Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Australia Newsletter · Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship...
Transcript of Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Australia Newsletter · Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship...
June—September 2014
Aboriginal Evangelical FellowshipAboriginal Evangelical Fellowship
Australia NewsletterAustralia Newsletter
The Hill sisters from Tamworth NSW
Maxine, Lila and Roslyn Back—Miss Coralie Dann and Miss Monica Eades—Mrs Dora Dann and Mrs Jackie Eades from WA
Growing in Christ
Mrs Rose Cox of Dubbo has a real
heart for women’s ministry. She
works alongside her husband, Da-
vid, in the Dubbo Christian Family
Church. Rose was on staff at
Bimbadeen for a number of years
so she was very familiar with the
complex. This time she came back
as the main speaker for the week-
end. She spoke strongly from Prov-
erbs 3, reminding the women that
we are a blessed people, but we
should be careful not to go the way
of the world and forget the laws of
the Lord.
Welcome is Everyone
We rarely have a convention where
there are no “first-timers”. This year
was no exception; there were also
a number of women who hadn’t
been for a number of years. One
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The theme for the AEF Eastern Area
Women’s Convention this year was
taken from the powerful words in
Proverbs 3:1-9, ‘do not forget my
teaching, but keep my commands in
your heart. Let love and faithfulness
never leave you’. Around fifty women
attended the annual convention at
Bimbadeen College over the
Queen’s Birthday weekend from 6th
to 9th June 2014. The nearby snow-
fields didn’t get the predicted snow
and Cootamundra turned on beauti-
ful sunny days and crisp, clear starry
nights. The well kept grounds of the
campus were lush and green; a real
credit to the hardworking campus
staff. The country environment was
relaxing and very beautiful. The com-
forting wood fires added to the set-
ting for the 43rd annual gathering.
“Nourishment for our Soul”
Speaker—Mrs Rose Cox of Dubbo NSW
Mrs
Michelle
Wighton
of Albury,
NSW
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Mrs Dora Dann from WA and six months
woman said, ‘I hadn’t been to this
convention for the past three years, I
am not going to miss another one’.
Women are spreading the word in
their local communities and encour-
aging people to make an effort to
seek out spiritual refreshing and good
fellowship.
Far away Places
We had four women from WA who
made a huge effort to join the women
in the Eastern States. One came from
Coolgardie, in the Goldfields area,
one from the city of Perth and two
from Geraldton, which is several
hours north of Perth. Now that is com-
mitment and bravery!
Mrs Dora Dann celebrated her 91st
birthday with us; and took out the
award for being the oldest lady at
the convention. We had a lovely
celebration and plenty of cake!
Don’t forget the Teenagers!
A number of mums and grand-
mothers brought their teenagers
along. From reports received the
teens are keen to come again!
It was not unusual to have three
generations in the one family, and
lots of babies. It is exciting to see
the next generation of Aboriginal
women catching the vision of min-
istering to their own women.
Great food
Mrs Melissa Lilley and Mrs Dot
Caton stepped in to do the cater-
ing when the planned caterer’s
son had an accident in mum’s
car. The ‘help call’ went out and
Bimbadeen Christian Training
and Conference Centre
Cootamundra NSW
For information on the training
programs please contact
Bimbadeen,
PO Box 313
Cootamundra NSW 2590
Telephone: 02 69421129
Email: [email protected]
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Mrs Sharon Minniecon of Sydney and Mrs
Necia Stanton of Tumut
mother and daughter quickly stepped
in to take on this important job.
Someone commented, ‘the meals
are restaurant quality’. Thank you so
much Melissa, Dorothy and your
team for your wonderful service to
the convention.
Old and New Visionaries
Since its inception, the AEF Eastern
Area Women's Fellowship has been
a vehicle which the Lord has used to
draw together women of all ages,
without any obvious generational
gaps. Older women, who have been
active in the ministry from the very
beginning, women with young fami-
lies, single women and teenagers
along with a number of very special
non-Aboriginal women, all fellow-
shipping together and supporting
each other; this is very unique. It is
also a true "AEF model"; drawing
together women from different Abo-
riginal churches, fellowships and de-
nominations; from backgrounds, oth-
er than AEF. Back in the 1960's the
foundation members of the Aborigi-
nal Evangelical Fellowship had this
vision of unity between Aboriginal
Christians, worshipping the Lord to-
gether; without the man-made barri-
ers.
