Expat Exchange A newsletter for missionaries

Transcription

1 Expat Exchange A newsletter for missionaries Winter Quarter Produced by the August 2008 DOREEN HANGS UP HER BOOTS! Division Manager of Central Supplies and Librarian, Doreen Pascoe, commenced her well-earned retirement mid July, after 46.5 years of denominational service. Doreen is well known to expat missionaries, as she has been their main point of contact for shipping supplies and purchasing goods for the mission fields. Having grown up in PNG as an MK, Doreen fitted back into mission work quite naturally in the 70s and 80s when she worked in the Coral Sea Union Mission, Lae ( 72, 73), the Western Pacific Union Mission, Honiara ( 82, 83), and again in the PNGUM, Lae, ( 84-90). Doreen commenced office work as a Departmental Secretary in North Queensland in 1961, followed by North NSW, the Central Credit office of HHES, and then a year in the General Conference office, Washington DC ( 70-71). She also had several years in the Trans Commonwealth Union Conference in Melbourne when it changed its name to TAUC ( 74-81), and came to the SPD office in January, Doreen has been the backbone of the mailing and shipping department ever since. Over the years, I ve seen God s leading in many ways she says. These included arranging the first medivac from PNG (for Kay Humble), and facing a gunman in the Lae Transit Flat. Doreen has no immediate plans for her retirement but wants to renovate her house in Redhill, and then perhaps do some part-time work. We salute the faithful service that Doreen has given, and especially her commitment to helping missionary families. Wayne Cooper has now taken over the responsibilities for shipping and mail. TRAINING FOR AUSTRALIAN CHURCH PLANTERS Twelve Global Mission pioneers and church planters from around Australia attended a two-day Training workshop at the Australian Union Conference office in Ringwood, April 28 30, along with several Union and Conference Global Mission Coordinators. The attendees represented at least ten new church groups that are developing as a result of Global Mission projects in Perth WA, Melbourne Victoria, Sydney NSW, and several in Queensland. Homer Trecartin from the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission and Manager of Global Mission projects around the world was present to give inspiring stories and reports on the challenges and successes of Global Mission in the 10/40 window. Attendees of the AUC Global Mission Training program, April This is the first time in many years that we have specifically given training to our Global Mission pioneers, said Pastor Graeme Christian, Global Mission Coordinator for the Australian Union Conference who organized the program. Pioneers are engaged by the church on a small stipend as volunteer missionaries to help plant new churches in new areas and among new people groups. Those attending represented new Adventist groups among Asian students, Pacific islanders, immigrant and inner city communities. Air fares and accommodation costs for the pioneers were funded by the Australian Union Conference,..but this was money well spent, said Union President, Pastor Chester Stanley who spoke at both the opening worship on Monday night, April 28, and the closing session on Wednesday. The Union Global Mission Coordinators from New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, Pr Kendell Cobbin and Pr Simeon Nara, also attended the workshop and a Global Mission Advisory meeting that preceded it. This has been a worthwhile program for the church planters in our conference, said Pr Michael Worker from the Greater Sydney Conference.

