Issue 12 - July 2007 Download printable version here ... (Right Click, Save As - 2.61MB) COUNCIL NEWSLETTER No. 12 JULY, 2007 INTRODUCTION Welcome to the latest news from around the Fellowship. We start this edition with a report on the Convention held recently in Adelaide – “what a great time of fellowship!” -  followed by news from the Council Meetings held just before it. “It’s starting to look like another Papua-New Guinea!”  That’s how one pastor described news of the wonderful revival in Brazil. Read all about it in the segment that follows. In this issue we also introduce the assemblies in South Australia, whose capital, Adelaide, hosted the International Convention last month. We trust you enjoy this edition and the work God is doing in your Fellowship. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION  -  ADELAIDE JUNE 2007 It’s always hard to summarise the marvellous three days of blessing that was the Revival Fellowship International Convention held over the June Queen’s Birthday long weekend in Australia. Adelaide hosted the event this year and did a marvellous job. The location was the Woodcroft Revival Hall which could normally hold about 900 folk, but with the aid of a massive marquee, swelled to around 2,000. The theme was “Changed By God” and many wonderful testimonies of miracles, healings and dramatically-improved lives attested to the truth of the theme. Truly we have a God who specialises in the “born again” power of the Holy Ghost. “But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you”, Jesus said. (Acts1:8) These testimonies were complimented by dozens of pastors bringing a short encouragement from the Bible and heart-warming songs by talented members of the Church. The closing item by the combined Adelaide Young People’s group – a home-grown anthem, “A Wonderful Miracle Happened to Me”, by a couple of hundred local youth, touched the audience’s heart. We were also entertained by saints from PNG as well visitors from all over Australia. It’s always great to catch up with saints from Europe, Asia, Fiji, the Americas, and elsewhere. We’ve put some photos of Convention on the next page. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation...the people of God...” (1 Pet 2: 9,10) We are truly a blessed people.
COUNCIL MEETINGS
The Council Pastors met in Adelaide for the two days leading up to the June Convention and discussed many of the revivals taking place in our Fellowship around the world, as well as the many practical matters that any large organisation must deal with. The remarkable successes in PNG and Brazil (see article below), and the growth of the fellowships in Africa and Fiji were all of note. The funds contributed to the Mission Fund continue to be important and the Council thanks all assemblies who make regular contributions. For example, our Fellowship in Kenya now has 51 centres throughout the country and all their pastors are now either working sufficient hours to support themselves or are supported by small projects often made possible by Mission Fund donations. Two special projects, a new hall for the Pt Moresby assembly, and a motor bike for Ps Eddie in Zambia, are also coming to fruition with your valuable contributions. In separate news, Pastor Bob Beverley announced his retirement as Deputy Chairman of the Council at the Annual Pastors’ Meeting on 8^th June. The Fellowship is grateful for his service since its inception in 1995. The Deputy Chairman’s position was left vacant for the moment. Pastor John Kuhlman advised he will continue on as Chairman for the time being, but he has decided to curtail his travelling. Pastor John’s tireless travel throughout the world-wide Fellowship has been a fundamental force behind the success and cohesion of our work for many years. His visits to remote areas will be greatly missed.
CONVENTION 2008 While on the topic of Convention, it was announced that the 2008 International Convention will be held in Perth, Western Australia over the long weekend of 7-9 June. Perth assembly has booked the Esplanade Hotel Complex in Fremantle, and looks forward to seeing many visitors to their fair city. Fremantle, a portside suburb of Perth, is a bustling hub of activity, even in June, and should provide lots of opportunity for evangelism. If you plan to go, why not head over early to join in the outreaching from Tuesday 3^rd June? The W.A. assemblies are confident they will be able to billet all overseas visitors again, as well as many Australian saints. The Esplanade is a 300 room 4 ½ star hotel – so another accommodation option is to take up the specially-negotiated room rate of $170/night/couple. The Esplanade is directly opposite a large park, so there’s plenty of room for the kids to kick a footy or have a picnic (weather permitting). There is also plenty of other accommodation nearby Fremantle, ranging from backpackers through to motels to luxurious, oceanside apartments. A circular from Perth assembly in a few weeks will explain your best options. BRAZIL – HOT OFF THE PRESS! Over the last eight weeks or so a lot of people in the slums have been saved in Fortaleza assembly. For example, 50 people were baptised last Sunday week. Of these, 45 received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, keeping Pastor Esteves busy that evening until 3am, praying with new folk, and explaining their new life in the Lord. A notable, recent miracle was a lady with a large tumour on her leg healed in front of the congregation, within just a few minutes of prayer. This resulted in her and 16 others being baptised at that meeting.
