CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY MAGAZINE MOVED T0 MISSION

W INTER 2016 CHUR CH M I SSI ONARY SOCI ETY M AG AZI NE M OVE D T 0 M ISS IO N I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish th...
Author: Marshall King
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W INTER 2016

CHUR CH M I SSI ONARY SOCI ETY M AG AZI NE

M OVE D T 0 M ISS IO N

I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Acts 20:24 The Apostle Paul had an incredibly deep, unwavering commitment to sharing about Jesus with people. He devoted his life to God’s mission. As I have prepared this edition of Checkpoint, I have been so inspired by the faithfulness of all of our missionaries in many ways – making the decision to ‘go’, persevering on location through various challenges, or returning for a second season of ministry. But I have also been reminded that mission isn’t just for a special ‘type’ of person. Global mission is for all. God is working in all of our lives, and Jesus has given each one of God’s people the same task he gave to Paul. Every Christian needs to be deeply committed to seeing people from all nations come to know Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

What would it take to see a world that knows Jesus? Do you truly have a heart for the lost? Are you willing to devote your life to God’s mission? These are just a few of the questions that we hope you might reflect on and wrestle with, as you read the stories in this edition. Our commitment to God’s mission is a question of the heart. So our prayer is that each one of us would be open to God’s Spirit working in our hearts, and in our churches, to change and move us to deeper involvement in his mission. -Next edition, I will be handing over the role of Editor of Checkpoint to our new Editor/Writer, Rebecca Abbott, as I will be working on a key communications project for CMS over the coming year. It has been a privilege to continue to share with you about how God is working through CMS in Australia and around the world.

His Mission, Our Hearts

Are We ‘Super’ Christians? Love for the Lost Our Stories

Moving Our Churches to Mission 10 Reasons We Love Serving Going Back

Hope Through Hardship Missionary Spotlight

Giving Thanks / Resources / Prayer Diary Updates Take the Next Step with CMS

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Checkpoint is published four times a year by CMS (Church Missionary Society) Australia. CMS is a member of Missions Interlink. © 2016 Church Missionary Society – Australia Ltd. Permission to reproduce material may be obtained from the Editor. For information and feedback, please email: [email protected] Please send CHANGES OF ADDRESS to your CMS branch office (see back cover). Editor: Naomi Jones Designer: Alexandra Gartner Communications Coordinator: Alan George Federal Secretary: Peter Rodgers Unless otherwise stated, all Bible quotations are from the New International Version® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ CMS Australia contracts an independent professional to receive complaints. Telephone: 1800 070 511 Cover Image: Stock image.

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Gaby is just one of many people who has found lasting hope in Jesus through the work of CMS. By giving today, you are enabling CMS missionaries to serve in ministry long-term and bring lasting hope to people across the world.

Watch Gaby’s story here: www.cms.org.au/lastinghopestory

Give today: give.cms.org.au

DEADLINE JUNE 30TH

mission OUR hearts HIS

As we long for a world that knows Jesus, we must remember that with God nothing is impossible! CMS Australia Federal Secretary Peter Rodgers challenges us to consider the part each of us can play in God’s global mission. What would it take to see a world that knows Jesus? With more than two billion people who still have little access to the gospel, some recent research1 said if the Australian Church was serious in doing its part we would need to increase our missionary numbers 10 fold. That is a huge call. Where would we find that many people? Where would the money come from to support them? Is this task impossible? Of course not! With God nothing is impossible. It is his mission and he can do it. So what will it take?

A movement of the Spirit The solution to seeing a world that knows Jesus is not just as simple as people putting up their hands to become missionaries. What is needed is a movement of God’s Spirit to sweep across our churches. A movement where God’s passion for the lost becomes our own. A movement that will see people make courageous decisions to follow God wherever he leads. A movement that starts in our hearts.

it. The great commission to “go and make disciples of all nations” is for all, and it is every Christian’s responsibility to be part of it. We need to be ready for God to shape us, convict us, and change us – giving us a heart for the lost even through the everyday decisions of life. Of course, the way God gives clarity to his purposes in our lives in global mission is very different for every person and family. We each have our journey, and you will read some of the stories from CMS workers in this edition of Checkpoint. For some, God may give a clear sense at one particular moment to make a large career-changing decision to serve as a missionary. For others, it may be smaller but still significant decisions made over many years through reading God’s word, being faithful in making a greater financial commitment or regular prayers. What is important is that these decisions are made in light of God’s global purposes.

WHAT IS NEEDED IS A MOVEMENT OF GOD’S SPIRIT TO SWEEP ACROSS OUR CHURCHES ... WHERE GOD’S PASSION FOR THE LOST BECOMES OUR OWN.

In 1887, Christians in England saw the great need around the world and CMS set a vision to grow their missionary numbers from 300 to 1000 missionaries by 1900. Many said this goal was impossible. But a great movement of the Spirit in the hearts of many saw the realisation of this goal.

Missions were seen to be no mere charity asking for money, but to be a great and holy cause demanding and deserving a front place in the church’s thoughts and in the thoughts of every Christian.2 In 1900 there were 1002 missionaries. Praise God!

