ISSN 0819-5633

M A R C H 1 5 , 2 0 0 3

R E C O R DIn this issue

Rwanda pastor found guilty

New life-developmentseminar aims for baptisms

Healthy eating for yourskin and hair

Kids catch buzz of God’s loveKellie Hancock

More than 190 children buzzed into Bug Safari—an evangelistic kid’s holiday club—on theNunawading schools estate, Melbourne, Vic, January 20-25. Adventist children were en-

couraged to invite their non-Adventist friends and 60 children who attended were from non-Adventist homes. Some of them are now attending Sabbath school.

“We chose to run the program in this format to demonstrate that even the smallest ofchurches can have the pleasure of running programs for community kids by combining withanother church,” says Julie-Anne Truscott, children’s ministries director for the VictorianConference. Six local churches—Ringwood, Wantirna, Burwood, Nunawading, Ferntree Gullyand Lilydale—caught the vision and ran the program as a team. Of the 99 volunteers who gaveup their holidays and family time, 35 were high school and uni students.

At least one unchurched family has started reading the Bible together since their kidsattended Bug Safari. “I love Bug Safari,” said one six-year-old boy. “I wish there were 1000 moredays so I could keep going.”

Adventistbooks

translated

The largest Bug Safari program to be held in the South Pacific Division provided an effective model forthe young, demonstrating that community involvement is not just reserved for adulthood. The children’sevangelistic program saw many non-Adventists attending, with some now regulars at Sabbath school.

March 15, 2003

E D I T O R I A L

Keeping the dream aliveAs you read this, I will be at the Kikhavn

Convention Centre in Denmark, whereyouth directors and volunteers fromvarious unions of the Trans-EuropeanDivision are participating in a leadershipconvention. Word about the youth Under-ground movement has travelled afar, andthe South Pacific Division has been invitedto share this dream that has revitalised ouryouth and has the potential to reshape thechurch in our part of the world.

There is a sense of synergy across theministries of the church with initiativessuch as Homes of Hope, Natural ChurchDevelopment and Go One Million; theUnderground flows in the same stream.

Launched in 2001, the Underground is amovement of young people committed toknowing and experiencing God in thecommunity of a small group. We’re givingministry back to our people, equipping andempowering them to serve, and to beSpirit-filled witnesses for God’s kingdom.

Inspired by our rich church heritage andbased on the principles of Acts 2:42-47, themovement was born as an urgent responseto some trends that have crept into ourmidst over the years, namely:

Baptism—graduation versus beginnings:Scripture speaks of baptism as a “newbirth” experience, as a time of beginningswhere “newborn babies crav[ing] purespiritual milk” (1 Peter 2:2*) are nurturedand taught to grow into maturity. Inpractice, however, we’ve tended to practisebaptism as more of a graduation ceremony,where the candidates wear their graduationgowns and are given their certificate forhaving completed a course. Teachers thenturn their attention away from the gradu-ates to look for new students.

Believers—spectators versus servants:

Scripture says that “to each one the mani-festation of the Spirit is given for thecommon good” (1 Corinthians 12:7) andthat the role of leaders is to “prepare God’speople for works of service, so that thebody of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians4:12). Again, in practice we have a largemajority of our members functioning asspectators and depriving themselves of thereal joys of kingdom life.

Spiritual life—seventh-day versus sevendays: Going through my primary Sabbathschool years, I used to sing, “One, two,three, four, five, six for us—the seventh isfor Jesus. . . .” While conveying the specialnature of the Sabbath, I wonder sometimeswhether that song has not influenced us topile up all our spiritual activities on the“special day” and breathe a sigh of reliefwhen the sun goes down on Sabbathevening and we can resume doing our ownthing. But Scripture speaks of spending ourwhole life, 24/7—all day, seven days aweek—as a “living sacrifice.”

Our youth—keeping versus sending:There’s a lot of talk about “losing ouryoung people” and our need to “keep themin the church,” so—and too often—ouryouth leaders are tempted to jump throughall kinds of hoops, burning themselves outin an attempt to find ways to be enter-taining. But Jesus has a different solution:He said, “Therefore go . . .” and, again, “Asthe Father has sent me, I am sending you”(Acts 28:19). His way of keeping youth isto inspire, equip and send.

The church—looking at us versus lookingat God: A well-intentioned piece of advicethat is often given to new believers is,“Don’t look at us, look at God.” The under-lying message is, With all your idealism as anew believer, you will encounter discourage-

ment if you take time to consider how werelate to one another and how at times wemight treat you. So you will be better offlooking at God. On the other hand, Jesuspoints out that He has placed His church inthe world as the evidence of His in-carnation: “May they be brought to com-plete unity to let the world know that yousent me and have loved them even as youhave loved me,” and, “By this all men willknow that you are my disciples, if you loveone another” (John 17:23; 13:35). Jesusinvites the world to look at us as areflection of His kingdom.

The Underground movement is adeliberate attempt to respond to the abovetrends. It is challenging young people todraw from our church’s heritage, to step upand by the Spirit to bring into reality acommunity of hope where God will bepleased to bring His countless lost childrenwho are seeking meaning and purpose in ahopeless world.

Our purposes are: Building to bestronger; Seeking to be closer; Knowing tobe wiser; Serving to be kinder; and,Reaching to be bigger.**

We need your prayers, your support andencouragement as we follow the dreamthat the Lord has planted in our hearts forthis generation.

Gilbert R Cangy,Youth Ministriesdirector, SouthPacific Division

* All Bible referencesare from the NIV.

** See the Under-ground web site:youth.adventist.org.au

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OFFICIAL PAPERSouth Pacific DivisionSeventh-day AdventistChurchACN 000 003 930

Vol 108 No 10Cover:Julie-Anne Truscott

Editor Bruce MannersSenior assistant editor Lee DunstanAssistant editor Kellie HancockCopy editor Graeme BrownEditorial secretary Meryl McDonald-GoughSPD news correspondent Brenton StaceySenior consulting editor Barry Oliver

Web site www.record.net.au

Mail: Signs Publishing Company 3485 Warburton HighwayWarburton, Vic 3799, Australia

Phone: (03) 5966 9111 Fax: (03) 5966 9019Email Letters: editor@signspublishing.com.auEmail Newsfront: record@signspublishing.com.auEmail Noticeboard: editorsec@signspublishing.com.auSubscriptions: South Pacific Division mailed withinAustralia and to New Zealand, $A43.80 $NZ73.00.Other prices on application. Printed weekly.

March 15, 2003

F L A S H P O I N T

● Owen Ellis is the neweducation director for theNew Zealand Pacific UnionConference (NZPUC). He

was appointed lastyear, and took uphis appointment atthe end of January2003. Mr Ellisbrings to the role a

good understanding of theNew Zealand integratededucation system alongwith a keen interest in theCook Islands and theFrench territories. Accor-ding to reports, Mr Ellis was“a very popular choice” inthe NZPUC.

● Jerry Unser has joinedthe Rocfish team this yearas chaplain. He is thefounder of STORM Co,author of the Underground

leaders manual,and a youth con-sultant for the South PacificDivision. David Reed, Rocfishbusiness manager, says, “We feltit was vital to build a solid

spiritual foundation with our new USteam [three young people have recentlybeen selected to expand the Rocfishministry internationally] before we takeany further steps with this ministry.”

● Classes commenced for the first timethis year at Noosa Christian College,

Qld. In Decem-ber five portableclasses and anamenities blockarrived on 11semitrailers andwere lifted intoplace. “An

instant school, you might say,” says RossReid, principal. “The college is running afive-day-per-week Prep program alongwith Grades 1-6 this year, with one gradelevel added each year till we’ve grown toYear 12.”

● The Victorian Pinnacle of Terror hasreclocated to Queensland. Just beforeChristmas a Christian organisation calledHigher Ground took ownership of theVictorian Pinnacle unit with the intentionof operating it as a Pinnacle franchise inQld. Now Pinnacle programs are inTasmania, two in Victoria, and one inQueensland. “Higher Ground has beenoperating adventure-based programs foryoung people both in schools and atyouth camps for a number of years inQueensland, so they have more than

enough experience tosuccessfully operate aPinnacle program,” saysPinnacle director BrendanScale. A new Pinnacle isbeing completed by ElwynScale so the VictorianPinnacle program cancontinue.

● Correction: The coverphoto, RECORD, January 25,of Harold Peters standingin front of the new churchat Pacific AdventistUniversity (PAU), PNG,

was taken by MikeTarburton. The paintingheld by Dr Peters was

painted by Bryan Paul (not Jeffrey Paul),PAU’s fine arts lecturer, printing pressmanager, photographer and residentartist.

