The Visionary - April May 2008

April 24th, 2008

Welcome to this Edition of “The Visionary”. Did you know? YOU HAVE BEEN BLESSED beyond any measure you can imagine, and why not, for He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or even think. What a promise – What a God!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Eph 3:20

In this edition we have our “Word from Ken” − a report from our international conference, on ministering to Muslims − news on this year’s Vision Seminar − in May, we are floating the idea of a “Vision Graduation” as an option − our student honor roll − and we welcome a new Resource Centre and look forward to a big new year.

Vision Conference May 2008

In May of 2007 we had the first Vision Seminar with Dr. Stan DeKoven accompanied by Rev. Dr. Ken Chant. The seminar was a huge success and we have the opportunity of having Stan with us in May again. The date is 17th May 2008. Dr. Stan will be teaching on Grief and Loss Recovery. The seminar will be held in the new Campbelltown arts centre.

The fees are $75.00 and the “early bird discount” is $65.00, cut off date is Friday 2nd of May. If you would like to volunteer to help on the day, please give Trish a call on 9829 1340. Volunteers will be needed.

A Word From Ken
St. Jesus?

Isn’t it strange that in scripture all the leaders of the early church are called saints, except Jesus ─ yet they were but shadows of him! Likewise, in history, many people have been designated “saints” (St Aiden; St Christopher; etc), yet no one ever says “St Jesus”!
Perhaps that is because Jesus did not (and does not) match the popular image of what a “saint” should be – haunted, emaciated, unworldly, heroic in achievement and sacrifice, scornful of ordinary pleasures and life, divorced from daily reality.

But we should make Jesus our model, not church tradition! He affirmed life, enjoyed human concourse, delighted in banquets and festivals, and demonstrated that it is fully possible to serve God within the framework of normal human activities, both in work and in play.

Indeed, we should never forget this vital fact – Jesus began his life on earth as a natural man, not as a supernatural man. What does that mean?

The Church has always maintained both the full humanity and the full deity of Jesus. That is, orthodox doctrine claims that Jesus is

  1. one person (the Eternal Logos),
  2. with two natures (human and divine),
  3. and probably a single will (that of the Logos),

but that during the years of his incarnation he confined himself to those attributes and strengths that are proper to human nature.

Therefore, at no time during the 33 years of his incarnation did he make use of any ability that is proper only to the Deity. Only after his resurrection did he resume all the prerogatives of God. Prior to that glorious triumph, he lived as a normal man.

How then did he do his mighty works? Answer: by discovering his true identity in God, and by utilising the resources available to him through scripture and the Spirit.

Like us, Jesus had to break through the barriers by faith in order to fulfil his destiny. He did this as a man full of the Holy Spirit and rich in the Word of God, and thus able to discover who he really was, to overcome all the works of darkness, and to fulfil the Father’s purpose for his life.

In this, as in all things, he set us an example to follow (1 Peter 2:21).

New Resource Centre

We welcome another new Resource Centre at Riverwood. NeXgen Resource Centre, Organization City, Riverwood, with Pastor Cynthia Hobson. We pray that their Recourse Centre and yours will grow and flourish and your church grow from strength to strength.

Honour Roll

We recognise and honour these students who have graduated so far this year. “Well done you good and faithful students…” Your investment into the Kingdom of God is worthwhile. We pray that you will see rich blessings in your ministry, in your lives and in the lives of those you minister to.

Recognised Graduates

Joyce Lammerant……Certificate of Biblical Study…………………….Canada
Shane McIlhagga…….Certificate in Biblical Studies…………………..NSW
Ben Corneteg…………Associate in Biblical Studies…………………..NSW
Joan Elstone………….Associate in Biblical Studies with Honours….NSW
Sammy Watt…………Diploma of Theology…………………………….Singapore
Linda Garnee…………Diploma of Theology…………………………….USA

Accredited Graduates

Mathew Byfield…..Certificate IV in Christian Ministry……NSW
Valma Dean………Certificate III in Biblical Studies……….NSW
Rhonda Dittrich….Certificate III in Biblical Studies……….NSW
Andrew Miller……..Certificate IV in Christian Ministry……Japan

Vision Graduation.

Until the present time we have not held a graduation ceremony, preferring instead to allow churches with a resource Centre to hold their own graduation ceremony. Also, we have allowed individual students to elect to receive their award by mail directly or have it posted to their Pastor for a local church presentation. These options will never change. It is not possible for a distance education ministry to hold a graduation ceremony and insist that all students should attend, hence the local church presentation or graduation is a most valuable experience.

However we are floating the idea that for those who can attend a central graduation service it should be made available. We would love to see many of our resource centres come together for a grand night of celebration, to meet with each other and enjoy the blessings that flow from such a ceremony. For individual students to be able to meet each other will also be a powerful experience and may help to forge relationships in the Lord that will last a lifetime.

I would like you to consider this and contact us, by phone, by email, individually or through your resource centre and let us know. Would you attend a Vision Graduation Ceremony?

From the Vision International University Conference Feb 2008
Evangelising Moslems
Report from Gail and Brian

Gail and Brian are our World Zone Leaders in Western Europe and do a wonderful job evangelizing and teaching. Their location and ministry brings them into contact with many Muslims inside and outside Muslim countries, Here are few of their insights from the Vision Conference (copied from notes taken by Alison Chant) –

95% of the world’s population or, 3.1 billion people of the unreached peoples live in the 10/40 window (that is, a band of countries just north and just south of the equator).
2 billion have never heard of Jesus. Only 5% of mission money goes here where there are 1.6 billion Muslims.

These are the last great block of people to be reached by the gospel.

There are times and seasons in God, and terrorism has changed the world. This allows us to seize new opportunities. Muslims are questioning their faith. Muslim countries are being put under the microscope of public opinion. This has changed the attitude of the police in some Muslim countries − instead of watching the Christians, now they are watching the mosques to catch terrorists.

Increasing persecution of the Christians is causing the church to grow. As well, 1 in 3 Muslim converts is being saved through a vision or a dream. There is a collective consciousness in the Muslim world that goes back to Ishmael and Esau and makes them familiar with the biblical accounts.

