Issue 12 | Jan - May 2015

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{REGULARS}

04 Feature Article DNAReflections

14 Outreach Explore-InvestigatingtheLifeofJesus

16 Leadership Spotlight MeetNickandTraceyHanne-ALTRYouthLeaders

18 Children’s and Youth Ministry YouthBand

20 A Place to Shine Update Checkinforthelatestnews!

22 Preaching Series Galatians-WeAllNeedGrace

23 Community Groups Fuel

25 Who’s That? Gettoknowsomeofourfellowmembersinthechurch

28 Reviews Grabacomfyseat,turnthevolumeup,rustlethefamily togetherandgrabsomepopcorn

30 Marriage and Parenting DangersofComparisonbyNikkiBray

31 What’s On at BotanyLife? Getyourpensoutandmarkthesedatesonyourcalendar

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Contents

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BOTANYLIFE COMMUNITY

CHURCH{STAFF}

LEAD PASTOR/ELDER - BRAD (& ROCHELLE) CARR COMMUNITY PASTOR - MARK (& STEPH) VAN WIJK

CHILDREN’S PASTOR - MEL (& DREW) PALMER WORSHIP & GROUPS PASTOR - ROBIN (& SONIA) BYRNE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR - MEL (& JULIAN) THORBURN

SUNDAY ADMINISTRATOR - MANDY FRANCIS

{ELDERS}TODD (& SHEREE) HUGHES

KK (& SUSAN) LEONG ANDRE (& CHRISTL) KIRSTEIN

STUART (& IANTHE) JONES

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couple of months ago, we finished up the first main

preaching series for 2015. We called it DNA, and over the course of nine weeks we unpacked the “new” values of BotanyLife.

AsIexplainedinintroducingtheseries,thesevaluesaren’treallynew.Asachurch,wehavehadastatementofvaluessincebeforewebeganourfirstservice.ThesevalueswerewrittenbytheinterimleadershipteamintheyearbeforeBotanyLifewaslaunched,aswedreamedandprayedtogetheraboutthekindofchurchwehopedtostart.Overtheyears,thosevalueshelpedtoguidemanyofourdecisionsasaleadership,andIbelievetheyhelpedtoshapewhoweareasachurchfamilytoday.

However,werealisedacoupleofyearsagothatwhileourvalueswereawonderfulreflectionofoursoulasachurch,theywerenotmemorablestatements.Theydidn’trolloffthetongue,andthereforetheywerenotpartoftheongoingconversationsinourchurchfamily.Evenataleadershiplevel,wehadtopulloutapieceofpaperoropenupafileonthecomputerwheneverwewantedtoreferenceourvaluesinadecision.

Thatwaswhenwedecidedweneededtosimplifyandre-toolourvalues.Wedidn’twanttostartfromscratch;ourvalueshadserveduswellforthefirstdecade.Butwewantedtorefreshthem;theyneededreworking.Andourhopeaswedidthat,wasthattheywouldbecomemorememorableandwouldthereforebetalkedaboutmoreinourchurch.

Ittookusalmostayeartosimplifyandreformulateourvalues,butitwasworththeeffort.Webelieveasaleadershipthatthesenewvaluestatementscapturetheheartandsoulofourchurch,andhelpexplainwhoweareandwhatweareabout.

That’swhywedevotedthefirsttermof2015tofleshingoutthesevaluesintherecentDNAseries.Andbasedonthefeedbackthatwehavereceivedfrommanyofyou,theserieswaswellworththeeffort.

Tofollowonfromthatseries,whatwehavedoneforthiseditionofPortalisaskninedifferentpeoplewithinourchurchtoreflectoneachofthesevalues.Wehaven’tdictatedhowtheyshouldapproachthisorwhattheyshouldwrite,sothereisquiteavarietyineachofthereflections.Thisissimplytheirthoughtsandresponsestowhatitmeansforustobeachurchwiththesevalues.

WehopeyouenjoyreadingthesereflectionsasmuchasthePortalteamhasdone!

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TextbyBrad Carr.

n my personal walk of faith, it is impossible for me to separate a love, knowledge and

thirst for God from a love, knowledge and thirst for His Word. The Bible, God’s living Word, is the most amazing book I will ever come across. God’s Word is a gift and the foundation of His communication to me and His will for my life. For that, I am eternally grateful.

ItshouldcomeasnosurprisethatIlovethefactthattakingGodatHisWordisoneofourcorevaluesasachurch.Ifitwasn’t,quitefrankly,Iwouldn’tbehere.Similartomyindividualwalkoffaith,IfeeltheChurchneedsGod’sWordasthefoundationitisbuilton.Ifnot,attheveryleast,wewouldlackconsistencyandaccuracyofteaching.

I’mthankfulthatGod’sWordisaninseparablepartofourchurchDNAandthatyoudon’tneedtolookfurtherthatthewaywedothingstofinditbeingapplied.Fromgovernancetoleadership,toserving,tocommunitygroups,youthandchildren’sministries,communityoutreachandimportantly,teaching.Allofthesehaveatheologicalbiblicalprecedent,butaverypracticalapplicationinthelifeofourchurch.

ItisthisapplicationofGod’sWordinthewaywedothingsalongwiththestrongteachingofGod’sWordthathasalwaysresonatedwithmeatBotanyLife.Ifeelveryblessedtobepartofit.Forthattoo,Ihavenodoubt,Iwillbeeternallygrateful.

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We Take God At His WordGod’s Word is our final authority in everything. Therefore, we value expository preaching that faithfully explains the Bible and creatively applies it to life.

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TextbyNeil Blizard.

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It’s All About GraceOur relationship with God stands completely on His grace, expressed in Jesus Christ. God’s grace impacts the way we relate to each other and the wider community, as we treat others with compassion, love and forgiveness, without any sense of guilt or coercion.

ust quietly, I struggle a bit with “grace”. Yeah, yeah - I believe in a conceptual

way something of Gods’ incredible favour to us. I can begin to get my head around all the stuff about God’s holiness and His impeccable character. And also His mercy and love in that He sent His Son Jesus to take my share of punishment because my sin was making it impossible for me to please Him or reach perfection, the standard He set. But I still keep wondering: why me? Even when I stumble and fall; let my mind deviate down lurid paths; slip a ‘harmless lie’ into the conversation; or simply ignore this generous God - why does His grace forgive and forget? How can it be that good?

IlovethewaywekeepcomingbacktothisbasicpositionatBotanyLifethatiswrappedupinJohn3:16.Justwhenwearechewingourwayintosomethingdeepandcomplex,pregnant

withmystifyingtruth,shroudedbyGreekandHebrewnuances,outcomesthereminder-it’sallaboutgrace...freelygiven.

JustwhenIfeelIamsoundeserving;soinadequate;somuchacharlatandisguisingmyregularbadthoughtlifewithfinesoundingsoothingspeech;soproudofmyhumility;sohopelessatwitnessing,uppopsgrace.Phew!!!Iamsaved.IamacceptedbytherighteousFatherbecauseof,andin,Christ.

So,IwillbethereonSundayhearingagainthetimelessandcompellingmessageofgrace.Ineedit.Itcomesinvariouspackagesbutitgetsairedregularly.It’sgoodforthesoul,themind,thespirit.Idon’tneedtofullyunderstanditinallitscomplexity;Idon’tneedtoknowitsunfathomabledimensions.SimplyIamachildofGodandgracesavesme,keepsmeandwilldelivermeintotheLord’seternalpresence.

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TextbyOwen Jennings.

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We Build Bridges Not WallsWe share God’s passion for lost people. We value building genuine friendships with those who don’t know God, so that we may in time have the opportunity to boldly share the gospel of Jesus.

love being a part of a church that holds the value “we build bridges not walls”.

TheconnecteventsthatBotanyLiferunprovideperfectopportunitiestonaturallydeepenfriendships-fromsimplychattingwithothermumsoutsidetheclassroomwhilewaitingfortheschoolbelltoring-tosharingaridetoaChickzoneeventandenjoyinganeveningoffun.Ilovebeingabletoinvitemyfriendswho‘don’tdochurch’toeventsrunbychurch,andgetsoexcitedwhentheyaskaboutchurchandwhatwebelieve.

