R.I.P. Pastor Paul Haines
Pastor Paul Haines died on 24 October 2020 from complications of advanced diabetes. He was in the palliative care unit of Alice Springs Hospital, surrounded by family.
Paul was ordained on 2 July 1995 (along with Simon Gorey and Don Presley) at Ti Tree (200 kilometres north of Alice Springs). He mostly ministered at Nturiya (Ti Tree Station community). For a time his name was removed from the list of pastors but he was reinstated and continued to serve his community (as health permitted) to the end.
He was very musical. He loved playing the keyboard and leading singalongs. Paul and his wife Seraphina Presley assisted Wycliffe linguist David Strickland in his translation work in the Anmatjerr language. Seraphina helped to proofread David’s translations of various books in the New Testament. Paul narrated the Gospel of Mark so that those who cannot read the Anmatjerr language could hear it. Seraphina and Paul also translated language primer books to help their people learn how to read.
The culmination of their work, The Anmatjerr mini-Bible (containing Mark, John and a selection of epistles) is due to be published any week now. It is sad that Paul could not witness that happy day, but we rejoice that he has gone home to Father God where he no longer suffers pain and incapacity.
We thank God for his wonderful grace shown to and through Paul and we ask that his comfort and peace will be with Seraphina and all the family.
Mark 8:35: ‘Tjerrtj rarl athek-irremkwer-areny iteth anetjeh, rang kelilwetjenh. Tjerrtj rarl yengenh awem,angketj tjengenheh kangkwerrem,iterrentj kwerenheh angwerremel,rant kwenh iteth anetjenh.’ (‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.’)
Malcolm Willcocks is the Ministry Support Worker for the Pitjantjatjara Language Area.
