NewsShorts

Past and present students of Carmel Adventist College in WA celebrate the school's 100th anniversary.

> Carmel Adventist College, WA, recently celebrated the beginning of its centenary year celebrations with the cutting of a special five-tiered cake during school assembly. Honoured guests for this occasion were John and Enid Eaton (pictured left to right), who commenced studies at Carmel 50 years ago. The Eatons met for the first time at the school and were married in the college chapel in 1961. Assisting in the celebrations were their grandchildren, Brydon Eaton and Larissa Hockley. Brydon is a student in Year 11 at Carmel, while Larissa is completing her teaching practicum at Avondale College.—Kerrie Long

> Young people from the Palmerston North, NZ, junior Sabbath school participated in the “Meet your neighbours” project from March 17 to 22. The project was run during Sabbath school time and included the juniors introducing themselves to our church neighbours and giving a gift of a loaf of bread, canned food and apples, along with other small food items. The kids were enthusiastic about the project. “Meet your neighbours” will take place once a month to teach them the skills of meeting people and sharing friendship and faith to people outside the church community.—Julene Duerksen-Kapao

> Four Avondale School students, Cooranbong, NSW, achieved exceptional results at the recent Sydney Equestrian Interschool (SEI) Championship, held at Sydney Equestrian Grounds. Jessica Willard (pictured) took out the overall SEI Champion trophy with a first and second in dressage and took out first in the St George Grand Prix for her division. Samantha and Harrison Faber along with Tessa Stoddard also topped the podium in a number of events. The success comes as no surprise for the school, which has seen excellent results dating back several years. “We have a very talented group of riders and have had at Avondale for quite a while,” says coordinator Donna Nevell.—Braden Blyde

> Students and staff at Nunawading Christian College, Vic, have had a “hair-raising” experience. By shaving or colouring their hair, participants raised $A800 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s “World’s greatest shave.” Organised by the student leadership team, the day began with a pancake breakfast. Initially many of the staff had their hair coloured but as more money came in Mr Lonsdale lost his 20-year-old beard. Mr Stiles (pictured) and school principal Jacques Calais agreed to have their heads shaved when funds reached the $A550 mark.The fundraiser was important to students and staff as a former teacher at the school had recently lost her battle with leukaemia. Next year students hope to raise $A1000.—Jacques Calais

> A member of the Albury church, NSW, Daniel Brinsmead, was awarded first prize for the Best Gospel Song in the youth category at the Australian Gospel Music Awards, held in Canberra, ACT, on March 8. Mr Brinsmead, a first-year university student studying vocal performance and composition, wrote the song “Look up” after his grandmother, Grace Mitchell, passed away in February 2006.—Beverley Hogg

News - Melbourne Bible workers

Bible workers are already studying in the homes of 62 people in the lead up to the “Discoveries” program

Youth Bible workers target Melbourne
Melbourne, Victoria

In an outreach initiative of the Victorian Conference, 16 young people have been equipped as full-time, volunteer Bible workers to make contacts and reach people across Melbourne in the build up to the “Discoveries” evangelistic series (see “Melbourne outreach goes Pacific-wide,” News, March 24).
Many of the group have left careers, homes and families to come to work in Melbourne, with students, doctors, IT professionals and people of various backgrounds making up the group.
“I want to take people to heaven with me,” says Geoffrey Lomas, one of the student Bible workers, originally from Port Macquarie, NSW. “I want to learn how to reach my friends.”
The conference is funding the Bible workers for the six-month period between January and June. “It’s great to see the church backing the young people in their ministry,” says director of youth ministries for the Victorian Conference, Pastor Wayne Boehm.
The group began in January with a three-week intensive training program. Roy Kim, who is the team leader of the project, has been a Bible worker at Gateway church for over three years. Originally from the United States, Mr Kim is responsible for helping to train, coordinate and mentor the team, along with Johnny Wong, head elder at Gateway church. “I want young people here to have a vision that will inspire other young people to do the work,” says Mr Kim.
Divided into teams of between two and five people, the Bible workers are focusing on distinct territories around Melbourne, including Nunawading, Ringwood, Auburn/Springburn, central Melbourne, Northpoint and Preston. Their work includes knocking on doors and conducting religious surveys that seek to identify whether people have an interest in learning more about the gospel.
The result of their work is already being seen, with figures after two months showing 62 in-home Bible studies and more than 120 contacts, who are being supplied with DVDs and correspondence materials. The hope is that these people will be ready to attend the “Discoveries” programs, having already encountered the gospel message.
Young people around the conference are also supporting the Bible workers, who lead a church youth group in doorknocking every Sabbath afternoon. The workers also plan to visit and support country churches in an effort to bring as many people to the “Discoveries” seminars as possible.
Church members demonstrated their support at the recent “Discoveries” launch, when an offering raised $A40,000. The Bible workers will work up to the end of the “Discoveries” programs, when the responsibility for nuturing those people the Bible workers are in contact with will pass to local churches.
Mr Kim hopes other churches will replicate the model these workers are using. Expressions of interest are already being made for Bible work in Sydney in 2008.—Jarrod Stackelroth