Training is done better by story rather than a lecture. “Tell the story of Abraham and the promise.” Ishmael (God hears) was son of Kedar, who was ancestor of Mohammed.
Inside the temple of the Temple Mount outside Jerusalem there are these words written in Arabic - Read and understand, “God is one and he has no son” This is what Muslims believe.

Esau and Jacob – Esau’s blessing is that he will serve his brother and fight with him. Terrorism comes from Esau feeling ripped off by Jacob. The voices of Muslims are crying out for a place in the world.

Ishmael and Esau were linked by marriage. Both were robbed of blessing and inheritance and in the modern they are again feeling deprived. There are two responses:

  1. Searching for God as Father or
  2. Bitterness showing itself by terrorism and hatred.

Isaiah chapter 19. God is moving his pieces around. A highway is to be created in the region. Egypt, Assyria and Israel are to worship together.

Other brief reports from the conference –

From China

25,000 are receiving Christ daily. The underground churches are flourishing. There are enough Bibles for all though they are very plain. There are no special Bibles with extra information available unless they are brought in. We are asked to be discreet about spreading information.

From Africa

Utilising Vision graduates, 5,000 churches now established each about 70 strong. The pastors are brought in for further training every two months. Dr. Steve Mills is taking care of them.

Degree Accreditation in the USA

An initial application was declined by the accrediting body, but the American college is pursuing several other options. In the meantime Vision has already achieved full accreditation for undergraduate programmes, and in some cases graduate degrees, in several countries in Africa, Asia, and South America.

Prayer Points

  1. Travel blessings for Ken and Alison as they go to Adelaide in May
  2. Our Seminar with Dr. Stan in May
  3. Our missions program in Myanmar, Philippines, Nepal and India
  4. Our accreditation in May, we are up for review
  5. The staff of the college, Steve, Trish, Ruby and myself and Rosalind
  6. Continued finance for the colleges

The Final Word
We have a heavy year ahead of us − the seminar and the accreditation in May − in June I will be off to the Philippines and in August to the UK to set up our college − and in October or November to Nepal and India, again to set up colleges.  In May, Ken and Alison go to Adelaide then later in the year they will visit our colleges in China and they will also be off to Israel and the USA.

None of this “globe trotting” is a holiday.  We go where we are called to achieve what God has placed in our hands.   We hope to see individual lives changed, families restored, churches strengthened, colleges established, cities enriched, nations affected and the Kingdom of God continuing to march on.  Not because “I” was there, not because “Ken and Alison” were there, but because God does what God will do and we are willing to be a part of it.

While we are planning it always seems that there is never enough money.   It does bother us.  We do worry and others will tell us we should not, ought not to… etc. The cacophony of protest from doubters can drown your faith and stir your heart in the worst way.
I have learned that I need to sit down and count the cost before I begin. It is not really a “money matter”, but it is so true that finances must be considered.  It is not a “man power” matter, even though I need to check the resources that are available.  It seems to me that by “counting the cost” I can discover whether or not I have enough faith to trust God in the matter.  If I cannot find sufficient faith to believe for the matter then I cannot afford to go into this battle, and sometime it is so.

For at the end of the day it is a “God matter”.  When I know in the faith that God has given me that He will provide for what He wants, then in the noisy clanging of life, amid the voices of the prophets of doom and gloom, I can find a place of peace.  That peace is found in the surrender of my soul to the will of God.  It seems to me that this is something that occurs issue by issue, over and over again.

And THEN over and over again God proves Himself and provides from His great riches in Heaven.  In that place there will always be abundance and some to spare.

It is not a matter that there is enough for Ken and Alison because they are such anointed ones.  It is not a matter that there is enough for myself and our staff because we are doing remarkable things in him.  It is a matter that no matter how much is needed there will ALWAYS be more than enough because we are choosing to do what he wants to do when he wants us to do it.

We all face the same issues no matter how “big” or “small” we are.  As a parent, or a pastor, a businessman or a leader, or a salesperson in a department store we all face the same faith issues, there never seems to be enough.  Our heavenly Father, it seems to me, presents us with these opportunities to trust Him, time upon time.  He does so firstly, in the “little things” of our everyday life, and then increasingly so in bigger issues.  Then, as we show ourselves faithful in small things, bigger doors will open.

Contact Vision
President and Founder

Rev. Dr. Ken and Dr. Alison Chant:  02 96238474 or
email kdchant@vision.edu

Vision Christian College’s
Ps Denis Plant: 02 9829 1340,
PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564
Web site http://www.internetbiblecollege.com
email: visioncc@bigpond.net.au

February 2008

February 13th, 2008
Rev Dr. Ken and Rev Denis Plant
Welcome to the first edition of “The Visionary” for 2008. Already we are into the second month and I have no idea what has happened to the time.
We have a big year ahead of us. Our re-accreditation with VETAB is due in May of this year. New Resources Centre’s are opening here in Australia and our existing Resource Centre’s are growing, our mission work is taking off in a big way with works opening in the Philippines, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and the UK, we have also be been asked to get involved in India with some contacts that Ken made a year ago. Already there are a good number of new students starting with us in all of our colleges.
In May this year we will host a seminar with Dr Stan DeKoven and Rev. Dr. Ken Chant. Firm details are yet to be decided but the seminar will take place at Glenfield and we look forward to an incredible time with these two men of God. The seminar last year was a great success and we want to build on that. Keep the date in mind. YOU will be blessed.
The Internet Bible College is undergoing another much needed facelift. Our web developer is doing a great job on it. We thank God for our new website for Vision Christian College and the address is www.visionchristiancollege.com.au. Please take the time to go to the site and offer your opinions. It is still in development but it is available and usable.
Our church is seeing good growth in all areas and all of this is the stuff we know about to-date, I am sure God has much more planned that we are unaware of. I know we are not alone in blessing.
Churches around the country are reporting growth in their numbers, new churches are starting in many denominations and among non-denominational or independent groups. Praise God. The year is off and running with a big start and God is supremely in control. For my part I am determined that this year I am going to enjoy the ride.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that
we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Eph 3:20
Ken and Alison
Ken and Alison are off into far-flung places. They have just attended the Vision Conference in Ramona, on the outskirts of San Diego, California. At the time of this writing they are visiting other states in the US and they will be in Barbados in a couple of weeks for a seminar. We will not see them again until the end of March. Later in the year Ken and Alison will be in China. If you would like Ken or Alison to minister for you feel free to contact them on 02 9623 8474, or 02 9829 1340 and will take the call for them while they are away. They will be most delighted to come to you and share the word of God.
The Word From Ken
On Forgiveness TEXT: Matthew 18:21-35
The lesson that Jesus attached to the Parable of the Merciless Servant is stark – “Your heavenly Father will treat you just as harshly if you do not heartily forgive your brother!”
The parable teaches us the high cost of placing any limit upon our willingness to forgive those who have hurt us in some way.
Let me suggest some of the ways that we harm ourselves by failing to forgive our offending neighbour freely and fully.
(a) To limit forgiveness places you under the tyranny of hate.
We Christians are obliged to live by the royal law of love. But those who refuse to forgive, no matter how they try to disguise it or to justify it, are living instead by a law of hatred (see 1 Jn 2:9-11; 3:14-18; 4:19-21). But that is intolerable for anyone who wishes to live in the love of God.
If you have not truly forgiven, then you will be seeking an opportunity to retaliate – but God says, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Ro 12:19-21; 13:9-10), and he will perform the task more thoroughly, and with more justice, than you or I could ever do!
Note however, that God prohibits only personal revenge. In other circumstances, the Lord himself may act through his servants to cast down wrongdoers. Sometimes he will do this through the law courts (Ro 13:1-7); sometimes through the church as an agent of discipline (Mt 18:15-17); sometimes through parental discipline; sometimes through the armed forces; and the like. At other times, divine vengeance may be delayed until after death (Luke 16:19-31). But whichever channel the Almighty chooses to work through, his justice will be thorough, equitable, righteous, and ultimately satisfying to every offended party.
In the meantime, we must accept that no Christian living under the tyranny of hatred can enjoy the fullness of life in Christ.
(b) To limit forgiveness places you under the tyranny of selfishness
Those who limit forgiveness condemn themselves to a double blindness –
  • they will no longer be able to see any virtue in the offender; and
  • they will no longer be able to see any fault in themselves.
Yet how absurd that is. No one is so wicked that he or she lacks any virtue; nor is anyone so good that he or she possesses no fault. But an unwillingness to forgive breeds a quality of selfishness that leads to a constant magnifying of the fault of the offender along with an endless enlargement of the virtue of the complainant. But such myopia is foreign to the character of Christ and should not be part of any Christian’s life.
(c) To limit forgiveness places you under the tyranny of the past
Do you really want to enter each tomorrow under the shadow of yesterday? Do you really want to darken the beautiful prospect of each new day in Christ by bringing into it the bitterness of the past?
That is why Christ insisted that our willingness to forgive should be limitless: for any sensible Christian, the cost of limiting forgiveness is absurdly too high. Paul expressed it this way – “If you do get angry do not allow it to become sin by letting the sun set on your anger! Why would you give the devil such a foothold in your life?” (Ep 4:26-27)
Yet having said that, let me also warn against a common fault: sometimes the demand that a victim should forgive the person who inflicted pain can turn into a subtle shifting of blame.
How can we help a victim to break out of the prison of resentment, without imposing upon him or her more burdens of fear, guilt, and shame?
The key is not to press people further than they are able to go. Allow them to forgive as much as they are able at this time, but also keep on setting before them the goal of a heart full of forgiveness, a heart like Christ’s, a heart that refuses to take offence but rather prays for all who have hurt them, a heart that leaves judgment to God.
By the grace of Christ, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness is possible for anyone. And with that act of pardon will come a wonderful release of divine grace and love, a new sense of spiritual liberty, and a delightful freedom from all that shackles that an unforgiving heart places upon a resentful life.
Student Forum
We have an online student forum that you can access on the internet from the internet Bible College. It is open to all of our students but you do need to register for it. With the forum you can raise issues, ask questions, respond to each other and we would love to see as many of you use the forum as possible. To join the forum send an email to principal@internetbiblecollege.com with your name and password and I will register you with the Forum. Once registered you can add or change details to your profile and correspond with other students online.
The Colleges
We are pleased to report that all of our Colleges continue to grow steadily. Not everyone is suited to distance education and like any other college there are students who drop out, yet many others also return to us. Recently several people have been in contact with us wanting to restart, and they are pleasantly surprised to find us open and willing to receive them to go on to further levels of study. So we should be, it is our ministry heart to see the word of God taught.
Internet Bible College, our on line Resource Centre, continues to grow and I am sure that the new facelift will help to keep us successful as well. Please keep an eye open for it and get back to us with your comments when the new version comes online. www.internetbiblecollege.com
Vision Christian College, our original course is by far the most successful. All of the students are Australian or at least live in Australia. It is closely followed by the Internet Bible College with students from over 58 countries, and it is through the Internet Bible College that many of our Mission Colleges are developed.
The Accredited programme with Vision International College is gaining momentum at last. We have ironed out some bugs and it is much easier to understand now. The whole concept of Vocational study for interns is proving to be very successful. The additional benefit of Government support through Austudy or Absudy and Youth Allowance is very attractive to many.
Vision International University Degrees are offered through the Internet Bible College. The degrees are accredited in the state of California and more students are taking much greater interest in this options.
A Moment with Alison

