This page is just waiting for you! E-mail us with something you think would be of interest.
Click on the underlined headings (links) to read more.
Bible in Schools is an area of our involvement in the community. The letter of appreciation below, is an acknowledgement of the time and effort so many of you put into this work.
The following is really worth thinking about...
Sharing the Gospel is our ministry. The mission of the church may involve many elements, but THE primary mission of the church is to proclaim THE single message of the church ? the Gospel. There are three major motivations for the believer to share the truth of Christ:
The Lord commands us: The Great Commission was spoken by Christ Himself, instructing us to share Him with all the world. To be an obedient servant of God, we must honor His instructions.
Our consciences implore us: Every Christian longs to walk in the Spirit. We want to do what the Lord wants us to do. However, when we knowingly fail to fulfil the Great Commission, we leave a void in our walk with Christ. We cannot be obedient to Christ and consider ourselves surrendered believers if we are indifferent to sharing His Gospel or if we have no desire to see others come to saving faith.
The condition of people calls us: The world desperately needs to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mankind?s suffering is a direct result of spiritual darkness that has gripped this globe since the fall.
SHARING YOUR FAITH
When was the last time that you personally talked one-on-one with someone to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? For far too many believers, the answer is, "quite a while ago!"
We must make the most of the time we have to share our Lord with those who don't yet know Him.TWO SEAS
by Gayle D. Erwin
There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to take in its lifegiving waters. Along its shores the children play, as children played when our Lord there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables and on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.
The River Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine and people build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there.
The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here, there is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route - unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.
What makes this mighty difference in these neighboring seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie. Not the country about.
This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure.
The other sea is selfish, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps.
The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead Sea. Which are you most like?
This letter speaks for itself! The Churches Education Commission would like to thank the Christian
Brethren (Editor: "That's us!") for their members who serve in our volunteer force
throughout the country. Recent estimates are that CEC volunteers (perhaps better known by some, as Bible in Schools teachers - Webmaster), make a gift to the nation of $10.6 million each year in volunteer hours and resources. Even though they would see their contribution as a response to the Great Commission, rather than looking for valuation in monetary terms, we think it is remarkable.
Nationally, Christian Brethren make a very strong
commitment to this ministry, contributing over 557 (13.4%) of Religious
Education teachers and 10 (5.8%) of our chaplains in state
schools.
Your contribution in regions is even stronger than
this national picture, with over 35% of the volunteer work force in the Greater
Waikato region, 23% in the Manawatu, 21% in Bay of Plenty/Rotorua, 17% in Nelson
and in Tauranga and 15% in Southland.
We have also valued the
contribution made by Brian Pegler as Chairman of the National CEC Executive over
the years, and at this year's AGM, Brian was re-elected as Chairman. His wife,
Shirley is Advisr in the Manawatu region and a great source of wisdom and
experience - especially to all newer Advisors.
All in all
Christian Brethren members make a considerable contribution to this ten million
dollar ministry to schools and communities. Thank you.
Hilary Baskerville
National Co-ordinator
The Churches
Education Commission
Wellington
"Pacific Reach"
formerly known as South Pacific Christian Cassettes - FREE!
These cassettes are used in
reaching seamen that visit N.Z. and are distributed to those in jails, on
street corners, and to friends and neighbours of those with a concern for the lost.
There are now over two hundred and fifty thousand Asians in N.Z. as well as many
from other countries and the South Pacific. We have a number of additional languages from Papua New/Guinea, Solomon
Islands and Vanuatu. If we do not have a language, please contact us because we
can probably get them from Gospel Recordings - U.S.A. in about three
weeks. This ministry is supported by Assemblies and individuals throughout New
Zealand. The approximate cost of producing each cassette works out to around
$6.00 each. Your support and prayer of the ministry is appreciated.
The next time you are
downtown waiting for your spouse or friend, watch the people going by and you
will be amazed at how many foreigners are in our towns and cities today. These
people are very approachable, because they love to practise their English on
somebody. Why not let them practise on you?
This gives you the
opportunity of offering them a cassette in their own language. There is nothing
as sweet as the Gospel in one's own language even though one may be able to
speak fairly good English.
Quite a number of these cassettes are personal
testimonies, where a person may describe their life - while young - (or their
background) and explain how Christ became their Saviour. Some go on to explain
what a difference that has made in their lives.
On the back of the
cassette, "The Steps to Salvation" are read from God's word - usually in their
own language but if not, then in English.
Cassette languages
available:
Asia: Burmese, Laos, Japanese, Kampuchean, Korean,
Indonesian, Thailand, Malay, Vietnam.
India: Gujarati, Hindi,
Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, Maldives, Marathi, Punjabi, Sri-lanka, Sinhalese,
Urdu.
Europe: Arabia, Bulgaria, Czech, Croatian, Calabrian,
Danish, Dutch, Farsi, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian,
Khmer[Cambodia], Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese. Romanian, Russian,
Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian.
Pacific: Aitutaki,
Bislama [Vanuatu] Chuuk, Fiji, Fijian/Hindi, 15 Fijian Dialects, Maori,
Manuheke, Marshallese, Marquesian. Nauruan, Niuean, Norfolk, Papua-New Guinea,
Pukapuka, Rarotongan, Rotuman, Samoan, Solomon Island Pijin, Tahitian, Tongan
Tokulauan, Tuvaluan, Tagalog, [Philippines].
Africa: Afrikaans,
Kiluba, Kiswahili, Shona/Chizizuru.
China: Cantonese, Hakka,
Hokien, Mandarin, Teochew.
The most important part of this ministry is your prayer. These
cassettes are just pieces of plastic and metal with some sound on them unless
God, by his Spirit, works in the lives of those that listen.
In
the New Testament, read John's Gospel, Chapter 4 & verse 35 and the Acts of
the Apostles, Chapter 1 & verse 8.
You can contact "Pacific Reach" (formerly South Pacific
Christian Cassettes) by mail at:
4 John Road
Rotorua NZ
E-mail:
vinsatherley.spcc@clear.net.nz
Phone: 07 348 9586
Fax: 07 348 9586
Yours in Christ's
service - to reach the unreached -
Elaine
Satherley.