The qb October 2017

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FROM THE ASSOCIATE TO THE GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT

I have the privilege of writing for this edition of QB magazine while David Loder is on annual leave.

I live near the flight path for Brisbane airport. When I have the opportunity, I enjoy watching various types of airplanes claw their way across the sky. It is amazing that these metal tubes weighing thousands of kilograms, loaded with people and their luggage can overcome gravity and fly through the air.

Apparently, it is the ‘lift’ principle that makes it possible for an airplane to take and maintain flight. Most people know that the shape of a wing creates upward force as air passes around it, but what many do not realise is how small a lifting force is exerted upon any given 25mm2 of an aircraft wing. The pressure acting on each 25mm2 is apparently only equivalent to the force of a baby sucking on your arm! It is not the sheer power of the lifting forces that causes the plane to rise, rather it is the size of the surface area that is available that does the lifting. The result of each 25mm2 making a little contribution is a lot of lift across the whole wing and a flying airplane.

The principle of lift can be applied to the work that Jesus calls us, as His people, to do. In Matthew 28:18-19 Jesus gave us, as his followers, the command to ‘go and make disciples of all nations.’ When we consider the latest statistics, which show a decline in those identifying as Christian and a rise in the number of those who say that they have no religion, we might be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task of making disciples in our own community, let alone in the world! However, just as a large airplane can

Generating Lift

take flight when each section of the surface area does its ‘lifting’, so the task of reaching a state for Christ becomes a reality if we all play our part. How can we all play our part?

1. Be involved - Use your gifts to point others to Jesus.

The reality is that the work of making disciples is not one that belongs to a subset of the body of Christ. Yes, there are some who have the gift of evangelism, and have the distinction of readily seeing others come to faith in Jesus. However,

this does not mean that these alone carry the responsibility of making disciples. While some have more obvious gifts than others, the ministry of Jesus does not advance through the giftedness, strength or commitment of a few individuals or paid staff! Rather, the expansion of the kingdom of God comes through the increased surface area of a whole group being available for God, to use whatever gifting we might have to influence others. Regardless of our gifts, interests, or role we all have the collective responsibility to be a witness for Jesus, so that

others would come to know Him. The apostle Peter says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10.

2. Be intentional in your relationships

Each follower of Jesus has a sphere of influence, a ‘surface area’. We all have a place where we can represent Jesus and point people to Him. We all interact in communities, we all have places of work, we

….the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

all have family and friends, and most of us interact on a daily basis with people who do not yet know Jesus. We all have the potential to move others toward Jesus if we are intentional in our relationships. Being intentional means that we see ourselves as missionaries, representing Jesus in the places God has put us. Colossians 4:5-6 says, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

3. Be influentiala prophet as well as a priest!

One of our Baptist distinctions is the idea of the ‘priesthood of believers’. That is, we believe that each person has the same access to God the Father, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who alone mediates that relationship directly. Another aspect of the priestly role is to represent people to God and intercede for them. In this regard, we as followers of Jesus have the important ministry of praying for people, particularly that others in our circles of influence would come to know Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit. We need to consider that we also have a prophetic role when it comes to representing the message of Jesus to others. Revelation 19:10b says, ….the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

The idea of the ‘priesthood of believers’ contains within it the thought that we as followers of Jesus, represent people to God. The idea of the ‘prophethood of believers’ carries the thought that we represent God to people, through the gospel message. As people filled with the Holy Spirit, we carry the very presence of God with us. Through

prayerful proclamation as both priests and prophets God can use each of us to be a powerful influence in pointing others to God.

I would encourage you to make more of the ‘surface area’ of your life available to the lifting wind of the Holy Spirit today, so that through your intentional, influential involvement the cause of Christ is advanced, the load is shared, people come to know Jesus and everyone is blessed.

Ministry Matters

• A Special Assembly, held on on Wednesday the 30th of August, appointed Peter Francis as the next Principal of Malyon College. A Minute of Appreciation was also passed thanking John Sweetman for his years of service as Principal. John concludes at the end of the year and Peter will commence in the new year. See the Milestones section in this issue.

• Warren Crank has tendered his resignation as a Regional Consultant and will conclude at the end of the year. Warren will be leaving his role at QB to concentrate on developing missional communities through the Red Dirt Church network.

Stewart Pieper Associate to the General Superintendent

Stewart.pieper@qb.org.au

I recently went to the ARPA (Australasian Religious Press Association) conference and awards in Auckland. It was such a blessing to talk to my fellow editors from all around Australia and New Zealand, and swap tips, advice and encouragement. Listening to others and gaining new insights made me realise that we never stop learning, and must always be open to change.

This is the same message that Christ speaks into our lives! Just when we become relaxed in our walk with Him, we encounter new challenges and viewpoints that stretch and grow us. The qb magazine also presents a range of voices and viewpoints that encourage and challenge us, and I look forward to compiling the articles for you.

In this edition, Stephen Ball (Knowing God) tells the stories

of Baptist churches around Queensland, and how they are using innovative programs to make connections in the community. From sports teams and mentoring programs, to play groups and men’s sheds, the church is reaching out to Christians and non-Christians alike to show Christ’s love in action.

We also come to the end of the wonderful She Is…camps and conferences for 2017. These events are run by QB Women, led by state director Cathy Knechtli, and offer women friendship, support, ministry and worship. The conferences run in locations across Queensland, including regional and remote areas. We have lots of photos for you to enjoy, and judging by the joyful faces, everyone had a great time. We are looking forward to the 2018 events!

There is also big news at Malyon college, with the retirement of long serving principal John Sweetman, and the commencement of Peter Francis in the role (Milestones) Congratulations Peter, and best wishes to John and family on their new journey. Once again, we see the opportunities God gives us for change and new direction.

Thank you to all our valuable readers, and I hope you enjoy this edition of the qb magazine!

God Bless,

Linda Nevell Editor,

the qb qb@qb.org.au

Cover Photo: Jane Van Mourik at the Mapleton She Is event. Photo credit AimeeK Photography – contact email: aimeekphotography15@gmail.com

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LOCAL CHURCHES

EXTENDING GOD’S KINGDOM AND TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES

Baptist Churches are Impacting their Communities

In a period of history where politically and socially it seems that the church and Christians are under scrutiny and attack, Baptist churches and those who serve through them, are having greater impact in local communities at the grass roots level. Through Queensland Baptists, we have huge involvement with the wider community in ministries such as Carinity, Ethnic and Multicultural Ministries and Queensland Camping and Conference Centres, but it is at the local church level that this article focuses on and celebrates.

The number of people who identify as regular participants in Queensland Baptist Churches is approximately 50,000. Our churches identify a further 75,000

people as regular community contacts. Plus, there are many more people influenced by community events, which are organised and run by local Baptist Churches.

Talking with community leaders, you soon discover that Queensland Baptist churches are known as ‘churches that are good at building bridges into their communities.’ Our churches are setting up connection points in the marketplaces of society, and creating environments where relationships and spiritual conversations occur.

Stories from the Churches

There are so many stories of our churches having a positive impact on communities, but I will simply reflect on a few recent accounts. There are many other examples

which could and should be told. Here is a challenge for local churches—please write and share your stories about how you are reaching out. The QB magazine would be glad to receive and publish such stories in the ‘Around the Regions’ section.

Community Centres

Many of our churches have worked towards being the centre of their communities. Goodlife Community Baptist Church on the Sunshine Coast has as their mission ‘people matter’. They have developed a holistic approach to serving the community by providing a high standard of health and sporting facilities. They define their ministry as attending to physical, mental and emotional needs, as well as spiritual development and fulfillment.

Hosanna Church Brisbane recently opened a facility called The Lighthouse Community and Event Centre, as a hub for the wider community. The centre hosts a dance academy, table tennis club, food and meals for the homeless, as well as a venue for many community events and celebrations. Yandina Baptist Church recently purchased a commercial building near their church. They asked the local community about needs in the area, and as a result, they have set up and run a play group and a men’s shed in the new facility.

Community Events

Over the years, our churches have established a variety of community events—from garage sales and markets, to fetes and community Christmas events. Lifepointe Baptist Church runs the Sunshine Coast Christmas Lights program. It attracts thousands of people from all over the Sunshine Coast, and reflects the true meaning of Christmas. Each July, Bridgeman Baptist Community Church runs ‘SHIFT’, one of the biggest youth festivals in Brisbane. This year’s ‘SHIFT’ event attracted 2,000 young people. The festival showcases music, markets, rides and other entertainment. At the centre of the festival is the clear presentation of the gospel, with opportunities for young people to respond. Smaller churches such as Browns Plains run regular Car Boot sales on their property as a way of connecting with their community.

Youth and Children

Baptist Churches in many parts of Queensland are greatly appreciated for the work they do with children and youth. Many of our churches hold special children’s programs during school holidays. In the mid–year holidays, churches including Kruger Parade, City Tabernacle, Cleveland, Beaudesert, Gateway, Sunnybank, Bridgeman Baptist and many more ministered to hundreds of kids and their families.

Some churches have worked hard to build relationships with their local schools through supporting chaplaincy and mentorship programs. Rivers Baptist Church has developed strong connections with local schools through members being involved in kid’s mentoring programs, and providing support for families. With this heart to serve and minister in the schools, they now have four members from their congregation serving as chaplains. The schools also refer children and families to ‘Ignite’ (a primary age program), youth group, soccer club and playtime.

Many churches reach out to community families by hosting playgroups for parents and pre–school age children, and non–church families often attend.

People from our churches also volunteer to serve as Religious Instruction teachers in our state school system. According to a recent survey, up to one third of volunteer Religious Instruction teachers come from Baptist Churches!

The Coolum Beach Baptist Church is located adjacent to a sports field. As they prayed about how to develop relationships with their community, God laid on their hearts to lease the sports field and to commence a soccer club. They now have four teams, and expect to double the number of teams in the coming year.

Other churches have invested large amounts of time and effort to establish community services as part of their mission. Glasshouse Country Baptist, Caloundra CityLife Baptist, Gladstone Baptist, Reedy Creek Baptist and CrossLife have all established educational institutions to serve and connect with their communities.

Discipleship and Community Engagement

While we could add many more churches to this list, the purpose of our churches is not to become experts in running community events, but to show the love of Christ, and fulfil the great commission given by Jesus to his followers in Matthew 28:19-20.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Our community engagement must provide opportunities for people to hear and understand the good news of Jesus. Many of our churches offer courses such as Alpha, which has helped many to understand God’s call on their lives.

This year at the ‘SHIFT’ event, there were almost 100 responses to the presentation of the gospel, with half of these having no current association with a church. The Brisbane Hosanna church recently baptised 45 followers of Jesus at an outdoor public event, which was witnessed by over 500 people.

God is growing his kingdom, but it is not about big numbers, it is about people coming to faith one by one. This year’s prayer focus was ‘each one reach one’, and it is starting to bear fruit. Let us all join in being followers of Jesus (disciples) who are part of His mission in building His kingdom.

We can celebrate what God is already doing, with openness to accept the new invitations He provides, to make a difference in our communities. May He get the glory and praise.

