June—September 2014

Aboriginal Evangelical FellowshipAboriginal Evangelical Fellowship

Australia NewsletterAustralia Newsletter

The Hill sisters from Tamworth NSW

Maxine, Lila and Roslyn Back—Miss Coralie Dann and Miss Monica Eades—Mrs Dora Dann and Mrs Jackie Eades from WA

Growing in Christ

Mrs Rose Cox of Dubbo has a real

heart for women’s ministry. She

works alongside her husband, Da-

vid, in the Dubbo Christian Family

Church. Rose was on staff at

Bimbadeen for a number of years

so she was very familiar with the

complex. This time she came back

as the main speaker for the week-

end. She spoke strongly from Prov-

erbs 3, reminding the women that

we are a blessed people, but we

should be careful not to go the way

of the world and forget the laws of

the Lord.

Welcome is Everyone

We rarely have a convention where

there are no “first-timers”. This year

was no exception; there were also

a number of women who hadn’t

been for a number of years. One

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The theme for the AEF Eastern Area

Women’s Convention this year was

taken from the powerful words in

Proverbs 3:1-9, ‘do not forget my

teaching, but keep my commands in

your heart. Let love and faithfulness

never leave you’. Around fifty women

attended the annual convention at

Bimbadeen College over the

Queen’s Birthday weekend from 6th

to 9th June 2014. The nearby snow-

fields didn’t get the predicted snow

and Cootamundra turned on beauti-

ful sunny days and crisp, clear starry

nights. The well kept grounds of the

campus were lush and green; a real

credit to the hardworking campus

staff. The country environment was

relaxing and very beautiful. The com-

forting wood fires added to the set-

ting for the 43rd annual gathering.

“Nourishment for our Soul”

Speaker—Mrs Rose Cox of Dubbo NSW

Mrs

Michelle

Wighton

of Albury,

NSW

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Mrs Dora Dann from WA and six months

woman said, ‘I hadn’t been to this

convention for the past three years, I

am not going to miss another one’.

Women are spreading the word in

their local communities and encour-

aging people to make an effort to

seek out spiritual refreshing and good

fellowship.

Far away Places

We had four women from WA who

made a huge effort to join the women

in the Eastern States. One came from

Coolgardie, in the Goldfields area,

one from the city of Perth and two

from Geraldton, which is several

hours north of Perth. Now that is com-

mitment and bravery!

Mrs Dora Dann celebrated her 91st

birthday with us; and took out the

award for being the oldest lady at

the convention. We had a lovely

celebration and plenty of cake!

Don’t forget the Teenagers!

A number of mums and grand-

mothers brought their teenagers

along. From reports received the

teens are keen to come again!

It was not unusual to have three

generations in the one family, and

lots of babies. It is exciting to see

the next generation of Aboriginal

women catching the vision of min-

istering to their own women.

Great food

Mrs Melissa Lilley and Mrs Dot

Caton stepped in to do the cater-

ing when the planned caterer’s

son had an accident in mum’s

car. The ‘help call’ went out and

Bimbadeen Christian Training

and Conference Centre

Cootamundra NSW

For information on the training

programs please contact

Bimbadeen,

PO Box 313

Cootamundra NSW 2590

Telephone: 02 69421129

Email: admin@bimbadeen.org

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Mrs Sharon Minniecon of Sydney and Mrs

Necia Stanton of Tumut

mother and daughter quickly stepped

in to take on this important job.

Someone commented, ‘the meals

are restaurant quality’. Thank you so

much Melissa, Dorothy and your

team for your wonderful service to

the convention.

Old and New Visionaries

Since its inception, the AEF Eastern

Area Women's Fellowship has been

a vehicle which the Lord has used to

draw together women of all ages,

without any obvious generational

gaps. Older women, who have been

active in the ministry from the very

beginning, women with young fami-

lies, single women and teenagers

along with a number of very special

non-Aboriginal women, all fellow-

shipping together and supporting

each other; this is very unique. It is

also a true "AEF model"; drawing

together women from different Abo-

riginal churches, fellowships and de-

nominations; from backgrounds, oth-

er than AEF. Back in the 1960's the

foundation members of the Aborigi-

nal Evangelical Fellowship had this

vision of unity between Aboriginal

Christians, worshipping the Lord to-

gether; without the man-made barri-

ers.