A commission to us all It is no different today. Every Australian Christian needs to have God’s global mission in the forefront of their minds, being ready to listen to God’s word and his leading to serve him. For some, the thought of God’s Spirit prompting us in global mission is dismissed as being only for ‘keen-beans’ or ‘super' Christians. But this is not the way Scripture frames

A growing conviction

For me personally, it took some time to see that the Lord had been preparing me to serve overseas as a missionary. There was no sudden, flashing light, but a growing conviction that God had equipped me for this work. I had the benefit of growing up in a church that encouraged its young people to get involved in ministry and enabled us to have a global gospel perspective through its regular preaching and teaching program. Years later I was working as a school counsellor in Moree when I first felt really challenged about serving with CMS. A conversation with the General Secretary of the Queensland/Northern NSW Branch was the start of a 10-year journey that led us to serve in Indonesia. The pathway to mission can often be very slow. Once we had made the decision to serve cross-culturally, there were stumbling blocks along the way. After training at St Andrew’s Hall, the door to Indonesia had seemingly closed. This led to an extra year of waiting, uncertain of where we might serve, and unsure of where God was leading us. It was a testing season. Yet on reflection, we learnt to be patient and trust in his purposes through that time. The closed door then opened for us to serve in Indonesia for the next 10 years.

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Serving God together The purpose statement of CMS states that “we work together to set apart long-term workers who cross cultures to share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ”. This is an inclusive statement – it involves individuals, churches, partners and missionaries working together and each playing their part. All Christians can pray and get better informed about global mission. All Christians can encourage others in their church community. All Christians can have an outward focus and bear witness to Christ right in their neighbourhood. Such ministry is foundational for broader ministry, perhaps as a cross-cultural missionary, in the future.

Images: People from other cultures where CMS missionaries are serving.

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I would challenge Checkpoint readers to get involved, test your skills and humbly ask God how you can be more useful in his global mission. Over a century ago the movement of the Spirit in people’s hearts saw the expansion of gospel mission. What will it take to have a world that knows Jesus? It starts with you and your heart – as a valued member of God’s Church, being open to the movement of the Spirit in your life. Nothing is impossible for God. Perhaps God wants you to take the next step in mission right now. 1. Conclusion based on data available at www.gcpn.info. 2. Eugene Stock, A History of the Church Missionary Society, 1899, Vol. III, p. 326.

pray

Pray for a movement of the Holy Spirit in our churches and in our hearts — a movement that sees God’s people passionate for his global mission.

are we

SUPER CHRISTIANS? R is teaching English as a foreign language in Eurasia and building relationships with women in her community. She explains why missionaries are not ‘super’ Christians!

Some people may have a perception that missionaries are ‘super' Christians. However, I have always believed that Christians working in another culture are not ‘better’ than those who stay in their own culture.

Following Jesus

I have not had access to people in Australia whose wisdom I would have appreciated. At those times I rely on God to help me through. Although my response is hopefully the same as it would be in Australia, I feel my need to rely on him more often and more deeply living here. (I count this as one of the blessings of living in another culture.)

Regardless of where we live, we are all called to follow Jesus. In following Jesus, we try to live for him each day and help others to do so too. We try to encourage one another. We try to share our lives with people who do not believe so that they too will know God. We all live in a fallen world, coping with the struggles that come with that. We all have the Holy Spirit living within us, helping us. We all have God’s word, which we try to understand and live by. We are all saved through grace alone. We are all purified by his blood.

However, being a missionary does not mean that I am a better Christian than my supporters in Australia! Yes, being a missionary is challenging. There are times when I feel less useful for the kingdom here than I did in Australia – like when building relationships is slow and hard, or I make lots of language mistakes in conversation, or I just can’t express myself clearly. However, I believe God is powerful enough to use every person as much or as little as he likes, wherever they are, regardless of their knowledge of language and culture. He even uses people who think they are weak Christians to serve him across the world. I humbly trust that he continues to use me as I seek to be faithful to him.

Seeing similarities As I have lived in another culture over the last seven years, I have often thought about how my life here compares with life in Australia. I do not always understand the language and culture of the people I am with – but that actually happens at times in multicultural Australia too. I might miss out on special and ordinary events of family and friends in Australia. But then I am privileged to participate in special and ordinary events in the lives of friends here!

Not better, just different I can’t deny that living in a different culture has made an impact on my life. Some of the challenges that come with living in another culture have been very difficult and may not be for everyone. But no doubt each culture brings its own challenges and each of us is stretched in different ways. Although God has blessed me with good support here, there are some things I cannot really discuss with local friends. And due to the time difference, there have been times when

I also trust that God continues to work in me, making me more like Jesus. Sadly, there is still much work to do. Am I a super Christian? Of course not! No one is. Let us continue to keep our eyes fixed on the perfecter of our faith, live for God each day, share him with others and encourage one another as we await Jesus’ return and the end of all sin.

care

Email your church’s CMS missionaries, encouraging them to continue being faithful to Jesus, finding their strength in God alone as they serve him.

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LOVE FOR THE LOST CMS Mission Personnel Secretary Elizabeth Richards provides support and guidance to CMS cross-cultural workers as they take the gospel to the nations. Here, Elizabeth reflects on God’s amazing love, and how our missionaries are embracing and sharing this love across the globe. As we read God’s word, his love for the lost from all nations is abundantly clear. From God’s promise to Abraham that through him all nations will be blessed, to New Testament verses such as John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, we see the overwhelming love God has for his world and that it finds its ultimate expression in the cross. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. From this understanding we know that God’s imperative is ours. As citizens of Christ’s kingdom, living in the last days and waiting for Christ’s return, we are taking on kingdom values. We learn and grow to love what God loves, and God loves the world for which he sent his only son. He desires for all people to come into his kingdom. So we also need to carry his mandate to go into all the world with the good news out of love – because he first loved us. Without love we will just be clanging cymbals, trying to send a message that might not be heard at all.

