News Blog

Volunteers needed!

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 GMT

We need some help here. The national colleges are growing at a good rate with both the original Vision courses and the accredited program along with the steady growth of the traineeship program for intern pastors. In addition we have a growing number of students interested in the Degree options and with the advent of the South African degree that will expand also.

We are getting inundated with work.

➢ We need some good volunteers who can work the internet for us, Facebook, Twitter, etc, and someone who can help to generate ideas for the internet program.

➢ We need someone who can help with marketing to assist us to put Vision out into the church community, someone who can help us by contacting pastors and leaders and generating opportunities for us to start colleges.

➢ We need help in admin, someone who can use MYOB.

➢ We need people who can help us with marking.

Some of these tasks can only be performed here in the office, some could be undertaken from home.

We need volunteers, people with a heart for helping God’s work in Vision, people who can help us to send “The Whole World To The Whole World”. Call Ps Denis at the office if you think God is calling you to help.

A Moment With Alison - GOD HAS SECRETS

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:59:00 GMT

He has secrets in the sea, beautiful shells and myriad sea creatures. He has secrets in the ground, he laid down the coal and the oil we would need for energy long before we discovered such things. He prepared precious stones, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires and other semi precious stones to delight us.

God has a secret place

“He who dwells in the secret place will abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1 KJV). “Whoever goes to the Lord for safety, whoever remains under the protection of the Almighty, can say to him, “You are my defender and protector, my refuge and my fortress”.

God had a secret plan

Jesus was his secret plan to bring us salvation (Colossians 25b-27). He came to reveal the secrets of God’s kingdom and to become the High King of the Kingdom of God until all things are fulfilled (Colossians 1: 15-20).

Jesus laid down his manifesto of the Kingdom for us and we find these in the Gospels. There are around 45 direct commands Jesus gave during his time on earth. We must learn them to help us live right and then we must teach them to others (Matthew chs. 5-7).

God had another secret plan

This was for everyone to be included in the salvation God had prepared. No one was to miss out, all were to be invited. Not just God’s special people – the Jews - but everyone in the whole world. Whoever comes to the cross of Jesus for cleansing from sin, no matter what their nationality, will be given a place in the Kingdom of God (Ephesians ch. 3; John 3:16).

God’s last precious secret.

That is the day of the Second Coming of Christ. This is God’s secret and Jesus told us that no one else knows the exact day; not the angels, not the Son, only the Father (Matthew 24:36).

Missionas Update April 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:58:00 GMT

The College in South Africa
The Books have been received in Africa and Nicholas Daniels our director sends his heartfelt thanks and appreciation to each of you. Whether you are an individual or a church or other kind of group, if you sent books or money, or to those involved in the transport storage or packing, he sends his very grateful thank you to each and every one. The Ken Chant Library will be established in Cape Town South Africa.

In June I will be going to south Africa to see how things are progressing, I do know that they face a number of challenges, financial and in the area of gaining teachers for the Bachelor’s Programs. In South Africa, the Higher Education program requires them to hire full-time lecturers for each subject (there is no room for volunteers in the SA system). They are also about to undergo a site audit, which will be a very difficult time for them, as such audits always are, no matter what country you are in.

So far God has done a unique work for them, and we need to continue to support them in prayer for miracles of acceptance with the education authorities in South Africa.

India
I have just received word that the work in India is advancing in a remarkable and unusual way – Bless God. Babu, our man in India, also runs training centres and he has found that men and women from all walks of life are willing to come to him to learn English from the Bible, and of course they are using our Vision Material, his training centres are being set up around India with this motivation, to use the Word of God to teach English and to train men and woman for ministry at the same time! While pastors are not yet responding to the Vision ministry as well as we had hoped, their people are starting to come in considerable numbers.As I get more information from them I will keep you updated.

The Philippines
I recently returned from the Philippines. One of my most successful trips in terms of meetings and ministry. I had 11 meetings in 9 days that included 3 seminars, two weekends full of ministry, and 4 days of ministry during the week. It is always a joy to see people turn their heart and life to Jesus, yet I have to admit that I wish I could do so much more in these places where the word is loved and the need is so great. In our college seminar there were around 100 students in attendance, and a large number of students in a seminar to the community on ministering to family violence. On my final Sunday I was asked to do a last minute seminar to men. We called it “Secret Men’s Stuff”, and while no women were allowed, we hope the ladies will feel the benefit of what their men learned! What a wonderful time of blessing. It would be good to have a “Ladies Only” conference later.I do want to take a moment here to thank each of you who pray and contact me on Facebook and support the ministry. You make it possible for me to get to these places. I will not go overseas for just a weekend − it costs too much − so I expect to be busy every day for the week to two weeks I am there – and I am!

A Word from Ken - IMMEASURABLY GREAT POWER!

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:57:00 GMT

Scripture declares that “God has put everything under Christ’s feet” (Ep 1:22). But why? Solely for your benefit, and mine! For it goes on to say − “... and has made him head over everything for the Church.” On behalf of the Church, God raised Jesus from the dead; on behalf of the Church, the Saviour was exalted on high; on behalf of the Church, he now reigns in the heavenlies; on behalf of the Church, everything has been placed under his feet.