2 Other presenters at the workshop included Pastor Roger Govender, Pastor Loren Pratt, David Pearce, Lyell Southwell (a church planter himself), Johnny Wong, and Pastor Ray Coombe from the. This year fifteen new church plants in Australia are supported by Global Mission funds from the world church and from the Division s Centre for Church Planting. NEW APPOINTMENT Mac De Mesa, his wife Lanie, and children, John (16), Michelle (12) and Eric (6) have been appointed to TPUM office, Fiji, where Mac will be the Associate Chief Financial Officer for TPUM, replacing Shane Palipane who is returning and taking up a position next year in NZPUC, Auckland. At present Mac is Financial Controller at AMN Financial Services based at the Signs in Warburton. They will not be leaving for Fiji until late January, ARRIVING IN THE MISSION FIELD Bob and Joy Butler have just arrived in Kenya, Africa and are settling into their new positions where Bob is the CEO of Health Management Systems for the East Central Africa Division ECD, and Joy is Administrative Assistant and Fund Raiser for the same entity. They are asking us all to pray for them, for wisdom and divine tact to negotiate and discuss protocols and changes with personnel in the mission offices and hospitals. They can be contacted on joymariebutler@gmail.com After numerous hold-ups, Dr Scott Charlesworth, from Armidale NSW, with his wife Amy and two children, have arrived at PAU in PNG, where he is to be a Lecturer in the Theology Department. Dr Charlesworth is a specialist in biblical languages and has just completed a concentrated 6- month course in Theology at Avondale. MISSION INSTITUTE 2009 Mission Institute this next year will include a number of new Division families who have recently commenced crosscultural ministry in the SPD office. If you are one of those families that have never attended a Mission Institute in the last ten years, then you should plan to attend the program at Avondale this coming January. RE-ENTRY RETREAT BEFORE XMAS Once again, the Re-Entry Retreat for returning missionaries will be held just prior to Christmas, so that folk can be free to spend holiday time with family and take up new appointments in the New Year without any delay. So far we have sent invitations to 9 families to attend this year s Re-Entry Retreat which will be held at Crosslands from December This year I will be supported by Chris & Marlene Foote, and David Potter. Catering is being done by Mrs Orette Elysee-Collen. The quiet, bush surroundings of Crosslands is an ideal environment for couples and families to unwind and process some of the challenges of returning home. If you have just returned, or plan to be coming home this year-end, then make sure you put these dates in your diary now. You will not regret it! CAMP MISSION OFFERING PROJECTS REALLY BENEFIT Over $190,000 has been raised during the last financial year from Camp Mission Offerings in Australia and New Zealand, and the two projects that will benefit from these funds are already swinging into action. Sixty percent of the Camp offering funds will help complete renovations and rebuilding on several Health clinics around the Pacific, and major upgrades will now take place with the Pacific Adventist University library with the remaining forty percent. The PAU library commissioned a new air-conditioning system in February 2008, and University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Branimir Schubert says, This is making a huge difference to those using the library as well as assisting in the preservation of books. The PAU library is also now safe from rain due to the new roof that was completed in late An extension to the Periodicals section of the library is also now in use. We can now add journals to our shelves and provide additional space for research and study within the area, says Dr Schubert. We will be blest by the assistance of Cheryl & Gorden Doss from Andrews University, and Enid Harris to run a special Institute for the teens and kids. Please contact Carolyn and David and tell them that you would like to attend. Dates are: January 11-24, 2009 More space will be available for the PAU Library

3 When the new Administrative Building is completed in September of this year, the Library will see a major refurbishment to equip the space vacated by administrative offices. New flooring will be needed, as well as partitioning, and a re-allocation of space. The aim is to provide new study workstations for a minimum of 50 students, says Dr Schubert. Currently we only have a few computers available in the library due to lack of space. In February 2008, the PAU library acquired the new Liberty 3 Library software program to provide a state-of-the-art search facility to faculty and students. Later this year this software will also link PAU with significant research databases. Once space is available, the new E G White Study Centre will be added to the Heritage section of the PAU library. Director of Adventist Mission, Pastor Raymond Coombe says that although the share of the Camp Mission offering funds will in no way cover all the costs of these improvements, they will go a long way to helping the University. We thank our members around Australia and New Zealand for their generosity and commitment to this premier training institution for the South Pacific. The larger share of funds however will help rebuild and restore a number of Health Clinics around the Pacific. One of the first medical facilities to be rebuilt is the Kwailebesi clinic in the Solomon Islands that was destroyed by fire over a year ago. This vital medical outpost has been adopted by several churches including Coffs Harbour, Tumbulgum, Gosford and Melbourne Polish, and a Fly-n-build team led by Elwyn Ferris has just returned from the construction project. Further assistance was provided by Woden Church in Canberra, and a Sabbath School class at Avondale Memorial Church. The new Kwailabesi Clinic recently completed on Malaita. Already, the Kukudu Clinic which was adopted by Hillview Church several years ago has been restored, and the Biluro clinic adopted by Birdwood Church SA has also been completed. Celebrations at the opening of Biluro Clinic Other Clinics that will soon be upgraded as a result of the Camp Mission offering and Adopt-A-Clinic project include Kapi clinic in Easter Highlands, Mount Diamond clinic in Central Papua, the MV Pathfinder and Koil clinic in the Sepik Mission. In the Solomon Islands, Sango clinic on Malaita, Balolava clinic on Guadalcanal, and Dovele & Kanata clinics in Western Province will also receive attention soon. Middle Bush clinic on Tanna and Aore clinic in Vanuatu are also on the list to benefit. In addition to the funds received from Camp Mission Offerings 61 churches in Australia and New Zealand have now become involved in the adoption program and have committed to support clinic operations on a continuing basis. This still leaves about 6 clinics without any sponsors, and interested churches can contact Dr Chester Kuma at the SPD Adventist Health Department for further information. Adopt -a-clinic project has been a great blessing to our medical missionary work, says Dr Kuma, and we are certainly grateful for the $120,000 that has come via the Camp Mission offerings. Partners in Mission visit Vanuatu The administration team of the South Queensland Conference (SQC) visited the Vanuatu Mission from June 15 to 22 as part of the Partners in Mission program a South Pacific Division initiative to link conferences in Australia and New Zealand with missions in the Pacific. SQC s president Pastor Neil Watts, general secretary Pastor Malcolm Potts, and chief financial officer Scott Hopkins visited several locations around Vanuatu, to become familiar with the work of the church there and to gain a firsthand understanding of the needs of the church and school system.

