100 FOR 100 A Challenge For The Celebration Of SMBC s Centenary

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1 FREE FOR YOU ON REQUEST TO: 1 June 2016 Vol 78 No 20 Free On Request: 100 FOR 100 A Challenge For The Celebration Of SMBC s Centenary WITH great thanks to God, Sydney Missionary And Bible College is celebrating their 100th year! To mark this milestone, the SMBC Board has developed a bold vision called: 100 for 100 that is, preparing one overseas scholarship student for each year SMBC has been in service. This vision, in light of the Great Commission, is of tremendous importance because much of this world is still in darkness: one third of the world is still outside of the reach of the Gospel; one third of the world has never heard the Gospel; one third of the world has never met a Christian. Through 100 for 100, SMBC aims to provide the opportunity for men and women who have no access to suitable theological education in their local overseas context to study at SMBC. Importantly, these prospective students will have been identified and endorsed by SMBC graduates on the field as being excellent candidates to undertake theological training. SMBC will work closely, not only with their graduates, but with their partner agencies as well, to enable this vision to be realised. Overseas students who train at SMBC consistently return to their country and local church better prepared to handle God s Word and nurtured to pastor and disciple people more effectively. As a missionary and Bible college, SMBC fully appreciates the crucial importance of local context ministry. Powerful stories (as well as the full propectus), that exemplify SMBC s unique 100 for 100 program, are on their website centenary@smbc.com.au Does Public School Chaplaincy Have An Impact? Sam Thomson Says Yes! SAM Thomson has been living in, ministering to and serving the Blackwood Hills Community, SA, for well over 25 years. Sam is a youth pastor at his church and with Schools Ministry Group provides a Chaplaincy Service to Blackwood High School. School Chaplains are positive role models who bring genuine compassion, understanding and practical ongoing support to students and families. They work alongside other wellbeing staff in the school, and help link students and families to community resources and services. I see my chaplaincy role as a bridge, Sam says, stepping out into the community in a formal context, and as a positive and encouraging presence. I am in the bottleneck of the community; I work at the high school, but I also do a lot of chaplaincy when out doing my grocery shopping. I often have students, parents and school staff approaching me to have a chat. This year SMG celebrates 25 years of service to the community, with Sam being one of the first high school chaplains employed. He is the longest serving public school Chaplain in South Australia! Sam can testify that a significant segment of the community is comforted by the knowledge that there is a Chaplain available to them and their family. Sam s story is just one example of how public school chaplaincy has had a significant positive impact on a community over 25 years. Relationships have been built over time, with pastoral care and support available at those times in each person s life when it is most needed. For further information contact: Cathy Moore, Schools Ministry Group, phone: (07) ; cathym@smg.asn.au Tell the people the full message of this new life Acts 5.20b SMBC Principal Stuart Coulton with Ecuadorian scholarship student Diego Herrera.

2 VOLUME 78 NUMBER 20 ISSUE DATE: 1 June 2016 FILE NO: NL ISSN: FOUNDER: Eric J. Daley ( ) Great News! But! NEWS appears on page seven of this issue of another record distribution of Bibles aroud the world last year. But could the news be even better? Consider this, which recently appeared on Facebook: 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. NEW LIFE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REJECT ADVERTISING DEEMED UNSUITABLE. PUBLISHED BY: New Life Australia Ltd ABN: CONTRIBUTORS PLEASE NOTE: New Life is archived by the National Library of Australia. It is assumed that contributors agree with this arrangement and so are willing to be published on this basis. Some fact-checkers might dispute some or all of these figures, at least to some degree, but overall the last sentence would stand: Rejection of the Holy Bible is not done on an intellectual basis. I ve long believed that we are without excuse if we reject the truth of the Bible. But alongside unbelief, there s a pressing problem for the church today: so many who call themselves Christians give ground on the truth of the Bible, flout the authority of the Bible, question its relevance and are not satisfied with its sufficiency (telling us all that we need to know for our salvation, faith and life.). The Bible in its raw form as a collection of about 2,000 printed pages bound together in a, generally, nice cover is just a book. Yet if it is rightly used, the Bible breathes promise of abundant, eternal, new life in Christ. To receive this, we must, read, learn, mark and inwardly digest it. It is one thing to have a Bible in our possession but it is altogether another thing to believe its truth, obey its authority, apply it to life in today s world and the world to come, and to be satisfied with all that God tells us in it. It is not for decorative purposes that God has given us His Word. His purpose is that we should, generally through the preaching of it, gain some degree of knowledge of His greatness and holiness, the seriousness of our sin, our inability to put ourselves right with Him, but the wonder of His redeeming grace, love and mercy through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, and then to move on into eternal life as we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word. Surely the reason why the Church has lost so much ground in the world today is that it has given so much ground on the truth of God s Word and placed itself in authority