Notices

What’s happening in 2009?

Will your agency or training institute be running any events in 2009 that will be relevant and applicable to mission workers?  If so Missions Interlink would like to hear from you so that we can keep people informed.  Priority of course goes to MI (NZ) members. E-mail us at: info@missions.org.nz.

New Administrative Assistant for MI – and Thanks to Leilani

Many thanks to Leilani Liew who has so faithfully – and at times sacrificially – served the NZ missions community through MI as the Admin. Assistant. Leilani has now completed her honours degree at Auckland University and has taken on a new role at Colmar Brunton’s Social Research Department.  But with her heart for missions, I’m sure we have not seen the last of her.

My wife, Lydia Hall, has accepted the challenge of serving in this capacity. No stranger to MI, she has volunteered her services and often accompanied me over this past year. Welcome aboard Lydia.

A Word from OMF

As most of you know Christine Harding took over as the OMF NZ National Director beginning February 2nd. Please note that Warren Payne’s email address is now warren@nzkiwi.net.nz .

Christine can be contacted at nz-nd@omf.net. Please remember Christine as she adjusts to this new role and Warren and Doreen as they focus now on the Japanese Diaspora world-wide.

Accommodation Needed

Ruth and Stuart Corlett, Directors of Partners Relief and Development NZ, are needing accommodation for their family of five during their home assignment from Thailand from 3 April to 5 June 09.  They will need a place to stay for either the whole time in Auckland (preferably Howick/Pakuranga area), or for a month in Auckland (and a month in Wellington and two weeks in Christchurch).  If you know of a place please contact them: ruth@partnersworld.org.nz.

Prayer Links

Thanks to those who contributed towards this quarter’s Prayer Links!  Next deadline for Prayer Links: May 8th 2009.

Need a Car in Auckland?

Tedz-Cars is a ministry of Ted & Elsie Crawford, who have known the benefit of a furlough vehicle, and also of being asked to try and arrange for one by MAF staff when they were in the MAF office.  From having just one vehicle in 2001, they now have 6 with varying seating capacities from 4 to 8, including a couple of station wagons.  The sole focus of this rental service is to provide reliable vehicles at the best rates possible, to primarily furloughing mission staff, but also to those involved in any form of Christian ministry.  If a vehicle is available, supportive parents or friends of the above categories of people can also use them.  Please note: drivers need to be over 25, and it is ex Auckland and return to Auckland only.  Ted and Elsie look forward to being of service to you.  Email: tedz-cars@maxnet.co.nz or Tel. +649-2977346.

Envision 09 - Call For Participation

Envision 09 is a one day National Mission Conference, on 1st August 2009, for both mission enthusiasts and those not yet sure of how they should be involved in mission.  The Strategic Missions Charitable Trust is seeking submissions for those who may like to present electives or country reports. These are required no later than 27th March 2009. For more details please view http://www.envision.org.nz/participation.html.   They are also looking for team members to help with organising the conference.  You can read further about Envision at http://www.envision.org.nz/ or email exhibitors@envision.org.nz for details on how to exhibit your mission organisation at Envision.

Missionary Enrichment Retreats   (MERs)

MERs are biannual retreats designed especially for the missionary (recently returned and those who are on leave).  They provide opportunities for missionaries to reflect on their experience, evaluate how they have coped, and equip themselves for the future in a safe place away from pressure and with people who understand.  Professionally qualified and mission-experienced facilitators run these retreats.

Should be compulsory for every missionary on Home Assignment!

2009 MERs will be held at Lake Taupo Christian

Camp on the following dates:

May retreat: 3rd – 8th May

October retreat:  27th Oct – 1st Nov

For more information/registration and a brochure for the 2009 MERs please contact the MI office.  Our last retreat reached full capacity so register now to avoid disappointment!

