AUSTRALIA’S CHRISTIAN NEWSPAPER

VOLUME 71 NUMBER 13

Thursday 5 February 2009 $2.00 Print Post Approved No. 34918100419 Christians Unite To Pray On Australia Day – Special Greeting From Peter Costello

Pastor Danny Nalliah (centre) leads the Australia For Jesus Prayer Rally in Melbourne Town Hall on Australia Day.

ALMOST 2,000 Christians from all denominations united to pray The Most Important Thing for our nation on Australia Day. In support of this prayer celebra- ‘I can’t think of a more important thing to be doing than to unite tion, the Hon Peter Costello, former Federal Treasurer, brought a in prayer for the nation on this, our National Day’, Peter Costello special greeting. said. In this era of economic downturn, the prayer meeting, bring- ‘The first sermon ever preached on Australian soil (by the ing together Christian leaders from many different denominations Rev Richard Johnson) was preached on the words “What shall at the Melbourne Town Hall, focussed on prayer for the Aus- we render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward us?” As we tralian Government, the faltering economy, armed forces, farm- look back over hundreds of years of Australian history we can ing communities (and the need for more rain), unity of the still see the benefits of God to us – a wonderful country, won- Church and Christian pastors/leaders, the media, Indigenous derful people, a home given to those who have come from all people, and the rising generation, as well as general stimulation over the world, a country that has had a peaceful and prosper- to the business sector. ous history, a country that is now respected around the world. Pastor Danny Nalliah, President of Catch the Fire Ministries ‘The following verse of the Psalm says: “I will take the cup of (an interdenominational Christian ministry) said he had specifi- salvation and call upon the Name of the Lord”, and what greater cally asked Mr Costello to bring a message because he is ‘a gift is there than the gift God has given in Jesus Christ? And man of integrity’. ‘We wanted Peter to bring a special message what more can we do than take hold of it and call upon the to this gathering because he is a man of integrity who constantly Name of the Lord, as you are doing today?’ demonstrates good moral values. He also is very genuine and Denominational representatives, including those from the loves his country. He’s a man who is willing to stand his ground Baptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, AOG, Uniting, Pentecostal, for the truth, who stands for Australian values based on our Salvation Army, Catholic and many other churches, came togeth- Judeo Christian heritage’, Danny Nalliah said. er for what has become an annual gathering.

www.nlife.com.au ‘Tell the people the full message of this new life.’ (Acts 5.20b) HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE WITH THE WILSONS

Health Concerns Pioneers Europe region conference in late Visiting SOME Third World countries are seeing an April where David will give the daily Bible Australia apparent increase in illnesses such as dia- messages and Margaret will share with the PASTOR Paul Clifford and Barbara Wilson betes, cancer and high blood pressure lead- ladies. ‘Continued growth in our Mission Donoh is the ing to strokes in poorer villages where these membership keeps the responsibilities ministry leader of Peace Makers Fellowship, used not to be seen. Pray that Christian vil- heavy in our Member Care and training Kenya. He will be visiting Australia at the lagers will not return to witchcraft to seek a areas of Pioneers’, they report. invitation of CNEC Partners International cure but will seek the Great Physician to Special Couple Needed from 27 February until 31 March, speaking intervene. May Christian workers have wis- GLO at Riverstone, NSW is seeking a cou- in each State. Contact CNEC by phone on dom in guiding those who suffer. ple gifted to host their centre where stu- 03 9899 2044, or 02 9745 2840 or email New Appointments For 2009 dents are learning English and training for [email protected] GEOFF Cramb is the new Queensland mission. Contact Laurie Cowell, laurie@glo- Paul H Popov To Visit Australia State Director for Global Interaction. australia.com phone 02 9838 1595. DOOR of Hope International (02 9632 Stewart and Bronwen Hunt are Senior Praise God 8148) announces the visit of Paul H Popov Pastors with Eltham Baptist Church after THE great-grandson of Adoniram Judson in from 12-23 March. The organisation seeks many years in cross-cultural work. Andrew Burma is now Chairman of Myanmar Evan- to serve as the voice of the suffering and Lynda Boutros are Pastor at Canter- gelical Fellowship. He is also working along- church. (www.VOTSC.org) bury Gardens Community Church. John side MAP Partners (Ministries for Asia Completing Yumplatok New Testament Willetts has been appointed Engineering Pacific) as they seek to evangelise Myan- MICHAEL and Charlotte Corden (SIL, Instructor and Jennifer Barton as PA/Admin- mar and other Asian countries. Founder and Torres Strait Islands) report that only istration Officer with the Mission Aviation President is Ooi Chin Aik, C/ 19-23 Holland Colossians, 1 and 2 Peter, Philemon and Course (BCV) at Coldstream. Dale and Road, Blackburn South, Vic 3130 Jude remain to be first drafted. Much work Cheryl Stagg have been appointed as ([email protected]). is still required to achieve their goal of July Director of HCJB Australia, and Peter and Nungalinya College, NT 2011 to actually complete everything for Gwyneth Michalke as Site Manager of KNX PRAYER is asked for the college as it starts printing. Pray for strength, health, accuracy, at Kununurra. Pray for these families as a new year providing a safe and welcoming motivation, and funding to enable this goal they settle into new situations. learning environment for many students and to be achieved. Spiritual Warfare With Unreached People seeks to protect the legacy of indigenous 2009 Is A New Year DR Grahame Martin has seen God answer language and culture. Pray for the staff and PRAY for the many hundreds (thousands?) prayer after prayer as Satan attempted to the Principal Rev Dr Lee Levett-Olson. of Christians starting new courses at univer- thwart plans to prepare the vessel MV Many issues have to be faced. sities, Bible Colleges, Theological Colleges, Peace for an evangelistic visit to the Idi The Cyclone Season! or in other areas. May each be fully equip- people in New Guinea. Five attempts have CHRISTIANS in the cyclone prone regions ped for God's service now and in the future. been made to plant a church among them of Australia are asking for God's protection Full-Time Volunteer Manager Required (1956-2002) but without success. At the at this time for themselves and their church LINDSAY Nicholls asks prayer for such a beginning of 2009 a team sailed from properties. May they maintain a strong wit- manager to run the despatch depot of Cairns with the goal of working with the ness for the Lord. Jesus DVDs, the evangelistic tool to reach leaders of the Arufe church to evangelise Reaching Chinese Seafarers all in Australia. Contact Lindsay, 4 Ingrid St, these resistant people. Grahame com- IAN and Vivian Dennis, European Christian Dandenong North, Vic 3175, phone: 03 ments: 'It is going to be a tough assign- Mission workers in Melbourne, are seeking 9791 1830. ment, but God says “I sent you to reap what to send emails to Chinese seamen using Four Nations – One Need – God's Word you have not worked for. Others have done Chinese script, hoping they will then be able THIS is the 2009 slogan of the Bible Society the hard work, and you have reaped the to respond. Pray that this will be effective. in Australia as they focus on four countries benefits of their labour”.' (John 4.38) Reaching Children And Families for their special project – the countries of Grahame reports that in answer to AROUND Australia Camps and Beach Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Bangladesh. prayer the MV Peace has safely left Aus- Missions have been held. Pray that the It reports that most of the 252 million people tralian shores. The crossing has been diffi- message will take strong root in the hearts living across those countries have not yet cult, with strong winds and difficulties with and minds of those who have been impact- been impacted by the Good News of Jesus Customs in Daru, finally having to pay K400 ed by God's Word. Pray for recovery for Christ. to be allowed in! Keep praying for safety in those who have led these teams – it is an Pray For God's Healing travel, God's provision, and the Idi people exhausting time for them. OMF Australia asks prayer for Troy and prepared by the Holy Spirit to receive the Good News For Antofogasta, Chile Ramona Hester on home assignment in Gospel. 700 young people are determined to win the Australia. Troy has had a recurrence of the News From Dr David And Margaret Price city for the Lord going home to home with Guillian Barre disease he suffered five DAVID will be heading to PNG for some Christian literature under the auspices of years ago. This is a serious disease and important CLTC related meetings before Every Home for Christ. Pray for God to give prayer is needed for him to make a com- Easter and then they are preparing for the the increase. plete recovery. Page Two – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE ‘IN THE FURNACE OF AFFLICTION...’ Palestinian Christians Face Even More Trouble In Gaza THE casualties continued to rise in veiled, secret police will be watching more hardened. Despite the turmoil, Gaza as Israel continued to retaliate everyone, and worse. ‘They also Christians are having an impact. for the dozens of Hamas-fired mis- included in that the ability to crucify ‘We're seeing believers there reach siles that broke the cease-fire which someone if they make a charge out to help feed believers, Muslims, led the Israelis to launch their offen- against Islam. It's just definitely or nominal Christians, and they're sive. Tom Doyle, with E3 Partners, going backwards in that community’. helping out in the midst of it’, he says Hamas voted on 23 December Doyle believes that if Hamas says. Doyle is asking Christians to to institute Sharia (Islamic) law in were ousted by the Israelis, there pray that believers will be preserved Gaza. Doyle says that means radical would be dancing in the streets. and will use this opportunity to share Islam will rule – women must be Others believe radicals will be even Christ.

Uzbekistan Church Learning To Tensions Restrict Evangelism Overcome Amidst Persecution RISING tensions between India and Pakistan are impacting the spread of the Gospel. THROUGHOUT 2008, the Christians in Uz- ‘We do have work in Kashmir which is where the greatest tension is and even the fighting bekistan continued to face persecution from war has been going on there, but it's very dangerous to travel. And so the amount of the government. This has included police evangelistic and church-planting work that can go on in Kashmir is very limited. It's limit- raiding church services, harassment, confis- ed to a few places where it's relatively safe’. That's Dave Stravers with Grand Rapids, cation and even destruction of Bibles and Michigan-based Mission India. Many new Christians face anti-conversion laws, which other Christian material, arrest and deten- require them to obtain signatures from the police before their baptism. However, they tion of church leaders and members, fines usually disregard the law. ‘They said: “No-one is doing that. We're not doing that. You and imprisonment, sometimes with beat- cannot obey that law because you're only inviting the police to send extremists to your ings. Some large registered churches have house to browbeat you or even to attack you”.’ Pray that the Gospel will continue to been closed down. Mass media continue spread as Christians choose to obey God rather than man. negative coverage of the Protestant church- es, resulting in harsher persecution of Christians by society. However, the perse- YOU CAN ADVERTISE HERE cution has also resulted positively in a growing consolidation, unity and mutual CALL ALISON 03 9890 3377 help amongst Christians, as well as stronger prayer and fasting. Christians in EMAIL: [email protected] Uzbekistan ask us to pray that they may be 100% victorious amidst persecution! NewNew LifeLife – Let us build you up in your most holy faith – SUBSCRIBESUBSCRIBE TODAY!TODAY! SUBSCRIPTION: EMAIL: POST: $50pa $25 six months [email protected] PO Box 457 $45pa (student/pensioner/ [email protected] Mitcham Vic 3132 full time Christian worker) PHONE: VISIT: $25pa (email version) 03 9890 3377 56 Rutland Rd, Box Hill Vic 3128 CONTACT US NOW!

