Internet Bible College

Welcome to the September October edition of The Visionary. Spring has sprung and a new season of planting and preparation is upon our farmers, Ken takes an appropriate look at this later in the newsletter. I apologise for the lack of the Roll of Honour in this and the last issue. We have had several graduates and next issue we will mention them all. In this edition we have items from both Ken and Alison, a report from Ian Trail who is a missionary in China He runs five Vision Colleges in that nation with a sixth due to start on his return from a brief ministry trip here in Australia. We have two unsolicited but thoughtful testimonies from students, some news on the accredited program and other odd pieces...

John 15:16, Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,. and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Accredited Program Update

We introduced the Advanced Diploma of Christian Ministry 5 years ago and it has undergone some revision recently. We are so pleased to see the steady increase of interest in the course, especially as it attracts Austudy and at the same time it does add a practical component to the Vision subjects. The accredited program is very flexible and it is ideally suited to students who desire to enter into ministry because of the vocational training component. So what are the changes? Effective immediately students need to complete only two instead of four practical training subjects for each of the award levels that are offered. The effect of this change is to enable the student to be more thorough in their training and study and it reduces the overall cost of the program without effecting the VETAB payments. For more information please contact the college.

 

This month I have been studying the life of Jesus. What a wonderful person! One particular verse which I had not seen before struck me this week. It is found in Mark 9:15 soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. What was the background of this incident? Jesus had just come down from Mount Tabor where he had been transfigured (Mark 9:1-7). There is no other explanation of the wonder of the people than that Jesus must have been trailing clouds of heaven's glory! Something of his experience still clung to him, he still emanated the power and the presence of God to such an extent that the people noticed and wondered at it. In fact they were overwhelmed by the remains of the glory that surrounded him. Many times the disciples viewed Jesus with awe. They were amazed at his power in rebuking the storm on the sea of Galilee.

 

What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey him!(Matthew 8:27)

He is the Word of God become flesh, the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John1:14) He is the Lamb of God who takes away our sin and brings us into eternal life. If we receive him we have the right to become children of God (John 1:12-13). He is the great teacher who taught with authority received from his Father. He knew how to reach the ordinary people, how to explain the things of God to them. They were fascinated by his wisdom. He describes himself as the Shepherd of his people, and as the gate through which they must enter into eternal life. He is the light of the world, the bread which came down from heaven. He is all these things and more. He was obedient to his Father and so was able to be our sacrifice. God was with him.

 

"The one who set me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him."(John 8:29)

He was full of compassion and pity for the multitude, yet stern with those who led the people astray with their onerous laws. He was courageous in the face of a terrible death yet he knew that his Father would not leave him but would raise him up in victory. Truly he is alive, our wonderful Saviour and friend. The Son of the living God!

Unsolicited Testimonies: An Australian student.

I just want to say again that when I first studied at VCC back in 2005 it was really tough because initially I came to Sydney after been accepted at Hillsong's college, but pulled out due to unexpected financial and accommodation issues at the time and so I had to get employment. God was good and (as we know He always works in mysterious ways) he enabled me to find a bible school where I was able work and study the word. I honestly could not have completed the Diploma without all your help and prayers and most of all our Christ Jesus. I thank the Lord for Vision College and the blessing that the VCC school has provided me i.e "solid foundation of the word of God", I have learnt so much, that sometimes I can't live a day without reading the word of God, it's become like a daily food that I must have and carry this with me to work, to church, on the bus, train, when on holiday, on the plane etc. The church I am involved in is a Pentecostal church of 60 committed members, I am a youth pastor, worship leader (musician), preacher and a teacher of the word and heavily involved in reaching our troubled youth thru our town outreaches and door knocking on Saturdays. These studies have not only made me who I am today but also has enabled me to be an "impacter" in our community and for the kingdom of god. I am witnessing a growth in our church with more youths coming thru our youth services on Friday nights and Sunday schools, I have preached the word based on the VCC teachings and have seen the power of our Lord fall on the new converts thru the words and accepting our Lord as their Saviour. Most of all, out of all this, our church president has asked me to pastor one of branches in Brisbane, and the one here in Sydney Liverpool which I am now in, I leave in God's hands but it was a total surprise. My goal is to earn the Degree with Visio International University and I believe with the continuous love and support from VCC staff, I can achieve this. Thank you very much, Brother Timothy Lafogia

