Baptist Magazine v131 n3 (June 2015)

Baptist Churches of New Zealand

v.131 † no.3

BAPTISTMAG.ORG.NZ

Handling Praise AS A LEADER

OVERSEAS: NEW ROLES, NEW HOPE, NEW LIFE RENEWED BY LOVE

THE STEADFAST LOVE OF THE LORD NEVER CEASES

June 2015 NZ $3.90 (incl GST)

Lamentations 3: 22

THE LOVE OF GOD

Aroha mai, aroha atu

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Experience His love † Easter Camp 2015

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04

CONTENTS

Magazine Manager Angela Pedersen Editor Sarah Vaine Art Director Sue Pepper Global Mission Greg Knowles Business Manager Daniel Palmer __ Contact Editorial sarah@baptistmag.org.nz Churches in Action jill.hitchcock@ baptist.org.nz Advertising advertising@baptistmag.org.nz Website baptistmag.org.nz

FE ATUR E

The love of God...........................4 RE FLECT IONS

Lawnmowers and sacred cows.................................8 RE SO U R CE

R E VIE WS

Equipping you.............................9 D I SC I PL E SHIP

Know love.................................10 FA M I LY

NE WS

.................... 12

Baptist Churches of New Zealand PO Box 12-149, Penrose, Auckland 1642, New Zealand Telephone 09 526 0333 __ Printing Image Print, Auckland __ The NZ Baptist Magazine is the magazine of the Baptist Churches of New Zealand

Distributed through local Baptist Churches

YO U TH

Easter Camp.............................15 C U LT U R E

The transforming love of God....18 LE AD E R SHIP

We have a story to tell............. 22 GLO BAL

MISSION

The fitter, the farmer and the florist......................................26 A great problem to have.............28 From the other side.......................28

A word from the Editor Many of us are great at ‘doing’ but find ‘being’ harder. Yet we are created to be with God and know love. Inevitably there is a natural progression to ‘doing’ as we are transformed and inspired and in August, we will be considering the overflow of God’s love from us. But for now, let’s rest a little while and allow God to love us anew! ~ Sarah Vaine

in New Zealand and dependent on their contributions. Registered with POHQ as a

D I RE CT ORY

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newspaper. ISSN 1176-8711

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THE LOVE

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OF GOD Encountering the love of God is not simply life-changing, but it sustains life in its fullness, as Todd White’s amazing testimony reminds us.

A

T ELEVEN YEARS OLD, TODD WAS PLACED IN A BOY’S HOME AFTER HIS PARENTS SPLIT UP. HE WAS TOLD HE WOULD GO HOME AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, BUT NO ONE COLLECTED HIM. Five years later he was still there. Angry and bitter, Todd had turned to drugs and alcohol to soothe himself. When he left the boy’s home, Todd joined the Marine Corps. Armed with attitude, he did really well in boot camp. After a time, however, the Marines was not where he wanted to be. Refused leave, Todd left anyway and escaped to Colorado with money stolen in a drug deal. He was arrested and sent to military prison, only to repeat the same journey again on his release. After another jail sentence he was given a bad conduct discharge and left the Marines. He found a job in sales (the first of thirty jobs over nine years) and met a girl who he ended up moving in with. The couple had a daughter, but nine damaged years into their relationship, Todd returned home one day to find his girlfriend and daughter had left. Completely broken, Todd wanted to end his life. Next to the notepad he was going to write a letter on, however, was a phonebook. Flipping it open, he noted that there were 568 churches inside. So, taking a marker, he noted down one church and went there ~ SV.

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I didn’t even know why I was going. This guy, Dan, met me at the door with the biggest smile on his face; “how you doing, buddy?” I was like, “what is wrong with you, man?” But I went inside and poured myself out. He shared the gospel with me; I did not go there to hear about Jesus. But he said, “this is a church. What you’re telling me isn’t helping you.” He didn’t say I needed to invite Jesus into my heart. He said I needed to give Jesus my life. It would be bad if I let Jesus into my heart and held back my life So I just thought, “whatever” – that’s my acceptance of Jesus. I said, “God, if you’re real, show me you’re real and I’ll live for you.” I didn’t want my life anyway. I had no idea what I was getting into. I called my girlfriend and asked her to come home. My daughter got on the phone and I told her that I had found God. She asked, “what’s He like, Dad?” and I replied, “I don’t know, but I met someone who did.” So they came home and I put my daughter to bed. I told her I loved her and I cried and held her. An hour and a half later, I was out buying crack. We can’t afford to just say we love Jesus. It’s the truth that sets you free I used to say to my best friend, Bobby, “hey man, Jesus loves you.” Bobby didn’t believe in Jesus, but he believed in me and he stayed by me. Problem. I would be upstairs raging on my girlfriend, raging on my daughter, punching holes through the wall, then I would come downstairs and I’d open the door and tell Bobby that Jesus loved him. I didn’t have any clue who I was. I was trapped. There was no relationship with Jesus. One night I went out and picked up some kid from New York City who had a bunch of crack on him. I told him I was a cop and that he had to get out of the car and put his hands on the hood. As soon as he had cleared the door, I hit the gas and he unloaded

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a 9mm from ten feet away. A voice said, “I took those bullets for you. Are you ready to live for me yet?” I went and smoked all the crack as fast as I could and every hit I took, that voice kept coming back, coming back, coming back, wouldn’t go away. I got home and I was freaking out because I couldn’t get high that whole night and that voice was ringing. I got out of my car and looked around. Not one bullet had touched my vehicle and I knew that it was God. I went to the door but my girlfriend told me to get out of her life. The next day, Dan helped me get into rehab. I called Bobby and told him about God speaking to me. His reply; “Todd, haven’t you shown by now that Jesus isn’t real? You’ve been doing this thing for the last six months. Nothing’s changed. It would be better that you go [into rehab] realising that Jesus isn’t real. Let them help you.”

...my girlfriend told me to get out of her life. The next day, Dan helped me get into rehab.

S

o I went to rehab but I submitted to God Three days in, for the first time ever, I didn’t have attitude with authority. Something happened. But then I got a phone call. It was Dan. Dan told me that Bobby had had a brain aneurysm, he was in a coma and the doctors didn’t expect him to live. My best friend. The one who stood by me when no one else would. I could have run out the front door, but I’d already submitted to God. So I ran to the prayer room and the presence of the Holy Spirit hit me on the floor. God rested upon me saying, “you’re not going anywhere.” God took away my anger and from that day, He gave me peace. So I stayed in rehab. Two months in, I’d just started to read the Bible. I’d say, “God this has to get in here. I don’t know how it’s going to happen but I’m going to stay in it until you show me what it means. This is the only thing that’s going to change my life.”

We can’t afford to just say we love Jesus and never get into the word. And we can’t afford to get into the word without the love of Jesus We’ve tried to apply principles as theories outside of relationship and nothing happens. We have to be in Him because that’s how He created us to be. In Him and Him in us. So I’d started to realise who I was. One day, I was sitting on a park bench because I had privileges to go across the street. A homeless guy was pushing a trolley cart up Main Street and I yelled out to him that Jesus loved him. He came over to me and said, “I know how much He loves me, but do you know how much He loves you?” I was like, “tell me!” He sat there and preached about righteousness, the very thing I’d been seeking. I asked him why he was pushing the shopping cart and he told me that twenty years ago, God had told him to pick up his cross and follow Him. He had sold everything and had

God asks us to give up something we were never created to be in the first place.