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Three CURRENT COMMENT – CLIFFORD WILSON

World Economic Situation And Mission This is Christianity in action, and our the spectacle PIONEERS Xpress newsletter, December prayer is that spiritual training and growth of seeing our 2008, has an interesting perspective written will go right along with other skills. Lord crucified by one of their Board members, Trevor G.C. Yet Another Pyramid Unearthed in agony. The sign that says 'This is Jesus Smith, on this much talked about situation. I THIS time it is beneath the sand at Saq- of Nazareth, the King of the Jews' was sup- summarise: qara, near Memphis which is relatively close posed to be a statement of His crime. Even People across the world are being to Cairo. Egypt's antiquities' chief Zahi Pilate would not alter what he had written, adversely affected by changes in their finan- Hawas suggested that the monument prob- for five times he made it clear that he cial situation. Many have seen their super- ably belonged to the Queen Mother of the believed that Jesus should be released, for annuation funds drastically diminished as founder of Egypt's 6th dynasty dating to he was not guilty of any crime. trading profits have plunged, and Govern- about 4,300 BC, which we are told is sever- Even A Worm Will Turn! ments around the world are injecting fin- al hundred years after the famous Great DR James Watson was one of the two pio- ance into the banking industry and other Pyramids of Giza. neers who won the Nobel Prize in 1962 for key industries to try to maintain some sort Only a square-shaped structure five discovering the double helix structure of of stability in what is a chaotic situation. metres tall is still standing, but it was cov- DNA. Now at 79 years of age he has been This all impacts missionaries on the field, ered by huge quantities of dumped sand. suspended from the top US laboratory many of whom are paid in US dollars. Living The sides are about 22 metres long. It where he was Chancellor. He has apolo- expenses increase, as does travel, pur- seems that the pyramid was at one time 14 gised for his remarks to the effect that chase of equipment and supplies. Poten- metres high. Africans were genetically inferior to white tially it will impact donations from supporters I always find it interesting to hear that people. He says that he understands how at home for aid and other projects, in spite Egyptian aurthorities date the pyramids to people reacted so strongly to what he said of any tax deductibility. relatively recent dates – even ‘younger’ than and stated that he knew there was no sci- Does this all speak doom and gloom? this date. When I was a boy they were usu- entific basis for such a belief. Not necessarily. It might instead open doors ally dated to hundreds of thousands of Other scientists were quick to say his of opportunity for workers to develop rela- years. It's remarkable how dating – and not arguments were quite inconsistent 'with the tionships in a new way. It might even cause only of buildings such as the pyramids! – body of research literature in this area', and Christians to re-evaluate their life and areas has come down in just one generation. one declared that 'At a time when the scien- of ministry. They might be open to hear ‘Thief Walks Free, Victim Charged' tific community is feeling threatened by God's call to serve overseas. AN interesting report comes from London, political forces seeking to undermine his Let us all continue to trust God for His telling us that a boss who marched a thiev- credibility, it is tragic that one of the icons of provision and supply, and be generous in ing worker to a police station with a placard modern science has cast such dishonour on our sharing with those in need. around his neck, was charged with false the profession’. Training For The Future imprisonment. However, the so-called crimi- It is indeed sad that a man who has WE often hear the words: 'Thank God for nal – who claimed he was not guilty – took made such a wonderful contribution to the Salvos', and that is certainly true in this action against his boss who had forcibly knowledge as regards DNA should have situation. Their 'Employment Plus' has made him parade past shoppers in busy such a totally unacceptable point of view. become the first Job Network provider to be High Street with the word 'Thief' around his What a pity he hadn't taken the step of say- a full-time presence in a remote indigenous neck. The boss and three associates were ing that the almost incredible findings with community. Lauren Martin reports in On charged with false imprisonment. DNA point unerringly to the amazing fact Fire, 6 December, of the first graduation in There is some similarity to our Lord being that all men whether black, yellow or white Woorabinda, located 170 km south-west of forcibly imprisoned and the word 'placard' or grades in between come from the same Rockhampton. The local media speaks of coming into play in Luke 23.48 where we parents, and there have been amazing peo- this community as being a place of sub- read that many came together to see the ple from each of the various divisions. As stance abuse and riots with the 900 strong sight of what had been done to Jesus. the Scriptures say God has 'made of one population being very wary of outsiders. Ultimately the one (Satan) who organised blood all nations of men on the face of the Now an office has been set up there the false charge against our Lord will be Earth'. (Acts 17.26) providing for the first time access to a con- dealt with by God, exposed as a wrong- sultant five days a week, the internet and doer. online job search facilities. They were able Paul reminds us at I Corinthians 4.9 that A ‘NEW LIFE’ to move several into full-time work, particu- we too are made 'a spectacle to the world'. subscription larly with the mines, who fully participated in The Greek word is theatron and it means a makes a great gift. the training. The big need was to develop theatre or a spectacle. skills, so ten were chosen to participate in The point I am making is that just as the Call Alison an eight-week course. This resulted in four crowd would come to the Colosseum in 03 9890 3377 being offered jobs, and others who have Rome to see 'the spectacle' of men fighting partially completed the recruitment process- to the death with lions, or against each for details. es. other, so it was that lusting crowds came to Page Four – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE VOLUME 71 AUSTRALIA’S CHRISTIAN NEWSPAPER NUMBER 13 5 February 2009 ISSN: 1033-7903

FOUNDER: Eric J. Daley (1910-1992)

EDITORIAL TEAM: Rev Dr Bob Thomas Dr Clifford Wilson Dr Barbara Wilson Off On A Wrong Steer SOMETIMES you can’t help feeling sorry for an adversary. The atheists in EMAIL: the UK decided to have a tilt at belief in God so they placed advertising slo- [email protected] gans on the side of 800 buses in England, Scotland and Wales, and on the [email protected] London Underground in a four-week campaign costing £140,000 PHONE: ($A300,000). It is supported by the British Humanist Association and the (03) 9890 3377 atheist scientist Richard Dawkins, and this is what they came up with: FAX: There's Probably No God. Now Stop Worrying And Enjoy Your Life. (03) 9897 4561 Wow. POST: First of all, if there’s ‘probably’ no God do they even believe their own PO Box 457 propaganda? No strident assertion here, just ‘probability’. Mitcham VIC 3132 Secondly though, it’s precisely because there IS a God – and He is REGISTERED OFFICE: almighty – that Christians don’t worry in any case and thoroughly enjoy living CBM Building, life to the full, or as Jesus says, ‘abundantly’. We’d have cause to worry if 56 Rutland Rd, there really were no God and everything in the cosmos as we know it has Box Hill VIC 3128 come about by a fantastic number of fantastic co-incidences occurring over WEB-SITE: a fantastically long period of time; if we were the hapless victims of blind www.nlife.com.au fate, chance or luck. But knowing God and living under His sovereign power frees us from worry and enables us to live life to the full. SUBSCRIPTION: Reports reaching us in the Antipodes haven’t told us anything yet of the $50pa ($25 half year) degree of satisfaction the British Humanist Asociation has had with its adver- $45pa (student/ tising campaign. We have learned, however, that Christians on the whole pensioner/ have reacted positively to the ‘probably no God’ campaign, saying that it f/t Christian worker) helps spark debate and provides an opportunity to talk about God. Well I $25pa (email version) should think so. Meanwhile here in Melbourne on Australia Day, as my wife and I entered Your subscription Melbourne Town Hall for the Australia For Jesus rally, we saw a couple of continues dejected, joyless, worried looking atheists holding up placards protesting until you cancel. against the rally. What a contrast this pair made to the crowd inside who were literally ACCEPTANCE OF jumping with joy for Jesus. We prayed for them and cherish the hope that ADVERTISING the Lord would use the witness of His people to bring these poor worried DOES NOT IMPLY and joyless ones to know that He exists and to put their faith in the Lord ENDORSEMENT Jesus Christ. Published by New Life Australia. Ltd ‘And not just those two, Lord, but all the others who live their lives in ABN 15 005 035 138, of 56 Rutland Rd, Box Hill Vic 3129, and printed by uncertainty, worry and sadness’. Newsprinters Pty Ltd, Melbourne Rd, Shepparton Vic 3630. (All letters to – Bob Thomas New Life please).