4 Pastor Watts adds, By supporting the mission with guest speakers and trainers, as well as having some of their speakers assist us at camp meetings and other programs, I believe we will see our members in both regions greatly blessed and enriched. Fulton College finds potential new site The future of Fulton College in Fiji is looking more secure, following the discovery of land the school can relocate to 15 minutes drive north of the international airport at Nadi. President Neil Watts & CFO Scott Hopkins visiting in Vanuatu Pastor Watts says, It also helped us to decide the most important and urgent needs, and to gain insights into ways in which our conference may be able to help them. We wanted to meet with the local members and Vanuatu mission Executive Committee, to assure them of our commitment to work with them and the local mission administration in finding the best way to help each other, and to foster mutual understanding and support. Fulton College has 200 students and was established in 1940, on the eastern side of the main island. However, the original landowners have won a court order that orders their leased land to be returned to them, meaning the college must relocate. The college s future was uncertain for a number of months following the court s decision. It was truly a historical visit, because it consolidates the relationship between the conference and the mission, says Vanuatu Mission president Pastor John Leeman, who believes the partnership with SQC will help boot the morale of members. The SQC team visited four of the six provinces in Vanuatu and spent time with the church members in Santo, Port Vila, Malekula, Tanna and Aore, where they visited the Aore Adventist Academy. The visit concluded with the team attending the mission s midyear Executive Committee Meeting. Pastor Potts says, It s inspiring to see the commitment of leaders and members alike to the mission of the church, despite the limited availability of resources. The church is central to the life of the village communities and members, and they have a passion to do what they can to extend the kingdom of God in their territory. Union & Division leaders at the Sabeto property, near Nadi. A search committee found and recommended the 65-hectare site, located at the foot of the Sabeto Mountains. The owner has agreed to lease the land for 99 years, with an automatic renewal of the lease every time it expires. Roads, buses, a police station, medical post and post office already exist at the site, along with electricity, mains water supply and telephone services. Currently, sugar cane is planted on the large, flat areas that would be suited to playing ovals and agriculture, and sloping areas on the property have the potential for buildings and residences. The s midyear meetings endorsed the relocation, and donation, offering and fundraising appeals will be planned. General Secretaries, Dexter Lilo & Malcolm Potts share together Bold long-term church planting plan for French Polynesia The French Polynesia Mission (FPM) has embarked on a long-term plan to plant churches in each of its more than 50

5 atolls and islands. The mission commenced its plan in March this year, with a Vacation Bible School for the inhabitants on Aratika Atoll. The program aims to introduce children to Bible stories and encourage them to share what they learned with their parents. Delegates vote the Central Papua Conference into existence, August 6 The VBS Team that went to Aratika earlier this year The strategy is to have trained teams visit the various islands and atolls, running activities like Vacation Bible Schools, health programs and small groups, says Cliff Doom, chief financial officer of FPM. By the second year of constant contact, a church plant will be started. In the third year, a pioneer either a local or someone from the other islands will then stay on location to help build and maintain a church. According to Mr Doom, the program will go on for as long as it takes to plant a church in every atoll and island. There are at least 450 people living on each atoll or island in French Polynesia. CONFERENCE HOLDS INAUGURAL SESSION IN CENTRAL PAPUA The first Mission to achieve Conference status in the South Pacific Division held their inaugural Constituency Meeting at the Holiday Inn, Port Moresby, August 6-9 and voted in the Constitution of the Central Papua Conference (CPC) with a flurry of yellow voting cards on Wednesday, August 6, The 215 delegates greeted the vote with applause and created history as they formed the first conference within the Papua New Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM) just a few months after celebrating the church s centenary of the Adventist church entering PNG. Division President, Dr Barry Oliver congratulated the delegates to the Session that proceeded to receive administrative and departmental reports, and to elect officers, departmental directors and a new Executive committee for the next five year term. The jubilant atmosphere of the Session was overshadowed by the recent sudden death of former General Secretary, Pastor Gilbert Egu, who with the outgoing President, Pastor Peter Oli had steered the mission to achieve conference status. It is clear that this new conference has a wealth of talented church members and business professionals who are committed to the mission of the Adventist Church, said Pastor Ray Coombe, who also represented the Division at the session. The new officers of the Conference elected by the session, were introduced to church members at a combined Sabbath gathering in the Indoor Stadium by PNGUM President, Pastor Thomas Davai, on Saturday, August 9. Conference President is former Union Ministerial Director, Pastor Tony Kemo; General Secretary is former Stewardship Director, Pastor Andrew Lukale, and re-elected Chief Financial Officer is Max Lassah. Departmental Directors and new Executive Committee members were also introduced to the members and commissioned through prayer.

