ISSN 0819-5633

In this issuePNG church leader awarded

Within the lines

Adventist World issue

Prayerful Karalundi STORM Co

Adventist women in PNG lead WCTU

Lae, PaPua NeW GuINea

A number of Seventh-day Advent-ist women in Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been appointed lead-ers—including president—of one

of the world’s oldest women’s organisations, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). The appointments were made in November, during the WCTU’s first national convention in PNG.

More than 80 delegates from four prov-inces attended the convention, representing denominations such as the Uniting Church, Catholic Church, Anglican Church and Salvation Army.

Glenda Amos, an Adventist and the

WCTU’s world director for children’s work and assistant field worker for the Pa-cific, was one of the guest speakers for the convention, who also conducted morning devotionals and seminars.

The Adventist women appointed to lead-ership positions of the WCTU are Mitroy Sapul (president), Beatrice Kemo (second vice-president), Janet Lovai (administrative secretary), Judy Balavu (treasurer), Beryl Howard (director for youth), Julie Galo (director for children), Serina Tamita (di-rector for education and research), Elmah Namaloi (director for Christian outreach) (Continued on page 3)

Delegates form prayer circles at the November meeting of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union convention in Papua New Guinea.

Summer, 2008 December 13, 2008

Within the lines

Street lines represent the underlying principles.

Official Paper of the South Pacific Division Seventh-day Adventist ChurchABN 59 093 117 689

www.adventist connect.org

Vol 113 No 48Cover: Glenda Amos

Editor Nathan BrownAssociate editor David EdgrenEditorial assistant Adele NashEditorial assistant Jarrod StackelrothCopyeditor Talitha SimmonsEditorial secretary Kristel RaeLayout Kym JacksonSenior consulting editor Barry Oliver

www.record.net.au

Mail: Signs Publishing Company 3485 Warburton Highway Warburton, Vic 3799, Australia

Phone: (03) 5965 6300 Fax: (03) 5966 9019Email Letters: editor@signspublishing.com.auEmail Newsfront: record@signspublishing.com.auEmail Noticeboard: editorsec@signspublishing.com.auSubscriptions: South Pacific Division mailed within Australia and to New Zealand, $A43.80 $NZ73.00. Other prices on application. Printed weekly.

2 December 13, 2008

editorial

I n 1970, the ratio of the total population of the South Pacific Divi-sion territories to that of the Seventh-day Adventist Church membership

was 213:1. Today, with the South Pacific Division church membership standing at 402,275, the ratio has been reduced dra-matically to 85:1.

These figures show the church is rapidly growing numerically. Within the past five years, 76,000 new members were added to the church, unfortunately 38,400 have apostatised or gone missing within the same period. This should be an alarm-ing issue for the church, because 50.5 per cent of the numbers entering church fel-lowship have gone out through the “back door” within the past five years. What has happened?

This year at the General Conference’s Annual Council in Manila, Philippines, the worldwide church launched an initia-tive called “Follow the Bible.” The main purpose of this initiative is to encourage every Seventh-day Adventist around the world to be committed to the study of the Word of God. “Follow the Bible” was brought about to address the real concern that more and more Seventh-day Advent-ists are not studying the Scripture. One could suggest this may be a major reason why some church members have left the fellowship of the church.

How about this analogy to illustrate the point? Street lines are important markers painted on the road to enable drivers to

drive on the correct side of the road and avoid accidents. In parking areas, lines help drivers park their cars within the allotted space. The line markings are there to pro-vide directions and space for the safety of drivers and passengers.

Street lines represent the underlying principles of putting safety first, obedience to the traffic rules, alertness to possible risks, and awareness of being account-able for the life of passengers and other road users. So stay within the lines—line marking cannot save lives but, by being obedient to the principle the lines uphold, lives are spared.

Painting and maintaining the markings on our road while continually disobeying and ignoring the principles they stand for would result in terrible accidents and loss of life. In like manner, by maintaining and presenting the doctrines and standards of the church at the expense of enabling people to experience the grace of Christ, many lives brought into the fellowship of the church might not have experienced the saving relationship with the Lord. In some instances, this could be one of the main causes of our members leaving.

Biblical doctrines certainly provide di-rections and reveal processes for the sinner to discover Christ but they are not the end in themselves. Christ Himself expressed His concern about the seriousness of this Christian endeavour when He said, “You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal

life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” (John 5:39, 40, NIV). Through discovering and having a saving relation-ship with Christ daily through the study of His Word, a Christian’s faith would remain unshaken.