TAKE OUTS! 1. What would you say if

been pushing this shopping cart across America going mission to mission telling anybody who would listen about God. Sold out. Literally. He looked at me and told me something like this; “you have a demon in you, son. I’m going to pray for you and this thing is going to leave you.” He prayed for me but I didn’t feel anything. That night, I went to bed and had a dream. I’d had these demonic nightmares the whole time I was in there. But in this dream, I heard a voice saying, “do not fear, I will not leave you or forsake you.” I woke up and flipped open my Bible to Psalm 23 – I realised it was God. I had the same dream that night. Next morning, same psalm. On the third night, I heard, “I will never leave you or forsake you. Go home.” Rehab freaked out but Dan came and picked me up and on the way home he told me every reason why I was going to make it. The reason was Jesus I’m so glad Jesus didn’t say, “nobody comes to Heaven except by me.” We’ve made it that and bypassed an encounter with the Father. It’s, “no one

comes to the Father except by me.” If we don’t realise when we are born again that God is our Father, we’ll be headed to Heaven but we’ll live like Hell until we get there. It’s not about just barely making it in. It’s about having confidence now to approach the throne of grace in time of need. I spend time with Jesus every day I can’t afford to not have that in my life. We have to be swayed by His love, by His heart, by His beauty. We have to come back to the original plan, which is the desire of Jesus Christ. It’s in relationship that this thing gets cultivated. God asks us to give up something we were never created to be in the first place. He points out things that need to go, because He is the gardener and He prunes and clips and trims and He gets all this stuff out that needs to go and then He expects obedience. If God speaks to you with truth, whatever truth calls you to, grace empowers you to walk it out. Grace is God’s willingness to forgive me. Grace is God’s willingness to empower me. Grace is God’s willingness to come and

someone said to you, “what’s God like?” 2. Have you read John 14: 6 as, “nobody comes to Heaven except by me,” or, “nobody comes to the Father except by me?” 3. What do you think about the line, “it would be bad if I let Jesus into my heart and held back my life?” 4. Todd describes his wrestle with the Bible, saying, “I’m going to stay in it (the Bible) until you (God) show me what it means.” Does this resonate with you? 5. What do you think about this line, “whatever truth calls you to, grace empowers you to walk it out?”

make His home inside of me, so that I can represent Him well. God loves me. When I look in the mirror, I don’t see yesterday. I see today. Todd married his girlfriend the weekend after he left rehab. She had given her life to Jesus whilst he’d been away. In addition, having encountered his Father, Todd realised what it meant to be a father to his daughter. Nine years on, Todd has an international ministry sharing the love of God around the world ~ SV. __ Story: Todd White Todd White spoke at Cloud Festival NZ this year. You can check out his full story at youtube.com/watch?v=0W6hKWl_nho and further resources on his website lifestylechristianity.com. Excerpt used with permission.

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Baptist / R E F L E C T I O N S F R O M C R A I G V E R N A L L

LAWN MOWERS AND SACRED COWS To receive praise is an affirmation. But leaders have a responsibility to handle this well, so as to remain tender before God.

I have an egalitarian lawn. I can say that as I’m just putting my lawn mower back in the shed. Egalitarian, with every blade of grass cut to the same height. Just the way Kiwis like it. No blade standing higher or more proudly than another. It stays that way for the first part of the week and then some blades have the audacity to grow more quickly than others and totally ruin my perfect grassy community. Sounds like a socialist ideal, doesn’t it? Yet it’s a very simple picture of an idealistic New Zealand value that affects how we serve as church leaders. The dominant second layer of culture within our New Zealand society is the strong European influence. European migrants poured upon our shores with the dream of a class free society which offered many opportunities for all to do well. But not too well or that would raise a new class structure that egalitarian New Zealand frowns upon. Mateship, humility, kindness and not thinking of yourself more highly than you ought to, are foundational Kiwi values. If you don’t think this is true, just try telling someone about how good you are at something and see

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how far the conversation goes without the sound of a lawn mower starting up to mow you down! When I was in India I was astonished to see for myself just how much authority a sacred Brahman cow had when going about its daily life. Traffic would halt as it walked freely amongst the congested streets. Crowds would part to make way. Food was eaten by the cow from any stall that took its fancy. People bowed down or touched the cow to receive a blessing from the reincarnated soul now manifest in this sacred bovine. Praise can be a tricky thing. Too little and our hearts will atrophy. In fact, some leaders would like to receive some praise just to test my following point. But praise badly handled can create a sacred cow mentality amongst our church leaders. The Apostle Paul spoke strongly against the creeping influence of the super-Apostles in his second letter to the Corinthians. In chapters 11 and 12, Paul writes to defend his humble position as an Apostle and apologises for not going down a path of self promotion. His cynicism is not lost on us. Praise is an affirmation of the good that God does through you. But how a leader handles praise is a very defining point. It is a spiritual discipline

to address in keeping with any other temptation we may encounter. If praise is interpreted as power or permission to lead without authority, then you’ve missed the point. Jesus said that the heart is deceitful above all things so we have to guard it with vigilance. (Jeremiah 17: 9, Proverbs 4: 23) The Kiwi lawn mower is not going to seize up in the foreseeable future. Learning to lead in our unique Kiwi culture requires discernment and real spiritual discipline. Being aware of our sacred cow temptations will ensure we keep our hearts tender towards God and go a long way to rightsizing the praise and affirmation we receive. __ Story: Craig Vernall Craig Vernall is the Baptist Churches of New Zealand National Leader.

TAKE OUTS! 1. When was the last time you received praise about your leadership role?

2. What was your response? 3. Is this something that you need to address?

R E SOUR CE

BOOKS

R E VIE WS

/ Baptist

MUSIC

Eighteen Inch Journey: The Cultivation of Living from your Heart – Cageless Birds Vol. II
 This collection of writing and art showcases the practice of knowing God in each day. The Eighteen Inch Journey, allowing God access to our hearts from our heads, is the journey that the EIGHTEEN INCH J O U R N E Y Cageless Birds Collective engage with. Check out their website at cagelessbirds.com and some of their articles at baptistmag.org.nz ~ Sarah Vaine

EQUIPPING YOU

T H E C U LT I V A T I O N O F L I V I N G F R O M Y O U R H E A R T

-CAGELESS BIRDS COLLECTIVE

cagelessbirds.com

EIGHTEEN INCH JOURNEY // THE CLARITY WINTER BRINGS

T H E G R E A T E S T J O U R N E Y W E C O N S I S T E N T LY M A K E IS THE EIGHTEEN INCHES BETWEEN OUR HEAD AND O U R H E A R T. T H I S B O O K I S A N I N V I TA T I O N T O M A K E A CHOICE: TO GO BEYOND WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT GOD I N Y O U R H E A D , T O T R U LY U N D E R S TA N D I N G h i m W I T H Y O U R H E A R T . H E R E Y O U W I L L F I N D W R I T I N G S , A R T, R E C I P E S , P R O M P T S A N D P H O T O G R A P H Y. M A Y T H E Y I N S P I R E E V E R Y D A Y M O M E N T S O F C R E A T I V I T Y, S T I L L N E S S A N D R E F L E C T I O N A S YO U C U LT I VA T E YO U R F R I E N D S H I P W I T H G O D .

VOL II

Cageless Birds vo l . I I

The Ragamuffin Gospel – Brennan Manning Brennan Manning communicates the nature of the love and grace of God graciously and authentically. For me, this was a life-changing book. Readable and engaging, recommended for youth up, no matter where you are in your spiritual walk. ~ Sarah Vaine

You Are Special – Max Lucado This book is about Punchinello. He was made out of wood by a man called Eli. Others gave him heaps of spots for not being good at things. Punchinello told Eli what happened and he learnt how he is special. This book teaches children about how God thinks you are special no matter what people think of you. All you have to do is believe what God thinks. He thinks everyone is the best. We like this book!

You Surround – Mosaic Music This album offers a number of songs suitable for corporate worship, particularly “I’m Made Worthy,” which is outstanding. The album also provides tracks of a more personal and reflective worship experience with spacious and ambient soundscapes. This hopefully will be one of many New Zealand albums as churches and musicians in New Zealand seek to craft songs of worship to the Lord. ~ Matt Vaine

~ Tyler (6) and Caleb (7) Jenkins

Unstoppable Love – Jesus Culture The Jesus Culture Movement, which seeks to awaken hearts to worship God, powerfully declares God’s name to a young generation in this anthemic live album. These songs potentially may be unsuitable for a smaller church context but they offer a rousing experience to shout God’s praises aloud and also extended sections for contemplation. ~ Matt Vaine

FILM

NOBLE From the distributors of Amazing Grace and Son of God, this compelling film tells the true story of the remarkable life of Christina Noble. Born and raised in Ireland, Christina’s early life is marked with tragedies and hardship. As she journeys her life talking with God, it could be said that her work with, and unfailing love for the street children of Vietnam is nothing short of a miracle. To be released across New Zealand 28th May 2015, rated M. See the trailer on youtube.com ~ Sarah Vaine M

Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993

NOBLE Poster NZ.indd 1

Suitable for Mature Audiences 16 Years and over.

