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

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

2 from the Australian Missions Director This issue focuses on the Pacific area. Forty years ago Bethel Church was planted in Papua New Guinea and has now developed into a thriving church with an international missions school, ministry into every province and outreach into surrounding nations. Because of this heritage, evangelism is very much a central part of the church culture in this area. Missions schools, leadership schools, new church buildings and evangelistic crusades cater to the spiritual development needs of the people of these nations. I pray that this issue releases a desire within you to develop others, reach out to the lost, and invest into other nations to see the spread of the gospel and lives saved. Katelyn Fowler 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. CONTENTS 02 Pulse Editorial 03 Message from Mike Cronin 04 Pacific History 06 PNG Celebrations 08 Solomon Islands 10 Updates Around the World 12 Fiji 14 Vanuatu Pulse is the voice of CRC Missions International Contact us at: Ps Mike Cronin Australian Missions Director CRC Churches International PO Box 198 Endeavour Hills Victoria 3802 Australia e: info@crcmissions.org p: Ps Mike Cronin CRC Missions began when Ps Leo Harris, founder of the CRC, made a working agreement with the International Church of the Four Square Gospel to co-operate with them and supply workers for the Highlands of New Guinea in Ps Barry and Rosalie Silverback and their family spent 3 years working in the Highlands and in 1972 moved to Port Moresby to establish Bethel Centre and the CRC in PNG. From these small beginnings an amazing work of God developed, which not only saw a large and very influential church established in Port Moresby, but also many hundreds of CRC Churches planted throughout the nation touching every province. In this edition of PULSE there is a report on the 40th Anniversary Celebration at Bethel Centre in July this year. However the vision did not end with reaching one nation. Over the years the heart of God for blessing all nations was clearly built into the work, and so the Gospel message was taken beyond PNG to many other nations and is still continuing to expand. This is surely an amazing example of a local church empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). This is the pattern for every local church. As we honour the apostolic ministry of Ps Barry Silverback in leading the work in PNG and then into the nations, we are inspired to follow in these same footsteps as the national leaders in PNG are doing. May this be multiplied many times through churches in Australia and every nation

3 History of Pacific Nation Involvement Bethel Centre, Port Moresby began with Ps Barry and Rosalie Silverback and their 4 children (at that time) moving to Port Moresby in January 1972 to pioneer a church. Previously they had spent 3 years in the highlands working in the joint venture between CRC and Four Square Gospel Mission. Papua New Guinea Bethel Centre was officially recognised by Ps Leo Harris as an autonomous local church of the CRC in August Not only did Bethel Centre become a very successful local church but it quickly became a base for reaching throughout the nation of PNG. In 1976 outreach patrols reached into the Northern Province, and since that time outreach has gone into every Province in PNG. The outreach to the Islands was facilitated by the boats Mauri Delana and Evangelos. Outreach into many remote areas was helped by the Cessna plane from 1985 to late 1992, until the plane crashed killing all on board. Vanuatu A part time Bible School started in 1975 to train leaders for the expanding ministry throughout the nation. The first full time Bible Training course started in Solomon Islands By the mid 1980 s students from other nations were being invited to Bethel Bible School to train, with the aim of being sent back to plant churches in their home countries. The late 1980 s and early 1990 s was a time of massive missionary expansion from Bethel Centre, with CRC Churches being established in Solomon Islands, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Fiji and Vanuatu, as well as a Bible College in Irian Jaya. Missionary expansion has reached further in the 21st century with fruitful outreaches in Myanmar and India. Various people from CRC in PNG have also served in many other nations. Fiji 04 05

4 PNG Celebrations 40 years ago, Ps Barry Silverback answered the call of God to establish the CRC in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. This year in July, about 40 visitors from Australia, Solomon Islands and India joined hundreds of delegates from across CRC PNG for celebrations, inspirational preaching, worship and fellowship at Bethel Tabernacle. Many of PNG team members moved out of their homes to accommodate visitors. They camped in tents on the property or in other temporary facilities. The Opening Ceremony was outstanding. Ps Barry & Rosalie Silverback (founders of the CRC work in PNG), their extended family and senior PNG pastors lead a procession to Bethel Tabernacle of Praise. Worship and praise were complimented by a large choir, 50 tambourine ministry girls, drama items and a flag procession. A presentation depicting aspects of the past 40 years of ministry evoked many emotional memories - especially for Jean Roke (NZ) who served at Bethel for more than 30 years, Bernice Halle (Goolwa SA) one of the first missionaries to PNG and Margaret Aeschlimann (Leongatha Vic) who served at Bethel in the earliest days of the work. 06 Ministry sessions were held each morning and evening and in-between informal gatherings of people were common as stories and experiences were told and lots of food consumed! The celebrations concluded with a bung kai kai (large feast) an amazing event in itself! Waigani Christian School provided mini buses free of charge to help with transport to and from Bethel and airport runs. Many local businesses also contributed in many practical ways. The Bethel pastors, team and congregation members are to be honoured for the incredible amount of selfless work done behind the scenes for the weeks leading up to and including the celebrations. It was a wonderful time of praising God for his faithfulness and enabling grace through the many ups and downs, challenges and victories shared together through the past 40 years. 07

