Brisbane Christian News @ Brisbane Christian Chat (Queensland, Australia)


	18.03.04 - The Moogerah Passion Play - 2004 production. From The Moogerah Passion Play. The Moogerah Passion Play, titled 'He’s Alive!!!' shows how much Jesus suffered - just as in Mel Gibson’s controversial movie 'The Passion of the Christ'. But 'He’s Alive!!! shows more - it shows us how God honours faith. The miracles of Jesus reveal this so strongly. The life-changing power of Jesus is demonstrated in this production. The Moogerah Passion Play emphasises the 'end of the story' - Jesus rose and is alive yesterday, today and forever. He is alive in our world today. He is there when we call on Him for strength and to be our refuge in a world full of pain and uncertainty. A cast of over 80 people works hard to enact this wonderful story of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. The outdoor theatre is unique in Australia, built especially for this play. Our loving Creator has designed the backdrop and it is stunning! There is the lake in the foreground and majestic mountains on the horizon. The light moving into darkness reflects the mood of the play. The whole scene is awe inspiring with sunset clouds, birds, sounds of insects and frogs around the Sea of Galilee. Over 2,500 people came to this amazing setting and saw 'He's Alive!!!' last year. This year many more are expected. A new Christ figure has answered the call to represent his saviour - an obedient servant. All performances at the Lake Theatre, Lake Moogerah, begin at 5pm (food and drink available from 4.30). Dates: March 28 (The angels sing from 4.30) and on Good Friday and Easter Saturday, April 9 & 10. Bring a rug or a chair, and be a part of the story of the Passion. From Brisbane or Toowoomba simply follow the Cunningham Highway, then the signs to Lake Moogerah. Continue on until the Caravan Park - about 3 km past the Dam wall. For more information about the play and its 11-year history, also a location map, please find our web site at www.moogerahpassionplay.org.au.
	12.03.04 - Awakening: Easter marches. From John W. Latten, NSW State Coordinator, Fusion Australia Ltd. Join Thousands Across the Nation Celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. Mel Gibson's movie 'The Passion' has raised interest again in the most important and controversial life in history. Every couple of years another controversy emerges around Jesus. Now more than ever the world sees the story of the man who divided history, a story based upon justice, mercy and compassion. Let's join together stronger than ever before as a Nation and reinforce the importance of sharing the true story of Easter and witness to the hope of the Resurrection. Organised by the Awakening movement, and supported by denominations across Australia, Easter Festivals and Marches are an important way to celebrate the resurrection with the community. Around the country Easter Festivals will be held in the week leading up to Easter. On Good Friday Prayer Vigils will be held from 6pm til 6am at over 30 locations around Australia. Easter Marches will be held in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide and Perth on Easter Sunday. As part of the celebrations we will be sending bus loads of young people, parents and youth leaders on a pilgrimage to Uluru as ambassadors of reconciliation. For more information contact Queensland's State Awakening Office - 07 3287 7960, e-mail qld@fusion.org.au or visit our website www.awakening.org.au.
	12.03.04 - 96five to simulcast Channel Seven 6pm News on weeknights. From 96five. For the first time in Brisbane radio history, 96five will begin a trial simulcast of the 6pm Seven News from Monday March 15th 2004. This exciting development is a big achievement for 96five, with long-term advantages for both Channel Seven and the Brisbane Radio Station. 96five’s General Manager Jason Berry says the relationship built with Channel Seven would benefit 96five through positive brand association. "For a full-time community radio station to be linked with a prime television network is no small feet, and shows the impact 96five is having on the people of Brisbane and surrounding areas." The trial simulcast will begin on Monday March 15th and will involve a station wide effort from both 96five and Channel Seven. Station Program Manager Malcolm Pollard states that 96five is currently airing a teaser campaign and is working diligently with Channel Seven to make sure the trial simulcast is a success. "96five will play the news up to and including the weather, which will be followed by normal music programming for the rest of the evening," Mr Pollard confirms. The technical and logistical details of the trial simulcast are in the final stages and an official launch will proceed on Monday April 5th, if both parties are happy for the simulcast to continue. Kay McGrath will be co-hosting the "Home Run Hot 5" with 96five presenter, Nat Dixon, on Monday afternoon from 5pm.
	12.03.04 - 96five’s Network Breakfast. From 96five. Bruce Kiehne inspired more than 250 people at the first ever 96five Network Breakfast. With tickets completely sold out, all in attendance enjoyed a scrumptious breakfast with fellow business leaders, followed by a memorable speech by Mr Kiehne. With no notes in sight, Mr Kiehne challenged us to step off the boat and walk on the water with Jesus and to use the bible as our business guide. The breakfast also gave opportunity for all in attendance to network with more than 100 other businesses. So mark July 14th in your diary now and don’t miss out on the next Network Breakfast.
