CONCERNED CHRISTIANS GROWTH MINISTRIES INC.

 (A Christian Counter-cult Ministry)

DIRECTOR'S ANNUAL REPORT

for the Ministry Year January 2005 to December 2005

Celebrating more than a Quarter of a Century of

Commitment to Truth, Compassion and Balance

(presented at the CCG Ministries’ AGM,  March 9, 2006)

 2005 gave us opportunities to acknowledge our praise to God with gratitude and thanks. Through the active help and support of His people we were able to complete another year of service and outreach – our 26^th year of ministry.

 Tragedy and Conflict

 At a general community level, the effects of the December 26, 2005, Boxing Day Tsunami, that wrought destruction in a number of Indian Ocean nations, flowed over into the beginning of 2005.  It was a tragedy that impacted the world.  Both the need for international assistance, and national and personal responses from around the world, was enormous.  The tragedy, however, was not helped by the false and triumphalistic hoax perpetrated, promoted and passed on by many Christians regarding Meulaboh in Aceh, Indonesia.  It was claimed that Christians had been forbidden to celebrate Christmas in the town and were forced by Muslims to celebrate Christmas on a hill outside the town.  As a result God punished and wiped out most of the Meulaboh Muslims, but spared ALL of the town’s 400 Christians, in tsunami disaster.  Careful research into the situation enabled us to expose this story as a terrible hoax.

 Another and similar natural disaster, later in 2005 brought terrible destruction to Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama in the USA.  The city of New Orleans was worst hit.  Hurricane Katrina caused its devastation in late August, 2005. It has been labelled as one of America’s deadliest and costliest hurricanes in the country’s history.  Again, some extremist Christians distorted Scriptures, and claimed Hurricane Katrina was God’s punishment on the USA (for a variety of claimed reasons).

 The increasing ‘clash of civilisations’ continued its momentum during 2005 as many Muslims continued to express their anger at Western society and its diverse values.  Islamic groups in many Western countries continued their lobbying activities to bring in forms of censorship to protect their religious sensibilities – contrary to previously accepted standards and practices of freedom of expression, speech and the media.  But for some Muslims, lobbying for their viewpoints was not enough. 

 Once again Muslim anger erupted in terrorist murder and mayhem.  Bombings and attempted bombings brought carnage and havoc to the heart of London, in Britain, on July 7 and 21, 2005.  The terrorist attack raised serious questions about Britain’s approach to Muslim dissatisfaction and other related issues.  It also revealed that no country, especially no Western country, is immune to such Islamic extremism and potential for violence and destruction.

 Education for understanding on major world religions, and especially Islam, is an increasing need – and one that affected our activities.  Islam has been a topic increasingly requested for talks and seminars during the past year.

 The effects of Islamic activities and influences continue to impact Australia (as well as other) countries.  Efforts to silence Christian (and other) critics of Islam – no matter how they approach the subject – is reflected in the ongoing case of the two Dannys.  

 In December 2004, Victorian Judge Michael Higgins gave his judgement in the vilification action brought against Daniel Nalliah of Catch the Fire Ministries, and guest speaker, Daniel Scot by the Islamic Council of Victoria.  The case had lasted almost 3 years when Judge Higgins brought his, we believe subjective and flawed, ruling against the two Dannys, finding them, and Catch the Fire ministries, guilty of religious vilification.  Higgins gave his penalty ruling against the two men and their organisation on Wednesday 22 June, 2005.  Lawyers for the two pastors began procedures for appeal in the Supreme Court, claiming, amongst other things, that Judge Higgins had shown ‘irredeemable bias’.  The Supreme Court appeal had not been heard by the end of December 2005.

 This case, plus a couple of other cases seeking action under the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001, (especially the case of self-proclaimed witch in prison for child sexual abuse, Robin Fletcher) caused some considerable embarrassment to the Victorian State Government.  Comments by members of the judiciary, lobbying by various community groups, as well as general public outcry, finally led the Premier, Steve Bracks, in late 2005, to announce a major review of the Victorian Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001.