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Five CHRISTIANS IN THE ACTION ... Billy Graham's Grandson To Pastor Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church WILLIAM Graham Tullian Tchividjian, grand- turies. He is the only one of the famous station, and occasionally preaches during son of Billy Graham, is in line to become the evangelist's grandchildren to be the senior chapel hour at its Westminster Academy. senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian pastor of a church. His older brother He also attended the school but dropped Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, suc- Stephan Jr, is a minister at Calvary Chapel out during a period of rebellion, sinking into ceeding its founding pastor, the Rev D. of Fort Lauderdale. South Florida's ‘pleasure-saturated culture’. James Kennedy, who died in September The pro- He then came to a personal faith in Jesus at 2007 at the age of 76. posed merger the age of 21 and returned to a Christian Rev Tullian Tchividjian made one point would join dif- lifestyle. clear, though: it was him and his church or ferent kinds of He earned degrees in philosophy at not at all. ‘I'm flattered, but God put me at congrega- Columbia International University in South New City Church,’ he said. ‘We talked infor- tions: Carolina, and in divinity at Reformed mally about a merger last summer, but I Tchividjian's Theological Seminary in Orlando. thought neither church was ready’. vigorous, 5- He has written two books for Multnomah Coral Ridge appears ready now. Gasps, 1/2-year-old Press in Colorado Springs: Do I Know God? then applause, greeted Tchividjian's name church with Finding Certainty In Life's Most Important as Dr Dan Westphal, head of Coral Ridge's attendance of Relationship, and Unfashionable: Making A search committee, announced it during the 600 to 700, Difference In The World By Being Different, morning service, including the prospective and an estab- due out in April. merger of the churches. If all goes well (a lished, half-century-old church of 2,200 Besides church work, Tchividjian enjoys month of talks by heads of both churches, members and weekly attendance of 1,800. weightlifting while playing the likes of Cold- plus a congregational vote lies ahead) Dr Dan Westphal, head of Coral Ridge's play or John Mayer on his iPod, and enjoys Tchividjian will be only the second senior search committee, said: ‘This will be an surfing when time permits, as well as spend- pastor the Fort Lauderdale church has had. exciting legacy for both Dr Kennedy and ing time with wife Kim and their children. The prospective pastor is a grandson of Billy Graham. I've come to know Tullian well, Tchividjian said he shares Coral Ridge's Billy Graham with a taste for surfing, pop and he is a godly man’. Davis went on to longtime values of ‘passionate preaching’ music and powerful preaching. He is one of say that representatives on both sides and ‘robust theological commitment’. But he seven children of Gigi Tchividjian, the eldest stressed that the possible merger, and added that his selection as pastor shows the daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham. His Tchividjian's proposed Coral Ridge pas- larger, older church remains flexible. ‘For father, Swiss-Armenian psychologist torate, still are not definite. anyone who thinks Coral Ridge can't Stephan Tchividjian, is a member of New Tchividjian already has several links with change, this demonstrates that that is just City Church. Coral Ridge. His famous grandfather not true’, he said. Born in Jacksonville and raised in South preached the dedication sermon of the – Dan Wooding, from a story written by Florida, Tullian was named after Tertullian, a church sanctuary in 1974. Tullian hosts a James D. Davis, Religion Editor for South theologian of the Second and Third cen- show on WAFG-FM 90.3, the church's radio Florida for the Sun-Sentinel. New Head For Bible Society SA MRS Gillean Smiley is the new Chief Exec- for Education, Training and Employment. utive Officer for Bible Society SA. She took Commenting on her new post, Mrs up the post at the beginning of January. Smiley said: ‘I am looking forward to build- Mrs Smiley succeeds Michael Chant, ing bridges to people — developing existing who relinquished the post in October after relationships and growing new ones. I will serving for six years. be working to make Bible Society SA known A graduate of Sydney University and the and accessible to all sectors of the Chris- Sydney Institute for Education, Mrs Smiley tian community, and to all age groups, as a taught as a secondary teacher in Broken support to the Christian church in all its Hill for five years from 1986 before moving facets.’ She said she hopes to find and to Clare in SA. access tools such as new IT technology to Since 2003 she has been the Manager better reach audiences and further the Bible for Corporate Services for the Adelaide Society’s goal of making the Bible available Festival Centre. She has also served as and accessible to people in Australia and Executive Officer and as Senior Consultant overseas. for Policy and Programming for the Training Rev Robert J Wiebusch and Development Unit of the Department Chair, Bible Society SA Page Six – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE SIGN UP! SIGN UP! FOR JESUS ... February 15–21 Is ‘Sign Up’ Week For ‘Jesus. All About Life’ SYDNEY Churches are being encouraged much of an impact as the media campaign. to sign up early for Bible Society’s ‘Jesus. ‘Churches are able to register for the For more information contact Rachel All about life’ prime-time media campaign campaign at any time on the web site, how- Hockings, Sydney Project Manager which starts in mid-September and runs for ever we decided that a specific ‘Sign Up’ [email protected] six weeks. (See NL 27-11-2008 p.13). week in February would encourage church- 02 9870 5621; 0433 411 990. ‘We are very pleased that the campaign es to get involved from the start of the year’. has received the support of the major de- Simultaneous ‘Jesus. All About Life’ Who Can You Invite nominations in Sydney’, said Bible Society campaigns will also run in the Illawarra and to Subscribe to NSW CEO, Daniel Willis. ‘After many the South Coast and the NSW Central months of planning, we have received sup- Coast. The Hunter Region of NSW will run ‘New Life’? port from the Anglican, Uniting, Baptist, their campaign from Easter, 2009. Churches of Christ, Seventh Day Adventist, Salvation Army, Brethren and the Australian Christian Churches’, he said. ‘The NSW Council of Churches have also given JAAL their endorsement as have a number of the larger Sydney churches. ‘Because the Sydney campaign starts on-air on 15 September, we have designat- ed the 15th of each month as ‘Jesus. All About Life’ day – starting 15 February. ‘Working with Hope 103.2, Sydney’s Christian FM station, we have set aside 15- 21 February as Sign Up week during which we’re aiming for 500 churches to be signed up to the campaign’, he said. Churches are able to sign up on-line by going to www.jesusallaboutlife.com.au and clicking on the ‘Register’ button. For a one- off fee of $100, churches are then able to list their church’s details, get a list of Bible Society resources being produced for the campaign, order banners for their church and network with other local churches who also sign up. They also receive regular updates about the campaign, together with a campaign calendar, plus a promotional DVD which they can play to encourage their church to get involved. The ‘Jesus. All About Life’ campaign will use prime-time television advertising, sup- ported by radio and billboards to encourage people to find out what Jesus said about life. The commercials and all the print ad- vertising directs people to a web site (allaboutlife.com.au) and a phone number (1300 512 312) so they can request the free information pack. ‘Key to the campaign’s success is local churches registering and running their own “Jesus. All About Life” themed events’, Daniel said. ‘The community impact of all churches working together can make as NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Seven GOOD NEWS WEEK ... Good News Roundup From FEB WHILE the secular media makes istry now includes church planting, evangel- KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: every effort to condition us to believe ism and discipleship. Arab Vision reports that they hear regularly that Christianity is in terminal decline TURKEY: from viewers in the Kingdom of Saudi Church Leaders in Ankara recently attended Arabia professing faith in Christ and wanting but Islam is receiving converts on a the opening ceremony for Radio Shema. to learn more about Christianity. The inter- lavish scale, it is refreshing to re- Ihsan Ozbek, Pastor of Ankara's Kurtulus net, and especially forums on Arabic ceive news to the contrary by cour- Church and CEO of Radio Shema, intro- Christian sites, has made communication tesy of the Fellowship Of European duced six new programs and their produc- with believers easier and quicker. Broadcasters ... ers to the audience. Rabia Yilmaz Tufan's IN OTHER BROADCASTING NEWS: program My Story explains how and why Christian Community Broadcasting is alive NORTH AFRICA: people have come to the Lord. The Radio and well here in Australia, where there are In North Africa, a Reuters Press story has Shema website is accessible from Turkey 36 full time Christian Community Radio highlighted the large number of conversions and from the USA and Europe in a total of Stations. to Christianity. In Algeria, it is estimated that 53 countries. 314,754 people have so far Christian stations make up 10% of all the number of new followers of Christ is in visited. Community Stations. In an average week the tens of thousands. Kabyle Algerian TURK-7: 4,519,000 people or 27% of the 15+ popula- Christian Leaders have come together to TURK-7, Turkish production partner with tion listen to Community Stations. 1,145,000 produce a Christian Leadership Training TV SAT-7, has launched a new website that or 7% listen to Christian Stations. series with Arab Vision. includes six mini ‘channels’. To watch the FRANCE: INDIA: Turkish streams, go to www.turk7.com The The Top Chretien Team in France has TWR-India has celebrated 30 years of daily channel streams include children's announced that their website broadcasting. It began in five languages in programs, youth programs, dramas, person- www.connaitredieu.com (Looking for God) is 1978 from an AM radio station with a al devotions, documentary/magazine shows now in 13 languages: French, Chinese, 400,000kw transmitter. 30 years later, TWR- and in-depth teaching. TURK-7 works with Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Farsi, India broadcasts from many locations in 56 Turkish Christian writers, actors, technicians Russian, Dutch, German, Polish, Turkish languages over AM, shortwave, FM, pod- and producers to create TV programs in and English. More than 10 million visitors casting, TV audio feed and internet audio Turkish. SAT-7 provides a satellite broad- from around the world have been through streaming. Some 383 programs are broad- cast platform for TURK-7 giving it four hours the various ‘Steps’ on the website. One mil- cast for 148 hours per week. On average, a day on the same frequency as the SAT-7 lion email commitments to Christ have been TWR-India receives approximately 20,000 Persian channel. Turkish and Persian/Farsi registered. ‘Real time’ decisions can be listener responses per month, as the min- are complementary languages. watched live on www.godrev.com Bible Display In European Parl’t Continued Growth Of Children's Ministry HUNGARIAN Churches initiated a Decem- ber Exhibition in the European Parliament In Uganda of European Bibles, ‘to emphasise the MISSION Network News' Ruth Kramer recently visited Uganda with Compassion Christian spirituality and identity of our con- International. She reports: tinent’. The Exhibition was initiated by ‘Ugandans use the phrase “you are welcome” to greet strangers and get to know them Bishop Lazlo Tokes, a Bishop of the Hun- better, and in order to welcome a friend. The people value relationship, so when it comes to garian Reformed Church and a Member of confronting massive poverty and the deadly HIV/AIDS virus, it's no surprise that “relation- the European Parliament for Romania. It ship” carries the message of the Gospel. That's been Compassion International's approach was opened by the President of the Euro- to a holistic ministry. pean Parliament, Hans-Gert Pottering. The ‘Sylvanus Turyamuijuka, (tooreeyazha-mooka) says of the children they started working collection contained both original and fac- with nearly two decades ago: simile editions of the Bible which had been ‘“They are now adults on their own – fulfilled Christians, impacting society. We have published in Europe and it was prominent in Christian lawyers, Christian doctors, and Christian business people who have integrity and the open first-floor lobby of the Paul Henry- credibility. They are the leaders we need in Africa, and in Uganda, in particular”.’ Spak Parliament Building. To learn more, visit: http://www.mnnonline.org/article/12183 New Life Needs YOU!  Uphold Us In Prayer  Encourage Others To Subscribe  Advertise With Us

