touchstone #31

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touch stone keeping in touch with the friends of cornerstone 2011 began with these dramatic images coming from Queensland (photo: Kingbob86 ) australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry www.cornerstone.edu.au in this issue 3 4 5 6 a crisis story passions for the kingdom pete’s road trip camp for amputees a papuan wedding AUTUMN 2011 ISSUE NO 31 T he Roman world was in trouble. The old cultural landmarks had been destroyed; tyrants and perils surrounded the nations and the prevailing philosophy aimed to “build a ring-wall of defence against the advancing chaos of the world.” One of the leading social observers of the age declared that everywhere people were becoming conscious of their “inefficiency in the necessary things “ and looking for rescue. What was needed was “a hand let down to lift us up.” In that desperate world, another voice declared men were seeking a peace “not of Caesar’s proclamation, but of God’s.” Another voice, this time from the rim of the Roman Empire, warned of calamitous times coming when men’s hearts would fail them for fear. Then a very different note was sounded - a crashing chord which demanded attention. “I am proud of the good news, for it is the power of God which produces salvation for everyone who believes.” For preaching this message the speaker, Paul of Tarsus, had recently been imprisoned and flogged in one major city, chased out of the next, smuggled from the following town, mocked in the cultural capital of Greece and declared to be a fool and a stumbling block in the city of Corinth where he was sitting writing these words. “I am unashamed of declaring to the world something that can rescue from illness, sustain through dangers, heal deep wounds in the soul, put feet on a path to safety, deliver people from self-destructive pride and ignorance and cause them to live with hope”, he explained. Queensland, Christchurch, the Middle East, Japan and now the US. It’s been said “that in times like this, it’s good to remember there have always been times like this!” What will we do? Build a defensive wall; or reach out a hand confident that the gospel is the instrument of God’s power, that plucks the perishing from the wreckage? t

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Touchstone magazine - issue #31

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Page 1: Touchstone #31

touchstonekeeping in touch with the friends of cornerstone

2011 began with these dramatic images coming from Queensland (photo: Kingbob86 )

australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry www.cornerstone.edu.au

in this issue

3

4

5

6

a crisis story

passions for the kingdom

pete’s road trip

camp for amputees

a papuan wedding

autumn 2011 i s sue No 3 1

The Roman world was in trouble. The old cultural landmarks had been destroyed; tyrants and perils surrounded the nations and the prevailing philosophy aimed to “build a ring-wall of defence against the advancing chaos of the world.” one of the leading social observers

of the age declared that everywhere people were becoming conscious of their “inefficiency in the necessary things “ and looking for rescue. What was needed was “a hand let down to lift us up.” in that desperate world, another voice declared men were seeking a peace “not of Caesar’s proclamation, but of God’s.” Another voice, this time from the rim of the Roman empire, warned of calamitous times coming when men’s hearts would fail them for fear.

Then a very different note was sounded - a crashing chord which demanded attention. “i am proud of the good news, for it is the power of God which produces salvation for everyone who believes.” For preaching this message the speaker, Paul of Tarsus, had recently been imprisoned and flogged in one major city, chased out of the next, smuggled from the following town, mocked in the cultural capital of Greece and declared to be a fool and a stumbling block in the city of Corinth where he was sitting writing these words. “i am unashamed of declaring to the world something that can rescue from illness, sustain through dangers, heal deep wounds in the soul, put feet on a path to safety, deliver people from self-destructive pride and ignorance and cause them to live with hope”, he explained. Queensland, Christchurch, the Middle east, Japan and now the us. it’s been said “that in times like this, it’s good to remember there have always been times like this!” What will we do? Build a defensive wall; or reach out a hand confident that the gospel is the instrument of God’s power, that plucks the perishing from the wreckage? t

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australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry2

from laurie’s desk

A constant question asked of us who want to take our Christian faith seriously is, “How much am i willing to risk in imitation of

Jesus?”

i have been challenged by a businessman from another country who gave over, without receiving any payment, a very successful business to a group of his workers. some very powerful people had conspired against him. There had been agitation, court action, lies and threats; it was an unpleasant experience. He had built the business with his own enterprise and hard work; reason and justice were on his side. But he chose to surrender the business rather than fight to keep what was rightfully his.

