New State-Of-The-Art Aged Care Centre Opens At Carlingford

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1 1 March 2013 Vol 75 No 14 Free On Request: New State-Of-The-Art Aged Care Centre Opens At Carlingford A NEW and innovative aged care facility which will serve the growing needs of senior residents in Sydney s north west was officially opened on 1 March by the CEO of Wesley Mission, the Rev Dr Keith Garner, who was joined at the plaque unveiling ceremony by the Premier of New South Wales the Hon Barry O Farrell and Mrs Hilary Jones, the daughter of the late Rev Dr Frank Rayward, who was the Superintendent of Wesley Mission from 1938 to 1957 and whose name has been given to the new Wesley Mission centre. NSW Premier the Hon Barry O'Farrell, Mrs Hilary Jones the daughter of the late former Superintendent of Wesley Mission ( ) the Rev Dr Frank Rayward and Wesley Mission Superintendent the Rev Dr Keith Garner cut the cake at the offical opening of Wesley Rayward Carlingford. (Photo: Murray Harris.) The $30 million Wesley Rayward Carlingford is a state of the art, ageing in place facility with a purposebuilt dementia care unit development. The centre provides a seamless transition in care as the needs of residents change over time. More than 100 staff, volunteers and newly arrived residents and their families attended the opening along with the Premier. The Federal Member for Bennelong, John Alexander MP, NSW Attorney General and Minister for Justice and State Member for Epping, the Hon Greg Smith MP, State Member for Castle Hill, Mr Dominic Perrottet MP and the Hon Treasurer of Wesley Mission, Mr Mark Scott AO also attended. Mrs Joyce Wiseman, Wesley Rayward s first resident, joined the Premier and Dr Garner in cutting the official cake. The centre includes 74 contemporary boutique rooms, including a 14 room dementia specific unit and an additional 16 Independent Living Units which are an extension to the existing 204 units at Alan Walker Village. v LIFELINE S 50th anniversary will be celebrated at Wesley Mission Auditorium, 220 Pitt St Sydney, on Sunday 17 March 2013 at 6 pm. The service will be led by Wesley Mission Superintendent the Rev Dr Keith Garner who will also deliver the keynote address. Since its beginnings in 1963 Lifeline has been established in 19 countries around the world. In Australia, Lifeline centres across the country answered 541,450 calls in Lifeline Sydney and Sutherland, which is run by Wesley Mission, answered more than 23,000 calls last year. In 1993 Lifeline introduced a national number, , giving all Australians access to crisis support from any landline for the cost of a local call. Calls, even from mobile phones, are free. More than one million people seeking help contact Lifeline each year by telephone, , online or in person. Tell the people the full message of this new life Acts 5.20b

2 VOLUME 75 NUMBER 14 ISSUE DATE: 1 March 2013 ISSN: FOUNDER: Eric J. Daley ( ) EDITOR: Rev Bob Thomas Phone: editor@nlife.com.au BUSINESS MANAGER: Mignon Goswell Phone: office@nlife.com.au POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box 457 Mitcham VIC 3132 WEB-SITE: SUBSCRIPTION: Free On Request ACCEPTANCE OF ADVERTISING DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT PUBLISHED BY: New Life Australia Ltd ABN: When You Walk Through A Storm... PREACHING through Mark 11 and 12 recently, I was struck afresh by the way Jesus weathered a storm. Wave after wave of attackers came after Him. Chief priests, teachers of the Law, Pharisees, Sadducees all tried to trip Him up, to deflect Him from His God ordained task, yet unwittingly played their part in fulfilling it. Jesus simply held (His) head up high and moved inexorably forward, answering them when and how it was appropriate to do so, and through it all getting on with the task of preaching good news to the poor and doing good. Nothing and nobody could hold Him back as He simply got on with the job. In so doing He set a perfect example for us when we are under attack: just keep on doing what as a Christian you should be doing. The great Charles Haddon Spurgeon knew what it was to be hampered in his ministry, so we can expect no less. But his comment on Psalm 43.5 is instructive: 'Dwellers at the foot of the Cross grow callous to the sneers of the haughty. The wounds of Jesus distil a balsam which heals all the scars which the jagged weapons of contempt can inflict upon us. In fact, when armed with the same mind which was in Christ Jesus our Lord, the Christian s heart is invulnerable to all the darts of the proud. LORD, if You will judge, Your acceptance of my conduct will be enough for me. I can laugh at human misrepresentation if my conscience knows that You are on my side". And what did David write to spark this comment? Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God. May the Lord give His comfort to His maltreated saints. Bob Thomas GET MORE OUT OF NEW LIFE Learn more about a particular article, advertisement, contributor or advertiser! NEW LIFE comes to you as a.pdf file, with many stories and advertisements containing links to other websites and addresses. Web and addresses are printed in bold blue type. You only have to position your cursor over the link, eg: editor@nlife.com.au ; then click and you will be taken directly to that site. When you are finished there, click on the back button to return to NEW LIFE. NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Two

