pulse missions, not something we do, but who we are! PS BARRY SILVERBACK Medal of the Order of Australia Updates around the world Diggerland, Vancouver Celebrates its first year
pulse missions, not something we do, but who we are! As I read through the articles in this edition, I sense amazing growth throughout the world. People are coming to the Lord in all nations, through individuals and through churches acting in their communities. Leaders are growing through training schools, conferences and stretching their own comfort zones. Ps Barry Silverback has spent over forty years fostering growth in nations all over the world, and has received the Order of Australia this month for his services to the international community. On the other end of the scale, Diggerland church in Vancouver has just celebrated its first year of growth. The Matuana church in Vanuatu (on the front cover) was an established church that has joined the CRC movement. There are now only two provinces in Vanuatu without CRC churches. Life means growth, and growth indicates life. If we have the life of Christ in us, we should grow. I hope this issue of Pulse encourages you to grow and to reach out further than you have in the past. If you would like a printed copy of Pulse, they are available via the CRC missions office at $1.20 each plus postage. Katelyn Fowler Editor of Pulse 02 Pulse is the voice of CRC Missions International Contact us at: Ps Mike Cronin Australian CRC Missions Director PO Box 198 Endeavour Hills Victoria 3802 Australia CONTENTS 02 Pulse Editorial 03 Message from Ps Mike Cronin 04 Canada 06 CRC Conference Speakers 07 Ps Barry Silverback 08 Vanuatu 10 Updates around the world 12 Thailand 14 Myanmar 15 India Missions School e: info@crcmissions.org.au p: +61 3 9700 2314 pulse
from the Australian Missions Director PS MIKE CRONIN Jesus said Go and make disciples of all opening the doors of opportunity. nations (people groups) (Matt 28:19). Over If you are considering sending a team on a the centuries the church of Jesus has had short term missions trip we have some times of incredible missionary response, and excellent training material available via the at great personal cost and sacrifice men and missions office. women have responded to the call and gone. At other times very few have gone Our CRC churches are following opportunities and the church has tended to become very and pioneering in new nations. Some with inward looking, not even going to their fields that in the process of time will move neighbours let alone to those in other from being a local church field to become nations. CRC member fields, others are working with various ministries/churches in a partner Through the incredible media available relationship. These later ones are not today we can see what is happening in expected to become CRC member fields, distant nations without getting out of our but they are still a part of our international armchair. But this seeing is not going. There is vision, which is a presence in every nation by nothing like going and meeting people in 2045. their environment, touching their world, building meaningful relationships and sharing Since our last edition of Pulse our Editor with them the riches of Christ. Katelyn Fowler and her husband Craig have been blessed with their first child Stephen, As you will see again in this issue of Pulse, born on April 25, a big 4.35 kg boy. CRC Pastors and people are on the move Congratulations Katelyn and Craig and well GOING. This is doing what Jesus said. It is done Katelyn in getting this issue of Pulse out exciting to see that truly the fields are ripe for on schedule! harvest (John 4:35 ) and as we go God is issue 2 2012 03
Celebrating its first year The CRC church in Vancouver has just celebrated its first anniversary. Ps Jay and Maco Hontiveros are the leaders of Diggerland. They were born in the Philippines and saved at Bethel church in PNG. When the church started, Jay was already part way through a theological degree so he completed additional training and competency work to 04 issue 1 2012 pulse 03
receive his trainee pastors credential. The church needed to be constituted and registered as soon as possible as a charitable society, which was achieved within seven months. Ps Bruce and Margaret Sharman have been very involved in assistance to the Vancouver church, including regularly doing Sunday ministry via videolink (with Jay doing the majority of services). This was a great help while there was only one available ministry. The church has a heart for all ages and all nations; Canada is very multicultural. The church has conducted successful outreaches which have seen young adults and youth make decisions for Christ. There is fruit in the children's ministry and great spiritual growth across the church. A group of five young adults are going through an advanced discipleship program to be developed as leaders. It is very exciting as they discover their gifts and callings. In addition, Maco has enrolled in a theology degree course. As the church enters its second year it is believing God for a public venue and has been saving for equipment for this purpose. issue 2 2012 05