Report by Jim and Max-ine Lawrence

Since moving to Port Stephens 18

months ago, God has opened up

so many doors to ministry. We are

privileged to attend each week a

small church where we are in-

volved in ministry on various Sun-

day mornings. The fellowship is

great and the people are warm and

friendly.

Throughout the week we are kept

busy with visiting community; at

times this takes us into the John

Hunter Hospital in a chaplaincy role

where, between 40 to 50 Aboriginal

people are in-patients at any one

time. Often times, the Hospital’s

Aboriginal Liaison Officer will for-

ward through emails for prayer for

some of the patients who are really

struggling health wise.

Whilst visiting at the hospital one

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day, the Liaison Officer came and

asked if we would have some pray-

er with an Aboriginal lady and her

husband. After talking for a while

and getting to know them we were

able to pray with them. It was a sur-

prise to find out that the lady was

from Tingha and Jim had known her

when they were children; she lived

next door to his aunty.

We make visits to the Local Aborigi-

nal Land Council and some of the

Elders in our community. We have

also had opportunities to meet with

some staff and students at the Abo-

riginal unit of Newcastle University.

At times local schools allow us to

come and work with students in

both primary and secondary

schools. It is good to spend time

with these children as we act in the

roles of mentors. Most Sunday

afternoons you will find us down at

the Lemon Tree Passage waterfront

where we take time to talk with

young people who gather. Some

want to just come and say hello and

others get the courage to talk about

things which may be troubling them.

They always enjoy a good feed of

chips and gravy with us.

We continue to be a constant wit-

ness to those who went to school

with Maxine. Some of these are

now grandparents and remember

very clearly going to Sunday school

with her and they even remember

some of what they were taught by

their Sunday school teachers. We

believe that God is certainly at

work; though some hearts have

been hardened by circumstance in

which their paths have taken them.

We will keep praying that God will

bring them unto Himself.

Jim serves as an AEF Federal

Council member and Maxine as the

AEF National Women’s and also

the AEF Eastern Area Women’s

President. We both serve on the

administration team for the AEF

National Office.

Please continue to pray that God

will keep us in His strength as we

serve Him each day.

Mrs Maxine Lawrence

Please pray with us for the following people, ministries and programs:

1 Praise God for His grace and mercy that he has bestowed upon us as a people and also upon our nation; we

are a indeed a privileged people. The Lord continues to bless the effective work of the Community Chaplains,

the exciting ministry among the youth in the Eastern States, the important women’s ministry and the wonderful

outreach to isolated and remote areas of Australia.

2 Pastor Gerald and Mrs Jackie Eades of Coolgardie in WA had a wonderful Easter with the folk at Black Stone

Aboriginal Community, a remote area near Warburton. Remember to keep the Christians in your prayers.

3 Praise God for the Christian pioneers who made the long hard trek through the Warburton Ranges many

years ago. A large white cross placed on a rocky hill between Laverton and Warburton, stands as a memorial

to the dedication and commitment of these pioneers. The cross was erected by the late Pastor Ronnie

Williams and others.

4 Pray for the people who made commitments and rededications to the Lord during the Easter Convention at

Black Stone. Pray that they will stand strong in Him and that other local Christians will support them as they

strive to live for the Lord in this very remote area of WA.

5 The AEF Federal Council have some important issues that they are working through. Rev Neville Naden, who

is the President of the Council, is a very strong leader. Members represent a wide area of AEF ministries in

Australia. Neville and his wife, Kathy are doing a great work in Broken Hill.

6 The AEF Eastern Area Women’s group is praising the Lord for the great turnout at their June Convention. The

numbers were up, compared to other years, but more importantly, people who hadn’t been to the convention

for a number of years came back, along with people attending for the first time.

7 Mrs Rose Cox, who was the speaker at the Women’s Convention at Cootamundra, was the draw card for the

large group of women who were in attendance. Rose and her husband, David, minister in the Christian Family

Church at Dubbo. They have a lovely daughter, Janelle, who, like her mother, is gifted in music and song.