Addressing this very issue, Ellen White wrote, “If you neglect the reading of the Bible, you will lose your love for it. Those who love the word of God are those who read it most. By reading and searching out scripture references, you will see the chain of truth, and will see new beauties in the word of God. While you make the Scriptures more your study, and become more familiar with them, you will be bet-ter fortified against the temptations of Satan. When inclined to speak, or act, wrong, some scripture will come to arrest you, and turn you right. It is not natural for the heart to love the Bible; but when it is renewed by grace, then the mind will feast upon the rich truths and promises contained in the word of God” (An Appeal to the Youth, page 80).

Let us get connected with Christ through His Word. Time spent with the Bible will strengthen us spiritually, grow the church and is one important way to close the “back doors” of our churches.

Lawrence Tanabose General Secretary

South Pacific Division

December 13, 2008 3

news

PNG church leader awarded for service to nation, churchLae, PaPua New guiNea

Pastor Thomas Davai, president of the Papua New Guinea Union Mis-sion (PNGUM), has been awarded with a medal for his “services to

the community and the Seventh-day Adventist Church” in Papua New Guinea (PNG).

The award was an-nounced on the Queen’s Birthday in June this year but Pastor Davai was presented with the medal in a ceremony on November 6. He is now a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (CMG), an award one level lower than a knighthood.

“It was quite a rewarding experience to be recognised as church leader in PNG,” says Pastor Davai. “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is making an impact in this country. This award reflects the government’s recognition that we are making a difference in society, so I praise God for the government’s recognition of

our church.”As president of PNGUM, Pastor Davai

has been leader of the Adventist Church’s almost 250,000 members in the nation for the past six years. This year, the Advent-ist Church celebrated the centenary of its

mission and presence in PNG.

“Seventh-day Ad-ventists are commu-nity leaders in every aspect of Papua New Guinean society,” says Pastor Barry Oliver, president of the South Pacific Division. “As the spiritual and ad-ministrative leader of

the church, Pastor Davai has demon-strated a quality of exemplary leadership rarely seen. He is a man of God while si-multaneously being a man of the people. He is both a pastor and a scholar, a father and husband, a friend and colleague. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in PNG is indeed fortunate to have a leader of this calibre, wisdom, skill and commitment as it moves forward into the 21st century.” —Nathan Brown

Adventist women in PNG lead WCTU(Continued from page 1)

and Mary Misiar (director for social serv-ices). There are 320 members in PNG’s WCTU.

Seventh-day Adventist women are ac-tive members of WCTU, with many act-ing as leaders of their respective national branches. The WCTU is a non-profit Christian organisation that lobbies gov-ernments on issues regarding the use of alcohol and other drugs, and also provides drug education in schools and throughout the community.

WCTU was founded in the United States in 1873. Its PNG branch was registered as a non-government organisation in May 2007. The Seventh-day Adventist Church’s women’s ministries were founded in 1898 by one of the early pioneers of the WCTU. —Melody Tan/Glenda Amos

Pastor Thomas Davai (right) was presented with his medal on November 6.

fulton baptism in bush.jpg

Praise and worship time at the convention.

Tonga Mission president Pastor ◆

Manu Latu recently visited Vava’u district as the speaker for the week-end and to conduct the baptism of nine students of Mizpah adventist High School after the worship serv-ice. The baptisms were the result of the combined efforts of the district director Heilala Fe’aomoeata, the ministers and teachers involved with the school. The school is

excited about god’s work in the school, with 11 students bap-tised in the first half of the year. —RECORD staff/Manu Latu

The aore adventist academy ◆

Choir went on a fundraising tour to Port Vila in September to raise money to rebuild the old aore church. The church needs new walls, flooring and a new rostrum area. The tour was the initiative of Heather Vanua, commerce teacher and chairperson of the church fun-draising committee. The students needed to raise sufficient funds for their transport to Port Vila and

back, which was not easy to do at the isolated boarding school. They travelled to Port Vila by boat and the concerts were a huge success. Local dignitaries were invited and the australian High commissioner attended the first concert. The five concerts raised $6200 toward the cost of the church rebuild and a further $3700 for new books for the school library. The group also ran children’s balloon ministry in the Port Vila markets, made a hos-pital visit and organised a major clean-up of the five-kilometre main road from the airport to Port Vila. —David Rogers

