AUSTRALIA’S CHRISTIAN NEWSPAPER VOLUME 72 NUMBER 12 Thursday 10 December 2009 $2.00 Print Post Approved No. 34918100419 Aust Missionary Arrested in Andhra Marysville Church Re-Opens Pradesh, India AN Australian missionary was arrest- – Praise The Lord! ed on false charges of ‘forceful con- version’ by the Andhra Pradesh State Police on 24 November at Utnur in that state. According to the Global Council of Indian Christians the trouble erup- ted when at around 7.30pm, Paul Jemison (40), an Australian mission- ary accompanied by Joy Carol, daughter of local Pastor Premanan- dam (50) had gone to an Industrial Training Institute hostel campus for a movie screening for about 200 stu- dents. As the movie ended at around 8.30 pm, Jemison ‘shared about the love of Christ’ to the students pres- ent. As he was sharing from the Word, a mob of 20 Hindu radicals WITH great joy and thanksgiving to God more than 120 people gathered on Sunday 22 suddenly barged into the event and November to re-open Marysville Christian Fellowship (renamed Marysville Community accused him of indulging in ‘forceful Church). There was a lot to celebrate, as the church was very aware that without outside conversion’ and abused him for his help it would have been extremely difficult for this church to be re-established following the foreign origin. disastrous bushfires last February. It was quite amazing that God brought people from The Hindu radicals then dragged everywhere, many of whom no-one involved had even met before! him to the nearest police station and The El Kanah carpark was offered to house the church, and immediately following, two filed a complaint against him of portables were found. The Mount Evelyn Reformed Church arrived saying they had been ‘forceful conversions to Christianity.’ led to help financially and to offer their services, and were very happy to do all the building It is not known if the police confis- work, including painting, in the re-establishment of the church. Many others came forward cated his Indian visa and other docu- to do the sound, wiring in the air conditioning units, plumbing, etc, and every need that the ments. church had was met by kind, generous people. This generosity of spirit was also extended Missionary Paul Jemison called to the opening day with people giving of their time and talents in making a delicious after- the Australian embassy to check the noon tea and busily serving the guests who were there. possibilities for his quick release. It was so encouraging to see so many people present supporting the re-opening of the ANS has learned that he was de- church, including Nancy and Max Leslie, whose family, together with others, initially started tained in the station until late that the church in 1959. In the early 1980’s Graeme and Julia Cann, with the El Kanah team, night and later released. The source took over the running of the church. Graeme was the guest speaker at the re-opening and said that Hindu radicals and locals of he shared an inspiring message about the purpose of Marysville Community Church, to the town have warned Pastor draw together as one community, to love and support each other. ‘The church has risen Premanandam and his daughter Joy again,’ he said, ‘to serve the people of Marysville and beyond. As always, people will find a Carol not to invite any more foreign place of acceptance, love and a helping hand here.’ missionaries to the town. Contact details for the Church and El Kanah Office are: Jenni and David Littlejohn: – James Varghese, ASSIST 0407 096 352; Vera and Peter Gill: 03 5963 3229; 0414 564 309. www.nlife.com.au ‘Tell the people the full message of this new life.’ (Acts 5.20b) HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE WITH THE WILSONS Greg Needs Help TO Greg, living in a car is a nightmare. Last they were facing eviction when the police Many men in cri- year Greg counted his blessings every day. arrived to change the locks. sis are too ashamed to ask for help, or they He and his wife Heather lived in a quiet Heather had been hiding all the notices simply don’t know what to do or where to street where their son Lachlan went to the hoping it would go away. The pressure and go. We’re helping Greg get his life back, local primary school. Life was tough but tension built up, harsh words were said and starting with food vouchers and short term they were happy. Heather left. Greg was on his own with housing for him and Lachlan. In the longer Then their world turned upside down. Lachlan, jobless, homeless and living in his term we will help him with a range of things, Greg was laid off at work. Heather started car – a dangerous place for anyone to live, including skills training and counselling. This suffering from depression. Falling behind especially with a little boy. will help Greg and Lachlan start life afresh. with their rent they had no way of catching Greg came to Wesley Mission Mel- Linda McKay, Manager, up. They returned home one day to find that bourne seeking help. Thank God he did. Wesley Homelessness & Support Services Moldova Medical Fund THE Republic of Moldova is a small country ment. The fund’s objective is to help with needed incontinence pads. His family could with a population of 4.5 million and is locat- some of these needs. not afford to buy them for him. The fund ed in Eastern Europe. It is still one of the ‘After assessment, a decision is made was able to supply some. poorest countries in Europe with many living as to what help can be given by the fund. ‘A handicapped man needed a wheel in impoverished conditions. The Medical Sometimes the help is very simple but often chair. The fund was able to supply one for Fund was established by CMI AID in 2000 it can be quite complex. Here are a few him. to provide medical assistance to needy fam- examples: ‘A man who had lost both his legs below ilies and the elderly. They report: ‘During ‘A mother was given help during the time the knee in a gas bottle explosion needed our visits we had noticed that there was no of childbirth to meet hospital expenses, pay to have another operation on his legs where government assistance for medicine, med- for supplies needed to care for her newborn the amputation had taken place. The fund ical treatment or operations. Many poor baby and also to buy other necessities for paid for this operation.’ people in the community we had contact the child. For further information go to: with could not afford to pay for such treat- ‘An elderly man in a village urgently www.cmiaid.org Empart Reports: SABER In ‘Flying Bible Man’s’ Hands or if all else fails, a hand-wind generator! WE had the privilege last month of celebrat- PHIL is known as the Flying Bible Man. He The SABER need never stop telling the ing 10 wonderful years of ministry! As you flies across the Top End from Broome in the Good News. reflect on all the miracles God has done west, throughout all of the Northern Terri- ‘Since the SABER became available I through our Church Planters so far, we ask tory, the northern communities of South have had the privilege of taking it to remote that you continue to pray for the future of Australia, Far North Queensland and the communities in Western Australia, South the church planting movements in the field Torres Strait to share the Word of God in Australia and the Northern Territory. Pastors so the joy of Christ can be shared amongst remote communities: throughout those areas have been enthusi- unreached people. ‘Bible translation into indigenous lan- astic about the possibilities for ministry that As we approach the hectic Christmas guages is an ongoing need and has made the SABER opens up.’ period, it is also important that we remem- encouraging progress in recent years with Since GRN Australia began, recordings ber to pray for our fellow Christians in areas the publication of new editions of Scripture have been made and distributed in more where persecution and oppression are rife. and Scripture-based materials. That’s fine if than 90 Australian languages. The demand They face challenges on a daily basis, yet you can read, but what if a Bible in your lan- for these recordings seems to be increasing they continue to rejoice and will be celebrat- guage is as legible as one in Greek or rather than diminishing and GRN Australia ing the birth and precious gift of our Lord Hebrew? looks forward to ongoing partnerships with Jesus Christ this Christmas! As it says in ‘I have long been aware of the need to the Bible Society, SIL and other missionar- Romans 12, ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in have the Bible available in audio format. ies and churches to make the Good News affliction, faithful in prayer’. The method of delivery was an issue of Jesus available and accessible to the Your prayers are bringing the love and though. CDs scratch, tapes get affected by indigenous people of Australia. grace of God to people in ways that are dust and previous audio players needed Free At Last! impacting entire communities and trans- complex processing. Enter the SABER – a WEC reports a Senegalese Judge has forming lives for eternity! May you also feel user programmable MP3 player that packs ordered the release of Australian Church the depth of God’s undying love for you as a punch big enough to ‘speak’ to a whole Planter Richard Shawyer.