Queen Elizabeth Afirms Church s Place In Society

Transcription

1 1 March Vol 74 No 13. Free On Request: Queen Elizabeth Afirms Church s Place In Society THE Queen began celebrations on 15 February to mark her 60 year reign by publicly declaring her support for the established Church, which she said was commonly under appreciated despite being woven into the fabric of this country. Delivering a speech at Lambeth Palace, home of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Queen commented that faith provided critical guidance in life and played a key role in creating and sustaining communities throughout the UK. She said: The concept of our established Church is occasionally misunderstood and, I believe, commonly under appreciated. Faith plays a key role in the identity of many millions of people, providing not only a system of belief but also a sense of belonging. The Church has created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely. A Calling From God The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, commented that faith was at the heart of the Queen s understanding of her role, which he believed was a calling from God. The personal faith to which you have so regularly alluded entails the conviction of a calling from God to do what you do and to be what you are, he said. The Archbishop also commented that the Queen clearly demonstrated that being religious is not eccentric or abnormal. Challenges The Queen s comments will be welcomed by many Christians after a week where secularists have challenged the place of Christianity in the nation. The High Court passed a ruling on 10 February that it was unlawful for local town councils to begin their formal meetings with prayer, breaking from hundreds of years of tradition. On the same day, two Christian guesthouse owners, Peter and Hazelmary Bull, lost their appeal against last year s ruling that they had discriminated unlawfully against a non married same sex couple by only allowing married couples to rent double rooms in their guesthouse. Baroness Warsi, Chair of the Conservative Party, said recently that British society was under threat from a rising tide of militant secularisation reminiscent of totalitarian regimes. The Telegraph via Christian Concern Suicide Bombers Attack Worship Service In Jos, Nigeria At Least One Christian Dead, 38 Injured TWO suicide bombers from the Boko Haram Islamist sect drove a car laden with bombs into the worship service of a Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) congregation in Jos, Nigeria, on 26 February, killing at least one Christian girl and injuring dozens of other church members, sources said. A man claiming to be a spokesman for Boko Haram reportedly claimed responsibility for the blast. The two suicide bombers broke through a security barrier at the gate of the church building at 7.20am, a church leader said. When the bombs went off, I saw the dead body of one girl and four other members of our church who were injured, said Yakubu Dutse, director of finance at COCIN headquarters, which is located in the same building. Dutse said one of the bombers was shot dead and one was injured by soldiers posted as security guards before the bombs went off, killing the second assailant as well. When they were stopped at the gate of the church, they refused to stop, hence the soldiers posted to the church shot at the car, he said. Church member Felix Apollos rushed to the scene of the attack minutes after the bombs went off. He told Compass that he saw the bodies of five people killed in the attack, but the identities of the dead are yet to be confirmed. At least 38 people were reportedly injured in the blast. Apollos said some members of a security force manning the church gate tried to stop the assailants, but soldiers also guarding the church ordered them to allow the bombers onto the premises. Boko Haram, whose name translates loosely as Western education is forbidden, seeks to impose a strict version of sharia (Islamic law) on Nigeria. Obed Minchakpu, Compass Direct (See personal note, p.8)

2 VOL: 74 NUMBER 13 ISSN: ISSUE DATE: 1 March 2012 FOUNDER: Eric J. Daley ( ) EDITOR: Rev Bob Thomas ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Dr Clifford Wilson editor@nlife.com.au PHONE: BUSINESS MANAGER: Mignon Goswell office@nlife.com.au PHONE: 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 How Can YOU Help New Life? t Keep us in your prayers. t Recommend us to others. t Forward New Life to your friends. t Advertise with us. t Send in your news and pix. t Make a donation as you feel led. t Check out our website. SEIZE THE DAY... Atheist Convention Presents Gospel Opportunities THE Global Atheist Convention will be held in Melbourne from April, one week after Easter. The convention is an opportunity for the Gospel of the Living God. When the media are reporting how the prominent atheists dubbed The Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse are seeking to disprove God, it will be a great opportunity for Christians to let our city know that God is alive. A number of exciting Christian initiatives are planned for that period. Among them, The Regal Standard, a high quality eight page newspaper is being printed to inspire faith that God is Alive. The Regal Standard is an easyto read broadsheet newspaper, filled with inspiring and well researched articles and stories of faith and evidence of God at work in our world. It has been produced as a personal initiative by Denis Prince who says: Out of a sense of shame and concern that our country and city host the atheists a second time, I wanted to do something about it. If it was somewhere else New York or London or wherever we would expect Christians there to put up a substantial response. That lot has instead fallen on us. So I have decided to use my background as pastor, publisher and editor to create a one off newspaper, The Regal Standard, to cover the major issues and proclaim the greatness of God. The papers cost $25 for 100 copies (cheaper for larger orders). Sample copies of the paper have been sent to many churches. Papers can be ordered using the order form on the website: but orders must be in by 5 March, so act quickly. Churches could distribute the paper widely in letterboxes, shopping centres, tertiary institutions, etc and individuals could buy 100 or join with others to distribute. Rob Isaachsen, Transforming Melbourne Prayer Gathering To Celebrate 200 Years Of Methodism In Australia WESLEY Mission is holding a prayer gathering on Tuesday 6 March from 6.30 to 7.30 pm in Wesley Church, 200 Pitt Street, Sydney, to celebrate 200 years of Methodism in Australia. Come and join Rev Dr Keith V Garner, staff, members of the Wesley Mission congregation and supporters to give thanks. This will be 200 years to the day since the first Methodists met in Australia to discuss the need for a preacher here. 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 italic type. You only have to position your cursor over the link to highlight it, 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 2012 PAGE TWO