Stephen Ball

Stephen.Ball@qb.org.au

Developing Leaders

The last 16 years of my life have been focussed on developing Christians of influence. I fully believe in what Malyon is doing. We help students deepen their relationship with God, grow in their biblical understanding, develop their own theology, broaden their worldview, nurture their missional heart, and improve their ministry and leadership skills. This is our call and I think we do it well.

But it has become increasingly obvious to me that while Malyon can contribute, we desperately need help from churches to develop great Christian leaders for the church and the workplace. In fact, I would say that the best we can do is to value–add to what churches are already doing.

I am reluctant to tell you how to do your job, but from the biblical examples of Jesus and Paul, I have drawn the following conclusions about the challenging task of developing leaders in churches.

1. RECRUIT PEOPLE WITH POTENTIAL.

Both Jesus and Paul actively called people to join their teams. They didn’t wait for volunteers, but approached people in whom they saw potential. Leaders need to be constantly looking for those they can call into leadership with them. As Paul advised Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim. 2:2)

2. BEFRIEND POTENTIAL LEADERS.

Both Jesus and Paul first extended friendship to those they were seeking to develop as leaders. They socialised with them, spent time with them, and included them in their close circle of friends. This is more difficult in an individualistic culture, but you have to be prepared to give potential leaders your love and your life if you wish them to follow you into leadership. While our friendship is a precious commodity, some must

be reserved for the leaders we are developing.

3. BUILD POTENTIAL LEADERS INTO COMMUNITY.

Both Jesus and Paul integrated their potential leaders into the team they had formed. It’s not enough for potential leaders to develop a relationship with one leader; they need to be included in a leadership community where they can benefit from team interrelationships. It’s good to see that the growing focus on internships in churches is giving access to a leadership community to young leaders.

4. MODEL LEADERSHIP FOR POTENTIAL LEADERS.

Both Jesus and Paul lived as leaders in front of those they were growing in leadership. They showed them how to serve and speak and minister. They went through the heights and depths of being a leader with them. They faced criticism, persecution, and rejection in front of the team. They also showed that God can

work in incredible power, and lives can be transformed. In other words, they walked both strength and depth journeys in the presence of their followers. They displayed what being a spiritual leader required.

5. MINISTER TOGETHER WITH NEW LEADERS.

Don’t abandon them too soon. Both Jesus and Paul spent years ministering with those they were growing in leadership. They were in no rush to move them into leadership roles. Because of the great needs and opportunities, we tend to push leaders out of the nest too quickly. Both Jesus and Paul lived in times of extraordinary need, but they were in no hurry to make their disciples independent. They kept them close.

6. GIVE RESPONSIBILITY AND PROVIDE FEEDBACK.

Jesus’ disciples were gradually given greater responsibilities and eventually they were sent out on short-term mission to minister in

pairs. But this ministry time was followed by a time of reflection. Initially Timothy watched Paul; then he attempted some ministry with Paul; then he was given increasingly more difficult projects without Paul’s direct involvement. There needs to be challenge, preparation, leadership action, and reflection.

7. RELEASE PEOPLE INTO LEADERSHIP.

Finally, Jesus gave the disciples authority and left them (although he promised them the Holy Spirit). Eventually, Timothy took on his own leadership role, with only occasional advice from Paul. There comes a time when new leaders need to lead with authority and responsibility for their own ministry.

This is a huge challenge for churches. In the short term, it’s much easier to find willing workers, put them in leadership roles, celebrate when they succeed, and replace them when they fail or burn out.

To be honest, I have no idea where we find the time to really invest in potential leaders. Perhaps we just need to learn to be more patient in developing leaders by slowing the process down, and not looking for quick fixes. God is generally not in a hurry. Perhaps we need systems for mentoring and networking that will build leadership communities.

I just have a nagging suspicion that Jesus and Paul got it right, and that we need to give their way a shot before we adopt a less time–consuming model for developing leaders.

John Sweetman Principal, Malyon

john.sweetman@malyon.edu.au

L to R: Pastor Murray Schoenfisch, Eddy Schoenfisch and Claire Gainsford

BAPTISMS

Birkdale Baptist Church

• Kristina Fleming

• Sage Rizk

• Helen Byrne

City North Baptist Church

• Hannah Basson

• Amelia Graham

• Andrew Stumer

Gateway Baptist Church

• Alison Buckman

• Jessie Buckman

• Lachie Charlton

• Vincent Conway

• Daniel Gray

• Jesaiah Hanna

• Grace Ike

• Abbie Kotzur

• Sonia Ossenberg

• Emily Shevchuk

• Melody Tregenza

Toowoomba Community Baptist Church

• Claire Gainsford

• Olivia Gainsford

• Stuart Jeffery

• Candace Purdon

• Eddy Schoenfisch

PRAYER IS POWERFUL

Please set aside some time to pray for the people recently baptised. They have taken a courageous and life changing step in their walk with Christ.

Baptism is an important event in the believer’s walk with Jesus Christ. The Bible talks about water immersion baptism, in which a believer makes a public confession of their faith. Jesus led the way in example of water baptism! Romans 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Around the regions

Busy times at City South

www.citysouthbc.org.au

City South Baptist is a new Bible based church in Coorparoo working together to be disciples and make disciples of Jesus. We rejoice in God’s gracious blessings on us.

City South recently welcomed special guest preacher Dr Waylan Owens and his wife Betsy. Professor Owens is Dean of Church and Family Ministries at Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas. He and Betsy are valued friends of our church and their visit lifted our spirits. Dr Owens officially opened our recently acquired church building followed by lunch. Over 160 people attended the opening. The local Brisbane City Councillor for Holland Park, Ian McKenzie, attended and several of our members took the opportunity to talk with him about the implications of our church building being registered on the heritage list.

We recently held an annual camp at the aptly named House of Happiness on Bribie Island. A total of 72 people attended the weekend. Waylan Owens spoke about “Encountering Jesus”, and the spirit of the church gained further strength from the teaching, social contact and events.

We have also started a community outreach, with the opening of the church on Wednesday mornings for a coffee and chat. Already the Lord has added to our number and our whole church family is opening its arms to those who join us.

Girls’ Brigade Leaders learn new skills

A Girls’ Brigade Leaders Training Retreat was held earlier this year at the Frederick Marsden Youth Centre, Kallangur. Various skills were learned or improved on over the weekend.

Friday evening was spent assembling birthing kits, which are sent to women in third world countries to help them have secure and safe birthing experiences. This was a first for many of the people present, and it took some skill to put all the items together in a sterile manner, and then slot the parcel into a small plastic bag for transport and delivery.

Saturday’s vision session was productive, and looked at ways to reach out into the community with the message of Jesus and His unconditional love. There are Girls’ Brigade Companies in many Baptist Churches throughout Queensland. Girls’ Brigade is a ministry of the local church and works with girls from Prep to age 21.

On the move

• Pastor Rob Ruge commenced at Beaches Baptist (Mackay).

• Rev Paul Dare concluded at Mundubbera and commenced at Newstead Baptist (Tas).

• Pastor Rohan Beatson to commence as Assoc Pastor at Mackay Baptists, late September.

• Pastor John Spranklin concluded at Biloela and commenced as Assoc Pastor at City North.

• Pastor Mick Spann concluded at Glasshouse Country and commenced at Church@The Gabba.

• Pastor Jireh Scheurwater commenced as Assoc Pastor (Youth & Young Adults) at Cairns Baptist.

The Mustard Seed

Church@TheGabba | www.gabbamustardseed.yolasite.com | 861 Stanley street, Woolloongabba

If it’s warmth and community you like, then watch out! You may develop an intense and immediate crush on The Mustard Seed: the newest community hub at The Gabba (in Brisbane).

Situated right across from The Gabba stadium, The Mustard Seed’s quaint little shop front is complete with community planter boxes, vintage furniture and friendly volunteers who won’t let you go without having a cuppa. Under it’s warm exterior is an even warmer heart with its mission being “a place for community support, engagement and relationships.”

Since its launch in March this year, The Mustard Seed has offered a variety of programs and events to the community, including student study sessions, homework club, craft weekends and creative play, just to name a few!

The Mustard Seed is an initiative of Church@TheGabba and came about with the recognition that people nowadays don’t reach out to the church as a way of connecting to the community. The Mustard Seed was created so relationships can be built with the people of our community and to show them God in an environment in which they feel more comfortable. But don’t take our word for it....take a peek sometime! Better still, if you are equally passionate about having a heart for the community, Anna Yum, the Community Liaison Manager, would love to hear from you.

Discovering Jesus Book and Sermon Series

Moore Park Baptist Church

When Stan Nickerson recently published a book of devotions entitled Discovering Jesus, Moore Park pastor John Moore, decided it was suitable to use as a basis for a preaching series for Sunday services. At the book launch in the church, members of the congregation were encouraged to purchase a copy and use it in preparation for the message next Sunday.

The book works systemically through the entire Gospel of Luke in 88 daily devotions. Each devotional contains a passage of Luke to be read, a review of the passage, and application to people’s lives with a reallife illustration. It has been warmly received with many buying multiple copies to give to non-Christian friends and to family members. (Copies may be obtained from Stan Nickerson on 3715 6615 for $8.00 posted)

SHIFT Youth Festival

Pastor Matt Sweetman Bridgeman Baptist Community Church www.bridgeman.org.au

“And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory” 2 Corinthians 4:15.

God’s kingdom is moving forward in the youth of Queensland. Despite young people now growing up in our post–Christian society, the gospel is still reaching more, and our hearts soar with thanksgiving, as God receives glory.

Bridgeman Baptist Community Church recently experienced the wonderful privilege of being caught up in His kingdom’s expansion, as we hosted Shift Youth Festival. The heart behind this event, was to provide an opportunity for young people to hear the gospel, encounter Christ through His body the church, and God willing, for some of them to make Christ Lord of their life.

The festival began in the weeks before, with visits to 25 local high schools promoting the event. Almost 2,000 young people attended the Saturday festival which ran from 4pm to 9pm, featuring bands, rides, freestyle BMX, sport and markets.

There were almost 100 responses to the presentation of the gospel, fifty of which were youth not currently associated with a church—praise God! It has been encouraging to hear of youth responding to the message and returning to church. Although we celebrate the visible impact, we know that God was working far beyond our awareness—redefining misconceptions of church and God, and planting seeds that will bear fruit in the future.

It was also amazing to see the Church leading culture in our community. A non–Christian in the local community, commented on how wonderful it was to see the festival promoting a life that can be enjoyed without drugs and alcohol. This is a fulfilment of Jesus words that we would be salt and light to our world (Matthew 5:13-16). Rather than condemning the world for its behavior, we are demonstrating that life with Jesus is first rate and how we were created to live.

Is there any greater privilege than knowing we have played a part in the King’s business? Participating in His unfolding work in our community? Thank you God, that you not only save us, but call us into the greatest mission on earth.