But if you are part of his Church, then you also are there, in the heavenlies, with Christ, and all the power that is his, is also yours, to do the will of God and to receive all that is yours in his promise.

Here, then, is victory over the prince of evil, deliverance from the grip of sin, liberty from the dominion of temptation, healing from the imprisonment of disease: it is all found by seizing what is already yours in the heavenlies in Christ.

Paul waxes even more bold. So sure is he of our complete identification with Christ, so certain that we are already seated with Christ in the heavenlies, he declares that this immeasurably great power is even now “in us who believe”. Yes, it is in you at this moment; you may not feel it, but you can believe it! And if you believe it, then that power will begin at once to fulfil God’s marvellous work in your life.

Do you find it hard to believe that the resurrection power of Jesus is in you right now? Paul gives an illustration that clinches the matter. He says, “God has put everything under Christ’s feet and has made him Head over everything for the Church, which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all” (vs. 22,23).

If Christ is the Head, and we are his body, then where he is we must be also; what he is we must be also; what he has must be ours also. How can it be otherwise? Christ is no monstrosity. He is not deformed. His body is perfectly matched to himself, the Head. Consider your own body: where your head is, your body is. In natural life, every good thing your body is to receive first enters the body by the head − through the mouth, the eyes, the ears − and then is shared by the whole body.

So also, all the fulness of Christ the Head, belongs to the Church his body − “the Church is the fulness of him who fills all in all” (Ep 1:23). What is given to the Head, Christ, inevitably belongs also to his body, the Church, and hence to every “member” of that body. (A selection from Ken Chant’s new book, “Treasures from Ephesians.”)

Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis - 7th July 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:55:00 GMT

On Saturday the 7th of July we have the pleasure of hosting Drs Ken and Denis for the second seminar of the year. Our subject will be, “Releasing the Gifts of the Spirit” − and we will be referring to Ken’s book “Equipped to Serve”.
As always, students are encouraged to take advantage of this seminar. Your full attendance at the seminar is the equivalent of one assignment. Therefore, a recognised student gains full credit by attending and an accredited student will only need to complete the multiple-choice assignment. Costs: non-student, $65.00; students seeking study for credits will pay their regular subject fee. Morning and afternoon tea is included. Lunch is $10.00 per person. Call 9603 2077 to register. Their will be an early bird discount of $10.00. Book Early.

Newsletter April - May 2012

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:34:00 GMT

Welcome to this second edition of The Visionary for 2012. May the Lord richly bless you throughout this whole New Year and most abundantly at that, from the richness of His grace.

In this Issue
1. Seminar with Drs Ken and Denis in July
2. A Word From Ken
3. Student Honour Roll
4. Missions Update - update Africa, India, the Philippines
5. A Moment with Alison
6. A call for help
7. The Last Word

A Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis

As always, students are encouraged to take advantage of this seminar. Your full attendance at the seminar is the equivalent of one assignment. Therefore, a recognised student gains full credit by attending and an accredited student will only need to complete the multiple-choice assignment. Costs: non-student, $65.00; students seeking study for credits will pay their regular subject fee. Morning and afternoon tea is included. Lunch is $10.00 per person. Call 9603 2077 to register. Their will be an early bird discount of $10.00. Book Early.

A Word from Ken - IMMEASURABLY GREAT POWER!

Student Honour Roll

Since our last newsletter the following students have graduated from NSW, Vic, W.A. and Scotland. We know how hard you worked for your results. I am delighted to see someone from the UK on our list. I have listed those who graduated in March and April 2012. Well-done to each of you.

Narelle Beaver - Award in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Rodel Icawat - Award in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Virginia Icawat - Award in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Diana Reymond - Award in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Shaune McNamara - Award in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Kaye Minchin - Certificate in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Margaret More - Certificate in Biblical Studies - Geraldton WA
Jiten Mangal - Associate in Biblical Studies - Canberra NSW
Shane McIlhagga - Associate in Biblical Studies - Parkes NSW
Angie Chow - Diploma of Ministry - Nth Parramatta NSW
Helen Kauppinen - Bachelor - Lara Vic
Shenouda Amir - Bachelor - Tullamarine Vic
Peter Stanway - Bachelor - Kilcreggan Scotland

Missions Update

So far God has done a unique work for them, and we need to continue to support them in prayer for miracles of acceptance with the education authorities in South Africa.

A Moment With Alison - GOD HAS SECRETS

God has a secret place

God had a secret plan

God had another secret plan

God’s last precious secret.

That is the day of the Second Coming of Christ. This is God’s secret and Jesus told us that no one else knows the exact day; not the angels, not the Son, only the Father (Matthew 24:36).

Australian Student Body

Individual Promotion

A couple of years ago we ran a successful promotion that we want to repeat this year. Like any college we continually need to increase our student body so we are asking you to help. There is nothing as effective as individual word of mouth promotion, so here is the concept. If you, as a student introduce a new prospect to Vision and they enroll then YOUR next subject is free of charge.

