Partnership in Missions

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  

Spirit and Truth Worship

Dear Church,

Guess what! You are engaged! Holy Spirit is God’s promise to you. In this engagement period, God wants to know you and be known by you. God wants to know if your heart is truly for Him. This is the heart of spirit and truth worship. 

“But the time is coming-indeed it's here now- when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24, NLT)

There is a gap between who you are and who God calls you to be. What do you do with the gap? I believe this is where spirit and truth worship comes in. 

I see a model of spirit and truth worship in 1 John 1:5-9. In this scripture, we see God inviting us to bring everything about us into the light as He is in the light. We read that in accepting His invitation we experience increased fellowship with God when He sees our desire really is to live life His way. God will then cleanse us from all unrighteousness by the blood of Jesus. 

The life of a God-worshiper is a life of increasing sanctification. Right now there are ways you live your life that are in fellowship with God (Thank you, Jesus!). At the same time there are ways, attitudes, bents in your life that are in disfellowship with the ways of God. Holy Spirit and the word of God provide a pathway forward: a beautiful opportunity to honestly bring these areas before God, and exchange them for the light of God, experiencing increased fellowship with Abba Father. 

I see the spiritual activity of our church increasing. I see spiritual chains falling as each of us engages with God in spirit and in truth. I see the Bride preparing for everything Jesus promised. Spirit and truth worship is not to be avoided: it’s something to embrace. This is the year we move closer: knowing God and being known. 

Be blessed to walk more closely with Abba Father. 

In Love and Grace, 

Deb

Debbie-Ann Bax

Worship & Creative Pastor

Christmas is coming

Hi Church,

Sorry its taken so long to get a message back to you through e-news and my usual blog, but I’ve been flat out like the proverbial lizard drinking. Thank you to Suzie Wood for sharing a great word last Sunday whilst we were away.

Why have I been flat out? There are two reasons:-  

One, a wedding is a very mentally and emotionally draining and, when you travel interstate, time consuming business. It’s exhausting, but worthwhile. Thank you for everyone’s prayers for a beautiful day. It was perfect and the Bride and Groom were sent off in love and honour and truly two families were celebrated and one new one emerged through the service and beyond the reception gathering. 

Secondly, the whole family by the time we returned Sunday night were diving headlong into Covid Symptoms which were confirmed by tests on Monday. And so we have been smashed with tiredness and sickness and the usual aches and pains that come with it whilst still trying to organise Christmas and Church life. 

So unfortunately, I will not bring the word this week. But once again our good friend Randolph will carry faith for this Sunday to help us celebrate and consider Christmas well.  If I’m well enough I will service lead. Deb will bring some joyful Carols and Bree Brown has a kids yarn to tell. And of course, there will be lots of food to share and fellowship to enjoy straight after the service. Please bring a plate to share.

You know, the difficulties we sometimes face in life provoked me to thoughts around Mary and Joseph as they faced their future. Once they were both charged with carrying the Son of God literally as a word of faith, then as an unborn baby and then as a new born, in a hostile environment, Mary and Joseph faced constant challenges, constant disruption and contention.  Sometimes we think when coming to Jesus all will be made well and all will go well. But not necessary so. Mary and Joseph had to contend for every promise of God along the way. 

I’m encourage by them, by their confession and obedience and their desire to not swerve away from the destination no matter how hard it became. Through their faith, the lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world entered our world and grew and was nurtured and protected till just at the right time, His own voice was heard, and the way of salvation was known.

What has God laid upon your heart to carry through every season? What word has He spoken that needs to grow and develop through faith and be protected despite the opposition? Sometimes you may just want to quietly walk away from the responsibility, the destiny God has called you to.  Well don’t give up. Trust and obey for there is no other way. He knows its hard. So look to Him the author and the perfector of your faith. Draw from His strength and He will see you through. 