Malyon and Gateway align to develop church leaders

Sav Cameron | Gateway Ministry School Coordinator Gateway Baptist Church www.gatewaybaptist.com.au

A pioneering new agreement between Malyon College and Gateway Baptist Church gives Bible college students unprecedented opportunities to put learning into practice in a local ministry context while they are studying.

Malyon College Principal, Rev Dr John Sweetman and Gateway Senior Pastor, Jason Elsmore have aligned to equip and develop church leaders in a church-based learning centre, giving students access to Malyon’s cutting-edge theological and educational excellence and online learning platform while being an active participant in Gateway’s delivery of local church ministries.

‘We are called to raise tomorrow’s leaders and equip people to follow God’s call,’ said Jason. ‘Gateway Ministry School (GMS) launches people on a church leadership trajectory, and this partnership with Malyon College brings exciting new opportunities for people to put their theological learning into practice in a local church context.’

‘Malyon’s commitment to developing graduates who can think biblically is an ideal foundation for students,’ explained Jason. GMS students complete their studies online and come together several times a week at Gateway for face-to-face learning and time with ministry leaders. ‘We love having GMS students participating in various ministry activities and can see the growth and learning that comes from integrating them into ministry practice. It’s important to give students the chance to put their ideas into action and watch them grow in responsibility and in their leadership capacity,’ shared Jason.

The practical ministry placement component of the courses can be completed at Gateway or students from other churches can do this placement in their own church. ‘I’m really excited to welcome students from other local churches who want to be part of this dynamic learning environment and take their practical and theoretical learning back into their local church context and ministry opportunities,’ said Jason.

‘We’re championing local churches. We want to see the Kingdom thrive and prosper as more people get equipped and released to follow God’s call and share the life changing message of Jesus with others.’

‘Next year, Gateway celebrates 90 years of serving God. From our first Sunday School in a rented hall in Holland Park, to today, our heart has always been to see lives transformed by following Jesus in our community, nation and world.’ Gateway Ministry School is offering, through its partnership with Malyon College, three fully accredited courses in 2018 – Diploma of Christian Studies, Diploma of Ministry and Graduate Diploma of Divinity.

You can find out more at www.gatewaybaptist.com.au/gms, Email: gms@gatewaybaptist.com.au Phone: 3291 5900.

Norm Nix Scholarship – QLD Winner announced!

Congratulations to Alexander (Alex) Stark who is the Queensland winner of the Norm Nix scholarship.

Alex attends Ashgrove Baptist Church and has just completed a Bachelor of Theology Degree (honours) at Malyon college.

It has been an exciting time for 23-year-old Alex, who is travelling to Oxford University UK with his new wife Kath—they married a few days before departure! Alex commences study at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, and Wycliffe Hall. He feels God is calling him to ministry, and it is wonderful to see the Lord raising up a new generation of enthusiastic and bright young leaders like Alex. Please pray for him and Kath as they embark on this new journey.

Alex has set up a blog for news, updates and support— www.alexandkath.com

What is the Norm Nix Scholarship?

The annual Norm Nix scholarship is given to assist an Australian Baptist Pastor or theological student in their development as a leader in evangelism, in their ministry context. The scholarship is named in recognition of the outstanding leadership and service of retired Crossover Director Rev. Norm Nix, in encouraging evangelism throughout Australia. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide or contribute to the funding of the recipient’s undertaking a research project or specific training course, and to allow for their intentional development as a missional leader. The value of the scholarship is $2,000.00. This scholarship is offered by Australian Baptist Ministries on a rotational basis around the Australian States.

David Loder congratulates Alex Stark.

This Rose

ZOIA DEMCHENKO RIVERS BAPTIST CHURCH

This rose is meant for you, when you look at it, think of the most beautiful rose you have ever smelt.

There lives a beautiful rose upon this earth whose fragrance touches many who pass by.

Then one day, that rose had to die—trampled by greed, hatred and lies.

Yet, as the rose was dying, its fragrance continued to reach all who could understand. Through dying it reached many.

Now we may be this little rose for the ones around us and be a special fragrance.

A fragrance from the rose who is above, sending His fragrance with eternal love.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE YOUR OWN “GOD MOMENT”?

It can be a poem, short story, testimony or quote. Please email your entries to qb@qb.org.au or post to PO Box 6166 Mitchelton Q 4053. Every published entry will win a $30 Koorong gift voucher.

Australia, Australia, blessed by The Lord above

MARIANNE BADKE, KINGSRIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH

It’s here we found the answer, It’s here we found the key, It’s here we met Christ Jesus Who died for you and me.

It’s here we found forgiveness For every sin since birth. When we received Christ Jesus, Our gloom we changed to mirth.

It’s here we have a future, It’s here we have our task, It’s here we’ll praise our Maker, Who will do more than we ask.

Australia, Australia, blessed by The Lord above.

god moments

What the kids need now, is…

Lately I have been incredibly blessed to gather together with some of our kids and family ministry leaders, pastors, and parents. In the last few months, we’ve had a networking lunch for Brisbane Eastside churches, hosted by Wynnum Baptist Church back in May; we’ve had our annual August event—over 21 groups joined in via live webinar, and around 50 people came on site; and I’ve been meeting almost weekly with new leaders from around our churches.

I have been so encouraged. The majority of the leaders I am meeting commenced a leadership role in the last 12 months. There seems to be a new wave of leaders being raised up in our kids and family ministries, across our churches state–wide. Leaders who aren’t necessarily sure of their skills, competency, or even their abilities, but leaders who are sure of their calling. These are

leaders who stand, despite their doubts, faithful and ready to dive in head–first and raise this generation of kids to know their Lord Jesus personally. They are joining a wide network of really awesome, experienced leaders and pastors that I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside in my own journey in kids’ ministry.

The thing that has me really excited though, is that most of these leaders that I meet for coffee, via video-chat or at our events are speaking the same language. There seems to be a common idea that we need to engage at a personal, relational level to reach kids these days. And I love it.

Did you know that we lose around 50,000 young people annually from our churches*?

A study done by the Fuller Youth Institute in California did some study into what seemed to be influencing the exodus of the young people from the church in the USA**. One of the reasons that many young people were leaving the church struck me—it wasn’t because they didn’t like the church’s answers to the questions

they were asking, it was the lack of engagement with their tough questions. Our kids live in a world full of accessible information. They are the most informed generation we’ve ever seen. And yet, they are still seeking wisdom and honest answers to their real faith questions. When they don’t see authenticity and genuine conviction, they go find it elsewhere.

That’s why I’m loving the conversations I’m having with leaders. They are concerned with building genuine relationships with kids to show them what transformation looks like, rather than just give them a whole lot of information. It’s encouraging because I believe it’s what our kids need. They need people to show them how God cares, as well as telling them that He cares. Or as one of my all–time favourite leaders, Reggie Joiner, says, “We are not simply trying to get a generation to love the story of God, but to fall in love with the God of the story.”

The kids of today need leaders, adults and friends who are confident in their faith, steadfast in their love and consistent despite challenges. They need leaders who will face up to their tough questions and help them find truthful answers. Leaders who aren’t afraid of doubt, but can stand firm in love and point them towards their living Saviour.

I’m excited to see that so many of the leaders I gather with are speaking this language, and encouraged by their fresh thoughts and ideas. I pray that the gathering

continues, as we seek to encourage one another and raise this generation together. A generation of kids that don’t just know about Jesus, but who know Him personally and will act justly, love kindness and walk humbly with their God. That’s what this world needs.

If you would like to gather together with like-minded leaders, or for a chat with one of our team, please contact us at qbkids@qb.org.au. We would love to hear from you!

*http://here2stay.org.au/urgentcall/ **https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/story

APPRECIATION OF JOHN SWEETMAN –RETIRING PRINCIPAL OF MALYON COLLEGE

The recent 2017 Special Assembly of Queensland Baptists recorded its deep appreciation for the ministry of Rev Dr John Sweetman, who will be retiring as Malyon College principal at the end of 2017.

John’s ministry to Christ and His Church has been outstanding over a lengthy period of time as a pastor, College lecturer and as the Principal of Malyon College. His contribution to Queensland Baptists has been significant both in formal and informal settings.

From an early age, John demonstrated that God’s hand was on him through his involvement in ministry in churches where he was involved. His calling to vocational pastoral ministry was confirmed when he was called as an associate pastor to the Kenmore Baptist Church in 1979. He was accepted by Queensland Baptists as a Student Pastor in 1983 and ordained at the Annual Assembly in 1986. John began lecturing part time at the College in 1983, became the Dean of Graduate Studies (part time) in 1999 and then was elected Principal in 2002.

John has an unmistakable passion for Jesus Christ and His Church. This is evident in his personal life, in his ministry and in equipping others for ministry. He has a strong desire for God’s will to be enacted.

John’s ministry heart and expertise is evident in many areas. Some significant areas include the following.

1. HIS HEART FOR MALYON COLLEGE. John has developed the theme of “Developing Christians of Influence.” He has used the text from Jeremiah 3:15 which states, “Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.” He has sought to have this theme permeate the ministry of the College.

2. HIS HEART FOR TRAINING LEADERS. John has a heart for equipping the next generation of leaders for Christ and His church. This is evident not only in the formal classroom setting, but also in his heart and skill in mentoring others.

3. HIS HEART FOR EFFECTIVENESS. John has a desire to see how things may be done differently for greater effectiveness. His creative mind and ideas have resulted in the commencement of new ministry ventures, especially in the area of equipping others.

4. HIS REFLECTIVE ADEPTNESS.

John is consistently thoughtful rather than impulsive. His actions have been well considered and contemplated. He is able to take a variety of ideas and thoughts and bring them together for a measured outcome.

NEW MALYON PRINCIPAL IS A FAMILIAR FACE

We readily acknowledge the support that his wife Debbie has been to him and her creation of a home environment that has allowed John to function in the way he has. Thank you, Debbie!

John stands as key a person who came to us at a pivotal time bringing a wealth of expertise from his life as a man of God with a servant heart that has enriched the work of God in Queensland Baptists. John’s contribution was acknowledged, and Queensland Baptists, its ministers, churches and Malyon College are better placed because of his contribution.

On the 30th of August Queensland Baptist held a vote to accept Peter Francis’ nomination to become the new Malyon College Principal. The motion was passed and in 2018 Malyon College will have our 7th Principal in 114 years – Rev Dr Peter Francis.

Peter grew up in a Christian home going to Ashgrove Baptist Church where he was also baptised. Around 30 years ago, Peter gave his whole heart and life to God and his purposes. After starting as a high school teacher, Peter subsequently, stepped into pastoral ministry. He began in 1989 as Pastor of Cleveland Baptist and in the late 90s moved to Beenleigh Baptist. Before coming to Malyon he served as the pastor of the City Tabernacle for 7 years.

In 2011, Peter began teaching at Malyon College primarily focusing on Missions and Old Testament. He has also been teaching Malyon’s field education units which work with local churches and students in practical ministry.

Peter has a strong passion for missions and supporting missionaries. Over the years, he has served on several mission boards and committees. His passion is also seen at the College Chapel meetings inviting previous students, who have gone on to serve through Global Interactions in various places around the world, to share their experiences.