But the news doesn’t stop there. Those living in the surrounding slum area have been very impressed by the testimony of these newly-minted Christians. Some have renounced their drug lifestyles; others are out in the alleys sweeping and raking up rubbish. This culminated in the townsfolk asking Ps Esteves to run an open air meeting in the Town Square last Sunday. Assembly members came from around the city and about 600 saints filled the Square. Unsaved local visitors to the meeting numbered about 250. Of the crowd of unsaved folk who came to watch, 126 decided to be baptised and follow the Lord! This kept three of the local elders busy with baptisms and praying throughout the day. It also kept four ladies busy, just taking down all the names and addresses. All 126 received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues.  However, the Town Square backs onto a Catholic church. The priest came out rather angry and started shouting at Ps Esteves and the Fellowship. He called the police. Two police cars arrived, and, after some discussion, the police concluded there was nothing illegal in this public meeting and dismissed the priest’s objections. The police stayed and watched proceedings for some time, and by the end, were themselves very impressed - particularly when they noticed well-known drug users and petty criminals coming forward to be baptised. In a related miracle, an unsaved man had a large tumour in the throat. He was fed through a tube. Having heard about the Good News recently he asked for prayer for his condition, and over a period of just a few days was totally healed. His doctor verified the remarkable cure. As a result, he and his whole family were part of the 126 who were baptised and received the Spirit on Sunday. Pastor Esteves says, “I was almost in tears at all the wonderful things the Lord was doing.”
BALI The Fellowship is now officially registered with the government and the first pastor officially appointed in May: Pastor William. His two assistant pastors, Teddy and Koko, have also been recognised by the authorities. The Fellowship has opened in new premises at the Kuta Galerie. This is centrally-located, within easy reach of plenty of witnessing opportunities. Please feel free to visit the saints should you make Bali your next holiday destination. They are most welcoming. (Because of the unique situation in Bali, please ensure your pastor relays details of your visit to Liaison Pastor Deane Clee, who will provide you with the contact details.) LUBUMBASHI, DRC In recent news from the fledgling assembly in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Leader Jimmy’s landlord had stopped him from meeting in their rented house. With funds from Australia, Jimmy has managed to put up a structure. The “hall” is really just a roof (14m x 8m) standing on metal poles. They have bought big, plastic tarpaulins and wrapped them around the sides. “It’s basic, but it does the job!”, reports Ps Ron Carslake. They had their first meeting there during Pastor Ron Carslake’s recent visit and were very pleased with the result. FIJI Pastor Ilaitia reports that the work of God is “blooming in Fiji”. The fellowships in Fiji are experiencing good Revival. In Nadi Pastor Ilaitia has appointed Pastor Filimoni as the local Pastor assisted by Pastor Ilaitia when he is at home. They recently had 9 baptisms in one week. Suva is progressing well with approx 200 saints in 2 centres. Pastor Aquila in Labasa is kept busy with 200 plus saints now fellowshipping over the 3 meetings. Pastor Ilaitia says that every centre in Fiji is rejoicing in the Lord and seeing Revival - “truly a great time of blessing”. INTRODUCING THE ASSEMBLIES IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA South Australia is generally noted for its wineries, the Barossa Valley, and the rugged, Australian beauty of the Flinders Ranges. But to us in the Lord it is noted for its warm fellowship and guiding hand throughout the international work. South Australia has provided many of the pastors throughout our Fellowship. ADELAIDE – CAPITAL OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA The Adelaide assembly is very large and has four meeting centres: VOGUE: The centre just south of the city in Kingswood is located in the old Vogue theatre where Adelaide’s senior pastor John Kuhlmann is normally located. The meeting is also helped these days by Pastor Laurie Nankivell and Steve Harvey. Ps Jock Duncan is nominally located there but often wanders to other meetings to help out.
ELIZABETH: the meeting in the northern suburbs at Elizabeth is cared for by Pastor Graeme Hazledine. This suburb marks the origins of the assembly’s great revival in the 60’s. GAWLER: Further north again is the satellite centre at Gawler run by Pastor Tony Sheridan. This fledgling fellowship already boasts over 100 members. WOODCROFT: Heading down to Adelaide’s southern suburbs is the sprawling Woodcroft centre. Pastor Paul Nobel is assisted in this centre by Pastor Chris Kernahan and Pastor Chas Hilder.
PORT PIRIE Located a couple of hours north of Adelaide is the country town of Pt Pirie. Ps Greg Drage looks after the assembly there. This assembly of about 40 people always welcomes visitors and Ps Greg hopes you drop in if you’re heading through. WHYALLA Continuing on north around the Spencer Gulf we arrive at the industrial city of Whyalla. Ps Mark Wickstein cares for this assembly. This is the home of the many saints who featured in the wonderful “Healing” video which many assemblies around the world use. COOBER PEDY Coober Pedy is a remarkable opal mining town, where the “houses” and the church are caves dug underground (see photo below). It is located about 9 hours north-west of Adelaide in the desert and the assembly is looked after by Ps Deane Clee, who is also the liaison pastor for the work in Bali. Ps Deane, a Chartered Accountant, owns the local Comfort Inn Coober Pedy Experience Motel (also underground) and is happy to offer visiting saints a great deal and great fellowship in the Lord. NB. Next year, on August 13^th, marks the 25^th Anniversary of the start of the Fellowship there. MT GAMBIER About 5 hours south-east of Adelaide, nestled among the large pine plantations, is picturesque Mt Gambier. Ps Brian Allen shepherds the assembly here as well as liaising with the East African assemblies. “Drop on if you’re passing”, he says, “we’re very friendly!” BERRI A new outreach in Berri, located some 3 hours east of Adelaide, has a handful of saints led by brother Gerry Nelson and supported from Gawler. Berri is at the heart of the Riverland region of South Australia so we are hoping for steady growth out there. CONCLUSION We are a truly blessed people. Paul reminds us to “keep (guard) that which is committed to thy trust.” (1 Tim 6:20). If you have something very precious, you must protect it.