6 MOROBE GIVES TRAINING TO PIONEERS & VIA MISSIONARIES Seventeen laymen who are planting churches in new work areas in the Morobe Province attended a 5-day training program at the Morobe Mission office from August 11 15, The training program funded by Global Mission was the first of its kind in Morobe, but follows similar programs conducted in the Western Highlands and Sepik Missions. Global Mission Pioneers and VIA missionaries are volunteer laymen who help establish an Adventist presence in new areas and untouched people groups. They are supported with a small stipend to help cover some expenses, but they represent the frontline of church growth in many countries around the world. Guest presenters for the training program included Pastor Ray Coombe, Director of Global Mission for the South Pacific Division, and Pastor Simeon Nara, Global Mission Coordinator for PNGUM. Mission President, Pastor Kove Tau and other Departmental Directors also provided training in preaching methods, Bible studies, witnessing and church planting. funding some 30 church plant projects in PNG, but much more could be done. CAMP MISSION OFFERINGS TO FOCUS ON PARTNERSHIPS Mission projects selected by Conference partners will feature in Camp Mission programs during this next financial year. Building on the growing relationships that are now developing between most Conferences and the mission partners, the has decided to allocate 50% of this year s Mission offering funds to projects within the partner missions. This opportunity will help strengthen the ties that are already developing, but give our members specific projects that they can raise funds for within the partner conference, says Director of Adventist Mission, Pastor Ray Coombe. He reports that there have already been some positive exchange visits between several of the Pacific partners, and now some churches and schools are identifying specific partners within the relationship. North NSW Conference & Fiji Mission leaders meet together Pioneers and VIA missionaries who attended the Training Program at Two Mile, Morobe Mission There are currently seven Global Mission Pioneers in Morobe Mission working on Global Mission projects, and ten VIA missionaries who are sponsored by Volunteers-in-Action supporters in Australia. During the first seven months of this year, the lay volunteers reported a total of 79 baptisms, and 373 in baptismal classes. It is great to see the commitment and enthusiasm of these laymen who have a passion for winning souls, said Pastor Coombe. Many of them have had little formal training or education, but they depend on the power of God s Spirit. We need more training programs like this in all Mission, said Pastor Simeon Nara. Global Mission is currently Island visitors from the partner missions will in some cases attend Conference camps and regional meetings this year to promote the needs of their mission and to share stories of church growth and evangelism. This partnership program is bringing a new connection between our church in Australia & New Zealand and the island fields, says SPD General Secretary Pastor Lawrence Tanabose, and is increasing interest in mission. Not all missions have yet identified the specific details of their projects for the year, but Morobe Mission, for example is hoping to provide much-needed accommodation in Lae for their single ministers; Fiji Mission is wanting to develop a TV/video production facility to complement their very successful Radio and Hope TV ministry and Vanuatu Mission has identified building developments at the Kwataparen Junior Secondary School on Tanna island and a District Director s house and office on Malekula. The Solomon Islands Mission is looking for funds to help operate their medical yacht which takes health outreach teams to island communities, and Kiribati Mission are planning to purchase a