NOTE: Violence, offensive language & sex scenes

4/20/2015 4:09:45 PM

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KNOW Experiencing the love of God is sweet relief! With these bitesize reflections, ask God to open your heart and mind to His affection. ONE THING WE DO KNOW: WE DON’T COMPREHEND THE LOVE OF JESUS CHRIST OH, WE SEE A MOVIE AND RESONATE TO WHAT A YOUNG MAN AND WOMAN WILL ENDURE FOR ROMANTIC LOVE. WE KNOW THAT WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN, IF WE LOVE WILDLY ENOUGH WE’LL FLING LIFE AND CAUTION TO THE WINDS FOR THE ONE WE LOVE. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO GOD’S LOVE IN THE BROKEN, BLOOD-DRENCHED BODY OF JESUS CHRIST, WE GET ANTSY AND START TO TALK ABOUT THEOLOGY, DIVINE JUSTICE, GOD’S WRATH AND THE HERESY OF UNIVERSALISM.

THE SAVED SINNER IS PROSTRATE IN ADORATION, LOST IN WONDER AND PRAISE. HE KNOWS REPENTANCE IS NOT WHAT WE DO IN ORDER TO EARN FORGIVENESS; IT IS WHAT WE DO BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN. IT SERVES AS AN EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE RATHER THAN AN EFFORT TO EARN FORGIVENESS.

Reprinted from Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Copyright © 2000.

The Parable of the Prodigal and his Brother There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in

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need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “how many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘father, I have sinned against Heaven

and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe –

Confession in the Face of Love I made a passing comment recently about a friend that was both thoughtless and flippant. The thing was, my friend heard about it and my flippancy was threatening to sabotage a relationship. My immediate thoughts were, “how do I control this situation? What do I need to do to make it sound like I’m not at fault?”

But then I stopped. Controlling a situation and trying to look ‘good’ hasn’t done me too well in the past. It has tied me up in knots, caused confusion and pain, and more than this, it has been a barrier to my relationship with God. It has meant that I have tried to be God and refused His grace. It has meant I have not allowed Him to love me where I am and from there, change me. My alternative was to admit that I was wrong and to pause and reflect on where this comment had come from; a judgemental, selfish and proud spirit. This is much less comfortable than trying to make myself and others believe that I’m pretty OK. Yet this was just where I needed to be, because this discomfort causes me to recognise my imperfection and my need for Jesus all over again. This is a relief because it diminishes my desire to ‘fix’ things and it gives space for me to know God loving me as I am and leading me on. So I said sorry. I said sorry to God and I said sorry to this friend. I couldn’t justify what I had said, but I could admit I was wrong. Then I had to let it go. From here, I felt free of the need to manipulate an outcome and I was left with a greater desire to know more of God and allow Him to change me. The process of confession – admitting my wrong, sets me back with the right perspective; a child of God, who is loved and changed by her Father’s love. __

P L AY L I S T

We’ve compiled a playlist for you to reflect on. Check it out at baptistmag.org.nz • Here is Love • There is None Like You (Instrumental) • Forgive Me • Lead Me to the Cross • All Who Are Thirsty • Love Me • Remind Me Who I Am • You are More • Rest • How He Loves • Your Love Never Fails • Stay Amazed

TAKE OUTS! 1. What are your thoughts about the passage from The Ragamuffin Gospel? 2. Which character do you identify with in the Parable? As you process this with God, ask Him to show you how He truly feels. 4. How do you respond when one who is lost is found? 3. What does confession mean to you? Talk with God and others about your response.

Story: Sarah Vaine

the best one – and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on.

He replied, “your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my

friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” Luke 15: 11-32

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BRIAN KENNING RETIRES

FAMILY NEWS

qualities that marked him during the days when he was at the peak of his working life. He always remained a man made for love and loving, and the outpouring of grief from around the world is testimony to this.” Graeme’s life was celebrated in a service on 13th April. He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Patricia, four children, ten grandchildren, his brother Bruce and many nieces and nephews. He will be missed by them and mourned by many around the world.

LIVE WELL: LIVE SAFE EXPO FOR SENIORS

The Cambridge Baptist Church ‘Live Well: Live Safe Expo for Seniors’ was a resounding success. This exhibition, on 18th March, was a first for the church and aimed to showcase what is available in the community for those in retirement years. It was a Pastoral Care/Faith Community Nurse initiative, attracting over twenty-five exhibitors as well as eleven presenters on various topics to nearly two hundred people. Everything from eye care to companion drivers, neighbourhood support to advanced care planning were represented, while presentations covered a range of topics including fire safety, health literacy and Alzheimer’s with memory strategies to help as we age. The intention was to open up communication, discussion and planning amongst families, so as to give better support to their senior members. Thank you to all those from the church who committed to making this a success. It is hoped this will become a biennial event.

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PHOTO: ADRIENNE THOMPSON

Graeme Murray 24 August 1931-7 April 2015 Husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, friend, mentor, teacher, principal, sportsman, loyal disciple of Christ. Graeme grew up in Depressionera New Zealand and graduated from Victoria University to complete Teacher Training. In 1955, newly married Graeme and Patricia left NZ for Darjeeling, India, to teach at Mount Hermon School, where they worked for twenty-five years. Here, Graeme became Principal, founded a Teachers Training College and was highly respected in the community. Returning to NZ, Graeme worked primarily at Aotea College in Porirua, where he was Principal at retirement. Active in the Baptist movement, Graeme was deacon at Wellington Central Baptist, Secretary of the Wellington Baptist Association, chair of the NZBMS Council (1985-1996) and President of the Baptist Union (19971998). His breadth of understanding and insight were so valued as was his jovial ability to talk to all. Graeme’s last years were undermined by Alzheimer’s disease, but he remained himself until the end. These words from a former pupil, Roslyn Namgyal, were spoken at his funeral: “When I last met him I was totally aware of his being and presence – his kindness, benevolence, wisdom, humour, gentleness and strength –

Brian Kenning recently retired (February 2015) after serving exactly thirty years as Senior Pastor at Invercargill Central Baptist Church. A surprise Saturday night dinner and a farewell service on Sunday morning were attended by many present and past members. The privilege of sharing people’s joys and struggles over a number of generations and a move to a more community-minded church are highlights of Pastor Brian Kenning’s four-decade involvement at ICBC. Reflecting on his time, Brian expressed satisfaction as women moved into ministry roles previously dominated by men, and traditional church membership was replaced with a more inclusive partnership form of commitment to the vision and mission of Christ. “My motto is ‘blessed to be a blessing’ and I wanted to build the church around that,” he said. In 2001 the church’s Crossroads coffee lounge next door expanded into a community centre with a wider outreach into the community. ICBC is currently undergoing a major leadership search, and Brian hopes a new lead Pastor with “fresh eyes” will build upon ICBC’s heritage of “reaching the lost for Jesus.”

PHOTO: MICHELLE REYNOLDS

IN MEMORIAM

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN JAPAN

PHOTO: KENNETH KANEKO

fully who Jesus was and by the time she left seven months later, she was ready to make a commitment. In August 2013 our congregation was delighted to see photos of Kasumi’s baptism in one of Tokyo’s churches. may look off maori forgiveness She has continued to grow in her It might come as something of faith, and has already been involved a surprise that Caversham Baptist it will be off fromhasthe design in a mission trip to Los Angeles. made a difference in Japan! Having recently returned to Interestingly, we have done so Dunedin catch up with friends, without sending anyone to set foot key note speakers get rid of quotations highlight take toout names it was great to see the impact on the land of cherry blossom. from top. make names from within paragraph bigger. God has had in Kasumi’s life, and In 2013, nineteen year old how she has grasped a mission Kasumi Tanefusa arrived in Dunedin a richer appreciation bring the “the” down onto breadth line. perspective. She returns to Japan, to study English. Her host family Use colours on the text. Use different colours for names? where she will begin (Peter & Colleen Murphy) are a new career on the help desk of regulars at Caversham Baptist and sxc. hu for frames a stock company. This will enable Kasumi joined them in worship her to continue to be involved in on Sundays. She also became her church, working with the young an enthusiastic participant in the heaps of atext already needs to be clear as possible people, being part of the worship church choir and this enabled our team and recording CDs. women to connect and care for her. Kasumi has been a wonderful With a Catholic school background, encouragement to us, and we pray and despite the southern twang, she will continue to be to others. Kasumi began to understand more

the art of

A richer appreciation of the breadth and depth of forgiveness.