3 MATTERS FOR PRAYER (1) North Korea: Exposing The Terrors Of The Gulag IN North Korea loyalty to and worship of the ruling Kim family is mandatory, as is acquiescence to the doctrine of juche (self reliance). The official website of North Korea states: 'The Juche idea is based on the philosophical principle that man is the master of everything and decides everything. It is the man centred world outlook and also a political philosophy to materialise the independence of the popular masses...' Consequently, being a Christian is a serious political crime in North Korea. Some 200,000 'criminals' are incarcerated in the secretive State's gulag, including tens of thousands of Christians. Possession of a Bible is punishable by public execution. To eliminate disloyal family lines, the regime's policy dictates that three generations of any dissident be incarcerated in concentration labour camps where starvation and gross cruelty ensure the death rate is kept high. It is almost beyond belief that this horrific reality could have endured for more than 60 years. Refugee survivors such as Soon Ok Lee have testified that Christian prisoners are treated even more harshly than other political prisoners. As survivors' testimonies become available, the terrors of the North Korean gulag are exposed. On Tuesday 19 February refugee survivors Shin Dong Hyuk and Kang Chol Hwan will headline the fifth annual Geneva Summit For Human Rights And Democracy. This event is organised by a coalition of some 20 non government organisations headed by UN Watch. We must pray that their testimonies are widely reported and effective in raising awareness of this horror. When Kang addressed the Oslo Freedom Forum in 2010, he described conditions in the camps as 'similar to that of Hitler's Auschwitz'. Shin Dong Hyuk's testimony is unique as he is the only known surviving escapee from a North Korean 'total control zone' camp. Three generations of Shin's family had been incarcerated after the Korean War as punishment for his grandfather's and uncle's defections. Shin was born and raised in Camp 14. When he was about 22 Shin met a new prisoner, Park, who had been on the outside and even in China. Until then, Shin had been totally unaware that an alternative reality even existed. One day the starving pair decided to escape. Park died in the attempt, but Shin eventually found his way to China and subsequently to South Korea. His testimony of life in Camp 14 is absolutely shocking. He says perpetual starvation drives prisoners to hunt rats and insects for food. He recalls the public execution of his mother and brother, along with the torture meted out to him when he was 13. The transcript and video of Shin's testimony, Three Generations of Punishment, is available on the CBS News and Geneva Summit websites. When three generations of Kang Chol hwan's family were incarcerated in 1977, he was only 9. Kang survived 10 years in Camp 15 at Yodok. His testimony is remarkably similar to Shin's, except that Kang was released in 1987 after his 'disloyal' grandparents died. Kang subsequently fled to China after being alerted that security police were coming to arrest him for listening to foreign radio broadcasts. Kang became a Christian in South Korea where he lives today working as a journalist and human rights advocate. In 2005 when US President George W Bush read his biography, The Aquariums of Pyongyang, he invited Kang to Washington. (Continued on p.4) NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Three Please Pray That The Lord Will: bless Shin and Kang and use their testimonies to awaken multitudes to the reality of North Korea; may international fascination with the entertaining yet criminal Kims be replaced with a commitment to ending the appalling suffering of multitudes; draw His Church into prayer for North Korea and then answer her prayer, giving a spirit of wisdom to those making decisions and strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate (Isaiah 28.5,6). infiltrate North Korea in a new and surprising way, bringing peace and liberty to His Korean people. 'The Earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof...

4 MATTERS FOR PRAYER (2) (From p.3) Kang saw the incredible exposure that meeting gave his cause as an answer to his prayers. Eight years later Kang is still praying and raising awareness at every opportunity. North Korea has the fourth largest army in the world and is the most militarised nation on the planet. Military personnel are privileged they get food and heating! The regime does not care about anyone else they can all starve! North Korea wants re unification, but only on its terms the regime desires the day when the North will devour the South. The only thing keeping North Korea from swallowing up South Korea is the US, which is why North Korea wants American forces out of South Korea. On Tuesday 12 February, North Korea conducted another nuclear test, the dual purpose of which is deterrence and maintenance. 'Without this threat,' writes Sohn Gwang Joo, Director of Daily NK, 'there would be no other way for Pyongyang to obtain Washington's attention. A North Korea without nuclear weapons is just a regime burdened by economic woes, inflicting human rights abuses on its people, suffering defections and battling with bottom up marketisation. Only with nuclear weapons are they able to maintain their regime, hidden away from the world. This is how they keep their people in chains: through military tension.' This RLPB was written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission by Elizabeth Kendal, international religious liberty analyst and advocate, and member of the AEA RLC team. She is the author of Turn Back The Battle: Isaiah Speaks To Christians Today (Deror Books, 2012) City Bible Forum Reaching Out And Equipping Others To Reach Out HOW can we reach out to non Christians? And how can we equip our fellow Christians to reach out? These are the questions on the mind of Robert Martin as he leads City Bible Forum in Melbourne. For Robert, the Central Business District is the place to be, and our workmates are the best people group to reach out to as we engage the city with the great questions of life through developing our relationships with others in the workplace. CBF then becomes a bridge between seeing people established in the faith at work then progressing to a growing focus in their local church. Robert Martin shares his vision. Evangelism Is The Key There are many ways to reach out to workmates. Matt runs a Come To Lunch Fellowship, with 15 of his fellow workers coming to lunch over free pizza, prayer, free discussion. He works hard himself and the boss knows that Christians are good workers. Robert sees the recent atheists conventions in Melbourne as the best thing which ever happened in Melbourne in terms of providing opportunities for evangelism, including a number of very successful meetings. In one event more than 200 attended with an overflow of 70 in a 140 seat venue, with much fruit coming from it. Related events included the Reason For Faith Festival, showcasing intelligent Christianity, and a successful discussion on Angels And Demons. Lunchtime panels are held frequently, with large attendances and speakers capable of sparking lively discussion. Robert isn't afraid to put an unbeliever on a panel, believing that Christianity can hold its own in the marketplace of ideas. Not everything goes according to plan and some events don't achieve everything hoped for, but many do, and Robert's determined to keep trying. With a large number of events upcoming, CBF needs an events manager, the choosing of the right person and building a support team being a matter for urgent prayer. Other matters for prayer include continuing inspiration regarding activities which will catch people's interest, activities related to student outreach, challenging people to rethink what they believe and why, and encouraging Christians to engage nonchristians in a more intelligent way with rigour and respect, putting ideas side by side and letting people work their way through them. CBF is looking for partners in prayer and monetary support and people to join with them in furthering the cause of the Gospel. To learn more go to: citybibleforum.org NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Four

