Brisbane Christian News - Brisbane Christian Chat


	27.02.02 - First story for new online evangelistic ministry. From Changing Lives On Line. 'Trying To Disappear' - a story sent to 'Changing Lives On Line' by Erin from the U.S.A. Erin spent the better part of nine years trying to run from God and from herself. Neither worked very well for her but finally she realized God was missing and stopped running. Erin is thankful that God has unfailing love and patience and always gives us a way to deal with depression, pain, hurt or addiction. Read Erin's story here. Read other great stories from Steve Davies, Steve Apirana, Tim Mander or Lynton Allan here.
	21.02.02 - Jubilee event at CHOGM. From Jubilee Australia. Jubilee Australia invites you to show your solidarity with the poor, by attending the presentation of 10,000 signatures on a Jubilee petition to the Australian Government at CHOGM. We are asking that the debts of Bangladesh, Nepal, the Philippines and Vietnam be cancelled. Contact Elske on 07 3857 5501 or elske@tpg.com.au or Matt on 07 3274 1331 or m.stone@hand.org.au. The event... We will be holding a memorial service for those who die every day due to debt. This will be a very powerful and moving event that will help to educate people about the issues, and help them to see the impacts that debt has on real people. At the end of the service we will tear up a giant cheque that represents the money that Bangladesh (a Commonwealth country) owes to Australia, break some (paper) chains that represent the chains of debt, and present the Sauda postcards and petitions to someone (I don't know who as yet) who will take them to CHOGM on our behalf. This will be a peaceful event, as were all our events last time CHOGM was here. When and where... This will all happen on Saturday March 2 from 2 pm as close to CHOGM on the Sunshine Coast as we can get. The venue doesn't have an actual name, but it is basically on David Low Way where it intersects with Warran Cres (the road that the entry to the Hyatt Coolum runs off). There will be banners! It will be easy to see and find. Who's coming... Father Brian Gore has very graciously offered to take the role of leading the memorial service for us. Members of the band Rhubarb have also offered to be present and provide assistance.
	21.02.02 - Bill Newman in India. From Bill Newman International. A kaleidoscope of colourful saris moved before our eyes as we looked across thousands of expectant faces eager to hear the gospel. This is the southern Indian city of Madurai whose dirty streets are dominated by the 1,400 year old Hindu Temple. Dr Bill Newman and musician Darin Browne were the only Australians on an international team of evangelists drawn from four continents. The aim was to blanket a major Indian city with multiple crusades, thereby offering the good news of Jesus Christ to thousands of people trapped and overwhelmed by the twin evils of idolatry and poverty. Darin's ministry was well received by the large crowds, who clapped, swayed and worshipped to the music. Dr Newman preached powerfully, using stories and illustrations to touch the hearts of these needy people and thousands streamed to the front to receive Jesus as Lord. Many later gave testimony of God's power touching their life, as they turned from millions of Hindu gods to the one, true God, Jesus Christ. Amidst the prayers, tears of joy and even physical healing, the gospel was central and the name of Jesus was glorified through the meetings. Bill and Darin also took the opportunity to walk the dirty streets filming scenes for the latest episodes of "Power for Living", which will re-commence on Optus cable television in April at 7.30pm on Saturday nights & again at 11.30am on Sunday morning. Encounters with a Hindu holyman, an auto-rickshaw driver and even a sari store are must see viewing! The multiple crusade approach to blanket an area with the gospel is a new venture from NGA (New Generation Alliance), a ministry of Luis Palau's Evangelistic Association. It is seen as an excellent way to transform a region for Christ. Dr Newman believes that this model of evangelism could well be used in Australia and New Zealand. Bill Newman is in consultation with Dr Tim Robnett from the Luis Palau team and there is the possibility of a nationwide conference for evangelists in conjunction with New Generation Alliance (NGA) to train and encourage young evangelists in 2003. For any enquiries contact the Bill Newman office on (07) 3324 9297 or email bnc@powerup.com.au.
	21.02.02 - John Stott - no interviews. From Langham Partnership (Australia) Inc. Due to the extensive nature of the tour and the time frame involved in just travelling, John Stott and Chris Wright have declined all interviews during their visit to Australia in July 2002. They have however agreed to a pre-recorded interview which will be done in Chicago at the time of the next International Council meeting of the Langham Partnership in April 2002 and they have agreed that it be made available. For further details regarding the national tour, contact Wendy Toulmin on 02 4751 9036.