5 Solomon Islands! $ ;1) )6, 01;? ) B # 7=<:-)+0 4-), -:; 16 # &! " "!! " " & "! #! "# #!! "#!! % HISTORY & OUTREACHES )6<)?) 0:1;<1)6 )31:)!?1<0 *:7 13 (0-6 8);<7:-, <0- +0=:+0 1/0<07=;- 0:1;<1)6-6<:- 16 '-44).7: A-):; <0-A?-:- 5-5*-:; 7. 1/0<07=;- 0:1;<1)6-6<:-,=:16/ 5A <15- <0-:- Mahu for teaching, encouragement, prayer and fellowship. The church is now run by Kelly Francis and his wife. 7=: A-):; )/ ;1) <74, 5- <0)< 0-?)6<-, <7 ;<):< ) +0=: ; >144)/- <74, 015 The Solomon Islands have been expanding since a few churches 4-< =; +76<16=- <7 8:)A )6, *-41->- 7,.7: <0- :1/0< <15-.7: <01; <7 0)88-6 were adopted into the CRC movement in There are also churches in Anorara, Sasau and Ataa in East );< A-): < >-:A ;<:76/4A 16 01; 0-):< <0)< 1<?); <15- <7 57>-.:75 '-44) <7 01; 075-8=: Malaita, as well as many other outreaches. Honiara, Solomon Islands is home to Gateway Tabernacle of Worship and Gateway Missions School. raising funds for a new church building. 87;-4A <7 ;<):< )6 7=<:-) ; 7?6 >144)/- $7 <0- # 7=<:-)+0 16 )31:) *-/=6 16 7>-5*-: They are currently =: 6-? #.)5141-; 16 SNAPSHOT OF SANTA-ANA ISLAND ::1>16/ 76 (-,6-;,)A <0 =6- >1;1<-, <01; 84)+- )6, ;<)A-,.7:,)A;!:)1;- 7, $0-80-:, 0:1;<1)6-6<:Santa-Ana in Makira Province is well known /)>- <0-1: 41>-; <7 <0-7:,.7: <0-1:.1:;< <15- < < )31:) )6,?-6< 76 <7 $)6<)- 6) 76 <0 for its cultural There is great outreach into the rest of Solomon Islands. Buala artefacts, brackish lakes on the island and their renowned 6 %=-;,)A ).<-: ;0):-, <0- (7:, 7. 7, A7=6/ ),=4<; /)>- <0-1: 41>-; <7 <0-7:, church was established in 1996 from a =6- house fellowship. DS uala, CRC pudding bowl. Located in a predominately Catholic and Anglican influenced area, there have been challenges in gaining local acceptance of There is strong culture & customs in Santa Ana. If your visit ER FLOW CENTRE, ISABEL PROVINCE. a pentecostal movement. The church ran in Ps Jimmy Vasula s coincides with a cultural feast or celebration you will be treated $)6<)- 6) 16 )31:)!:7>16+- 1;? ?6.7: 1<; +=4<=:)4 ):<1.)+<; *:)+31;0 4)3-; 76 <0-1;4)6, )6, <0-1: :-67?6 8=,,16/ *7? house until a church building was established in Buala to some of the most unique dances and cultural performances =4<=:- +=;<75 %0- +=4<=:- +=;<75 76 $)6<) 6) 1; 9=1<- ;<:76/. A7=: >1;1< ,-;?1<0 ) +=4<=:)4.-);< 7: +-4-*:)<176 sent their own outreach into Kolokofa in the country. There is a Custom House on the island that Pastor Marilyn From ;=:-4A *- <:-)<-, <7 ;75-7. <0-57;< =619=-,)6+-; )6, +=4<=:)4 8-:.7:5)6+-; 16 <0- +7=6<:A %0-:- 1; ) =;<75 7=;- 76 <0-1; in This place was formerly used houses ancestral remains dating back some five hundred years. (PNG) and Buala church 07=;-; )6+-;<:)4 :-5)16;,)<16/ *)+3 ;75-.1>- 0=6,:-, A-):; to offer sacrifices to ancestors - now it leaders The pudding bowl from Santa Ana is an amazing work of art. It!=,,16/ *7?4 %0-8=,,16/ *7?4.:75 $)6<) 6) 1; <:=4A )?7:3 7. ):< < 1; *4) : )6, 164)1,?1<0 ;0-44; %0-8=,,16/ * offers sacrifices to the Most High God. is black in colour and inlaid with shells. The pudding bowl has 0), 16<-:6)<176)4 -@87;=:- 16 5=;-=5; 5-:+0)6,1;- )6, 16 $ ;4)6,; )6,!)+1.1+ ):<?7:3 %0-8=,,16/ *7?4 16 +=4<=:)4 There is the beginning of a great harvest <0- ;A5*74 7: 7*2-+< <0)< :-8:-;-6<; )31:) &4)?) 8:7>16+- )6, ):/=)*4A <0- -);<-:6 $747576;.7: <0)< 5)<<-: < +76<16=-; <7 16 had international exposure in museums, merchandise, and in in this area. re >1;1<7:; 16 <0- ;)5-?)A <0)< 1<,1,?0-6 <0-.1:;< <:),-:; )::1>-, 76 <0-1: ;07:-; Solomon Islands and Pacific artwork. It continues to intrigue Existing churches )3-; %0-:- ):- <?7 *:)+31;0 4)3-; 47+)<-, 76 $)6<) 6) ()1:).) 1; <0- *1//-: 7. <0- <?7 )< in Malaita were visitors in the same way that it did when the first traders arrived 5 )6, ()181)81) )< adopted into the CRC in the 1980s and there is a new unity on their shores. 5 developing amongst the leadership. < <)3-; 0: 516=<-; <7 <:)>-4.:75 )31:) <7 There are two brackish lakes located on $)6<)- 6) ;4)6, *A 07:;-87?-: -6/16- In 1997 Alasa Bible School was funded by CRC churches in Santa Ana. Wairafa is the bigger of the -.7:- :-<=:616/ <7 761):) ;8-6< <?7,)A; 16 New Zealand. At the end of 2011, the pastors of Malaita have two at 1.6km x 700m, and Waipiapia at $)6<)- 6) ;4)6, %0-7:, *:7=/0< <7 =; ) +7=84- taken full responsibility from New Zealand%-587:):A 4-). 07=;- =;-,.7: to run the school 400m x 300m.?07 0), *--6 ;--316/ 7,.7: <0- :1/0< <7 themselves <?1<0 %0-74A $81:1< ;873-16<7 <0-1: 41>-; Orbed and his wife Melody are a.-447?;018 )6, 8:)A-: 16 $)6<)- 6) Brother )6, <0-A?)6<-, <7 *- 8):< 7.?0)< 7, 1;,716/ :7<0-: :*-, )6, 01;? ,A - Mahu Outreach is a 30 minute drive from the CRC Honiara couple that have recently connected with <0:7=/0 <0- #.)514A %0)63 7, 67??- )4;7 ;4)6, ) +7=84- <0)<?- ):-?7:316/?1<0 <7 church and was established in 2004 by Ps Nathan and Lydia Honiara CRC with the vision to start an outreach in the area. 0)> <176; 16 # - " ;<):< )6 7=<:-)+0 16 $)6<)- 6) ;4)6, V O L Udrive M E 3 down to Poloso. Every Thursday morning they would! $)6<)- 6) ;4)6, 08 KkOoLl0KkOoFfAa OoUuTtRrEeAaCcHh 09

