Brisbane Christian News - Brisbane Christian Chat


	29.03.02 - Easter Specials On TV. From David Way/RevNet. Please communicate the following information throughout your networks and churches. The greater the ratings for these shows the more the networks will see the need for Christian programming. Good Friday March 29, 2002. 11am, Channel 7 (National) - "This Is Jesus" produced by Hills Christian Family for Christian Television Australia. 12 noon on Channel Ten (National) - "Staging Easter" produced by Genesis Productions for Christian Television Australia. Sunday 31 March, 2002. 6am, Nine Network - "Turn 'Round Australia" - Hosted by the Rev Dr Gordon Moyes. 7am, Seven Network - Wesley Mission Easter Sunrise Service, Sydney Opera House. Preacher: The Rev Dr Gordon Moyes. Topic: The Gift of Vitality. 10pm, ABC (National) - "Hymns Of The Forefathers" produced by Peter Beveridge of Brendon Hill TV and Film Productions. See www.hymnsforefathers.com. (Check your local guides.)
	29.03.02 - Australian Christian Channel's 3rd anniversary. From David Way/RevNet. This Easter, Australian Christian Channel (Channel 30 - Optus Vision) celebrates its third anniversary of 24/7 Christian TV broadcasting in Australia. For more details on ACC contact: Ph:07 5479 3266 Fx:07 5479 1109 PO Box 5725, Maroochydore Q 4558.
	29.03.02 - Christian Television Australia. From David Way/RevNet. Programs are currently being produced for Australia's most-watched TV networks. Sunday. 6am on Channel Seven - "One" Contempary Gospel Music. 6:30am on Channel Nine - "World View" news and current affairs. Wednesday. 11.45pm on Channel Ten - "Talking Point" talk-back TV, covering Australia's personal issues. Taking church into the Aussie home. Ozvis - National Call Centre. Last year 4,723 calls were received at the call centre from people who had watched a CTA program. Of this number, 503 people agreed to be referred to a local church in their area for further follow up.
	29.03.02 - Hymns Of The Forefathers. From Wes Jay, Woodlands Media. For those planning to spend the weekend listening to the radio or watching TV, here's a reminder to listen to "Hymns of the Forefathers" - now on more than 170 Christian and community radio stations across Australia and NZ this Easter. Stations airing the program include 2CH (Sydney), FM 103.2 (Sydney), 96Five (Brisbane), Sonshine FM (Perth), FM 103 (Hobart), Rhema FM (Newcastle), the Vision FM network, plus the Radio Rhema and Southern Star networks in New Zealand. Hosted by Rob Buckingham, the one-hour features superb new symphonic and choir recordings, arranged and conducted by Paul Terracini and performed by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and Ars Nova Vocal Group, as well as stories of the forefathers of English Hymnology. Special guests include Australian conductor Paul Terracini, ABC classical broadcaster Christopher Lawrence, and Executive Producer, Peter Beveridge. ABC TV in Australia will also air the Hymns of the Forefathers TV documentary on Easter Day (Sunday) at 10pm; while TV ONE will air the show in New Zealand at 6:45 AM on Good Friday. And to complete the merchandising, ABC Music has issued the Hymns of the Forefathers music CD, interactive DVD, and video while Random House has released a colour companion coffee table book. These are available from ABC shops, Christian retailers and online here.
	22.03.02 - New Missions Yacht. From Coastlands Ministry. It is always a great encouragement to see how God works through networks of individuals and 'chance meetings' that we know are not by chance. Coastlands Ministry have been offered a 10 metre steel yacht, free of charge for Christian work. The vessel is not yet launched but but comes with most major equipment needed to complete it. It is located in Christchurch, New Zealand. This is a very generous gift from a committed Christian and we have agreed to partner with him in seeing the vessel used for kingdom building purposes such as missions or youth ministry. We are asking for expressions of interest from individuals, couples or organizations who have a vision to finish this boat and use it for the purpose that is is given. Please consider this matter prayerfully and contact me if you want further information. David Stiles, Coastlands Ministry - 0407700959, Fax 0299821505, david@coastlands.net, http://coastlands.net.
