New
Zealand (Todd O'Donnel)(coordinator Brandon Lucy)
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New
Zealand (Todd O'Donnel) (coordinator Brandon Lucy) |
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Todd O'Donnel |
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History of how we became involved:
Todd O'Donnell began his association with the Hillsboro church when he came to the East Tennessee School of Preaching from his native New Zealand. The Hillsboro connection to Todd was formed through Tom Harrison, who preached here in the early 1990's, after working in New Zealand for two years. HOROWHENUA NEWS: March, 2007: Greetings from Foxton, New Zealand. To steal the words of John in 3 John and verse 2 “I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” I’m sorry but I have no pictures this month as the old digital camera has decided to be uncooperative. HOROWHENUA CHURCH OF CHRIST: The new congregation in the Horowhenua is now meeting. We continue to worship in Palmerston North on Sunday mornings and then we meet in the afternoon at 4pm for worship at our house. We have been well supported by our brethren from Palmerston North and Wanganui and we are getting the word out in the community. We initially have to be careful how we advertise our meetings as you can run into grief with the authorities for publicizing a public meeting at a private dwelling. All sorts of issues like fire escapes, parking, and wheelchair access come into consideration. Rather than go to great expense and difficulty in trying to make alterations to our house when the time arises we will look to rent a school hall. BRAD HARRUB: Brad recently came to New Zealand with his wife and children and spent a couple of weeks holding seminars on apologetics. He did an outstanding job here in Palmerston North and the reports have all been positive from his visits to other congregations. Numerous visitors were in attendance and at the end of each session there was a questions and answers period. This was extremely interesting and showed that we genuinely have a desire to talk about the issues, to challenge and to be challenged. Brad was interviewed on a national radio program by one of our prominent radio personalities, Kim Hill (who holds strongly to the theory of evolution). Evidently the phone lines were running hot after the interview and e-mails were sent in to the radio station both in support of the views Brad expressed and obviously from those who were opposed. Nathan Paki and the boys in Palmy did a great job in getting Brad to NZ and organizing his schedule. Brad will be with us again next year and we hope to us him here in the Horowhenua. CAMP WAINUI: This weekend we’re off to Wellington to attend their annual camp. I will be teaching three lessons. Connecting with the Father, Connecting with the Son, Connecting with the Holy Spirit. I’m going to spend time talking about the Trinity and then focus on the individual members of the Godhead and how we relate to each of them in a special way. Through prayer with the Father, the Lord’s Supper with the Son, and the study of Scripture with the Holy Spirit. BIBLE STUDIES: I have currently got a got a good bible study in progress with a young couple. They came to worship in Palmerston North on Sunday morning and then came to Foxton for worship on Sunday afternoon. We’ve still got a fair way to go but I am very excited about the study and always find it a joy to study with those who are so eager to learn God’s word. ANTI SMACKING LAW: They are in the process of passing an anti smacking law in New Zealand. The proposed law is very ambiguous and is apparently a knee jerk reaction to violence in the home that many believe is not even related to smacking at all. The leaders of our country are moving further and further away from God’s standard. In NZ homosexuality is legal, prostitution is legal, the Civil Unions Bill circumnavigates God’s laws on marriage. We’re aborting close to 20,000 babies a year and I’m sure it will not be long before we will be revisiting the Voluntary Euthanasia issue again. When will those in positions of power realize that sin will be a reproach to any people? EVANGELISM: I’ve just been on the phone for about 1 hour wilth Alan Fowell who preaches in New Plymouth. They have asked me to direct a four week door-knocking campaign. I’m excited about their plans but I’m not sure if I can work in a four week effort. It will not be till 2009 so there will be plenty of time to get details organized. Kevin Moore is intending to bring another group from Freed Hardeman University in May 2007. I will be in the States so but I’m hoping to utilize the man power to get all of Levin and Foxton letterboxed. USA VISIT: As I mentioned during our last visit we plan to be located in Cleveland TN for May, June, and July of 2007. The primary purpose is to focus on evangelism. We want to get involved in doing some campaign work in the USA to assist brethren who have assisted us over the years and to learn how to be more effective in our own work. Usually when we come to the US we travel far and wide visiting all of our supporters. There ends up being very little time available to do any effective outreach. My brother-in-law preaches in De Land, Florida, and I am hoping to participate in a door-knocking campaign down there. FAMILY NEWS: Jeana and the kids are well. We have been enjoying our house. There is still work to be done but we are almost finished. Jeana’s parents spent a few weeks with us and we had a great time with them. I worked Danny so hard that he started to call me Pharaoh! The kids are progressing well with their home schooling. They are certainly a treasure from the Lord. Until next time God bless and take care. Todd, Jeana, Joshua, Abby, Titus O’Donnell. 59 Norbiton Road Foxton New Zealand (06) 3637951 (Parents phone) 021 2138727 (Cell) webbst@xtra.co.nz |