6th May, 2009

Mia Marina, based in Myanmar, is World Vision's Cyclone Nargis support manager.

"After Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar last May, leaving 138,000 people dead or missing, World Vision reached nearly 340,000 people with immediate aid and assistance. One year on, much still needs to be accomplished to restore livelihoods and the upcoming farming season is critical for the country’s continued recovery. Nargis disrupted the agricultural cycle in the country’s main food-producing region, the Irrawaddy Delta, and one million acres of rice paddy were inundated with salt water. Eight-five per cent of seed stocks were wiped out and two million head of livestock were lost. Now, as Myanmar approaches its first complete planting season since the cyclone, there is an opportunity to return to full food production. Farmers are preparing seeds, fertilizers, and readying their fields for what is hoped to be an ample harvest. If the season is undisrupted and the crop is good, we could begin to see a return to normality for many people. As part of our long-term response, World Vision is building concrete, elevated schools which will serve as community shelters if another disaster strikes. The organisation is also running disaster simulations and planning evacuation routes to better equip the communities in future emergencies. As World Vision transitions to long-term relief, the focus is on helping 100,000 people with livelihood recovery, child protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, and disaster preparedness."

For further information on World Vision's response to Cyclone Nargis and to make a donation, see www.worldvision.com.au

26th March, 2009

Anna Amundsen is a Year 12 Student at Barker College Hornsby. She has been involved with Crusaders through CRU Holiday Camps and at her CRU Christian lunchtime group at school. On 20th March, 2009, she was a guest speaker at the Crusader Business Luncheon at NSW Parliament House, where $243,000 was raised to help reach 30,000 school students with the Gospel.

“It was on a Crusader dirt bike camp when I was in Year 8 that the penny finally dropped for me. The incredible gift of salvation and acceptance that God offers us all made sense to me for the first time, and I gave my life to Christ. Crusaders have since provided me with training to help me grow in my leadership skills. In January this year, I was given the chance to go on Senior CRU - a new holiday camp designed specifically for people like me who want to be trained in how to be a CRU camp leader. It gave me practical training in leadership, from how to run a discussion group, to sitting my senior first aid certificate, but most of all, it made me so much more confident in expressing my faith and setting an example for the way a Christian should live. The following week I was able to put everything I'd learnt into practice because I got to lead for the first time on a primary camp called Beach Blitz. I loved it and plan on leading on heaps more CRU Camps in the future.”

Crusaders is a non-denominational Christian youth organisation that reaches over 30,000 NSW school students each year with the Gospel, through school and camping ministries.  For more information, visit www.crusaders.edu.au or www.crucamps.com.au.

24th September, 2008

Jodie Nelson Chiriccosta is vice president of Somebody Cares America.

"Somebody Cares America has seen a tremendous response from churches throughout the city of Houston as well as around the country. Local churches have opened their doors as shelter, food distribution sites, and gathering places for neighbors. They have sent teams to help remove debris, cut up fallen trees, and deliver food and water to shut-ins. They are even helping local municipalities and the state man government distribution sites. They are crossing racial and denominational lines to assist one another and let God be glorified. Churches outside the affected area have called offering teams of volunteers, undergirding the efforts in prayer, sending truckloads of supplies, and raising money to help with the overwhelming expenses of rebuilding hundreds of thousands of lives. The needs are enormous, and will be for months to come. Volunteers are needed for tree and debris removal, cleaning out flooded houses, tarping battered roofs, feeding hungry people, and offering the hope that only Jesus can give. Supplies like food, water, baby items, cleaning supplies, furniture and even building materials will be needed over the coming months. When the cameras turn off and the national attention turns elsewhere it will be local congregations that rebuild their communities by joining arms and seeking the good of the city. It is in times like these that we see the church at its finest!"

To read about the work of Somebody Cares America go to www.somebodycares.org.

17th February, 2008

Andrew Wooding is a Church Army officer, based in The Sheffield Centre in the UK.

"Doctor Who is the world’s longest running science fiction television programme. It was broadcast from 1963 to 1989 before taking a 16-year break. In 2005 it was relaunched by the BBC and, apart from soaps, it is now the most watched programme in the UK. Why exactly is this new version of Doctor Who such a huge success, with ratings going through the roof, regular Christmas specials and episodes commissioned up to 2010? I am a Church Army Evangelist, who lectures in film studies and creative writing, and I wanted to run a day at the Church Army training college to look at what this cultural phenomenon has to say to us about spirituality and the need for myth in today’s society. It helps that I have also been a Doctor Who fanatic since the early 1970s. The day will be held on 19th April at the Church Army training college in Sheffield. I will be joined by Barry Letts, former producer of Doctor Who, who introduced Buddhist themes into the Jon Pertwee era of the show, and Christian authors Anthony Thacker and Peter S. Williams who have both written books about this, their favourite programme."