MyfriendJanine,whoIgottoknowthroughantenatalclasses,hadneverbeentoachurch

untilshecametoBotanyLifeafewyearsago.ShehadcometoafewChickzoneevents-whereshehadheapsoffun,andwhenIinvitedhertoafamilyserviceshewaskeentocomealongandbringherkids.Shehasbeenpartofacoupleofcommunityprojectsandlovesthesenseofcommunityshefeelsandalwayscommentsabouthowfriendlypeopleare.WehavehadanumberofconversationsaboutchurchandGod,andmyprayeristhatonedayIwillgettosharethegospelwithher.

IlovethatBotanyLiferunssuchgreateventsthatIfeelaresafetoinvitefriendsto,nomatterwheretheyareintheirjourney.

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TextbySteph van Wijk.

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We’re A Go and Do ChurchWe are a church of action that is committed to demonstrating God’s love for people, by practically serving our local community.

here is nothing more satisfying to me than helping people. To help, support,

or carry a load for somebody gives me absolute pleasure. The ability to swing a hammer is a gift I believe God has given me, and one I love to use (albeit not accurately if you look at the state of my fingers).

BeforecomingtoBotanyLifeIhavebeenpartofachurchwherewewereencouraged,amongstotherguidance,tostayoutofcertainareasandnotmixeasilywithnon-Christians(inordertopreventtemptation).ThisissocontrarytowhatJesusdidandignoresreferencetobeingalightonahilltop.BeingaGoandDoChurchmeansIgetinvolvedwiththosewhohaveaneed,nomatterwhattheirbeliefsare,sothatIreflectJesus’character.

ThebestthingaboutthepeopleatBotanyLifeisthatwearenotjustaGoandDoChurchwhenwedoourCommunityProject,butweliveitoutdaily.Homegroupsassistothersinthecommunitybyhelpingfinancially,carryingfurniturewhenhousemoving,bakingorbringingamealduringdifficulttimes,orjustofferingashouldertocryon.Thisisdefinitelyacorebelief,notjustatasktocomplete.HowthencanyounotwanttobepartofBotanyLife?

Ibelievethemoreyougivethemoreyouget.Sobringmeahammer(andafewplasters),andpointmetothenextproject.Toseethesmilefromachildwhenwefinishbuildingaplaygroundissorewarding.Jesusgavefreely,andtheworldteachesustotakeasmuchaswecan.I’mfollowingJesus’guidanceasIgetbacksomuchmorethanwhatIcouldtake.Lifeisaboutpeople,andhereliesmyjoy.

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TextbyAndre Kirstein.

We Do Life TogetherGod has brought us together as a family. We are committed to maintaining unity and building strong, authentic relationships with each other. Therefore we place a high value on small groups.

ot everyone who attends a Christian church is a believer. But, once they

are and that pivotal step has been taken from relying on worldly things to those of heaven - to wholeheartedly believe that Jesus Christ did live on earth, that he sacrificed his life for us, but was raised by God from death to life and then ascended to heaven - going to church tends to follow.

Thenextstepthen,ifyouhavenotbeenbroughtupinachurch,orare‘between’churches,istofindonethatworksforyouandthat’snoteasy.There’safewaround.AdeleandIfoundBotanyLifeafterreturningtoAucklandBibleChurch(wherewe’dworshippedforagoodsixyears)afterafewyearsinthewilderness.RochelleCarrwelcomedusthatdaywiththenewsthatsomeABCpeoplewereplantinganewchurchinPakuranga.

WemissedthefirstserviceatRiverinaPrimarySchool,butattendedthesecondandhavebeenwithBotanyLifeeversince.

WefoundsometheologicalandeschatologicaldifferencesbetweenourunderstandingoftheBibleandthatofBotanyLife’s.Butweseemtohaveagreedtodiffer.Atfirst,andforalongtime,itwasthegiftedpreachingofBradCarrthatdrewusin,then,thepeoplewesatwith,sangandprayedwith,begantocomeclosertous.

AswecamegraduallytoacceptBotanyLifeasourchurchhome,wecouldn’thelpbutnoticehowkeenthepeopleweretodothingsforothers.Spendamomentonthechurchwebsiteandyou’llgetanideaofthevastarrayofprojectsandservicesundertakenbyBotanyLifers,somearequiteexceptional.Theannualcommunityprojectis,tome,exceptional.I

smileinwardlywheneverIconsidermyinvolvement-whichisembarrassinglyminuscule-withthis.

Nowadays,manyofuscommittoregularget-togethers,maybeit’sjustlunchafterchurch,itcouldbeadinnerathome,themovies,whatever.It’ssimplyenjoyablebeingtogether.

OurEnergygroup-forthosewithhairshadedalittlelighter,orjustwithlesshair-forexample,goestoThamesacoupleoftimesayeartoVayandMarionVivian’splace,wherewehangabout,puttheworldanditspoliciestoright,doashortbiblestudy,goonwalks,playtabletennis(althoughnooneplayswiththatburglarMaxCanymore)andsingsongswithsuchjoythattheyareadangertotheVivian’sroof.Doingthingstogethercanbealotoffun,andisalsoverycomforting,becauseit’seasytobelonely.

It’sharder,asyouage,togrownewfriendships.Idon’tmeanacquaintanceshere,butgenuinefriends,who’lldothingswithyou,gotoplaces,shareconfidences,laughatyourpatheticjokes,callduringthoseroughpatches,offeranewviewwhenthingsaremisty,withoutexpectationofreward.

Interestingly,whenthinkingaboutBotanyLife,Iamrealisingthatthereisfosteredhereawelcoming,openandfriendlycommunity.ThatIhavetothinkaboutthisisrevealinginitself:tomeitmeansthatBotanyLifenotonlyhasapretenceof‘everyonebeingwelcomehere’-assurelyshouldallchurches-butthat,withoutvanity,somehowthepeoplewhomakeupthischurchinstinctivelyliveoutitscorepurpose‘topassionatelyloveGod’.Thatactionleadsinaheartbeat,tothenextstep,‘topurposelyloveothers’,andthen,withperhapsalittlemoreconsideration,to‘doinglifetogether’.

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TextbyDavid Hall.

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We Are All In The GameWe are committed to encouraging everyone to find a place to serve, using their God given abilities for building His church. We follow Jesus’ example by serving humbly and generously.

e are thankful to be involved in a church that holds the value of

everyone being in the game. Both of us currently serve in the Forest and Jungle, and as youth leaders at ALTR youth group. It is a privilege to be involved in these ministries. It is also exciting to see a lot of the youth from ALTR serve in the children’s ministry on Sunday mornings.

Servinginachurchwhichholdsthiskeyvaluemeansthatwearegettingtoknowsomanypeople.Nomatterwhatteamyouchoosetoserveon,youwillinevitablymeetnewpeople.Andisn’tthatpartofwhatchurchisallabout-meetingotherChristians,andbeingabletodolifetogether?WeareallinthegameatBotanyLife,andthisissoimportantbecausebyservingtogether,andbybeingapartofsomething,weareabletogrowclosertogetherandmakelastingfriendships.

Paulwritesin1Corinthiansaboutthehumanbody,andhowallthepartsofthebodyworktogether.Nopartisanymoreoranylessuseful,necessary,orimportantthananyother.

15Ifthefootsays,“IamnotapartofthebodybecauseIamnotahand,”thatdoesnotmakeitanylessapartofthebody.16Andiftheearsays,“IamnotpartofthebodybecauseIamonlyanearandnotaneye,”wouldthatmakeitanylessapartofthebody?17Supposethewholebodywereaneye-thenhowwouldyouhear?Orifyourwholebodywerejustonebigear,howcouldyousmellanything?18ButGodmadeourbodieswithmanyparts,andhehasputeachpartjustwherehewantsit.