FOUR FOUNDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL PRAYER
WE MUST BE FORGIVEN
God does not release us to pray for others until we have confessed our own sin (Isaiah 59:1-2; 1 John 1:9). Unconfessed sin can muddy up the communications system between us and God. Once we have confessed all known sin then we must believe we have God’s forgiveness (Psalm 103:8-12) otherwise we paralyse our prayer life by constant worry and continual self effort (Mark 11:24).
WE MUST BE FORGIVING
We must forgive one another (Mark 11:25). If we do not forgive we will not be forgiven. If we do not forgive we effectively block our own prayers from being answered.
“The limitation of the power of prayer is not natural law. It is the lack of forgiveness on the part of the one who prays” (Elton Trueblood).
WE MUST HAVE FAITH
Our faith must rest solely in God and must not be influenced by outward circumstances (Mark 11:20-25). Jesus was not troubled by natural laws because he had perfect trust in God who created those laws. God is Lord of natural law, therefore he can move over and above it, change it, use it, accelerate its working, as he pleases. Our faith must be that of a child, perfect in trust (Daniel 3:16-18; 6:16-23).
WE MUST BE FAITHFUL
We must have the patience to continue in prayer for as long as it is necessary (Hebrews10:35-39). Some prayers are answered immediately; some answers may take days, weeks, months or even years.
After first discovering God’s will as far as we are able then we must pray effectually (James 5:16). It is no good praying for something we know is not God’s will!
Effectual. “The effect produced on the praying person bringing him into line with God’s will” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
Sometimes God changes us and we are conformed or moulded to the will of God as we pray. We are enlarged, our character becomes stronger (Psalm 4:1) and we are prepared by God for future tasks. God is faithful (Lamentations 3:22-26) and if we continue steadfast in prayer he will answer, he will not fail us, though sometimes it is only on looking back we can see the way he has led us has been the best way, and his answer the best answer to our prayer.
Our Mission Report
Nepal
In October/November I will be in Katmandu to set up a Nepalese college. I am excited about this as the people themselves are asking us to be involved. This nation desperately needs your prayerful support. If you would like to help these people you can. Many of the pastors are untrained and illiterate. Many of them know little more of the word of God than the parables of Jesus. Many others only know the Gospels. A great number of the pastors cannot work with the epistles as they are too hard to understand. These Pastors are untrained and in great need of help. They are untrained but have a great heart to win their nation for Jesus.
They have asked us to go and set up a training program for the nation, and we will. The finance to go is in place already. But the money for a training seminar is not. I have no idea of the cost but if you would like to send some money to us for a training/information/set-up seminar to be held in October in Nepal it will be appreciated. YOU can be a part of the development of the Church in Nepal. Every cent you send will go to the seminar in Nepal.
China
In China we have 6 colleges with Ian Trail and another college with another couple, Jenny and Edward Gourly. We praise God for what he is doing there. Ken and Alison will be in China later this year to Visit them, pray for this trip.
Philippines
We are delighted to report the starting of a second Mission College in the Philippines. The college is in Pagadian on the island of Mindanao. I was there last year for a seminar. 12 churches came together for this purpose, to learn about vision and what we can do for them.
Myanmar
Our colleges there need support. The political situation is very grim and much worse than what gets out. We have no news from them since the last military crackdown. Please pray, not just for out students but for all of Myanmar.
Papua New Guinea
We have two colleges in PNG and a third one is about to start in Madang, bless God. We are delighted with what has happened in that nation. As a former missionary to the country my desire to see vision established there is being fulfilled.
New Resource Centre’s
We welcome the Chinese Resource Centre “The Living Stone” in Melbourne, and Jesus is Lord Church in Sydney, both of them are starting with us this year. There are other churches in discussion with us to start a Resource Centre later this year. Your college is growing in reach and impact, bless God.
If you would like to run a Resource Centre, that is a local church bible college, please do not hesitate to contact us, if you are not the Pastor but would like to see a resource Centre in your Church, ask to your pastor to contact us or ask us to send an information pack to him.
Contact us:
Rev. Dr. Ken Chant, Rev. 02 9623 8474, 83 Irwin Street, Werrington, N.S.W.
Rev. Denis Plant, 02 9829 1340, PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564,

The Visionary September October 2007

September 3rd, 2007

Welcome to the September October edition of “The Visionary”. Spring has sprung and a new season of planting and preparation is upon our farmers, Ken takes an appropriate look at this later in the newsletter.

I apologise for the lack of the Roll of Honour in this and the last issue. We have had several graduates and next issue we will mention them all.

In this edition we have items from both Ken and Alison, a report from Ian Trail who is a missionary in China He runs five Vision Colleges in that nation with a sixth due to start on his return from a brief ministry trip here in Australia. We have two unsolicited but thoughtful testimonies from students, some news on the accredited program and other odd pieces…

John 15:16, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,.
and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit,
and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye
shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Accredited Program Update… Accredited Program Update…

We introduced the Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry 5 years ago and it has undergone some revision recently.

We are so pleased to see the steady increase of interest in the course, especially as it attracts Austudy and at the same time it does add a practical component to the Vision subjects. The accredited program is very flexible and it is ideally suited to students who desire to enter into ministry because of the vocational training component.

So what are the changes? Effective immediately students need to complete only two instead of four practical training subjects for each of the award levels that are offered. The effect of this change is to enable the student to be more thorough in their training and study and it reduces the overall cost of the program without effecting the VETAB payments.

For more information please contact the college

A Moment With Alison
A MEDITATION

This month I have been studying the life of Jesus. What a wonderful person! One particular verse which I had not seen before struck me this week. It is found in Mark 9:15
“As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.”

What was the background of this incident? Jesus had just come down from Mount Tabor where he had been transfigured (Mark 9:1-7). There is no other explanation of the wonder of the people than that Jesus must have been trailing clouds of heaven’s glory! Something of his experience still clung to him, he still emanated the power and the presence of God to such an extent that the people noticed and wondered at it. In fact they were overwhelmed by the remains of the glory that surrounded him.

Many times the disciples viewed Jesus with awe. They were amazed at his power in rebuking the storm on the sea of Galilee.

“What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!” (Matthew 8:27)

He is the Word of God become flesh, the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John1:14)

He is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin and brings us into eternal life. If we receive him we have the right to become children of God (John 1:12-13).

He is the great teacher who taught with authority received from his Father. He knew how to reach the ordinary people, how to explain the things of God to them. They were fascinated by his wisdom.

He describes himself as the Shepherd of his people, and as the gate through which they must enter into eternal life. He is the light of the world, the bread which came down from heaven. He is all these things and more.

He was obedient to his Father and so was able to be our sacrifice. God was with him.

“The one who set me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” (John 8:29)

He was full of compassion and pity for the multitude, yet stern with those who led the people astray with their onerous laws. He was courageous in the face of a terrible death yet he knew that his Father would not leave him but would raise him up in victory. Truly he is alive, our wonderful Saviour and friend. The Son of the living God!

