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AprilApril 20182018
1 Peter??? 1:7
Also in this issue: Out & About in NSW News from Commended Workers Youth Leaders ‘Awake Sydney’ Prayer Summit Sports Ministry & Evangelism Internet Corner (... and more)
Print Post Approved PP 100003434 Assemblies Written contributions to Assemblies Outreach magazine are welcome and actively sought Magazine Vol. 47 No. 2 from NSW Assemblies and any associated ministries and individuals. Copyright © 2018 NSW Assemblies’ Evangelistic Mission (NSWAEM) Please submit your assembly news, people profiles, letters, etc, for the June 2018 issue The NSWAEM publishes this before:– 11th May 2018. bi-monthly magazine to offer oppor- Contributors enjoy reasonable liberty in tunities for NSW Commended their expression of opinion and exposition of Workers, Assemblies, Para-Assembly Scripture within the boundaries of a biblical activities and other kindred bodies, evangelical Christian faith. Neither the to share information about their Editorial Team, the Board of NSW Assemblies’ Evangelistic Mission, nor Commended ministries, to encourage others, and Workers are to be held responsible for every to encourage prayer. view that may be expressed in these pages. You are free to make use of the information in Editorial & Production Team: this publication and to reproduce it for your personal Mr C. H. Winrow, Mrs M. J. Winrow, use or for the church you attend. Material must Mr D. Gordon not be sold or republished for commercial purposes unless you obtain written permission first. Subscription costs are shown on the cover If material from this publication is used or quoted & at www.cb-nsw.org.au/aem/Mag/subs.html in any other publication (including websites) due acknowledgment should be made. Please contact Printed by the Blue Star Print Group. the Editor (refer p31) with any inquiries about 81 Derby Street, Silverwater NSW 2128 reproducing this material. Phone: +61 2 8748 2312
Advertisement and Prayer Request The PSSM Mailbox Club (formerly known as the Postal Sunday School Movement) is asking you to join us in prayer as we seek the Lord’s will for a new President. A number of our previous Presidents have come from Brethren Churches and we are seeking the Lord for His direction as we search for a new person to fulfil this important roll. We thank God for how He has used this ministry since 1933 and look forward to what He has in store for the days and years ahead.
ASSEMBLIES 2 April 2018 First Glance by Colin Winrow, Editor. Dear Readers, Welcome to this April 2018 edition of the Assemblies Outreach magazine. As the Lord has provided a variety of articles again for this issue, it has hosts, but the competition was tougher become apparent to me that there is a and so our medal tally was much lower major ‘flavour’ of youth and sport in than the Games this month. Still, it its content. was fun and exciting and some people Perhaps my mind has been biased in got medals, trophies or certifcates to that direction by the background events treasure. in Australia as it’s been compiled in the There was a lot of evangelism activ- late March - early April time-frame. ity too – before, during and after the The footy season has begun and, Olympics – with an overarching theme overlaying all other sports, has been of “More than Gold”. the 2018 Commonwealth Games held As precious as that metal is, the on the Gold Coast of Queensland from Scriptures explain there are more the 4th to 15th April. Who could escape important things God wants in our the news from “the Games” on TV & lives. Wisdom (Prov 3:13) and Faith (1 radio, in newspapers and magazines, Peter 1:6-7) are two that spring to mind. and streaming to our mobile phones Hence the illustration on this maga- and computers? Of course it helped zine’s cover:– “though now for a little * * * that we, the host country, topped the while you may have had to suffer grief in medal tally with 80 Gold, 59 Silver and all kinds of trials. These have come so that 59 Bronze! the proven genuineness of your faith—of It took me back to the year 2000, greater worth than gold, which perishes when we hosted the Olympic Games even though refined by fire —may result in in Sydney. Some of us competed, and praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ more of us served as volunteers and is revealed.” (NIV) o CONTENTS of this Issue:
‘Out and About’ in NSW...... 4 Sports Ministry & Evangelism... 17 Praying for NSW Assemblies...... 6 Book Review – “41 will come”..... 22 ATI Prophecy Conference...... 8 What our teenagers need most.. 23 News of Commended Workers... 9 CCCAust(NSW) Youth Strategy.24 The Christian Brethren Archive.13 How to Answer ...... 26 Young Adults...... 15 ‘Awake Sydney’ Prayer...... 27 Help young people get involved.16 Internet Corner...... 29 ASSEMBLIES April 2018 3 ‘Out and About’ in NSW Assemblies compiled by Colin Winrow
If you attend a NSW assembly, or I must confess there are some I you work with any associated Christian had not heard of before, but I think Brethren ministry, please feel free to they have just undergone growth submit your local news or event dates and name changes. For example, to this ‘Out and About’ section so we can ACCS (Australian College of Christian inform and encourage people in all our Studies) was formerly Emmaus Bible assemblies and churches. Short items College, see new website:– (even if only one sentence) are welcome www.ccs.edu and can be mailed to the Mission office and AMOS (Australian Mission at PO Box 20, Pennant Hills, NSW 1715, Outreach Support) is a conservative or better still, e-mailed to: Christian ministry supporting and [email protected] promoting the work of Aboriginal Communities, Missions, and Also, please email your wording Missionaries in Australia and is carried for Notices or Coming Events to be out by short-term mission outreaches: included on the NSW Christian Brethren www.amosmission.com.au website to:- webadmin@cb–nsw.org.au The Awake Sydney Prayer Summit was a great success on 3rd March. * * * Youth leaders from 11 denominations The first Coordinating Conference came together to pray for the youth of for 2018 was held at the Kings Park Sydney and to discuss matters about st Community Church on 1 February. future cooperation and growth. There rd The next meeting will be on 3 May. is to be an outreach event next year Copies of the new CCCAust with Franklin Graham and partnership Handbook for 2018-19 have been to support this was also discussed. shipped to all churches and assemblies. * * * More copies can be obtained from This year Camp David (which is for Bradley Scott, if required. people aged 18+ who have an intel- This Handbook is a great resource lectual disability) will be held from for church leaderships to have. It is 28th May to 1st June at the Yarramundi now 231 pages in length and includes camp site, by a combined team drawn CCCAust information for all Australia. from the Lutanda and Hands & Feet A map for each state & territory shows organisations. More volunteers are where our churches and assemblies are needed too. Please contact Reuben located. Besides the information about Torrance on 0426 797 382. each congregation’s ministries, it con- * * * tains lists of Marriage Celebrants and New Heights Christian Church is Itinerant Teachers etc and information seeking expressions of interest for the about numerous para-church organisa- role of a part-time pastor with their tions at national and state levels. church for 2018 and beyond. At this ➢
ASSEMBLIES 4 April 2018 ‘Out and About’ in NSW Assemblies (cont’d from p 4) stage the position involves 10 hours per week but this may increase in future as 26 May ‘Pathfinders’ at West the role develops and support grows. Pennant Hills C.C; 7pm NHCC is an independent evangelical Topic is ‘A Call to Serve’. church associated with the Christian 28 May Camp David at Yarramundi Community Churches of Australia. Camp site (5 days) Membership is currently around sixty 9 June ‘Awake to Israel’ (ATI) people. The church building is on meeting at Epping G.C; the western side of Lake Macquarie 2.30pm. near the rapidly developing areas of 23 June WMC 2018, “Hearts for the Cameron Park and West Wallsend. Harvest” at Campbelltown For a job description and other details Christian Community please apply to:– Church, 18 Alderney Street, [email protected] Minto. 10am to 3pm. (see advert on page 25) Meetings & Events 21 July SIU Conference. (Note: for the latest details please be sure to check on these two web pages:– 2 Aug Coordinating Conference. http://www.cb-nsw.org.au/events 25 Aug ‘Pathfinders’ at West Pennant Hills C.C; 7 pm www.cccaustnsw.com/events start; – Variety Night. 2018: 1 Sept RENOVO Youth Conf’nce. 3 May Coordinating Conference. 1 Nov Coordinating Conference. 4 May Autumn Fashion Parade of 24 Nov ‘Pathfinders’ at West Ladies Winter Clothes for Pennant Hills C.C; 6pm residents & friends at start; Christmas Celebration. Elouera Gardens; starting 10am with morning tea, 2019: donation $5. 24-28 June IBCM7 will be held in 5 May Thrive 2018 - Women’s Pomezia, near Rome next Conference. “Unexpected year. See page 29 for more Journey – lessons in disci- details. o pleship”, Kings Park C.C. speakers: Connie Durate & Hope Miles. Please submit any news 12 May ‘Awake to Israel’ (ATI) items, letters, adverts or “Second Coming Conf- short articles for the June erence” at Epping G.C; from 9.30am to 4.30pm. (see 2018 magazine on, or before, advert on page 8) 11th May.