The North NZ Conference ran a ◆

youth soccer tournament at gos-mar Park, Pakuranga. all churches took part and it was a fun day for everyone who participated. Tents pitched around the ground shel-tered the many spectators from the weather as they watched on. The Fijian mixed team defeated the Hamilton church mixed team 3–2 in the final.—Gabriel Samson

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4 December 13, 2008

news

PAU professor awarded “Officer of the Order of Logohu” Port moresby, PaPua New guiNea

D r Aaron Lopa, senior Theology lec-turer at Pacific Adventist Univer-sity (PAU), was awarded with the “Officer of the Order of Logohu” at

Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Independence Day Anniversary Honours List.

The PNG government recognised Dr Lopa’s service to the Adventist Church and the community as a pastor and teacher. Dr Lopa has served in a variety of posts, including as a member for PNG’s correc-tional services promotion board.

Dr Lopa completed his Diploma of Theology at Sonoma College and later at-tended Philippine Union College where he completed a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in 1975, before completing his Masters de-gree in 1979. After returning to PNG and teaching for a number of years, he went to Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, to complete his doctorate.

Dr Lopa says of the award, “It’s a very humbling experience. I do my work for the love of God and humanity. My real purpose is to serve mankind. I thank the government of PNG and those who recog-nised my contribution to the community.” —Vagi Vele

Ministers look to church for environmental leadershipCooranbong, New SouTH waLeS

Adventist ministers in Australia be-lieve environmental stewardship is biblical and though they affirm their commitment to it, they say the

church is not showing enough leadership.Avondale College lecturers Brad Watson

and Dr Murray House, with former lectur-er Dr Graham Stacey, surveyed 278 minis-ters attending a summit organised by the church in Australia, held at Avondale in February this year. The results show almost all the ministers (93 per cent) believe in a six-day creation, as described in the Bible. The ministers agree the Bible forecasts widespread environmental destruction dur-ing the end time (94 per cent); but requires humans to protect what God created (90 per cent). Most think Jesus Himself would be interested in modern environmental issues and believe the Judeo-Christian tradition requires humans to care for the environment.

Eighty-four per cent think the environ-ment is in bad shape but 73 per cent believe the congregations they lead could do a lot more to help the environment. They said their congregations had not taken action to reduce impact on the environment, even

though about the same number of ministers agreed environmental stewardship should be an important part of the Adventist Church’s message.

Mr Watson, a lecturer in development studies and geography, says he is pleased 85 per cent of ministers agree with the state-ment “I am personally committed to envi-ronmental stewardship.” However, more than a third of the ministers reported not feeling prepared enough to promote crea-tion or environmental stewardship to their congregations.

The results of the survey show Advent-ists are interested in environmental issues but do little to advocate for creation, says Dr House, a senior lecturer in theology. “There seems to be a disconnection between beliefs and actions.”

Mr Watson says the answers of almost all the ministers at the summit impressed him. “There is a growing awareness within the Adventist Church that we can and should have something to say about the decline of God’s creation. Young adults in particular resonate with the need to defend creation, rather than wait passively for the end of the world. It is a challenge to be relevant and engaged with contemporary society and its problems.”—Megan Galusha

a STorM Co team from ◆ Living-ston church, wa, led a week of prayer for Karalundi aboriginal education Centre from octo-ber 19 to 26. The theme for the week was “HearT— Helpfulness, encouragement, accountabil-ity, respect and Truthfulness.” This theme was reinforced through activities with the stu-dents, assisting in classrooms,

staff morning worships, service projects, nightly week of prayer meetings and a concert on the final night. The positive impact on students was well received. —Suzanne McDonald

on october 15, a 10-day evan- ◆

gelistic series at Karkum beach, Papua New guinea, was cele-brated with 31 baptisms in front of hundreds of people. Johana Kuairok (pictured second from right, holding younger sister) who was baptised last year, could not stop the tears of joy when her father and mother were bap-

tised. Ms Kuairok and her parents had been members of another denomination until she attended Panim adventist Primary school in Madang. The strong Christian influence of the teachers and the other students convinced her to join the baptismal class, which led to her baptism. when she returned to her village, she could not hide what she discov-

ered in school. by sharing her faith, her parents, michael (right) and Levina (second from left), soon decided to join the church. —Matupit Darius

a new president has been ◆

appointed to the northern australia Conference, based in Townsville (Qld). Pastor David stojcic is the current general secretary and chief financial officer but he will take on the top role when Pastor Deane Jackson departs to head up the Cambodian mission at the end of the year.