Hypothetically you could complete your entire course without paying a cent. For us it means an increased student body and that is what we need, so go for it! Ask your friends, your contacts, your relatives, or fellow church members to consider Vision. We will be sending a certificate to you to give to someone who wants to enrol and they should present that with their enrolment form.

Volunteers needed

We are getting inundated with work.

➢ We need some good volunteers who can work the internet for us, Facebook, Twitter, etc, and someone who can help to generate ideas for the internet program.

➢ We need help in admin, someone who can use MYOB.

➢ We need people who can help us with marking.

Some of these tasks can only be performed here in the office, some could be undertaken from home.

The Last Word

I recently attended the Foursquare annual conference and I have to admit I was most wonderfully ministered to. So very often at such conferences we are “told’ by the so called successful ministry how we can grow our churches. This is not a concept that sits well with me. I do believe that we are all called to a particular ministry for a particular purpose and I cannot replicate the work of another man, even if I duplicate his ministry, simply because I am not that person with his gifting and skills. I bless those successful ministries of mega-churches – yet no more and no less than I will bless the man who has ministered faithfully with a few, and all those in between, for we all minister, as Jesus put it:

Of those whom You have given Me, I have lost not one of them". John 18:9

It was a refreshing change to sit under someone who had genuinely waited on the Lord for a message to each of our hearts, I doubt that a single man or woman was untouched by his presentation. His constant and recurring theme was simple, “You are greater in the eyes of Jesus than you are in your own eyes”.

How wonderfully true that statement it. No matter who you are or where you come from this rings so true. You may view yourself as a failure, mediocre perhaps, you think you have “failed again”. It seems that it is always the other guy who gets the prize and you are again left without, second place, a runner up… Always the bridesmaid – never the bride!

Really! Stop there, right at that point. To begin with you are the bride. You are a king and a priest. You are beloved and loved. And yes, Jesus knows the failure, the slips from grace, and the hurt. He understands the disappointment and heartache, but He still sees you as the conqueror, He still sees you running your race, and finishing it, He still stands with the heavenly host calling you on to greater things.

You are greater in the eyes of Jesus than you are in your own eyes. Hence the scripture also says − Isa_64:4 And from forever they have not heard, nor did they listen. Eye has not seen a God except You, who works for him who waits for Him.

1Co_2:9 But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

Korn Korner

A Jewish businessman sent his son to Israel for a year to absorb the culture. When the son returned, he said, "Papa, I had a great time in Israel. By the way, I converted to Christianity."

"Oy vey," said the father, "what have I done!"

He took his problem to his best friend. "Ike," he said, "I sent my son to Israel, and he came home a Christian. What can I do?" "Funny you should ask," said Ike. "I, too, sent my son to Israel, and he also came home a Christian. Perhaps we should go see the Rabbi."

They explained their problem to the Rabbi. "Funny you should ask," said the rabbi. "I, too sent my son to Israel, and he also came home a Christian. What is happening to our young people?"

They prayed, telling the Lord about their sons. As they finished their prayer, a voice came from the heavens: "Funny you should ask," said the voice, "I, too, sent my son to Israel..."

To download this newsletter, please click on the link below:

Click here to download the Newsletter!

Visionary Newsletter February 2012

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:05:00 GMT

Welcome to this first edition of The Visionary for 2012. May the Lord richly bless you throughout this whole New Year and most abundantly at that, from the richness of His grace.

In this Issue
1. Seminar with Drs Ken and Denis in February
2. A Word From Ken
3. Missions Update - update on our books to Africa
4. A Moment with Alison
5. Student Honour Roll
6. Australian Student Body
7. The Last Word
8. Korn Korner

The New Year has started with a flurry of activity for us. The student bodies are renewing their activities, we have new prospects and opportunities, and the books to South Africa were sent on Australia Day. It is a great start and speaks of a big year to come. Whatever is in store I remain confident that with God we can do it. Every year has been bigger and better with ever new challenges, and in that regard, this one will be just as exciting. So I remind myself that with Jesus ANYTHING is possible.

Jesus said to him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. (Mark 9:23 MKJV)

What is ahead in your new year? How great is the challenge? How strange the opportunity? How big are the options that God is placing in front of you? Do not be dismayed or overcome! Remember, He knows every frailty of your being and will not give you a challenge beyond your faith capacity − so raise your confidence in Him! Take heart dear friend. If God sees fit to place an opportunity in YOUR hands, it is because He is confident that in Him you can do it.

A Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis

On Saturday the 18th of February 2012, we have the pleasure of hosting Dr's Ken and Denis for the first seminar of the year. Our subject will be, “The Power of Pentecost for Today” − and we will be referring to Ken’s book Clothed With Power.

As always, students are encouraged to take advantage of this seminar. Your full attendance at the seminar is the equivalent of one assignment. Therefore, a recognised student gains full credit by attending and an accredited student will only need to complete the multiple‐choice assignment. Costs: non‐student, $65.00; students who want study for credits pay their regular subject fee. Morning and afternoon tea is included. Lunch is $10.00 per person. Call 9603 2077 to register. Book Early.