Thisishowitiswithchurch-everyonehassomethingtocontribute,andnomatterwhereyouchoosetoserve,youcanbesurethatatBotanyLifeyouwillbeappreciated.Everyonehasaplace,regardlessofhowyourateyourskillsortalents-thereissomewhereyoucanfit,contribute,andmeetothers.TheChristianwalkisaloteasier,morefunandmorerewardingdoingitwithotherpeople.

WhilemanymaynotappreciatetheDisneymovie‘HighSchoolMusical,’ifyoumanagedtowatchitallthewaythrough,youwouldhaveheardtheclosingnumber-“We’reallinthistogether.”Andthataboutsumsitup.

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TextbyMelissa & Rebecca Wake.

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We Invest In The NextWe value children and youth. We intentionally invest in them and involve them in our church life, encouraging them to grow in their own faith and to share it with their friends.

t takes a village to raise a child”. This widely quoted African proverb is so true. As for

most parents, raising our children is the most important thing that my husband Curtis and I do, but it is not easy! We need backup! Society seems to work hard to get our children to think that life is all about them, their needs, wants and desires, and tries to make God irrelevant. At BotanyLife we indeed “invest in the next” and teach them truth about God.

Ourchildrenarevitalmembersofthechurch,andBotanyKidsISchurchforthem-notjustaplacetogowhiletheadults‘do’church.Mythreeyoungerdaughters,Liliana(10),Chloe-Mae(9)andJessica(6)meetintheirage-groupprogrammesonSundaymorningsandtheyallloveit.Theyhavefun,relevantprogrammeswhichteachourchildrenaboutJesusandhissavinggrace,inawaythatistruthful,impactingandunderstandable.

IenjoyhearingaboutwhatmygirlshavelearnedatBotanyKids,andtheylovetellingme.Theyarelearningthetruthofthegospelinsuchawaythattheycanconveyittoothers.Thatispriceless.

It’sexcellentthattheenvironmentatBotanyKidsissomuchfunthatmygirlsareexcitedtoinvitetheirfriendsalong.Theyaredividedintosmallgroupswithleadersforeachgroup.Theleadersgettoknoweachchildandtheyarepeoplethatourchildrencantalkto.Curtishasledagroupforthepastfiveyearsandhasagreatconnectionwiththosechildren.Oureldestdaughter,Eva(13)isintheALTRhighschoolgroupwhomeetonFridaynightsforstudiesandsocials,andthisisahighlightofherweek.

HavingtheBotanyKidsandyouthteamsspeakintothelivesofmydaughtersisatreasuretome,andI’msogladthatBotanyLifeismyfamily’s‘village’.Thanksteam!

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TextbyNicola Mountfort.

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One Waka, One DirectionStrong, united leadership made up of godly servant-leaders is core to our stability. We also highly value the intentional mentoring and training of emerging leaders.

’m thankful BotanyLife has this value, “One Waka, One Direction” because it

communicates to me that the church has a clear and strong focus, and that people are the most important thing. The image of one waka, one direction solidifies for me the “one-another’s” of the Bible and how important this is to our growth as a church whanau. And ultimately the reason we are here, to see lost people found in Christ Jesus. The great thing is that we’re not alone in this, but we are in this together. “He waka eke noa” (we are in this together).

BeingapartofBotanyLifeCommunityChurch,andhavingthisvalueencouragesmebecauseitmakesaverystrongstatementabouttheheartofourleadership’sdirectionforthechurch.Itemphasisesastrongpartnershipthatisinclusive,withcleardirectionofitsgoalsandpurposes.

Wecan’tdothisonourownbutinsteadweneedeachother.Weknowwherewearegoingasachurchwhanauandwhatareourprioritiesare.IknowthatBotanyLifeCommunityChurchdesirestobeachurchthatisclearaboutourdestinationandhowwewillreachthatdestination.Ultimately,thatmeanswearepassionatelylovingGodandlovinglostpeople,butalsothatwearecommittedtosupportingandgrowingeachother.Italsomeansthatwecandothisasacollectivewhanauandnotasseparateentitiesorindependentofthosesupports.

It’sgreattoknowthereisapathwaymappedoutforusandthatthisemphasiseshowcriticalitisthatweareinthistogether.Resolute!

Kiakaha,Kiamataara(bestrong,beofgoodcourage).

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TextbyHarataki Manihera.

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We Keep It FreshWe serve a God of creativity and excellence, and we believe we should reflect him by being creative and innovative, and giving God our very best.

t takes a lot to keep me interested in anything... I have a short attentio... oh look... a pigeon...

Anyways...let’sjustsaythatIamalittlebit“high-needs”whenitcomestochurch-asakinaesthetictype,Iliketohavesomethingtactileoratleastvisualtokeepmeengagedwiththecontentthat’sbeingtaught.IhavealwaysappreciatedtheattentionthatBotanyLifepaystoprovidingmulti-sensoryservices,whichbalancetheneedtopresentbiblicallysoundcontent,withcreativestory-enhancingideas.Whetheritbethroughmedia,music,drama,pastorsincostumeorchangingtheset-upofthehall,IhaveappreciatedthewaythatafreshapproachtoabunchofpeoplecollectinginahalltolearnaboutJesushasprovidedoptionsformetoaccesslearningthatIhaverarelyexperiencedinothercontexts.

Itisn’tjustafreshapproachtoservicesthatcapturesmyattention.IrememberoneoftheveryfirstexperiencesIhadwhenIwalkedthroughthedoorsofBotanyLife.Therewasarefreshingcultureaboutgreetingnewcomersthatwasn’tjustanempty“sayhitothepersonnexttoyou”.IrememberToddHughescomingovertochatnotlongafterwalkingin,andthatwarmandinvitingconversationwasenoughtomakemefeelthatIwassomewhererefreshinglydifferent.WhatIhavelearnedinthesubsequentyearsisthatthisisn’tnecessarilyapolicythatisenacted,butmoreavaluethatislivedoutinthelifeofpeoplethatcometothischurch.FreshAS!

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TextbyAl Ronberg.

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ast year we made some changes to how we offer Christianity Explored (CE) at BotanyLife that have

been a great success. For a number of years we’ve run CE in a home on a weekday evening, but this was becoming more and more difficult to sustain. It seems that, whilst as church members we are more than happy to spend time in a more ‘intimate’ environment (in each other’s homes), this isn’t necessarily the case for our unchurched friends & family, and this can sometimes be quite intimidating for them.

Withthisinmind,weundertookareviewofhowwewererunningthecourse,andalsoofthematerialwewereusing.Aftersomegreatdiscussions,whichincludedadetailedreviewofother‘evangelisticcurriculum’options,wewerehappythatCEwasthebestfitforourcontext,andparticularlylikedthestrongemphasisonthepersonofJesus,aswellasthelackofassumptionsaroundwhatparticipantsmightalreadyknow.

Wealsodecidedtotrialacompletelydifferentformatforthecourse.Underthesimplifiednameof‘Explore’weranan8weekcourseonSundaymornings,atthesametimeasourchurchservice,inoneoftheschool’swhanauspaces.Participantswereabletocomealongtochurchwiththeirfriends(whocouldeitherstayinthecourse,orgotothemainchurchservice),droptheirkidsofftoourvariousprogrammes,andthentakepartinthecourse.

Wehadelevenpeopletakepartinthetrialcourse,whichworkedthroughtheCEmaterial,alongwithacoupleofadditionalsessionsupfront(“CanathinkingpersonreallybelieveinGod?”and“CanwereallytrustwhattheBiblesaysaboutJesus?”).We’vefoundthatwiththehighlysecularNZculture,thesearetwoofthekeyquestions/barriersthatpeoplehaveoftenraisedduringCEcourses,andsowedecidedtoraisethemourselvesrightupfront.

AnumberoftheparticipantswerenewimmigrantsfromChina,andsoSteve&RobynYoung(thecourseleaders)wereveryappreciativeofSusanLeong,whojoinedintohelpwithsometranslatingalongtheway!Thefeedbackfromtheseparticipantswasfantastic,withmuchexcitementaroundhearingthegospelmessageforthefirsttime,andanumberofthemcomingtofaithasaresult.

