TPUM special edition NEWS Total member involvement SPARKS PACIFIC HARVEST
ADVENTIST RECORD | SEPTEMBER 8, 2018 ISSN 0819-5633 Your legacy is their future
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a vibrant adventist movement
Revelation 12 clearly teaches that God has a remnant represented. Many people were involved with programs church at the end time—that church is uniquely identified but less than 4 per cent of our membership were able to as a group of people who keep the commandments of see someone through to the harvest. God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. However, this combined harvesting program certainly So the first identifying sign of the remnant church is brought about an exciting synergy within our Union. their loyalty to God’s commandments—all of them. We People everywhere in the Pacific were aware that the often just focus on the Ten Commandments but I would Adventists were doing something, saying things like, like to place emphasis on the great gospel commission “the Adventists are everywhere running something”. given in Matthew 28:19,20, which is to proclaim the This synergy extended to social media. Pictures of the gospel message. harvesting were everywhere on Facebook and other To proclaim that message to the “uttermost part of digital platforms. We certainly made a loud noise about the earth”, as the Lord had summoned the apostles (and and for Jesus that was heard right across the Pacific, ourselves) to do, we should be prayerfully pleading like creating great excitement for advancing the Lord’s work. Jabez did, for God to “bless me indeed, and enlarge my I actually saw a glimpse of what our vision looks like, territory”. of a “Vibrant Adventist movement living their hope in We have tried to engage everyone at TPUM with Jesus and transforming the Pacific”. the great commission by involving them If we attribute the recent baptisms to the in the farming cycle-based discipleship efforts of 57 per cent of our churches and model, which entails preparation, sowing, we certainly only 4 per cent of our members, then what nurturing and harvesting, and multi- would Total Membership Involvement look plying the harvest. It was thus thrilling to made a loud like? Or what if our youth slogan was actu- see members use their spiritual gifts in noise about ally put into practice: “Each One, Reach preparing the hearts of people, sowing the One”? Imagine the impact that would seeds and nurturing them along the way. and for jesus. bring! Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful Our harvesting program, which started in but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2). We July and is ongoing, has had 4753 baptisms are praying for the Lord of the harvest to so far. We praise the Lord for these new souls and our send out more workers into the harvest field, just as we churches are continuing their nurturing and following often sing that “Far and Near the Fields Are Teeming”! up of interests. However, the emphasis was not on the The first identity of the remnant church is being loyal number of baptisms, but on getting everyone involved, in keeping His commandments. Our Church has been being obedient to the great gospel commission. very careful to keep His Ten Commandments, which is So how many local churches actually ran their own excellent. But what about the great gospel commission harvesting programs? There were 705. This is a big commandment? Is there anyone who you love and are number of sites in which to conduct evangelism all praying for that his or her soul be won for Jesus? at once. We praise the Lord for their commitment. Next year, our women will lead out during our Union- However, we have 1226 churches throughout our Union, wide evangelism and our young people will be at the so these 705 sites represented just 57 per cent of our forefront the following year. We are praying local churches. What about the other 43 per cent? that everyone in our Union will be the I may add that in the Trans Pacific Union we have a worker who God sends out to the teeming membership of 120,445. The ideal is for one church harvest fields. member leading one person towards baptism. With 4853 What about you? baptisms, we have just under 4 per cent of our members Maveni kaufononga TPUM president
senior consulting editor copyeditors noticeboard adventist media abn 59 093 117 689 glenn townend tracey bridcutt [email protected] locked bag 1115 vol 123 no 18 maveni kaufononga kent kingston subscriptions wahroonga nsw 2076 australia senior editor graphic designers [email protected] + 61 (02) 9847 2222 jarrod stackelroth theodora amuimuia + 61 (03) 5965 6300 assistant editors linden chuang mailed within australia and cover credit maritza brunt letters nz $A43.80 $NZ73.00 other linden chuang pete navosailagi [email protected] prices on application. “Teenager following his noticeboard news & photos website baptism at Portoroki Adventist julie laws [email protected] record.adventistchurch.com Church (Port Vila) on July 21.”