For more information about the day, visit www.assistnews.net/Stories/2008/s08010236.htm. Booking details can be found here - www.claycourses.org.uk/selectedcourse.php?course_id=209.

22nd November, 2007

More than 3000 people have been killed and millions are now living in the open after the 250km winds of Cyclone Sidr ripped apart their homes and villages along the southern coastline of Bangladesh a week ago. International aid agency World Vision has worked in Bangladesh for many years and was on the scene immediately working day and night delivering emergency relief supplies and shelter to thousands of people. Here Vince Edwards, executive director of World Vision, Bangladesh, (wearing the orange top in the picture as he gives a survival pack to Rika and her family) tells of what he's seeing...

"It's very hard to get to some areas because there's fallen trees and parts of building everywhere. There is need wherever we look. We have more than 800 people on the ground working and we are trying to reach the worst affected who have completely lost their homes. We've been able to get relief supplies and shelter to about 20,000 people within the past week and are now aiming to get emergency shelter for 50,000 people living in the open. People have not just lost their homes but also their food crops and livestock. Thousands of acres of rice have been destroyed. We will be here for a long time rebuilding homes and livelihoods. (But) there's no doubt that disaster planning work we've been doing here for the past few years has paid off and saved lives. We have been working the Bangladesh Government building cyclone proof shelters and teaching wardens and emergency drills to prepare people for such a disaster. In 1991 a similar sized cyclone killed 160,000 people, and 500,000 people died in one in the 70s."

World Vision has launched an urgent appeal to fund relief kits and shelter and to help the long-term work to rebuild homes and livelihoods. Australians can donate by calling 13 32 40 or visiting the Bangladesh Cyclone appeal at www.worldvision.com.au.

17th August, 2007

American Rev Fred Schaffer, along with his wife Carol, is the founder of A.C.T.S. (Aboriginal Christian Training Services) Inc, a ministry which uses Biblical principles in helping Aboriginal Christian leaders develop business relationships and assists Aborigines in finding the path towards building an income stream for financial stability.

“Of course, the answer in a word is God. Our Father so loved Aboriginal children that He had His son, Jesus, die for each of them. Every Christian is charged to love only God and hate only evil. Sixteen years after my first visit to the Australian outback, I am convinced that the fourth world conditions in which Aboriginal children are forced to live reeks with centuries of selfishness. They hold the poorest health, lowest education levels, and the worst life and job expectancy of all Western children. Federal police reports of children as young as six months with sexually contracted diseases declare an intolerable evil. Intergenerational wickedness in its most absolute form is found in Aboriginal girls as young as 11 who consider sexual abuse to be part of a normal life. Anthropologists, world health officials and fellow missionaries have verified these conditions, identified Aborigines as the most neglected people group in the world and urged people to prayerful action for decades. Now that the state and federal governments have recognized the exceptionally tragic reality of the vulnerable, suffering outback children and their duty of care, Christians must support these long awaited children saving initiatives with massive united prayer. Our love of God and hostility to sin compels each of us to pray together for Christian action. I believe it is God who does nothing without prayer, moving me to connect the whole body of Christ to every child in the Australian outback through their prayers and His answers. My encouraging question is: how will you call on Christians to pray for Aboriginal children?”

For more on ACTS, visit www.pray4acts.org

28th July, 2007

Nate Butler is the president of non-profit, non-denominational Christian comics training and consulting organisation COMIX35.

"It’s a virtual gallery where wild characters such as a cranky cactus from Australia, a spikey-haired street rapper from Cuba, and a Goliath-powered housewife from Japan can hang out together in the same place! And they’re only part of this Internet-based showcase of eclectic entries to COMIX35's second International Christian Comics Competition. Top comics artists from twenty four are participating in this event. Comics are the 'medium of the masses' around the world - Middle Eastern youth, East Indian school children, Filipinos, French and Mexican adults, the Chinese - all are huge readers of comics. And the Japanese are in a class by themselves. Their best-selling comic has a circulation of 3.2 million copies per week, compared to 2.5 million copies a year for the top comic book title in the USA! COMIX35's exhibition provides Christian creators with the opportunity to prove they can produce quality work that will reach these masses as well. Two entrants will be selected as prize winners by judges from Australia, Japan, England, France, Malaysia and the USA, but all exhibition visitors are able to participate in designating the 'People's Choice Award'. This virtual show, located online at www.christiancomics.org, will run from until 5th September."