AfterhavingsuccessfullyrepeatedExplorelaterin2014,we’recontinuingthesameformatthisyear.BythetimethisissueofPortalgoestoprint,thefirstcoursewillbeunderway,butifyou,orsomeoneyouknowwouldbeinterestedinbeingapartofthenextcourse,thenI’dencourageyoutoemailSteve&Robyn(explore@botanylife.org.nz),orhaveachattoeitherofthemonaSunday.

WejustlovetoseepeopleembracingtheopportunitytoinvestigatethelifeofJesusandtolearnmoreaboutGod’swonderfulmessageofgracetowardsus.We’reexcitedaboutwhatGodhasdonethroughthiscoursesofar,asHehasdrawnpeopletohimself,andwecan’twaittoseewhatHewilldonext!

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TextbyMark van Wijk.

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what is the bibleactually about ?

SwitchonCamp Morley

10-12 July

Switchon is an camp for youth & young adults who want to grow in their faith.

This year we’re excited to be trying something a bit different, when we work our way through the fantastic Long Story Short course over the weekend.

Long Story Short is new kiwi-made course that explains the long story of the Bible, and explores questions like Who made God?, Where did evil come from?, and What is faith?

Head to longstoryshort.co to learn more, and then watch episodes 1 & 2 on the videos page.

Camp fee is still only $90, and space is limited, so make sure you register now at botanylife.org.nz

ProfileProfile is an event for people who are newish to BotanyLife. Held after the church service, it offers the opportunity to meet the pastors, get to know other people, and

find out more about BotanyLife.

Come and discover our profile as a church - how we started, where we’re going, and

how to get involved.

Our next Profile event is planned for

Sunday 21 June 2015, 12:30 - 2.30pm in the Red Whanau room at Botany College.

Lunch is provided, as well as childcare,so feel free to bring the whole family!

If you’re keen to join us, just email us at office@botanylife.org.nz

and we’ll save you a space.

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ick, Tracey and the gorgeous Eva (18 months old) have been part of BotanyLife for the past

couple of years. Tracey has been part of our worship ministry for a while, and together Nick and Tracey have recently started leading our large, and fast growing, ALTR high school ministry. They are doing an outstanding job leading, teaching and encouraging our young people in this vital ministry! We thank God for bringing them to BotanyLife.

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUNDS?

NICK:IgrewupinHowick,atFoweyLodgeBibleSchool.I’mtheeldestoftwoboys.MyfatherisEnglishandmymumisakiwi.IattendedMellonsBayPrimarySchoolandthenwenttoStKentigensCollege.IthenwentontostudypoliticsatAucklandUniversity.GrowingupataBibleschoolmeantIhadtheprivilegeofgettingtoknowmanydifferentpeoplefromallaroundtheworld.I’vealsospentafairamountoftimetravellingwhichhasbeenanawesomeopportunity.

TRACEY:MyfamilyemigratedfromSouthAfricain1996.Ihavebothanolderandyoungerbrother.IwasbroughtupinaCatholicenvironment,butwhenwecametoNZourfamilybecameinvolvedatHowickBaptistChurch.AfterschoolIwenttoUnitostudytobecomeaPhysio.ButafterawhiledecidedIwantedtoworkwithchildren,soIchangedtoearlychildhood!

HOW DID YOU MEET CHRIST?

NICK:ItrustedinChristwhenIwas5yrsold.IwasathomeanddecidedIwantedwhatDadandMumhad!IreallygotseriousaboutfollowingChristwhenIwas16atHighSchool.IwasinvolvedinstartingupaChristiangroupthatmetregularlytogether.

TRACEY:MyparentshadastrongfaithinGod.Iexperiencedthatfirsthand,soIbelievedinChristatareallyyoungage.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR HOBBIES?

NICK:Anythingoutdoors,Iespeciallylovesailingandhiking.Ialsolovetoreadandwrite.(Ifyouhaveamoment,grabNickandaskhimaboutthethreebooksheisintheprocessofwriting)

TRACEY:Ilovetosing!Also,I’vejuststartedtoupcyclefurniture-whichI’mloving!

WHO / WHAT HAS MADE AN IMPACT OR INFLUENCED YOUR LIVES SO FAR?

NICK:Definitelymyparents!AlsoTonyMcLean(TonysadlydiedintheMaungatapopotragedyin2008),whowasoneofmyyouthleadersandhadabigimpactonmylife.Hetaughtmehowtostaytruetomyfaith.

TRACEY:That’seasy!Nickandmyparents.

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ALTR YOUTH LEADERSTextbyRobin Byrne.

Nick & Tracey

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ALTR IS A GROUP OF ABOUT 50 VIBRANT YOUNG PEOPLE. WHAT SORT OF THINGS DO YOU DO TO CHALLENGE THEM AND BURN OFF A BIT OF THAT ENERGY?

NICK AND TRACEY:Wehaveafantasticleadershipteamthathashelpedputtogetherandrunplentyofactiveandfunsocials.We’vehadabeachbash,moviequiznight,BBQ’s,theinfamous“CamelHunt”,andtakenabiggroupdowntoEastercamp!Therewillbeplentymorecreativesocialstocome…

Ourstudiesthusfarhavebeenbasedaroundourchurchvalues.We’vebeenreallyencouragedatthewaytheyouthareengagingatthestudynights,andarelookingforwardtohearingmoreaboutGod’sgraceasweopenupGalatians.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT WORKING WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AT BOTANYLIFE?

NICK:Seeingthelevelofcommitmentthatalotofouryouthhavefortheirfaithisreallyincredible!I’msoexcitedthatIcanbeapartofencouragingthemintheirwalkwithChrist.

TRACEY:Everythingreally!Ilovebeingpartofthefunouryoungpeoplehave.IalsofeelprivilegedthatIcanplayapartinsupportingouryouththroughtheirteenageyears.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY “PEARLS OF WISDOM” THAT YOU WOULD PASS ON TO A YOUNG PERSON NAVIGATING THROUGH LIFE?

NICK:DavidLivingstonesaid“IaminvincibleuntilthewillofGodisdoneinmylife.”Basically,wehavenothingtofearbecauseChristiswithus!!

TRACEY:OnethingI’velearntisthatmanythings(job,friendships,hobbiesandevenfamily)cangiveusasenseoffreedom,butonlytruefreedomcomesinwalkingwithChrist-trustinHim.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know Nick and Tracey a bit better - thanks guys for sharing with me! I’m sure Nick & Tracey would love to meet any of you who have high school aged youth if you’ve got any questions around the program they run in ALTR.

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Band TextbyMel Palmer.

fter much anticipation (on my part) it was SO exciting to have the Youth Band lead the Forest

and Jungle Kids in worship for the first time on the 19th April 2015.

Theband,whohasonlybeenpractisingtogetherforalittlemorethanamonth,didafantasticjobontheirdebut.Iwassoproudofthemall!Fromtheminutetheyarrivedtowhentheyhadtoquicklypackupandmovetheirinstruments,theygotstuckinanddisplayedgreatattitudes.

Iarrived,shortlyafter8am,tofindthebandalreadythereinvolvedwithsettingupandmovingfurniture-that’scommitment!(Andreallyimpressiveforagroupofteenagerswhojustmighthavehadtodragthemselvesoutofbedatadearlierthantheyusuallywouldhave).Aftertwoprettysolidhoursofsetupandpracticetheytooktothe‘stage’andledthekids(andvisitingparents/adults)infoursongs.

Thebandconsistsof:• Keyboard:SamKnight,SophieOsbourne&BjornByrne• AcousticGuitar:BjornByrne• ElectricGuitar:LoganCarrandHollyBailey• Bass:CarlYoung• Drums:HarrisonCarrandJordanHallows• Vocalists:EmmaSproul,EvaMountfort,

MichelleHamill,BjornByrne,GabiBrooksand LochieBrooks

TheplanfromhereistohavethebandfeatureintheForestandJungleonceamonth.Itissogreatforthekidstoexperienceliveworshipandseetheirleadersinadifferentcapacity.Iknowwehavesomeprettygreatkidmusiciansatourchurchtoo.Hopefullyonedaythey’llbeabletobringtheirinstrumentsalongandjoininthepraise!

