April 2010

VOX FAITH LIFE REALITY

Helping Haiti

Issue 6 April - June 2010

Now just

â‚Ź2!

An Irish response to disaster

Faith in the Fast Lane Exploring Creativity

Making the most of God-given ideas www.voxmagazine.ie

with the Christian Motorcyclists Association

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 1

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Deadline July 16th

editorial I'm still wearing

Don't miss a thing.

In his early 80s, my grandfather had a twinkle in his eyes despite the painful shortness of breath, which left pauses between each gasped word.

Here was someone who had loved and followed Jesus from the age of 13, but he knew he had not yet ‘arrived’.

My grandfather thrived on new ideas. He embraced change and challenged himself, and those around him, to look for the ‘new things’ God was doing in the world.

“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.”

- Epicetus

He had a childlike curiosity and a sense of wonder as he approached the world. This simplicity kept him learning and growing until the day he died.

All too easily we become trapped in old thinking patterns. We resist new ideas because they make us feel uncomfortable or threatened, or simply because we think we know better.

When we refuse to consider anything different, we limit our potential to move forward.

An American proverb says, “It doesn't work to leap a twenty-foot chasm in two ten-foot jumps.” – think about it!

Jesus put it this way, “…no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins!” Mark 2:22 (NLT) In this edition of VOX, we are exploring ‘Creativity’ (see page 14); not simply artistic expression but the God-given creative impulses that enable us to engage with our world and to be agents of change.

Creativity helps us leap out of the box, grapple with different perspectives and ask challenging questions.

It is fascinating to see how an architect, a clothing company, a Christian discipleship programme and a motorcycle enthusiast have all found ways to live out faith, life and reality here in Ireland.

We hope you will be inspired and challenged as you read their stories… and maybe start your own?

Let’s keep wearing L-plates!

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Phone: Email: VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 3

VOX MAGAZINE

contents

FAITH LIFE REALITY

April - June 2010, Issue 6 ISSN: 2009-2253 Publisher Solas Publishing Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams editor@voxmagazine.ie Advertising Sheila Lindsay advertising@voxmagazine.ie Layout and Operations Jonny Lindsay Directors Tom Slattery (Evangeical Alliance Ireland) Mike Mullins (OM Ireland) Dr. Abimbola Afolabi (Oasis of Love) Subscriptions Ireland (32 counties): €10 for four issues / €16 for eight issues Overseas: €15 for four issues / €24 for eight issues All cheques should be made payable to Solas Publishing.

Solas Publishing Ulysses House 22 - 24 Foley Street Dublin 1 Tel: 01 443 4789 info@voxmagazine.ie www.voxmagazine.ie Disclaimer The views expressed in letters and articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of Solas Publishing. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement.

Print Beulah Print, Drogheda VOX magazine is a quarterly publication, brought to you by Solas Publishing, a joint project of Evangelical Alliance Ireland, OM Ireland and Oasis of Love.

Cover Photo: Joseph von Meding

Jan --Mar 4 | VOX | Apr Jun 2010

08 14 16 12 18 19 24 27 11 20 28 06 07 08 09 11

COVER STORIES Helping Haiti – an Irish response to disaster Exploring Creativity – making the most of God-given ideas Faith in the Fast Lane – with the Christian Motorcyclists Association FEATURES AND INTERVIEWS Clothing with a Cause – exploring a company that links fashion with kindness!

I thought of my own Daughters – a closer look at the work of the Nepal Leprosy Trust Know Heaven Now – an extract from new book “Liberate Eden” The Alternative Apprentice – from the boardroom to the church?

Help your Home VOX VIEWS “Have you heard the one about…” - another Dad story Lessons from the Twilight Saga Stay Focused – how do we respond to challenging times?

REGULAR FEATURES VOX: Shorts It’s all Greek to me VOX: World News Your VOX: Letters

22 26 29 30

VOX: Reviews VOX: Gaelige Classifieds and Event Listings VOX: P.S.

Web Watch

Some of the advertisements in this issue were sponsored by a generous donor. Why not sponsor an ad for your favourite charity? Call Sheila on 01 443 4789 or advertising@voxmagazine.ie

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 5

ation...

VOX:SHORTS

You can also phone us on (01) 294 0222, E-mail info@samaritanspurse.ie, Or visit our Website www.samaritanspurse.ie

Samaritan’s Purse is an international interdenominational Christian relief and development organisation. Best known for Operation Christmas Child – the world’s largest children’s Christmas project, Samaritan’s Purse here in Ireland is also involved in ongoing relief and development work in some twenty five countries, mainly in Eastern Europe, former Soviet Union, Central and Southern Africa.

Through our teams and partner agencies we support projects that are medical, educational, feeding, HIV/AIDS, anti-trafficking , water & sanitation, environment, income generation, or care of orphans or widows – not to mention relief work when disaster hits.

am SP...

And it’s all with the purpose of meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease, and natural disaster while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

tion on your chosen team(s), please indicate below.

All the details are available on our website: www.samaritanspurse.ie The closing date is 31st March 2010. But apply

Hillsong United comes toWhy Belfast not get a copy of our all-the-year-round gift catalogue ‘Make a Difference’, with meaningful gifts that benefit familiesschedule, in need, in manyAustralian parts of the world.worship During the year Making a last-minute detour from their European band further information from our website. we also send lorries full of badly needed clothing or medical equipment to Hillsong United will play live in Belfast on Wednesday, 26 May (7pm).

Eastern Europe or Africa.

The night of worship, also featuring Hillsong Pastor Brian Houston and popular Belfast her Projects... band Bluetree, will be held at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Belfast.

Tickets (priced €25) are selling fast (book early to avoid disappointment -http:// projects, please indicate below. purse evening ireland www.samaritanspurse.ie hillsongbelfast.eventbrite.com). All proceeds samaritan’s from the will go to the charity logue 5 Leopardstown Business Centre, (01) 294 0222 “Stand Out International” dedicated to rescuing children at risk from sexual slavery and ational relief and development work Ballyogan Avenue, (01) 294 0311 trafficking around the world. s Child mailing list.

Dublin 18, Republic of Ireland early as some events may fill up before this date.

You can also download Application forms and

Summer teams bring joy From Belarus to Burundi, Samaritan’s Purse is offering opportunities for volunteers to bring practical help and smiles of joy to hundreds of children this summer. ‘Team SP’ is running six different children’s camps in Eastern Europe and Africa during July and August. To find out more, check out the Samaritan’s Purse Ireland website (www.samaritanspurse.ie) or call 01 2940222

our ongoing work (Donate by Laser or credit card on our website)

GOOD MARRIAGES ARE GOOD FOR IRELAND Speaking at the launch of National Marriage Week in February, President Mary McAleese thanked the individuals and organisations dedicated to supporting and helping married couples in Ireland.

“Everything you do is so needed, so necessary,” President McAleese said.

“When marital relationships work well, spouses are happier, children are happier and the benefits extend far beyond the home into the community.

“We have a collective vested interest in ensuring that relationships within households are healthy. We all pay a huge price for the damaged and dysfunctional men, women and children who emerge from the wreckage of bad marriages and bad relationships.

“You present to us the remarkable capacity of love to grow again when you think the seed has died. Your work teaches us not to give up on it.

“Concepts like counselling and mediation, which many of you pioneered, have become essential tools in the problem-solving kit that is available to those whose relationships are experiencing difficulties.

“National Marriage Week is an ideal time to highlight the huge and growing range of supports available to couples and to let them know that they do not have to face their problems alone.”

To find out more about National Marriage Week or for links to a wide range of organisations providing marriage preparation, marriage enrichment and support for marriages in difficulty, visit www.nationalmarriageweek.ie.

Bluetree nominated for Dove Award After taking America by storm and becoming the biggest selling debut act in the US last year, Belfast band Bluetree was nominated as “Best New Artist” in the GMA Dove Awards 2010 (American Christian music awards).

Bluetree's debut album, God of this City, topped the US Christian charts for four weeks last year – a remarkable achievement for a band that had never even set foot in America!

That led to a six-month tour of the States and Europe, and the first funds released in the Far East to projects supported by the band's own charity, 'Stand Out International'.

6 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

22/12/09 11

MAD 2010 is Ireland’s live Christian music festival…

Sunday 20 June 2010, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow Check out the rock band YFRIDAY from the UK, high-octane rap ‘n’ roll with LZ7 and the powerful sounds of Dublin Gospel Choir. Rock chick Shell Perris returns to the Irish stage while Rend Collective Experiment are the newest addition to the MAD line-up. Enjoy the Worship Central Band along with straight talk, testimony and much more.

The MAD venue boasts a Big Top, MAD Café tent, covered safe children’s area, free parking and plenty of space for picnics, chat and chill out. Great value tickets cost €25 - ONLY €20 if you buy before 28 May. Buy 6 tickets – get one free. Children under 12 free with paying adult. For tickets or more information - www.mad2010.com “In the Beginning was the Gospel” New Testament scholar and author Scot McKnight will be the guest speaker at the Irish Bible Institute’s 2010 Summer Institute on 11-12 June. Exploring the theme of the Gospel throughout scripture, Scott will invite discussion on how this applies in the Irish context.

If you are involved in church leadership, why not bring a team with you? Early booking is highly recommended and a discount applies.