● Tweed Valley College, NSW, is the firstcollege in Murwillumbah to own a bus.The 12-seater commuter bus will be usedfor transporting students to the collegefrom the Kingscliff–Tweed area, initiallycatering for pre-kindy, kindy and theyounger stu-dents. The buswill also be usedfor transportingstudents toexcursions ands p o r t i n gevents .—Lee-Anne Dobson

Dr Ronald Dierwechter andhis wife, Jewell, a nurse,

have travelled more than12,000 kilometres to answeran emergency call.

The couple, from Iowa inthe United States, have servedfor a third time as short-termvolunteers at Atoifi AdventistHospital in the Solomon

Islands. They also volunteered at the former Sopas AdventistHospital in Papua New Guinea.

Dr Percy Harrold, the associate health director for the SouthPacific Division, is impressed with the Dierwechters’ selflessness.“Ron and Jewell aren’t Adventists, but they’ve volunteered againto help us as we’ve been short of medical staff.”

Dr Harrold challenges more Australian and New Zealanddoctors to volunteer at Atoifi. “Dr Lemuel Lecciones, the medicaldirector, is helping to change the lives of tens of thousands ofpeople. He appreciates all the help he can get.”—Brenton Stacey

• Kid’s music ministry appoints chaplain • School opens in Noosa • Pinnacle adds another state• Tweed bus a first • Church plans for emergency •World prayer warriors join online • and more

—Compiled by Kellie Hancock—

Medical missionaries answerSolomons emergency call

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March 15, 2003

F L A S H P O I N T

● Cassie Brown, a member of Maitlandchurch, NSW, is 14 years old and hascerebral palsy. In 2001 the StarlightFoundation granted her wish to swimwith dolphins. Until that time she hadno confidence inswimming on herown, yet after herdolphin experienceshe gained con-fidence and beganswimming lessons.In June 2002, MsBrown began coaching with the NSWWheelchair Sports Association, and onher first swim meet won medals infreestyle and backstroke. In August2002, she competed in the StateSwimming Championships for disabledathletes and won two gold medals whileswimming two personal-best times. MsBrown now holds the Australian agerecord for backstroke and is in trainingfor the national title at the JuniorNational Games for the Disabled inAdelaide this coming April.—NorthPoint

● Some 50 teens of 107 attending theNorth New South Wales Conferenceteen camp at Yarrahappini this sum-mer made decisions for baptism—alarge number of them from a non-Adventist background. A pre-organisedbaptism was held at the beach on thelast Sabbath of the teen camp. Picturedat the baptism are (L-R): Pastor WayneFrench, Fleur Clunne-Long, CourtneyPhugh and Pastor Bevan Craig.The girlsshared in theirtestimony thatit was staff atthe summercamps they’dattended overthe past fewyears who hadshown them what Jesus was really like.Pastor Craig says, “This is a tribute toour own young people and theirenthusiasm for sharing their faith.”

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Off the record● The Australian Gospel SongwritingCompetition, open to all Aussie citizensand permanent residents, closes July 31.More information is available online at<www.nationalgospelhappening.org/songcomp.htm>.

● Developing tensions in the MiddleEast are viewed with concern by Seventh-day Adventist leaders, said Larry Colburn,assistant to the General Conferencepresident. “We’re an internationalChristian organisation, established innearly every country of the world,” hesaid. “It is only natural for a Christiancommunity to be concerned about thehuman dimension of any conflict, for ourown believers and everyone that may be

affected. When a conflict develops,innocent people are affected.” He said,“We pray, but we also plan ahead in orderto be ready for emergency situations thatmay require special attention. While we dowell to be prepared, as a Christiancommunity we should continue to praythat the winds of strife would be calmedand the conflict will not develop intotragic consequences, often beyondcontrol. War is always the worstoption.”—ANN

● Police and fire officials in Russia areinvestigating a fire that destroyed anAdventist church in the city of Saransk,east of Moscow, in February. After aninitial inspection of the site, authoritiesconcluded that arson was the most likelycause. Adventist leaders in the region saythey are concerned about the increasingviolence directed against members ofminority religions. In November the sonof an Adventist pastor was attacked byknife in the city of Nizhnekamsk, and inDecember a nightwatchman was killed atan Adventist church in Cheboksary.—ANN

● The World Prayer Center in ColoradoSprings, USA, has launched a low-keyinitiative intended to fulfil its vision ofmobilising global prayer for world evan-gelisation. The complex is home to thenew World Prayer Team, a round-the-clock Internet-based effort to linkmillions of intercessors around theglobe. Members of the team, who can signup for free, receive weekly email prayeralerts, and can join with others inresponding to prayer requests—includingmajor current events and personalconcerns—streamed live at the WorldPrayer Center’s web site. Visitors there arewelcomed by an inflation of Jesus’ words:“Where two or three million are gatheredin my name, there I am in the midst ofthem.”

Days and offeringsMarch 22—Conclusion of Youth Week ofPrayer.April 12—World Mission Budget Offering.

Both Canberrachurches involvedMembers from the South Canberra

Adventist church, ACT, joinedthose from Canberra National toorganise short-term emergencyaccommodation for victims of thebushfires in Canberra in January(Newsfront, February 8).

“The bushfires were a traumaticintroduction to the city,” says PastorGraham Wynniatt, the new ministerat South Canberra.

Pastor Wynniatt and his wife, Jean,and 15 members of the church—seven of whom were young adults—helped at the disaster-recoverycentres under Julie Nagle. She is theADRAcare area coordinator elect forthe Australian Capital Territory andsouth-east New South Wales, and amember of South Canberra church.

Pastor Wynniatt says some of hismembers have also been baking foodfor families who have lost theirhouses. “The bushfires have ignited acommunity spirit.” Tony Beanworked with Ms Nagle to coordinateCanberra National’s response to thebushfires in his role as that church’sADRAcare leader.—Brenton Stacey

March 15, 2003

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Moscow, Russia

Millions of citizens in Central Asia andthe Caucasus Mountains region can

now read Seventh-day Adventist books intheir local languages.

“Our pastors and members werebegging for materials in other languages,but we had nothing to give them,” saysPastor Wilmar Hirle, publishing directorfor the Euro-Asia Division. “So we set abig goal last year: to translate at least threebooks for each of these eight countrieswhere Russian is not the major tongue.We didn’t even know where we wouldfind translators in some countries. Butsomehow, with many miracles, wereached the goal and even surpassed it.Many of the books are already printed.”

During the past nine months, Adventistbooks on health, family and spiritualtopics have been translated into thedominant languages of Armenia, Georgia,

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan,Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.Until now, the church in Eurasia hadprinted most books only in Russian,Ukrainian or Moldovan.

Most people in the former Sovietnations can understand some Russian,

but that is changing as new generationsgrow up speaking the original nationallanguages of Central Asia and theCaucasus region.

Nadezhda Devyatkina, publishingdirector for the Southern UnionConference in the Euro-Asia Division,says that more than 30 per cent of thenearly 55 million people who live in thatterritory do not read Russian. “We havetwo urgent needs,” she says. “One is forliterature in local languages, but the otheris for literature evangelists who can speakthese languages.”

Pastor Hirle says the next step will be tocontinue translating other books and todevelop new materials that more preciselymeet the needs of various people groups.“We need to do even more,” he says.“People need to read about God in thelanguage that touches their hearts.”—Rebecca Scoggins/ANN

Adventist books translated to local languages

Brenton Stacey

Two expatriate Australians are bringing a 30-voicemen’s chorale from the Philippines to Australia in

the next two months.Harley and Judith Stanton are the honorary

president and the choral director of Men of Praise.“The group brings a rich sound that builds a sense

of confidence in people and brings fulfilment to themen themselves,” says Dr Stanton, a former associatehealth director of the South Pacific Division.

Mrs Stanton has formal qualifications from anumber of music colleges in Australia and the UnitedKingdom. “It’s rewarding seeing the members of thechorale reach their full musical potential and performat such a high standard,” she says.

Men of Praise will perform at concerts in Brisbane, Alstonville,Cooranbong, Sydney, Canberra, Launceston, Hobart andMelbourne over 12 days in April and May.

The accompanist and associate director is Harold Galang, aconcert pianist who has performed in Europe and studied in Japanand the United States. He is currently Officer in Charge of thePhilippine Women’s University College of Music.

Fourteen-year-old soprano Jen Jen Dayo is also performing withthe chorale. “Her voice is a rare gift,” says Mrs Stanton.

The chorale, formed in 2001 by an Australian Filipino who sangin a similar group under Mrs Stanton in Sydney, has alreadyperformed at the Philippine International Convention Centre. Ithas also released an album, “At Break of Day,” recorded at theTrinity Cathedral in Manila last year.

Tickets for all concerts except Cooranbong and Sydney are $A10for adults, $A5 for children and $A25 for families. Visit the Eventssection of the Adventist Church’s web site <www.adventist.org.au>.

Aussies bring men’s choir from Philippines to Australia

Men of Praise will be in Australia during April and May.