God’s love motivates It is a given that our cross-cultural workers will love the lost and desire that all people have the opportunity to enter God’s kingdom. Loving the lost as God loves the lost needs to be lived out every day in thought, word and action. Christ’s love compels and God’s Spirit enables. This provides the

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motivation to learn another language, to adapt and cope with a whole new set of cultural norms, and to keep going in difficult circumstances. Ministry in another culture can involve times of deep frustration, loneliness and despair. Lack of visible fruit can lead people to question the value of their effort. As we grow to know God’s incredible sacrificial love towards us in Christ, we have the motivation and confidence to continue loving the lost around us, no matter what.

Who do we love? Some prospective missionaries approach CMS having already developed a strong love and connection to a particular people group. They may have been praying for that group for years, or have a personal connection through family or from shortterm mission. CMS worker L shares:

One year at Katoomba Youth Conference the speaker challenged us to ask God for a very specific thing in prayer. I asked for a passion for the lost. The ability to see people and situations through God’s eyes is something I have sought to pray for daily. After graduating from university I worked in the Maldives for 12 months. Through this experience God gave me a heart to work long-term with M women. In the current climate of fear of M people, I am thankful for the many M friends God has given me.

CHRIST’S LOVE COMPELS AND GOD’S SPIRIT ENABLES.

Others approach CMS because they are convinced by the need to take the gospel to all nations but have not yet identified a people group among whom they will serve. This was the case for CMS missionary Kingsley Box, who serves in Slovenia with Veronica:

had gone to serve. God answered that prayer and enabled them to return feeling energised and enthusiastic for the task ahead. In the ensuing years the hardships continued, but their love for the people they were living among helped to sustain them and allowed them to build strong relationships.

I didn’t have any special feelings towards the Slovenes when I was deciding whether to come to Slovenia, or stay in Australia, or go to Africa. But I did have God’s word, the Bible, which gives me his plans for all the nations, his feelings toward this world, and us, and where this world is headed.

If we know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, then we must always be growing in faith by seeing the world through his eyes – and taking the message of his love to all the nations. My prayer is that God will raise up more people to serve with CMS in different parts of the world – people who have a servant heart and a love for others that is rooted in the knowledge of the depth of God’s amazing sacrificial love toward us all. Pray that he would grow your heart for the lost too.

At St Andrew’s Hall, trainee missionaries learn skills for crossing cultures and frameworks for understanding the culture of a new location. It is often through this that they begin to identify with a people group, and once on location they develop a Christ-like sacrificial love and concern for those people.

When loving is hard It can take time for this love to develop. Sometimes events on location can make it difficult to love a particular people group. Perhaps that group is perceived as the source of suffering and hardship. For example, Peter* and Kate* were working in a country in South East Asia. They struggled in their first term with adapting to the culture and learning the language. There were aspects of their new lives that made them angry and frustrated. On Home Assignment they asked for prayer that they would be able to properly love the people whom they

* Names changed for privacy reasons. Images: Above, CMS missionary Kirstin Hawkshaw in Nepal. Opposite page, a girl from South Asia.

give

You can have the joy of helping CMS missionaries share with the lost about Jesus by giving to the CMS Lasting Hope Appeal. Give today at give.cms.org.au.

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Our Stories CMS missionaries reflect on how God has worked in their lives in different and often unexpected ways to bring them to serve him long-term in cross-cultural mission.

MIKE AND KAREN ROE

JOHN AND JODI LOVELL

I (Mike) sat in the doctor’s surgery and waited. It was March 1997 and I had come to understand the gospel of grace as a university student three years earlier. I started engineering hoping to make money – I finished it hoping to be a missionary. But now I sat waiting to be diagnosed with cancer.

Jodi and I began training at theological college with the hope of being involved in church planting in western Sydney. We were challenged by the needs and opportunities and thought this type of ministry would be a good fit for our family. We continued attending CMS Summer School each year and were committed to supporting world mission. We were quite settled that it would be as senders, pray-ers and partners, and not as missionaries. In fact, just the thought of going was enough to bring Jodi to tears as she contemplated the possible isolation from family and friends.

Namibia

I walked away from my oncologist’s office six years later with the ‘all-clear’, and all I could think about was mission. In 2006 I married my best friend Karen, we started Bible college, and were eager to serve with CMS. But still the constant advice we received was to … wait! We applied to CMS in 2008, and were advised to wait and do a higher degree for the work we hoped to be involved in. In 2012 we were then advised to wait and get more pastoral experience. Then in mid-2014 a separate medical issue came up for Karen that brought into question whether we would be able to serve in mission after all. We felt crushed, but were advised to ‘wait on the Lord’ (Psalm 27:14). At CMS Victoria’s ‘Summer Under the Son’ conference in January 2015, Karen talked to CMS Australia Federal Secretary Peter Rodgers, who asked, “Have you thought about Namibia?” So we entrusted ourselves to CMS and to their selection processes. As we did, the medical issue resolved, and we came to see that in so many ways the Lord had been preparing us to serve him in Namibia all along. Have you thought about serving in mission? If so, what are you waiting for?

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Spain

When I began my final year at college we felt settled about our future ministry plans. We had a job lined up for the following year in western Sydney, working alongside people we loved, and who shared our enthusiasm for church planting. We headed off to CMS Summer School again. It made sense to attend the missionary session on church planting overseas given our ministry plans. We heard of the needs and opportunities in Spain, and Jodi was particularly struck by the similarities to the ministry we were excited about being a part of in Sydney. The opportunities were in leading a small church, teaching the Scriptures, training, building relationships with locals and encouraging others in personal evangelism. It was clear that someone else could take our job in Sydney (which they did), but there were not many who could or would go to Spain. Many small churches in Spain had been without a minister for years. We realised we could go, and our ‘settled plans’ changed! How settled are your ministry plans?