29th May, 2007

Deb Chen is the director of the Ignite Christian Short Film Festival.

"Ignite is a Christian Short Film Festival that began in 2004 with the aims of: 1. providing Christian film makers with a meaningful platform where their films would actually be seen and utlilised; and, 2. providing churches, schools, mission groups etc with a relevant, useful multimedia resource of short films based on the Bible. Each year, filmmakers are required to submit a short film (no longer than five minutes) based on a passage from the Bible that contains the Ignite keyword. This year the keyword is ‘Light’. Past keywords include ‘Parables’, ‘H20’ and ‘Fire’. Every film entered is screened in front of a live audience at an Ignite screening night, with the top films then shown at the Ignite Awards night where all the winners are announced. In addition, the top films are also released on DVD and the best of the best films get shown on national TV on Channel 7, Christmas Day. Ignite is for film-makers of all standards, from novices to pros. Whilst the prizes and exposure are a big drawcard for many filmmakers, the biggest incentive is that it encourages people to grow in their understanding of God a fun creative way as they read the Bible and understand it’s truths in order to make a film."

Entries for Ignite 07 close on 23rd July, 2007. For more information about Ignite, visit ignite.tvs.net.au.

17th April, 2007

Kosti Simons is president of the Moogerah Passion Play Association, based in Queensland.

"The purpose of everything we do at The Lake Theatre (home of the Moogerah Passion Play and the future House of Living Water) is to spread the Gospel - to bring people into a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ so that they may have life, and life in all its abundance. The House of Living Water will serve four functions. First, it will commemorate Australia’s Christian heritage, which goes back before European settlement to de Quiros, and the name he gave to this great continent - Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, it will show how our Christian history has influenced and is embedded in contemporary Australian culture. Thirdly, it will bring Biblical history to life through re-enactments of scenes from both the Old and the New Testaments and will enable people to live the customs and culture of ancient Israel. And finally, it will offer visitors an opportunity to witness the greatness of God’s creation as they move around the building which gives its name to the whole complex and see vistas of lake and mountains, hear the sound of water as it flows over the roof and falls into a pool beyond the entrance, gaze up at the 12 Biblical giants, and sense His glory in the light pouring through the coloured windows. We are now seeking $1 million to fulfill this vision from God."

For more information see our website at www.moogerahpassionplay.org.au or email us at moogerah@agapenet.com.au.

3rd April, 2007

Martin Johnson is the director and producer of Easter - A World of Difference and communications manager of the Bible Society NSW.

"I was visiting an AIDS sufferer in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya with the co-ordinator of a home based care program, funded by Bible Society NSW. Why is Bible Society, an organisation traditionally associated with Bible production and distribution, getting involved in health issues? As I was introduced to 'Esther' in her one-room tin hut and heard her story via a translator, I understood. It was the Bible and its example of caring for those in need, as demonstrated by Jesus' story of the Good Samaritan, that had brought Esther comfort and hope - even though she was dying. The home based care program runs a four-month training program in how to care for HIV/AIDS sufferers. The carers are also taught how to listen to patients and then talk about the love of Jesus and how despite their rejection by their families, God loves them and cares for them. Esther told me that that week, she had made a commitment to Jesus because she had seen God's love in action, through the visit of the home-based care workers. Yes, Bible Society is still involved with Bible production and distribution, but it also has a responsibility in taking the central message of the Bible, as demonstrated by the Easter message, and putting it into action. This Good Friday program looks at five projects around the world that is doing just that - putting the Bible into action. Other projects covered are a related schools HIV AIDS education project in Kenya and Uganda, a literacy project in Rwanda to help deal with reconciliation issues, a women's health project in Cambodia and Bible distribution in China."

Presented by Bible Society NSW, 'Easter - A World of Difference' is a one hour TV special looking at Bible Society work around the world. It airs on the Seven Network and its affiliate stations in most states at 9.30am on Good Friday. For more information visit www.biblesocietynsw.com.au.

14th March, 2007

Andy Ridley is national communications manager of WWF-Australia

"One way to slow the current rate of global warming is to get each individual to make small adjustments to the way they live. To achieve individual change we need to demonstrate how simple and easy the changes are. An event that gets full community involvement in a simple action will make a difference. WWF-Australia and Fairfax invite all Sydney households and businesses to turn off their lights for one hour at 7.30pm on 31st March, 2007 - this is Earth Hour. The objective is to get as many individuals, households and businesses as possible to turn off their lights as a symbolic statement about the greatest contributor to climate change (coal-fired electricity). We want each individual to understand that electricity consumption is a direct contributor to global warming and that small actions by every individual can make a big difference. When households sign up to take part in Earth Hour they will receive a pack with all the information and tools they need to cut their emissions (and their energy bill). If all Australian households simply turned off unused lighting and appliances on standby at the power point it would reduce Australia’s emissions by at least 5 million tonnes per annum. Earth Hour is not only about one night, it is about a year long push to reduce Sydney's carbon dioxide pollution by five per cent by 31st March, 2008."