6 Updates around the world r for hina, stry. hese and more recently PNG, in the World Missions Faith School at Bethel Centre. " # " can continue to travel and minister together.! # India at the school as well as in the operational bases at Tezpur and Nagaon that The World Missions Faith have been pioneered by the graduates of the Missions School. Cambodia Ps Bill and Cathy Vasilakis Eastern Christian Centre in Australian CRC National South Chairman, based in Adelaide, Australia. Pray for Melbourne has developed an active Training School is in Siliguri, West Bengal. Ps Geua Wari from PNG recently visited to minister in the school as well as in the operational bases at Tezpur and Nagaon that have been pioneered by graduates of the Missions School. This year s graduation was held in June. them as Ps Bill continues to lead and Cambodian congregation of about give direction to the movement. 60 people. Teams from SECC Ps Geua teaching at the mini Bible School with Mission School graduate have been visiting Cambodia aging and helping for the last 4Diman, in Tezpur. years. There is a great need for humanitarian type assistance, however there is also a deep spiritual need in the nation and genuine openness to the Gospel of Christ. delaide. She a In April this year a team led by Ps Lois Cronin and Anna Nyhuis n Citizenship ht). Pray for trained children s workers and conducted some very fruitful children s outreaches. In July 2013 a week long leadership training school was run in Moung Russey with 21 students. They are mainly young people who have great potential for the Kingdom of God. The church in Moung Russey is led by Ps Sophal. They are now renting an excellent facility in a central location of the town and have about 60 students enrolled in English classes five days a week. They also have outreaches and English classes in two rural villages. SECC now has plans underway to send their first long term missionary to Cambodia. alian CRC ria. Pray for them 10 The believers in Nagaon with Ps Geua and two of the Mission Remote Australian School graduates Bapi and Lakhi. Communities Two evening rallies were The graduation of the World held in Ernabella at the Missions Faith Training School students held on the 22nd June in Siliguri. They end of July along with aare pictured at left with Ps Liza, Sr Mary lot of daytime prayer James, Ps James & James Brown. James ministry. Over the two days USA Brown is a graduate of the World people received Missions Faith Training School, PNG and Graeme and Moya Enright prayer ministry with much is serving there for 6 months. oversee the ministry at Faith repentance, healing, and Centre church in Walhalla, deliverance. The leader South Carolina together with of one large family group the Leadership team. They said the prayers had lifted have just held the Great them up and restored their Adventure World Missions fellowship with The Lord Summer School with 5 and within their family. graduates. Pastor Neil and There also remains a need Joy Milne from Sturt St CRC in for a regular aged care Adelaide, Australia were there church service in the area. for the graduation. Pray for this School to be the first of many in missions training. 11