He has been involved in many short-term missions in places such as PNG, Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and South America; recently returning from the Solomon Islands, where he assisted in lecturing at their theological college.

For the past two years, a Malyon College student has won the Australian College of Theology Award for academic excellence in mission perspectives, something that Peter has nurtured and desires to further develop in his time as Principal.

Even if you don’t know Peter, you may know his wife Wendy Francis who is also very active in public ministry. Peter and Wendy have 3 children and 10 grandchildren.

Peter is known for his positive can-do attitude, balanced and considered approach, and Baptist convictions.

The Malyon Faculty welcome and support Peter into his new position and are excited to see God’s call and plan for Peter’s time as Malyon College Principal to come into fruition.

Missional churches needed

Colin Stoodley

Why didn’t my church plant a new church?

I have come to the view that all churches (like all disciples) should be multiplying–they should be life giving. I know a few people may take issue with this, but I really believe I am right on this question. But from my ministry experience I do have one personal sorrow—that our church didn’t plant a church.

In 1997, I was led to take over a church that became a strong congregation, with great mission emphasis and support, as well as an emphasis on grace and restoration. But we never planted! I wanted to plant; most of the leadership wanted it; there was no opposition in the church; but we never planted! Why not? The answers may surprise you, but I think they go a long way to explaining a problem that we are facing as a denomination.

In 2000, I sensed the time was right and I began to make plans. But it all came to nothing.

First, I got distracted. I know that our warfare is not against flesh and blood, and so I realise that this distraction was a critical intervention by the enemy. Tough side-issues that required focus come up for all of us. While I ‘managed’ the matter, I was distracted from the creative plan to plant a new work. And by the time I was ready to return to the matter, the opportunity and the ‘moment’ had passed. Distraction is, I believe, the major reason why other churches

never plant. We all face them; they come up all the time; yet, we must not allow them to dictate whether we do this most fundamental of works.

When I returned to the idea in 2002, I began looking for leaders and came to the conclusion that we as a church didn’t have enough to plant, and what leaders I did have simply weren’t planters. The accepted understanding is that if you can’t find the leader, don’t attempt it. We never quite found the leader and then my leadership time came to a conclusion.

We never planted.

Now, I am not telling my story to give my reasons and defend myself. Pastors who are leading churches that don’t plant aren’t awful people. They are not rebellious or anti-Kingdom leaders. No-one intentionally refuses to plant, do they? I think that most of us get distracted and because we aren’t intentional enough, we never get back to it and it never happens.

Some people say that if you don’t plant in the first four years, you will never plant. That’s true and it’s also not true! I believe that it is never too late. The barren can be fruitful and this isn’t just a biblical theme of hope. The barren church can be fruitful but there needs to be attention given to the DNA factor. I haven’t mentioned this yet!

The DNA or ‘instinct’ of a church is what drives a church to plant, guides the process of planting and summons the leader to take a passion into the work. In late 1997, in a prayer meeting, a sister in Christ said that she believed the Lord was asking us to make our church a ‘safe-place’. This really made sense to us that Sunday night. My own guess is that in Brisbane for every believer in church – there are two not in church! So, we took that theme up into everything we did as a church. The next year, a brother raised the same matter. This brother hadn’t been at the meeting the previous year. But his word was that the Lord was giving us a name—Hebron. It was the name for a safe-place in the Scriptures. Again, it seemed to fit and we were even more intentionally focused on being that place. My point is that this became our DNA (not planting) and I didn’t even realise it at the time.

When I raised the issue of planting and kingdom-focus in 2004, it was mainly in the hope that the church’s new leadership would take it up and move with it. What I was attempting to do was to set up a change in the DNA. And in the years since I left, the new leadership has developed effectively in planting. I pray it continues.

I think the reason we didn’t plant was that our DNA wasn’t quite right and we were in fact, stagnant. We didn’t look stagnant. We looked healthy, and we were in every way except this one. We were growing. In fact we had a great growth rate as a church. But we were stagnant; we couldn’t multiply churches. I don’t blame anyone; I don’t blame God and I don’t blame myself. All I know is that I think God wants our attention on this matter.

We need missional churches. I define this word missional as meaning “reproducing”. These missional churches must be supported to replicate as many times as possible, creating other churches with same the missional factor in their DNA. This is how you get a church planting movement.

PLEASURE AND SORROW

Liam Denny - Press Service International

Late this week I’ll be gathering with many of my relatives and loved ones, to farewell a dear family member at their funeral.

Just last week two good friends informed me their first pregnancy recently ended in a miscarriage.

Another good friend is about to enter hospital for six weeks, to endure an extended period of chemotherapy, as doctors try desperately to treat the cancer that is slowly destroying his body.

Another friend missed an event we we’re due to attend, busy comforting his sister over the breakdown of her marriage.

We can’t escape sorrow. It’s a side–effect of being human. Every person has experienced sorrow. We all know the pain deep inside that wells up and threatens to engulf the entire body. We all know the internal pain of intense suffering that overwhelms the senses and seeks to drown us.

Why does this happen? Why are we subjected to this pain? And how should we respond to it?

Sorrow

Deep emotional sorrow has been part of the human journey from the very beginning. The wages of sin is death, and we are all guilty of going against God’s good plan. Death entered the world when the first man sinned, and it’s been a regular part of our story since them. David laments is Psalm 13.

‘How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall

I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?’

Again, in Psalm 31.

‘Be merciful to me, LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief’. We bring grief upon ourselves when we turn against our creator, and the consequences are ours to bear.

Response

So how should we respond to sorrow? Is there anything we can gain from surviving such pain?

Jesus provides the perfect example of bearing through the pain of sorrow. The perfect man, who didn’t deserve any sorrow, suffered beyond our imagination. He endured extreme pain and anguish, for our sake. We should look to his example to see how to respond. Enduring our sorrow with humility and patience conforms us more into the image of Jesus. By bearing through anguish, we grow into the likeness of Jesus. By surviving, we learn.

These words, penned by Robert Browning Hamilton, I find a helpful reminder.

“I walked a mile with pleasure

She chatted all the way; But left me none the wiser For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow, And ne’er a word said she; But, oh! The things I learned from her, When sorrow walked with me.”

SHE IS… 2017, DAUGHTER OF THE KING CONFERENCES – ROUNDUP

Do you ever wonder where the year has gone? It’s hard to believe She is… 2017, Daughter of the King conferences are done and dusted!

What a year it’s been, we’ve driven and flown all over the state, and ministered to women from all walks of life. This year, between May and September, we ran conferences in Biloela, Innisfail, Longreach, Dalby and Mackay, as well as our camps at Mt Tamborine and Mapleton.

We’ve met some beautiful women, and have really enjoyed going to new places to share God’s love. We’ve heard from wonderful speakers, sung beautiful worship to our God, prayed together, given from our hearts, and had lots of fun together.

As a movement of women, we’ve raised over $26,000 dollars for Baptist World Aids Vulnerable Children Fund, and in doing so have changed lives for the better in some of the poorest countries in our world. We thank God for your beautiful, generous hearts!!

As this She is… season comes to a close, I pray that you’ll know beyond a doubt that you are daughters of the most high King, deeply loved by God. Keep an eye out in the next QB magazine, and on our She is… Facebook page for some exciting news coming up for Qld Baptist Women’s ministry!

Cathy Knechtli, State Director, Queensland Baptist Women director@sheis.net.au

$43,500 kick-starts initiatives tackling local community needs

Supporting people reintegrate from prison into their communities, feeding struggling families, and upskilling people to find employment are among nine Baptist Church community initiatives to be funded under Carinity’s Innovations Grants.

The South-East Queensland communities of Park Ridge, Nundah, Logan, Forest Lake, Cannon Hill, Elanora and Windsor as well as regional towns Nanango and Kirwan will benefit from a total of $43,500 in grants.

Carinity CEO Jon Campbell says the Carinity Innovation Grants, now in their 12th year, were highly competitive with applications exceeding previous years.

“What it shows is that Christian communities are continuing to step up to support local community need. Carinity has helped kick-start more than 120 church initiatives in local communities across the State through grants totalling $373,500 over the past 12 years,” Jon says.

“The decision to award the grants was extremely difficult this year as there were so many fantastic initiatives. We’re excited to announce the recipients and look forward to working with them over the next 12 months.”

The Beachside Christian Church on the Gold Coast will receive funding for a trailer for its Light House Services Work therapy recovery program which helps people struggling with homelessness and addiction build self-esteem and work experience through a community gardening and yard-maintenance initiative.

Program Coordinator Luke Rytenskild says the program provides training in mowing, yard maintenance, painting, graffiti removal, cleaning and basic carpentry to help the elderly and disadvantaged on the Gold Coast.

“We have helped over 500 men since 2009 through assisting the elderly, who struggle physically to maintain

their properties, as well as single parents without the means to pay for contractors,” Luke says.

The Hosanna Logan City Church will set up a number of programs supporting people serving prison sentences and helping them prepare for their reintegration into their communities. This includes introducing the10-week Circuit Breaker course to help men repair relationships, resolve conflict and help prevent family violence. Similarly the Woman to Woman 10-week course will assist women in prison build self-awareness and self-esteem to potentially reduce offending behaviour and recidivism.

This includes introducing the10week Circuit Breaker course to help men repair relationships, resolve conflict and help prevent family violence. Similarly the Woman to Woman 10-week course will assist women prisoners build selfawareness and self-esteem while also reducing offending bahaviour and recidivism.

The 2017 Carinity Innovation Grants are available to Queensland Baptist Churches and this year’s recipients are:

• Hosanna Logan City Church – Introduction of the10week Circuit Breaker course for the Borallon Training and Correctional Centre to helping break the cycle of domestic violence and restore relationships in families.

• Park Ridge Baptist Church –Infants’ Play area required to start a playgroup.

• North East Baptist Church –Purchase of a coffee machine

to enable barista training to help the unemployed find work.

• Northreach Baptist Church – Community Playground to replace the closed playground and enable them to continue to run the Giggles for God program.

• Hosanna Church Brisbane – Commercial Fridge and Freezer to grow the Community Foodbank.

• Birkdale Baptist Church – Setting up a Cannon Hill Foodbank Café for the community to connect.

• Beachside Christian Church – A trailer for the Light House

Services Work therapy recovery program. Work training in mowing, yard maintenance, painting, graffiti removal, cleaning and basic carpentry to help those in need throughout the community.

• Nanango Community Baptist Church – Shade cover for playground to help grow their Mainly Music program, bible study, Sunday School and youth group.

• Windsor Road Baptist Church – Office equipment to establish a CAP (Christians Against Poverty) freedom from debt program delivering debt education.

Last year Daniel, 28, hit rockbottom. From his prison cell he felt compelled to pray to the Lord.

“I was at my wits end. I didn’t know where else to turn and I prayed and asked God to help me change. I wasn’t a Christian when I prayed. I was sceptical,” Daniel says.