Breaking news

We just got an email saying: at least 5 ministry centres have been destroyed. Here’s one report:

Fires destroy campsite and Mobile Mission Maintenance headquarters

            Australia's worst national disaster claims Christian properties   By Ramon Williams

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- In the midst of the horrific reporting of Australia's worst national disaster, Victoria's bushfires of February 2009, the death toll is expected to pass 200, with 5,000 homeless. From the township of Marysville, Victoria, comes a report that the Evangelisation Society of Australia (ESA) Camp Site, 959 Buxton Rd, Marysville 3779, has been largely destroyed. "Only lodges 2, 4 & 5 and 2 staff houses have been left standing�…

ESA campsie showing burnt buildings

Meanwhile, Mobile Mission Maintenance (MMM) Australia has suffered extensive damage to its National Headquarters at 870 Whittlesea Yea Road, Whittlesea, Victoria. Normally MMM assists others to rebuild or carry out repairs…

-The Administration Centre and Conference Centre have been destroyed completely

-Three housing blocks, which would house at least 12 families have been destroyed

-Vehicles have been destroyed

-30 cattle have been lost

-12 small housing units have been destroyed

However, one housing block remains, which could house three families and also provide space for an Administration Centre. Tim Cranna - National Director - MMM Australia Phone +61-3-5786 5432; Email: tim@mmm.org.au 

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said:

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities ravaged by these devastating events." We say, "Amen!"

Training Opportunities

eXplore  co-sponsored by Interserve NZ and tranzsend: NZ Baptists in Global Mission

Interested in a better understanding of holistic mission? Wondering what to do with your interest in cross-cultural mission? Then eXplore is for you!

Hear first-hand experiences and share a great lunch at this one day event sponsored by tranzsend and Interserve.  Together we’ll eXplore topics such as getting ready to go, what’s culture and contextualization, what business has to do with God’s kingdom, and what down-to-earth mission is all about.

Registration is essential!

When:  21 March (9.30am to 5.30pm)

Where:  The Missions Centre, 591 Dominion Rd, Balmoral 

Cost:  $25 – includes entry, materials and ethnic food  OR $20 – for early registration (by March 6 - and for the unwaged)

Contact: alison@interserve.org.nz / 09 630 0981  OR  carl@tranzsend.org.nz / 09 526 8444

Other dates and locations in 2009:

eXplore Wellington – May 16

eXplore Palmerston North – July 18

eXplore Christchurch – September 5

eXplore Auckland – October 31 (TBC)                                                    

Bible Storying for Cross-Cultural Evangelism & Church Planting at WEC, Gordonton

More than 75% of unreached peoples are mainly oral communicators. Oral telling of Bible stories is therefore one of the key ways of sharing the gospel with and discipling unreached peoples.  This course is designed for people who are involved in cross-cultural evangelism and church planting, or who are planning to be in the near future. Participants must have read

the WHOLE Bible.

In this course we will learn: (1) How to select Bible stories that speak most directly to the issues of the people we are (or will be) working among. (2) How to tell Bible stories in a simple, reproducible way.  (3) How to help people engage with and retell Bible stories.  (4) How to use a reproducible and inductive Bible study method.

When:  4th May – 15th May 2009 (two week intensive)

Cost:  $300 per person (includes lunch).  Some accommodation will be available at additional charge. 

Contact:  For more information or enrolment contact Andrea Perry at andrea@wecnz.org or 07 8243211.

Transforming Our World seminar at Laidlaw, Auckland

The 2009 seminar will:

Examine a holistic biblical approach to the issues of poverty, development, justice and advocacy.  Promote the integration of evangelism and social action as opposed to a traditional dualistic understanding of Christian ministry, which sees these areas as separate.  Explore how both of these aspects of Christian ministry are brought together in the context of a holistic gospel.  Consider this holistic gospel in the context of the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in contemporary mission.

There will be a great line-up of speakers, not only from Laidlaw College, but from Micah Challenge, World Vision and others so we can look forward to a stimulating week of input and discussion.  This is a seminar which is particularly helpful for people preparing for overseas service, especially if they are to be involved in community development

ministries, but it will be of interest to anyone concerned with issues of poverty, justice and development.

When:  14 April - 17 April 2009

Contact:  For details on costs and registration contact Ian Dally:  IDally@laidlaw.ac.nz or +64 9 837 9758.

Business, Ministry, Leadership Courses  at Capernwray

BML is an exciting new course that will be launched in 2009 at Capernwray New Zealand.  It will deal with some common misunderstandings about God's provision and blessing.   As I'm sure you know, the Bible is packed with wisdom and advice for healthy living including business management, finance, marketing and Church leadership. We aim to parallel these truths alongside the World's offerings and explore the differences in a healthy but challenging way.