For details contact Stephanie@ibi.ie.

Check out Scot’s blog (http://blog. beliefnet.com/jesuscreed) - a rich resource of gracious discussion on a whole host of contemporary issues.

Are we neglecting the resurrection?

The church in the 21st century is neglecting to preach about the resurrection, according to a new book by popular Christian blogger Adrian Warnock.

“Jesus’ resurrection is often only mentioned at Easter time. But if we take someone to the cross and leave them there, we have only done half the job,” says first-time author Warnock, whose book, Raised with Christ, has just been published in the UK and USA. “Without the resurrection, the cross is just a meaningless tragedy. If we don’t declare that Jesus rose again, we have not shared the Biblical gospel at all.”

Adrian Warnock’s publishing contract came as a direct result of his popular Christian blog. Find out more at www.adrianwarnock.com.

Essay Competition The Irish Bible Institute is pleased to announce a sponsored prize of €250 for an essay on either of these titles: 'Evangelicals and Mission in 19th Century Ireland' or ‘Evangelicals and the Famine'.

Length: 5000 words. Deadline: 1 September 2010 Interested? For further details contact Patrick Mitchel at patrick@ ibi.ie

It’s all ελληνικά to me :: Lessons from a Greek Teacher THE PROMISE OF MORE TO COME! You can sympathise with the young oriental believer who said he could understand ‘Honourable Father and Honourable Son’ but not ‘Honourable Dove’. It is difficult to describe the person of the Holy Spirit and no single word picture is sufficient.

However Paul uses one picture that captures the future dimension of the Spirit very well. Three times (2 Corinthians 1:22; 5:5 and Ephesians 1:14) he speaks of the Spirit as . . . and you can choose from a multitude of English translations . . . an instalment, a pledge, a guarantee, a deposit, a foretaste.

He was using a Greek word (arrabon). It is the word for an instalment paid in advance as a guarantee that the total sum will come in due course. It is an idea, used in commerce then, as it is with us now.

This is an analogy and we should not push every aspect of the illustration - for example there is no question of money or payment for the Spirit - but it does paint a lovely picture of the Holy Spirit in the believer being the foretaste of heaven.

Those of a romantic nature will appreciate that the same word is used in Greece today for an engagement ring! No more need be said.

Warren Nelson, originally from Drogheda, Co. Louth, taught at the Irish Bible School in Co. Tipperary. He now enjoys active retirement and DIY near Tullamore.

VOX VOX| Apr | Apr- -Jun Jun2010 2010| 7| 7

VOX:WORLD NEWS

Haiti The world media has moved on but the real work is only beginning as Irish aid agencies help the survivors of January’s devastating earthquake in Haiti. In this edition, VOX magazine brings you reports from three agencies that are still helping Haiti with money donated by generous Irish supporters.

SAMARITAN’S PURSE, IRELAND Stephen Conway reports: Immediately after the earthquake struck there were hundreds of thousands of people dead or homeless on the streets. Samaritan’s Purse instantly mobilised an Emergency Response team of 13 people trained in disaster assessment. Within days we had 83 people working in Haiti on life-saving projects and 80 are still there.

Samaritan’s Purse has been “Despite our working with local Christian 30 years of partners in the Haiti Baptist Mission Hospital. The list of involvement supplies we’ve sent includes 10 in global plane and two ship loads as well as disaster relief, medical equipment sent directly from Ireland by plane. Working our team in alongside the UN, we distributed Haiti is saying 1,474 tons of emergency food.

Dealing with the medical this is the emergencies was one thing, but now we have to look at all the issues that worst they a disaster throws at you. ‘The rains have ever are coming’ is a startling reminder that the suffering is far from over. seen.”

Diseases like malaria, dengue fever and others are a reality that we must face. Makeshift shelters and sleeping under a tree will no longer keep people alive.

The troops are being pulled out, the world media is moving on, but Samaritan’s Purse is committed to setting up water stations, building toilets, teaching health and hygiene practices and rebuilding homes shoulder to shoulder with the Haitian people.

TEARFUND IRELAND Generous Irish supporters of Tearfund have raised more than €100,000 for Haiti earthquake survivors. Some people have held fundraising concerts, others have gone on a sponsored fast and many people have helped raise awareness 8 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

through their churches and schools.

Thanks to these gifts, thousands of families who had not received any aid in Haiti’s earthquake-shattered capital are now receiving help from Tearfund staff and partners.

Coping with trauma Getting a handle on the psychological pain caused by the disaster is not so easy, but increasingly it is becoming evident. Virtually all survivors can testify to knowing a family member, friend or neighbour who died in the 12 January quake and are carrying the pain of their loss. Add to that turbulent mix the awful hardship in the aftermath of the tremors – no food, water, shelter or medical help, plus lawlessness – and you have the conditions for lasting mental scarring.

One local pastor who has been supported by Tearfund in Haiti summed it up: “Life is very difficult for us nowadays.

It is really hard to talk and think about the night of 12 January, 2010. Since then, we sleep and live right in the street, without a tent. In spite of all, we can claim God is good all the time.”

“We

Long term development want to “We want to build back better,” says Reuben Coulter, Chief Executive of build Tearfund Ireland. “There is a real danger if reconstruction is rushed that it will be done back badly. If we plan well now and help support better” our Haitian partners to get back on their feet then we will see sustainable transformation.”

Tearfund is drawing up plans to rebuild livelihoods and homes in coordination with the United Nations, a process that will be measured in years rather than months.

OM IRELAND OM emergency response teams focused immediate efforts on providing food, water and medical attention to a network of five orphanages in the southern areas of Port-au-Prince, two of which were totally destroyed in the earthquake.

Structural engineers are on site to assess the remaining buildings while a psychologist is helping staff and children come to terms with the effects of the tragedy.

Aid workers report, “The women who went to one orphanage spent time with the children and tried to help alleviate their fear of going back inside their building, which has been inspected by an engineer and deemed safe. One of the women “I’ll never stayed overnight, sleeping in the forget the building to convince the children that it’s safe to sleep inside.” cheers that One nurse worked with a erupted as Christian medical clinic operating in the area. They are seeing we drove approximately 500 to 600 people per into the day.

orphanage gates”

Want to donate?

Choose an organisation and give towards the rebuilding effort in Haiti today.

Unforgettable “I’ll never forget the cheers that erupted as we drove into the orphanage gates,” says one of the team members, speaking of arriving with food from the warehouse.

Everywhere there are the stories and stunned faces of people still in shock - not yet grieving, only staring at the rubble. OM aid workers met one family who lost 15 members in the collapse of their home. Four bodies were recovered and placed in one coffin, but the other 11 were still in the ruins.

The family asked one worker to take a photo of the surviving members. The heartbreaking sadness was knowing that hundreds of thousands of people had similar stories.

You can donate online at www. samaritanspurse.ie or telephone 01 294 0222. Cheques can be sent to Samaritan's Purse Ireland, 5 Leopardstown Business Centre, Ballyogan Avenue, Dublin 18

Football marathon helps re-build Haiti In Roscommon, a local community fund-raiser organized a 24-hour soccer marathon to support OM’s efforts in Haiti.

Dedicated football players dribbled and kicked throughout the night to raise over €2,000.

Gifts can be sent to OM Ireland, Lacken House, Rahara, Co Roscommon or visit the OM Ireland website www.ie.om.org

Donate by credit card online at www.tearfund.ie or by phoning Christine on – 01 497 5285 or post a cheque to: Tearfund Ireland, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley Street, Dublin

(Images: Samaritan's Purse, Tearfund, OM)

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 9

YOUR VOX letters to the editor All who believe are priests Fergus Ryan addressed a really crucial issue when he wrote about the priesthood of all believers (“The Abolition of the Laity” VOX Oct-Dec 2009).

Thank God for 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

All who believe in Jesus Christ are priests! Wow! And what astonishing implications this has for us. God has made every single Christian a priest. He has done so that we may declare the praises of God, who has shown us mercy and rescued us through His Son. We should memorize Peter’s words, constantly repeat them and think about their meaning. It would also be worth reading Gordon Cheng's article, “Let’s abolish lay ministry,” in The Briefing http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/briefing/library/4480.

Michael Swart, Dublin P.S. The Briefing has been Australia’s leading evangelical publication for over 20 years.

The truth sets us free The article (“Homosexuality and the Church”, VOX Jan – March, 2010) on the struggles of homosexuals who become Christians states that the church "does not have answers" to give them. This is simply not true.

There are a number of former homosexuals, now married with children, who head up ministries offering hope and help to people struggling with this issue. They have found new lives and are not lacking in answers or sensitivity.

When we become Christians we receive a new nature. Christ comes to live in us. We are no longer merely addicts, alcoholics,

adulterers, blasphemers, homosexuals, liars, gamblers, Catholics or Protestants. Instead we are saints who are in the process of discovering how to live an overcoming life.

The epistles begin by telling the believer who they have become in Christ and then go on to give instructions on how to live in a manner that is consistent with this new life. The pattern is clear - we have to believe the truth about ourselves if we want to be effective in living it out as new creations and a holy people.

It’s the truth that sets us free.

