APRIL 2018theadvocate.tv

Generous hearts committed to building the Kingdom of God.

BAPTIST CHURCHES

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

7 Reaching outRiverton Baptist Community Church reach out to new Australians >>

11 Humble servantBilly Graham preached an unchanging, old-fashioned message in new ways >>

8 No place for violenceHelping churches better respond to the issue of domestic violence >>

IN CONVERSATION Nikola Lewis talks about what led her to the Girls’ Brigade Western Australia State Commissioner role, and the Girls’ Brigade 125 year celebrations. PAGE 12>>

“Jesus’ desire is not to hide His face from us, but to be found. His desire is greater still: that we might abide in Him.” SIMON ELLIOTT 13>>

In late 2017, another chapter was

added to the history books with the

appointment of the first woman

to lead the Council of BCWA –

Lead Pastor of Lesmurdie Baptist

Church, Pastor Karen Siggins.

BCWA Director of Ministries

Pastor Mark Wilson said the

appointment had been a long

time in the making.

Since BCWA’s beginnings

in 1896, there have been

conversations about the role

of women in ministry. At the

Annual Assembly in 1992, BCWA

churches committed to provide

opportunities for ministry based

on giftedness and character,

regardless of gender. These are

values Mark said BCWA wants to

teach and model to members of

its community.

Pastor Karen Siggins’ appointment as the first female Chair of Council marks a milestone for Baptist Churches Western Australia.

“A Council Member

since 2011, Karen brings an

abundance of experience to

the role along with a deep

connection to Baptist ministry

in Western Australia,” Mark said.

Originally a school teacher,

Karen completed a Master of

Divinity at Vose Seminary and

has been pastoring at Lesmurdie

Baptist Church for over a decade.

“We’ve been talking about

this for a year or two and the

big question was, ‘Do I have the

skills to do the role?’ Secondary

was that if I did, I’d be the first

woman in the role,” Karen said.

“I hope that the things

that are unique about me, my

pastoral awareness and my

ability to determine whose

voice should be heard in various

A milestone for Baptists

Ph

oto

: H

ad

yn

Sig

gin

s

circumstances, will help me to

serve the Council well.”

When reflecting on what

the future for BCWA might look

like, Karen said some of the

practices that would have been

revolutionary ten years ago, when

Mark first came on board, were

now part of common practice.

“We’re in a good solid place to

ask ‘Now what?’,” Karen said.

“We have a strong vision

of being an empowering

movement, helping pastors,

ministries, churches and their

communities say ‘yes’ to Jesus.”

“Our responsibility is to ask

and answer, ‘What do we need

to look like in the next ten years

to be relevant for our churches

and communities in seeing out

this vision?’”

Karen also shared her hope

for BCWA.

“I want my faith to make a

difference today, while I wait for

all the things that I hope for. I

firmly believe that God’s love and

the salvation Jesus offers does

change things today,” she said.

“I want to live out my faith in

a way that people can tangibly

see and experience God’s love

making a difference right

now in this heartache, in this

brokenness, in this situation.”

“As organisations, as local

churches and as the broader

Baptist denomination, we have

an amazing opportunity to give

people a glimpse of the hope we

have in the way we live today.”

Author – Matt Chapman

The 122-year history of the Baptist Church in Western Australia is rich with milestones. Formed in 1896 by four churches, Baptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) has grown to see over 120 churches planted, a seminary founded and aged care established.

2 APRIL 2018

my view

letters to the editor

send us your letters

The Advocate welcomes your letters to the editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Send your letters of no more than 100 words to editor@theadvocate.tv by the 10th of each month.

Trusting for willing troops

We had recently expanded our

ministries to include two morning

services, both of which required

more teachers and helpers. It

seemed a difficult task. How would

we find the helpers we needed?

I quickly realised that flash

recruitment advertising or guilt-

producing calls for help weren’t

going to get the job done. So

where to turn? One day, as I

read Psalm 110:3, I stopped and

reflected. It says, “Your troops

will be willing on the day of

battle.” (NIV)

I thought, This is God, telling

Jesus, that His troops would

be willing. Of course, it doesn’t

directly say, ‘You’ll have plenty

of helpers for the new ministry.’

But we did believe we were doing

God’s work. Could we apply the

same promise to our situation?

I found myself focusing on

that verse. I used it in my prayers.

‘Father, you said that Jesus would

have willing troops when He

needed them. Well, we feel we’re

doing your work. We need more

troops. Lord, make the troops

willing! Speak to the hearts of

those who you would call to help.

Release the gifts you gave them.’

The deadline to find the

workers was approaching. I found

myself praying again and again

for the troops to be willing. Finally,

when it came time to ask people

for a response, we found people

were willing. They responded.

We got the helpers we needed. It

wasn’t through a flash advertising

campaign or via guilt-inducing

appeals. It was simple and

straightforward.

It seemed like God had done

the work. We found a Scripture

that gave us confidence to ask God

for willing troops. We believed that

our situation was part of Jesus’

work, part of his battle for the

hearts of young people. When we

asked, people responded.

There’s something distinctive

about recruiting in God’s

Kingdom. We are partners with

God. He motivates people at a deep

level. He calls them to specific

tasks. As leaders in Christian

ministry, a significant part of

our role is the spiritual work of

discerning, trusting and prayer. If

we do that work well, other parts of

our work become easier.

Mike Bullard is the Church

and Leaders Support Pastor for

the Baptist Churches Western

Australia.

Mike Bullard

I remember being a pastor in a church where we were really struggling to get workers on board to help with children’s ministry.

Time to renovate?

With the ‘to do’ list firmly in place,

it only needed to be supplemented

with a suitable budget. This

required getting quotes for tasks

outside of my skill level (the vast

majority) and having survived the

shock of the figure reached, we

are at the stage of re-prioritising

and deciding what can be delayed

for another decade. (Are those

curtains that outdated? Is that

really mould or just a bad stain?)

It isn’t a happy exercise to go

around your home finding fault

with what you previously thought

was perfectly satisfactory. (So

what if the toaster overdoes it – I

prefer burnt toast.) And then our

granddaughters came around for

a visit. It was great fun. The older

hid herself behind the curtains,

not seeming to mind the marks

(or mould?), while the younger,

being at the age where she throws

up most things, preceded to do so

over the settee. I heaved a sigh of

relief that is wasn’t over the new

one we planned to get.

It creates a bit of a dilemma,

doesn’t it? I mean what kind of

home do you actually want – a

homely one, or one that sparkles

and glistens?

Being the person I am, I

broadened the question in

my mind. What about not just

renovating the home, but also

the soul? Are there practices

that need to be refreshed or

reworked? Has the decade

taken a toll and what would a

spiritual makeover look like?

After almost a decade of neglect, we decided our home needed some sprucing up. We created a list of things that needed fixing, though concluded it would have been quicker to cite those that don’t.

Dr Brian Harris is the Principal

of Vose Seminary and Pastor at

Large for the Carey Group.

Dr Brian Harris

Truth to tell, I’m not confident

about the answer. I suspect that

spiritual growth is the opposite

of home maintenance. After all,

household goods wear out with

use, while prayer and trust grow

stronger with practice. You can

imagine yourself saying, ‘That

chair has been sat on a few times

too often’, but are unlikely to

lament, ‘Bother, I’ve exceeded

my prayer quota.’

Good questions. Perhaps

I’ll mull them over for another

decade …

In blessing others, we too are blessed

Volunteers from churches have led

midweek church services. In some

cases, children have come during

their school holidays to play

music at these services. There are

numerous churches and speakers

involved in blessing others

through such activities. They want

to demonstrate God’s love and

their own love for people.

I was delighted when Morley

Baptist Church Pastor Ann Clews

delivered Christmas gifts to elderly

folk who do not receive much for

Christmas. The gifts were from

women involved in Morley’s

Care2Craft ministry.

I also had the privilege of

singing Christmas carols at an

local aged-care facility with

a few people from Riverton

Baptist Community Church.

The connection began through

a couple (church members and

residents at the facilty) who said

there was a real need. Amongst

our singers, there were three

couples who had been in a home

go through them alone. The life

of another person affects us all in

varying degrees and that is why

it is good to have loving people

around us during the difficult

challenges we face.

When we think of what God

has done to connect with us in

sending Jesus into our world,

to engage and redeem us, and

maintain relationship with us

through life in His Spirit, we can

take great inspiration when we

consider those with whom we

might build strong connections.

What small acts of grace and

kindness might you and your

church consider this year to bless

others? And to be blessed?

During the past year, I have seen a number of churches engaging in beautiful ways with older people living in Baptistcare and other residential care facilities.

group with the couple over many

years. The meaning and emotion

created by us being there was

greatly evident. In blessing others,

we too were greatly blessed.

Creating and maintaining

connections with people takes

time and effort. It can be hard

work. This is the work of our

chaplains and volunteers from

churches who visit residents in

Baptistcare’s residential care.

I am reminded that as we face

life’s transitions, we don’t have to

Wade Sinclair is the Manager

of Chaplains for Baptistcare.

Wade Sinclair

3newsAPRIL 2018

1300 660 640baptistcare.com.au

Baptistcare is one of WA’s largest not-for-profit aged care and community services providers, supporting communities for more than 45 years.

Imagine if you had some help at home?Making it easier for you to stay independent and connected to your community. With Baptistcare’s tailored At Home Services, you can design an individual package with your choice of supports.