Report by Jim and Max-ine Lawrence
Since moving to Port Stephens 18
months ago, God has opened up
so many doors to ministry. We are
privileged to attend each week a
small church where we are in-
volved in ministry on various Sun-
day mornings. The fellowship is
great and the people are warm and
friendly.
Throughout the week we are kept
busy with visiting community; at
times this takes us into the John
Hunter Hospital in a chaplaincy role
where, between 40 to 50 Aboriginal
people are in-patients at any one
time. Often times, the Hospital’s
Aboriginal Liaison Officer will for-
ward through emails for prayer for
some of the patients who are really
struggling health wise.
Whilst visiting at the hospital one
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day, the Liaison Officer came and
asked if we would have some pray-
er with an Aboriginal lady and her
husband. After talking for a while
and getting to know them we were
able to pray with them. It was a sur-
prise to find out that the lady was
from Tingha and Jim had known her
when they were children; she lived
next door to his aunty.
We make visits to the Local Aborigi-
nal Land Council and some of the
Elders in our community. We have
also had opportunities to meet with
some staff and students at the Abo-
riginal unit of Newcastle University.
At times local schools allow us to
come and work with students in
both primary and secondary
schools. It is good to spend time
with these children as we act in the
roles of mentors. Most Sunday
afternoons you will find us down at
the Lemon Tree Passage waterfront
where we take time to talk with
young people who gather. Some
want to just come and say hello and
others get the courage to talk about
things which may be troubling them.
They always enjoy a good feed of
chips and gravy with us.
We continue to be a constant wit-
ness to those who went to school
with Maxine. Some of these are
now grandparents and remember
very clearly going to Sunday school
with her and they even remember
some of what they were taught by
their Sunday school teachers. We
believe that God is certainly at
work; though some hearts have
been hardened by circumstance in
which their paths have taken them.
We will keep praying that God will
bring them unto Himself.
Jim serves as an AEF Federal
Council member and Maxine as the
AEF National Women’s and also
the AEF Eastern Area Women’s
President. We both serve on the
administration team for the AEF
National Office.
Please continue to pray that God
will keep us in His strength as we
serve Him each day.
Mrs Maxine Lawrence
Please pray with us for the following people, ministries and programs:
1 Praise God for His grace and mercy that he has bestowed upon us as a people and also upon our nation; we
are a indeed a privileged people. The Lord continues to bless the effective work of the Community Chaplains,
the exciting ministry among the youth in the Eastern States, the important women’s ministry and the wonderful
outreach to isolated and remote areas of Australia.
2 Pastor Gerald and Mrs Jackie Eades of Coolgardie in WA had a wonderful Easter with the folk at Black Stone
Aboriginal Community, a remote area near Warburton. Remember to keep the Christians in your prayers.
3 Praise God for the Christian pioneers who made the long hard trek through the Warburton Ranges many
years ago. A large white cross placed on a rocky hill between Laverton and Warburton, stands as a memorial
to the dedication and commitment of these pioneers. The cross was erected by the late Pastor Ronnie
Williams and others.
4 Pray for the people who made commitments and rededications to the Lord during the Easter Convention at
Black Stone. Pray that they will stand strong in Him and that other local Christians will support them as they
strive to live for the Lord in this very remote area of WA.
5 The AEF Federal Council have some important issues that they are working through. Rev Neville Naden, who
is the President of the Council, is a very strong leader. Members represent a wide area of AEF ministries in
Australia. Neville and his wife, Kathy are doing a great work in Broken Hill.
6 The AEF Eastern Area Women’s group is praising the Lord for the great turnout at their June Convention. The
numbers were up, compared to other years, but more importantly, people who hadn’t been to the convention
for a number of years came back, along with people attending for the first time.