5 ON THE HOME FRONT Billy Graham Program Hopes To Raise 10,000 Young Evangelists In NSW CHURCHES across NSW are registering for the Dare To Be A Daniel discipleship program being offered free by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Churches are offered free student manuals and other materials to reach 10,000 young people in The program will be expanded Australia wide at a later stage. Dare To Be A Daniel helps 9 to 14 year olds to better understand their Christian belief and equips them to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with their peers. The hope is to see this generation of boys and girls established and confident in their faith in Jesus, and with a love and desire to share their faith with their friends. Churches will attend free teacher training half day seminars in Sydney, Parramatta, Orange, Dubbo, Tamworth, Newcastle, Nowra, Wagga Wagga and Broken Hill on how to teach the Dare To Be A Daniel discipleship program. Churches in Broken Hill contacted Billy Graham Evangelistic Association because their town was not on the list of regional Dare To Be A Daniel seminars and a seminar was hastily arranged for Broken Hill. St Andrews Church in Hong Kong heard of the project through social media and have arranged to link in to the half day seminar via Skype as they want to run the program in their church at their own cost. A survey by the International Bible Society indicates that 83% of all US Christians make their commitment to Jesus between the ages of 4 and 14. There is no reason to believe that statistics in Australia are any different, said Jorge Rodrigues, Executive Director of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. This is a critical age of decision for our sons and daughters and it is imperative that we reach out to them in a way that is both relevant and effective. For more info go to to be a Daniel Eleven Books Prepared For Publication By Drs Clifford And Barbara Wilson The Stones Still Shout 1998 A4 Illustrated liberally 230pp He's Coming Back Soon 2005 A4 Illustrated liberally 150pp The Paluxy River Dinosaur Controversy 2007 A4 Illustrated liberally 144pp Genesis, That Amazing Book Of Beginnings 2003/2008 A5 Illustrated 100pp New Light On The Gospels 2001/2008 A5 Illustrated 120pp Meeting Jesus Of Nazareth 2001/2010 A4 90pp Jesus In The OT Shadows And NT Light 2008/2010 A4 90pp Jesus The Master Counsellor 2003/2010 A4 100pp Jesus The Master Teacher 2003/2010 A4 90pp Crash Go The Skulls And The Hoaxes 2001/2010 A4 90pp The Way God Works In Nature 2001/2010 A4 90pp As at 28/2/2013 copies of these 11 titles are available free from New Life Books & Archaeology, 44 Dublin Road, Ringwood East 3135, open Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm, Thursdays 9am-4pm. Website: Many earlier Wilson titles are available second-hand from New Life Books & Archaeology, a market place for pre-loved Christian books. A Very Special Offer: Through the charity of the Dr Wilsons' Estate, one copy of each of the eleven books listed above is now available free to anyone within Australia who requests them AND sends $20 (AUD) for packing and postage. Weighing about 4 kg, these books will be posted within Australia in a 5 kg Postal Bag. Please send a cheque payable to: New Life Books & Archaeology, and your address c/o Mr Ron Suter, 167 York Rd, Mt Evelyn VIC (Ron is the Honorary Treasurer of NLB&A. His mobile phone number is: ). NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Five

6 SUPPLYING THE DEMAND Geneva Push Plants Five New Churches WE RE off to a great start for the year, says Scott Sanders, General Manager of The Geneva Push church planting movement. We're barely into 2013 and we have some great news to be thankful for to our generous and gracious Heavenly Father. Five new church plants are kicking off within the network. Please pray for two church plants in Victoria (Flooding Creek Community Church and Darebin Presbyterian Church), and others in Adelaide (Trinity Inner South), Perth (Wilson Christian Church), and Broken Hill (Saltbush Evangelical Church). I'm continually encouraged after conversations with our planters to hear of numbers of people coming back to Christ after many years away from the church, or coming to know Jesus for the first time (and being so excited that they re telling their families). It's great hearing the words, "... so how can I become a Christian?" In 2013, under God, we hope to conduct 26 assessments of potential planters, seek to equip 14 new planters, and work together with existing churches and denominations to plant a further 25 new congregations. Everyone in the network would appreciate your prayers as we prepare for all of this. Go to to learn more. The New Face Of Morling College AS part of Morling College s commitment to equip the whole believer to take the whole gospel to the whole world, the college has launched their new website, designed not just aesthetically but also in content and functionality to allow web users to discover all there is to know about Morling and be trained for Christian service. The creation of Morling s new website had the various web users in mind; future and current students, pastors and leaders in their partner churches, professionals and staff. All users will now have access to a wide range of online resources. The courses and units section of the website has been engineered for users to gain in depth course outlines and unit descriptions for all course areas: Bible, Ministry, Theology, Mission, Counselling, Chaplaincy, Education and Plunge (Gap Year). Introducing Morling Education The launch of this new website is also the catalyst for the rebranding of the Institute of Christian Tertiary Education, formerly known as Southland College and now known as Morling Education ( which offers a range of online education courses at graduate and postgraduate levels for existing and prospective teachers. Only a minute to read, but food for thought for the whole day! Short devotional blogs at: Who Can YOU Forward New Life To? Visiting WA? Perth? Worship with the Presbyterian Church in WA Albany Mount Magnet (08) Bassendean (08) Bicton (08) Clarkson (08) Fremantle (08) Hillarys (08) Mandurah (08) Melville (08) Peppermint Grove (08) Southern River (08) West Leederville (08) We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2.16) NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Six