3 MATTERS FOR PRAYER... SUDAN & SYRIA: Millions Of Christians Facing Death SUDAN: Nuba Need Breakthrough In Food, Security THE UN estimates that some half million displaced, predominantly Christian African (non Arab) Nuba will face famine conditions by March. Not content to decimate the Nuba by means of famine something the Arab supremacist, Islamist regime in Khartoum achieved in the early 1990s nor to allow their escape into South Sudan, Khartoum appears to be preparing to completely annihilate the Nuba. Sudan Armed Forces soldiers are killing Nuba at manned checkpoints. Furthermore SAF tanks and artillery are blocking the refugees' southward escape route through the Kauda Valley while helicopter gunships and Antonovs (used as bombers) arrive at recently renovated airstrips. The regime has warned that any attempt to cross the southern border with aid for the Nuba would be regarded as a hostile act, ie an excuse for war against South Sudan. Urged on by Christian and Jewish antigenocide groups, the US administration has intensified efforts to pursue a breakthrough in Sudan, even offering to write off Khartoum's debts, estimated at $2.4 billion. Yet Khartoum remains intransigent, maintaining the Nuba are 'rebels' enemies of the state being assisted by foreign aid groups. On Sunday 19 February the Government of Sudan agreed to involve international organisations in an operation to assess humanitarian needs in South Kordofan. Khartoum also advised it was considering a proposal put forward by the Arab League. Sudan's Minister of Social Welfare and Security, Amira Al Fadail, reiterated the GoS position that all aid must be distributed through Sudanese facilities. Of course this has happened before in the early 1990s when the GoS, after engineering famine in the Nuba Mountains, herded the displaced and starving Nuba into 'Peace [concentration] Camps'. Receiving food there was conditional on converting to Islam. Forced thus to choose between Islam and starvation, hundreds of thousands of Nuba chose starvation. To allow repetition of such a situation would be absolutely unacceptable. However, with famine closing in, Sudan analyst Eric Reeves is warning of 'a looming catastrophe that will make Syria, in terms of total casualties, look like a gang war in the park'. SYRIA: Christians Need Breakthrough For Political Solution The NATO US Saudi Gulf Arab alliance and al Qaeda both want the same thing in Syria: regime change to install a Sunni Islamist regime more favourable to their interests. According to former Central Intelligence Agency officer Philip Giraldi, unmarked NATO planes are transporting weapons from Libya to the Free Syrian Army base at Iskenderum, on Turkey's border with Syria. Meanwhile, Western Special Forces trainers are there on the ground training the Syrian rebel jihadists [echoes of Afghanistan?]. Furthermore, US military and intelligence drones are operating over Syria, reportedly gathering evidence to 'make a case for an international response', but doubtless also monitoring Syrian troop movements for the FSA. On 11 February al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri publicly exhorted 'honourable' Muslims across the region to join the jihad in Syria. Subsequently, a group calling itself the Al Baraa Ibn Malik Martyrdom Brigade announced its formation in the Syrian town of Homs and vowed to start employing suicide bombers against Syrian security forces. British author and former UK foreign correspondent John Bradley recently cautioned that Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi forces, with funding from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, have totally hijacked the popular revolts. Bradley maintains that the conflict in Syria is now principally a US Saudi Gulf Arab alliance war aimed at countering ascendant Iran. He claims that what will come after Assad will be much worse: '... the minority Alawites and Christians and Jews and moderate Sunnis in Syria will fight to the death because they know much better than us that the opposition, the civilian opposition, is dominated by the Muslim Brotherhood and the insurgents [are] now infiltrated by Salafi jihadis.' As Bradley notes, for all its faults Assad's has been a secular regime that has protected minorities. Russia is brokering talks. The 2 million plus Christians in Syria (including over 300,000 Assyrian refugees from Iraq) are in desperate need of a political breakthrough. For, as Bradley notes, the alternative is 'a civil war in Syria that will be so bloody and murderous that it will make what took place in Libya look like a high school prom'. WHO CAN YOU FORWARD NEW LIFE TO? NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE THREE