“I felt an urge inside me to pray. And then somehow I found out about Light House and joined their program and found out about Christianity.”

After six years of being in and out of jail for drug-related offences Daniel knew he would end up “being killed or dying from drugs”.

“Assaults and not going to court, possession of knives and drugs. I was selling a lot of chrystal meth. I was set in my ways and my behaviours … manipulation and confrontation.”

After completing the 12-month Light House program with Beachside Christian Church at Palm Beach, Daniel is now volunteering and helping others.

“Light House has helped me deal with all this sort of stuff. It’s been life changing, nothing short of a miracle. I’m not going back to drugs. I’m living a normal life and getting on with it.”

Program Coordinator Luke Rytenskild says Light House has helped more than 500 men since 2009.

“Most of them come to us through the detox units at the hospitals, or on bail or parole from the prison system. Our residential-based rehabilitation program has been developed by Christian psychologists specialising in drug and alcohol recovery,” he says.

“As part of the program, the men each do about 15 hours a week in the community work typically with gardening and yard work for people who struggle to do it themselves. They are helping others such as the elderly and single parents.”

Some of the participants have gone on to rebuild their lives, walking with the Lord, going to university and getting married.

Caring For Ex-Offenders Training will be run at Queensland Baptists on Saturday 18th November 2017, equipping Churches to provide support and mentoring for those coming out of prison. Mentoring and support can make all the difference in reducing the high rates of recidivism in our community. More info at wilberforcefoundation.org.au/ qldcfeotraining

QB YOUTH CAMP IS GO!

Camp establishes an environment for out-of-theordinary experiences, which tend to be remembered more than experiences in ordinary settings.

When I was growing up in Africa one of the highlights of each year was when my Dad would pack a decrepit old bus full of 100 teenagers and take them 1,000km across the border to Johannesburg for the annual ‘Youth Week.’ Held in the shadows of the mighty Magaliesburg Mountains, where the

Boer war had raged at the beginning of last century, Youth Week was a gathering of the Youth for Christ (YFC) tribes from around Southern Africa.

Over the course of the week around 700 young people would meet in a breezy A-frame for high quality teaching from top-shelf international speakers, compete in inter-regional sports and biblequiz competitions, and have the opportunity to fellowship with a large group of fervent Christian youth using the many recreational facilities

the Cyara campsite offered. One of the disciplines of the week was ten minutes of silence after the teaching sessions, a time where many lifechanging decisions were cemented.

Youth Week was established as an annual highlight—something looked forward to and a priority for saving funds through the year. For the YFC cohorts it was also an excellent opportunity to set up the year ahead, having concentrated time for discipleship and connection and to inspire each young person to commit to the Christian walk and fellowship.

If you hear a southern African accent in your church context there’s a good chance they will know about Youth Week—ask them about it!

With this heritage in mind it’s very exciting for me to see plans for a QB Youth Camp coming to fruition this coming summer. It’s been a joy to sit in on some of the planning with a group of youth pastors who are passionate about camping, and have embraced the opportunity to come together to create a largescale event to kick off the year for each of their youth groups.

Baptist organisations in other States have recently established similar youth camp formats with great success, but they lack their own campsites capable of a lasting and affordable partnership. In contrast QCCC Mapleton really comes into its own in summer, as evidenced by the longevity of its Summer Family program. The combination of great food, numerous activities and the stillremarkable pool complex make for languid and enjoyable days in the sun.

The most-recent NCLS survey results showed 80% of faith conversions occur before the age of 20, and for these to be cemented a relational discipleship process is vital. Welcoming QB Youth to Mapleton just before the start of school term creates the opportunity to establish a new tradition. I know the heart of our youth pastors is to create many life-changing memories, and also use the time for fun and relationship to set their youth group up for the year ahead.

QCCC Mapleton’s Summer Family program is back for its 35th year this year. Mapleton was originally built as a family holiday centre and, while it has transformed itself to become Queensland’s busiest Outdoor Education Centre, two weeks each summer are still given over to its original purpose. Each day is fully

catered, there are children and teen programs and activities run throughout the day.

Adults also have a daily devotional with the guest speakers this year being Ian Malins (Omega Discipleship Ministries) and the Unofficial Chaplain himself, Warren Crank. Family Program runs from 27th December through to 9th January 2018.

For more details contact QCCC Mapleton on (07) 5456 3600 or bookings@mapleton.qccc.org.au

When Andrew approached me back in September 2016 I was amazed. Amazed at how God was speaking into this idea of a state youth camp. One of my local youth leaders had just got back from doing summer camps in the state, and was super keen to see something happen. And other States were doing camps. At that time, I was questioning whether it would be a good idea or not. God spoke clearly, I listened, and in March Andrew and I approached the Youth and Young Adult Pastors and

Andrew Grant Director of Queensland Conference and Camping Centres andrew.grant@qccc.com.au

leaders at the QB Youth and Young Adult Pastor and leaders retreat. Everyone was excited by the idea, and I asked them to pray and seek God themselves, to see if Andrew and I were hearing right. After a month and a bit, BOOM, the vision got legs and during the first week of September 2017 we had our first onsite working retreat to begin tying up loose ends, meeting the fantastic interns and, together, strategising an amazing pilot of the annual QB Youth State Camp.

The camp is designed with discipleship in mind. We want youth groups to come together with their leaders and pastors. This is unlike other camps we see in Queensland where teens can enrol on their own and go. We want teenagers to come with their youth groups, so that the year can begin with a high focus on discipleship. The programme will be set up so that all attendants will go home ready to impact their communities as a group, not alone. The mountain top experiences are great, but one thing they lack is the ongoing support back at home. We will attempt to break the cycle by having leaders equipped and encouraged to support their students when they return to reality. I believe that discipleship is imperative, and needs to be put back into the forefront of our minds. Hence, this camp is designed to help build a discipleship culture in all the youth ministries that attend.

The camp will happen in the last week of the Summer school holidays, 18th-20th January 2018 at QCCC Mapleton. If you would like to come to this camp speak to your Youth Pastor, Senior Pastor or Youth Leader. For more information contact Kirsten Bungey or Aaron Fozzard or visit the website events.qb.org.au

Aaron Fozzard QB Youth & Young Adults’ Ministry Team Leader aaron.fozzard@qb.org.au

From Etching to Digitisation

Bill Hughes

After our article ‘Photos tell the story’ in the June/July issue of qb, we now look at the questions: What was the first photograph to appear in the QB? When were colour photographs first used?

Photographs were only available to the very rich, or professionals, until George Freeman started the Kodak Company in 1880 and photos began to be reproduced in publications some years later. Prior to the use of photographs in the Queensland Baptist and its predecessor The Queensland Freeman, etchings were sometimes used.

An “etching” is an impression on paper taken from an etched plate, which has been prepared by making a picture on a metal or glass plate using an acid. By comparison with modern day photographs etching is a time consuming and relatively expensive process, and to reproduce multiple copies of an etching in a publication adds considerable cost of producing the publication.

A handful of etchings appeared in early Queensland Baptist publications. For example, the Queensland Freeman of November 1881 contained two pages of etchings depicting interior views of the Young Men’s Christian Association Rooms in Melbourne on pages 168-169 (see photo 1).

Interestingly, in the March 1881 issue, the first etching appeared – in an advertisement for ‘Taeping’ tea which was “admirably flavoured with a delicate and harmless scenting” making it “very palatable, wholesome and refreshing”. It was a few years before other advertisers started to use illustrations. In the meantime, the only decorations on the pages were fancy fonts, especially for the first words of articles (see photo below).

they are only retained to illustrate the etching process and for their historical value.

In its early stages photography used copper plates coated with silver and exposed to iodine vapour before it was exposed to light (for up to 15 minutes). Emulsion plates were introduced in the 1850s. They were less expensive and only needed to be exposed to light for 2 or 3 seconds. Rapid progress in the development and use of photography followed.

The Archives holds some blocks of early etchings and photographs, but

Photographs first appeared in the QB in 1893. On 1 January 1893 the lead article looked back on the life of Rev B G Wilson (1823-1978). It included a photograph of Wilson (which has

been used on several occasions since then) on the front page. Further articles in that year included photographs of prominent Baptists such as Rev John Kingsford (1 March 1893) and Rev William Whale (1 November 1893). The first group was photograph published in 1896 on the occasion of a visit by prominent South Australian Rev Silas Mead (see photo 2). Photographs were rarely used in the publication until after the turn of the century.

Until the new millennium photos used in the QB were in black and white. The use of colour photos appears to have commenced in 2000 with a two-page spread on “Good Samaritan Care” of troubled youth in the June 2000 issue at pages 8-9. In recent years’ photos in the QB are generally in colour.

The Archives holds photographs of all the Presidents of the Baptist Union of Queensland from the first in 1877 (Rev James Voller) up to 2012 when the position was abolished.

Plaque Project – 3rd Dedication –at Windsor Road Baptist Church

The third plaque in the BHQ ‘Heritage Plaques’ project was dedicated 10am on Sunday August

13th at Windsor Road Baptist Church. During the special service, the pastor, Mark Ng, spoke about the outreaching church. Dr David Parker described the BHQ Heritage Plaque Program and gave some of the background to the church. This included its origin as an outreach of the Jireh Baptist Church (Gipps St Fortitude Valley) and the location of its original site further along Windsor Road.

After the main part of the service, Mr Eric Kopittke presented some

details of the current building and its opening in October 1888. Then Pastor Ng led the congregation outside to the front of the building where the plaque was installed, shielded by a red curtain. He and Mr Kopittke then officially unveiled the plaque commemorating the opening of the church in 1888 and the Leitch Memorial Hall in 1931.

BHQ hopes that other early churches will want to participate in this Plaque program. There is opportunity for many significant sites to be marked, not only in Brisbane but throughout the state. Details of the program are available on request from BHQ.

IT’S NOT HALLOWE’EN,

It’s Reformation Day!

Five hundred years ago, on 31 October 1517, an almost unknown monk in a small, provincial town in what today we call Germany tacked a list of points for theological debate to the doors of a church which doubled as the local university. The monk was Martin Luther (1484-1546), the town was Wittenberg, and since Luther was proposing ninety-five points for debate, the document he posted is known as Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses. This simple act irrevocably altered the course of the church and even of western civilisation itself.

The back-story was this. Luther’s domineering father had arranged for him to study law at the wellregarded University of Erfurt – having a lawyer for a son would take care of one’s superannuation quite handsomely. But in a panic after almost being killed by a lightning strike in a ferocious storm, Luther vowed to become a monk. Everyone (including his father, who saw his super going up in smoke) tried to argue him out of it, but he had made up his mind.

In 1505 Luther entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt as a novice. He excelled in his studies, earning a doctorate in Bible from the University of Erfurt in 1512. Simultaneously, however, in a frantic effort to please God and to ease his troubled conscience, he threw himself into the monastic life with a passion. ‘I was indeed a good monk,’ he wrote much later, ‘and kept the rules of my order so strictly that I can say: if ever a monk got to heaven through monasticism, I should have been that man.’ But nothing helped: ‘Though I lived as a monk without reproach, I felt that I was a sinner before God with an extremely disturbed conscience.’ So disturbed, in fact, that his wise superior, Johann von Staupitz, devised a novel therapy: send Luther away to become a lecturer in Bible at the fledgling University of Wittenberg. He would be so busy as a lecturer that he wouldn’t have time to be depressed! Luther arrived in Wittenberg in 1512.