MyHUGEthanksgotoRobinByrneforgettingthisbandoffthegroundandtoShaunHolmesforhisleadership.Thankssomuchguysformakingthishappen!Wecan’twaittohavethebandintheForest/Jungleagain.

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Youth Band Debut TextbyMack Palmer.

On Sunday the 19th of April 2015, the BotanyLife youth band had their first appearance in the Forest and Jungle. I

arrived just in time to hear them start and when I heard them I felt happy that they

were there. Some of the other kids looked a bit puzzled because most of the songs

were new and we hadn’t had a band before. I think they still all enjoyed it though, just like I did. And the band will come back so

they’ll all get used to it!

Word had obviously got out that the band were playing because there were lots of

parents visiting to listen to them, and some other people who visited our church just to

hear the band. How cool is that?!

I thought the youth band were amazing, although they could do with a better name

(no offence to those in the band). There were a lot of cool instruments – guitars, keyboard, bass, and drums – and some great singers. I especially liked the drums because during some of the songs they were played by my

awesome small group leader Harrison. I also liked Bjorn on the guitar and Carl on

the bass. The whole youth band all sounded very good together. I thought it was quite cool that I knew a lot them because lots of

them help in the Forest and the Jungle.

The songs that were chosen for them to play were very cool. I knew all the songs and they were some of my favourites. I

liked ‘One Way’ the most because of the part which reminds us of the verse that says Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John

14:6). I’d love them to learn “Fill it up and let it overflow” because we do that at Kids

Camp and I like it.

I can’t wait until the band comes next time!

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TextbyEva Mountfort.

Youth Band

HOW I HEARD THAT A YOUTH BAND WAS STARTING...

Iknewvaguelythattherewasgoingtobesomesortofbandstartingandtheywereplanningonleadingthekid’sministriesinworship,butotherthanthatIdidn’tknowwhatwasgoingtohappen.WhileIwasonschoolcamp,

mymumwasaskedifIwouldliketobeintheyouthband,andshesaidyes.Icamehomefromschoolcampafewdays

later,completelyunawareofwhatmymumhadsignedmeupfor.Iknewallofthesongswellthough,andsoit

waseasyformetolearnthem.Ialsopractisedsingingandplayingthosesongswithmygrandma(Merilyn)duringmy

weeklypianolessonwithher.

THE FIRST PRACTISES...

WegettogethertopractiseonaWednesdayevery2-3weeksatthecommunitycentre.Thefirstpractisewasreallyfun,asmostofuswereusingtheequipmentforthefirsttime.Eachoftheinstruments(thedifferentguitars,keyboard,

drums,andvocal)hasamentor,andtheyhelpusalotwiththemoredetailedaspects.Wegotbettereachweek,andourleaderShaun,whowaskindofliketheconductor(exceptinbandterms),addedsomenewandinterestingvariations.

OUR FIRST TIME LEADING THE WORSHIP...

ThefirsttimeweledtheworshipintheForestandJunglewentwell,withallofusgivingourbest.Weweren’tquitesurehowthechildrenwouldreact,asitwouldhavebeenreallydifferentforthemaswell,seeing(formanyofthem),olderbrothersandsistersleadingthem.IntheendIthink

thateveryoneenjoyedit,thebandincluded,andIamreallylookingforwardtonexttime.

THANK YOU ALSO TO SHAUN AND OUR MENTORS; MARTIN, DAVID AND ROBYN,

WE WOULDN’T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IT WITHOUT YOU!

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For those who haven’t visited the community centre at 272E Ti Rakau Drive since the end of last year - you’d be in for quite a surprise to see the transformation that has taken place in the last four to five months. Let me walk you through the major bits!

Firstupwouldhavetobethehighlyanticipated(especiallybythosewhoworkthere!)andmostdramaticchangewhichoccurredattheendoflastyear.IfyoureadBrad’spreviousShineUpdateinPortal,you’llknowwhatthiswas...asweweregoingtopressonthelastissue,wehadjustburstthroughthewall!Yes,thewallthatmeantthatwhenwewantedtogetsomethingfromthecommunitycentrewehadtotakeourkeys,godownthestairsandoutthefrontofficedoor,aroundtheoutsidecornerofthebuildingbesidePorse,anduseanotherkeytoopenthedoorsthataccessthecommunitycentrebelow!Whatamajorimprovementthishasbeenforallwhoworkinandusethecommunitycentre.Thoughitmeantworkinginadustyandslightlyshambolicrawstateforawhile-wenowhavewonderfulaccesstothestaircasethatleadsdirectlyupfromthecommunitycentreintoourofficespace.

Overthesummerholidayperiod,thelongslowprocessofgettingallthecablingfordata,securityandelectricitywhereitneededtobeensued.Andthiswasnotwithouthiccups.Apungentsmellduringthepeakofoursummerheat,intheunconditionedofficesledmanytothinkwehadadeadrodentlurkinginthewall/ceilingspace.Fortunately(?),thiswasnotthecase-turnsoutthesmellwasofamoreelectricalnature.Thankfullynomajordamagewasdoneandaquickvisitfromafriendlyelectricianforsomeremedialattentionrevealedthatacableforthemainpowerswitchhadbeenmelting!Wenowhaveaflashnewsecuritysystemupandrunningthatenablesswipecarddooraccessandoureverymove,bothinsideandoutsidethebuilding,iscapturedbyaseriesofsixcamerasdottedaroundthebuilding.

Thewallbreak-throughhasalsogivenusdirectaccesstotheamazingmezzaninefloorareathatMMMconstructedforusbackinAugustlastyear.Atlastitstruepurposeisbeingrealised!Thisareaconsistsofalargemeetingroom,akitchenette,amassivestorageroom(superexcitingfrommypointofview:),andtwoofficeswhicharethenewhomeofLivingStones.Ofcourse,togetalltheseintoausablestate

A PLACE TO SHINE

TextbyMel Thorburn.

Update

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requiredalotmorethanjustaholebeingmadeinthewall!Installingceilingtiles,layingcarpet,installingakitchen,hookinguppowerpoints,installinglighting,doorsbeinghungandofcoursetheaestheticdetailsofpaintedwallsandskirtingboardstocompletethelook.Someofthesewerespecialistonlyjobs(wedidn’tletBradlooseonthecarpetlaying),butmuchoftheworkwasachievedbyvolunteersfromchurchcominginduringtheweekendsorastheyhadasparecoupleofhoursduringtheweek.Itreallyhasbeenalabourofloveandassomeonewhohas,andisenjoyingthefruits-canIjustsaythankyou.

Iknowthatmyappreciationissharedinparticularbyseveralofmycolleagues.WiththemeetingroomandLivingStonesofficesbeingaround90%complete(justmissingsomeglassandextrapowerloading),therehasbeensomemajorreshufflingofhomesforourstaffteam.TheofficesonceoccupiedbyRowlandandShellenehavenowbeenreallocated-andourworship&groupspastorRobinByrne,andchildren’spastorMelPalmerhaverespectivelytakenuptheirnewresidences.Bradhasreturnedtothelightofhisoffice(havinglivedinthedarkconfinesofhislibrarysinceRobincameonstaffinJuly2014),andthereception/adminareawhereMandyandIresideappearstohavedoubledinsizewiththemovingofourdeskstonewlocations.Itisfairtosaythatweareallenjoyingournewandimprovedspacesandthemoreprofessionallooknowthatthedusthasbeencleanedaway!

Wearenotaloneinmakinguseofthesenewfacilitieseither.WehavetheNeighbourhoodcommunitygroupusingthenewmeetingroomeachweek,andthoughnotyetcomplete,thecommunitycentreisagainbeingusedbytheALTRyouthonFridaynightsandalsofortheworshipteamforweeklypracticesandworshipjams.Itisjustbrillianttoseethevariousspacesbeingputtotheusewehadinmind.

