Reconciliation with Jesus
During my life, I have been incredibly enriched by meeting lots of people whose lives have been changed by Jesus Christ. I love hearing people’s stories of the difference Jesus has made. One of the special experiences has been attending Mamarapha College graduations. During the graduation ceremony, the students share their testimonies with a personal cardboard statement of their life: “before they met Jesus” and “life after they met Jesus.” First Nations people are a very spiritual people who are more open to the gospel than most of the Australian population.
My pastoral work in Western Australia has given me the opportunity to gain experience and grow through meeting First Nations people. People such as Sandra Kelly, Pr John Beck, Pr Darren Garlett, along with many others, including students from Mamarapha, have helped me grow by sharing about their rich cultural heritage. These people have resilience, a sense of humor, sadness, wisdom, and frankness. They have shared personal stories that included their family, I have been educated about bush food, and the importance of land and the environment. There have been funny experiences and sad ones. They have shared only a fraction of the impact of colonization on their people. These stories are important for me to hear if I am to begin to understand. There has been a frankness about racism and the serious impacts of decisions made by those in authority. I have always found that they have been incredibly patient with me, which is an act of pure grace.
The work of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Ministry (ATSIM) in Australia has been a key part of our Seventh-day Adventist Church’s work. Twice a year, at the Australia wide level, the ATSIM Advisory meets with the Australian Union Conference (AUC) presidents. ATSIM has acted like a voice in our church for over 50 years and is a gift to us. We need to listen. At our most recent meetings in May this year, in the new buildings at Mamarapha College, we listened to their thoughts on the current issue of the Voice to Parliament. The AUC has finalised this statement after this time of listening and discussion (find this statement on the Adventist Record website).
There is something special about being united because we are all created in the image of God, and Jesus Christ has brought us together as brothers and sisters. The spirit of reconciliation is important for us as a church. We have done many good things, but we have made mistakes and we can do better. Again, we say sorry. Thank you, Pastor Jorge Munoz, when you spoke words of genuine sorrow on behalf of our Australia-wide church as AUC president.
Into the future, we need to stand in solidarity with First Nations people, regardless of what happens with referendums and political agendas. We are about the reconciliation that Jesus modelled while he was on earth. We need to examine our own hearts and not allow the sin of racism to impact our treatment of others. There is no room for a paternal attitude of superiority in our words or actions. It is important to continue listening to our First Nations people.
Listening to each other, and especially the marginalized who do not have a voice, must be important for us as a church. Church is about caring for our people and making a difference that moves beyond words. The gospel commission reminds us that the story of Jesus goes to all people, and the work of ATSIM is at the front of this across our nation. I love to hear the Welcome to Country when it is given by a local elder. Pr Darren Garlett, thank you for the education you do in this space. An Acknowledgement of Country, when a local elder is not present, is a beautiful way to put God at the centre of a gathering and to recognize the significant heritage of past, present and future First Nations elders.
Recently, while driving and listening to ABC radio, I heard an interview of a First Nations woman from Kalgoorlie teaching young people songs in the First Nations language. The songs were Christian ones, and they were being sung on ABC radio. I later found out it was Edie Ulrich, who is a member of our Kalgoorlie church. I was so proud to hear of another one of our people sharing the gospel with her people while also teaching language and culture.
May God bless the ministry of ATSIM, helping you and me to be part of the reconciliation that needs to continue in our church and our nation.
