WA’S BAPTIST NEWSPAPER theadvocate.tv FEBRUARY 2021

IN CONVERSATION Singer/songwriter, Colin Buchanan “God wants to reach out to each person, to talks about his career and his quest to let his natural life connect personally with them, through people.” be spiritual. PAGE 12 >> ANDREW TURNER PAGE 13 >> End of an era for Mark

Pastor Mark Wilson’s 14 years as the Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) Director of Ministries is concluding in March, as Australian 3 A flash of hope Baptist Ministries has appointed him the National Hospital pastoral care team Ministries Director. organise a flash dance >>

BCWA Council Chair, connection with the health of Martin Alciaturi in a its pastor.” communication to pastors and Tom Price Baptist Church churches shared that Mark had Pastor, Gavin Douglas is one of the overseen 14 years of service and many pastors who experienced significant achievements as the Mark’s support firsthand. Director of Ministries. “I have loved how Mark is for “Mark leaves BCWA a the pastor – Mark stood alongside significantly transformed us, listened, empowered and organisation and we are very championed for us.” thankful for the numerous Alongside his service as the 4 Crossway’s new changes he has pioneered,” Director of Ministries, Mark has service Martin said. served on numerous foundation Affordable Bible-based Council member, Pastor boards for Western Australian counselling commences >> Karen Siggins shared the Baptist ministries including Council’s excitement on Mark’s the Baptist Relief Fund. This new appointment: fund partners with local Baptist “Mark has led Baptist churches to help individuals and Churches Western Australia with families who have been affected integrity and skill – the Council is by natural disasters, including delighted that Mark will have the the South West fires in 2016. opportunity to make even more of Mark also served as Chair a difference for the Kingdom, at a of the Western Australia Heads national level.” of Churches for five years and In an interview with will continue to serve as a 10 Persecution rises The Advocate in 2007, Mark Vice President for the Asia COVID-19 has intensified shared that even though Baptist’s Pacific Baptist Federation, persecution of Christians >> were a “big denomination”, there helping to revitalise the was a place for churches to “work body that represents over together with one vision to make 33,000 local churches a difference”. and 63 conventions in 22 In his tenure, Mark along countries across the Asia with BCWA staff committed to Pacific region. finding ways to fulfill the vision of In its being an empowering movement announcement to We are stronger helping pastors, ministries, Baptist churches churches and their communities regarding Mark’s say yes to Jesus. appointment, Australian when we work A defining example of this Baptist Ministries National was revitalising the pastoral Chair, Reverend Steve together retreat for pastors, chaplains and Ingram said, “We are their spouses. Mark’s Executive delighted that Mark Wilson Assistant, Matthew Chapman will be stepping into the role.” said Mark was very committed “Mark brings excellent BAPTIST CHURCHES to ensuring the organisation had experience and understanding WESTERN AUSTRALIA healthy churches. for the position and we are excited “Mark’s commitment to the to see where God will lead us as health of those in ministry is a national movement over the remarkable,” he said. coming years.” “Mark is passionate about the

health of pastors – spiritually, Supplied Photo: physical and emotionally – his Baptist Churches Western Australia Director of Ministries, Mark Wilson strong belief is that the health of will be concluding in March to take up the role of National Ministries the local church has an intrinsic Director for Australian Baptist Ministries. 2 my view

FEBRUARY 2021

My desk diary

My desk diary for 2021 arrived and for a moment I thought that all would be There are warnings in well again. The clean slate is so appealing. Like the unused exercise book at the Scripture about making plans and start of a new term, it promises productive days ahead. getting too far ahead of ourselves. And there’s that line that if you want to make God laugh tell Its colour coded symmetry such times. The only things that I’d planned to read one a week. Him your plans. But I’ve always and tastefully curated poems happened as expected and written But I got distracted by long days thought that quip does people set alongside the seven days of down were the public holidays and dog days, repeating but not and plans and God a disservice. the week suggest an ordered and Christmas Day, which rhyming. But I’m catching up People are, after all, creatures that world. It’s filled with potent thankfully weren’t cancelled. It is now before I bin the year. There plan and most of us make them in blank spaces. There are pages of an itinerary of the crossed out, the is Wordsworth with, “The world is the hope and expectation of good notes at the back for ideas as yet cancelled and the postponed. That too much with us”; Larkin saying, things. I believe plans matter to Rhidian Brook unhatched. Future disasters are planned trip to the desert. Taking “There’s nothing to be said.” Blind people; and that plans matter to Rhidian Brook is an unacknowledged in this clean, my friend to a footy game. Having Milton worrying about his future God. And sometimes they rhyme. award-winning writer of uninfected ledger. It invites me my aunt to tea. It wasn’t to be. and hearing God’s reassurance Christmas could be seen as a fiction, television drama and to write in some things that Reviewing this year’s diary entries in the darkness. And this week’s plan. A cosmic and parochial plan film and regularly presents might happen. It’s calling me to is to be confronted with the full poem The Oxen by Thomas to include all people. An ever- BBC Radio 4’s ‘Thought for make plans. meaning of Robert Burns’ line Hardy, who wrote that if someone recurring poem of redemption the Day’. Then I look at 2020’s desk about the best laid plans of mice had asked him on Christmas Eve and rescue in which a God comes diary. And I think you didn’t see and men going awry. to “Come, see the Oxen kneel,” he among us. And we are invited to that coming did you? It’s a brave Only the desk diary’s poems would “go with him in the gloom, go and meet Him in the gloom. person who makes any plans in have stood the test of these times. Hoping it may be so”. Hoping it may be so.

A new years’ revolution

Here we are, a moment or two into a new year and I wonder how those intervention parting the waters resolutions are going. Did you choose something? Maybe a goal, a health- during the liberation from Egypt. related target or a new venture perhaps, or was it not doing something. What if we approached a desire for renewal in the ‘company of the elders’, No sugar? Eliminate single use not only modern mental health correction is its own kind of considering what wisdom, ways plastics? I see that hand. Now, practitioners figured this out. pattern, and you may have and patterns we might lean into, how many, a few weeks in, are The early church and the people already heard the Isaiah 43:19 with gratitude and memory of still working? of God throughout Scripture ‘new thing’ quote once or twice God’s faithfulness in hand. I wonder if there might be were onto it too. From feasts and at this time of year. Even while If I act differently, I may a better way to see change. As festivals to sabbath and jubilee, beckoning the new, the prophet’s see a different outcome; if I a student and practitioner of rhythm and ritual patterned life words call to memory an old story form a habit, I have become a Tara Conradt addiction counselling many years for the people of God. Jesus could familiar to his original audience different person who will then act Tara Conradt is part of the back now, one critical dynamic have set the disciples a goal to [Exodus 17:1-7]. Weary in the differently. team at Hillsong Perth, and was clear. That is, that successful take seriously the community desert wilderness the Israelites If you could reframe your is an aspiring teacher/lecturer change is not so much about of fellowship He instigated, but need fresh water. God tells Moses resolution as a habit or pattern, and lifetime student what we are giving up, or not instead He set the table and said to go to a rock in the company what would it be? of theology. going to do, it’s about what we that whenever you eat and drink, of the priestly elders and with a are going to do instead. Setting “do this in remembrance of me” staff, and water flows. The elders up new patterns or rhythms in [Luke 22:19b]. A new habit. represent tradition, law and ritual; our life is much more likely to Marking the new year the staff invokes memories and yield positive results. It seems that with reflection and necessary gratitude for Gods miraculous

On curiosity …

I am old enough to remember the saying, “curiosity killed the cat”. Until now words, a question answered I’ve heeded the warning and expressed no interest in this proverb’s origin, is a resurrection of sorts. Cats but recently it struck me that the sentiment is outrageous. famously have nine lives, so even if curiosity eliminates some, there are others to spare. Perhaps intended to stop Shakespeare didn’t want too Perhaps that’s why care It is worth the risk, because if four year olds from asking why for many questions asked. morphed to curiosity over time. we aren’t curious, we are saying the seven hundred and third time, Why “care killed the cat”? Now the proverb warns against that the world God created is of it implies that curiosity is wrong – Originally it warned against poking your nose into other little interest – and that’s pretty which it assuredly is not. allowing the worries and cares people’s business, or being a insulting to God. That lack of Most proverbs contain a of life to weigh too heavily on busy body, desperately hoping curiosity could diminish us … nugget of truth, so I decided I you – lest worry killed you! to find some titillating morsel of Dr Brian Harris should dig deeper. Did you know Why was this linked to cats? scandal to distribute far Dr Brian Harris is the that it wasn’t initially “curiosity Beats me. Our neighbor’s cat and wide. Director of the AVENIR killed the cat” but “care killed is completely free of care and That’s fair enough, so long Leadership Institute and the cat”? Though some think it sprawls across our driveway as you don’t take the proverb too lectures at the Vose Campus of originated with Shakespeare’s glaring at us if we toot at her literally. Curiosity is not the path Morling College. 1599 use of it in Much Ado to move so we can exit our to death, but an invitation to About Nothing, it turns out that property without flattening her. life. Which is why a longer form Shakespeare snitched it from a If that cat knew what I thought of the proverb says: “Curiosity play of Ben Johnson’s doing the of her, she would be a lot killed the cat, but satisfaction circuit a year before. No wonder more worried! brought it back.” In other news 3

FEBRUARY 2021 A flash of hope for patients

For the second consecutive year, the pastoral care team at Fiona Stanley Hospital organised a flash mob to lift the spirits of their patients and staff in the lead up to Christmas 2020.