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Adventist News Network

The International Criminal Tribunal forRwanda (ICTR) sentenced a former

Seventh-day Adventist administrator,Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, to 10 years inprison and his son, Gerard, to 25 years inprison for their roles in the 1994 genocidein Rwanda.

In a statement about its February 19decision, the United Nations tribunal saidthat Gerard Ntakirutimana, 45, a medicaldoctor practising at the MugoneroAdventist Hospital, was convicted ofgenocide and of crimes against humanity(murder), and Elizaphan Ntakirutimana,78, was convicted of aiding and abetting ingenocide.

“The Rwandan tragedy—the senselessloss of thousands of lives—cannot beforgotten,” says Ray Dabrowski, commun-ication director at the General Conference.“Christians should reject violence as ameans of conflict resolution. The heart ofthe Christian message is reconciliation,compassion and love, which transcend anydifferences of language, race or nationality.”

Since allegations against the Ntakiruti-manas first surfaced, Adventist officials haveurged a resolution of the charges throughappropriate legal forums. The church hascooperated fully with the United Nationstribunal and with defence lawyers for theNtakirutimanas.

Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, a Rwandannational who had lived in retirement nearLaredo, Texas, since 1994, was indicted bythe ICTR in June 1996. He was arrested inSeptember of that year and extradited fromthe United States in early 2000 to stand trialin Tanzania. At the time of the Rwandanwar, he served as president of the church’sSouth Rwanda Field.

According to the ICTR, the Ntakiruti-manas jointly faced two indictments: the“Mugonero” indictment with five countsand the “Bisesero” indictment with sevencounts. The indictments charged theaccused with genocide, in the alternativecomplicity in genocide, conspiracy tocommit genocide as well as crimes againsthumanity.

The father and son allegedly participated

in killings and attacks against “a largenumber of men, women and children” whosought refuge in the Mugonero Adventistcomplex as well as in the area of Bisesero,both located in Kibuye Prefecture.

The statement said that the tribunaljudges “examined in detail all of theprosecution’s allegations against the accusedand found that there was insufficientevidence against either of them on thecounts of complicity in genocide,conspiracy to commit genocide, crimesagainst humanity (extermination), crimesagainst humanity (other inhumane acts)contained in both indictments, and thecount of serious violations of the GenevaConventions contained in the Biseseroindictment.”

Throughout the 12-month-long trial inArusha, Tanzania, the Ntakirutimanas haveargued their innocence.

The ICTR said the judges delivered aunanimous verdict and, subject to anyappeal, the father and son will serve theirsentences in the prisons of one of thecountries with which the tribunal has anagreement for the enforcement of sentences.The tribunal has now convicted 10 accusedand acquitted one.

Leaders from the General Conference andthe church in Rwanda have worked onreconciliation among church members andthe general community. In March 1998, aseries of major “reconciliation conferences”were sponsored by the Adventist Church,and were aimed at promoting frankdiscussions and rebuilding trust betweenrival tribes.

Adventist minister Esdras Mpyisi, onceadviser to the former king of Rwanda, ledout in the talks in which representativesfrom warring factions determined to worktogether toward mutual tolerance andunderstanding.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church hassome 350,000 members in Rwanda andoperates three schools, one hospital andnine clinics around the country. Anestimated 10,000 Adventist Churchmembers lost their lives in the intertribalconflict of 1994.

Rwanda pastor found guilty

Baptisms the aim of new life-development seminarBrenton Stacey

Pastor Peter Jack is developing a follow-up to theTaking Charge of Your Life and Living Your Dreams

seminars. Taking Charge of Your Future will focus onprophecy.

“We felt we needed a series of doctrinal presentationsthat would result in decisions for baptisms,” says PastorChester Stanley, the president of the Australian UnionConference. “We’re impressed with the drafts we’ve seen.”

Adventist Media and the Australian and New ZealandPacific Unions are funding Pastor Jack—whose title isnow interunion media evangelist—over the next two years.

Pastor Jack says Taking Charge of Your Life and Living Your Dreams appeal to adifferent group of people—such as professionals and students—from those who attendarchaeological or health seminars.

“The relational style of the seminars [Taking Charge of Your Life focuses onrelationships, while Living Your Dreams focuses on spirituality] appears to be part of theanswer to the question about how to communicate effectively in this postmodern era,”he says.

He will continue presenting and training others to present Taking Charge of Your Lifeand Living Your Dreams.

Pastor Peter Jack.

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Cafe church reaching unchurched youthHelsinki, Finland

In a cafe in Helsinki, Finland, a youngman discovers the Seventh-day

Adventist Church. He has visited thisplace several times and, after talking withthe people there, indicates that he wantsto become a Christian.

Café-Seed is an example of a growingnetwork of church-planting projectsacross the Trans-European Division of theAdventist Church. This Christianmeeting place, the first for the church inFinland, provides programs targeted forunchurched youth and young adults.There are also similar cafes inCopenhagen, Denmark.

A team of young Adventist churchmembers brings to Café-Seed gospelbands, music programs and concerts,seed forums, spiritual programs, artexhibits, international programs withworship services in English and Russian,an Internet cafe and reading corner, andinvites those present to attend small-group meetings. They also hold dis-cussions on cultural and religious issues.

The live concerts include contem-porary gospel music in a variety ofmusical styles, instrumental and vocalsoloists, troubadours and African music.“The artists are not paid,” says Sibrina

Kalliokoski, secretary for theFinland Union Conference.“They come because they wantto perform in Café-Seed.

“The aim is to [become]friends with them and then leadthem into the Café-Seedchurch, which is in the process[of developing],” she says.

“The Wednesday- and Satur-day-night programs are Seed-Live programs and can beviewed live on the Internet at <www.café-seed.net>. It is net-work evangelism, get-con-nected evangelism, small-groupevangelism. It makes it easier for a secularperson to cross the line of religion. Itgives young people the possibility towitness in a way they feel at home with.”

Café-Seed is one of five church-planting projects in Helsinki that has, sofar, established a network of 15 smallhome groups with more than 40attending, according to Pastor PeterRoennfeldt, church-planting coordinatorfor the region.

“The small groups are doing well,” saysPastor Atte Helminen, a Helsinki ministerwho is coaching and directing the Café-Seed team. “They are all building up their

identity as evangelistic small groups.” Pastor Helminen adds that regular

training for leaders, coaches and co-ordinators is vital for the effective small-group network developing throughoutthe city.

According to Pastor Roennfeldt,pastors and church planters in Helsinkiare planning to hold an evangelisticworship service for all of the groups.“The idea is that a carefully plannedservice will provide a setting to invite cafecontacts, small-group members andfriends,” he says.—ANR/Wendi Rogers/ANN

Café-Seed—a church plant project in Finland—targetsunchurched young adults by presenting gospel bands,music programs and concerts, spiritual programs, art

exhibitions, international worship services, an Internet-Café and reading corners.

The first-ever public evangelistic seriesto be held by the Seventh-day Adven-

tist Church in Cambodia was heldrecently.

Over the two weekends of the series,nearly 800 people were baptised,increasing the number of Adventistbelievers in the city of Phnom Penh by 400per cent.

Dr Jan Paulsen, General Conference(GC) president, and Dr Michael Ryan,director of the GC Global Missionoperation, were the main speakers for the11-day event. Dr Paulsen spoke of theyears of suffering that the Cambodianpeople have endured, and told the 1800

people present that peace, forgiveness andhope for the future can be found only inJesus Christ.

During the past three decades thisSouth-East Asian country has experiencedthe horror of wars, genocide and famine.Beginning in 1975, communist dictatorPol Pot instituted a four-year regime ofterror.

The handful of Adventist believers inCambodia scattered during these years ofterror and subsequent famine. The Adven-tist Church in Cambodia dates from only1992. Since that time, a Global Missioninitiative has seen a community of justover 3000 church members established in

congregations around the country. Nightly attendance at the evangelistic

meetings varied between 1700 and 2000people—figures that surprised localchurch leaders. In this predominantlyBuddhist country of more than 12 millionpeople, only a small number areChristians.

“None of these people had ever seen anevangelistic series before,” says DenzilMcNeilus, president of Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries, whichjoined with Global Mission to sponsor theevent. “The atmosphere was phenomenal;people are thrilled with the message,” hesays. —Bettina Krause/Ansel Oliver/ANN

Breakthrough in Cambodia; hundreds baptised in Phnom Penh

March 15, 2003

F E A T U R E

ou find the newest president inthe church in Australia in theSouth New South Wales

Conference, based in Canberra.Pastor Gary Webster began his new role inSeptember last year. Before this he was thepastor of the South Canberra church.

“Believe me, it was right out of left fieldto be asked to take on this responsibility. Ittook everyone by surprise, including me.‘Gary who?’ they asked, when my namewas read out.”