over it. A recent illustration of this is the disastrous decision of the Church of Scotland s General Assembly on 21 May 2016 allowing congregations to call ministers living in same sex relationships. With one breath, that church claims to uphold the teaching of Scripture, but in the next to condone behaviour which Scripture calls sin. Such doublespeak fools no one but themselves. The people of the Kirk are horrified and leaving it in droves; the daughter churches around the world (including here in Australia) are breaking fellowship with it; the world applauds it but seems to be saying: Great stuff! But since you re just like us, you re really no use to us. As one of the Kirk s greatest ministers, Rev Eric Alexander, once said: I ve never met a Christian who is so Heavenly that he s no Earthly use; but I ve met plenty who are so Earthly that they re no Heavenly use. Oh yes, we need Bibles, but we also need to rightly handle God s Word of truth. May the Lord give us this grace in great abundance. Bob Thomas NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Two

3 MATTERS FOR PRAYER: PAKISTAN: Blasphemy Law Used As Weapon Against Christians ONCE again, members of a small and vulnerable Christian community suffer terror and loss as radicalised Muslims wield the weapon of Pakistan's infamous blasphemy law against them. A simple, unsubstantiated accusation is all it takes for the accused to be rendered as good as dead and his or her property forfeited. Furthermore, the trend today is for collective punishment. A fatwa from a fiery cleric or some incitement from the local mosque is all it takes for the Muslim community to be fuelled with so much Islamic zeal and murderous outrage that they are prepared to burn their Christian neighbours. The only reason Christians rarely die in Pakistan's 'blasphemy pogroms' is because the process has become so routine and predictable that Christians know to flee at the first hint of trouble. Located in Punjub's Mandi Bahauddin District (about 160km south of Islamabad), Chak 44 is home to some 2,500 Muslims and 300 poor 'untouchable' Christians (45 families) who serve the Muslims as labourers. Saint Anthony Catholic Church is the only church in the village and Imran Masih (28) was the only Christian in his workplace. Although accounts vary, it seems that on 19 April, Imran a janitor at the local health clinic left his mobile phone unattended while he worked. When he returned to collect his phone, he found it in the hands of a pharmacist named Bilal who was showing others video footage he deemed 'blasphemous'. Though Imran denied any knowledge of the material, he was beaten and locked in a cupboard and his phone was smashed. Fortunately, Imran had a second phone which he used to call for help. The Catholic Church Committee came to his rescue, explaining to the senior doctor that, as Imran was illiterate and unable to speak English, it was unlikely the YouTube content was something he had downloaded. The doctor agreed, Imran was released and the matter seemed to be resolved except that Imran's accuser was not satisfied. Bilal sought advice from a fundamentalist cleric in nearby Sargodha, who declared Imran a blasphemer who must be killed. As soon as Imran was informed, he fled for his life. The Christians of Chak 44 tried to appease the Muslims by offering their apologies, only to have the Muslims present their conditions for 'peace': hand over the blasphemer so he can be burned alive in front of the church. After prayers on Friday 29 April, local Muslim clerics announced over the mosque loudspeakers that Muslims were to boycott the Christians of Chak 44 until they delivered Imran the blasphemer' to them. A local businessman offered to pay a large financial reward to anyone who could produce the culprit dead or alive. Fearing for their lives and without access to food, water or work (due to the boycott), most of the Christians of Chak 44 felt they had little choice but to leave their homes and seek refuge elsewhere. Only the frail, lame and those with absolutely nowhere else to go remained. Incited by mosque leaders, Muslims gathered after prayers on Friday 6 May for a pogrom to torch the homes of Christians. Fortunately, the police arrived in time to disperse the large, agitated mob. Rumours abound that the remaining Christians have been ordered to deliver Imran to the Muslims, convert to Islam, or leave the village. Tensions are soaring; the situation is volatile. According to some reports, Imran may have been targeted for being in a relationship with a female Muslim co worker, something impermissible in Islam. Convinced the blasphemy accusation is false, local police have refused to register a case against Imran Masih. Police told Morning Star News they would investigate the matter of the boycott. Elizabeth Kendal, international religious liberty analyst and advocate. Elizabeth is Adjunct Research Fellow in the Centre For The Study Of Islam And Other Faiths at the Melbourne School Of Theology. She is Director of Advocacy for Christian Faith And Freedom, based in Canberra. NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Three PLEASE PRAY THAT: The Lord will intervene to keep Imran Masih, his family, and the Christians of Chak 44 safe. 'The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.' (Proverbs 18.10). intervene in the hearts and minds of the Muslims of Chak 44 so they will be convicted of sin, leading to repentance and enabling true reconciliation. 'For nothing will be impossible with God.' (Luke 1.37 ESV). awaken and embolden Pakistan's liberal, secular, 'moderate' Muslims so they will rise up against such shameful, uncivilised behaviour; may those who dare to enrage the Islamists by courageously promoting religious liberty, Christian security, equity, justice and peace receive all the help and support they need. How Can YOU Help New Life? By Praying For Us? By Sending In A Donation? By Advertising? By Forwarding It On To Interested Friends? Yes Please! Because WE Want To Go On Helping YOU!