My instinct was to question the wisdom of his action. But he took his lead from the son of God who “gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant.” That seemed to him the model he should follow, so he did. My scepticism was rebuked when i learned that Jesus had spoken to him, calling the businessman’s name, and by so doing had confirmed the choice he had made.

some time later he came to Australia as a disciple at Cornerstone. i am humbled that we have such men as our students. His story is not yet complete, but who would doubt that the Lord Jesus has a call upon his life, and that this decision he made to imitate Jesus has qualified him for a greater business in the kingdom of God?

But the question still remains, “How much am I willing to risk in imitation of Jesus?”

A leader in the Medieval Church suggests that there are three levels of humiliation that Christians choose in response to the example set by Jesus who, although He was God became a human among us, then humbled Himself and - in obedience to the plan that had been made for the world’s salvation - accepted death on a cross. The first level ignatius called the “essential” level.

At this minimal level, we at least love God that much that we would not love anyone or anything else in such a way as to greatly offend Him. We are loyal. The second level is the “logical” level. it is only logical, when we realise more deeply who God is and how much He loves us, that we should do more than not offend Him. We love Him so much that we want to please Him in everything that we do. i am familiar with this level, for i realise that my freedom, my understanding, my memory, my will, and everything that i value has been given to me by the Father. it has been and is my delight to give them all back to Him to use in whatever way He wishes for his glory and in His plan to establish his Kingdom.

Then ignatius speaks about the “folly” level. Here we so love God that we want to go further than pleasing Him. We want to identify with Him like a little boy wants to be like his Dad and a little girl like her Mummy. or like older children imitate their heroes. We want to be like God in ways that others may think foolish.

For ignatius this meant not only being poor in spirit, but to accept personal poverty in order to be like Jesus. He was also prepared to be insulted and rejected by his countrymen in order to be more like Jesus. i think the international student who gave up his business reached this level of humility in his love of his Master.

Do we all need to reach this level of humility? Jesus said, “The man who loves himself is lost, but he who hates himself in this world will be kept safe for eternal life. if anyone serves me he must follow me...” i don’t know what that means for you; but i do know that the message which invites people to add a little bit of religion to an unchanged life

of self-focus and self-achievement is false to the Bible and cruel to the souls of its hearers. t

Though closing their gallery in Broken Hill after moving to Dubbo,

sue and Russ Hodge are still selling art through ochre sands Artworks. support the work of Cornerstone by checking what’s availableFor originals: www.suehodge.com.au For Prints & Gift Cards: http://ochresands.redbubble.com

ochre sands artwork

Page 3: Touchstone #31

www.cornerstone.edu.au 3

autumn 2011 issue 31 touchstone

What do rare plants and folk music have to do with the Kingdom of God? Here in Canowindra, we’re discovering, a fair bit!

For over two years now, a drought-tolerant and frost-resistant online nursery has been one of the means of financially supporting the Cuddy family – and now the Canowindra Missional Community, made up of the Cuddy, etty and Read families. These families have spent several years working with the first years at the Cornerstone Canowindra centre; before joining forces to live in the town as part of a mission to express the life and love of Jesus to the wider community.

Chris’ passion for plants, his training in horticultural science, and his enjoyment of trying new things led him to set up a nursery, AND a website! opening their garden once a month, and also attracting some of the region’s “plant nerds” to their place, has made the nursery a ministry tool, as well as a business.

Nerida’s passion for music, and desire to find the ‘folkies’ in the area, has led her to set up “folk@canowindra” - a monthly gathering for

acoustic music and poetry at a local venue. There have been a number of Cornerstone participants. earlier in the year, Hannah sunderland and Gilbert Walker (Newcastle uni. Mission Community), Kate Bain (Burrabadine), Chris Phillips (Canowindra centre) and Nerida all performed at one of the folk club events - as well as local acts... What fun!! it was a great celebration of the creativity God has

passions... for the kingdom!

t

poured out on His kids!

This is a secret that Chris and Nerida have been discovering over the years – that God makes us who we are for a purpose. Doing the things we love, with a readiness for the Holy spirit to direct, is a great opportunity to experience God. Not only in the relationships that can be built with like-minded people, and the opportunity to share God’s life and love that way. But also in the joy of living out what you’ve been created to do; celebrating all the fascinating aspects of life in God’s world – in, and with Him! it brings to mind the passionate runner, eric Liddell, saying:

“ G o d h a s m a d e m e f a s t , a n d w h e n I r u n , I c a n f e e l h I s

p l e a s u r e ! ”

Maybe when we do the things God made us to do, in the fullness of His spirit, the people around us also have a good, intriguing taste of His pleasure!

