ISSUE 72 | WINTER 2014 Informed decisions Navigating the intersection of faith & politics PAGE 6 When democracy doesn’t work » 10 Suicide and activism » 12 Kenya calls » 14 Election resources » 18 canvaseditorial CANVAS aims to inform and encourage all who are interested in reaching students for Christ, and in Clean politics thinking Christianly about their life e like things to keep things tidy, don’t we. Whether and work. It is published four times you’re watching 5-year-olds invent rules for their home- a year by TSCF. Wmade games or you’re pulling pages of instructions Canvas Issue 72 out of the box with your new blender, you see how our need for ISSUE 72 | WINTER 2014 Winter 2014 safety in order quietly frames our world. Informed Cover Design decisions Navigating the intersection Mara Gilmore So it’s ironic that the very institutions that keep chaos at bay are, of faith & politics PAGE 6 Illustrations themselves, often messy – families, churches and always, always Simon Fletcher, When democracy doesn’t work » 10 governments. Even in New Zealand, with our “least corrupt na- Life, death & a time to speak » 12 Kenya calls » 14 Election resources » 18 Mara Gilmore, Brittany Smith tion on earth” trophy on the mantle piece, we get a pre-election scandal-stirrer called Dirty Politics. (Granted, scandal here does is a founder member of the TSCF sound more like “she is so mean” than “and then he had them all International Fellowship of Evan- assassinated,” but dirt’s dirt.) gelical Students and serves to help students reach students for Christ As voting season approaches – the first, for many students – we nationwide by enabling them to might overreact to our disordered means of creating order. We can reach maturity in Christ, so that they understand and proclaim the skirt the mud, sidling into the voting booth holding our nose, cynically truth about Christ and serve God choosing the lesser evil. Or we can dive into the mire armed with ref- by showing his love in the student erences that clearly spell out right and wrong, enjoying the fray. world. Some of us are built for battle, and some of us are built for re- Send your thoughts, comments, questions and letters to us at flection, so political engagement takes many forms. But as Geoff [email protected] Robson writes in his helpful blog series, reworked here on page 6, we all need to start with a few biblical principles. TSCF PO Box 9672, Marion Square, These are key: God appoints leaders, and God answers prayer. Wellington 6141 If we miss the significance of human authority, we’ll also miss the +64 04 3847274 www.tscf.org.nz | [email protected] privilege of participating in a democracy. And the first and best way to participate is by praying for our leaders, which we can do Editorial team whatever our political system. Robyn Drake, Mark Grace, Nigel Pollock, Andy Shudall, Do we expect God’s sovereignty to bring ultimate good from Maryanne Wardlaw, Joyce Yip politics’ endemic messiness? Do we believe there is only One who Design can actually transform societies from the inside out? Then our Maryanne Wardlaw hopes won’t be pinned on one leader or another, and our own ef- canvasgreen forts to encourage order and justice will grow stronger and wiser. If you would prefer to receive a PDF version of Canvas, or an email reminder when it is available Maryanne Wardlaw on the website please email Communications Manager [email protected] 2 | canvas winter 2014 canvasnotables Engaged Chin Sun Jeng Yee as Mother, or more precisely as their advisor Rubee Yee’s mum. She passed Christina Shewan, Canterbury away peacefully on 23 May after a short illness. staff worker, andNathan Denmead, She was 97. Chin Sun Jeng opened her heart to CU president, will be married on many and they will miss her chuckles and smile. 24 January, 2015. Departed Married With sadness and joy we Benedict Kok, former Dunedin as- mark the departure of Simon sociate staff worker, marriedLydia Rabbidge. He has been an Lee San San in Malaysia in June. exceptional staff worker in Lin- Born coln for the past four years, doing anything and everything with various TSCF mission Ben Carswell, Wellington Team groups to see students reached for Christ and Leader, and wife Jenni welcomed changed for life. His work is having ripple effects Hannah Erin Joy into the world throughout the world. His enthusiasm and encour- on 18 August. agement have helped many students meet Jesus Died for the first time or to deepen faith in Jesus. He will be sorely missed by both students and staff. We Christine Lange, the wife of author and pastor wish him well as he transitions from staff to sup- Stuart Lange, passed away 15 August after a long porter, working on a dairy farm, knowing