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5 FAITH NEWS... With Stan Hunt Missionary Back At Her Post JUST over a year ago, 76-year old a Northern Irish missionary nurse was rescued by a Mission Aviation Fellowship aircraft after being shot by bandits at home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Maud Kells not only survived, but now continues her work. After a stay in hospital treating her wounds and a short time home in Northern Ireland to recuperate, she was keen to get back to the healthcare work with WEC International in eastern DRC. However while back in her homeland she was awarded an OBE in the New Year s Honours list, and also crowned Belfast Telegraph Woman Of The Year. On receiving the awards, she thanked God for her recovery because it meant she could go back to the DRC and continue her much needed work. After fully recovering Nurse Kells returned to the little rainforest village in the remote and largely war torn area of Mulita in the DRC where she has been ministering for almost 50 years. Inspire Magazine NCLS Gives Clear Picture Of The State Of The Church In Australia MOST other countries have guestimates but Australia has good statistics of who goes to church, how often, how many newcomers there are, and a host of other statistics from the National Church Life Survey. Bible Society's Eternity News reports that all Christian churches in Australia have been invited to join this year's National Church Life Survey in October, and every local church has been sent an invitation pack, encouraging them to take part. This national venture, held every five years since 1991, alongside the national census, is only possible with the involvement of thousands of church leaders. Strong commendations have been received from Roman Catholic and Anglican archbishops and bishops, as well as national and state leaders of Evangelical and Pentecostal denominations and movements. Eternity News at biblesociety.org.au The Rising Generation Rises Up YOUNG people are stepping up to church leadership in countries where the Slavic Gospel Association is working. SGA says young people in Ukraine, Russia, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and even in Israel are being the arms and legs of the church. Eric Mock with SGA explains that youth ministry has derived strength from years of being under communism when fathers and grandfathers were taken away in the middle of the night, either to exile or to be executed. In these scenarios, the responsibilities for church leadership falls on the youth. Many of the churches in these countries have seen their young people trained in music, Bible teaching, preaching and evangelism. The youth are active not only in inviting their peers into the church but also in leading the church in outreach ministry. MNN SAT-7 s Reachout Reaches Further SPIRITUAL hunger is growing in the Middle East and North Africa, according to a Christian radio station broadcasting to persecuted Christians and unbelievers in the region. The responses to SAT 7's broadcasts have risen threefold in just five years, from an average of 270 a day in 2010 to well over 800 a day in SAT 7 reports that the common theme from the people who get in touch is a cry for worth, meaning and peace. SAT 7's founder, Terence Ascott says, the conflicts in these countries, NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Five and extremism in the name of religion, have only increased the profound spiritual hunger for their programming. From their four Middle Eastern studios SAT 7 reaches 15 million people in three languages: Arabic, Farsi and Turkish. Christian Today UK Churches Rolling Up Their Sleeves CHURCH involvement in helping the deprived and needy is growing across the UK, a new report shows. Churches are running social action projects ranging from a cooking course, through cinemas and lunch clubs, to winter night shelters. In the Church of England alone, the number of churches running community projects increased by 40% in 2015, from 350 to 500. One project run with the Church of England and the Methodists in Lancashire started with food banks and now consists of more than 70 organisations tackling food poverty with cookery courses, equipment and training. About 10 million people are thought to rely on social action projects run by churches. Christian Today Important Bible Society Assembly Coming Up LEADERS from 140 Bible societies working in more than 200 countries and territories will meet in Philadelphia, USA next week for the United Bible Societies' World Assembly. Five hundred Christian leaders will attend the week long conference that occurs once every six years. ANS

6 A CALL FOR ACTION Primate s Plea: Free Asia Bibi THE Anglican Primate of Australia, Archbishop Philip Freier, has increased the pressure on Pakistan over their continued detention of Asia Bibi under the country s much criticised blasphemy laws, by writing to Pakistan s High Commissioner to Australia, and Australia s Foreign Minister about the case. Asia Bibi was sentenced to death for blasphemy in 2010 after being accused of insulting the Muslim prophet Mohammed after she shared a drinking vessel with her Islamic colleagues. Archbishop Freier asks Julie Bishop to pursue justice and mercy for Asia Bibi and for the protection of the Christian minority in Pakistan. He asks the High Commissioner for Pakistan to Australia, Naela Chohan, that Pakistan re open Asia Bibi s case and acquit her, and also work to protect Christians in Pakistan, who go constantly in fear of their lives and property. NEW LIFE ADVERTISING WHO CAN YOU FORWARD NEW LIFE TO? Hebrews 11.6: Faith pleases Him. 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 Today s Christian Music, Inspiring Talk Phone: listen@96three.com.au NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Six