RISE UP Join us in Adelaide 24-27 September for the 2012 CRC International People s Convention. We ve invited these world-class speakers to minister to us... Paul Scanlon is the founder of Abundant Life Ministries. He is a gifted teacher and pastor who imparts the truth of God s word in a powerful, insightful way. Paul Scanlon His heart is to reach as many people as possible, especially the younger generation, to empower them to lead influential lives and fulfil their destiny. God led Jackie to be a missionary in Hong Kong in the 1960s. Thousands have been touched by God through Jackie s inspiring life and ministry. In 1981 she founded the St Stephen s Society which provides rehabilitation homes for recovering drug addicts, prostitutes, and gang members. Jackie is a model disciple and missionary who has devoted her life to rescuing the lost by introducing them to Jesus. Jackie Pullinger Harvey Carey Harvey Carey is the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit, Michigan. Harvey is a dynamic speaker whose global ministry continues to change lives of all ages with the transforming truth of God s word. His inspiring leadership and vision for urban renewal unites people across boundaries of race, age, class and culture. To register, visit crcchurches.org.au/registration/riseup or phone +61 8 8356 6999 06 issue 1 2012 pulse 03
Ps Barry Silverback ORDER OF AUSTRALIA Earlier this month, Ps Barry Silverback was a recipient of the Order of Australia for his service to the international community. From 1967 Barry was involved in the development of the CRC in Papua New Guinea. Through his pioneering spirit and a strong sense of the call of God, he established a base at Port Moresby called Bethel Tabernacle before planting hundreds of CRC churches in villages throughout Papua New Guinea. Since the late 1980's international students have been trained in cross-cultural ministry at Bethel Centre - either returning home or being sent out as missionaries to other nations such as the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Philippines, Indonesia, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, Australia and India. Today there are hundreds of churches, several Ministry Training Programs and several Provincial Bible Schools in PNG. issue 2 2012 Barry has established orphanages and children s feeding programs in Sri Lanka, Irian Jaya, Philippines, Myanmar and Papua New Guinea. Some of these orphanages are situated in war-torn areas but the children are well cared for and educated to be influencers in their own communities. In Fiji he established pre-school centres as all over the world, parents understand the importance of education. Barry was so impacted by the devastation of the Asian Tsunami in 2005 that he encouraged the CRC to give and $416,000 was raised for this cause. Many people were given much needed support to rebuild homes and their lives. Barry is now 75 years old but still travels overseas for between 6-8 months each year to mentor and inspire pastors, leaders and to be a father to the fatherless in the orphanages he has established. 07
Vanuatu With the planting of two new churches in Santo Island last year, there are now five CRC churches in Vanuatu and five outreach churches. Unuba is doing wonderful ministry with women from different churches in the area. The Bible School runs a prison ministry as well. There is a great sense of anticipation for more church outreaches. There is also a Bible school on Santo Island, run by Pastor John and Sister Unuba from PNG. 08 issue 1 2012 pulse 03
Pastor Rennie runs the White Sands Village church in Malakula. The National Leaders Conference was held in Malakula on May 9-13. This was a wonderful time. A team from Murray Bridge, SA visited in April and helped with outreach into the local community. Several people came to faith in Christ through the ministry which included night meetings and children s outreach. Gwen Hageyo from PNG served in Emau Island last year helping in pre-school, teaching in the Door Step Bible School (a portable course) and teaching a religious program in one of the secondary schools. She now serving in the Port Villa Church. is HOW CAN I PRAY? Pray that God will move on the hearts and minds of people to train at the Bible school Pray for the Leadership Teaching Intensive at the Bible school in August Pray for missionaries working there Pray for the pastors, their families and their churches that the goal of a presence in every province by 2015 will be reached. Out of six provinces, only two are left to go. issue 2 2012 09
Warwick, a New Zealand missionary, is working in PNG. Over Easter, about 16 teams from the church in Port Moresby went out to different parts of the Central Province. Warwick went to Yule Island, where they prayed for the sick, passed out tracts, handed bags of clothes to the needy and talked to people. Although no one gave their life to Jesus on the weekend, two ladies were healed and since that time at least five people on the island have been led to the Lord. Faith Centre Church in the USA has nearly double Sunday attendance since Graeme & Moya Enright arrived earlier this year, and 52 came on Easter Sunday for the service with a barbeque and games afterwards. A new leadership team has been put together and every department is enthusiastic about church life. People have been sharing testimonies of God s work in their lives, and there has been great breakthrough in the church resulting in many healings. Graeme has also received his South Carolina driver s licence, which will enable them to open a bank account and buy a car. Graeme has been spending a lot of time doing maintenance work on the 52 acre property. 10 issue 1 2012 pulse 03
James Brown from LifeSource Church, Griffiths is in Honiara Solomon Islands. Earlier in the year 300 people attended the National Easter Youth Convention, with 3 days of teaching, worship and fellowship. James is currently busy helping with building, plumbing, bricklaying and gardening in preparation for a 4-month training school begin- Latreuo Christian Ministries in Cape Town, have become the first CRC church in South Africa. Pastor Rob Nyhuis recently visited, spending time investing into the leadership team and seeing several healings take place in the Bible School. The church there does great work in the local community and wants to reach into Zambia and Namibia. Kenneth Maop from Lae, PNG has gone as a missionary to Tanzania. He is learning Swahili to aid the spreading of the gospel. The Sargeant family from South Eastern Christian Centre moved to Vietnam at the start of March in order to become full time missionaries. The four children are studying via distance education in between the missions work. Amongst other things, the Sargeants have distributed 50 pigs to rural villages living in poverty. The villagers can breed and sell the pigs for profit. issue 2 2012 11