	10.03.04 - Voice launches 2004's season of Flipside. From Voice International. Voice International is launching the 2004 season of its global current affairs program on March 28. Flipside is a weekly radio, magazine style program dedicated to investigating and analysing world events and issues from a Christian perspective. In 2004, Flipside will be produced by the Voice news team. The 15 minute interview-based program is professionally produced to ensure broadcast quality of the highest standard in every respect with the view towards meeting the needs of a culturally diverse audience. Flipside has been well received by both international and Australian audiences and several radio stations across Australia have broadcast the program. Listeners of Flipside say "it's good to get something more than just news", and, "it's good to get comments from people who and in the situations and really know what's happening". National Alliance of Christian Leaders chairman, Dr Graham McLennan, said he highly recommends Flipside for all Christian radio stations. "Flipside is a professionally produced, perceptive program for thinking Christians and non-Christians on relevant issues," Mr McLennan said. "More than ever we need to be informed about current events from a Biblical perspective," he said. Voice International will provide 39 weeks of thought-provoking current affairs reporting from a biblical perspective commencing in March and concluding in November. Flipside is available to radio stations and media outlets. For more information please email flipside@voice.com.au.
	03.03.04 - CTA Easter Special: Forgiven. From Greg Gardiner. Christian Television Australia has released details of its 2004 Easter Special to be broadcast on the Seven Network at 9:30am on Good Friday. The program is entitled "Forgiven" and is being produced for CTA by Sydney's Hillsong Church. CTA Chief Executive, Greg Gardiner, said CTA was very pleased to be partnering with Hillsong for this special broadcast: "Easter is an ideal time to be promoting the concept of forgiveness, and this program will not only educate viewers about God's forgiveness for sinners, but it will demonstrate how forgiveness has brought healing and restoration to the victims of some well known tragedies." The 'Forgiven' television special will feature stories about people whose lives have been impacted by incredible tragedy, abuse and pain, yet through the strength of Christ they have chosen to forgive and build a positive and purposeful life. Their stories are not only an inspiring example of the triumph of the human spirit, but show Christ's love and grace at work in an incredibly powerful and faithful way. Their lives are testimony to a loving and tangible relationship with God. Hillsong's Executive Producer, Mark Zschech, said the idea for the program came out of last year's commemoration service in Bali: "The idea for this program was birthed out of Darlene's and my experience at the first anniversary memorial service of the Bali bombing tragedy. In that service in Bali, the heart for forgiveness and reconciliation was so evident and tangible, we felt moved to somehow communicate it with Australia. This opportunity to share the gospel and in particular the power of the Christian principle of forgiveness through the reach and influence of television, is something that I'm passionate about. I believe this opportunity will challenge and impact the hearts and souls of the viewers, challenge the sceptical mindset of the media, and ultimately, through the power of the Holy Spirit, prompt people to seek forgiveness through Christ, and find salvation." The aim of the program is for viewers to recognise the release that comes through the power of forgiveness. Christ has paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, and it's only through His grace and love that real forgiveness and healing can begin.
	01.03.04 - Churches work together to reach out on the same date, at the same time and in the same way. From 96five. 96five, in conjunction with Alpha, are proud to announce the launch of Brisbane’s 'Biggest Alpha Invitation' on Tuesday March 30th at 7:30pm. Held at the River City Christian Church at New Farm, the launch will share the vision of this unique initiative, which will see churches working together on the same date, at the same time and in the same way - on a scale never before imagined. 96five’s General Manager, Jason Berry states that 'The Brisbane Alpha Invitation' is a first in Brisbane. "Imagine people getting together, simultaneously, in more than 100 locations around Brisbane and surrounding suburbs, to talk about the questions of life and to share the gospel with non-believers." "At 96five, part of our mission is to connect people to Jesus Christ through on air God spots, family community events and sponsorship of diverse and impacting Christian organisations and movements." Mr Berry said. "The Impact the Alpha Invitation will have on the City of Brisbane is without limitations." Alpha is a contemporary outreach tool, which God is using across every denomination worldwide and with amazing success. Designed primarily for non-churchgoers, Alpha uses a practical and flexible model for attracting people to Christ and explaining the gospel. Alpha State Coordinator John Kaiser is excited about the Alpha Invitation, which has already reached more than 5 million people worldwide. "England, New Zealand and America have experience unprecedented success through this proven Alpha Invitation. The best way to find out more comprehensive information is by attending the launch on Tuesday March 30th and pray about your involvement," Mr Kaiser said. For more information visit www.alphaaustralia.org.au or call 96five on 3217 5999.