A Word from Ken - SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians contains that rarest of things, a cluster of ideas that no one on earth had ever before imagined! It defies the maxim of old that “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ec 1:9-10). This small letter is filled with concepts that here come into the world for the very first time. It is a miracle! If someone wants to scorn the gospel, then he must first explain away the divine mystery of Ephesians. How could any man have conceived and written such things, unless they are simply true?

And it becomes even more wonderful when you remember that Paul was a firstcentury Jew, a devout monotheist, utterly committed to the worship of one God − Yahweh of Israel. He reckoned it foul blasphemy deserving a savage death to call any man divine. Yet suddenly we find him ascribing to Jesus of Nazareth an exalted honour beyond imagination! Paul no longer sees him as merely human, but as wholly divine, possessing dazzling, heavenly magnificence! Such a transformation is inexplicable apart from the explanation Paul himself gives – he had undergone a radical conversion caused by his shattering encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. (Ac 9:1-8; 22:3-10; 26:9-19)

If that story is denied, then some other adequate explanation must be devised for the staggering things the apostle wrote. But no one has ever been able to do so.

Nevertheless, some people, even if they accept that Paul was a real person, still denounce his letter, calling it a piece of fiction, a human invention, an irresponsible fabrication. But it defies reason to suppose that such a man as Paul would or even could invent such a collection of ideas, and then present them as life-changing truth. What he writes in Ephesians runs counter to all that he had formerly been as a man, a Jew, a scholar. Here are beliefs that undo many of his previous deepest convictions, so that although he once called it blasphemy to accord divinity to anyone but Yahweh, now he calls it blasphemy to deny that Christ possesses divinity equal to Yahweh! (Ac 26:11)

Furthermore, Paul dared to write such things while thousands of people were still alive who had actually seen Jesus in Palestine! To those observers, Jesus had been just as human as they were. Paul too, during the years when he furiously persecuted the Church, had thought of Jesus only as a common blasphemer, if not insane. Yet now we find Paul, with immense drama and passion, calling Jesus God! And he presents visions of Jesus so supernal they demand that all creation should revere the former Man of Galilee and offer him heartfelt worship.

No explanation of this transformation of Paul the Jew to Paul the Christian is easier to accept than the claim that what he writes is no human coinage, but divine revelation.

(From the preface of Ken Chant’s new book, “Treasures from Ephesians.”)

Missions Update

The College in South Africa
The Books have been sent, bless God! Vision Colleges’ new office in South Africa, where Nicholas Daniels is our director, will receive them with joy. Nicholas and his team are setting up a distance education university program to offer Bachelor and Master Degree programs in Pentecostal Theology. This is a brand new concept, and the studies will be available worldwide, to every student everywhere in the world, and South Africa has some of the finest education standards in the world.

The story of the books began when I received a rather casual and matter of fact email from Nicholas: “We need between 25,000 to 50,000 books for the library − 25,000 as the minimum for a Bachelors.” It was not an appeal, it was a statement.

My initial thought was “I will send a few books”. I then remembered a colleague who sends books to Myanmar, and I contacted him – “Sure, I have two pallets of books you can have.” I accepted them and wondered how I could get two pallets of books to South Africa. He called me back and advised me that he could get a container for me for $2,700.00 delivered into Cape Town. I accepted this and wondered where the money would come from.

From my email lists (we have several) I made an appeal for books for the Library. Over the last few months books have come to us from every state in Australia. The books have come from private individuals and from schools and colleges wishing to help. A Christian opportunity shop donated 6 boxes of books and sent them. Elderly folks wanting to get rid of old books and young people buying new books from book stores, sent them. From Perth and Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne, enquiries came asking how to get books to us. A Christian courier took up the challenge and transported books free of charge; others offered amazingly low prices to get the books from around the country to our office, or to the Bible Society in Ingleburn, where the books were to be loaded and shipped.

Meanwhile people donated money to transport the books. From pensioners offering $5.00, to other others sending larger amounts, sufficient money came in even when, of course, the quote of $2,700.00 snowballed to well over $3,000.00 with the expenses of packing and preparing the books.

On Australia Day our team, with volunteers at the Bible Society in Ingleburn, loaded a container with in excess of 30,000 books for South Africa, you could not get so much as an extra sheet of paper into the container!

This was an amazing feat. To make this happen so many worked together in so many ways, unrelated to each other apart from the idea of sending books.

A combination of emailed messages, a small notice in “Eternity”, word of mouth contact from one person to another, individuals who sent books or transportied them for others, courier services offering free or very low cost rates to transport books from around Australia to Sydney, colleges, schools, universities, shops, churches who donated books or finance − it all came together for God’s glory to start a Library in Cape Town. This will help to establish world class accredited degrees, available from South Africa to around the globe at affordable rates, and it all started with a thought "I will send a couple of books". My initial “couple of books” turned to be 20 odd boxes plus all that came to us from near and far.