In what was a particularly tough “Initially I had no inspiration, year for many people, the dance so I decided that I would take was a way to recognise this a short prayer walk around the and gave participating staff the hospital and place the matter opportunity to express their before the Lord,” Clare said. emotion. “By the time I finished my Fiona Stanley Hospital walk, I felt very strongly about Chaplain, Clare Oudman the theme being ‘Hope’ – the organised the first flash mob in soundtrack song choice and 2019, which was well received in editing flowed from the moment I the hospital and had over 150,000 sat back at my desk.” Facebook views. During the five weeks Leading into the holiday leading up to the big day, staff season CIare had not planned members across all areas of

to create a dance, but many the hospital, from the Chief Photo: Phil Farano members of staff were Executive South Metro Health The pastoral care team share hope and a bit of fun with staff and patients at Fiona Stanley Hospital. expecting another opportunity Services, Paul Forden, Executive to dance and kept asking when Directors and leadership team she was coordinating it. Clare members to clinical, allied health due to COVID-19, was conveyed played. The second song, Together “Although the dance did not soon realised that the dance was and hospitality staff, met up in by the staff dancing to Fight On, by Sia, spoke about unity and all explicitly reference God, the a way for the staff to connect different locations to learn and Fighter by For King & Country. The being in this together. The dance hope and the community that and create new work friendships practise the steps. staff lit candles and placed them concluded with staff celebrating the experience created was only and relationships as well as The first story, reflecting on on an alter below a sign that read the health care workers and wider possible through His inspiration,” shake some of the stress of their the beginning of the year and COVID as the words “fight on, communities’ resilience to the Clare said. day off. remembering all that was lost fighter the Spirit is alive inside ya” soundtrack of Katy Perry’s Roar.

First female A more rewardingA more rewarding state director home care home care Reverend Dr Melinda Cousins was unanimously endorsed to be the Baptist Churches of South Australia Director of Ministries for the next four years.

Melinda will commence in they gathered at Gateway Church February when Reverend Mike in Albert Park for their Spring Mills ends his term as State Assembly in mid-November, just Executive Minister. prior to COVID-19 restrictions Melinda’s appointment adds being reinstated due to a an entry into the Baptist annals new outbreak. as she becomes the first female Melinda describes herself as Baptist state leader since the being “passionate about God’s Baptist movement commenced Word and God’s world and loves in Australia. seeing people get the big picture The decision was made by of how they come together”. more than 130 South Australian Join or switch to Baptistcare Home Care and we’ll reward Baptist delegates and pastors as Author – Matthew Chapman you with a $250 EFTPOS card.* part of their deliberations when Baptistcare Home Care has been rewarding FREE West Australians with personalised service and quality care for over 45 years. $250 And now, for a short time, Baptistcare is also EFTPO S CAR rewarding you with a FREE $250 EFTPOS D Card. It’s yours when you join or switch to Baptistcare for your home care package. Hurry! You need to register for this offer today. Don’t worry, there’s no obligation – you’ll have until 31 August 2021 to decide if you want to sign up. Contact us: 1300 660 640 baptistcare.com.au *Terms and conditions apply. Photo: Joshua Baldwin Go to baptistcare.com.au/tac/reward Elliot Keane and Karen Walker introducing Melinda Cousins (far right) as the new Director of Ministries at the South Australia Baptist Assembly. 4 news

FEBRUARY 2021 Counselling service opens

Crossway Counselling Centre opened its doors for the first-time last October with the goal to provide affordable counselling which aligns to biblical truths.

North Beach Baptist Church Senior feel comfortable entering and Pastor, Grant Hendry explained discussing what is important to the service, financially subsidised them,” she said. and sited next door to the Church, With six trained counsellors is open to people from any church from within and outside of North and the wider community. Beach Baptist Church and a “There is definitely a need for reception service from volunteers Biblical counselling to support within the Church, Crossway and encourage people day-to- welcomes anyone over the age day,” Grant said. of ten experiencing problems or “We live in challenging times difficulties whether they have a – reaching out for help is a sign of faith or not. strength that is to be admired.” The consulting rooms are The service is available for tastefully decorated, however everyone, at any stage of their life, the journey to convert the house whether that’s overcoming grief, into a counselling centre was not relationship breakdown, anxiety straightforward. or family issues. The project has evolved over “We see our role as providing time, first being discussed seven a reliable, safe, quality, service years ago when North Beach

that is there for all who need it, Baptist Church first commenced Photo: Sally Grandy when they need it – we will never a small biblical counselling North Beach Baptist Church Senior Pastor, Grant Hendry and Crossway Counselling Centre Practice Coordinator, refuse anyone counselling over ministry. Then 18 months ago, a Leanne Sharp outside the freshly converted Crossway Counselling Centre premises. lack of funds,” Grant explained. development team was set up to The first counselling session decide if it was viable to establish will be provided free of charge, a more formal service. However, in the end the the church that God’s truth and inspired, shaped and prepared with a sliding scale based on “The building was a house delay worked in the team’s God’s grace will be the greatest to be challenged to face life with income for subsequent sessions. that has been owned by the favour, as it gave them time to driver for lasting change. confidence on a daily basis.” Crossway Counselling church for many years, but establish what they wanted to “I know that biblical Centre Practice Coordinator, even so, we had to navigate achieve out of the service and to counselling works as God is For more information, visit Leanne Sharp explained that it is some very costly and stringent make the building more suitable good and understanding the crosswaycounselling.org.au important that the counselling local government processes in for clients. grace of God and its impact on centre is located separately from order to get permission to use Grant is in no doubt that it life will always be profoundly Author – Sally Grandy the church. it as a counselling centre. That, will be a success, explaining that helpful,” he said. “This is a confidential, and COVID-19 led to a delay in it is a biblically-focused service “Faith isn’t about following safe space where people can commencing services,” Grant said. because of the deep conviction of a list of rules, it is about being

Fútbol scores a new friendship at Baptistcare

Real Madrid, the Spanish football team have helped spring in his step when he knows forge a new friendship at the Baptistcare David Felipe is going to visit him. Buttfield Centre Residential Care in Gwelup. Felipe is one of several bilingual volunteers at Baptistcare. Between them, they Several times a month, Colombian “Pedro and Paulina tell me speak Spanish, French, Mandarin volunteer Felipe Angel pops in to what their lives were like in Spain and Cantonese, but more say, “hola” to 88 year old Spanish and I tell them about growing up volunteers fluent in a second Baptistcare resident and Real in Colombia,” Felipe shared. language are always needed. Madrid fan Pedro Lopez. “We both love football and Baptistcare Volunteer The conversations are always, Pedro is a huge fan of Real and Engagement Consultant, naturally, in Spanish. Madrid – he tells me about the Lily Meszaros said the aged care “In Colombia people do not team 50 years ago and about the provider was currently looking volunteer as they do not have dictatorship before 1975.” for volunteers who spoke Italian, the time. So, when I came to “We also talk about our families. Macedonian, Dutch or Malay. Australia seven years ago and He has great-grandchildren and I “We continue to see my wife got a volunteering job it have a 17 year old son.” increasing cultural diversity sounded like a good thing to do,” Felipe has a new job now in our facilities, which means Felipe said. but has kept up his visits to bilingual volunteers have “Losing my job during the Baptistcare David Buttfield become more important than pandemic was my opportunity to Centre, where Pedro and Paulina ever,” she said. do volunteering work.” have lived since May 2020. “Not only do residents enjoy The lockdown meant the “It makes me feel good to go opportunities to chat in their native Felipe and Pedro met for the first to Baptistcare and chat to Pedro,” language, but some revert back to time via FaceTime, but now the Felipe said. their childhood languages.” new friends catch up in person, “You don’t realise how “Our volunteers can really chatting about everything from rewarding it is to do volunteer help when communication family life to politics and football. work until you do it.” between the resident and our staff Pedro’s wife, Paulina, “I do it because I know it will becomes more difficult.” has Alzheimer’s and is also a make Pedro happy.”

Baptistcare David Buttfield Centre Staff at Baptistcare David For more information, visit Baptistcare Photo: resident, often joins her husband Buttfield Centre said that Pedro baptistcare.com.au/volunteering Baptistcare David Buttfield Centre resident Pedro Lopez and volunteer for the catch ups. has a big smile on his face and a Felipe Angel catching up about their shared passion – football. news 5

FEBRUARY 2021 A story of hope and healing

On the afternoon of 5 December 2020, 70 people gathered at Bentley Baptist Church to celebrate the launch of the DVD Finding Family.

The story follows the hope and healing of Keith Truscott, the Pastor of Mount Zion Aussie Indigenous Church (MOZAIC) in Belmont. Keith made the conscious choice to follow his faith in God despite the separation and dislocation that occurred in his early life. The film allowed Keith

to express these feelings and Photo: Josh Lohmeyer emotions in an honest and The group that gathered for the Finding Family documentary launch at Bentley Baptist Church, 5 December 2020. open way. “I am honoured for people to hear my story of resolving my and to hear what it was like to When creating the in God’s ways through faith and awareness and addressing past, and I am looking to help grow up in this Land was the documentary, the film crew did Word is important. themes, including family ties, support the next generation catalyst to produce this film,” not know Keith’s full story till the Baptist Churches Western community, belonging to as they find their sense of Ema said. interview was filmed, so together Australia Church and Leaders ‘country’, missions, identity, belonging,” Keith said. “Freedoms expressed in this they witnessed his story emerge. Support Pastor, Mike Bullard human dignity, the Stolen “One of the jobs of the church country are not like many others, “The ‘becoming’ of Keith is believes the DVD will be a “useful Generations, healing storylines, is to bring the ‘outsider’ to become and we have lots to be grateful what the story is all about, and tool” for Baptist churches in forgiveness, reconciliation, the ‘insider’ where wholeness and for, but at the heart of this nation the film invites us to join in, to workshopping Indigenous issues. faith, impact of Christianity healing occurs.” are Indigenous people who have face aspects of his past, and see “Churches should be involved on Indigenous peoples and The brief documentary at been misunderstood.” choices that Keith makes,” in the ongoing reconciliation of Indigenous languages, history, only 27 and a half minutes was “Addressing the ways we were Ema said. individuals to allow healing to policies and education. produced by Ema dos Santos. brought up, and the choices we She explained how occur through discussion and “The idea that an individual make are intrinsic to ‘becoming’ honouring and listening to dialogue,” Ema said. For more information or to person can be reconciled with better individuals and a collective Indigenous people from this This film could be used for purchase Finding Family, email their past, present and future, people, in any culture.” Land, from the shared expression this purpose, as well as in raising [email protected]

Baptist World Aid prepares East Freo Baptist for 2021 challenges celebrates centenary

When 2020 came to an end, many in humanitarian This means Baptist World On 7 March, East Fremantle Baptist Church work were signalling COVID-19’s ongoing impact Aid teams will look further will celebrate a significant milestone in its on poorer communities for the upcoming year. into how Christian formation history – its centenary. shapes its responses to injustice in working toward a more Those who were just emerging Experts are now warning of a compassionate world. With new East Fremantle Baptist Church conducted on 11 March 1921 by out of poverty fell back into it humanitarian crisis that has not resources for churches, prayer Senior Pastor, Ray Forlin Rev. Frederick Shiner. when the pandemic hit, through been seen since the Second calendars and Bible study guides, stated that the church was “We are so thankful for lose of work, housing or food. World War. the international organisation originally known as Woodside the vision and faithfulness In response, Baptist World Aid will also step up its advocacy Baptist Church, which was of those early believers who Australia began its preparation effort towards chocolate and an outreach from Fremantle had such strong faith to work for a year of pandemic related fashion companies to ensure Baptist Church. towards establishing such a challenges with its Christian fair treatment of workers and “It started from cottage beautiful building where God’s partners in countries such as suppliers. Plans for deepening prayer meetings in 1907 and Word could be preached,” Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia ongoing partnerships and the Fremantle Baptist deacons Ray said. and Syria. Staff are digging opportunities for giving towards prayed for the establishment “Over the next 100 years, deeper into God’s Word, knowing children and families in poverty of a new church in the East believers will continued to that 2021 will require constant as well as disaster relief assistance Fremantle area.” minister and pray for the local reminders of the hope they are underway. The first services were community and this work believe Christ offers. “Together, as God’s people, we held at East Fremantle Town which is still going on this “Hebrews 6:19 tells us we have want to respond to those in need Hall, on Armistice Day, very day.” this hope as an anchor for the throughout 2021,” Hickey said. 11 November 1918. At the “We celebrate this soul, firm and secure,” Baptist “It’s going to require prayer services, Rev. William Gilmour milestone with grateful hearts World Aid Australia CEO, and wisdom and sacrificial of Fremantle Baptist Church and thank God for his grace John Hickey said. generosity in ways that might announced that a block had and love over these years and “We know this isn’t going to be stretch us, but what a privilege been selected where the pray that He will continue to an easy year, especially for those it is to join in such work for church still stands to this day. bless our church so that the

Photo: Baptist World Aid Australia already in vulnerable situations.” God’s Kingdom.” The foundation stone wonderful gospel of Jesus This Bangladeshi woman and “So, we’re wanting to look was laid on 30 October 1920 Christ will be preached for the many others in her country more to Jesus, the author of our Author – Jo Kadlecek and the very first service next 100 years and beyond.” continue to rely on the work of faith, as we work together in in the new church was Baptist World Aid Australia. caring for those in poverty.” 6 news

FEBRUARY 2021 Online gaming at Riverton

Early March 2020, COVID-19 was in full progression in Perth, Western Australia.

All churches, including Riverton online community, connect with Baptist Community Church, were each other and adult leaders, play anticipating full lockdown and games together, solve puzzles, suspension of church ministries receive devotional and gospel and gatherings. content as well as provide a In the Next Generations relevant, trusted space to invite department at Riverton Baptist friends who would never step into Community Church, Pastor their church,” Andrew shared. Andrew Binns met with his There were still a few team to look at how to engage questions left to answer and many their high school students of these involved safety concerns who would no longer be able to and how to keep this platform gather in the building. safe. Online ministry was still new “Fortunately, pivoting ministry to the team at Riverton Baptist to this digitally fluid generation Community Church. The team can be somewhat easier than older gathered key principles from the generations less familiar with Safe Church program and adapted technology,” Andrew said. and utilised them to develop a “However, that brought safe space that was monitored by other challenges particularly in adult leaders – chat features were what platform to use and safety recorded, and language and spam concerns with online ministry.” filters were used throughout. The “Rather than try and reinvent server was online for students

the wheel yet again, our Next to connect with three times a Photo: Andrew Binns Generations team looked at where week, which were Tuesdays and Riverton Baptist Community Church’s move to the online gaming space sees a new entrance to its building. their students were gathering Wednesdays after school and online and what platforms they Saturday mornings. were using.” With safety concerns aspects of the game. The team Perth, Minecraft proved to be a “We also plan to develop Andrew shared that the addressed, the team worked on was able to develop the virtual valuable space where students other online discipleship tools team developed a plan involving building a virtual community, church building as a central hub could gather and have community such as online Zoom Bible an open world game, familiar and they developed a virtual and meeting point for anyone together. The team soon studies with youth.” to many parents and students copy of their church’s building entering the game. discovered that after lockdown “In addition, we hope to called Minecraft. That was the within the Minecraft game. The Andrew explained that this and the return to in-person strike a better balance between platform of choice for many of idea behind this was students covered two important aspects gatherings, weekend sport and online and in-person ministry,” the students connected with could invite their friends to of online ministry for the Next other social activities meant a Andrew concluded. Riverton Baptist Community virtual church, hangout virtually Generations team. Firstly, the sharp decline in engagement with Church’s youth ministry. In using online at the church and its server could become a community the Minecraft space. It became This article was original an incarnational approach to this surrounds and be a part of the and secondly, it acted as a front apparent Riverton’s students were published in the Crossover online ministry, the team soon church community online as door for the church, much like a overly engaged online and wanted PRAC Spring 2020 magazine discovered that many elements they gathered in the Minecraft church website or Facebook page a break from online connections and is kindly republished that are a part of familiar student server. Students could meet may lead someone of a different and interactions. with permission ministry existed. in the virtual auditorium, play generation to visit in person. “We plan to relaunch the “The Minecraft platform simple games together there and While lockdown remained a server that hosts our virtual allowed people to be a part of an find resources for playing other large part of the community in church in 2021,” Andrew said.

Alta-1 expands to Katanning

Alta-1 College in partnership with Katanning Baptist Church has opened a campus in Katanning.