4 MATTERS FOR PRAYER (from p.3)... Please Pray Specifically That God Will: send His Holy Spirit into these war zones in a powerful and palpable way, bringing awakening, repentance and spiritual revival to multitudes; hear the cries of His imperilled people and be quick to answer with demonstrations of power, love and justice; may escape and deliverance be enabled SUSPECTED Islamic extremists detonated a bomb outside a church building in Sulejah, Nigeria, on Sunday 19 February, two months after Boko Haram Islamists killed 44 Christians and blinded seven in a church bombing in nearby Madalla. Compass Direct News says Sunday's blast in Suleja, in front of Christ Embassy Church during morning worship, injured five people, one seriously, according to sources. Compass reports the bomb, planted in a parked car, was left by suspected members of Boko Haram, which seeks to impose sharia (Islamic law) throughout Nigeria, and authorities arrested some members of the sect the same day. Compass learned that at least one of those injured belongs to the nearby Triumph Ministries Church. Peter Osema, a search and rescue worker with Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency, told Compass that the bomb was likely meant to affect both churches. and may there be provision of food, shelter, security and hope; erect a bulwark against those who devise evil against God's Kingdom and cruelty against His precious children. (See Psalm 140.) Elizabeth Kendal, for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission. NIGERIA: Two Churches Targeted In Bomb Attack, Five Injured; In Christmas Day Blast In Nearby Madalla, Seven Left Blind Compass also reported that at St Theresa's Roman Catholic Church in Madalla, 44 members were killed in the Christmas Day blast. Michael Ireland, ASSIST News Service Jerusalem Church Defaced With Hateful Graffiti UNKNOWN assailants spray painted blasphemous graffiti on a church building that's home to several Christian congregations in downtown Jerusalem, according to Julie Stahl, CBN News Mideast Correspondent. Stahl says the vandalism, which could be part of an ongoing campaign against non Jewish religious sites, led to a show of goodwill by neighbours and others. Stahl reports that vandals sprayed messages of hate slurs against Jesus including, We'll crucify you and Death to Christianity in Hebrew on the walls of the Baptist House. It's not just defacing, there's a message there, Dr Al Nucciarone, senior pastor of the Jerusalem Baptist Church, told CBN News. Obviously people don't like Christians being here and don't like Jesus or don't respect Jesus for sure, he said. Stahl reports that it's not the first time the Baptist House has been attacked. In 2007, vandals broke into the sanctuary and torched chairs and hymnals. In 1982, arsonists burned the original wooden building to the ground. But, she says, the latest incident brought out the best in the neighbourhood. We're sad there are extremists who would take things into their own hands like this, but we're also heartened by the outpouring of sympathy from neighbours and people of goodwill, whom I believe are the majority, Charles Kopp, senior pastor of the Narkis Street Congregation, told CBN News. People are very sympathetic when something like this happens, he said. We'll get a lot of support. Even my friend Barry, [he's] Jewish, came with his rabbi from the conservative synagogue in Arnona because they heard about it and they were quite disgusted about what happened and even wanted to call the mayor's religious affairs person, he said. Stahl reports that police are investigating whether the vandalism is connected to earlier attacks this month on a Jerusalem monastery and mosque. In her report, Stahl says Dr Mordechai Zaken, head of the Ministry of Public Security's Desk of Minority Affairs, paid a solidarity visit. I'm here to show my support, my solidarity, my friendship, not only me. I think I represent the overwhelming majority of Israeli citizens, Zaken said. He also pointed out that this kind of incident wouldn't have garnered such press coverage 10 years ago. It also shows Israeli society is more tuned [in], more careful about this kind of thing.so we are progressing, slowly but surely, he said. You can see a video about this incident online at: Jerusalem Church Defaced with Hateful Graffiti/ Michael Ireland, ASSIST News Service. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE FOUR

5 NEW LIFE ADVERTISING... Vacant Position: Lecturer In Biblical Studies (Old Testament) Presbyterian Theological Centre Sydney After thirty three years of faithful service, the Reverend Doctor John Davies has indicated his intention to retire at the end of The Presbyterian Theological Centre, Sydney, invites applications from suitably qualified persons to be appointed to its full-time lecturing staff. The person appointed will lecture and supervise research in the areas of Biblical Studies, with an emphasis on Old Testament, and such other duties from time to time as the Principal may determine. Applicants should hold (or be in the final stages of) a research Master s degree or higher in Old Testament. Preference may be given to candidates who have experience in pastoral ministry, in teaching and training people for ministry, and who have a history of publications. The position is for the term of six years (renewable), commencing 1 January Further details can be found on the PTC website: Applications (by 13 April 2012) should be sent to: The Principal, The Rev Dr Ian Smith, Presbyterian Theological Centre, 77 Shaftesbury Road Burwood NSW 2134 Australia. ismith@ptcsydney.org NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE FIVE

