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 3