Mary took that promise from conception to the cross, from witnessing the empty grave to the ascension of her son into the heavens and then the coming of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. She determined not to miss a moment of life with Jesus…..What about us?   

Let’s pause this Christmas and make sure we don’t miss a moment with Jesus, let us continue our journey in Him till the very end. 

Merry Christmas Church and a Happy blessed New Year from my family to yours. 

The Church Office will be Closed from 25th of Dec till the 14th of Jan.  Pastors will be on holidays during this time. Emergency calls can be made to my mobile.  Volunteer Pastors will be available through Kerry Medway and Jane Bax at various times. 

A Thanksgiving Service will be available on the 31st of Dec, come ready to testify of Gods goodness for 2023 and pray for 2024. 

January will have various speakers and smaller worship teams and no Childrens Ministry as we attempt to give everyone a rest as best we can over the January period.  

Thanks for your encouragement and support in 2023 Church and I look forward to the journey together in 2024. 

See you there 

Love Greg and Amanda

Look Up

Hi Church,

The year is closing out and no doubt many of us are tired and looking forward to holidays. The service over the weekend was encouraging. Randolph Kubicek gave an encouraging word reminding us to not be complacent in these uncertain days but be diligent and alert to what God is doing and what the Enemy is trying to do. I can also give testimony that the words of knowledge Randloph gave at the beginning of the service were responded to after and had great impact.

Back to Randolph’s message, you know the enemy of our soul always tries to deceive us with lies and doubts. But Randolph showed us through the scriptures that we need to Wake up, Stand Up, Speak Up, Build Up and Look up.

Some key phrases spoken,

·       You are robbing yourself if you are not in God’s word daily.

·       Find out what pleases the Lord and do it.

·       There are two ways to stand. On your knees in prayer and as you move forward in Him.

·       To release a miracle, do what Peter and John did at the Gate Beautiful: -

1.     Use the power of the Spirit.

2.     Use the name of Jesus.

3.     Release your faith.

4.     Speak with boldness.

5.     Know the Name of Jesus is above every other name.

One of the key scriptures he referenced was Eph 5:1-16 especially verses 13-16.

“Wake up sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

This is the type of people God wants in this world. People who are alert and awake, diligent and vigilant to reflect the glory of the Lord on to all those around us. Thank you, Randolph.

This week will be a family service with a Christmas theme, and Susie Wood will be our speaker for the Sunday.  Enjoy the Christmas treats for morning tea after.

Amanda and I will be returning from Canberra as we celebrate the wedding of Peter our Son to his fiancé Amelia Raymond. We give thanks to the Lord for his guiding hand and his blessing on their lives.  

Christmas will be celebrated on the 24th of Dec at Church with carols and Kids talk and a great get together. Please bring a plate ready to serve of Christmas treats and scrumptious food to share for the celebration.

New Years Eve will be the following Sunday. The plan will be to make it a Giving Thanks Testimony Day. It will be a time to reflect on the year that has been and declare the goodness of God, big story or small so we can all be encouraged together.   

As we finish the year I want to say a big thank you to everyone who helped make it possible for us to gather each week and declare God’s goodness, encounter him through worship and meet together as family. Your small but regular act of service is a blessing to so many. A such we can say we have a house of prayer, a house of praise, a house of miracles, salvation and hope for all those who desire it.

Merry Christmas and Blessed new year to come.            Love Greg and Amanda.

Carols success

Hi Church,

Thank You abundantly Grace.  My heart is full of pride for you as I’m celebrating your generosity, effort, love, passion, work, voices, artistry, teamwork, talents, commitment and community witness and so much more. The Carols were a mammoth effort and a great success. We increased our attendance on last year by 50% with plenty more who wished they could have been there. The Four Churches worked so well together and the peace and blessing of God on the event was obvious. The Lord sparred us from the worst of the weather and gave us a beautiful sunset,  a light breeze and mostly dry pitch.