Page Eight – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE BREAKPOINT: Comprehending The Incomprehensible 'The Knowledge Of The Holy' Charles Colson IN the latest instalment of his Great Books He wasn’t called a prophet for nothing.) ‘manageable’ and ‘controllable’. That was Audio CD Series, Dr Ken Boa speaks of Tozer’s desire was to expand our vision the sin of the Garden – to be like God. But A.W. Tozer as a man who ‘understood the and thus our capacity to worship God right- if you could do that, you wouldn’t need Him. ways of God’. That understanding is amply ly. If we fail to do this, Boa says, that’s So instead of trying to manage or control demonstrated in Tozer’s classic book The when our understanding of God becomes God, we must surrender ourselves and Knowledge Of The Holy. distorted, and we move away from Him. place our trust in Him, even though we can’t ‘This is really a meditative and a devo- ‘Imperfect and ignoble thoughts about God’, fully understand Him. tional approach to the attributes of God’, Tozer believed, are responsible for all our And when we do this, we are not grop- Boa says. Those include more attributes errors in doctrine and in faith. Thus, he ing in the dark, for as Tozer tells us, ‘(God) than we’re used to thinking about all at defines idolatry as ‘assuming that God is in condescending love has by revelation once. For instance, Tozer discusses God’s other than He is’. declared certain things to be true of omniscience and omnipotence as well as When you look at it that way, you can Himself. These we call His attributes’. He His love and mercy. see just how widespread idolatry has has provided enough knowledge of these, But Tozer doesn’t just show us the reali- become in our day and how much havoc it Tozer says, ‘to satisfy our intellects and rav- ty of those attributes; he also shows how has created within the Church. Boa con- ish our hearts’. they work together to form a harmonious nects this kind of thinking to the modern There is much more in Tozer’s rich, witty whole. They are not contradictory, but com- prosperity gospel, which tends to turn our classic than either Ken Boa or I have time plementary. prayers into ‘strategy sessions’ rather than to go into today. But get started by visiting Tozer argues that our view of God, is true communication with God. Paradoxi- our website, BreakPoint.org, and subscribe often ‘distorted’ or ‘diminished’ because we cally, Tozer acknowledges the ‘incompre- to Ken Boa’s Great Books Audio CD series have embraced the prevailing mindset of hensibility’ of God, even as he is helping us – and then experience The Knowledge Of our culture and imposed that mindset upon to better understand His attributes. The Holy for yourself. Scripture. So we find ourselves unable even When we draw closer to God, you see, I believe it’s an important step toward to begin to comprehend concepts like His we begin to understand just how much unlearning some of the most common holiness, power, and majesty. (Keep in mind greater He is than anything we can grasp. errors about God, and learning how to that Tozer wrote this nearly 50 years ago. Our instinct is to make God into something begin to comprehend the incomprehensible. Copyright (c) 2008 Prison Fellowship Ministries. Reprinted with permission. ‘Breakpoint With Chuck Colson’ is a radio ministry of Prison Fellowship Ministries. Prison Fellowship Australia National Office, PO Box 579, Eltham Vic 3095; Phone: 03 9431 3877; Fax: 03 9431 3830; email: [email protected] Crackdown On Churches In Rangoon CHRISTIAN Solidarity Worldwide has re- Religious Affairs summoned the owners of when they came to inform him of the new ceived reports of a serious crackdown on buildings in which churches were meeting, order. In response, officials told him his reg- churches in Rangoon, the former capital of and issued them with an order prohibiting the istration certificate had been withdrawn. Burma. According to the news agency use of private property for religious purpos- Some Christians believe that the immedi- Mizzima, local authorities in Rangoon have es. ‘Christians are worried that they will not ate cause of the crackdown is church ordered at least 100 churches to stop hold- be allowed to worship anymore, even in their involvement in providing relief for victims of ing worship services. Mizzima also reports own house’, said one pastor in a report Cyclone Nargis, which devastated the area that the order could affect as many as 80% received by CSW. in May 2008. According to Shwekey Hoi- of churches in the city, and that 50 pastors One pastor in Rangoon, who cannot be pang, a Chin pastor from Burma living in were forced to sign at least five documents named for security reasons, claimed in a exile, the regime does not like the fact that promising to cease church services. The report received by CSW that several church- Buddhists have been receiving help from pastors were reportedly warned they could es have now been locked and sealed, includ- churches, and fears this may possibly result be jailed if they disobeyed the order. ing three churches in South Dagon in conversions. ‘The regime does not want The campaign appears to be particularly Township: the Evangelical Baptist Church, Buddhists coming in and out of churches. It targeted at churches meeting in apartment the Karen Baptist Church and the Dagon does not want Christianity to grow in Burma’, buildings rather than churches that own their Joshua Church. An eyewitness said that in said Shwekey Hoipang. ‘Ultimately, the own building and land. According to a report one church, the pastor presented his Legal regime seeks the destruction of Christianity. by the Democratic Voice of Burma, officials Registration Certificate provided by the This is part of a top-secret plan by the mili- from the local branch of the Ministry of Ministry of Religious Affairs to the authorities tary to stop Christian growth’. NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Nine LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Blessings Of The Carols CHRISTMAS or not, I am amazed at the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. Melbourne en route to SA because an messages in the Christmas Carols. I hear ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see, Hail, amazing opportunity has arisen for her to them at Carols nights, on the media, and in the Incarnate Deity. Mild He lays His glory be interviewed on ABC Radio. She would the shops. Yet very few seem to realise the by, Born that man no more may die’ is also be available for other meetings and eternal truth in these original songs. shown in Philippians 2.1-10 where He interviews as well while in Melbourne from One particular carol, Hark the Herald chose not to show His omnipotence (power) 9 to 16 February. Angels Sing, and others simply restate but submitted Himself to death so that man Jill’s private email address is: Biblical truth: ‘Jesus, the Lamb of God who no more may die but have eternal life (John [email protected] and she is happy takes away the sin of the world has come’ 3.16). Now sinners can receive righteous- for people to contact her direct should any- (John 1.29). ness from the sinless substitute and come one want to learn more about her work in This is something for all to rejoice about to the Holy, Loving God as His children. Mongolia and her hopes for the future. She – that He would be the sinless Son of a vir- Isn’t this something to rejoice about and can also be contacted on her mobile phone gin born in Bethlehem as prophesied in give ‘glory to the new-born King’ – to be which is 0411 706 345. Isaiah 7.14, 9.6 and Micah 5.2, and that He ready to go with Him when He returns in the Jill is currently visiting extended family would be called Emmanuel as in Matthew clouds as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. members in New Zealand but her home 1.23, showing Him to be God with us the Nev Richards,Tolga Qld. base is in Sydney. I do hope it will be possi- ble for you to meet and hear Jill’s testimony A Godward Life, alternatively titled Savoring Happy New Year! of God’s grace in her life, her calling to the I trust you have all had a restful and The Supremacy Of God In All Of Life, and western region of Mongolia and how God blessed Christmas and New Year. Many all I have read so far is refreshing and has used this 54 year old grandmother to thanks to all of you who wrote in a note of good. The thought came to me as I read When Un- bless the lives of the people there. encouragement late last year. Great to hear article 40 on page 117, titled Cheryl Smith, BCV Graduate 1969-71, clothed Is Unfitting from you (I still would not mind hearing from that it could prove a Missionary with MECO 1974 –1990. the other 98% of you!). helpful thing for Christian parents to share The new year does not mean all our with their young teenagers. problems have disappeared or that there In my experience very little is suggested Powerful Call To remains no more territory to be possessed. by most churches in the way of balanced Here are some issues to be involved in: and passionate Biblical teaching about Mission To Melbourne Late last year Margaret Tighe of Right to modesty and why it is important. John Piper Life Australia announced her retirement. expresses these reasons in a sensitive but In 2009 And with good reason: she is nearly 77 clear manner, and succinctly. years old, and has been working for life I do pray for these wonderful young peo- TRANSFORMING Melbourne is issues for over three decades. She has ple all around us, who are growing to man- preparing to present the reports been a tireless worker for the unborn and hood and womanhood in a world so blatant- of the All Melbourne Matters the sanctity of human life. She is an inspira- ly guiding them into confusion and suffering. tion to us all. Pray that we can raise up Ruth Cummings, Montmorency, Vic. research of the Church across many more workers like her. Why not send Meet The Missionary Opportunity Melbourne to Heads of Churches her a brief note thanking her for all her hard I would like to take this opportunity to intro- and Pastors and Leaders. The work: [email protected] duce my friend Jill Howe. She is a witness research gives a glimpse of how Does Israel have a right to defend itself? for Christ in Bulgan, a town on the edge of God sees the church and the See my write-up here: the Gobi Desert in Western Mongolia. She http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2009/01/03/ calls herself ‘God’s Nomad Of The Gobi’. city. on-israel’s-right-to-self-defence/ Jill’s heart concern is for the Torgood Transforming Melbourne asks The Federal government is looking into a tribal people (a minority Mongolian tribe) that the Lord’s people please Bill of Rights. Is this a good idea? and she lives and works in Bulgan at the pray that the Lord convicts us of http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2008/12/23/ request of the local Area Director. There is the great needs in Melbourne, nothing-right-about-a-bill-of-wrongs/ no NGO, mission or aid organisation work- http://www.billmuehlenberg.com/2005/08/07/ ing in this area. It is a harsh place to live, and calls and leads the whole what-is-wrong-with-a-bill-of-rights/ both physically and spiritually but Jill has Church to respond in intentional Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch amazing stories to tell of God’s intervention effective collaborative mission to http://www.billmuehlenberg.com through her to these dear people. the multitudes outside the A Good Read Jill is intending to visit South Australia in Church. I continue to appreciate reading New Life. February to renew contact and to thank the For our Golden Wedding Anniversary re- individuals and churches that support her For news and details, watch cently we were given a copy of John Piper's ministry in Mongolia. She is planning to visit www.transformingmelbourne.org Page Ten – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE MOBILISING FOR MISSION ... CMS Vic Summer School Celebrates God ‘KNOW your God and celebrate all He is’ Melbourne Archbishop Dr Philip Freier ple in the West who are following Eastern was the advice of the Revd Dr Jo Bailey- gave a helpful overview of the Old Testa- religions. A session on The Nations In Our Wells, who led the Bible Studies at the ment world-view of the nations, when the Own Back Yard reminded us that here in annual Summer Conference of CMS Vic. world was understood to be divinely or- Australia where there are people from all In her clear and engaging exposition of dered, with nations apportioned fixed boun- nations might be the place to which God is Isaiah she took up the theme of the confer- daries and their own gods. For Israel the calling us. Missionaries shared experiences ence: God Of All The Nations. She chal- expansion of others into their territory was of being sent by God to nations around the lenged everyone to consider the awesome an offence against God and His order. God world, from long-term full-time missionaries greatness of the living transcendent God, and Israel were so inextricably tied together like Bruce and Bron Hallyburton who have whose glory cannot be contained and who that the reputation of God was on the line been in Chile since 1979, to Roy and Hilary is present, active and living in His creation. with the history of Israel. Hoevenaars going to work at St John’s Uni- God’s plan involves all the nations, and has In keeping with the theme, there were versity in Tanzania for the three months of to do with both judgment and salvation. speakers from all nations, telling how God their Long Service Leave. ‘We should expect to be challenged, is at work in their part of the world. Finn A highlight of the Youth Program was the even humiliated, by people who claim to Torjesen described the seemingly limitless visit of former Test Cricketer Justin Langer, know God less than we do. God’s work of opportunities for Christian ministry in China. and his testimony about how, although he judgment in us might be conducted through The story of Certeza related by Beatrice seemed to have everything, ‘something was some surprising channels’, she said. Buono illustrated what can be achieved missing big-time’ until he became a Chris- ‘This is the God to whom creation be- under God by a partnership of missionaries tian. One of the young participants in the longs, but who utterly transcends it while and Argentinians committed to providing children’s program described it as ‘brilliant’. being intimately involved in it. We must Christian literature and willing to step out in All this still left time for much of what incarnate Christ, embodying the work and faith. Ajith Fernando from Sri Lanka spoke Ajith Fernando termed ‘inefficient lingering mission of the servant as outlined in Isaiah of the ways Western and non-Western with each other’ being one way in which in ways that the world cannot miss, so that Christians can learn from each other and truth is communicated, and just one of the they will say: “This is the mission of God, work in partnership. He also talked about lessons we can learn from non-Western and here is God’s servant”.’ how to attract to Christianity the many peo- Churches. – Janine Stewart

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Eleven DID YOU KNOW? ... by Clifford Wilson Q & A The False Trials Of Christ

YEARS ago I wrote a book called The False A Survey Of The Illegal Trials Of Jesus 9. Jesus should not have been struck by an Trial Of Jesus Christ. I had the privilege at Christ officer of the court at the trial before Annas. that time of knowing the late Sir John 1. No formal charge was laid as the basis 10. He was later illegally struck by officials Nimmo, a Justice of the Federal Court of for the arrest of Jesus. present at the trial before Caiaphas. Australia, as a personal friend. He willingly 2. The apparent intention was to do away 11. A trial for a capital offence was normally wrote the Foreword to that book and stated with Jesus, before His followers and those held in a building of the Temple, and not in that the book was the best ever written by interested could intervene. Jewish stoning the relative privacy of the High Priest's an Australian. would have been resisted, and so Roman house as in fact it was. One of the major chapters dealt with the crucifixion was to be the method, with the 12. Witnesses should have formally pre- verdict of history which shows that our expected acquiescence of Pilate. sented their evidence, but they did not. Lord's trial was possibly the greatest traves- 13. That evidence should have ty of justice the world has ever seen. Over been investigated after due warn- two issues we are presenting 40 points of ing had been given about the illegality regarding that verdict and show seriousness of false evidence. that our claims are indeed true. 14. False witnesses should have When Did Jesus Die? been severely punished, even to Jesus died in the very week of the Passover the limit of death. sacrifice, on the very day of the sacrifice 15. False evidence by a witness itself. Spiritually, Satanic forces seemed to should have invalidated the testi- be triumphant, but in fact God was over-rul- mony of that witness. ing. This was the great plan of the ages, 16. At the trial of Jesus there was foretold in the Old Testament (eg Psalm 22). a deliberate attempt to actually It was brought to pass at the actual time of 3. The use of a traitor and the illegal pay- Find false witnesses and to ensure that the Divine appointment, for Jesus died at ment of 'blood money' were condoned. their evidence agreed. The change of mind the exact time for the Passover lamb to be 4. The time of the series of the initial trials of Judas Iscariot was known and it meant sacrificed, the time of 'the evening sacrifice', before the Jews was illegal; a capital that no knowledgeable witness was immedi- at three o'clock in the afternoon. Despite all offence could not be tried at night time. ately available; the trial should not have the machinations of His enemies, Jesus had 5. The day of Jesus' trial made such a trial proceeded. transformed that cross into a symbol of illegal. By Jewish reckoning, the hours 17. The spoken words of Christ as to the grandeur, of majesty, and of heroism. before dawn were part of the first day in the rebuilding of the Temple were distorted by He had endured a series of trials, and in celebration of the Feast of Unleavened the witnesses, and the charges should have each case the presiding judge was unjust. Bread. Even a criminal could not be tried on been dismissed. In the two major trials the charge had basic a Feast Day or on a Sabbath, and all the 18. No prisoner could be condemned on his similarities, in that it was treason against proceedings of the trial and crucifixion broke own statement at the trial itself: in this ‘trial’ God before the Hebrew Court and treason such established practice. the judge became the accuser as he put against Caesar in the Imperial Court. Before 6. The trial was illegal because it did not Jesus on oath, ensuring an answer that led the Ecclesiastical Court of the Hebrews commence with a formal charge; the indict- to a declaration of 'guilty'. Jesus claimed to be God, and before the ment should not have 'developed' as the 19. The judges (both Annas and Caiaphas) Court of Caesar He claimed to be the trial proceeded. This was an outrageous attempted to force the Prisoner to condemn Christ, a King whose Kingdom was not of caricature of justice. Himself: by Hebrew law the judge was sup- this world. 7. Annas, the former High Priest, had no posed to be impartial, and, in fact, to lean The trials were false, and the evidence formal authority and Jesus should not have towards the defendant in any doubtful issue. was distorted. The verdict of history is that been arraigned before him. 20. In this trial the Chief Priests became the Jesus Christ was condemned unjustly to 8. It was opposed to Jewish law for one accusers, the prosecutors, the judges, and death. The judgment of His disciples contin- man to sit alone as a judge, as Annas did in – by association – the executioners. ues to be that He is the living Son of God. the preliminary investigation. (To be continued next issue)

DONATIONS TO ‘NEW LIFE’ Drs Clifford and Barbara Wilson ARE ALWAYS WELCOME are available for Bible Teaching Seminars for churches. AND HELP US TO CONTINUE AND EXTEND Email: [email protected] OUR MINISTRY

Page Twelve – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE EFFECTIVE YOUTH MINISTRY ROCKS ON ROCK Brings iBUG! (i Believe U God!)