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30 December 13, 2008

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each additional word, $A2.20. For your advertisement to appear, payment must be enclosed. Classified advertisements in RECORD are available to Seventh-day Adventist members, churches and insti-tutions only. See masthead (page 3) for contact details.

Data � projectors, � screens, � DVDs, � VCRs, �PA � systems � etc. � Lower prices for SDA churches, schools etc. Australia only. Rural Electronics (02) 6361 3636; or <greenfieldsenterprises@bigpond.com>.

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Retirement � with � meaning. � Are you re-tired or about to retire? Do you still have more to give? Impact the world as a paid travelling missionary or volun-teer. Join the International Children’s Care “Just Go” challenge today. Call 1300 881 846.

Sydney � Adventist � Hospital � Carols � By �Candlelight December �14, 2008. Silvie Paladino and David Harris join Dave Martin and the Carols Band, Laura Jane and the Wahroonga Adventist School Choir to celebrate “The Gift of Love.” The program includes Children’s activi-ties (from 4 pm), the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Children’s Concert with Alvin and The Chipmunks (7 pm) and the main concert (8 pm). The evening will finish with fireworks and the Hallelujah Cho-rus. Food and beverages for sale. Picnic rugs welcome. Contact (02) 9487 9871 or <www.sah.org.au>.

Family � Reunion � Camp-meeting � at Sea. Ten-day cruise to the Panama Canal—December 3–13, 2009. Join us for this exciting experience onboard the Hol-land America cruise line, MS Zuiderdam. Connect with other Christians and en-counter God’s power firsthand through music, speaking and nature. We depart Fort Lauderdale and our ports include the Bahamas, Aruba, Curacao, enter and exit the Panama Canal at Cristobal, then on to Costa Rica, and return to Fort Lauderdale. Your musical hosts will be the former King’s Heralds, Gale Jones Murphy, Marc and Andrea Judd, Shani

Judd-Diehl, Leonardo Goncalves, Con-nie Vandeman Jeffery, Chuck and Dona Fulmore, Joe Pearles and Sandy Wyman Johnson. Our featured speaker will be Mark Finley of the General Conference, with presentations by Dr Hans Diehl of the CHIP program, and Jo Ann and Ri-chard Davidson from Andrews Univer-sity. Fred Kinsey is our sponsor for the North American Division. Come and be spiritually nurtured. For information and a free cruise DVD, call 805 955 7714, email <lance@ampstudios.com> or go to <www.familyreunionmusic.com>. For reservations, call 805 585 0090, ext 6, or go to <www.classictravel.net>.

For � sale. � Lawn-mowing business. Northern suburbs, Brisbane, Qld. Es-tablished 14 years. Grossing $A85, 000. Phone (07) 3886 7085.

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Eastward � Missionary � College—Enquir-ies for 2009 courses. Bible worker and Health Evangelism certificates. Lay training for practical soul winning. Learn how to become an effective Bible Worker and Medical Missionary. <http://www.eastward.edu.au>. (02) 6585 8085

Sea �Change, �Tree �Change, �Church �Change. Leongatha SDA church could be for you! Beautiful Gippsland countryside, contemporary worship, friendship, local Christian schools, affordable housing. Contact Val Kane on 0417 572 222 or email <kev.val1@bigpond.com>. Visit <www.leongatha@adventist.org.au>.

Retirement �village �living. �Rare opportu-nity! Units available in beautiful Kirkley Gardens Retirement Village, Lithgow, NSW. Two-bedroom units, gas-ducted heating, all whitegoods supplied. Ga-rage included. Sold on a 99-year lease. Only 430 per week maintenence. Make a tree change today, all this for only $A249,000. Phone Janelle on 0408 259 278 to secure your piece of paradise.

Medical �practitioners �needed for the Lo-gan Adventist Health Association Health Centre. Full-time and part-time practi-tioners needed. Contact 0428 486 455.

The �netAdventist � website � upgrade to V3 will begin between December 28 and January 5. Some tweaking will be need-ed before your site goes live on February 4. For more information, visit <http://web.adventistconnect.org>.

FinallyOne sees great things from the valley—only small things from the peak.

Volunteers!Volunteer � teachers—Tonga. Beulah Adventist College requires an English teacher for Forms 4 to 6 and a comput-ing teacher for Forms 4 to 6. Mizpah Adventist High School requires a Sci-ence and Maths teacher for Form 5.