	22.03.02 - Awakening Qld. From Awakening Qld. - Easter Family Festival In The City To Send Off Pilgrims As Ambassadors Of Reconciliation - Easter Sunday will see young and old, from across the city and across cultures, join to-gether for an Easter Family Festival, and send off young people on a Pilgrimage to Uluru. The festival will include lots of fun activities including balloons, face painting, bubble blowing, refreshments, dot painting, clowns, community games, and crafts & activities that involve all ages. Aussie parable stories of Easter will be shared, including Simpson and his donkey, Granny Smith apples, and the Sunflower. It’s a free fun day for all the community, and a great way to connect with your friends & neighbours. The participation of Aboriginal children’s dance and didgeridoo, and Pacific Islanders “Island Breeze” will be a feature. There will be the sharing of the water reconciliation celebration which has its origins at the Canberra Gathering at the opening of new Parliament House in 1988 and has been a special part of past Awakening events. The highlight will be the sending off of buses of young people on the Pilgrimage to Uluru, as they travel 8,500km across Australia on their “Journey to the Heart” as ambassadors of reconciliation. The Pilgrimage to Uluru, a Schools in Harmony programme, brings together a range of people from across the state, indigenous, young and old as a mobile community for an experience of a lifetime. It is said the difference between a tourist and a pilgrim is that the tourist passes through the land while the pilgrim lets the experience of the land pass through them. The pilgrims, who so far have come from almost every state of Australia and a whole range of educational systems, participate in a daily routine of reflection, discussion and creative activity throughout the journey. At Uluru they will meet up with other school children from across Australia. Mutijulu elders have extended a welcome to schools children with an invitation to visit the Cultural Centre and their land. They will walk right around the Rock and participate in relaxed, creative evening programmes, sharing stories, drama, poetry, and history with those from other parts of the country. Young people are searching, and the Pilgrimage has had a remarkable impact in helping young people discover their story and find their purpose. The Gospel story has always given those who take it seriously, a way of reviewing the past, getting freed from its negative or destructive aspects and providing hope for the future. Businesses, churches, local Councilors, commerce & community members are getting behind young people to assist them to go on the Pilgrimage. Further sponsors are needed as there are some young people wanting to come who don’t have the necessary financial resources. The Festival is on Easter Sunday, March 31, from 12.30pm to 4.00pm at the Botanic Gardens, Alice St entrance, City. On Good Friday evening, churches together will be running Prayer Vigils throughout the State. Many will collect children’s prayers in schools and pray through the night. If you'd like to know the venue of the one closest to you, please contact the Awakening office. Contact - Wells O’Neil, Awakening Qld, PO Box 3012, Loganholme, Qld 4129, Ph (07) 3287 7960, Mob 0402 283656, Fax (07) 3287 7335, Email qld@fusion.org.au.
	22.03.02 - Bringing Australian women hope - Producer signs on. From Trans World Radio Australia. A new era of Australian Christian broadcasting was ushered in last week with the launch of a new radio programme called Women of Hope. Shortly after the launch it was announced Melbourne journalist Penny Mulvey would be the show's producer. The programme, set to start production later this year is a result of a partnership between Trans World Radio and Christian Women Communicating International (CWCI) in Australia Inc. A Memorandum of Understanding outlining each partner's role, was signed by representatives from TWR and CWCI commemorating the partnership at the Stanwell Tops annual convention held at the Merroo Convention Centre outside of Sydney. Over 1000 women witnessed the signing and were excited to hear of the developments of the programme. The new version of "Women of Hope" will be designed specifically for an Australian audience and based on the successful overseas model of Women of Hope that originated in Asia. Part of a ministry called Project Hannah, "Women of Hope" is a programme that aims to broadcast the gospel of Jesus Christ, encouraging women to experience God's love, forgiveness and power. Penny Mulvey, whose vast experience has seen her work in both radio and television, brings to the programme the vital skills and flair needed to produce a show that is impacting but not patronizing. Penny says she is excited and can see the enthusiasm amongst the group working on the project. Being a busy working mother of 3, she has a passion for women's issues and loves the idea that the programme will provide a medium for women to be heard. She believes the programme will be a forum for women to explore issues and to find answers. "Women look for answers, the programme will provide a source of information, we plan to have experts who can teach on issues affecting Australian women like; being a working mum, depression, getting old, feelings of isolation. The aim of the show is to say 'you are not alone'." Penny believes while we live in a sophisticated culture many women feel alone as they try to deal with issues in their lives. "The sophistication of our society often means we have less space for God, we fill our lives with possessions and activities." In its original form Women of Hope was designed for a Third World audience. The programme will be adapted to focus on the very different needs of Australian women. Discussion about the programme began in April 1998. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is the culmination of many hours of planning. Trans World Radio will be responsible for the production, marketing and distribution of the programme and CWCI will handle administration, listener enquiries and counselling. For more information please contact Elise Elliott, Communications Manager, TWR Australia, +61-3-9899 3800 or email: infoaus@twr.org.