6th to 8th August 2015

Carey Baptist College, Auckland Register by email to: events@carey.ac.nz or Online at: www.regonline.co.nz/theartofforgiveness

Earlybird Registrations until 31 May 2015

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Dr. L. Gregory Jones is the Williams Professor of Theology and

Christian Ministry at Duke Divinity School. He also serves as the Strategic Director for the Laity Lodge Leadership Initiative. Greg has held a variety of leadership positions in both the academy and the church, including as Vice President and Vice Provost of Global Strategy and Programs for Duke University. An accomplished scholar, teacher, and preacher, Greg is noted especially for his work on forgiveness and reconciliation as well as on Christian leadership. He is the author or editor of 16 books including “Embodying Forgiveness and Forgiving as We've Been Forgiven” (co-authored with Celestin Musekura). Carey Baptist College welcomes Greg’s attendance at our conference.

Dr. David P. Gushee is Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics and Director of the Center for Theology and Public Life at Mercer University and is widely regarded as one of the leading moral voices in American Christianity. He is the author or editor of 20 outstanding books and hundreds of articles in his field. Dr Gushee has always accompanied his scholarly production with church work, activism, opinion writing, Board service and domestic and global media consultation. Having lectured on every continent, Carey Baptist College welcomes David’s attendance at our conference. Dr. Phil Halstead’s keynote address will explain to caregivers, pastors, counsellors and therapists, and all other interested parties a proven forgiveness process that explains how people can actually process their wounds via forgiveness. Phil’s PhD involved creating the now internationally recognised ‘Forgiveness Matters’ course.

CALEB HAURUA GRADUATES Caleb Haurua recently graduated, one of the forty-eight students to graduate from Carey Baptist College this year. After school, Caleb had planned to go into journalism, but a desire to know more about God caused him to enrol in the intermission programme at Carey. This was a year where he was able to ask and explore the big questions, a year where he was able to explore his purpose in God, “the best year of [his] life.” He describes the process like “smashing [his] understanding of God to pieces and out of the pieces, a beautiful mosaic was formed.” Following this year, Caleb elected to stay on at Carey and study further. His second year paper, ‘Understanding and Interrogating

Culture,’ included a visit to a local marae. Impacted by this, Caleb was challenged to consider his Cook Island-Māori heritage and felt God say to him that he wasn’t made who he was by mistake. Recognising his disconnect to culture, he chose to consider how the church can partner with Māori in his final year integrative paper. Left with many questions and desiring to further explore Biblical reasoning, Caleb is currently studying at Masters level, asking the question, “How does Carey Baptist College affect Māori students as Māori?” Even the approach to this question has its challenges; he describes how a well meant western approach can be more of a consultation process;

PHOTO: SARAH VAINE

Baptist / F A M I L Y N E W S

“tell us what to do and we’ll do it.” “In Māori culture,” Caleb explains, “it is much more relational.” Caleb pays tribute to the excellent community at Carey and also Principal Charles Hewlett, who has been journeying with Caleb to consider these questions.

100 YEARS AGO

In the last of his Yale Lectures on the “Romance of Preaching,” the late Rev. C. Silvester Home finely said: “Amid all changes of thought and phrase, the wonder of conversion remains, to be the supreme joy and glory of the preacher. A congregation gathered in the name of Christ and prepared by prayer for that message which is the supreme call to life, is to me a momentous assembly. It is the arena where God and self fight out the stupendous duel! It furnishes an atmosphere in which anything may happen. At any moment Saul may come to his crisis and the new Paul be born. For our gospel is not the survival of the fit, but the revival of the unfit. And here, in the society of Christ, those Divine forces are leagued and focussed which decide the destinies of individuals and even nations. Within that congregation men are being braced

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up for big renunciations and sacrifical enterprises. The voice from the pulpit is the ally of the trembling and even fainting soul at the point of giving up the battle for virtue and righteousness. Lame consciences struggle to their feet again. Nerveless wills are stiffened and strengthened. It is as if a wave of pure ozone passed over the breathers of some exhausted air. You feel the stir of hope. Feeble and enervated spirits drink the elixir of life and are conscious of recovery of tone and health. The tonic air from the hills of God works its miracle of rejuvenation and faith is born again.” Would that all our preachers and people realised the greatness of the privilege of their Sabbath gatherings, and the momentousness of the issues involved in every service! __ June 1915, Baptist Magazine

YOUT H

/ Baptist

A POEM

GOD’S WELL I FLICK MY PRAYERS DOWN THE WELL LIKE PENNIES, IT’S NOT THAT I THINK MY PRAYERS ARE WORTHLESS. IT’S JUST I’VE GOT A LOT OF ISSUES

THAT WHEN I LOOK IN THE REFLECTION MY SELF WORTH

Let’s celebrate the amazing things that God did at Easter Camps this year. Some of the campers and leaders share just a few of the highlights that were happening right across New Zealand over Easter weekend.

REMINDS ME I’M WORTH A DOLLAR.

I NEVER AMOUNTED TO MUCH IN LIFE WHICH MEANS I CAN ONLY EVER SPLIT MY THOUGHTS INTO SO MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS.

BEFORE I RUN OUT OF SELF TO GIVE, ABANDONED AT A WELL. WISHING FOR THE WORLD TO COME IN SHOOTING STARS

NIGHTLY, I PRAY TO A GOD THAT I’M NOT SURE EXISTS. MY SELFISH PRAYERS INSIDE STONE WALLS WHERE ASPIRATIONS ARE THROWN AWAY LIKE YESTERDAY’S LUCKY DIP.

BAPTIST YOUTH MINISTRIES

YET YOU REPLY TO MY CALL. VALUING EVERY PRAYER OF MINE FOR MORE THAN IT WAS WORTH.

Remember that precious moment when God offered you the gift of salvation and you responded in faith? In that moment of conversion your mind was transformed and you were embraced into God’s family – wow!

I FIND VALUE IN YOUR LOVE. SEE AN EMBRACE LOTTERY COULD NOT ACQUIRE.

I MAY NOT BE THE WOMAN AT THE WELL, WITH NOTHING TO OFFERING BUT INADEQUATE SERVICE

I had the honour of visiting three Easter Camps comprising of ten and a half thousand teenagers in Hamilton, Fielding and Christchurch. As well as these three camps, there is E-Camp for those in school years 7-9. Each camp has its own unique character and each has a whole array of activities as well as two main events each day where the campers are immersed in worship, dance, drama, poetry and teaching around the Easter story. When I reflect on these massive camps, I have to brace myself and sit. I am in awe of God’s activity amongst young people in New Zealand. Hundreds are coming to faith in response to God’s call, being healed, set free and finding joy as they respond to God. __

BUT I THANK YOU LORD, THAT YOU ACCEPT ME ALL THE SAME. LOVE ME UNCONDITIONALLY, CALLING ME YOUR CHILD.

Eric Soakai is one of the young people from Greenlane Christian Centre.

Story: Gary Grut Gary Grut is the Baptist Youth Ministries National Team Leader.

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NORTHERN EASTER CAMP

Our young people responded in numbers to God We place importance on how we provide space for this; we don’t want that response to be in isolation. We think the best way for something to ‘stick’ is by individuals responding within the communities they come to camp with and it was so encouraging to see leaders among their young people ready to pray, whether in the main meeting or in the large room set aside for groups to sit together to talk and pray. We love finding ways for young people to relate with God. Creativity is really important to us; we were created by the most creative being in the universe so creativity should ooze out of us because we were created to create. One way we expressed this at camp was through the medium of spoken word, an art form of creative poetry. It’s an exciting way to help people express the deepest aches, passions, struggles and joys of their lives and faith. The young people leapt at the opportunity to explore spoken word to express themselves – we’ve shared one example from Eric Soakai. __ Story: Blue Bradley Blue Bradley is the Camp Director for Northern Easter Camp.