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 5 Praying for NSW Assemblies mainly compiled by Bradley Scott Please take some time-out every week to pray for our churches, assemblies and para-assembly ministries and the work of God in our nation.
General Prayer Points: ✩ Pray for our Church family and provide vision for these as we seek to make our Lord ministries. Where applicable, known in our communities may we see the Boards of these especially after our Easter organisations support and services and programs. provide services that help con- nect churches to the community. ✩ Pray that our churches can be May these boards support our salt and light in our changing local churches as they share world, that we can show the Christ in their communities, love of Christ through the way CCCAust(NSW), ACCS, AMOS, we interact with our neigh- Lutanda, Stewards, CCM, bours, friends and family. May Hands and Feet, CBCS, GLO, people see Christ in us. CMS, AEM, ACM, AMT, WMC. ✩ Pray for the upcoming THRIVE Grace Point Community Church Women’s Conference; that it will be a time of refreshment and Pray for the church Eldership: encouragement as we consider Upuse Ah Wong, Palemia how we serve God in a chang- Alalatoa, Viliamu Aufai, Jason ing Community. Chang, Kalati Perese, Kaio Toailoa. ✩ Pray that we as churches will not forget that even as society Please pray for: changes, we have a sovereign ✩ our DA lodgement last month. Lord who is in control and ✩ Fairfeld Council to allow we as His people are still on churches to establish in the area. the offensive, taking the Good ✩ our mission team to Ethiopia in News of Jesus to a world of the frst week of April. people who need this wonderful ✩ news. our church planting team both ✩ locally and globally. Pray that our church elders will ✩ have wisdom as they lead our our local churches’ new addi- local churches. tional families to the fellowship – to open their hearts & receive ✩ Pray for the Boards of our para- the gospel message of Jesus. ➢ church ministries as they lead
ASSEMBLIES 6 April 2018 Praying for NSW Assemblies (cont’d from p 6)
✩ the new church plant in Apia Samoa to be the light of Jesus in the community. ✩ the gospel of the Lord Jesus to Please submit any news be the main focus and message items, letters, adverts or of our local churches. short articles for the June Grace Point Mt Druitt 2018 magazine on, or before, Pray for the church Eldership:– 11th May. Akuino Fuamatu, Danny Tuimaseve, Tolu Vaafusuaga, Maf Mataafa, Kalala Mataafa. o
WOMEN’S MISSIONARY PRAYER & SUPPORT FELLOWSHIP Under this banner two groups meet each month, except January. The weekly Global Prayer Matters issued by AMT form the basis for focussed prayer. These points are amplified by information from personal letters received from missionaries. Whenever a missionary on furlough is available, as many as possible from both groups meet at Eastwood Chapel, and after the prayer time continue fellowship at Page’s Cafe (in Koorong Bookshop, West Ryde) over lunch. More information may be obtained from:– Lillian Fleming 9858 5436 or Jackie Sardar 9785 3439 Meetings to be held in 2018 The time slot is 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, with a cuppa available from 10am. Tea and coffee are provided. Cherrybrook Christian Oatley Gospel Care Centre Chapel (on Fridays) (also on Fridays) 11 May 8 June 13 July 10 Aug 14 Sept 12 Oct 9 Nov 14 Dec
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 7 ASSEMBLIES 8 April 2018 News from some Commended Workers
Geoff & Liz Folland 4 Oronga Avenue too. So I ended up meeting both Alex’s Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 together! 2 March 2018 3. Praise God for Minji Last year Minji was one of our key stu- 1. Praise God for Good Weather! dent leaders. She graduated and over the Orientation-Week is so weather summer raised her support. She started dependent. Last year it was raining most serving full-time as a missionary during of the three days. The year before it was O-Week. Last week was her first week on hot (400/1040F). This week the weather campus. She’s been gathering many new was warm and sunny. It was such a students ... including introducing me to blessing to be able to meet hundreds of a couple of guys. Through Minji I met students. The follow up has shown that Jack, whose grandfather is Ian Jagelman (a we have met many who are genuinely founding leader in the C3 church denomi- interested. nation). 2. Praise God for New Students! Friends, we really appreciate your I often tell our leaders that the start friendship, encouragement, prayers and of each year is like Christmas. Each new financial support. We couldn’t do this student we meet is like a present that ministry without you. God gives us, we just don’t know what In His grace, it is yet. Standing on the road outside of Geoff & Liz Folland Notre Dame (because we aren’t allowed Power to Change Australia to do ministry on this private campus) produced contact with only two guys Aaron & Shelley Daniell (and about 20 girls) who wanted follow 6 Talavera Close up. But God had other ideas! Each of our Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 small groups has been overflowing with new students who have become aware of 22 March 2018 us through word of mouth. Hi Friends, I’d arranged to meet Alex, one of the It’s been a very full couple of months. 2 from the quizzes. I arrived in the cafe, We appreciate your ongoing prayers and only to be greeted by two of our student support. Please let us know if can we be leaders. They introduced me to Alex. I praying for you! said I was glad to meet him and looking EvangelismSHIFT update forward to chatting. He looked confused Our new facilitators did an exceptional during our few minutes of small talk. job in sharing God’s word, their lives, and It turned out he wasn’t the Alex I was practical insights in our first round of expecting to meet! But my Alex was seminars. We praise God for His provi- sitting at a table nearby. And the new sion of each one of them. This week we Alex was interested in finding out more begin our second round of seminars with ➢10
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 9 News from some Commended Workers (cont’d from p 9)
our four new EvangelismSHIFT groups Please continue to pray for our Lord’s in Melbourne, Sydney (2) and Casino. provision for us as a family as we trust Please be praying for the Australian Him with our current monthly budgeted facilitators: Jessie Skelly, John Fleming, shortfall. Maggie De Leeuw and Matthew Munn. Would you like to know more about Pray also for our Philippine team led by how you could help us cover the monthly Mel Dianga, as well as John North and commitments? Please email or call us. myself as we all continue to rely on God We would love to hear from you. to lead us in equipping His church to live as witnesses for Jesus Christ. MC2 - Multiplying Churches Doug & Jenny McNaught Because of our commitment to move- 46 Barnetts Road ment building, AFCI was invited to Winston Hills NSW 2153 attend the Global Church Movements 4 April 2018 (GCM) Conference in the Philippines Dear Brothers and sisters, earlier this month. Thank you again for your fellowship, This invitation came at a time when prayers, support and care during the last churches we are working with through few months. We appreciate everything EvangelismSHIFT are now asking us for that you do for us and look forward to the help in training their people to go beyond times that we are able to visit you. Jenny living as witnesses for Jesus to become has been going down to OLMC to do multiplying disciples who start multiply- exam supervision this week. It is the year ing churches. 12 half yearly exams. She also plans to do With this in mind I attended the GCM supervision for other exams down there Conference to evaluate the effectiveness this year. She has been doing this for of a training process called MC2. It is many years and enjoys getting together being used across the globe and could with the other ladies who supervise there be used to build on the foundations of as well. EvangelismSHIFT to benefit the churches She is still involved with some ladies we are working with. from church & in the community and We praise God for this opportunity and keeps busy as she helps them with their are prayerful about our next steps with various appointments and other activities. MC2. We have been quite busy, again, visit- Love is a gift! Celebrating 18 years of ing various churches and assemblies marriage! around Sydney during the last couple of Thank you Lord for your gift of mar- months. We expect, in the Lord’s will, riage. Thank you to those who have sown to have another month in April. It was a into our marriage and encouraged us over pleasure to spend Easter with a couple of the years. You know who you are and we assemblies, remembering the Lord’s death, thank God for you. burial and resurrection. There are so ➢