For more information, visit www.earthhour.org

22nd February, 2007

Dr Philip Freier is the Archbishop of the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne

"Being new to this city, I am keen to understand its heartbeat, and what better way than to get out into the heartland, and meet the people of Melbourne. As the head of the Anglican Church here in Melbourne, this expansive city, to some degree, is my workplace. I want to engage with people, I want to hear their concerns, I want to hear what they hope for the future of this community, and maybe even sometimes pray with them about these things as we meet. Prayer is a word we all understand as a way of expressing our spiritual longings. And the ultimate point of this quest is to gather prayers from the people I meet with, prayers of concern, prayers of longing, prayers of hope, prayers of thanks. I hope that after two months of weekly visits, some common themes will emerge, which can begin to form a collective prayer and vision for the community of Melbourne and beyond. As I meet with people I hope to ask three basic questions: What encourages you, or brings you hope, living within your community in Melbourne? What concerns you, what weighs you down, as you look to the future, here in Melbourne, Australia? If we were to frame those ideas into a prayer, what would it look like? This quest is an extraordinary privilege for me. To ask people to share their heart’s longings is a big deal. I want to assure people I will treat that information with respect. I invite people to come and meet with me. I will update my public meetings via my blog, which you can find by going to www.melbourne.anglican.com.au and following the links."

8th February, 2007

Jenny Ellis is national director of UnitingCare’s Pancake Day.

"Pancake Day is UnitingCare’s only national fundraising event and is held annually on Shrove Tuesday. Each year, thousands of individuals, schools, community, church and business groups nationwide cook and sell pancakes to raise money for UnitingCare’s work with Australians in need. Although Pancake Day internationally is a fun event that has been around for hundreds of years, UnitingCare’s Pancake Day has a serious side. Poverty and disadvantage. Lent is a remembrance of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness prior to the events we celebrate as Easter. This in turn is an expression of the Exodus story where the Children of Israel spent 40 years in the wilderness, having escaped from slavery in Egypt. During this journey, they were provided with food from God, called ‘manna’. This is described as a white seed that when cooked, made “a flat cake, tasting of honey” - a pancake. God also told the people that there would always be enough food for everyone if they shared it around. Pancakes remind us that God is with us for the journey and that we must always care for others."

~ www.pancakeday.com.au

30th November, 2006

Carol Bacon is the Brisbane Adventist College's Storm Co coordinator in Mungindi, northern New South Wales

"Storm Co began over 10 years ago at the Brisbane Adventist College when the college chaplain wanted to give students an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. The overriding premise Storm Co is "Service To Others Really Matters". From that one small group the Storm Co program has spread throughout the Australian states and also internationally. It is overseen by the Youth Department of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The formats for these programs are varied and depend on the community’s needs. There is always a component of community service; for example, the BAC team at Mungindi for “Schoolies’ Week” have cleaned and painted the Aboriginal community centre, tidied the historical park, helped remove rubbish from the central school, washed the community bus, helped in the classrooms at the Catholic school, cleaned up broken glass and so on. A second major component is interaction with the local community, in particular the kids. This may take the form of an organised Kids’ Club (games, craft, singing and so on) or in Mungindi’s case: play in the local pool with a large inflatable pontoon (think jumping castle in the water), team sports, games, movie night, and “Mungindi Idol”. Storm Co adds an extra dimension to a small town’s life but it also impacts on the team members own desire to live as Christ lived in service to others."

20th October, 2005

South African Frans Cronje is the producer of Faith Like Potatoes, screening at the Australian International Film Festival.

"Faith like Potatoes tells the story of a real man, someone that everyone can relate to - no matter what background you come from. He struggles, he gets angry, he swears, drinks his troubles away, and tries to make life work. Once he encounters God, his life changes irrevocably, and his passion is channeled into an unswerving belief in God's promises. He takes God at his word, even in the darkest of times, and this is a faith we can all aspire to. The story shows his everyday faith, whether praying for a miraculous intervention from God, or whether hoping for a good turnout at a speaking engagement! It reminds us that God answers our prayers, and that He cares about the everyday details of our lives. The life of faith that Angus still lives today is not out of reach for every one of us, and that is why this movie inspires us to step out and exercise our faith."