How amazing, and yet so much like God it is that He took a small thought and multiplied it out so that a Distance Education college in South Africa, with one of the world's highest standards of education, will be able to offer legitimate degrees in ministry at truly affordable prices to any students anywhere in the world. – That is GOD.

Student Honour Roll

Since our last newsletter the following students have graduated from NSW, Vic, W.A. Qld and Japan. We know how hard you worked for your results. Below I have listed those who graduated in December 2011 and January 2012. Well-done to each one of you.

December 2011 January 2012
Elizabeth Harding, Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology, South Brisbane Qld
Ps Cheryl Windle , Certificate in Biblical Studies, Brisbane Qld
Ps Andrew Miller , Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology, Minoh Japan
Lynne Byrne, Diploma of Biblical Theology, Leongatha VIC
Ps Cheryl Windle, Diploma of Ministry, Brisbane Qld
James O'Neill, Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology, Wilsonton Qld
Peter Sherlock, Certificate in Biblical Studies, Cranebrook NSW
Lynne Junor, Certificate in Biblical Studies, Augusta WA

A Moment With Alison

The Old Testament prophets came from many different walks of life and they were very different from one another in temperament, but even so they were all used by God. Elijah the Tishbite came from the wilderness across the Jordan, wore rough clothing with a leather belt (2 Kings 1:8), and had no fixed abode. Through his many prayers he shook the nation of Israel and destroyed the priests of Baal. In contrast, Isaiah was of the ruling class and had access to the king whenever he needed to speak to him. He was a poet as well as a prophet, and of all the prophets he had most to say about the Messiah who was to come.

Some were rich men, some poor farmers, some were women, but all of them had a deep personal faith and when they received a word from God, they spoke with great power and anointing.

In the Old Testament, in contrast to the priest who spoke to God for the people, the prophet was a preacher, a spokesman for God, one who declared by divine inspiration something that would take place, sometimes immediately, but sometimes far into the future. This kind of prophetic office was different from anything we might experience today. The Old Testament prophets knew without any doubt they were speaking as God’s messenger and they held fiercely to the words they were given, even to the point of death. and many of them did die at the hands of wicked men (2 Kings 9:7; Jeremiah 26:20-23).

In the New Testament, the office of prophet is different and the New Testament word for prophet means to ‘speak forth’ or ‘forth teller’. New Testament prophecy has in it more of the idea of strengthening, comforting, and encouragement rather than the fore-telling of future events (1 Corinthians 14:3).

Nowadays the foretelling of future events in a person’s life can sometimes happen through what is called ‘personal prophecy’, but this type of prophecy needs to be treated with great caution. A Christian will usually find that the word given is a confirmation of something God has already revealed to him or her from another source. If not then it is better to wait for further confirmation before acting on a ‘personal prophecy’. This will ensure that no lifedestroying mistakes are made, as we are advised in scripture --.

“A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15b). “Many advisers make victory sure.” (Proverbs 11:14b). (Taken from Alison’s book, Cameos of Christ.)

Australian Student Body

Resource Centre
We consider it an honour to work with pastors through the Resource Centre program. It enables pastors to train men and women for ministry, not only for their own local ministry but also to the world beyond. Instead of sending members to a Bible college and losing them from your ministry, our program enables you to train members in your own church, and help them discover their field of service, thus fulfilling our commission.

Traineeship Program
Last year we developed our traineeship program. This enables a local church intern or trainee to receive our training from Certificate IV through to the Diploma. The state Government pays the student fees, the Federal Government pays the local church up to $4000.00 towards the costs of training. If you have, or if you are a trainee with your local church, it is worth inquiring from Trish, our registrar, for further details. At this stage traineeships are available in NSW and Western Australia.

The Last Word

Forty four years ago I accepted Jesus as my personal saviour in a little AOG church in England. I did not know it then, but I came to the Lord literally at the tail end of a revival time. A couple of years later I came to Australia where the church was much the same as it was in the U.K. Pretty ordinary really. We spoke in tongues, there was the odd word of prophecy or message and interpretation, and an occasional healing. In Australia any sense of revival or move of God had pretty much come and gone. By biblical standards the Pentecostal church was really nothing much to write home about. Oh, the services were good, the presence of God was real enough, but...

I had never seen nor been a part of a “revival”. My closest experience was the “Holy Spirit” or “Charismatic Renewal” in Sydney in the 1970’s. In hindsight, it now seems to me that while that renewal brought a lot of teaching, some wonderful experiences, and a sense of respectability and acceptance to the Pentecostal church, it came at a price. It robbed us of the power of Pentecost rather than releasing a flood of “New Testament church” activity. The Pentecostal church today is a shadow of what it ought to be.

My personal conviction has always been that the God of the book of Acts is as real and active today as He was in the Acts. I have consistently thought so, acted as if it were so and, I must admit, seen a fair share of miracles, healings, prophecy and so forth though my ministry and in others. However, I am not satisfied with what I see and am a part of. My God is bigger than anything I have seen or heard or can imagine. Acts 1:8 reverberates from Jesus down through time across the centuries, over continents, nations, states, provinces and cities from the mount outside Jerusalem to us today.