KELLY LANDRIGAN

BRAD AND MICHELLE JACKSON

As a new Christian, I remember hearing for the first time that there were people in the world who would go from birth to death and never get to hear about Jesus. I was shocked. I started thinking (and fearing!) that God might want me to do something about that.

I (Brad) experienced a massive turning point in my life when I went to La Trobe University. As I was discipled by a key leader in the Christian group, I got serious about studying the Bible and sharing my faith. I first read 2 Corinthians 5:15, that we should no longer live for ourselves but for him who died for all. It was like an arrow straight into my heart. My missionary desire was born. As I read the Bible I started to think, why wouldn’t

France

After going to Bible college I moved to Newcastle (from Sydney) to work in full-time ministry. It seemed to me that the decision about mission wasn’t just a one-off decision, but one I ought to keep making. So every couple of years I prayed seriously about whether long-term mission might be how I could best serve God. At one of the times I was praying, I realised the reasons that had stopped me up until then were either no longer there or weren’t as compelling, and so I began a conversation with CMS. At that point I wasn’t sure at all about cross-cultural ministry– I just hoped I’d be willing if CMS thought it was a good idea! CMS has lots of experience and I trusted they’d help me work out whether I was ‘suited’, and that they would be willing to say no if they didn’t think I was. And even more than this, I trusted in God’s sovereignty. I used the process of applying to become a missionary with CMS, to get an answer to whether cross-cultural mission might be the best way I could serve God. I just kept taking the next step, and over many conversations, came to a point where I decided that if CMS said yes, then I’d go. And now, here I am in France! Do you need to take the next step and have a conversation with CMS?

Japan

I be part of what God is doing? Another push towards mission came from a girl. When we were on our first date, Michelle asked me if I’d be open to becoming a missionary in Japan. That’s a big question for a first date. But I gave her a ‘maybe’ and that was enough. Three years after we got married we went and lived in Japan, and that’s when God gave me a vision to serve him there long-term. I was so struck by the spiritual poverty – the many temples and shrines, people held captive by superstition, the fear of evil spirits and empty religion. So many people living without Jesus. Why wouldn’t we go? Are you considering becoming a missionary? Why not start preparing now. Learn to pray and listen to God through the Bible, share your faith, and serve God in your church, university, workplace or community.

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S AND C

ROLF AND BONNIE LEPELAAR Cambodia

Middle East

We first came to Cambodia in 1996 with another organisation and learnt the hard way about the difference that appropriate processes can make. The main lesson was the importance of the sending agency. We went out with a new mission group (that no longer exists) that had some keen ideas for Cambodia, but with little experience and inadequate structures.

When I (C) was at university, I heard a CMS missionary speak about working overseas. I decided right then that I would never be a missionary! But as I continued to hear the Bible taught and as we continued to pray for missionaries, my eyes were opened to the needs of many to hear the gospel.

After six years in Cambodia, we came back to Australia so that I (Rolf) could do further study and we also explored organisations through which we might return to Cambodia. We were attracted to CMS because there were (and are) many experienced people involved with CMS at every level. The five key principles of CMS were another attraction, particularly ‘begin in a small way’. In Cambodia we had seen many ministries experience difficulties because they had started too quickly and too big, trying to achieve too much without an adequate understanding of the context. Now, looking back after serving for almost 20 years in Cambodia, we are so thankful for our partnership with CMS. Are you considering cross-cultural mission? If so, start a conversation with your church leadership, experienced missionaries and mission organisations like CMS, and prayerfully seek opportunities to serve God now.

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After S and I were married, we began praying together that God might use us in his work of bringing people to himself. It was a simple prayer, but it would ultimately change everything for us. We were part of a prayer group for South America for two years. We saw the Field family leave for their first term in Argentina and the Coxes head to St Andrew’s Hall before going on to Bolivia. We were challenged as we saw people going out and we wanted to go too. We started chatting with CMS and said we wanted to go – maybe to South America. But we ended up in the Middle East! We had both been involved with Ms in our previous jobs and in our community. We saw a huge need for them to know Jesus and CMS was keen for us to go! Are you praying for God to use you in his mission?

go

‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ Romans 10:15b. Learn more about going with CMS now: www.cms.org.au/go.

MOVING OUR CHURCHES

TO MISSION

Your church plays a vital role in God’s global mission. We hope you are challenged and inspired as you read how some Australian church leaders are engaging in and equipping people for long-term crosscultural mission.

GROWING GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

EQUIPPING PEOPLE FOR MISSION

REGULAR MISSION SPOTS

“I love that God has always used people to reach people and that he has so ordained things that his people are scattered everywhere! Our church has an important role to play in helping people grasp the strategic value of long-term mission, as well as challenge the self-centeredness that is increasingly seen as normal in western culture, encouraging people to ask ‘will it be good for Jesus and his Church?’ rather than ‘Will it be good for me?’”

“As a pastor, Ephesians 4 calls on me to equip people for ministry in many different contexts. So as we pray, preach and teach the gospel – week in, week out – we encourage some to consider working full-time for the gospel, whether in Australia or elsewhere. We do this even though it costs the church to send people out, because we always need to keep our eyes on the greater work of God throughout the world.”