	21.02.02 - Diocese of North Queensland elects new Bishop. By Margaret Rodgers (and various sources), Anglican Media Sydney. A Queensland bishop with extensive experience in the Anglican Church of Australia and who is a specialist in education, theological education and ministry formation was elected bishop of the extensive Diocese of North Queensland at a special diocesan synod held on 9th February. The diocese itself presents many challenges, not only because of its size, but because it also includes the islands north of Australia in the Torres Strait as well as aboriginal communities on the mainland. Bishop Noble will succeed the present diocesan Bishop Clyde Wood when he retires on 31st March. He will have two assistant bishops. They are Bishop James Leftwich the new National Aboriginal Bishop who is based in Townsville, and the Rev Saibo Mabo who was recently elected by Torres Strait Islanders to be their bishop. John Noble was consecrated bishop on 29th June 1993. He was Northern Regional Bishop in the Diocese of Brisbane for six years and then was appointed Director of Ministries Development and Theological Education in 1999 following a review of Brisbane's St Francis' Theological College and theological education in Brisbane diocese. After his ordination in 1968 John Noble served as an Assistant Curate in two parishes before he returned to full time university studies in Arts and Education. He then worked in secondary education with the Queensland Education Department while maintaining non-stipendiary parish ministry, which included a time as Honorary Assistant at St Ambrose North Mackay in the Diocese of North Queensland. He then served as school chaplain at two prestigious Anglican schools, first St Peter's College, Adelaide followed by the chaplaincy ministry at St Paul's School Bald Hills. Returning to parish ministry he was Rector of Dalby on the Darling Downs of Queensland and then Sunnybank, a lively Brisbane parish. In 1989 he joined the staff of St Francis College where he was Lecturer in Mission and Mission Studies. Bishop Noble has held a number of responsibilities in the Anglican Church of Australia. At the last General Synod in July 2001 he was elected a member of the Standing Committee of General Synod and previously he had been Chairman of the General Synod Youth Commission and more recently the General Synod Ministry Commission. He is the National Episcopal Advisor to the Anglican Cursillo Movement of which he is an enthusiastic supporter. In the diocese of Brisbane he has oversight of youth ministry, and is Chairman of the Evangelism Committee and the Catechumenal Process. Bishop John has been married to Lorene for 32 years. Mrs Noble is a teacher and has been on the staff of the Redeemer Lutheran College, Rochedale for 16 years. She is the widely respected head of the Remedial and Resource Department in both Senior and Primary Departments of the School and has led a pusy professional life. In her professional career she has taught in a wide range of situations at every level of education from Primary to University, Private and Government, Anglican, Roman Catholic and Lutheran. However she anticipates leaving teaching and is looking forward to being involved with Bishop John in his ministry and visits to the various regions of North Queensland. "We are both looking forward to this new sphere of ministry with great anticipation," Bishop Noble said. "I have a strong and positive sense of God's calling to the Diocese of North Queensland. It is a diocese that is situated in a part of Australia that brings the challenges of both diversity and diversity. Yet the challenge is exciting and exhilarating as we look forward to this ministry in the name of Jesus Christ," he said. Bishop Noble said that he is aware of the relationships that have existed between the diocese of North Queensland and dioceses in other Provinces who confront the challenge of ministry over extensive and isolated regions, such as, for example Alaska. He looks forward to continuing and developing this networking. Bishop John anticipates commencing his diocesan ministry possibly in early June though the time is not yet definitely set.