Seamus O’Callaghan, Carlow The Olympic Gold Sin? Recently, I read about Archibald McIndoe, who made his name as a pioneer plastic surgeon treating badly disfigured men who had been burnt in air combat during World War ll.

Part of the 'treatment' extended outside the operating theatre. McIndoe made great effort to encourage his patients to socialise around the shops, cafes and bars close to his hospital.

He encouraged the community to be receptive and kind.

It was interesting to read the article in VOX (Jan-Mar 2010) about pastoral care of Christians experiencing unwanted samesex feelings. I wonder if an appropriately functioning church needs to do almost the reverse of what McIndoe tried to do?

Should our emphasis perhaps be on creating a safe community space for dialogue where no one feels threatened or manipulated and a range of lifestyle choices are openly discussed? Perhaps we need to apologise to members of the gay community for the defamatory and hurtful remarks that have come from some evangelical Christians in the past?

Same-sex attraction becomes an 'Olympic gold sin' when churches are consumed by legalism, when 'conformity' rules over 'conversion', and when humans grasp the scalpel that only the Holy Spirit can wield effectively on the human heart.

Perhaps our difficulty engaging with people in same-sex relationships is the tip of a much bigger iceberg. Mainstream denominations in Ireland are losing members. Acknowledging our 'water through a sieve' performance might be a good starting point.

J. Hardy, Belfast

VOX magazine welcomes “Letters to the Editor” (ideal length 150200 words) in response to articles and features or relevant issues facing Ireland in the 21st Century. Send your contribution to Your VOX, editor@voxmagazine.ie or mail to The Editor, VOX magazine, Solas Publishing, Ulysses House, 22-24 Foley St, Dublin 1

10 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

(Image: Amanda Burke)

My top five...

Web Highlights from VOX readers

B

By popular demand… another Dad story!

I’ve been asked to write about my Dad again. It takes a woman of great humility to accept that a mad old man is more interesting than she is! But you gotta give the people what they want. And if you really want him…??!!

Anyway… My dad loves to tell stories and they all end with the words, “that’s a true story you know!”, but sometimes I’m not so sure. He has a standard set of stories that are told on a regular basis; how his parents met, how he met my mam, the chocolate factory he used to work in and the history of Tallaght -- and I’m talking right back to the arrival of the Parthalonians not long after the Flood! But there are one or two tales of the ‘tall’ variety that I’m never sure about.

Having said that, my favourite story (whether it’s true or not) is the story of the two brothers who lived together. They lived a fair journey outside of the village and weren’t seen that often. Then news came that one of them had died. Dad says that when people arrived at the house they were both found lying on wooden beds. They had been in bed for so long that their hair had grown down through the slats of the bedframe. Some women arrived to prepare the body. They stripped and carefully washed the old man when suddenly… he coughed! It turns out they were washing the wrong brother!

That story makes me laugh every time I hear it. And I really hope it’s true. Dad says it is anyway…

The story of God is thought by many to be a tall tale.

I love to watch the satirical comedy quiz shows. God is mentioned quite regularly but most often as a mythical figure who some silly people believe in. But I love the fact that the story of God is true. From the beginning of beginnings right through to the end of everything, including tears!

Have you heard that one about my Heavenly Father?

It’s a true story you know…

Annmarie Miles comes from Tallaght in Dublin and is married to Richard, from Wales. She works for Focus on the Family and loves to cook, sing, read, talk and eat!

(Illustration: Olly Blake)

www.artistsoulfriend.com Well, it's easy for me to say this is one of my favourite sites at the moment because I'm investing a lot of time in it. It represents a long-term dream coming to fruition.

'Soul Friend' is the ministry of spiritual direction to creatives that I'm setting up. www.twitter.com I LOVE Twitter! This has been a place I find myself regularly, not in an attempt to garnish as many 'followers' as possible, but to really connect with people. Many of the conversations / connections I've made there are with people I never knew before Twitter existed.

There have been some practical outcomes from it, including a friend receiving a free mobile phone while traveling on the continent! www.dreamtoday.org Dreamers of the Day began as a dream in my heart before the turn of the millennium to invite people into a network which explores the inter-relationship of the arts, faith and culture. The purpose for the network is to create space for individuals to find inspiration, encouragement and challenge as they 'live into' the person God dreams they can become as they make their mark on society. www.risenmagazine.com When I read my first copy of this brilliant magazine in early 2008 I was seriously giddy. I know that's an emotion usually reserved for school girls but I couldn't contain it. The reason? What I held in my hand was a magazine devoted to revealing Christ and Christ at work in the lives of people who may not be seen in church in a seriously tasteful manner. Risen's self-professed moniker says it all, "The Spiritual Edge of Pop Culture." I also write for their online Blog section regularly. www.prministries.com PR (pursuing relationship) Ministries is a genuine pioneer effort.

Long-time friends Michael and Celeste Guido have been walking alongside artists nearly three decades, encouraging them to entrust themselves to Jesus as they hone their craft on stage. The Guidos' line is, "Artists need love, love, love" and this they have truly given them. My family and I are relocating to support the Guidos in this allimportant work this summer.

Shane Tucker served five years as a local youth pastor with the Presbyterian Church in N. Ireland and more recently served six years coordinating youth ministry for the Church of Ireland across the Republic of Ireland. Shane & his family of four are relocating to Nashville, TN this summer to partner with a ministry that pastors creatives.

VOX 2010 | 11 VOX| |Apr Oct- -Jun Dec 2009 | 11

clothing with a

CAUSE

BY ROBERTA VON MEDING

THE Ark STORY: A PURPOSE OTHER THAN PROFIT

° Dedicated to making the world a better place Acts of Random Kindness Ltd (Ark°) was launched in December 2008. Their philosophy is based on one simple concept: Every time you wear their clothing, you perform one Act of Random Kindness - from buying a coffee for a stranger to giving up your seat on the way home.

As a teenager, founder of Ark° Cameron Stewart took up his friend's challenge to perform daily 'Acts of Random Kindness'. He started by simply buying the person behind him an ice-cream in a queue. Then it turned into paying for random petrol pumps and taking homeless people out to lunch.

After finishing his A-levels, Cameron went on a trip to China to visit and inspect an ethical factory, after which he bought 600 polo shirts.

The concept became very popular and the business escalated.

Soon, Cameron was being profiled in major newspapers and media around the world. In just one year, people in over twenty countries globally have embraced his idea and are now performing Acts of Random Kindness every time they wear the shirt.

Ark° projects can be organised by anyone - on the new website there will be space for volunteers to upload and share their experiences, inspiring further projects all over the world. Already, volunteers have carried out projects in the Philippines, Zambia, Australia and the United States, with more coming in each and every week.

ARKING Ark° gives people the chance to actually be the change they want to see in the world, by helping others. The new ethical range consists of top-quality, 100% cotton, long- and short-sleeved tees. On the front of the shirts is Cameron's opening line "So I have this idea", while on the back shoulder, the inspirational story of Ark° is written so people can see what you're wearing and the kind of person you are.

Ark° claims to be the first clothing line in the world to link positive social action with fashion. Nowadays, people are on the lookout for ways they can make a simple difference and with Ark° they can do it in style.

Ark° is unique because it not only allows people to make the world a better place through their own individual actions but also through their original purchase. Since the recession, people are looking more than ever for ways they can make a positive difference in society.

When someone buys an Ark° shirt, they are buying into the concept of individual action to bring about collective change.

The company is committed to leading the movement through the organisation of big Ark projects across Ireland in the coming months and inspiring their volunteers the world over to do the same.

The shirt itself acts as a powerful reminder, giving the wearer a unique awareness for the world around them and the power they have to make someone's day: "When you're wearing Ark°, you're on the lookout. What can I do? Who could I help? It's not like wearing any old t-shirt. There's this tingle of anticipation when you throw it on in the morning, not knowing where it will lead you" - Cameron Stewart, Founder Instead of keeping their profits, Ark° invests them in their movement with a mission to transform values in society. From the outset, Cameron has held the one and only share in the company and has legally committed to never taking a dividend.

Where does the money go? Straight back into the company to spread and inspire their message of 'Arking'.

12 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

MEET CAMERON STEWART At 18, I decided to take a chance on an idea that could illuminate what life is about. I started a clothing brand that could encourage people to make the world a better place. My idea: every time you wear the T-shirt you perform one Act of Random Kindness, an Ark°. Buy a stranger a coffee, give up your seat on the bus, help a drunk home. Just make someone’s day.

I initially thought about how it presented an opportunity to gain financial freedom, even become a millionaire. Then I realised that Ark° points to the world’s best-kept secret: that you make a living by what you get, but a life by what you give.

With that, I emptied the Acts of Random Kindness Ltd business bank account, and what represented my life savings, and used it to buy gifts for the homeless in Belfast. At the time, I was written off as a naive idealist with everyone saying that I was better off going to university and getting a proper job.

One year on, Ark° has taken off, with people in 23 countries proudly wearing the brand and performing Acts of Random Kindness. We’ve also organised Ark° projects all over the world, from helping a family bring home their turf in Connemara to repainting an orphanage in Zambia.

Recently an Ark° volunteer in Nigeria called a meeting in his village with one simple question, “How can we help each other more?” He is 16 years old.

