’ of this project.
National
Maryanne Wardlaw joined TSCF in October as Communications Manager. She studied journalism in California, where she worked as a reporter. She then worked for a that Mike could retrain and enter full-time Christian Maryanne Christian nonprofit in the UK before ministry. Mike’s background will help him work returning to her childhood digs in with the growing number of health science-related Auckland. She worked for the Baptist Churches Christian groups (see regional update p. 14) that of NZ there for six years. Meantime she became are part of TSCF in Dunedin. friends with several TSCF staff and university students, and was impressed with the impact that their Canterbury ‘undivided lives’ lived for Christ, in the context of Geoff and Liz Robson are joining the university, were having. Maryanne has TSCF team in January 2013. They also just begun postgraduhave three kids, Johanna, Will ate studies in Public and Tom. Geoff was Assistant Policy at Auckland Minister at St Stephen’s University. Pray that Anglican Shirley for in her studies and in the last three years, an her new role God will area badly affected by illuminate ways for the earthquakes. Both both head and heart Geoff and Liz studied to communicate His Geoff and Liz Robson with Will, Tom and Johanna communication at Uni love for the lost. 20 | canvas summer 2012