6 HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE... CHRIST For All Of Life In All The World! HOW does following Jesus Christ translate into living in the global village? What is God doing in the world? How do Christians relate to global themes of Christian unity, justice, mission and church renewal? These are among the issues in focus at an international conference being held at Presbyterian Theological Centre Burwood, Sydney on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 April. The conference will precede and lay a foundation for a Board Meeting of the World Reformed Fellowship (the world peak body for conservative Presbyterian and Reformed Churches) at Collaroy Conference Centre from April. More information on the WRF is available at: global leaders from the WRF Board are coming early to share in the PTC conference and local church ministry. Both days of the conference are open to all comers. The Friday conference should be of particular interest to church leaders and Saturday to the broader Christian public. The schedule includes keynote addresses and seminars on more specialised topics. Highlights of the conference will be: Addresses on Friday/Saturday by Professor Andrew McGowan (Scotland) on missions related themes. Bible expositions on Friday/Saturday by Professor Pierre Berthoud (France) and Dr Rob Norris (USA). Workshops on: Biblical Foundations And Theological Principles Of Mission: Dr Flip Buys (South Africa). Training Workers For God s Mission: Professor Matthew Ebenezer (India). Liberty And Justice In The Old Testament: Calvin s View: Professor Pierre Berthoud (France). The Mission Of God In Difficult Access Countries: Dr Cecilio Lajara (Puerto Rico/USA). The Cry For Global Justice Sex Trade: Dr Diane Langberg (USA). Showing And Telling The Gospel: Dr John Nicholls (England). Turning Principles Into Practice Ministry To Orphans: Dr Flip Buys (South Africa). Vitalising The Local Church For Mission: Dr Rob Norris (USA). The conference is designed to be a great time of vision expanding fellowship, encouragement and learning. Don t miss it, but register now through Enquiries can be sent to the conference organiser, David Burke, at dburke@ptcsydney.org Change Of Party Leadership REV Dr Dallas Clarnette has resigned as Chairman of Australian Christians (Vic). A man of many talents (including skilled and firm leadership), Dallas is also a man who follows God s leading and with other mission projects beckoning, he believes it is time for him to have a change in focus. Dallas has assured the party of his ongoing support. Mr Vivian Hill will fill the position Dallas has vacated. Vivian was born in Victoria and joined the CDP Victoria Council 2 years ago after serving on the CDP State Council in WA for 12 years. He is a retired Christian secondary school teacher. Honour For Peter Kuzmic ON his 65th birthday, Dr Peter Kuzmic was presented with a book written in his honour by the faculty at the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Croatia. Kuzmic was the Founder of ETS, which provides education and training in Osijek, Croatia. ETS provides biblical resources to the post communist world in Eastern Europe and would welcome donations of additional materials, such as books and journals, to add to its library. Australia s First Female Aboriginal Archdeacon Congratulated RECONCILIATION Australia congratulates Biripa woman Karen Kime on her recent ordination as the first female Aboriginal archdeacon in the Anglican Church in Australia. Co Chair Dr Tom Calma said the appointment shows that the Anglican Church is committed to building better relationships between the Church and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Archdeacon Kime is a strong believer in reconciliation and has devoted her life to creating better opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, Dr Calma said. She is passionate about the needs of Aboriginal people living on the land and it s great to see the Anglican Church embracing its Indigenous leaders. As Archdeacon for Indigenous Ministry and Manager for Indigenous Services, Culture and Education, Archdeacon Kime will work across three dioceses in the ACT and NSW to identify opportunities for new Anglicare services to Indigenous communities. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE SIX

7 OUT THERE IN MONGOLIA... Where Christianity Is Outpacing Buddhism Murray, Elizabeth and family. TWENTY years ago, Russia withdrew from Mongolia after nearly 70 years occupation, and Mongolia was again independent. The coloniser imposed many things Russian upon the Mongolian society, including their brand of atheistic Communism and industry. Murray and Elizabeth Benn and family are ministering in Mongolia with Pioneers Mission Society. Murray s dad Robert had the opportunity of visiting them in August September This is his report... IT was fascinating to see the remnants of collective living and farming. Mongolia had been, and now is again, a nomadic society. The rural Mongolians (nearly 60%) effectively bank in livestock, so a really severe winter causing loss of livestock can be a major reversal for them. The rural system is: move with all your livestock to where the fodder is lush; move your ger (or yurt); watch the temperature (temperatures range from +40C to 40C, so you cant let them get too warm, like, not above 5C or when they go out in the morning, they ll die!) The countryside is majestically riveting with its vast rolling plains, undulating steppes, and high awe inspiring mountains. It was fascinating visiting Kharkhorin, HQ of Ogedei Khan, son of Ghengis Khan. The 12th Century jumped into life as I reminisced on the Mongol take over of one third of the world! And the Church? It celebrated its 20th anniversary while I was there. Though after Communism Buddhism was reintroduced, it is the Church that is showing most rapid patterns of growth, and while still only about 2% of the population, it is growing at the rate of some 8% per annum, and about 150 students attend the Theological College. Murray and family have settled in well. Mongolia is very much second home for them now. They have good friends, are speaking fluent Mongolian in a few areas of conversation, and love the freedoms of life there. Winter is special for them for you can drive a truck over the river, and the kids love skiing on the ice and playing the typical Mongolian games on the river. Murray and Elizabeth are running a business there to provide employment for Christian staff, which is really the core of the local church. The main reason five of us Australians went to Mongolia (to work with five Mongolians) was to build a double storeyed home for Murray and family. We started with the floor poured and the first three courses of besser brick in place, and brought it to almost lock up stage in less than four weeks. But there was a very special spin off from that. First, Murray had been living in the world of women, and all the staff working on the inside of Fairfield Guest House were ladies. A couple of men were working in the grounds and security. With the building of the house, he began to learn a whole new set of words like shovel, saw, hammer, nails, cement, bricks, trusses and the like. He loved engaging with the men. The local infant church had been mainly made up of women too. But now, they were in the process of engaging a pastor who had been known as a prominent consumer of Vodka prior to his conversion. He too knew how to communicate with men, but now with the Gospel. So with the new pastor, with Murray spending time with men and developing new language and with the commencement of men s ministry, there has been a transformation within the church. The church is increasing with numbers and with men! (Continued p.8) NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE SEVEN