He says he’s excited about his new rolebecause he senses God’s Spirit at work inthe conference: “In the past two years theconference has seen the strongest growthper capita of any conference in Australiaand New Zealand.”

He points to a number of reasons forthis: “First, we have spiritual pastors,principals, teachers and lay leaders in ourchurches and schools. That’s critical.Members and students seldom rise higherthan their leaders.

“Second, our pastors and members havebeen involved in many forms of outreach.Public evangelism and prophecy seminarsare alive and well—just last year 27 peoplewere baptised in the Griffith church largelyas a result of two evangelistic campaigns.There has been letterboxing of AdventistMedia correspondence courses; Searchvideos offered through TV advertising; andyouth STORM Co outreaches—one helpedestablish a group of believers at WalagaLake near Cobargo.

“We’ve seen success among indigenousAustralians—in Dubbo a number of peoplewere recently baptised through the faithfulwork of Pastor Nemani Toga and his wife.Health outreach is continuous throughhealth assessments at country shows, andthe Cedervale Health Retreat has led peopleto Christ and His church, with two helpingto plant a new church in Tumbarumba.

“Church members and pastors have

been the hands and feet of Christ throughADRAcare activities, especially during therecent fires in NSW and the ACT. Even thePrime Minister expressed his appreciationfor the help Adventist church membersgave during the fires that destroyed morethan 500 homes in Canberra.

“Third, our teachers and pastors at ourfour Adventist schools team up to makedisciples of the children who attend. It’sexciting to hear from our principals ofschoolchildren being baptised.”

He’s also excited because small groupsand church planting is taking off in theconference. “Just last Sabbath (February22) we organised a new church inTumbarumba. This was largely church-member driven, as is another church plantin the Yass area. Other plants south ofWollongong and along the coast are grow-ing. God is at work and it’s thrilling to bepart of His action,” he says.

But he believes God wants more, muchmore of his church. “While we’re so grate-ful for what God has done and is doing, it’sonly the beginning. People all around usdon’t know Christ, and unless they hearand accept the good news of God’s love,they will be lost—eternally lost! Thatmatters to God, and it should matter toevery Seventh-day Adventist.

“The church must always remember that

it exists for only one reason—to makedisciples, to reproduce Jesus in the lives ofeveryone everywhere! To make peoplewho, like Jesus, love God passionately witheverything they have, and who love othersas Jesus loves them.”

He stresses that the key to bring thisabout is genuine spirituality in ourchurches through people who themselvesare disciples of Jesus, with a passion forGod and compassion for others.

“The number-one priority of churchpastors, lay leaders and administratorsmust be to help our people develop such adeep passion for God that they are willingto ask, ‘God, I love you so much. What doYou want me to do or stop doing in orderto bring glory to Your name?’ Without that,nothing will ever happen!

“One of my major objectives will be toencourage and help our people read moreof the Bible and Ellen White’s writings sothey might know God better and discoverHis will in all areas of their life. Sounds oldfashioned, but it has a proven track record.

“Our mission is about active love forthose inside and outside God’s family(Christ’s second great commandment),” hesays. He sees small groups playing a criticalrole in fulfilling Christ’s second command.

“Thank God, small groups are formingaround our conference. For example, bothhead elders of our two churches inCanberra are actively involved in a smallgroup that’s attempting to plant a cellchurch following a city-wide evangelisticcampaign this year. That’s exciting!”

To further help care for church membersand reach lost people, he points to twoinitiatives, requested by the conferencepastoral team: “The conference has beenorganised into four districts in order for thepastors in those regions to meet moreregularly to encourage each other.

“And the pastors requested the oppor-tunity to work together on outreach

8

Developing a passion for Godby Bruce Manners

Y

March 15, 2003

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ade right; went wrong; putright; kept right; forever

right. The full circle of your lifeand mine as believers in the Lord JesusChrist is on display in this nutshell of truth.

Seven times God said and it happened:light; then “expanse” and dry ground;vegetation; lights in the sky; sea creaturesand land animals (Genesis 1:3-25).

Again God spoke, but this time it didn’thappen. That wasn’t a breakdown increation, but a definite and dramatic changein the process. When God said “Let usmake man” (Genesis 1:26)*, he didn’timmediately appear, for God formed himfrom the dust of the ground. He not onlymade him right; He also established anintimate, personal relationship with us.

As surely as we were made right in Adamwe went wrong in Adam, totally wrong(Genesis 31-7). This bewildering mess—sin—is everywhere. Sin is an unpopularword, but it’s as real as it is unpopular, andas present as it is nasty. Sadly, we’re all partof the sin scene (Romans 3:20-23).

God has a plan for making us right again.Totally right, righteous—the character orquality of being right and just at all timesand under all circumstances. That’s beyondhuman reach: “But now a righteousnessfrom God . . . has been made known. . . .This righteousness from God comesthrough faith in Jesus Christ to all whobelieve . . . justified [put right] freely by hisgrace through the redemption that came byChrist Jesus” (Romans 3:21-24).

It’s what Jesus has done for us, not whatwe have done, that puts us right. This ishumanly incredible, but divinely true. Thisis often called justification: “God made himwho had no sin to be sin for us, so that inhim we might become the righteousness ofGod” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

To be put right is one thing, but whatabout being kept right? This is a dilemma inview of Paul’s admission, “I know that

nothing good lives in me” (Romans 7:18). We are put right by God, not ourselves,

and we’re kept right the same way. Thisexperience is referred to as sanctification.

As believers we all desire the experienceJohn writes about, “My dear children, Iwrite this to you so that you will not sin” (1John 2:1). But we do sin—all of us.However, the promise is “if anybody doessin, we have one who speaks to the Fatherin our defence—Jesus Christ, the RighteousOne” (1 John 2:1).

It’s still what Jesus does for us, not whatwe do—even when we don’t sin! WhenChrist dwells in our hearts through faith(Ephesians 3:14), we’re being kept right.

Right forever? Forever is a dimension wecan’t fully understand. It goes beyondwhere we live (in time) and reaches God’srealm. In our first parents, Adam and Eve,we started life in a “very good” new world(Genesis 1:31) inhabited by two perfectpeople (Genesis 2:22, 23), but with thepossibility of the world and the people in itbeing marred by sin (Genesis 3:14).

In the forever world of heaven, it can’thappen again. Satan, the source of humanfailure and sin, has been destroyed and hisevil angels with him (Revelation 20:7-10).

For all of us who were made right andwent wrong and by faith in Jesus were putright and kept right, there will be the eternalexperience of forever right.

Made right: Creation, God’s work.Went wrong: The Fall, human doing.Put right: Justification, God’s work.Kept right: Sanctification, God’s work.Forever right: Glorification, God’s work.Let’s hold firm to the hand of Jesus—our

faith is in Him, not in ourselves. r

*All Bible quotations are from the NIV.

W A Townend is a former pastor, church administratorand Avondale College lecturer who lives in retirement atCooranbong, NSW.

M

Right, wrong, rightby W A Townend

projects each year. Two projects areplanned this year. They’re fantastic initia-tives. Our pastors are modelling the ideathat church is about building each other upin the Lord and bringing others into thefamily.”

How would he like to see the conferencein five years time? “I see churches withmany small groups building each other upand reaching out to lost people. In mymind I picture warm churches wheremembers really care about each other andare reaching out in a multitude of ways totheir relatives, neighbours, friends andschool- and work-mates.

“I see various forms of health outreachplaying a critical role. I see membersbringing their friends to evangelisticcampaigns in places such as Parkes,Cowra, Canberra, Albury-Wodonga,Wagga Wagga and Dubbo where theyaccept Christ and become part of God’sfamily. I envisage new churches planted inCanberra and down the coast from plansnow being put into motion. New schoolsare being added, schools that really make adifference in the lives of pupils, parentsand the surrounding community.”

He sees a number of challenges infulfilling this dream.

“We desperately need more literatureevangelists. As a church we must recapturethe importance of our health message andits place in touching lives, as it did in theministry of Jesus. And we need to help ourschools reach their evangelistic potential.

“One of our greatest challenges is theneed to help our churches to be lessdependent on our pastors. Our pastors’time must be freed up so they can followJesus’ model of ministry—to proclaim thegospel themselves, and train and equipothers for service.

“However, the greatest challenge is ourown individual priorities. Many of us areso busy that we have no time for our Lordand His children. Most of us need tochange our priorities to have more time toknow God better, and to do the one thingwe were all called into Christ to do—tomake disciples. r

Bruce Manners is the editor of the RECORD. This isone of a series of interviews with conference presid-ents of Australia.

March 15, 2003

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hen I took up advancedtheological studies in 1973, theissue of doctrinal change

immediately caught my attent-ion, “ Dr Rolf Poehler states in the

preface of one of his books, entitledContinuity and Change in ChristianDoctrine* (Peter Lang, Frankfurt, 1999).