Solookingforward,thenextfocusofourShineprojectisonplumbingandelectrical.Weareatthatdifficultstageofgettingplumbingquotesinforthemajorworkrequiredtoplumbthemainkitchen,toiletsandshowerinthedownstairscafearea.Andcurrentlythereareseveraltendersoutandquotescomingintoincreasethepowersupplyfromtheroadsidetothebuildingsothatwecanadequatelymeetthedemandournewfacilitiesputontheelectricalboard.Witheachofthesebeingmammothtasks,itiscrucialtogetagoodsampleofquotestogainanaccuratecostoftheworkandensureourmoneyisbeingputtothebestpossibleuse.Mandyhasbeendoinganamazingjobofmanagingtheseaspectsandhashadtowearamultitudeofdifferenthatsshehaspreviouslybeenunfamiliarwith.Iampreparingmyselffortherealitythatbeforelong,wewillonceagainhaveaworkplacefilledwithconstructionnoiseandawholelotmoredustastheconcretecuttersstartcuttingupthefloorinthewarehouse.Ofcourse,thissmalldisruptiontoourworkingenvironswillbeworththeexcitingtransformationthatliesahead.

AsIwritethis,thegivingcertificatesfortheendofthefinancialyeararebeingcollatedandwehavereceivedover$230,000ingiftstodateforAPlacetoShine.Itiswonderfultoseethesedonationscontinuetorollin-especiallyaswecometooneofthemostexpensivepartsoftheproject.Wearemostgratefultoyouallforyourgenerosityinmakingthesesrenovationspossible,andaskthatevenifyoucan’tcontributefinancially,thatyoucontinuetosupporttheprojectbygivingtheinvaluablegiftofyourtime.Thereareopportunitieslikeworkingbeesorone-offtasksthatcomeupandarepromotedineitherthebulletinorSundayservicesthatwewouldlovetohaveyourassistancewith.Eachofourmanysmallcontributionsalladduptoonecompletedcommunitycentre,which,Lordwilling,willbecompletedbytheendofthisyear!

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“We live in a world where showing grace is uncommon.” John Vawter

We All Need GraceTextbyBrad Carr.

he longer I have been a pastor, the more convinced I have become that we can never hear enough

about the grace of God. This is not only a biblical conviction, because theologically grace stands at the heart of our relationship with God (Rom 5:2). I also believe it for an intensely practical reason: I’ve come to realise that the vast majority of Christians don’t really live in the freedom and security that grace brings.

RecentlyIwasspeakingtoaveryexperiencedpastor,andwewerebothcommentingabouthowinsecurepeopleare,includingourselves.Whilewetalkandsinginchurchaboutgrace,most(ifnotallofus)stillstrugglewithaperformancementalitywithGod.Wehavethisdeep,oftenunspokenconcernaboutwhetherwehavedoneenoughforGod...or,ontheflipside,whetherwehavefailedormesseduptoomanytimes.

Ithinkdeepdown,manypeoplecanrelatetowhatyouthworkerMikeYaconellioncewrote:

“BURIED IN THE BACK OF MY MIND IS THE GNAWING WORRY THAT MY GRACE CREDIT CARD IS GOING TO BE CANCELLED. PARKED SOMEWHERE IN MY SUBCONSCIOUS IS THE

BELIEF THAT GRACE AND FORGIVENESS ARE LAVISH, UNCONDITIONAL, AND LIMITED. CROSS JESUS ONE TOO MANY TIMES, FAIL

TOO OFTEN, SIN TOO MUCH, AND GOD WILL DECIDE TO TAKE HIS LOVE BACK. IT IS SO

BIZARRE, BECAUSE I KNOW CHRIST LOVES ME, BUT I’M NOT SURE HE LIKES ME.”

Ournew“Freeway”seriesinGalatiansisaninvitationtosinkdeeplyintotheincrediblebeautyandsecurityofgrace;toreallygraspforthefirsttime,ortoberemindedafresh,thatwearecompletelyanddeeplyloved-andevenliked-byGod.ThisGalatiansseriesisanopportunitytoberemindedagainthatthegracecreditcardcanneverbecancelled;thatforgivenessthroughJesusisnotlimited;andwecanneverfailenoughforGodtodiscardus.ItisonlybecauseofGod’sgracethatwecanbesettledandsecureinhislove,becauseitisn’tbasedonus-it’stotallybasedonwhoweareinJesus.

Myprayerforallofusisthatduringthis“Freeway”serieswewilleachseePaul’sprayerinEphesiansansweredtosomesmalldegreeinourlives:thatwewouldhavethepower“tograsphowwideandlongandhighanddeepistheloveofChrist,andtoknowthislovethatsurpassesknowledge”(Eph3:18-19).

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“We can never sink so far that God’s grace will not reach us. At the same

time, grace does not leave us there. It raises us to new heights.” Philip Yancey

“The grace of God is one of the most important subjects in all of Scripture. At the same time it is probably one of

the least understood. . . My observation of Christendom is that most of us tend to base our personal relationship with God on our performance instead of on

His grace.” Jerry Bridges

“The longer we walk in the garden, the more likely we are to smell like flowers.

The more we immerse ourselves in grace, the more likely we are to give

grace.” Max Lucado

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TextbyRobin Byrne.

he dictionary describes fuel as a “source of energy” or a “thing that sustains”. God’s Word is just that!

The Bible is made up of words directly from God Himself that give us “fuel” to help us navigate through the busyness of life.

“Fuel”isalsothenameofanewmen’scommunitygroupthatmeetsearlyFridaymornings(fortnightly)forgreatcoffeeandtoast,biblestudyanddiscussion,prayer,andofcourseplentyoflaughs...

AtBotanyLifewearecommittedto“doinglifetogether”.WebelievethatgrowingtowardsChrist-likenessisalife-longprocessaswecontinuetomatureinourwalkwithGod.Wethereforevaluelife-longlearning,aswestudyandobeyGod’sWordtogether.WealsobelievethatGodintendsformuchofthatgrowthandlearningtotakeplaceinthecontextofsmallgroups,wherewecanbuildstrong,authenticrelationshipswitheachother.

Fuelisasafeenvironmentwhereanythingcanbediscussed.Weareadiversegroup(inageandbackgrounds),whichoftenmeanshealthyconversationwithafairamountofbanter-whichisawesome!

WehavebeendoingstudiesbasedaroundourchurchvaluesandarenowlookingforwardtostudyingGod’samazinggraceasweopenupthebookofGalatians.

Thegroupisalsocommittedtolivingoutourchurchvalueofbeinga“goanddochurch”.So,atsomepointthisyear,wewillbedoingsomethingtomakeanimpactinourcommunity.Wewillalsobeplanningsomesocialsthroughouttheyear,whichnodoubtwillbeabitofalaugh!!

Soifthisgroupsoundslikeyourthing,feelfreetocomealongandcheckusout!Wemeetfrom6:15-7:30amonFridays(fortnightly),atthecommunitycentre,272ETiRakauDrive,Burswood.GiveRobinacallon2724242or0272970627.

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Imagine you’re a poor hill-tribe farmer in the rugged mountains north of Chiang Mai in Thailand. You have no access to fresh water, food is scarce and you are heavily in debt to loan sharks. They have lent you money at 10% interest a month in order to grow crops on a small piece of land and it's unlikely you'll ever be out of debt. Life is grim and, as you don't have official Thai citizenship, government help is inaccessible.

Or Imagine you're a young woman working in one of Bangkok's notorious red light districts. You have been sold into prostitution by your family to pay off a debt and now you are trapped in a brutal and degrading life with little hope of escape. You have to sell yourself every day, with just one day off a month. Everyone around you exploits you and sees you merely as a mechanism for earning money.

It is these people that the sale of La Mai coffee supports. It is our passion and commitment to give hope to the poor and exploited in Thailand that drives us. Through La Mai coffee we are doing something to help these people, and when you drink La Mai coffee, so are you.