CENTRAL EASTER CAMP

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Central Easter Camp 2015, “Tu Tonu, Rise Up,” is certainly on the rise! We saw such a powerful move of God after each evening session, particularly Sunday night where many young people chose to stay worshipping with the band until almost midnight. God was lifted up. We are deeply grateful to World Vision, Scripture Union, Bible Society and Ignite Sport for the stunning partnership that we share. The interactive areas set up by each group really added to camp and helped young people to engage with our shared vision of strengthening local youth communities, connecting young people to God, to each other, and impacting the world beyond camp. We are especially excited by the way that camp has partnered with World Vision to see povertystricken Chigodi in Malawi, Africa, transformed over the next eleven years through our combined

fundraising efforts. This year we raised funds to go towards building an Early Childhood Centre in Chigodi. A group of Central Easter Camp Youth Pastors will be visiting the project in July this year and will bring the footage back to share at Central Easter Camp next year. Central Easter Camp is a thriving, energetic, growing and electric place to be. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else at Easter! God was lifted up. Lives were transformed. Groups were strengthened. The world will be impacted. __ Story: Johanna Vannathy Johanna Vannathy is the Wellington Youth Ministries Regional Coach.

E-CAMP

Craig Barrow spoke on the seven words of Christ on the cross. His messages challenged leaders and campers alike, as to their commitment to follow Jesus. Many of the youth who responded for prayer commented, “I don’t want to be a lazy Christian anymore. I want to step up in my walk with God.” It was such a blessing to hear our young people say a highlight for them was the way in which Craig’s messages connected directly with them. __ Story: Raewyn Moodie Raewyn Moodie is the Northern Children and Family Ministries Regional Coach.

Before I went to E-Camp I felt like I didn’t have much of a relationship with God. I didn’t really think about Him much or pray often. I knew He was there but it was like a weak Wi-Fi connection. So going into camp, I wanted to make the connection between God and me. I had a good feeling that God was going to connect with me there and I would leave feeling like a friend of God. The meetings were great and the speaker was a really cool fun-loving guy. But the most meaningful time for me was praying and talking with my youth leader on the Sunday night. When he prayed, it felt like God was literally touching my heart. It was like going from a single bar of connection to full connection with God. So for me it was a very special and memorable time. __ Story: Luke Gray Luke Gray is one of the young people from Titirangi Baptist Church.

We had an inkling early on that God was up to something different this year. We didn’t know what, but prayers from our networks and youth pastors increased our expectation to see more of His Spirit and to see many young people make commitments to follow Christ. I’d be lying if we said a large proportion of our prayers weren’t focused on great weather – no one wanted a repeat of 2014! It’s safe to say these prayers were answered. With a mix of local speakers and one American, the story of Easter was boldly told and every evening we saw young people wanting to linger in ministry and continue choosing to worship...it’s a pretty cool thing to watch, especially when the nightlife was cranking outside just a minutes walk away. God was up to something and we were privileged enough to partner

with Him in it. In terms of the weather...we went from one extreme to the next. Incredible sunshine meant our biggest problem this year was dust – but given last years rain, the dust was welcomed! __ Story: Laura Hughes Laura Hughes is part of Canterbury Youth Services and Team Leader for Southern Easter Camp.

E-Camp’s theme this year was The Justice League. It was the first time I had been to E-Camp, not to mention the first time I had roughed it in the outdoors and might I say now I thoroughly respect Bear Grylls’ job! Anyway I am getting away from myself. At E-Camp I learnt that we are all superheroes, metaphorically, and that we are all worth saving in God’s eyes. By being courageous and giving random acts of kindness we can be a silent superhero. It says in Matthew 6:6, “but when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”I feel like this means that in just doing simple acts of kindness but not wanting anything in return, God will notice and reward you, in secret. Our speaker, Craig, talked about being the substitute for the substitute; he explained this as Jesus, the substitute for us and our sins and he told us that not everyone can do incredible, international news-worthy deeds, but we can try our best. So I simply ask you reading this that if someone fell down, would you help them up? If someone’s car broke down, would you help by getting a tow truck or pushing it to the side so that others can go by? Everyone can be a superhero, you just need God’s help to realise it. __ Story: Sarah Swears Sarah Swears is one of the young people from Pakuranga Baptist Church.

SOUTHERN EASTER CAMP

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THE TRANSFORMING LOVE OF GOD Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 2

find myself crying for no apparent reason while driving or while at home alone. Breathing hurt because I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, sucking the life out of me. There was so much happening that was outside of my control that I couldn’t see how it could work out; I had lost hope about situations in my life. My world, as I knew it, had been rocked and this strong woman of faith could no longer bear the weight of the world like she usually could... there was just too much.

The world is full of messages and imagery telling us how we should act, what ‘success’ and ‘failure’ are, and celebrating perfection rather than progress. We need to take care that what we believe about ourselves is in light of what God’s heart is for us, anything else can cause us to run until we fall flat on our faces. Yet this prostrate position is an ideal one. From here, we can look upwards and reclaim our identity and life-breath from our Father God. This may require us to take a different path. It will require intentionality and vulnerability. But it is a path of freedom. The desert place Late last year I found myself in a ‘desert.’ So many areas of my life were under attack, it was like death by a thousand cuts. I found myself, a woman of faith and strength, bowing at the knees from the weight of all the things that were concerning me. I would

Healing in the desert What I realise now was that though

#1 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10: 23 #2 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3: 17 #3 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth. Psalm 121: 1-2

God wasn’t the one that caused my suffering, He is so good and loving that He used it for His glory, to reveal His character and truth. In my weakness, He was made strong. I was no longer in control, He was, and that was good. The walls I had built around myself over the years to protect myself (relying on myself, being strong and capable), were crumbling and the Lord was using my brokenness to rebuild those walls more solidly in Him. So I was given a fuller picture of my loving Abba Father and my identity in Christ Jesus. In a place of brokenness, I came to repent for thinking I could do things on my own and not fully recognising my identity as His child. Out of this place of peace, joy and hope, as His child, He offered me rest. I didn’t just read the words, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light,” or, “come to me all

I was no longer in control, He was, and that was good.

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#4 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1: 9 #5 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28: 7 #6 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Luke 21: 33 #7 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8: 1-2

#8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4: 8 #9 I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139: 14 #10 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37: 23-24

#11 I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34: 4 #12 You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand. Psalm 139: 5-6 #13 So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55: 11 #14 You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139: 16

#15 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the Heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9 #16 He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armour and protection. Psalm 91: 4 #17 The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; your mercy and lovingkindness, O Lord, endures forever – forsake not the works of your own hands. Psalm 138: 8

#18 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3: 1 #19 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8: 15 #20 Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Psalm 119: 89-90 #21 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23: 6

#22 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1: 6 #23 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12: 9 #24 And my God will supply your every need according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 19

Once we dwell on lies long enough, our walls of truth start to be broken down and we begin to replace God’s truth about us with lies. who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest;” I experienced them, through His Spirit and His word. With repentance came redemption, and from that came restoration, right thinking about my circumstances based on who He is. His word speaks life into our circumstances. It brings comfort, it brings hope and it renews our mind in His truth – and “the truth will set [us] free,” John 8: 32. As I often did, I turned to His word, listened to Christian podcasts and good worship music and shifted my focus from my problems to the problem solver. Shifting my thinking I love the quote from Steve Backlund of Igniting Hope Ministries; “my hopelessness about a problem is

an even bigger problem than the problem.” It meant I was believing a lie about my situation, something that goes against His truth about me, who He is and His promises. Instead, we need to seek out His words for us. As Todd White says, “I cannot afford to have in my mind, a thought... that God doesn’t have about me in his mind.” It may be a battle. 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 reads, “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