~ www.faithlikepotatoes.com

~ www.aiff.com.au

30th August, 2006

UK-based Len Budd had the original concept for The 100-Minute Bible and now manages the Canterbury-based company that publishes it, The 100-Minute Press Ltd.

"The 100-Minute Bible is an innovative abridgement which enables people who are not familiar with the ‘classic’ Bible to understand the basic story of the book that is the written basis of the Christian faith. It is primarily intended for modern people leading busy lives who have an interest in Christianity but neither the time nor tenacity to read the 700,000 plus words of the whole Bible. In a mere 20,000 words The 100-Minute Bible tells the story of the turbulent history of His nation - the Jews - from the Old Testament, recounts the principal stories of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ from the Gospels, and then summarises Christian life and the problems of the Christian Church in the first century AD. Controversy has been created by some Christians who regard the combination of reducing ‘their’ Bible to 20,000 words and retelling the stories in up-to-date language is sacrilegious. However, people outside the church and the majority of Christians have welcomed it, often with the comment ‘Cool, why hasn’t anyone done this before?’ An audio version has just been released on twin CDs and it is also available in large and giant print versions for those with poor sight."

www.the100-minutepress.com

The 100-Minute Bible is distributed by Koorong Bookshops - www.koorong.com

3rd July, 2006

The Right Reverend Richard Appleby, recently retired Assistant Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane, was elected President of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) in late June.

"A serious challenge is how to discern the mind of Christ in situations where faithful Christians hold opposing views on homosexuality and the leadership of women. This, of course, is not the first time Christians have struggled to respond to contemporary challenges. In the early church it was whether they could ignore the Biblical requirement that converts be circumcised. In the 16th century it was whether the scriptural prohibition of usury could be put aside. In the 18th and 19th centuries it was the abolition of slavery. And, as we know, in these situations the church discerned the mind of Christ as not requiring circumcision; as allowing the charging of interest; and in favour of the abolition of slavery. For many Christians today the issues are homosexuality and the leadership of women. In this situation I know the National Council of Churches to have an important role. For the NCCA brings together 15 national Churches and ecclesial communities enabling them to pray, share and work together. In this they are helped in discerning the mind of Christ. And, overcoming divisions is so important. For, as Jesus prayed, 'may they all be one'."

~ www.ncca.org.au

20th June, 2006

Mervyn Thomas is the chief executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

"For a long time the situation in North Korea was shrouded in secrecy, but now, through the testimonies of survivors, information on the chilling reality inside the country has become available. North Korea was once a centre of Christian revival and the capital, Pyongyang, was known as the Jerusalem of the East. Many South Korean churches, famed for their phenomenal growth, were founded by North Koreans. But when the Communist regime was installed in the aftermath of the Korean War, the state set about decimating the church. Instead they have instituted state-enforced idolatry of the leaders with unquestioning obedience to their authority. No belief in a higher authority is tolerated and even the word for God has been abolished. Today, the persecution of Christians in North Korea may be the worst anywhere in the world. Being a Christian is viewed as one of the most serious crimes and those found to be Christians face violent mistreatment, brutal imprisonment and even execution. The Global Week of Prayer is a call for churches around the world to support North Korean Christians facing such horrific persecution and to pray for an end to the repression and idolatry that covers the nation."

The Global Week of Prayer for North Korea runs from 19th to 25th June. To find out more or how you can be involved, visit www.csw.org.uk or www.prayfornorthkorea.org

26th May, 2006

Tom Treseder, an industrial designer and a former state director of the Bible Society in Australia, is the designer of the MegaVoice.

"The MegaVoice audio player is a cheaper, sturdier version of an MP3 player developed specifically to broadcast readings of the Bible in any language. It’s about the size of a credit card and weighs just under an ounce. It fits easily into a pocket, a wallet or a purse. I believe the MegaVoice is as revolutionary as the Guttenberg press! I set out to develop an audio player that would overcome the problems of sharing Christianity in remote locations with traditional audio technology. The goal was to develop durable, low-cost, digital audio solutions for Christian evangelism in the developing world.There are 90 million people around the world who are blind and who can’t read the Bible and 1.3 billion people around the world who are illiterate. The MegaVoice audio player is a powerful tool to communicate the Bible with them. At $33 each, these high-quality players are available at a fraction of the cost of other digital units in today's audio market.   The players vary according to their unique features. The basic player is called the Ambassador. Then there’s the Messenger. The MegaVoice is unique in that once a message has been recorded onto the player, it can’t be erased by the end user."