Unsolicited Testimonies: An Australian student.
I just want to say again that when I first studied at VCC back in 2005 it was really tough because initially I came to Sydney after been accepted at Hillsong’s college, but pulled out due to unexpected financial and accommodation issues at the time and so I had to get employment. God was good and (as we know He always works in mysterious ways) he enabled me to find a bible school where I was able work and study the word.

I honestly could not have completed the Diploma without all your help and prayers and most of all our Christ Jesus. I thank the Lord for Vision College and the blessing that the VCC school has provided me i.e “solid foundation of the word of God”, I have learnt so much, that sometimes I can’t live a day without reading the word of God, it’s become like a daily food that I must have and carry this with me to work, to church, on the bus, train, when on holiday, on the plane etc.

The church I am involved in is a Pentecostal church of 60 committed members, I am a youth pastor, worship leader (musician), preacher and a teacher of the word and heavily involved in reaching our troubled youth thru our town outreaches and door knocking on Saturdays. These studies have not only made me who I am today but also has enabled me to be an “impacter” in our community and for the kingdom of god. I am witnessing a growth in our church with more youths coming thru our youth services on Friday nights and Sunday schools, I have preached the word based on the VCC teachings and have seen the power of our Lord fall on the new converts thru the words and accepting our Lord as their Saviour.

Most of all, out of all this, our church president has asked me to pastor one of branches in Brisbane, and the one here in Sydney Liverpool which I am now in, I leave in God’s hands but it was a total surprise.
My goal is to earn the Degree with Visio International University and I believe with the continuous love and support from VCC staff, I can achieve this. Thank you very much, Brother Timothy Lafogia

From one of our Missions Students in Africa
Dear Rev. Denis,
Thank you very much for your reply, and all the updates of my studies, I am very blessed to study the word of God. One thing the Lord put in me as FAITH, and I have been Ministering in my local church different topics of faith using the Dynamic Faith lessons from Vision College, and as what I always do during my leaves I go to Teen Mission Camp to teach on Leadership and Faith, but this time I am going to talk about Evangelism as they have got a Mission School, and talking about evangelism will be a great blessing to them, the Director has already open doors for the teaching of the subject. And I am looking forward to that.

I am glad to know I have already achieved 21 credits, my grade average, and that I have already a certificate in Bible Studies.

I am looking forward to my next lesson.

Julia, thank you very much and may the Lord continue blessing you in the Ministry he has called you to perform (Julia Love is his sponsor).

God Bless you all, Arone Augusto

Ian Trail Missionary in ChinaTraillblazer Ministries China Australian Crusade

From 3 July to 26 August 2007 Traillblazer Ministries China founder Ps. Ian Traill and International Director Christopher Donald visited 20 churches representing 11 denominations in 12 cities of three states of Australia for a crusade.

The pair also spoke on two Christian radio stations in Ballarat and Mount Gambier.

During their visit, 36 people received the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and six people came to salvation through Jesus Christ. A number of words of knowledge and healings were ministered in the meetings. One notable healing took place in Ballarat where a woman who had been blind in one eye received her sight.

Ps. Ian’s messages emphasized the gifts of the Holy Spirit as he called the churches not to hold back in seeking to be used by the Lord. He urged the churches to move into the power realm and to not conform to the world.

Throughout the crusade, they promoted the work of Vision Christian College and Open Doors Australia, who have been a great support to the ministry in China. Traillblazer Ministries has 65 students studying with Vision Christian College in five locations in China.

“It is a delight to see the growth that solid Bible teaching has brought to the students,” said Principal Ian Traill.

Ps. Denis and Ros Plant hosted Dr. Ken and Allison Chant, Ps. Traill and Christopher Donald for lunch during Ps. Traill’s Australian crusade.

Dr. Chant asserted the need for a distinctively Chinese theology to emerge. The teaching of the college that he founded may aid this aim.

The overall church in China has been experiencing an influx of people coming into the Kingdom of God and it is necessary for leaders to be properly equipped to effectively teach these new converts.

During his stay in Sydney Ian received a Bachelor’s Degree from Vision International University. It was conferred upon him by Rev Dr. Ken Chant during a Sunday Morning service with Ps. Denis at Macquarie Fields.

A Word From Ken
FARMING FOR A HARVEST

“A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. Understand what I’m saying. Indeed, the Lord himself will help you to understand all these things.” (2 Ti 2:6-7)

Among several metaphors of Christian victory, Paul employs that of a successful farmer. I once worked on a farm for a couple of years, and there I learned that four things are true of the successful farmer –

It is the diligent farmer who reaps the greatest harvest.

In the height of the season, I would be up at 4.00 a.m. to milk 80 cows; then out into the fields, baling hay, mending fences, ploughing, chopping wood, shearing sheep, planting potatoes or turnips, digging a dunny hole, etc., then milk the cows again in the late afternoon, have dinner at 8.00 p.m.; then into bed and up again at 4.00; etc, etc! No wonder my employer retired a wealthy man, and no wonder I moved back to the city! But the fact is, there is no reaping without diligent sowing; so let us labour for the Master while it is still day.

A farmer’s work is never done.

It mattered not what season it was – summer, autumn, winter, spring, there was always a full day’s work to do. Neither can we cease from our toil for the King. We are never off duty but must always be about the Master’s business. The harvest must be patiently waited for.

No quantity of fussing and fretting could hasten the
majestic progress of the seasons.

The time of harvest is appointed by the Lord of the Harvest and must be kept. The farmer’s task is simply to do what is required of him day by day, confident that the harvest will not fail but will come in its appointed time. So too we are enjoined to patience, holding fast to faith until the hour of Christ’s return and the time of reaping is consummated.

The farmer rightly receives the first and best share (vs. 6).

We need never fear that we will suffer the fate of those lamented by Job (24:10-11). In the meantime let us heed Paul – “Reflect on what I am saying, and the Lord will give you understanding in all these things.”

The Next Missions Trip - Philippines

During the month of November Pastor Denis will visit the Philippines in Sta Maria 5 hours from Manila (he is told). He will be involved in a Crusade and them at Pangasinan in the Island of Luzon he will be discussing the opening of a Vision College. The local ministry leaders have set aside several acres for this purpose. I need to be there in November to establish this work.