While this recession has stripped people of hope, it has also brought forward a national self-awareness of what works and what doesn’t. There is an awareness that living for yourself may get you places, but those places aren’t all that they claimed to be. In some cases, they don’t even exist.

The conversations I have in taxis and queues and lifts all evoke the same sentiment: “Those times were good, but they weren’t filled with goodness”.

There is a new-found value in the parts of life that taxation cannot touch, authentic wealth that is found in loving families, lasting friendships and meaningful pursuits.

I read a story of a young man who left Ireland for Australia because there was ‘no hope’ on these shores. Apart from some extra sun and job prospects, what conditions that contribute to sustainable human happiness are there but not here? It’s my fear he may find himself in a different place, but have arrived nowhere new.

We are more a movement than a company so we don’t believe in vacuous mottos that define our brand. However, I can’t help but come back to three words that define what we’re trying to get people to do: change your world.

The recession may dominate our headlines, but it does not have to dominate our daily lives. Unless we are high-flying builders or Department of Finance officials, Nama does not hold a special place in every waking hour. Our daily lives are a choice. We can choose to hang our heads or we can choose to fill our day with moments that all the money in the boom couldn’t buy.

Our jobs may not be safe, but their existence never defined our sense of self in the first place - what does is what we can do.

Try buying a chocolate bar for a complete stranger. Try surprising your family with their favourite meal. Try living to give and experiencing the true meaning of wealth.

It’s all about Changing your World. For me that starts with an Ark°.

“

you make a living by what you get, but a life by what you give.

“

The recession may dominate our headlines, but it does not have to dominate our daily lives.

For more information on Ark°, go to www.arkhq.com. Take part in their weekly Friday challenge: www.facebook.com/arkhq Roberta von Meding graduated in 2007 from IADT and now works as an Advertising Executive for a trade publication. She lives in Greystones with her husband Joey.

Congratulations to Roberta and Joey on the birth of their daughter Juliet!

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 13

EXPLORING

Creativity

P

Plato once said that necessity is the mother of invention. He was wrong.

Many things have been invented that, at the time, did not meet any recognisable needs.

Lasers were invented between 1958 and 1960 when nobody could see any practical use for them. Today we have supermarket checkout scanners, laser printers, CD and DVD players, laser eye surgery and a host of other uses which the inventors did not foresee. Necessity did not beget the laser.

If the truth is to be told, necessity is the mother of creativity, something conceived within us as we diligently apply ourselves to meeting the practical needs of those around us. This is something very different from the popular notion that creativity is about being artistic and dramatic.

A Google search for “creative works of art” gives over 46 million hits. Don’t be misled into thinking it is not for the un-artistic – creativity is for everyone,

creative, finding ways to improve things for people we care about, bridging the gap between the secular and the spiritual and exercising His rule in all spheres of life.

For us to be effective, we need some clear thinking about what it is that makes us creative. It is usually not the first idea that comes into our heads. It is not simply about hoping we will have some poetic flow of thought that will, all of a sudden, lead on to incredible breakthroughs.

It takes some preparation, nurturing and discipline in our hearts and minds to bring us to the place where useful discoveries can be made.

In an article for Harvard Business Review entitled “How to Kill Creativity”, Teresa Amabile describes creativity as being a combination of: 1) Expertise, 2) Creative Problem Solving Skills and 3) Motivation.

Expertise is something we develop over a long period of time and consists of our technical, procedural and intellectual knowledge. The Bible encourages us

IF THE TRUTH IS TO BE TOLD, NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF CREATIVITY accountants included.

As Christians we believe that we have been made in the image of the Creator (Gen 1:27). This very image carries with it the implication that we are made to be 14 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

to develop our skills and add to our knowledge (Proverbs 10:14, 13:16, 18:15, 22:29, 24:3-4). Armed with knowledge, we have a greater intellectual area in which to search for solutions to the

problems we see.

Much has been written about problem solving, most of it showing that it is a skill that can be learned over a short period of time and put into practice using a few logical steps. In Genesis 1:2-5 we see God at work: first of all surveying and brooding over a problem, then deciding what to put in place, verifying the quality of the results and giving a name to His new solution.

Perhaps the motivation that leads to real creativity is something God puts into our hearts. Days come when we are presented with opportunities to make a difference and to be a blessing. The fire is lit within us as we look out not only for our own interests but also for the interests of others (Phil 2:4).

We decide that we can make a difference but also that we will persevere until we see the results. Peter gives us some appropriate advice when he tells us we need to add qualities such as knowledge, self-control, perseverance and brotherly kindness to our faith (2 Pet 1:5-7). It is in this context that real creativity is born.

If you have access to the internet, why not search on YouTube.com for the video "Michael Pritchard makes filthy water drinkable", a 2009 invention motivated by a desire to help people affected by natural disasters such tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes.

Also look for the video "Cork's BIO MASS Stove wins the 2010 BT Young Scientist", showing 18-year-old Richard

(Illustration: Olly Blake)

O’Shea winning the overall prize.

What is abundantly clear is the desire to help the poor. It is hard not to admire the inner passion and the commitment that oozes from these two as they are motivated to use their expertise to solve problems.

What also emerges when we look at creativity is the role that encouragement plays in nurturing it along. Creativity begins with having an idea that is appropriate, useful and actionable. Often this idea will need to be shaped and harnessed through a series of refinements into a workable solution.

In this process we are strongly encouraged to make plans by seeking help and advice. Solomon puts it like this: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work –If one falls down his friend can help him up. But

3rd Annual

pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up” (Ecc 4:9-10) Often the advice we need is in the form of creativity; discovering how to bring the idea to fruition, how to count to cost to see if we have the right resources, how to check if we have ‘pearls’ worth investing our time and energy in and understanding how to make the most of our God-given ideas and ability.

Let’s expect to get it: asking, seeking and knocking on doors until we find it.

Seamus O’Callaghan is pastor of Carlow Christian Community and works part-time with small to medium size companies on product and process innovation.

In his spare time, he contributes to Plumbline Ministries, Evangelical Alliance Ireland and Freedom in Christ.

With international speakers:

Word of Life Bible Conference 16 – 18 April 2010 th

th

Lucan Spa Hotel, Lucan, Co Dublin

Les Wheeldon

Prem Kodali

Free of Charge For more info contact Larry Hill, Cill Dara Church, Straffan

Tel: 086 251 7594 l Email: info@wordoflife.ie Or see

www.wordoflife.ie

VOX:INTERVIEW

faith in the fast lane Bikes and Bibles may seem an unlikely combination, but for Christian Motorcyclists Association (Ireland) Secretary Nigel Stephens, his passion for speed and his love for Jesus go hand in hand.

VOX Editor Ruth Garvey-Williams caught up with Nigel in a Donegal hotel to learn more…

Tell us about the Christian Motorcyclists Association in Ireland: CMA in Ireland is about Christians who really, really, really, really, really, really like motorbikes but who love the Lord Jesus.

We have a passion to share the hope that we have in our hearts with the biker community and with others. We have 22 members across Ireland.

So what do you do?

CMA is split up into two strands: those who would be involved in road racing and those in the rally scene (custom built bikes).

Ireland is steeped in road racing; it’s a tradition that goes back many years. Most of the famous TT legends were Irishmen (north and south).

We organise several races (runs) each year including our Memorial Run (around St Patrick’s Day). Bikers can ride in memory of friends who have died (some killed while biking). They have the chance to write down the name of their friends in a memorial book. It is a time to reflect and remember bike riders who have lost their lives. We take a moment to pray and hand out special bikers' Bibles called “Hope for the Highway”.

“We have a passion to share the hope that we have… with the biker community.”

16 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

We also organise a charity run, usually on Good Friday. In 2009 we raised money for a group that does suicide prevention.

In the group we had one guy who had actually contemplated suicide a few months before!

CMA likes to help out at bike rallies. We do things like free bike valeting. People cannot grasp the idea that this is for free.

CMA members are willing to get up to their necks in grease to clean somebody else’s bike.

Sometimes after a rally we go round with bin bags and clean up the rubbish, empty bottles, etc. People can’t understand it!

We want them to know that God is real; God is very much involved in real life.

How does the biking community react to the idea of Christian bikers?

To be honest, when they see our bikes and they see us they are full of questions. If you wear these [colours] you are a signpost; they cannot help but see who we are from what we wear. People get to know that we are not Bible bashers.

A lot of people have been let down by religion. We are not about religion. We don’t represent a single church or denomination. We are just a group of friends who are honest about our faults and failings and the difficult circumstances in our lives.

We want to live and shine for Jesus.

It’s so important that we as members in CMA do what we say.

(An image posted on the CMA Facebook fan page reads, “People may doubt what you say but they will always believe what you do.”)

So how did you get involved with CMA? I have always had a love for motorbikes and bike races. In and around my late teens my brother Graham and I got to meet up with guys in the north of Ireland who were connected with CMA UK. First of all we were part of the UK and then in 2006 we became CMA Ireland. We realised we were culturally different (UK colours were red, white, blue, etc.) but we still have a wonderful rapport with the guys in the UK. My bike is a Honda VFR 800 V-TECH (bright red). Motorcycling is my hobby. I can put my gear on, gear up on the motorbike and then experience the total freedom of the road.

How does your relationship with Jesus affect your daily life?