“We encourage people to ‘go’ through regular ‘mission spots’ in our services, an in-depth Global Mission Week in June and through the support and prayers of our pastors and our missions working group. We support CMS workers Derk and Susan by praying for them through our monthly mission prayer diary (distributed to every member), and through our church budget, which includes regular giving to our mission partners.”

REV KEVIN PEDERSEN, Senior Minister Ormond Anglican Church, VIC

REV GREG BLANCH, Minister Orange Evangelical Church, NSW

REV ROGER MOREY, Acting Rector St Matthew’s Shenton Park, WA

FACILITATING LOCAL CROSS-CULTURAL WORK

FOCUSED MISSION GROUPS

ENABLING MISSION INVOLVEMENT

“I’m encouraged to see many people from our church getting involved in mission. From our local outreach ministries, including mission in a local Nepali community and among youth at a local skate park, to beach missions and reaching out to international students at universities. These experiences build enthusiasm for cross-cultural mission further afield. We have sent out people who are now serving in a variety of countries in Africa and Asia. I love seeing people take the Great Commission seriously.”

“I started the ‘Chance to Chat Missions’ group at our church in March 2015 to enable people to share experiences of mission, work through important questions about serving long-term, support and pray for each other in their vision and plans for short-term or long-term mission, and to encourage the group to see themselves as missionaries in their familiar Australian contexts: always seeking opportunities to share the gospel with others.”

“As God was prompting our CMS mission partners (currently serving in South East Asia), I sought to help them by keeping mission as a priority in the weekly gathering; supporting their home group (who could all see they should be going out as missionaries); getting them up-front in church to build their wider support base; being their friend (seeing them off at the airport; sending presents to the children and visiting them twice on location). We also pray for them regularly in church.”

REV PETER MACPHERSON, Senior Minister St Alfred’s Anglican Church, Blackburn North, VIC

JOCELYN WILLIAMS, Missions Coordinator Arundel Presbyterian Church, QLD

REV CHRIS JOLLIFFE, Associate Minister Trinity City Church, SA

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CMS is looking for people who will take the gospel to the nations. 14

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HOW WILL YOU SERVE?

cms.org.au/opportunity

R E A S O N S 0 1

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Although life as a missionary can be difficult at times, there are also many joys that come with serving God across cultures! CMS worker J (serving with D and their sons) shares 10 reasons why they love serving in South East Asia.

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YOU GET TO TALK ABOUT FAITH

YOU’RE REMINDED OF YOUR TRUE HOME

What happens when you are constantly out of your comfort zone, in a vastly different culture, using language you will never fully understand? You can despair, crash and give up, or you can be driven to depend on God! We have found that our faith has been strengthened and we have to rely on God.

Most people have some sort of faith so it’s generally an easy thing to talk about faith issues. The difficult thing is getting below the surface to try and share something about Jesus and his gift of grace.

Although we regard our ‘host’ country in South East Asia as home, we know we will never really fit in – even with improving language and cultural understanding. This is a good reminder that our citizenship is in heaven.

IT’S HUMBLING

In your home country you take it for granted that you know how to communicate and do things ‘normally’. But when you struggle to do simple everyday things like shopping, getting around and talking with people, it is a humbling experience!

LEARNING FROM THE MINISTRY OF OTHERS

YOU APPRECIATE YOUR HEART LANGUAGE

In this area of the world there are workers from many different countries doing many different things, all with the same purpose of building God’s Church. It’s exciting and a great blessing to see God’s ministry in action.

If you have been fellowshipping with others in a foreign language for a few years, it is very moving to return to Australia and hear God’s word read and taught, and also sing his praises in your heart language.

YOUR FAMILY CAN BOND

IT’S AN ADVENTURE!

It is often difficult to get on well with people from different cultural backgrounds (for us this includes Indonesian, Korean and American). Through spending more time together, we have been blessed that our family unit has grown stronger!

Exploring in a new country will probably take different forms than what you are used to. For us, we have found ourselves driving our car through an open-range zoo with tigers in it, visiting active volcanoes and driving three hours for a two-hour long church picnic, just to name a few!

SIMPLE JOYS BECOME SPECIAL TREATS

IT’S A SLOWER PACE OF LIFE

We love the slower, more flexible and laid-back pace of life in South East Asia, compared to the West. This has helped us reflect on what’s important in life.

go

With a humble allowance comes frugal living. This also means that small things can become special treats – such as good coffee, a milkshake, seeing a movie, visiting a playground with the kids, and nice breakfast cereal!

J says, “God has given us many blessings as workers in South East Asia. Now might be a good time for you to consider if God wants you to serve long-term with CMS — perhaps in one of Australia’s near-neighbouring countries?” Visit www.cms.org.au/go to find out more.

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g n i Go k c a B Inspired to share his faith and his engineering training, Gordon Russell first went to Nepal with CMS in 1983. Two years later, Ruth, a medical doctor, also went to Nepal as a missionary. After marrying in 1985, they continued serving there together for 10 years. Here, they reflect on the joy of returning to Nepal four years ago, for a second season of ministry. There’s a Nepali hymn (No 479) that says: Our life is like sunshine and shadow, It’s like a flowing river, The past doesn’t come back again. Crying won’t bring back the past. Life may be like a flowing river (Nepali rivers aren’t tidal!), but in our case, the Lord has blessed us by being able to return to Nepal in our senior years for another season of service. In our new location, we have been privileged to become part of the local church and its many ministry opportunities – including home group and ministering to the elderly – as well as through our professional work contributions.