7 CHURCH AND NATION (1) ACL To Gillard Government: Uphold Religious Freedom THE Australian Christian Lobby is urging the Gillard Government to reject Senate Committee recommendations which threaten to dramatically undermine freedom of religion. The parliamentary report into the proposed new anti discrimination laws includes a recommendation to remove exemptions and exceptions enjoyed by faith based organisations in service delivery. Faith based schools and hospitals do not discriminate, they provide a particular range of services consistent with their faith, and government must protect their ability to do that to honour its responsibility to protect human rights, said ACL s Managing Director Jim Wallace. The exemptions and exceptions in antidiscrimination legislation are protections for religious freedom, which under international law is a basic or fundamental human right. Former Attorney General Nicola Roxon s legacy is a complete confusion. You cannot sacrifice fundamental human rights like freedom of religion because of a desire not to discriminate. This has created an ideological soup which will threaten basic human rights, he said. Aussie Christians Mobilise To Halve Poverty By 2015 Finish The Race To End World Poverty THE Micah Challenge coalition launches its national Finish The Race campaign this month in the lead up to the federal election recently set for September 14. The campaign will mobilise Christian churches, organisations and individuals across the country in a united appeal to Australian politicians to prioritise our commitment to the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) a set of eight international targets intended to halve poverty by Micah Challenge s National Co ordinator, John Beckett, says: Our vision is to give every Christian in this country the opportunity to add their voice to our collective call for justice. We hope to see hundreds of churches and individuals taking local action in every electorate across the country between April and July 2013 that will lead to positive and constructive global change. According to Mr Beckett, the conditions for campaigning this year are uniquely conducive for change. Elections are foundation building times for political parties, and with the last federal election before the MDG deadline in sight, we have a significant opportunity to influence our major parties policies and ensure the goal of halving global poverty by 2015 doesn t slip down our nation s priority list. Finish The Race is supported by Christian churches, denominations, aid and development agencies and individuals such as Darlene Zschech, John Dickson, Colin Buchanan and Melinda Tankard Reist. ACL Urges Parties To Allow Sex Selection Abortion Bill To Be Debated THE Australian Christian Lobby has welcomed moves by DLP Senator John Madigan to remove Medicare funding for sex selection abortions. Senator Madigan introduced the private member s bill, the Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Funding For Certain Types Of Abortion) Bill 2013, in the Senate this week to ban funding of abortions procured on the basis of gender selection. ACL s Managing Director Jim Wallace said it was hard to believe that abortions were occurring for this reason, let alone being paid for by the taxpayer. It is horrifying to think that parents could abort their child simply because its gender does not suit their lifestyle, he said. Whilst ACL opposes abortion, the acceptance of abortion for sex selection is a new low in the abortion agenda's progression in our society. It is the duty of our legislators to ensure unborn children are afforded the most basic of human rights. Mr Wallace says the case of a Victorian couple that aborted their twin boys because they wanted a daughter should send a resounding message to politicians of the harmful consequences of sex selection abortion. We urge leaders of both parties to preserve the sanctity of human life by taking serious consideration of Senator Madigan s proposed bill and allowing this to be debated freely in the Parliament, Mr Wallace said. NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Seven Are You A Newshound? Writer? Journalist? We Welcome Readers Contributions. Go to /Free Downloads/Guidelines Submit articles to: editor@nlife.com.au

8 WITH CHRIST Influential Christian Leader Howard Hendricks Called Home HOWARD Hendricks, longtime faculty member at Dallas Theological Seminary and prolific Christian author, passed away on Wednesday 20 February. Despite authoring 18 books and preaching around the world in more than 80 countries, Hendricks was perhaps best known for his influence on other Christian leaders, as several counted him as their mentor, including Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, Joseph Stowell and David Jeremiah. Hendricks played an important role in the development of The Cove, a 1,200 acre BGEA getaway in Asheville, North Carolina where gifted Christian leaders, teachers, and speakers guide people in studying God's Word. In the early stages, he met with Jerry Miller, longtime executive director of The Cove. During the hours of discussion, Hendricks laid the foundation for what a training centre should be, reinforcing what God had laid on Billy Graham's heart that The Cove would train people in God's Word to win others for Christ. The only textbook for such a place would be the Bible, said the BGEA. In addition to his leadership in the area of program development, Hendricks was a frequent speaker. His last seminar at the Cove was in He was a noted and gifted Bible teacher who loved God and loved spending time in His Word. Hendricks will also be remembered for his humility. In a 2009 interview with Decision magazine, he said, I'm not what everybody in the world says is great. I'm just a servant of Christ, that's all. Dan Wooding, Founder, ASSIST Ministries Encouraging News From Afghanistan OVER 60 people gathered at Greensborough, Vic, Christian Bookshop to enjoy a delicious meal interspersed with anecdotes from Grant Lock, author of Shoot Me First, his book about life as a cattleman in Pakistan and Afghanistan for 24 years. Michael Collie, National Director of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, Australia, publishers of Grant s book and presently encouraging him to write another, introduced Grant and commended the book. Grant and his wife Joanna, successful cattle breeders in South Australia, obeyed the call of God and with their three young children left for the hot spots, working in agriculture, building schools and running an eye program in Kabul. In answering questions, Grant displayed optimism for the future of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops and urged Christians to pray for Afghanistan and love and pray for Muslims. Lynn Ansell DARLING DOWNS EASTER CONVENTION 2013 Slade Campus, Warwick Christian School 70 Horsman Street, Warwick, Qld. FRIDAY 29 MARCH TO 1 APRIL. This year we will be considering the Topic: Being An Authentic Christian. The sessions will be led by the Rev Kel Willis, Director of Christian Growth Ministries. We will be seeking to find more insights from Scripture on how to be an authentic Christian. Kel will also use information from one of his books: Living With Me, Living With You. There will be five sessions over the weekend: Being An Authentic Christian God In The Midst Of Trouble Building Healthy Relationships The Freedom To Forgive Sent By The King. New Location! New Location! New Location! For Further Enquiries Go To: NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Eight