7 FAITH NEWS... With Stan Hunt Record Bible Distribution Again THE number of Bibles distributed by Bible Societies around the world in one year has topped 34 million for the first time. Altogether, 34,396,611 full Bibles were distributed in 2015 an increase of just under 1.5% on 2014 s distribution total. Including Testaments, Gospels and other smaller Scripture items, Bible Societies distributed a total of million Scriptures in That s slightly down on last year s total but still up 14% from distribution efforts back in The figures are compiled from annual Scripture distribution numbers reported by Bible Societies around the world, and include local sales and exports of Scripture material. Scripture distribution in Europe and the Middle East soared in 2015, up by nearly 50% compared to the previous year. This is the region that s seen the biggest rise in global Scripture distribution, reflecting the tremendous effort to meet demand for God s Word among those affected by war, violence and conflict In particular, Bible distribution across Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey the countries affected most by conflict and the resulting migration of people rose by a staggering 88% between 2014 and NACL Gospel Coalition Vic Network Meeting GOSPEL Coalition Vic invites you to a meeting in Scots Church Robert White Hall, 1st Floor, 156 Collins St, Melbourne, on Tuesday 26 July (changed from Wednesday 8 June) from 9am to 12 noon. This is to take advantage of Richard Coekin's visit to Australia. He will give the Bible study followed by a Q&A session. Richard Coekin is Director of the UK CoMission church network and Senior Pastor of Dundonald Church, SW London. A renowned Bible teacher and the author of several books including Our Father and Ephesians For You, Richard is also Chairman of the London Men's Convention. Pastor, Carmel Welsh Presbyterian Church, Sebastopol, Vic. Our Mission: To Know Christ and Make Him Known Carmel Welsh Presbyterian Church is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced pastor who: Is passionate about discipleship; grounded in and nourished by God s Word. Will help nurture, build and equip the congregation to reach out to the local community. ESSENTIAL QUALITIES: Team Person/Team Player Prayerful/ Growing relationship with God Honest/Able to keep confidences Pastoral Heart Understands and can deal with dynamics of conflict Competent Preacher/Teacher effective communicator Sense of call The position is negotiable for 3 to 5 days per week. A substantial manse is available as part of the stipend package. The church congregation is part of the Calvinistic Methodist Connexion in Melbourne. We have a significant number of Filipino families in the congregation and actively support mission work in the Philippines. A Church profile and two documents to use for application are available on request. Closing date for application is Friday 29 July Contact Wendy Arnold by on: wendy@carmelwelsh.com.au or by phone on (03) All applications will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Seven

8 CHURCH AND NATION Queenslanders Reject Abortion In Largest Qld E-petition Ever THE largest Queensland Parliament e-petition in history will be delivered to the State Parliament in response to a public outcry against the world s worst abortion laws, being proposed by Cairns MP Rob Pyne. Australian Christian Lobby Queensland Director Wendy Francis said the overwhelming opposition to the abortion bill should send a strong message to parliament that the community does not want the current abortion laws to be tampered with. In less than two weeks 23,869 people signed the petition calling on parliament to reject the abortion bill. The e petition, which is an online petition service run by the Queensland Parliament, eclipsed the previous highest e petition which related to Daylight Saving, by almost 4,000 signatures. It follows a Queensland Galaxy opinion poll conducted early this month which reinforced the deep concerns voters have with removing abortion safeguards. The poll showed widespread acceptance that abortion harms the mental and physical health of a woman with 84% of those polled saying they believed abortion was harmful for women. Younger voters aged years, in particular, have concerns, with 90% expressing concern with regards to the physical and mental health of the woman. Just 38 % of Queensland voters support abortion in cases where both mother and child are healthy. Ms Francis said it is clear that community attitudes towards abortion are changing. We now know that the child in the womb is human, feels pain, that abortion techniques such as dismemberment and poisoning of the unborn child are barbaric, Ms Francis said. We also know that many women and their families are hurting because of post abortion grief. This bill is a betrayal of women. The Queensland Parliament will be failing Queensland women if the only option they can offer for an unsupported pregnancy is abortion. What the community and women are looking for are better options than abortion, which leads to terrible consequences for mother and child. Responding to a pre election questionnaire, both Labor and the LNP stated they had no plans to change Queensland s abortion laws. The people of Queensland expect parliamentarians to honour the commitments their parties make. The ACL does not believe a conscience vote is warranted given the strong commitments that were made by the parties at the election. NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Eight

