News - iGeneration concert

Sydney’s iGeneration concert celebrated the role young people play in supporting those in need by raising funds for the ADRA Appeal.

ADRA hosts Sydney iGeneration concert
Sydney, New South Wales

On September 1, the iGeneration concert was held in Sydney to celebrate the contribution of young people to this year’s Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Appeal.
The concert featured a number of Australian artists including Australian Idol finalist Joseph Gatehau, popular Christian singer Skylla, Endless Praise and Melissa Otto.
The iGeneration concert was hosted by local Adventist youth speakers and included segments with giveaways and interviews with ADRA supporters.
“The night was really fantastic, with very talented performers and an enthusiastic audience,” said co-host Litiana Qiosese. “Watching the young people get involved not only on the night but also in doing something to help the poor was great. This generation can make a difference.”
Young people from the Greater Sydney Conference gained entry to the concert on presentation of an ADRA Appeal church treasurer’s receipt that showed they had raised $A50 or more for the Appeal. They also received a free iGeneration T-shirt. For those unable to fundraise for ADRA, tickets for entry were sold at at the door.
The concert was held at the Sydney Adventist College, Strathfield campus. It was organised by the Greater Sydney Conference to encourage young people to participate in the fight against poverty and support the ADRA Appeal.
“The iGeneration campaign is about inspiring young people to get involved in changing the world. Many of them said that they learned a lot about poverty and what can be done to help,” said the conference’s director of ADRA services, Malcolm Rea. “And their response to supporting the ADRA Appeal was amazing, with those at the concert representing about $A23,000 dollars raised for the Appeal.”
Candice Jaques, ADRA Australia’s communication coordinator, says, “iGeneration was named not only for the generation now using popular i-technology such as iPods and iPhones, but as a call to action for this generation to become ‘involved,’ make an ‘impact’ and go on to ‘inspire’ others to do the same.
The iGeneration campaign is being implemented in other conferences to acknowledge the important role young people play in supporting those in need through the ADRA Appeal.—RECORD staff/Candice Jaques

News - MVAC community service

Commerce teacher Zenon Els prepares gift baskets with a student.

MVAC commerce students serve community
Doonside, New South Wales

Mountain View Adventist College teacher Zenon Els and his Year 10 Commerce class have been busy sorting out household items and food products donated by fellow students and staff at the college to the class as part of a community-service project they organised during August.
These items have been distributed to families in the school who need some assistance, which the Commerce class designed to be seen as a “hand-up” rather than a “handout.” In total, 72 baskets were prepared and included generous donations from Sanitarium Health Food Company, who have been strong supporters of the project.
Mr Els says, “This community-service project has gone better than we expected and next year we will definitely be looking at doing it again!”—Fiona Lelilio

News - Ministry of teaching affirmed

Avondale College education students help launch an initiative to reposition teaching as ministry.

Launch affirms ministry of teaching
Cooranbong, New South Wales

An Avondale College initiative to reposition teaching as a ministry launched nationally in Seventh-day Adventist churches on September 15.
The initiative, called “Ministry of Teaching,” includes the following resources: Ministry of Teaching, a website containing teachers’ reflections on the ministry of teaching and pathways to enter it; TEACH, a biannual, online journal of Christian education, published by Avondale Academic Press; and an Adventist education issue of RECORD (September 15 issue).
Affirmation of teachers, the desperate need for more teachers in Christian schools and a desire for Adventist Church administrators to recognise education as a “mainstream” form of evangelism provided the impetus for the initiative.
The dean of the Avondale College’s Faculty of Education, Dr Peter Beamish, who is also the Ministry of Teaching coordinator, speaks passionately about a generation of young adults “wanting to make a significant contribution to the community.”
His message? “Stop! Is God calling you to the ministry of teaching?
“If the answer’s yes, then I’m calling you not to enter the classroom but to enter the ministry.”
Dr Beamish launched the first issue of TEACH, published as a one-off hardcopy, at a luncheon for Avondale staff members and education students on September 17.
Editor Dr Wilf Rieger dedicated the journal to Christian teachers and “to the One who inspires us—Jesus, a teacher sent from God.”
Avondale College president Dr John Cox received the first copy. Vice-president (academic administration) Dr Vivienne Watts had previously challenged the faculty to reach publication levels equivalent to those in a research-intensive university. “This journal has helped you reach that target this year,” she said.
Every teacher in Adventist schools in Australia and New Zealand, and one in every three teachers in Christian schools in Australia, will receive a free copy of TEACH. Avondale is also sending 1600 copies to teachers and schools in the Pacific islands.
Avondale Academic Press will publish the next issue of TEACH in April 2008.—Brenton Stacey