9 CHURCH AND NATION (2) ACCESS Ministries Response To High Court Challenge ACCESS ministries is aware of reports regarding a proposed challenge to school chaplaincy funding to be launched in the High Court by Mr Ron Williams of Queensland. ACCESS ministries CEO Evonne Paddison says that ACCESS does not expect to be a party to the case, but will maintain a strong interest in its outcome as the challenge could affect the federal funding of chaplains in schools across the nation. We are consulting our legal advisers and are also in contact with our state counterparts who are members of the National Schools Chaplaincy Association, she says. Chaplaincy provides care, advice, comfort and support to students and staff and families within the school community, irrespective of their religious beliefs. Research consistently shows the role chaplains play is overwhelmingly welcomed by students, parents and teachers. Aussie Judge Rules: Marriage Is Not Discriminatory WE welcome last Thursday s Federal Court ruling by Justice Jayne Jagot that banning same sex marriage does not amount to discrimination, FamilyVoice national research officer Ros Phillips says. Justice Jagot pointed out that in all cases the treatment of the person of the opposite sex is the same: /same sex marriage ban challenge tossed by australiajudge.html Ros Phillips said, The Federal Court ruling is common sense. It effectively acknowledges that the gay activist slogan Marriage Equality is false and misleading. Equality involves treating the same things equally. Treating different things differently is not discrimination. Potentially fertile male female unions and naturally sterile; same sex unions are not equivalent. Treating them differently is recognising reality. Marriage is about more than love it is about conceiving, bearing and raising the next generation with both mum and dad role models. FamilyVoice Australia National Day Of Thanksgiving THE National Day Of Thanksgiving 2013 will be held on Saturday 25 May. The National Day of Thanksgiving is always held on the last Saturday of May each year. Those to be honoured and thanked as part of the National Day Of Thanksgiving celebrations this year are: People working in the judicial system, including solicitors, barristers, judges, court officials, police and administrative staff; also people under 30 who are leading their generation by example through acts of community service or showing leadership in organisations within their local community, church etc. Communities affected by floods and fire this past 12 months may also wish to take the opportunity the National Day of Thanksgiving provides to say thank you to those many people who were involved in relief and recovery operations. Promo DVD And Church And/Or School Participation Packs are now ready. Churches and schools that have not previously been involved with the National Day of Thanksgiving will find the Info Packs and Promo DVD helpful in understanding how they can become involved and the resources that are available to assist them in celebrating the day in their community. The Participation packs and DVD can be ordered direct from the website: The Church And School Packs will be ed and the DVD, (if ordered), posted. These resources are provided free of charge and postage paid, or, the packs can also be directly downloaded from the website. Familyvoice Slams New SA Euthanasia Push FAMILYVOICE Australia has urged SA State MPs to reject the latest euthanasia push. In a scathing critique of the Ending Life With Dignity Bill, FamilyVoice state officer David d'lima said Independent MP Bob Such s latest proposal shows it would be impossible to control legal euthanasia. The bill makes no distinction between those who are close to death, and those who have been diagnosed with a specific terminal illness, he said in a letter to South Australian MPs. Diabetes is a terminal illness if left untreated. The Such Bill, if enacted, could allow people with diabetes who are not close to death to be given a lethal injection. The bill would also require the death certificate to contain false details by recording cause of death as diabetes or some other condition, not the real cause which may be a deliberate dose of poison. David d Lima said he was in the public gallery and heard Labor MP Steph Key speak in favour of the bill in the SA House of Assembly. Ms Key said the Such Bill is not perfect and neither was her previous bill to legalise euthanasia but she urged all MPs to vote for it, Mr d Lima said. NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Nine

10 PERSECUTION WATCH Vicious Persecution Of Churches In Heilongjiang And Shandong THE persecution of churches in Heilongjiang and Shandong, China, has recently resurfaced, breaking up the brief quiet after the Chinese New Year. According to a story by the China Aid Association, Christian gatherings were raided, attendees harassed, a pastor was beaten, and missionaries detained. China Aid said the Presbyterian Federation of Beijing has made an urgent appeal for prayers for the persecuted church in Heilongjiang, and for assistance in hiring lawyers to intervene. Prominent Christian Lawyer Li Fangping has agreed to represent the church in this case. China Aid said at about 7pm on 19 February, two police officers from Youhao District of Yichun City of Heilongjiang suddenly broke into Youhao Church. Under the guise of fire code compliance inspection, they viciously harassed the members who were serving at the church. The senior pastor, Sister Sun Wenxian, said that the officers didn't give any acceptable reasons for their action. Further, one of the officers had a strong smell of liquor and appeared drunk. China Aid said Pastor Sun Wenxian told the officers off for their questionable conduct, and demanded that they show their identification papers. As a result, the two police officers became furious and called her nasty names and threatened to seal off Youhao Church. They became physically violent and beat her. During the fracas, Pastor Sun Wenxian was injured so severely, both mentally and physically, that she had a heart attack. Sister Hao, who serves in the church, told China Aid that during this time they called for police a number of times but none came. China Aid said in comparison, these two police officers called, and within five minutes a large group of agents from Domestic Security Protection Squad of the Public Security Bureau entered the courtyard of Youhao Church. Sister Hao said that only when they saw Pastor Sun Wenxian was having a heart attack, they didn't dare to do whatever they may have initially planned. China Aid said after that, Pastor Sun Wenxian was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where she is reported in a stable condition. In her telephone call, Pastor Sun Wenxian called on various churches to pray for Youhao Church and for the rulers. Currently, China Aid said, DSPS agents of Youhao District Public Security Bureau are assigned to stay at the hospital 24 hours a day. Pastor Sun Wenxian said, In name, they are taking care of me. In fact, they are placing me under house arrest for fear that I would petition higher authorities and sue them. Jeremy Reynalds, Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service Ethnic Clashes, Humanitarian Needs, Hepatitis Outbreak Pushing South Sudan To The Limit FIGHTING in South Sudan has everyone on edge. People are trying to go about their lives, but those tensions remain just below the surface. Kids Alive International works in South Sudan, and Matt Parker says, We've seen a lot of conflict recently. Tribal tensions bring the violence close to home in Wau, where Kids Alive helps over 30 children. They could hear gunshots, but generally they've stayed safe and everyone is well. Parker says times like these draw children to the Prince of Peace: Jesus. Kids are asking questions; they're involved in talking and praying about the situation. It's not just NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Ten Youhao Church tribal fighting that has South Sudan up in arms. Sudan keeps stalling in resolution talks over the Abyei border region. Pray for peace between different tribes, peace between Sudan and South Sudan, and for long term solutions to be found to some of the underlying problems in the country. To read more go to: YOU Can Advertise Here! Call Mignon: office@nlife.com.au