THE theme for this year’s ROCK (Reaching Out to Clayton Kids) was ‘i Believe U God’. Jesus is the Rock (1 Corinthians 10.4) and the focus of the GOSPEL ROCK MISSION was on the wonders of God’s creation – bugs, ants, spi- ders, bees etc. The ROCK Ministries Team consist- ing of 56 members (mostly teenagers) presented their annual mission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the children of Clayton (Vic) during 5-11 January 2009. ROCK team members came from four churches and the mission was supported by the Clayton Ministers’ Prayer Group. Thanks are expressed to the Kingston Council for making the spacious grounds and facili- ties of Namatjira Park available for the ROCK mission . James Jensen as ROCK President, Angela Crawley as Secretary, and Nick Here come de bug! Crawley as Treasurer provided spiritual leadership, ably assisted by Nick Boys and ment, marquees etc were set up. The chil- worship: prayer, praise, thanksgiving, and Mary Jensen. They led the young team dren were assembled for the start of the up- singing was offered including Bible read- members in practical outdoor Gospel wit- front presentations at about 10am. These ings. The eagerly awaited final episode of ness and testimony. consisted of singing, Bible stories, skits, the daily drama series was enjoyed, espe- Six members of the Jensen family were aerobics, Keenite classes and drama. cially by the children. That closing item was on the team – father Mike (minister of Clay- Bible Story Plays were: enacted by the gifted drama group as an ton Presbyterian Church), mother Kerry, and i Believe U God; God Loves Me; God Hears inspiring finale to iBUG. Nick Crawley four of the children. There were also two Me; Jesus Is Your Son; God Can Do brought a moving Gospel message, which other families with four of their members on Anything; God saves. was a challenge to all. This outdoor Gospel the team, and one family with three mem- The Saturday night family event at the worship service was a witness and testimo- bers on the team. An inspiring feature of Presbyterian Church extending from 6.30 to ny of salvation through the love of Christ to ROCK, as the Body of Christ, was the Holy 10pm, was planned and co-ordinated bril- the neighbourhood. Spirit love and unity operating as they exer- liantly by team member Claire Lawson. The After the congregation had departed on cised their Spiritual gifts in the love of ROCK team organised the games and vari- Sunday evening, the ROCK team gathered Christ. ous activities. This social gathering was in the Church Hall for final debriefing and Attendances at the park averaged 130 attended by about 200 children and 100 fellowship. The team gave thanks and children plus 20 adults daily with some adults. Activities included family folk danc- praise to God for His gracious provision and additional parents and others present at ing, mini-golf and jumping castle with a enablement during the ROCK mission in various times. About 150 children and 50 delightful supper enjoyed by all. This joyous Summer 2009. Each team member gave a adults enjoyed the Thursday morning event was a great witness to the love and brief testimony of God’s blessings and 8.30am breakfast BBQ at the Park. God joy of Jesus to the surrounding Clayton enablement in promoting the Gospel of graciously answered our prayers with re- neighbourhood. Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit during gard to the prevailing weather. Fine weather The Sunday evening outdoor service, the mission. was experienced throughout ROCK with arranged by the ROCK team, was held on The five ROCK Committee members mild to warm conditions, and light to moder- the church tennis courts. An enjoyable bar- were each presented with a gift from the ate winds generally. becue at 6pm was attended by about 150 team before the joyful team members de- Program at the Park: adults and 150 children, with folk visiting parted, bonded in Holy Spirit love and unity, Each day in the park at 9am, games were from various churches. This was followed at and in a keen spirit of praise, thanksgiving organised for the children on the spacious 7pm by a worship service conducted by the and prayer for the oncoming Easter ROCK grounds while the back-drop, sound equip- ROCK team on the courts. Christ-centred mission (2009). – Dr Des Gafney NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Thirteen PERSECUTION WATCH ... ‘Remember those in prison ... and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.’ (Hebrews 13.3) Baptists Killed In Nigeria AT least 12 Nigerian Baptists were killed candidate supported mainly by Christians boarding at a local Baptist high school. and five Baptist churches burned during had won the elections, even though the re- Jos, a city of roughly 500,000 inhabi- riots sparked by local election results in sults were not officially declared. Clashes tants, experienced similar violence between November. between Christians and Muslims led to wide Christians and Muslims in 2001 over a polit- Motunrayo Adegbilero, a Nigerian who is scale assaults. ical appointment. Over a two-week period, President of the Baptist Women’s Union of Adegbilero stated that ‘the death toll is from 7-17 September, more than 1,000 peo- Africa, informed the Baptist World Alliance about 400 now’, and that ‘the dead are both ple died during the conflicts. that churches are being burnt and Chris- Christians and Muslims’. Several thousand More than 10,000 persons are estimated tians are being killed in Jos, the capital of persons were reportedly injured and an esti- to have died in sectarian clashes between Plateau State of Nigeria. mated 10,000 displaced. Christians and Muslims in Nigeria since Plateau State lies in central Nigeria, and Baptist Press reported that dozens of 1999. roughly borders the predominantly Muslim churches, mosques, businesses and homes ‘Please pray for Nigeria’, Adegbilero north and the mainly Christian south of the were burned in Jos. According to BP, ‘One urged Baptists everywhere. country. Tensions between Christians and Baptist Church lost five members and one Nigeria has one of the largest Baptist Muslims have risen in recent times in the deacon’, and that the affected church is memberships in Africa. The Nigerian Baptist most populous African nation of almost 150 housing victims of the violence. Other Convention has 2.5 million members in million people. Baptist Churches are also housing persons 9,300 churches, and the Mambilla Baptist Local elections held in Jos on 28 and 29 displaced by the violence. Baptist families Convention has almost 23,000 members in November led to riots amid rumours that the are giving shelter to students that were 255 churches.

PLEASE PRAY CONSTANTLY FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH!

Malaysian Christians Urge Government unity by destroying national and cultural val- Moeller said: ‘It's extremely distressing To Ease Bible Restrictions ues through converting people to another news for obvious reasons. Hundreds of CHRISTIANS in Malaysia have urged the religion. Palestinians have been killed, and obvious- government to lift restrictions to allow the The text accuses missionaries of using ly, escalation of violence is not something distribution of Bibles in the local Bahasa natural disasters, such as earthquakes, to that we are seeing as at all constructive to Malaysia language and also to ease restric- serve their own interests and warns children bringing peace to the region. tions on a Roman Catholic newspaper of the subversive aims of missionaries as ‘It brings back a lot of poignant memo- effectively barred from publishing in the well as tips on how to recognize their activi- ries for me, how joyous the time was when mother tongue of most of the country's ties. ‘To the Turkish State and society, the we were there to dedicate that building, Malay majority. The Christian Federation of words “missionary activity” encapsulates not (Open Doors Founder) Brother Andrew, Malaysia urged the government to lift only the work of foreign missionaries, but all myself and others, but now it's obviously restrictions on the Bible. Under section 22 Christian activity in the country’, said a right there in the centre of a great deal of of Malaysia's Internal Security Act, Bibles in spokesperson for the Alliance of Protestant destruction. The people in the Christian Bahasa are considered to be ‘prejudicial to Churches of Turkey. community there have been meeting in the national interest and security of the Christian Solidarity Worldwide small groups in homes’. Federation’. Gaza Baptist Church Destroyed By Some Christians, including the workers New Turkish School Textbook Israeli Strikes with the Palestinian Bible Society, have fled Encourages Religious Discrimination A tiny church in the Gaza Strip is right in the to the West Bank. The church's pastor, TURKEY’S Ministry of Education has intro- middle of the current crisis. Pastor Hanna, has fled the Middle East. Of duced a school textbook that encourages The Baptist church in Gaza was located about 1.7 million people in the Gaza Strip, discrimination of the country’s small Chris- right across the street from a police station there are only a few hundred Christians left. tian community despite growing internation- that was targeted by the Israelis for bomb- ‘It's remarkable how much the church is al concern about increasing violence ing. The church is now destroyed, with its facing there’, Moeller told Open Doors, ‘and against non-Muslims in Turkey. Published windows blown out as well as other dam- yet the Christians continue to pray; they by Devlet [State] Books this year, the text- age. Speaking in a story published by continue to cry out to God; and when they book, Primary Education: History of Repub- Mission Network News Online, Carl Moeller can, reach out to their neighbours with com- lic Reforms and Atatürkizm, is aimed at 13- of Open Doors Ministry described the Gaza fort’. Politically, Palestinian Christians are year olds. The controversial text describes crisis as ‘unprecedented amount of violence not accepted by Israel or by their own com- missionary activity as a threat to national against the Palestinian people’. munity. Jeremy Reynalds, ASSIST Page Fourteen – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE FOR THE YOUNG ONES:

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Fifteen BOOKS WORTH READING ...

A Boy Out of Time: A Time Twin’s viduals who turn out to be Seth and an Adventure, D. B. Macks, Adventure associate of his uncle. When far from the Fiction Aimed At Teen Boys. city, the vehicle leaves the road and hovers, BEN Javan is the almost 14 year old son of then flies through a cave into Uncle Theo's archaeologists, small for his age, bullied at property in an extinct volcanic crater, the school and guilt-ridden over the death of his mysterious and unpredictable take over. little sister by drowning while he was sup- What follows is a time travel sci-fi esting protagonists takes place in a world posed to be watching her. When his parents adventure that takes the boys and the that has flavours of Narnia and Middle Earth leave for a dig in Turkey, he gets to spend adults back to the pre-flood world where but just might be a reasonable guess at that the summer with his mysterious physicist people are both technologically advanced real antediluvian history that is only sum- uncle who lives in an isolated area of and endowed with unusual physical and marised in Genesis. Alaska where Ben will also get to meet a mental powers. That world is succumbing to The text is marred by many typos which boy his own age named Seth, with whom spiritual darkness most evident in the will hopefully be corrected in the next print- he has been an instant messaging pen pal. Nephilim who have captured Uncle Theo. ing. It is available on the web at The ordinary world starts to slip away Promotion of moral courage, commit- www.thetimetwins.com as an e-book for $7 when he is met at the Anchorage Airport by ment to Biblical accuracy, awareness of or paperback for $14.95 plus shipping. two extremely tall and unnaturally pale indi- spiritual warfare and development of inter- – Ross S. Olson MD A Brief Review Of 'The Eternity Man' bas Church in Broadway a number of years 1. Gospel Message: Opera screened on ABC1 at 9.45 pm before. (The film totally skipped St Barna- http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=CJggqsFwl Sunday 8 January. bas Church, Broadway, which filled a very wQ&feature=channel important chapter in Stace's Christian life). 2. Mr Eternity Song (Part 1): The Good Points: There is a scene of him riding the Monorail http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=N3wawvKS The attempt to tell the story of Arthur Stace in Sydney, but he died in 1967 – long before yqg&feature=channel – his changed life after conversion, his dedi- the monorail was even thought of. 3. Mr Eternity Song (Part 2): cation and faithfulness in writing the word Nevertheless the story of Arthur Stace http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj1vox8QS ‘Eternity’ in yellow chalk on the footpaths of told in any format always presents the Qc&feature=channel Sydney over decades – old footage of Christian community in general and the I have also The Life & Legacy of Mr Sydney, ‘Eternity’ emblazoned in fireworks Church in particular, with a golden Gospel Eternity – Gospel outreach pack which in- on the Harbour Bridge in 2000. opportunity to share the amazing grace of cludes: CD + Tape + Tract for $25 (includ- The Bad Points: Jesus Christ. ing GST and postage.) The coarse language, the number of nudity I have on You Tube the following out- – Pastor Peter Rahme scenes, the incorrect portrayal of his salva- reach Mr Eternity video clips that you can tion taking place at Burton St Baptist download for free and share with your (Readers can contact Peter Rahme on 0418 Tabernacle when in fact it was at St Barna- unsaved friends and family: 249 989 for details of other resources – Ed)