9 NEW LIFE ADVERTISING ADF Recruiting Chaplains & Nursing Officers THE Australian Defence Force is presently recruiting chaplains and medical staff. Here is the story of two of their Chaplains: ORIGINALLY from Ulverstone, Tas, Max Walker is an ordained Presbyterian Minister, currently serving as a Royal Australian Navy Chaplain at the Australian Defence Force Academy. Max has been a member of the Navy since 1981, only becoming a Chaplain 10 years ago. I joined the Navy as an Aircraft Technician in I worked for a number of years in HMAS Albatross before the Navy sent me to RMIT University to study Aeronautical Engineering. Following that I re-joined the fleet as a Marine Engineering Officer, Max says. Max attended Bible College and spent some time working with the church before re-joining the Navy as a ful-ltime Chaplain. The most compelling reason for my becoming a Navy Chaplain was seeing the need for people to be supported while they serve, Max said. We provide everyday mental health support to the ship s company, as well as working in critical incident situations where we brief and assist the crew in understanding what they might expect to be feeling. One of the principal roles of a Navy Chaplain is to provide support to command whilst on deployment. Part of our role is to provide support to command so that they can perform their job to the best of their ability. The support can come in a number of different ways, whether that be going for a run or doing PT together, and talking about what is happening on the ship, Max said. If I m doing my job well I ll be bringing benefit to people who are serving in the ADF whether that is spiritual, mental, or physical; I will be helping people to improve and to continue living a full life and successful career. BLUE Mountains local, Rod Bailey, has served as a Baptist Chaplain in the Australian Regular Army for the past 15 years, and is currently posted to the Australian Defence Force Academy. Rodney began his Australian Defence Force career in 1978 as an Infantryman in the Army Reserve. He then served as a Motor Mechanic in the Royal Australian Air Force for six years, before leaving the ADF to work as a civilian motor mechanic and undertake training for the Ministry. Following his training, Rod returned to the Army Reserve as a Chaplain, and in 2001 became a Chaplain in the Regular Army. Defence Chaplains always remain part of their church. We need to maintain our connections with our denominations and our home state where we were ordained and trained, Rod says. As a Chaplain, Rod provides Pastoral Care; looking after the men and women of the ADF, whether that is at trainee level or at a higher level, both within Australia or overseas. Your support role may involve normalising the environment and bringing a level of friendship, or even providing normality to their intensive learning situations. Sometimes it is a case of walking alongside them and walking them through their training, Rod said. The religious and the ceremonial aspects are also a big part of what we do; conducting services and participating in ceremonies like Anzac Day or Remembrance Day. Being a Chaplain gives you the satisfaction of serving God, but it is also rewarding to see lives impacted in terms of positive spiritual change or character change; that s where the big rewards come. Rod said. The ADF is also currently recruiting for Chaplains. For further information on military training and careers visit: defencejobs.gov.au/ or call NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Nine

10 GOOD NEWS FROM ABROAD Noah's Ark Wins In Court! BUILDING a replica of Noah's Ark is the ambitious goal of a $150 million development project in Northern Kentucky, USA, by Answers In Genesis, led by its enthusiastic co founder Ken Ham. He predicts that up to two million people will visit this park annually, after it opens this northern summer. Ken Ham s replica of Noah s Ark takes shape. When completed, this modern Noah's Ark will be a massive structure the length of nearly two football fields, raised 15 feet off the ground. This project received an added boost by a court ruling in its favour in January, in the case of Ark Encounter v Parkinson. The Kentucky Tourism Cabinet originally approved tax incentives for this development, as it would for any project that attracts so many tourists to Kentucky. But then the government officials reversed themselves, declaring that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prevents them from giving a tax break to a project that includes some Christian messages. This reversal by the Kentucky government against the Ark left it high and dry, as the Christian group had already bought hundreds of acres of farmland in Kentucky based on the promised tax incentives. So the modern day Noah sued in federal court, where district judge Gregory Van Tatenhove presided. In a brilliant decision observing that some interaction between church and state is inevitable,' the judge ruled that the State of Kentucky itself had actually violated the First Amendment rights