PULSE MAGAZINE September 2015

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "PULSE MAGAZINE September 2015"

Coleen Sims
5 years ago
Views:

1 PULSE MAGAZINE September 2015

2 Contents Page 2 Page 3 Pages 4-5 Pages 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10 Page 11 Pulse Editorial From the Australian Missions Director Solomon Islands Youth Jamboree Report Solomon Islands Youth Jamboree Testimonies Cyclone Pam Relief Effort Report Vanuatu Bible School Graduatioin Sue Withers Page Fiji Church Opening Page Updates From Around the World Pulse is the voice of CRC Missions International. Contact us Ps Mike Cronin Australian Missions Director CRC Churches International PO Box 198 Endeavour Hills Victoria 3802 Australia E: info@crcmissions.org P: This issue of Pulse has a major focus on the work of CRC Churches International in the Pacific. I am greatly encouraged by the work people are doing around the Pacific to help one another, especially after reading the Cyclone Pam Relief Effort Report. Hebrews 13:16 says: Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Whatever we have we can use it to help others. When we see our brothers and sisters in need we should always seek to help them, for when we do this we not only bless others but we please God. If anyone has an old mobile phone that they are not using and would like to donate it to help others, please give the phone to Ps Mike Cronin personally or post to PO Box 198, Endeavour Hills Your old phone, if still in good condition, could be a great asset to a pastor in Papua New Guinea. Please delete all your personal information and make sure the phone is unlocked. Mikaela Groom Editor of Pulse If you would like a printed copy of Pulse, they are available via the CRC missions office at $1.20 each plus postage. 2 Pulse

From the Australian Missions Director, PS MIKE CRONIN In Australian CRC Churches in the early 1980 s global missions was something just a few people got involved with. It was not for everyone.

3 From the Australian Missions Director, PS MIKE CRONIN In Australian CRC Churches in the early 1980 s global missions was something just a few people got involved with. It was not for everyone. Now some 30 years later almost all CRC Churches in Australia are involved in global missions. There are many ministry trips to other nations, as well as an increasing amount of finance being sent to global missions each year. What will the scene be like in another 30 years at our centenary in 2045 with a presence in every nation? The changes in the past 30 years have been very significant. Even greater changes are going to take Issue 3, 2015 place in the next 30 years as CRC personnel go out to every nation to fully preach the Gospel of Christ by word and by the power of signs and miracles (Rom 15:18,19). In this issue of Pulse there is a report of the opening of a Children s home in Myanmar. This has been an exciting project of faith and sacrifice for the people of Portlife Church. Also the new church building in Fiji was officially opened recently. This has been the result of the faith and sacrifice of people in Kingston City Church. It is exciting to hear of the very significant steps forward that are taking place in global mission as church after church catches a vision and is willing to believe God, and make sacrifices to accomplish great things. Very well done to all involved with these projects. 3

4 SOLOMON ISLANDS YOUTH JAMBOREE REPORT The CRC International Youth Jamboree 2015 was a life changing experience for me. The opportunity for people from different nations to gather together in the Solomon Islands to worship God and fellowship with one another was something special. The theme of the Jamboree was Rise Up To The Call. This theme stemmed from the Bible verse Isaiah 60:1: Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. The overall message was rising up to the call of God in each of our lives. The Jamboree was an amazing experience! People came from New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu to be part of the event with many young people also coming from all over the Solomon Islands. The opening night of the jamboree consisted of worship, dancing, items, sharing, speeches and a visit from the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands. The rest of the Jamboree consisted of morning sessions run by Ps Barry Silverback, Ps Mark Tobias and the occasional guest speaker, including Papa Fuwe from PNG. We had three morning sessions each day, although some sessions were cancelled due to the bad weather. After these sessions we had lunch followed by free time and fellowship with each other. After dinner we had our night rallies. Night rallies were great fun! Worship was followed by preaching and items performed by people from different nations and provinces of the Solomon Islands. During the Jamboree the weather turned really bad. A cyclone brought with it heavy rain, wind, thunder, lightening and flooding. There was mud and puddles everywhere. The weather disrupted the plans for the Jamboree, which seemed annoying from time to time, but it definitely didn t hold us back from having fun or experiencing God. I think a lot of us actually ended up enjoying all the mud and rain, especially the young people who played soccer and volleyball in the mud each day. During my three weeks in the Solomon Islands I absolutely loved meeting new friends, experiencing Solomon Island culture, eating the 4 Pulse

food, riding in the back of trucks, and learning more about God and myself among many other things!

