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
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...
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...
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:
