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KTF Adds New Ministry in the South Pacific! · July 06, 2011
Big news! Keep the Faith now has a ministry footprint in the South Pacific, otherwise known as Oceania. Dr. Russell Standish established Highwood College and Health Centre some years ago in a magnificent and beautiful part of Victoria, Australia as a training center for young people and a health center ministry near the city of Melbourne, to reach souls for the kingdom. Since his untimely and tragic death three years ago, Highwood has gradually declined. Since Highwood has faithfully been doing the very work the Lord has ordained to do, Pastor Mayer has worked closely with Highwood over the years, teaching in their classrooms, and preaching around Australia with members of their staff.
Recently, the parent organization that owned Highwood asked Keep the Faith to assume ownership and leadership of Highwood for the purpose of redeveloping its ministry. Since Keep the Faith is located in Virginia, USA and is a long way from Victoria, Australia, the Keep the Faith Board of Directors felt that they needed to be sure the Lord was leading. So they placed a very practical five-point “fleece” before the Lord and asked Him to fulfill them all, if it was His will for Keep the Faith to take on this ministry. Some of the points they knew would be humanly difficult, if not impossible.
After several months of discussion and negotiation all five points of the fleece were answered. Thus we have confidence that God will be with us in this ministry and that we will have His blessing so long as we remain faithful to His revealed will as revealed in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.
Highwood is situated on a beautiful 102-acre retreat nestled in a large valley surrounded by mountains and forests. It has good well water and streams running through it. There are tall eucalyptus trees and beautiful tree ferns with colorful parrots, the famous snow-white cockatoos, laughing kookaburras, wallabies and kangaroos throughout the area.
Here is just one of the statements in which Ellen White speaks of the eucalyptus leaves. “Again, take warm footbaths into which have been put the leaves from the eucalyptus tree. There is great virtue in these leaves, and if you will try this, you will prove my words to be true. The oil of the eucalyptus is especially beneficial in cases of cough and pains in the chest and lungs…” Selected Messages, Vol. 2, pg. 301. Eucalyptus trees are very healing and God has placed Highwood right in the middle of a whole forest of them.
Highwood has several homes on campus, a dormitory, a health center and an office/administration building. There is a large garden that is growing produce for use in the health center kitchen. The health center has capacity for up to 20 guests more or less. It has hydrotherapy and massage facilities and is ideally situated about an hour and a half drive from Melbourne.
Highwood Health Centre, near Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Check out what Ellen White says about Melbourne and the need to reach out to that particular city. “There should be a sanitarium near Melbourne, if there were those to manage such an institution who could carry it forward solidly.” Manuscript Release, Vol. 9, pg. 369. And to carry it forward solidly, under the blessing of God is exactly what we plan to do. We are taking it carefully and building a solid foundation for long-term success, by establishing a marketing program, searching for dedicated staff with the right qualifications, and carefully managing the finances so that there is no waste.
Here is another important statement about Melbourne. “For a long time the Battle Creek Sanitarium was the only medical institution conducted by our people. But for many years light has been given that sanitariums [or health centers] should be established near every large city. Sanitariums should be established near such cities as Melbourne and Adelaide. Medical Ministry, pg. 326
And here is another. “A sanitarium must be erected somewhere in New South Wales, and another in the great city of Melbourne. It costs twice as much to build here as in America, but build we must, and at once; and we call for contributions from our people in America.” Review and Herald, November 14, 1899
And it still costs twice as much to build and operate in Australia. But we must move forward with the work! If you sense the Lord asking you to partner with us to do this work, don’t hesitate to send in your support marked for Highwood. We greatly appreciate it.
God has seen fit to place this little oasis in our hands to strengthen and expand His work through Keep the Faith in very practical ways. Keep in mind that medical missionary work is the last work that can be done in the last days. So the time is now for Keep the Faith to get started. Keep the Faith has been interested in developing its work in the South Pacific in a much broader way, and though this development was unexpected, it is an ideal way to do so.
But what is really important is the soul winning work. Highwood Health Centre has seen a number of baptisms in recent years from its program, and we expect that we will see more, by the blessing of the Lord.
So many people have told Pastor Mayer of the wonderful work that God has done there in the past that we are very encouraged that He will do much, much more in the future.
Highwood Health Centre will continue to operate as it is now. There is a full-time physician and a small team of therapists, chefs and other staff who are working to reach souls through the health message. The educational work was closed a couple of years ago, but in time we hope to redevelop the educational side of the ministry as the Lord opens the way. In addition, we plan to open a ministerial branch of our work there, as the Lord opens the way, to minister throughout the South Pacific. We hope and pray that Keep the Faith will be used by the Lord to influence thousands of lives in various places throughout Oceania as we network with others throughout the region and urge God’s people to get ready for the coming of Christ.
Keep the Faith Ministry has actually considered having a formal ministry office in the South Pacific. A year ago, we would not have known however, that God would ask us to fulfill a much larger role than we would have imagined or planned for ourselves. His providences are just amazing! There are vast opportunities in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the islands of Oceania. The work of Highwood opens up huge potential for ministry there.
Keep the Faith plans to strengthen that which remains, as the scripture says. That means we will first concentrate on the health center and build up its work. There is a small team of faithful men and women already in place, and we are currently working to find additional staff to handle the roles that need to be filled.
Pastor Mayer and his wife do not plan to move to Australia, for family and ministry reasons, but Pastor Mayer will spend more time there, needless to say.
Keep the Faith will continue to provide timely analysis of current events in light of Bible prophecy just as it has for many years. You will still continue to receive your monthly CDs as always. The team in Australia will conduct their work at Highwood under the direction of Keep the Faith and Pastor Mayer.
Your support and prayers for Keep the Faith are greatly appreciated. And please, especially pray for Highwood. There are many needs. But God knows how to provide for them through faithful souls who sense His calling.
Wildlife Close Up
Hydrotherapy and Massage Provided by Skilled Therapists
Vegetable Garden Supplies Food to the Health Center Kitchen
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Wonderful article and beautiful pictures. Would love to work with this ministry. God bless always.
— Angela Griffiths · Sat Jan 14, 02:51 PM · #
very beautiful, I would love to visit with my little girl for spiritual healings. God Bless!!!!!!
— Garlie Tipton · Sat Nov 26, 04:19 PM · #
Thank you so much for the information about this important message… especially for sending me every month remnant Herald and CD. God Bless you all!!!
— Reniel · Thu Oct 27, 09:57 AM · #
This is a need for many communities. The health message is of great importance. May the holy spirit be with you and this venture.
— pauline metzroth · Thu Sep 15, 10:10 PM · #
we will include you in our prayers. TO GOD BE THE GLORY
— Glenn Ellacer · Fri Jul 29, 05:43 PM · #
This is an exciting ministry. How I wish I could be a part of your team. It’s so miraculous how God has opened this door in the South Pacific. God Bless Keep the Faith Ministry.
— Joan Hull · Sat Jul 16, 07:38 PM · #
May the Lord bless this important health ministry as he has done with KFT. Our prayers will include this beautiful project. Blessings, Sandra Muñoz, Colombia, S.A.
— Sandra Muñoz · Sat Jul 16, 09:54 AM · #
Wonderful to see the ministry expanding. It is God’s way to expand through health centers. May God continue guiding His work through this ministry.
— Mcchabby Lupiya · Thu Jul 14, 11:37 AM · #
very beautiful, wish i could visit. May God bless and prosper this ministry.
— paula brown · Sat Jul 9, 09:45 AM · #