8 Pastor Ossie Cruse continues to minister at Eden, on the NSW South Coast. He is heavily involved in the local

church, with children and youth ministry. He is keen to get the youth camp at Jigamy up and running. Their

important project requires funding and a proposal is currently in the hands of the NSW Government.

9 Along with their son, Daniel, Mr Tony and Mrs Francine Riches of Melbourne are running a training program

called Solid Chaplaincy. This program has been set up to train young adults, based on the great need to

provide chaplains to sporting clubs.

10 Mr Josh and Mrs Jenice Manton minister at the Dubbo Christian Family Church. Their main responsibilities

are running the youth ministry and helping out with the children’s work.

11 Mr Neville and Mrs Lorraine Lilley praise the Lord for the people who make up the AEF Administration team.

Along with their executive roles on National Councils they have a very busy Community Chaplain ministry.

12 Pray for the Christians in Gilgandra, NSW. Mrs Kathy Bird has asked for prayer for their new little fellowship.

They currently have over 40 people worshipping together.

13 Pastor Jonathan Bates holds the position of Principal of the Kimberley Bible College. He also does important

outreach to many areas in the Kimberley and to other remote regions in WA.

14 Bimbadeen College staff do a wonderful job of maintaining the buildings and looking after the spacious

grounds of the property. Rodney and Wanda Manton and Aaron and Rachael Taylor are currently on staff.

Prayer for Wanda would be valued as she recovers from chemotherapy treatment.

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LET US COME BOLDLY TO THE THRONE OF GRACE

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15 The exciting East Coast Christian Indigenous Youth Network continues to grow strong under the leadership of

Pastor Mark and Mrs Alex Naden and their team. A trip to far north Qld to attend the Christian Convention at

Delta Downs Station, near Normanton is planned for September 2014.

16 Bimbadeen College will continue with their on-campus and by-distance training programs. The college is

currently seeking help from people who can contribute to building restoration and general maintenance. If

anyone can help please telephone the office on 02 6942 1129.

17 Prayer has been requested for the staff who minister at the CAPS Hostel in Coolgardie in WA. The hostel

currently has 50 Aboriginal students from remote areas of WA boarding and attending school.

18 The Community Chaplaincy ministry is very valuable. Chaplains continue to have an impact on Aboriginal

communities around Australia. Even though financial support for this ministry in 2013/2014 has had a $10,000

short fall, we will continue to keep the ten Chaplains on the ground, at this stage.

19 Roving Chaplains, Mr John and Mrs Dorothy Caton use their building and maintenance skills to support vari-

ous programs, when time permits. They spend time counselling and encouraging Christians and others in

need. Often this is done via the telephone. John would value prayer for his health.

20 Chaplains, Pastor Denis and Mrs Maureen Atkinson are based at Cummeragunja. They faithfully ministering in

regional Victoria and also in the city of Melbourne. Denis reports that he and Maureen are keeping well

21 Chaplains, Pastor Dennis and Mrs Wilma Jetta minister in the local community near Perth and to Aboriginal

people in prison. Dennis serves on the executive committee of the AEF Federal Council.

22 Chaplains, Pastor Denzil and Mrs Shirley Humphreys are based in Perth. They mainly do counselling and

encouraging Christians. Visitors from remote areas often visit them in Perth to seek guidance and support.

23 Chaplains, Pastor Albert and Mrs Maxine Knapp do extensive hospital visitation in Perth, in counselling, and

outreach to country areas. Maxine is progressing well as she works towards the completion of her book on the

history of AEF in Australia.

24 Pastor Lyle Browning, his wife, Fay, and the faithful Christians of the Fingal Christian Fellowship, in Northern

NSW, have been going through some testing times recently. Please keep these folk in your prayers.

25 Pastor Darren and Mrs Michelle Wighton minister at Albury. Darren is very involved in ministry to men. They

both serve on the Bimbadeen College Board.