Playing a part Our desire to play an active part in what God is doing in this rapidly growing Church has brought us back to Nepal, where the highs are higher and the lows are lower. While there are plenty of frustrations, they are outweighed by the joy of seeing God’s hand at work and witnessing people enthusiastically turning from idols to serve the living and true God. Compared to life and ministry in Australia, we feel our small contributions have more impact here. The longer we stay and more language we can understand, the more meaningful relationships become. We have also been humbled and challenged to be part of a Bible study group with believers who own almost nothing, other than their passionate faith in Christ.

The advantage of our age Being older has been an advantage. Nepalis have a proverb, “If you want to get warm, stand by a fire of big logs. If you need advice, ask an old person.” Age is still valued in this culture. Having some language skills and previous relationships has

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really fast-tracked our ministry opportunities. Nevertheless, other older couples serving here for the first time are also still able to make very worthwhile contributions.

Growing through challenges We have experienced the Lord refining us through the stresses and joys of cross-cultural ministry. Our faith is stretched and we have to rely on God. Our home culture and values still sit in our ‘operating system’, so we need to keep learning patience and graciousness. For example, even after all these years, Gordon can still feel exasperated over the lack of concern about planning ahead or meeting deadlines in Nepali culture, but expressing our anger can cause offence and reflect badly on Jesus’ reputation. We are often reminded that our behaviour can so easily detract from the gospel message. One of the hardest things remains the separation we feel from family and friends back in Australia. Despite all the modern communications technology, we sometimes feel like we’re in another galaxy, and we value your faithful prayers for all missionaries coping with separation.

Images: Above, Gordon and their daughter Bethany in 1989. Opposite page, Gordon and Ruth in 2011 visiting friends at the Tatopani church, where they had worked on a project in 1988.

Perhaps you’re at a life stage where you have greater freedom and capacity to serve. Would you prayerfully consider serving God with CMS again, or perhaps for the first time? Contact your local branch or visit www.cms.org.au/go.

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LORD REFINING US THROUGH THE STRESSES AND JOYS OF CROSS-CULTURAL MINISTRY.

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H O PE

thr o u g h

H A RDSH IP Coping with difficulty is an inevitable part of life for every Christian, and missionaries are no exception. CMS missionaries reflect on some of the difficulties they have faced – both personally and in ministry – and what they have learned about persevering.

ROGER AND LYNN KAY

Ethiopia

As we chat with our daughter on Skype we realise that she is not coping well. She is tearful, not sleeping and feeling ‘down’. She is struggling to identify why she is feeling like this and despite asking questions we are unsure too. Reluctantly, we finish the Skype call. We hate these moments, which thankfully are rare. The distance between Australia and Ethiopia feels like an eternity. We feel guilty that we aren’t there to support her. We feel sad and tearful ourselves and, if we are honest, at times we feel angry with God. We sit and talk about all the possibilities, but recognise that she has to take responsibility for her life. All we can do is pray that God will do what is best for her. That feels so inadequate. But in thinking that, we are trying to rely on our own strength rather than trusting in God’s love and care for our daughter and his power to act. And God does act. He gives our daughter fresh insight into the situation, and he brings wise people alongside her to guide and support her. The next time we talk a couple of days later, things have changed dramatically. It is humbling when others care for our daughter as we would, and our hearts are full of thankfulness for God’s provision.



ANDREW AND PAULINA COX

Chile

We used to look at other missionaries and see the ‘spiritually successful’. Sometimes we still do. As missionaries our struggles have made us wonder at times if we have got God’s call all wrong. Wouldn’t it all be easier if we just went back to our ‘real’ lives? The multiple issues of visas, banks, housing, health, phones, transport, papers, our church leaders, leaders from other churches, the congregation, friends and even our family have brought us to our knees in tears, wondering what on earth we are doing here. But who said it would be easy? Through all that, we’ve grown in our understanding of God’s grace in Christ and in his sovereign provision over our humble efforts. We’ve been blessed to see what God is doing through us when we haven’t been able to comprehend it in the moment. That takes time. We were called by God to follow Christ, having been convinced that this means we are to share in his sufferings. Therefore, our faith is still being perfected through perseverance. God promises that those who persevere will share in the blessings of his son, Jesus. Our experience has not been glamorous or glorious. To faithfully share Christ with those who do not know him leads us into patient obedience.

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A AND H

Middle East The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? Psalm 27:1a When chaos and uncertainty was all around us over the last five years of revolution and war in the Middle East, this verse has given us courage and strength. While our country is not in war, from time to time there have been protests in the area where we live. One Friday as I (H) was doing my usual fruit and veg shopping in the market, a few individuals walked past holding political signs. Five minutes after I arrived at the place where we always shop, a very large, loud group of protesters came past. I was nervous and went to the back of the shop, kept my head down and studied the carrots very carefully! In a few minutes it was all over and I carried on as usual, but I still felt shaken when I got home. Some people have encouraged us to leave when they have heard of events like this. But after leaving due to stress in the first revolution, we were more prepared and now know better how to cope with these situations. We stay in this difficult place because people still need to hear the Good News and, by God’s grace, our ministry makes a difference. Through A’s media work, people are becoming believers. Disillusioned with Islam, many are searching for something else to believe in. Three people from different parts of the Middle East have become Christians in recent months – praise God!