Our own personal worlds are so small in comparison to everything else out there.

plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

5 food, riding in the back of trucks, and learning more about God and myself among many other things! I learnt that there is so much more out there than we could ever imagine. Our own personal worlds are so small in comparison to everything else out there. Missions trips and mixing with people from around the world are amazing opportunities to gain a new perspective on things. During my time in the Solomon Islands my eyes were opened in a major way and I am extremely thankful for all that I experienced. The well-known verse Jeremiah 29:11 says: For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I am continually reminded that God s plan is so much greater than anything we could ever imagine and that he will take us places we never thought possible. When we simply trust him with our lives and follow where he leads, this enables us to rise up to the call of God in our lives. Mikaela Groom Issue 3,

SOLOMON ISLANDS YOUTH JAMBOREE GEELONG TEAM TESTIMONIES Here s just a little something from our youth that endured cyclones, earthquakes and torrential rains while on our latest missions trip to the

6 SOLOMON ISLANDS YOUTH JAMBOREE GEELONG TEAM TESTIMONIES Here s just a little something from our youth that endured cyclones, earthquakes and torrential rains while on our latest missions trip to the Solomon Islands. So often we as privileged westerners mix up our understanding of true Christian mission and humanitarian aid. On this trip we may not have made it to many slums or islands of the country to feed those in need and bandage physical wounds but we were given an even greater cause - the mission to truly share eternal life. We ministered for 4 days straight to over 80 islander kids, led worship for a crowd of 200, preached and shared our testimonies to small village churches and shone a bright light of Jesus Christ to all those we met - whether it be by scrubbing pots by the water tank, serving locals rice and curry or entertaining more then 500 trying to teach them the Nutbush. It may not have been what we originally expected of this trip but each person stepped back on that plane home a little more confident, a little more wiser and a little more cultured. I am so very proud of all the youth and how they conducted themselves over the duration of the trip. They were prepared to do absolutely anything and as a result we were blessed to see Christ s light spread throughout so many lives. Below are just a few words from some of the youth who came along for the ride. Ps Dave Manning A boundary pushing and God finding experience. Kirsty Glover In the Solomons they aren t ashamed of who they are and what they believe in, they tell everyone and anyone who will listen to them about Christ (we marched down the streets singing Walking In the Light of God ) and managed to bring up Jesus into any ordinary conversation. It s different here in Australia, we don t always express who we really 6 Pulse

are as Christians. We should try to be more like them.

I m sure everyone enjoyed the experiences that were sprung upon us and enjoyed everything we did and learned.

Amazing how they are so God-driven. Jodie Glover I really loved my time over in the Solomons.

7 are as Christians. We should try to be more like them. Elisabeth Willder I loved every minute of the trip, and it was a great group of people to share the experience with. The trip to the Solomons was awesome. We enjoyed interacting with the locals and taking activities with the youth as well as heaps of other things. I m sure everyone enjoyed the experiences that were sprung upon us and enjoyed everything we did and learned. Daniel Edwards Jacob Edwards Great experience to see how other people live and what their conditions of living are like. Amazing how they are so God-driven. Jodie Glover I really loved my time over in the Solomons. I enjoyed meeting new people, experiencing the different culture and being able to share some awesome memories with the team. I feel so grateful for what I have and the life that I live, particularly since witnessing their lifestyle. It has definitely challenged me to rise up to the call and carry out God s call for my life. Elise Manning Issue 3,

CYCLONE PAM RELIEF EFFORT REPORT, VANUATU After Cyclone Pam we have had a lot of things happen, especially in areas of rebuilding and supplying relief to areas that were destroyed.

Through our good relationship with Ps Steve Blake and his son Jonathan and their ministry called Liberty for the Nation ; we ve been working together to coordinate the supplying of reliefs to Emau

We are working closely with one of our CRC churches in Emau that is looked after by Ps Amy Henry and his family; we are working alongside him to coordinate the supply of relief around the Island.