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 3 an ocean of opportunity Trans pacific Welcome to the Trans Pacific Union Mission. Our Union supports the Seventh-day Adventist work in nine Union Mission countries and, wherever you go in this territory, you can expect unique and diverse Melanesian, Micronesian, nauru Polynesian and many other forms of greetings. While there is great diversity of cultures and languages in this territory, we have one purpose for mission: to prepare people for Jesus’ soon return. The heartbeat that throbs throughout this Union is to have churches that are vibrant, that live their hope in Jesus and solomons islands do their part to transform the Pacific. This vision produces a great emphasis on outreach, which is put into action through the “farming cycle” model. Prepare the soil, plant the seed, cultivate the plant, harvest the crop, then multiply the harvest. This is not just a strategy but a church lifestyle that is grounded in prayer and Total Member Involvement. Our Union has a membership of more than 120,000 and, as a result of the farming cycle with its focus on harvest in the month of July, this number continues to grow. During this year, laity were encouraged and trained to run evange- vanuatu listic programs. While frontline evange- lism is strong, our health department is using our ever-relevant health message to address the growing concern of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases. As I write this in August, we at the TPUM office are still rejoicing at the amazing stories of people who have decided to follow Jesus in baptism. We record numbers, but it is trans- formed lives and their stories that make MISSIONS us rejoice. Hopefully you’ll read some of those stories in this special issue and rejoice with us. Each member is a disciple who has a unique testimony of Jesus to tell. Recent evangelistic meetings, which played solomon islands FIJI SAMOA VANUATU an important part in harvesting souls, show 197 churches 166 churches 36 churches 89 churches that in this part of the 92 schools 13 schools 2 schools 32 schools Pacific, there are still 1 media centre 1 media centre 1 media centre 1 media centre oceans of opportunity. 1 medical centre 26,558 members 7743 members 6 wellness centres 18 wellness centres 913,182 population 197,870 population 24,721 members bob larsen 53,472 members Ratio 1:34 Ratio 1:26 282,945 population TpuM General secretary 624,962 population Ratio 1:11 Ratio 1:12 4 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 kiribati
samoa american samoa TONGA
FIJI niue
MISSIONS ATTACHED FIELDS ATTACHED CHURCHES
TONGA KIRIBATI TUVALU AMERICAN SAMOA NAURU NIUE
16 churches 14 churches 1 church 10 churches 1 church 1 church 4 schools 1 school 1 school 1 school 95 members 21 members 3599 members 1 wellness centre 361 members 1647 members 11,305 population 1625 population 109,146 population 2836 members 11,300 population 55,684 population Ratio 1:119 Ratio 1:81 Ratio 1:30 118,698 population Ratio 1:31 Ratio 1:34 Ratio 1:42
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 5 NEWS
Health message brings suva to a standstill Alipate vakamocea/record staff The Fiji Mission of Seventh-day Adventists brought Suva North NSW to a halt on August 15 when Assistant Minister of Health, Conference, Alexander O’Conner, and the Fiji Military Forces Band, led a conducted NEWSTART Health Expo march through the city during the balloon and morning peak hour. puppet training The march signalled the start of a week of health on the eve emphasis. Mr O’Conner opened the expo and emphasised of the health how it was another way in which the Church, through expo. its health department, can help the wider community Around in creating more awareness of Fiji’s lifestyle diseases 100 church epidemic. He was given a tour of the expo tents, which members, Healthy activities and balloons for children. were themed to reflect the NEWSTART acronym: nutrition, including, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest and trust women, children and pastors, attended the training, which in God. Many involved balloon twisting, the basics of puppetry (making a people from sock puppet) and puppetry scripting. The day ended with the commu- each group performing their scripts and preparing for the nity visited the health expo the following day. tents. Pastor Pratt also launched a family spiritual app, which Pastor promotes parenting awareness in the 21st century. After Daron Pratt, the app was launched, Fiji Mission president Pastor Luke children’s Narabe offered the dedication prayer. ministries “God continues to equip and use His people to reach director the unreached,” said Dr Alipate Vakamocea, director of working on set up of the booths. for the Adventist Health for Fiji Mission.
6 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 Teachers challenged to expand their horizons Pete Navosailagi More than 200 principals, teachers and educational Kaufononga and leaders attended the Trans Pacific Union Mission (TPUM) the other workshop Educational Leaders’ Conference in Fiji. presenters served the TPUM president Pastor Maveni Kaufononga offi- teachers to recognise cially opened the conference, which was held at Fulton their dedicated service College, Sabeto, July 3-5, and themed “O Lord, Expand my in the schools. Attendees at the conference. Horizon”. “I enjoyed the way Dr Hudson Kibuuku, General Conference associate the presenters presented their topics—the explanations education director, was the keynote speaker. Workshop were very clear and contextualised to the life we are living, presenters included Dr Leigh Rice, Dr Carol Tasker, Dr especially in the Pacific Island schools,” said one of the Daryl Murdoch, Dr Kym Simoncini, Dr Elisapesi Manson, participants. Dr Nemani Tausere, Dr Rejieli Liligeto, Pastor Kaufononga, “The presenters touched on issues that are affecting my Christina Hawkins and Rosalie McFarlane. school and [provided] great solutions.” About 12 participants received a Principal’s Award in After the conference, the participants visited some of the honour of service. “The TPUM Education Department would Adventist schools in Fiji. Dr Kibuuka joined the participants like to say thank you for your exceptional work and para- in visiting Lautoka Seventh-day Adventist Primary School mount dedication and encouraged the students to remain faithful to God and through the years,” strive for excellence in their academic work. said TPUM educa- At Naqaqa Seventh-day Adventist Primary School, in Ra tion director Dr Bev Province, the chief of the village was present to welcome Norman. the visitors. Head teacher Sakeasi Nakau shared how God A special dinner has led throughout their recovery from Cyclone Winston, was held at the end which destroyed all the classrooms in 2016. With strong Pastor Kaufononga and the of the conference, community and government support, the school was rebuilt. workshop presenters serving dinner. at which Pastor The visitors donated a total of $FJD700 to the school. adventist students help restore solomons landmark Clinton jackson/jarrod cherry Students from Brisbane Adventist College (Qld) recently is humbling to think of the sacrifices made by all the people completed the external restoration of the church at Batuna, who originally built this church.” Solomon Islands. The team also visited several surrounding villages The team of 16 students and seven teachers travelled to where they ran children’s programs featuring action songs, the Marovo Lagoon as a Sonship Action Team to paint the a puppet show and a drama about Moses delivered in exterior of the church building. Solomon Islands Pijin. The Motusu church sits on top of a peninsula and is the “We received such friendly welcomes everywhere we most visible building when approaching Batuna from either went,” said college captain Ashlon Ghazali. “Everyone side. Dedicated on June 7, 1934 (Adventist Record, August always seemed to be smiling and waving and greeting you. 6, 1934), this church played an important role in the spread It was very hard to leave behind all the friends I made.” of Adventist Christianity throughout Solomon Islands and The trip was particularly meaningful for Ashlon, whose Papua New Guinea. great-grandparents, Frank and Ida Aveling, managed the “It was a sawmill at Batuna after the close of World War II. real privi- All 23 team members returned to Australia feeling lege to be incredibly blessed to have experienced Solomon Islands trusted with culture and to have made so many wonderful connections. this historic “The team’s mission was highly appreciated by the landmark,” surrounding communities. The physical appearance of the said trip church was the talk of the town for days after the team leader and left,” said John Pikacha, Batuna Adventist Vocational School BAC teacher deputy principal and chaplain. “. . . the team left behind Students and staff in front of the Clinton a legacy that will never be able to be eradicated in the Motusu church they helped to restore. Jackson. “It memory of our people.”