Choose from our flexible support services for your needs and goals including:• Personal services – Assistance with dressing, bathing, showering, mobility, medication,

social support and more. • Clinical services – Nurse visits, medication management, wound treatment, wellness

checks and more. • Wellness options – Coordination of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry,

assistive technology, complementary therapies and more.• Home assistance – Cleaning, gardening, shopping, meal preparation, transport and more.• Respite care – For carers/family members.Services are available in the Perth metro, South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt regions through home care packages, private arrangement or Veterans’ Home Care.For more information about how we can assist you, please contact our experienced and friendly team.

Baptists impact in 2017

and love the world’s poor in

authentic and effective ways.

Baptist World Aid partners

with like-minded Christian

agencies overseas to help families

end poverty through community

development projects; child

sponsorship projects; and

disaster response, relief, and risk

management work.

“In 2017, supporters made it

possible to carry out this mission

in 25 countries – reaching some

of the world’s most vulnerable

people and helping define the

Australian Baptist Church as

a movement that’s passionate

about justice and compassion,”

Samara said.

“But, there is still so much

more to be done.”

Already in 2018, disaster has

gripped the Pacific region. In

February, Tonga was devastated

by Cyclone Gita – the worst storm

in 60 years – and last month a

People in Bangladesh are thankful for the generous support of

Baptists in 2017.

Ph

oto

: Bap

tist

Wo

rld

Aid

Au

stra

lia

The first famine in six years was

declared in parts of South Sudan,

conflict forced more people from

their homes than ever before, and

through it all, devastating levels of

poverty persisted.

But Australian Baptists are

making a real difference.

More than 14,000 generous

supporters gave to the work

of Baptist World Aid last year,

helping to directly impact the

lives of 292,857 people.

“From the Hunger Crisis

in East Africa and Yemen,

to remote communities in

rural Nepal, our supporter’s

generosity is a genuine blessing

for families living in poverty,”

Baptist World Aid Australia

Communications Coordinator,

Samara Linehan said.

For nearly 60 years, Baptist

World Aid has been helping

Australian Christians and

churches to respond to poverty

New Managing Director for ACLThe Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) Board announced the appointment of Martyn Iles as its new Managing Director in February, following the resignation of Lyle Shelton.

support for Christians who have

been disadvantaged for living

out their faith.

“At a time when religious

freedom is under pressure

like never before, Martyn’s

recognised expertise on this

issue will be of tremendous

advantage,” Mr Wallace said.

Mr Iles said ACL now

represented one of the largest

and best organised political

movements in the country.

“I look forward to speaking

for our supporters who seek a

more compassionate, just and

moral society,” Mr Iles said.

Author – Gary Kleyn

ACL Chairman Jim Wallace

thanked Mr Shelton for his ten

years with the organisation,

which included almost five years

as Managing Director.

“Lyle has done an exceptional

job and we are sad to see him go,”

Mr Wallace said.

“He has provided gracious

and courageous leadership and

we wish him well.”

“But ACL has a deep talent

pool and we are delighted

that Martyn Iles, a lawyer, has

accepted the role.”

Mr Iles served as Chief of

Staff to Mr Shelton for two years

and pioneered the Human Rights

Law Alliance, facilitating legal

magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked

Papua New Guinea.

In Bangladesh, the world’s

fastest growing refugee crisis has

continued to escalate. The plight

of the Rohingya people is set to

worsen dramatically with the

monsoon season soon to hit the

south Asian nation.

Through disasters like these,

generous gifts to the Baptist

World Aid Disaster Action Fund

are already at work, helping

to provide urgently needed

emergency relief to keep disaster

affected families safe, healthy

and alive.

“Baptist World Aid counts it a

great honour to share the impact

donors are helping make possible,

Samara said.

“On behalf of everyone

at Baptist World Aid, our

Christian partners in the field

and the families who we seek

to serve, thank you for making

2017 so wonderful.”

For more information, visit

www.baptistworldaid.org.au/

impact

2017 was marked by enormous need across the world, according to the Baptist World Aid Australia annual, Impact Snapshot, published in January.

Martyn Iles is the new Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby.

Ph

oto

: AC

L

4 newsAPRIL 2018

Vose revitalises its website

Ph

oto

: Cat

e V

ose

Vose Seminary updated its website to revitalise its digital presence just in time for the start of the new student year.

During 2017, Baptist Churches Western Australia and Vose Seminary collaborated with Helium Digital to bring about a new look and feel to the Vose website. The new website, which went live

at the start of the Christmas break,

was timed to facilitate the summer

enrolment cycle and featured new

branding for the Vose Training

and Vose Leadership arms.

Director of Business

Development and Online

Learning Cate Vose said the new

site made navigation around a

reasonably complex organisation

simple and accessible for students,

faculty, alumni and supporters.

Julian Masters was

commissioned to take the

photographs and Vose students

and staff are featured throughout.

“While the new website is

working brilliantly and providing

a whole new experience for

prospective students, it is still in

development phase,” Cate said.

There are plans for a dedicated

Vose Conference page; a resources

page for serving local churches,

with various products to facilitate

going deeper into Scripture,

prompt discussion and aid

learning, as well as podcasts, blogs

and other interactive media; and

an ecommerce platform where

textbooks, merchandise and more

will be available.

Vose Seminary Principal

Dr Brian Harris explained the

development process for the new

website involved a ‘big picture’

look at Vose’s heritage, values and

ethos, as well as creative energy

and discernment about how the

site could reflect the Seminary’s

vision for the future.

“Our hope and prayer is that

the new build has captured these

twin horizons well, doing justice

to our rich history and heritage;

as well as giving shape to our

vision for the future of theological

education,” Brian said.

“As the tertiary education

space continues to shift and

change, we are always seeking

new ways to creatively engage

with emerging paradigms, and

having a strong website is the

foundation for all this work which

is still to come.”

“Please pray for us as we

continue to seek to strengthen

our digital presence in order to

facilitate deep engagement with

Scripture, robust communities

of practice and transformative

paradigms for being and doing

the ‘salt and light’ work of the

local church.”

Vose invites feedback,

comments and suggestions from

the community.

To contribute feedback, visit

www.vose.edu.au

Artist’s exhibition worth the wait

Artist Helene Merriman held her first solo exhibition in 25 years.

Ph

oto

: Bap

tist

care

privilege to help her prepare for

the exhibition, she teaches me

so much.”

Helene said she had enjoyed

sharing her perspectives and

thought-provoking work with

the public.

For more information, visit

www.baptistcare.com.au

Author – Linda Lee

Helene, a former high school

teacher and nurse, discovered

her passion after taking

up painting as part of her

rehabilitation following a stroke

and back injury.

She then studied art and

completed a Bachelor of Arts at

Edith Cowan University in the

1980s, during which she worked

with respected Aboriginal elder

Ken Colbung AM MBE on her

final year project.

In late February, after a long

hiatus from art, Helene held her

first solo art exhibition in 25

years at the Atwell Arts Centre

and Gallery – a place she had

taught for a number of years in

the 1980s and 1990s.

Helene said holding her own

exhibition would not have been

possible without the support

and assistance of Baptistcare At

Home Services Support Worker

Rowena Botterill.

“It’s a big relief having her

come in,” Helene shared.

“Rowena is a good friend and

fun. She gets stuck in and helps

– it’s great.”

Reflecting Baptistcare’s

commitment to helping people

pursue their personal goals and

live life to the full, Rowena has

supported Helene in getting

back to the artistic endeavours

that had given her so much

satisfaction over the years.

“Working with Helene is great

fun, we laugh a lot when we’re

together,” Rowena said.

“It’s been a wonderful

Helene Merriman, a talented artist experienced in watercolour and oil paints, sculpture and photography, has overcome adversity with the help of art.

08/03/18

Mike Wittmerourdailyjourney.org

My value doesn’t depend on the

success of my efforts but on the

larger story to which I belong.

The grand ending of this story

is guaranteed, regardless of how

my own life goes.

15/03/18

Juan Sanchezthegoodbook.com.au/blog

As we follow Jesus, we don’t just

follow Him into suffering and

death; we also follow Him into

resurrection and glory, for He is

the one ‘who died and came to

life.’ [Revelation 2: 8]

19/03/18

Levi Luskotwitter.com/levilusko

The question is not will you

live forever, but where will you

live forever?

20/03/18

Steven Furticktwitter.com/stevenfurtick

Sometimes your clearest view of

God will be in the fire and trials

of life.

20/03/18

Louie Gigliotwitter.com/LouieGiglio

The worst day on earth is now

the day we call good.

20/03/18

Max Lucadotwitter.com/MaxLucado

Jesus doesn’t boast in His

knowledge; He shares it. He

doesn’t gloat; He gives. He

reveals to us the secrets of

eternity. And He shares them,

not just with the top brass or

purebred, but with the hungry

and needy.

20/03/18

Rick Warrenpastorrick.com/devotional

God exchanged His own Son

for you. The cross proves your

value. Jesus didn’t die for junk.

You are incredibly valuable.

digital church

5newsAPRIL 2018

Ph

oto

: Bap

tist

ca

re

The training aims to provide

quality spiritual care, addressing

people’s need for meaning,

purpose and connectedness as

they age and experience major

life changes. These may include a

decline in health, potential

disconnection from the

community or the passing of

friends and family.

