Welcome to the February edition of the The Visionary for 2010, may God continue to bless you in ways you have not yet expected, give you new and refreshed visions, new opportunities, new realms of faith and fruitfulness for this new year.
(I pray) that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Eph 1:17-23 NASB)
In this edition we have “A Word from Ken” and “A Moment with Alison”, our Mission’s update, College news, our Honour Roll for January, and of course the Last Word.
Vision is on the Move
The Vision offices and the Word Christian fellowship have relocated – well we are in the process of relocating as I write to you. We have been in Macquarie Fields in three different addresses for the last ten years. Four years ago we had to separate the college and the church premises due to an exorbitant rent increase and we used a local community hall for the church. We have been praying to bring them all back under one roof to reduce our workload and our operating costs. We really praise God for what has happened.
In October Steve saw a building in Minto and after a few false starts we were given permission to move in. Huge amounts of renovations are taking place and funds coming in from the church family. Our costs have been halved, workers are getting involved, and the church is breathing with new life. The colleges will be located in the same building, and we can now consider setting up our own local church resource centre.
We thank God that he has answered our prayers and given us a home again, and we are still in the marketplace.
Werrington Office
At the same time that we are moving Dr. Ken and Alison are in the process of relocating their church, the New Horizons Community Church, which is currently located at St. Marys, near Penrith. They accepted the pastorate a year ago and determined to relocate from a community hall to their own facility. Presently they are awaiting approval of the Development Application so that they may begin their move into their new church home.
New Resource Centre
We are pleased to welcome to our Vision family the Cootamundra Christian College, which is a part of the Cootamundra Foursquare Church. Pastors Victor and Fay Milnes are pastoring the work there. I have just spent a most pleasant weekend with them, encouraging them and helping to set up a college. It is a small church -- as one might expect in a small country town -- but their vision is bigger than their own backyard. It was a pleasure to be with them for the weekend and to meet their student body.
A Word from Ken
The Didache,
"There are two ways, one of life and one of death, but a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this: First, you shall love God who made you; second, love your neighbour as yourself, and do not do to another what you would not want done to you. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies and for those who persecute you. For what reward is therefor loving those who love you? Do not the Gentiles do the same? But love those who hate you, and you shall not have an enemy. Abstain from fleshly and worldly lusts. If someone strikes your right cheek, turn to him the other also, and you shall be perfect. If someone compels you to carry his load for one mile, carry it for two. If someone takes your cloak, give him also your coat. If someone takes from you what is yours, ask it not back, even if you are able to do so. Give to everyone who asks you, and ask it not back; for the Father wills that to all should be given of our own blessings. Happy is he who gives according to the commandment, for he is guiltless. Yet also remember this: it has been said, Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you know to whom you should give." (Adapted from the Roberts-Donaldson translation.)
I love that last sentence. It is a warning against giving impulsively, or just because your emotions have been stirred. Our giving should be generous, but also informed and careful. I also love the bit about loving your enemy, because then you will not have an enemy -- for you can hardly love someone if you think of him or her as an enemy! If I love my enemies they all become my friends whether they will or no!
The Didache shows that not much has changed over the centuries. The problems they faced still trouble the church today, and in the main the solutions offered by the ancient author are as modern as tomorrow. I encourage you to read it, as a fascinating piece of history, and as a manual of useful advice.
Missions News
India
For many years the Head Office in the USA and our office here in Australia have desired to see Vision established in India. Many attempts have been made to reach this nation. There have been false starts and failed hopes and it seemed that we were unable to reach the nation no matter how hard we tried. God has his plans and he has his timing. In 2007, while in England, Dr. Ken met a businessman, Babu Manjuran, an Indian national, who owns several training centres. He invited Ken to take Vision to India. An answer to prayer it seemed.
Since that meeting there have been many attempts to do something and formalise an agreement, which each time ended in frustration as one barrier after another prevented us from gaining so much as a foothold. In December of last year Babu came to Australia and stayed with Ken and Alison. During that time a plan was developed to go to India for a trial week of teaching, which, if it proved to be fruitful, would be followed by a three-month intensive training session.
Despite a number of problems that have prevented Dr. Ken, Dr Stan, or myself from going we are delighted to advise you that David Jones, who is also a director of Vision Colleges Australia, is going to India for this one-week teaching session. David will be joined by one or two other teachers who will be able to assess the situation and determine the viability of a Vision Christian Colleges program in India.
For a little while it seemed that we would be prevented again, but what God wants to do he will do, and truly the gates of Hell will not prevent the church, or anything that is a part of his purpose or his ministry, from succeeding in the call he has placed upon us.
We are asking you all to pray for David and for his wife and family while he is away. The trip will be an extended one and while he is away he will be missed greatly. First he will be representing Australia at the Annual Leaders' Conference in San Diego, and then he will go on to India for three weeks before returning home. Pray for fruitfulness and open doors for David and for teachable hungry hearts in the men and women he will minister to, and pray for the health and safety for his family who will miss him.
A New Mission Field?
I have become aware so very much that it is time to view this nation of ours as a mission-field like never before. For all our affluence, the need of the nation is great, we must stand firm in a resolve to reach our own nation. The principle in Acts -- first Jerusalem, then Judea, Samaria and the uttermost part of the world stands so real. We must reach out to the world -- yes, we must indeed. But we must not forsake our Jerusalem, the cities in which we live, we must engage in and maintain the ministry to the home base where-ever it is. Australians from every walk of life need Jesus.