My wife and I have two Autistic kids aged 11 and six. It means sometimes going home to world war six (world war five was last week). Needless to say, I rely on the Lord for my morning, noon and night to give me strength.

There are an awful lot of situations that I come across day by day and I do not know how I am going to get through. Jesus daily bears my burdens.

The Lord says, “You will get through it.” God spoke to me very directly about my children. They are my children and they are equally His children. That helps me!

You can contact CMA Ireland on cmaireland@gmail.com, telephone 0868057982 or visit their website www.cmaireland.ie

Image: Luis Faustino

“We want them to know that God is real.”

(Photos: Joseph von Meding, CMA Ireland)

What about the ‘Christian’ part?

I was brought up in the Baptist tradition. My parents were very strong believers. Dad was my role model. (Last year he became a member of CMA too!)

I made a lot of silly mistakes as a teenager. We were all grappling with life while still attending church on Sunday; trying to figure out what way we were going.

At Christmas 1996 our brother Paul passed away in his sleep – it was one of the earliest incidents of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome in Ireland. That day changed our lives. It was a massive wake-up call. I was asking, “What if that was me? Where would I be going?”

I started looking at the way I had been living. I realised I needed the Lord Jesus in my life. Life was not going to go anywhere until I made a choice to accept or reject what I had learnt about Him as a child.

Paul’s death was the catalyst. The Lord helped my brother, Graham, and me to sort our lives out. We became involved in CMA soon after that.

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 17

“I thought of my own daughters”

O

On a visit to Nepal, Mary McElhinney noticed a village girl sitting on the ground crying. Hearing her story, Mary was moved to tears. Twelve-year-old Punam’s foot was so badly ulcerated because of leprosy that the bone was showing. And beyond these visible ravages, she was suffering the hidden horrors of stigma.

In a country where leprosy is still widely regarded as a divine curse, Punam was on the verge of being thrown out of her home.

“I looked at her and thought of my own daughters,” said Mary, an accountant from Dublin. “If any of them were in that state, I’d be desperate for someone to help.”

Mary arranged for Punam to visit Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre, which was set up by Nepal Leprosy Trust (NLT), a Christian charity with offices in Ireland and the UK. Based in south eastern Nepal, Lalgadh is the busiest leprosy hospital in the world, treating up to seven thousand people a year.

After several months of multi-drug therapy, Punam was completely physically cured. But mere medical treatment didn’t satisfy Mary. “The doctors said Punam might die by the age of twenty because of her home situation. I wanted her to have a chance in life.”

Thanks to Mary’s fundraising, Punam and her younger sister are now at boarding school. Despite her physical cure, it took Punam a long time to feel accepted at school. “She was so aware of her low status. It took a lot of support from the teachers to build her confidence.”

Mary has also raised funds to build two village wells and a care home where people affected by leprosy can receive full-time help.

What has moved this mother of eight to work so hard for people who are traditionally shunned? “Leprosy is the forgotten disease. When I tell people in Ireland about Punam they’re amazed it still exists. I want them to know and care.”

Mary has discovered that caring means more than curing.

Once the bacterial infection has been treated, patients need emotional support to combat stigma.

NLT equips them through its groundbreaking Stigma Elimination Programme (STEP). Patients at the Lalgadh centre learn to wash and protect their limbs, the nerves of which may be permanently damaged by the disease. Returning to their villages, they meet every week to wash their wounds, encourage each other and face emotional challenges together. As each ‘self-help group’ gains its voice, the whole village benefits. Water pumps, schools and even electricity have been supplied through the lobbying of people who were once spat upon.

“STEP is so powerful,” says Mary. “It treats both aspects of leprosy, the physical and psychological; [the latter] can leave much deeper scars.”

Now in her third year at school, Punam has become a more lively, self-assured girl who Mary meets on her regular visits to Nepal. “She’s come so far from the cowering girl I met in the village. I am so proud of her.”

For more information on Nepal Leprosy Trust Ireland contact Emma Lynch emma@nlt.ie or www.nlt.ie.

18 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

by Debbie Thomas

Punam, 3 years ago

Punam today, together with her sister Nilam, her schoolteacher and Mary McElhinney

“…caring means more than curing.”

A self-help group in south eastern Nepal

“Dad, I don’t want to go to heaven”.

These were the raw words that echoed through the quiet church on a Sunday a few years ago. These were words spoken in the frustration born out of the mouth of a 5-year-old boy, my 5-year-old boy.

We had just spent the last 20 minutes shushing him into the presence of God when he announced his raison d'être. I was momentarily flummoxed; all eyes were now on me. I slowly leaned over as to not stir the restless beast that was the appalled congregation and whispered, “Why?” He responded in an equally conspiratorial voice, “Because I don’t want to be shushed by God.” Environment and its bearing on who and what we are and have become has always been a heavily debated topic.

What does zero gravity look and feel like? How will the human body react in the depths of the deep? How much can one grieve? Where do we, the restless, find peace?

In my childhood my mother would click her fingers in a spasmodic rhythm in her desperate and wasted hope of getting me to sit still in the cold pews growing up. The older generations in my congregation would lean back over the pew and console me by saying, “This is what heaven is going to be like, and you’d better get used to it.” Well, if that’s the case I want out; a new religion, a new Saviour; because this fidgety boy’s body cannot enter these courts with anything let alone praise.

I don’t have a fountain in my sitting room at home, a grave in the kitchen, an offering taken during breakfast. Yet there is an assumption that when humanity searches they will feel comfort with the chilled or over-greeted masses. Queuing as shopping trolleys for our daily bread.

Why is it that we attempt to reinvent heaven on earth by using cold buildings or buildings that prop up separation? Either we freeze or we are frozen out. Even our Walmart mega-churches of to day have a certain sense of detachment to the life reality that I lead.

A place that you are contactable, unhidden. A place of unescaped, non-smothering community when you most need it. A place without loaded smiles. A place of reality and shared redemption.

Should our todays not represent more clearly our eternal tomorrows?

Embryonic.

Home. Shushed no more.

Originally from the USA, over the past 20 years in Ireland, Greg’s work has spanned film to print, nightclubs to cathedrals and schools to the street. Greg is now the Director of 3Rock Youth and Films, a Church of Ireland initiative. His debut book, Liberate Eden, is now available from liberateeden.com Photo by Peter Neill. Design by Life Forms Design.

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 19

Lessons from the

Twilight Saga I

I recently worked my way through all four books of Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. I’d taken an audio book of the first instalment on tour last year and got hooked. While I’m not a huge devotee of young adult fiction, I was intrigued by the furore around the books and the subsequent films.

The books centre around Bella Swann, a teenage girl living in a dead-end town, who falls in love with the gorgeous, enigmatic Edward Cullen, a boy in her class at school. So far so normal, until it becomes clear that Edward is in fact a 109-year-old vampire.

Edward and his ‘family’ manage to coexist peacefully with the humans in the Washington State town of Forks because they have taken a vow never to drink human blood.

Charting Bella and Edward’s tortured love, the novels are heavy on the romance, drama and teenage angst that comes with that territory. Nothing surprising there.

I was, however, a little taken aback by a vision of community that I saw emerge

When we overcome our greed, anger, lust, jealousy, with God’s help, we become free to serve those around us.

20 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

through the development of the Cullen family. It struck me that it could be a vision for the church. Now before you throw up your hands in horror that a novel about vampires could say anything to the church, bear with me...

The Cullens resist their natural urges for the good of humanity.

The five members of the Cullen ‘family’ thirst for the blood of humans. This thirst can be acute and painful when they have not hunted wild game. They live with the discomfort because they believe that destroying human life is wrong.

Carlisle, the leader of the group, has spent centuries overcoming his need for human blood in order to be a physician who can heal and mend human life instead of damaging it.

It’s an inspiring idea that as we grapple with the sin in our lives - the desires that would damage relationships and harm people - we move toward becoming agents of transformation and healing in others’ lives. When we overcome our greed, anger, lust or jealousy, with God’s help, we become free to serve those around us.

The Cullens love and protect the most vulnerable unconditionally.

Bella Swann is human and is weak in comparison to the superhuman strength and speed of the Cullens. She sees herself as inferior. With her low self worth, Bella

cannot conceive of what Edward and his family, so beautiful, noble and strong, could possibly see to love in her. While Bella could very easily be lunch for these vampires, they do everything they can to protect her, nurture her and love her without condition.

Often the most vulnerable, the weakest in our communities can be the people we least want to spend time with let alone love. We struggle to accept people who are different, damaged and downtrodden into our lives and churches, because it’s so much easier when we are all the same.

Often the most vulnerable, the weakest in our communities can be the people we least want to spend time with let alone love.

Not to spoil the story, but Bella grows in courage and strength over the course of the four books and eventually has much to contribute to the Cullen clan.

How much would they have missed if they had neglected her or let her come to harm?

The Cullens stand up to forces of oppression for the sake of peace and they love their enemies.

In the world of Meyer’s creation, there is a ruling family of vampires called the Volturi who control their culture with malice and violence. They mock the Cullens for their refusal to harm human life and increasingly threaten the fragile peace that the Cullens have managed to maintain in Forks. They are greedy for the supernatural gifts that the family have and wish to control them for their own gain.