So I started ‘casting down’ the lies that were trying to steal my hope and joy and that were against the knowledge of God. Instead I began replacing that with His truth and comfort. Every time I had a thought that was against the knowledge of our good God, I recalled, replaced and declared His word aloud about each situation. We can all have bad days when those fiery arrows from the enemy can catch us unaware, but it’s when we give them a place to grow that they can become strongholds. Think of your mind as a foursided fortress of bricks and mortar, comprised of God’s truth about us and our identity as His beloved

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PSALM 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you say, “the Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

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#25 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139: 9-10 #26 It is God who covers me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer. And He sets me on my high places. Psalm 18: 32-33 #27 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12: 2

#28 The Lord is not late concerning His promise, as some count lateness, but is patient with us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3: 9 #29 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4: 12 #30 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23

children. When we start thinking lies about ourselves and our situations, thoughts that go against God’s word and thoughts for us, the enemy sees the cracks and starts taking to our brick wall with a sledge hammer. Each blow, a lie or wrong belief: “there is no way out of this situation... no one will understand...I am so ashamed...I can’t tell anyone about this.” Once we dwell on lies long enough, our walls of truth start to be broken down and we begin to replace God’s truth about us with lies. Share your journey e are not meant to face our struggles alone. Isolation and feeling alone is a key tool in the enemy’s toolbox, to make us feel like no

W

#31 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36: 26 #32 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10: 10 #33 Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3: 20

#34 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 #35 Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established. Proverbs 16: 3 #36 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3: 15 #37 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. Psalm 63: 3

one will understand. This is a lie! There are people who love you, who will understand and can help, surrounding you in prayer and a listening ear. It might be a family member, a trusted friend, a counsellor or a Pastor. In my place of darkness, I learned to ask for help from others. Doing that brought my struggles from the darkness into the light. This is key. And pray! Talk to God about what’s going on; His grace is sufficient. I like to think of God as the original creator of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. We’re taught in scripture to think about things that are, “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable,” Philippians 4: 8. To think positively is not always possible on our own while in the depths of our struggles. However if we can resolve, no matter how broken we are, to focus on the Lord,

I like to think of God as the original creator of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

#38 Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37: 4 #39 My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4: 20-22 #40 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 6-7

#41 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8: 28 #42 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40: 29 #43 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40: 31 #44 Love is patient and kind. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 #45 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2: 10

it is there, in our weakness that He is made strong. When we worship Him in that place, read His word and replace the lies with His words, it is there that we experience His love, His grace, His mercy, and hope in Him. “Those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high

#46 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5 #47 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light. Matthew 11: 30 #48 They replied, “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” Acts 16: 31

#49 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1: 17 #50 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Revelation 3: 20 #51 Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23: 18 #52 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill His promises to her! Luke 1: 45

1. Are there lies that you have been believing?

2. What are God’s truths about these situations?

3. What do you think

on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint,” Isaiah 40: 31. __ Story: Angela Pedersen Angela Pedersen is the Manager of Baptist Magazine.

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WE HAVE A TO TELL To lead well requires many attributes, skills and practice. But Christian leadership requires that we know love.

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I was born in Liverpool in 1970. The sound of the i bands that made up the ‘Merseybeat’ were notiso muchi the soundtrack of my youth, as the culturalicontext ofi my upbringing. “All you need is love” was released ini 1967, immediately hitting number one inithe charts.i The refrain captures the ideals of thati‘summer ofi love’ – that with love, it’s easy to sing, playiand achievei anything and everything. “All you need is love.” Right?i Intuitively we want to agree; we all need love. Psychologically, without love we crumble; think of unloved newborns that though fed, do not thrive fully. Socially, without love we retreat; whanau and friendships are the contexts in which we find our place of community and self. Physically, without the loving touch of a hug, a hongi or an arm around the shoulder, we ache from loneliness. Yet when we define love intuitively, we go awry. Bound by culture, experience, values and aspirations that are not fully founded, we have misunderstood and misappropriated love. How then can we know that we are truly loved and lead others in knowing that they also are loved? Not as a myriad of poets and artists have expressed it, not as the films we watch and the magazines we read would portray it. But as God has revealed it. This is love God defined love in His deeds and through His Word. “This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins,” 1 John 4: 9-10. You are loved in the sending of Jesus. The mystery of the incarnation, the eternal God wrapped in flesh, says that you are loved in your humanity. God sent His Son to take on our life and death that we might truly live. You are loved by the cross. The depth of our rebellion was picked up by our Saviour who wore our death as His own. He took that which rightly belongs to us and stole death’s sting by nailing sin and law to the cross. He stood in the way of God’s just judgement. But more than that, in this great act of love, He gave life. He replaced our shame, guilt and death with His life. That’s what takes the cross from a seemingly unfathomable act of self-harm to a moment of transforming love, unmerited grace and indescribable beauty. Here on the cross, nailed and broken, terrible and

beautiful, is love. At the cross, God makes explicit what is implicit in the law, He makes plain what has been wrapped in temple practice, He makes visible that which has been hidden in unapproachable light. You are loved by the resurrection. In rising from the grave, upending death once and for all, love is proclaimed victorious. It is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, in the bewildering array of God’s promises fulfilled, that defines love for us. You are loved. You are loved in your sinfulness and brokenness. You are loved where you are not enough. You are loved in your physical frailties. You are loved in your failures and faultiness. Without this love there is no gain. Without this love there is no grace. Without this love there is no hope, no community, no joy, no security, no good news. Leading in love eadership books and articles often begin with principles of leading well. They begin with practices and habits for effectiveness, tips for making a significant impact, advice for establishing and growing ministry and pointers for helping others move forward. Leadership conversations often begin and end in effectiveness. This should not be so for Christian leadership. In Mark 10: 17-23, Jesus sends out the seventytwo. They return rejoicing in effectiveness and Jesus rebukes them; He redirects their rejoicing to the security of their relationship with God, to salvation, to love. This is love; not your service for God, not your songs and your devotions, not your journaling or your journeying, not your sacrifices or your achievements, but the life, death and resurrection of Jesus proclaiming that you are loved. This is where the Christian life and leadership begins. You are loved – and have been before your name was ever spoken. Aroha mai, aroha atu From love received, love goes out. It is possible to go out without love, but it is not possible to be loved without going out. Love transforms us and stirs us to great acts of love for others. Love does not rest in the loved. But first we must know love as God defines it. Years ago, as a leader at a conference, I was convicted of my own sin in hearing teaching on God’s holiness, love and grace. Tears came hard and heavy. I felt broken.

The depth of our rebellion was picked up by our Saviour who wore our death as His own. v.131 no.3 † 23

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poets and authors who have ever written for love and about love, are tantalisingly dancing on the edges of the greatest truth in history if they do not begin in the coming of Jesus as Lord. They touch the hem of love’s garment but do not know the joy of its embrace if they stop short before surrender to God in Jesus. Because you see, “all you need is love” – the love of God in Christ. __ Story: Andy Shudall Andy Shudall is the Head of Strategic Development at Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship and he is the new Senior Pastor at Titirangi Baptist Church.

You are loved in your humanity. Such was the conviction, I doubted all that you have not seen, will not see my own salvation. A good and wise and cannot see of your sin. Dry your Christian friend drew alongside me eyes and turn to Him. You’re loved.” as I poured out my shame and fear We must accept that love; humbled, and brokenness. He smiled at me, broken, forgiven and changed. From “cheer up mate, you’re much worse this love we live and give love. than you think.” I could not believe his All the artists, lyricists, musicians, insensitivity. I wept all the more. “This is just the tip of the iceberg of “Cheer up mate, you’re much your sin, you’re only now seeing it worse than you think.” for its ugliness. Jesus died seeing

TAKE OUTS! 1. What is your aim in leadership at the moment?

2. How do you seek to achieve this?

3. Is there anything in where or how you are leading that is at odds with Christian leadership founded in God’s love for you?

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH

While we tend to focus on our career skills and what we can or can’t do, sometimes the most important thing is mindset. “It’s not just being able to do what’s needed; it’s being willing to do what’s needed.” Turn the page to read more about what it really takes to be involved in global mission with an organisation like Tranzsend.

