Connect Magazine
Good news about how Jesus is impacting lives across WA
New Pastors 2023
Meet the new faces in WA pastoral ministry.
Baptism at Clarkson Church
Marlyn Blumears-West gave her heart to the Lord as she entered the water of the font to be baptised by Pr Abby Aviles and publically declared her faith in the Lord Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
Busselton Church Sold
The decision was made after a couple of decades of the church looking to see if the Lord would open any doors to an opportunity.
It is hoped that the funds from the sale will help to connect and evangelise within the community of Busselton. As we look to the future with the Lord’s leading to suitable opportunities for a new home to make an impact.
Farewell to Education Director: Rhonda Belson
Under Rhonda’s leadership our school at Landsdale has improved its facilities with a building program and there has been growth in student numbers. Currently our school at Victoria Park is undertaking a building program. Rhonda has worked hard to support an improvement in policies and overseen a series of successful school registrations with the state regulatory authorities.
Farewell to the Hiscoxs
From their first work photo together when Ron was a prac student and Nerolie was a teacher, to their last school photo with 3 of their beautiful grandchildren, their unwavering attitude to reflect Jesus in everything they do, especially in their interactions with young people, has quite literally been experienced by generations of families in our community, to both local and remote.
Honoring Glenys Blagden
This year we want to acknowledge Mrs Blagden, for her dedication and contribution to Adventist Education over four decades. Students have been blessed having Mrs Blagden as their teacher and colleagues have appreciated the support and friendship working alongside Glenys.
Karla Bidjar Building Dedication
People from the community, church members, local government representatives and visitors, shared a free Sanitarium breakfast along with a sausage sizzle followed by a special dedication ceremony for the building. People attending were blessed with country gospel music from Craig Pickett (Chook) who travelled from Geraldton to be part of the celebration. Several pioneers of Karla Bidjar, Pr John Beck, Terry Kessaris and Derek Binning provided a background sketch to the building project that began more than 10 years ago, when property was donated for Aboriginal mission work.
Baptisms in South Perth Karen
Southern Perth Karen Church Plant, Say Ker Paw joined the church with 9 others last November. The baptism was held at Maida Vale church. The church was overflowing as we all celebrated this special occasion.
$3500 raised for mission
Over $3500 was raised by the youth to assist their struggling families in Myanmar formerly Burma. People are suffering because of the military crack down and hundreds are being killed please pray that peace may come.
Good turn out for health!
One hundred and forty people came out to hear Dr Eddie Ramirez, a Seventh-day Adventist speaker from USA. All were thrilled to hear practical health information. A great buffet of vegetarian food was provided, many books were sold and many put their names down for follow up cooking classes, depression programs and prophecy seminars.
Crowds Return to Road to Bethlehem
Three thousand six hundred and eighty seven people came through Road to Bethlehem this year, about half for the first time. This included the Gosnells Mayor and two councillors. Comments included, “It was amazing!”; “It was lovely!”; “I loved the energy, humour and music”; “Thank you for sharing the true spirit of Christmas”.
Prayer is the Key
In an article published by Columbia University in New York, they highlight a presentation done at the American Psychological Association convention during which, images of a brain were presented, showing cortical thickening in people who were taking their spiritual habits seriously. This thickening took place in areas of the brain where thinning of the same would normally be associated with depression.
Celebrating God’s Call
Ross shared some of his life’s journey and a time in his life when he believed all hope had gone. He praised God for his unending love and grace toward him during his wayward years (and his angel’s enduring patience). It was hard to hold back the tears.
New Book Releases
Check out the new releases at our Adventist Book Centre in Welshpool, Western Australia.
Thank You, Esther Robartson
Throughout her life, Esther encouraged and demonstrated Christian values. Her faith was strong and her trust in her Saviour unwavering. She expressed openly an appreciation of having had such a wonderful life, and one that was filled with loving family and friends.
Shared Director of Education Services
This arrangement will commence 1 March 2023, with the allocation of his time being 60% towards SA and 40% focused upon WA. With a schedule of ongoing reviews, the MoU of educational services will continue through to the end of 2025.
Australia Day Award
Jaden Willis—who has recently finished year 12—won the Young Citizen of the Year award at the recent Australia Day Awards in Merredin. The awards are run by Auspire, the Australia Day Council of WA, which gives local governments the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and outstanding contributions of people who make a difference in their community.
Summer Camps 2023
All of those activities kept us busy—then there was the main event—an awesome speaker, Tianie Calais, telling her story and giving us her perspective on how real life can relate to living a Godly life. You could actually hear a pin drop (for real) every time she spoke.
Holland Track Trip
The only tools we had to get out of this situation were prayers, and we needed a lot of them.
Stoke the Fire
I have been reflecting on Paul’s letter to Timothy in which he encourages him to fan the flames of the spiritual gift God gave him. He reminds Timothy that God does not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (See 2 Timothy 1:3-6). As we connect with God, He is the one who builds our faith. My dream is to see every person sharing Jesus—in rhythm with God’s heart.