Kobeelya, formerly an Anglican “Approval for the College girls boarding school followed by from the Government came a Penrhos College co-ed school, through at the end of Term 3, which closed in 1985, is now with Term 4 commencing with home to the Katanning Baptist eight hand-picked students with Church’s Alta-1 campus. the prospect of increasing that Katanning Baptist Church number to 20 at the beginning of

Senior Pastor, John Harris shared Term 1 in 2021.” Photo: Alta-1 that Kobeelya, as well as being the A special service to dedicate Alta-1 College, who specialises in providing alternative education program for young people, has expanded to location of the Katanning Baptist the staff and students took place Katanning in partnership with Katanning Baptist Church. Church, also doubles as a function in early November, with guests and conference centre with coming from Perth and Albany many amenities used throughout to celebrate the event which to engage in mainstream metropolitan area as well as students to make a difference to the year by a wide variety of was followed by a traditional schooling, by providing a unique throughout Western Australia. their education. community organisations. country lunch. Christian-based model of It consists of a community of “A three-year dream of Alta-1 was founded in early alternative education. principals, teachers, chaplains, For more information, visit commencing an Alta-1 campus in 2000, by three Perth couples who In addition to the education assistants, counsellors, www.alta-1.com.au Katanning has finally become a wanted to make a difference in the Katanning Campus, Alta‑1 also youth workers, administrators reality,” John said. lives of youth who were struggling has campuses in the Perth and psychologists that work with Author – Matthew Chapman news 7

FEBRUARY 2021 Gallaghers concluding with Global Interaction

In 1972 Keith and Pam Gallagher first stepped onto Zambian soil to begin their cross-cultural ministry, almost 50 years later and they haven’t stopped following God’s lead.

On-field colleague and good colleagues Les Haydon and provided support for missionaries friend Roger Kemp honours 50 George Stubbs, decided to take preparing for service and during years of faithful service and shares the Bible to the people rather home assignments, always with his reflections of the Gallagher’s. than make the people come to a smile. “Don’t you ever stop asking the Bible. They embarked on a In her parting words to questions?” was my initial program called Regional Bible supporters, Pam said: “I look reaction to Keith when I arrived School (RBS) whereby one of the forward to seeing God working on in Zambia in 1977. I was trying cross-cultural workers or Lamba our fields, hearing of those who to adjust to my adopted country, church leaders would regularly have become followers of Jesus and he was asking question after go out into the rural areas and and seeing God’s call on people to question … aaahhh! teach the Bible for several days to serve cross-culturally.” Not long after, I began to village churchgoers. The result appreciate his inquisitive nature as was amazing! Rural believers had This article is a modified version it made me think through issues the means to learn about the Bible of a story originally in Global I may have overlooked otherwise. which helped to develop their own Interaction’s Vision magazine, And that’s Keith: inquisitor, spiritual lives. In many ways the and published with permission. straight shooter, wheeler-dealer, RBS was the forerunner to what backyard mechanic, stirrer, is being done today in training of evangelist. Oh, how God used his teachers in rural areas. It paved personality to expand His work in the way for future ministry where Southern Africa – particularly in cross-cultural workers went and Zambia and Zimbabwe but also in lived in the rural areas rather than Malawi and Mozambique! remain at the mission compounds. You see, dig beneath the Keith and Pam themselves led surface and you’ll find a self- the way later by living in Mkushi, deprecating, soft-hearted, and at one time travelling up and hospitable and generous man. down the Mkushi road living in a He may have got ‘up the noses’ converted bus! of some mission administrators but on the field, we needed his The relationships directness to cut through the Keith and Pam are very bureaucracy. He got things done! relational so naturally they Pam’s hospitality and developed relationships with efficiency has been experienced everyone, from the local people to by hundreds of people. Her fellow cross-cultural workers and thoughtfulness expressed in everyone in between. Their work practical ways is legendary. Pam is with Ba Kabilo along the Mkushi always there for people, providing road remains a benchmark for whatever help she can. Cross- cooperative ministry. Many times cultural mission is Keith and when the Gallagher family went Pam’s passion. They have given on holidays, they would take themselves selflessly to God’s with them one or more of the work in many places. single women in the team or even Since they have returned other missionary families. These from life in Africa, they have relationships have stayed long still remained connected, Keith after they left Zambia. If you want as a consultant for Zambia to know where a former cross- and Zimbabwe, and Pam as cultural worker is today, ask the the Executive Assistant in the Gallagher’s! They have kept those Global Interaction State Office in relationships strong. Such is their Western Australia. impact over the years. There are many facets that It is the relationships with could be mentioned in reflection national leaders that Keith built of this faithful couple, but I’m while in Zimbabwe and Zambia going to mention just two. that has driven his ministry as Country Consultant. Those Change of approach to relationships will remain. Almost mission work 50 years of ministry for Keith and Keith and Pam were around Pam, what a testimony to God’s when Global Interaction faithfulness! (Australian Baptist Missionary In 2020, Keith began Society at the time) took over transitioning out of his role as from the South African Baptists Country Consultant and passing in Zambia. It was in the early the baton onto David O’Brien. He 1970s and Australians sought plans to return on a final trip to to change the focus of ministry Africa when this is made possible among the Lamba people. Up with the global travel situation. until that time the only way a In December, Pam concluded her Lamba believer could have regular Executive Assistant role in the Bible teaching was to attend the Western Australia State Office.

Fiwale Hill Bible School, which Over 13 years in the role, she has Photos: Supplied was beyond the financial reach encouraged a wide and growing Photos from Keith and Pam Gallagher’s service over the years, showing a small snapshot of their time in of most. Keith, along with his network of supporters, and southern Africa. 8 feature

FEBRUARY 2021

Australians have a spiritual hunger and local churches can meet that need by uniting in their diversity The Future of the Church is Ice Cream

Australians have a spiritual hunger and local “I hope that builds confidence in local churches churches can meet that need by uniting in their to say we have a mission and, underlying this, I diversity, according to a national report released on would love it if we thought that what we have in 5 November. The Future of the Church in Australia by common is far greater than what divides us. Let’s not McCrindle Research distils the input of 30 Christian compete, let’s co-operate.” leaders from various denominations and states, Planetshakers Church Global Senior Pastor, interviewed in May and June 2020. Russell Evans agrees in the report, “If I was trying to Among this broad, cross-denominational survey minimise growth in the church, I would get everyone group are: Compassion CEO, Claire Steele; Catholic to speak a totally different language that no one Archdiocese of Melbourne Archbishop, Peter understands. And that is what the church is doing.” Comensoli; Anglican Diocese of Tasmania Bishop, The leaders in The Future of the Church in Richard Condie; Convey of Hope Regional Leader, Australia report share a desire for relationship and Joel A’Bell; C3 Church Global Founder, Phil Pringle; unity, according to Dwight, who helped organise the Geneva Push Executive Director, Scott Sanders; and various leaders to be involved in the report. Other Alpha Australia National Director, Melinda Dwight. key findings include church leaders realising the “If there is one theme that I could embed in opportunities of digital connection, that church every church leader it would be, confidence that members (not only staff) should be empowered to Australians are spiritually hungry,” Dwight told evangelise and disciple, and improved pathways for Eternity News about the findings from a report raising leaders are required. commissioned to analyse Australia’s changing social and religious landscape. According to the McCrindle report, the COVID-19 pandemic only increased a spiritual hunger trend fuelled by family breakdown, declining mental health and rising loneliness. For Dwight, who has seen the introductory I think the Church is Christian course Alpha adapt to run around 1,200 already going down the online courses in Australia [in 2020] – local churches are best placed to meet this appetite by embracing track of engaging with its their own distinct flavour. “There are lots of flavours of ice cream and that local community, but I hasn’t negated our desire for ice cream,” Dwight said, think we need to build on using the tasty analogy to indicate how churches can provide different versions of the same core offering. that because we are the “I’ve travelled around much of the Church world and it’s too beige. Everything is the same.” only infrastructure that “There is an opportunity to find out who we are has the capacity to really and the unique way we can reach our community. So, not being threatened by the fact that there is a reach the community. diversity of churches. We have to say, ‘who are we called to be and what’s our unique contribution?’” feature 9