~ www.megavoice.com

10th May, 2006

The Right Reverend Robert Forsyth (left) is the Anglican Bishop of South Sydney and Allan Dowthwaite is the chief executive of Anglican Media Sydney.

"Popular culture tends to fill people’s information gaps. For example, what a lot of people know about World War II is probably what they’ve seen on Saving Private Ryan. The same is true for ancient Rome and Gladiator, or the Boer War and Breaker Morant. Most people have very little knowledge about Jesus - who He was, what He claimed about himself, what He did - and the danger is that The Da Vinci Code can fill this gap. We believe there is a massive void in our society of even the most basic historical facts on the provenance of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We believe that in a world of such ignorance, even fiction well presented will fill people’s minds. There is also a kind of plot in our culture which has the idea that the church has been withholding some dark secret and that Jesus really can be simply explained. Our focus is not primarily on debunking The Da Vinci Code, but rather using the ideas it puts forward as a springboard for engaging with people - giving them the information they need to explore the truth about Jesus for themselves, and encouraging them to come to a considered decision about him. The cinema ad is only one part of our campaign. The ad points to a website - www.challengingdavinci.com - and the $50,000 includes the design and construction of this site, as well as the production of the ad, the purchase of screen-time, and some basic promotional material. The Da Vinci Code phenomenon has provided Christians with a great opportunity, because it puts discussion about Jesus is in the public arena. The site also helps Christians to be prepared to for the opportunities that will arise from the film to talk to their friends and neighbours about Jesus."

11th January, 2006

Rev. Peter Rahme is the senior pastor of the Inner West Baptist Church in Sydney's Homebush West. He has just published an outreach tract on Englishman John Newton and the creation of his song Amazing Grace. An order for 100,000 of the tracts has already been placed for the Amazing Grace Outreach which will take place at Melbourne's upcoming Commonwealth Games.

"Amazing Grace has proven to be the most popular song of our time. Its simple style and sweet sound is hummed and heard on every continent in this world. It transcends race, religion and even record categories. It takes in its stride all nations, regardless of colour, creed or culture. Whether presented in churches, performed in concerts or played in clubs, this song of songs touches the hearts of those who listen to its tune and learn its truth; this hymn of hymns transforms the souls of those who hear its message and heed its meaning. The man behind this well-known song and greatly-loved hymn is the late Rev. Dr John Newton. His earlier life, as sinful as it was, clearly demonstrates that the grace of God is far greater than our sins. Just as Newton sought God’s mercy and was saved by God’s grace, you and I can also call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved for all eternity. I trust this amazing story of one repentant sinner who became a rejoicing winner will cause you to ponder over your life and legacy, and challenge you to prepare for your death and destiny."

Rev. Peter Rahme's tract - 'The Man and the Story behind Amazing Grace' - can be downloaded from www.amazinggrace.org.au.

25th November, 2005

Dr Ted Baehr, the founder and publisher of the US-based MovieGuide and chairman of The Christian Film & Television Commission, was among the audience at the Director's Guild which saw the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe just 11 hours after the final edits.

"The great news is that the Disney movie version of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is not only very entertaining, but retains the deeper truth and essence of C. S. Lewis’s great novel, the first in his great seven part Chronicles of Narnia redemptive fantasy series...Neither the fans of the book, nor the fans of the story behind the story, will be disappointed. The movie works well and is a great tool for the church to help people understand the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Very, very few people will see the slight divergences that the movie takes from the novel. Even fewer will see the very slight shifts in the perspective of the movie...Though they have deleted some scenes from the book and added others, the story has retained its theological foundation, although some of the theology has been toned down...Andrew Adamson said that when he directed the movie, he started from his memory. He felt that the book was too thin, so the movie reflects his memory of the book, not the actual book. He understands the element of sacrifice and redemption, but his concern was for the empowering of the children. Clearly, his perspective helped produce the subtle shift from the book, but his love for the original source ultimately keeps the movie on target."

This is an edited version of Dr Baehr's response to the film. To read more of Dr Baehr's film reviews, visit www.movieguide.org. For more on 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe', visit http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/index.html. The movie will be released on Boxing Day in Australia.

20th October 2005

Jorge Rodriguez is the director of the national scriptures division of the Bible Society in Australia.