8 OUT THERE IN MONGOLIA... Secondly, and especially for us visitors, there was another very special event. We were invited to the home of one of the senior ladies of the church for a meal just before our departure. There are not too many senior ladies in the church. It was cold. Mrs DJ had prepared a soup which was heavily laden with tasty chunks of vegetables, and a mince wrap, probably deep fried and very tasty. The home was tiny, but warm as toast, as the chimney actually ran through the walls and warmed the whole house. When the meal was over, I asked English speaking daughter Sara if we could hear her mother s story. And what a story it was! She had trained under the Russians in Bulgaria. Then returned home to Arhangai Province (where Murray and family live), and there began her radio career. I questioned her as she pressed on with the story: Did you have any consciousness of God? No. We were so indoctrinated into the communist thinking, worldview and way of life that there was no inclination to think god. So tell us what changed all that, I said. A gentleman had come from the city to work in the radio station with her, and he brought with him god talk. Suicide Bomb Attack On Jos Hits Home REV Keith Black, retired veteran SUM missionary, reports that the bomb attack in Jos on 26 February reported on page one of this issue is the Headquarters of the Church Of Christ In Nigeria. Keith and Betty Black lived for several years alongside this church building as it was being built by Ray Baker who was sent to Nigeria from Canterbury (Vic) Presbyterian Church. COCIN grew out of the work of Sudan United Mission, which is now part of Pioneers. Keith was originally ordained to the ministry by COCIN. VISITING MELBOURNE? Join us at St Kilda Presbyterian Church, cnr Alma Rd/Barkly St Every Sunday 11am and 7pm; St Margaretʼs, Balaclava, cnr Hotham St/Denman Rd Every Sunday, 9.30am. Rev Bob Thomas. Phone: Youʼre welcome at ʻThe Faith Factoryʼ a Friendly, Caring, Bible-Believing Christian Fellowship There was very rapid transformation in Mrs DJ, a yearning for God. Soon she was part of a small group which studied the Scriptures. She learned of the true God, was astounded, and then of Christ Jesus, and in repentance and faith turned to Him. Through much suffering personally, the loss of a child and husband, the nurture of fellow Christians, and the passage of time in which she learned to stand still and know that I am God, she has become what Paul called a pillar of the church. That evening was a brilliant highlight of our visit as it showed how the church of our Lord Jesus Christ grows in Mongolia: a failed communism but a victorious church. Robert Benn Looking for a gift for someone special? More Than Food And Clothes may be the perfect answer Beautifully presented, with verses from Scripture and spectacular coloured images throughout, each page is a treasure trove of stories and experiences of women whose lives are centred around a love for the Lord. ʻBe encouraged and inspired when you take a peep into the lives of a bunch of everyday women doing everyday things with a God who is with them everyday. Written in their own words, this collection of devotions is a literary mosaic of faith, hope, joy and perseverance that will touch you deeply.ʼ Books can be ordered from the website: $25 per copy plus $9.95 postage and handling to anywhere within Australia. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE EIGHT

9 CHURCH AND NATION... Prayer Rally For Marriage Says I Do! PARTICIPANTS at a Prayer Rally for Marriage strongly indicated that they do not want a change to the status of marriage in Australia. They agreed with the present state of marriage and were committed to it, in much the same way as a man and woman say I do during a marriage ceremony! The Prayer Rally for Marriage, held in Scots Church, Sydney, on Sunday 26 February was co ordinated by the Christian Democratic Party, churches and various denominations. The meeting included a variety of speakers and was led by Pastor Robyn Peebles of the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Rev Hon Fred Nile MLC, of the CDP. Pastor Peebles emphasised that the battle for the institution of Marriage is a spiritual battle and not just political! Acknowledging that some individual churches and denominations may be in favour of proposed changes for same sex marriage, speakers and supporters alike emphasised that they believe the biblical definition of marriage is that of man and woman and now is the time to defend that belief. Rev Fred Nile issued a Statement On Marriage And Prayer, saying Our Australian society faces the greatest challenge to our Christian heritage, culture and value with the imminent vote in our Federal Parliament on the Green Party s same sex homosexual marriage Bill. It is vital that every concerned Australian expresses their opposition to the Green s Party Bill and supports our traditional Australian Marriage as stated in the Federal Marriage Act: Marriage means the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. Messages of support were read from the Most Rev Dr Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney; Cardinal George Pell, Roman Catholic Church; Wayne Richards, General Manager of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales and the Rev Dr Keith Garner, Superintendent, Wesley Mission. His Grace Bishop Anba Daniel, Bishop and Abbott of St Shenouda's Coptic Orthodox Monastery in Putty (near Singleton), who very rarely ventures out Warwick Marsh addresses the rally. of the monastery, asked if he could be present and deliver a statement. His presentation included many Biblical passages to enforce the traditional view of Marriage. Warwick Marsh shared something of the National Day of Prayer and Fasting, held the previous Sunday in Canberra. He then challeneged those present to pray for this situation and the leadership of the nation. Brian Pickering, Australian Prayer Network, was noticed in the audience and was invited to pray for marriage and the government. Rev Dr Ross Clifford, President of the NSW Council of Churches and a Vice President of the Baptist World Alliance, read the official statement issued by the NSW Council of Churches. In his international position he spoke of churches in other countries watching this ongoing situation with great interest as they realise it could affect their countries too. Pastor Peebles presented two declarations and the gathering endorsed her statements, declaring the Government was in the hands of Jesus Christ and He was in control of all decisions. The Rev Fred Nile closed the meeting with the challenge of a Call to Action. He suggested the people may wish to: Meet their local Federal MP; Write to their local newspapers; Phone talkback radio programs; Support local prayer rallies and marches. For further information, contact: Christian Democratic Party, phone: (02) ; e mail: headoffice@cdp.org.au Ramon Williams, Worldwide Photos NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE NINE