FEBRUARY 2021

The Future of the Church is Ice Cream

While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed “People change their views based on personal plenty, Dwight and the other leaders surveyed relationships which is why nine out of ten people indicated how the pandemic forced a mutual still go to anything, because someone invites understanding of issues to the surface. them. Earlier research by McCrindle found two The report also confirms that community out of three people would go to church if someone Christian leaders know how the Australian public invited them.” has lost trust in the capital ‘C’ Church and its The Future of the Church in Australia report associated institutions. summed up this opportunity as, “The gospel is too “It’s been a challenging few years for the valuable for Christians to take a retreating position Church,” Dwight said. and stop sharing it with society. In order to rebuild “We’ve had Royal Commissions, institutionalised trust, Christian leaders believe the church needs to church finding challenges with resources and be serving the community in the hardest places with things like that. You’ve also got the decline in a spirit of humility and authenticity.” attendance, Millennials who don’t want to share Dwight believes the report is for any Christian their faith, so you’ve got this whole sort of trend who wants to apply its findings to their context. affecting everyone. So, probably [all churches] have “I think the Church is already going down the been coming back to ‘what’s core business? What track of engaging with its local community, but I should we be doing?’” think we need to build on that because we are the As Wayne Alcorn, Australian Christian Churches only infrastructure that has the capacity to really National President, put it in the report, “Jesus is our reach the community.” message, but people aren’t hearing the message “We know who the people are and where because there have been so many other messages they are.” about the church.” As the report noted, the Australian Census To view the full report that was created in data indicates affiliation with Christianity has partnership with Baptist Financial Services, visit trended down. In 2006, almost two thirds of cityinfield.com Australians (64 per cent) identified with Christianity. One decade later, that proportion decreased to Republished with kind permission from 52 per cent (2016). Over the same period, the number Eternity News, eternitynews.com.au of Australians identifying with ‘no-religion’ rose from 19 per cent (2006) to 30 per cent (2016). With loss of trust in Christian organisations being one factor in this decline, Dwight believes living out your faith locally is the powerful road back to connection and relationship. “The research over the years has been showing that people separate organised ‘anything’ from an individual person. So, someone might say, for example, ‘I really hate the … Church and I hate the institutions but, boy, I like Melinda.’” 10 world news

FEBRUARY 2021 COVID-19 raises persecution

COVID-19 has intensified the persecution and discrimination of at least 340 million Christians around the world, according to the Open Doors World Watch List annual report released in January 2021.

The World Watch List 2021 Report, for human trafficking, especially produced by the global charity that of women and girls for the Open Doors International, sex trade. It has raised significant highlights that COVID-19 has concern by gender specific been a catalyst for discrimination religious persecution experts. against Christians, which included the denial of emergency relief. Some were told, “Your church or your God should feed you” and that the virus was It is a terrifying created and spread by Western communities. thought The report, which studied the that another most dangerous countries to be a Christian in across the globe, human would once again found North Korea to be the most dangerous country use the fear of for Christians for the twentieth COVID-19 as a consecutive year. However, for the first time ever, all countries in tool of

the top 50 score levels of at least Photo: Open Doors ‘very high’ persecution. conformity Christians are being refused COVID-19 aid in countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, including women In India, 80 percent of those when it like Debbie from Sri Lanka. receiving emergency relief from Open Doors’ partners comes to one’s were first excluded from official faith choice. distribution. The violent Islamic International extremist group, Al Shabaab, in Somalia blamed Christians for Briefs COVID-19, announcing it was spread by the crusader forces Cross-cultural who had invaded the country and Ninety percent of experts workers update the disbelieving countries that surveyed by the Religious Global Interaction cross- support them. Liberty Partnership agree cultural workers, Glenn and Open Doors Australia and that COVID-19 has caused an Liz Black and their family New Zealand CEO, Mike Gore increase in trafficking of women successfully returned to Thailand stated that this is a sad but significantly or moderately. to continue their work with true reality of persecution and There was also an increase in the Thai people. In November, discrimination around the world. vulnerability to domestic violence Sally Pim successfully returned “The persecutors use during lockdown, particularly to Massangulo, Mozambique whatever tools possible to inflict with Christian converts and having attained a visa for an the most harm and the greatest women. Reports of kidnapping, additional 12 months to be able to consequence on Christians who forced conversions and forced continue her work with the Yawo choose to follow Jesus,” he said. marriage of women and girls people. Jonno and Heather Crane “It is a terrifying thought increased during this time. returned to Australia for their that another human would use The study identified the home assignment. the fear of COVID-19 as a tool impact of increasing saturation For further information of conformity when it comes to of technology into daily life about Global Interaction and one’s faith choice.” meant that in many places, their ministry for least The top 12 countries governments can watch their reached people groups, visit scored ‘extreme’ levels of citizens more closely than ever globalinteraction.org.au persecution, which is up before. Surveillance cameras, from 11 in the previous year. facial recognition software World Congress moves Beyond the top 50, four more and biometric-based systems to virtual event countries also scored ‘very were used to monitor and target The Baptist World Alliance high’, showing the impact of Christians in several countries. is transitioning the 22nd Baptist COVID-19 restrictions. Overall, “The World Watch List is World Congress to be a fully virtual 74 countries, which was one important because in many ways event for 7 to 10 July. This decision more than the previous year, it paints a roadmap of successful was made in prayerful response to experience extreme, very high Christianity, a tool that should the COVID-19 global pandemic, as or high levels of persecution, inspire, encourage and compel a result of collaborative discussions affecting at least one in every the Western Church to act, to with global Baptist leaders. The eight Christians worldwide. stand up and stand with their Congress was originally scheduled “This is an alarming trend and fellow Christians, world over, who to take place in Rio de Janeiro, one that Western churches and pay a high price for the freedoms Brazil in July 2020. governments need to be mindful we too often take for granted,” “2020 was a year of unexpected of and proactively address,” Gore concluded. challenges, but it was a year of Gore continued. innovation. The physical doors of “Religious freedom is coming To download the full World many churches remained closed, at a greater cost each year and Watch List 2021 Report, visit but praise God that new spiritual now more than ever before we opendoors.org.au/report doors were opened to live out our need to use our voice to advocate gospel-centered mission through

for persecuted Christians.” Author – Esther Joliffe Source: Open Doors the use of technology,” Baptist The report also uncovered the The top 12 countries with the most severe persecution of Christians from World Alliance General Secretary, deliberate targeting of Christians the World Watch List 2021 Report. Elijah Brown said. world news 11

FEBRUARY 2021 Bible keyword trends in 2020

In a year marked by uncertainty and turmoil, 2020 of George Floyd in May, had more people than ever turn to the Bible for in America. healing, peace and hope, according to a report of two According to BibleGateway, the top two most popular of the most popular digital Bible platforms globally. keyword searches in 2020, were the same as they have been year The year’s top keywords searches the end of August and September. after year: ‘love’ and ‘peace’. show trends in what moved The search terms ‘healing’, ‘peace’ However in 2020, ‘hope’ moved the hearts of digital Bible users and ‘love’ were also consistently up to the third position, from throughout the year. among the top results. being fifth position throughout A review of the most “These top search terms really 2019 and 2018. Notably, ‘fear’ common search phrases in 2020 show what’s been weighing on moved up to the sixth most on the YouVersion Bible app the hearts and minds of people frequent search term, from its and the BibleGateway website around the world at key points position 13 in 2019. revealed trends in search terms throughout the year,” YouVersion Overall, YouVersion Founder corresponding to the state of the Founder, Bobby Gruenewald said. Bobby Gruenewald celebrated world and critical news events The multilingual internet record-breaking levels of Bible throughout the year. Bible resource BibleGateway engagement through the Bible Early in the year, people identified extreme spikes in app in 2020, with nearly 600 most frequently searched the keyword searches which can be million searches within the app Bible app for phrases such as grouped into four main themes, last year. ‘new year’, ‘Bible in a year’ and this included: social (e.g. racism, “While 2020 is a year so many ‘fasting’, according to YouVersion. justice, equality and oppression), say they would like to forget, we Although by the middle of March pandemic (e.g. disease, see it as a year to remember how as the COVID-19 pandemic pestilence and plague), political God used the Bible app to help so accelerated, the number one (e.g. praying for government and many people who are searching search term was ‘fear’. Soon after, obeying government authority) for answers,” Gruenewald said. the fastest growing search terms and end times (e.g. signs of the “Through every hardship, week over week were words like end times and end of world). people continue to seek God and ‘peace’, ‘hope’ and ‘faith’ while the Searches in each of these turn to the Bible for strength, pandemic continued. four main themes occurred at peace and hope.” During 2020 the trending least ten times more in 2020 than

Bible app searches also included the previous year, with social Author – Ramona Humphreys Photo: Kyle Smith ‘justice’, which rose to the top in related terms searched over 100 Top search terms on digital Bible platforms show what has moved the late May, and again in towards times more following the death hearts of people around the world at key points in 2020.

To find your local Nigeria added to list of Baptist church visit religious persecutors baptistwa.asn.au

The US government has added Nigeria to its list of the world’s worst persecutors of religious freedom in response to ongoing systematic violations of religious freedom in the West African nation.