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 7 Adventists ‘equipped for service’ in vanuatu Linden chuang Thirteen Adventist lay pastors from Minister’s office and across Vanuatu are the first recipients a member of Etas of Fulton College’s new Certificate in Seventh-day Adventist Theology. Church, Fulton College The graduates, who have been principal Dr Glynn Galo serving in pastoral ministry for Vanuatu and Trans Pacific Union Mission, received their certificates on Mission education July 22 at a ceremony held at Portoroki director Dr Bev Norman. Seventh-day Adventist Church in Port Addressing the Vila. The theme was “equipped for graduates, Dr Norman service”. encouraged them to Graduates with their certificates. Vanuatu Mission president Pastor “take these certificates Nos Terry Mailalong described the and move on with your journey boldly”. opportunity to pursue further tertiary event as an “historic occasion” for The Certificate of Theology program education, due to finances or family the Church in Vanuatu, which is in commenced in Vanuatu in July 2017. commitments. “desperate need for more trained Over the course of the following “As opposed to them coming to ministers”. year, lay pastors from as far as Tanna Fulton, it’s Fulton coming to them,” he During the ceremony, Pastor Maila- Island gathered in Port Vila (Efate) to said. long paid tribute to Fulton College (Fiji) undertake three month-long training Dr Galo said Fulton College is ready for bringing the program to Vanuatu. sessions. to pursue similar overseas training He also affirmed the graduates for the Fulton College theology lecturer opportunities in ministry, whether in hard work they have put in. Pastor James Alagappan, who helped Solomon Islands or again in Vanuatu. “I want to say thank you and wish the graduates through the final month A moment of silence was held at the you much of God’s blessing as you of intensive training, said the certificate start of the graduation ceremony for return to your work,” said Pastor program provides lay pastors with the Pastor Titus John, who passed away Mailalong. “Your training will help you “core essentials of discipleship and suddenly in March before the comple- in your ministry wherever you go.” what it means to conduct evangelism”. tion of the program. Special guests at the ceremony Pastor Alagappan stressed the Church leaders remembered Pastor included Johhny Koanapo Rasou, value of this “in-field training” as many John as a dynamic evangelist with a parliamentary secretary to the Prime church members do not have the heart for spreading the gospel.
church to help Solomons tackle diabetes Tracey Bridcutt The Seventh-day Adventist Church is helping the spoke about Solomon Islands government devise a strategy to tackle the the relationship huge burden of diabetes sweeping the country. between diet For the Church, this represents an unprecedented level of and chronic influence on Solomon Islands government policy, according disease. to South Pacific Division (SPD) health director Dr Chester Dr Kuma Kuma. will share the Dr Kenilorea (right) with Discipleship It follows a visit to the Church’s SPD offices recently Church’s health Ministries Team leader Dr Leigh Rice. by Dr Geoffrey Kenilorea, director of the Department of strategy with Non-Communicable Diseases for the Solomon Islands the Solomon Islands Cabinet in October during a special Ministry of Health. meeting organised by Dr Kenilorea. The meeting will also Dr Kenilorea was on a fact-finding visit to see what the look at opportunities for future partnerships and collabora- Adventist Church is doing in the area of lifestyle medicine, tion between the Church and the government. including the Comprehensive Health Strategy, the 10,000 “We’ve never had that opportunity in the past. But it’s Toes campaign and CHIP. now opening up to us and we are so excited about it,” Dr Kenilorea also visited Sanitarium, where he discussed Dr Kuma said. “The aim is to influence the governments healthy food alternatives with CEO Kevin Jackson, and the right across the Pacific and I think we are making big, bold Australasian Research Institute, where CEO Dr Ross Grant advances in that area.”