10 CHURCH AND NATION... Scripture Lessons Helped Us Victorians MORE than 300 Victorians have responded to a FamilyVoice survey on Special Religious Instruction in government schools in Victoria, with the majority saying SRI has impacted their lives in a positive way. When I was in my early teens, I remember our SRI teacher speaking to us about how important it was to encourage one another, and how especially in early high school not to judge one another on small things but be kind to each person. It made this era of life much easier to live through. There was nothing this positive coming from home, said one respondent. Long after school finished for me, SRI continues to provide a foundation for me to build my life as a worthwhile citizen, said another. A third said: As a teacher [of SRI] I was taking a lesson on Consequences. Unbeknown to me, that very day the class was having issues in this regard. Recently the teacher mentioned that my lesson reinforced the values she was trying to teach and was very grateful. Nearly 80% of the 307 respondents said they strongly believed that the current system of a compulsory secular curriculum supplemented by voluntary religious instruction allows parents to exercise their responsibility for the religious and moral education of their children, in line with the Education Act. The survey comments show a different side to the story presented by a group of parents who have lodged a complaint against the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, claiming discrimination in the way that Special Religious Instruction occurs in schools. These parents have erected a big billboard in Bulleen to attack Scripture classes, claiming that children excluded from SRI may feel isolated and anxious. SRI respects the wishes of parents by allowing them to decide whether their child attends these classes or not, said FamilyVoice state officer Peter Stevens. The complainants have the choice to withdraw their children. They should not deny other parents the choice to allow their children to learn what they believe to be both true and beneficial. Ninety per cent of survey respondents agreed that parents, not the state, have the primary responsibility for the religious and moral education of their children. Many respondents also shared positive stories specifically about how the Christian Religious Education program provided by ACCESS Ministries benefited them. For more information, contact Peter Stevens on , office@fava.org.au Have YOU visited our website? Just GOOGLE New Life 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) ʻ 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.ʼ (Galatians 2.16) The CLIFFORD WILSON books listed below are now available at KOORONG BOOK SHOPS Australia wide: Crash Go The Skulls... And The Hoaxes Genesis That Amazing Book Of Beginnings Jesus In Old Testament Shadows And New Testament Light Jesus The Master Counsellor Jesus The Master Teacher Meeting Jesus Of Nazareth New Light On The Gospels The Paluxy River Dinosaur Controversy The Stones Still Shout The Way God Works In Nature Anyone wanting a copy of the revised bestseller Crash Go The Chariots ('76) may write, with $5, to: Pacific Christian Ministries, PO Box 311, Lilydale, VIC Please also supply your name and mailing address. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE TEN

11 PERSECUTION WATCH... Terror Continues In Iran 78 Year Old Christian Woman Arrested In Esfahan By Security Authorities 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 going to: _williams rlgmedia@oz .com.au IN recent times, the security authorities of Iran have been taking action against the growth of Christianity and house church movement in Iran and have arrested many believers in different cities of Iran. But now they have exceeded their own terrible record of harassment of believers by arresting a 78 yearold Christian woman at her home in Esfahan which is 272 miles from Tehran, the Iranian capital. According to the Iranian Christian news agency, Mohabat News < Giti Hakimpour, a Christian minister, was arrested in her apartment by security authorities on 22 February and transferred to an unknown location. The security authorities not only raided Ms Hakimpour's home but on the same day attacked the home of another Christian, Pastor Hekmat Salimi, and also took him into custody. Ms Hakimpour, who is 78 years old, is a member and minister of St Luke's Anglican Church in Esfahan. She was living on her own in an apartment and witnesses saw both police and private cars parking down below her flat from around 6am, said a spokesperson for Mohabat News. Knowledgeable sources told Mohabat News that the intelligence officers initially interrogated her in her flat and then arrested her, and then went on to thoroughly search her apartment and confiscated some of her personal belongings. Eyewitnesses said the officers were there for three hours until 9am, and then they took Ms Hakimpour with them. No information is available concerning her whereabouts and health condition at this time, the spokesperson told ASSIST News Service. She has no relatives inside Iran; however the news of her arrest has caused a wave of anxiety among her relatives living outside Iran. The Iranian Christian community calls on Iranian authorities to release her and take measures to exonerate her of any charges. The security authorities of the Iranian Intelligence Office also attacked the home of Pastor Hekmat Salimi in Fooladshahr, a district of Esfahan at 7am, also on 22 February. They also arrested and transferred him to an unknown location without providing any kind of explanation. There are still no updates available concerning his situation, added the spokesperson. No doubt, these anti Christian actions are being taken in order to intimidate and terrorise Christians, especially Christian converts. These are being done after when, some while ago, Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, who is known as the theoretician of the Islamic regime, said in a meeting with the President and Vice President of the Office of Islamic Propaganda in the Islamic Seminary of Qom that, some work has been done and monies have been spent to counter the growth of Christianity in some provinces but the outcome is not satisfactory because no one is supervising these efforts. According to the reports published by Mohabat News, during these first two months of 2012, the security authorities of the Intelligence Ministry have arrested Christian citizens individually or in groups in the cities of Ahwaz, Shiraz, Tehran and Esfahan. Dan Wooding, Founder, ASSIST Ministries CHRISTIAN FAMILY BIBLE STUDIES Go to: for Family/Children articles by Gwenda Steward (formerly New Life Women's Page contributor) and Bible Studies by Dr Harrold Steward (family medicine). MP3 STUDIES CPA, Medico's, Engineer, Educationalist. 'His Name Is Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Kindly notify friends/church of web site. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE ELEVEN

