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WORLD WIDE WEEKEND OF PRAYER FOR CHILDREN AT RISK Poverty, natural disasters, conflicts, injustices, and food crises have increased in the last few years, and the most affected are children. * Over half a billion children are struggling to survive on under US$1 per day. * 250,000 children and young people are infected with HIV/AIDS every month. * It is estimated that 25 million children will have lost one or both parents to AIDS by 2010. * 130 million children lack access to education. * 246 million children are child labourers. * 8.4 million children are trapped in slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, prostitution, pornography, and other illegal activities. * 300,000 young people under 18 are exploited as child soliders. * 30,000 children die each day from preventable diseases. This is the reality of the children of today. What can be done? Through prayer, we can intervene on behalf of these children, releasing the power and work of the Holy Spirit in their lives, their families and their communities. On June 3 and 4, 2006, we invite you to participate in the Worldwide Weekend of Prayer for Children. On these days Christians all over the world will unite and pray for children at risk - children in poverty, abuse and deprivation. This prayer event is organised by Viva Network, which connects international Christian organisations who work with children at risk. We call every Christian and local church to stand with us in prayer for children around the world. We encourage you to be ambassadors for children at risk in your community. For more details and materials on how you and/or your church can participate in this Global Weekend of Prayer, we invite you to log on to www.viva.org (source: NCM Press Release 23 May 2006) NAZCARE NEWBIES'Newbies' were elected to the NazCare Inc. Management Committee this past Friday evening, May 19, 2006, at its Annual General Meeting (AGM). Held at NTC, Brisbane, approx. 20 members and friends were in attendance to participate in the formalities, as well as reflect on the exciting developments in various spheres of its operation. Child Sponsorship Co-ordinator, Ian Jolliff, reports that "NazCare is sponsoring 34 of the (approx.) 110 children at Maetang. I have at least 4 more sponsors waiting for Maetang children, and Belinda [Allder] and I are working to have children available for these sponsors in the near future. More than $15,600 has been raised and remitted to Maetang between June 2005 and May 2006. "With demand for sponsored children outstripping the availability of Maetang children, NazCare began exploring the possibility of expanding its child sponsorship activities to include pastors' children in Indonesia. This venture is still in its formative stage ... NazCare has already signed up 7 sponsors on this program, and plans are in hand to allocate a further 12 children to this project. Once it is fully functional this project will fund almost $7,000 a year to these children for their education and personal development." An expression of appreciation was made to Peter Wilson following his decision not to stand for re-election to the position of Secretary. While Peter's direct involvement in the leadership team of NazCare will be missed, he has pledged his continued support of NazCare's vital ministry in our communities. It was a significant occasion to have Co-ordinator, David Harris, present his first report as an employee of NazCare Inc. He was pleased to be able to reflect on this first four months of his activity in conducting consultations with several local churches, lodging funding applications, locating potential funding sources, and generally networking. The coming months will be critical in resourcing the organisation in development of its sustainability (primarily, funding) and capacity building for local churches in their community outreach and engagement. The Region have committed to their financial contribution for a two year period, while NazCare's component of the Co-ordinator's financial package will be depleted in December. Please pray for David's efforts to resource NazCare's financial base. We appreciate your continued interest in and support of NazCare. Pray for the newly elected Management Committee as they provide valuable support and direction to NazCare's activities across Australia and New Zealand, that hurting, disadvantaged, marginalised individuals, families, communities will be equipped, empowered, enabled for life, through a ministry of care and compassion, in Christ. "Everyfink's broke'd""We're trying to go back home for daddy, 'cause he needs help. There's fences broke'd, everyfink's broke'd." (source: http://seven.com.au/news/cyclonelarry) The simplicity of little Tyarne Stanley's words so poignantly describe the devastation that wreaked havoc in her life and destruction on the home of her family. Monday March 20th, the north Queensland coast was hit with wind speeds of up to 290kmh (180mph), when cyclone Larry, a Category 5 storm ripped roofs from homes, demolished an ambulance station, damaged a hospital, police station, and uprooted trees. The town of Innisfail, 90km south of Cairns, was hardest hit, with up to 10,000 homes damaged - at least one in three had lost their roofs At least 30 people were injured, half the buildings in Innisfail and 80% in Babinda, to the north, were damaged. The banana industry reports losses of up to $30m, and the potential for 4,000 people out of work, where 90% of the Australian industry is located in the cyclone area. A (sugar) canegrowers representative reports that the area mostly affected produces 25% of the nation's sugar crop. Emergency services including Australia's defence forces were mobilised immediately in response to the desperate need for evacuation and recovery operations following the most powerful storm to hit Australia in three decades. In 1974 cyclone Tracey destroyed Darwin on Christmas Eve, killing 65 people. Larry, however, spared the area any such tragic loss or serious injury. The local hospital cleared wards to make way for expected cyclone victims. As with such disasters, often the aftermath causes the most anxiety. State Disaster Co-ordination Centre spokesman, Peter Rekers, warned residents to stay on their guard for deadly animals stirred up by the storm. "Most of the casualties and deaths resulting from cyclones happen after the storm has passed." He warned, "Keep your kids away from flooded drains, be aware of snakes and crocodiles. Those guys have had a bad night, too." The nearest Church of the Nazarene is located in Townsville, approx. 