8 CYCLONE PAM RELIEF EFFORT REPORT, VANUATU After Cyclone Pam we have had a lot of things happen, especially in areas of rebuilding and supplying relief to areas that were destroyed. We would like to thank all of our CRC family for your generous hearts in donating funds towards rebuilding our nation following this disaster. Through our good relationship with Ps Steve Blake and his son Jonathan and their ministry called Liberty for the Nation ; we ve been working together to coordinate the supplying of reliefs to Emau Island and the north of Port-Vila. We are working closely with one of our CRC churches in Emau that is looked after by Ps Amy Henry and his family; we are working alongside him to coordinate the supply of relief around the Island. Here are some of the reports of relief supply and rebuilding: 2. We have been coordinating with Liberty for the Nation for the supply of relief in order to donate 674 sheets of roofing and second hand clothing to 6 villages on Emau Island. 800 people live on the Island. We have also delivered supplies to some villages in the north of Efate Island. We transported all relief supplies by truck to the north of Efate Island and then transported by boat to Emau Island with the help of the 6 village communities. 1. Our Vila Church was rebuilt by our church members. The roofing was completely rebuilt, the floor has been rebuilt, and a rainwater tank has been put in place. The church shelter is now complete. 8 Pulse

With our good relationship with Ps Steve Blake, we have formed a team from our CRC church in Vila to provide labourers to build more houses in Port-Vila for the needy people.

9 3. We have been coordinating the rebuilding of some houses for needy people such as, widows and people with disabilities. We have been able to do this with the help of Nelson Bay CRC church and Ps Bill Brill in Emau and in Port-Vila. With our good relationship with Ps Steve Blake, we have formed a team from our CRC church in Vila to provide labourers to build more houses in Port-Vila for the needy people. The rebuilding of houses around Port-Vila still continues. 4. Our preschool in our outreach at Eratap is still in the process of being rebuilt by our church members. 5. We also coordinated a ministry team to visit Emau to meet and encourage people and rebuild their hope in Christ alone. We had Jonathan and his wife, and Ps Steve Blake and the team from Tasmania, hold a one-day concert in Emau. People were very happy to meet them and each chief of the villages gave a speech on behalf of their people to thank them for what they have received. Issue 3, Last week we held a 10 day mass Nation Miracles Healing Crusade in Port-Vila with Ps Tim Hall from Australia and Ps Joseph Water from PNG, organised by Liberty for the Nation. 9,000 people were attending every night with lot of miracles taking place. This is all part of building a nation in the Hope of Jesus Christ. Before I finish, on behalf of CRC Vanuatu, I would like to thank all of our CRC family and our international leaders that have been praying for us and supporting us. Because of your prayers and support our nation is recovering very quickly. We can see fruits and vegetables in the market again, trees are getting their leaves back again, flowers are colourful and people are smiling. God bless. Ps Remy Adams Senior Pastor at Port Vila Christian Centre 9

DOOR STEP NIGHT BIBLE SCHOOL GRADUATION, VANUATU On Sunday the 6th of September we celebrated the 5th Graduation of our Door Step Night Bible School in Vila church.

10 DOOR STEP NIGHT BIBLE SCHOOL GRADUATION, VANUATU On Sunday the 6th of September we celebrated the 5th Graduation of our Door Step Night Bible School in Vila church. We have 8 students that have successfully completed 6 months in Biblical Christian Foundation, Practical Christianity and Christian Studies. They are all workers and students. This Bible School runs on Monday and Thursday nights from 6.30pm to 9.00pm in the church for 6 months. It is also open to other churches. We are offering a flexible time for people so that when they are finished their duties for the day, they can come and study God s Word. During the graduation we heard testimonies from students as to how the Word of God can set them free. We would like to thank you for all of your prayers and for your support of this school. We encourage you to continue praying for this school to start another class in October 2015, as we have 9 students already enrolled. All of our graduates are church members along with their lecturers, Brother Ilan Kiloe, Ps Peter Simon, Ps Gershom Regenvanu, Loreen Adams, as well as their Principal Ps Remy Adams. Please continue to pray for them as they serve in the Kingdom of God and also our lecturers that they have a heart and passion to teach the word of God in this critical time. The above image shows our 8 graduated students. Standing (from the left): Moly Noel, Roseneth Regenvanu, Muna Jack and Kelly Kiloe. Sitting (from the left): Alick Madden, Leily Alick, Esther Kalo and John Wilson Ps Remy Adams Senior Pastor at Port Vila Christian Centre 10 Pulse

SUE WITHERS AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARY TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA I arrived at Bethel Christian Center, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) in April 2013.