ASSEMBLIES 10 April 2018 News from some Commended Workers (cont’d from p 10)
many things to be thankful for, not just at know, I have been unwell and somewhat this time of the year but every day as we restricted in my ministry as a result of my remember the great price our Saviour paid condition. (A knee replacement for the left to purchase our salvation. leg, and a more serious replacement of the I have been busy, again, going to foot- femoral artery in the right leg.) Your gift ball training and attending matches. The is a help with the medical expenses. season starts this Saturday and we have In spite of these problems we do our been playing trial matches so far. There best. I have recently prepared a small has been a large turnover of players this outreach leaflet to be given with Easter year so I have had to get to know quite a Eggs. It raises the question of why Good few new players and some new coaches. Friday should be called Good. May some We played a match against a team hearts be challenged as they consider this from Fiji and I was able to pray with both question. teams in the middle of the pitch before Christian Media Services Inc contin- the game started. Afterwards both teams ues to be a blessing through outreach in came together and the Fijian players sang English and Arabic. some hymns in their own language. It Yours in the Lord Jesus Christ, was quite inspiring. John. One of the retired players, who volun- teers with the team, told me that I have a John & Irene Hills much better superannuation package than 16 Stewart Street he does because my superannuation is out Campbelltown NSW 2560 of this world! 9 April 2018 I am still working on my book, The Dear friends, Most Interesting Relationship, and Late last year and early this year has there is a lot more work to do. been a roller coaster for the Satellite TV Thanks again for your support, work. prayers, love and fellowship. It started with the US organisation Much love, through whom we broadcast, telling us Jenny and Doug McNaught they would have to close some of our e-mail: [email protected] broadcasts. (This address IS correct.) They also trust the Lord for funds John Angus to broadcast, and not long after the bad 35 Bandicoot Drive news, we heard that they had received Blackbutt NSW 2529 funds to continue. Not only that, they 28 March 2018 also gave us free of charge our own App. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ (at So now we continue broadcasting in NSWAEM), Arabic and English via Satellite, App, I write to thank you for the recent gift and also YouTube. The satellite broadcasts which is greatly appreciated. As you alone give us a potential audience of over ➢12
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 11 News from some Commended Workers (cont’d from p 11)
2 billion people, and the others massively family and re-meet assembly friends. We increase outreach potential. also visited QMBC, Bethany Hall and I am still responsible for production Wollongbar Christian Church. of the English TV programs, as well as Wai Wai would appreciate prayers for Radio program recordings and editing. her thyroid issues. She has been really Jamil Choucair has a huge workload, blessed with support and is looking for- filming and editing the Arabic programs ward to seeing a GP soon to get on track. as well as his involvement with the Arabic Joanne has just been for her umpteenth Church at Guildford. blood test, but she is still on the same They are doing a great job especially tablet chemotherapy and is still quite well with the Tuesday evening service and the considering. work with refugees. We were sad to see our good friend Please pray that many will tune in, and co-worker, Barbara Feehely, move hear the Good News and respond. to Woonona, north of Wollongong. She Tomorrow I have cataract surgery & in has been digitising 16 cassettes a week another month the same on the other eye. for more than 7 years. Over that time For obvious reasons I am hoping I don’t she would have digitised more than 5,000 have any complications with my eyesight. cassettes. Her work has been very much I recently recorded Al Watson appreciated and we know the Lord will from Walk Thru the Bible. Al went bless her for it. through the Old Testament and the New Now we are hoping that someone else Testament, and the videos of these talks will volunteer to help us. We have been are available from the Australian website: receiving a lot more orders for DVDs www.walkthru.org.au and CDs, which is wonderful, but it is all more work. The work isn’t difficult and Gary & Joanne Akehurst there are a few different jobs that volun- PO Box 1100 teers could do, so if you are interested in FIVE DOCK NSW 2046 helping, or you know someone who may be interested, please contact us. 20 March 2018 We have picked up the 1,000 or so cas- Dear email prayers, settes that came from Adelaide and are This newsletter has arrived a little starting to digitise them. late as we have been away to Brisbane Many recordings (some audio, for Tim and Wai Wai’s engagement some video) have been added to party, followed by a week at Cabarita PromiseBoxAudio.com since the last Beach, mainly swimming and relaxing. newsletter. We have had an incredible It was such a blessing to be at the party, increase in orders over the past 3 months, seeing another step Tim has taken with from 33 in October- November 2017 to 94 a lovely young Christian lady and also in the last 3 months. to meet their church family, Student Life May the Lord bless and keep you all. University friends, Wai Wai’s extended Gary & Joanne o ASSEMBLIES 12 April 2018 The Christian Brethren Archive by Jessica Smith, Archivist
In the 1820s a group of like-minded Christians in Dublin became frustrated with the established churches, and decided to begin anew. A leading fgure in these meetings, clergyman John Nelson Darby, took the fundamental principles of these early meetings and founded a new gathering in Plymouth in 1831. In 1848, the Brethren movement divided into the Exclusive Brethren, who followed Darby, and the Part of the Christian Brethren Archive Open Brethren, who preferred to retain their congregational autonomy. archive relating to the Brethren. The The Brethren have a long history collection consists of four parts. of evangelism and missionary work, Printed Material: and Brethren assemblies have been There are just over 17,000 books, established in over 100 countries. Today, pamphlets and tracts, some purchased, the Open Brethren have an estimated 2 and donated by Christian Brethren million members worldwide, and the organisations and individuals. It is one Exclusive Brethren number 46,000. of the most comprehensive collections The Christian Brethren Archive was of printed material produced by and established in 1979, in Manchester about the Brethren. ➢14 (U.K.), and is now the world’s largest
Part of the Main Library at the University of Manchester