8 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 flashpoint
serving at sasa reaching other religions More than 260 students, parents TV outreach Inter Faith Fiji is a religious‑ and friends from schools such Adventist Church member Israel special visit based organisation that invites all as Queen Victoria School, Melemele has long dreamed of Nine Indian churches from across religious leaders in Fiji to come Adi Cakobau School, Nasinu bringing an Adventist presence Viti Levu, Fiji, held a combined and share their different beliefs Secondary School, Rampur to his home islands of Tokelau. In service on July 28 to celebrate on certain given topics. Pastor College, Jay Narayan College, partnership with Samoa Mission, the baptism of six people. The Joape Naroba has been attending Navesau Adventist High School Trans Pacific Union and Good service, which was held at the on behalf of the Adventist and Ratu Kadavulevu School News—the Samoan Advent- Nasinu Indian Adventist Church, Church, and is encouraged by gathered on Sabbath, July 22 for ist-owned television station that had extra special visitors from the chance to share Jesus. “All the Secondary Adventist Schools inserts Samoan programs into a the Southern Asia Division. Pres- the major religions from across Association (SASA) rally. With the Hope Channel feed—that dream is ident Ezras Lakra and CFO PE Fiji and their priests, pastors, theme “Standing up for Jesus”, becoming a reality. Mr Melemele Selvin Moorthy were both able reverends and leaders are here,” public campus ministry chaplain (right) has gained permission to participate in the service and he said. “For me personally, it Viliame Ratumaiyale reminded from the Fakaofo Taupulega celebrate the baptisms with their is a huge blessing, and I cannot the young people to fortify their (island council) to broadcast Hope fellow Indian Adventists.—TPUM/ ask for more from Jesus for this minds with God’s Word. They Channel on Fakaofo, one of the Record staff great opportunity.”—Record staff also donated boxes of toiletries to three island groups in Tokelau. boarding students at Ratu Kadav- Pastor Sione Ausage (second ulevu School and celebrated as from right), secretary of Samoa 19 students were baptised.—Pete Mission, hopes to travel there in Navosailagi October.—Elija Ryan
students step out More than 30 Adventist students studying at secular institutions in Fiji stepped out in faith during a special Sabbath service attended by 250 have a students. During the rally, held at Wailevu Seventh-day Adventist Church, the students re-declared their loyalty and committed to stay faithful to not news story? sit exams on Sabbath, even if it meant missing graduation. There was a special offering where about $FJ2400 was collected as a token of thanks- email it to giving and to help complete the church building in Wailevu. TPUM president Pastor Maveni Kaufononga encouraged those attending to continue in [email protected] faithfulness.—Record staff
Harvest in Tonga kiribati baptisms vision for niue Following the harvest program held across The last two Sabbaths in July were a celebra- Niue church members were excited to be the Trans Pacific in July, Tongan Mission tion for Adventist Church members in Kiribati, part of the July two-week harvest program. president Pastor Saia Vea joined Adventist as Pastor Luther Taniveke baptised 62 candi- Three people were baptised. Church pastor Church members to celebrate the baptism dates in Betio, the largest township of the Sione Kakala Moala was the main speaker. of 14 people. The Sabbath baptismal service capital city Tarawa. In August, Pastor Taniveke “Praise the Lord. It is our vision that by 2020 was held on the Tongan island of Tofoa, and travelled to the outer islands of Kiribati to the church on Niue will become an organised included both children and adults dedicating conduct more baptisms, following the harvest church and [we also plan] to establish a new their lives to Jesus.—Afua Palu/TPUM program.—Pete Navosailagi company in an un-entered area,” said Pastor Moala. “We now have a membership of 21 baptised members.”—TPUM
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 9 Why Total Member Involvement matters
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations . . .” (Matthew 24:14, ESV).
s someone who hasn’t globe- island nation. with the results. Vanuatu Mission’s trotted excessively, I can’t say To put the scale of this “harvesting harvesting program yielded 1530 I’ve seen this happen. After program” in perspective, Vanuatu baptisms (as of late August), with A 2 a recent trip to Vanuatu, however, has a total land area of 12,200 km . the Adventist message entering new what I have witnessed is the gospel That means for 21 straight days, villages and parts of the country. being proclaimed throughout a whole 236 Adventists were proclaiming the Then again, we’ve all heard of country. message of Jesus across a land area stories of large baptisms that are It’s evening on Thursday, July 19, smaller than Sydney. soon followed by a large exodus of and Eric Kaltap from the Vanuatu I wasn’t the only one marvelling at new members. Our Church leaders, Mission is showing me around Port the magnitude of the series. “What are however, are aware of this too. Vila. Our first stop is a vacant lot you Adventists doing?” people would “I’m beginning to realise that while on the main strip of the city, where ask church pastors and members on the big speakers and evangelisms are an Adventist is sharing the “good the street. “You’re everywhere!” An good, most of the people we reach fall news” with the gathered crowd and Adventist taxi driver similarly had a right through the cracks,” says Pastor passers-by. A two-minute drive up passenger say to him, “Man, these Mailalong. “Many of them are no the road and another Adventist is Adventists are crazy. They’re running longer in the Church. preaching a similar message, his voice meetings all over the place!” “I believe for us, the way to do echoing into the cool (warm for me) The buzz surrounding the meetings evangelism going forward is what night air. Another quick drive, another also extended to social media, with we’re doing this year. Through Total evangelism site. We make our way talk of the harvesting program doing Member Involvement, the local uphill and . . . you get the picture. the rounds on Facebook and other Adventist community gets to own the Having lived in Cooranbong (NSW) digital platforms in Vanuatu. Stop and evangelism, and own the lives coming for more than 10 years, I’m used to think about that for a moment—when into their hands too. If they own it, seeing Adventist communities gath- was the last time you heard of the they will look after the people.” ering in relatively close proximity. But Seventh-day Adventist Church simul- Church members in Vanuatu—and this is different. This is the gospel taneously trending online and on the across the Trans Pacific Union Mission being shared publicly and unashamedly street? (TPUM)—have responded to the chal- across an entire city. “The gospel is going to all of lenge, be it through preaching, praying Head out of the capital, across Efate Vanuatu,” says Mission president or making personal connections with and out to Vanuatu’s other islands, and Pastor Nos Terry Mailalong. “A new those attending the meetings. the same thing is happening. In fact, door to evangelism has opened up.” Now, let’s be clear—this kind of for three weeks in July, the message That door is Total Member Involve- buy-in didn’t come easily. of “Jesus Our Hope” was shared at a ment, or TMI. Sure, the acronym may “For a long time, the local church staggering 236 sites throughout the not be ideal, but there’s no arguing members thought that only ministers
