The experience . . . at Festival of Faith
Dr John Hammond entertains and inspires students at Festival of Faith. The meetings in Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church are at 10.00 AM and 6.15 PM (7.30 PM on Friday) each day this week.—Josh Bolst Credit: Josh Bolst.
“No pain, no gain, or you will remain the same.” Festival of Faith speaker Pr Stuart Clark reminds us that “Jesus takes us on a journey. He walks in, brings healing and creates life.” Stuart concluded his sermon on Saturday with three words: “God is love.” Staff members and students attending the meetings experienced the reality of that love this past week (September 5-10). “Though physically tired, we have been spiritually renewed,” said Jocelyn Sio, a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) student as she helped lead praise and worship.—Sonja Larsen Credit: Sonja Larsen.
Faith festival bears fruit
Festival of Faith on Avondale College of Higher Education’s Sydney campus bore fruit this year—fruit of the spirit, that is. William Moala, a Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Ministry student, spoke about love, joy, peace, patience and kindness, during meetings held in Fox Valley Seventh-day Adventist Community Church, August 1-5. The week ended with William challenging more than 120 students to be bearers of fruit. The students placed commitment cards on a tree—the cross—that bore edible fruit. “Students were blessed and empowered,” says chaplain Dr Drene Somasundram.—Sonja Larsen, public relations assistant, Avondale College of Higher Education
Three reasons why the spiritual emphasis was strong
Dr Bruce Manners
Senior minister
Avondale College Seventh-day Adventist Church
Avondale College of Higher Education held its semester one Festival of Faith (FoF) on the Lake Macquarie campus this past week. Elia Crevar, chaplain at Central Coast Adventist School, spoke. I found spiritual emphasis on campus strong—for three reasons:
1. Laughter
There was much laughter during FoF, and that’s not a bad thing. “Some things are funnier when they happen to someone else,” said Elia and proved it several times from video clips—the skateboarder accidentally hitting himself in the head with his board comes to mind. Laughter binds laughees together. Elia used it, though, to make his point. It worked . . . mostly.
2. Authenticity
When the messenger is authentic, the message is more so. Elia admitted he didn’t have it all together. We knew that—this is not a comment about Elia but the human condition. Elia demonstrated it in simple ways, too, like when his brain went too fast for his mouth (we all know that feeling), he didn’t try to hide it. There’s no doubt, though, about Who he’s following.
3. Jesus
Elia didn’t say it like this, but the big message I got was: there’s a relationship happening when someone loves you enough to die for you. You can ignore Jesus and reject Him, but that means you’ll never understand what He can do for you. Rejecting Jesus is like never bothering to find out what someone is like when you feel attracted to them. You never get to know what may have developed. Jesus is like a suitor calling on His beloved. You’ll never understand Christianity without saying yes to Him. Jesus makes little sense outside a relationship with Him.
Elia Crevar is not a fan of clowns, but relationships, particularly marrying people (as a celebrant), sport—he is captain of an indoor cricket team—and young adults, they are different. Elia is not only a fan, he is a passionate fan. Add chili to the list—Elia puts it on much of the food he eats. He is not only passionate about spicing up food but about the way Jesus is presented to the world.
And that is a good thing for staff members and students on Avondale College of Higher Education’s Lake Macquarie campus, because Elia, chaplain at Central Coast Adventist School, is speaking at Festival of Faith next week (April 4-9).
In the past five years, Elia has borne two children (“that was mostly my wife, Melinda”) and aims to be “a good father and husband” and to be “part of a movement that loves people—to show Jesus to a world that is in desperate need.”
What things makes Elia get out of bed every morning? “A screaming child or thinking about things I need to do.”
Student Associated Ministries leader Imogen Menzies encourages you to make Festival of Faith one of the things you do next week. “It’s an opportunity to connect, worship, grow, experience, share and learn,” she says. “You really don’t want to miss it!”
Classes scheduled for 10.00 AM during the week are cancelled. Lecturers may choose to reschedule these classes.
Avondale College of Higher Education