that God battle with cancer. will continue to use him to influence all around him For the past four decades, many international with the gospel of the good news of Jesus. students in Wellington Christian Fellowship knew – Timothy Hodge, Lincoln Team Leader canvaswanted re you committed to seeing the gospel ticular need for staff to walk alongside students in worked out in every area of life? Are Auckland, Wellington and Lincoln, and graduates Ayou excited by the challenges and op- around the country through Catalyst’s ministries. portunities that young adults face during their TEAM LEADER university years? Do you relish seeing commu- TSCF is accepting applications for the leader- nities strengthened, pennies dropping, hearts ship of the Wellington team. We are looking for growing, and fleeting opportunities grasped? At someone who can develop both staff workers TSCF, we are and we do. and student leaders, helping them build com- STAFF WORKERS munity, study the word and share the gospel. If you have a vision to invest in the next generation Please email [email protected] for an of leaders in any region of Aotearoa New Zealand, application form and job description, or we would love to hear from you. There is a par- telephone (04) 384 7274. canvas winter 2014 | 3 canvasnotables Heather Brockett has finished Churches of NZ, committed to as an associate staff worker in a 10-year stint. Gary will use his Auckland. She and her husband, science, technology and busi- Gary, met at the University of ness knowledge to help alleviate Auckland and were both in- poverty and prevent trafficking. volved in EU, as have been their Heather will work with women, children Stephen and Kelly. children and possibly students. Heather and Gary are now in To receive their news, email Bangladesh with the Baptist them at [email protected]. Wahine Toa E tupu atu kūmara, e ohu e te anuhe. (As a alongside Nigel. Val also delivered conferences, person’s importance increases so do those recruited and trained staff, advocated for gospel who seek their favour.) integrity, pushed others to think hard, and worked to bring harmony. She also augmented Val Goold has moved on after 13 years with TSCF’s international ties with Fiji, Ecuador and TSCF to teach at Laidlaw College and to pursue India, and through her contributions at two IFES further study toward a PhD. She is a strong World Assemblies. leader, a woman of integrity, and we will miss her. Whilst on staff Val has re- connected with her own She has left a legacy behind in the lives whakapapa, personally of students and staff. From her days at working through the Victoria University as a member and a complexities of weav- leader of CU (1988-91) she motivated ing Maori and Pakeha and empowered fellow students, heritage together to- which become her trademark. ward real strength. Her Following a year on staff in Auckland, she mana has further grown moved to Wellington and became Head of through her Masters study in Student Ministries in 2003. She had previously adult education at Massey University. trained at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute and We’re thankful to God for all that Val has Laidlaw College, then worked as a teacher. Her brought to TSCF and are confident she will work for TSCF had her charging around NZ en- continue to contribute to His work in this nation couraging and strengthening staff and students. and beyond. Nigel Pollock arrived as National Director in He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he early 2006 and promised “change, chaos, taura waka e motu. (Unlike a canoe rope, a clarity, complexity, community and challenge.” human bond cannot be severed.) Val ensured continuity was also present as she strengthened old and forged new relationships – Andy Shudall, Head of Strategic Development 4 | canvas winter 2014 canvascampusnews with students on this commuter campus. They hope to meet students and pool resources to involve them in activities across the city. Dunedin Red Frogs continues to be a fantastic opportunity to serve first-year students and have conversa- tions about spiritual matters. The Christian Medical Fellowship borrowed the Red Frogs pancake kit to serve pancakes to med students while giving out invites to a “grill a Christian” event. An encouraging Summit’s Great IFES Party inspired a variety of cultural (and not so cultural) dress. number of people responded. Summit Partnering in Fiji For the fourth time, and last as a TSCF staff TSCF’s new annual leadership conference, worker, Simon Rabbidge joined with Students Summit, took place in Hamilton the first week International in Fiji to let Kiwi students loose in a in July. About 50 students and some graduates mission context.