Check this link
An article on ou ministry into Nepal has been included into the Christian Times an English Christian newspaper http://www.thechristiantimes.org/feb2010.htm see page 4
A Moment With Alison
TABITHA, A WOMAN OF THE KINGDOM
In Acts 9:36-43 we read about a philanthropist named Tabitha (which, when translated is a gazelle). She was a member of the church at Joppa and is called here, “a certain disciple” thus sh
e is included in the disciples mentioned in the New Testament.
When Tabitha became a Christian she looked for a sphere of Christian service and decided to use her talent with a sewing needle. She is a wonderful example of how the Lord can use what is in our hand, our own gifts and abilities, to complete his will for our life.
Tabitha was full of good works, she was not content to sit around talking about serving but went ahead confident the Lord would direct her.
She was greatly loved for the work she did fashioning clothing for the widows and orphans of her church and community and when she died she was sorely missed by the congregation. So much so that those who loved her went to Peter for help and Peter, following the example of Jesus, spoke to her with authority, “Tabitha, arise!” and she came back to life.
Following this mighty miracle a revival broke out in Joppa and many believed. Tabitha did not know that her story would be told for more than 2,000 years, nor could she look into the future and see the many women who would follow her example.
If we use what we have then God can make much out of little and his name will be glorified through our life.
Prayer Needs
• Ken and Alison as they continue to Pastor the church in St Marys, for approval of their new facility, in addition to their College duties.
• For the Colleges here in Australia, for as the academic year begins we need new students, and to increase our local church Bible College
• Pray for the students in our mission colleges in Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Myanmar, China, and especially for fruitfulness in India.
• Pray for someone who can promote the colleges locally
• For The Word Christian Fellowship, Ps Denis, the staff, the ministry of the church and the work of re-establishment in our new location.
Student Honour Roll
Saturday 16th of January, 2010, our annual graduation service was conducted at Extended Hand Christian Fellowship, Unit 1, Robertson Place, Jamestown. Pastor Terry Hancock graciously made his church available to us for the purpose and looked after us for the afternoon. The dinner was held at the Lucianos Italian Restaurant, on the corner of Woodrift and Tyndale Sts, Penrith, at 6:30 pm.
A total of 34 students graduated throughout the year, 15 of which were able to attend our graduation service. We salute each and every one of them. We have a clear and certain knowledge that what they have learned will make a significant difference to their lives and to the lives of those around them. Their award is not a final goal; rather, it is recognition of effort, their training, and their commitment. Now we pray for fruit to follow closely their ongoing labour in Christ. Well done … good and faithful servants.
The program was an excellent time for all. We were honoured to have both Dr. Stan DeKoven and Dr Ken Chant and Dr Alison Chant participate, and our Vision Director from China, Ian Trail, gave the Student Address.
We also salute these following students who are from the year of 2010. Already we see students who are graduating for the year and moving on to better things. Bless you all.
| Name | Award | City | State | |
| Rachaelle | Adnum | Foundations in Biblical Studies | Singleton | NSW |
| Lynne | Byrne | Associate in Biblical Studies | Leongatha | VIC |
| Liza | Georgis | Award in Biblical Studies | Hoxton Park | NSW |
| Andrew | Soper | Diploma of Theology | Cardiff | NSW |
| Natasha | Kidney | Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology | Tyabb | VIC |
| Sam | Georgis | Diploma of Christian Ministry and Theology | Hoxton Park | NSW |
| Anthony | Moxon | Diploma of Theology / Bachelor Bridge | Blaxland | NSW |
The Last Word
Now faith
is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. (Heb 11:1-6 NASB)
Over the years I have loved to teach about faith. My experience with Christ has been rich and fulfilling. I have had times of excitement, frustration, fears and tears, hopes have been dashed, my expectations have been fulfilled beyond my wildest dreams, miracles of salvation, healing, provision and protection have been a regular part of who I am.
In spite of all of that I remain convinced that trying to get a handle on faith is probably one of the most frustrating experiences, especially when one is faced with an issue or challenge that requires a bit more faith than you are used to exercising, as sometimes happens. But then again, that is supposed to happen, for, “faith is as a grain of mustard seed”, said Jesus, “it grows”… Well ok -- that is “Plant’s paraphrase”, but it indicates to me that the challenges will get bigger; they will not remain the same, nor will they diminish in size. value, or impact. We need to be, nay must be, prepared to venture where no-one else has gone, or perhaps more pertinently, where we have not been before.
But then again if I held that formula I would not require faith, my greatest asset would be an ability to manipulate. How sad the consequences would be. I would not be able to exercise a patient ability to know the will of God and stand firm in conviction, willing to hear his Spirit direct my path and see his word affirm the principle. Yet more importantly, I would not, according to Heb 11:6, be able to please him, enjoy his reward or stand in his presence and hear him say to me “well done you good and faithful servant.”
Contact Vision | |
| President and Founder | Principal and Office |
| Rev. Dr. Ken and Dr. Alison Chant: | Rev. Dr. Denis Plant: 02 9829 1340 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it PO Box 84, Macquarie Fields, NSW, 2564 |
| http://www.internetbiblecollege.com or http://www.visionchristiancollege.com.au | |