10 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 could minister,” explains Pastor Joshua joy. Now, I just feel like I want to do from the TPUM’s commitment to TMI. Iso. “But now they think, ‘We can do it more. I wish [this series] lasted until For the Union, 2018 is the “year of too. We’ve been sitting in church with December!” the lay member”. Women will take the the knowledge of truth but haven’t Morris’s story is just one example lead next year, followed by the “year of done anything. But we can do it.’” of the amazing things God is doing in the youth” in 2020. The turning point for Adventists in Vanuatu (see page 12 for more stories) Pastor Mailalong believes this Vanuatu came in March when TPUM and throughout the TPUM through method of evangelism is “the way Global Mission coordinator Dr Ronald Total Member Involvement. forward” and not merely a one-off Stone ran two weeks of School of What we need to understand about event. “The Trans Pacific Union is Evangelism training in Port Vila. More TMI, though, is it’s not about the committed to giving ministry back to than 400 lay members from across big event; it’s about the big picture. the local members. That’s where it’s the country attended, triggering In preparation for July’s “harvest”, supposed to be.” what Pastor Mailalong calls a “shift in the Vanuatu Mission encouraged its Indeed, if “this gospel of the mentality”. members to establish small groups in kingdom [is to] be proclaimed “It changed the worldview of the their local areas. This foresight, along throughout the whole world as a lay people. They were empowered and with Revelation seminars, Bible studies testimony to all nations”, we all need are now excited to get involved.” and other resources provided by the to get involved. One such person is bus driver Mission, meant local church members Morris Louis. After attending the were/are ready to receive and nurture Linden Chuang Assistant editor/graphic training, the lay elder felt inspired to those newly-baptised. designer, adventist record. get more involved in “spreading the This “big picture” philosophy stems good news of Jesus”. Morris would go on to be a speaker at an evangelism site in Melemat, Efate, in July, despite the fact he was “not confident in public speaking”. “The first night was very hard,” he recalls. “I was nervous, but when the first words came out of my mouth, I could feel it was the Holy Spirit speaking. From then on it was very easy.” The end result of his willingness to get involved was eight people choosing to be baptised. “It’s very exciting,” he says with a smile. “We thought we might get one, but we got eight. We were in tears of
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 11 STORIES FROM THE HARVEST ‘If you [preach] it, they will come’ For the first week in Emua (north Efate), Vanuatu Mission general secretary Pastor Charlie Jimmy preached only to an empty field. There were times when he asked, “God, what am I doing here? Is this your will for us to have this program here?” During the second week, however, people slowly started to attend, and by the final Sabbath of the program, 13 people had decided to be baptised. Among them were an Assemblies of God pastor and his wife. The evangelistic series not only brought them (and their daughter) into the Adventist family (pictured top left), but it also brought the couple back together in marriage after seven years of separation. On the change that took place in Emua over the three weeks, Pastor Jimmy said, “it’s indeed a miracle . . . I just did my best, and God did the rest.” Beauty out of ashes Wala is an islet off the north-eastern coast of Malakula and a predom- inantly Catholic community. Despite this, the local chief offered the Seventh-day Adventist Church a place to conduct evangelistic meetings in July. Having welcomed everyone during the opening ceremony, the chief and his family returned home to find their house burnt to the ground. Although very upset, the family continued to attend the meetings. On the final Sabbath of the program, five people, including the chief’s wife and son, gave their lives to Jesus in what was the first Adventist baptism ever held on Wala. Others, including the chief, wanted to be baptised but hesitated after ongoing threats from the local community. The Vanuatu Mission is now organising Bible studies for these individuals. Baptism behind bars In a first for the Vanuatu Mission, a baptism was held at Port Vila’s low risk prison on Sabbath, July 28, with 12 inmates surrendering their lives to Christ (pictured middle, bottom left). The baptisms were conducted by Pastor Nos Terry Mailalong, with MP Ralph Regenvanu, other government dignitaries and police officers also on hand for the special occasion. Half of the prison’s inmates are continuing to study the Bible with the help of members from Epauto Seventh-day Adventist Church. Not preaching, but still reaching Moving to another country, where you don’t know anyone or speak the local language, can be incredibly isolating. This was the case for Jung Wang, a Chinese woman who recently moved to Vanuatu with her family. “When she came to the community, she had no other friends,” says Johhny Koanapo Rasou, parliamentary secretary to the Prime Minis- ter’s office and a member of Etas Seventh-day Adventist Church. “She found friendship with the mothers from our church.” Mrs Wang started attending Sabbath programs at Etas church. Then, at the conclusion of July’s harvesting program, she and her two daughters were baptised into the Adventist Church family. Mrs Wang’s husband, a local businessman, did not attend the meetings, but allowed his wife and daughters to be baptised. Niptik Photos: Jean-Pierre My ministry A missionary school
etikama Adventist College is taking the in starting small businesses. They prayed with gospel commission seriously. As a Top the sick and conducted Bible studies. BNational Senior Secondary College, the “God blessed the students’ simple acts of school attracts students from across Solomon kindness for the communities on Makira Island,” Islands. Mr Kaipa said. “Many who disliked Adventism Opened 70 years ago, Betikama has always now had an interest in what we had to say. been a missionary school. However, in 2017, it Financially it is challenging to visit all the bigger began a push for Total Member Involvement. villages but we believe our Makira students will According to Betikama principal Denis Kaipa, continue the work.” 18 per cent of the 500 students are from a An end-of-year trip is planned for Rendovah non-Adventist background. So that’s where they Island, in the Western Solomon Islands. started—making sure that they had engaged all Meanwhile, the mission within the college of their students first. continues. Along with the rest of the Pacific, This year, the students were divided into nine Betikama took part in the Pentecost Harvest cultural groups, representing different regions of programs in July. Conducting Bible studies the Solomons. Students and staff in each group during first semester, the program saw 30 young were encouraged to plan outreach trips to their people decide to be baptised. Of those, eight own home regions. come from other faith backgrounds and are The first cultural group successfully ventured facing opposition from their parents. out during the mid-year break as missionaries A special offering was collected during closing from Betikama. Sabbath programs to help with supporting needy The TEMA (Temotu and Makira) group’s dormitory students with items like soap, tooth- goal was to visit a remote Adventist village to paste and bedding. They will need prayers and encourage and support those living there. help with school fees, with the college providing Makira Island (also called San Cristobal) has some assistance. a population of more than 40,000, yet there are Plans are also in place to visit neighbouring only around 200 active Seventh-day Adventists senior schools to reach out on Sabbath after- there. It was into this challenging field that the noons, providing students at those schools with 14 students and two staff entered. the same basic necessities and offering prayer. While there they had the opportunity to The whole school is committed to the supply clothes to children and those in need, missionary spirit. to witness and visit, and help out around the “We just need your prayers,” said Mr Kaipa. community with work, cooking, teaching cloth dyeing and screen printing to people interested Jarrod Stackelroth senior editor.
