On a Sabbath morning sometime in 1926, a small group of farmers met under the mallee and gum trees of east Narembeen, Western Australia. The town of Narembeen itself had only existed for six years and at this point, was merely a railway stop-over to the much larger settlement of Emu Hill. On this particular Sabbath, a Mr and Mrs Martin, Mr Powell and a handful of others held Sabbath school. It was the first time any Seventh-day Adventists had worshipped at this spot, but it wouldn’t be the last. Twenty years later, Joe and Glenice Ashmore moved into the nearby farm “Welcome Downs” and in 1955, the Narembeen Company of Seventh-day Adventists was formed. They met in the Ashmore home and their shearing shed until, in 1958, a church was constructed on the spot where the 1926 group had met. Joe and Glenice Ashmore were my great-grandparents. My grandparents still live in the area, though Welcome Downs has long since changed hands. Every time I visit East Narembeen church, I’m reminded of its proud history—and the pivotal role my family played in it.
None of us got to where we are alone. Whether it’s your mum working double shifts while making time to attend music recitals, an older brother looking out for you at school or the kindly retiree at church mentoring you at that crucial time in your life, we all have people to whom we owe a debt of gratitude. As the new editor of Adventist Record, I’m keenly aware of the shoulders on which I’m standing. Since 1898, this periodical has informed, instructed and inspired Adventists in the South Pacific. Adventist Record is theological and relational, spiritual and practical. From Anna Hindson to Jarrod Stackelroth, this has remained our mission.
In times of change, we often wonder, “What’s next?” Well, you can continue to look forward to being blessed and challenged by our thoughtful, talented writers, as well as inspired and encouraged by what God is doing in our Division. My vision for the next season of Adventist Record is to engage you for mission. No matter your context or vocation, I want, when you read Adventist Record, to not simply know what we believe, but to know how to live out God’s calling for your life.
One of my favourite passages of Scripture is the “hall of heroes” of Hebrews 11. From Abel to Jepthah, these figures are “all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised” (Hebrews 11:39). Contextualised by the opening, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (11:1), this passage is encouraging for two reasons.
First, it’s a reminder that even if you don’t see the impact of your work in your time, remaining faithful to God’s calling lays a foundation that can outlast you. The faithfulness of former editorial staff, along with people like my great-grandfather, created a foundation from which future generations have benefited greatly.
Second, it inspires hope for the present. The author of Hebrews charges the letter’s recipients: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses . . . let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (12:1). Those who came before you not only laid the foundation for you; they are also on the metaphorical sidelines cheering you on! Thus, we labour in the vineyard, building on the past so future generations will be able to achieve even greater things in the future.
If I were to list all the people to whom I’m grateful, this editorial would need its own issue. But, there are some who should be mentioned. I’m grateful to my mentors—in church ministry and in our editorial team. I’m grateful for our Division leaders who lead with passion and clarity. I’m grateful to my wonderful wife Carina and our daughter Bridget. Most of all though, I’m grateful to Jesus, “the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:2,3). May God bless you, and may we fix our eyes on Jesus as we run the race marked out for us.