The Spiritual Care Series

course has been developed

specifically for Christian care

providers by Aged Care Channel

in collaboration with aged care

experts and organisations,

including Meaningful Ageing

Australia, Baptcare Victoria,

BaptistCare NSW and ACT, and

theologian Professor John

Swinton.

Drawing heavily on Scripture,

the interactive course uses videos

and activities to delve into

commonly-faced issues of the

elderly, such as spirituality in

ageing, living with dementia, and

loss, grief and death.

Baptistcare Manager of

Chaplains Wade Sinclair said it

was important for chaplains to

engage with volunteers who

could provide support for the

elderly in the hopeful and

compassionate context of the

Baptist faith.

“Our volunteers will be

equipped with practical

knowledge and techniques to

enable them to work with older

people in our residential care

facilities and also use their new

skills in their local church

community.”

Spiritual carers for the elderly

Pastor Phil Smoker and volunteer Glen Beal from Como Baptist Church participate in a spiritual care training activity.

Yvette Cherry is the inaugural Women’s Leadership Pastor for Baptist

Churches Western Australia.

Baptistcare plans to offer the

training to all volunteers or those

interested in becoming a spiritual

care volunteer at its residential

care facilities. If there is

availability, people seeking to

explore whether God is calling

them to a ministry in aged care

are also invited attend.

Baptistcare CEO Russell

Bricknell said providing quality

spiritual care to aged care

residents was a priority.

“It’s very important for us to

all work together to support older

people at critical times in their

lives,” Russell said.

“We hope these workshops

equip our volunteers and

community members with the

skills and knowledge to engage

with people in a way that is

empathetic and meaningful.”

Como Baptist Church Pastor

Phil Smoker, who attended the

workshops, said he was keen to

grow in his understanding of

aged care.

“These sessions have

equipped me with a deeper

understanding of emotional

needs, practical love and spiritual

insights,” Phil said.

“We’re already using what

we’ve learned in our church

ministry.”

Two seminars by

Meaningful Ageing Australia

were hosted at Baptistcare

William Carey Court residential

care facility in Busselton as part

of a national training series

catering to people in regional

Australia.

A series of spiritual care workshops are being offered by aged care provider Baptistcare for its volunteers and members of the local community.

The sessions, attended by

Baptistcare employees,

volunteers, training and care

providers, and members of the

South West community, covered

topics on supporting older

people in the transition to aged

Women’s Leadership Pastor appointedBaptist Churches Western Australia (BCWA) recently appointed Yvette Cherry to the newly created position of Women’s Leadership Pastor.

The role supports BCWA’s vision to

be an empowering movement

helping pastors, ministries,

churches and their communities

say ‘yes’ to Jesus.

“This is not only about an

initial ‘yes’ to respond to the

gospel, but an ongoing ‘yes’ to step

into all that God has created us to

be,” Yvette said.

Yvette’s role is to support

and equip women for ministry

and leadership roles in Baptist

churches in Western Australia,

walk alongside them as they

embrace their giftedness and

take on opportunities to lead

God’s people.

The role includes meeting

with women in leadership

positions in churches; networking

among Baptist women, helping

them to connect with colleagues

and peers; preaching in Baptist

churches when invited; and

overseeing events run by the

Baptist Ministry Centre that equip,

support and encourage women.

Yvette has a background

in secondary education and is

currently completing a Master of

Ministry at Vose Seminary. Prior to

her new role, she was the Worship

Ministry Coordinator at Riverton

Baptist Community Church.

A significant opportunity for

Baptist women to come together

will be the Fresh Conference, to

be held at Mount Pleasant Baptist

Church on 21 July.

“I am so excited about

the great line-up of speakers,

including five inspirational West

Australian Baptist women who

are leading with wisdom and

courage,” Yvette said.

care and conversations about

end of life.

“We hope these initiatives

provide more opportunities for

our chaplains to engage with

local Baptist churches in

providing much needed spiritual

Ph

oto

: Nic

ole

Fe

nw

ick

Vose alumni gathering

Vose Seminary is seeking photos, memories, stories and snippets of wisdom from past Vose students.

Vose is activating its alumni

in fresh ways, offering special

alumni rates for ongoing

professional development

events and conferences, and

developing strategies for

supporting recent graduates in

new ministry posts.

Director of Business

Development and Online

Learning Cate Vose said Vose

was bursting with new life and

initiatives.

“We are always looking for

people who would like to come

alongside us in serving the

mission of the local church in

unique and interesting ways,”

Cate said.

“Whether you live in Perth

or in one of our regional

centres, and are interested

in fostering intentional

community where you are and

being part of this vital work,

Monica O’Neil, Director of Vose

Leadership, would love to hear

from you.”

Alumni can also connect

with other past students via the

Vose Alumni Facebook group.

To join the Vose alumni

and receive alumni

communications, email

office@vose.edu.au.

care to elderly people in our

communities,” Wade said.

For more information, visit

www.baptistcare.com.au

Author – Linda Lee

6 newsAPRIL 2018

Party for a purposewho came together to finance

and organise the evening.

“Young adults from more

than 40 different churches were

in attendance with various

denominations represented,”

Ed said.

Thirty volunteers helped set

up for the night and manned the

many attractions, including a

doughnut wall, grazing table, photo

booth and bouncy castle.

BCWA Next Generations

Intern Pete Vermeulen, a member

of the organising committee,

said it was great to see different

people from various churches

come together to create an event

uniting young adults.

Pete said it set an example of

unity and together with the valiant

efforts of the volunteers on the

night, had made the ball a success.

Before the night had

concluded, there were calls for the

event to become an annual fixture

in the collective Young Adult

ministries calendar.

“It was a night that showed the

next generation of Christians in

Perth are connected, value each

other’s differences and are able to

make a meaningful contribution to

the world around them,” Ed said.

“Psalm 133:1 comes to mind,

which says, ‘How good and

pleasant it is when God’s people

live together in unity.’”

Three hundred people attended the inaugural Perth Young Adults Valentine’s Charity Ball held at the Mounts Bay Sailing Club on Saturday 10 February.

The young adults were partying

for a purpose, to raise money

and awareness for Compassion

Australia whose goal is to

release children from poverty in

Jesus’ name.

Baptist Churches Western

Australia (BCWA) Next

Generations Pastor Ed Devine

said the sold-out event

raised more than $6,000 for

Compassion who was delighted

with the result.

Ed said virtual reality stalls

transported guests to slums

around the world, where the

children, who Compassion hopes

to free from poverty, live.

“What was particularly

inspiring was the level of

cooperation between the groups

involved in creating, running and

attending the event,” he said.

The event was a collaboration

between Riverview Young Adults

(Riverview Church), Salt Young

Adult Ministry (Mount Pleasant

Baptist Church) and BCWA: YA

Crushing cans for compassion

Ph

oto

: R

hy

an

Ly

nd

on

-Ja

me

s

A couple dance at the inaugural Perth Young Adults Valentine’s Charity Ball.

As the students explored the

theme, they began researching a

Balinese school that is supported

by Carey’s primary school. After

hearing stories of children who

lived on a rubbish dump, the Year

4 students came up with an idea

to turn their household rubbish

into much needed funds for the

Balinese children.

They started collecting

recyclable cans and glass bottles

to exchange for money; a project

David Seggie with Year 4 students who have developed a recycling program at Carey Baptist College Harrisdale.

Ph

oto

: M

ark

Wa

ge

na

ar

Throughout 2017, the theme for Year 4 students at Carey Baptist College Harrisdale was compassion. The students spent time considering what they were grateful for and how their lives could help others.

that became known as Crushing

Cans for Compassion. As the

students launched the project

and researched recycling, they

learned that West Australian

recycling policies were changing

in 2018 with the value of each

can increasing from one cent to

ten cents.

Year 4 teacher David Seggie

said the aim was to eventually

raise enough money, through the

collection of cans and bottles, to

donate $50 to $100 to the Balinese

school each week.

“My hope is that future Year 4

classes will continue this project,

so that when these current Year

4s reach Year 10, they will be able

to go on a Bali trip to see their

impact,” David said.

“I love that they are

motivated and passionate to

help others who are not as

fortunate as themselves.”

To date, the students have

collected close to 6,000 cans,

which will be worth $600 when

exchanged.

Author – Cassie Kirtisingham

To find your local Baptist church visit

www.baptistwa.asn.au

7newsAPRIL 2018

Ph

oto

: A

lvin

Le

e

Pastor Wayne Field with I’Ching Thomas who launched her book Jesus: The Path to Human Flourishing at Riverton

Baptist Community Church recently.

Reaching out to new Australians

Riverton Baptist Community

Church International Pastor

Alvin Lee said the church

recognised its community

had become increasingly

multicultural and had

intentionally sought to reach out

to new Australians.

“It seems to be working –

nearly 200 people attended the

event to celebrate the Year of

the Dog with City of Canning

Mayor Paul Ng, a Riverton

regular, opening the event,”

Alvin said.

The special guest for the

evening was international speaker

I’Ching Thomas who appears in

the video series Jesus the Game

Changer with Karl Faase.

“Having served in cross-

cultural missions with Operation

Mobilisation, and as an apologist

with Ravi Zacharias International

Ministries, I’Ching was able to

bring a powerful message for the

evening,” Alvin said.