Although the south of Nigeria is predominantly Christian, Christian believers in the northern states have been experiencing persecution for years, including violent attacks by extremist groups and persecution Pastor Vacancy under Sharia law. Nigeria joins Myanmar, Maida Vale is a fast-growing suburb located at the foot of the China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Perth Hills in the city of Kalamunda. Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan

Maida Vale Baptist Church is 60 people strong and has great and Turkmenistan on the US Olasunkanmi/Shutterstock Ariyo Photo: connections with young families and children in the local Department of State’s Countries Christians in northern Nigeria have been suffering from persecution for area along with significant facilities and room to grow. of Particular Concern (CPC) list many years. which is updated annually. We are seeking a Pastor who has a heart for Jesus and can In addition, the Department effectively equip us for mission to the rapidly growing community around us. Please contact us for more announced that the Comoros, List last year before moving up to discrimination against religious information and an application pack for this role we are Cuba, Nicaragua and Russia will CPC status this year. minorities. looking to fill in 2021 to take us into the new season God has remain on a Special Watch List for According to the United States Nigeria is the first democracy for the life of our Church. governments that have engaged Commission on International ever to be named a Country of in or tolerated “severe violations Religious Freedom, ongoing state Particular Concern by the US For further, email [email protected]. of religious freedom” but did violations of religious freedom Department of State. Applications close Friday 19 March 2021. not fully meet the CPC criteria. in Nigeria includes harsh Nigeria was on the Special Watch convictions for blasphemy and Author – Ramona Humphreys 12 in conversation

FEBRUARY 2021 Let your natural life be spiritual

Colin Buchanan is an ARIA, APRA and nine times Golden Guitar winning singer/songwriter whose remarkable career includes being an ABC TV Play School presenter, sought-after hit song collaborator, Australia’s number one Christian kids artist and regular panellist on ABC Radio Sydney Drive’s ‘Thank God It’s Friday’ with the cream of Australia’s comedy community. Vanessa Klomp caught up with Colin while in Sydney in December

How did you become interested the songs.” The following year, I was born in Dublin, Ireland in singing and songwriting, and I gave a cassette to John Kane, and we went to a Presbyterian then choose it as a career? a member of Flying Emus, a church. Protestants are a very A lot of what I do is what I call Sydney-based band. So they small minority in the Republic of very appetite driven. And, I just weren’t based in rural Australia, Ireland. I would be inclined to say always had an appetite for songs – but they had great bluegrass denomination or religion defined fun songs, songs that told a story. songwriting. Friends had been my early life. I wasn’t so conscious I was never trained in music, but very encouraging so I felt, “Well, about that as a kid, but I lived was always attracted to music. John might be able to suggest with that because of the sectarian My parents would put records on what to do with these songs.” difference. It wasn’t violent where at home, but none of our family He wrote back to me and said, we were, but Dad lost his job played a musical instrument. So, “I’ve played some of these songs and I think it was because we weren’t a highly musical family to my publisher and my record he was a Protestant and an in that regard. However, I joined company and they really like Englishman. My parents a bush band in my church when them. I think it would be great didn’t talk about Jesus at I was in my teen years and played to make a record together.” I was home. The only prayer I the ukulele. I could play a few very excited. I wasn’t trying to ever heard my Dad pray songs and really loved creating get into music. I was just trying was, “For what we were

music – that was a real joy. to work out what to do with my about to receive, may Hanna Paul Photo: I then learned the guitar and songs. I was a schoolteacher the Lord make us truly thankful.” found that I enjoyed songwriting. and thought maybe after our So, faith was very personal to my Colin Buchanan has had an extensive music career I’d write all sorts of songs. It Christian community experience, parents and I think it still is. and shares how the Lord has gone before him over the definitely came from being with maybe I’d get involved in some We were attending church years, and how He is involved in his future. church friends and being in the sort of church ministry with kids and I was encountering the bush band – my friends were or youth. But the door opened Bible in a more personal faith, songwriters. They were writing to music through that avenue and that was something that but it was great equipment because I was a Christian. I tried songs for our church as well. I instead. Those songs became really resonated with me. When because I found myself in, at to keep a posture of the priorities remember being quite surprised my introduction to the I was seven, the suggestion that times, a public sphere and a of a faithful Christian life and and delighted when a friend music industry. you could know Christ quite very different environment family, and church involvement, played a song. I said, “That’s nice.” Interestingly, some of the personally was very attractive that I’d been used to. I had a just trying to keep all of those And he said, “Oh, yeah, I wrote it songs I’d written in church for to me. The way they put it was sense of I belong to God and things in balance. This means with Margaret yesterday.” I was Sunday school kids, and in my to ask Jesus into your heart. I it’s His world and He’s done a that there would be things that just gobsmacked. The whole brief Christian school teaching thought, “Really? Yeah, I want marvellous thing in His Son and I wouldn’t do, like I wouldn’t thought of being involved in career, became part of my kids Him to be part of my life.” that’s my treasure. So, I’ll walk tour for eight to ten months of the creative process and being Christian music. This again, As I got older I realised, into these type of situations the year. There would be times around that was really exciting. quite unexpectedly. I’m really gratefully, through a Sunday understanding this. I certainly when I’m away from church, Over the years I’ve found so blessed that rather than a sense of school teacher who taught us the have not done this perfectly, but I tried to keep a regular much to write about that’s related pursuit, it was more like, I wrote gospel, that the problem of sin but grace is a wonderful thing. connection to my local church, to my faith. That’s where a lot the songs and then those songs was a pervasive and universal Forgiveness is one-off in Christ, which is the nuts and bolts of life of the songs started. I was also did the talking for me. Whereas problem. God provided Jesus but I also continue to enjoy that in a community with people. It’s listening to songwriters, folk there are other people who have a to solve that problem, and that forgiveness day by day. just the step by step walk of the singers and songwriters who massive drive to be an artist – through faith you could know Christian faith. ‘painted pictures’ and told stories, I wasn’t one of those people. God, be forgiven of your sin, and How has your Christian faith I don’t know whether I’ve and that was very attractive as have eternal life and be part of impacted your career? Does it had missed opportunities. Being well. So, I found myself writing It sounds like God had His plan His family. I’d like to say that it bring any challenges? fairly public about my Christian those type of songs too. for you and you just didn’t was like being offered chocolate. We had an interesting faith might have made people The key moment came know it. I thought, “Why wouldn’t you do moment in the car during a say, “Oh, I just don’t know that in 1988 when my wife and Yes, it’s quite delightful. In that?” It was a delightful, exciting family holiday some years ago. we’ll consider him for that I – we’d been married for 18 fact, the phrase that I’ve always prospect. I think faith became We had this little game where you gig.” But, I haven’t really been months – went to live in a little had is, “The Lord opens the more personal. This created a bit pull out questions and answer aware of that. Although, I have Christian community in Bourke. I doors.” In one sense it’s not a of conflict in my family because them. They might be funny or gone quite public in my faith. continued to write songs because particularly profound thing to I discovered a more evangelical embarrassing ones, but one of I’ve made lots of kids Christian that’s what I’d got into the habit of say, but it really takes the pressure faith, public faith, and their faith them was, “What do you admire records, and they’ve lived doing, but having lived in Sydney, off, just thinking, “Well, He does was a more private personal one, about your parents?” Which, of alongside [my other records]. My I had not experienced anything go before you and He does what’s and to me, a bit more ambiguous. course, my teenage kids thought career is an attempt of telling the like outback Australia and the best for you.” He opens the doors, When my wife and I went was a bit of a set-up. Surely, we story of “Let your natural life be people who lived there. So, I then I should follow faithfully to live in the little Christian planted that question in there, spiritual and your spiritual life found myself quite stimulated with Him. community in my mid 20s, but we hadn’t. My eldest son, be natural.” But 30 years on in to write songs, and those songs there was a phrase written interestingly said, “I really respect my music career, I think, “Well, became an avenue into music. How did you develop a faith in on the back of a bus which that Dad’s said no to things in in a way, that’s part of what my I remember John Williamson Christ and become a Christian? said, “Let your natural life be his career that have perhaps career is, a demonstration of – came through Bourke and I gave Church was part of my life for spiritual and your spiritual life disadvantaged his career, but the attempt to do that.” Again, him a cassette after a concert. as long as I can remember. My be natural.” I thought, “That’s has been the best thing for our with mixed success. I don’t find And, I vividly remember him parents were churchgoers. Faith a really lovely quest to have a family.” I thought that was a really that my Christian life fights with saying, “I’ll listen to it, but most of was, I guess, seen in terms of pervasive faith in Jesus that amazing insight to hear from my other singer-songwriter life – the stuff we get is not very good.” church attendance, and a moral just ran through the entirety of your child. that’s a nice place to be In a way, he prepared me for respectable life, and perhaps life.” So, that was part of what I There aren’t a lot of for anyone. disappointment. I later received the people, the community you carried into my music career as monumental moments when I a letter that said, “Oh, we enjoyed identified with. well. I didn’t go there for music, think that some difficulty came Continued on page 15 growth 13

FEBRUARY 2021 When too easy is too hard

Many years ago, I was chairing a committee that was tackling a complex problem. As far as committees go, it was a good one, well stocked with highly intelligent people and united in our purpose. It didn’t take too long before they came up with a very clever approach to overcome the problem.