La Mai coffee is very high quality arabica coffee from the highlands of Thailand, and is custom-roasted in small batches by expert coffee roasters Coffee Worx, based in Christchurch. Head to www.lamai.co.nz to place your order today, and experience The world’s best tasting act of kindness.

The world's best tasting act of kindness.

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Dave & Sue PadfieldTextbyDebbie du Toit.

midst their very busy schedules, David and Sue Padfield graciously agree to meet with me at

their home on a rainy Thursday evening.

Wetalkcomfortablyaboutfamily,work,otherinterestsandourwalkoffaith.ForDavidandSuethishasbeenalongandrewardingwalk.BothcomefromChristianfamilies,andhavebeeninvolvedinvariousministries.Intheearlyyears,DavewasinvolvedwithBeachMissionsandRallygroups(similartoScouts),andSueinvariouschildren’sministries.Later,thetwolabouredtogetherinPapuaNewGuinea,servingwithaprintingorganisationcalledCBM(ChristianBooksMelanesia).

DavidisanentrepreneurwhostartedoutinelectricalandthenIT,andnowhasashelvingbusiness.SueisaTupperwareconsultant.SheisalsoactivelyinvolvedwiththePapakuraBibleChapelGirlsRally,andservesontheNZNationalRallyCouncilBoard.DavehasbeenaTrusteeofEdenChristianHostelforover30yearsandChairmanofPapakuraChristianServicesTrustfor12years.ThetwometwhentheywerebothatGLO,agospeloutreachtrainingfacilityinTeAwamutuunderRowlandForman.Therest,astheysay,ishistory,asDaveandSuecelebrate33years ofmarriagethisyear.Theyhavethreeadultchildrenand sixgrandchildren.

Davedescribeshimselfasa‘Westie”,andSueisfromRotorua.TheyhavesettledinAuckland,and,inarecentmoveabout18monthsagototheFlatBusharea,lookedforalocalchurch.Someoftheiracquaintanceswerealreadymembershere,andBotanyLifeCommunityChurchhassincebecometheirplaceofworship.Workingwithchildrenisoneofherpassions,andyouwilloftenseeSueservingintheGarden,oneofourpreschoolchildren’sministryprogrammes.TheteachingandotherministriesatBotanyLifehasbeenagreatencouragementtobothDaveandSue.Theyrecallhowtheirfirstexperiencetoourchurchprovedtobesomewhatdifferent.ThisparticularSundaymorningthemessagewasabouttheLastSupper,wheretheseatinglayoutportrayeddiningattables.AlthoughthisSundayservicewasnot‘conventional’,DaveandSuebothrememberthewarmthofbeingwelcomed.

InhisbookWorshipMatters,BobKauflin(2008)mentionshowwelookatthecongregationandseejust‘normal’people,butthatGodseesHistreasuredpossessions,whicharepreciousinHissight.Kauflinchallengesustohavethisviewaswewelcomepeopleintoourchurchfamily.

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TextbyTina Funnell.

I had the pleasure of sharing an Anzac morning tea with the Robinson family; Derek, Melina, Charlotte (12),

Lillie (10) and George (8) one Saturday.

IhadmetMelinapreviouslyataserviceheldinthegymnasium,bothofusthinkingwewereintroducingourselvestonewbies,whenreally,herfamilyhadbeenattendingBotanyLifeforoverthreeyears!

AfterdeliveryofalovelycupofteamadebyDerek,wesataroundthetablewithMelina’shome-madepikeletsandAnzacbiscuitstomunchonwhilewechattedaboutwhotheyare.

Thekidshadbeentoldtobeontheirbestbehaviourandtheywere!WeeGeorge–theyoungestandonlyboy–wasfairlyquietwhileIwasthere,althoughI’vebeentoldhecanbequitetheoppositeandmessywithit.Heislearningtheguitaranddoesswimminglessons,whichheloves.Lillieisagreatsoccerplayerandisingrade9atFencibles.Shelovesdoingartandhasdoneclassesatanafter-schoolprogramme.LillieandGeorgebothattendWillowbankSchool.Charlotte,theeldestwhoattendsSommervilleIntermediate,lovesbadmintonand

tennis,whichshehasbeendoingatCockleBayforayear.Shereluctantlyplaystheteamsportofnetballandhasbeenlearningtheguitartoo.Herfavouritepasttimeisshopping!ThesekidswerejustlovelyandtoldmetheirfavouriteicecreamflavoursforthetwoyoungestwasHokeyPokeyandCharlotteiscurrentlyenjoyingthetasteofthenewTipTopRaspberryLemonadeFizz(whichIhaveyettotry–butitsoundsdelicious)!Melina’sfavouriteoforangechoc-chipwaspickedcorrectlybyLillie&George;whileDerek’sfavourite“icecream”isactuallyanapricotfrozenyoghurt...mmmyum.

DerekandMelinaserveassmallgroupleadersoutintheForestareaofBotanyKids,andarerosteredonevery3weeks.Thisistheirthirdyearintheseroles.Derektakestheyear4boys,whichincludeshissonGeorgeandMelinatakesthegroupofYear3girls.Derekhasfoundthesubjectstheyareteachingalearningprocessforhimtoo.HehaslearntmoreabouttheOldTestamentwhilestudyingitwiththeboys,andpraisedthecleverkidsheteacheswhocomeupwiththosechallengingquestions.Melinaisdefinitelytheorganiserinthefamily,withDereklovinghisprepared“box”ofgoodiesforhislessonattheForest,readyforhimonSundaymorning.

derek & melina

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DerekandMelinametattheSalvationArmychurchyouthgroupintownandhavebeenmarriedfor16years. Theytravelledbeforehavingchildrenandbothrecallalovely2-3weektriptotheGreekIslandstogether.TheystayedinaB&BinPaleochora(south-westofCrete)onthepeninsulabytheMediterraneanSea,whichwasownedbyaladythatlookedaround90year’sold.TheybothlikewalkingandcompletedahikethroughSamariaGorge,whichisthelongestinEurope(totallength16km).TheywereinLondonatthetimewhen9/11happenedandexperiencedcentralLondonbeingcloseddown,withofficeblocksevacuatedduetothethreatofLondonbeinghitnext.Ascarysituationwhentheyneededtouseundergroundtransporttogethome.

ThekidslovedtheirfamilyholidaytotheGoldCoastafewyearsago;George’sfavouritedaybeingatMovieWorld,Lillie’satSeaWorldandCharlotte’sfavouriteexperiencebeingavastbuffetdinnerandunlimiteddrinkswithherGrandad.Afoodie-in-the-makingIthink!

TheyloveholidayinginPapamoaandhavetriedthecamping“thing”attheChristianCampthere,butwillprobablycontinuetheluxuryofcabinaccommodationduetoMelina’sslightaversiontocamping(I’mwithher!)TheyalsofrequentPauanuiwithafamilybachavailabletothemthroughDerek’ssister(he’soneoffive!).

Derekisacricketlover,whohasplayedcricketallyearround(indoor/outdoor)forthepast20years.HewasamongstthecrowdatEdenParkduringtheNZvSouthAfricasemi-finaloftheICCCricketWorldCup-veryemotionalgameforhim.HeattendstheIronMensmallgroupledbyKKLeong,whichisheldfortnightlyonMondays.

MelinapreviouslyworkedintheInsuranceindustryinadministrationbeforechildren–shenowworksatBotanyCollegeinthestaffroompart-time.Sherunsabusyhouseholdwithallthoseafter-schoolactivitiestotaxichildrento.Whenshecan,shewillenjoyherloveofreadingandalsoawalkoutside.Sheenjoysbushwalking,butlimitsherselftopavementwalkinginthesuburbswhilsttryingtofititinamongstthefamily’sneeds.

ItwasaveryrelaxingmorningteawhichIthoroughlyenjoyed.Thesubjectofdogscameup–butwewon’tgotherewill weDerek...?

Thanks for having me over Robinson family and I hope those reading this have gotten to know you a whole lot better too.