I’Ching spoke on the Chinese

values of filial piety, the need to

strive for harmony and the use

of a mediator as part of the larger

gospel narrative.

“Her message resonated,

especially with the many Asian

guests,” Alvin said.

Global Interaction changesHeather Coleman concluded as

the General Director of Global

Interaction in February. The

Board appointed former Global

Interaction Director of Ministries

Chris Barnden as an interim

General Director, commencing

20 February.

Pastoral news and changesNewman Baptist Church Pastor

Chris Boland retired from

ministry at Easter after 39 years

as both Pastor and Missionary

with Global Interaction.

Jeremy Brough has been

appointed as a Youth Intern at

Waratah Community Church.

Paul Dean-Smith has been

appointed Pastor of Pingelly

Baptist Church.

Pastor Steve Galambosi

celebrated 20 years of ministry at

Rockingham Baptist Church in

February.

Nick Martin has been appointed

Pastor of Karratha Baptist

Church.

Daniel Wajcik has been

appointed Pastor of Dalwallinu

Baptist Church.

Gavin Woolhead has retired from

ministry as the Senior Pastor of

Waratah Christian Community

Church. Peter Randell has been

appointed as the new Senior

Pastor of the church.

Danie Van Zilj has been

appointed as Associate Pastor at

Gosnells Baptist Church.

Vose book saleThe Vose Seminary Annual Book

Sale will be held on Saturday 7

April, 9am to 3pm, at 20 Hayman

Road, Bentley.

A variety of second-hand books,

religious and general, will be

available for purchase. There will

also be mini lectures, morning

tea, a sausage sizzle and plants

for sale. Books will remain on

sale Monday to Friday until 27

April, 8.30am to 4.30pm (except

public holidays). Everyone is

welcome to visit and get a taste

of life at Vose.

For more information, phone

6313 6200.

Urban missionFour evening sessions focusing

on urban mission will be held at

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

during May. Street Chaplains

WA Director, Garth Eichhorn,

will explore what faith in action

on the local mission field is like

during the four-week series. It

is a free event but registration is

essential.

For more information, visit

www.mounties.org.au/event

ValeJohn Masters, former

Community Pastor of Riverton

Baptist Community Church

and President of Baptist

Churches Western Australia

from 1999 to 2000, passed away

on 12 March. A thanksgiving

service for his life was

held at the Riverton Baptist

Community Church.

Roman Sein, Pastor of the

Hosanna Karen Baptist Church,

passed away in his sleep on

13 February. He is survived by

his widow and five children.

Beryl Wylie passed away

7 January. Beryl was a faithful

servant of Jesus Christ, a

long-term member of Dalkeith

Baptist Church, organist,

secretary, treasurer, deacon,

Sunday School teacher, ladies

group leader, as well as being

active in the Baptist Women’s

Association of WA. A service of

thanksgiving for her life was

held at Dalkeith Baptist Church.

briefs

International friends at Riverton Baptist Community Church celebrated the Chinese New Year recently, an event the church has hosted for the past ten years.

I’Ching’s latest book, Jesus:

The Path to Human Flourishing,

was launched the following

morning at an apologetics

seminar she conducted.

“Christianity is still considered

a foreign or Western religion to

many Chinese people,” Alvin said.

“However, I’Ching’s book

answers the question, ‘How can

culturally Chinese people follow

Christ without having to shed

their ethnic identity?’”

A highlight of the evening

was a traditional Chinese opera,

performed by James and Sally,

who flew in especially from

Singapore for the celebration.

“Their amazing period

costumes, dancing and singing

were riveting,” Alvin said.

Rachel Tan, from Malaysia,

attended the event for the first time

and expressed her enjoyment.

“This is my first time and

I’m pretty impressed that it is so

well organised, from the well-

designed program leaflets, the

various performances that were

so professional, to the setting up

of the table – better than a ten-

course Chinese dinner,”

Rachel said.

Alvin said it was an impressive

international dinner with

Keys to effective prayer seminar

More than 400 people, from over

60 churches across Perth, came

together for the Keys to Effective

Prayer seminar hosted by

churches in the City of Melville at

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Senior Pastor Nick Scott said Brian

was a well-known speaker on the

subject of prayer and was in great

demand to run prayer schools

across the nation.

“This was a great opportunity

for encouragement and growth

in our prayer life, learning how

to pray for our nation and the

nations of the world, as well as

Australian Prayer Network National Coordinator Brian Pickering in

discussion with delegates at a prayer seminar in March.

for the church in Australia and

beyond,” Brian said.

The weekend included

six sessions covering a

variety of teaching on prayer

and intercession. Topics

included ‘How prayer works’,

‘Understanding the spiritual

DNA of your community’ and

‘Understanding the principles of

spiritual authority’.

“It was a great opportunity for

churches from a diverse range of

denominations across the city to

come together in unity,” Nick said.

Author – Pauline Hough

Ph

oto

: L

awre

nc

e R

oy

cro

ft

Australian Prayer Network National Coordinator Brian Pickering led a weekend of teaching on one of the key foundational areas of the Christian faith in Perth on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 March.

delicacies from all over the world,

thanks to the generosity of all

who attended.

“Such a good time was had

that the beautiful lanterns, red

streamers and other decorations

remained for another Sunday,”

he said.

APRIL 2018

8

No Place for Violence Here

feature

In early 2017, Baptist leaders from across Australia gathered in Canberra for the

second annual Converge Conference. Among them were Baptist Churches

Western Australia Director of Ministries Pastor Mark Wilson and well-known Perth

identity Graham Mabury, who were there to talk with Members of Parliament and

Senators about justice and in particular, the issue of domestic violence.

A Just Cause Founder and Director Rev

Scott Higgins said domestic violence

rates in Australia were appallingly high.

“We asked for a number of

improvements to current approaches,

including an increase in resourcing to

accommodation services for women

fleeing violent homes,” Scott said.

By highlighting the condition of

those affected by violence, Baptist leaders

sought to influence politicians to take up

the cause of justice for those impacted by

violence in the home.

In response, as part of the

Commonwealth Government’s review

into domestic violence, the inclusion of

family and domestic violence leave has

been incorporated in all modern awards.

In addition, unpaid leave for victims of

family and domestic violence is likely

to be included into modern awards in

2018. Although there is pressure from the

unions, Greens and Labour Party for this

to become paid leave.

Following the 2017 conference,

Australian Baptist Ministries launched the

No Place for Violence Here campaign to

help churches and pastors better respond

to the issue of domestic violence.

Timed to coincide with the

International Day for the Elimination

of Violence against Women on

25 November 2017, the campaign

commenced with the National Council

of Australian Baptist Ministries

becoming the fourth Australian

church body to release a statement

on domestic and family violence (see

full statement on next page), in which

it formally apologised to victims of

domestic violence:

“… we are sorry. Sorry for letting you

down when you sought our help; sorry

for ignoring your pain and suffering;

sorry for failing to make your safety and

wellbeing our priority. We pray for your

healing and recovery, and thank God for

the people who work and serve to support

you and other family violence survivors.”

“We cannot erase the failures of the

past, but we commit to do better in the

future.”

Scott comments that in 2018,

210,000 Australian women (1 in 50

women over the age of 15) were likely to

experience violence at the hands of an

intimate partner.

“Assuming these rates translate into

the life of our churches, 1,500 women in

Baptist churches are likely to experience

domestic violence in 2018,” Scott said.

“A church of 100 attendees would

be likely to have eight women who had

been abused by an intimate partner at

some stage in the past, and possibly one

woman who will be abused in 2018.”

Scott explained the campaign, which

is designed to raise congregational

awareness of domestic violence and

how churches can better respond, had

four components: leadership awareness

and training; congregational awareness,

culture and equipping; support for local

services; and advocacy for more refuges

and more affordable housing.

When asked about the new

campaign, Baptist Care Australia

Executive Director Marcia Balzer said:

“In recent years, we’ve all started to

understand the extraordinary extent

of abusive family relationships in our

nation. Slowly, it’s also dawned on us that

churches have not always been loving

places for those who have suffered.”

“It can really seem too big and

difficult a problem to tackle. But every

one of us can help. And as churches

– communities of followers of Jesus –

we can take a leading role in our own

communities to prevent and address

family violence. We can empower the

voices of women and children, better

understand the toxic use of power

and control in relationships, and take

practical action to support family

violence survivors.”

For some, there can be a belief that

domestic violence is not as prevalent

in the church, however in 2006, a

study released by the United Kingdom

Anglican Archbishops’ Council

concluded, “that incidence [of domestic

violence] in the Church reflected the

incidence in society as a whole … yet

until recently domestic abuse was rarely

discussed in church communities.”

Australian journalist Julia Baird cites

the 2006 UK Church of England findings

in her 2015 series of newspaper articles,

detailing the harrowing stories shared

with her:

“One woman wrote to tell me she

stayed with a violent man for 15 years

because her pastor told her that as her

husband, he was her leader. Another

was punched and dragged about by her

hair by a husband who gave her a Bible

with verses on submission highlighted

in it. She told me of others she knew

with similar experiences who became

depressed and suicidal.”

“Another woman told me her

minister advised her that her husband

might stop hitting her if she had more

sex with him.”

According to Common Grace, a

movement of almost 40,000 Australian

Christians, some of the church’s

historical teaching, particularly around

sex and gender roles, has been significant

in enhancing the status of women.