11 HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE... With Barbara Furman And Then There Was One... AT the end of 2012 the UN and Australian armies withdrew their peacekeeping forces from East Timor. Now Mission Aviation Fellowship s Jonathan Lowe operates the only remaining fixed wing aircraft delivering aid and development in the country. Jonathan is busy: in 2012 alone he flew 416 hours, 1,500 passengers and performed almost 700 takeoffs and landings. He was involved in 110 medevacs and made possible the work of over 20 aid and development organisations. Now, with the withdrawal of the UN complete, things are about to get even busier. The UN took with them six aircraft which on average flew 17,000 passengers and 218 tonnes of cargo every year. In anticipation of the enormous demand that is about to be placed on MAF in East Timor, pilot Mike Bottrell (and family) are going to join Jonathan, and the mission is endeavouring to raise funds for another aircraft. Flying for Life, February 2013 Jonathan prepares for take off. Learning New Skills THE Workshed attracts a lot of attention in the village of Thiangrial, South Sudan. It s a place where local men can go and learn new skills in metal work which would otherwise be out of reach due to the remoteness of their home village. They also have access to some serious metal fabrication equipment which is rarely seen in their country. As the project has grown there have been many challenges such as maintaining access to a sustainable steel supply for fabrication and fuel supply for the generators. This became very evident when the border between North and South Sudan was closed. Through these trials they have seen God s provision and His sustaining hand at work. When one door has closed, another has opened. As the team has grown and their skills have developed, they have been able to tackle bigger projects. Recently the Workshed took on the task of constructing the steel frame for the local church. During my time at this project I have come to see how much of a blessing it is to the community, said SIMaid worker Tom Ward. Widening Ministry And New Staff IN December the first Embody Mission Commitment Team travelled to Papua New Guinea. Embody is co ordinated by a team from Queensland, NSW and Victoria and works under Australian Churches of Christ Global Mission Partners. Participants lived for 10 days with the Tsumba village community and gained rich insights into the situation faced by churches and local people. They conducted workshops, learned about the exploitation of cocoa bean growers by traders and the vulnerability of villagers to unscrupulous travellers. Future Embody Mission commitments are being planned. mitch@gmp.org.au for more information. With the growth in the work of GMP Lisa Macdonald, a qualified accountant, has been appointed as Manager: Finance and Administration. Craig Brown is the new Victoria and Tasmania Mission Mobiliser. He commences this month and brings his skills as a journalist to the role. He will also become editor of GMP publications and be part of developing its social media presence. Help For India s Women IT S dangerous to be a woman in India. Female foeticide and infanticide, kidnapping of teenage girls into slavery or prostitution and widespread domestic violence are grim realities for millions in this nation. As the world watched Delhi's women filling the streets and protesting the gang rape and murder of a young woman at Christmas time, the FEBA India radio team took the risk of being amongst them to record interviews and produce programs. A program series focusing specifically on women's issues has already been on air for many months. Dramas that explain and address the issues of abusive behaviours are engaging listeners and at least 50 calls are received after each program is aired. (Continued on p.12) NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Eleven

12 HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE... With Barbara Furman Help For India s Women (Continued from p.11) THE broadcasts seek to build trusted relationships with the audiences, becoming a sustained and consistent presence in their lives. Currently most of these broadcasts to women and youth are for only 15 minutes a day, but FEBA is hopeful of being able to expand the programs in the near future. Same Sex Marriage SYDNEY S Cardinal George Pell noted that even atheists in France have taken to the streets in support of the truth that marriage is a man woman union (Sunday Telegraph, ). The French uprising came after the new socialist government announced on 7 November that it would legalise same sex marriage. On 17 November hundreds of thousands marched through the streets of Paris and a dozen other cities, opposing the government s plan. Then on 13 January, even more half a million men, women and children converged on the Eiffel Tower from all over the country to oppose any change to French marriage laws. Cardinal Pell said, All the (French) parties know what is at stake. But do all Australians know what is at stake? ask Family Voice Australia s Dr David and Roslyn Phillips. IEF s 48th Anniversary INDIAN Evangelical Mission turned 48 on 15 January. IEM was founded by the Rev Dr Theodore Williams. Current General Secretary Dr R. Theodore Srinivasagam writes, If there is one person I can think of who brought missions to the centre stage of the Indian church and Indian Christian thinking in the second half of the 20th Century, it can be none other than Theodore Williams. His passion for missions was recognised worldwide and God used him to start mission movements not only in India, but also in Latin America. He constantly encouraged leaders in Asia and Africa to start their own mission agencies. More information: Phone Call From Heaven THE Bible League relates the story of Zaid, of unknown location, who was still getting used to his new mobile phone. When he arrived at his Bible League Bible study group, he placed the phone in his shirt pocket and accidentally pushed the keypad calling his friend Rahim. When Rahim answered, instead of hearing Zaid s voice he heard the voice of the Bible study leader. Intrigued, he listened and then couldn t stop listening. Because of what he heard, Rahim gave his life to Jesus that day. Now Zaid and Rahim share their faith in Jesus. They still laugh about the unplanned phone call. When asked how he came to know the Lord Rahim answers with a smile, Jesus called me personally. New Cathedral Rising In Christchurch TWO years after a magnitude 6.3 earthquake decimated Christchurch, New Zealand, and its suburbs on 22 February 2011, the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch helped the community remember the 185 people who died and look to the future. The building under construction that has been dubbed the Cardboard Cathedral was the backdrop to the ecumenical civic memorial service in Latimer Square. A possible glimpse of the future of the city and the diocese, the six story building earned its nickname because it is being made of cardboard tubes about 50cm wide and as long as 25 metres, timber, steel and plastic. It sits on a concrete pad or raft embedded with about 40,000 metres of steel that is designed to keep the building solid if the land underneath becomes compromised during a quake. The officially named Transitional Cathedral is meant to be a temporary building, but in this case temporary means 20 years or more. The cathedral was designed by Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, who is known for such buildings and, especially, for developing effective, low cost disaster relief shelters. He and his firm are donating their time to the project, the largest he has designed. The cathedral will seat 700 and be used for civic events as well as worship. It will be an iconic structure in its own right, the Rev Craig Dixon, cathedral marketing and development manager, says. I think it s going to be hugely important for the city just in terms of helping the city get back on its feet. See more at: cardboard cathedral rises#sthash.yn6nutkb.dpuf NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Twelve Christchurch s Cardboard Cathedral