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 13 The Christian Brethren Archive (cont’d from p 13)
Two of many items in the Archive Periodicals: There are over 300 periodicals and The Brethren in Australia: journals, dating from the early 19th The Christian Brethren Archive century to the present, a number of contains several publications on the which are still active, and accrue new history of the Brethren in Australia, and issues on a regular basis. There are notes meetings and ministry around many periodicals relating to Brethren the country. The periodicals include mission work. reports of Australian mission work, and Archival Material: there is also correspondence relating to This includes records of Brethren the work of the Brethren in Australia. assemblies and organisations, and of All readers are welcome to visit the individuals of signifcance. There is Christian Brethren Archive to consult unique material relating to the forma- the material that we hold. tion and early days of the movement. For more information please visit There is also a large collection of cor- our webpages: respondence with Brethren mission www.library.manchester.ac.uk/ workers around the world, and visual search-resources/special-collections/ materials, including photographs, guide-to-special-collections/christian- lantern slides and paintings. brethren-collections/ Digitised Material: To contact the Archivist, email: The collection’s digitised material [email protected] includes the correspondence and scrapbook of John Nelson Darby, the There’s another particularly beautiful Fry manuscripts, the journals of Dan library which is part of Manchester Crawford and E.H. Broadbent, and a University – the John Rylands Library. collection of lantern slides relating to It’s well worth having a look at the mission work. All are available to view pictures of it online! o via our website. ASSEMBLIES 14 April 2018 Young Adults: are our church leaders, doing right by them? by Sean Nolan
Data shows that young people make relationship our primary form tend to leave the Church in their late of discipleship, it also challenges us teen years. Keeping them in our to step back and allow those who are congregations at this time in their lives younger to succeed (if need be by trial can be a real challenge – a challenge and error). Doing what Jesus did and that we need to embrace because young journeying with people, allowing them adults are the ‘engine room’ of the into our very lives, homes and families church, but how do we do this? is intimate. It costs us something, but So often doctrine is the basis of the it is so richly rewarding for them and discipleship process that we undertake for us. in our churches. This can be a positive When it comes to young people who thing as good Bible teaching is an are struggling to be ‘regular in church’, essential element to any local church can I kindly encourage us all (myself or Christian organisation. However, included) to not give them doctrinal when we look at the life of Jesus and the realities, but rather to reach out through discipleship journey that He took His relationship: a coffee, a house repair, oil disciples on, we see a remarkable thing. change, baking session etc. Let’s do Jesus was all about relationship and He discipleship as the Master did, allowing gave doctrinal teaching in the context people into our worlds and trusting of relationship. Firstly, Jesus wove God to build the relational collateral the truths that He wanted to convey and then to, in key moments, steer their into the everyday realities of His life life into the light. with His disciples and He used simple Acts 2: 46-47 (as opposed to simplistic) examples “Every day they devoted themselves to from their lives to teach and instruct. meeting together in the temple complex, Secondly, Jesus allowed them to lead. and broke bread from house to house. They It has been said before that: no one, ate their food with a joyful and humble ever, would launch and build a locally attitude, praising God and having favour impacting, as well as internationally with all the people. And every day the Lord reaching, ministry and then just leave added to them those who were being saved.” it in the hands of their apprentices after 1 Corinthians 16: 6-7 three years, but Jesus did exactly this. “and perhaps I will remain with you Jesus built and discipled through or even spend the winter, so that you may relationship and then left His ministry send me on my way wherever I go. I don’t in the hands of those He had sowed want to see you now just in passing, for I into. I find this very challenging hope to spend some time with you, if the and it has some real implications for Lord allows.” us, I would suggest that Jesus’ life o and way of ministry challenges us to
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 15 Help Young People to get involved by Sean Nolan
Purpose Driven Youth Ministry. This Notice the phrases: “and gave us the was the title of an international best- ministry of reconciliation” and “God selling book by Ps Rick Warren a few making his appeal through us”. years ago. This book posited the idea Living and sharing the message of that purpose drives the healthy Church Christ is the mission of the Church and forward. The emerging generations a worthy ‘cause’ for young Christians are very much moving away from tra- to give their lives to. ditionalism – ‘I go to Church because Can I encourage us to think through my family did’. They are looking for a making this the purpose that drives purpose, a cause. our Churches and the primary ‘cause’ It is important to footnote that the that we put in-front of our youth, as Gospel is much more than a cause, it opposed to ‘accidentally’ asking them is the redemptive message of God for to adhere to various traditions or litur- all humanity. That said, presenting gical methods. I love the saying: marry missional work in the context of a cause your mission and date your methods. I can be very benefcial, especially when believe that any youth or young adult dealing with the younger generations. group that has a missional purpose at Recently a number of movements its centre it going to be effective and have arisen out of various causes: “bear much fruit”. ‘Me Too’, ‘March for our Lives’ are The ‘cause’ of the Gospel is best examples of fast moving movements thought of as something that is part that arose around social causes. Young of our very selves: we want to avoid Christians should be encouraged to the idea that our purpose exists in a rally around the ’cause’ of the Gospel, program, that mission is something the message of help for the hopeless, done through an outreach initiative love for the unloved and ultimately each week. reconciliation with God through Christ, Mission is something that we are; via us. it is to be interwoven into our daily In 2 Corinthians 5:17 to 20a, the realities and become as seamless and apostle Paul says the following: natural as breathing. o “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, Please submit any news in Christ God was reconciling the world items, letters, adverts or to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the short articles for the June message of reconciliation. Therefore, 2018 magazine on, or before, we are ambassadors for Christ, God 11th May. making his appeal through us.”
ASSEMBLIES 16 April 2018 Sports Ministry and Evangelism by J. Stuart Weir Rev Samuel Ashe, an 18th century English clergyman, clearly saw the need for interaction between church and sport. He used to spend his Sunday afternoons hiding in the trees by the local sports field. He would bide his time until the football came near him - then he would catch the ball and pierce it with a pin. He could then go home pleased to have stopped his parishio- ners from sinning! 1 Hopefully, this article (written in 2014) identifies more construc- tive ways of engaging with the world of sport!