260kms (3.5hrs) away. However, our Field Strategy Co-ordinator, Rev. James Johnson and his wife, Joy, are based in Cairns. The Johnsons provided reassurance, indicating trees and guttering down, but no major damage. However, Mat & Jo Thomson are Nazarenes currently serving with MAF on the nearby Atherton Tablelands. Jo writes - March 21st: Just a quick note to let you all know we are doing fine up here in the Tablelands. As most of you are aware, we were hit by a Category 4 cyclone yesterday morning. We live basically 15-20mins away from where the eye of the cyclone hit. We still copped it pretty hard with (it) coming down left right and centre. Fortunately we rent a full block brick house which held up really, really well. We lost power at 7.00am with the cyclone passing through between 9-12.00pm. The wind was fierce, as was the rain, but all in all, after a family prayer time we waited it out playing board games and talking on the phone with concerned family members. We are truly thankful for all your support and prayers that must have gone out yesterday. As we ventured out of our homes late afternoon, the destruction around the place was amazing. The landscaping has changed and what used to be our famous Tolga Scrub Rainforest is now about 50% of what it was. We cannot believe the damage next door at the school and the next street over. Trees have fallen on homes and there is debris everywhere. We thank the Lord for his protection and peace over our family during this time particularly as we look at what could have been ... March 22nd: "Our hearts, of course, go out to the farmers who lost everything. Mat plays basketball with a guy who lost his entire banana plantation of 3-3,500 trees and as a result will have to let go of his 160 employees. Not only that, with the power still out in many places, it is difficult to even begin the clean-up process on some of these farms. In spite of all this, we continue to praise and thank God for his protection over our family and the community as a whole. We have been inundated with phone calls and emails from so many who have been praying for us. As we continue to get back to some normality, we pray that the Lord wil continue to use us as a witness and testimony of his love as we reach out to those in our community less fortunate that us." NazCare was able to offer assistance immediately. It is our desire to provide you with an opportunity to make a financial contribution to what is proving to be a massive re-construction for the town of Innisfail and surrounding area. We invite you make a practical difference in these communities, as we thank God for sparing lives, as a measure of our commitment to stand along side them in what will be a long and arduous road ahead. Thank you for your support of NazCare's appeal to help Tyarne fix "everyfink's broke'd" VISION FOR EXPANDING NCM ASIA-PACIFIC'S HOLISTIC MINISTRIES
On May 1, David T. Harris of Sydney, Australia assumed the responsibilities of Nazarene Compassionate Ministries (NCM) co-ordinator for the Asia-Pacific Region. On that same day, outgoing regional NCM co-ordinator Stephen O. Gualberto transitioned into his new role as NCM's director of International Childhood Development. According to Regional Director Verne Ward III, "Stephen's life and ministry is greatly appreciated. In a short time his contagious passion for children's issues has made a huge impact on our region and h has done a great job of passing on his vision to other leaders, especially to our new co-ordinator, David Harris. We believe that God will continue to use Rev. Gualberto on an even larger new role." In the past four years under Gualberto's leadership, the Asia-Pacific Region created a model childhood development program called TEACH (Teaching A Child Holistically), which is currently being implemented in three locations - two in the Philippines and one in Myanmar. In addition, Gualberto conducted numerous NCM workshops and seminars at various events, including the Children at Risk Conference, Understanding God's Heart for Children Conference, and the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference. He also helped to establish strong partnerships with several key organisations, such as VIVA Network, PCM Network, Feed the Children, and Compassion International. Gualberto, who will move his family to Kansas City this month, commented on his goals in this new role: "I desire that holistic, transformational children's ministries will become a priority on the agenda of every local church ... that God will raise up more people to respond to the plight of children at risk worldwide." David Harris, who succeeds Gualberto, recently met with Gualberto and other regional leaders in Manila for a week of orientation. Harris will carry out his responsibilities as regional NCM co-ordinator from his office in Sydney. Ordained in 1996, the New Zealand native brings more than 20 years of ministry and leadership experience to the position. Harris has served as regional NYI president, field Youth In Mission co-ordinator, District Advisory Board member, and Minister of Music at the Birrong Church of the Nazarene