A WORD FROM RACHEL – EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER

few years ago, I received a phone call from an enquirer who spent some time talking about how God was leading him. He then presented me with a challenge; “you’ll never be able to find a role to suit what I do,” he said. He was more than a little surprised when I responded immediately with an option in Africa. This man was a well-digger and while it’s not a common vocation, a specific need for such a person had come across my desk just the day before! It’s great to be able to guide individuals to use their specific skills for the kingdom. It is interesting how many of us think we don’t possess the skills required to make a difference in the kingdom, but also how when we obey His

calling, God often leads us into new roles. In few contexts would you find a fitter, a farmer and a florist working together! But for the sake of freedom and the kingdom of God, this is just the case in Murshidabad. In the pages that follow, enjoy the stories of Ian, Colin and Jo – sent from three different NZ Baptist Churches, yet on the same team, using known and new skills in order to serve the people of that community. Meanwhile in Thailand, we have over the years been encouraged by Thai church leaders to come alongside them in support of their vision to reach the Thai people for Christ. That makes it exciting to be able to present some stories of those who have come to know Him and of their hopes for their own communities.

Heading north again, in two countries and five hostels, two hundred students are sponsored by around one hundred and fifty NZ Baptists. These students and their families are grateful for the investment New Zealanders have made in their education and future. But there are many more who could also benefit from this opportunity – you could make a difference. New roles, new hope, new life. God is doing some good things and it’s great to be part of it. May you too be inspired by what you read in the global mission pages of this Baptist Magazine. __

T OG E T HE R

Rachel Murray is the General Director of NZBMS.

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Baptist / G L O B A L M I S S I O N

THE FITTER, THE FARMER AND THE FLORIST

There is a continuing perception that to do ministry overseas requires a raft of extraordinary (almost superhuman) gifts and abilities. But is this true?

In this month’s NZBMS feature article we look at three people – a ‘sort-of’ fitter, a farmer and a florist – who wondered if God could use them overseas and are discovering the answer is, “yes.” The ‘sort of’ Fitter When asked about his career, Ian finds it difficult to answer. Starting as a draughtsman, he spent thirty years in New Zealand working in civil construction, signwriting, hobby importing/distributing and property development. So he’s not really a fitter at all, just a clever guy who can do many things well. But did Ian ever think about how his many skills could be used? “Thinking of the future and how

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I could apply my skills was something I did a lot,” he admits, “but not in terms of mission, no way! If anyone had asked me at the time I would have struggled to make a connection. My wife was keen on mission but my response was always, ‘if He makes it happen that’s cool but there will be a lot He has to sort out.’” Well, ‘He’ did make it happen and Ian has an interesting take using his skills overseas. “Through all the opportunities and challenges I’ve received in my ‘careers,’ my skill base has become wide which means I can turn my hand to most things. But there is something more important – your mind-set. It’s not just being able to do what’s needed; it’s being willing to do what’s needed. It’s your skills

and your heart that are needed and actually that’s the cool part.” What would Ian say to someone who has thought of working overseas but felt they had nothing to offer? His answer is encouraging, “Throughout life I never noticed God’s training amidst all my ventures and challenges. But as I look back, His hand is obvious. Where I am now, there’s not much need for any of the careers mentioned above, but the skills and experience gained are invaluable. So, the opportunity to use the God-inspired life training plan – the personal one He created just for you – is always there. And what does it take to use it? Easy answer: just get off your ‘butt’ and get rid of your ‘buts;’ He will do the rest.”

NZ BMS

The repeating theme through our Father’s word is that He seeks availability over ability.

The Farmer For over twenty years, Colin was a dairy farmer in the Kaimai Ranges. He was pretty good at it and had built a sizable farming business. Could a down-to-earth Kiwi bloke like him be used overseas? In 2010, Colin and his wife Tania, a primary school teacher, visited one of Marketplacer’s businesses in South Asia. He left feeling completely overwhelmed, with many doubts about what he had to offer, but knowing for sure that he’d been called by God; and to be obedient to that call meant the answers to all his doubts had to be surrendered. These days, Colin is involved in an initiative with farming goats – not something he ever dreamed he’d be involved in. To the uninitiated, farming is farming but working with cows is completely different to working with goats. In fact, the only previous experience Colin had with goats was shooting the feral ones that wandered out of the bush to eat his pasture. So, has Colin been able to use his previous skills overseas? He explains, “only a little so far as we learn the language and culture. But it’s amazing what the average Kiwi can do when the need arises. I’m not sure whether it is miscommunication or in response to what the local villagers see me doing, but they seem to think I’m a vet!

I’ve learned a few new skills, like basic electrical installation and plumbing... mainly how local septic tanks work and how to unblock them!” We asked Colin what he would say to someone who was thinking of working overseas but felt they had little to offer. His answer was, “the repeating theme through our Father’s word is that He seeks availability over ability. Simply trust him.” The Florist Jo’s background before commencing work amongst the poor of South Asia was to work as a florist for fourteen years. “I started as a junior florist in Dunedin,” she explains. “My first day on the job was in Valentine’s week. It was rather a ‘dropped in the deep end’ experience!” Within a short while, Jo ended up in Auckland and developed a reputation as a first-class flower arranger. “In Auckland, I worked for two flower shops with two very different business philosophies. One focused on making money, the other on selling flowers. Those two situations taught me some lasting life lessons.” Floristry isn’t a skill that immediately comes to mind when we think of ministry overseas but then, Jo had

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never intended to end up overseas. However, like so many others, it’s as she looks back that Jo can see how many valuable lessons and skills she learned through her life journey that are now an important part of her current work. “I haven’t done any flower arranging here but a big part of my role is administration. Those are skills I developed while serving floristry clients. I am often the first contact people have with the Marketplacers business and I’ve learned to become friends with those who email us, answering as many questions as they might have. “I’m amazed at the practical skills I’ve picked up that come in handy also. “One thing I’m really certain of is this; no one should ever think they have nothing to offer! Our Father is working in your life, teaching you things you didn’t know you would need in the future, so that you can go and make a difference! I’m a florist, and yet through that, I’ve learnt things that have equipped me for the work here.”

TAKE OUTS! 1. If you felt God calling you to overseas mission, what would your immediate response be? 2. Have you ever felt such a call but not responded to it? What stopped you going?

The full interviews can be read on the NZBMS website at nzbms.org.nz

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A GREAT PROBLEM TO HAVE I have two questions. First, can we ever have too many missionaries? With around two billion people yet to hear or experience the Good News of Jesus, we cannot ignore Paul’s words in Romans 10, “…how will they hear without someone telling them? And how can anyone tell them unless they are sent?” So, the answer to my first question is simple. The global need for missionaries is still huge and we are a long way from having too many of them! A little over two years ago, Tranzsend set in place a Short Term Mission Track for people wanting to volunteer in Tranzsend’s work overseas for between three and twenty-four months. So far, eleven people have been sent. Of those, two have since been accepted for long term service with another having just applied! If we add to that the seven who have applied to head overseas long term we can see that Tranzsend is still an active sending agency for New Zealand Baptist Churches! That leads to my second question; how many long term missionaries can NZ Baptist Churches sustain? This is becoming a critical question for us as a sending agency and one we’d appreciate your prayers for as we grapple with the answer. We have always said the confirmation of a person’s call is that necessary finances are pledged before they leave New Zealand. Do we assume and have faith that people and churches will continue to give in support of an increasing number of Baptist missionaries? And, it’s not just a matter of finances. It’s also a matter of getting behind those missionaries with prayer. So here is a question for you to ponder: How deep is your commitment to the financial and prayerful support of Tranzsend missionaries? __ Story: Neil Perry Neil Perry is team leader of Tranzsend, the sending arm of NZBMS.

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FROM THE OTHER SIDE We have often reported on New Zealand Baptist work amongst the people of the Kalasin region in Thailand where Tranzsend workers, Peter and Lynley (and more recently, Andrew and Roanna) are based, but what about the Thai people themselves?