No reasonable person can deny the is broadly shared within the move- importance of sport in the modern ment’3 While Mathisen’s comment world:– remains true in the sense that sports • The FIFA Football World Cup ministry still operates from no generally takes place in Brazil in June-July this accepted common theological founda- year 2014. tion, more and more material on sport • The 2010 World Cup was shown and Christianity is being published at on TV in every single country and ter- an academically respectable level.4 ritory on earth, with 3.2 billion people Broad scope around the world, or 46.4% of the global Sports ministry broadly falls into population, watching at least part of it.2 two categories: ministry to sport and Theological catch-up ministry through sport. Christian ministry to sport largely • Ministry to sport means serv- began in the 1950s but has grown ing sport in the name of Jesus; sports exponentially to the point where there chaplaincy5 is a good example of this. are currently over 50 ministries with The term ‘serving the people of sport’ a specific engagement with sport in is also used. This is helping the (often) the UK alone. Some form of Christian elite sportsperson to practise their sport ministry to sport exists in 180 countries Christianly as well as bringing church of the world. However, the growth has to them when competition stops them been spontaneous and often uncoor- getting to a local Sunday service. dinated. This process has had certain • Ministry through sport is seeing consequences, for example, in terms of sport as an evangelistic opportunity. theology. This might involve running sports Jim Mathisen, from Wheaton Col- events with an evangelistic purpose, lege, has written, ‘The fact that the starting a church sports team to draw in current [sports ministry] movement still outsiders, operating a ftness centre for operates in the absence of any clearly the community as part of the church’s articulated theology of sport is trou- programme, or distributing leaflets or bling . . . no theology or hermeneutics video material with a gospel message ➢18
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 17 Sports Ministry and Evangelism (cont’d from p 17)
in the language of sport, often using very effective but can sometimes lead the testimony of high-profle Christian to problems with the event’s organ- athletes. izing committee. They may feel that Sports ministry works at all levels a particular Christian publication con- and age groups. The following vision flicts with official publications or could statement of one UK ministry summa- mislead the public into believing that rizes well the task that the majority of there is an official relationship between Christian sports ministry organizations the publisher and the organising com- are engaged in: mittee. • Christians everywhere living out A ministry report on a recent major their faith in sports clubs and teams. sports event referred to a plan to dis- • Churches everywhere engaging tribute over 500,000 pieces of spiritual with their local sports communities. literature with testimonies of faith at • Sports people everywhere having three community fan zones in the city. the opportunity to hear the good news While one may rejoice at this evangelis- of Jesus Christ.6 tic enterprise, one might also question Major event ministry how the city authorities view the task In recent years, Christians have seen of picking up the discarded leaflets and the potential of a major event in their whether the reputation of the Christian country or city as an opportunity for community has been enhanced by this service and witness. This type of min- exercise—or the reverse. istry began in the 1990s and has grown One may also ask how the organizers signifcantly over the years, particularly of a Christian conference would feel if at the Olympics and football World a commercial or political organization Cups: were to leaflet delegates to their event. • A £2 million campaign around The potential longer-term effects of a the 2012 London Olympics and Para- major event evangelistic bombardment lympics involved over 2,000 volunteers and the effectiveness of, say, handing from 40 countries serving on mission out ‘tracts’ to people who are just want- teams, the production and sale of ing to have a fun day out at a sporting 500,000 Christian resources and the event, need to be considered. distribution of half a million free bottles Sports chaplaincy of water. The chaplaincy programme at the • The athlete family home-stay London Olympics was arguably the programme hosted 280 guests from 20 most comprehensive ever conducted at nations for 2,000 nights of free accom- an Olympic Games, with 162 chaplains modation. accredited in three separate categories • Church-organized events attracted to serve the athletes and others in the over 500,000 people.7 Olympic Village, the workforce and Major event ministry has often been volunteers and the media. This was ➢
ASSEMBLIES 18 April 2018 Sports Ministry and Evangelism (cont’d from p 18)
an excellent example of servant-hearted tee, government—were not Christians. Christians working with the Olympic But all of them knew I was from a organizing committee to add value to Christian church. I believe this is real the event. sports ministry—not just working in the The chaplaincy opportunity was church but taking the church outside’. created by the foresight of the Bishop The London 2012 and Egypt 2006 of Barking who had created the post of experiences show how an attitude of ‘Church of England Olympics Execu- servant-hearted support for the organ- tive Coordinator’ fve years previously. izing committee of a major sports event The person appointed, Duncan Green, is often appreciated and can build describes his journey of service to the bridges between the Christian com- organizing committee in a forthcom- munity and the sports administrators. ing book.8 Disability sport Sports outreach At the 1992 Paralympics, admission At the grassroots level, some Chris- was free. The organizing committee tian-based sports outreach projects are did not think that anyone would pay being recognised by secular sporting to watch disability sport. In 2012 in networks as valid forms of engage- London the Paralympics were virtually ment through sport to tackle problems sold out for every event. The quality in society. A good example is the and the profle of disability sport have Ambassadors Fathers’ Football project, increased dramatically over the past which won the Beyond London 2012 few years. However, the Christian com- Innovation award for reaching out to munity has largely ignored disability support poor, marginalised immigrant sport. In the UK perhaps 2 of the 50 fathers in the London Borough of Tower sports ministries explicitly include dis- Hamlets.9 ability sport within their programme When the Africa Cup of Nations was of activities. held in Egypt in 2006, the organizing If the theological reflection on sport committee was short of volunteers. The has been sparse, the Christian thinking Christian community rallied round and about disability sport has been almost recruited the required help. A Christian nonexistent. The publication of a book leader was given the role of Head of later this year will represent a welcome Volunteers and a place on the organ- contribution to the feld.10 izing committee. Prophetic engagement He said afterwards, ‘It was an incred- Christians have been criticized for ible opportunity that God gave to the failing to have any prophetic engage- sports ministry in Egypt, to be at the ment with sport. Tom Krattenmaker,11 heart of such a big sports event. Ninety for example, has lamented the lack of percent of the people I was working interest in issues like racism, exploita- with—volunteers, organizing commit- tion of women, fnancial corruption,➢ 20
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 19 Sports Ministry and Evangelism (cont’d from p 19) or excessive violence in sport. When Being open to supporting an incarna- the 2014 Winter Olympics in Russia tional approach in evangelism, and in brought Russia’s anti-gay legislation envisioning, equipping, and supporting into world spotlight, there seemed to any sportspeople in the congregation be silence from the Christian sports to be the church’s evangelists to their ministry community. sports friends and local sports club, Theological implications can be an effective strategy to help the The increased application of theologi- church engage with its local sports cal reflection to sport is to be welcomed. community. Supporting Christian par- However, it must be recognized that the ents of sporty children as they engage process has only just begun: with others around their child’s sport, • Ministry underpinned by a sound through alternative church meetings theological base will be stronger and and visiting children at their sports hopefully more effective. activities, for example, is also essential. • Greater theological understanding Another lesson applicable to other will help Christians to interact posi- spheres of evangelism is that the serv- tively with sports’ governing bodies ing emphasis within sports evangelism and to serve them rather than appearing can break down many barriers and simply to want to use the sports event open up doors for other evangelism for their own purposes. opportunities. Such an approach may • It will also help Christians address not yield short-term results but the and give leadership in relation to the long-term favour that emerges (eg ethical issues which pervade sport. through sports chaplaincy) can lead to • Ministry which respects the integ- real growth of influence for the gospel. rity of sport without compromising the Churches should also be open to integrity of the gospel is likely to reap serve in the community through sport, long-term fruit. for example in providing volunteers, coaches, pastoral care, or a meeting Lessons and suggested responses place for a local sports club, school, or The ‘incarnational’ model emphasis college. There should also be a con- of sports ministry, where Christians scious decision to value and prioritise enter the world of sportspeople, reflects disability sport more that has happened the Pauline emphasis in 1 Corinthians up to this point. 9:19-23 with a playing, participating, Seeing sport as a gift from God, and supporting level of involvement valuing it, and seeking to engage with that requires a huge commitment in sport as those who care about it, must terms of time, vulnerability, and inten- represent a fundamental part of how tionality in relationships. This is a Christians see the world of sport in lesson for other spheres of evangelism future. Let us get involved in the world that can sometimes emphasise a pro- of sport and win it for Christ! ➢ gramme/event/’come to us’ approach.
