AMERICA ABLAZE: Making Sense of the Senseless

It all started as a simple tragedy. George Floyd, age 46, a 6’ 7” African-American was arrested in Minneapolis for allegedly trying to buy cigarettes with counterfeit money. Mr. Floyd was handcuffed and pinned to the ground for 30 minutes. ‘I can’t breath’ said the gentle giant’ as the officer continued to place pressure on his body. He lost consciousness, was taken to hospital, and pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The four Minneapolis police officers involved in the incident were immediately fired. However, Devin CHAUVIN, age 44, a white former police officer, was charged with 3rd degree murder and manslaughter.
For many in the African-American community, this arrest was not enough. Why did it take days to arrest the former police officer? Why only a 3rd degree murder charge, not 1st degree? Why weren’t the other officers charged with murder, at least as accessories to the crime? The perception that a black man under white police is in greater peril than a white, continues on.
Peaceful protests were held but what happened next was an explosion – first in Minneapolis, where protests turned violent and looting ensued. The protests spread to 140 cities across the United States, morphing into violence and looting. Local police were attacked. Thousands of National Guardsmen were called out. The protests spread to Britain, Germany, and even New Zealand.
The protests appeared to be hijacked by ANTIFA (anti-fascist). ANTIFA had its origins in the 1920s and 30s, had a resurgence in the 1980s, and then came to life after the election victory of Donald Trump and his populist movement (just like the Tea Party came into being in response to the rise of Barack Obama and Christian Coalition to Bill Clinton). ANTIFA is against neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, white supremacy, racism, and what is termed the ‘Alt-Right.’ They dress in black, try to disrupt conservative events, and are willing to resort to violence, though some claim it is only for defensive purposes. They have been accused of using fascist means to fight ‘fascism.’
The Trump Administration has announced that ANTIFA is a domestic terrorist organisation. US Attorney General Bill Barr stated that the violence was planned, organised, utilising ANTIFA-tactics, and left leaning anarchy.
Recent circumstances have helped to contribute to this atmosphere of violence. Like a dry summer facilitates bushfires, so have stay@home edicts and lock-downs, which have caused the population to be restless, filling up once empty urban streets with angry protestors. There is record unemployment. Schools and universities are closed for the summer, giving student time to promote a ‘worthy cause.’ Normal entertainment and sporting events are currently suspended, thus creating a perfect storm for a caged, bored, outraged population with time on their hands.
Yet there’s more. The highly partisan, polarising atmosphere in Washington (including Russian collusion, impeachment), the on-going culture war, the default into tribalism. Remember Hurricane Katrina in August 2005? New Orleans was cannibalised – looters were even firing guns at helicopters trying to rescue stranded residents from the flooding. This kind of tribal chaos was happening years ago.
ASSESSMENT
What are we to make about this tragic turn of events? Please consider the following.
2.       True justice, based on verifiable facts, must be the goal. Thuggery, whether it is police brutality or damaging and looting property, must not be tolerated.
3.       Racism is wrong and so is rioting. None of this brings justice or helps anyone.
4.       The needed conversation about apparent racism in America was derailed by the riots;
5.       The African-American community is receiving negative publicity, even though many of them decry the violence being done in their name (especially by black clad white people). Some of the nicest, sweetest, most courteous people you can meet in America are the African-Americans, and many are Christians. This is not fair on them.
6.       The violence is destructive and hurtful by everyone and is fuelled by groups with evil intentions.
HOW SHALL WE RESPOND?
Let us recognise America Ablaze for what it really is — a spiritual issue. According to John 10:10:
Jesus Himself comments that ‘The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.’
The wanton destruction, theft, and injury, is satanically-inspired with the goal of stealing, killing, and destroying. Christ takes the opposite approach to of bringing people into abundant life.
In Ephesians 6:12: For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
The greatest enemy is not the one you see, but the ones you don’t. For this reason we are exhorted to put on ‘the whole armour of God.’
Our readers are urged to pray for the following points:
1.       Justice: For George Floyd and the African-American community. May it be based on facts and reality, not narrative and rumour.
2.       Patience: May calm and maturity take over across America and may leaders lead in this area.
3.       Peace: May the rioting and looting cease and may affected neighbourhoods and cities receive the much needed peace and security they deserve.
4.       Restoration: To the people, buildings, businesses, and homes that have be damaged in the unrest. As small businesses are struggling to overcome the Covid-19 economic downturn, may there be a miraculous recovery for all concerned.
5.       Revival: For years now, this author has advocated what has become the only solution to our political, economic, social, and spiritual problems. It is called ‘revival,’ meaning to ‘come alive again.’ II Chronicles 7:14 is the classic verse on this topic: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land (emphasis mine).
If you cannot remember any other point, remember this one — for the good of us all.