“Human sacrifice, sexual slavery, and

female infanticide practiced by many

world cultures came to an end through

Christian efforts. Indeed, the historical

recognition of women as fully-fledged

human beings came from the biblical

doctrine of the Imago Dei [Genesis 1:26-

28], which affirms the intrinsic dignity

of all people regardless of gender or

social status.”

“However, much historical and

contemporary church teaching on

gender has also been unhelpful, and

has perpetuated male entitlement and

female inequality. Some of the dialogue

around domestic and family violence

reflects problematic assumptions about

what it means to be a biblical man or

woman. Where there is a belief that

‘manhood’ requires men to be powerful,

authoritative, assertive, and in control

… these attitudes can hinder men and

endanger women.”

The campaign, through its resources,

including sermon ideas, prayers, posters,

emergency contact cards, videos and

educational resources, hopes to help

those who are or have been affected by

domestic violence, enlighten those who

are unaware of its scourge on society and

promote a biblical approach as to how

churches and pastors should respond.

To find out more information about the

No Place for Violence Here campaign,

visit the A Just Cause website at

ajustcause.com.au/no-place-for-violence

If you or someone you know is impacted

by sexual assault, domestic or family

violence call:

Emergency 000

Lifeline 131 114

Men’s Referral Service 1300 766 491

1800RESPECT 1800 737 732

Womensline 1800 811 811

Author – Matt Chapman

Matt Chapman is the Editor of

The Advocate and Executive Assistant

to the Director of Ministries Baptist

Churches Western Australia.

APRIL 2018

9

No Place for Violence Here

feature

We believe that all people are created in

God’s image, loved and valued by their

Creator, and should be treated with equal

regard. There is no place for physical

violence or other controlling or abusive

behaviour in any relationship, particularly

in Christian relationships or Baptist

churches.

The Bible speaks out strongly against

the misuse of power. Attempts to control

others are corrosive to relationships,

damaging to people’s enjoyment of life

as God intended, and abusive to people

God loves. Scripture should never be used

to justify violence, control or manipulate

others through the use of power in

personal relationships.

Some Baptist churches and agencies

have been working to support family

abuse survivors for some time.

Despite these efforts, it is with sadness

of heart that we acknowledge that in

our history we have often failed people

living in abusive relationships. We failed

to recognise the existence of violence

and abuse in our homes, and when we

did recognise it, all too often we didn’t do

what was necessary to protect those who

were being abused.

To those people we failed, we are

sorry. Sorry for letting you down when

you sought our help; sorry for ignoring

your pain and suffering; sorry for failing

to make your safety and wellbeing our

priority. We pray for your healing and

recovery, and thank God for the people

who work and serve to support you and

other family violence survivors.

We cannot erase the failures of

the past, but we commit to do better in

the future.

The National Council of Australian

Baptist Ministries urges every member

congregation to accept the challenge

set by our national domestic violence

campaign, No Place for Violence Here.

Together over the next year we will strive

to increase our awareness of domestic

and family violence, make changes to

the culture of our churches, support

the services helping people escaping

family violence, and advocate to meet the

funding shortfalls in these services.

This campaign is just one way to help

us realise our vision for Baptist churches in

Australia. We aspire to be communities that:

• are safe and secure, where the voices

and experiences of women, children,

elderly and other vulnerable people

are valued

• provide practical help for people

experiencing family violence

• empower women to speak, serve and

lead in response to God’s call on

their lives

• understand the broader influences in

society that lead to violence, and act to

bring about change.

National Council of Australian Baptist Ministries statement on domestic and family violence

10 APRIL 2018

world news

PNG quake trauma ongoing

water tanks with plastic tarpaulins

fitted to collect rain water.

On 8 March, fellow MAF pilot

Michael Duncalfe reported severe

aftershocks caused large cracks in

the airstrip surface, which could

have resulted in its closure.

“I did my best to encourage

the people and to assure them

that they were not forgotten,”

Michael said.

“But at a time like this, action

is required, not just words.”

Schools, hospitals and aid

posts also sustained major

damage. Many subsistence

farm gardens that produce the

highlanders’ staple crops have

been destroyed. Villagers

face unsecure food supply in

coming months.

International aid is arriving

as the magnitude of the disaster

continues to unfold.

Author – Jill Birt Ph

oto

: Ma

nd

y G

lass

The initial 7.5-magnitude

earthquake on 26 February struck

pre-dawn, killing more than 30

people in remote villages. Shocks

continued for at least three weeks

with quakes of 6.0 and 6.4 causing

more fatalities.

More than 150,000 people are

desperate for safe drinking water,

food and shelter with four-wheel

drive vehicles struggling to reach

isolated village communities due

to damaged roads.

Mission Aviation Fellowship

(MAF) Papua New Guinea

Operations Assistant Sharlene

Coker, who is also MAF’s trained

International Global Disaster

Response Administrator

and Operations Specialist, is

coordinating medivac flights

from the MAF base at Mount

Hagen.

Massive landslips have

changed the topography of vast

areas of the razorback mountains,

with rocks, soil and trees blocking

rivers and causing unstable

landslide dams, which threaten

to burst and bring a new wave of

destruction along river valleys.

Village people are terrified and

in deep shock following the large

aftershocks.

Brisbane woman Sally Lloyd,

who grew up in the remote

village of Mougolu where her

parents served as missionaries,

has returned to support villagers

and bring emergency aid to

communities close to Mount

Bosavi.

“Women wail and mourn in

the village – they have no idea

what is happening to them but

feel an overwhelming sense of

loss and trauma,” Sally said.

Pilot Steven Eatwell flew relief

goods and medical supplies into

isolated villages, soon after the

initial earthquake. Goods ranged

from drinking water and food to

BWA protests new Bolivian law

Relief work continues in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea following a series of powerful earthquakes that killed more than 100 people and destroyed buildings, roads and crops along a 150km fault line.

Mission Aviation Fellowship ground staff at Mount Hagen help a medivac patient from Fau village who was

crushed by debris in a landslide.

Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has joined other Christian organisations in protesting a new and ambiguous Bolivian law that could make proselytising illegal and place those who do at risk of prosecution and imprisonment.

armed conflicts or religious or

worship organisations will be

penalised seven to 12 years of

imprisonment.’

The fear is that the law could

ban public preaching and punish

the mere act of inviting someone

to a Christian or other religious

event.

According to Evangelical

Focus, the new law collides with

the country’s constitution. Article

4 of the Bolivian constitution

reads, ‘The state respects and

guarantees the freedom of

religion and spiritual beliefs,

according to their worldviews.

Human rights awardChrister Daelander, a Baptist

World Alliance (BWA)

representative to the United

Nations (UN) and religious

freedom representative of the

European Baptist Federation,

will receive the 2018 Denton

and Janice Lotz Annual Human

Rights Award.

The award will be presented at

the General Council meeting in

Zurich, Switzerland, in July.

Established in 2006, the Denton

and Janice Lotz Annual Human

Rights Award is given by the

BWA for significant and effective

activities to secure, protect,

restore or preserve human rights.

Restrictions for Christians in AlgeriaAuthorities in Algeria have

increased constraints against

Christian churches in the

country, conducting what

appears to be a ‘coordinated

campaign of intensified action

against churches’, according to

the World Evangelical Alliance

(WEA) Religious Liberty

Commission.

‘Worryingly, the restrictions have

also led to an increase in arrests

of Christians in the country,’

WEA stated.

According to reports, Algerian

authorities formed a committee

to inspect churches on their

compliance with safety

regulations. However, despite

its main aim being safety

issues, the committee has also

questioned churches on whether

they possess permits to conduct

religious activities.

WEA Deputy Secretary General

Godfrey Yogarajah said it had

called on the government

of Algeria to ensure that the

religious freedom of Christians

was safeguarded in accordance

with international law.

Historic fatwa brings positive changeThe Government of Pakistan

has unveiled a historic

fatwa (religious decree)

condemning Islamic extremism

and vigilante ‘blasphemy’

attacks, a potentially positive

development for the country’s

minority Christian community,

according to the Barnabas Fund.

By issuing the fatwa, with

the support of 1,829 religious

leaders who are signatories to

the document officially released

on 16 January, the Pakistani

government is addressing

extremism from a religious

perspective.

The fatwa declares that terrorist

activity against the state and in

particular, suicide bombings,

are haram (forbidden under

Islamic law).

international briefs

In a letter to legislators in Bolivia,

BWA General Secretary Elijah

Brown expressed concerns that

the ambiguity of these laws could

lead to unintended restrictions on

religious freedom and to the direct

persecution of churches and

individuals of faith.

“My concerns are not only

for Baptists, but for all who might

find themselves unable to live

according to the dictates of their

conscience,” Elijah said.

In a translation by Evangelical

Focus, a European news and

opinion website, the offending

law declares: ‘Whoever recruits,

transports, deprives of freedom

or hosts people with the aim of

recruiting them to take part in

The state is independent of

religion.’

In his letter, Elijah expressed

hope ‘that freedom of religion

and expression will be

strengthened’ and said Baptists

were praying ‘for the ongoing

wellbeing of the country’.

The BWA has two member

organisations in Bolivia, the

Baptist Convention of Bolivia

and the Bolivian Baptist Union,

comprising more than 50,000

members in more than

300 churches.