of the modern day Noah, by discriminating against his group on the basis of his religious beliefs, purpose, mission, message, or conduct. The Court held that government violates both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause when it excludes an organization from a benefit based on its religious message. Noah himself would have been pleased by this ruling. Phyllis Schlafly, Breaking Christian News B September 2016 UILDING G BRIDGES 2016 PREACHING CONFERENCE Presented by Morling College BRAND NEW! Morling Residential College opening in Macquarie Park in July Find out more and apply today: FIND OUT MORE Herring Rd, Macquarie Park NSW 2113 enquiries@morling.edu.au STUDY Bible Theo Cha Evan Miss Mas (Sec Cou FEE-H AVAIL Ajith Fernando Leader of Yo outh for Christ in Sri Lanka David Rietveld Se nior Pastor for New Peninsula Baptist Church VIC NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Ten

11 PERSECUTION WATCH Iranian Pastor Released From Gaol AN Iranian pastor and his wife who were arrested after their home was raided have been released. Yousef Nadarkhani who was acquitted of apostasy four years ago was re arrested in the country last week. Pastor Nadarkhani was initially arrested and charged with apostasy in 2009, after going to his children's school to call the Muslim monopoly on Iranian education unconstitutional. He was sentenced to death in 2010, a decision that was upheld by the Supreme Court in The pastor repeatedly refused to renounce his faith during court hearings, in order to avoid the death penalty, and was released in September 2012, after his acquittal on apostasy charges. On 13 May Pastor and Mrs Nadarkhani were re arrested after VEVAK officers raided their home in Rasht. The raid on the Nadarkhani home is reported to have been part of a series that targeted around ten Christian homes. Three other Christians arrested on 13 May are still in custody. Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: While CSW is relieved that Pastor and Mrs Nadarkhani have been freed, we remain deeply concerned for the welfare of Yasser Mossayebzadeh, Saheb Fadaie and Mohammadreza Omidi, who are still being held. The government must be held to account for its harassment of Iran's Christian community, and in particular the constant raids on homes and repeated arrests which are without basis. We continue to call on Iran to fully respect its constitutional and international human rights obligations by ensuring that justice and equality before the law are guaranteed to all citizens, regardless of their religion or belief. ONE of the missing Chibok schoolgirls has been found alive in Nigeria, the first to be rescued since their capture by the terrorist group Boko Haram two years ago. According to the BBC, Amina Ali Nkeki was found carrying a baby by an army-backed vigilante group on 17 May, in the huge Sambisa Forest, close to the border with Cameroon. When brought home her mother shouted 'Amina, Amina!' and gave her a big hug and called relations to come and celebrate. Amina, now 19, reportedly said, Please Mum, take it easy, relax. I never thought I would ever see you again, wipe your tears. God has made it possible for us to see each other again. Amina told the BBC all the Chibok girls are still there in the Forest except for six of them who had died. ASSIST NEWS SERVICE (Reports of the situation are confused, but at least one other girl appears to have been found. Ed) PAKISTAN: Kidnapped Christian Woman Still Missing After Five Days PLEASE pray for the safe return of a young Pakistani Christian woman called Marriam who has been abducted. The 24 year old was dragged into a car as she walked down the street with her young brother, Youhan, in Lahore s Bahar Colony on 12 May. She was on her way to college when she was snatched. As the car sped off, onlookers, alerted by Youhan s cries, gave chase on a motorcycle but the kidnappers managed to shake them off. During the chase, a young girl was hit as she crossed the road, resulting in serious injury to both her legs. Please pray for Marriam s swift and safe return. Pray that God will comfort her and her family. Pray that the young girl injured by the getaway car will know God s presence, peace and healing. Pray that Pakistani officials, including police, will show greater commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens, including minorities such as Christians. NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Eleven VIETNAM: Activist Beaten And Interrogated, Son Arrested By Authorities TRAN Thi Hong, a Vietnamese activist and wife of imprisoned pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh, currently serving an eleven year prison sentence, says her family was harassed by the authorities and her son arrested between 11 and 13 May. Mrs Hong is a member of the civil society organisation Vietnamese Women For Human Rights. Mrs Hong has said that official harassment of her family is becoming intolerable. On 11 May several plainclothes police officers and members of the state sanctioned Vietnam Women s Union forced Mrs Tran Thi Hong to go to the People s Committee Office. They questioned her about her interaction with overseas media, her unauthorized, unapproved, illegal Lutheran faith and her role in Vietnamese Women For Human Rights. She was also questioned about reports she had made that on 14 April she was abducted from her home and beaten severely for three hours by security agents while they interrogated her.