12 GOOD NEWS FROM ABROAD... Ethiopians Come To Christ In Droves After Watching Film WHAT happens when women are told for the first time that Christ loves them? Explosion! The Jesus Film project has seen the film Magdalena: Released from Shame take off in Ethiopia. Women, who have often been ignored, are welcoming the Gospel with open arms. The Jesus Film project planned to train 100 women to show the film in three years. But the demand is so great that in just six months, they've trained 564. God At Work In The Above-Ground Church In China WHILE we hear frequent reports about the underground house church movement in China, especially many of the hardships they face due to their resistance to government control, it may surprise some to realise there is life in the registered, above ground church, officially known as the Three Self Patriotic Movement. China Partner serves the registered church in China above board and legally by supplying Christian literature, pastoral training, and forging partnerships to build the Church. Erik Burklin, President of China Partner, recently returned from China, where he worked with several pastors currently seeing God's hand at work in significant ways. Rev Zhao and his wife graduated from Sichuan Theological Seminary in 1995 and came to Yibin city to serve the local church. When they arrived, there was one church building and one meeting point (two ecclesias); today there are 18 churches. Yibin had 200 believers when they started to minister in that city; today there are over 4,000. In 2011 he and his wife baptised over 100 new converts; the church has seen tremendous growth during their ministry. Mark Ellis, ASSIST News Service Werner and Erik Burklin (left & right) attend meeting in China. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE TWELVE

13 TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING... Faith Set To Meet Unbelief Christians Face Up To GAC THE Global Atheist Convention will meet in Melbourne April. Rev David Palmer reports that a coalition of Christian Media personnel has been formed to co ordinate a Christian response to it. Going under the name Celebration Of Reason it is going to be huge and Christians won t be able to, and shouldn t, avoid it. So ministers and pastors might consider how this affects material for bulletins and preaching. Michael Jensen (of Moore Theological College) and John McClean (of Presbyterian Theological Centre, Burwood) are working up resource materials for at least two sermons, possibly four, hopefully by early April. A number of events being organised in Melbourne for the week following the GAC will have forums, debates involving speakers from the GAC and Christian apologists. Scott Monk of The Australian, writes: The Reason For Faith Coalition is now up and running. Several Christian organisations have banded together to create an intelligent, united and reasoned voice for the media during the upcoming Global Atheist Convention in April. Some of the world s leading New Atheists will be speaking, and the coalition s goal is to engage in conversation with them. Our aims are to: BRING unbelievers to faith in Christ. RESPOND to media requests immediately, intelligently and helpfully. PRESENT the media with pre written articles by Christian leaders, commentators and academics. EDUCATE the Christian community about the claims of the New Atheists and how to respond to them calmly. MOTIVATE parishioners to engage in the debate via letters to the editor, talkback, social media, blogs and backyard conversations. IDENTIFY media talent in Melbourne, Sydney and other capitals to engage in conversations with the media. PROMOTE Christian events that are running concurrently with the convention and ultimately Jesus Christ. HARNESS the talent and resources of several Christian organisations and professionals. COUNTER the siege mentality among Christians towards both atheism and the media. NOT to fall into the trap of saying It s too hard or the media won t listen. Greg Clarke has been approached to be the national spokesman and Dean Troth appointed as the project manager. Six Projects Planned: REACT to the media. Dean is the main contact point for the media. He then connects the media to the talent. PRESENT pre written articles for publication. This is in three parts: 1) Christian press 2) secular media and 3) online. CREATION of a media kit with a long list of talent in diverse areas such as ethics, philosophy, history, science etc, who are willing to be interviewed during the GAC. SOCIAL MEDIA awareness campaigns of published articles and responses to Richard Dawkins s appearance on Q&A APOLOGETIC special editions in the Christian press to educate and mobilise the Christian base. FORUMS and church news to alert Christians of resources available during the GAC. Christians are asked to be alert to what is happening, be prayerful for the coalition, encourage leaders, theologians, academics, captains of industy and/or talented Christians to articulate our faith to the media in an intelligent way, especially in Melbourne. suggestions to Scott at: monks@theaustralian.com.au The CLIFFORD WILSON books listed below are now available at KOORONG BOOK SHOPS Australia wide: Crash Go The Skulls... And The Hoaxes Genesis That Amazing Book Of Beginnings Jesus In Old Testament Shadows And New Testament Light Jesus The Master Counsellor Jesus The Master Teacher Meeting Jesus Of Nazareth New Light On The Gospels The Paluxy River Dinosaur Controversy The Stones Still Shout The Way God Works In Nature Anyone wanting a copy of the revised bestseller Crash Go The Chariots ('76) may write, with $5, to: Pacific Christian Ministries, PO Box 311, Lilydale, VIC Please also supply your name and mailing address. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE THIRTEEN