	21.02.02 - "CityHarvest Out There 2002". From CWMedia. CityHarvest International and Citipointe COC invite you to a special event during the "CityHarvest Out There 2002" Conference in Brisbane. On Saturday 23rd February from 6pm, you can join with other pastors and youth leaders to have a meal at Rivers Café with Ted Haggard, and learn first hand what New Life Church in Colorado Springs is doing to meet the needs of young people in their city. Ted Haggard is the senior pastor of New Life Church Colorado Springs which is effectively impacting young lives through their TAG and JV TAG ministries. The leaders dinner with Ted Haggard costs $5 per head, and you need to register by emailing your details to dave@cityharvest.org.au or call CityHarvest on 07 3343 8242. Following the meal, join with young people from across South East QLD as we are led in worship by the Citipointe Youth Band, and hear from Ché Ahn, director of 'The Call' and senior pastor of Harvest Rock Church, Pasadena. Ché will be sharing on 'The Call Revolution' and the impact of 400,000 young people converging on Washington D.C. in prayer and fasting. In conjunction with the leaders dinner, we will be running the "Alpha One Youth Revolution" at The Shed from 5.30pm with the skate park, indoor cricket, guest musos, sausage sizzle, drinks for sales, etc., so you can bring your youth group along and relax with Ted Haggard, while they are having a blast! This is followed by the evening meeting with Ché Ahn at 7.30pm. The "Alpha One Youth Revolution" with Ché is a free event and open to all, so send the flyers out to anyone you feel will enjoy this special event. An offering will be taken. This event will be held at Citipointe COC, 322 Wecker Road, Mansfield QLD. We are aiming to finish by 9.30pm. Don't miss this unique opportunity!
	08.02.02 - Jobs at Voice International. From Voice International. Australia's only international multicultural, multilingual Christian broadcaster, Voice International, is to embark on the second phase of its major recruitment program. Voice International, which began broadcasting to Asia in December last year in Chinese, Indonesian and English languages needs more producer/ presenters in Chinese and Indonesian, a journalist/researcher in English and an IT person with Broadcast experience. The Station Manager, Ray Moti, says we currently have about twenty staff and we are looking forward to doubling the number of staff over the next three months. "The on-air people we are looking for should have a commitment to share the Gospel, a natural flair and demonstrated abilities and skills to produce excellence in broadcasting to an international audience" says Mr Moti. And, he says, the Information Technology person should have the ability work in both the Office system and the Broadcast system. Voice International is developing the largest studio facilities with state-of -the -art digital technology and satellite system at its Broadcast Centre in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. Its signals are transmitted via the former Radio Australia transmitting site on the Cox Peninsula near Darwin. Applications for the various positions should be addressed to the Station Manager at 2 Avian Street Kunda Park Queensland 4556 or sent to the email address: Raymoti@vil.com.au. Please also see our website: www.vil.com.au.
	08.02.02 - Management help for churches and ministries - you're invited! From Christian Management Australia. Christian Management Australia (CMA), a new ministry with a passion to help churches and ministries maximise their effectiveness, is having its National public launch in March. CMA aims to resource it's members and the Christian community in areas such as governance, fund raising, staffing issues, legal and other issues. Leaders, staff and board members of churches and Christian ministries, as well as all interested individuals, are invited to attend a brief presentation on the following dates: Sydney - 19th March, 3pm (followed by light refreshments) at the Lyceum, Wesley Mission, 220 Pitt St Sydney. Brisbane - 21st March, 10am (followed by light refreshments) at the Redland Lockyer Moreton Room, Brisbane Hilton, 190 Elizabeth St, Brisbane. Melbourne - 22nd March, 7.30am (with light breakfast) at World Vision, 1 Vision Drive, East Burwood. At the launch, CMA Board members Tom Slater (Evangelical Alliance), Richard Menteith (Wesley Mission) and CMA National Director Gary Williams will present the ministry of CMA, share their passion for Christian Management, and explain the vision and benefits of CMA membership. Rev. Dr. Gordon Moyes will also be involved in the Sydney launch, after which CMA will formally begin accepting members. CMA will also launch its membership campaign, which offers a Grand Prize of a trip for two to USA. Launch events are also planned for Perth, Adelaide and Hobart during April. For information about CMA, or for further information about any of the launches, please contact Gary Williams on 0411 846751, by email at gary@cma.au.com, or visit the website at www.cma.au.com. These events are open invitations, however an RSVP if you plan to attend would assist with catering arrangements.
	07.02.02 - 'How We Began' to be screened on Optus TV. From Rev. Les Nixon, Outback Patrol. The highly-acclaimed new video, 'How-We-Began' will be screened on the Optus TV Channel #30 on Sunday, March 3rd at 8.30pm and repeated Mon, Mar 4th at 4.30am and 12.30 noon. It was made by filmmaker Peter Moss and Outback Patrol in 2001, features 25 traditional Gospel songs with some of Australia's beloved singers, and narrator Ron Bevis tells of the evangelical motivation that brought Explorers to our shores, and the Christian beginnings of Sydney before and around 1788. Entertaining. It runs for an hour and a half. If possible, please alert Ministers and Churches about this immediately, and arrange for this information to be included in their Church bulletin on Sundays Feb. 24th and March 3rd. Thank you. Refer: Rev. Les Nixon, Outback Patrol, 02 9727 2759, flynhi@zip.com.au, see www.outbackpatrol.com.au.