 Many of these issues of Islamic influences, potential religious censorship and restrictions, increased religious confusion – as well as the ongoing activities of more traditional cultic groups and extreme Christian fringe groups – will ensure that CCG Ministries will continue to have a significant role in providing Christian educational opportunities for increased understanding and more effective communication between Christians and people of other Faiths.

 The Da Vinci Code

 Another major issue for many during 2005 was the impact of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.  A Christian response to this book and its claims was a requirement for many seminars and speaking topics during the past year.  That interest and concern will continue well into 2006 with the advent of the movie presentation of the book.  Trying to work on, and complete, our response book on The Da Vinci Code has been difficult, mainly due to lack of time.  It is planned to have the book completed by the end of April 2006 – in time for the first screening of the movie.

 Anniversaries

 2005 was also a year of many anniversaries:  

 The 400th Anniversary of the publication of Don Quixote by the famous Spanish writer, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra;  the First Anniversary of the opening of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway line (also connecting Adelaide through to Darwin);  the United Nations declared 2005 the Year of Physics marking the 100th Anniversary of German physicist Albert Einstein’s ‘miraculous year’ in which he wrote three of his most famous scientific papers - it was also the 50th Anniversary of his death; the 60th Anniversary of the liberation of the most notorious of the Nazi death camps, Auschwitz, in southern Poland, by Soviet forces; the 90th Anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli;  the 60th Anniversary of the end of World War II.

 It was also the 100^th Anniversary year for the Collie Church of Christ, where Lorrie and I commenced our pastoral ministry in 1969.  We had the privilege of participating in the weekend celebrations, with past and present members of the church, in April 2005.

 Personnel

 BOARD

 CCG Ministries continued to guided and led by our Board of Management team during 2005. The Board was led for most of the year by Rob Furlong (Churches of Christ) as Chairman, and David van Leen (Ministry Team leader at Kingsley Church of Christ), as Vice-Chairman for most of the year. Christine O'Neil (Churches of Christ) served as Board Secretary, Peter Emmens (Traditional Anglican) as Treasurer, myself (Adrian van Leen – Churches of Christ) as Director; and Board members were: Ray Dorn (Brethren); Lorrie van Leen (Churches of Christ) and George O'Neil (Churches of Christ).

 After many years of involvement on our Board, including in the capacity of Board Secretary, Glynis Turpin concluded her Board involvement at the end of 2004. Glynis’ contribution to CCG Ministries was acknowledged at a special farewell dinner attended by Board members.  Our Chairman, Rob Furlong, became increasingly involved in the Pure Desire programme at the Thornlie Church of Christ, and during the year was also involved in the Sexual Integrity Forum in Canberra.  Developments in this area of ministry and other activities in his church led to Rob Furlong resigning from the Board in September 2005. A farewell and appreciation evening was held for Rob’s past involvement in, and leadership of, CCG Ministries on Tuesday 22^nd November.  A small presentation was made to Rob as a small token of our grateful appreciation of his services to our Ministry since he came on the Board in July 1994. David van Leen, as Vice-Chairman became Acting Chairman for the remainder of 2005.

 Two new members were welcomed onto our Board in late 2005. Victor and Bronwyn Booth (Westminster Presbyterian Church) had been long-time friends and supporters of CCG Ministries before joining the Board and their participation is an encouragement as the Board looks to the future for the Ministry.

 Director and Vice-Chairman, Adrian and David van Leen, were guests of Ministry supporter, Mal Innes, at the Governor’s Prayer Breakfast on Thursday 4th August. The main speaker was well-known Australian landscape photographer, Ken Duncan. Ken shared his personal journey of faith and a couple of fairly spectacular visual presentations – including photos he took during the filming of Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ.