in Sydney. He received his Diploma of Ministry in 1990 from Nazarene Theological College (Brisbane). In these assignments, Harris played an instrumental role in creating an environment and opportunity on the region in which young people can be involved in vital cross-cultural ministry. Several of these young people serve in key ministry and mission assignments today. On his goals for compassionate ministry, Harris said, "One of the things that seems to be a common theme wth us on the region is our desire to mobilise the church to be the Church through compassionate ministries. There are so many opportunities, so many people hurting, with an even deeper need to be impacted by God's transforming grace. And I believe NCM has a real role to play in bringing hope through practical lifestyle ministries. Therefore, one of my goals is to facilitate that kind involvement, to mobilise local churches to reach local communities through practical displays of Christ's love." WM Communications, Asia-Pacific A WELCOME AND HAVEN OF HOPEThe Dianella congregation in Western Australia's capital city, Perth, is home to a wonderfil blend of cultures, as are several of our churches in major cities. This colourful mix of nations, creeds, races, brings with it the sad reality that we live in an all too obviously hurting and at times hateful world. Long a preferred destination and entry point for refugees or migrants from Africa, Dianella's Gabin & Olive are at the frontline of Perth's reception for those traumatised by their experience of detention, nations conflicted with civil unrest, martial law, or corrupted and out of control. A life-saving flight to freedom will likely end in Perth where the Federal Government's Community Services Settlement Scheme (CSSS) provides support for these recent arrivals and a basic orientation to living in their new home in Australia, as well as an introduction to essential services. Ps Gabin, and his family, originating from Burundi, is employed by a Migrant Resource Centre. It is his role to meet new arrivals at the airport, then, conduct an orientation with them, and endeavour to make their transition to settlement a smooth and less stressful situation. In the coming months NazCare will explore with the Dianella congregation the potential to establish a reception centre as an extension of the church's ministry in Dianella and surrounding community.
MULTICULTURAL MINISTRIES SEMINARThe Ethnic Liaison Directorship of the Salvation Army hosted a Multicultural Ministries seminar in Sydny's southwest recently, attended by NazCare Co-ordinator, David Harris. The keynote speaker, Major Eliana Cristi, referred to her extensive experience, incl. working across eight countries and four continents - the UK, USA, Australia, West Africa/Ghana, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador. The session was informative and affirmed the appropriateness of the practical expression of our commitment to ministering in a multicultural context. Maj. Cristi highlighted the Church of the Nazarene's core value of being missional on several occasions during her presentation, as well as how its missional purpose is communicated and practiced in the context of multicultural ministries. WELL, WELL ... WELL!Nazarene Compassionate Ministries continues to work in the tsunami affected area of southern Thailand, where well construction is providing water security for small communities such as BangNiang. Ceny Hirahara, Southeast Asia field NCM Co-ordinator, facilitates the Love Journey mission trips to the area, with the support of and volunteers from the Thailand District, as well as from mission teams from elsewhere on the Region. Children's ministry also features in the Love Journey teams' community focus. A ministry centre has been established primarily for the development of regular ministry activities, such as worship services and Bible studies, but also for teams such as Love Journey. Micro-finance ventures are also resourced, such as the provision of a loan to purchase a tricycle for a small vendor's business. Typically, negotiated and affordable repayments are made on the loan from the proceeds of the small business activity. COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONSThe absolute focus of NazCare is to enable, resource, mobilise, equip the local church to effectively reach their community through compassionate ministries. The shape of these ministries will ultimately be determined by each local chuch as they assess the needs of the community, and how they might meet those needs, in Christ-focused and grace-full strategies. Initial consultations have been facilitated with Gnangara, Dianella, and Logan community churches. If your local church is committed to effectively reaching its local community through compassionate ministries, apart from your other evangelistic outreach, and would like to identify ways to develop and resource those compassionate ministries, please contact NazCare Co-ordinator, David Harris, to arrange a briefing on how a consultation would assist you in that process. Remember, our primary objective is to enhance your ministry in your community. So, we look forward to our potential partnership in bringing the hope and compassion of Christ, through local believers and the direction of the Holy Spirit, in community and life transforming ministry. All it takes is an e-mail or phone call ... and, of course, your commitment to be the Church, His Church! FOUNDATIONS FOR NCM AOTEAROA NZThe Otara Church of the Nazarene, in south Auckland, New Zealand, has commenced providing support to some of its most disadvantaged residents, in response to an expressed need from its members, as well as from the wider community. Referrals are also expected from local Council and Government offices, who have indicated their support for the establishment of this vital service in the Otara community.