7 Mrs Rose Cox, who was the speaker at the Women’s Convention at Cootamundra, was the draw card for the
large group of women who were in attendance. Rose and her husband, David, minister in the Christian Family
Church at Dubbo. They have a lovely daughter, Janelle, who, like her mother, is gifted in music and song.
8 Pastor Ossie Cruse continues to minister at Eden, on the NSW South Coast. He is heavily involved in the local
church, with children and youth ministry. He is keen to get the youth camp at Jigamy up and running. Their
important project requires funding and a proposal is currently in the hands of the NSW Government.
9 Along with their son, Daniel, Mr Tony and Mrs Francine Riches of Melbourne are running a training program
called Solid Chaplaincy. This program has been set up to train young adults, based on the great need to
provide chaplains to sporting clubs.
10 Mr Josh and Mrs Jenice Manton minister at the Dubbo Christian Family Church. Their main responsibilities
are running the youth ministry and helping out with the children’s work.
11 Mr Neville and Mrs Lorraine Lilley praise the Lord for the people who make up the AEF Administration team.
Along with their executive roles on National Councils they have a very busy Community Chaplain ministry.
12 Pray for the Christians in Gilgandra, NSW. Mrs Kathy Bird has asked for prayer for their new little fellowship.
They currently have over 40 people worshipping together.
13 Pastor Jonathan Bates holds the position of Principal of the Kimberley Bible College. He also does important
outreach to many areas in the Kimberley and to other remote regions in WA.
14 Bimbadeen College staff do a wonderful job of maintaining the buildings and looking after the spacious
grounds of the property. Rodney and Wanda Manton and Aaron and Rachael Taylor are currently on staff.
Prayer for Wanda would be valued as she recovers from chemotherapy treatment.
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LET US COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE
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15 The exciting East Coast Christian Indigenous Youth Network continues to grow strong under the leadership of
Pastor Mark and Mrs Alex Naden and their team. A trip to far north Qld to attend the Christian Convention at
Delta Downs Station, near Normanton is planned for September 2014.
16 Bimbadeen College will continue with their on-campus and by-distance training programs. The college is
currently seeking help from people who can contribute to building restoration and general maintenance. If
anyone can help please telephone the office on 02 6942 1129.
17 Prayer has been requested for the staff who minister at the CAPS Hostel in Coolgardie in WA. The hostel
currently has 50 Aboriginal students from remote areas of WA boarding and attending school.
18 The Community Chaplaincy ministry is very valuable. Chaplains continue to have an impact on Aboriginal
communities around Australia. Even though financial support for this ministry in 2013/2014 has had a $10,000
short fall, we will continue to keep the ten Chaplains on the ground, at this stage.
19 Roving Chaplains, Mr John and Mrs Dorothy Caton use their building and maintenance skills to support vari-
ous programs, when time permits. They spend time counselling and encouraging Christians and others in
need. Often this is done via the telephone. John would value prayer for his health.
20 Chaplains, Pastor Denis and Mrs Maureen Atkinson are based at Cummeragunja. They faithfully ministering in
regional Victoria and also in the city of Melbourne. Denis reports that he and Maureen are keeping well
21 Chaplains, Pastor Dennis and Mrs Wilma Jetta minister in the local community near Perth and to Aboriginal
people in prison. Dennis serves on the executive committee of the AEF Federal Council.
22 Chaplains, Pastor Denzil and Mrs Shirley Humphreys are based in Perth. They mainly do counselling and
encouraging Christians. Visitors from remote areas often visit them in Perth to seek guidance and support.
23 Chaplains, Pastor Albert and Mrs Maxine Knapp do extensive hospital visitation in Perth, in counselling, and
outreach to country areas. Maxine is progressing well as she works towards the completion of her book on the
history of AEF in Australia.
24 Pastor Lyle Browning, his wife, Fay, and the faithful Christians of the Fingal Christian Fellowship, in Northern
NSW, have been going through some testing times recently. Please keep these folk in your prayers.
25 Pastor Darren and Mrs Michelle Wighton minister at Albury. Darren is very involved in ministry to men. They
both serve on the Bimbadeen College Board.
