Missions Interlink Bulletin
An Update on Missions - To, From and In - New Zealand

March 2008

Feel free to share with others (staff, board, volunteers, intercessors…) as appropriate. Let us know if you would like us to send it to them directly, your call!

Intro. From the New Missions Interlink Director
Thanks
The joy of koinonia
Don’t expect Saul’s armour to fit
New Missions Interlink “Admin. Assistant�

Worth Noting
Change of address
Change of email

Reports
Destination World
Vision New Zealand “Christian Leader’s Congress 08�
Stanleys’ Farewell

Works in Progress
Prayer Links & Church Communiqué
Charities Registration
Missions Overseas Giving update

Bulk Purchasing Service(s) - This section to come in another bulletin
New Zealand’s best kept secret?
Example: I saved over $600 on a Dell computer
BP petrol card, discount stamps and pre-paid envelopes
Insurance

Comings & Goings
Housing Requested in Auckland

Coming Events
Koroutahi - Mobilisation Collaboration
Monthly Prayer Meeting
Easter Outreach
Missionary Enrichment Retreat
Administrator’s Workshop
Chris Wright
Omega Conference on Grief, Revival and Discipleship
New Zealand and Beyond
Transforming Our World
World Day of Prayer
The Cross and Crescent Conference
Refocus - Re-entry and Beyond

Intro. from the New Missions Interlink Director

Thank you - As this is the first MI Bulletin since taking on the MI leadership, I want to start by expressing some thanks. First of all, thanks to Gordon & Helen Stanley who have done such a superb job in leading this ministry for nearly seven years. They have left a wonderful ministry in good order and Lydia and I consider it a real honour to carry on the work they have developed. Thanks to Boyd Henderson and my wife (Lydia) for encouraging me to put my name forward. Thanks to the MI board and executive team for their vote of confidence in me. Thanks to our home churches in Hawaii and in God’s Own (NZ) for their continued support and encouragement. Thanks to YWAM and Across Ministries for their release and encouragement to us in this new role. And this list could go on to include many others – you know who you are. Thank you! Last, and even more important, thanks to God, for all kinds of reasons!!!  Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

The joy of koinonia - One of the greatest joys in this new role is getting to know the wonderful people involved in this ministry. So many precious people! The first step was with the MI Board (or Council), then many of the volunteers for Destination World, and more recently those who came to the Vision NZ Congress. And we know we’ve only met the tip of the iceberg so to speak. We still have so many more to meet, and we want to do much more than just meet you. We’re looking forward to developing a friendship with you. I will soon be meeting with groups in Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Palmerston North… As this is likely to take awhile, your patience would be greatly appreciated. However if there’s a need to contact me, please do so – 09 275 8333, or 021 039 6739.

Please don’t expect me to fit into Saul’s armour       
I assured the MI Council when they interviewed me several months ago that I would not fit into Saul’s armour. All the implications of that are yet to be discovered. But I trust you will allow us to be who we are, and we will do our best to serve you, your mission and the kingdom of God.

New Missions Interlink “Admin. Assistant�
After considering some very qualified people, Leilani L. has been selected to serve MI (part time) as the Administrative Assistant. Originally from Hawaii, Leilani has been involved in short term mission projects in: Spain, India, Australia, Indonesia, Hawaii and Taiwan. She recently graduated from Auckland University in Economics and Human Geography, with the intention of using these skills in missions. Married to Bryan, Leilani will continue to work on her honours dissertation while serving you and the Lord through MI.

Worth Noting

Change of address - Please note the new mailing address for MI:

Missions Interlink
PO Box 59 049
Mangere Bridge 2151, Manukau

The MI office is currently in our home at: 15 Lenore Road, Mangere, Manukau.

Change of email - We no longer need this - missions.interlink@maxnet.co.nz - email address for MI. Please delete this from your email address book(s) and replace it with the one below. Thank you.
The correct email address for MI is:

Email: info@missions.org.nz. (Note: other email addresses may be added later, as needed.)

Reports

Destination World - By Darren Birch of Pioneers
Thank you to the many who joined with us. Destination World Parachute 08, for me was an altar moment – a time to celebrate and reflect on what is possible when God moves in a new and exciting way. The sheer numbers tell us one story (over 3500 took the journey); personal encounters provide us with many detailed stories; but the story resounding in my memory is the mission’s community operating in partnership. How sweet is the fragrance of God’s children working in unity, a fragrance which continues to permeate from the dusty sweaty tracks of Destination World. As one volunteer put it, “cost of 10 packets of wet wipes - $100, cost of using port-a-loos for the weekend - gastroenteritis, cost of being involved in Destination World - priceless�. I am reminded of the African proverb – If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. Together, let’s go the distance, encouraging each other until together we hear the great Well done, good and faithful servants. You can take a virtual tour at www.destinationworld.net

 
Vision NZ  Christian Leader’s Congress 08 - By Jamie Wood of Pioneers and Johannes Balzer of IS (Interserve)
In closing the Vision Network NZ Congress for 2008, Bruce Patrick summed it up with two words: unity and mission. From the opening address by Ken Harrison (Superintendant of the AoG) to Bruce’s closing, mission was a common theme. More often than not it was locally focused, with speakers encouraging the attendees to a greater level of engagement in the world beyond the local church, but it did include cross-cultural mission at significant times. 36 leaders participated in the World Mission stream, discussing current and future issues facing cross-cultural mission in, to and from New Zealand. Gordon Stanley and Jamie Wood represented cross-cultural mission in a plenary session to the whole Congress. The twin concepts of unity and mission aptly sum up the outcome of the Congress’ cross-cultural mission thrust too, as we who are involved in cross-cultural mission move ahead with a greater commitment to unity and a broader appreciation of mission as it applies to both people who are ‘culturally distant’ from the gospel message and to creation as it is intended to glorify God.

Stanleys’ Farewell – By Wayne Freeman of Wycliffe Bible Translators
What a joy to gather together with friends, supporters and co-workers honouring Gordon and Helen Stanley for their many years of service in missions. Eden Community Church was nearly full. Food, fellowship, worship,� walking down memory lane� with pictures and stories - all in abundance. Everyone who came was blessed. From their many years of service with SIM in Nigeria, Australia and the United States, to their service for the Lord and the larger body of Christ via Missions Interlink here in New Zealand the last seven years, all who have known the Stanleys – literally thousands around the world - have been blessed by this godly couple. And it’s not over. They will be in touch. They’ll continue to serve (as you’ll notice below), already focusing on the challenges of helping to build the body of Christ in the Northlands. Let’s continue to pray for them and this new phase in their lives.

Works in Progress

Prayer Links and Church Communiqué - We’re working on the next issue for each of these. Those who have material to include, please send it in asap to: info@missions.org.nz. Thanks

Charities Registration – By Gordon Stanley.  From what we understand the queue is now very long. When Missions Interlink got its own application in we were told it would be 14 weeks before we would hear. We met people at Waikanae this week whose application has been in for a long, long time. The assurance has been given that as long as the application in made by 30th June you will not lose current tax exemption privileges or tax rebate receipting authority (i.e.: donee status) at least until your application is either approved or rejected. Also, as mentioned previously, even if you need to make some rule changes that may not be concluded until after June 30th, still go ahead and get your place in the queue by lodging the application before that date. Once again if neither tax exemption nor donee status is important to you, you don't need to do anything. You can still function without being registered with the Charities Commission.