ASSEMBLIES 20 April 2018 Sports Ministry and Evangelism (cont’d from p 20)
End Notes: 1 Richard Holt, Sport and the British Trends, Issues and Debates (Farnham: Ash- (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1989), p 39 gate, 2014). Published in late 2014. 2 www.ffa.com 9 http://www.beyondsport.org/the- 3 Jim Mathisen, A Brief History of Christi- awards/entries/view.php?Id=2226 and anity and Sport in Deardorff II, Donald, and https://witness.theguardian.com/assign John White (eds), The Image of God in the ment/51d59f4fe4b07c36b3600238/433744. Human Body (Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen, 10 Andrew Parker and Nick Watson (eds), 2008), p 34. Sports, Religion and Disability (London: 4 For a list of the main books, see Routledge, 2014). http://www.veritesport.org/index. 11 Tom Krattenmaker, Onward Christian php?page=topten. Athletes (Turning Ballparks into Pulpits and 5 For more details of sports chaplaincy, Players into Preachers) (Lanham: Rowan & see Andrew Parker, Nick Watson, and John Littlefeld, 2009). White, Sports Chaplaincy: Trends, Issues The author, J Stuart Weir, is Executive and Debates (Farnham: Ashgate, 2014). Director of Verité Sport (www.veritesport. Published in late 2014. org), a Christian Mission to the world of 6 www.christiansinsport.org.uk sport. He has worked at the Olympics, 7 More than Gold, London 2012 report. Paralympics, Commonwealth Games, 8 Duncan Green, ‘Sports Chaplaincy at Football World Cups, and a host of athlet- the Olympics and Paralympics: Reflections ics events. He supports Christians in elite on London 2012’ in Andrew Parker, Nick sport and has written extensively on sport Watson, and John White, Sports Chaplaincy: and Christianity. o
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 21 You can’t always judge a book by its cover by M. Winrow 41 Will Come by Chuck E. Tate - a book review. Last time I wrote a book review (When I Lay my Isaac Down), I read the book mainly because the title appealed to me, because I have a grandson called Isaac and he has Asperger’s syndrome. This time however I read the book because I wondered why someone would write a book with the title ’41 Will Come’. It has a really boring cover (black), and to look at has nothing that appealed to me. However I was a little intrigued because as I unpacked great job illustrating the importance of a large pallet of books for CLO’s Prison standing steadfast in faith while await- Ministry work, more and more of these ing God’s promises. 41 Will Come is a books appeared. As we were stacking practical book that will encourage and the shelves with the books, I thought inspire your faith. The author does a that perhaps it was time I read the back masterful job of casting a biblical vision cover – and this is what it said – “God of hope that resonates with the soul. is with you. Your story is not over. You He weaves biblical truth with practical are not defeated. In the Bible, it rained examples and sometimes uses humour. for 40 days and 40 nights. But day 41 This book will make you laugh and came, and the rain stopped. The people make you think, as it enriches your of Israel wandered in the wilderness for faith in the goodness of God. 40 years. Then year 41 came, and a new For all of us who have ever doubted generation entered the Promised Land. God, faced discouragement, or won- For 40 days, Goliath bullied Israel and dered whether we would survive dared anyone to fght him. Day 41 overwhelming hardships, (and I think came, and David slew the giant. that would probably encompass all “Do you see the theme? Don’t of us at some time or other), then quit. Don’t give up. God will come you really should read this book. It through for you. Perhaps you’re stuck will encourage you to hold on, and in a downpour or lost in one of life’s to believe that God is always on-time deserts. Maybe you’re facing some- and that His plan will be worked out one or something that could ‘take you in your life. down’. No matter where you are on I so enjoyed reading this book,...and your journey, your 41 will come – it’s I think you will too. 41 Will Come! on its way.” It’s available from Koorong I found this book inspiring and Bookshops as a Paperback, eBook, motivating. I think the author does a audio book, or on a CD. o
ASSEMBLIES 22 April 2018 What our teenagers need most by Jacob Mitchell, Youth Worker CCCAust (NSW) Now isn’t an easy time to be both a teenager and a Christian!