11 pioneering any proposed medical work. The CRC church vision is to set up a Medical clinic in the Bethel Tabernacle of Praise church grounds. Also continue to run Medical Clinics in remote areas and settlements around Port Moresby. A longer-term goal is to set up and run a nursing school. SUE WITHERS AUSTRALIAN MISSIONARY TO PAPUA NEW GUINEA I arrived at Bethel Christian Center, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG) in April I am a registered Nurse and in the process of attaining my full nursing licence to practice in PNG. I am currently working at the Alotau hospital in Milne Bay Province to complete six months practical work in order to fulfill the required competencies. Although, this is a long process I can see God s hand in it, so I am very thankful. I have been able to network with people and develop an understanding of the PNG health system. I see this as a vital step to Issue 3, 2015 Up until this time, I have been working with the Early Learning Mobile School (ELMS) team pioneering work in the settlements around Port Moresby. The main purpose is evangelism, then to teach underprivileged children, aged 4-7 years to read in write. We started this work at Tete and now added June Valley 1. It has been fun, but also challenging, considering I am not a teacher and have never been involved in children s ministry. We are very thankful to have the Principals of Sunrise Bethel Christian School, Roger and Jill Tumes training us in Phonics. 11

12 OPENING OF BETHEL CHRISTIAN FAMILY CENTRE, FIJI On August 22, 2015 Ps Barry Silverback opened a new church building in Suva, Fiji. The vision for the building had been devised in 2008 when Ps Dan Parker and Ps Alipate Yagomate sensed the Holy Spirit speak to them that it was time to build. At that time, there was a ramshackle collection of buildings that the church was using. Ps Dan then met with Ps Barry and Ps Mike Groom on his return to Australia and shared what they believed God had said. Both Ps Barry and Ps Mike agreed that this was right and the planning began in earnest. The vision was presented to the leadership of Kingston City Church (KCC) and Bethel Christian Family Centre and was affirmed as a joint vision. KCC began a giving campaign and the goal of $120,000AUD was set before the church. given by the pledgers was $105,000, with $10,000 being given above the pledged amount. Two offerings were taken up in 2013 of $28,000 and $19,000. This was unprecedented giving by the congregation the final amount given by KCC was $240,000AUD. From the beginning of the campaign to the end of construction period, the tithes and offerings of KCC increased 50%. This project and the obedience of the church to give beyond it s own needs seemed to release a new level of blessing in the financial realm. Bethel Suva also stepped into new levels of giving. The church raised $15,000FD to pay for the slab and continued to give for various components of the building and many members gave in time and money to see the vision completed. Two miracles of provision among many highlight the hand of God on this project. The first was the time when the transfer of Australian dollars into Fijian currency took place; the exchange rate was at its all-time highest and the project received maximum value for money. The second was, the need for Three words were used to promote thousands of cubic/mtrs of soil to the campaign: Vision, Faith and fill a valley in the middle of the Legacy. Pledges came in of $95,000 property. At the time when the fill by the church members. The total was needed, a Chinese construction 12 Pulse

company was looking for a place to dump excess soil and soapstone from a road-widening project. They filled and compacted the entire valley at no expense to the project.

every person who gave and served to make this wonderful vision a reality.

There were many coincidences like this that occurred and God s hand could be seen on the project.

He did a great job organizing the design and drawing and a schedule of works.