13 EVENTS FOR THE DIARY New Course: Christian Ministry In Islamic Contexts THIS course will take place from March from 9.30am to 4pm at the Melbourne School of Theology in Wantirna, Vic. The course is open to everyone, but is offered at a Masters level. It assumes no prior knowledge of Islam. It aims to provide students with an understanding of Islam and Islamic attitudes to Christian doctrine, and to equip students to present the Gospel to Muslims and to follow up Muslim Background Believers in various contexts. It will cost $400 for this 25 hour course. Those taking it for a Masters credit will pay the usual MST fees. If you are interested in this course or want to find out more, please ring Bernie on as soon as possible. Learn Of Egypt From Open Doors OPEN Doors is hosting the visit of Egyptian pastor Victor Hanna to address meetings in NSW, Victoria and SA from 9 11 March. Pastor Hanna ministers across the Arab world with one goal: to reach young people for Christ. Autocratic regimes have been overthrown in that area as people have risen up, demanding freedom and democracy. Yet the Arab Spring has quickly changed to a Christian Winter. In the uncertainty and chaos that has ensured, God is at work. Details of meetings: River Of Life Conference With Dr David Yongghi Cho DETAILS of the upcoming River Of Life Conference in Melbourne on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 May 2013 with Dr David Yongghi Cho at the Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centreare are available at: The church together bringing Life to the city. Sydney Jesus March ALL Christians are invited to the Sydney Jesus March on Sunday 10 March Assemble at 3 pm in Belmore Park near Central Railway Station. The March will go along George Street to Martin Place for an Outreach Service at 4.30 pm. The March is part of the Holy City Convention which is sponsored by Sydney's Korean Churches who want all Christians from all churches, from all ethnic backgrounds and all Christian Australians to take part in this important Christian witness to Sydney. Enquiries: Major Kim Media Munch Faith Works In The Public Media AS part of engaging with the media, AMEP invites you to a lunch time conversation with former Herald Sun journalist Bryan Patterson, writer of Faithworks at 12.30pm on Tuesday 12 March at One Community Church, 184 Surrey Rd, Blackburn. The cost is $10 and includes a light lunch. RSVP by 8 March to: bob.simpson@amep.org.au Who Can YOU Forward New Life To? 96threeFM Today s Christian Music And Inspiring Talk Phone: listen@96three.com.au ACCOMODATION WANTED Mature age Christian man needs SC accommodation or long term house sit. Can help out in exchange for lower rent. Tidy, handy, likes animals, rural or Melbourne suburbs. Phone: after 4pm or weekends. Ramon A Williams Worldwide Photos WANT TO SEE MORE? New Life can only publish a small selection of photos, but you can see more of those attributed to Worldwide Photos by contacting Ramon Williams, rlgmedia@oz .com.au NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Thirteen

14 GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS SAT 7 Bringing A Message From On High CHRISTIANS are compelled to get the message through, whatever it takes. One of our earliest evangelistic societies in Australia took as its mission statement: 'Witnessing for Christ by all means, everywhere. What does it take to do that in many parts of the world today? Well, there are some who go to these lands and engage in works of mercy. There are some who are able to make a more verbalised witness. There are what we might call 'the only in eternity ministries: the electronic media Christian radio programs have been beamed into these lands for decades; more recently the internet has become a powerful means of sharing the Gospel and establishing networks of believers. But imagine this: a ministry which goes 36,000 kilometres out into space and comes 36,000 km back again, via two satellites with a combined footprint covering most of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East! That's the area reached by Christian television ministry SAT 7. Kurt Johansen, public relations officer of SAT 7, visited Australa recently to speak about the work and encourage support for SAT 7's ministry. He said that, given the lands which their programs reach, SAT 7 looks upon its work of beaming the Christian message there as 'presenting Christ' rather than 'evangelism'. Literacy levels are low in Middle Eastern countries: only 3% of people in Iran, for example, can read, but 97% watch television, which can't be blocked. So SAT 7 broadcasts television in Pharsi, Turkish and Arabic via two satellites: 'Hot Bird' and Nilesat 24/7. Daily programs include teaching, devotionals, women's, children's and youth, and SAT 7 delights to see the church in the Middle East growing, Christians becoming confident in their faith, serving the community and witnessing to Jesus Christ, with many people responding to the message. Based in the region, 80% of the programming is produced by locals and utilses YouTube, Face Book and telephone counselling. 'With Christians leaving the Middle East in increasing numbers,' he says, 'there's no time to lose.' More info: NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Fourteen