MAGGIE CREWES

East Africa

As I reflect on the past 24 years with CMS, there have been many challenges – too many to mention! Sharing about Jesus’ love and care through a community health/medical ministry, among people with HIV, and with children and youth on the street – in the midst of grinding poverty, social injustice, death, war and rebels, hair-curling bureaucracy and personal health issues, and in a variety of different locations and cultures. One of the key things I’ve learned is that to really share deep spiritual truths and connect meaningfully with people about Jesus, you’ve got to be there for the long haul. Language and cultural understanding doesn’t happen overnight. I have also learnt that in all kinds of ministry, who you are and your relationships with people are much more important than what you ‘do’ and ‘achieve’. All manner of preaching, teaching and good works can be undone by an angry word, a cool attitude or a wrong action. How much we need God’s grace! Finally, as I have worked in situations of extreme poverty and felt overwhelmed with the many needs, I have tried to keep in focus what I can do, and not what I can’t do. God has all things in his hands, and he knows this, but sometimes it can take us a long time to learn this.

Images: Above, a crowd of protestors move past A and H’s home. Right, a boy in Ethiopia, one of the countries in Africa where Maggie oversees ministry to vulnerable children and families through Retrak.

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BRUCE AND LIBBY HAYES

Nepal (on extended study leave)

Orienting to a new culture is just the beginning of change in long-term mission. Since departing Australia for Nepal in 1993, our family has experienced many changes, some more momentous than others. In 1999, we left the cool lush hills of Okhaldhunga for the ‘big smoke’ – a polluted and pot-holed Kathmandu. We lost a visa in 2003 and without work, Bruce grappled with his sense of identity, while Libby (who took on the visa) struggled with being a full-time teacher after many years break from the classroom. In hindsight, this opened up so many ministry opportunities and both of us found satisfaction in new areas. From 2005 we farewelled a child who had graduated every two years, entrusting them to God as they negotiated being in foreign Australian and university culture.



ANDREW AND DOM GIFFORD

Spain

When CMS suggested that we work in Spain, they added, “You need to have a long-term perspective. Don’t expect much to happen for at least seven years.” “No worries,” we replied. We’re now at the end of our seventh year and we’re grateful for the wisdom and commitment of CMS to long-term work. Nothing is going to change for the gospel in Barcelona overnight. The people to whom we are relating in our school and community don’t know anyone else who takes their discipleship to Jesus seriously. In a place where the gospel poverty is great but change is so slow, at times we feel tempted to throw in the towel. So, when Claudia, one of the mothers from our local school, says to Dom for the second time, “There’s something different about you – you are so peaceful,” and Dom is able to reply about her true hope and Claudia lets that sink in, we remember that God is doing something.

IT IS IN OUR WEAKNESS THAT WE SEE GOD’S HAND AT WORK AND EXPERIENCE HIM IN A DEEPER WAY.

And when our small church family talks about their desire to see the enormous space we have in our church building filled with people one day, we remember there is a reason to persevere for the sake of the gospel. Barcelona needs more Christians who are willing to commit to and love the people here for the long term in the name of Jesus. Perhaps you are one of them?

More recently, we had to move house with little warning – in what was only to be a four-month stay – as God made it clear that we should return to Australia for a sabbatical for further study. Each of the changes we experienced took us through an ending of something familiar, through a type of wilderness of transitions but then ultimately to a new ‘normal’. Through each transition we have learnt that it is in our weakness, when we are at the end of our rope, that we see God’s hand at work and experience him in a deeper way. Any change involves inevitable loss, so we need to give ourselves space for this adjustment, but also look forward to God’s next installment!

pray Image: Right, the largely empty space where the Gifford’s church meets in Barcelona, Spain.

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Give thanks to God that his Great Commission came with the wonderful promise that he would always be with us. Pray for all CMS missionaries to persevere through whatever they are facing, knowing that God is with them.

MISSIONARY SPOTLIGHT Checkpoint asked: “What is one key thing you wish you had known before you became a missionary?”

Andy & Jenny Bennett, Tanzania Andy and Jenny work for the Anglican Diocese of Kagera in Murgwanza. Andy has worked in education and development and is currently coordinating Bible teaching in secondary schools. Jenny is a hospital chaplain. Murgwanza

“We didn’t realise how much perseverance would be involved in being missionaries! When we arrived, Andy had a ridiculously high workload, compounded by the ‘inefficiencies’ of working in Africa. Jenny had the emotionally draining job of ministering to hundreds of patients in a poorly-resourced hospital. We were pushed to the limit physically, emotionally and spiritually. We just had to keep remembering that as God calls, so he empowers. As we trusted more, we persevered more, and that led to some amazing outcomes. It’s been tough, and wonderful.”

T & E, South East Asia Tand E live in a busy city in a predominantly M country. On campus they teach university students ecotourism and medicine, and encourage students to grow in their faith. They serve the community in various ways.

“Having enjoyed cross-cultural relationships in Australia and several trips overseas, I (E) assumed a sense of ‘belonging’ in my new home would come with time. Instead, I now suspect that no matter how good my language gets, or how embedded in local culture I am, I will never be ‘one of them’. And while previously I sensed I ‘belonged’ in Australia, I suspect I will struggle with that when I return. So I may never feel I belong again… but I am learning what it really means to be a ‘stranger in this world’.” South East Asia

Leigh & Tamara Filmer, Nepal

Nepal

Leigh and Tamara serve in Nepal, where Leigh is a nursing and disaster response advisor for the International Nepal Fellowship. Tamara is a pharmacist advisor at a hospital and manages the Primary Study Centre, a small school for expat children.

“Flexibility is an absolute must on the mission field. You may have an idea of what your ministry is going to be and what you think you will ‘achieve’ but the reality is nearly always different from what you expected. This can be very unsettling and stressful. However, if you go with a heart to serve and be open to God’s leading (and the suggestions of local leaders and experienced missionaries) you will be a lot less stressed and more content wherever you find yourself.”