Teaching Bible forced Luther to pay closer attention to the text of Scripture than ever before. Two passages in particular caught his attention. The cry of the forsaken Christ on the cross, prophesied in Psalm 22:1, gripped him: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Christ had felt what Luther felt; the God of wrath and the God of mercy meet one another and are reconciled at the cross. Romans 1:17 turned out to be the clincher: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness which is by faith from first to last, just as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” “Here,” Luther wrote, “I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.”

Things might have settled there, but Luther was stung into action when an indulgence seller arrived in a neighbouring district. An “indulgence” was a certificate certifying that the pope had released you (or a loved one) from all or part of the time you would need to spend in purgatory – on receipt of a suitable payment, of course. To Luther, who had so recently discovered the gospel in his study of Scripture, the sale of indulgences was not only a crude fundraiser but a shameful abuse. Immediately he took up his pen and wrote his Ninety-Five Theses or Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (to give it its full title). In Thesis 21 he declared, “Thus those indulgence preachers are in error who say that a man is absolved from every penalty and saved by papal indulgences.” On the contrary! “The one who does much ‘work’ is not the righteous one, but the one who, without ‘work’, has much faith in Christ”; “The law says, ‘Do this!’, and it never is done. Grace says, ‘Believe in this one!’, and forthwith everything is done” (Theses 25 and 26).

Luther seems to have intended these Ninety-Five Theses for academic debate within his own monastic order, so on 31 October 1517 he nailed them to the Wittenberg Castle Church door, which served as the noticeboard for the university which operated within it. But a printer got hold of them and printed four thousand copies. Before Luther knew it, his ideas were being spread far and wide. Perhaps unwittingly, he became the spark that ignited the Reformation.

So what? Martin Luther and other Reformation leaders recovered essential truths about the gospel that had been lost for centuries. These are often summed up in five crucial points that can already be observed explicitly or by implication in Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses:

1. Scripture alone. Luther found from his study of Scripture how we can be saved. As God’s word, Scripture teaches us all we need to know about what to believe and how to live.

2. Grace alone. From beginning to end, salvation is God’s work, not ours. God’s grace sets us free from the intolerable burden of trying to be saved by works; at the same time it frees us to serve others.

3. Faith alone. We receive salvation only through faith in what God has done for us through the complete work of Christ on the cross, not by any works on our part.

4. Christ alone. Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and us; his death and resurrection is the only basis for our salvation.

5. God’s glory alone. Since salvation is God’s work alone, he alone deserves the glory, and we live for his glory alone.

There is a sixth Reformation slogan we should remember: the church must always be reforming. The reformers were well enough aware that their work was not complete; the church in every age must renew its commitment to the five points above. The five-hundredth anniversary of Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses offers an ideal time to do this. Forget Hallowe’en - 31 October is Reformation Day!

REFORMATION 500CELEBRATION SERVICE

On Tuesday 31st October from 7:30pm we are hosting a Reformation 500 Celebration Service.

City North Baptist Church 52 Yiada St Kedron QLD 4031

During the service Peter Francis will preach on Romans 1:17 and D Morcom will put the Reformation into an historical context. This service will be a wonderful time of encouragement, learning and being reminded of central truths of the Scriptures. We look forward to spending this evening with you.

Rev Dr Peter Francis

Pastor Murray Lean

Rev Dr D Morcom

Pastor Allan Quak

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

Earlier this year, we said goodbye to Andy Coller, who faithfully served as your Baptist World Aid State Representative for the past decade. Filling his role is Brent van Mourik, who we’re excited to welcome to the team. My first meeting with Brent left me so encouraged – our God is faithful! I’m honoured to share with you some of his story.

When Brent and Andy met each other, they had no idea what had been set in motion…but God knew. One day in the future, Andy would need to step down from his much-loved role at Baptist World Aid. And, when that time came, this young man would be his successor.

“Andy has been speaking into my life unofficially for about six years,” Brent tells me. “A couple of years ago, he asked if I wanted to have a formalised mentor / mentee relationship.”

“He is basically a sounding board; a person who is not from my church, who I can feel free to share things with and get guidance from.”

As his mentor, not only has Andy discipled Brent in his Christian faith, but he has also been instrumental to Brent’s growing passion about issues of poverty–something that would later become one of the driving factors in his decision to apply to become Queensland’s next Baptist World Aid State Representative.

“I’ve only been a Christian for a bit over six years and, before that, I was all about building my own kingdom,” Brent shares, candidly. “I did an apprenticeship as an electrician, because I knew you could make a lot of money out of that, and I come from a typical Australian culture where it’s all about getting as much as you can get.”

“When I became a Christian, I had to reconcile my newfound faith with that consumerist lifestyle. Over a number of years, it just happened – reading the scriptures and talking to Andy – poverty became a passion.”

While neither man knew it, God was quietly using their friendship to make one ready to continue the legacy of the other. God was preparing Brent’s heart for such a time as this.

“So, as a seeker after Jesus, as someone seeking to live my life like Him, I guess it’s inevitable that I would also get His passion for the poor. Despite not having experienced it firsthand.”

“Over the time I spent as a pastor looking into scripture and dealing with daily church ‘stuff’,” he says, “I began to realise that, as Christians, we can often be aware of Jesus’s words about poverty, but not necessarily act on them.”

Interestingly, Brent has never been confronted with the reality of poverty overseas himself. His passion and heart for the issue has grown out of God-breathed revelation.

“My reading of the scriptures instils within me that passion,” he says. “I think having a true openness to what the scriptures have to say about people living in poverty, and setting the oppressed free, means that we can be passionate about it, even if we haven’t met people living in poverty ourselves. We don’t need to be confronted with poverty to know what Christ says.”

“So, as a seeker after Jesus, as someone seeking to live my life like Him, I guess it’s inevitable that I would also get His passion for the poor. Despite not having experienced it firsthand.”

It’s something that he hopes Queensland Baptist Churches will be encouraged by.

“I used to think that you had to be this really amazing and special person to be involved in poverty alleviation,” he tells me, “but it’s really not true. You just have to be someone who has a heart for Christ, who seeks after His will, and who seeks to replicate how He lived.”

It’s something which Brent, perhaps, learned from Andy himself.

“Andy would be the first person to say that he’s not particularly special. He just says, ‘Well, God uses what God will use,” says Brent.

“It’s a great responsibility having known him personally. Having known how he’s done ministry and then to try and step up and be the guy that follows him – I truly know that his ARE big shoes to fill!”

“But I continue to try my best to just step back and recognise God’s role in all of this. I’ll seek to do my best before the Lord, and trust that He is going to do the rest.”

BY SAMARA LINEHAN

‘FIX

THIS SCHOOL’

THE VALUE OF SHORT-TERM MISSION TRIPS

From Malawi, Africa, Global Interaction staff, Tim and Melanie Downes write, ‘Praise God for a fantastic visit from the ‘Fix this School’ team. Churches sent tradies, builders and handymen to help us fix a school in one of the villages we work in. The project went better than we had hoped. All involved were blessed and we are so very thankful. Praise God!’

The task? The rebuilding of two classrooms and the refurbishment of classroom furniture in a local school. Tim and Mel had sent a request to Australia for a team to contribute to their Muslim community, and encourage the local Christians as they seek to share the love of Jesus. Short–term mission trips give a real boost to the ministry of those serving in a country long–term. Long–term staff are encouraged by meeting fresh faces from home. Short–term members also show the local folk that others from around the world believe in Jesus, as the long–term staff have been sharing over the years.

The team was led by Rev David Elvery, Senior Pastor of Birkdale Baptist Church and consisted his son, Daniel, Steve Morris (Birkdale), Ben Pearson and Robert Buchanan, (Northreach), Andrew Erwood (Innisfail), Simon Turner (Greenslopes), John Van Hassel (Cairns Presbyterian) and Neil Parker (Young, NSW).

Prior to the team arriving, local men removed the old white-ant-ridden roof...and a wall of the room fell over—the roof had been holding it up! However, the wall was rebuilt by the time the team arrived and they quickly got stuck into the job.

The team brought equipment and supplies which, when combined with local materials was just enough to complete the building task. Classroom furniture was also produced, the result being two beautiful ‘new’ rooms available to the local community.

But much more than just a classroom was given to the community. Tim said ‘A wonderful success in rebuilding the school, and a wonderful encouragement to us. We are very grateful to all those involved. The entire community is talking about the work party.’

Added to this, is the blessing the team received from answering the call to help. David said, ‘It was a wonderful gift to see the Downes family in their ministry setting and witness the wonderful work they were involved in. We gained a new appreciation of the struggles the dilemmas, the victories and the joys of their day-to-day lives. It was exciting to see the advancement the Gospel has made.’

Richard commented, ‘At first I didn’t really know what to expect from the trip. I was perhaps hoping to make a difference in some children’s lives. God, however, always has a plan that goes far deeper than what we can anticipate. We saw so many moments where hearts were touched and practical changes made in individual’s lives. If we only saw the smiling faces of the many children it would have made the trip worth it, but we also saw encouragement, fun, happiness, self-worth, ownership, and many blessings.

Neil made these interesting observations, ‘I saw God work in the provision of our finances, supplies and soccer balls, etc, and the way the team bonded together and

worked so well. I was encouraged by the prayer support by people who have put Tim and Mel on their prayer list. As a relatively young follower of Jesus I have made the mistake of doing what I wanted to do for God, not necessarily what He wants me to do for Him. I am learning to come before the Lord, and make sure this is what God wants me to do for Him.

John reflected on short–term missions, ‘I learned that often we need to test the waters when we are called, do some research, pray and step out in faith. Once I did this, God blessed me. I was supported by my church family and friends. When we arrived and saw how smoothly the trip went and what we achieved, it was confirmation to me that I was where God wanted me to be at that time.’

Steve reflected, ‘What a privilege to be part of this project. You could not buy a more enjoyable and satisfying ‘holiday’. This is the kind of trip that you may need to recover physically from because of the hard work, but that is forgotten because your heart is soaring with the joy of what you have seen and learnt.’

‘Tim and Mel shared their lives and inner thoughts about their ministry - the mistakes they had made and the victories they have seen through God’s blessing. We got to see them interacting with the Yao people. My impression was that there is more Yao in them than they realise and definitely a whole lot of God’s love flowing out of them to this people.’

Global Interaction offers a number of opportunities to see cross-cultural ministry and to serve God in both long-term and short-term mission. For further information, visit www.globalinteraction.net.au or call the Queensland office – 3354 5603.

please pray

NORTH KOREA | SURVIVING 72 YEARS OF PERSECUTION

BY OPEN DOORS - WWW.OPENDOORS.ORG.AU

North Korea is the most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian. Leading the World Watch List for the 16th year in a row, it’s clear that having anything to do with Christianity is impossible without persecution. It’s also one of the most closed off countries on the planet. Many people have never seen what goes on inside its borders.