The Hope tent gave good witness to many, gave out bibles and tracks, Rhema FM were able to promote Christian Radio. We cooked and gave away all 1500 sausages, sold nearly 300 steak buns, gave out nearly a 1000 drinks and coffee’s, parked 500 cars, decorated 500 cupcakes, painted 100’s of plaster moulds, painted 100’s of faces, and presented over 2hrs of quality live music, (Thank you Pastor Debbie-Ann and team). This was our biggest and best Carols yet.

I was Interviewed by our partner sponsor Lewis Land for an article on what inspired us to do Carols. This was my response;-

 We have a couple of motivating points for the Community Carols.

1.         Sovereign Hills is a new location for housing. But houses don’t make a community it’s the people gathered and connected and recognising each other in their locality. Hence, we believe as a church we have an opportunity to help create that sense of community through meaningful cultural events.

2.         We believe the true message and meaning of Christmas will be lost unless the Church steps in and draw people’s attention away from temporary shallow material commercialism, back to deeper truths around traditional family values and faith, which are long lasting and create meaning.

So thank you for participating in helping to achieve both. Our unity of heart and purpose makes these big events possible. Well done good and faithful ones. I cant wait to see what we will achieve next.

As we go forward lets take some time to remember our dear Brother Peter Wood who passed 7 Dec 2022. His legacy of love and service lives on through his beloved Suzie and their four boys Brendon, Oscar, Aaron and Riley. We love them and they are in our prayers and hearts.

As Christmas approaches let us remember that the Greatest Gift of all is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. So, lets share that gift with as many as possible.

Love to all

Ps Greg and Amanda.

To tear and to mend

HI Church,

Well, this is the week we have all been planning for the last 4 months. Teams have been gathered, food ordered, songs practiced, bbq’s are primed, advertising made known. It just comes down to the presentation, attendance and weather. Carols 23 is upon us. Lets pray for a magnificent week of the best weather ever. Lets pray for just the right number of people to turn up which is about 1500, so everyone can get a sausage sandwich and a drink. And Lets pray for the best presentation of Carols Sovereign Hills has ever seen and heard.

This is such a wonderful opportunity to bless our local community and share the love of God and Christmas truth with everyone. Lets pray that bibles and hope cards will be received and that there will be plenty of opportunities to pray with people.

Thank you everyone for your generous contributions of finance and your commitment of time to make it all work.

If you missed last Sunday message, I continued the family’s series on Know your Season. I spoke on Ecc 3:7 which says there is a time to tear and a time to mend. After highlighting all the many different ways the Bible says about tearing clothing in response to life, we also looked at what are the ways we can mend.  There were some strong points brought out about having our hearts mended by God because this is the ministry of Jesus who mends the broken hearted. We also looked at throwing out the old clothes of our previous life and being clothed in the new creation of Jesus. Gal 3:27 tells us to be clothed in Christ and Eph 4:24 says be clothed in the new nature.

In regarding to mending relationships that have been torn I highlighted the importance of forgiveness to be extended to those who have aggrieved us so we can be sown back together in unity. But to those who live in abusive marriage relationships continual forgiveness is not the answer for unrepentant behaviour, this needed to be carefully cut apart for the safety of the victim, then if possible mended back together through repentance, counselling, and rehabilitation before there should be co-habitation again.

The word of God is full of life’s answers, so let’s know it and live it for the good life Jesus wants for us. He truly does make all things Beautiful.

See you in the Action of Community Carols. Remember to bring your Camp Chair, mozzy repellent and a friend. If raining, event will be held in St Josephs Regional College Auditorium.

Love Greg and Amanda

Hold on to what matters

Hi Church,

Well another family service was concluded over the weekend. Graeme Corin did a great job sharing the Kids Talk with the young ones and although he loomed high above them whilst they sat still upon the carpet, his gentle nature won them over.  His message of what it means to have good conversations with people no matter what their age, so that you get to know people truly and not to be distracted by games and devices was well received and Zac was a great helper. Suzie Wood shared an encouring word on communion and how great God’s love is for us and how we need to share it with those around us, through our forgiveness of when wrong is done and the most excellent way of 1 Cor 13.