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grabacomfyseat,turnthevolumeup,pullthefamilytogether,grabsomepopcorn,it’s...

Review TimeMovie | INSURGENT Reviewed by Isabel Hand

Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller | PG 13 | Rating: 8/10

ThesecondmovieintheDivergentseries(basedonabookseries),Insurgentissetinthepost-apocalypticruinsofChicago,containedbyalargewall.Ifyouhaven’tseenthefirstmovie,watchit.

Theformofthisnewsocietyisfascinating,withthecitysplitintofivefactions;Abnegation(theselfless),Dauntless(thebrave),Erudite(theintelligent),Amity(thepeaceful),andCandor(thehonest),whereyourplaceamongthefactionsdependsonthechoiceyoumakeattheageof16.

ThestoryfollowsTris,astrongyoungprotagonistwrestlingwithheridentityandhauntedbyherpast.Sheishuntedby

apowerhungryleaderasshetriestounlockthetruthaboutthepastandthefuture.

Forthoselookingforfast-pacedaction,welldevelopedcharactersandimpressivespecialeffects,Insurgentwillnotdisappoint.

Movie | SPIRITED AWAY Reviewed by Isabel Hand

Animation, Adventure, Family | PG | Rating: 9/10

AbeautifullyanimatedmoviefromHayaoMiyazaki.

Goodforthoselookingforsomethingabitdifferent,somethinginspirationalandadventurous,withquirkycharacters,thought-provokingthemesandabitofhumour.

Chihiro,a10-year-oldgirl,isonherwaywithherfamilyto

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DISCLAIMER:ThesereviewscontainpersonalopinionsofthereviewersanddonotnecessarilyreflecttheviewsofBotanyLifeCommunityChurch.Formorespecificinformationonmoviesandmusic,checkoutwww.pluggedin.com

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WStheirnewhouse.Theytakeashortcutandfindthemselvesinaseeminglyabandonedthemepark.Itbecomesclearwhencreaturesemergefromthenightandherparentsaretransformedintopigsthattheyhavewanderedinto anotherrealmruledbyspirits,witchesandmonsters.Chihiro,helpedbyamysteriousboynamedHaku,mustfindawaytobreakthespellonherparentsbeforetheyenduponthemenu.

Amovieworthwatchingmorethanonce.

App | SPOTIFY Reviewed by Melissa Guyan

IdiscoveredSpotifyaboutayearagoandfellinstantlyinlove.Foratotalmusicfreaklikemyself,SpotifyislikethebestthingEVER!

Forthoseofyouwhomaynotknowwhatitis,Spotifyisamusicapp(kindoflikeiTunes)thatisfreetodownloadontoyoursmartphone,iPad,orcomputer.Yousetupanaccountandcanthenlinktheseapps.IhavemycomputerandphoneapplinkedsothatwheneverIaddnewsongstoeither,itupdatesonboth.

Youcansearchandlistentopracticallyanysongyoulikeonline,youcancreateplayliststhatyouaddyourfavoritesongsto,youcanfollowyourfriendsandseewhatthey’relisteningto,plusyoucanalsolookupotherpeople’splaylistsanddiscoverthekindofmusicyoulove.It’sfantastic!

Thereisafreeversionavailable,whichgivesyouaccesstoonlinesearching,butifyou’rewillingtopaythe$13NZDamonthpremiumyougainofflineaccess.Thismeansthesongsinyourplaylistsdownloadontoyourappwhileyou’reonlineandthenwhenyoudon’thaveonlineaccess,thesongsarestillavailabletolistento.Livinginacountrywithslightlydodgyinternet,thisisperfectforme.

OneofthethingsIlovemostaboutthisappistheamountofnewartistsI’vediscovered.IhavefoundSOmanynewsongsthisyearanditmakesmeaveryhappylady.So,gocheckoutSpotifyforfreeandhaveaplay.It’saprettyeasyapptonavigate.YoucanfinditbysearchingtheAppStoreifyouhaveaniPadoriPhone,oryoucancheckoutSparkandfinditthere:www.spark.co.nz/discover/spotifymusicstreaming/

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wonder how many of you would relate to me when I talk about the dangers of comparison? It’s such an

easy trap to fall into, and in so many areas.

MaybeyouhearthatyourfriendshavejustbeenonawonderfultwoweekholidaytotheGoldCoast,andyou’rejusttryingtomakeitthroughthedaywithtwosmallmouthstofeed.Youhardlyhaveamomenttoyourselfthesedays,andhardlyenoughmoneytopaythemortgage-letalonegoonholiday.Lifesuddenlyseemsevenharder.

Ormaybeyou’recomparingyourspouse,likeafriendofminewho‘fesseduponeday.Shetoldherhusbandhowshelikedhowthisothermandidthis,andanotherhusbanddidthat,andanothermandidtheother.Andthenshechallengedherhusbandbyaskinghim,“Whyaren’tyoulikethat?”Itwasagoodthingherhusbandwasabletorespondwithoutreactingandsimplypointedout,“Darling,Ithinkyou’rebeingalittleunfair.You’vejusthighlightedtheattributesofthreedifferentpeopleweknow-yetI’monlyoneman.I’msureifyouaskedtheirwivestheywouldseesomeshortcomingsinthemaswell.”

Myfriendnowadmitsshewasbeingsounreasonable,andrealisedshe’smarriedtoagreatguy.

Butit’samazinghowwecanallgodownthatnegativeroadofcomparison.Ifwe’renotalerttoit,itcancauseustobeverydissatisfied.Ifwedwellonthethingswedon’thaveorthingswe’dliketohave,itcanbeginadownwardspiralthatcanhavedevastatingconsequences.

I’msureit’soneofthereasonswhyit’sGod’sdesire thatwearetobethankfulinallcircumstances- 1Thessalonians5:18.

Thankfulnessistheantidotetodisappointmentand

disillusionmentbroughtonbythesubtlecurseofcomparison.Thatnomatterwhatwearefacingorenduring,wearetogivethanks.

Iknowitcansoundverytriteadvicetopeoplegoingthroughreallydifficulttimes,butIactuallysaythisassomeonewhohasbeenthere.Ithinkwhenyouhavefacedsometoughtimes,itmakesyourealiseallthemorehowspecialthesimplethingsinlifeare-andnottotakethings,oryourspouse-oryourkids-forgranted.Butinstead,choosetoliveincontentment.

It’ssoimportanttofocusonwhatyoudohaveandwhat youcando-ratherthanwhatyoudon’thaveorwhatyoucan’tdo.

Thereisawell-knownsaying,“Ifthegrassisgreenerontheotherside-thenit’stimeyouwateredyourownlawn.”Ireallylikethat.CanIsuggestthatthisweekwespendsometimethinkingaboutourown‘lawn’andhowwecandoabetterjobofwateringit?

TextbyNikki Bray.

Dangers of Comparison

IAndyandNikkiBrayarefoundationmembersofBotanyLife,beingpartoftheoriginalleadershipteamthatstartedthechurchin2004.TogethertheBray’sleadFamilylife,aministrywhichisdedicatedtoshowing

couplesGod’splanformarriageandfamily.Throughonedayseminarsandinspiringweekendconferences,Familylifepresentsbiblical,provenprinciplestohelppeoplestayhappilycommittedandcontinuallygrowing

foralifetimeofoneness.

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What’s on at Botany...

Sunday 7th June

Evening Baptism Service

Friday 19th June

Brainstrain 80’s Quiz

Sunday 21st June

Profile lunch (for new people)

Sunday 28th June

Family Service

Friday 10th - Sunday 12th July

Switch-On Camp

Sunday 19th July

Next Parenting Children course begins

Saturday 22nd August

Living Stones seminar on Moses

Sunday 26th July

Guest Speaker - Reuben Munn

Saturday 6th & 13th June

Forest & Jungle Socials

Sunday 14th June

Global Outreach Sunday

Saturday 19th - Sunday 20th September

Community Project 15 - Howick Intermediate

Monday 21st September

First All Blacks match at RWC

OUTDOORSERVICE/CHURCHPICNIC1STMARCH