News - 10 years of Edge

The Edge still sharp after 10 years
Warburton, Victoria

The Edge is 10. The first issue of The Edge—the magazine for young adults, currently published seven times per year as a supplement to Record—appeared in churches on March 22, 1997.
The Edge began as a special project in connection with the Year of Evangelism in 1997. Then-Record editor Pastor Bruce Manners and inaugural editor of The Edge, Brenton Stacey, launched the magazine in response to research showing that many young people decide to leave the church during their final years of high school.
Initially, funding was approved for just the four issues of The Edge that appeared in its first year. But, since that time, a total of 62 issues have been distributed in Adventist churches, high schools and youth groups across Australia and New Zealand.
“The Edge is specifically designed for the most important niche market in the church,” says Pastor Barry Oliver, general secretary of the South Pacific Division and consulting editor of Record. “It has consistently addressed issues which are of concern to its target audience in language and in a context that are relevant. This has not always been understood by those of us who come from another era. But that is okay.
“While ever it maintains its integrity to our Christian and Adventist roots, The Edge has a place in our church,” he says. “The young people of the Church too often feel marginalised by those of us who are older. We do not set out to do that, but for whatever reason it seems to happen just the same. The Edge is a significant medium through which young people can share their concerns and their faith through their eyes in terms of their world view.”
Former Edge editor, Kellie Hancock, has similar views on the role the magazine has come to play in the life of the church. “The Edge is for young adults and aims to provide an atmosphere of belonging—a ‘place’ where the church listens to their stories and the things that matter to them,” she reflects.
Current and former editors of The Edge met on the weekend of March 3 to reflect on the magazine’s 10-year history and look at the possibilities to grow The Edge into the future. The discussions confirmed the mission and target audience of the magazine, particularly identifying with the magazine’s tagline, “Believe in Christ; Live the life.”
“It’s a timeless statement,” says Mr Stacey. “Christ himself said the same thing. And it’s a statement supported by every article in the magazine.”
According to Mrs Hancock, The Edge is a resource for young people who are endeavouring to do that. “The Edge has not been afraid to tackle the tough topics, the real-life issues kids deal with,” she says. “Sex, suicide, finding a career, pornography, navigating the net, interpreting culture, working out who God is and where they fit in His story.”
Current Edge editor Adele Nash, who started writing as a contributor to the magazine, agrees. “If The Edge can help readers look at problems other young people are facing or to think about Christianity and life differently, it’s a good thing,” she says. “Young people need something to help them connect with the church as a larger church body, not just with the few people who might be at their local church.”
During its decade, The Edge has also supported and reported significant youth events. “Nothing else comes close to Edge’s coverage of events such as the Thailand and Fiji youth congresses, the Underground, REZ10, conference youth events, Adventist musicians and local church youth groups,” says Mrs Hancock.
Online since 2000 and dramatically redesigned in 2005, The Edge web site has become an archive of youth news, ideas, stories, reviews and articles on beliefs, culture and issues. “We hope to continue to build this resource,” says web site coordinator Scott Wegener. “We also hope the site remains a fun and relaxed place that young people can share with their friends who may not yet realise how much God loves them.”
During the past 10 years, The Edge has received a number of awards for its creativity and originality from the Australasian Religious Publishers Association and Edge editors are enthusiastic about possibilities for the future. “Edge is maturing as a masthead, but it continues to speak the same language as young adults.” Mr Stacey comments.
“The Edge reflects the church’s aim to build a faith community based on a relationship with Jesus,” says Ms Nash. “Basically, we’re working to encourage people in their relationships with Jesus, as well as with others—I guess that explains ‘Believe in Christ, live the life.’”—Nathan Brown

News - Avondale awards scholarships

Females top males at awards ceremony
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Female students at Avondale College have received almost twice as many scholarships and awards as their male classmates this year.
Some 52 students received scholarships and awards—with a total value of $A150,000—during a forum on the college’s Lake Macquarie campus on March 14. The most valuable scholarship, at up to $A27,500 each for a four-year course, is that presented by the Avondale Foundation to recognise academic excellence.
“We are delighted to give 10 scholarships to high academic achievers, and we regret not giving out all 15, but where are all the blokes?” said president Dr Norm Young.
However, five of the six winners of the first-ever scholarship for ministry to children, which traditionally appeals more to females, were males.
Most of the scholarships, worth up to $A5110 per year, are merit-based and cover the fields of business, education, music, science and theology. The President’s Scholarships and Awards recognise high school students from Australia and New Zealand who achieve or who are likely to achieve tertiary entrance rankings in the top 10 per cent of their state, territory or country.—Ursula Borgas
(Pictured above right: Clairessa Free receives a scholarship for academic excellence from Avondale Foundation president Dr Norm Young.) (Photographed by Ann Stafford)

News - Queensland youth "revved up" to help

Pastor Martin Losi, with one of the two bikes sent to the Solomon Islands.

South Queensland youth get “revved up” to help
Brisbane, Queensland

Young people in Brisbane, Qld, during Youth Week of Prayer have donated enough money to sponsor 19 motorcycles for district directors in Papua New Guinea. Originally asked to provide the sponsorship portion for only two motorcycles at $A750, the young people far exceeded expectations, raising $A14,250 during the week.
Pastor David Lawson, coordinator of the motorcycle project, was overwhelmed by the support shown. “Praise the Lord for such a wonderful, generous group of young people,” he said. “Give the youth a vision and they will respond.”
A brand-new Yamaha motorcycle was on display under the Week of Prayer theme, “Going God’s Way—Full Throttle.” Each night an offering was taken up. During the Sabbath program, more than $A6000 was raised. One young person’s parents heard about the project and gave five sponsorships.
Last year Pastor Lawson set a goal of funding 10 motorbikes for district directors around the South Pacific Division (SPD). The SPD sponsored 50 per cent of eight bikes and eventually money for 11 was raised. This year, Pastor Lawson set the target at 20, after which “The Quiet Hour” program in the United States agreed to pay half for the first 20 bikes. Yet with the help of the young people, the total has already become enough to fund 23 motorbikes and there are 20 on order. So Pastor Lawson has increased his target for this year to 30.
“I will have to come up with another exciting project to put to the young people for the 2008 Youth Week of Prayer,” says Pastor Lawson.—David Lawson/RECORD staff