New book traces cancer battle School chaplains Baptist make a difference Carnival February 2011 theadvocate theadvocate.tv WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S NEWSPAPER FOR CHRISTIANS Boys’ Brigader Churches serve flood victims honoured Woodvale Baptist Church member Brian Prangnell was award the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Honours List in recognition for service to the community through church, youth, sporting and ex- service organisations. Mr Prangnell has been a member of various Baptist churches in Western Australia since 1954, serving in voluntary roles including Deacon (12 years at Woodvale Baptist), Church Secretary (Kojonup Baptist 1963), Organist (North Beach Baptist 1974- 1982), Librarian, Seniors’ Coordinator and Boys’ Brigade Captain and Chaplain. Mr Prangnell’s significant contribution to the Boys’ Brigade includes time as State President, Secretary and Executive Officer of The Boys’ Brigade (WA). He served as a member of the State Council Photo: Andrew Nix from 1968 to 1986. He was made Rachel Thompson and Carly Pfeffer from Kenmore Baptist Church participated in ‘Love Invasion’ to help clean up after the floods ravaged Queensland. a Life Member of the organisation in 2008. Prime Minister Julia Gillard thanked In Brisbane, almost 15,000 “We really wanted our young Diamond Valley Baptist Church He served as Boys’ Brigade the faith communities across homes were completely flooded, and people to see that this is ‘not’ an (Melbourne) hosted ‘Together We Company Captain at North Beach Australia for their assistance for 18,000 homes were partially flooded event, but the normal every-day life Stand’, a concert featuring Australian from 1973 to 1986. He then served at flood victims in the eastern states. in 67 suburbs. that displays the love of Christ to artists Levi McGrath, Compliments Woodvale Boys Brigade as Company “I have visited a church being Local communities in those around us. There’s so much of Gus, Simeon, Dave Powys, Jesse Captain from 1986 to 1993 and as used as an evacuation centre and Rockhampton, Biloela, Moura, devastation and loss around us Mitchell and other special guests on Company Chaplain from 1995 to seen the work being done amongst Mundubbera, Gympie, Ipswich currently, and to witness hundreds of 21 January with all proceeds going 2003. those in evacuation centers by and Toowoomba continue mop-up young people reaching out to those to flood relief. Hundreds of young men and church leaders. Faith-based charities operations with the expectation that in need and sharing the love of Jesus Spearheaded by Justin boys involved in Boys’ Brigade over have given crucial help to those in rebuilding will likely take years. was awesome!” Michael and Jared Haschek from the past four decades have been need. Many flood victims I have The congregation at suburban Across our nation individuals Compliments Of Gus, a group of the influenced by Mr Prangnell’s example met are also very grateful for the Kenmore Baptist Church mobilised and groups are responding with nation’s leading Christian singers of living life to seek, serve and follow prayers that people of faith have on Saturday 22 January for a ‘Love generosity to meet the immediate recorded a song, ‘Toowoomba Sun’, Christ. been making.” Invasion’ of their city, sending teams and on-going needs of flood affected to honour the spirit of people in the Former Federal Treasurer, Peter Baptist churches continue to to clean, remove rubbish and help families across the eastern states. flood-ravaged Toowoomba region. Costello, from a prominent Baptist work together with relief agencies and with gardening while others stayed Web-based social networks and Proceeds from the project will benefit family in Victoria, was appointed government departments providing at the church preparing ‘flood relief internet sites are providing immediacy relief efforts in Toowoomba and the a Companion (AC) of the Order of emergency relief to families. packs’ containing basic kitchen and for news and information on how and surrounding area. Australia for eminent service to the While the south west of cleaning supplies for families who where to help, that was unknown With flood waters continuing to Parliament of Australia, particularly Western Australia continues to have lost everything. The church’s even a decade ago. rise in parts of Victoria, the cost of through the development of landmark endure a hot, dry summer, huge Counselling Service is providing The Salvation Army’s Emergency damage from the summer rains of economic policy reforms. areas of Queensland, New South support for individuals, and people Response Teams have provided 2011 will not be known for some Mr Costello was educated at Wales, Victoria and Tasmania are can apply to the church for help with meals accommodation to thousands