Chris’ website is www.perennialle.com.au and Nerida’s is www.nerida.info

Please pray for the whole missional community in Canowindra as they are also involved in ministry through the neighbourhood, scripture teaching, the church, and encouraging young people to grow in their faith through small groups.

ASpirited

A Spirited journey

Karen Moreton

Moreton

A devotional for horse lovers

Journey

Judged as “Stunning’” by Jerry B. Jenkins (Left Behind series)*

NAges 8-80

houseARK

houseARK

arkhousepress.com

*when awarded a ‘top three finalist’ position in ‘Operation First Book’

A Spirited Journey is Australia’s first daily devotional for horse lovers!

This charming collection of daily readings will be cherished by horse lovers nation wide. At last horse fans can have a devotional they’ll find interesting and inspiring. Our journey with God is like an adventure on horse back - both should be exhilarating and Spirit filled. This delightful book will enthrall you with horse adventures while leading you into a more intimate relationship with God. It will also help you to enjoy the practice of daily quiet times. As well as famous stories, the author includes her own unique experiences with horses. These personal accounts give the book a friendship like feel and having been written from the outback town of Bourke, it has a unique Australian flavor.

Written with clarity and passion, A SPIRITED JOURNEY will touch children, teens and the young at heart. A must have for any horse lover!

A Spirited Journey.indd 1 15/12/10 11:07 AM

Hot off the press is an exciting new discipleship tool in the form of a devotional book. Andrew and Karen

Moreton were staff at the Gidgee Lake Centre for the complete life of the centre. For many years, Karen wanted to write the life changing principles Cornerstone was teaching into a book. Karen felt this way the impact of the valuable “Christian Discipleship” course (formerly called “strategies”) would reach further than just our teams

and centres. The result is “A sPiRiTeD JouRNeY; Australia’s first daily devotional for horse lovers”. Karen says, “our journey with God is like an adventure on horseback - both should be exhilarating and spirit-filled. My hope is that this unique book will lead you into a more intimate relationship with God, while helping you enjoy the practice of daily quiet times.”if you know anyone interested in horses who you’d like to see grow in their relationship with God then A sPiRiTeD JouRNeY is the book for them!

Available from www.koorong.com and www.word.com.au

discipleship in print

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australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry4

on the road with pete!Peter Volkofsky is Cornerstone’s Dean of Missions. He lives in Dubbo with his wife Penny and the youngest of their six children, Bill

and Nadya. Below are some snippets of his notes after an extended trip to visit Newcastle university Mission Community for ‘o’ week, as well as Bendigo and Castlemaine.

march - newcastle

The deep blue and pink of sunset is disappearing in my rear vision mirror; the kangaroos of Golden Highway are still leaving me alone - now it’s the big serious curves of the New

england highway and traffic: real traffic and tons of it. Now passing the servo run by the Muslim guy. Newcastle is closer . . Mittagong, no Muswellbrook is that it? Here we are, the big Hexham mosquito, then the traffic lights that are never on, then Maitland Road . . nearly there!

into the kitchen for a cup of tea and here they come: James with his room-full of instruments, Aidan inventing time signatures; Gilbert getting some soft sufjan lyric going and the others all joining in. Now we’re on the slippery dip of a jam-packed week : elliot’s 21st and a long talk with a guy who’s facing tough questions; a writing workshop for their FeAsT society with ten of us sprawled over a cluster of tables in the refectory, then it’s the beach, somersaults and hours of volleyball. Later that night, two guys dropping in out of the blue for this big discussion about theology with Gil, Aidan and sophie. Next day and next day: more beach, more music, more questions from friends and visitors . . .

All that is only a snippet, please remember the different households of the Newcastle university Mission Community in your prayers.

april - Castlemaine and BendigoCold and rain is what is being expected on this little run and it’s looking to be just that . . mini-convoys of trucks on the tight curves

Please pray for Cornerstone • Mission Training campuses at Canowindra, swan Hill and

Ghana.• Mission Communities and networks in Dubbo, Newcastle,

Canowindra, Coonabarabran, Bendigo and strathalbyn.• smaller Mission Teams in strathalbyn, Bendigo and West

Dubbo,• Burrabadine Cornerstone Community school• Cornerstone businesses • Continued financial recovery after the drought• Cornerstone alumni in ministry throughout Australia and

around the world.