26 Pastor Frank Johnson of Tamworth NSW, would value your prayers for his ongoing health situation. Frank is
facing regular dyalisis treatment but he continue to pastor the Aboriginal church at Tamworth. Pray also for his
wife, Rose. They have recently celebrated 50 years of ministry in the Lord’s work.
27 Rev Rick and Mrs Kayleen Manton, and their adult children, have a vital ministry in the Indigenous Church in
Western Sydney. They also work in the wider Aboriginal community in this fast growing area.
28 Pastor Jim and Mrs Maxine Lawrence minister in personal evangelism as well as in their Chaplain role.
29 Pastor Ray and Mrs Sharon Minniecon of Sydney have a vital role in the ministry at Redfern. Their concern is
for the Aboriginal children who have been removed from their families. 14,000 taken away in 2013.
30 The AEF National Women’s Executive is planning a National Women’s Conference for 2015.
31 Pray with us that the Lord will provide the financial resources to support the ministry of the Aboriginal Evangel-
ical Fellowship. We believe that the ministry to which God has called us, will continue.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks-giving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7
Chaplains in Aboriginal Communities
child, who was being prepared for
the operation. They were upset and
anxious about the surgery that was
to take place in a short while. I sat
with them and they quickly opened
up, telling me about their son and
their hope that the surgery would go
well. I asked the parents if I could
pray for their little boy; they said,
‘yes’. The parents and I leaned over
the child and I prayed that the Lord
would bring him safely through the
operation. With tears in their eyes,
the parents turned around at the
theatre door and said 'thank you'.
Several months later, another
Chaplain was visiting the same fam-
ily and they said to him how much
they appreciated the support of the
Chaplain at the hospital when their
little boy was so ill.
Our Chaplaincy program is a very
valuable ministry. Our chaplains are
This wonderful ministry takes our
Community Chaplains to grass-
roots level; to places where our
people are hurting. A number of
our Chaplains would like to share
some of their stories with you. Be-
cause of their sensitive nature,
names and identities are protected.
Am I here by Chance?
I was visiting a friend in hospital
who had recently undergone major
surgery. The large hospital serves
regional areas of the state and Ab-
original people are often brought
here for specialist treatment. The
hospital's Aboriginal Liaison Officer
asked if I would have time to visit a
little six year old boy who was
about to go into surgery. When I
arrived the parents were with the
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Neville and Lorraine Lilley
Community Chaplains
Pastor Albert and Mrs Maxine Knapp
Community Chaplains
called upon to give spiritual and
emotional support to Aboriginal
people in times of distress and
great need.
A Captive Audience
It is so good to sit with the prison
inmates who come to the service
voluntary, we normally have a time
of introduction, when the fellows
introduce themselves and share a
little about their lives. We have Bi-
ble readings, sing choruses and
hymns, a message, and share a
cup of coffee or tea together. It is
surprising how many know some
parts of Scripture. Please pray for
these inmates, and also the war-
ders, who sometimes join the ser-
vice and listen to the Gospel mes-
sages with the inmates.
When does grief end? Funerals take up the most time in
my ministry. When hundreds of our
people gather to mourn, their hearts
are soft and they are attentive audi-
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ences. Very little has changed over
the years, except for the fact, that
there seems to be younger people
passing away, this makes our chil-
dren, and youth work so much
more urgent. We must continue to
work hard in order to combat the
evil of drugs, alcohol, and ciga-
rettes among our children; the re-
sult of sin is claiming so many of
our youth.
God is so Good!
We have travelled to remote, out-
back places where we were able to
stay and fellowship with our Abo-
riginal brothers and sisters in
Christ. We always spend time with
the Aboriginal elders and those
who are battling with serious health
issues. We often support families
as they go through the grieving
process. We praise the Lord for
His care and protection over the
past 12 months, especially over
the many miles travelled. Also for
sustaining us in good health.
The Lord is not restricted!
We reach out to those in remote
areas and to many young miners
and the communities effected by
mining who know Christ. Pray that
they will be able to stand firm in
their faith and not be enticed by
money and riches.