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 13 Image: AUC Resources Image:
mother was looking over her daugh- The great ter’s wedding guest list and she noticed Athat all the invitations were addressed “Mr and Mrs” and that there was not a single “Miss”, “Ms” or “Mr” in the bunch. “Why is that?” the mother asked her daughter. “It’s an economy measure,” the daughter replied. invitation “Economy measure?” “Yeah, if I send invitations to single people they will most likely end up getting married some day and I’II be expected to give them gifts. But if they are already married, I will not have as many wedding gifts to worry about in the future.” The criterion for this invitation is based
14 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 Faith on marital status. What do you think But right here in the midst of the to the person receiving the invitation. of the daughter’s reasoning? After revelation of their sins, God says, Thus, our sins will not be painted all, weddings are expensive these “Come now, let us reason together, white, but we ourselves will become days. Cutting the guest list down is though your sins be as scarlet, they white by wearing the robe of right- often necessary. Clever thinking or shall be as white as snow.” eousness of God. completely unfair? This is a beautiful invitation This is the beauty of the invitation, In the Scriptures, we find wonderful because, when everything else fails, for you are the focus, the centre. The and marvellous invitations that God reaches out His hand. When our difference in this invitation is that you are different from the one I have dreams are shattered, when our hopes are invited because of you alone and mentioned. Here we will examine one are gone, when our lives are endan- not the occasion. Again, the beauty of them. An invitation that God makes gered, God invites us. of this invitation is that you are the to each and every one of us. But let’s break this verse down reason for the invitation and not the The passage we will unpack is further by analysing some of the words occasion. Isaiah 1:18: and phrases. 4. “Says the Lord” “Come now, let us reason together, 1. “Let us” One may wonder who is doing the said the Lord: though your sins be as In Hebrew, this “let us” expresses inviting. The text says that it is none scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; a wish, request or command. This of other than God. The name of God used though they be red like crimson, they course would suggest that God is not here is His unspoken name, the four shall be as wool.” only inviting you, but He wishes that letter word, which means, “I cause you would reason with Him. to be what comes to pass, I am the Historical background This “let us” may also express existing One” or “I am that I am, and Before we look at this text, a brief “purpose” (in order to) or result I will be what I will be.” The beauty of understanding of the immediate (resulting in). Again, this means that this invitation is that when we come to background will help us understand the God is not only inviting you, but He Him, He will be there from stage one message better. wishes that you would reason with and He continues to see us through to Isaiah, the author of the book that Him in order for you to “be cleansed, the end. In fact, only an omnipotent bears his name, wrote during the or result in being cleansed”. In other being and a king can do this. Yes, the stormy period that marked the expan- words, this invitation is intentional and beauty of this invitation is that it is sion of the Assyrian Empire and the has a sense of purpose. majestic. You are invited by the King decline of Israel. Israel was declining 2. “Reason” of kings. in political power and also spiritual Now I wonder why God asks us to 5. “Come now” power. As history proves, whenever come and reason with Him? He could In Hebrew, the word “now” is an the spiritual lives of the Israelites have just said, “Come, though your emphatic imperative. It suggests that deteriorated, their political power also sins be as scarlet, they shall be as there is an emphasis, a command and declined. white as snow.” Although, the word a sense of urgency. Right in chapter 1, we see Isaiah “reason” is a term often expressed in a It can be translated also as “come revealing the spiritual condition of legal setting, I guess reason here indi- please” or “come straight away and do Judah. Verse 2 says, “Hear, O heavens! cates that salvation is a free choice. not delay”. This is the most beau- Listen, O earth!” This is an interesting You are not forced to choose, you tiful thing about this invitation—you introductory phrase because Isaiah is are not misled, you are not cheated don’t have to wait for a specific date, using this phrase from the covenant or bribed. Instead, you are given the specific time and a specific place. You lawsuit, calling upon nature to witness freedom to reason with Him. Isn’t just need to come now. The beauty of in this declaration because man can’t it amazing to see God pleads and this invitation is that it is urgent. be a witness. reasons with His people? For that reason, this invitation is You see, the covenant lawsuit in the The beauty of the invitation is that it given to you now and the only crite- Bible requires a witness or someone to is clear and it is a free choice. rion is for you to come now. guarantee the accuracy of a transac- 3. “Though your sins be as scarlet, God wants to invite you to choose tion, and people were always called in they shall be as white as snow; though Him. He promises that He will make to witness the agreement. Those who they be red like crimson, they shall be you white and clean, your sins were called in were reliable and trust- as wool.” forgotten. And He wants to do it worthy. However, in the case of Isaiah, When we read the text, it seems immediately. human beings were so evil, so sinful, to suggest that our sins will become Will you accept the invitation? corrupted and rebellious that God had white. However, when God says to call upon nature to be the witness. “though your sins be as scarlet, they Dr Ronald Stone Ministerial Association From verses 3-17, Isaiah further shall be as white as snow”, He uses a secretary and Global Mission coordinator describes Israel’s wickedness. figure of speech where sin is referring for the Trans Pacific Union Mission.
