http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/our-community/faith-in-life/testify/Ronji-Tanielu
It has been a real blessing and privilege to attend this year's Life Conference at the Vodaphone Events centre. Over the years I've been busy and have only attended the evening sessions which was always a blessing but with the foresight of my beloved, our whole family was able to attend the 3 day conference which really fired us up but also a lot to reflect on and consider as in a course of individual action.
One of the Master classes that we attended was a 'Community' Master class which I hadn't considered attending having worked within 'the community' over the years but this particular year, my beloved had attended, quite by accident too in missing the bus to attend the 'Business' Master classes, so on his encouragement we both attended.
At that Master class, I heard Ronji Tanielu's testimony of visiting 33 countries within 2 years to support and encourage the persecuted church. He visited with his wife (and I assume no children) and are back from their mission to save up in order to go again.
His particular discussion was about the 'State of the Nation' report that the Salvation Army researches and puts out every year for interested parties to read. As a past geographer, he strolled through graphs and figures and expressed the important areas that NZ had to consider for the future regarding: the housing crisis, the increasing incarceration rates, child poverty and much, much more.
It was a blessing to listen to him and I remember his family as they first immigrated to NZ, Mangere in the 1980s and attended my birth church and then most of his family have now immigrated to Australia but to see this young man grow and now have an influence, both as a lawyer and policy analyst for the Salvation Army is neat to see.
He also has a heart for the persecuted church around the world and as you can see by the article, there is much to do with Christians all over the world still being physically tortured for their faith. 'Voice of the martyrs' is one such organisation that is supporting those who are persecuted Christians in overseas. For further information visit: www.vom.org.nz
It was quite a challenge to hear about so many things that are happening in our New Zealand society and also about the upcoming abortion law reform discussions that are currently being considered and you only have to read the research on Bob McCoskcrie's Family First website on www.familyfirst.org.nz to know that Christians need to have their say on the sanctity of life whether you are 'pro-life' or 'pro-choice'.
So much food for thought, the way that it's supposed to be. Thank you Pastor Paul and Paster Marie for this insight into the state of our nationhood...
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