“Well done! Sounds like a great thinking, and thinking was us, even for a small suburb, but way forward,” I said. their thing. we prefer to fantasise about The next month we met And it got me thinking God ‘sweeping His hand across again, and to my surprise the about mission, because, well, the suburb’ and getting it done problem hadn’t been overcome. everything does. Does the without anyone having to get “Oh, did it prove to be more mission of our largely white, their fingernails dirty. But that’s difficult than we thought?” I said. educated, middle class movement not His way. I’m not saying we But they assured me it wasn’t, suffer because our task is too should stop reading, or doing and in fact it wasn’t very difficult difficult? Or is it too easy? great thinking about mission. at all. They laid out the series of People like us – like me – enjoy But if we’re dreaming that our simple steps needed and again I a good puzzle, a good debate, lab will suddenly mass-produce said: “Go for it.” the wrestling with ideas, but not a vaccine to automatically After another month you’d so much the wrestling with a Christianise everyone, we need think that this brilliant committee lawnmower. If there’s a process, to wake up. And attend to the would have knocked it on the and it’s simple, then it should patch that the Lord has assigned head, but once again there was be automated. Done by robots. to us. There’s someone at hand our problem, undented. Or just by ‘others’. Once we’ve that you can visit, call, share a “Well, this one really is thought up a good way, well, the meal with, share God’s love. mocking us, isn’t it? We just can’t rest is boring. Too easy, eh? seem to win,” I said. There are a lot of good But, again they assured me books, conferences and Author – Andrew Turner that this problem would really discussion groups about be no problem, no problem at all. mission, but the truth is that Andrew is the Church Then it began to dawn on me. the way the Lord has given Development Facilitator “Could it be, that you’ve to us isn’t rocket science. It with Baptist Churches of found a great plan for solving involves taking an interest in South Australia. the problem, and it’s not that the others, sharing meals, asking steps are too hard for you, but questions, serving, praying and Republished with rather that they’re too easy?” the talking needed is hardly kind permission. I asked. ever hifalutin. It’s labour- Their eyes brightened. You intensive. God wants to reach see, this group of great thinkers out to each person, to connect were not great doers. The actual personally with them, through

steps, once found, required little people. That will take many of Hoehne/Unsplash Joshua Photo:

Meditation – the cry of my heart

We all meditate. When I worry, my heart starts to become hard with the weight of Whether you like the influence the challenge. It sits heavy on my of the word or not, in fact, you’re chest. As I start to reframe those doing it right now. There are pathways, I remember the beauty words flowing through your veins. once again. There are beliefs that are carving The Old Testament says it either flowers or dark valleys in this way: the crevices of our minds. These “God, your God, will cut sacred pathways fill our hearts away the thick calluses on your and lives, it is a pilgrim way. heart and your children’s hearts, Each thought meditation and an freeing you to love God, your offering, our life’s work of worship. God, with your whole heart “I meditate on your name and soul and live, really live.” all night, God, treasuring your [Deuteronomy 30:6 MSG] revelation, O God. Still, I walk Proverbs says it this way: through a rain of derision, “Above all else, guard your because I live by your Word and heart, for everything you do flows counsel.” [Psalm 119:55-56 MSG] from it. [Proverbs 4:23 NIV] Some days my meditation The New Testament writers becomes my undoing. I think I describe it this way:

need to have it all perfect, to take “Peace I leave with you; my Photo: Jaromir Chalabala/Shutterstock the next step towards finding peace I give you. I do not give to the rest my soul longs for. Rest, you as the world gives. Do not let rest, rest you seem so distant. In your hearts be troubled and do and to believe the best in others. And the gift of Psalm 119, Amanda Viviers is the author a season of so much disruption, not be afraid.” [John 14:27 NIV] I can only do this when I change in this season, is that it has been of ten books and co-founder how does my soul find its rest? In this season, where things the meditation of my every day. calling me back to the beauty of of Kinwomen. She is the Head I have found this place is look very different, where we Reframing the way that I think, words written so long ago in the of Narrative for Compassion. an eternal Jerusalem, a place are questioning safety, we are worship and speak. Bible and their relevance in my She was on the leadership of pilgrimage and meditation. immersed in the trauma of Let’s remember what we life today. team at Riverview Church. When I find myself worrying societal change. meditate upon and its impact on What are you meditating on? through the night, I just start to The cry of my heart is to walk our every day. Let’s meditate on repeat Scripture, that reminds me lightly through these days of deep that which brings life, truth and Author – Amanda Viviers of the power of my meditation. change. To love extravagantly hope. Let’s meditate through. 14 arts

FEBRUARY 2021 Hillsong Young & Free gets Grammy nod

Australian contemporary worship music group, Hillsong Young & Free received a 2021 Grammy nomination for their fourth studio album, All My Best Friends, in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album category. The Sydney-based group had previously been nominated for a Grammy in the same category for their second album, Youth Revival in 2016.

Young & Free was nominated “I think from the beginning, alongside artists that included Young & Free was clearly the Cody Carnes, We The Kingdom, youth expression from our Tauren Wells and Kanye West. church,” she said. The album features “To be honest, a lot of the 20 songs, including the singles feedback we got from III, was that Best Friends, which has over it wasn’t ‘youthy’ enough and that seven million streams on Spotify, it matured really quickly.” and Lord Send Revival (Live), “And so, when we got which has over eight million feedback that we needed to be streams. Out of the 20 songs, more youthy, I said I’ll give you 13 were recorded live at the the most youthy album you’ve Hillsong Youth Summer Camp. ever seen!” “Let’s be bold, let’s teach young people about Jesus and let’s rally a generation.” Let’s be bold, “And if we can do that, I think God’s going to really bless it, let’s teach breath over it and I’m believing that we will see something young people really cool.”

about Jesus Bandmate, Aodhan King said Photo: Hillsong that it reminded them again of Hillsong Young & Free have been nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 2021 Grammys. and let’s rally the importance of writing a song for a generation as he reflected on a generation. their latest album. Young & Free have been leading worship for Hillsong’s In a behind the scenes video youth and recording since they ARIA win for Perth singer that examined the creation of the formed in 2013 and currently has album, pioneer of Young & Free 13 members. Laura Toganivalu (Toggs) The Grammys will be held on On 25 November 2020, Perth singer/songwriter Chelsea Cullen won the describes the methodology 14 March at the Staples Center in Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Award for the Best Original behind All My Best Friends, after Los Angeles. Soundtrack or Musical Theatre Cast Album. they received feedback on their third album (III) saying it needed Author – John Igglesden to be more youthful. Cullen received the award for her recording of the motion picture soundtrack, I Am Woman, a biographical film about the singer, Helen Reddy, directed and produced by Unjoo Moon and starring Tilda Cobham-Hervey. Chelsea beat five other

Editor: Matthew Chapman EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING: nominees to win the award that Managing Editor: Andrew Sculthorpe Email: [email protected] has been won previously by Production: Alissa Cass [email protected] Vanessa Klomp Mail: Baptist Churches artists including Jimmy Barnes Loiuse Warren Western Australia (2018), Josh Pyke (2016) and Paul Creative: Peter Ion PO Box 57, Burswood WA 6100 Advertising: Sally Phu Tel: (08) 6313 6300 Kelly (2013, 2006, 2002). Some Distribution: Sally Phu Fax: (08) 9470 1713 earlier nominated artists include Editorial deadline: 5th of each month Tina Arena (2013), John Farnham PUBLISHERS GENERAL DISCLAIMER (2000), John Lennon (1994) and All the articles, comments, advice and other material contained in this publication are by Paul McCartney (1994). way of general comment or advice only and are not intended, nor do they purport to be the correct advice on any particular matter of subject referred to. No reader or any other person The 2020 ARIA Awards were who obtains this publication should act on the basis of any matter, comment or advice hosted by Delta Goodrem with contained in this publication without first considering and if necessary taking appropriate professional advice upon the applicability of any matter, advice or comment herein to their the most awards (five) awarded own particular circumstances. Accordingly, no responsibility is accepted or taken by the to Australian psychedelic authors, editors or publishers of this publication for any loss or damage suffered by any party acting in reliance on any matter, comment or advice contained herein. pop/rock project, Tame Impala and the most nominations The Advocate is published on behalf of Baptist Churches Western Australia by imageseven. Tel: (08) 6500 7777 Email: [email protected] (eight) went to Australian pop rock band, Lime Cordiale. Chelsea currently attends Providence City Church with her

husband Sam Wylde where they Photo: Michael Tan serve on the music team together. Chelsea Cullen (left) in the studio where she recorded the soundtrack for I Am Woman with the films’ Music Producer, Bry Jones and Director,

