Welcome to the second edition of
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Hello everyone, Greetings from the Cross-Cultural Ministry team and Happy New Year! It’s a comforting thought as we step into a new year, that God watches over us individually and he has even prepared the things we are to do for him in 2021. 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them' Ephesians 2:10
(NASB).
Craig Heidenreich Cross-Cultural Ministry Facilitator
I don’t know about you, but each new year I have an instinct to pick up the Bible again and start to read Genesis with the vague intention to keep going right through (and then petering out somewhere in Leviticus). This year I was struck by the story in Genesis 16 when the ‘Angel of the Lord’ appears to Hagar, and her profound statement 'You are the God who sees me!' God does some unusual things, doesn’t he? His ways are certainly not our ways. Up until this point Genesis deals with major themes like creation, the flood, Babel
and the call of Abram, when suddenly God’s attention switches to an insignificant Egyptian slave girl, and we have the 'Angel of the Lord' appear to her personally and tell her to name her baby Ishmael (God hears) * God has a focus on Abraham and his covenant people, but even way back there, God is watching over others and declaring blessing over them as well. It’s curious that Muslim people today try to get a seat at God’s table by referring to their connection via Ishmael. This might be tenuous, but there’s no doubt God seems to keep appearing to Muslim people via angels or dreams. Perhaps the story is not over yet.** We are ‘blessed to be a blessing’ and the way we show hlove to outsiders can open their eyes to a ‘God who sees me’. May your year be blessed. I'm here to help you on your cross-cultural adventure. Call me (08 8267 7300) or email me craig.heidenreich@lca.org.au
* Commentators seem to agree that this is a theophany (an appearance of God) and they point out that this is the first time it happens in scripture. The naming of Ishmael is also the first time God names a baby before it is born. ** Many people refer to having a dream or vision of the ‘Man in white’ and being aware that this is Jesus who is calling them
We're taking this event on the road! The recent cross-border travel restrictions mean we have decided to bring this wonderful event to each of the districts of the LCA/NZ. We start in Adelaide and then Brisbane (13-14 March). Dates for other districts will be announced as they are locked in, so keep checking our New Horizons webpage for updates www.lca.org.au/new-horizons
SOUTH AUSTRALIA REGISTRATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!
A CHANGE IN FOCUS Traditionally the LCA/NZ has expressed cross-cultural ministry by helping migrants develop groups that can worship in their own languages. This is very meaningful, but one of the challenges has been how to involve the second generation as well as their parents. In recent times we are starting to look at how mainstream English-speaking congregations can become more engaged with new arrivals across the board. We are hoping that eventually our membership will be more diverse (a scriptural pattern for the church is social
and ethnic diversity coming together under Christ) Within the span of most of our lifetimes the proportion of Non-European background people in Australia and NZ has changed radically. In 1980 one in twenty people were of non-European backgrounds and now it is one in four, which opens up a whole new mission field. (Hence the need for a Cross-Cultural Ministry Department at all) Rather than trying to start endless ethno-specific churches, we are seeking to support members of our mainstream congregations to reach out to new arrival neighbours. A key goal of the CCM department this year is to draw together those of you who are
interested in this endeavour. Many of us are faithfully labouring in our corner of the Kingdom, but we are spread out thinly. Please make yourself known, so we can support what you are doing and be encouraged as we hear each other’s story.
NEW APPOINTMENT:
PASTOR JAMES LUK 2020 ended with the great news that Ps James Luk has been assigned to Bethlehem Morley in WA. Pastor James Luk was born in South Sudan and was baptised in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sudan. He was ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan in 1999. After coming to Australia in 2005, he joined the LCA the following year. He was received as a Specific Ministry Pastor in the LCA in 2015, to serve the Sudanese people at Frankston in Victoria. He began studies at ALC in 2018 for the general ministry program. Pastor James is married to Sarah and they have seven children and four grandchildren. This will be James’s first parish as a General Ministry
Pastor. Bee kwos gee puoth, (God Bless you) James and Sarah!