"Through history the Bible has been at the forefront of communication technology - it was the first book ever printed on the movable-type printing press invented by Johannes Gutenberg, enabling mass distribution of God’s Word for the first time. It is appropriate that the latest technology be used to pass on the Bible's message to every generation, because it is an eternal and vital message for all generations. Just as the invention of the printing press allowed ordinary people to read the Bible, so the fast-expanding SMS-text technology has the potential to enable people to engage with God's Word on a greater scale than ever before. According to the Mobile Data Association, 1.1 billion SMS text messages were delivered globally in 1999; by 2004 the annual figure had risen to 26.2 billion, and it is now forecast to grow to 32 billion in 2005. For those seeking to bring the Bible’s message to the people of today, this fastest-growing communication medium offers a great opportunity to present God's Word in the midst of everyday life. The CEV SMS-text Bible will serve to remind “SMS-generation people” of God’s words of encouragement, wisdom and caution during their busy, sometimes hectic, schedules."

To download your SMS-text Bible, visit www.biblesociety.com.au/smsbible/index.html

16th September, 2005

Amanda Jackson is the national co-ordinator for the Micah Challenge Australia, part of a global campaign to mobilise Christians against poverty.

"Three days ago, Australia announced a big increase in overseas aid - by 2010 we will be giving 0.36 per cent of our gross national income. This is great news and we thank the government for their commitment. But we have some way to go if we are to meet the recommended level of 0.5 per cent and it means we will still be 18 out of 22 on the table of generosity of the world's richest countries. The emphasis on good governance is welcomed by all groups but we hope that the aid money will be going to address basic poverty issues as well as governance issues - where the money will be spent is not yet clear. If the planned increase in Australian aid was focused on achieving the Millennium Development Goals in our most needy South-East Asian neighbours the increase could do all of the following: prevent at least 22,000 less child deaths per year; prevent an average of 700 maternal deaths per year; save at least 9,900 people each year from dying of AIDS and tuberculosis; provide six million more people with access to safe drinking water; and, ensure 33,000 more children receive a basic education. Pray for the leaders and their advisors as they make important decisions that could change the lives of over two billion people who live in extreme poverty. Please write to the Prime Minister, John Howard, or to the Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, thanking them for this great initiative. Check www.micahchallenge.org.au for more information on how Christians can get involved."

1st September, 2005

Fr John Usher is the Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Sydney.

"The announcement by Pope Benedict XVI that the next World Youth Day will be held in Sydney grabbed the attention of the Australian media. As the news came through I was mindful of the 2,200 Australian young people in Cologne at the time. Somehow their joyful anticipation and excitement was at the forefront of my mind. The fact that over one million people were gathered in Cologne to hear the Pope's good news about the next World Youth Day was an exciting reality in itself. Furthermore, the significance of Sydney being the host for the next World Youth Day gives me great joy. The thought of thousands that young people will gather in Sydney for a week in 2008, to celebrate faith, life and the love of God, fills me with a great sense of hope about the future of the church. More importantly, it will mean that thousands of young people will eventually move into professions and other modes of employment and bring this world of ours closer to God. They will marry, have children of their own and, through their creative love, enrich the world.  The World Youth Day in itself will be a great blessing for Australia - its long term effects on future generations will be the real miracle."

13th August, 2005

Rev Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister, the chairman of Well-Being Australia and a formerAustralian Cricket Chaplain. He recently attended the Baptist World Centenary Congress, held in Birmingham, England, from 27th to 31st July.

“For me there were four highlights from this particular international gathering. The first was the opening rally where, dressed in long black Lincoln suit with stiff white collar shirt and stock, actor Eric Petrossian performed the inaugural congress sermon of 100 years ago by the Reverend Alexander Maclaren. The second was the youth module involving Viz-a-Viz, a British Christian mission/business that links youth evangelists, Christian artists, Christian bands and theatre groups to youth outreaches across the denominational divides. The third was at the Rick Warren press conference where Rick, author of the best-selling book The Purpose Driven Life, explained how the terror we're facing today is evil close-up and personal. ‘The Bible is very clear, evil people must be destroyed, evil items must be destroyed, evil must be destroyed, one cannot negotiate with evil, one must stop evil,’ he said. ‘The Government has the authority from the Bible to stop evil.’ It was refreshing to witness an internationally acclaimed Christian leader verbalise what many Western politicians are now beginning to recognise, but rarely formally express. The fourth was the Rev Dr Ross Clifford’s presentation calling upon Baptists to ‘reclaim the Holy Spirit’ in the light of the health, wealth and happiness cult. The theme of the Baptist World Centenary Congress was ‘living water’ and Dr Clifford made the point that many western Christians are being offered ‘contaminated water’. This was a bold presentation for Baptists to ‘reclaim the Holy Spirit’ from a mainstream Christian leader not afraid of tackling prevailing soft and self-indulgent Gospel presentations.”

You can read more of Rev Dr Tronson's thoughts on the Baptist World Centenary Congress and view a gallery of images at at www.bushorchestra.com.