12 ACTS A JOURNEY TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH DAVID COOK Barnabas By Name; Barnabas By Nature ACTS AGAIN, as in , Luke gives us a glimpse of life in the Early Church, and what an impressive community it is! Life in the 1st Century was cheap. There was no welfare. People had only family networks and if they failed, they were on their own. The unity of the Christian community extended to possessions; they shared everything as if they were members of the one family. The principle was one of equality. If someone was needy, their needs were met by the abundance of others (v34) and laid at the apostles feet for distribution. Here, then, is a Spirit inspired, voluntary socialism. Nikita Kruschev once said that communism s failure was its failure to produce the selfless man. What the political system cannot do, God through the Gospel of His Son can do. Here is a selfless, generous community of people of the new FOR REFLECTION: What is it about Barnabas that gives you a model to follow today? Do you think the principle of equality among God s people has relevance for today? How might this apply to believers with investment property compared with believers struggling with a first mortgage, compared with believers renting? covenant. Luke mentions one person as an example, Joseph of Cyprus. Renamed Barnabas, the son of encouragement, by the apostles, he did what was described in vv34,35. True to his name, Barnabas introduces Saul to the apostles in Jerusalem (9.27). He is sent by the church in Jerusalem to encourage the Gentile church in Antioch (11.22). He seeks out Paul in Tarsus (11.25). He leads the first missionary journey with Paul (13.2). Paul soon becomes the dominant partner and Barnabas willingly plays second fiddle (13.42, , and 14.12). Barnabas was far more patient and generously minded towards Mark than was Paul ( ). Barnabas is a great example of humility and generosity. He was a true disciple of the Christ, who came to serve (Mark 10.45). I pray a daily prayer that God would give me a mind that is clean, generous and humble. Barnabas is a very good example of a life lived with such a mind. But Luke will not have us idealise the Early Church, because the generosity of Barnabas stands out in stark contrast to what is about to follow in Chapter 5. Content taken from 'ACTS To The Ends Of The Earth' by David Cook, published by 10Publishing, used with permission. SEEN ON FACEBOOK: YOUR INVITATION TO New Life Books + Archaeology 44 Dublin Road, Ringwood East (Parking & Entry at Rear) MONDAY-SATURDAY, 10am- 2pm; THURSDAYS, 9am-4pm **Pre-loved Christian Books All Categories **Choice of Books & DVDs supporting Biblical Creation **Bible Archaeology Mini-Display AH: John: (03) ; Ron: NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Twelve

13 BOOKS WORTH READING J.I. PACKER: An Evangelical Life, Leland Ryken, Wheaton: Crossway, ISBN J. I. PACKER is a giant of 20th Century Evangelicalism, and this new biography by veteran literature professor, Leland Ryken stands on the shoulders of the earlier biography by Alister McGrath (1997). As pointed out by Ryken, Packer is a man of many paradoxes: he is quintessentially British, yet he has spent half his life in Canada; an academic theologian, who wrote many popular books; a staunch Anglican, who finally left that communion; a quiet man, who has been in many controversies. Like others, this reviewer is an Evangelical in part due to the formative influence of Packer s book, Fundamentalism And The Word Of God (1958), which my own minister at the time warned me against! Two early providences helped to shape the boy who became the man: a lifethreatening accident at age seven helped make him an avid reader; the gift of a typewriter at age eleven gave impetus to early writing. Packer was the son of a lower middle class railway employee. He won a scholarship to study at Oxford in 1944, where he was converted in the first few months. A year at Oakhill College showed him that he had the gift of teaching. He developed a passion for the Puritans, and his doctoral studies in Richard Baxter turned him into an expert on the Puritans. There is an interesting chapter on the various providences that brought Packer and his future wife Kit together. His life as a lecturer in theology began at Tyndale Hall, Bristol in 1955 and he stayed there for