 VOLUNTEERS

 We acknowledge our gratitude for the greatly appreciated help and support contributed by our entire volunteer team during 2005.  We gladly do this each year. Without our team of willing volunteers our activities would soon slow down to to point of total ineffectiveness. In the past year our volunteers have been a very significant and vital part of CCG Ministries.  The 2005 volunteer team included: Eric Banfield, Gael Fairbairn, Nancy Fairbairn, Bruce Miller, Eve Morgan, June Palmer, Mary Reid, Stewart Robertson, Andy White. A newcomer to the team this past year was Charlie Kriskovich. He has been working with Eric Banfield and Andy White on property and building maintenance.

 An additional short-term volunteer was Daniel Law. Daniel, originally from Singapore, completed his law studies at the University of WA last year.  Before completing them he had decided to do his Law & Religion project for us.  It was very helpful for us, and gained him distinctions. We greatly appreciated his contribution.

 Bruce Miller, who had been helping in the library, found permanent employment during the year and was therefore unable to continue his voluntary activities with us.  We greatly appreciated his help in the library, sorting shelves and entering books on the computer.

 Former long-time helper (our oldest volunteer for many years), Mona Morey, who turned 90 early in 2005, was ‘promoted to glory’ – died – in the early hours of Friday morning 2^nd September.  She had been hospitalised for a couple of months, following a fall at the nursing home, Kingsley Lodge, where our vice-chairman, David van Leen, is chaplain.  The well-attended funeral service was conducted by David.

 STAFF

 As in previous years, the 2005 CCG Ministries’ staff team consisted of my wife, Lorrie, and I, working full-time (Lorrie in an unpaid and voluntary capacity); and Tracy Taylor involved in regular part-time work.

 During much of 2005 Tracy’s husband, Steve, has suffered from abdominal/stomach troubles which made life somewhat troubled for them. At the end of June Tracy, Steve and their boys, Mitchell and Aidan, went on a ‘snow holiday’ in Victoria.  Unfortunately, right at the beginning of the holiday, Tracy broke her ankle. It not only put her in hospital and then out of action for the family holiday, but it also put her out of action with working at CCG Ministries for almost the remainder of the year.

 Once again we must acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe Lorrie van Leen for her unstinting service to CCG Ministries in maintaining the office, handling daily finances, organising volunteers, and much more.

 In the News/Media

 During 2005 I recorded radio talk series for my  98.5 Sonshine FM Monday evening radio teaching programme on: The Story Tellers – People Who Aren’t What They Claimed to Be - dealing with Christians and non-Christians, who have conned and fleeced unwary believers; Back to Basics – on some of the essentials of being a Christian; and Made for Missions – on the Christian’s call to service. At the end of the year I began recording the beginnings of a new series for 2006 on Aussie Faith and Followers – dealing with Australia’s Christian heritage and tied in with the 400^th Anniversary of first recorded European contact with Australia.

 During 2005 I was interviewed (and photographed again) several times, including for a possible feature article on Freemasonry for the West Australian and also for the May 26- June 1, 2005 Business Week Review (BRW) magazine story on Pentecostal mega-churches in Australia. However, the Freemasonry story was not run, and the BRW Magazine article did not quote my comments (probably not controversial enough!).

 During the year we managed to produce 6 issues of TAKE A CLOSER LOOK which dealt with a wide range of articles including the occult, scandals of some prominent religious leaders, issues relating to Islam, religious hoaxes, Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, and more.

 We also produced 6 issues of PIM UPDATE – our newsletter for supporters and friends of CCG Ministries.

 In addition we produced some more Tract Packs (of a selection of topical tracts/leaflets) to those put together the year before.

 With the Board’s endorsement, and with support from 98.5 Sonshine FM, I attended the inaugural Christians in the Media National Conference – held at the Hills Lodge, Castle Hill, NSW from Thursday 25^th to Saturday 27^th August.

