News

We are very sad to announce that Brother Craig Cunningham passed away on the 26th of November, 2023. His funeral will be held on the 6th of December at the Alan Harris McDonald Chapel, 76 Copland Street, Wagga Wagga, commencing at 10:30am. Following the service, the funeral cortege will proceed to the Wagga Wagga Lawn Cemetery, Brunskill Road, Lake Albert. Refreshments will be served back at the chapel on Copland St afterwards. Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend.…

Your prayers and generosity have been rewarded! Our Sri Lankan asylum seeker family were reunited when their husband and father was released from detention, after eight long years of separation. They are grateful for all the support you have given through the years to help with the case. Even when it looked like all hope was lost, your prayers and gifts to their legal fund made the difference. The years of battling along without her husband were difficult for the…

The Optimize Your Brain six-week program was held in SA from 10th June to 15th July, 2023. The series was followed by cooking classes. It was a real blessing for those who attended the program. During this series we covered different topics, such as: The Optimize Your Brain program was created to maximise intellectual and emotional intelligence.  We praise God for the opportunity and privilege He gives us to learn how to improve our health and brain function to better serve Him. We believe it…

From April 22-24, about 40 people attended a canvassing weekend held at our church in Auckland, New Zealand. The following Monday, some of the brethren spent their time canvassing in New Lynn around the church. Most of the participants had never been canvassing before and found it to be a blessed experience.  First, they attended some presentations and a missionary training class. They were sent out in pairs to put canvassing into action, where book packs, pamphlets and magazine-style books…

Last year we printed a story about the ShoeBox Project, a project to supply shoes and other personal items for children in the Philippines. We’re delighted to say that the shipment was received, and the children say “thank you” to all who participated. Here are a few of the photos that we received in appreciation:

As you may be aware, in the beginning of March this year, two tropical cyclones have hit the island of Efate Vanuatu in the same week. Many of our brethren sustained damage to their houses and food crops. Help has already been given to assist these brethren getting shelter and food, for which they are most grateful. Now, however, we are appealing for your help as the cyclones have also caused extensive damage to the buildings used by the South…

With the help of many brethren and sisters around the region, including some from Australia, the work in the Solomon Islands has been progressing. The following was condensed from a report on welfare work written by Br. Thomas Ngunts, a missionary stationed in the Solomons on behalf of the South Pacific Union Mission. Thank the Lord for His loving kindness all through last year, and now we are already into 2023. I just want to write a brief report of…

Eulogy by Michael Stoyko My mother, Terezija Stoyko, was born on the 5th of July 1931 in Borovac, Jugoslavia, now Croatia, the second child of Ana and Josip Ivastinovic. Her oldest brother was Nicola, younger sister, Mara and younger brother, Slavko. Growing up in the village was a life of learning responsibility from a young age. She was always with her older brother Nicola and there to assist him. From five years old onward, she would wake up at 5…

The theme for the 2022 Conference was “Uplift, Serve, Proclaim,” based on our AUC mission theme. (You can read about the delegation session here). Starting on Wednesday evening, the conference was held over four days and was attended by people from across the Union, with a few from outside our region as well. A large tent replaced our main hall which was lost to fire in 2019, and this tent was set up in nearly the same spot as the…

Delegates of the Australasian Union met on the 26th and 27th of December, for the election of new officers and approval of policies and plans for the next three years. It was voted to continue with the theme, “Uplifting Jesus, Serving People, Proclaiming Truth.” Officers & Special Committees Departments Strategic Plan The strategic plan was approved by the delegates. Some key points are: OUR MISSION: To fulfil the Gospel commission by service to the community, uplifting Jesus and proclaiming the…

Today we are saying goodbye to two long-time members of our staff, who have officially retired. Assistant editor Lidia Voncina has been a pillar of our office staff since 1999, and it will be sad to see her go. Over the years Lidia has assisted the secretary, managed our PTCC Bible Course, fulfilled too many different tasks to mention, and been the happy voice on the other end of the phone line for anyone ringing in to the office. Joe…

Coleambally Church was blessed by a visit from Br Miguel Mendoza during the second week of November when he held a Homiletics Seminar in Griffith, NSW. The seminar was a blessing to all age groups, but was particularly geared towards preparing the young people to give presentations. Each evening began with a delicious meal provided by the women of Coleambally Church and an opportunity for the young people to visit among themselves and with Br Miguel before beginning the seminar.…