11APRIL 2018

world news

Ph

oto

: Bil

ly G

rah

am

Ev

an

ge

list

ic A

sso

cia

tio

n

A humble servant and innovatorBilly Graham preached an unchanging, old-fashioned message in new and innovative ways. He had a passion for the younger generations and advocated for the use of new technologies to reach them.

The man known as America’s

Preacher passed away on 21

February at his home in Montreat,

North Carolina, at age 99. William

Franklin ‘Billy’ Graham Jr preached

the gospel to some 215 million

people who attended one of his

more than 400 crusades (large-

scale evangelistic ‘big tent revivals’)

in more than 185 countries and

territories. At the centre of his

ministry stood a very simple, but

life-changing message: Jesus died

for our sins and rose again to give

us eternal life.

“By the time you read this, I

will be in heaven, and as I write

this I’m looking forward with great

anticipation to the day when I will

be in God’s presence forever,” the

Reverend said, in his last blog post.

“But I won’t be in heaven

because I’ve preached to large

crowds or because I’ve tried to live

a good life. I’ll be in heaven for

one reason: Many years ago I put

my faith and trust in Jesus Christ,

who died on the cross to make

our forgiveness possible and rose

again from the dead to give us

eternal life,” he added.

Rev. Graham’s ministry

life started humbly as the first

full-time, $75 per week staff

member of Youth for Christ, one

of the oldest youth outreach

organisations worldwide. Driven

by a true passion for sharing the

gospel with young people, he

championed the innovative use

of new technologies and pushed

for ministry work that engaged

young people in relevant and

authentic conversation. Even

in recent times, Rev. Graham

continued to encourage Youth

for Christ staff members to reach

young people for Christ through

the latest technologies.

Considering technological

opportunities of this era, he saw

no reason why we could not touch

the entire youth population of the

world in the next quarter-century

with the good news of the gospel.

While Rev. Graham could

be considered the most well-

known preacher among older

generations, younger generations

seem to have lost touch with the

man who has appeared in the top

ten of Gallup’s Most Admired Man

list since 1955 (with the exception

of 1969 and 1972). In a poll

conducted in 2007, 30 percent of

Americans under 30 said they did

not know who Billy Graham was.

While this might be surprising

to some of the older readers,

Rev. Graham might not have

minded to hear that America’s

upcoming generations did not

know his name or legacy, as long

as somebody shared the good

news with them so that they

would know the name of his

Christ and Saviour.

In his very last blog post,

Rev. Graham wrote that he

would like to be remembered

“as someone who was faithful

– faithful to God, faithful to the

gospel of Jesus Christ and faithful

to the calling God gave me not

only as an evangelist, but as a

husband, father and friend”.

“I’m sure I’ve failed in many

ways, but I take comfort in Christ’s

promise of forgiveness, and I

take comfort also in God’s ability

to take even our most imperfect

efforts and use them for His glory.”

A tribute web page, is available

online at www.yfc.net and

memorial.billygraham.org

Author – Ramona Ötting

Billy Graham began his public ministry with the Youth for Christ organisation in 1945.

ANNUAL BOOKSALESaturday 7th April 2018, 9am-3pmA: 20 Hayman Road, Bentley WA 6102T: 08 6313 6200

OVER 30,000 books and more.Sale of unsold books continues during business hours until April 27.

12 APRIL 2018

Please share a brief background

of the Girls’ Brigade.

The Girls’ Brigade

is an international and

interdenominational Christian

youth organisation. It started

in Dublin in 1893 and then the

Girls’ Guildry was founded

in Scotland in 1900, and

the Girls’ Life Brigade was

founded in England in 1902.

These three organisations

amalgamated on 10 June 1965.

The first Australian company

was formed in Wyalkatchem,

Western Australia in 1927 when

English Mission ladies saw girls

weren’t receiving an education.

The organisation provides

girls with a Christian education

and teaches them skills like

cooking, sewing and self-

improvement. It’s always been

not just about God but also life

skills. Due to the Depression, the

company didn’t last very long,

and the next one was formed in

Wagin in 1950. From there it’s

taken off. In WA we currently

have 16 companies with more

than 500 members from Baptist,

Anglican, Church of Christ,

Uniting and Westminster

Presbyterian churches.

How did you become involved in

the Girls’ Brigade and what led

you to your position as the State

Commissioner?

When I was 14, I moved to a

new school. A girlfriend asked

me to join Girls’ Brigade with

her. Most people join as young

girls but I started in the oldest

group – we are seeing more of

that these days because this age

group need to be connected.

They’ve found it’s a safe

environment where they are

not judged.

I started at Riverton and

went through to receive my

Queen’s Award, the highest

international award. At 15,

helping with the youngest

section, I was asked to attend

a leader’s meeting. I said:

“I’m not a leader”. I never saw

myself as a leader – I was a very

quiet, reserved person. This

encouraged me into leadership,

and I stayed there until my

university timetable clashed. 

When I returned to Perth

after some time in South

Australia, I attended Mount

Pleasant Baptist Church, which

was looking for new leaders.

After ignoring it for a while, I

started as an Assistant Leader,

progressing over a few years

to Captain of the company. I

was then asked to be Regional

Coordinator to represent the

region at a State level. Initially I

said, “I don’t have the skills for

in conversation

is when one of the older girls

wrote a card to me at the end

of the year that read “I finally

understand what devotions are.”

I thought, ‘You’ve been doing

this for years, how could you

not know?’

How have you grown spiritually

through this?

In a lot of ways, listening

to God and really hearing His

voice. I really fought against

becoming State Commissioner

as I’m more of an introvert

and it is an extrovert role. I

discovered that if you’re an

introvert, it doesn’t mean you

are not a leader. You need to

depend on God. Joshua 1:9

is one of my favourite verses:

‘Be strong and courageous’.

That got me through the

first two years of being State

Commissioner. Sometimes you

can get so busy that you don’t

take the time to listen. When

I first said to God, I can’t be

State Commissioner because

I don’t know anyone who will

be treasurer and chaplain. He

gave me the names of two

people that said ‘yes’. Every

time I encounter a barrier

and ask for guidance, He has

put the people in place to ask,

and they’ve always said ‘yes’.

Listen to God. If He’s telling you

something, obey.

How does your faith fit in with

the Girls’ Brigade?

The reason I do Girls’

Brigade is because it’s God’s

mission. Most of the leaders do

it because it’s an opportunity

for girls to hear the Word of

God. In a lot of companies the

girls don’t go to church – Girls’

Brigade is their church. When

I was Captain, 60 percent of

the girls were non-Christian.

Many of the companies have

stats skewed to non-Christian

girls so that’s why I am so

passionate about it. It’s our

mission, we don’t have to go

overseas, it is right here. If

more girls learn about God that

is wonderful. Empower and

support them, and help them

to reach their potential.

This year Girls’ Brigade will

be 125 years old, what does

Girls’ Brigade WA have planned

to celebrate this significant

milestone?

Fonomarae (‘getting

together’ or ‘meeting place’),

the national Girls’ Brigade camp

in Perth kicked off the year,

where worship sessions were

a highlight. One of the girls

asked to be baptised, and as she

came from interstate we rang

her Mum for permission. Her

Dad was a non-Christian and

lived in Perth. He and her half-

brothers came and watched her

be baptised at the beach. It was a

special time and an opportunity

to show her faith to her Dad.

To celebrate the 125 years,

all girls and leaders will receive

a Bible with devotions based

on our motto: Seek, Serve and

Follow Christ, and testimonies

125 years of Girls’ Brigade

that, I can’t do that.” Eventually,

after praying about it I said ‘yes’.

I was head of one of the four

regions in WA.

Then, a friend became State

Commissioner and asked if I

would be her Deputy. When

she stepped down as State

Commissioner, multiple people

asked me if I would do the role.

After praying and discussing

it with my husband because

we knew it would impact our

family, I decided to go ahead. I

was elected in and I’ve recently

commenced my second three-

year term. We’ve had a lot of

fun, and a few tears.

What does your role as State

Commissioner involve? What do

you do day-to-day?

The main things are

to make sure the State is

functioning well and represent

WA at a national level. Twice a

year I go to Sydney to meet with

other State Commissioners. We

discuss what’s best for Australia

to move forward. We also re-

evaluate what we are doing, how

we can improve and support

each other. 

Volunteering as State

Commissioner, I spend one day

a week in the office supervising

the three part-time admin staff,

and work with churches to

resolve conflicts – one of my

biggest growth areas.

Daily, I approve bills to be

paid and contact the companies

to hear what they are doing.

We have a grant from the

Department of Communities so

there are reporting regulations

to attend to. A lot of the details

required come from the

conversations. I also helped

organise the national camp held

in Perth in January.

I attend Bull Creek

Westminster Presbyterian

Church, where I am a Girls’

Brigade leader, helping with

the Juniors (Years 3, 4 and 5),

and have two daughters at that

company as well. Part of my

goal as a leader is to encourage

and support the year leaders

and the young leaders coming

in. One girl said to me, “Why

are you helping me so much?” I

said, “Because I want you to be

the best you can be, what God

created you to be, and that’s

my role.”

What part of this role do you find

the most satisfying?

Hearing that people are

happy, feel safe and treasured,

and that God loves them. I enjoy

seeing the girls come to an

understanding of who God is.