 The conference was interesting, informative and challenging – with some excellent speakers, studies and group electives. Amongst other things, it was also a reminder to pray for people in the media who actually wield considerable influence and need the power and presence of Christ to maintain truth and integrity, as well as develop humility, in their areas of vocation and work.

 Counselling and Inquiries

 During 2005, as in previous years, we continued to receive a wide range of inquiries dealing with a variety of religious, and semi-religious, personalities, practices, programmes and groups. Inquiries have come through personal visits, telephone calls, emails and correspondence.  These inquiries resulted in some personal counselling, as well as sharing and sending out information in both printed and electronic forms.

 Details on inquiries has become more complicated for our records with shortage of volunteers to keep such records up to date, but more especially with many now accessing information on our Internet website without making direct contact with us.  Feedback we have received indicates that many value the information we have made available this way, but there is no real way of accurately determining the full value of our website in providing answers to what, otherwise, may have been direct inquiries.

 Throughout the past year general inquiries and requests for help and information continued to be received about Islam; New Age spirituality, groups, activities; the occult generally; and an additional wide variety of cultic and extreme Christian fringe groups, as well as various main world religions. 

 As in previous years, requests for help and information throughout 2005 came from around Australia, Asia, and elsewhere. Some of the inquirers were referred to us by churches, friends and relatives who were aware of our Ministry, or who had themselves been previously helped by us. The volume of email inquiries continued to increase this past year, and, unfortunately we have not always been able to keep up with the volume, leading to disappointment for some of our inquirers.

 During 2005 we continued to exchange information with some other organisations and individuals around Australia, in Britain, and in the United States.

 In 2005, again, though perhaps not as many as in previous years, new groups and issues (also known groups either not in our files or previously included within other groups/files), not all necessarily cultic in nature, have been brought to our attention, or had inquiries made about them, and new files, or sub files, opened for them. A number of these were legitimate Christian groups either newly commenced, or newly brought to our attention for good reasons, or simply because little was known about them.  These include groups and issues such as (sub-files within broader categories are indicated as [sf]:

 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD & ADD); Church Without Walls Network; Creation & Creation Science [sf] Creation - Intelligent Design; Dahnhak – Lee, Seung Heun – Grand Master (Korean); Faria, Rubens (Brazil); Health Fads [sf] Medical Issues; Houston, Jean; Islam [sf] Tablighi Jamaat; Law [sf] Terrorism – Australian Legislation; Life Springs Christian Fellowship; Mary Magdalene (Teachings about…); Neurocam;  Orange People – Rajneeshees [sf] Rayner, Moira; Papua New Guinea Interests; Politics [sf] Multiculturalism; Presbyterian Church [sf] Australian Korean Open Door( Chatswood, NSW); Roman Catholic [sf] Catalyst for Renewal; South American Interests; Suburban Christian Fellowship, Gosnells;  Synchronicity.

 Each year we endeavour to record and list the various groups about which we receive inquiries, and also the frequency of such inquiries. Sometimes the volume of inquiries and other pressures lead to failure to record details of all inquiries, but we are able to gain a fair approximation of the groups/issues, and the number of inquiries made - through personal visits, telephone calls, correspondence and email. 

 The following listing (not a complete and exhaustive listing) indicates something of the range of inquiries which we received during 2005. While many in the list received multiple inquiries, the listing does NOT show how often we may have received inquiries on the same group, individual or issue:

 Amway; Angels; Anthroposophy; Assemblies of God – general; Assemblies of God – Hillsong; Assemblies of God – North City Church; Avatar; Baha’is; Baptists (Independent); Blake, Curry (John G Lake Healing Ministries); Bonnke, Rheinhard; Branham, William/Perth Christian Fellowship; Brethren (Exclusive); Brisbane Christian Fellowship/Associated Christian Fellowships; Buddhism; Bunker, Michael; Carol Balizet/Home in Zion Ministries; Charismatics/Pentecostals - general; Children of God/Family; Christadelphians; Christian – general; Christian Life Church; Christian Science; Church of Christ (non-instrumental); Church of Christ, International (Boston Movement); Church Without Walls; Coe, Eddie; Conversations with God - Neale Donald Walsch; Cooneyites/Go preachers/Two-by-twos; Cross Road Bible Church/Gene, Cunningham; Cults – general; Da Vinci Code, The – Dan Brown; Demons and Demonology; Education; Ellel; End Times – Revelations; Enneagrams; Evangel Charismatic Church; False Memory Syndrome/Recalled Memories; Falun Gong/Falun Dafa; Fantasy Role Playing/Dungeons & Dragons; Feng Shui/Chinese Geomancy; Focal; Forward In Faith; 40 Days of Purpose; 400 Aceh Christians saved – hoax; Freemasonry; Global Church of God; Goths; Hare Krishna/ ISCON; Health Fads - Iridology; Health Fads/Alternative Healing - general; Heavenly Man; Heritage Church; Hickey, Marilyn; Hinduism; Hinn, Benny; Hoaxes/Frauds - General; Hogan, David; Houston, Jean; Iglesia Ni Cristo; Islam; Jehovah's Witnesses; Kinesiology; Landmark Education/Forum/est;  Living Church of God; Living Way – Michael Smith; Lodges - Druids; Lodges - Oddfellows; Martial Arts – Qigong – Chi Kung; Martial Arts – tai chi; McKay Family; mental illness; Mormonism; New Age Spirituality - general; New Apostolic Church; Occult - Cabbala; Occult - crystals; Occult - curses; Occult - general; Occult – healing – John of God - Brazil; Occult – Ouija Boards; Occult - reincarnation; Occult - Satanism; Occult - Spiritualism; Occult - UFOs; Occult - Witchcraft; Old Apostolic Church; Orange People/Rajneeshees; Philadelphia Church of God; Potter's House; Prince, Derek; Prosperity Teaching/Word Faith; Reiki; Religious Vilification issues; Revival Centres; Riverview Church; Rock Music; Roman Catholic Church; Sahaja yoga; Sathya Sai Baba; Scientology; Seventh Day Adventism; Seventh Day Baptist Church; Sikhism; Spong, Bishop John Shelby; Theophostic counselling; Todd, John; Transcendental Meditation – TM; United Church of God; Universalism; Violent Crime; Virtues Project – Baha’is; Well of Blessing; Whole Life Ministries/E. Cooke; Worldwide Church of God; Yoga  general.

 Please note that the preceding listing of groups, topics and people are only indicative of the wide and diverse range of inquiries received by CCG Ministries.  We emphasise that our listing does NOT mean that we consider or classify every group, topic or person mentioned as cultic, occultic or extreme.

 While the preceding  listing shows something of the great diversity of inquiries received by CCG Ministries, it does not reveal the amount of time in dealing with inquiries - either initially when first received, or when we endeavour to find accurate information enabling us to give appropriate responses. A good number of these inquiries require research and investigation before we can give any helpful reply or pass on any information. In some instances we have not been able to respond as adequately as we might have liked, because we were unable to find out a great deal, if anything, about some groups, issues, practices or personalities. However, even in such instances a file is opened with the hope that perhaps at some later stage, we might be able to find and add important and helpful information to such files.  This work, along with our general ongoing research, with the addition of information forwarded to us from around the world, keeps us adding to our large collection of files, and enables us to be better informed. 

 We were encouraged to learn, during the past year, that our advice, and the information we shared with people during crisis intervention, had been helpful to them. One of our major aims is to assist and empower people to cope and more adequately deal with the situations brought about by cultic, and similar, involvement. Though our resources, and especially time, continued to be stretched to the limit (and sometimes beyond), we endeavoured to help some find reconciliation, and others to discover a new faith and freedom from manipulation and controlling personalities and groups. 