14 GOOD NEWS... Churches, Schools, Families, Individuals Gear Up For National Day Of Thanksgiving CHURCHES across Australia are gearing up to celebrate the National Day of Thanksgiving on Saturday 26 May. Last year some 1600 communities across Australia celebrated the day and more are expected to join in this year as an understanding of the opportunity the day offers for mission and evangelism becomes better understood. The number of ways the day can be celebrated is limited only by the creativity of those organising celebration activities. In the past churches have used the day to outreach to their community through engaging in acts of kindness to those in need in their community, and by organising morning teas or lunches in the week leading up to the day to thank those they wish to honour. Others are arranging day outings for disadvantaged children whilst youth groups are planning to do free car washing and lawn mowing for shut ins and the disadvantaged. Many schools are also making plans to celebrate the day by encouraging and arranging for their students to undertake acts of kindness and sending of Thanksgiving Day cards and ribbons to someone they want to say thank you to. Balloons which are available for purchase for the first time this year will provide schools and youth groups with even greater Two Ways To Live Now An App THE Two Ways To Live Gospel presentation is available now as an ios app in the itunes app store. It will run on ipod touch, iphone, and ipad (on ios4.0 or higher). The entire app can be viewed in a number of different translations (via an in app setting), currently including English, French, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese (simplified script). There is also an English audio version by Kel Richards. About Two Ways To Live If you're not familiar with the Two Ways To Live Gospel presentation, you might like to read the free online version. Go to: < Two Ways To Live is rapidly becoming one of the most widely used summaries of the Gospel in the world. In the past five years over a million copies have been distributed in print. Its great strength is that it explains the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ in the context of the over arching story of the Bible, giving the non Christian hearer or reader all the resources to celebrate the day. Even families are finding ways to use the National Day of Thanksgiving by bringing the family together for a special Thanksgiving Meal. Others are organising street parties to which they will invite their neighbours as a way of building community and spreading the word of how thankful we need to be for all that God has given us as a nation and as individuals. Thanksgiving Day cards and ribbons are the traditional way that individuals use to say thank you to those who have made a contribution into their lives in the past 12 months. This year, new business card sized mini cards have been added to the range of NDOT products produced which are designed to be carried in wallets and handbags and simply handed out to say a thank you on the spot without having to write on them. For ideas and information on available resources to help you celebrate this national day go to Church and School Info Packs plus much more, are also available from the website. presuppositions and assumptions they need to grasp the real significance of Jesus' death and resurrection. While it is a brief and logical presentation, it provides all the foundations a non Christian needs to know in order to become a Christian. This app will run on ipod touch, iphone, and ipad (on ios4.0 or higher). A different screen layout for the ipad takes advantage of its larger screen. Like any other ios app, you can 'gift' it that is, you can give it away as an electronic evangelistic tract to someone else (either via or by printing out a gift card). It s especially easy to do this by clicking a link within the app itself. And at the point of working out the consequences of the 'decision' at the end of the presentation, there's also a link to a free download of The Essential Jesus from within the app to ibooks or another e reader (still pending Apple approval as at 1 March '12). Matthias Media are hoping to release an Android version at some stage soon. NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE FOURTEEN

15 VIEWPOINT... THE Australian Christian Lobby says that the new advertising campaign launched on 29 February by Stop The Loss Coalition < is a wake up call to politicians that whilst governments continue to ignore gambling machine reform, families will be affected by pokie addiction. Managing Director Jim Wallace said that ACL would, as a member of the Australian Churches Gambling Taskforce which is part of Stop The Loss Coalition, would continue to raise awareness about problem gambling politically. The ACL supports the campaign to raise awareness about the flow on impact of poker machine addiction to problem gamblers and their families and friends, he said. While the government does not act effectively on gambling addiction, we ll continue to see families impacted more often those who are most vulnerable. The 2010 Productivity Commission s report highlighted that governments across Australia make about $5 billion a year from gambling taxes and that Australians spend about $19 billion a year on gambling, with the cost to problem gamblers of between $4.7 billion and $8.4 billion a year. This campaign comes at a time when we need to see government ensure its proposed trial is a real one, not a shame, and that there is a fallback position to introduce a $1 bet limit if it fails, said Mr Wallace. Personal Daily Bible Study Pads (PDBS) Developed by Dr Graham Miller. 100 sheets per pad. $5.75 plus $3.50 postage. Available from: PTC Media 684 Elgar Road Box Hill North MINISTRY CONFERENCE DATES: Tuesday 20 March Thursday 22 March. MAIN SPEAKER: Rt Rev David Jones, Moderator General, Presbyterian Church of Australia. TITLE: Surviving In Ministry (book early!) MASTER OF ARTS IN THEOLOGY 2012 PROGRAM: Semester One: Understanding And Preaching Isaiah Weekly classes with Rev Dr Greg Goswell. Semester Two: Biblical Interpretation, a one week intensive class with Dr Gerald Bray. FOR FURTHER COURSE INFORMATION AND EVENTS: WEBSITE: info@presbyteriancollege.org PHONE: NEW LIFE 1 March 2012 PAGE FIFTEEN