	14.03.02 - Bill Newman's message of hope for Murwillumbah. From Bill Newman International. Murwillumbah, built around the Tweed River in northern New South Wales, hosted the latest Bill Newman Outreach, as nearly all the local churches joined together in an effort to reach the local community for Christ. The busy schedule provided ample opportunity for Dr Bill Newman and Darin Browne to share with this part of the Tweed Valley, through a Business and Men's Breakfast, a Senior's luncheon and a colourful Women's meeting featuring a fashion parade. In addition, the night meetings brought much joy to the local believers as they saw scores of people coming forward to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Local school bands played on the Friday night, and the Powerhouse Christian Centre band played at other meetings as the local churches rallied in unity to worship God and reach their community. The Murwillumbah Civic Centre provided the backdrop for powerful times of worship and exciting messages as Bill and Darin, fresh from their tour of India, delighted in sharing the gospel with Aussies again. "Australia must see revival," said Bill Newman, "and why can't that revival start here!" The country towns of this nation have a life which is unique, and it is conceivable that revival can break out in such a town as Murwillumbah. This message of hope which rang out across the Civic Centre is not just for Murwillumbah, or for the Tweed, but for the whole nation. If we come together in unity for prayer, and the preaching of the gospel, we will see this nation turn back to God. Dr Newman returned home for only as few hours before he flew out to Singapore where he is speaking at a massive missions and revival conference this week. As he goes he carries with him the knowledge that God has touched the lives of the people of the Tweed Valley.
	08.03.02 - RevNet - your invitation. From David Way/RevNet. You are invited to attend the RevNet Media Forum in Brisbane on Wednesday 13th March, 2002 from 9.30am - 2.30pm at The Gateway Centre Function Room, 1052 Mt Gravatt/Caplaba Rd Mackenzie. The purpose of this forum is to gather Christian media personnel for fellowship, prayer and networking... and to share reports of what's happening in media and outreach to the media industry. Please feel free to invite other media colleagues. Morning tea and lunch will be available so please bring a contribution to help cover costs for catering and facilities. Please let us know if you intend attending by emailing or calling David Way on 0412 586 858.
	08.03.02 - APN: Australia belongs to Jesus. From Brian Pickering/Australian Prayer Network. The "Tree of Righteousness" continues to grow as communities across Australia declare "Australia belongs to Jesus". A significant national event took place last Saturday in a number of places across our Nation. It was the first national "Australia belongs to Jesus" day and from early reports being received it was an outstanding success. The impact it has in the spiritual realm over our nation will be the only true measure of success however this report gives some detail of the impact Christians gathering together to worship the Lord and proclaiming His righteousness over our communities and nation can have. Some 30 gatherings or all "shapes and sizes" took place across our Nation. These were not confined to just the major cities but groups of Christians gathered also in small outback towns to join in the national declaration that "Australia belongs to Jesus." Here is a report on just two and the significant impact they are having on the spiritual climate of our cities and towns. Click here for more...
	08.03.02 - SWIM-ing in the outback. By Lynne Stringer - editor The Queensland Baptist. In the Year of the Outback, SWIM* will be taking its highly successful Real Life Seminars (RLS) to a number of far north Queensland schools. The SWIM* ministry will operate seminars in schools in St George, Charleville, Barcaldine, Blackall, Longreach, Winton and Mt Isa during 2002. "There is a possibility of teaming up with an ABMS group to partner in a mission trip to Kalkaringi [in the Northern Territory] in September/October with Barry and Lois Downes and then on to Darwin to bring RLS into high schools there," said SWIM's team leader, Rhys McFadden, "We are seeking funding to cover expenses for the trip." SWIM* has several different Real Life Seminars, which have been run in schools all over Queensland. They cover topics such as sex, drugs and rock and roll, the five 'isms' (materialism, narcissism, etc), peer pressure and bullying. The most recent addition to the list of seminars is one on cults, which talks about groups like the Children of God, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons. This seminar was first held for the year twelve students of Brisbane Boys College in late February. React cards are provided at the end of each seminar so that the students can respond with questions or comments. Responses such as these have been received: "You made me think differently about a lot of things." "It was pretty good, 'cause [Rhys] told it like it is." "If God is real why does he let things like rape and murder happen?" "I feel as though the last two sessions have helped me learn more about people and about myself." "Why can't people see past the face?" "My parents have been smoking for 20 years. How can I help them to stop?" "How can I help a girl who is abused?" "If I wasn't so scared, I would have killed myself already. Inner beauty may be real, but people don't look for that when they ask you out." "I lost my faith in God and replaced it with the love I get from friends. Can I get both?" "I enjoyed and understood you for speaking in 'our' language. Thanks. Come again." Rhys makes himself available to any student who wants to talk to him after the seminar, and follows up all serious questions submitted. If you would like to know more about the work of SWIM or its Real Life Seminars, contact Rhys McFadden on (07) 3254 1277 or 0419 742 078. (*SWIM = Synergy Working In the Market place - however, a new explanation is being considered)