Sure, in some ways it’s never been an easy time to be a teenager and a photo of YP Christian! The gods of approval, of pleasure, and of an autonomous life- style have often grown more appealing in the teenage years. For many gen- with the dopamine rush that teenage erations youth have had to weigh up boys get from a night of playing high whether Jesus is really worth it. intensity video games online. But it’s no overstatement to say that Teenage girls on Instagram and the present generation of youth are Snapchat are consuming more images growing up in a range of hindrances than ever before which portray unre- that no previous generations have had alistic standards of beauty. Tragically, to overcome. at a younger and younger age, they Australian culture has moved over are urged to view themselves as sexual the last two decades from being rela- objects. tively irreligious yet tolerant of religion Teachers at most high schools, once to being religiously intolerant of tradi- upon a time, were relatively silent on tion religions. Youth are no longer told issues of faith and morality. Now they that they are free to believe whatever are vocally opposed to the Christian they want as they were in postmoder- worldview and teenagers are made to nity, but are now told what they must feel foolish for believing the claims of and must not believe. It is now consid- the Bible. ered immoral by our culture to believe Our youth need help! They are in a in Jesus of Nazareth and to adopt His perilous situation. views on life, community and sexuality. When Jesus looks out at the crowds Technological advancements have in Matthew 9 we are told that “He had put pornography into the hands of compassion for them, because they every child in the form of an smart- were harassed and helpless, like sheep phone. Whereas previous generations without a shepherd.” (Matt 9: 36). had to sneak and steal to get their hands This word rendered ‘compassion’ in on a dirty magazine, almost all teenage English - literally carries the meaning of boys are now exposed to pornography a twisting of the spleen! It is not a light between the ages of 9 and 13. compassion - Jesus’ gut is wrenched at Genuine friendship and community, the state of the lost crowds. once provided in the church, now So too should ours be by the state of has to compete with artifcial online our youth. They are like sheep – vul- community. Youth group games of nerable to these many attacks; so often dodgeball cannot hope to compete with nobody to lead or protect them. ➢24
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 23 What our teenagers need most (cont’d from p 23)
Jesus urges His disciples to “pray gospel with them in a way that paints a earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to picture of Jesus that is more compelling send out labourers into his harvest.” than any alternative worldview that the So then we ought to be praying for world tries to sell them. workers to rise up to care for this gen- Our teenagers need this more than eration of Australian youth. games, or activities, or trendy music. Our youth need leaders. Please be praying for leaders to be Leaders to give them care and guid- raised up across the CCCAust network ance in how to stand frm in the way to lead our teenagers. of Jesus in an extremely difficult time. Please get in touch with me if you Leaders to engage with them on their would like to chat about how we can level and not to shy away from dealing best support the youth and leaders in with the difficult issues that they are your church. facing. Our young people need lead- Jacob Mitchell ers who love them enough to share the ([email protected]) o CCCAust (NSW) Youth Strategy
At the Coordinating Conference • Provide two general training in February this year, Jacob Mitchell days for all youth leaders to shared the outcome of his study into help them improve their youth our Churches’ Youth groups which skills; showed conclusively that we are losing • Prepare written articles to kids from our youth system as they get encourage youth through the older (12 to 18 years). monthly Prayer and Fasting CCCAust has appointed Jacob to emails and to encourage church work with Church Youth Leaders to try leadership to empower their and stop this loss of young people from youth within the church. our churches. As a result of the study If you would like help with your the following four personal Goals have specifc church youth situation, please been set by Jacob to try and rectify the contact Jacob to have a discussion. current trend. mb: 0401 900 448 • Mentor 4 youth leaders in 2018; 2 Derwent Street • Arranging training for South Hurstville individual youth groups – NSW 2221 targeting specifc needs to help that youth team; email: [email protected] o
ASSEMBLIES 24 April 2018 “Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can." — John Wesley
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 25 How to Answer: “Science proves that God is not real. How can you say he is?” by John North, AFCI Australia
The rise of science has led many to Let the person know that while they believe that Christian views are out- may not have experienced God, you dated and ignorant. For this reason, have! Share your story with them. Talk you need to know how to respond to about answered prayer and what God people who say that science proves that is doing in your inner life. God isn’t real. Talk about the evidence of millions When the Dark Ages gave way to of people around the world who have the Enlightenment in the late 1600s, had their lives totally transformed by the Western world was changed. So Jesus. many things that had seemed mysteri- Point out that many of the greatest ous and magical/spiritual could now scientists in the world today are frm be explained by science. Although believers in God and, in fact, see God none of the claims of Scripture were set as the only explanation for the realities aside by science, many of the beliefs in their felds of science! A quick search of Christians were. This led great seg- on the internet will show you many of ments of society (particularly those the stories of these scientists. Forward ‘enlightened’ by education) to the some links of these scientists’ testimo- conclusion that through science all nies to the person you are talking to. spiritual explanations of life would As you discuss God with people, be eventually be set aside. For centuries, sure to remember that your goal is not humanists expected that any reference to win an argument, but to help this to spiritual realities would die away person open their heart to God. If you as science progressed. They predicted see that the person’s heart is hard and that the Bible itself would be discarded not open at all to you or your discus- and forgotten. sion, then stop pursuing the topic. How wrong they were. As west- When you find someone whose erners have been exposed more to heart is open and seeking, then spend eastern and animistic cultures, they a lot of time with that person and have encountered and personally look for ways to remind them that it had spiritual experiences. In our day, is not just about discussing things to a the existence of spiritual powers and conclusion, but there is a living person beings is accepted. Yet the view still named Jesus Christ who is reaching persists that science rules out God. out to them and waiting for them to When you encounter someone with trust him. o this view, point out that our experi- ence of the universe is so tiny that it is Please submit any news-items, impossible to rule out the existence of letters, adverts or short articles God. All a person can say is, “I person- for the June 2018 magazine on, ally have not yet experienced God.” or before, 11th May. ASSEMBLIES 26 April 2018 The ‘Awake Sydney’ Prayer Summit This article comprises major portions of the Summit’s official report.
Prayer Summit key scripture (John 3:17): “For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”
Preamble 1 about how we are called to be The Awake Sydney Prayer Summit ambassadors of the reconciliation that was held at the Salvation Army God brought about through Christ. National Headquarters in Redfern That representing the name (identity) rd on Saturday, March 3 , for a day of of Jesus and all it encompasses is our prayer and connection. The Youth primary task. Directors of Sydney’s largest Protestant There was a brief panel MC’d by denominations, who in-turn represent Jeanette Nolan with Dr John Dickson, thousands of local churches, gathered Mark McCrindle and the Honourable together with a delegation of key leaders Paul Green MLC. from their respective movements to ask The NSW Premier, the Honourable God to move with power in our city. Gladys Berejiklian was welcomed to The gathering was formed around the Summit. Jeanette Nolan and Rev a Vision Document that was jointly Steve Dixon prayed for her personally created. The central idea of this and her Government. The Premier document and the gathering is as addressed the Summit, sharing about follows: “To understand on a citywide her personal faith as a Christian. scale, the true heart and message of Ps Nolan then presented the Premier both Jesus Christ and His followers. A with a Bible that had been signed by ‘reformation’ within our city of what the leaders present, including all the Christianity actually is, namely: a force denominations’ Youth Directors. of love and not hate, an institution that Ps Nolan shared the desire of the protects and does not harm, that is Church to support her and to, in line essential to daily life and spirituality, with Biblical teaching, honour her and rather than being irrelevant.” her government as God’s appointed The Gathering leaders. The Premier was thankful The keynote address was given by and moved. Importantly, nothing was Rev Dr John Dickson from the Centre asked of the Premier, she was prayed for Public Christianity. He spoke from for, honoured and encouraged. Matthew’s Gospel about conviction The Summit climaxed with the and compassion, these two working head Youth Directors of nine major together as a framework for cultural denominations kneeling in prayer, engagement. Dr Dixon climaxed by jointly asking God to move afresh and presenting prayer as the most essential anew in our City, State and Nation. element of evangelism. Ps. Sean The devotional booklets were handed Nolan, who convened the gathering, out (see below), including one to the spoke from 2 Corinthians 5 and Luke Premier, and copies for her cabinet. ➢28