imageseven bcw J5396 Author – John Igglesden Unjoo Moon. coffee break 15

FEBRUARY 2021

Continued from page 12 Hillsong Young & Free Let your natural life be spiritual A minute with ... What has surprised you most about a bunch of great friends in Scotland and your career? “Lord-willing” is injected into conversation, gets Grammy nod Ross Clifford AM As the doors opened to do music, I had which I think is a nice little reminder of some sort of picture in my mind of what the old saying, “We don’t know what the Ross Clifford is the Principal it might be like, and like lots of things, future holds, but we know Who holds the of Morling College in Sydney. it’s a little harder work, a little less clean future.” But, I do like to make plans. One of Ross is a theologian, author, and tidy than you might imagine. I recall, the analogies of a music career or a creative political commentator as well as a quite early [in my career], I received what career is you lay the rails and then hopefully passionate follower of Jesus. I thought was a polite knockback letter you’ll get to travel over them. So, you might from Play School on ABC TV. I’d done an write a song and it’s some time before that You started out as a lawyer, audition because I had been signed to song might bear fruit, if at all, and becomes what led you to the role of ABC Music. So, I had gone in and done part of your livelihood. I think because of Principal at Morling? a little audition with my guitar and they the restrictions on performing, and some I was practicing law in the wrote back and said, “Well, if we need a connections that the Lord opened the doors Northern Territory and had a real presenter guitarist,” just as Don Spencer to, He’s reconnected me to my country call from God to train for Baptist was at the stage of hanging up his guitar career. I feel like that’s a nice thing to do at Ministry. While I was the Senior and no longer doing Play School. I thought, this age and stage of my life, to try and build Pastor at Gymea Baptist Church, “That sounds like a very polite knockback that a little bit more as an artist. I’ve been an in NSW the leadership of Morling letter.” Then the phone rang and they said, active collaborator, but not so active in my College asked me to consider a call “Would you come and do a location Play own recording and performing. to lecture in Theology. After testing School at the Botanic Garden in Sydney?” Due to social distancing, children’s gigs this call with my friends, family and So, I found myself down there early are a little bit impossible. So I’ve made, like Photo: Morling College church leadership team, I began as one morning with my guitar and I was I mentioned, a couple of trips to the Central a lecturer at Morling. A few years later I was appointed to Principal. For me, it is doing Play School – singing The Ants Go West, New South Wales. I’m planning to all about God’s call. While there has been some miraculous ways God has led my Marching and acting out the Three Billy do some more performing in that [country wife Beverley and I, for example delivering us from dangerous situations, most Goats Gruff and so forth. At the end of music] and I’d love to do some recording. of the time for me it is a matter of hearing from God’s Word and Spirit, as well as that day, I remember walking towards the I’ve got lots of songs that I wrote back in interacting with Christian mentors. Harbour Bridge and out of the gate, right the day – they just haven’t been recorded. I must admit being Principal at Morling College, and even a pastor was not my next to the Opera House, swinging my There are songs about Australia, things I’ve idea! I was more than happy in law and pursuing other interests. God had to do a guitar case, Maria-style from The Sound seen, stories and portraits. fair bit of work on me. of Music, thinking, “I’ve just done a day’s I released an Old Testament singalong work. I can call this work. I’m going to get album last year and I haven’t had a chance What inspires you each day as you lead Morling College? paid for this and I did Play School – this is to go on tour with that, which is the classic Students! It is a blessing to be able to visit a church and witness Morling just amazing.” way to promote a new album. Whether graduates ministering for the gospel. It is also very encouraging to hear the The funny thing is, it is an attitude or not it will just become the album of stories of our graduates on the mission field, and in particular have them share in because sometimes familiarity just masks COVID-19 [I don’t know], and God-willing chapel when they are on leave, back in Sydney. Horizons, a legal service for people the fact that we’re actually doing what we’ll get to create a new album. I like to call facing domestic issues, now has its office on our campus and the lawyers involved we really hoped we would do one day, or them song shoeboxes. They’re not actual are Morling graduates. Wherever God has called people to ministry, it’s a privilege something that is surprising that we would shoeboxes but there’s scraps of paper and to be part of their equipping. do it. So, it’s really great to just pull yourself snatches of recordings, with ideas and up. It might be like, a few weeks ago, when nearly-finished songs. So, there’s another As you look to the future, what is your vision for the campuses of Morling, both I was playing to a crowd of maybe 90 kids album waiting to happen – there in Sydney and in Perth? What do you think Morling will look like in a decade? people, social distanced, in Canowindra, always is. My vision for both campuses is that we will be at the forefront in using our which is in central-western New South There is an incredible amount of resources and skills for training and equipping students across Australia and into Wales. Only a little gig, performing my energy that I get from just encountering the Asia-Pacific region. With the Bible and theology in our heart, we will continue country songs, and they’re all listening people under the normal flow of life and to spread into other disciplines that equip the Church and the wider community. to them, and there’s something really that’s not been there [due to COVID-19]. So I believe this is a God-given time and opportunity to help assist our churches in delightful and wonderful about that. It’s I am looking forward to, God-willing, just evangelism and mission. Historically a strength of both Morling College and Vose really good to just stop yourself and say, getting out there and performing again, Seminary has been raising up a generation of people who can live and articulate this is amazing, you know, that you get and enjoying all the things that perhaps I the Christian worldview. to do this. You could just smudge over it, didn’t appreciate or wasn’t quite aware of by saying, “What time does it start? How that come to my life from that experience. What is a feature of Morling that you would like to share? much am I being paid? How many people What I really appreciate about Morling is its evangelical inclusiveness. There came? Where am I staying?” All the things are not too many colleges that would have our diversity of faculty and students. that got to be there. But it’s good to just pull This inclusiveness has strong evangelical boundaries. I believe it is an exciting yourself up and think, wow! place to teach and study. So, there’s something quite surprising and delightful about the day-to-day of what I do and it’s really important to pull myself up and say, “No, that’s a privilege. I should appreciate this.” Certainly, the variety helps that. I’ll do some kids’ stuff, Q. Who was the greatest female then I’ll do some country stuff, and then financier in the Bible? I’ll do some writing, and I might do some collaborative songwriting, and a little bit haraohs dauhtr h nt of radio. don to th an of th il and dr out a littl propht What is on the horizon for you? That is – the great 2020 COVID-19 question. I think we’ve been taught to measure our answers with a grain of salt – everyone. The Scriptures express that rather than tomorrow I’ll do this or tomorrow I’ll

do that, let’s say if the Lord wills it. I’ve got Hanna Paul Photo: letters to the editor send us your letters

The Advocate welcomes your letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Send your letters of no more than 100 words to [email protected] by the 10th of each month. 16 sport

FEBRUARY 2021 Young adults putt with purpose

Young adults from around Perth will slip off the isolation blues and get ready to put on some golfing shoes when they take part in Putt4Purpose on 10 February. The fundraising event will be held at Holey Moley Golf Club on the rooftop of Westfield Carousel in Cannington.

There will be exclusive access “We really appreciate this detached from church after to an 18 hole minigolf course, support as we help the Yawo COVID-19,” Ed said. two escape rooms, two karaoke find their own distinctive “In an attempt to encourage rooms, six tenpin bowling lanes, way of following Jesus,” young adult’s reconnection laser tag, dance floor, speed Gunther enthused. to their local church, we hope dating, food and refreshments at Global Interaction to run Putt4Purpose to spark the alcohol-free event. Western Australia State Director, reconnection and an invitational Baptist Churches Western Dan McGrechan said it is space for Young Adults ministries Australia Next Generations encouraging to see the next to begin 2021 strongly.” Pastor, Ed Devine said the generation get behind those “We are praying this event aim of Putt4Purpose is to who are called to share the good will open a door for people to get make a difference by raising news of Jesus in hard to reach to know Jesus and for Christian support for the Hoppe family, places overseas. young adults who have wandered who are new missionaries The initiative for the golfing from the family of God to with Global Interaction. event is in response to a need reconnect and to continue their “As well as being a fundraiser, captured in a national survey of discipleship journey.” our hope is that Putt4Purpose 113 Baptist Young Adults leaders All profits will go to is a unity-boosting, network conducted in July 2020 that sending the Hoppe family to the strengthening fun-fest of epic reported a 74 percent drop of Yawo people. proportions,” Ed said. attendance in young adults from Gunther and Sarah, along ministries during the COVID-19 For more information, visit with their two boys, Josh and and post-COVID-19 seasons. trybooking.com/BLWXR Michael, will be leaving later this “In Western Australian year to live and serve among the churches I have heard a similar Yawo people in Malawi. theme of young adults remaining

STUDY SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE Photo: Matthew Chapman Ed Devine practising his bowling skills for one of the activities at the Putt4Purpose fundraiser.

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