	07.02.02 - Baptist soccer reaches prisoners and refugees. By Lynne Stringer - editor 'The Queensland Baptist'. Teams in the Queensland Baptist Soccer Association don't play soccer for the sake of the game alone, they use it to reach out to people. All 32 teams in the competition have this focus, and it has led to ministry matches with teams of prison inmates and refugees. The prison ministry developed during 2001, with a few teams going into prisons to play soccer with the inmates. "The guys go in and play a game with the prisoners," said Russell Lee, president of the association, "If they've got a brain in their heads they let the prisoners win. Then they get an opportunity to mingle with them. They give them Gospel tracts and Bibles and share the Gospel. "It's good for our teams too, because they get to have a look at life on the other side and realise that these guys in prison are oftentimes no different from themselves. They just screwed up and got caught. We went to Wacol and David Longland last year. This year we've got invitations from seven prisons. We'll go in on the June long weekend. The only thing that will stop us getting to all seven is lack of teams who will do it." A team of Afghani refugees will also play in the competition this year. This came about through a liason with the Queensland Soccer Federation, who were contacted by the refugee centre at Wacol. A team of soccer players had developed among the refugees, and the centre was eager to get them into a competition. The Queensland Soccer Federation recommended them to the Baptist association. "It gives the refugees an opportunity to get out of the centre on Saturday afternoon and mix with other people," said Russell, "It also gives them an opportunity to practice their English. It gives our guys an opportunity to realise that not all Afghanis are Taliban. They're Muslim guys and they're just yearning for male friendship and fellowship. We're hoping that ministry opportunities will arise through that." The Baptist soccer season usually runs from April until September. Most of the teams are from Baptist churches, such as Beenleigh, North Pine and Kenmore, although there are some from other denominations. "A number of our teams have chaplains attached to them," said Russell, "All of Kenmore Baptist's teams have an individual chaplain that takes responsibility for the spiritual welfare of each of the teams. The same at Beenleigh. Last year 15 guys in the competition completed either Christianity Explained, Search for Life or Alpha. There's an impact on people's lives. All the association does is give the churches a tool to use. It's up to them what they do with that tool." The Queensland Baptist Soccer Association is also planning to develop a ladies' competition and a men's over 30s competition this year, in addition to the one for 18-30 year old men. They are interested in hearing from any church that would like to join. If you are interested in joining or would like more information on the work of the Queensland Baptist Soccer Association, call Russell Lee on 0407 852 256.
	07.02.02 - Cooloola-ossal. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. Andrew Pitchford has announced that Cooloola Christian Broadcasters (Gympie) has secured a full-time licence. Congrats to Gordon and Ruth Thomason and all the team.
	07.02.02 - Radio conference. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. UCB is holding its International Conference in Auckland 14-17 March 2002. UCB International is the corporate body that links affiliated Christian broadcasting organisations and ministries together throughout the world. Some of these groups have been founded by UCB, others are linked through joint ventures. Others are autonomous. The four-day Christian Broadcaster Conference features internationally known broadcaster/trainers - Dan O'Day. www.danoday.com. Contact Peter Shaw for more details peter@ucb.com.