Pictured are the first year students from the Swan Hill Centre on the Murray River in Victoria.

of the road . . that long corridor of trees - Cowra. Here we are seven hours later - foggy, wet and dark, Princess Lane at 1am and a smiling daughter. This is a week of Georgie’s musical friends: like a night at a little pub with six bands queued up on the lawn, a dinner where Corrie’s fiance Tom explains to two of Georgie’s friends how he found out that the gospel was true by going to a Cornerstone Centre, and that it works - and lots more questions coming late into the night.

Now it’s back up to Bendigo with steve and Jem’s little tribe and Beau living with them, and Jason and Cassie’s family. This is a quieter Autumn for them than it was for the team last year, but the synergy with the Committed Company and its fruitful culture of Kingdom life is enabling them to continue their ministry. Pray for grace and courage for steve and Jemima Johnston and Jason and Cassie Root and their children as they give themselves to this mission to neighbours, schools, Vortex youth and families. t

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autumn 2011 issue 31 touchstone

Josh Bowen had the distinction of being the first baby born to a student family in 1979. To honour that, www.cornerstone.edu.au 5

amputee youth campThe inaugural Amputee Youth Camp was held at Teen Ranch,

Cobbitty on 11-13 February. The camp was organised by Russell Hodge and sponsored by the Amputee Association of

sydney. Although numbers were small, big things were achieved. eleven teenagers with various limb amputations and deficiencies became friends and cheered for one another (and laughed at/with one another) as they attempted the rock climbing wall, abseiling, high ropes, big swing, canoeing, archery and horse riding. There were some serious moments as well. Campers were inspired by listening to others stories, learning about goal setting, dealing with ‘being different’, and the benefits that prosthetics can offer them in everyday life.

some comments from the campers:

“i really enjoyed the stuff we did, the people we met and the place we were. The whole thing was great!!!” Matthew, aged 14 (right above knee amputee).

“The amputee camp at Cobbitty Teen Ranch was great. it was nice to meet people just like me and i made quite a few friends for life. up until the camp i had never known any amputees. it was inspiring hearing other peoples stories.” Caitlin, aged 14 (right hand limb deficiency).

Russell Hodge became a right above knee amputee after a motorbike accident several years ago as he travelled from Broken Hill to Dubbo to a Cornerstone Directors meeting. t

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6 australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry

Narelle and Dot Pfeiffer, along with Brenda & elise Baker (friends from Coonabarabran) headed to Wamena in the highlands of West Papua for the wedding of Timi Gurik (Canowindra 1993,

Young Team 1994) and Rode Wanimpo (Burrabadine 2005). Timi and Rode have been ‘engaged’ for about 10 years so it was a time of great celebration. it was an amazing experience with the estimated number of guests being between 2 to 3 thousand and many pigs, sweet potato and ‘greens’ to be cooked in the ground. it was also a very special time of reunion with many of the Dani Cornerstone alumni. Yulce and Austrat (Canowindra 1999 ) warmly welcomed the Aussies into West Papua while time was spent at the wedding with Yop Kogoya, Luther & family, Ami Yikwa & family, and Nas Gambo. it was great to be able to catch up with these friends and

a west papuan weddinghear their stories and what they are doing in the difficult political and complex environment of West Papua. Time was also spent with Nas at Nataiken, Pyramid where he is part of a staff of three, teaching and discipling about sixty students in english and Christian studies. Nataiken has a very similar feel to Cornerstone with community living, work, studies and sport being part of the program. As well as time at the wedding, Narelle, Dot, Brenda and elise were able to have a number of cultural experiences that were very unique and also to have a look around the Baleem Valley and Jayapura the capital. Please pray for each of our brothers and sisters from West Papua, especially Timi and Rode as they dream and plan together how they are going to reach out and serve the youth of their country.

Timi and Rode Gurik in traditional wedding dress with Dot and Narelle Pfeiffer

t

Come and join us! Burrabadine Mission Community, Dubbo

Open Week July 4-8 study intensive with Paul Roe

Jesus of Nazareth All welcome but book early

Limited on site accommodationContact Marianne at the national office ph 02 68840402 or email [email protected]

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autumn 2011 issue 31 touchstone

www.cornerstone.edu.au 7

earlier this year, David Martinez orozco became the new manager of Dominos in swan Hill. David came to swan Hill two years ago from Mexico City to join the Cornerstone

campus. Reflecting on his first impressions, he said “Coming from such a big city, it was really nice to be in a town where everyone knew everybody. The big Australia Day breakfast shocked me, seeing so many people having breakfast together in the park.”