20th July, 2005

Archbishop Phillip Aspinall is Primate of the Anglican Church in Australia.

"Church leaders are not only entitled to speak out on issues such as IR reform, but have an obligation to do so. And when we do, we are not simply dabbling in politics but expressing the deep values and concerns of our faith. Australia’s four million Anglicans work, live, raise children, care for elderly parents, volunteer in great number and pay taxes here. Beyond that, the Anglican Church is a large national employer, particularly in service and educational sectors. We know employers can face industrial difficulties not always of their own making. Equally, because of our wide involvement in education, community, health and welfare sectors, we are in constant contact with Australians who are not well off, who have no or only casual work, who are the most vulnerable in our community. This represents a solid basis for Anglican leaders’ involvement in important questions in the moral and public life of our nation. Fairness to all, employers and workers alike, must be of fundamental concern. Equally basic to the Christian faith is a commitment to protecting the interests of those most vulnerable in our community. These will be the tests church leaders will want to apply to the details of the proposed reforms when they are available. "

30th June, 2005

Dr James O. Davis is president of the Global Pastors Network and executive director of the Billion Soul Initiative.

“On July 19th, 2003, Dr Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and cofounder of the Global Pastors Network, graduated to receive his eternal reward. After the homegoing of Dr Bright, key leaders met repeatedly to discuss the best way to honor this great Christian leader. As a result of these strategic discussions, Campus Crusade for Christ President Steven B. Douglass and Dr John C. Maxwell - chairman of the Global Pastors Network - joined forces to lead the Bill Bright Initiative. The stated goal of the Bill Bright Initiative is "to help start five million new churches for a billion soul harvest". During the last year, key world leaders have synergized their resources together to launch the greatest evangelism thrust in history. Never before has the church worldwide been so willing to work together in order to fulfill the Great Commission in our lifetime. Never before has the Great Commission been within the reach of the Church to finish the task. At the present time, leaders are from all walks of life are partnering together in the Billion Soul Harvest Campaign. In the next 24 months, renowned church leaders will join forces in eight major cites to inspire and instruct pastors to reconnect their local churches to lost communities again.”

For more information, log onto www.billionsoul.org.

22nd June, 2005

James Pilkington is a spokesman for debt relief lobby group Jubilee Australia.

"Jubilee Sunday on the 26th of June is a chance for people from around the world to send a message to Tony Blair and the G8 - keep your promises: cancel unpayable debt. Hopefully we've heard about the recent announcement on debt relief, and this is a great step forward, but it's not the comprehensive solution that Jubilee and its supporters have campaigned for. It's important to remember this is a draft deal, not the final agreement, so there's still a lot to fight for. It's estimated that 33,000 children in poor countries die every day, yet debt repayments from these countries to the rich world are usually more than both their health and education spending combined. On this day we urge churches, student groups, NGOs, businesses and community groups to support the campaign by holding prayers/liturgy, organizing a petition, making banners, distributing flyers, visiting or writing to MPs and so on. You can download flyers about the day from our website."

Jubilee Australia's website can be found at www.jubileeaustralia.org.

8th June, 2005

Elizabeth Kendal is the principal researcher and writer for the World Evangelical Alliance Religious Liberty Commission (WEA RLC).

"In April, the UNCHR passed Resolution 2005/3 entitled, 'Combating Defamation of Religions'. It was put forward by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) and is in reality a resolution aimed at protecting Islam from criticism, and Islamic propaganda from scrutiny. It was passed with the votes of repressive, human rights-violating states such as the OIC states plus China, Russia, Cuba and so on, which now, farcically, form a majority on the UNCHR. What makes the OIC-inspired UNCHR resolution so insidious and dangerous is that it establishes that it is wrong to associate Islam with human rights violations and terrorism. Now any reporter, writer or human rights advocate who dares condemn or criticise discriminatory, barbaric, human rights-violating religious mandates and practices, such as those legitimised by Sharia (Islamic) Law, and associate Islam with human right violations, risks being charged with defamation of Islam. What's more, the OIC-inspired UNCHR resolution calls upon states to 'actively combat defamation of religions, Islam and Muslims in particular, especially in human rights forums'. The UNCHR is now protecting the image or reputation of a religion over and above human rights. The human rights of victims of Sharia, in particular women and persecuted religious minorities, have been traded to protect Islam from "defamation" (lies that dent its good reputation) at the behest of the OIC. Tragic!"

The text of the resolution can be found at http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/E/CHR/resolutions/E-CN_4-RES-2005-3.doc. For the World Evanglical Alliance website, visit www.worldevangelical.org/rlc.html