One of my favourite memories

from girls and leaders that have

been involved in Girls’ Brigade.

Usually we have a Captains’

day at the beginning of the

year but this year we celebrated

with a leaders’ celebration. In

October, we have our State

Awards Presentation where

we present our Queen’s Award

and Pioneer Pins. This year

instead of only the current girls

attending we are opening it up

to all past and present people

to come along and enjoy,

making it a much bigger event

than usual.

Each region is organising

other events, for example The

Northern Region is having a

sleepover. We are encouraging

girls to experience other

companies throughout Australia

so they realise it is not WA

specific, like doing a leadership

course that’s run by the Girls’

Brigade in Queensland. In

October, we have our National

Conference in Tasmania, and

our International Conference of

Girls’ Brigade in Zambia, Africa

in July.

What are your aspirations for the

future of Girls’ Brigade?

I would like to see the

numbers of girls participating

grow, as well as the number

of churches with a company.

Ultimately, I want everyone

to know about God. The more

companies there are the more

opportunities there are for

mission and more people to

hear about God.

Ph

oto

: Ta

ra A

da

ms

Nikola Lewis ready for an evening at Girls’ Brigade with Amy Lewis (back), Cayley Adams and Belinda Lewis.

Ahead of its 125 year celebration week in June, Vanessa Klomp had the privilege of catching up with the Girls’ Brigade Western Australia State Commissioner, Nikola Lewis.

13APRIL 2018

growth

Something about finding my car keys

What I learned from a seagull in Sydneyto say no, set expectations. But in

the workplace, they can become

a shield instead of a guide. That

wasn’t included in the quote. I’m

not the person who deals with

that. I always go home on time.

We don’t offer that service.

Returning to work after

holidays, I noticed how sticking

rigidly to boundaries deprives

me of the opportunity to have

influence, to show grace and

kindness, to extend myself, and to

invest into other people’s lives.

Now, I don’t speak seagull,

and for all I know, there was a

lot more going on that I missed.

But what does God think when

He watches me metaphorically

squawking and flapping around

I wore last Saturday night. We’d

arrived home late with a girl who’d

fallen asleep in the back of the

car. I’d obviously shoved my keys

in my pocket and concentrated

on the task of child-to-bed

transportation. Then I’d hung up

my jeans to make the keys harder

to find.

All this seems pretty mundane

to be documenting but as Molly

was reading Geronimo Stilton

to me on the way to school

this morning (must be audible,

minimum of 20 minutes), I

multitasked another thought.

The longer I wait before

coming to Jesus, the longer I take

before bringing Him my heart,

soul, mind and strength, the more

I forget who I am and where I was.

Worse, I go looking in places

that I know I will never discover

my identity because my journey

God prompts me to think

about what I devote my time and

energy into defending – and why.

When we so fiercely defend our

space, people or ideas, we are

of course attempting to protect

both them and ourselves. But

God’s been showing me that the

invisible boundaries I build to

keep some things out, can also

end up keeping me in.

Setting personal boundaries

is usually couched in positive

terms – take control, learn when

I couldn’t find my keys this morning. That’s not unusual. It happens more often than I’d care to admit.

It’s Wednesday morning, and that

means taking Molly to her school

in North Albany while Fiona drops

off Clover to a friend’s place en

route to her relief teaching job

in North-West Albany. Sounds

convenient enough.

There was nothing amiss with

this plan until I needed to hop in

the car. Without keys.

I hunted all the usual places

without success and made sure,

just before she left, that she wasn’t

about to drive off with my keys in

the car she was driving.

It’s not as if I don’t have a

designated place for my keys to

live; there’s a red glass bowl on

our bookshelf that makes an ideal

resting place for them most times.

No. My problem is more

fundamental than that. I don’t

often drive my car (in the same

way that I don’t often use my

wallet!) So, if I can’t find my keys,

it’s not about remembering what

I was wearing last night or where

I went when I first walked in the

door from a day at the office. It’s

a little more convoluted than all

that. I need to retrace the tracks of

my days until I get to a time in my

past when I’ve needed to drive my

car and, having done that, work

out what was happening when

I arrived home, and pick up the

scent from there.

That all sounds simple, but

it usually involves looking in a

bunch of places while I’m getting

my head ready for the re-trace.

I did find them. They were

in the pocket of some jeans that

Maybe even the seagulls are more

‘alpha’ in Sydney, but this seagull

is defending his pylon and the

zone around it so fiercely that he

looks ridiculous. There are many

high places to land, but this guy’s

not budging. Clearly in a chilled-

out holiday mood, I calmly think

that the seagull needs to get some

perspective. It is, after all, just a

stump of decaying timber covered

in dried droppings. “Is it really

worth that much fight, buddy?”, I

want to say.

to Jesus has been hijacked by

stuff of lesser import. This is a

little like looking in the toilet out

of desperation just in case you

dropped your keys there – you

know the chances are all but zero,

but you check all the same.

There’s an account of Paul

speaking at the Areopagus in

Acts 17. He’s speaking to a bunch

of learned people who have all

lost their keys and were trying

to find them. Paul speaks in a

language they might understand

so that they’ll either remember

where they left their keys or,

more even better, discover that

they have keys!

‘Starting from scratch, he

made the entire human race and

made the earth hospitable, with

plenty of time and space for living

so we could seek after God, and

not just grope around in the dark

Ph

oto

: Kir

sty

Ru

sse

ll P

ho

tog

rap

hy

Ph

oto

: Od

ua

Ima

ge

s

It’s the pre-baby holiday, and my wife and I are sitting on a jetty at Darling Harbour having lunch. There’s a pylon sticking up from the water, and a seagull sits on top.

in fight mode over a rotten old

stump, when there are free chips

on the foreshore?

As a business owner, manager,

husband, father-to-be, board

game tragic and servant of Jesus, I

think this will be my growing edge

this year. I want to keep a look

out for the limiting boundaries

at a personal, company and

community level. They might just

be holding me back.

Author – Scott Ingram

Scott Ingram is the Director of

Helium Digital Marketing and

attends Church at the Stadium

in Warwick.

but actually find him. He doesn’t

play hide-and-seek with us. He’s

not remote; He’s near. We live and

move in Him, can’t get away from

Him!’ [Acts 17: 24-29, The Message]

While it may occasionally

seem the case, Jesus’ desire is not

to hide His face from us, but to be

found. His desire is greater still:

that we might abide in Him. Locate

ourselves in Him. Be a branch of

His vine. His desire is that, despite

our wandering heart, we’d find our

rest in Him and abide.

I don’t even need to re-trace

every step to know where I

might have left Jesus. I need to

find myself again. The one I am

following is up ahead or right

beside, not languishing on a park

bench or hanging up in

my wardrobe.

“Draw near to God, and he will

draw near to you. Cleanse your

hands, you sinners, and purify

your hearts, you double-minded,”

James writes.

There’s a key right there. I

come back to Jesus by allowing

His kindness to draw me into a

place of repentance and, at that

moment, I find my keys. My

contrition and humility before

Him put me back in the way of the

one that I declare Lord of all. He

wants to be found in us.

He is not remote. He is near.

As it turns out, that’s usually

true for my car keys as well.

Author – Simon Elliott

Republished with permission,

writesomething.org.au

Nikola Lewis ready for an evening at Girls’ Brigade with Amy Lewis (back), Cayley Adams and Belinda Lewis.

14 APRIL 2018

news

Editor: Matt ChapmanManaging Editor: Andrew SculthorpeSubeditor: Suzanne Willcock Production: Vanessa Klomp Creative: Peter IonAdvertising: Sally PhuDistribution: Sally PhuEditorial deadline: 5th of each month

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING:Email: editor@theadvocate.tv advertising@theadvocate.tvMail: Baptist Churches Western Australia PO Box 57, Burswood WA 6100Tel: (08) 6313 6300Fax: (08) 9470 1713

PUBLISHERS GENERAL DISCLAIMERAll the articles, comments, advice and other material contained in this publication are by way of general comment or advice only and are not intended, nor do they purport to be the correct advice on any particular matter of subject referred to. No reader or any other person who obtains this publication should act on the basis of any matter, comment or advice contained in this publication without first considering and if necessary taking appropriate professional advice upon the applicability of any matter, advice or comment herein to their own particular circumstances. Accordingly, no responsibility is accepted or taken by the authors, editors or publishers of this publication for any loss or damage suffered by any party acting in reliance on any matter, comment or advice contained herein.

The Advocate is published on behalf of Baptist Churches Western Australia by imageseven. Tel: (08) 6500 7777 Email: info@imageseven.com.au

ima

ge

sev

en

bc

w J

35

92

MercyMe releases new album Contemporary Christian rock band MercyMe released its latest album, I Can Only Imagine – The Very Best of MercyMe, in early March. The album is the soundtrack to the film I Can Only Imagine, which tells the story of how MercyMe frontman Bart Millard wrote the song.

The album features 13 of the

band’s most loved songs, chosen

by the band members themselves.

It includes ‘I Can Only Imagine

(The Movie Session)’, a special

version of their hit reworked

specifically for the movie. With

songs like ‘Flawless’, ‘Word of God

Speak’ and ‘God With Us’, as well

as the original version of ‘I Can

Only Imagine’, the album covers a

variety of MercyMe’s hits from the

band’s vast discography.