Bushfire relief efforts – Better Together

Thanks to the generosity of our Baptist Family, we are supporting our pastors and volunteers with bushfire recovery efforts through COVID-19 restrictions.

As part of the BUV Bushfire Recovery strategy, a partnership was formed between the BUV Hub, NewHope Baptist Church and Lakes Entrance Baptist Church. This allowed Lakes Entrance Baptist Church to immediately get local church member, William Florance, on the ground to assist those who had been affected by the fires. This ongoing partnership has allowed William to continue in the role where, months after the fires, he is still meeting people who are very much at ‘first base’ in the process of recovery. Add COVID-19 to this and the result is that many people are struggling with layers of trauma and complexity. Once again, thanks to the generosity of our Baptist Family, we are able to be in this for the long haul and to be able to continue supporting the pastors and volunteers who are out working with those who continue to be impacted by the events of the last few months. Here’s a video interview with William by Katrina Lambert (from NewHope BC).

The team at 

Source: BUV News

Bushfire relief efforts – Better Together

Thanks to the generosity of our Baptist Family, we are supporting our pastors and volunteers with bushfire recovery efforts through COVID-19 restrictions.

As part of the BUV Bushfire Recovery strategy, a partnership was formed between the BUV Hub, NewHope Baptist Church and Lakes Entrance Baptist Church. This allowed Lakes Entrance Baptist Church to immediately get local church member, William Florance, on the ground to assist those who had been affected by the fires. This ongoing partnership has allowed William to continue in the role where, months after the fires, he is still meeting people who are very much at ‘first base’ in the process of recovery. Add COVID-19 to this and the result is that many people are struggling with layers of trauma and complexity. Once again, thanks to the generosity of our Baptist Family, we are able to be in this for the long haul and to be able to continue supporting the pastors and volunteers who are out working with those who continue to be impacted by the events of the last few months. Here’s a video interview with William by Katrina Lambert (from NewHope BC).

The team at 

VIews from the Manse – A woman of noble character

A woman of noble character – Proverbs chapter. 31

Views from the Manse celebrates all women and men who have tirelessly and prayerfully supported their spouses in pastoral ministry through the years and, in the present. 

Proverbs 31 contains an acrostic and is a very unusual form of writing in scripture. It is based on the advice given to King Lemuel by his mother in Proverbs 31: 10 – 31.  Below is a modern paraphrase.  

Although this scripture speaks about women, as it was contextual to the day and age, all spouses, regardless of gender, should be included and celebrated for the role they play in partnering in ministry.

This relates to the first article published in the View From the Manse series.

A worthy woman, like wisdom is hard to find

          A woman who brings her husband good all the days of her life

          is beyond price and her husband will adore her.

Never skimping, she provides for her household well

          with scarlet wool and linen clothing.

Never one to slack,

          She rises early to bake fresh bread

          or pancakes for breakfast.

Passing up a good investment is not her style.

          She spots a good buy and pounces on it,

          then plants a vineyard and builds a winery

          to capitalise on her investment.

Her hands are strong.

          Her palms hold a spindle

          but she opens them to the poor

          and extends her hands to the wretched.

Everyone in her household is warm.

          All are dressed in beautiful clothes.

          All have warm Doonas on their beds.

Let her husband praise her

And her children bring her honour

No praise is too great for such a virtuous, God fearing woman.

Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope

COACH (Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope) is a community-strengthening program that aims to empower individuals and families through one-to-one mentoring, breaking generational cycles of poverty and family breakdown.

COACH partners with not-for-profits and churches to train volunteer mentors and match them with individuals in need. Over 12 months, COACH participants meet with their mentors each week.