News - Pathfinders reach out

Pathfinders reach out to community in Mackay
Mackay, Queensland

Mackay Central Pathfinder troop, Queensland, took to the streets to storm the neighbourhood for Christ on August 18, believing that any age group can win souls.
One hour and fifteen minutes after 5pm on Saturday, church pastor Anthony van Duyn briefed the troop of 17 Pathfinders on what to say, gave them their territory, loaded and unloaded them and enjoyed a successful time of outreach.
Four local parents wanted their children to join Adventurers, while 10 wanted their children to join Pathfinders. Pastor van Duyn adds, “Four responded that they would like to join our Wilderness Adventure Club. Another parent responded that they would be interested in Adventist education for their child. One person even responded that they would like in-home Bible studies!”
The group also had a number of responses to parenting seminars, Quit programs, communication, various health programs and other events and workshops the church is hosting.
Pastor van Duyn says, “Amazing Facts, It Is Written, Fountain in the City and Gateway Church all rely heavily on the use of a doorknock community-survey form as a major means of soliciting Bible-study contacts with a high degree of success. The Mackay churches decided to build on this good foundation and develop the program to reach even younger age groups, while still capitalising on the success of these other styles.”
Pastor van Duyn developed a professional-looking survey form, then localised Pathfinder promotional materials and application forms. He told his members: “If I could increase both Mackay clubs by 20 children and even one-third of those gave their hearts to Christ, I would think that we had a very successful year, in ministry terms.” But the benefits were even greater, he continues: “Not only that but we would have direct and repeated access to the parents. This way, we recruit the age group that we need most to secure the longevity and sustainability of our churches.
“Pathfinders and Adventist Education also feature as some of the major reasons for Brazil’s exceptional church growth rates—if they can make it work, so can we!”—RECORD staff/Anthony van Duyn

NewsShorts

> For the past two years, Canberra Christian School (CCS), ACT, has participated in the “Shop For Your School” program, conducted in Westfield shopping centres. The program encourages people to have the value of their shopping dockets tallied and registered for a school. The major prize is a school makeover, this year valued at $A150,000, from the TV program Better Homes and Gardens. Both years, CCS has just missed the makeover but has won a number of valuable prizes. This year, the school won over $A12,000 in technology, plus a $A10,000 upgrade of its library. The school appreciates the support of members in sister churches throughout Australia who have helped in the program. “As a small school of less than 40 pupils, it would take a lot of fundraising to purchase these items,” says school principal, Jenny Coutts. “Thank you to everyone who registered for Canberra Christian School.”—Jenny Coutts

> A number of university students who attended the recent youth conference in Melbourne have taken up the call to share the Word of God with other students on university campuses. Adventist students from Monash University are conducting a series called the “Elijah project,” which shares their belief in Jesus, His values and the message of His soon return. In the lead up to this series, students busily conducted surveys, doorknocked surrounding areas, handed out leaflets and commenced a Bible-study group on campus. On the opening night, while the young presenters said they were “nervous,“ 30 people attended and shared in both the message and meal.—Wayne Boehm

> Mountain View Adventist College students (Sydney, NSW) raised about $A7000 for literacy programs, walking and running against each other in the school’s late August walkathon. “We had about 200 children sponsored for the walkathon,’’ says Mountain View’s head of primary, Megan Sketchley. ”It was also a fitness program we linked to Book Week, since the money raised will go to the school’s literacy resources.’’ Some students were in casual dress while many came as their favourite fictional characters, in keeping with the Book Week theme. Teachers also promoted reading by choosing a book and working on it with their students.—Roderick Shaw/Blacktown Sun

News - Student's design wins praise

Chris Granger with his car hoist, which will feature in the DesignTECH display at the Powerhouse Museum.

Student’s car hoist design wins praise
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Mechanics have high-lift car hoists to make working on vehicles less backbreaking but without the high ceilings of a purpose-built workshop, how can home car care be made easier?
This was the question a Year 12 student, Chris Granger, from Avondale School set out to answer. The solution he came up with is so good, it has been nominated for display at DesignTECH, an exhibition to be held at the Powerhouse Museum later this year.
“I have been driving in car-club events since I was 13 and have spent lots of time lying on the garage floor,” says Mr Granger. “We can’t fit a hoist in our garage, as we do not have enough height. I thought it would be a good idea if I could make a simple hoist to lift a car about a metre high.”
For the past year, Mr Granger has been working steadily on the project—“I have learnt it is better to tackle a big project little by little”—and when the Board of Studies examined his work, they decided it was up there with the best in the state.
“We are very proud of Chris,” says Avondale School’s Design and Technology teacher, David Hoey.
“He has developed a strong understanding of the design process, including researching, experimenting and testing solutions. He has displayed excellent practical skills in the production of a quality design solution with a strong eye for detail.”
The DesignTECH exhibition is run by the Board of Studies to showcase the best HSC Design and Technology projects of the year.
Other projects from Avondale students included high fashion clothes, a horse-feeding system, furniture and steel-capped ugg boots.—Braden Blyde

News - School baptisms

(Left to right) chaplain Leighton Heise, Scott Farquharson, Pastor Clive Nash, Claire Farquharson, Destyni Till and Lauren Farquharson.