The Cullens risk everything they have to stand up against the Volturi’s reign of fear. They overcome long standing enmity with another tribe of supernatural beings in order to stand together against the Volturi.

Fractured relationships within our churches and denominations mean that we cannot work together against oppression and corruption in our societies, as well as in our Christian communities.

It takes great courage to stand up against wrongdoing that we see going on in our churches or denominations, but if there is a rule of fear or threat and a lack of servant heart in leadership, then the Spirit of God can be smothered and peace can never reign.

Sometimes God rocks up in the most unusual of places and uses narratives we Christians might find uncomfortable to

jolt us out of our complacency.

I thank God for Stephanie Meyer’s imagination and storytelling and for using it to challenge me to love and follow the way of Christ more closely.

Fractured relationships within our churches and denominations mean that we cannot work together against oppression and corruption in our societies.

Melanie Clark Pullen is an actress, writer and theatre/film maker. She's an active member of Dreamers of the Day (www.dreamtoday.org) and contributes to the writing blog The Master's Artist (www.themastersartist.com). She also facilitates Abri Creative, an arts collective based in Dublin. She lives in Co. Wicklow with her husband and daughter.

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 21

VOX:REVIEWS

FURIOUS LONGING OF GOD BRENNAN MANNING

God loves us unconditionally, passionately, even furiously. It’s this kind of love that knows no limits that is explored in The Furious Longing of God. Through illustrations, scripture and some honest soul searching, Manning presents a loving portrayal of an Abba Father who draws the broken, hurting and outcast into His tender embrace.

If you are familiar with the ‘ragamuffin’ author you might find some of the stories recognisable, but this in no way distracts from the eloquent and thought-provoking insight into the incomparable love of our heavenly Father.

ONCE AN ADDICT BARRY WOODWARD (AUTHENTIC)

The true story of a young man drawn into the heady underworld of drug use, addiction, crime and various prison spells until several random encounters would ultimately lead him to freedom in Christ.

Barry’s testimony shows us that there is hope even in the most hopeless of circumstances. Now a Christian author and speaker, he shares his story with humour, honesty and a message of a life changed and a heart restored.

Barry is visiting Cork again this year - call 0214278369 for more details.

BOOKS

SECONDHAND JESUS GLENN PACKIAM

What do you do when your faith is shaken to its very core? What do you do when your perception of God is challenged?

Through scandal and heartbreak in his own life, author Glenn Packiam was forced to ask himself these kinds of difficult questions, which led him to write Secondhand Jesus. He takes us back to basics and, using biblical examples such as Job and Jacob, strips misconceptions about faith and what we really believe.

We are encouraged to engage the heart and mind and ‘embrace the mystery and majesty of knowing Him for yourself’.

Get 10% off the above titles in all three Footprints Stores:

“YOUR JESUS IS TOO SAFE: OUTGROWING A DRIVETHRU, FEEL GOOD SAVIOR” JARED C. WILSON

Who is Jesus to you? Jared C. Wilson pushes away the current trends of portraying “Jesus is my boyfriend” or “Jesus as a hippy” to expose the facets of who Jesus is according to the Bible.

Writing as if in a one-to-one conversation, Wilson, pastor of a church plant, uses modern slang and pop culture references to explain who Jesus really is, yet all the while with solid biblical backing. Over twelve chapters, subjects like “Jesus the Shepherd”, “Jesus the Judge”, and “Jesus the Savior” are explored in the light of Biblical truth.

The book explains concepts such as reconciliation, redemption and the need for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross in everyday language that makes it accessible for the lay person to understand yet never feels shallow.

What might have been a more serious book is kept lighthearted with Wilson’s humourous footnotes, some of which attempt to explain some of the pop-culture references; others simply keep the friendly conversational flow going.

While a few specific American cultural references and slang words may not easily translate to this side of the pond, the overwhelming majority of the book clearly explains who Jesus is and why this matters.

For those new to Christianity or those interested in learning that Jesus was more than “a good man” or “a great philosopher”, this book scripturally defines Jesus and is a refreshing antidote to the inaccurate ways in which Jesus is portrayed today.

Alisha Hamblen is a Christian living in County Kildare

22 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

Bachelors Quay, Cork,

MUSIC ENTERMISSION VARIOUS

24 artists, 18 tracks, one DJ, one mission! On EnterMission, this teaming serves a much greater purpose than to keep a party hyped or to stroke the egos of insecure artists.

The challenge is to carry out the important assignment of the Great Commission (Matt 28:19) and the Great Commandment (Luke 10:27). Build the Church, reach the lost and exalt the King.

EnterMission features over 20 artists including Lecrae, Flame, Trip Lee, JR, Tedashii, Sho Baraka and many others, ranging from Hip Hop to Drum & Bass to Reggae to R&B. Every track is produced by DJ Official.

This album will excite the Hip Hop pundit, while also awakening a sleeping interest in all musical novices. The single Show Off featuring Lecrae and Flame, which encourages all believers to Show Off GOD’s glory to the world, brings a commercial thump to an album surrounded by diversity. Chisel Me featuring Thisl, K-Drama, Json and Tedashii will not disappoint those desiring the Southern grime. Bringing the album full circle is the Rock/Drum&Bass track Chaos and reggae song, Fallen.

DJ Official gives us all a look at what it means to be following God as a people on a mission who need to reflect His grace and love to the world. What journey are you on? Join DJ Official and Enter the Mission.

ORGANIC FAMILY HYMNAL REND COLLECTIVE EXPERIMENT

And now for something completely different? Practically revolutionary?

Beyond the typical? Yes. To all three.

The signing of Northern Ireland’s sprawling worship project – Rend Collective Experiment – to Survivor records is a line in the sand, the start of something fresh that reaches far into the future.

Rend Collective Experiment defies expectations even from the start of the bio. Not so much a band, more a bunch of friends collectively wondering how to make sense of the conundrum of life, God and community in and around their native Bangor, Northern Ireland.

What Rend Collective Experiment’s fifteen plus members add to the sound are lyrics that are both scriptural and contemporary, fresh and ancient.

Featuring a duet with David Crowder, their hymns come from their own journey and experiences with Jesus and are made with their own hands in their own homes, not in a polished studio.

They call themselves a family and a collective….not just a band... and by the time you listen to this album you will feel part of the family…

Talbot Street, Dublin and Dun Laoghaire (Reviews by Padraig O'Caoimh & Naomi Faris of Footprints Cork)

Celtic song to help Irish mission agency

A new single called Patrick’s Breastplate is set to raise funds for OM Ireland.

The inspirational worship song by Irish band MrJAG is based on the wellloved Celtic prayer commonly referred to as “St Patrick’s Breastplate”. The band has generously donated the proceeds of the song to OM Ireland.

Download the MP3 from Amazon and iTunes (simply search for MrJAG).

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 23

the alternative apprentice

T

They look down at the boardroom table. What will the decision be? Will it be, ‘You’re hired,’ or will they face the pain of hearing, ‘You’re fired’? The Apprentice TV show has become a worldwide phenomenon. It uses the most rigorous recruitment techniques and produces the most ruthless employees.

How would you recruit an alternative type of apprentice – a Christian-ministry apprentice? This country has an urgent need for full-time workers who will share God’s eternal truth with this generation. Jesus told us, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Churches and Christian organisations need to find new workers.

One way to do this is using the church-based Ministry Training Strategy (see www.mts.com.au). Instead of highpowered marketing battles and intense board meetings, this apprenticeship scheme combines three aspects.

First, the trainee is involved in unglamorous but vital practical service, such as baby crèches, office admin or room set-up.

Second, they receive formal training in understanding God’s word and in communicating what God has to say to today’s audience.

Third, they are let loose to experience Christian work first-hand as they serve in a specific area such as youth work. Over two years the trainee is able to test their gifts and suitability for long-term Christian service.

So if you are already involved in full-time Christian ministry, why not consider running the Ministry Training Strategy? If you are not but have a passion to see Ireland transformed by Christ, and are considering where to go next in your life, why not consider the Ministry Training Strategy?

This worldwide phenomenon is a proven way to source and train the next generation of Christian leaders.

For further information concerning MTS contact ed@ grosvenorbaptist.org. For places on the next programme at Grosvenor Road Baptist Church see the adjacent advertisement.

Ed Neill works as Assistant Pastor at Grosvenor Road Baptist Church, Dublin. He enjoys rugby, the outdoors and playing chase with his one-year-old son.

(Photo: TV3)

24 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

"This country has an urgent need for full-time workers who will share God’s eternal truth with this generation."

Grosvenor Road Baptist Church

Ministry Training Strategy Try out full time Christian Ministry Become a better servant of Christ Help see Ireland reached for Christ The Ministry Training Strategy at Grosvenor Road Baptist Church is a 1-2 year apprenticeship scheme. It will give you experience of gospel ministry first-hand in a Dublin City church with an established staff team.

Your time will be divided into 3 areas: 1) Practical Tasks 2) Teaching the Bible to others 3) Training for Christian ministry – core truths, pastoral ministry skills and faithful Bible teaching skills.

Places available for Sept 2010. Suitable for new graduates or people who have worked for a number of years. Open to applicants from anywhere in the world.

For more information or an application form contact Ed Neill (ed@grosvenorbaptist.org or +353-1-4950333) www.grosvenorbaptist.org

Meet Your Persecuted Family...