six years. Next, he was Warden at Latimer House, Oxford ( ). He became a much sought after speaker for the Evangelical cause in England. His post as Associate Principal of Trinity College Bristol in the 70 s gave him time to write, including his best seller, Knowing God (1973). His surprise move to Regent College, Canada in 1979 has produced much speculation, but he was not driven out of the UK, though it would be true to say that he was not appreciated as he should have been and was sidelined by many Evangelicals. The move to Canada gave Packer new and wider opportunities for speaking and writing ministries, including a long association with Christianity Today as consulting editor. In terms of personal qualities, Ryken speaks of Packer s generous and forgiving spirit; he overcame disappointments and setbacks; he is a man of great learning, which he used to teach and write at a popular level, placing his erudition at the service of the ordinary reader. In other chapters, we discover the little known Packer (eg his love of jazz music) and in another we analyse his way of writing (eg his use of sanctified logic). Finally, Ryken looks at the constants in Packer s life, his most fundamental passions and convictions, which are: defending the authority of the Bible, his devotion to the writings of the Puritans, his ministry of writing, his loyalty to the Anglican Church (really to the Anglican ideal). By trade, Packer is a theologian, and he practises his trade for the benefit of the ordinary people of God, and so his writings are free of unnecessary jargon and are applied to life. He has been a leading example of how to do theology, namely Packer is a great theologizer (says McGrath). He has been embroiled in various theological controversies, but is not belligerent by nature, rather he has unflinchingly stood for Evangelical truth. His high profile in Evangelicalism has also made him a target of other Evangelicals who have misunderstood or disagreed with the stance he has taken. This even-handed biography will help readers come to their own conclusions about the fruitfulness and the legacy of J.I. Packer. Greg Goswell NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Thirteen This evenhanded biography will help readers to come to their own conclusions about the fruitfulness and the legacy of J.I. Packer

14 NEW LIFE ADVERTISING Read: Murder At Port Arthur: Was It a Conspiracy? by David Holden, at VISITING MELBOURNE? You re welcome at The Faith Factory: ST KILDA: Cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St. Every Sunday 11am & 7pm; Living Stones Korean Presbyterian Church. Every Sunday 12.30pm; 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 Glorious Things A Protestant s Guide To London Revised! Updated! Illustrated! Now Available As An e-book! Glorious Things will help visitors to London arrive well prepared to make the most of their time there. The guided tours will take you to places like Westminster Abbey and St Paul s Cathedral, but Glorious Things will take you to important sites linked to our Protestant heritage. COST: $10 for the PDF version, with the right to print two hard copies. PAYMENT OPTIONS: 1. Cheque for $10 payable to New Life Australia. Mail to: PO Box 457, Mitcham Vic (Please include a letter with your name and address so that we can the PDF to you.) 2. Direct deposit $10 to Bank: Westpac; A/c name: New Life Australia Ltd BSB: ; A/c No: (Please also notify us by ). TURN BACK THE BATTLE: Isaiah Speaks to Christians Today. With persecution escalating globally, Elizabeth Kendal calls us to revisit the prophecy of Isaiah, maintaining that Isaiah 1-39 provides an unambiguous treatise on how God's people are to respond to persecution, suffering and existential threat. For purchasing options, visit: We re Counting On YOU! YOUR Donations Keep Us Going! Through the generous donations of members of the New Life family, New Life is now available free on request by to everyone, everywhere, who wants to receive it. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A DONATION: By Cheque To: New Life, PO Box 457, Mitcham 3132 Vic. By Direct Deposit To: Account Name: New Life Australia Ltd. Bank: Westpac. BSB: Account Number: (Please office@nlife.com.au when you direct deposit). From Our Web Site: ( using the Make A Donation button. NEW LIFE 1 June 2016 Page Fourteen