God changes not. Jesus Christ is thesame yesterday, today and forever. Shouldthe Christian faith, therefore, be static? Notaccording to Poehler. And he has credent-ials that make his testimony impressive.

By 1975 Poehler had earned a Master ofDivinity degree summa cum laude from theSeventh-day Adventist Theological Semin-ary at Andrews University (Michigan,USA). Three years later he wrote a study onearly Adventist history that caught my eye,leading me to expect more from aresearcher who demonstrated suchthoroughness and skill.

But for long years Poehler seemedinvisible, immersed as he was in pastoraland leadership duties back in Europe. Onlyone more of the 100 articles and bookchapters he wrote filtered down to theSouthern Hemisphere.

Finally, in 1995 Poehler completed aDoctor of Theology degree at AndrewsUniversity, supervised by Dr RaoulDederen. University Microfilms Interna-tional of Michigan has available almostevery doctoral dissertation accepted in theUnited States since 1861. So the AvondaleCollege library could secure a copy ofPoehler’s magnum opus: 591 pages offascinating reading.

Better news still: Poehler has sincepublished his dissertation in two volumes:the slim one named above and the other,Continuity and Change in Adventist Teaching(Peter Lang, Frankfurt, 2000).

This two-part study is exciting becausePoehler has researched his 1973 issue ofdoctrinal change more thoroughly in

Christian and Adventist sources than anyother mortal has chosen to do. Part of theproof of that is plain to see in hisbibliography of 94 pages. Now, any diligentstudent can create a long list of relevantsources. But Poehler understands the vastliterature that bears on his topic, and hestands on the shoulders of many compet-ent writers who have already researchedaspects of his theme.

No-one can claim any longer that Christ-ianity is a static religion. Jesus was sensitiveto what the disciples could “bear” while Hewas still with them and promised the HolySpirit would guide them into all truth (John16:12, 13). The richness of truth embodiedin the Scriptures has challenged His follow-ers for 20 centuries. Adventist evangelistscelebrate this reality as they invite people toaccept “the truth as it is in Jesus” (to use acherished refrain from Ellen White’swritings).

What about Seventh-day Adventists?Poehler’s second volume documents “thehistorical reality of doctrinal development”in our peripheral teachings, fundamentaldoctrines and distinctive beliefs. Then heexplores the nature and direction ofdoctrinal development through seven erasof Adventist history, identifying threeconcepts we have adopted.

The static approach presupposesdoctrine is “unvarying,” whereas theopposite stance opts for “unrestrainedchange.” Neither is adequate. By contrast,Poehler is drawn toward the “dynamicapproach” with its built-in safeguards. Inthis choice he has a lot of sterling company,like F M Wilcox who wrote in 1930: “Thepioneers of this movement never claimedinfallibility, nor do we claim it for them. Wedo, however, believe in the sincerity ofheart and honesty of purpose whichprompted their lives. Instead of censuringthem for their limitation of vision and theirlack of understanding divine revelation, we

honour them for their loyalty to truth asthey saw it, for their honesty of heart inrenouncing error as it was revealed tothem, and for their lives of labour andsacrifice in the promulgation of the causethey espoused.”

The most important chapter in Poehler’sbooks is surprisingly short—a mere 20pages. Entitled “Prophetic authority anddoctrinal change: An analysis,” it claimsthat Ellen White “exerted a significantinfluence on the development of Adventistdoctrines, being actively involved in theformation, preservation, and revision of theteachings of the church.”

Not only did she surpass her fellowbelievers in the depth of her understand-ing, “but also in striking a balance betweenthe need for theological continuity andsubstantial identity, on the one hand, andthe possibility of theological revisions anddoctrinal changes, on the other.”

Adventist pioneer John Andrews had asimilar attitude. He declared, “I wouldexchange a thousand errors for one truth!”Thank God that Poehler has enabledAdventist studies to take another leapforward, more accurately understandingand faithfully applying our heritage. r

* Poehler’s books are academic works not readilyavailable in Australia or New Zealand, but can beordered through Adventist Book Centres.

Arthur Patrick is a church historian and academicwho lives in active retirement in Martinsville, NSW.

W

Doctrinal development studiedby Arthur Patrick

March 15, 2003

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hank you for your candidthoughts. I know how hardit is to come to terms with a

divorce between Christians.My beloved and I once looked into eachother’s eyes and told each other that itwould never happen to us. I believe inmarriage, and one of the hardest thingsabout divorce for me was the belief that wewere in this together, for better or for worse.I tried hard to make things work.

So, what can you say to the divorcedperson? This is what helped me:

1. My church family didn’t take sides.They accepted us both.

2. It isn’t important to know why. Thereare always two sides to every divorce, butthe truth has a way of making itselfknown—even if it does take some time.Thank you to those who just loved me andsupported me in my pain and confusion.

3. Thank you to those who took mychildren away with their’s on family outingsso I could take a few moments for myself.

4. Thank you to those retired men whorealised my son needed a male role model.He has enjoyed working in your sheds andlearning how to use tools.

5. Thank you to good friends who wereprepared to let me express my pain. Theytruly listened without preaching.

6. Thank you to those who helped me

realise I wasn’t a failure. And those whoencouraged me to try new things.

7. Thank you to those who helped merealise that if the parent is healthy and caredfor, then the children will be.

8. Thank you for realising that it is a longroad to recovery.

9. Thank you for sitting with me outsidethe family court and then waiting while Iendured the difficult procedures within.

10. Thank you to those who prayed withme and encouraged my faith.

My dreams were shattered. Do I believein marriage? Yes. How do you recover fromthis broken heart?

A French proverb says, “Write injuries inthe sand, kindnesses in marble.” I willexpress my pain in sand and let the waterwash it away. My children need to haveforgiveness modelled for them. Perhaps aforgiving attitude and a loving spirit issomehow writing kindnesses in their lives.

Please, we need to live life as normally aspossible. Just accept us now as you alwaysdid—my children and I will appreciate that.Thank you for your Christian love. r

*Referring to “From an ‘uncaring’ friend” in theFebruary 1 issue.

Pearl Grey is a pseudonym for a person who has beenthrough divorce.

... snakes had rabbit ears?

Snakes don't need earsat all because they sense vibrations throughthe ground rather thanhear sounds like we do.Big ears like these wouldmake it hard to slitherthrough the grassas well.

Just for childrenP

eta

Tayl

or

Healthy eating foryour skin and hair

You can spend money on the top-brandshampoos, conditioners, facial treat-

ments and all manner of beauty bits andpieces, but have you tried “treating” yourskin and hair from the inside? It’s amazingthe difference a healthy-eating plan canmake to your body. Here’s what you can do:

1. Colour your day with a wide variety offruit and vegetables. They’re packed withgreat things for your skin and hair: vitamins(C, E, A and B-group); minerals (calcium,potassium); phytochemicals and dietaryfibre. The effectiveness of vitamins andminerals is increased when eaten as wholefoods (for instance, eating a piece of fruitversus a vitamin C pill). Enjoy a widevariety of colourful fruit and vegetables,either fresh, cooked, canned or frozen.

2. Choose wholemeal or wholegraincereals and breads. The wholegrains you seein breads have extra nutrition, texture andtaste. Refine the grains and you lose most ofthe dietary fibre and up to 80 per cent of thevitamins and minerals. The “extra addedfibre” white breads don’t have the outerlayers of the grain still intact. These outerlayers are like storehouses of vitamins (B-group, including folate), minerals (zinc,copper, selenium) and phytochemicals.

3. Drink plenty of water. Water is thefluid your body needs most and stayinghydrated enables your body to functionmore effectively. For your skin’s sake,staying hydrated enables your blood tocarry out its role in effectively removingwaste products (including toxins) fromyour body. Additionally, plenty of fluids canalso help your skin stay hydrated, lesseningthe wrinkled appearance.

For more on the basics of healthy eating,please contact the Sanitarium NutritionService in Australia 1800 673 392 and<www.sanitarium.com.au> or New Zealand0800 100 257 and <www.sanitarium.co.nz>.

Dear “uncaring” friend*by Pearl Grey

T

March 15, 200312

Sanitarium or Dick Smith?Kevin Garrow, NSW

The alliance between the SanitariumHealth Food Company and Dick SmithFoods (DSF) raises a couple of interestingissues. First, will Sanitarium be changingits name to the Sanitarium Food Company,as DSF produces products such as jelly,biscuits and jams that are hardly healthproducts?

Second, there have been advertisementsin RECORD encouraging us to support bothSanitarium and DSF, so if one one wishes tosupport the church and its endeavours,where should our allegiances lie whenshopping?