26 Pastor Frank Johnson of Tamworth NSW, would value your prayers for his ongoing health situation. Frank is

facing regular dyalisis treatment but he continue to pastor the Aboriginal church at Tamworth. Pray also for his

wife, Rose. They have recently celebrated 50 years of ministry in the Lord’s work.

27 Rev Rick and Mrs Kayleen Manton, and their adult children, have a vital ministry in the Indigenous Church in

Western Sydney. They also work in the wider Aboriginal community in this fast growing area.

28 Pastor Jim and Mrs Maxine Lawrence minister in personal evangelism as well as in their Chaplain role.

29 Pastor Ray and Mrs Sharon Minniecon of Sydney have a vital role in the ministry at Redfern. Their concern is

for the Aboriginal children who have been removed from their families. 14,000 taken away in 2013.

30 The AEF National Women’s Executive is planning a National Women’s Conference for 2015.

31 Pray with us that the Lord will provide the financial resources to support the ministry of the Aboriginal Evangel-

ical Fellowship. We believe that the ministry to which God has called us, will continue.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks-giving, let your requests be known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all

understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7

Chaplains in Aboriginal Communities

child, who was being prepared for

the operation. They were upset and

anxious about the surgery that was

to take place in a short while. I sat

with them and they quickly opened

up, telling me about their son and

their hope that the surgery would go

well. I asked the parents if I could

pray for their little boy; they said,

‘yes’. The parents and I leaned over

the child and I prayed that the Lord

would bring him safely through the

operation. With tears in their eyes,

the parents turned around at the

theatre door and said 'thank you'.

Several months later, another

Chaplain was visiting the same fam-

ily and they said to him how much

they appreciated the support of the

Chaplain at the hospital when their

little boy was so ill.

Our Chaplaincy program is a very

valuable ministry. Our chaplains are

This wonderful ministry takes our

Community Chaplains to grass-

roots level; to places where our

people are hurting. A number of

our Chaplains would like to share

some of their stories with you. Be-

cause of their sensitive nature,

names and identities are protected.

Am I here by Chance?

I was visiting a friend in hospital

who had recently undergone major

surgery. The large hospital serves

regional areas of the state and Ab-

original people are often brought

here for specialist treatment. The

hospital's Aboriginal Liaison Officer

asked if I would have time to visit a

little six year old boy who was

about to go into surgery. When I

arrived the parents were with the

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Neville and Lorraine Lilley

Community Chaplains

Pastor Albert and Mrs Maxine Knapp

Community Chaplains

called upon to give spiritual and

emotional support to Aboriginal

people in times of distress and

great need.

A Captive Audience

It is so good to sit with the prison

inmates who come to the service

voluntary, we normally have a time

of introduction, when the fellows

introduce themselves and share a

little about their lives. We have Bi-

ble readings, sing choruses and

hymns, a message, and share a

cup of coffee or tea together. It is

surprising how many know some

parts of Scripture. Please pray for

these inmates, and also the war-

ders, who sometimes join the ser-

vice and listen to the Gospel mes-

sages with the inmates.

When does grief end? Funerals take up the most time in

my ministry. When hundreds of our

people gather to mourn, their hearts

are soft and they are attentive audi-

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ences. Very little has changed over

the years, except for the fact, that

there seems to be younger people

passing away, this makes our chil-

dren, and youth work so much

more urgent. We must continue to

work hard in order to combat the

evil of drugs, alcohol, and ciga-

rettes among our children; the re-

sult of sin is claiming so many of

our youth.

God is so Good!

We have travelled to remote, out-

back places where we were able to

stay and fellowship with our Abo-

riginal brothers and sisters in

Christ. We always spend time with

the Aboriginal elders and those

who are battling with serious health

issues. We often support families

as they go through the grieving

process. We praise the Lord for

His care and protection over the

past 12 months, especially over

the many miles travelled. Also for

sustaining us in good health.

The Lord is not restricted!

We reach out to those in remote

areas and to many young miners

and the communities effected by

mining who know Christ. Pray that

they will be able to stand firm in

their faith and not be enticed by

money and riches.

