Hi Church,
Great to be back with you after a short break. It was just what Amanda and I needed, a time out with no family pressure and no big commitments. We really appreciate the support of the ministry team and our Church family encouraging us to make sure we are refreshed well for the year ahead.
It was such a joy to have Kent and Ruth Hodge with us giving us an update on their time in Jos, Nigeria. I feel so encouraged and challenged by their time with us. Their commitment to be ordinary people doing extraordinary things in Nigeria is amazing. I really felt the grace and the smile of the Holy Spirit upon us and them after the service on Sunday. I felt a real partnership was in place where their victories were our victories as well and their rescue of hundreds of children terrorism survivors was us rescuing them as well and their sending of a 1000 trained Pastors and Missionaries into northern Africa was our sending as well. This partnership is created when we pray for their success and protection, when we send gifts, when we support and promote. Thanks again for everyone for being so generous on Sunday towards Kent and Ruth. A record $3000 was collected and given to them to support their life and mission into Jos and another $1000 added from our Missions account.
Kent mentioned that one of the keys of their success for the Lord to bless their work was unity. Unity of heart as Leaders, as followers of Jesus and a mission’s workers into their community. I felt that needs to be a key for us. Its good to turn up in agreement to worship together. But true unity is so much deeper than that. True unity comes as 1 Peter 4:8 says
“Love each other Deeply from the heart… ”.
I believe our year of More needs to include more love. More Love for each other, stepping in and stepping up for each other, blessing each other, being generous for each other, caring for each other, praying for each other, forgiving each other’s offences. For as Ps 133 says where we dwell together in unity expressing this love, God will command His blessing and we will grow and become fruitful for the glory of Jesus.
Thank you for those who are giving towards our solar panels, we are on the rise towards our $10,500 installation.
Looking forward I ask that you keep the weekend of the 2nd to 3rd of March to be present for our time with Ps David and Narrelle Crabtree. These wonderful pioneer leaders of the Australian Charismatic movement will be ministering across Men’s and Women’s Ministry times, Leadership gatherings, and Sunday morning and Sunday night. So don’t miss out on the blessing that God will release.
This weekend I’m looking forward in sharing the direction for our year and some key truths to take us there through the life of the Apostle Peter.
God bless you Church.
Grace and Peace.
Love Greg and Amanda