7 PA system for youth evangelistic outreach. These are very exciting mission projects that have a specific local focus, says Pastor Coombe. Some of these projects will provide further opportunities for members in the partner Conference to be involved in fly-nbuild visits and other follow-up contact. I hope it will give renewed meaning and focus to our Camp Mission offerings, said Pastor Coombe. The other 50% of Camp Mission offering income this next year will go to assist the Division in funding the relocation of Fulton College. With the ongoing land-lease dispute and other problems, the Trans Pacific Union have decided to relocate Fulton and restructure the educational program. They have already identified a suitable site at Sabeto on the western side of Viti Levu near the international airport at Nadi. Islands, purchased a new 1.8 million dollar aircraft for the PNG aviation program, renovated and restored medical clinics and refurbished the PAU library. A new mission offering pledge card has been designed for use at camps this year that features the current projects, and gives members opportunity to contribute by credit card charge, cheque or pledges as well as by a cash offering. Now, as members head off to Camp and regional meetings this next year, I hope that they will prepare for a big mission offering, and give generously to support the new Fulton campus, and their partner Mission, says Pastor Coombe. LITTLE RESPONSE FOR EXPAT NEWS This month we have not had many responses from our expat missionaries with news updates or snippets from their s. We do enjoy catching up on what you are doing and I m sure your colleagues would be interested too! Please keep us in the loop on interesting challenges or experiences you face from week to week. Fulton College to be relocated to a new University campus Division President, Dr Barry Oliver believes that the relocation of Fulton provides a providential opportunity to develop a university campus in Fiji for what will be part of the unified tertiary system in the Pacific. It is a huge project, he says, that will require much finance over the next few years, and we are looking for strong support from members in Australia and New Zealand to accomplish this major transition. Fulton has been a vital part of our integrated tertiary education strategy in the Pacific, says Dr Barry Hill, SPD Education Director, and as a new campus it will continue to train key leaders and church workers into the future. The relocation of Fulton is now urgent and we must start developing this university campus as quickly as possible says Fulton College principal, Joseph Pitakia. In the recent past, Camp Mission offerings have helped establish a radio station in Tahiti, built a new Mission office at Kokopo near Rabaul (where the volcanic eruption destroyed the previous office), commenced re-building and operation of a Layman s Training School at Kwailabesi in the Solomon FIRST BAPTISM ON WALLIS ISLAND Six people, the very first to be baptized as Seventh-day Adventists on Wallis Island, have created history in the small Pacific island territory. Church Development Director for the New Caledonia Mission, Pastor Jean-Noel Adeline, and a team of six from Noumea, first started sharing Adventist beliefs with the people of Wallis Island back in December last year. The outreach effort was made possible with Global Mission funding, since it represents a new previously un-entered territory in the. The moment was so solemn and joyful that as the candidates came out of the water, a Wallisian song that we liked to sing came out spontaneously from the small crowd who witnessed the event says Pastor Adeline. Seven more people have since expressed their intentions to be baptized. For Pastor Adeline, the baptisms were a miracle performed by God. Intense local opposition had seen the group referred to as a sect and wolves in sheep s clothing. Some followers were threatened with the loss of jobs if they persisted in attending the Adventist meetings.

8 One of the significant features of the meeting was the presentation by Directors of the various Global Mission Study Centres that focus on the preparation of materials and methods for reaching special religious faith communities such as Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and secular/postmodern people. It is clear that in many places of the world these groups have not been successfully reached with the Christian message, and more intentional work needs to be done to make the Christian gospel and the Adventist lifestyle more relevant and attractive to them. Six newly baptized members on Wallis Island with Pr Patrice Allet, Pr Jerry Matthews and Pr Jean-Noel Adeline. Almost all of the 10,000 inhabitants of Wallis Island are Roman Catholics, and Protestantism is rarely practiced or welcomed. With the amount of pressure and persecutions during these past four months, at times I wondered if there would be any baptismal results, says Pastor Adeline. I praise and thank God for what He has begun here in Wallis, especially in the lives of these six dear souls. Pastor Adeline, however, acknowledges that baptism is only the beginning of the Christian walk with the Lord, and appeals to church members across the South Pacific to pray for the group that has begun in Wallis, who will now be cared for by retired Pastor Fredy Taputu from French Polynesia. WORLD MISSION DIRECTORS MEET IN THAILAND Twenty seven church leaders from all divisions of the world with responsibilities for Global Mission met recently in Thailand to discuss challenges and methods for accomplishing the mission of the church. The Adventist Mission International Exchange brought General Conference and Division Global Mission Coordinators together in Chiang Mai, August Attendees experienced a Muslim-style worship as part of Sabbath program An expanded function of the Office of Adventist Mission in each Division is the promotion of Mission Awareness, which although traditionally done through the Sabbath School Department, needs a wider base for keeping mission at the heart of the church s activities. World Mission Offerings have picked up over recent years, but there is still a trend towards local needs and project giving that sometimes overlooks the international work and needs of the church. Thailand was a central and appropriate location within the window where Christianity struggles to make an impact within the predominantly Buddhist community. Attendees to the conference visited a Buddhist temple, an animist hill tribe village, and also an Adventist Academy that has operated for 40 years. I appreciated the opportunity of sharing ideas and challenges with my colleagues from other Divisions, said SPD Director of Adventist Mission, Pastor Raymond Coombe. We are blest in the with a strong sense of mission because of the long-term commitment to the Pacific islands, but we need to focus on some of the more challenging areas where the church has a much smaller ratio of believers. We need to pray for Global Mission pioneers who are planting churches in all corners of the globe, but particularly those who work in non-christian areas where beatings and persecution are often their lot. Some of the attendees at the Mission Exchange meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand Editor: R L Coombe