Students baptised at Avondale School
Cooranbong, New South Wales

Four students—Destyni Till, Lauren, Scott and Claire Farquharson—were baptised on August 31 in what is believed to be the first baptism at the Avondale School. The baptism service came at the end of the week of spiritual emphasis and about 500 students, friends and family attended. Each candidate gave their personal testimony and dozens of students came to the microphone to support their decision.
After the baptism, chaplain Leighton Heise called for students to make a commitment to baptism. Some 40 students came forward.
The baptised students were welcomed into membership of the Lakeside church the following day by Pastor Clive Nash.—RECORD staff/Clive Nash

News - STORM Co

Youth teams take countryside by STORM
Warburton, Victoria

In recent months, a number of STORM Co (Service To Others Really Matters) teams have gone to various towns around Australia to run kids clubs, work on service projects and share God with others through different forms of outreach.

^ Macquarie College STORM Co team members Breanna Lewis, Jenny Hosken and Nicole Wilson ballooning in the main street of Walgett.

From July 5 to 13, a group of 23 students from Macquarie College in Wallsend, New South Wales, went to Walgett. The students and teachers from the college got involved with outreach, kids clubs and service projects. The trip was coordinated by Pastor Brad Rae, the college’s senior chaplain, with two former students, Marc Hinten and Stephanie Jamieson, as co-leaders.
An average of 45 local children attended the kids club program each day, coming from Walgett, Namoi Aboriginal village and Gingi Aboriginal mission. The programs featured clowning, ballooning, puppetry, drama, face-painting and stories, all conducted by STORM Co team members.
The STORM Co team also took part in gardening work at the local hospital, visited other churches in the area, helped paint the Collarenebri Anglican church, visited elderly people in a retirement home and provided Sanitarium breakfasts for two Aboriginal communities.
Pastor Rae says, “The outreach, kids clubs and service projects to the community were successful. However, the team members themselves also grew in their own spiritually, personal character and leadership abilitiy through the experience.”

^ The Nunawading STORM Co group.

For the seventh year in a row, a STORM Co team from Nunawading church visited Camperdown, a small rural community in western Victoria, to conduct a kids club and provide community assistance. With an age range of 15 to 44 years, this year’s youth group ran a children’s holiday program in the Camperdown Uniting church. They also visited two local nursing homes, armed with gifts of Freddo frogs and attractive Bible-text cards, and assisted the small local Adventist congregation with church maintenance.
Team leader Carlie Dunne estimates that around 75 per cent of the children return each year. According to Ms Dunne, “One of the benefits of visiting the same location each year is that the local children look forward to our visit, and keep on coming back and bringing new friends.”
Nunawading church’s senior pastor, Trevor Rowe, says he is extremely proud of Ms Dunne and her team. Pastor Rowe says that “while it is true that the program is primarily geared to serve others, the real benefits are evident in the lives of the kids who participate. This is a team of young people totally united in their cause, their friendships with other team members and their service to God. I have seen the benefits of STORM Co firsthand. This program builds lifetime friendships and at the same time proves service to others really does matter.”

^ Avondale College students went to a variety of towns to conduct STORM Co outreach.

Avondale College also got into the STORM Co spirit, with a 17-member team led by first-year nursing student, Angie Butcher, spending time in Coonabarabran (NSW). According to the local church’s pastor, Eddie Mackie, children in Coonabarabran “recognise Avondale College students make a difference and stand out from the world.”
The team fixed houses, cleaned up the town and ran a kids club—more than 100 children arrived on the first day. “It was overwhelming to start with,” says Pastor Mackie, “but indicative of the warm response from the community.
“The theme of giving and not expecting anything in return is refreshing,” he says. “To offer service with no strings breaks down barriers. By God’s grace, some of those kids will come into the kingdom because of the work of these students.”
“Avondale students have been going to Coonabarabran for years, so the kids remember you and tell you they want to be in STORM Co when they grow up,” says Ms Butcher.
Jessica Blake, a second-year arts and teaching student, had a similar experience in Gwabegar, where she led a team of 16. “The kids got really involved and would often organise the afternoon program themselves,” she says.
Four other STORM Co teams, led by Jeanine Bougaardt, Katie Brown, Bridgette Judge and Ashley Penz, served in Wallaga Lake, Goodooga, Macquarie Fields and Moree respectively.
Ms Brown found that although not everything went to plan, her team members were still able to mix with a range of community members. “Our bus driver dropped out, some of our team couldn’t come and the school didn’t want us,” she says. Yet she and her team members were able to meet the town’s Aboriginal elders. “It was our third year in Goodooga and it felt like our relationship with the town got a lot better,” she says.—RECORD staff with Brad Rae/Bronwyn Rowe/Trudy Adams