From one of our Missions Students in Africa

Dear Rev. Denis, Thank you very much for your reply, and all the updates of my studies, I am very blessed to study the word of God. One thing the Lord put in me as FAITH, and I have been Ministering in my local church different topics of faith using the Dynamic Faith lessons from Vision College, and as what I always do during my leaves I go to Teen Mission Camp to teach on Leadership and Faith, but this time I am going to talk about Evangelism as they have got a Mission School, and talking about evangelism will be a great blessing to them, the Director has already open doors for the teaching of the subject. And I am looking forward to that. I am glad to know I have already achieved 21 credits, my grade average, and that I have already a certificate in Bible Studies. I am looking forward to my next lesson. Julia, thank you very much and may the Lord continue blessing you in the Ministry he has called you to perform (Julia Love is his sponsor). God Bless you all, Arone Augusto

From 3 July to 26 August 2007 Traillblazer Ministries China founder Ps. Ian Traill and International Director Christopher Donald visited 20 churches representing 11 denominations in 12 cities of three states of Australia for a crusade. The pair also spoke on two Christian radio stations in Ballarat and Mount Gambier. During their visit, 36 people received the baptism with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and six people came to salvation through Jesus Christ. A number of words of knowledge and healings were ministered in the meetings. One notable healing took place in Ballarat where a woman who had been blind in one eye received her sight. Ps. Ian's messages emphasized the gifts of the Holy Spirit as he called the churches not to hold back in seeking to be used by the Lord. He urged the churches to move into the power realm and to not conform to the world. Throughout the crusade, they promoted the work of Vision Christian College and Open Doors Australia, who have been a great support to the ministry in China. Traillblazer Ministries has 65 students studying with Vision Christian College in five locations in China. "It is a delight to see the growth that solid Bible teaching has brought to the students," said Principal Ian Traill. Ps. Denis and Ros Plant hosted Dr. Ken and Allison Chant, Ps. Traill and Christopher Donald for lunch during Ps. Traill's Australian crusade. Dr. Chant asserted the need for a distinctively Chinese theology to emerge. The teaching of the college that he founded may aid this aim. The overall church in China has been experiencing an influx of people coming into the Kingdom of God and it is necessary for leaders to be properly equipped to effectively teach these new converts. During his stay in Sydney Ian received a Bachelor's Degree from Vision International University. It was conferred upon him by Rev Dr. Ken Chant during a Sunday Morning service with Ps. Denis at Macquarie Fields.

 

A Word From Ken FARMING FOR A HARVEST

A hard-working farmer should have the first share of the crops. Understand what I'm saying. Indeed, the Lord himself will help you to understand all these things. (2 Ti 2:6-7) Among several metaphors of Christian victory, Paul employs that of a successful farmer. I once worked on a farm for a couple of years, and there I learned that four things are true of the successful farmer

It is the diligent farmer who reaps the greatest harvest.

In the height of the season, I would be up at 4.00 a.m. to milk 80 cows; then out into the fields, baling hay, mending fences, ploughing, chopping wood, shearing sheep, planting potatoes or turnips, digging a dunny hole, etc., then milk the cows again in the late afternoon, have dinner at 8.00 p.m.; then into bed and up again at 4.00; etc, etc! No wonder my employer retired a wealthy man, and no wonder I moved back to the city! But the fact is, there is no reaping without diligent sowing; so let us labour for the Master while it is still day.

A farmer's work is never done.

It mattered not what season it was summer, autumn, winter, spring, there was always a full day's work to do. Neither can we cease from our toil for the King. We are never off duty but must always be about the Master's business. The harvest must be patiently waited for.

No quantity of fussing and fretting could hasten the majestic progress of the seasons.

The time of harvest is appointed by the Lord of the Harvest and must be kept. The farmer's task is simply to do what is required of him day by day, confident that the harvest will not fail but will come in its appointed time. So too we are enjoined to patience, holding fast to faith until the hour of Christ's return and the time of reaping is consummated.

The farmer rightly receives the first and best share (vs. 6).

We need never fear that we will suffer the fate of those lamented by Job (24:10-11). In the meantime let us heed Paul "Reflect on what I am saying, and the Lord will give you understanding in all these things."

The Next Missions Trip - Philippines

During the month of November Pastor Denis will visit the Philippines in Sta Maria 5 hours from Manila (he is told). He will be involved in a Crusade and them at Pangasinan in the Island of Luzon he will be discussing the opening of a Vision College. The local ministry leaders have set aside several acres for this purpose. I need to be there in November to establish this work. We already have two church based colleges in the Philippines and he hopes to be able to visit them also.

Please pray.

1. For continued good health for Ken and Alison as they continue to minister and move around the country and overseas.

2. For each of our Resource Centres, that they will grow as a student body and that the students will be effective in their ministries.

3. For each distance education or Resource Centre student, that they will continue and find new opportunities of ministry in their churches and communities.

4. For the staff of Vision that our needs shall be met.

5. For the work in the Philippines

6. For our Re-accreditation in May next year, it seems a long way off but much has to be done.

7. For our missions program and for the new mission college in the Philippines.

"Christ in you, the hope of glory; Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom." Colossians 1:27-28.