Assemblies of God Empowered Magazine LEADING WITH A SHEPHERDS HEART | Page 3
Editor’s
Note
The Lord, our Shepherd, is the best example of what it is
to lead as a shepherd. He leads and guides us, nourishes,
restores, protects, provides, gives us rest, and gives us no
reason to fear as He comforts us and calls and anoints us
ASSEMBLIES OF GOD
IN NEW ZEALAND
- Psalm 23
Eastside Estate, Building 2,
The theme of this edition is Leading
with a Shepherd’s Heart. It seems quite
fitting as I write my first article as editor,
that I share on the first scripture I really
learnt and took to heart as a child,
Psalm 23. The Lord, our Shepherd, is
the best example of what it is to lead
as a shepherd. He leads and guides us,
nourishes, restores, protects, provides,
gives us rest, and gives us no reason
to fear as He comforts us and calls and
anoints us. What a Shepherd he is!
I love the picture of the shepherd who
will go after the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) in
order to bring it back into the flock. That
is what Christ has done for us, finding us
and restoring us to his family. And that is
exactly what we are all called to do, to
be His vessel to bring His lost sheep into
the Kingdom. What a complete privilege
and joy that is! What a calling for us! No
longer can we turn a blind eye to the
broken, hurt, lonely and sinful people
that we come across. We have to lead
others to Christ with the same heart
that the Lord shows us in the picture
of His Shepherd’s heart. We need to
lead, guide and nourish others, allowing
Collector / Marketing
• Pastor Mina Acraman
Proofreader
• Pastor Ian Clark
people to truly experience God’s love
and establish an enduring relationship
with Him. I feel thoroughly challenged by
this quote: ‘Instead of saying it’s not my
child, it’s not my community, it’s not my
problem; Lord give us the grace to say
“it’s not happening on my watch”’. That is
a shepherd’s heart, not allowing the lost
sheep to perish under his watch.
I would like to thank you for the
support I have received in taking up
this position which I am honoured to
have been given. However, the biggest
thanks I am sure you will all agree, has to
go to Shona Sorensen who has worked
tirelessly on Empowered for a number
of years, putting together a great team
and giving of her time and energy to
produce a top quality magazine for which
she deserves to be honoured. I am truly
grateful that she continues to help, guide
and encourage me in the background to
make the transition as smooth as possible.
Thank you so very much Shona; I feel I
have very big, beautiful shoes to fill as you
have done an outstanding job of carrying
on this good work. May the Lord continue
to bless you in all you put your hand to.
15 Accent Drive, East Tamaki,
Auckland 2013
PO Box 58067, Botany,
Auckland 2163 | New Zealand
Phone:
+64 9 265 0063
Fax:
+64 9 265 0171
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
www.agnz.org
May we all rise to the challenge to lead
the lost around us to the love of Jesus.
Editor in Chief
NAOMI OLIVE
PS. In the last edition I mentioned
that we were expecting our fourth son.
I’m very pleased to announce that on
21 April we welcomed our precious boy
Amittai into the world. His name, meaning
‘My Truth’, is in the Bible as the father of
Jonah the prophet.
Editor
Marketing Director
Graphic Design
• Naomi Olive
• Abby Kingi
• Lamp Studios Ltd
+64 21 2404 777,
+64 21 313 310,
(06) 281 3380,
[email protected][email protected][email protected]
www.AGNZ.ORG.NZ
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