Pas tor Wi lso n (Im pri soned in Ira n)

Gu li Nuer (S ep arated fami ly

in Ch in a)

Maher & Dina (Trapped in Egypt)

F GET A FREE COPY O ZINE! THE LATEST MAGA

Church in Chains PO Box 10447, Glenageary, Co. Dublin, Ireland E: info@churchinchains.ie W: www.churchinchains.ie

Elephant The

in the Room

In our media-driven age, the sound bite is king, all truths are squeezed into a few catchy words; if it can’t be said in four seconds no one is listening any more.

Among the neat phrases that this frenzy has thrown up, the one that most intrigues me is ‘The Elephant in the Room’, meaning ‘there is something very important and blindingly obvious here that we have all decided to politely ignore’.

So as we almost drown in news of scandals and wrongdoing, whether in politics, finance or the church, and as we discuss and analyse them, the elephant in the room is sin.

Our experts won’t mention the word, but we will find no answers until we recognise that this is the root problem of the human condition. We are all implicated because all have fallen short of God’s law (Romans 3:23).

To deal with feelings of guilt, we are taught to ‘look for closure’ and to ‘move on with our lives’ and the elephant in the room is the need for repentence. But instead of repentance, which means a complete change of mind and is more than just remorse, we are given the blame game, the enquiry, counselling or medication.

We are supposed to get in touch with our inner self, rather than change our inner self.

All too often, we live by the values of Reality TV while the elephant in the room is that we need to follow the Person who said “I am the True and Living Way”.

Are we still ignoring the elephant?

"We are supposed to get in touch with our inner self, rather than change our inner self.”

Warren Nelson, originally from Drogheda, Co. Louth, taught at the Irish Bible School in Co. Tipperary.

He now enjoys active retirement and DIY near Tullamore.

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 25

VOX:GAEILGE

A

Ag tagairt dó féin, dúirt John Wesley, uair, gurbh fhear aon leabhair amháin é agus is dealraitheach gurbh é an Leagan Údaraithe (A.V.) amháin a bhí aige. Agus an méid a thug an fear céanna i gcrích le cúnamh Dé, ní dócha gur mhothaigh sé féin easnamhach dá bharr ar chor ar bith!!

Agus fós Alexander Cruden, duine a chuir a Chomhchórdach chlúiteach i dtoll a chéile timpeall 1860, gach focal dá bhfuil sa Bhíobla ach amháin ‘and’ agus a leithéid. An t-iomlán gan ríomhaire ! Go tobann, bhí idir dhiagairí, agus tuata ábalta an Bíobla a chuardach gan stró.

Is minic a chuirtear i leith na hEaglaise gur ag siúl trína codladh atá sí ó thaobh na ré digití de, ach a bhuí sin do Dhia, tá eisceachtaí ann. Táthar ann ar léir dóibh go gcaithfear pé áis is féidir a chuirfeadh daoine ag staidéar an Bhíobla ar na saolta seo a sholáthar. Is chuig áis nua atá mé: e-sword.

Is é is e-sword ann ná áis nua leictreonach le staidéir Bíobalta a éascú. Tá sé ar fáil ar an idirlíon <www.e-sword.net> an seoladh. Tá a lán aistriúchán den Bhíobla ansin agus ina measc sin, an ESV, ceann atá saor in aisce. Tá tráchtaireachta agus foclóirí Bíobalta ann fosta. Tá ráchairt ar e-sword, atá in úsáid ag

breis agus 9 milliún ar fud na cruinne, é thar a bheith simplí le láimhsiú.

Tig leis an úsáideoir comhéadan a fheiceáil a chuireann ar chumas an úsáideora an teanga is toil leis a roghnú as an réimse teangacha atá ar fáil ann. Agus fan leis – an Ghaeilge féin ! Tá úsáid An Bíobla Naofa ceadaithe agus ní fada go mbeidh sé ann fosta.

Buntáiste eile atá ann ná go bhfuil forum comhrá ann, áit a bhfuil fáil ar a lán íoslódálacha mar aon leis an bhforum cairdiúil seo féin. Ag seo an seoladh www.e-sword-users.org.

Is fiú, fós, aire a dhíriú ar léirmheasanna ar bhogearraí Bíobalta eile fosta. Seans gurb é an foinse is fearr ná www.414.org.uk/best-bible-software-introduction. Ar an láithreán sin, feicfear an ríomhchlár soar-in-aisce is fearr mar aon le bogearraí ar gá íoc astu. In a measc sin, tá bogearraí don Apple Mac. Dar leis an láithreán thuas, sé an e-sword an is mó a bhfuil call leis.

Maidir le huirlisí le haghaidh staidéir, bain triail as an suíomh seo www.crosswire. org/study. Ta sé thar a bheith áisiúil.

Rugadh agus tógadh Roy Rohu i mBaile Átha Cliath 4. Iarmhúinteoir atá ann.Tá conaí le blianta beaga anuas air i gCathair na Mart, Co. Mhuigh Eo lena bhean chéile, Joan

Visit Irish Mission Agencies Partnership website to view events and opportunities.

info@imap.ie

26 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

Check out our 5 new partners.

087 2949518

New service is a hit with anxious homeowners Over 75 people across Ireland have already taken advantage of a new service providing smart advice for a fixed price.

“HelpMyHouse” was launched in October after architect Anthony Brabazon realised that many people were struggling to know how to deal with emergency repairs or home improvements.

“There can be a lot of vulnerable people who can be exposed to bad advice from contractors,” Anthony told VOX magazine.

“People just don’t know what to do when they have issues in their houses.

“Following the worst winter in a generation and with proper house maintenance more important than ever to protect the value of your home, this is a genuine attempt to help homeowners,” Anthony explained.

Elderly people in particular can be at the mercy of unscrupulous contractors who take advantage of them by charging inflated prices or carrying out unnecessary work.

For a fixed fee (€150 urban or €200 rural) Help my House will send an experienced, registered RIAI architect to call on the house, assess the situation and provide a written report.

The homeowner is left with a list of what work is needed along with recommendations for trustworthy builders and tradesmen.

Check out www.helpmyhouse.ie to find out more or contact Anthony Brabazon on 01 6683519. HelpMyHouse guarantees to respond to every enquiry within two days and to visit the house within two weeks.

Free Tea/ Coffee and Soft Drinks

To find out how you can get involved visit www.ie.om.org or email gc@ie.om.org OM Ireland is a company limited by guarantee. Reg. No. 377311 Charity No. CHY 15333

“Big Day Out” Ovoca Manor, Co Wicklow Free Activities Bouncy Castle Face Painting Climbing Wall Zip Line The Slide Archery Games and lots, lots more!

www.scriptureunion.ie

CONTACT RACHEL BOW FOR MORE DETAILS: rachel.bow@scriptureunion.ie Phone: 01-2802300

Sunday 16th May 2010 3pm-6pm

OM Ireland’s summer outreach serving local churches in reaching their community

A great Day for the whole Family to enjoy!

All are welcome, don’t miss out!

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE MANY ASPECTS OF THE WORK OF SCRIPTURE UNION HEAR FIRST HAND OF THE EXCITING STORIES FROM OUR YOUTH AND SCHOOLS WORK, CAMPS AND MORE SEE THE PLANS FOR DEVELOPING OVOCA MANOR AND HEAR OF THE MANY WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT THE PROJECT

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 27

“They will rebuild ancient ruins and restore places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations” Isaiah 61:4 Teen Challenge Ireland has recently purchased a property next door to their men’s centre in Co. Wicklow that will serve as a training project. Heavily focusing on life skills and personal development, the centre will be a source of blessing to the Church and the wider community and will explore more deeply the area of missions and equipping disciples physically, practically and spiritually.

Step 1 Renovate the property and train students currently on the Teen Challenge Programme.

T

Step 2 Establish workshops in a variety of skills such as: welding, carpentry, wood turning, horticulture, mechanics, construction skills and more.

Steps 3 Open the centre to those wishing to train further in practical skills and learn more about the Word of God and spreading the Good News.

Purpose: To see transformed lives carry and share the message of transformation.

Men’s Centre, Tiglin, Ashford, Co. Wicklow.

Please pray for us as we restore not just this building but also for the restoration of the lives in our centres. Without God’s provision in both of these our labour is in vain.

Tel: (0404) 40010 Fax (0404) 40020. Email: tctiglin@gmail.com Ways You Can Help!

1. Hold us up in prayer.

2. Offer some practical help during our renovations.

3. Arrange a work team to come from your Church.

4. Organise a prayer and benefit night in aid of our new venture.

5. Invite us to share at your Church about what God is doing.

If you would like to help in any of these ways mentioned and wish to partner with us in the ongoing work inside Teen Challenge Ireland we would be delighted to hear from you. You can email us on tctiglin@gmail.com or call us on the numbers below.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction please feel free to contact us.

MEN’S CENTRE (0404) 40010 28 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

WOMEN’S CENTRE (045) 436416

The world media has been kept busy in recent times.

First, it was the earthquake in Haiti that gripped the world’s attention. Now Chile has suffered almost the same disaster. With the number of natural disasters ranging from hurricane Katrina in Louisiana to typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines, many are beginning to wonder what’s really going on.