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is MORE than speaking in tongues. I want to experience its glorious fullness. I have a hunger, for myself and for those I know, and for every member of my church, and for every student of our colleges, and the rest of the church, that we will all know by experience and demonstration that Baptism of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was talking about when He said, “You shall receive power to be witnesses...”.

Oh! I can speak in tongues and interpret, prophesy, and pray for the sick like others. I have seen everything from cancer to a common cold healed. I have not yet raised the dead nor walked on water, nor have I seen the blind see, but then there is time for that − I am still breathing! It seems to me that we have, as it were, merely dipped our toes gingerly into the waters and became pleased with the feel, instead of wading into deep waters of experience in God. Our seminars speak into these issues, of being baptised in the Holy Ghost - Clothed with Power. The Power of God through you to breathe life, power and authority and to express the very presence of Jesus in our churches. Such should be the norm. I hope and pray, and I dare to speak prophetically, that through these Vision Seminars, we will start to see these experiences in our churches again.

Korn Korner

Moses, Jesus and an elderly man are golfing. Moses steps up to the tee and hits the ball. It goes sailing over the fairway and lands in the water trap. Moses parts the water and chips the ball onto the green.

Jesus steps up to the tee and hits the ball. It goes sailing over the fairway and lands in the water trap. Jesus walks on the water and chips the ball onto the green.

The elderly man steps up to the tee and hits the ball. It goes sailing over the fairway and heads for the water trap. But, just before it falls into the water, a fish jumps up and grabs the ball in its mouth. As the fish is falling back down into the water, an eagle swoops down and grabs the fish in its claws. The eagle flies over the green where a lightning bolt shoots from the sky and barely misses it. Startled, the eagle drops the fish. When the fish hits the ground, the ball pops out of its mouth and rolls into the hole for a hole-in-one.

Jesus then turns to the elderly man and says, "Dad, if you don't stop fooling around, we won't bring you next time."

To download this newsletter, please click on the link below:

The Visionary - February 2012

A Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis - 18th of February 2012

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:41:00 GMT

Costs: non‐student, $65.00; students who want study for credits pay their regular subject fee.

Morning and afternoon tea is included.

Lunch is $10.00 per person.

Call 9603 2077 to register. Book Early.

A Moment With Alison

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:38:00 GMT

Some were rich men, some poor farmers, some were women, but all of them had a deep personal faith and when they received a word from God, they spoke with great power and anointing.

“A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Deuteronomy 19:15b).

“Many advisers make victory sure.” (Proverbs 11:14b).

(Taken from Alison’s book, Cameos of Christ.)

Missions Update February 2012 - The College in South Africa

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:36:00 GMT

The Books have been sent, bless God! Vision Colleges’ new office in South Africa, where Nicholas Daniels is our director, will receive them with joy. Nicholas and his team are setting up a distance education university program to offer Bachelor and Master Degree programs in Pentecostal Theology. This is a brand new concept, and the studies will be available worldwide, to every student everywhere in the world, and South Africa has some of the finest education standards in the world.

This was an amazing feat. To make this happen so many worked together in so many ways, unrelated to each other apart from the idea of sending books.

A Word From Ken - SOMETHING NEW UNDER THE SUN

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:33:00 GMT

And it becomes even more wonderful when you remember that Paul was a first century Jew, a devout monotheist, utterly committed to the worship of one God − Yahweh of Israel. He reckoned it foul blasphemy deserving a savage death to call any man divine. Yet suddenly we find him ascribing to Jesus of Nazareth an exalted honour beyond imagination! Paul no longer sees him as merely human, but as wholly divine, possessing dazzling, heavenly magnificence! Such a transformation is inexplicable apart from the explanation Paul himself gives – he had undergone a radical conversion caused by his shattering encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. (Ac 9:1-8; 22:3-10; 26:9-19)

If that story is denied, then some other adequate explanation must be devised for the staggering things the apostle wrote. But no one has ever been able to do so.

No explanation of this transformation of Paul the Jew to Paul the Christian is easier to accept than the claim that what he writes is no human coinage, but divine revelation.

(From the preface of Ken Chant’s new book, “Treasures from Ephesians.”)

Vision Seminar - the Power of Pentecost Today!

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 02:33:00 GMT

Power! Everyone craves power! To feel strong! To be invincible! To know that nothing can prevent you from achieving your goal!

We can’t guarantee that you can do anything – but we can guarantee that you can do everything that lies in the Father’s purpose for your life.

Surely your dream is to be able, when your earthly pilgrimage ends, to say with Paul,

“I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God's approval is now waiting for me. (2 Timothy 4:7-8, GW)

The key? Holy Spirit baptism, and learning how to walk in the Spirit day by day!

That is the theme of our next dynamic seminar

Clothed with Power!

You will learn all about Holy Spirit baptism and how to release the extraordinary strength of God into your daily life and Christian service. Even if you have enjoyed this baptism for many years you may be joyfully surprised to learn many new things about the Spirit in this seminar.