 Speaking Engagements

 In 2005, as in previous years, teaching/speaking commitments such as lectures, talks, sermons and seminars formed a significant part of our Ministries’ preventative education programme. As Director I had the responsibility for organising and carrying our these numerous engagements at many different venues, including churches, youth groups, community groups, colleges and seminaries, high schools, and others - involving me in travelling around the Perth metropolitan area, W.A. country centres, interstate and overseas in my teaching/speaking role. 

 The following list of meeting venues does not indicate the full nature of these speaking commitments.  Neither time (involved in travel or preparation, or actual speaking time) nor the topic is listed. A very wide range of subjects were covered, but cults in general and a Christian response to The Da Vinci Code were amongst the most popular subjects covered in 2005. In some cases the actual speaking time was 1/2 to 3/4 of an hour, but in many cases 1 1/2 to 2 or even 3 hours was the actual presentation time.  Some sessions, overall, may have varied between 3-8 hours, possibly involving a whole morning or afternoon, or a whole day.  Sometimes, colleges and schools want one or two period sessions, others want a series of all-morning or all-day lectures as part of special module or programme.  Hence there is a variety of time involved at different colleges.  The numbers given after some listed venues indicate the number of specific occasions (generally on different days) on which I spoke at that venue.  The mention of the denomination and venue could include speaking at church services, study groups, men’s, women’s or youth groups.  Unless otherwise indicated, groups mentioned are in Western Australia.

 The opportunity of sharing with different individuals and Christian groups continued to be an enriching experience and a privileged opportunity through 2003.

 Denomination/Church:-

 Anglican

 St Andrews Anglican Church – Riverton; St Andrews Cathedral (Singapore);

 Bible Presbyterian

 Tabernacle Bible Presbyterian Church (Sing);  Zion Bible Presbyterian Church [4x] (Sing);

 Churches of Christ

 Kingsley Church of Christ; Maitland Church of Christ [4x] (NSW); Narembeen Church of Christ; Nollamara Church of Christ [9x]; Rockingham Church of Christ;

 Methodist

 Faith Methodist Church (Sing); Wesley Methodist Church (Sing);

 Presbyterian

 Glory Presbyterian Church (Sing); Singapore Life Church [2x]

 Uniting Church

 Nedlands Uniting Church.

 Westminster Presbyterian

 Maida Vale.

 Other:-

 Catalyst for Renewal – Spirituality in the Pub; Churchlands Christian Fellowship; Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) Perth; Overseas Christian Fellowship (OCF) National Convention [4x]; Student Christian Fellowship Group (UWA); Westchurch Church of Christ [2x];

 Educational:-

 Singapore Youth For Christ [5x]; St Mark’s Anglican School [4x]; St Stephens School - Carramar; University of Western Australia’s Law School.

 The November trip to Singapore was my 31st ministry visit to that country, and originally it had been planned for me to go on to Myanmar (Burma) for what would have been my 9th ministry visit there. Unfortunately, the organisers of my visit, who had requested me to come in November, found it necessary, on advice, to cancel my teaching visit (as well as those of several others, scheduled to teach in Myanmar churches around the same time).  It was a disappointment not to have been able to visit and encourage some of our Christian friends in Myanmar in 2005.

 WEDNESDAY EVENING STUDY GROUP:

 During 2005 CCG Ministries continued an informal Bible study group on Wednesday evenings in the Banfield Seminar Room at our Ministry Centre, 50 Carcoola Street, Nollamara.  The evenings commence at 7.30 pm and lasted for about 2 hours. Freewill donations were generally contributed by participants of the Wednesday evening study group. Supper was provided.  

 For most of the year we worked through Paul’s letter to the Romans. Most of the group participating in this found it informative and helpful.