A COACH mentor is a friend with purpose, offering practical help and mentoring towards life goals. These goals include education, employment, training, improved mental health, reduction in addictive habits, financial management, housing, family cohesion, decrease in social isolation, and improved physical and emotional wellbeing. Mentoring is a way to bring out the best in people and help them make use of their own resources. It also promotes individual responsibility and builds community cohesion.

Click here to hear more from co-author of COACH, Mark Matthews, as he shares with us how a missional venture started in order to assist the poor and marginalised, has now grown into an incredible Empowered Faith Community which is now changing the lives of numbers of people on the Mornington Peninsula.

(COACH Network is operated by Crossway LifeCare in partnership with Mission Australia).

Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope

COACH (Creating Opportunities and Casting Hope) is a community-strengthening program that aims to empower individuals and families through one-to-one mentoring, breaking generational cycles of poverty and family breakdown.

COACH partners with not-for-profits and churches to train volunteer mentors and match them with individuals in need. Over 12 months, COACH participants meet with their mentors each week.

A COACH mentor is a friend with purpose, offering practical help and mentoring towards life goals. These goals include education, employment, training, improved mental health, reduction in addictive habits, financial management, housing, family cohesion, decrease in social isolation, and improved physical and emotional wellbeing. Mentoring is a way to bring out the best in people and help them make use of their own resources. It also promotes individual responsibility and builds community cohesion.

Simone met her mentor, Miranda, during a challenging time in her life. Simone has three special needs children, was homeless for the third time, and was going through a difficult relationship breakdown. Simone and Miranda started meeting fortnightly and now Miranda is only a phone call or email away. Simone appreciates that she can call her mentor just for a chat as well as in the hard times.

 Prior to joining COACH, Simone says she spent most of the day in bed and was struggling to cope with the stresses and pressure of everyday life. She also added that having special needs children has been “isolating and it’s been hard to maintain friendships”. The COACH program and her relationship with Miranda have enabled Simone to find hope. She is now debt free and working in a café which has been a great confidence boost for her. Simone says she calls it "hope, instead of COACH, as it’s a hope program.” 

Miranda shares that COACH exemplifies the things she is passionate about – giving time to build genuine friendships that are about growth, healing, and restoration. She sees COACH as a program that anyone can be involved in.

(COACH Network is operated by Crossway LifeCare in partnership with Mission Australia).

Source: BUV News

In Step with Jesus, with others and with God’s mission

On behalf of our Global Interaction state team and national office, thank you!  We’ve had a fantastic May Mission Month, highlighting and celebrating our cross-cultural workers as they join God’s mission throughout the world. We’re especially grateful for your partnership and encouragement during these difficult weeks and months. Baptist churches from across Victoria and Tasmania have hosted Zoom calls from Global Interaction cross-cultural workers, included our web resources in their online services, and checked in with people and projects they support from Mozambique to Cambodia, from Thailand to Yuendumu.

This year’s theme was centred on our commitment to remain in step with Jesus, in step with others, and in step with God’s mission. Acts 15 provided the framework and anchored our reflections on the challenge to keep faith, not religion, at the heart of our Christian witness. We were especially excited to release the beautifully produced short film, In Step, which narrates the story of three Yawo believers in Malawi and how God is using the Global Interaction team in that place.  If you missed out, go and check out In Step and explore the treasure trove of other excellent videos at our online resource hub –  https://www.globalinteraction.org.au/mmm.

As you can imagine, it was a different kind of May Mission Month. We sorely missed the joy of sharing, in person, the work of Global Interaction. However, our discussion tools, children resources and themed sermons were adapted and produced in a way that made them easy to incorporate into online church services.  We were also grateful for the technology that allowed our staff and cross-cultural workers to appear live in online church services. We provided over 40 videos to choose from including messages from State Baptist leaders and many of our cross-cultural workers who, despite COVID-19, remain in the places God has called them.  We also launched our podcast “Missioning” and will be adding more episodes throughout the year.

We appreciate your ongoing partnership throughout 2020 as we equip, send and support the remarkable people God calls for this specific, cross-cultural ministry.  Even though May has come and gone Global Interaction’s important work continues across the year and through time zones, so please check out our resources online and stay tuned to learn about  the ways God is at work around the world.

Peace and Grace,

Geoff Maddock
State Director VIC/TAS
Global Interaction