Pastor Denis and Mrs Maureen Atkinson

Community Chaplains

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Easter at Black-Stone Report by Gerald and Jackie Eades

Plans were put in place before Christmas and God undertook for everything concerning the Easter meetings at Black Stone. A team of men from the Kimberley, along with Pastor Paul and his wife from the Chapel Church at Coolgardie, joined us and formed a team to hold meetings in the central lands with the people at the Black Stone Community, along with other Abo-riginal communities. Men and women ministering in these remote areas still have a love and concern for our people. It is wonderful to see God still working in these seemingly, often forgotten places.

Blessings at Black Stone The Gospel meetings were chal-lenging and encouraging. People came for prayer and rededications. The ladies devotion and prayer time was a blessing and overall it was a wonderful Easter weekend.

Mrs

Jackie

Eades,

Coolgar-

die WA

Some of the

black Stone

people with

Pastor Jona-

than Bates—

second from

the left

YOUTH OUTREACH TRIP

The East Coast Christian

Indigenous Youth Network

Committee is planning a trip to the

Normanton Convention in far

north Qld.

Date: September 2014

Contact details: Mr Mark Naden

via his email address,

histools@hotmail.com

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At our AEF Federal Council Meet-

ings in Sydney during ANZAC, we

were invited to march in the Col-

oured Diggers parade in Sydney.

Aboriginal people who served in the

armed forces were referred to as

Coloured Diggers. This poem by

Sapper Bert Beros, is the inspiration

behind the Coloured Diggers project.

He came and joined the colours when the War

God’s anvil rang

He took up modern weapons to replace his

boomerang

He waited for no call up, he didn’t need a push

He came in from the stations, and the townships

of the bush

He helped when help was wanting, just because

he wasn’t deaf

He is right amongst the columns of the fighting

A.I.F.

He is always there when wanted, with his Owen

gun or Bren

He is in the forward area, the place where men

are men

He proved he’s still a warrior, in action not afraid

He faced the blasting red—hot fire from mortar

and grenade

He didn’t mind when food was low, or we were

getting thin

He didn’t growl or worry then, he’d cheer us with

his grin

He’d heard us talk democracy, they preach it to

his face

Yet knows that in our Federal House, there’s no

one of his race

He feels we push his kinsman out, where cities

do not reach

And Parliament has yet to hear the Aborigines

maiden speech

One day he’ll leave the army, then join the

league he shall

And he hopes we’ll give a better deal to the

Aboriginal.

Tributes

We extend our sincere sympathy to

the families who are grieving the

loss of their loved ones. To the fam-

ilies of Mrs Dorothy Caton and Mrs

Maureen Atkinson, Pastor Bill Bird

of Sydney and the Rev Tom Coe of

Adelaide.

WILLS AND BEQUESTS

HELP US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Have you considered leaving a

portion of your Will to support the

ongoing ministry to the Aboriginal

people of Australia?

For more information contact the AEF Office, PO Box 118 Tanilba Bay NSW 2319 Telephone: 02 4982 4415 or Mob: 0419 500 092 Email: aef@aef.org.au

PLEASE NOTE

We have included our bank account

details on the back cover of this maga-

zine for those wanting to make a dona-

tion by direct deposit to the ministry of

the AEF Australia

ANZAC Coloured Diggers March

Pastor Ray Minniecon—organiser of the

Coloured Diggers Project

AEF Eastern Area Women’s Group 2014

Please accept the enclosed gift for the work of the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship

Australia

YOUR NAME: ……………………………...………………………..…..…………………………………

ADDRESS: ……………..……………….…………………………....…..…….……………………..……

……………………………………………….………...………………..…... Postcode …………………

I would like my gift to be used for: O General Funds O Where most needed

O Family & Youth Services Chaplaincy Ministry (gifts of $2 and over are tax deductable)

Or a direct deposit can be made to our NAB Account

BSB: 082-810 Account No: 18-449-5537

AEF Postal Address: Post Office Box 118 TANILBA BAY, NSW 2319

Telephone: (02) 4982 4415: Mobile: 0419 500 092 Fax: (02) 4982 3570

Email: aef@aef.org.au Web Site: www.aef.org.au