Don’t miss it. A wonderful day of fellowship, learning, and growth in your knowledge of the Word of God and of what the Lord wants to do in you, with you, and through you.

Download our flier and enrol today Power of Pentecost

Newsletter December 2011

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:39:00 GMT

Welcome to this December 2011/January 2012 edition of The Visionary. May the Lord richly bless you this Christmas and New Year season.

In this Issue
1. A year in Review
2. Seminar with Drs Ken and Denis in February
3. A Word From Ken
4. Missions Update
5. A Moment with Alison
6. Student Honour Roll

A Year in Review

Looking back on 2011, I cannot help but wonder where it went. So much happened to so many of us this last year that our incident books are full. Ken had a broken hip, and had cataracts removed; Alison had a severe fall and injured herself; I had to go to hospital for prostate surgery and a double hernia. A couple of years ago I had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and, Praise God! the cancer is gone, Rosalind had two visits to hospital − one for a severely infected finger (she almost lost it); and then for a hip replacement. Steve and Trish’s grandson was hospitalised and came close to death.

Ken is back on his feet and fully recovered. In November he handed his church over to another pastor and is again on itinerant ministry, with seminars and preaching, and is better than ever. Last March I was in the Philippines with our mission college in Pagadian, conducting two seminars and ministering in churches; then in October, off to South Africa for three seminars, two crusades, and other meetings, helping to set up the college there.

We have collected several thousand books for South Africa and raised the funds to get the books into the country.

Our church has continued to grow and we have seen major modifications started and completed during this year.

While a record number of students have graduated, we have seen a record number of students enrol, and we have extended the trainee program to W.A. and started negotiations in Qld and South Australia.

We have conducted three seminars through our Sydney office that have proven to be a great success, a graduation service in Perth, and all in all, not a bad year.

A Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis

On Saturday the 18th of February 2012 we have the pleasure of hosting Drs Ken and Denis for the first seminar of the year. Our subject will be, “The Power of Pentecost for Today” − which is just a working title, and we will be referring to Ken’s books Clothed with power and Equipped to Serve. Keep watching our emails for final details, February is a long way off yet, but will be here soon enough!

Students are encouraged to take advantage of these seminar opportunities. Your attendance at the seminar is the equivalent of one assignment, and so recognised students gain full credit by attending and accredited students will only need to complete the multiple choice assignment. Costs: non-student, $65.00; students who want study credits pay their regular subject fee; morning and afternoon tea is included. Lunch is $10.00 per person. Call 9603 2077 to register.

A Word from Ken - The Christmas Star

“When the Magi saw the star, they went wild with excitement!” (Mt 2:9-10)

The most-translated poem in the world was written in 1806 by a young English woman, Jane Taylor, who was only 23 at the time. It is Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, which actually has 5 stanzas. The last one reads –

As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveller in the dark,
Tho’ I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star!

One of the special boons of childhood is a sense of wonder – and a chief bane of adult life is a loss of wonder, when we become grown-up, blasé and cynical.

We Christians should never lose our sense of wonder, especially at this time of the year, for what is more wondrous than the story of the Saviour’s coming into this world? Yet among the many astonishing things that happened, nothing surpasses the miracle of the Star that blazed in the heavens, guiding the Magi to the Child. Was it a real star, a supernatural phenomenon, a meteor, a comet, a super nova? Was it seen by others, or only by the Magi? We cannot say, but two things do shine clearly – continue reading...

Missions Update

The College in South Africa
Our appeal for books has been a spectacular success with books still coming in from around the country. The biggest donation has been from New Creation Ministry in South Australia who have sent 5,000 books. None-the-less, to those who have donated a single (many did) book to those who have sent box-loads, bag-loads, or pallets, we offer you our warmest appreciation, and just as importantly to those who have sent money to send the books – to all of you a big thank you!. May God enrich you for your generosity. The process of accreditation in South Africa continues, and we look forward to a good outcome within this year. We thank the Bible Society, and Open Doors for their help in getting books together, and also Joe Difiano of the transport company Canberra Overnight for delivering books to us.

India
We have walked through our open door in India with the fledgling college.. David Jones has been working there to see what God will do. It is still early days but we are looking forward to very good results

A Moment With Alison - The Blessed Christmas Family

The Christmas family story begins with Elisabeth (wife of Zechariah), whom we are told was a relative of Mary the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:36). Then there are indications that James and John, disciples of Jesus, may have been his cousins, as Salome, their mother, is thought to be the sister of Mary. There are two reasons for this. First, Salome asked for her sons to sit, one of them on each side of Jesus when he came into his kingdom, showing that she thought there was some reason for this to be granted (Matthew 20:20-28). Jesus did not deny this was a possibility but said it was not his place to give such a promise. He merely asked them were they prepared to drink the same cup (suffer and die) as he was prepared to suffer and die. Secondly, Salome was with Mary, supporting her at the cross, and it was her son John whom Jesus asked to take care of his mother. Continue reading...