News Update: MAF Arnhem Land Accident MANY may be wondering about the cur- rent situation regarding the missing MAF plane off Arnhem Land, NT. The wreckage has still not been located. The next possible option is a detailed salvage operation. However due to the unavailability of experts in this field and other key personnel over the Christmas/New Year break, there has been little progress. There are a number of options to consider and hopefully a way forward will be made clear soon. Please contin- ue to pray for the missing pilot's family and also for wisdom that correct deci- sions will be made in order to establish the reasons for this tragedy. Page Sixteen – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE FOR URGENT AND CONCERTED PRAYER: Congo; Uganda: Is The End Near For The LRA? THE so-called ‘Lord’s Resistance Army’ has a peace treaty crafted by Ugandan church waged a campaign of terror for over 20 and government authorities. In December, Please Intercede For: years. The UN estimates LRA rebels have Operation Lightning Thunder, a well co-ordi-  Humanitarian assistance to kidnapped 20,000 children and forcibly con- nated assemblage of armed forces from scripted them into military service or the sex Uganda, DRC and the Sudan People's reach the survivors of the industry. Countless others have suffered Liberation Army, began air strikes destroy- Christmas week attacks; many are their fate through merciless killings. ing rebel bases in the vast Garamba nation- in psychological shock and are Led by the infamous Joseph Kony, a al reserve in north-east DRC. On the run, wandering in search of shelter and Catholic altar boy turned warlord, the LRA Kony and his forces are now fragmented food, with the UN estimating has specifically targeted the church commu- into small regiments in desperate search for nity and clergy who have given refuge to food and shelter. Battle fatigue has set in, 70,000 people have been dis- those fleeing the rebels’ brutality. with commanders and soldiers reportedly placed due to the LRA's recent Christmas Day 2008 was no different as 'fed up with the war and want to surrender' DRC rampage. a Catholic church in north-eastern Demo- (The New Vision).  Rebel commanders and sol- cratic Republic of Congo was the target for Could this year witness the end to the diers to peacefully surrender and the LRA's atrocities. The following days saw LRA? Armed with occult powers, the LRA repeated savagery at nearby churches and will not be defeated through normal warfare. with church support re-integrate villages. Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Only divine power realised through fervent back to civilian life; may Joseph Richard Domba reported that 150 were intercession will stop this menace. It is time Kony be brought to justice to bring hacked to death during the Christmas Day to seize the day and pray for an end to the closure to those who have suf- service with another 280 massacred over LRA once and for all. RLP guest writer is a fered from his evil deeds. the following days. The Ugandan army Neal Youngquist  reports that most of the church victims were freelance author working on behalf of the Divine strength for the Ugandan innocent women, children and the elderly. poor and persecuted. The WEA Religious and DRC church communities; Recently, though, encouraging signs Liberty Commission sponsors this RL may they demonstrate rejoicing in have surfaced signalling Africa's longest Prayer List to help individuals and groups hope, patience in tribulation and pray specifically and regularly for religious armed conflict may be coming to an end. steadfastness in prayer to the Kony and his henchmen failed to show up liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the as promised for an October 2008 signing of Church where it is suffering persecution. fullest degree. (Romans 12.12) Barnabas Fund Helps Suffering Christians In Gaza CHANGE OF WORSHIP VENUE AT an economic summit in Kuwait, King In partnership with Bible Societies in the Abdullah of Saudi Arabia pledged the sum region, Barnabas Fund has provided food PRESBYTERIAN REFORMED of $1 billion as part of a fund to be estab- coupons to 400 Christian families. These CHURCH MELBOURNE lished by Arab nations for the reconstruction can be exchanged at supermarkets and advises that we have changed our place of the area following the Gaza conflict. temporary shops and will provide food for of worship from: Dr Patrick Sookhdeo, International each family for a month. At present funding Laburnum Primary School Director of Barnabas Fund, commented: for food is the priority, as costs have risen TO NUNAWADING PRIMARY SCHOOL ‘We welcome and give thanks for this large beyond the reach of most families, and the 104 Springvale Rd Nunawading donation, and for others made by Muslims banks have also imposed a withdrawal limit (Between Luckie & Esdale Sts) to help the Muslim people of Gaza. We owing to shortage of funds. But in the medi- Melway Map 48 Ref. F8 Service each Sunday @ 10.30am encourage Christians to show the same um and longer term the Christians of Gaza preceded by prayer @ 9.45am concern for the Christian minority in Gaza, will have many other needs, including the Enquiries phone: by giving generously to meet their needs at provision of medicines, the reconstruction of Rev Graeme Hulls, 03 9876 5346, this difficult time’. homes and infrastructure, support for peo- or Mr Barry Gregor, 03 9877 4006. Barnabas Fund is grateful for the gen- ple suffering from post-traumatic shock, and erosity of so many supporters in giving to allowances for those seeking work. Hear ‘Amazing Grace’ 98.1 their current appeal on behalf of Christians Barnabas Fund is also working with Eastern FM, each Sunday 7am in Gaza, caught up in the recent conflict. other Christian partners to send further aid For more information visit our website: The need is great. to Christians in Gaza. www.prc.org.au Presbyterian Reformed Church Melbourne Inc (A0049333Z) MAKE POVERTY HISTORY? We’re WORKING on it! Visit: www.presaid.org.au NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Seventeen ONESIMUS AND FRIENDS ... ‘Useful to me and to you’ Helping Women Help Themselves And Others UPCOMING FIVE years ago, Jennifer Evans founded beautiful and unique handcrafts, made by Horizons of Hope Ministries in response to women from several countries in the devel- the needs of women in particular in the oping world. EVENTS: developing world, importing handcrafts Every purchase not only brings transfor- Matthew Maury will be commis- through the FAIR TRADE network from sev- mation into a woman’s life overseas; the rip- sioned as TEAR Australia’s National eral developing countries. This year, ples in the pond are that families receive Director on Sunday 15 February 2009 at Jennifer’s early focus is on International flood and famine relief, health checks, edu- 2pm in St Hilary’s Anglican Church, 12 Women’s Day on 8 March. cation, micro enterprise opportunities, job John St, Kew (Mel Ref 45 H7). IWD is a global day connecting women training and so much more. MAF Discovery Day, NSW, will around the world, celebrating past, present Function details are: and future achievements, especially for Thursday 5 March, The Guards Room, The be held on Saturday 21 February 2009 at those women in the developing world for Buckingham International, 1130 Nepean Camden Airport, south west of Sydney, whom most days are a struggle to survive. Hwy, Highett, 10.30am-12 noon. from 10am. For more information, go to To celebrate International Women’s Day, Sunday 8 March, Syndal Baptist Church, www.maf.org.au Jennifer has organised functions to which Cnr High Street Rd and Blackburn Rd, The Fellowship Of Congre- New Life readers are invited! As a result of Syndal, 9am-12 noon, before, between and gational Churches will hold the generosity and support of the venues, after morning services. their next FCC Teaching Seminar on these occasions are completely free of Tuesday 12 March, The Pier Room, Tuesday 17 February, 2009, at Bexley charge, including complimentary morning Pelicans Landing, 1 Syme Street, Congregational Church. The speaker will refreshments. They are low key, with an Williamstown, 10.30am-12 noon. be Rev David Thurston, Church Planter, invitation to come any time between Jennifer welcomes invitations to speak, founding Director of NSW Presbyterian 10.30am to 12 noon, to browse over 200 and can be called on 0438 951 665. Ministry of Evangelism and Pastor of Central Sydney Presbyterian Church. The Eighth Annual FCC Preaching Sem- A Good Sign: inar will be held on Wednesday 17 June at Bexley. The speaker will be Rev Mike Raiter, Principal of the Bible College of ‘Let the power of Victoria. Victorian Women's Christian Conventions love replace The opening rally will be held at Murrum- beena Baptist Church (Vic) on 19 Feb- ruary commencing at 10.30am. The speakers will be Heather Gaskell and the love of power’. Joanne Keane using the theme Hidden Treasures, and Bev Evans who formerly worked in New Guinea with Wycliffe Bible – Wayside Pulpit, Anglican Church, Translators will give a mission spot. Glenhuntly Rd, Elsternwick, Vic. Heather is the new President and Joanne the new Secretary. Small children will be supervised. Contact Doreen 03 5977 1130 for further details Ramon A Williams – Worldwide Photos Cre8 Kingdom Business Summit will be held at Arrow on WANT TO SEE MORE? Swanston Conference Centre, 488 Swan- ‘New Life’ can only publish a small selection of photos, but ston St, Carlton, 13-14 March. Go to: www.cre8conference.org for further you can see more of those attributed to Worldwide Photos details. by going to: See You At The Pole 2009 will http://community.webshots.com/user/ramon_williams be on Thursday 21 May 2009 Australia wide. This will be the 10th Anniversary of e-mail: [email protected] SYATP in our nation. For details go to: www.syatpaustralia.com

Page Eighteen – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE THINKING THINGS THROUGH ... Looking Back, Looking Forward, Standing Firm IN Roman mythology, Janus was a two- Nor did he rest on past successes or It is right headed god who looked backwards and for- live off his experiences. Because Paul had and good wards, and so was regarded as the god of preached in Asia (Turkey) he did not sit that we think of the flow of history in this gateways and doorways. He has given his back and say: 'Somebody else can do way. We are those ‘on whom the end of the name to our month January, which is a time Achaia and Macedonia (Greece).' ages has come’ (1 Corinthians 10.11). The when people might be inclined to look back Your present usefulness can be greatly Christian looks back to what God has done over the year that was and forward to the hindered if you are constantly reliving the in Christ, and forward to what He will do in year that is coming. past. Whatever your failures and whatever Christ. The Christian does so from a firm The apostle Paul once wrote of himself your successes, put them behind you and standing point, the person of Christ Himself, as ‘the least of the apostles, unworthy to be press on. the Word come in human form. called an apostle, because I persecuted the Paul was single-minded, governed by Some people would tell us to repudiate church of God’ (1 Corinthians 15.9). He ‘one thing’. the past, and live only for the present. never forgot that he had proudly and inso- Your present use- Hence he Others dwell on the past in a nostalgic way. lently blasphemed Christ, not recognising fulness can be pressed on Yet others would seek to interpret the flow that He is indeed the Lord from heaven (1 toward the of history without recourse to the Lord of Timothy 1.13). greatly hindered if goal for the history. For the Christian, the One who Christians ought never to forget their you are constantly prize of the gives light and meaning to history is also past, that we were all once dead in tres- reliving the past. upward call of the One who gives light and meaning to the passes and sins (Ephesians 2.1) and that Whatever your God in Christ individual. Hence we can look back and for- this manifested itself either in open unright- failures and what- Jesus ward while standing firm. The paradox is eousness or in the more subtle sin of de- (Philippians that we can grow without being tossed ceptive self-righteousness. Three times in ever your successes, 3.13,14). about (Ephesians 4.13-15). the book of Acts, Luke recounts the conver- put them behind Paul John Newton put it marvellously well as sion of the apostle Paul (Acts 9,22,26). That you and press on. looked back he looked over his own life and looked to is a salutary thing for any Christian to do. and also for- where he was heading: ‘I am not what I We all need to look back over our lives. ward in his ought to be — ah, how imperfect and defi- However, Paul was never governed by Christian life. Indeed, this is how the Chris- cient! I am not what I wish to be — I abhor his past. He even spoke of ‘forgetting what tian looks at all of history. The coming of what is evil, and I would cleave to what is lies behind’ (Philippians 3.13). He did not Christ was in the fullness of time (Galatians good! I am not what I hope to be — soon, mean that he had erased his past from his 4.4). soon shall I put off mortality, and with mor- memory but that his past did not rule over Christ is the centre of all human history. tality all sin and imperfection. Yet, though I him and hamper his present usefulness. Even in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish Some people look over their past and according to 1 Corinthians 11.26, we pro- to be, nor what I hope to be, I can truly say, see great failures, perhaps terrible sin, and claim the Lord’s death (which has already I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and this paralyses them. They dwell on it, stew happened) and look to when He comes Satan; and I can heartily join with the apos- over it and act as if their failures are greater again (which has yet to take place). In AD tle, and acknowledge: “By the grace of God than God's grace. That is not Paul's 525 a Roman Abbot, Dionysius Exiguus, I am what I am”.’ method. He put his past behind him. He had introduced the custom of thinking in terms As a Christian, Newton knew what it blasphemed Christ, he had persecuted the of BC (‘Before Christ’) and AD (anno means to look back, to look forward, and to church. But all that was behind him, cov- Domini, ‘In the year of our Lord’). This was stand firm. ered by the blood of the Redeemer. adopted in the Middle Ages. – Peter Barnes New Life Now Available Electronically FOR over 70 years, New Life has come to subscribers and readers through the post or Christian book shops, but we can now offer an alternative way of receiving New Life – by email. The email edition contains an addi- tional four pages of news and views we canʼt fit into the print edition, subscribers receive it a few days ahead of the print edition, and it costs half the price! TO SUBSCRIBE to the email edition, contact Alison on 03 9890 3377 or email her at [email protected]

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Nineteen HOLIDAY GUIDE(VIC) WANTED TO BUY WORD FOR TODAY

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NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty BIRTH: AT YOUR SERVICE:

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NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty One POSITIONS! POSITIONS! POSITIONS!