15 HERE TO HELP Ms Of Famous Hymn For Sale A COPY, in the author's hand, of one of the best known and loved hymns in the English language, Onward Christian Soldiers, is to be auctioned in the sale of The Roy Davids Collection Part Iii: Poetry: Poetical Manuscripts And Portraits Of Poets at Bonhams, New Bond Street, London, on 10 April Onward Christian Soldiers was written by the Rev Sabine Baring Gould (pictured) in 1865 when he was a curate in Yorkshire. He wanted something for the local village children to sing while they walked to a schools' Whit Day Festival and scribbled the words down in haste the evening before. Sir Arthur Sullivan (of Gilbert and Sullivan fame) secured the hymn's enduring popularity when he set the words to the stirring music which has become so familiar. Sabine Baring Gould was a remarkable man. He fathered 15 children; published over 1240 works including a standard book on the history of werewolves; collected English Folk songs which he printed in censored form (but sensibly ensured that the original wording was preserved) and was a leading light in the early exploration of the history of Dartmoor. The manuscript is expected to sell for UK1,000 1,5000. Dan Wooding, Director, ASSIST Ministries Fasting And Feasting In Lent (And The Rest Of The Year Too) WHILE Protestants don t generally observe the season of Lent (40 days preceding Easter), following this diet can surely do nothing but good: FAST from judging others; FEAST on Christ dwelling in them. FAST from words that pollute; FEAST on phrases that purify. FAST from discontent; FEAST on gratitude. FAST from worry; FEAST on God s providence. FAST from negatives; FEAST on affirmatives. FAST from bitterness; FEAST on forgiveness. FAST from idle gossip; FEAST on purposeful silence. FAST from problems that overwhelm; FEAST on prayer that sustains. (Author and source unknown.) VISITING MELBOURNE? Join us at The Faith Factory: St Kilda Presbyterian Church, Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St. Every Sunday 11am & 7pm; Living Stones Korean Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 12.30pm; St Margaret s, Balaclava, Cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd. Every Sunday 9.30am. Minister: Rev Bob Thomas You re Welcome At The Faith Factory A Friendly, Caring, Bible-Believing Christian Fellowship NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Fifteen Seen on Facebook

16 BOOKS WORTH READING A CALL TO SPIRITUAL REFORMATION: PRIORITIES FROM PAUL AND HIS PRAYERS D.A. Carson, Nottingham: IVP, 1992 IF YOU have not read this classic, this reprint gives you the opportunity to purchase a copy and benefit from the wisdom and insight of this leading evangelical scholarpreacher. Don Carson s study of Paul s prayers began as talks given at the January 1990 CMS Summer School in Katoomba. Study questions have been added at the end of the 12 chapters that make up this book. Carson aims to help his readers to align their prayer habits with those of the great apostle, so that they might know God better, with this being the highest aim and greatest need of us all. The first chapter consists of Lessons From The School Of Prayer, namely what others (living and dead) have taught Carson about the practice of prayer. The chapter is practical and realistic about the challenge of having, maintaining and deepening our prayer life. One vital principle of prayer is to tie our requests to what we find in Scripture, with the model provided by Paul s recorded prayers. The apostle s prayers show his spiritual priorities (as opposed to our inordinate interest in our physical wellbeing), by giving thanks to God for signs of grace in the lives of other believers, as evidenced in his prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1. We can only envy and rejoice in Don Carson s ability to explain and apply the Bible with insight and faithfulness. Paul prays that believers might live up to their high calling as those called by God to be saved and to do what God wants (His goals, plans and priorities for us). Carson shows us that regularly in his prayers, Paul takes us to the end of history, to Christ s return and the consummation, for that alone gives us the proper vantage point from which to understand present responsibilities and opportunities. Carson shows that prayer is not meant to be a retreat from the world or an escape from other people. As demonstrated by Paul, a major focus of prayer is requests for others, and so seeking their best, with Paul s prayers as a good guide to what that best may be. Nor is prayer for Paul a substitute for service, so we should (more often) try to be involved in the answer of our prayers for others, following up our prayers with a letter, a visit or a gift for the one prayed for. Next, Carson deals with various common excuses for not praying, including the overworked I am too busy to pray. On the basis of Paul s prayer in Philippians 1, Carson speaks of the believer s striving after excellence, but, thankfully, he also warns of the pitfalls of perfectionism, when we make intolerable demands on ourselves and others. Carson shows that prayer is only possible and only makes sense if we (following Scripture) hold on to the absolute sovereignty of God and the fact of human responsibility, and do not try to diminish either side of that biblical paradox. These twin truths foster prayer rather than suggest that prayer is a futile exercise. This is in some ways the most important and most helpful chapter in what is an excellent book, with Carson using Paul s prayer in Ephesians as a model of how to pray under the sovereignty of God. Here, then, is a book that will assist Christians to reactivate, re energise and reform their prayers. Greg Goswell Read Murder At Port Arthur: Was It A Conspiracy? by David Holden Free at: Glorious Things A Protestant s Guide To London What to look for and how to find places associated with people and events which shaped Protestant Church History. Compiled by Rev Bob Thomas. Available from: PTC Media, 684 Elgar Rd, Box Hill North Cost: $6.60+$2.20 p&p. (Please make cheque payable to PTC Media) NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Sixteen

17 EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY Zambia Zimbabwe Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Bridge Over Zambezi River For there is one God, and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2.5 Donations Make All The Difference! Going on-line has breathed new life Into New Life, and being able to send it free on request by has opened our ministry up to everyone, everywhere, who wants to receive it. BUT We DO have expenses AND The generous donations of members of the New Life family DO make the difference between the red ink and the black! PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION: By cheque to: New Life, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132 Vic. By using the Make A Donation button on our website ( NEW LIFE 1 March 2013 Page Seventeen