Sanitarium responds: Sanitarium and DickSmith Foods (DSF) operate as two independ-ent companies with close ties. The Sanitariumbrand will always maintain its stance onhealthful eating choices and balanced diet.We recognise that consumers in general, aswell as those conscious about healthfuleating, will include treats such as biscuits intheir diet occasionally. DSF provides some ofthese treats under the DSF brand. The churchowns both companies, so please support bothin your purchases and prayers.

Blessed assuranceDanny Bell, WA

I agree with the letter writer of“Salvation assured” (February 22) that inrespect to this topic, the answers we giveabout salvation aren’t good. There’smounting confusion, not a better under-standing of the issue. Total redemptionhas always been a process and not aninstant event.

When I accepted Christ and wasbaptised, I was saved from my past life ofslavery to sin. If I’m asked the question“Are you saved?” in this context, I wouldhave to answer yes (past tense), but now Iface a different dilemma—the struggle withsin in the present. This still comes underthe “saved” category, but it is somethingthat is happening as I go along; it isn’tfinished yet.

Then there’s the final procedure: if I en-dure unto the end in my relationship withChrist, then I will step through the holy

gates, mission accomplished—salvation. So, please, don’t ask me the obvious, for

of course I’m saved—but I’m still here onthis miserable planet awaiting the finalprocesses, while all the while enjoying thefreedom of my new-found friendship andcare of Jesus along the way.

Gerry Leahy, Qld

There’s been no shift in what we weretaught 30 years ago in respect to salvation.“I’m being saved today, tomorrow—tillharvest!” the late and great Pastor Bill Ottowould retort when asked, “Are you saved?”

his inference being the fact plus growth—the sanctified life. “Jesus is my Saviour,”was the response of a former RECORD

editor, Geoff Garne, when asked the samequestion by detractors, his inference beingthat with Jesus, it was game, set and match!

Ponder Luke 15:2 and 1 John 5:13 andyou’ll have to suck a lemon to take thesmile from your face. In fact, there’s beenno change since about 4000 BC.

Already demonstratedPeter Williams, Qld

In respect to industry helping finance thechurch in Papua New Guinea (“Financial

alternatives?” Letters, February 8), I wouldremind readers that this was once the case.

The vegetable garden at Kabiufa HighSchool, Goroka, was once the pride of theHighlands and envy of other schools. Itsproduce was in demand throughout thecountry and even flown by charter to PortMoresby and other centres.

Run on sound business principles, it notonly employed some 200 part-timestudents earning their fees and up to 30permanent workers, it also returned ahealthy dividend to the Papua New GuineaUnion Mission. Why is this garden not stilloperating today?

Another hi-tech annual Glen King, NSW

I congratulate Nunawading AdventistCollege (NAC), Vic, making the front pageof RECORD (January 18) concerning theirstudent memories CD. For the record,Macquarie College, NSW, also attached amultimedia CD to its 2002 yearbook,Cooinda. Art Department head Brad Coxand his team worked toward this goal overseveral years.

L E T T E R S

Ponder Luke 15:2 and 1 John 5:13 and you’ll haveto suck a lemon to take the smile from your face.

Just a coincidence

Note: Views in Letters do not necessarily represent those of theeditors or the denomination. Letters should be less than 250words, and writers must include their name, address and phonenumber. All letters are edited to meet space and literaryrequirements, but the author’s original meaning will not bechanged. Not all letters received are published. See masthead(page 2) for contact details.

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AnniversariesCoombe, Les and Elma (nee Blair) weremarried on 8.2.43 at Ringwood Adventistchurch by Pastor Bill Hawken and gavemany years of service to the church inyouth ministry, church administration andpastoral ministry before their retirement atAlton Villas, Cooranbong, NSW. They cel-

ebrated their 60th wedding anniversarywith family and relatives aboard the WangiQueen on Lake Macquarie, on Sunday,9.2.03. Their three children, Pastor Ray-mond, Graham and Glenda, with theirspouses, eight grandchildren and twogreat-grandchildren, join other familymembers and friends in acknowledgingGod’s blessing on their marriage and wish-ing them His blessing for the future.

Hayward, Athol and Audrey (nee Maun-der) were married at Tauranga, NNZ, on12.1.43. They celebrated their 60thanniversary at Deception Bay. Athol andAudry spent many years living in Manaia

and Tauranga; then they were sent byLockwood Homes to help rebuild Darwinafter Cyclone Tracy. They then settled inSydney, where Audrey was well known forher healthful cooking. Their children,Aureen, Elton, Milson, Merril, Derwin andPeter are scattered all over Australia.

Macdonald, Douglas and Muriel (neeSheppard) were married at KeitsleyAvenue Adventist church in Durban,South Africa, on 29.12.42. They recentlycelebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.The secret to their long and successfulmarriage has been “total love for eachother; total trust in each other; total andopen communication with each other anda compassionate forgiveness when onemakes a mistake.”

Miller, Henry and Roma (nee Holman)met at Avondale College and were married

at Coburg, Vic, on10.12.42. PastorHenry Miller finishedhis church employ-ment as a minister,and in retirementserves as a chaplain atlocal hospitals andactively works in thecommunity. Theycelebrated their 60thwedding anniversary

at their home at Woody Point, Qld. Theirfamily and friends lovingly congratulatethem.

Needham, Pastor Arthur and bride of 60years, Mavis (nee Rosendahl), celebratedtheir diamond wedding anniversary with

their family andfriends on 26.1.03at Cooranbong,NSW. Their yearstogether have beendevoted to the onepurpose of tellingothers the greatestnews possible. The“war years” (1943)wedding atTownsville, Qld, inthe old “taberna-

cle,” was conducted by “Taubada” Lock,who later married Mavis’s mother after herfather died. Congratulations to you both!

Roy, Eric and Nina (nee Stace) of Can-berra, ACT, celebrated their diamondwedding anniversary on 26.12.02,together with their children and grand-children and their respective spouses, intheir home in Canberra. Surely we canpraise God for this couple’s selfless

work for others—17 years in PapuaNew Guinea—and dedication to eachother. May God continue to richly blessthem in their retirement years.

Smith, Don and Merle (nee Emmett)were married on 21.1.43 in Melbourne,Vic. They celebrated their diamondwedding anniversary at the WindsorAdventist church hall, NSW, with theirfamily and friends. They were presentedwith a beautiful crystal platter made bythe Windsor pastor, James Fletcher,

cards and best wishes. Congratulatorymessages were received from HerMajesty the Queen, the Governor-Gen-eral, the Prime Minister, the Premierand other dignitaries. Don and Merlenow reside at Bligh Park.

Tompson, Thomas and Peg (nee Turner)were married in Brisbane Central churchon 20.11.52. Fifty years later, family andfriends from the eastern states celebratedthis couple’s special commitment andtheir contribution to the Galston and Syd-ney communities. Sons, John and David,together with their families, led out in anafternoon of affirmation. Tom and Peg are

widely known for their Christian hospi-tality, friendship, humour and reliability.

Tully, Les and Nita celebrated their 60thwedding anniversary on 2.1.03 with fam-ily and friends at Casino, NSW, whichwas also the place of their marriage. Res-idents of Casino for the past 52 years, thecouple have remained active in both the

church and community. Congratulatorymessages were received from Her Majestythe Queen, the Prime Minister of Aus-tralia, and other dignitaries.

Walker, Harry and Dot were married on22.9.42 by the late Pastor O K Andersonat the Morningside Adventist church,Brisbane, Qld. The Ipswich church fami-ly hosted a celebration dinner in theirhonour, which was attended by some ofthe original bridal attendants, as well as

relatives and many friends. Congratulato-ry messages were received from HerMajesty, Queen Elizabeth, and Australiangovernment officials.

Whyte, Moss and Marjorie were marriedat West End Baptist church in Adelaide,SA, on 24.12.42. Sixty years later, with 60

relatives andfriends, they cele-brated their dia-mond anniversaryin the Trinity Gar-dens Adventistchurch. They par-ented two chil-dren, Ruth(deceased) andAlan; and havethree grandchil-dren. Congratula-

tions from the Queen, the Governor-Gen-eral and other notable identities were dis-played at the celebration.

Wood, Ralph and Heather (neeSalmond) were married on 20.1.43 in

Hamilton church,Newcastle, NSW.On 26.1.03, 72family and friendsgathered in Bris-bane to celebratetheir 60th wed-ding anniversary.They have twosons, Alvin andVernon. PastorWood is probably

best remembered by Avondale Collegestudents of the early 50s, when he waspreceptor for four years. They are current-ly retired and living in their Kressville unitat Cooranbong, NSW.