Student Honour Roll

Since our last newsletter the following students have graduated from NSW, Tas. Vic, W.A. and Texas, USA. We know how hard you worked for your results. In the past we have been able to list all of the graduates for the year but sadly I do not have sufficient space. So below I have listed those who graduated in October/November, as I have done with all students who graduate with each Newsletter. Well done one and all.

October and November
Katie Batson, Award in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Michelle Ruemmler, Award in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Belenda Watson, Award in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Karen Lucas, Award in Biblical Studies, Molesworth TAS
Isobel Challender, Certificate in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Brian Hart, Certificate of Attendance, Keysborough VIC
Margaret Hart, Certificate of Attendance, Keysborough VIC
Kathy Kolle , Certificate in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Helen Nicolos, Certificate of Attendance, Keysborough,VIC
Vicki Nicolos, Certificate of Attendance, Keysborough VIC
Margaret Rudland, Certificate in Biblical Studies, Keysborough VIC
Lorna Neale, Diploma of Ministry, Bowral NSW
Sammy Watts, Bachelor of Theology, Perth WA
John Delgado, Grad. Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology, Texas USA

Australian Student Body

Resource Centre
I would like to take a moment to thank those of you who are running Resource Centres. We are so aware of the effort you to put into your ministry and the cost to you in time and effort. For us it is a privilege to work with you and we are so aware than so much of our success rests on your efforts. We are honoured to be working with so many men and women of God who are committed to the task of teaching and training others for the life and work of the Kingdom.

Distance Education students
Our student body now consists of 109 new VCC students, 56 VIC, 13 IBC students added to the current student body. During the year 2011, a total of 72 awards have been issued, not including the Professional Development Awards from our seminars. We now have Students in every Australian state and territory except Northern Territory, however we do have applications pending for a Resource Centre in Alice Springs .

Overseas
We have full fee paying students from Japan, South Africa, USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, California, Canada, and in addition to this we have a stream of mission students not listed in the totals above. Worldwide the total number of students working with one of the several branches of Vision numbers around 120,000.

MAKING A FRESH START

"Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."—Ephesians 4:22-24 … "Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ."—Romans 13:14.

It is a new year on the horizon and 2012 looms ahead of us. My! how 2011 flew by; the years seem shorter as I get older and more fulfilled. It does seem to me, especially as we come closer to the new year with its traditions of making resolutions and new beginnings, that in God’s good grace we can always start afresh and that now is not a bad time to consider it.

I think there are at least three reasons to “Start again”. We look forward to the new −

First, we automatically know if we have not been the man or woman of God we should have been, whatever the reasons. Be they disappointments, trials, sins, distresses, misunderstandings or hurts, we can still choose to put them behind us. My old pastor was a firm believer in the Gospel of the second chance. Don’t let the past stop a good present and a brilliant future.

Second, there are times when we become aware of a major shift in what God is doing in our life. New opportunities, never before considered, may be opening up. Perhaps a direction in our life that we have, deep down, been aware of is being presented. Sometimes there is a spiritual “sea change” taking place, but to embrace the new means I have to let go of the present.

Third, I need to grow. As simple as that − I need to grow in Christ and to be fashioned into his image and my old ideas, concepts, habits, are preventing the needed growth in me. Not really sin as such (or is it?). I am often amazed at the attitude that so many hold, “I am good enough for God as I am.” Well yes you are good enough to receive his love and grace, his passion and power, but the intent is to change us dramatically into his image, not justify staying as we are!

For you there may be other reasons….

Consider for a moment that it takes only a decision and a moment for a beggar to take off his rags and instead put on a new suit of clothes, and it need not take a moment longer to put away habits, thoughts, and ways of speech and put on Christ for the new year, the new life, the new opportunities, that God has given us.

Korn Korner

A friend of mine told me of his friends in Scotland, a happily married couple who could not conceive a child so they decided to learn Chinese! Pleased with their progress, after a few weeks their teacher asked them – why are you learning Chinese? Do you have business there? Are you going to live in China? “Oh not at all” the couple replied, “we have decided to adopt a Chinese baby as we are unable to have children and we want to be sure then when he learns to talk we will be able to understand him!”

To download this newsletter, please click on the link below:

The Visionary - December 2011 (PDF)

A Seminar With Dr Ken And Dr Denis - 18th February 2012

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:08:00 GMT

On Saturday the 18th of February 2012 we have the pleasure of hosting Drs Ken and Denis for the first seminar of the year. Our subject will be, “The Power of Pentecost for Today” − which is just a working title, and we will be referring to Ken’s books Clothed with power and Equipped to Serve. Keep watching our emails for final details, February is a long way off yet, but will be here soon enough! Students are encouraged to take advantage of these seminar opportunities. Your attendance at the seminar is the equivalent of one assignment, and so recognised students gain full credit by attending and accredited students will only need to complete the multiple choice assignment. Costs: non-student, $65.00; students who want study credits pay their regular subject fee; morning and afternoon tea is included. Lunch is $10.00 per person. Call 9603 2077 to register.

Missions Update December 2011

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 23:06:00 GMT