	07.02.02 - QBCM commences with new principal. By Lynne Stringer - editor 'The Queensland Baptist'. Rev Dr John Sweetman was inducted as the new principal of the Queensland Baptist College of Ministries (QBCM) at their Commencement Service on Monday, February 4, 2002. The service, which was held at Stafford Heights Baptist Church, also included the introduction of QBCM's new students and the graduation of four Australian College of Theology (ACT) students. John Sweetman was inducted as principal by the General Superintendent of the Queensland Baptist Services Group, Rev Dr David Loder. Queensland Baptist President Elect, Dr Ifor Thomas, spoke on behalf of the Baptist Board, sharing about the events that led to the selection of John as the nominated candidate for the position. John gave a brief testimony about his calling from God to the principalship, saying that when Rev Dr Stan Nickerson had announced he was retiring as principal, he was sure that God was telling him the job was not for him. "I looked at other ministries, but God closed the door on them," he said, "Eventually I realised that God did want me to do it." John also said that he felt inadequate for the role, but believed that God would help him in the position. John told the gathering that in the next few years he hoped QBCM would become known as a place where people from different backgrounds and nationalities could come together and discover what God was calling them to be. He also said that he was praying that God would give the college a major revival. During the service QBCM's registrar, Stephen Ball, introduced the new students to the congregation and John Sweetman interviewed two of them. These two students, Arthur Baas (formerly a pharmacist) and Stephen Ballin (butcher), said that they had been impressed by the friendliness of the lecturers and the friendships they had made during their first week at college. "It's great to be able to pray without having to stop to chop meat," said Stephen. Towards the end of the evening, the ACT degrees were handed out to the four graduands by Dr Les Ball, QBCM's Academic Dean. Geoffrey Osbaldiston received his Bachelor of Ministry, Martin Scarce his Bachelor of Theology, while Fiona Boult and Helen Hine received their Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies. The evening concluded with supper.
	07.02.02 - John Stott to visit Brisbane. From 'The Queensland Baptist'. Internationally acknowledged Christian leader John Stott will be making an extensive tour of Australia in July this year. He will spend two days in Brisbane and will speak at a breakfast at Ashgrove Baptist Church. John Stott, a man once described by Billy Graham as "the most respected evangelical clergyman in the world", is now over eighty years old and believes that during his remaining time of ministry he should give priority to sharing his concern for the needs of the church in the developing world. He is visiting Australia in cooperation with the Langham Partnership, an international organisation he established more than twenty years ago to equip leaders, provide evangelical literature and train preachers in the developing world. Dr Stott will be in Brisbane on July 13 and 14. He will speak on models of ministry at a breakfast for ministers, Christian workers and Bible college students at Ashgrove Baptist Church on Saturday, July 13. The breakfast will cost $10 per person. In the evening he will speak at a dinner at Cromwell College, University of Queensland. Attendance is by invitation only. On Sunday at 2.00pm he will speak at a public meeting at Garden City Christian Church, discussing the call to radical discipleship. John Stott has been the subject of a highly acclaimed two volume biography by Bishop Timothy Dudley Smith, and he will be accompanied by Dr Chris Wright, recently principal of All Nations Christian College and the new International Ministry Director of Langham Partnership. For more information about John Stott's visit contact John Buckle on +61-7-3366 2066, fax +61-7-3366 5597 or email ashbap@primus.com.au.
	02.02.02 - A Fair to remember. From Kangaroo Point March Fair. Music of all kinds, including world music, rock bands and choirs, plus dancing, art displays, children’s entertainment, stalls, and international food will all add up to make the inaugural Kangaroo Point March Fair a day to remember. The event will take place on Saturday March 9th, from 11am until 10pm in the church grounds at 48 Linton St (off Main St), Kangaroo Point. Entertainment will begin at midday with popular bands, dancers, and entertainers performing in the church hall, and some of Brisbane’s best choirs singing in the church itself. The evening entertainment will culminate in an all-ages rock concert, featuring many talented groups like The Agents, Atoned, Chris Mundy, Harvest Cry, Memphis Joe, and Soul Purpose. Soul Purpose is a regular feature at the Kangaroo Point church, where they often provide music for the services, and perform at functions throughout the year. They are experienced festival entertainers, who have appeared at the Toowoomba Gospel Music Festival, National Gospel Happening (Canberra), Black Stump (NSW), and Godfest (Taree). The band will be releasing their third CD later this year. The event coordinator, Paul Day, had the idea to stage this type of music festival about two years ago, and, when he joined the Kangaroo Point church early last year, he found others who shared this vision. When Alison Rogers, director of Vocal Manoeuvres, brought her choirs to the hall in January, all the pieces fell into place for the fair to take shape. Many other members of the church congregation will be participating, and see the event as a way of joining together to have fun, celebrate their many and varied talents, and get to know the wider community. Other groups within the area are also invited to participate, and sponsors are still being sought. Organisers are hoping the fair will be the first of an ongoing series of similar events that will inject a positive atmosphere and build community spirit in the Kangaroo Point area. For more information, including full programme information, visit the fair’s website here.