Transfers●Fulori Bola, from Fulton College,Trans-Pacific Union Mission (TPUM), todirector of student services, PacificAdventist University. ●Neroli Devine,from head of primary, Mountain ViewAdventist College, Greater Sydney Con-ference (GSC), Australian Union Confer-ence (AUC), to assistant director of ladiesresidences, Avondale College. ● ZaneEdwards, from departmental, AdCareand ADRA director, South New SouthWales Conference (SNSWC), AUC, toassociate departmental director, NewZealand Pacific Union Conference(NZPUC). ●Larissa Gredig, an Avon-dale College secretarial graduate, to secre-tary, information systems and generalconference audit services, South PacificDivision (SPD). ●Anne Jackson, fromtreasury department, SPD, to assistantaccountant, NZPUC. ● Kevin Judge,from principal, Parkside Christian School,North New Zealand Conference (NNZC),NZPUC, to development director, Avon-dale College. ●Gad Kioto, from healthdirector, TPUM, to health director, PapuaNew Guinea Union Mission (PNGUM).●Rein Muhlberg, on permanent returnfrom the Middle East Union Mission,Trans-European Division, to senior pastor,Parramatta church, GSC, AUC. ●Talon-ga Pita, from deputy principal, FultonCollege, TPUM, to teacher, NNZC,NZPUC. ● Colin Richardson, fromhealth director, PNGUM, to field minister,Parkes and Cowra churches, SNSWC,AUC. ● Anton Selvaratnam, frommaths teacher, Sydney Adventist College,GSC, AUC, to maths teacher, AvondaleCollege. ●Graham Sutherland, fromfield minister, NNZC, NZUC, to fieldminister, Tasmanian Conference, AUC.●Seti Tova, from Tonga Mission, TPUM,to NNZC, NZPUC. ●Douw Venter, fromfield minister, South New Zealand Con-ference, NZPUC, to district director, Van-uatu Mission, northern district, TPUM.

ObituariesBates, Fay, born 25.3.1945 at Bundaberg,Qld; died 9.1.03 at home in Gunnedah,NSW. On 6.6.68 she married Ian. She issurvived by her husband; her sons, Stevenand Grant; her daughter, Veronica; her sis-ter, Jenifer; and her brothers, Ian andWinston. Fay was a wonderful person, aloving friend, a practising Christian, and adevoted wife and mother. During her ill-ness of five years she was a great exampleto all those who knew her.

Beth McMurtryMaree Roach, Barbara Watson

Begg, Enid May, born 20.12.1927 atMurgon, Qld; died 13.12.02 at Newcastle,NSW. Enid married Bill, who predeceased

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her in 1997. She is survived by her chil-dren, Linda, Jeanette, Leone, Alvin andAnita; her 13 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. Enid now rests in the hopethat she will see Jesus with her family.

Max Hatton, Mark Venz

Bridge, Muriel Bernice Penglaze, born22.12.1918 at Hampton, Vic; died 6.8.02in Bethlehem Hospital, Caulfield. She issurvived by her nephews, John and DavidBridge (Vic); and her niece, Lyn (Tas).Bernice trained as a teacher, but duringthe war years worked for the governmentaircraft factory, Defence Forces RetirementBenefits Fund, and the Department ofDefence. She later worked for Telecomuntil retirement. She had a passion fortravel and visited 97 countries in her life-time. She was a member of the Brightonchurch (Vic). Paul Boeru, Randy Suson

Carlson, Hazel Grace, born18.12.1906 at Kenthurst, NSW; died14.1.03 at Dubbo. On 19.12.28 shemarried Herman, who predeceased heron 23.8.80. She was also predeceased byher son, David, on 25.3.2000. She issurvived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elaine and Colin Bennett (Dubbo);her daughter, Carole Kumar (MountColah); her daughter-in-law, RosalindCarlson (Arcadia); her seven grandchil-dren; eight great-grandchildren; and 25foster children. Hazel was a gracious,friendly and caring person, and lived avery active and full life. She will besadly missed by her family and themembers of the Galston (NSW) church.

George Porter, Peter Theuerkauf

Chamberlain, Miriam Agatha Belle,born 5.8.1916 at Gawler, SA; died17.1.03 in Southern Cross Care, Gawler.She was predeceased by her husband,Lionel, on 12.6.98; also her daughter,Helen Dekker, on 25.3.97. She is sur-vived by her children, Lorraine Heinis,Ronald Chamberlain and Kaye Dodd(all of Gawler). Miriam was a wonderfulmother, cook and homemaker; anaccomplished pianist, a warm, outgoingand giving person; and served thechurch in various positions.

Will Grobler, Bryce Andrews

De Landgrafft, Audrey Mavis, born12.8.1926 at Goomalling, WA; died20.1.03 at Sherwin Lodge, Rossmoyne.She is survived by her husband, Charles(Rossmoyne); her son, Rodney(Northam), her daughter, Helen Smith(Perth); and her foster daughter, NannetteMiller (Perth). Mavis was a musically tal-ented lady (pianist). She loved her Saviour,her church and her family. Keith Godfrey

Dobson, Owen, born 12.8.1920 atPalmerston North, NNZ; died 3.1.03 atNambour, Qld. On 12.8.41 he marriedJoan Coker. In 1983 he married MargeKing, who predeceased him in 1999. Hewas also predeceased by his adopted son,Terry, in 1986. He is survived by his chil-dren, Peter Dobson, Pauline Hewitt (bothof Auckland, NNZ) and LynetteCoughran (Sydney, NSW); his brother,Phil (Kuluin, Qld); and his sister, JoyceJames (Marton, NNZ). Owen never losthis interest in drilling (for water or oil) orin his love for his Lord. Neil Tyler

Ferris, Ruby May (nee Chatman), born8.11.1899 at Eugowra, NSW; died22.1.03 in Brisbane, Qld. She was prede-ceased by her son, Ray, in 1946; also herhusband, Norman, in 1958. She is sur-vived by her daughters, Norma Crabtreeand Marilyn Davey; her son, Ervin; her13 grandchildren; her 38 great-grand-children; and four great-great-grandchil-dren. In 1925 she married the late PastorNorman Ferris, and together they spentmany years in the Solomon Islands andPitcairn. For five years, while Normanwas preceptor at Avondale College, shebecame known as “Ma” to hundreds ofcollege students. She lived a long andfruitful life; loved her family, her friends,her church, and most of all her God.

Ervin Ferris, Barry Crabtree

Glover, James Albert (Jim), born11.4.1918 at Warragul, Vic; died 3.1.03 inKnox Hospital, Wantirna. On 15.7.46 hemarried Eileen Dawson. He is survived byhis wife; his son, Neil; his sons anddaughters-in-law, Wayne and June, andPaul and Ruth; and his granddaughters,Katie and Rebecca. Edwin Totenhofer

Mackney, Eunice Alice, born 30.4.1929at Mareeba, Qld; died 24.1.03 at Cairns.She was predeceased by her son, Bret, on10.12.94. On 16.6.58 she married Hugh.She is survived by her husband; and herson, Breen (Picton, NSW). Eunice was afaithful member of the Cairns Adventistchurch. She will be fondly remembered forher gift in music and singing.

Kevin Robinson

Maynard, Josephine Vana, born4.11.1928 in Fiji; died 4.1.03 at Redcliffe,Qld. She is survived by her sister andbrother-in-law, Marianne and PastorLance O’Neill. Lance studied with her in1994; she accepted the Adventist faith andwas baptised in the same year. She faith-fully attended the Redcliffe church untilher passing. She will be sorely missed byall who knew her.

Lance O’Neill, Clarrie O’Neill

Miles-Smith, Grace Frances Agnes,born 2.4.1906 at Lowestoft, Suffolk, Eng-land; died 12.1.03 in St Vincents Hospital,Sydney, NSW. She was predeceased by herhusband, Alex. Grace was mother to Vio-let and sister of Norma. After setting up apractice in Macquarie Street, Sydney,Grace transferred her physiotherapy prac-tice to Bondi Junction, where she contin-ued for 35 years. Much of her work was alabour of love. Grace was deeply loved by

many professional people and Christianfriends, as well as by members of Wool-lahra church, where she was an activemember. Her faith in Christ and the Res-urrection were unshakable.

Milton Krause, Gary Kent

Raymond, Sylvia Ada (nee Trafford),born 18.7.1920 in Melbourne, Vic; died18.1.03 at Coronella, Nunawading. Shewas predeceased by her husband, Bill, in2002. She is survived by her sons, Barry(Canada), Michael (Brisbane, Qld) andNeil (Rosedale, Vic). Sylvia was a long-time supportive member of Ringwoodchurch; consistent in witness to her faith;and beloved in her family and church.

Dean Giles, Margaret Manners

Smart, Bryan Frederick, born15.1.1923 in India; died 15.1.03 inPerth, WA. Bryan never married, andlived in Perth. He was a church memberin Burma, until coming to Australia 35years ago. He came back to the Lord inMay 2001 and was baptised the follow-ing November in Perth city church.