13 company was looking for a place to dump excess soil and soapstone from a road-widening project. They filled and compacted the entire valley at no expense to the project. When they had finished they learned that the fill could be sold for a profit and they began to stock pile it for sale. every person who gave and served to make this wonderful vision a reality. It has been a great example of cooperation, generosity and hard work by two churches and it stands as testimony to the value of hearing from God and stepping out in faith. There were many coincidences like this that occurred and God s hand could be seen on the project. The need for a project manager was critical and Ps Jim Hewitt volunteered his services, which was a God-send. He did a great job organizing the design and drawing and a schedule of works. Teams from KCC and Australian churches began going to Fiji in 2013 and continued through to the middle of The church in Suva had a dedicated team of tradespeople, staff and volunteers who did a fantastic job working throughout the two-year build. The project had it s struggles at times and relationships were tested, but on 22nd of August 2015, Ps Barry Silverback officially opened the church to the glory of God with 350 people in attendance from Australia, New Zealand, Vanuatu and Fiji. It was a great celebration of vision, faith and leaving a legacy. Thank you to Ps Dan Parker, Ps Alipate Yagomate, Ps Jim Hewitt and Issue 3,

UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Myanmar Project - Children s Home In 2011, Portlife Church made the decision to build a children s home in South East Asia.

In 2012 we stepped out in faith and started The Myanmar Project. Within just a few months we raised $80,000 to purchase 3 blocks of land in the city of Mandalay.

14 UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Myanmar Project - Children s Home In 2011, Portlife Church made the decision to build a children s home in South East Asia. Later that year, Pastor Barry Silverback told us that Pastor Andrew Bawi Ceu (the National Leader of the CRC in Myanmar) really wanted to build a Children s Home in Myanmar. In 2012 we stepped out in faith and started The Myanmar Project. Within just a few months we raised $80,000 to purchase 3 blocks of land in the city of Mandalay. Since then we have raised a further $180,000 and built a quality 2 storey children s home. The home has 5 bedrooms and will support 12 children as well as the house parents and 2 of their children. In March of this year, the Home was completed and 7 orphaned children moved into the home in May. In June, I went over to Mandalay with a small team and officially opened the home. There are currently 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls) and we have already raised a further $20,000 for the slab for the second home which we will commence the building in It has been so exciting for our church to actually invest in this project from the beginning and see it through to where it is today. It gives our church great comfort to know that every dollar we raise for missions goes directly into a project which will change children s lives. We are sending another team in January to build vegetable garden beds, an outdoor playground and to investigate the possibility of providing educational services there in the future. Ps Josh Poyzer Senior Pastor at Portlife Church 14 Pulse

Updates from the Mission Field As a family we are doing fine here on the mission field, our son Jabez is growing and seems to be on a discovery mode by getting things off the table or whereever he

The month of June was a good one, as a church we focused our messages during our Sunday services and small groups on the theme of worship.

15 Updates from the Mission Field As a family we are doing fine here on the mission field, our son Jabez is growing and seems to be on a discovery mode by getting things off the table or whereever he can find and having a good look at them. Even though he is not talking clearly yet, he only mutters one or two words, he can follow instructions in English and Tagalog. The month of June was a good one, as a church we focused our messages during our Sunday services and small groups on the theme of worship. We taught our congregation on the importance of worship in the believer s personal life, developing quality worshipers, call to worship God in spirit and in truth, and the hindrances to worship, these were just few of the things we shared on regarding worship. We ve seen quite some breakthrough in peoples lives as they learnt to worship God in spirit and in truth, God is doing something in the hearts of our members about the area of genuine worship. Since the beginning of this year I have shared and challenged our church and leadership team that we should be giving to missions so Issue 3, 2015 that the work of God can grow in the nations, so they ve taken it into their hearts and since then from the month of January we have been giving as a church to the nation of India, it is something new to them as they have never done this before We may be a small church and have many needs but that doesn t mean we should not give. I challenged our members to change our mentality of being a receiving church but let s be a giving church; we can give from the little we have. Our missions offering is going to Sister Lisa Ignacio who is our Filipino missionary serving in the CRC World Missions Faith Training School Siliguri India. Please pray for our church that it will keep its commitment to continually give towards missions. Attached is a latest family picture taken during the 25th anniversary of CMGO Pasig. Thomas Semoi PNG missionary to the Philippines 15

pulse Special Pacific Issue Fiji: Time to Build PNG Celebrations 40 YEARS

pulse Special Pacific Issue Fiji: Time to Build PNG Celebrations 40 YEARS Special Pacific Issue Fiji: Time to Build PNG Celebrations 40 YEARS from the Australian Missions Director This issue focuses on the Pacific area. Forty years ago Bethel Church was planted in Papua New