PASTORAL OPPORTUNITIES Literary / Marketing Talent Needed! Melb based Christian publishing IN RURAL VICTORIA co. in need of Literary Agent / Do you have a sense of call to minister Marketing Person in rural communities? Send Profile / Resume to Do you have a passion to share Christ with many [email protected] impacted by drought and hard times? Do you have the desire to demonstrate ʻChrist in youʼ PRIMARY SCHOOL by helping people in practical ways? Are you Reformed in your theological understanding? CHAPLAINCY Are you willing to undertake ongoing theological education 0.4 Part-time while you engage in grassroots ministry? 2 Days a week Are you ready to explore your call to ministry on a part or full-time basis? Fusion Australia requires the services of a chaplain to be based Then contact Rev Dr Robert L Carner at Aldercourt Primary School in at the Presbyterian Church of Victoria; Frankston North. Email [email protected] As part of the Fusion Mornington or phone 03 8786 9358 Youth and Community Work team, Applications and enquiries from ordained ministers the Chaplain would be involved in are also welcome! a holistic approach to youth work. The role would encompass work within a wide range of Fusion activities and programs as well as work within the school and the El Kanah Frankston North Community. Retreat Centre Relevant training in Welfare, Social For Churches, Families And Individuals Work, Education or Theology, experience in working with young now with a number of ensuite rooms. people, a driverʼs licence and a A Special Weekend: 27 Feb to 1 Mar – Inner Healing – Then What? Working with Childrenʼs Check Led by the Founder of El Kanah, Pastor Graeme Cann are essential. 2009 Programs: For further information and job Mid Week Retreat for 50+ 23-27 Feb, Leader: Pastor Graeme Cann description please contact Tim 11-15 May; 10-14 Aug; 9-13 Nov. Leader: To be advised. Strange or Chris Grundy on Engaged, Courting Couples: 13-15 Mar; 8-10 May; 31 Jul-2 Aug; 4-6 Dec 03 5974 1442. Marriage Enrichment: 27-29 Mar; 25-27 Sep.  Weddings and Special Celebrations  Fasting, Prayer & Reflection  Special Ski and Family Packages Ministry Opportunity Mid Week Special: Monday pm to Friday am from $320 per person. For An Accountant Intensive Professional Counselling CRMF, Goroka, is looking for an Are you working through challenging issues? Come for a weekend or accountant who would be willing midweek to the healing environment El Kanah offers. Our Christian to come to PNG to undertake Counsellors provide individual and couple counselling covering many the annual audit. issues including anxiety and depression. Please email [email protected] For further information please contact Vera Gill: 0414 564 309, if you are interested email: [email protected] in this ministry. El Kanah Marysville: Tel: 03 5963 3229 [email protected] www.elkanahmarysville.org.au Wanted To Buy: YOU CAN ADVERTISE HERE Agapeland Music for ʻThe Music CALL ALISON (03) 9890 3377 Machineʼ, ʻSir Oliverʼs Songʼ, ʻBullfrogs And Butterfliesʼ EMAIL: [email protected] Call Alison 03 9872 4385

Page Twenty Two – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE WITH CHRIST ... A TIME TO CLOSE ...

Rev Charles Harold Nicholls, 1913- 2008. Bible Radio Productions Inc Comes To An End – HAROLD Nicholls was the youngest of the Passes Funds To Other Ministries four children of AFTER much prayer and deliberation the blessed through this unique ministry. George Percy Nicholls Committee of Bible Radio Productions Inc is After Wally Guilford had to retire, Ken and Annie Bertha sad to announce to their many faithful sup- Knight assumed responsibility as the new Brewe. Harold was porters that after 53 years of operation, they director, ably assisted by his wife Norma, actively involved in wit- feel the Lord would have them bring this who acted as secretary. Later, Bible Adven- ness and ministry in ministry to a close. tures was put into simple English to be used Victoria which included Campaigners for Wally Guilford, the founder of BRP, was on short wave stations in other countries Christ. He was impacted by the ministry of a well known and respected child evangel- broadcasting to the Third World, and HCJB, C.H. Nash, and while at MBI, in 1938, ist. He was wonderfully used by the Lord in FEBC, TWR, Radio Africa and Radio East Harold responded to a call to the winning countless numbers of children to Africa’s services were also used to broad- Presbyterian Home Mission in Queensland, Himself. He was the author of Winning The cast throughout Central Africa at consider- serving in a number of country areas. Children For Christ, which has been ac- able cost, but the Lord has wonderfully pro- Harold married Halley, who was his claimed as one of the best books ever writ- vided the necessary funds. BRP has also companion in ministry for over 60 years. ten on the subject. used Radio Saipan, Radio Taiwan, and While in Queensland, Harold joined the Challenged by reading Radio, The New World Harvest Radio from Hawaii. Several Baptist Home Mission. Having studied at Missionary, the autobiography of Clarence Christian FM stations in Australia also used the Baptist Theological College he was Jones, co-founder of HCJB, he shared a their programs. ordained in 1945 at Monto. On coming to vision with friends for reaching children for On 17 November 2008 the BRP commit- Brisbane Harold ministered in the Ashgrove the Lord through dramatised Bible stories tee voted to bring BRP to a close after 53 and Toowong Baptist Churches. During that using the medium of radio. With the support years of radio ministry, which the Lord has time Harold was also actively involved in of a number of friends, BRP was born. so wonderfully blessed. Their cash assets evangelistic outreach as a member of the The Lord greatly blessed the ministry of are to be invested between HCJB, FEBC Baptist ‘Flying Squad’. He was also a mem- BRP, with listeners telling of their coming to and TWR to more effectively proclaim the ber of the Evangelistic Committee that accept the Lord as their personal Saviour message of salvation throughout the 10/40 arranged for a number of international and of many lives being encouraged and window. speakers to visit Brisbane. In 1957 Harold became Principal of the Queensland Bible Institute (now BCQ) and during his 13 years of ministry there saw significant growth and development. On leaving QBI, Harold accepted interim min- istries in Cairns and Mackay before moving I WOULD LIKE A SUBSCRIPTION TO to West Preston, Melbourne, in 1970. While New Life Christian Newspaper there he was asked to assist the Moe Bap- for the price (inc GST) of: tist Church which was hosting a National Annual Subscription (posted fortnightly, 23 issues): $50 ( ) Baptist Family Convention. That led to a call Concession Sub (f/t Christian workers, students, and many years of happy and blessed serv- Social Service recipients): $45 ( ) ice before he retired in 1982. In retirement, Half-year Sub (posted fortnightly 11 issues): $25 ( ) Harold served in a number of interim pas- Half-year Concession sub $22.50 ( ) torates and was an honorary part-time pas- E-mail subscription (23 issues) $25 ( ) tor at Surrey Hills Baptist Church. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MAKE A DONATION TO ASSIST ʻNEW LIFEʼ $ ...... Harold encouraged missions in the ------churches he pastored. His heart for mission Please tick appropriate box(es) meant that he served on many mission This is a NEW subscription ( ) This is a subscription RENEWAL ( ) boards and was a faithful pray-er for those I enclose a cheque/money order for $...... or in ministry. He would pray for the world Please debit my Mastercard/Visacard each week. Both Harold and his wife be- Please debit my credit card automatically each quarter for $12.50 ( ) lieved in the power of prayer and spent No. ______much of their lives both individually and as Expiry date _____/_____ Signature ______a married couple in prayer. Name: ______Harold died just two days after his 95th Address: ______Postcode: ______Phone: ( ) ______Birthday when he celebrated God’s faithful- Email address: ness over many years. (Miss) Ruth J. Nicholls NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty Three ‘NEW LIFE’ – AUSTRALIA’S CHRISTIAN NEWSPAPER New Life Breathed Into Convention ARE you a person who loves change? Then the recent Belgrave Heights Summer Convention was the place for you to be! The council and executive of Belgrave Heights Convention embraced change – and it was great! There was a change in the timetable. Regular convention goers, both campers and day visitors, quickly adapted to the new schedule of two morning sessions. It made for a busy morning before lunch, but freed afternoons for a change of approach to the missionary presentations, and some much enjoyed relaxation and family time during convention. There was a change in the weather. We experienced five mild days, which made it The Couriers, Barry McKay, Hannah understanding what God was allowing to comfortable to sit in meetings and do life Johnstone, Te Deum and Mal White all happen and yet knew that God was in con- around convention. The camp grounds enhanced the services as they shared their trol in God’s world. Habakkuk has great were busy with tents and vans, as people gifts in music that God has given them. lessons for us as we sit in God’s waiting spent part of their holiday time enjoying the Mission: A strong mission emphasis was room: the place between God’s promises teaching and atmosphere of convention. also evident again. The missions display in and the fulfilment of them. On Thursday 1 January, with a New the foyer was an encouraging and diverse Ian Powell, minister at St Barnabas, Year upon us, people were introduced to demonstration of the many ways God is Broadway, in Sydney, preached from the India, a land of diversity: culturally, linguisti- calling people to serve Him within our book of Revelation, taking a step back to cally and in almost every imaginable way! country and further afield in the world. view the big picture rather than getting too As you approached the auditorium through Numerous mission agencies had their caught up in the details of the book. Ian the foyer, there was the aroma of chai and stands and representatives available to encouraged us to consider the teaching of Bombay mix which were being served to us share about their work. Mission spots were Revelation which God revealed to Jesus by ladies in saris and men in traditional a highlight of many of the sessions. MUKTI and then to His servant, John (through an Indian dress. Indian music streamed mission is involved with women and chil- angel), in order to get the message to the through the building and those present dren in India; highlights were shown of the servants, the Church. We saw the most were given a passport as they entered. National Prayer conferences in Iraq which recent ‘picture’ of Jesus that the Bible gives The presentations about India from dif- are bringing Iraqi and Kurdish Christians us, and John had difficulty in finding the ferent missionaries and organisations were together; there were snapshots of work words to describe Him. Ian led us through informative and fun. A highlight for some with students in Eurasia; BCV shared a lit- what Jesus thinks of the Church, the good being the rickshaw ride around the auditori- tle of college life; the work of Barnabas and the bad. Ultimately he challenged each um. It was exciting to hear what God is Fund and Langham Partner-ship in sup- of us to fulfil our purpose of finally reaching doing in India and having the opportunity to porting national Churches around the world Heaven and taking as many people with us meet and pray with different mission organ- was highlighted; and the vital task of as we can. isations. Missions Interlink in connecting mission Kofi Anane-Fenin from Pioneers in Ghana Always important when embracing organisations as they work together to do taught from 2 Kings 2 on Elisha’s dedica- change is to have some things that remain their individual work God has challenged tion to following Elijah. Each of the places constant. At the 91st Summer Convention them with was explained. of significance in this story: Gilgal, Bethel, some of these constants were: Bible Teaching: Strong Biblical teaching Jericho and Jordan can have parallels in Music: the teams leading congregational was another constant at the convention. the walk of a Christian as we seek to be worship provided beautiful music with a Jonathan Lamb, on staff at Langham the servants that God calls us to be. range of songs from the traditional to the Partnership International brought the morn- As new and familiar aspects of conven- contemporary. Artists who came to share in ing Bible study sessions from Habakkuk. tion melded, God was challenging us to be worship brought a delightful flavour to con- Habakkuk the prophet brings God’s word to His people in a world that can at times vention. The Chatelier Family Singers people and speaks to God on behalf of the seem to be out of control. Do seriously shared on New Year’s Eve at both the people. He was burdened by the society he consider spending Easter at Belgrave 11.30 am and New Year’s Eve Celebration. lived in. He felt the bewilderment of not Heights and the beginning to 2010 as well! Page Twenty Four – 5 February 2009 – NEW LIFE NEW LIFE EXTRA: Atheist Recommends God