We already have two church based colleges in the Philippines and he hopes to be able to visit them also.

Please pray.

1. For continued good health for Ken and Alison as they continue to minister and move around the country and overseas.
2. For each of our Resource Centres, that they will grow as a student body and that the students will be effective in their ministries.
3. For each distance education or Resource Centre student, that they will continue and find new opportunities of ministry in their churches and communities.
4. For the staff of Vision that our needs shall be met.
5. For the work in the Philippines
6. For our Re-accreditation in May next year, it seems a long way off but much has to be done.
7. For our missions program and for the new mission college in the Philippines.

Contact Vision
President and Founder
Rev. Dr. Ken and Dr. Alison Chant: 02 96238474 or email kdchant@vision.edu
Vision Christian College
Ps Denis Plant: 02 9829 1340, visioncc@bigpond.net.au
PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564
http://www.internetbiblecollege.com
http://www.visionchristiancollege.com.au

“Christ in you, the hope of glory; Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom.”—Colossians 1:27-28.

The Visionary

July 13th, 2007

Welcome to the July August Edition of “The Visionary”. We are into the last half of the year already and I am amazed at what has already happened.

For Ken and Alison – the return from their successful trip to the UK, then their trip to Athens for the Vision conference, back into Australia for the CRC conferences in March and in May, various ministry trips, and the Vision seminar with Dr Stan.

For me – the Missions trip to Myanmar, and my first trip back to the UK since I left 38 years ago. The College’s Resource Centres continue to grow and the student body is increasing in the various colleges. Bless God.

We have not lacked many problems and stresses to all of us, and we all need your prayers, but we are seeing good success, and so we should, for it is Jesus who has declared:

John 15:16, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS

Alison Chant’s New Book

“Divine Healing - The Wonder and the Mystery” is now available in perfect bound form. The title says it all, and is a great addition to your collection on the fascinating subject You can get a copy directly from Alison, call her on 02 9623 8474 or you can contact out office 02 9829 1340

…READ ALL ABOUT IT READ ALL ABOUT IT …

A Moment With Alison

This month we have articles from both Ken and Alison, which is a bit unusual. We always have a word from Ken and that is later in this letter, but here is a word from Alison. I hope we get a few more.

A MEDITATION

An oyster reacts to the irritation of a small grain of sand or grit by surrounding it with a beautiful pearl, round and smooth and translucent, thus ridding itself of the pain.

We are like the oyster in that our lives can be filled with irritations, petty annoyances, times of grief and sorrow, perhaps even of bitterness and hurt. Whatever our situation, as God’s children we can rely on the grace and mercy of God to flow into our lives to cover these painful times. We can rise above the negative into the joy that Jesus promised we would have in him (Jn 15:9-11).

We must keep a trustful heart toward our Lord and reach out to him in faith. We know he will not only care for us (Ph 4:4-7), but as his grace and mercy flow he will continue to create in us the character of Christ. Like the oyster creating the pearl, we will feel within us the gradual development of all that God has created us to be for his glory and honour.

And the joy that floods our soul will not be dependent upon our outward circumstances but upon our inward belief system, because we know in whom we have believed (1 Th 5:23), and we are content that he should have charge of our lives, now and forever.

May the Lord grant us that faithful, trusting heart of believing, and may we abandon ourselves to God and to his working in our lives. May we be obedient to his every command, now and until we go to be with him, or until he comes in power and glory to receive us to himself.

Denis Travels To The UK

I left England with my parents in 1970 to migrate to Australia and I have not returned since. I was amazed at some of the changes. The biggest change I noticed was in the amount of security cameras. There is, reportedly 1 camera for every 4 people in the UK, which means that in the normal course of events most people are on CCTV for half an hour every day, as a minimum. Security and big brother have become so invasive that it is an accepted way of life. Many churches have been closed, and some church buildings turned over for other uses. Many churches are opening in other facilities or opening new facilities.

Our view of the state of the church, from a natural perspective, depends upon where you are and the church or denomination you are in. Really the church is much the same in the UK as anywhere else. The trouble is that like many, I as a human being have this great capacity to judge by what I see. I saw excellent churches and some ordinary churches, large and small. For a little while I was despondent and troubled with some things I saw, but then I also rejoiced over tremendous blessings as they were poured out. I have to admit that for a little while I forgot the truth – “Jesus is Building the Church and the gates of Hell cannot prevail against it.” The fact is that the Church is alive and well in the UK, and I have seen it.

During my time of 3 weeks actual stay I had the privilege of ministering over 19 times and also was involved in more than 6 meetings to discuss opening Vision College there. The outstanding result is that we will be starting at least two, and possibly three Resource Centres in the United Kingdom. We have been working with some pastors in the UK for over 4 years now and we are so thrilled to see this happen.

The Vision Seminar - from Steve

In June, Vision put together its first seminar with International President Dr. Stan DeKoven and Australasian President Dr. Ken Chant, presenting the theme of “Christian Counseling”. It was a great success, with over sixty students (including many pastors) in attendance.

By having a seminar like this it allowed the students to meet with the two pioneer authors of Vision, and it gave the students an opportunity to ask questions and interact with the authors.

It was also a privilege for these two men to meet with some of the student body and get some feed-back, as it was an encouragement for both students and authors alike.

From the staff at Vision we would like to thank all the students and pastors, and both lecturers, Dr Stan DeKoven and Dr Ken Chant, for attending this event and look forward to more in the future.

Steven Hart is one of our very able staff.

Our Mission Efforts

From our Colleges in China

Ian Traill, who runs the China operation for us, is in Australia, and although I only caught up with him briefly he is excited at what God is doing in China. Already there are 3 colleges with another to start up in Shanghai when he returns. In addition to that, we have another couple who are ready to go to China to begin a Vision College there also, Edgar and Jenny Gourley. They already have a ministry in China, and are returning there and taking Vision with them. Ian is on leave in Australia at the moment and we will have a great report in the next issue from him.

Myanmar

I have not heard from our College there for a while, but I know the work is strong. In these places we have to just sit back, pray, and trust that all is going to be well. Christians in that nation are troubled by the government, sometimes because they do not behave wisely. Yet for all of that, God has his way of working in the lives of the people. I know that many of our graduates are involved in pastoring and pioneering churches in Myanmar, in opening up new areas of ministry, reaching into the strong Buddhist priesthood, and in bringing many of the priests to the Lord.