Missions Overseas Giving update – By Gordon Stanley.  At Waikanae in the very well attended Missions in the 21st Century stream (lead very ably by Jamie Wood) this subject surfaced briefly showing there is still a lot of miss-understanding around. Some churches are still on questionable ground if they think that because they have donee status they can then be a conduit for sending some of those funds overseas. We don't think this will pass IRD investigation. Steve Tollestrup of TEAR Fund reminded us that there are ways of obtaining approval just as his organization and others have done. It is a lengthy process and will require finally Cabinet approval and parliamentary action. Of course it does have to have a major bias towards aid and development. For the most part, Missions, even tho heavily engaged in social work are affected by the removal of "religion" from the classical definition of "Charity" when such funds are sent overseas. It is this sticking point that we are seeking to have changed and have been lobbying IRD and the Politicians on this. In a brief discussion with the Labour Party MP who came to the Leaders Congress, he noted that a change has been made in the student loan repayment exemption; for those serving overseas in voluntary work has been relaxed (we will investigate the details of this). He invited us to write to him with our concerns about donee status and seemed to imply that with the student loan adjustment things may be moving in the hoped for direction. Keep lobbying and Watch this space!

Bulk Purchasing Service(s)

In order to keep this month’s MI Bulletin from becoming a long epistle, we’ll send this info in another bulletin, perhaps a special one just focusing on the Bulk Purchasing Service?  Keep an eye open for this.

Comings & Goings

Housing Requested in Auckland - A missionary family who has been serving in Papua New Guinea are looking for a place to stay during their return to Auckland from 07 May to 21 May.  They are a couple with one son who will be in Auckland for these two weeks as they raise support and connect with family.  If you or someone you know has a place for them to stay, (preferably in West Auckland) then please contact MI so that we can help them during this time.

 
Coming Events

Koroutahi - Mobilisation Collaboration - by Jamie Wood of Pioneers.  Another gathering of missions folk interested in greater collaboration to raise mission awareness in NZ is happening on March 20th from 9:30am at the Missions Centre, 591 Dominion Road, Balmoral, Auckland. This gathering follows a similar one in November 2007 and will seek to build on collaborative progress thus far (e.g. Destination World). If you are not currently on the email notification list please contact Jamie Wood to stay informed – jamie@mobilising.co.nz . Comprehensive notes from the previous meeting are available on request from Jamie too.

Monthly Prayer Meeting – By Johannes Balzer of IS (Interserve).  Every third Thursday of the month from 7:30-9am a number of mission agency leaders, pastors and intercessors gather for an amazing time of prayer and connecting with God’s heart and each other... prayer focused around global issues and missions... prayer to seek a new wave of missions from Aotearoa New Zealand... prayer to see churches and mission agencies join together to see Jesus made known amongst the nations of this world.  This has become a special, not-to-be-missed event for those who enjoy missional prayer – and you are certainly welcome to join in! The meetings are now at the Balmoral Baptist Church (Cnr Dominion Road & Queens Ave, Balmoral, Auckland) – dates for 2008 are as follows: March 20 / April 17 / May 15 / June 19 / July 17 / August 21 / September 18 / October 16 / November 20 / December 18.  God loves when His people humble themselves and pray – and He loves when they dwell and approach Him in unity!  So - spread the word and invite others to come along and join in... May He be glorified!

Easter Outreach - Bringing Christ back to Easter - By Lydia Hall.  The Royal Easter Show attracts over 80,000 people during this 5 day Auckland event. This is the second year we will have a Christian presence. Missions starts at home! Volunteers are needed. March 20-24th, 9am – 9pm, doing 4 hour slots @ the ASB showgrounds. There will be mini golf, free Easter eggs, giving free water and coffee, short entertainment etc. If you are interested in joining a lot of other Christians, you can email: easteroutreach@gmail.com. Training for those volunteering at the Royal Easter Show will be 17 March, 7:00 pm, 14a Temple Street, Meadowbank.

Missionary Enrichment Retreat – By Leilani Liew.  The next Missionary Enrichment Retreat is coming up soon.  These retreats are designed for missionaries who have recently returned home after serving abroad.  They provide an opportunity for people to reflect on and evaluate their missionary experience as well as a time of equipping for the future – all within a safe environment, away from pressure and with people who understand.  There will be two retreats this year at Lake Taupo Christian Camp: May 11th to 16th and Oct 28th to Nov 2nd .  For a registration form or more information please write to: info@missions.org.nz. Please help get the word out about this to those who should know.