I continued my Families talk from Ecc 3:1-11 and I did not proceed past the first point for the day. The big truth we focussed on was “Hold on to what matters”. This was taken from Verse 7 which says there is time to gain or search and a time to loose or give up.  A Time to Keep and a time to throw away.

The sad thing about our consumer culture is that it constantly encourages us to gain and gain no matter what the cost. This has been the message of all advertising from the 1950’s onward. Creating within us a drive to be dissatisfied with what we have, compare ourselves to our neighbour and then strive to gain what we think we need. This has resulted in a throw away society, a greed-based society, envy society which is amplified by social media and has had disastrous effects on the environment and the mental health of many. Creating a world of have and have nots and those who are trying to fake it till they make it.

Just this week an alert has gone out from the ACCC, Australian Consumer watchdog, to watch out for fake Websites for the upcoming sales season, because the products that are being offered at the “too good to be true prices” are guess what?  Not true! The products and websites are proving fake and its already cost customers $500,000 in rip offs just in the month of September.

Its so easy to go along with the flow of society and get caught up in the glitz and the glamour to have the best of things. To have what we think we need as opposed to what we really need. Jim Elliot who sowed his life as a missionary martyr in the 20th Century to the Amazon Indians, said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot loose”.

Our life is for the giving not the getting. This world we live in is passing away and we are but travellers, pilgrims as Peter says 1 Peter 2:11, through to the next world for all eternity, so let’s travel light. Our Gain is what is coming with those whom we are bringing with us. Jesus reminded us that our treasure is in heaven where no rust or moth will destroy Matt 6: 19-21. So let our hearts be focused on that and how to bring others into that truth.  Paul also reminded us in 1 Tim 6:6-7 

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it…”

Character and Contentment is the greatest wealth, which is effectively what this verse says. So Let that be the mark of true believers.

So what do you have to lose to gain more of Jesus in your world? What more can you giveaway to hold more of who He is? That’s our challenge in this temporary world, that is becoming so dim, as we gaze more into His glorious face. 

Love Greg and Amanda

Oil in your lamp

HI Church,

Well it was fun for me to walk into Church like most people on Sundays, and yes I was late, as I travelled back from Forster and arrived just after 9:30, ok maybe more like 9:40 am. But never mind that, but what was great was a whole team of people who made for another great day.

It truly was a joy and like a proud parent moment, to step into a Church worshipping with all their heart and embracing all that God had for us in our togetherness. Thank you, Ps Debbie, for leading a multi-generational team, including Ken Harvey who dusted off the Conga drums and played some percussion and chimes.  Thank you, Paul Betenson, for leading the service with great sensitivity to Holy Spirit.

Jane Wright brought the word of God to us and did a marvellous job preaching from Matt 25 and the parable of the Ten Virgins and their readiness for the great feast of the bride groom and Bride. Jane reminded us of the many characteristics of a Galliean wedding were spoken about by Jesus and how they parallel his life actions and the nature of His second coming.

This was especially so in regard to the trimming of our wick in our lamp stand. That we were responsible for keeping our lamps filled with oil representing the Holy Spirit and that we were responsible for tending to the wick to make sure it shines bright and clean. I was challenged by Jane’s reminder that we are to trim our own lamp’s wick before we attempt to point out the dirty wick in other people’s lamps.

The many truths that Jane highlighted, brought us to a place of humility before our God, with a desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit so we are ready for His return. And The Spirit and the Bride say come!

This Sunday the 19th of November is our special offering day for Carols, and I ask that we are all generous as we seek to supply sufficient funding to bless our community and present well our message of Hope through Christ. Please come prepared.