WOMEN LEADING THE WAY I am constantly inspired by the way women will roll up their sleeves and reach out in cross-cultural ministry. Two of the articles in this edition highlight some recent stories from around the nation. Go girls!! Many of you would also have heard of the Albert Park Sewing Circle* and perhaps you have seen the short (and very moving) video of this program on their webpage. The sewing circle team have recently made the difficult decision to put things on hold while they reassess the future. We just want to salute Helen and Ken
Semmler along with Noreen and Jim Klein for pioneering this wonderful work. For nearly 20 years, dozens of women (and a few intrepid men) have shown love on a weekly basis by teaching, transporting participants, minding children and providing food. We honour your whole team for showing such an example to the rest of us. You probably don’t want the focus to be on you, but well done you good and faithful servants. Overall, around 300 (mainly Refugee background) women have been involved and introduced to the love of Christ, and had their confidence boosted. Helen would agree that this has been much more than sewing – it has been about knitting hearts together, and the benefits have flowed both ways. While it
is sad to stop something that has been blessed and fruitful, the team are just stepping back to see what new things the Lord will raise up. Perhaps he will speak to your heart. *Albert Park is in the Western suburbs of Adelaide
Age is no barrier for these women!
If you think you are past it, these grannies from the Adelaide Hills have found a new way to love that might inspire you to think again. Gill (2nd from right) and her friends Julie, Judi, Sheri and Betty heard about the plight of some children attending one of the poorer schools in the northern suburbs and offered to help them with English. Six months of weekly zoom tutoring has opened up a whole new world as they have connected with 25 children who are mostly from Refugee backgrounds.
The art of making a friend (from another ethnicity)
The friends we acquire say a lot about the focus of our time and energy. Chances are we have less friends (of any sort) than we would like to have. It’s surprising how close you can get to a person even when you don’t share much language in common so why not add some from other countries? Many converts to Christianity attest to the fact that it was a genuine friendship with a Christian that opened them up to faith in the first place.
'Let's read together' by Michelle Filipovic
I was visiting an Iranian Refugee family a couple of weeks ago that live near me in Wyndham city after moving from Geelong, and I got talking with my friend Sarah (not her real name). As I was leaving that day, I saw a Q’ran on the front hall table and said 'oh, you and I are alike, you have a Q’ran right at your front door. I always have a bible sitting somewhere close by too'. Sarah replied, 'I only bought that downstairs today'. Without really thinking I suggested that next time I visit, I bring my Christian Bible and she has her Q’ran and together we open up and share our favourite writings’. Her reply bought a little spiritual jump for joy to my heart. 'yes, I’d love
to do that'. I am sure Sarah's willingness came that day because of the warmth and love that had developed between us. We weren’t afraid to show an eagerness to share our texts with one another. I am looking forward to my next visit, not just to read to her from our Christian texts but to allow her space to share as well. To respect her journey, to listen and allow the Holy Spirit to do the transforming work as we read together. Lord! – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you chose us, you also first loved us, you reveal the truth, and you don’t want one person to perish. Please Lord prepare hearts to hear the good news, to hear about Jesus as Saviour and receive the free gift of life and love. Give us (who share the gospel) words to speak and may we listen to your moving in the
‘hearers’ heart. We trust that you Holy Spirit will reveal truth according to your will for those written in the book of Life. Thank you, Jesus - Amen. PS. I did return to visit Sarah and we happily shared about spiritual things together. Michelle works for the Geelong Parish assisting new arrivals and asylum seekers and can be contacted by email at michellefilipovic1@outlook.com
Back in 1979 this country of 80 million burst onto the world stage when it became a hardline Islamic Republic and declared an enmity with the USA and Israel. Iran is one of those countries that makes the news for all the wrong reasons, but as is often the case, the story is more complicated than the news reports would have us believe. Read more
Committee vacancy The Committee for Cross-Cultural Ministry is seeking nominations from "a person who has experience in, and a passion for cross-cultural ministry" (5.1.5 terms of reference). If you are ready to join us in assisting churches to minister across cultures and work with church leaders and pastors to build cross-cultural understanding, then complete the nomination form and return to nominations@lca.org.au Visit our webpage for more information about the work of the committee.
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