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 15 Culture The vanua And Tevita s faith he vanua is the epitome of Pacific iden- to hospital. “At this point, I was desperate and tity. In the Fijian context there are multiple started praying, asking God to heal my ill-struck Tinterpretations of the vanua. It can be the wife,” he said. “My two kids are still very young land, the environment, the community, or the and I cannot deal with losing my wife.” The cultural and social system in which people are couple started praying and they worshipped at integrated. home on Sundays, committing themselves to God The vanua offers a sense of belonging, and expecting that, through these efforts, Tima blessing and pride to its people. It is home to would recover and live. However, she was still knowledge, belief systems, values and a collec- very ill. She was so ill that the couple decided tive identity. It is respected as sacred, safe- to make a deal with God: if He would heal guarded and valued. Thus, to enter a new vanua Tima, they would follow whichever church God or space where there are people, protocols must intended for them. be respected and adhered to. Disregarding this is Tevita was convinced that the path of the a sign of disrespect and an insult to the stewards missionaries was the path to follow. “I saw the of the vanua. consistency the missionaries had and that they The Methodist Church, as the first Christian would put up with taking a long ride just to see religion to arrive in Fiji in the 1830s, is held me and my wife,” he said. “To me their mission with high regard in most traditional/indige- was intentional.” nous communities. Historically, when the first Taro is about an hour and-a-half bus ride from Methodist missionaries arrived, they converted Suva. The sacrifice and dedication that Tevita chiefs and their subjects followed. Since then, saw in the missionaries convinced him of their the Methodist Church has been closely associ- faith. He undertook a series of Bible studies and ated with the vanua and to separate the two is was baptised during the July Harvest program. considered dishonorable. Today Tevita’s wife is in good health and This is one reason Adventism is absent in both have become frontline missionaries: to be traditional spaces today. The beliefs and practices a beacon of light in a predominantly Wesleyan of the Church are not always aligned with the environment. Their goal is to take the gospel to practices of the vanua. the island of Bau and Tevita’s vision is that one Adventism arrived in Fiji in 1891, about 60 day soon, there will be an Adventist church on years after Methodism entered the country. The the island. Advent message spread quickly, however not Tevita is certain that God has called his family always to the hearts of the country’s chiefs. On to take the faith to Bau and he is aware that the island of Bau, Fiji’s dominant power before it traditional protocol will have to be followed. was ceded to Great Britain, attempts to introduce He also recognises his traditional lineage in the Adventism have been difficult. To date there is no island as tuinidau or guardians and protectors of Adventist church on this once powerful island. the island’s natural resources. This is the link that Just as John I Tay, JE Fulton and the pioneer God can use to have the Advent message enter missionaries to Fiji had the vision and passion Bau. to share the Advent light in challenging environ- ments, so do today’s frontline missionaries in Kesaia vasutoga Social Work Educator at the their effort to share the Advent message on Bau. University of the South Pacific and Samoa Seventh-day The missionaries consist of a group of dedicated, Adventist Community Church Member, Fiji. retired and unemployed individuals who, in their pursuit to break through to the island, go through a series of personal ministry training and practice events immersed in prayer and fasting. Tevita and his wife Tima moved from Bau Island to Taro to house-sit an aunt’s home. While living on Taro Tevita saw two missionaries and asked them to visit his home. He shared with them the struggles he and his wife were going through. Tevita is a military officer and after years of merry-making and partying, his wife fell very ill, which saw her continually admitted Tevita and his family.