“We’re so excited to get to

share this new version of ‘I Can

Only Imagine’ with everyone. The

song has meant a lot to me over

the years, and it really came out of

a difficult season,” Bart shared.

“It brought me a lot of hope,

but there has always been

something very melancholy

about the song in the way that it

was recorded before.”

“Getting to do it over this time

around, I really felt like it would

be awesome to shape it in a more

celebratory tone, where it conveys

us rejoicing in the fact that we

don’t have to imagine much

longer,” Bart reflected.

According to Billboard, the

original version is the most

played contemporary Christian

song of all time, having gone

platinum twice. MercyMe

has been nominated for five

Grammys, won numerous

Dove and Billboard awards and

released 17 albums in the band

members’ 24 years of playing

together.

I Can Only Imagine was

released on 15 March in

cinemas across Australia.

MercyMe’s new album is

available on iTunes, Spotify,

Apple Music and Amazon.

Author – John Igglesden

Marvel blockbuster has Christian influence

Ph

oto

: Fli

ck

r/fl

yg

uy

The filming of the Black Panther provided Christian actors

opportunities to share their faith.

J Michael Finley plays Bart Millard in the film I Can Only Imagine, based on the story behind the song with the same name.

Ph

oto

: Fiv

e L

oav

es

Me

dia

Black Panther actress Sope Aluko said Christian cast members would encourage one another in their faith whilst filming Marvel’s latest blockbuster. Since its record-breaking opening weekend in late January, Black Panther has continued to fill cinemas across the globe.

In-between filming her character

Shaman’s scenes, Aluko found

she shared her Christian faith

with some of her co-stars. This

commonality amongst the

actors saw them encourage one

another throughout the filming,

sharing their testimonies and

Christian experiences.

“During breaks we shared our

testimony of how we got to where

we did and most of the people were

testifying to God’s miracles, it was

almost like church,” she explained.

When asked about her career so

far, Aluko replied that she asked the

Lord for discernment and wisdom

for every single step she takes.

Black Panther is in cinemas

now.

Author – John Igglesden

15APRIL 2018

intermission

This voucher entitles you to 15% off your next purchase in store at Mount Lawley

The Advocate – April 2018

A minute with ...

What were you doing prior to this role?

I worked with Operation Mobilisation training missionaries.

What is your church known for in its community?

We are known as a generous and caring church, accepting of people from all age

groups and many cultures.

What do you think God has been trying to say to you lately?

Take a day off, son. So, I did.

What is the most important ‘nuts and bolts’ lesson that you can give?

Move towards people whenever possible, not away from them. It’s easy to avoid

people when things get difficult, but healthy churches and communities depend upon

those who are willing to do the hard work of relationships.

What is one characteristic that you believe every leader should possess?

Emotional intelligence (EQ), because it is inseparable from authentic spiritual

maturity. I would take high EQ over skill in a leader any day. Skills can be learned but

it is very, very difficult to dispel ignorance and build competence while humility and

self-awareness are absent.

What book have you read recently that changed or impacted the way you think?

The Mystery of Marriage by Mike Mason. Mason offers a commendable treatment

of the sensitive issue of mutual submission in marriage, which has expanded

my thinking.

Who are the historical figures who have influenced you the most?

I’ve been deeply influenced by the lives and/or writings of Billy Graham, Rick

Warren, Bill Hybels, Dallas Willard, Jason Mandryk, Martin Luther King, Nicky Gumbel,

John Kaiser, Stephen Winward, my first ministry mentor Bruce Jenner, my wife Jodie

and my three daughters.

What would you like to go back and change?

I would start a family sooner. The earlier you have children the longer you

potentially have to enjoy each other.

A final thought …

Do what you love to end what you hate.

Reviews by Koorong Mount Lawley staffWebsite: www.koorong.com

Address: 434 Lord Street, Mount Lawley

Phone: 08 9427 9777

Pastor Wayne Field Lead Pastor at Riverton Baptist Community Church

What led you to this role?

There’s a lot that appeals to me about

ministry at ‘Rivo’. Our people have a

deep commitment to global missions,

an intentional and effective focus on

reaching international friends and the

next generation in the local community,

and an openness to change. I am

privileged to partner with them.

read

Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became ParentsGary Chapman with Shannon Warden

Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love

Languages, strikes again with his practical

and life-changing little books on how to do

life and relationships well. His co-author

Shannon Warden speaks authentically

about her own journey with fertility and

the strengthening of her faith in God in

difficult seasons. It contains 12 short, sweet

and sharp chapters beginning with, ‘I

wish I’d known ...’. Gary and Shannon give

practical tips, personal stories and subjects

that get the conversation going with you

and your spouse, ranging from money to

time management, to things like the need

to apologise to your children. This book has

helped me prepare for children and will be

on my bookshelf for many re-reads to come.

– Gemma Uren

The MasterpieceFrancine Rivers

Francine Rivers newest novel The

Masterpiece hooked me in so much I couldn’t

put it down. Following the encounter of two

lives brought together by what they thought

was convenience could actually be God’s

design. Roman Velasco is a successful artist,

yet so troubled by his past he hides his pain

and fear behind anger. Grace Moore has

struggled from her past too, with the guilt of

bad choices she needs to find a way forward.

Both lives change forever when Grace

becomes Roman’s personal assistant and

they slowly open up to share their hidden

secrets. It is a fantastic read, capturing all

emotions, and gives readers the prompt to

search their inner self. It is a reminder that

no matter where people come from or the

choices they make, God loves them.

– Alison Newton

SurroundedMichael W Smith

Asking the question, ‘What expression

of worship does He require from us?’ led

Michael W Smith as he put together one of

his latest albums, Surrounded. Working from

the understanding there is not one ‘correct’

expression of worship, but an overflow from

a heart turned towards God, he has put

together a superb live album that reminds

me of his foundational album, Worship – a

piece of work that I played until it nearly

wore out. This is one of those albums where

the listener can close their eyes, draw a deep

breath and find they have been transported

into the experience of the congregation.

‘Smitty’ has been around since the early

1980s, has won six gold records, two

Grammys and six Dove Awards.

– Andrew Belbin

listen

Ph

oto

: Cre

dit

su

pp

lie

d

16 APRIL 2018

sport

Bobô cares for the persecuted

Bobô and his wife Raquel are ambassadors for Open Doors Australia, encouraging Christians to support the persecuted church.

Ph

oto

: Op

en

Do

ors

Au

stra

lia

Bobô, a leading player for Sydney Football Club, recently broke the club record for the most number of goals scored in a season. What many people don’t know, is that he and his wife, Raquel, have a strong faith in Jesus as their Saviour, and are passionate about social justice and the persecuted church.

“When you say, ‘I’m a Christian’,

you could see people look

differently at you,” Bobô said.

Bobô met Jesus through

his wife. Raquel grew up in a

Christian family in Brazil and

people would tell her she would be

a missionary.

“But living in a Christian home

does not mean that you are a

Christian, and I moved from the

ways of Christ,” Raquel said.

Raquel met Bobô when he

was playing in Brazil. The pair got

married, had their first daughter

and moved to Turkey for his career.

In a competition final, when

Raquel walked onto the field to

celebrate another win, a reporter

approached her to ask about Bobô’s

success. “Everything has been

given right to you,” he marvelled.

For Raquel, the comment

stuck in her mind.

“I could only think of the years

I had turned my back to God. How

did God still take care of me?”

“I started praying again

– I poured myself into God’s

presence, and something began to

change within me. I prayed to God

that He would give me at least one

person to walk with [in my faith],

because two are better than one.”

“After a week, my husband

decided to give his life to Jesus – it

at home. When she was asked

about how she felt after losing her

family, she simply said, “I forgive,

because Jesus forgave me first.”

Bobô and Raquel lived through

the rise of the civil war in Syria,

and watched as Syrian refugees

fled across the border into Turkey.

“There were 15,000 in one

day,” Raquel said.

“Of course, I felt sad. But I

thought, okay everybody is feeling

sad but you need to move. You

need to help.”

was beautiful, we prayed together

and began to study the Bible.”

Turkey shares a border with

Syria. Conflict and persecution

against the church continues to

grow. Bobô recalls a news story

about a Bible study attacked by

Turkish Islamic extremists. The

extremists spent six months

pretending to be converts,

building trust with the small

group, until one day they turned

on them. Everyone was killed

except the mother who wasn’t

“And, when it came time to

leave Turkey, we knew God would

use us wherever we were.”

Bobô and Raquel now live

in Sydney after signing with

the A-league. In his first season,

Bobô led Sydney FC to win their

first premiership since 2009, and

became the second player in

A-league history to score back to

back hat-tricks.

Caring for the persecuted

church continues to be close to

their heart. This year, Bobô and

Raquel have become ambassadors

for Open Doors Australia to

encourage Christians to support

the persecuted church.

“It makes me feel like I can

help,” Bobô said.

“I feel like I can do my part in

the body [of Christ]. I think that’s

the most important thing.”

Author – Beth Ross

T: 08 6313 6200 E: office@vose.edu.au W: www.vose.edu.au

RTO 0145 VET CRICOS 01052B

ACT CRICOS 02650E

ENROL NOW FORSEMESTER 2, 2018Whether your future is in Ministry, Theology, Chaplaincy, Mission, Education or Leadership, Vose has a pathway for you.

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to

give you hope and a future.”Jer 29:11

Follow us and join the conversation