By Rusty Wright and Meg Korpi, ASSIST News Service

THE headline found at www.timesonline.co.uk, NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. in The Times of London grabs your attention: These alone will not do. Education and training alone ‘As An Atheist, I Truly Believe Africa Needs God’. The will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's tagline is even more pointed: ‘Missionaries, Not Aid hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is Money, Are The Solution To Africa's Biggest Problem – real. The change is good’. The Crushing Passivity Of The People's Mindset’. Interestingly, Parris' carefully considered conclusion, What kind of atheist is this? Matthew Parris, Times based on empirical observations across Africa, res- writer, award-winning author, and former Member of onates with biblical statements: Jesus told a 1st Century Parliament, is not your typical atheist. leader: ‘You must be born again...of the Spirit’. Paul, an early skeptic-turned-believer, affirmed: ‘Anyone who Atheists And Agnostics Unite! Recent projects promoting atheism or agnosticism belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life include bestselling books: Richard Dawkins' The God is gone; a new life has begun!’ Delusion, Sam Harris' The End Of Faith, and How It Liberates Christopher Hitchens' God Is Not Great. Bill Maher's film Parris emphasizes Christianity's impact on the individ- Religulous calls ‘anti-religionists’ to unite against reli- ual, beyond the good works it spawns. Living in Africa, gion's dangers and ‘enshrine.rationality’. he observed: ‘the Christians were always different’. Their In Illinois and Washington state capitols, the faith seemed to have ‘liberated and relaxed them’. They Freedom From Religion Foundation countered govern- exhibited a liveliness, curiosity, engagement and direct- ment-sanctioned Christmas nativity displays with signs ness that seemed absent in traditional African life. The declaring religion false, heart-hardening and mind- Christian Pump Aid workers he met stood out for their enslaving. honesty, diligence and optimism. It is unusual for an atheist to write favorably about Parris bemoans tribalism for fostering an attitude of faith. What led Parris to his surprising conclusion? fear and ‘exaggerated respect for a swaggering leader’. He credits Christianity's emphasis on a direct, personal Reluctant Observation relationship with God for encouraging an individuality Parris grew up in Africa, and returned recently to cover a that can help ‘cast off a crushing tribal groupthink. That nongovernmental development organization for The is why and how it liberates’. Times. The NGO, Pump Aid, helps provide clean water Christianity ‘engenders individuality and frees the to rural communities. The organization is secular, but mind’? Is this the same Christianity that some criticize several of its ‘most impressive’ African representatives for breeding a herd mentality among undiscerning fol- are devoted followers of Jesus. Their character evoked lowers – something like ‘a crushing groupthink’? memories for Parris: Actually, it isn't. Parris specifies Christianity based on ‘Travelling in Malawi refreshed [a] belief I've been a personal relationship with God. He observes that such trying to banish all my life, but an observation I've been Christianity ‘smashes through’ the traditional collective unable to avoid since my African childhood. It confounds mindset. No surprise. Jesus overturned Temple tables my ideological beliefs, stubbornly refuses to fit my world and blasted religious leaders for supplanting God's ways view, and has embarrassed my growing belief that there with their own. is no God. Though atheists and Christians might debate the ‘Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of mechanism, atheist Parris finds the fact undeniable: the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism when God is personal, Christianity changes African makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular hearts, lives and communities for the better.

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty Five NEW LIFE EXTRA: The Sowers Group On Tour COMPASSION Australia, in ‘These guys have an association with Translator astonishing personal story Records and Musical Arts of escaping conflict and Mission, is pleased to an- surviving war’, says Aus- nounce the first tour of The tralian tour keyboard play- Sowers Group, a renowned er, Andy Sorenson of East African band, to Australia Translator Records and and New Zealand. Musical Arts Mission.’They Throughout March and Ap- have moved from country ril, two former Compassion to country, learning six lan- assisted children, Mike Matumaini and Oswald Basoka, guages along the way, in an attempt to leave behind the originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, will poverty of their upbringing and inspire thousands with take to stages across Eastern Australia from Queens- their music and message’. The Sowers Group will tour land’s Easterfest to Sydney’s premier venue The Base- throughout Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland ment, sharing their songs of hope and purpose rising as well as venues in New Zealand during March and from turmoil and tragedy. April. For more information and tour dates, visit Joined by childhood friend Kosto Zahinda and Mike’s www.compassion.com.au or www.translatorrecords.com Rwandan wife Christelle K Mugeni, the Sowers Group Cheza!, the group’s latest album recorded in will mesmerise audiences with gospel grooves and tradi- Tanzania, is available from Koorong, The Planet tional rhythms from Rwanda, DR Congo and Tanzania. Company, iTunes and all major retail stores. Remember Michael Chang? WITH the Australian CSLʼs mission is to introduce people to Open Tennis Christ by using sports as an avenue through Tournament reach- which individuals can see, hear, and experi- ing its climax as this ence the Christian faith. issue of New Life CSL places a premium on sportsmanship goes to press, it is and God-honoring conduct, making every perhaps timely to effort to ensure a professional, organized, fun remember a former and safe environment for physical play and ʻgreatʼ, namely fellowship. Michael Chang, who Team captains play an integral role in made an impact in maintaining the integrity and vision of the the tennis world a league, as well as the level of fellowship and few years ago not just because he was in the camaraderie on their teams in the hope that top class of players but he was known for his CSL provides people with a fun setting that fairness and his strong Christian profession. encourages friends, family and colleagues on Since retiring from the circuit Michael has and off the court. been very busy. In January 2002, the Chang The Chang Family Foundation currently Family Foundation launched the Christian has CSL branches in Seattle, WA and Orange Sports League in the hope that it would be County, CA. Potential branch sites include: used as a vehicle for local churches and Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San organizations to share the Gospel through Diego and Denver. For more information, con- organized and competitive sports. tact CSL at [email protected] NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty Six NEW LIFE EXTRA: Man Refuses To Drive 'No God' Bus By Dan Wooding, Founder of ASSIST Ministries A CHRISTIAN bus driver has refused to drive a bus with an atheist slogan proclaiming ‘There's probably no God ...’ (See Editorial, p.5) Ron Heather, a Christian bus driver, refused to drive the bus with the atheist message (Photo: Solent News) According to the BBC, Ron Heather, from Southampton, Hampshire, responded with ‘shock’ and ‘horror’ at the message and walked out of his shift recently in protest. First Bus, who operate the bus service, said it would do everything in its power to ensure Mr Heather does not have to drive the buses. sentiments advertised on our buses. The content of this Buses across Britain started displaying atheist mes- advert has been approved by the Advertising Standards sages in an advertising campaign launched earlier this Agency and therefore it is capable of being posted on month. Mr Heather told BBC Radio Solent: ‘I was just static sites or anywhere else’. about to board and there it was staring me in the face, The BBC went on to say that the advertising cam- my first reaction was shock and horror. I felt that I could paign is backed by the British Humanist Association and not drive that bus. I told my managers and they said prominent atheist, Professor Richard Dawkins. they haven't got another one, and I thought I better go Hanne Stinson, chief executive of the British Human- home, so I did. ist Association, said: ‘I have difficulty understanding why ‘I think it was the starkness of this advert which people with particular religious beliefs find the expres- implied there was no God’. sion of a different sort of belief to be offensive. I can't The BBC story said: ‘When he returned to work on understand why some people seem to have a different Monday he was called into a meeting with managers attitude when it comes to atheists’. and agreed to go back to work with the promise he Pressure group Christian Voice has questioned the would only have to drive the buses if there were no oth- campaign's effectiveness but the Methodist Church said ers available’. it would be ‘a good thing if it gets people to engage with First Bus said in a statement: ‘As a company we the deepest questions of life’ and suggested it showed understand Mr Heather's views regarding the atheist bus there was ‘a continued interest in God’. advert and we are doing what we can to accommodate The advertisements run on 200 bendy buses in his request not to drive the buses concerned. As an London and 600 vehicles in England, Scotland and organization we don't endorse any of the products or Wales. New Life Needs YOU!  Uphold Us In Prayer  Encourage Others To Subscribe  Advertise With Us  Point People To Our Website: www.nlife.com.au

NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty Seven NEW LIFE EXTRA:

REV Dr Jo Bailey- Wells leading Bible study at ‘Summer Under The Son’, Annual CMS Vic Conference. (See story p.11)

MAKING PEOPLE WHOLE THIS is essentially Jesus' work during His earthly ministry. He makes people whole. He takes a brash, boisterous braggart named Peter who is spiritually as shifty as sand, and fashions him into a solid rock, so that thousands will hear the Gospel through him. He takes a John of boiling temperament and fiery disposition, channels that fire into love and gives gentleness in place of harshness. He takes a sinful woman twisted in all her thoughts, torn apart in her conscience, tormented by seven demons, and releases Mary of Magdala from her captivity, even gives her the honour of being the first to see Him risen from the dead. He takes a greedy, selfish, despicable tax collector and transforms Zacchaeus into a person of Christian charity and benevolence who in turn makes a deep committal: ‘Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold’. (Luke 19.8) He transforms [men and women] by the power of His love. A group of very ordinary people are forgiven for their sins, changed in their goals, given a vision, empowered with His Holy Spirit, and these Christians turn the world upside down, or shall we say, right-side up? – H.S. Vigeveno in ‘Jesus the Revolutionary’ Iran Feels Tension Between Faith And Religious Freedoms THE wave of the persecution of Christians may be inten- is cause for great concern. Leaving Islam, which is con- sifying in Iran. Arrest reports came in almost every sidered apostasy, carries a deadly penalty. ‘It means month during 2008. Paul Estabrooks with Open Doors that these men could actually be executed for having notes that the harassment isn't following the normal pat- been converts from Islam to Christianity,’ he adds. tern. ‘The pressure against the church growth has It appears the arrests are part of a concerted, nation- cycled: there's a period of pressure, then a period of wide government plan. Estabrooks urges prayer for the relaxation. Most recently, three different Christians have believers in Iran. ‘As we've seen in church history, when- been arrested from two different families, and we're very ever the church has been under pressure, the church concerned for them’, he says. seems to deal with that pressure in unique ways, Estabrooks says the recent change in the penal code and in ways that actually helps it to grow’. NEW LIFE – 5 February 2009 – Page Twenty Eight