September 8, 2018 | Adventist record 17 health
the pacific’s biggest battle: tips to fight lifestyle diseases lifestyle diseases
Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and coronary artery disease (a cause of heart attacks and angina) are having a devastating impact upon our Pacific Island nations. It’s estimated that 1 in 4 adult Pacific Islanders are moving more diabetic. Complications from diabetes are resulting Increasing our physical in an estimated 30,000 amputations in the South activity by sitting less Pacific every year. That’s one amputation every 20 and moving more goes a long way towards minutes. reducing our risk of non- With the current pandemic of type 2 diabetes communicable diseases. This could mean planting sweeping across the Pacific there is the unfor- a garden or going for a tunate reality that what is “normal” is being family walk in the evening rather than sitting down redefined. It is now normal to eat packaged and in front of the TV. processed foods containing more energy than we need. It is now normal to buy all our food from the shop. It is now normal to do all our travelling in a vehicle. It is now normal to sit for the majority of our day behind a desk. It is now normal to use screens (computers, phones, TVs) for our entertainment. It is now normal to be overweight and to suffer high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes and ischaemic heart disease. This eat more plants is the new normal. The research is fairly clear that eating more fruits, But stop and think for a moment. It wasn’t vegetables, wholegrains always this way. In our great-grandparents’ day it and legumes (beans) is associated with a reduced was normal to eat foods as grown in nature. It was risk of obesity, type 2 normal to get most of our food from the garden. It diabetes, coronary artery disease and various was normal to walk if you wanted to go some- cancers, while eating where. It was normal to have physically active more meat and processed foods increases our risk of jobs. It was normal to find entertainment in being these diseases. physically active. It was normal to live lives largely free of non-communicable diseases. This was the old normal. While enjoying good health in a culture that is so different to what our great-grandparents experienced is increasingly challenging, there are certain things we can do personally to help reduce our chances of developing non-communicable diseases. Check out our three tips. resting up With increasing use In reflecting on how Christians should relate to of technology, such as what society views as normal, the apostle Paul computers, televisions and smart phones, we had some wise advice to share: “Do not conform are tending to go to bed yourselves to the standards of this world, but let later and are sleeping less. This is associated God transform you inwardly by a complete change with an increased risk of your mind. Then you will be able to know the of obesity, which in turn increases our risk of type will of God—what is good and is pleasing to him 2 diabetes, coronary and is perfect” (Romans 12:2 GNB). artery disease and several cancers. Most of us need 7-8 hours of sleep per Dr Paul Wood TPUM health director. night.
18 Adventist record | September 8, 2018 have your say
THE SABBATH EXCUSE Love this! (“The Sabbath excuse”, August 4). I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently. The command to abstain from work is only part of the Sabbath command. In T4 Ellen White suggests we need a revival in Sabbath-keeping—the letter and spirit of the Sabbath. The positive side is more subtle: to remember, to rest, to trust God, to thank Him for creation and salvation, to bless our family, colleagues and strangers. In the end, the command to not work should free us, something similar to a command not to worry. If we struggle with work and stopping labour, then perhaps it’s a hint we love the world’s values and systems rather than God’s values and plans for our lives. Stephen Wilson, NZ
COUNT THE COST Manus Island interviewed ground water is polluted. I grandchildren. Thank you for your on radio. He said detainees don’t want my country to No-one will ever sit insightful article “Cursed is were not locked up, as the run out of land to grow its around reminiscing about anyone who denies justice cover picture (Adventist own food. the mind-blowing online . . . “ (August 4). I personally Record, August 4) would I may sound unsym- content they received from endorse the sentiments you infer, but were free to go pathetic, but I am not. I Avondale or any other uni. expressed. into the community to shop have tried to help orphan They talk about the life- Quite apart from the issue or look for work. But those Kenyans with trade skills long friends they made, the of inhumanity to fellow immigrants didn’t try to and the ability to have their connection they had with humans, the cost of keeping become part of the Manus own families, but it is such lecturers who often became these asylum seekers culture. Their great wish a land of competition for close friends. The connec- locked up must be enor- was to live in a first-world survival that success is tion of faith and common mous. If indeed they are country. elusive. belief in a loving God. illegally attempting to take I spent four years in New Rhyll Lister, NSW These people will live up residence in Australia, Guinea, nearly 50 years on in our lives forever, and why do we not immediately ago. At that time the Papua AVONDALE EXPERIENCE these stories will last a return them to their point New Guineans were happy I have always felt the lifetime. That experience is of departure, the same as in their own country, where product Avondale produced not offered anywhere else in we do with those endeav- anyone could grow their best was the Avondale the country. I was changed ouring to enter this country food needs. They didn’t experience (“Avondale by the people I met and through our airports with need to wish [to live in] a reduces staffing levels”, blessed by meeting there. false passports or having a first-world country. August 25). While online Anyone who has not expe- criminal history. Surely the Six years ago, I spent five study is inevitable, it is rienced this has truly missed cost of immediate return months in Kenya, a country one every other institution out. Save the dorms. Save would be less than incurred where, if a person can find produces. But what they do the Avondale experience. by locking them up in inhos- work at all, the income is better than anyone else is Luke Martin, via FB pitable circumstances! likely to be at starvation “the Avondale experience” I wish our Church corpo- level. Because of overpop- combined with a quality rate would express itself on ulation all ground water is education. Note: Views in “Have your say” do not necessarily rep- this matter. so polluted that Kenyans Being a distance educa- resent those of the editors or Ross Goldstone, NSW do not give their animals tion provider will not solve the denomination. Comments should be less than 250 words, the water because it would the issues. Not even slightly. and writers must include their DOING FAITHFULLY make them sick. It seemed But those of us who have name, address and phone I used to think Australia to me that every Kenyan’s had the experience of being number. All comments are ed- ited to meet space and literary was being unchristian to dream was to emigrate to a in the dorms at Avondale requirements, but the author’s would-be immigrants. first-world country. want nothing more than original meaning will not be changed. Not all comments Then a year or so ago I I don’t want my country for that experience to be received are published. heard a businessman on overpopulated until all the had by our children or our
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SUPPORTING MINISTRY PALM ISLAND MINISTRY Medical Missionary Training Institute Inc. MMTI is looking for a married couple to manage the established ministry on Palm Island, Queensland. The applicants may be from any cultural background and education. However, it is required that they are truly heart converted, live the Adventist health message and have a passion for service. A position description can be provided for anyone interested in this ministry opportunity. Please contact Bev Krogdahl on 0458 536 115 or email
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