The objective of the BML course is not to train students to be super-Christian businessmen and

women (by the world's standards anyway) but rather to help shape them into Christ-centred, motivated, professionals that ooze integrity and that see success as being honourable and faithful to their Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, in whatever work they do whether it be Business, Ministry or Leadership.

Courses will be held from July.  For more information contact David at davef@capernwray.org.nz or phone +64 7 823 1815.

Towards a Kiwi-made Preaching at Carey

A forum exploring the possibilities for biblical preaching in NZ

If you are committed to the future of biblical preaching in NZ, then this smorgasbord of questions provoked by experienced and emerging preaching from within this Kiwi context is for you.  There will be many contributors including our special guest: Jonathan Lamb (Director, Langham Preaching)

When:  Saturday 18 April   Time:  9:30am – 4:30pm

Where:  Carey Baptist College, 473 Great South Rd, Penrose, Auckland

Contact:  For cost and registrations (early bird specials apply) contact Alyssa Windsor alyssa.windsor@gmail.com.

Brought to you by Langham Partnership (NZ).  www.langhampartnership.org.nz.

Destination World Report

CROSS-CULTURAL ENCOUNTERS

PARACHUTE 2009             By David B Hall

Destination World saw an extreme makeover in 2009. The cross-cultural encounter remained but out went the boarding delays and long security checks, replaced by an interactive mission exposure to several situations highlighting world issues.

Entering Destination World, we were greeted with a warm Kiwi welcome which included a brief historical overview highlighting the influence of missionaries who brought the Good News of Jesus to Aotearoa.

A small Asian village awaited us as we were ushered into a make-shift hut. Our hosts gave us a glimpse of how many people live and explained how, despite limited opportunities to hear the Gospel, the church was growing, led by pastors with no formal training. They thanked God for the missionaries who translated the Bible into their language.  As the voices of a militia group drew near, we were hastily forced out the back door, lest we be caught up in crossfire.

With imaginations running wild at this close call, we arrived in a nearby hut to find a local teenager lying in pain. With just a stump remaining, her leg had been blown off by a land mine left during a political conflict. This could have been in Africa, the Middle East, or any other hot spot, but it happened less than 10 hours from our shores. A hospital was too far away. The only medical help available was from a missionary nurse providing practical assistance in spite of the danger to her own life.

Hearts pounding, we left Asia and journeyed into a desolate African village. Speaking with children in crisis, we heard stories of how many in that village had died of HIV/AIDS and many others suffer from preventable diseases, like malaria and typhoid. Resettled twice in the past six months, some have died from starvation, others from dirty water. Teachers at the local school have very little training. Most didn’t finish school themselves. Their efforts to stay alive are aided by charity sent from people seemingly living in another world.

Moving on, the cost of our lives to the environment came under the spotlight.  We saw statistics comparing our water usage with a typical family in the majority world. Waste, recycling, our habits helped us evaluate our daily decisions and consider how we treat God’s creation.

Reflecting on the experience, among other things, we were encouraged to place a pin on part of the world that interested us. So many people responded that every couple hours the map had to be cleared to make room for others to respond.

Over 600 went through Destination World in the first six hours, an experience that will not easily be forgotten.

Thanks to the 20+ agencies that collaborated to bring Destination World to Parachute 09. Please continue to pray that seeds planted in the hearts of many will take root and in God’s time, produce a new wave of missionaries from Aotearoa | New Zealand.

For more information about participating agencies, visit www.destinationworld.net.

Resources

Mission Databases

The second edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia, published in 2001, was largely prepared from a complex set of linked databases that each enhanced the usefulness and accuracy of the others. This set of databases, including ones on countries, religions, Christian churches and denominations, peoples, cities, provinces, languages, organizations, and bibliography, is now largely available on the Web as the World Christian Database.

David B. Hall, Director Missions Interlink PO Box 59 049, Mangere Bridge,  Manukau 2151 www.missions.org.nz New Zealand's Mission Networks Disclaimer:  The views and opinions expressed in the Missions Interlink Bulletin or at any of the events listed, do not necessarily express the views of MI or any of its members or affiliates.