Aside from the disasters, wars and rumours of war are ongoing. The recent economic collapse, the worst since the world wars, sent a chilling shock throughout the world. During the era of the ‘Celtic Tiger’, when money was flowing like water, we all indulged in whatever money could buy – homes, cars, holidays and more.

Somehow, this all failed. In fact, it has left many worse off.

Now the whole security fabric of our society as we know it has fallen down. With the recent revelations in the church, many have lost faith in religion. Irreparable damage has been done in the name of God. The whole family system has degenerated to the extent that marriage is no longer appealing to many.

Separation and divorce is on the increase and children are also damaged in the process.

What is happening currently should not be a surprise to Christians who are conversant with Christ’s prediction in Matthew 24. However, we must remember that they are only signs. They should not be our preoccupation.

Instead I believe that those who follow Christ should focus on verses 13 and 14 of Matthew 24, “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (NIV).

It is time for passionate Christianity and breaking free from the four walls of our buildings. There are many still not reached by the good news. It is our duty to be determined and creative in reaching out to those in need.

There has to be more to life than disasters, unhappiness, broken hearts and broken homes. The only solution is still in Jesus Christ. He is the only remedy for sin and brokenness. Conveying this message should be our priority!

Dr. Abimbola Afolabi is the President of Oasis of Love Ministries, a teaching ministry. He is also a hospital consultant.

VOX:ADS&EVENTS

Events Calendar What’s happening, where and when?

CHRISTIAN ACADEMY

2 Year Diploma ♦ Part-time Bible School ♦ Home study + 6 weekends a year ♦ Begins September 10 ♦ Based in Athlone

Growing into Your Ministry

♦ Get a good overview of scripture. ♦ Learn about leadership and ministry skills. ♦ Develop your spiritual life

For more details: www.christianacademy.ie : gfwylie@eircom.net phone: 0906489110

APRIL

Haiti comes to Dublin 28 April, 7:30pm Trinity Church, The Exchange, Gardiner Street Lower, Dublin Tearfund staff tell their firsthand experiences from Haiti

Word of Life Bible Conference 16 - 18 April (See ad on page 15) United Marriage Encounter Weekend 16 -18 April Kingston Hotel, Dun Laoghaire www.unitedmarriage.org Listening With The Heart 16-17 & 23-24 April NCC, Naas, Co. Kildare A foundation course in Christian counselling skills, communication and pastoral care.

VitalConnexionsAssociates@ gmail.com 086 6018684 Irish Association of Christian Councellors Conference 24 April (See ad below)

MAY

Big Day Out (Scripture Union) 16 May (See ad on page 27)

JUNE / JULY

Summerfire Conference 25 June - 2 July (See ad on page 7) Impact Ireland 29 June - 13 July (See ad on page 27) Urban Soul 6 - 9 July Dublin (See ad on page 21)

Irish Association of Christian Counsellors

Fifth National Conference, Maynooth

This conference is for Christian counsellors, trainee counsellors, pastors, church leaders, pastoral care teams, and anyone interested in caring for people.

DATE: Saturday, April 24, 2010 9:30 am – 4:30 pm (Registration from 9 am) VENUE: Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Centre Maynooth, Co. Kildare COST: €50 non-members (3-course lunch included)

Seminars on the Day Jane Ferguson Couples Work Using Imago Presentation of Imago Therapy and how it relates to working with couples.

Val Mullally Parent Coaching An introduction to Koemba Parenting Coaching, an empowering way of working with parents, children and families in order to help them toward a more fulfilling connection.

Dr. Denise Mullen Attachment Theory Made Practical The practical use of Attachment Theory and how you can use this Information with clients and to help in parenting skills.

Graeme Wylie Helping People With Suicidal Feelings Looks at factors underlying suicide, also how counsellors can help, and available resources.

Registrations form available at: www.iacc.ie

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 29

VOX:P.S. Big stories, small stories and French films

O

One of my wife’s favourite films is “Amelie.” French! We are a sophisticated pair!

“Amelie,” or to give it its full title, “Le fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain” (guess what it means!) is the story of a young French woman possessed of a vivid imagination who likes to meddle in other people’s stories.

For example (plot spoiler coming up) the grocer on the corner bullies his young assistant. Amelie sneaks into his flat and changes his toothpaste for pile ointment and reprogrammes his phone’s quick dial to call the psychiatric helpline instead of his mother.

Another neighbour, a widow, mourns the husband who left her for another woman before he died. Amelie writes and posts a “long-lost letter” to the widow from him saying he really only ever loved her.

Though a feel-good comedy, the film has a serious side.

While fond of meddling in other peoples’ stories, Amelie is terrified of encountering a big story in her own life. The big story is – predictably – romantic love.

Amelie loves the idea of being in love but is terrified it won’t work out. She pursues love only to run from it at the crucial moment. She thinks her life is safer if she just sticks to small stories – no life-shaping encounters, no unknown paths, no pursing bigger stories, except in her dreams.

Small story or big story?

It’s the dilemma of our time. Do I buy a house? Small story. What will the property market do? Big story.

Do I take the job offered with the new company? Small

story. Is that company planning to move production to India? Big story.

Do I strive to run my life my way?

Small story. Or do I explore the possibility of a God I can know and engage with, who can love me, forgive me, transform me? Yes, I do think that qualifies as big story.

I like small stories because I have some chance of being in control. Like Amelie, I am also happy to meddle/ advise/help/correct other people’s small stories. It makes me feel significant – I have a part to play.

But the idea of a bigger story in which we participate but over which we have no ultimate control can be terrifying.

I am, after all, one of almost seven billion, that’s seven thousand million people, seeking to make sense of their existence on this tiny little planet. It’s easy to feel lost down here. Who else will think I matter if I don’t?

Amelie’s life changes with a warning from a friend – (another plot spoiler coming) “Give in to a bigger story or your heart will go brittle and hard.” The fear of what she will become if she doesn’t let herself be loved overcomes her fear of being hurt by love.

Big story may be terrifying. But staying in the small story means you end up never knowing what the bigger picture could have been… or what you could have been.

Sean Mullan has been working in church leadership for many years. He is developing a new project in Dublin City Centre called "Third Space".

TheInternational

voregnt tiatrneee hranis crm m. t.o y.teens

foryouth

ge

Festivals, Camps, Conferences, Courses...

ChristianEvents.ie 30 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

Irish BIble Institute Students say....

Journey with God

At IBI.....

Our passion is to equip the whole person.

Our head, heart and hands approach is holistic.

Our teaching environment encourages thinking, dialogue and reflection; builds unity and insists on application.

Our dynamic community of students, teachers and staff are from a variety of church backgrounds.

Together we’re on a journey – are you interested?

Contact us for more information about courses www.IBI.ie Linda@IBI.ie Ph: +353 1 8069060

“Joining IBI has meant more to me than joining an educational institute. I could describe it simply as a connection of individuals from different backgrounds coming together to find out more about who God is and our journey with him.

Two is better than one “IBI has been an adventure worthy of partaking in together. During our first year of marriage together we found the IBI college experience, our curriculum, and the pace of life there has complemented our marriage more than we could have expected. We’ve re-learned old truths, absorbed new concepts, built lasting relationships, and have ultimately learned more about Jesus Christ and His Kingdom together. We are excited about what God is evidently doing in Ireland, and beyond through this centre of worship through education” Norman and Emily McCorkell

Fuel for life

Head, heart and hands is the motto here, and let me tell you, I have been inspired, encouraged and challenged.

Coming from a generation that who on the whole has never known God but is seeking more than dodgy spirituality or secular satisfaction, I find my search for life’s meaning starts here with the Irish Bible Institute.”

Eamon Parkes

Diversity

“Having lost my job as a mortgage advisor, I didn’t know what to do ne xt, until God directed my path to IBI through a friend who had been pra ying with me that I would find God’s will for my life and ministry.

My experience in IBI has been great, as no two da ys are the same. This is a place where people from diverse backg rounds study, fellowship and pra y together. I just couldn’t ask for more.

“Passionate teaching, encouraging staff and strong fellowship coupled with a tangible sense of community combine to fuel the engine at IBI. Our I am blessed to be here as I biblically focused subject matter is providing the solid foundation am getting all the necessar y required for someone considering a future in Christ-centered support from the tutors, ministry. It is important to note that one should be motivated to staff and my fellow put learning into practice, and the IBI model of developing head, heart students. and hands does provide the impetus to share application with others either on an individual basis or in the context of a church environment.

Olanike Oluokun Seán Redmond

VOX | Apr - Jun 2010 | 31

Hosted by David and Hilary McClay with Ken and Helen Clarke Bible Readings by Michael Cassidy Other speakers include John Kirky (CAP), Priscilla Reid, John Hughes and more

Programmes for all ages

www.new-wineireland.co.uk

32 | VOX | Apr - Jun 2010

info@new-wineireland.co.uk +44 (0) 28 9028 7011 +44 (0) 7813 473376 New Wine Ireland, 16 North Gardens, Belfast, BT5 6BZ, Northern Ireland.

NEW WINE IRELAND IS A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE, NO NI 053755 AND IS RECOGNISED AS A CHARITY WITH HM CUSTOMS AND REVENUE NO XR 85170