time. The personal stories of grief and Carey Baptist Grammar School experiencing heavy rainfall and longer-term needs. of people in emergency evacuation courage, loss and faith, uncertainty and attended Melbourne’s Monash destructive flooding. Queensland Youth Pastor Grant Gehrke was centers across the nation. The Bible and hope have the power to add University, where he graduated in floods alone have claimed 30 lives amazed when almost 300 youth and League is providing Bibles for anyone depth to our identity as Australians arts and law. He is known to attend since November 2010. young adults turned up to help. who lost their Bible in the floods. and turn hearts towards God. Baptist and Anglican churches. news theadvocate February2011 Faith wins cancer battle briefs Baptism Bob Jongen was baptised at Rockingham Baptist on 12 December 2010. Engagement Adrian Clews and Ann Bettison from South Perth Baptist announced their engagement recently. They plan to marry in March. Marriage Clint Fleming and Tracey Niman were married at North Beach Baptist Church on Saturday 18 December 2010 by Pastor Mark Parsons. Afternoon tea followed at the church before the reception at Claremont Photo: Jill Birt Yacht Club. Many guests flew in from Rob Merrells and his daughter Jess Merrells with their book about Jess’s experience with cancer. South Africa for the occasion. On Saturday morning 4 July 2009, be dead in a few hours unless they the first time on 25 July 2009,” Jess reveal honest engagement with Jess Merrells visited her local doctor started treatment. said. “I remember sitting in Kings God.” Rob’s journey reveals how Vose Book Sale with a sore neck. By that evening her Jess kept a journal over the Park and feeling so free.” he grappled with God in prayer for The team of volunteers who sort independence was gone as she lay enduing months of treatment, pouring The initial treatment had his daughter’s health. and price books has started work in an isolation room at Royal Perth out her heart to God, pleading for arrested the leukaemia, but Jess “We hope God will use the book in preparation for the Annual Book Hospital. Chemotherapy for acute his strength to endure the painful required on-going treatment. to open up people to the word of Sale at Vose Seminary. The sale, a lymphoblastic leukaemia started treatment and his power to heal During the next nine months of God, to explore faith in God and a fundraising event for the Seminary is the next day. her. Rob, who is part-time Pastor at less intense chemotherapy Jess relationship with God,” Rob said. planned for Saturday 16 April at the “It was such a shock,” Jess’s Chidlow Baptist Church, sent regular developed a string of problems: Jess is now in remission and is Seminary, 20 Hayman Road, Bentley. dad Rob Merrells said. “We were emails to a group of friends who were pancreatitis, diabetes, appendicitis about to start studying Occupational Fiction and non-fiction books are going to a wedding that day, and praying for the family. and a brain infection. Therapy at Curtin University. available. Organiser, Sue Clark said Jess was due to babysit for friends Their book, For You I Will Run, Mum, Sue, hardly left Jess’ side For You I Will Run i s there are huge quantities of books for during the evening. I asked if we is a compilation of Jess’ journal during some stages of the traumatic available by emailing Jess at all ages including children. Books are could take her to the hospital on entries and Rob’s emails as they treatment. [email protected], sorted according to special interests, Sunday or Monday.” both grappled with issues of faith, Through the difficult treatment, alternatively you can enter our including gardening, cooking, craft The doctor insisted Jess went to prayer and God’s care. Jess demonstrated strength of competition on page 15 to win a and music. There will also be a section RPH immediately, saying she could “They let me out of hospital for character. Her journal entries copy of the book. on Christian writings. The event starts and 9:00 am and will conclude at 2:00 pm. Refreshments are available BCWA Chairman moves to city all day. Toddler Jam After 18 years ministering at ago as a youth worker. He said he will Kalgoorlie Baptist Church, miss Allan Thomas. Conference Senior Pastor and Chairman of “Allan has been a fantastic coach, The third annual Toddler Jam the Council of Baptist Churches mentor and mate to me and has Conference is planned for 26 Western Australia, Allan Thomas, played an extremely significant role in February and is open to the public. has accepted the call to become my life,” Aashish said. “He instilled a This year marks the 10th year of the Senior Pastor at Parkerville passion in our church for developing the innovative children’s music Baptist Church. leaders and giving people a go. That program.