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 27 The ‘Awake Sydney’ Prayer Summit (cont’d from p 27)
Forward vision opportunity that could utilise this key After the main Summit, a private Youth network. meeting was held between the nine The combined Youth Directors Youth Directors. The following points would like to thank the Salvation Army were recorded:- for hosting the gathering, as well as the 1. The group agreed, strongly, Bible Society for preparing and printing that this had been a monumental the devotional booklets, Inspiring day of prayer, influence, unity and Hope for managing the operations, networking. administration and event management, 2. The group agreed to meet every and the Hon. Paul Green MLC for six months to pray together, hosted on arranging the visit of the NSW Premier. rotation. Rev Craig Roberts offered Leaders were in attendance from: Anglican Youth Works to host the next CCCAust(NSW), Baptist Union, gathering. To be assessed yearly. Churches of Christ, Salvation Army, 3. The group agreed to organically Adventists, Australian Christian support each other through resource Churches, Hillsong Church, Presby- sharing. terian, Anglican, McCrindle Research, 4. The group agreed to centre prayer Bible Society, and the Centre for Public around organic growth through existing Christianity. denominational youth infrastructure. Others committed to the vision but Additionally, there was mention of unable to attend were Hope 103.2, C3 the Franklin Graham outreach in early and the Uniting Church. 2019 and that a number of the Youth A booklet of devotionals from 13 of Directors would be willing to partner the leaders was published. together to support this event. This This was generously paid for by the was seen somewhat as an answer to Bible Society and is also available via prayer, and also seen as an evangelistic the Bible App. (http://bible.com/r/2vM) o
ASSEMBLIES 28 April 2018 Internet Corner compiled by C.H.Winrow
Here are some more items on the Internet and World Wide Web “Reaching people with dementia;” is which readers may fnd interesting or a new suite of resources, produced by helpful, and worth a visit via their own HammondCare, called “Faith for Life” computer, smart-phone or other device. and can be accessed on webpage:- www.faithforlife.com.au Please Note: to make it easier to visit these websites they have been included which is part of the HammondCare as ‘hot-links’ in the PDF version of website. There it says: this magazine. They are also included “Faith for life: Biblical resources as ‘hot-links’ on the NSW Christian for people with dementia is a suite Brethren website at this web-page:- of products designed specifcally to www.cb-nsw.org.au/useful-links/Links- be accessible for people living with AO.html dementia and those who support them. Dementia design principles have been * * * used to ensure Faith for life is a beauti- We have mentioned the PSSM ful and enabling set of faith resources. Mailbox Club in this magazine before “Each product has been developed (also see advert on page 2) – well, it is with the direct involvement of people now partnered with BES:- with dementia and those who sup- www.besweb.com port them, alongside advice from the “Welcome to the Bible Educational Dementia Centre and Bible Society Services website! Australia.” “We produce a range of free to * * * download Bible lessons and courses for INTERNATIONAL BRETHREN children and young people, with the CONFERENCES ON MISSION aim of teaching “the next generation www.ibcm.net the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, His The International Brethren power and the wonders He has done.” Conference on Mission (IBCM) brings (Psalm 78:4) together every four years national “By linking up with partner organisa- leaders and others who work within tions our aim is to make this resource the Brethren movement across the available to as many people as possi- world. The aims are biblical reflection, ble, free of charge, and in their native mutual encouragement and insight, language. fellowship, strategic thinking, and, we “For more information please watch pray, renewed guidance from the Lord. this video.” (Access the video via the The seventh Conference (IBCM7) website’s home page.) is (DV) to be held at the Hotel Selene, * * * Pomezia, near Rome from Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June 2019. ➢30
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 29 Internet Corner (cont’d from p 29)
The conference will be followed on “We have much to learn from one Friday afternoon 28 June to Saturday another, and the six global IBCM con- afternoon 29 June by extra sessions ferences so far have spawned new work organised by the Brethren Training and co-operation in many countries Network. (Note: these additional and between countries. There are now sessions will be at extra cost to those also flourishing regional conferences who choose to stay on to participate associated with IBCM, as well as the in them.) consultations and work of Brethren The main speaker will be John Training Network, and we rejoice in Lennox, and more information about these. the Conference can be found in the “So we do hope that you will be able coming months at:- to join us in Rome in June 2019. Up to http://www.ibcm.net/ibcm7.htm 800 participants can be accommodated, and we hope for 120 countries to be “In response to the Great Commission, represented.” the Brethren movement has been * * * remarkable in its missionary work for Christian Radio Missionary Christ in the past 180 years. As a result, Fellowship (CRMF PNG) has sent us a there are local churches connected with copy of its annual “Contact” magazine the movement in at least 155 countries giving highlights of their work in PNG. in the world, and assemblies are being It also contains brief information on planted in new countries even today. each member of staff, and introduces “There are 25,000-30,000 congrega- their fresh CRMF website: tions worldwide, with more than 2 million people worshipping together www.crmf.org.pg Sunday by Sunday, and thousands of Comments about the website are additional preaching points, many of requested – to help improve it. which will blossom into new congre- The website mentions a fascinating gations. In many countries, there is gadget called WiFiBible. Read all much vision and dynamism for Christ about it and its impact in PNG at:– from which we can all learn. So it’s www.wifibible.org good for national leaders and other o workers from different countries to meet regularly for fellowship, prayer, biblical reflection, renewed experience Please submit any news of the Lord, networking, exchange items, letters, adverts or of information, and discussion of short articles for the June common questions – above all for mutual encouragement in the work to 2018 magazine on, or before, which God has called us. 11th May.
ASSEMBLIES 30 April 2018 NSW ASSEMBLIES’ EVANGELISTIC MISSION (NSWAEM) ABN 81 001 037 690 AEM OFFICE & CHRISTIAN AIMS OUTREACH BOOK SERVICE • To support the expansion of evan- gelism and church growth, pri- P.O. Box 20, marily among Christian Brethren Pennant Hills NSW 1715 Assemblies. • To offer opportunities in this Ph: 9715 5520 Assemblies Outreach Magazine for Email: [email protected] Commended Workers, Assemblies, CHAIRMAN of BOARD Para-Assembly Activities and other kindred bodies, to publicise and David Gordon explain their ministries. BOARD MEMBERS • To generate funds, through the Christian Outreach Book Service Philip Bower, Kevin Price, and other means, toward the sup- Mavis Winrow, Colin Winrow port of NSW Commended Workers. MAGAZINE • To provide appropriate teaching for Christians. Editor - Colin Winrow 0412 596 104 Further information about the Mission Email: [email protected] can be obtained from its website at:– www.nswaem.org.au
ASSEMBLIES April 2018 31 Christian Brethren Community Services
Providing communities of continual Christian care Residential and specialist care provided to the aged, frail aged and those living with dementia.
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Lynden Grove Retirement Village, Cardiff Heights, NSW Lynden Grove has 44 modern 2 and 3 bedroom villas. It has a semi-rural outlook with picturesque Mount Sugarloaf as a back drop. It is in a pleasant and quiet bushland setting, yet close to local shopping centres. Groves House, Cardiff Heights NSW Set on a ridge with panoramic views to the mountains, Groves House is a 60 bed care centre providing high and low-level care, dementia care and ageing-in-place to the people of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the surrounding districts.
For more information about any of our services please don’t hesitate to call our Client Services Team on 02 9842 4111.
ASSEMBLIES 2 Corinthians 5:14 32 April 2018