factfile (2001 Census) * 63% of the community are Pacific peoples * a HUGE 64% profess a Christian affiliation * 51% are couples with a child or children * approx. half of the population are 25yrs and younger * 44% of the community are renting DS, Rev. Dr. Neville Bartle, reflects on the community in which his parents resided for many years until their home-going, "The South Auckland area had a 10% increase in crime last year. Crimes of all descriptions are up, but domestic violence is very bad, and gambling is a major problem. The Church needs to get involved wth dealing with these issues and government agencies are looking for the churches to help." It is proposed to develop the Otara site as a model, with expansion to tow other sites in the south Auckland area. Dialogue is taking place with NazCare, NCM Asia Pacific, and the Otara church/NZ District about how we can resource the establishment of this vital ministry in this community. Already in its preliminary days, the community's response has been positive - "the Lord is truly opening up the doors in terms of assistance by way of advice in helping us setting up, we officially started last week and we have had several clients come in, and we were able to assist," reports Rev. Max Tavilitonga, pastor of the Otara church. DAVE'S DIARYHey, guys, here is my diary for the next little while. If I happen to be in town and you would like to meet and explore the possibilities of compassionate ministries as part of your local church's engagement with its community, please contact me and let's arrange to meet and .. dream a little! Of course, if you would like to meet at any time, I would be more than happy to negotiate that with you. By no means am I suggesting that I have all the answers, or that unless you're doing compassionate ministries, you're not effectively reaching your community. But it would be a real tragedy if there were opportunities to meet the real needs of the disadvantaged, disenfranchised, disconnected, dis-empowered individuals, children, young people, families, men, and women, and we did not respond appropriately or in a timely manner. A partnership with NazCare may well be the catalyst for the extension of God-honouring, Christ-like, Spirit-empowered ministry in your local community, by your local church, well developed and resourced, and specific to your context. I would also value the opportunity to preach and/or share a presentation on NazCare (NCM ANZ) (incl. Child Sponsorship), NCM Asia-Pacific, Youth In Mission, or NYI Asia Pacific. Untitled
GNANGARA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP WITH NAZCAREPs Jong Il Kim pastors in the aboriginal community of Gnangara, and has a vision for a range of dynamic and creative ministry activities to reach indigenous Australians, particularly children and young people, in the community. To that end, Gnangara has partnered with NazCare in pursuit of approx. $9000 funding from the City of Wanneroo's annual Community Development grant program for several community based outreach/ministry projects. If successful, these will effectively enhance Jong Il's ministry by tapping into valuable resources not previously accessed, as well as being able to implement needs-based outreach. "Indi PC's" will assist yong people from disadvantaged communities to gain basic IT skills, as well as incorporate indigenous art in the refurbishment of computer boxes. "Powerhouse" is a martial arts based personal development program, providing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with the oppportunity to develop self-esteem, participate in a regular physical activity, and gain basic literacy skills. "Driving Deadly" will provide indigenous young women with the opportunity to receive accredited driving instruction, enhancing their access to education and employment, as well as having a broader positive outcome for their families, and community. |
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