 Ministry Centre and Property

 Some major work was done to renovate and reinforce the verandah area and wall in front of the Banfield Seminar Room and reception area, during 2005. General ongoing property maintenance and yard work kept our honorary property manager, Eric Banfield, and his small team of volunteers, quite busy throughout the year

 Apart from newcomers and other general visitors to our Ministry Centre, a couple of special visitors during the year were Pastor Salim Massey from Pakistan and Pastor Don Stewart from Queensland. Both our visitors were impressed by our Centre and its resources, especially our extensive reference library.

 Finances

 During the year we closed our ANZ Trustee Fund account – which was basically invested in that fund for special purpose account needs (from trip payments to special projects). The closing balance of $4,209.46 was transferred to our Holding Fund – and just over $600 was used for a 5-licence agreement Microsoft upgrade of our MS Office software (to Office 2003). 

 Around 1,600 annual appeal letters were posted out during May and the beginning of June to all those on our contact (but not regular) mailing list. Some donations were received as a result of this mail-out, but results were not as good as hoped for.  Some significant donations were subsequently received from some of our regular supporters (who would not have received the appeal letters).  

 2005 continued to see us struggle with cashflow problems, though, as an organisation, we are asset strong.

 Though we had some difficulties with finding an honorary auditor to examine our financial records for 2004, that is being remedied early in 2006. Eric Banfield, working with our Treasurer, Peter Emmens, was again able to update our financial computer records, and then finalise the preparation of our books for auditing.  He has been doing an excellent job in computerising our financial records since he began it in 1995.  We deeply appreciate his contribution in this work.

 Other

 MARKETING CCG MINISTRIES

 During the year Mrs Gaby Woermann, from Churchlands Christian Fellowship – who has professional qualifications in marketing (though now not working full-time in that field) kindly considered some aspects of our ministry from a marketing perspective (free of charge) and a couple of weeks later gave us a brief report.

 The Board considered these appreciated suggestions and other related issues, and subsequently our Acting Chairman, David van Leen, led us through a number of evaluation exercises to address issues of the Ministry’s viability and future. These have been appreciated and are still ongoing, and are providing some positive directions for the future.  

 DISPLAYS

 As part of evaluation activities and discussions it was decided to develop several rotating displays for promotional use at meetings and in churches willing to use them. Following various suggestions, Ray Dorn made a small cardboard model of a portable display stand he had seen. This was shown to Eric Banfield, who, in turn found a cardboard manufacturer who made up a set of five displays – the four-sided cardboard panels displays cost $30 each ($150 for the five displays). Lyndley Banfield subsequently made strong material carrying bags for each of these sets, and also for the more permanent display board that has been regularly used. We appreciate the help they have both provided with these promotional displays. Ray has been working on a display to deal with the Da Vinci Code, and self-adhesive artwork on CCG Ministries and the Da Vinci Code were ordered before Christmas 2005.  Their completion is scheduled for early 2006 and will help to add a colourful and professional touch to a number of these display boards.

 SECOND TELEPHONE DIRECTORY LISTING

 Early in 2005 we arranged for our second listing will be in the 2005-2006 Perth White Pages Directory. We can now be found twice in the telephone book:

 Apart from our normal listing under Concerned Christians Growth Ministries, we will also have a listing under:  CULT CONCERNS?  CCG Ministries – 50 Carcoola Nlmra………9344 2200

 Thanks

 I would like to express my thanks to all Board members and volunteers for the support given throughout 2005. CCG Ministries can only function effectively with team effort and support. We went beyond our 25^th Anniversary in October 2004, and managed to complete our 26^th year of service in the Lord’s Name.  It hasn’t been an easy year in several ways, and yet it has been an exciting year as we faced the challenges of the future together.

 The future now looks more encouraging than it did twelve months ago.  I believe we have some great opportunities before us in 2006 and beyond.  I look forward to working with you in the year ahead as together we consolidate and maximise our resources and the opportunities. May the Lord continue to guide and direct our future efforts.

 In His Peace and Grace

W.A. van Leen, Director.

March 2006