North Korea has made headlines recently with illegal nuclear testing and threats of war. The United Nations have now placed the harshest penalties on North Korea in the nation’s history. And the government has cut people’s rations to just 300 grams of food a day - that’s less than two cups of rice.

This year marks 72 years since Korea split in two. So, what does life look like for those living in North Korea today?

RESISTING CORRUPTION

People are divided into social classes. Christians belong to the poorest of these classes and their access to basic needs and employment is limited. Without enough food to survive many are forced to flee.

Owning or producing any religious material is illegal.

Christians try to memorise as many scriptures as possible to avoid being caught with a Bible. If their faith is discovered their families are also arrested and face years in labour camps. Parents are unable to share their faith with their own children. From a young age, children must attend weekly indoctrination sessions. No one can develop independent ideas.

GOD AT WORK

The BBC announced that two in five North Koreans are undernourished. And the situation is even worse for Christians, with many in prison camps. “I was locked up for years in Camp 25 near Chongjin,” said one North Korean refugee. Along with other Christians, they endured torture and harsh working conditions daily.

The Church has survived this kind of persecution for 72 years. Today 300,000 North Koreans still follow Jesus. Many gather in underground churches, risking their lives for their faith.

Pray for North Korea

• Pray for the Government to allow freedom of religion. Pray believers will be able to gather together, read the Bible and attend church.

• Pray for God to protect and sustain those imprisoned in labour camps.

• Pray for families to have access to basic needs without breaking the law, and the ability to earn a living.

OPERATION HOPE 2017NORTHERN IRAQ

LEANNE ROGERS | STAFFORD HEIGHTS BAPTIST CHURCH

Many of us have seen stories of the ongoing conflict in Northern Iraq. The area around the city of Mosul was declared a caliphate by the terrorist group ISIS in 2014. Pictures on the nightly news of death and destruction in the city have been shocking to see. Sometimes we may have been deeply impacted and wondered what, if anything we can do. None more than a group of friends from Operation Hope, who were so moved by the heartache, they decided to raise money to help the refugees. They recently spent four weeks volunteering in refugee camps outside of Mosul. Leanne Rogers (Stafford Heights Baptist Church) is part of this group and hopes that by sharing her story others might consider joining the team for future volunteer work.

How did Operation Hope start?

Early in 2016, a few friends of mine got together and began to talk about the global refugee crisis— and what we could do. We decided to help raise funds for medical equipment, supplies, educational resources, food and clothing after connecting with AdventistHelp, a Christian organisation working in refugee camps in Greece. The idea of

bringing hope to shattered lives became even more real, when the small team decided to head to Greece to volunteer in refugee camps.

What led you to go to Iraq?

Some of the Doctors from AdventistHelp visited the refugee camps outside of Mosul. They were so shocked by the level of helplessness and need, they

put a call out to raise money to help build an emergency medical Centre. Operation Hope raised over $22,000, and accepted the invitation to join a team in Iraq. Each one of us felt called to give love, care and hope on a personal basis. Many of our friends, family and church members are not in a situation to personally volunteer, so we go as their representatives, being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Did you have any safety concerns?

We were staying in an amazing city called Erbil, northern Iraq, which is the cradle of civilization. The Kurdish city is surrounded by checkpoints monitored by the Kurdish Army. So, we were safe and didn’t feel we were ever in danger. There were always safety plans in place, in the unlikely event of an attack by ISIS near the camps.

What level of needs were there?

At the time, the American and Iraqi armies were fighting in the Old City on the western side, which was the last area of Mosul to be liberated. People were escaping for their lives, many having been holed up in their bombed-out homes for months. The refugees arrived straight from Mosul, and we were shocked at the level of medical issues they had. There were chronic cases of malnutrition, (many had been eating only grass for months and had no clean drinking water), chronic mental health issues, shrapnel wounds, broken bones and horrific burns (caused by mortar attacks). Everyone had lost close friends, members of their family or their entire family.

Can you describe the refugee camps?

There are so many camps outside of Mosul holding hundreds of thousands of people. The tents are overheated, the roads dusty, and the temperature at the time was extremely hot. It’s a hell hole, but safe from ISIS. Even in the relative safety, there were many new problems to face. The small cemetery just outside the new camp grew, as vulnerable and malnourished babies and older people died.

You must have heard many sad stories.

Every single story was horrific. One story that will stay with me is from Mohammed. We met him in an Erbil hospital after he was transferred straight from Mosul. He was severely undernourished, having been held prisoner by ISIS. He was hallucinating, and telling the story of watching ISIS brutally kill his two brothers in front of him. His wrists were broken from being tied behind his back for so long. He had been through unimaginable horror.

Did you meet Iraqi Christians?

Operation Hope volunteers connected with members of the once thriving Christian community in the region. Some of us travelled to Al-Qosh, an Aramaic speaking Chaldean Christian village, located to the north of Mosul and south of the large town of Dohuk. The priest there is Father Araam, an amazing Christian man, who invited us to come and stay in the Monastery as his guests. When the Muslim refugees began arriving in the area a couple of years ago, Father Araam challenged his people to take in 1000 families at great cost to themselves.

What are your lasting impressions?

What I saw and experienced was so different from what the media tells us and shows us in that part of the world. I felt honoured to be accepted into the lives of so many people, and make some beautiful friendships that will last a lifetime. It is also a responsibility to share these stories, raise awareness, inform and engage. I hope I can do this for their sake.

REVIEW SUMMIT 2018— REFRAMING EVANGELISM FOR TODAY

Experts tell us that in a survival situation you need to get to high ground to get a proper perspective of the situation. We live in a world that is characterised by rapid and significant change. To relate effectively to people in our communities, we need to get a fresh perspective on evangelism and how we might extend the kingdom of God in our present context.

The Queensland Baptist Review Evangelism Summit gives pastors and church leaders across the state the opportunity to ‘get to the high ground’ to reflect, refocus, reframe and release the good news of Jesus Christ across the state. The summit.

FRIDAY NIGHT 16TH MARCH AT HOSANNA CHURCH - LOGAN

The focus of this special evening is on Transforming our Communities, and will be held from 7pm-9pm. This is a free public meeting and all are welcome to attend.

Logan City had only a handful of Baptist churches but today there are over 20 Baptist churches. This story is being repeated across many

denominations in Logan City. Come and hear testimonies and stories from pastors and people about how God is building his kingdom and transforming the Logan community. The Mayor of Logan City, Luke Smith, will also bring testimony to the impact of Christian churches in Logan City. The celebration will also have some special music from some of our Logan based ethnic churches as well as words of encouragement from our key note speaker Karl Faase.

SATURDAY 17TH MARCH AT THE GATEWAY CENTRE

Participants will need to register prior to the event at the website events. qb.org.au or contact 07 3354 5600. There is a $50 cover charge and morning / afternoon tea, lunch and tea / coffee will be provided.

This day event will run from 9am to 3.30pm. Churches are encouraged to send representatives and those with a heart for evangelism. For those where distance is an issue the key sessions will be streamed and churches are encouraged to get people together locally to join in with the summit.

The summit will have three major themes with a key speaker for each.

REFOCUSING EVANGELISM

DAVE BENSON

Dave is a former high school teacher, youth worker and Pastor of Evangelism and Community Outreach. He is passionate about commending Christ and his kingdom in Australia’s post-Christendom culture. Dave has lectured part-time at Malyon College since 2009 in the areas of evangelism, apologetics, worldviews, faith–work integration, and practical theology.

This parallels Dave’s work as Director of Malyon Traverse (the centre for bridging church and culture), founder and member of Logos apologetics ministry, founder and member of “Christ’s Pieces” intentional Christian community with his wife, Nikki, and his ongoing service with the Lausanne World Evangelisation Movement.

REFRAMING EVANGELISM— KARL FAASE

Karl Faase who for many years pastored in Baptist churches is a well-known Australian Christian communicator, media presenter, leader and social commentator. He is the CEO of Olive Tree Media through which he produces programs of excellence for Christian media and local church internationally. He speaks widely with a special interest in encouragement and motivation, leadership, ministry development and communicating to those exploring faith.

RELEASING EVANGELISM

JENNY ALLEN

Jenny has a passion for evangelism and has served as the evangelism pastor at Mayfield Baptist Church (NSW) for three

years. She is also a senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle.

Dedicating nine months of 20072008 to studying how to better encourage and achieve worldview change, Jenny spent time in the United States at the Luis Palau world headquarters in Portland, Oregon, with the team’s Next Generation Alliance.

PLAN TO PARTICIPATE

Please start planning now to put this strategic and important gathering in your church calendar and plan how your church can be involved.

This summit is to celebrate what God is already doing, encourage us to continue being faithful witnesses

to Jesus in a world that is growing more hostile to Christian faith and inspire us to move forward with all God has in his plan to extend his kingdom here in Queensland.

See events@qb.org.au for more details and to register, or contact 07 3354 5600.

Have you ever felt unappreciated? Have you felt like you put so much effort into something and do the very best that you can but you never get recognised for a job well done? You work so hard but no one seems to acknowledge or thank you for all that you do.

At work, you watch others arrive late and are the first to leave on time. Yet you come on time and leave much later than expected. Some continually ‘chuck sickies’ while you diligently come to work even when the going gets tough. You even sit back and watch as your colleagues are praised for their work and receive awards. Only you are the one without a reward.

Comparing myself to others

Lately, I’ve been feeling discouraged and unappreciated at work. I would like to think that I work hard and do the best that I can. I’ve come to understand that one of the reasons why I felt discouraged is that I strongly felt I had the right to be rewarded for my hard work. This then led me to begin comparing myself to my colleagues. The more I compared, the more I felt I deserved more.

My focus changed so much that I began to become bitter. I wanted the

DO I DESIRE PEOPLE’S APPROVAL MORE THAN GOD’S?

KANDIMA AWENDILA - PRESS SERVICE INTERNATIONAL

approval of my superiors and I just wasn’t getting it. Or maybe it was just that I wasn’t doing as great a job as I thought I was.

Who am I trying to please?

One evening as I was reading my bible, I came across some verses that made me realise I had to shift my focus. Galatians chapter 6 verse 4 to 5 states:

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” It doesn’t really matter what everyone else is doing. I alone am responsible for my behaviour, just as everyone else is responsible for theirs. I needed to stop comparing myself to everyone else and focus on doing my work well. Only then would I get the satisfaction of a job well done.

Furthermore, am I more concerned about gaining the approval of people or the approval of God?

Honour God

I was reminded of the story of Mary who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume and wiped his

feet with her hair [John chapter 12 verse 1 to 8]. The Jewish custom in those days was that women’s hair was always bound in public.