7 Fiji: Time to Build The Fiji: Time to Build project began in August The national leader of the CRC in Fiji, Ps Alipate and Ps Dan Parker from Kingston City Church (KCC) in Melbourne were walking to the Bethel Christian Family Centre (BCFC) property in Suva, and in their discussion they felt God say it was time to build a new church. Ps Alipate had felt God speak to his heart over the previous six months and Ps Dan confirmed by what the Holy Spirit said to him that morning. They then made contact with Ps Barry Silverback, who confirmed that he believed it was time to step out in faith. Ps Mike Groom also felt the timing was right and sensed God leading him to incorporate a new preschool building into the project. Ps Dan sensed that God was challenging KCC to make a significant financial contribution to this project. After discussion with the pastors and senior leaders, a decision was made to go to the church with a faith goal of $120,000AUD. A giving campaign began in 2011 and $85,000 was pledged by church members over two years. The final amount raised in that time 12 was $104,000. Other monies came in and an offering taken up one Sunday in August 2013 raised $19,500. The people of KCC have generously given $150,000 to this project in three years. It has been a wonderful breakthrough in faith and giving by the church. The congregation of BCFC have set their faith to believe for a $20,000FD contribution to pay for the slab floor as their first faith offering. This project seems to have God s grace all over it! A project manager was needed to run the design, planning and building of the new church, and Ps Jim Hewitt came on board and has led the project to its current position. There were some setbacks with authorities in Fiji with the original intention to demolish the existing building and reposition a new one. However eventually an agreement was struck to renovate the existing building, which meant building over the top of the what was there and demolish from within. This is why the building shown has a frame and roof over the top of a rambling set of structures. The work has begun and the frame and roof have been completed, the next stage is for the walls, door and windows to be completed. Hopefully, this will happen in January This project is a wonderful example of hearing God s voice, stepping out in faith, giving generously and seeing a vision become a reality! 13

8 Vanuatu CHURCH PLANTING There are more than ten churches across Vanuatu, and land is currently being sought in Port Vila as a base for the church there as well as to run the main office. TRAINING LEADERS A one year Bible school is run on Santo Island to train leaders. Ps John Weimani and his wife Unuva have recently returned to PNG. They have been running the Bible School on Santo Island for six years. The CRC in Vanuatu have a vision to Have a presence in every province of the nation by The Bible School is now working to bring a couple to replace them as principal. Many missionaries from PNG have invested into the nation of Vanuatu and continue to serve there. The focus of the church in Vanuatu is Evangelism, Church Planting and Training Leaders. EVANGELISM There is a lot of work in both male and female prisons. Short Bible courses are run there, as well as church services and baptisms. Door Step Bible School is a mobile Bible school. It runs in the local churches to equip leaders, especially to train those who couldn t attend the Bible School due to schooling or work. Crusades are run on the islands. Earlier this year there was a crusade across five villages on Emau Island. Marriage ceremonies have become a focus as it is becoming customary for young people to live together without God s blessing. 14 A leadership school runs every year at the Bible school in Santo Island with the support of the field facilitator. All the CRC leaders in Vanuatu come from different provinces, as well as leaders from other churches. Every year the youth come on the youth camp, with many young people giving their lives to the Lord. 15

9 International Youth Jamboree Honiara, Solomon Islands Thursday night 29th June to Monday 4th July 2014 Guest Speakers: Ps Mark Tobias, New Zealand Ps Barry Silverback, Australia Plus opportunity for outreach activities. For further details contact CRC Missions Office