After twelve months studying and working with Cornerstone in swan Hill, David spent the following year in Broken Hill with Dominos and as a Cornerstone youth worker. He returned to swan Hill to take up the management position at Dominos, just when people were concerned about the possibility of flooding. That has not put a dampener on his first two weeks. “They have been very busy and i am encouraged.”

David will be closely connected with the staff at the Cornerstone campus. Although Cornerstone has had the franchise for Dominos in swan Hill for a while, David is the first manager who is actually a part of Cornerstone. He commented: “i don’t see it as just working in the pizza shop. i see it as working with Cornerstone for something bigger”.

still on the run JOInInG In July 4 - 8 Open Week in Dubbo study intensive Jesus of Nazareth, with Paul Roe contact Marianne Walker [email protected] or phone 02 68840402

July 2 - 3 mini muster in Swan Hill contact Jono Dickinson [email protected] or phone 03 50323750

July 4 - 8 Open Week in Swan Hill contact Benay Dickinson [email protected] or phone 03 50323750

July 1 - 15 uni students work opportunity, and share community life, at Canowindra contact Phill Barnes [email protected] or phone 0427 723376

July 11 - 15 Desert trek in Broken Hill contact Mark skinner [email protected] or phone 0421 983787

July 23 - 24 mini muster in newcastle contact Tim and Jodi Godfrey [email protected] or phone 02 40091171

September 17 - 18 mission Festival in Bendigo contact Andrew Vincent [email protected] or phone 03 54413781

September 26 - 30 Study Intensive with Paul Roe Jesus of nazareth Part 2 contact Marianne Walker [email protected] or phone 02 68840402

nov 28 - Dec 2 Swan Hill Visitors Week contact Jon or Benay Dickinson [email protected] or phone 03 50323750

nov 28 - Dec 2 Canowindra Open Week contact James Webb [email protected] or phone 02 63441997

December 3 - 4 major muster Contact Marianne Walker csnat@national. cornerstone.edu.au or phone 02 68840402t

David is pictured with Martin Watson. Martin, who has been Dean of both Pera Bore and Swan Hill Centres, now oversees the work of Cornerstone in Victoria.

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Didimus & Ami Yahuli (Canowindra Cornerstone 1996) Didimus is involved in regional politics and Ami has been nursing at the local hospital in Wamena up until the recent arrival of their fourth child. Ami did a wonderful job of caring for the Australian visitors attending Timi & Rode’s wedding in November.

Luther Kogoya (Pera Bore, Bourke team and Burrabadine), Regina & children are involved in ministering in their local church. Luther is a manager of human resources for the Freeport Mining Company in Timika. it is wonderful to see Luther with his beautiful wife Regina and his children (whilst at Cornerstone he lost his first wife and two daughters in a tragic ferry accident.)

A very memorable baptism was held on the sunday afternoon of the annual Cornerstone Muster. The approaching storm and flooded river made a baptism in the Macquarie River uncertain. However, it was under a spectacular sky that this group, along with others, made a public declaration of their commitment to Jesus Christ.

australia’s first whole of life discipleship training ministry www.cornerstone.edu.au

editorspaul & robyn roepo box 1151 dubbo nsw 2830t 02 6884 0063e [email protected] community inccontributions welcome at:po box 1151 dubbo nsw 2830t 02 6884 0402f 02 6884 6450e [email protected] cuddye [email protected]

touchstone

touching base Cornerstone is a non-denominational Christian movement, equipping and mobilising men and women to genuinely follow Jesus Christ, to experience and express the reality of God in all of life.

if you would like to find out more, see our web site

www.cornerstone.edu.au.

Our mission is to expand and enrich the

Kingdom of God through committed

communities, winning, training &

mobilising genuine disciples of the

Lord Jesus Christ to live radical Christian

lifestyles

Congratulations to Corrie Vincent and Tom sanderson on their engagement. Tom is from the uK and is presently at the swan Hill Cornerstone Training Campus. Corrie is working in Bendigo this year and is part of Cornerstone’s mission network.

shaugh and Heidi Mcintosh are now the proud parents of a beautiful baby boy, Hale. They are living in Bendigo in close proximity to the Bendigo Committed Company.

2008 Canowindra student Jenny Gregora was married last year in Brisbane. she and her husband Karl Pacholke. have made their home in Brisbane.