Larry Laredo

Tarling, Liesel Dona (nee Mason), born4.9.1910 at Port Louis, Mauritius; died31.12.02 at Hornsby, NSW. In 1940 shemarried Rowland. She is survived by herhusband; her son, Lowell; and her twograndchildren. Liesel is remembered forher industry and courage in adversity, herlove of the truth and devotion to prayer,and for bringing a number of people intothe Adventist faith.

Kevin Brown, Colin Coleman

Wall, Minnie Irene (Aka or Rene), born28.1.1919; died 8.12.02 in Adelaide, SA.She was predeceased by her husband,Brian; also her daughter, Jennifer, in 1954.She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Alan and Natalie. Rene was amember of Melrose Park church.

Dariusz Kuberek

Wilkinson, Ruth Emma (nee Hill), born12.7.1930 in Sydney, NSW; died 10.1.03at Cooranbong. On 20.12.53 she marriedRay Wilkinson. She is survived by herhusband; her children and their spouses,Roy and Genevieve, Gwen and SteveSleight, Enid and Kevin Choong, Helenand Todd Heares; her Fijian daughter andspouse, Lucy and Waisea Vuniwa; her sis-ter, Lola; and her 10 grandchildren. Ruthpassed to her rest in the sure confidence ofGod’s saving grace and care.

Raymond Dabson

! Sanitarium Health Food Co! Sydney Adventist Hospital! South Pacific Division

Vist the SPD Human Resources Web Site atwww.adventist.org.au

or contact Peter Wrankmorepwrankmore@adventist.org.au ph: (02) 9847 3209

We value quality employees and you may be theperson we are looking for. Register your details on

the SPD employment database and keep youremployment options open.

Human Resources – Looking out for you

-People-Our most valuable resource.

Volunteers neededYouth Assistant—Toowoomba Central Church, Qld—to contribute to service,encouraging youth to participate in spiritual and social interaction. Mature youngperson with youth experience required. Accommodation, meals and living allowanceprovided. Term: 10 months, commencing March 2003 or asap.

Fly’n’build members—Fiji—to build the Labasa Community Hall. Trip plannedfor two weeks in September 2003. Meals, board and local transportation provided.

Mail: AVS, Locked Bag 2014, Wahroonga NSW 2076Phone: (02) 9847 3333Email: volunteers@adventist.org.auInternet: volunteers.gc.adventist.org

Wilson, Valerie, born 6.7.1940 at Kerang,Vic; died 19.12.02 at Mildura. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Arthur and JessieWattie. On 25.2.1968 she married Neville.She is survived by her husband; her sonsand daughter-in-law, Graeme, David andDee; and her siblings, Margaret, Dorothy,Barry, Barbara and Geoffery. Val was a tire-less worker for the Mildura church andschool for the past 25 years.

Albert Piez, Loren Pratt

AdvertisementsNote: Neither the editor, Signs PublishingCompany, nor the Seventh-day AdventistChurch is responsible for the quality ofgoods or services advertised. Publicationdoes not indicate endorsement of a productor service. Advertisements approved by theeditor will be inserted at the following rates:first 30 words or less, $A33; each addition-al word, $A1.65. For your advertisement toappear, payment must be enclosed. Classi-fied advertisements in RECORD are availableto Seventh-day Adventist members,churches and institutions only. See mast-head (page 2) for contact details.

Notice of session—Western Aus-tralian Conference. Notice is herebygiven that a special session of the WesternAustralian Conference of the Seventh-dayAdventist Church will be held in the bigtent at Advent Park, 345 KalamundaRoad, Maida Vale, on April 19, 2003, at 2pm. Delegates will be appointed in accor-dance with the constitution. The business

of the special session will be a proposedlegal restructuring of aged care services,the education system and the WesternAustralian Conference general operations(as recommended by the South PacificDivision, Australian Union Conferenceand Western Australian Conference exec-utive committees) along with those con-stitutional changes such restructuringnecessitates.

Stephen Whitson, Secretary-Treasurer

Position vacant. Applications aresought from people interested in the posi-tion of Volunteer Caretaker for one yearfrom July 1, 2003, at The Log Cabin, achurch-owned and -operated camp in theNuminbah Valley, southern Queensland.Accommodation is available for the suc-cessful applicant, together with somepayment for travelling expenses. Applica-tion forms, plus full details of job descrip-tion and remuneration are available fromthe Hon Secretary; phone (02) 6672 5161or 0407 725 161. Applications close onMarch 31, 2003.

Adventist Aviation Association—North NSW. The Annual General Meet-ing of the Adventist Aviation Associationwill be held on Sabbath, March 15, 2003,at the Avondale Memorial church,Cooranbong, commencing at 6.00 pm.The program will include reports of cur-rent evangelistic outreach, a basket teaand close of Sabbath—to be followed bythe election of officers and executivecommittee members for the followingyear. All members and those interested inthis ministry are welcome.

Endless Praise, one of Australia’s lead-ing music ministries, is urgently seeking ayoung male or female to join the team for2003 on a full-time basis as a vocal singer.The applicant must have versatile experi-ence in the area of music, singing, teamwork and leadership. For further detailsplease contact the EP office: phone (02)8783 7000; email <ep@epraise.com.au>;or PO Box 1361, Green Valley NSW 2168.

Positions vacant—Karalundi Aborig-inal Education Centre is seeking expres-sions of interest for the positions: Highschool teacher, manual arts and a pri-mary school teacher. Note: Karalundiencourages people of Aboriginaldescent to apply. For further informa-tion contact Glenn Grey on (08) 99812000; fax (08) 9981 2801; or email<administrator@karalundi.wa.edu.au>.

1770 Getaway Holiday Retreat isour offer to you in spending your holi-day in touch with heavenly surround-ings. The most beautiful spot on theDiscovery Coast has so much to offer,whether your holiday consists of any-thing from swimming, surfing, four-wheel driving, relaxing in a hammockon one of many picturesque secludedbeaches or taking a day trip to one ofthe world’s seven wonders, the GreatBarrier Reef. If you’re looking for anunforgettable and adventurous holiday,then 1770 welcomes you and your fam-ily. For further information or to makea booking, please phone Michael andVera Ferinac (07) 4974 9323; or website <www.1770getaway.com>.

Interconnect singles rally—April12, at Carlingford Uniting church hall.Interactive programs, lunch included,Sabbath walk. Boat transfer for twilightdinner. Dinner optional—bookingsessential. 0414 875 024. Cost: $A20.

Nanny wanted—Italy countrysidenear Venice. Live-in required for twochildren (9 yrs and 7 yrs) for oneyear. International driver’s licence.Non-smoker. Start asap. Send CV to:<rdelafeld@libero.it>.

Angus Gowans—the new manager ofCamp Howqua, is seeking people for thefollowing positions for the camp: farm-hand/maintenance person and cateringpersonnel. Positions need to be filled bythe end of March. Please contact BillTruscott on (03) 9259 2100 or 0416 031432 for further information.

For sale—Seventh-day Adventist Biblecommentary set, 10 vol. Green covers.Genuine near-new condition. $A295.Phone Chery (03) 9722 9696.

FinallyA wise man learns by theexperience of others. Anordinary man learns by hisown experience. A fool learnsby nobody’s experience.

March 15, 2003

N O T I C E B O A R D

15

Professional DevelopmentPostgraduate Degrees

Off campus courses for Christian professionalsQualifications to Masters level in:

Theology

Leadership and ManagementHealth – Business – Education

EducationAdministration – TESOL – Christian Education – Curriculum

Nursing*Administration – Health Promotion

Anaesthetics and Recovery – Burns and PlasticsCritical Care – Day Surgery – Emergency Care – Gerontology

Oncology – Orthopaedics – Parenting EducationPerioperative Care – Wound Management

Advanced Practice Nursing*High Dependency

Health Studies*Administration

Health PromotionParenting Education

Family Ministry

Youth Ministry

*Full time option

Avondale Enquiry Centre

Australia: 1800 804 324International: +61 2 4980 2277Email: enquiries@avondale.edu.auwww.avondale.edu.au/postgraduate

Contact Chris or FayPh (02) 9989 8355 Fax (02) 9989 8340 acfi@avondale.org.au

PO Box 502, Wahroonga NSW 2076

ACF Investments LTD23 YEARS OF SERVICE

$25 MILLION IN DEPOSITS

GREATRATES

PERSONALSERVICE

Beco

me Our Partner Helping Avondale

youth offering

YOUR YOUTH NEED YOURCONTINUED SUPPORT WITH:

> The Underground – 100s of small Bible-studyoutreach groups throughout the South PacificDivision.

> Volunteer Ministries. Our young people around theworld making a difference.

> Pathfinders. Thousands of teens being challengedfor Jesus.

> Adventurers. Scores of clubs in Australia, NewZealand and the Pacific.

> Youth involved in your own church—elders,deacons, Sabbath school, outreach.

Give generously on March 22YOUR OFFERING COUNTS

Youth Offering

March 22