Nepal

In Nepal we have a request to meet with the ministry of a large denomination and to set up a training program with them. The need for teaching is very great. Many of the pastors are barely literate and many only know the Gospels, while some can only relate the parables of Jesus. Such is the need in Nepal. Please pray for us to be able to reach into that nation and bring to the people the Gospel and good teaching. Our existing college is working slowly and effectively and they are close to the Nepalese and Indian boarder.

Philippines

We have two colleges in the Philippines and we have been invited to open a campus in one of the major centres there. The local ministry leaders have set aside several acres for this purpose. I need to be there in November to establish this work.

Our Home Front

Jesus made the commission clear – Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the world. Well, Sydney is our Jerusalem, NSW our Judea, the rest of Australia our Samaria, then onto the rest of the world. We have not forgotten our own.

There are now 18 Resources Centres in Australia, which we are very pleased to see. I have no idea of the number of students who are correspondence students with Vision, but they number in hundreds and are listed either with the Recognised programme with Vision Christian College, the Accredited program with Vision International College, or on the internet with the Internet Bible College, where students are undertaking courses from Certificate to Degrees.

There are two more churches discussing the resource centre with us, and I hope that by the next newsletter we will be up to 20 Resource Centres.

Though I keep hearing of the “lack of interest” among Christians for study, I can affirm most strongly that there is good interest. Vision is only one of many colleges. The student body in Bible colleges around the Australia number in thousands and we are a part of that number. Students who are ordinary men and women who see and know the need to understand the word, be involved in their church, start churches and ministries, go onto the mission field, or be better equipped to serve God in their secular work place or church, – such men and women are a joy to the heart of God and of course add purpose to those of us who serve in Bible colleges.

We need more students. Not because we want to be bigger, but because the world needs men and women who will serve their communities for Jesus. For one of the primary purpose of the Bible College and indeed the church is to teach its members and students serve their community and show the love, care, and nurture of God to their neighbourhood.

A Word From Ken

Over the past couple of weeks I have read with a mixture of amusement and irritation several extracts from a cluster of newly published anti-Christian books.

My first response is to say that one has to endorse some of their complaints. Murder is murder, no matter who does it, and the pusillanimity of some of our religious leaders about religious violence is disgusting. Their rationalisings arouse nothing but contempt. I have listened with horror when some preachers have endorsed the slaughter of thousands of innocent people just because they were of another faith. And I agree with the atheists that hardly anything is more to be abhorred than some church (be it Catholic, Protestant, or any other) getting political power. The history of religious involvement in politics is appalling. It is good to see individual Christian men and women gaining political office; but the church, acting as a collective body, should stay out of the political game. As Lord Acton said, all power corrupts, and, as I would add, religious power is the most corrupting of all.

Nonetheless, the atheist writers often display a breathtaking hypocrisy. They furiously condemn religious proselytising while engaging in it themselves. They are just as keen to convert believers to their atheism as those believers are to convert them. I can’t see much difference in purpose between an evangelical tract and an atheistic diatribe – they are equally designed to persuade someone to accept a different opinion.

And when atheists condemn so-called religious “fundamentalists”, to whom do they speak if not themselves? No one is more fundamentalist nor more rabidly convinced of the correctness of his viewpoint than a dedicated atheist!

Atheists tend to be guilty too of a particularly virulent ad hominem approach. How often, with wild hyperbole, do they accuse all Christians of wilful ignorance, of being irrational, bigoted, and the like? They speak as if there has never been any reasonable proof to offer for belief in God, when on the contrary (as some of the greatest minds in history have joyfully acknowledged) there are abundant reasons to believe in God.

Atheistic arguments are often selective, when they ignore the vast benefits that religion (and especially the gospel) have brought to multitudes of people. They choose to forget the hospitals, orphanages, refuges, charities, benevolences, and on and on, that Christians collectively and individually have devoted their lives to, frequently at huge personal cost. How many such institutions are run by atheist societies? To my knowledge, none!

Their arguments are also biased, for they seem to be saying that if religion were banned, the world would suddenly turn into a peaceful paradise. What nonsense! If people weren’t fighting over religion, they would be killing each other for some other reason. Religion may sometimes be used as an excuse to justify violence, but the real reason is a hunger for power. The fault lies in the corrupt and sinful nature of human beings, not in religion. Indeed, without the ameliorating influence of religion one shudders to think what barbarities would engulf the planet. Religion may sometimes be bad; but a total lack of it would be disaster. In my own lifetime I have witnessed the ambition and savagery of secular and/or atheistic tyrants such as Kaiser Wilhelm, Joseph Stalin, Adolph Hitler, Mao Tse Tung, and Pol Pot. Without any religious motivation, they slaughtered hundreds of millions of people.

We Christians have nothing to fear from the shallow arguments of the atheists. Christ is still Lord!

Please pray.

1. For continued good health for Ken and Alison as they continue to minister and move around the country and overseas.

2. For each of our Resource Centres, that they will grow as a student body and that the students will be effective in their ministries.

3. For each distance education or Resource Centre student, that they will continue and find new opportunities of ministry in their churches and communities.

4. For the staff of Vision that our needs shall be met.

5. For our Re-accreditation in May next year, it seems a long way off but much has to be done.

6. For our missions program and for the new mission college in the Philippines.

Contact Vision

President and Founder

Rev. Dr. Ken and Dr. Alison Chant: 02 96238474 or email kdchant@vision.edu

Vision Christian College’s

Ps Denis Plant: 02 9829 1340, visioncc@bigpond.net.au

PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564

http://www.internetbiblecollege.com

http://www.visionchristiancollege.com.au

Good Reasons to study..

May 17th, 2006

For so many the idea of Bible college study is for Pastors or missionaries or those who wish to enter the Pulpit, yet Neela banerjee of the New York Times uncovered an interesting trend…

Students Flock to Seminaries,
but Fewer See Pulpit in Future
By NEELA BANERJEE

ATLANTA — Among the important things Kirkland Reynolds has figured out in his three years in the seminary is that he does not want to be a church pastor.