Thailand In 2011 Owen and Fran Thwaite from Albury answered God s calling on their lives to minister at Mae Sot, on the border of Thailand and Burma. Here there are hundreds of thousands of very needy Burmese refugees, including many children. Owen and Fran are the on-the-ground workers for Australian Mercy who help the Christian Pre School and Middle 3 School in the Mae La Refugee Camp. Teachers at the Middle High School have virtually no resources and work in open bamboo and fibro classrooms. In May and June, and with funds donated from individuals, churches and organizations, Owen, Fran and others built a computer and library building. The electrical wiring was done by Owen and Nart, a young Thai 12 issue 1 2012 Christian man working with the Thwaites. Once this was finished, the camp authorities connected the electricity straight away. This was a miracle! An opening and dedication service took place once computers were installed. The computers were financed by more donated funds. Owen, Fran and the Burmese staff marvel at God s provision and are very thankful. pulse 03
and very quickly come to the Lord. They minister powerfully in the Spirit to each other as well as to the adults. Owen comments that Some of the new kids are really homesick but are being really well supported by the older kids. Owen, Fran and Nart are also working with Help Save The Kids Australians who have set up a school near Mae Fran and Owen are teaching life skills at the moment. This includes sewing, bike maintenance, handyman tasks Sot for children from Burma. Schools only go up to Grade 4 in Burma and this enables them to continue their education. The children are all ages and gardening, as well as praying with and loving these hurting, precious children from the persecuted Karen people. issue 2 2012 13
Myanmar is the largest country in mainland southeast Asia, with a predominantly Buddhist population. Myanmar is changing investment is pouring into the nation, the cost of vehicles and mobile phones have plunged and signs on hotels welcome foreigners. There is cautious optimism as the nation starts to re-connect internationally after many years of difficulty. The Evangelism and Discipleship Training School is in Pin Oo Lwin, and 36 students from different tribes, ethnic groups and languages are currently attending. Most of the students have little or no church background or understanding of the Bible when they enrol, and it is encouraging to see and hear of changes taking place in their lives through the school. 33 students recently graduated on June 2. MYANMAR a country in need of Jesus Throughout Myanmar, many are converting from a Buddhist background. Recently local pastors worked together to conduct a Gospel Camp near Mandalay. A born again Buddhist monk spoke at the camp. 300 Buddhists attended and 127 were baptised. Another camp will be held in July. Also in July, 100 pastors and leaders will attend a 4 day Leadership Ministry School. Many pastors and leaders do not have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills, especially in the more remote parts of Myanmar. Shiloh Bible College was established in 2001. 17 new students commenced the course in June, and there are another 16 who are doing Years 2, 3, and 4. Several graduates from Shiloh have completed further studies in India and graduated with a Masters of Divinity. The Pre-school has 33 children and operates in rented premises close to the Bible College. On 23 & 24 March 2012 a missionary conference was held in Mandalay with subjects and preaching based on how to reach the unreached with the gospel. Over 85 people attended. 14 issue 1 2012 pulse 03
INDIA Missions School The missions school in Silliguri, India is training fifteen students. With them are Ps James and Mary from South India, now living there permanently. Ps Liza is a missionary from the Philippines who is also living there. The six female students live with Ps Liza about 2 minutes walk from the school. Rachelle Hardy was also helping at the missions school from the end of January to mid April. For a few weeks, all the girls set out each day from Silliguri to a smaller, neighbouring town two hours away by bus. On the first occasion, half the girls went to the hospital and half went to the prison. Over 300 tracts were handed out, the gospel was shared issue 2 2012 and one woman gave her heart to the Lord. Some of the girls went to a settlement beside the railway station where a lot of people from the neighbouring state of Bihar are living in poverty. The women there were very open and listened to everything as the girls shared the gospel. At the same time, Ps James took the nine boys with him to Tezpur in the neighbouring state of Assam for outreach and evangelism. The boys had a great time going out each day to share the gospel with people around the town. Six of the boys graduated on 23 June. Most of these will work with the CRC strengthening the work in India. 15
If you are an adult Christian with a keen interest in world missions, you are welcome to attend a twelve day life transforming journey at Temple Christian College in Adelaide, January 7-18, 2013. Presenters include: Barry Silverback, Kevin & Brenda Hughes, Mike & Lois Cronin, Malcolm & Jill Taylor, Kym Golding, Roger Rice, Neil & Joy Milne and others. www.schoolofmissions2013.com