Administrators’ (and others concerned) Workshop - We’d like to have another Administrators’ Workshop this???. Topics may include disaster preparedness, handling hostage situations, etc. Fortunately MI members have had little involvement in these areas, but the time to be prepared for such is before, not after. If you have a topic you’d like covered in one of these workshops, please let us know. More details to come.

Chris Wright coming soon - Chris Wright (author of The Mission of God) leads the global movement which stewards the legacy of John Stott… Wright gives us a new perspective on Scripture, which provides a solid and expansive basis for holistic mission. Wright emphasizes throughout a holistic mission as the proper shape of Christian mission. God’s mission is to reclaim the world�and that includes the created order�and God’s people have a designated role to play in that mission.
CHRISTCHURCH - Sunday 16th March, 2.00pm – in cooperation with Latimer Fellowship
St Christopher’s Anglican Church, Avonhead.
AUCKLAND - Monday 17th March, 7.00pm – in cooperation with Carey Baptist College
Greenlane Christian Centre, 17 Marewa Road, Greenlane.
NELSON - Tuesday 18th March, 12 noon – in cooperation with Bishopdale College
All Saints Church, Vanguard Street, (please bring own lunch).

Omega Conference on Grief, Revival and Discipleship - Ian Malins, former missionary and author of the highly regarded Omega study books, will speak on these themes from 10:am to 9:30pm – more info at: www.omega-discipleship.com.
DUNEDIN – 1st April, East Taieri Church – 03 488 1775
CHRISTCHURCH  - 3rd April, City Church – 04 905 2209
BLENHEIM – St Ninians – 04 905 2209

New Zealand and Beyond – Reclaiming Our Destiny to Reach NZ & the Nations!  Keynote speakers include: Matthew Barnett, Phil Pringle, Joel Holm and Tak Bhana. April 3-5, West City Christian Centre, Waitakere. 09 836 1294, email: nzandbeyond@wccc.org.nz – www.nzandbeyond.com.

Transforming Our World – By Ian Dally of BCNZ. A seminar to explore holistic approaches to poverty, justice and social involvement. April 28-May 1.  This in essence is our traditional Transformational Development Conference slightly repackaged!  For further details, please contact Ian Dally on (09) 837.9758 or iand@bcnz.ac.nz.  Special discounts available for Mission agency staff members!

World Day of Prayer – By John Fulford.  11th May (Pentecost Sunday) this year, and it all commences from New Zealand! It is our opportunity to enter into this in our churches, towns, cities and regions -- however God directs and challenges us. Check out the international web site for details: www.globaldayofprayer.com . Contact me for NZ information and resources: jfulford@xnet.co.nz (note: I have changed from "xtra"! -- and my new phone number is 09 83 23 424). Keep me informed on what you are doing so I can share this with others and we can encourage one another. God Bless You for your participation and prayers in reaching this nation and this world for Jesus!

The Cross and Crescent Conference - www.awarenessministries.co.nz
CHRISTCHURCH – 6-7 June, St Christopher’s Anglican Church
PALMERSTON NORTH – 10-11 June, St Alban’s Presbyterian Church
HAMILTON – 13-14 June, Gateway Christian Centre

“Refocusâ€Â� - Two Days Exploring Re-Entry and Beyond - This replaces our old Re-Orientation & Refreshment Conference  which used to be held in January, and takes the best of this event and turns it into a two day event where the issues of re-entry can be examined and discussed.  It is especially designed for missionaries returning to resettle in New Zealand, though it is also useful for those on leave and home service who will eventually have to confront the issues of returning home to live.  Limited space so register your interest quickly!  More details from Ian Dally - iand@bcnz.ac.nz - or phone (09)837.9758. July 9-11 at Arjay House, Torbay (Auckland North Shore)

Missions Interlink
PO Box 59 049, Mangere Bridge, Manukau
www.missions.org.nz

New Zealand’s Mission Network(s)