Like many young people here at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Mr. Reynolds, 24, hopes to put his religious education to some other use, saying he does not want to preach or take a position of authority in the community.

Across the country, enrollment is up at Protestant seminaries, but a shrinking portion of the graduates will ascend the pulpit. These seminarians, particularly the young ones, are less interested in making a career of religion than in taking their religion into other careers.

Those from mainline denominations are being drawn to a wide range of fields from academia to social service to hospital chaplaincy, said the Rev. Daniel O. Aleshire, executive director of the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada. Students who are evangelical Protestants, meanwhile, often end up at advocacy groups, sometimes called parachurches, which have defined the priorities and solidified the influence of conservative Christians.

Only about half of those graduating with a Master in Divinity now enter parish ministry, Mr. Aleshire said. The portion has fallen sharply in a generation, he said, and declined 10 to 15 percentage points in the last five years alone.

The idea of using the seminary as the jumping off point for other, seemingly unrelated pursuits, is not new; just the number of people doing it is.

George Rupp, for instance, graduated from Yale Divinity School and served as president of Rice and Columbia Universities before becoming president of the International Rescue Committee, a humanitarian aid group. Thomas M. Chappell,
co-founder of the Tom’s of Maine’s line of soap and toothpaste, completed Harvard Divinity School. And Al Gore attended Vanderbilt Divinity School for a time before switching to law.

“Theological education has a lot of uses, like a legal education does,” said Barbara G. Wheeler, president of Auburn Theological Seminary in New York and director of its Center for the Study of Theological Education. “It’s good to
have people with a theological education doing lots of things. It’s a perspective that helps.”

Maggie Kulyk, 43, graduated from Candler in 1996. In divinity school, she thought she might go into academia or be ordained in the Episcopal Church. She is now a financial planner in Atlanta, helping clients with socially responsible investing.

“There’s a sense that it’s the kind of education that invites you to go deep into your own interior life and explore your own sense of what matters and doesn’t, and if such-and-such matters, how do you behave in the world?” Ms.
Kulyk said. “Knowing how to ask questions is infinitely helpful: it helps you take clients through the process, where you ask: ‘What is this money for? How do you want your life to be?’ ”

Though mainline denominations have shrunk considerably over the last 35 years, enrollment in mainline divinity schools rose 20 percent from 1990 to 2004, according to the Association of Theological Schools. Part-time study programs
and interest from minority applicants and women contributed to the gains.

At the same time, seminary graduates drifted away from becoming pastors. Among United Methodists, about 70 percent of seminary graduates in a recent survey said they would enter pastoral ministry, compared with more than 90 percent of
graduates in 1970.

Mainline seminarians, including the Methodists, now largely fall into two age groups: those over 40, who are embarking on a second career in ministry, and those under 30, who are more likely to choose another profession.

At Candler, a United Methodist divinity school with about 500 students from various denominations, a majority of students is under 30, according to Cynthia Meyer, assistant dean of students. Only about half the graduates say they will
become church pastors, she said.

Mr. Reynolds opted out of parish ministry after his first year at Candler despite a long commitment to the United Methodist Church, the inspiration of local pastors in his youth, his summers working with children in Belfast under
the church’s auspices and his wife’s imminent ordination as a Methodist minister.

“Parish ministry offered job security; it was what everyone did and it seemed logical,” said Mr. Reynolds, who expects to graduate in May and will apply for jobs after his wife is assigned a parish. “But I felt that preaching and having  role of authority in the community was not who I was. Still, being at seminary felt right.”

The young candidates are exploring, said the Rev. Jonathan Strandjord, director for theological education at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. “Young people are thinking about possibilities, about blue-sky possibilities. Older
people have mortgages and responsibilities, and their goal isn’t to invent a form of ministry or find something that is really out there.”

Often, seminary education, with its focus on personal spiritual growth, theology and social justice, introduces students to the idea that one’s calling need not be answered in church every Sunday.

Ronald Galvin enrolled in Candler because he “wanted to make a difference in the world in some way.” Since graduating in 2000, he has worked as a community activist, most recently at the Center for Working Families Inc. in Atlanta.
Many of the poor people he encounters think he must be a minister and call him Reverend, he said.

“Seminary really gave me the space and the moment of pause that I needed to develop the skills to analyze the world,” said Mr. Galvin, 37, who was raised Catholic. “It expanded my faith, gave me a greater appreciation for folks who
are struggling, and showed that there are many sacred ways and that God is with us no matter where we are.”

So far, the shrinking interest in pastoral ministry has not created a shortage of ministers in the mainline denominations, partly because they have adapted.  The United Methodist Church has added licensed ministers, who have completed
training programs rather than the seminary and who can perform the functions of an ordained minister except for participating in the denomination’s decision-making bodies. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has long
required seminary graduates to do three years of pastoral ministry.

The clearest impact has been the aging of the clergy in the mainline denominations. For example, the average age of ordination for Episcopal ministers is 44; in 1970, it was 29.

The older people entering pastoral ministry often say they needed years of other work and maturity before they could imagine leading a church. Arlindall Burks, 52, spent 26 years in the Navy and worked as a counselor at a community college in Florida before entering seminary.

Ms. Burks, an African-American who grew up Baptist in Gary, Ind., recalls becoming alienated from religion after encountering racism and rejection in society. Seven years ago, though, she began attending United Methodist
churches, moved by the denomination’s commitment to social justice. Now in her last term at Candler and on her way to becoming a Methodist minister, Ms. Burks said she understood why younger people often rejected pastoral ministry.

“I don’t think I could have done this at 25,” she said. “I had too much baggage. I was too angry. I was mad at God. I don’t think I could have heard God then.”

From the pulpit, she says she can do what she loves: teach and inspire people to act for social change.

“I think all that I did before this was preparation for this call,” Ms. Burks added. “I don’t think that I would have had the patience, the passion, the compassion before.”

For the best options in Online  Biblical studies contact http://www.internetbiblecollege.com

Be richly blessed in Jesus name

Rev Denis Plant

Internet Bible College
Vision Christian College
PO Box 84 Macquarie Fields
NSW 2564
Australia

Mob 0414 337 520
Ph. 02 9829 1340
Fx.  02 9829 1420