Recently our media team visited Kalasin and met two Thai believers who have benefited first hand from Tranzsend’s work there. We hope the things they talk about will inspire you to continue to support the work we share in as New Zealand Baptist Churches. Puni* It’s a hot day inside the small church building and the happy noise of village children playing soccer outside floods through the open window. I’m sitting with Puni, a Thai Christian. Puni was thirteen years old when something quite unthinkable happened within her family – her mother became a Christian. It happened so simply. A Christian in their local community invited Puni’s mother to church. She went along, liked it and kept going. Two years later, Puni also became a Christian. Some of her siblings made this faith-decision also – she is still praying for her father. Puni is now twenty-five years old and pastors this local village church in the Isan region of Thailand. “I grew up in the north of Thailand, near the Laos border,”

NZ BMS

she explains. “I was doing pastoral studies and heard they were looking for someone to take over the church work here. Next thing, they asked me to come and serve. I came for three months. Three years later, I’ve graduated from my studies and I’m still here.” Puni’s church is small; about fifteen adults and the same number of children attend each Sunday. Eager and enthusiastic about her faith and work, I ask how Christians are treated by others who live in her local area. Puni answers as she always does – first pausing to think and put together the right words, then responding in rapid-fire, rudimentary English. “It is like in many places. There are some very genuine followers who stand up boldly for their beliefs and some who claim to be Christians but are quite weak in their faith. It’s not easy to be a Christian in Thailand. Many people believe we have rejected our own religion and adopted a foreign one. “People see a difference though. People see that our quality of life is better. That encourages them to become Christians as well. My mum used to be very much into drinking and gambling. This caused problems in our family but these have now ceased. We all did better in our studies and my siblings and I have all graduated from university.” Being a Christian in a nation like Thailand is not easy. As Puni mentioned, to adopt a religion other than Buddhism can be seen as a rejection of not just the Buddhist faith, but of Thai culture. I ask Puni if she has experienced such challenges as a follower of Jesus. “I guess the answer is yes and no,” she responds. “Initially people challenged us and asked, ‘what are you doing?’ They couldn’t quite understand why we would follow a foreign God. Then they began to see the positive changes in our lives and accepted us. The reality is,” she explains, “even though people say they are Buddhist, most people here don’t believe anything.”

As you read this, Puni continues to pastor her church. She continues to pray for her father and for her church and the people it reaches out to. She also speaks fondly of, and shows great appreciation for, the presence and work of Tranzsend workers, Peter and Lynley.

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Before I am one hundred, I want everyone to believe in God and have an abundant life because they believe in Jesus.

Mr Malai* While I’m chatting to Puni, Mr Malai enters and sits down with us. His demeanour is serious and he appears quite stern – I’m about to discover how misleading first impressions can be. Warm and friendly, he begins to share his life and faith. “I’m an old man now, sixty-eight. I have two daughters, one son and two granddaughters. Like many people in this area, I’m a rice farmer. I also have some pigs which I sell for bacon. There are about one hundred and forty-seven households, that’s about four hundred people in this village and only a handful of Christians.” I mentioned to Mr Malai that I’d heard there were many social issues in the village. I asked if they were a symptom of the poverty of the people here (the average income here is about 2,000 baht per month ($NZ81.50)). Mr Malai responds quite candidly. “In this country there are problems with alcohol and drug addiction, gambling, and teenage pregnancy, and the reason is simple. Sin is why people behave like this. It’s not because people are poor that causes these problems. Christians are poor too but they don’t have these same problems. The problem is they don’t know Jesus.”

RE AD M OR E

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To his credit, Mr Malai is not ignoring these deeper issues. While Puni listens, I ask Mr Malai what hopes he has for the people in his village and how the church here is serving these people. “Before I am one hundred, I want everyone to believe in God and have an abundant life because they believe in Jesus. I want people to become real, genuine believers. As a church, we conduct funerals and marriages. We have held English classes here for all the children in the community. We are also teaching people how to bake as a way for them to earn extra money. We have built a good relationship with the village leader, although we have to visit him. He never comes here.” Like Puni, Mr Malai is enthusiastic about the input of New Zealand Baptists. With a smile on his face he says, “Peter and Lynley come here and so the neighbouring communities get envious. They say, ‘we need help too.’ It’s true. We all need more help. We would like more workers from New Zealand, particularly children’s and youth workers. The school needs help too; people to come and teach.” *Names have been changed.

about the work of Tranzsend at

tranzsend.org.nz

v.131 no.3 † 29

DIRECTORY

Baptist Community Ministries Tindall Foundation funding ––––– Financial support for Baptist organisations involved in community projects: Community Services & Development • Literacy & Numeracy • Youth Development • Budgeting • Early Childhood • Māori • Migrant, Refugee and Cross Cultural • Housing. Applications close Friday 31st July. Details and application form at baptist.org.nz or fiona.maisey@baptist.org.nz

Tab Student Apartments ––––– The Tab Student Apartments provide Christian based accommodation for young people studying in Auckland. For those living away from home for the first time, this provides a safe environment ideal for that period between living at home and independent flatting. Part of the Baptist Tabernacle ministry to young people. ––––– For more information email tabhostel@xtra.co.nz or call 021 025 97042

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST SOUGHT Whakatane Baptist ––––– Whakatane Baptist Church is seeking expressions of interest from people who would be keen to be part of our staff team. With vacancies and funding for 1.6 staff, we are looking for people with a passion for God, His church and the wider multicultural community. An applicant needs to be a team builder, thoughtful, organised, dynamic, with a pastoral approach to leadership and relationships. One portion of staffing is for youth work, another portion could fit with an Associate/Assistant Pastor role (tasks will be largely based on strengths the applicant brings). Theological-training or a willingness for this is expected. Whakatane is the sunshine capital of NZ. It is a lovely place to live and raise family, with beach, bush and many activities throughout the year. ––––– If one of these roles sounds like you, contact Peter Foster (Pastoral Team Leader) peter@whakatanebaptist.org.nz

Applications for 2016 now open! Central House Wellington ––––– For young people coming to Wellington to study or work: A community to explore and strengthen faith, connected to Central Baptist Church. Self-contained, warden supported flats. Inner city, close to Victoria, Massey, and other learning institutions. For information: www.central.org.nz/central-house Email: centralhouse@central.org.nz Phone: 04 499 8937

Seeking Senior Pastor Howick Baptist ––––– Howick Baptist Church is seeking a Senior Pastor. We are a multi-ethnic community of believers seeking a Pastor that can lead the church in teaching, discipleship and outreach. For more details visit our website howickbaptist.org.nz/pastorsearch ––––– Email expressions of interest to pastorsearch@howickbaptist.org.nz

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LET US HELP YOU THROUGH... Our dedicated team are available to you 24 hours to help put in place funeral plans. 31 Ocean View Road, Northcote Phone. (09) 489 5737 Email. office@hmorris.co.nz

GLO BA L

MI SSI O N

/ Baptist

OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

NZBMS, through Mission World, presents the following opportunities to join with God’s mission in our world with one of our strategic mission partners: • Boarding home assistants/ parents (Thailand) – OMF for three boarding homes for Third Culture Kids/Missionary Kids. • Home school teacher (East Asia) – Tranzsend for a family working through correspondence schooling. Short or long term. • Doctor (The Gambia) – WEC for a clinic offering primary health care including antenatal, maternity, paediatric and adult care. 6 months. • Pharmacist (Thailand) – Interserve for a Christian hospital in a rural area and to train local staff. • Entrepreneur (NE Thailand) – Tranzsend to explore business opportunities (short or long term). • Motel Assistant Managers (Cairns, Australia) – MAF/Wycliffe managing accommodation for missionaries and those interested in supporting missions. • Teachers – primary and secondary (in Nepal or Ethiopia) – SIM to serve Third Culture Kids in international schools. • Marketing and/or website design (Middle East) – Pioneers office-based but opportunity for discipleship. To express an interest call 09 526 8446 or email info@missionworld.org.nz

Invest in a child and change a life forever!

Lesonjit Phoihsrangti ______

Tapash

Sponsors are urgently required. Your support provides meals, accommodation, and schooling for a disadvantaged child.

For $45 a month

______ you can transform a child’s life!

tranzsend.org.nz/sponsor-a-child phone (03) 688 6361

NZ Baptists Making A Positive Impact In Young Lives

A MISSION-THEMED SHORT FILM COMPETITION FOR NZ BAPTIST YOUTH GROUPS

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