�Email: <volunteers@adventist.org.au>

For more positions, check the web on <www.adventistvolunteers.org>

�+61 2 9847 3275

Positions vacantReceptionist—New �Zealand �Pacific �Union �Conference �(Manukau �City, �NZ) � ▲ is seeking

applications for the position of a full-time receptionist in Manukau, starting immedi-ately. Successful applicants should be familiar with PABX phone systems and confi-dent with the computer. It would be an advantage to have experience with Outlook and computerised phone systems, and they should also have had secretarial or website experience, as this role provides secretarial support and is responsible for our website. For further information or to apply, please contact the Secretary-Treasurer, NZPUC, Private Bag 76 900, Manukau City, or email <plynch@adventist.org.nz>.

Hope �Channel �Director—Adventist �Media �Network �(Wahroonga, �NSW). � �▲ This full-time position is an important part of the church structure and the applicant will work throughout the South Pacific Division (including the Pacific islands), developing programs and managing Hope Channel TV and Radio. The position also involves a two-year project as manager of the new Search DVD series (undertaken concur-rently with the management of Hope Channel). The successful applicant will ideally be details oriented, well organised and able to meet deadlines; able to provide creative and strategic concept development; have technical skills to facilitate the development of Hope TV and Radio infrastructure; be skilled at relationship building (between a range of church entities and AMN personnel); have a passion for evangelism and shar-ing Jesus; have communication and leadership skills; and be able to share the vision of Hope Channel. Applications close January 9, 2009.

Production �Manager �and �Senior �Producer/Director—Adventist �Media �Network � �▲

(Wahroonga, �NSW) �is seeking a full-time production manager and a senior pro-ducer/director for its Video Production department. Experience in managing a production team in an environment with tight deadlines is highly desirable. The successful applicant will ideally have skills and experience in consulting with cus-tomers; management of all aspects of production; hands-on experience in video production, including camera, edit, multi camera, studio lighting, sound, studio floor management, DVD authoring, Final Cut Studio and associated hardware and software; video technical skills and fault finding, equipment specification and routine maintenance; and administration of a production department, in-cluding budgeting. Applications close January 9, 2009.

For further information, contact Kalvin Dever on (02) 9847 2222 or email <ka-lvin@adventistmedia.org.au>. Applications in writing should be forwarded to Kalvin Dever, Operations Manager, Adventist Media Network, PO Box 1115 Wahroonga NSW 2076.

Caretaker—Broome �church �(WA) ▲ is looking for a caretaker for the church property in a volunteer position from January 2009. Will be provided with a one-bedroom caretaker’s flat, free rent, water and electricity. Contact Chris Cavilla on 0439 920 250 or email <christopher.cavilla@bigpond.com>.

Accounting � student � (part � time)—Sanitarium �Health �Food �Company � (Berkeley � �▲

Vale, �NSW). Would you like to earn an income while completing your accounting degree and, at the same time, further your professional development in a practical way? Opportunities exist for part-time employment for enthusiastic accounting students in 2009. Responsibilities will involve assisting with the financial and management accounting functions of the business. The role will provide expo-sure to: leading business software (SAP), standard costing at a practical level, and industry specific dynamics (Fast Moving Consumer Goods Industry). Analytical skills and attention to detail are required attributes. Solid spreadsheet (EXCEL) experience would be advantageous. Forward applications in writing (including CV) to Corporate Human Resources; Sanitarium Health Food Company, Locked Bag 7, Central Coast Mail Centre, NSW 2252, fax (02) 4349 6099, or email <hu-manresources@sanitarium.com.au>. Applications close December 31, 2008.

Departmental �Secretary—Western � Australian �Conference � (Gosnells, �WA) �▲ The person appointed will be qualified and proficient and will strive to perform at a high level of excellence, bring enthusiasm, energy and professionalism to their work. The primary role of the Secretary to is to provide support to a number of departmental directors during office hours. A job description is available upon request. All enquiries or expressions of interest and applications, including details of current Seventh-day Adventist Church membership, should be forwarded with your personal resume to Warrick Long, Secretary–Treasurer, Western Australian Conference, PO Box 134 Gosnells WA 6990. Email <wlong@adventist.org.au>, fax (08) 9398 5164 or phone (08) 9398 7222. Applica-tions close December 19, 2008.

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