Mary showed great humility, devotion, praise and love for Jesus. Even though others around her (e.g. Judas Iscariot) never really recognised the good she was doing or approved it, Jesus was pleased [Mark chapter 14 verse 4 to 9]. She wasn’t seeking the approval of anyone else but Christ, and at that moment, nothing else mattered to her. Others didn’t see, but Jesus saw and acknowledged the good that she had done.

So now I am asking God to help me never tire of doing what is good. That I focus on my own work and primarily seek to honour and please Him. As I seek to honour God in every aspect of my life, He will pour out His incomparable abundant blessings.

“...But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

[Galatians chapter 6 verse 8 to 9]

THE POWER OF ONE IS ASTONISHING

Cartia Moore - Press Service International

All my life, whether it be in school, at home, church, with friends, in almost any situation, I have been taught to stand up for what I believe in and to myself be true. It’s one of those sayings that I tend to throw to the back of my mind when I hear it. It has the same effect as when someone says “Don’t worry, one day you will be able to do…” and so on, and so forth. The reassuring statement.

But as I have grown older, I have come to understand the importance of paying attention to this piece of advice. Stand up for what you believe in. What exactly does it refer to? Does it refer to our specific belief systems, or something we love or can’t live without?

Stand up

The Bible talks about standing up, whether it be for the faith, in battle, for the voiceless, and the list goes on. To stand up for something as a Christian is to deny the self and let God do the rest.

We must seek God’s wisdom on everything, knowing that it is ‘not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty’ (Zechariah chapter 4, verse 6). In order for us to know what God’s will is, it is important for us to firstly seek and know the will of God. For it is not our will, but His will that will be done. We need to be willing and obedient to speak and act when God wants us to. If we speak or act at the wrong

time, damage will be done. We must have a servant heart and listen to God.

With politics, social issues and contested debates circulating our news sources nonstop, how much more of awarning can we Christians take before we realise God is alerting us to stand up? Everyone has something that makes them heavy-hearted or makes their blood boil—often something they believe in strongly. But as Christians, we have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with, if we are all seeking God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. ‘Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you, so take courage and do it.’ (Ezra chapter 10, verse 4).

A tree in the forest stands tall and firm, even the wind cannot knock it down. We need to be the same. Ephesians chapter 6, verse 13 says:

‘Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.’

When people try to knock me down, it inspires me to be stronger. I was taught that often when people come against me or I suffer for what I believe in, it’s there that I have the most influence or ability to change my immediate world. I’ve come to realise that this is all working towards a bigger purpose. Much like the body of Christ, we each have

parts that we play with roles and responsibilities.

For what you believe in

There is a lot of entitlement these days. It seems he or she who screams the loudest is the most entitled. Everyone seems to be entitled to having their way, blocking the opinions of others for the sake of themselves, or silencing the voices of those people who have equal right to an opinion and to simply be heard.

As a community, we need to stand up and be just and kind to one another, without an entitled attitude. After all, we are all human.

When you feel like your voice is being oppressed, God is not telling you to remain silent, he wants you to roar his name out like a lion.

Armies

As Christians, it is our duty to bring glory to God’s name, and to help others seek and find him. We are his servants. The thing is, when we as Christians decide to join together as an army of God, our voices rumble the earth.

When we choose not to raise our voices, or join together as one, as the body of Christ that God intended, or when we rely on churches or other institutions to speak on our behalf and they don’t, we are like a lone person screaming in the wilderness, wasting our Godgiven abilities to do what he wants us to do—to pray, be strong, stand and spread his word.

Standing together and joining the army of God does not mean becoming spiteful, hateful, or unloving—nor does it mean agreeing with the scream’s and what they have to say. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 16, verses 13 and 14: ‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.’

When we come together and stand strong in our faith, nothing can knock us down. It is not the numbers that help win the battles we face, although they do help, it is the faith and the strength we have as followers and willing servants of our Lord.

I encourage you, be strong, rise up and STAND. It will not be overlooked.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’ (Matthew chapter 5, verse 10).

FUN ZONE

WHERE IS THAT LITTLE PIGGY?

Sir-Save-a-Lot the Baplink piggy bank is hiding somewhere in the magazine. Can you find him? Congratulations! To all those who found Sir-Save-a-Lot hiding on page 25 (Aug/Sept 2017 Issue of The Qb Magazine).

CROSSWORD WORD SEARCH

Can you find the hidden words? They may be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, forwards or backwards.

Anorak

Apron

Beret

Blouse

Bolero

Bonnet

Catsuit

Chemise

Cloak

Cravat

Dhoti

Fascinator

Gloves

Halter

Housecoat

Jacket

Jerkin

Kilt

Kimono

Mittens

Necktie

Pinafore

Scarf

Shirt

Shorts

Skirt

Smock

Sneakers

Sweater

Tarboosh

Tiara

Tights

Tuxedo

Vest

Puzzle Choice www.puzzlechoice.com is the source of this Crossword. www.bestpuzzles.com is the source of this word search.

SUDOKU CHALLENGE

Sudoku rules: Each row, column and block must contain one of the numbers from 1 to 9. No number may appear more than once in any row, column or block. When you’ve filled the entire grid, the puzzle is solved.

Sudoku puzzle provided by www.sudokuoftheday.comvisit them and get a new Sudoku every day!

WORD UNJUMBLE

Flying High

Unjumble the words relating to flight. Then unjumble the red letters to answer the clue. Clue: Where do you keep an airplane?

REBUS PUZZLE

Can you find the hidden word or common phrase in the picture puzzles?

BrainDen is the source of the puzzles - www.brainden.com

CALM SPOT - COLOUR

For solutions, visit Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GaythorneOffice/

reviews

ALL SAINTS: THE SURPRISING STORY OF HOW REFUGEES FROM BURMA BROUGHT LIFE TO A DYING CHURCH

MICHAEL SPURLOCK, JEANETTE WINDLE

PAPERBACK: $16.99 AT KOORONG

This nonfiction book will tell the story behind the upcoming film ALL SAINTS. The movie is inspired by the true story of salesman-turnedpastor Michael Spurlock (Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risk everything to plant seeds for a future that might just save them all. Michael’s first assignment as their new pastor is to close down All Saints, a dilapidated country church with a dozen devoted members and a mortgage well beyond its means. But when the church hesitantly begins welcoming Karen refugees from Burma--former farmers scrambling for a fresh start in America--Michael feels called to an improbable new mission.

- Publisher

SPIRITUAL

AND RELIGIOUS: THE GOSPEL IN AN AGE OF PAGANISM

TOM WRIGHT

PAPERBACK: $19.99 AT KOORONG

‘I’m spiritual, but not religious.’ It’s a phrase that’s often used to explain why, although they don’t go to church, people still feel that life must have some kind of transcendent meaning, But what does this ‘spirituality’ consist of? In Spiritual and Religious Tom Wright argues that, whether people realize it or not, they are often simply reverting to forms of ancient paganism that are very similar to those that confronted the earliest Christians. He concludes this prophetic book with a call to contemporary Christians to make a clear choice: Are we to compromise with paganism, to assimilate, to water down the distinctive aspects of Christian faith in order to make it more palatable?

- Publisher

THE CASE FOR CHRIST (2017 MOVIE)

LEE

STROBEL

DVD: $24.99 AT KOORONG

Lee Strobel was horrified when his wife became a Christian. He was determined to use his journalistic and legal training to prove that the claims of her new faith were false. This powerful new movie is based on the best-selling book that resulted from his quest. A harddriving journalist, Lee Strobel was exactly where he expected to be at work: on top. But things weren’t going nearly as well at home where his wife Leslie’s newfound faith in Christ went against everything Lee believed-or didn’t believe-as an avowed atheist.

Based on Lee Strobel’s awardwinning bestseller and starring Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway, and Robert Forster, THE CASE FOR CHRIST is a movie for anyone who has ever pondered the existence of God...and what role He could play in their lives.

- Koorong

REVIVAL: DELUXE EDITION – THIRD DAY (486777) THIRD DAY

CD: $19.99 AT KOORONG

Following up on their worship oriented 2015 release Lead Us Back, rock legends Third Day have returned to their southern roots with thirteen tracks that go from upbeat and exuberant to more quiet and reflective. Look out for the lead single ‘Revival’, and get ready for some soulful energy! Includes 2 additional songs and 3 bonus recordings.

- Koorong

CHRISTIAN SINGLES

MAREEBA BAPTIST CHURCH IS

SEEKING

A FULL TIME PASTOR

We are a growing Christian congregation, with a large number of families and associated ministries.

Our new pastor would ideally be focused on discipleship, teaching, prayer, and building relationships, with a vision for community outreach.

Interested applicants should contact office@mareebabaptist.org.au or Phil Snell on 0407 031 144.

TIN CAN BAY COMMUNITY CHURCH IS SEEKING A PART TIME YOUTH AND CHILDREN’S WORKER

The position requires leading and organising youth and children’s ministries. This includes the ‘fun club’, and the ‘Edge Youth.’ In addition, there is a weekly youth bible study group. The position is ‘hands on’, and requires development of leaders and team members.

The position is 2 days per week, with flexibility in hours, and the remuneration is as per Queensland Baptist guidelines.

For further information and a full position description, please email John Van der Heijde: tcbbaptist@bigpond.com

AN ATHEIST’S ADVENTURES WITH GOD

JOHN M. WADDELL

A self-confessed atheist, John led an interesting but often troubled childhood. A printing apprenticeship was followed by national service and a tour of Vietnam. After European travels and a beating in London he decided to “try God”. It was in Darwin that he encountered the true Divine. Christian missionary service in Africa led to an unwavering faith in God, whose amazing love and works appear throughout this tale. Contact John: jj.waddell42@gmail.com or phone 07 5474 3309.

INTEGRITY TRAVEL

Book all of your holidays and travel with Integrity Travel and help missions. Tours & specials at www.integritytravel.com.au

Ph 07 3142 2242 for more information and bookings.

Travel with no single supplement. Register with Integrity Travel. For more information go to www.integritytravel.com.au.

BRISBANE: House available as a ministry for missionaries and church workers on the move. Three bedrooms, fully furnished, everything provided. Bus stop at the door. Minimal rent. Email: gtho4536@bigpond.net.au

CALOUNDRA - GOLDEN BEACH: Highset three bedroom holiday home. Weekends or weekly. Pets OK. Close to beach. Phone 0402 077 822 or lizottaway15@gmail.com.

CALOUNDRA: Sunshine Coast, Qld, beachside units from $400/wk, ph 0427 990 161.

LOGAN VILLAGE: Room for rent on acreage at Logan Village, $140/week plus electricity. Phone: 0488 863 462

ACCOMMODATION FOR HIRE

LARGE AUDITORIUM: Seats 290. Queensland Baptists’ Centre at Gaythorne. Phone Sharon, 07 3354 5600 for more information or visit www.qb.com.au – venue hire.

IT SERVICES: Do you have computer issues? Do you need FREE help with audio visual equipment or software? MITAS (Mobile Information Technology And Support Ministries) can help you! Is this a Free service? Yes! The only cost is a donation towards either Accommodation or Fuel – depending on distance travelled. Call Brendan on 0419 673 389 to book a time or discuss your IT needs.