Pastor Denis and Mrs Maureen Atkinson
Community Chaplains
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Easter at Black-Stone Report by Gerald and Jackie Eades
Plans were put in place before Christmas and God undertook for everything concerning the Easter meetings at Black Stone. A team of men from the Kimberley, along with Pastor Paul and his wife from the Chapel Church at Coolgardie, joined us and formed a team to hold meetings in the central lands with the people at the Black Stone Community, along with other Abo-riginal communities. Men and women ministering in these remote areas still have a love and concern for our people. It is wonderful to see God still working in these seemingly, often forgotten places.
Blessings at Black Stone The Gospel meetings were chal-lenging and encouraging. People came for prayer and rededications. The ladies devotion and prayer time was a blessing and overall it was a wonderful Easter weekend.
Mrs
Jackie
Eades,
Coolgar-
die WA
Some of the
black Stone
people with
Pastor Jona-
than Bates—
second from
the left
YOUTH OUTREACH TRIP
The East Coast Christian
Indigenous Youth Network
Committee is planning a trip to the
Normanton Convention in far
north Qld.
Date: September 2014
Contact details: Mr Mark Naden
via his email address,
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At our AEF Federal Council Meet-
ings in Sydney during ANZAC, we
were invited to march in the Col-
oured Diggers parade in Sydney.
Aboriginal people who served in the
armed forces were referred to as
Coloured Diggers. This poem by
Sapper Bert Beros, is the inspiration
behind the Coloured Diggers project.
He came and joined the colours when the War
God’s anvil rang
He took up modern weapons to replace his
boomerang
He waited for no call up, he didn’t need a push
He came in from the stations, and the townships
of the bush
He helped when help was wanting, just because
he wasn’t deaf
He is right amongst the columns of the fighting
A.I.F.
He is always there when wanted, with his Owen
gun or Bren
He is in the forward area, the place where men
are men
He proved he’s still a warrior, in action not afraid
He faced the blasting red—hot fire from mortar
and grenade
He didn’t mind when food was low, or we were
getting thin
He didn’t growl or worry then, he’d cheer us with
his grin
He’d heard us talk democracy, they preach it to
his face
Yet knows that in our Federal House, there’s no
one of his race
He feels we push his kinsman out, where cities
do not reach
And Parliament has yet to hear the Aborigines
maiden speech
One day he’ll leave the army, then join the
league he shall
And he hopes we’ll give a better deal to the
Aboriginal.
Tributes
We extend our sincere sympathy to
the families who are grieving the
loss of their loved ones. To the fam-
ilies of Mrs Dorothy Caton and Mrs
Maureen Atkinson, Pastor Bill Bird
of Sydney and the Rev Tom Coe of
Adelaide.
WILLS AND BEQUESTS
HELP US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Have you considered leaving a
portion of your Will to support the
ongoing ministry to the Aboriginal
people of Australia?
For more information contact the AEF Office, PO Box 118 Tanilba Bay NSW 2319 Telephone: 02 4982 4415 or Mob: 0419 500 092 Email: [email protected]
PLEASE NOTE
We have included our bank account
details on the back cover of this maga-
zine for those wanting to make a dona-
tion by direct deposit to the ministry of
the AEF Australia
ANZAC Coloured Diggers March
Pastor Ray Minniecon—organiser of the
Coloured Diggers Project
AEF Eastern Area Women’s Group 2014
Please accept the enclosed gift for the work of the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship
Australia
YOUR NAME: ……………………………...………………………..…..…………………………………
ADDRESS: ……………..……………….…………………………....…..…….……………………..……
……………………………………………….………...………………..…... Postcode …………………
I would like my gift to be used for: O General Funds O Where most needed
O Family & Youth Services Chaplaincy Ministry (gifts of $2 and over are tax deductable)
Or a direct deposit can be made to our NAB Account
BSB: 082-810 Account No: 18-449-5537
AEF Postal Address: Post Office Box 118 TANILBA BAY, NSW 2319
Telephone: (02) 4982 4415: Mobile: 0419 500 092 Fax: (02) 4982 3570
Email: [email protected] Web Site: www.aef.org.au