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GIVING THANKS TO GOD Joyce Pullen

We praise God for the life and ministry of Joyce Pullen who died at Richmond, NSW, in January, aged 97. Joyce, with her husband Laurie (deceased), served the Lord with CMS in India from 1945 to 1972. During this time Joyce and Laurie had four children. As well as caring for her family, Joyce was very involved in ministry. She supervised hostels for school children, an orphanage and refuges for women whose husbands had abandoned them because they didn’t bear sons. She also helped establish a polio rehabilitation centre, sponsorship programs from Kindernothilfe (Germany’s Compassion) and ran Bible studies and Mothers’ Unions. After Joyce and Laurie returned to Australia in 1972, they were involved in ministry at St Cuthbert’s South Carlton until their retirement in 1985, when they moved to Buxton, NSW. We thank God for her faithful ministry and offer our deep sympathy for her family and friends.

Dorothy Cooper We thank God for the life and work of Dorothy Cooper, who died in Kingscote, Kangaroo Island on 2 March 2016, aged 99. Dorothy served with CMS as a typist, bookkeeper and secretary to the Bishop in the office of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, at Mvumi. In 1944 she married Christopher Cooper, who was a chaplain with the Colonial and Continental Church Society. Soon after their marriage, Christopher was asked to reopen the Diocese’s theological college in Kongwa. He and Dorothy served there for several years before Dorothy and their children moved to South Australia in 1952, and Christopher the next year. They were involved in parish ministry in Adelaide and London before retiring to Kangaroo Island, where Christopher died in 1997. We ask God to grant his comfort and peace to their children, John, Jim, Margaret and Helen, and to their extended family and friends.

BOOK REVIEWS

Resources to help you explore God’s will for your life and taking the next step in cross-cultural mission:

DECISION MAKING BY THE BOOK HADDON W. ROBINSON

GUIDANCE AND THE VOICE OF GOD * PHILLIP JENSEN AND TONY PAYNE

THE CALL OS GUINNESS

In this great little book Haddon W. Robinson shares principles for making wise and godly decisions. If you’ve ever thought you needed a voice from the Lord to be a missionary (or do any other significant task) this book will help you to examine those assumptions in the light of Scripture.

This book had the biggest impact on us as far as guidance goes (although not specific to mission). I (Adrian) found it incredibly liberating to know that as Christians we have a lot of freedom – “God’s guidance is more like a compass than a map”.

For over 30 years I have admired Os Guinness’s clear writing and public discourse. In ‘The Call’, Guinness brings this clarity to the sometimes vague questions we ask about what God wants from us, richly illustrated with examples from history.

D & A, Indonesia

Adrian & Anita Lovell, Chile

Chris Cooper, CMS-A Mission Personnel Secretary

Available from the CMS-QNNSW Bookstore, $15, see back cover.

*

PRAYER DIARY UPDATES DAY 1 – ST ANDREW’S HALL

Praise the Lord with Joel and Tiffanie Atwood for the birth of their first child, Hosea, on 14 March 2016.

DAY 2 – NORTH AUSTRALIA

Terry and Liz McCoy are relocating to Groote Eylandt, with some lecturing at Nungalinya College. Wayne Oldfield will be taking over the role of Anglican Dean of students at Nungalinya.

DAY 6 – SOUTH EAST ASIA

Congratulations to P B who has been appointed as Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Melbourne. P will be leaving CMS at the end of October.

DAY 7 – CAMBODIA

Wim and Maaike Prins are moving to Phnom Penh in August, where Maaike will be a Deputy Principal at HOPE International School.

DAY 19 – TANZANIA

Arthur and Tamie Davis praise God for the birth of their second son, Callum, on 10 February 2016.

DAY 26 – SPAIN

Give thanks to God with John and Jodi Lovell for the birth of their sixth child and first son, Elias John, on 7 April 2016.

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CMS is a fellowship of Christian people and churches committed to global mission. We work together to set apart long-term workers who cross cultures to share the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our vision is for a world that knows Jesus. We aim to do this by: Reaching gospel-poor peoples for Christ Equipping Christian leaders for church and society Engaging churches in cross-cultural mission To find out more, visit www.cms.org.au Read Checkpoint articles online at www.cms.org.au/checkpoint

CMS BRANCH OFFICES QUEENSLAND WITH NORTHERN NSW Level 4, 126 Barry Parade (PO Box 526), Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 (07) 3112 6530 [email protected] Rev Jeremy Gehrmann NSW & ACT Level 5, 51 Druitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (PO Box 21326, World Square NSW 2002) (02) 9267 3711 [email protected] Rev Canon Malcolm Richards SOUTH AUSTRALIA/NORTHERN TERRITORY 4/195 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000 (08) 8212 4838 [email protected] Mr David Williams

ISSN 1444-00199 | Print Post Approved pp 100007306

TASMANIA 23 Clarence Street, Bellerive TAS 7018 [email protected] VICTORIA 630 Mitcham Road, Mitcham VIC 3132 (PO Box 2150, Rangeview, VIC 3132) (03) 9894 4722 [email protected] Rev Dr Wei-Han Kuan WESTERN AUSTRALIA 31 Acheson Crescent, Woodvale WA 6026 (08) 9408 1296 [email protected] Rev Canon Ray Arthur

CMS AUSTRALIA OFFICE Level 5, 51 Druitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000 (PO Box 20095, World Square NSW 2002) (02) 9284 6777 [email protected] Rev Canon Peter Rodgers ST ANDREW’S HALL 190 The Avenue, Parkville VIC 3052 (03) 9388 1663 [email protected]