I also ask you to be praying daily for the Carols that we would have clear and great weather, healthy participants and volunteers who are safe and we have enough people to make this event work. We also pray that every gospel seed sown will bring a harvest of souls into the kingdom. And that the four churches will work well together.

A point to remember is that there will be no service the morning of Carols 3 Dec here at Grace but we will be gathering from 12:00 pm onwards to assemble the works necessary for the Carols set up.

Standing with you Church as we partner together ready for Kingdom Action.

Love Ps Greg and Amanda.

Hope for Salvation

Hi Church,

Praise God for the rain! Everything is looking green again and the dust has been washed away. A sense of refreshing is in the air, thank you Holy Spirit. Visiting Speaker Evangelist Pat Steele was ready to lead us into revival and refreshing last Sunday, with his stirring challenge to lay down our life like a seed into the soil of our world so that we can see a harvest of souls for the kingdom of God. And indeed, a new lady visiting for the first time committed her life to Jesus, received a bible and joined the prophetic class all in the one day. Pat reminded us again of using the hope cards to leave them around shopping centres and car parks and cafes.

Each Hope card has links to a web site with testimonies of salvation and a contact number so people can be connected to a local church. Please feel free to take as many cards as you can distribute. Pat reminded us that the closer we get to Jesus the narrower is the road towards him, so that nothing fits on it but you and Him and everything else just falls away or needs to be left to the side so we can embrace Him fully.

That’s the challenge, for Revival to come there must be a people who are dedicated to Jesus and who will respond in humility like Him, be repentant in our hearts always turning our faces towards Him and then being commissioned to go into all the world for Him and as Him.

1 John 4:17

NKJV 17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

This is the testimony of the Ashbury University Revival in the USA that went for 14 days straight in February 2023 with around the clock, praise and worship and prayer. What started on one campus has now spread to hundreds of others across USA. Now according to Pat there are student youth outbreaks of awakening and revival across Australia as well. What can we say but more Lord! Do it again.

Believing with You Church and as Pat said “Just Sow it!”

Ps Greg and Amanda

Live the everyday like Jesus

 Hi Church,

I pray you are all doing well entering a new week to be the people of God in our confronting and confused culture.  Its good to know we stand upon the rock of the Gospel that is immovable and will never be shaken.

Reflecting on our weekend together it was so good to hear from Ross Nancarrow on the work of International Mission Ministries in Nepal and especially the completion and celebration of the Training Facility.  Grace Church had such an amazing part to play in ensuring its completion. Thousands of Dollars were contributed from us and other generous people from around Australia.  What was handed over to the people of Nepal was a legacy of faith, hope and love for their nation so that the gospel will be taught from one faithful generation to the next. Thank you to Ross and his wonderful team who have planted watered and nurtured new churches for the advance of Gods kingdom.

Ross also encouraged us with a great word reminding us of how we are to live the everyday like Jesus. Jesus was not a man unlike us. He lived the everyday in the human limitation like us with even less resources than us, not using His divinity to have any advantage. The advantage that did come to him was cultivated through a lifestyle of faith just the same as we can. The three keys were one; knowing and living from a place of Identity as a son/daughter of God beloved and accepted. Two, living in daily intimacy or abiding with Holy Spirit, listening to what God is saying and doing what he sees God doing. Third, living by faith, that is total trust on His Father. The being about His father’s business in everything. This resulted in a man who lived in anointed relationship with Holy Spirit. A man who was empowered by Holy Spirit to be Holy, to be loving, to be powerful.

Jesus modelled this lifestyle so that we can follow the same, with the same outcomes as He did and even more. This is the faithful fruitful life that results from abiding in Holy Spirit. May we do likewise.

Love and blessings.

Greg and Amanda

A time to embrace

Hi Church,

Family Service again. So exciting to see our young people growing and contributing to the Church family.  Sam and Joel were a great team leading communion. Oliver is an amazing reader and the girls Mia and Eva were happy service greeters with announcements. These all may seem little roles in themselves, but they all contribute to making our time together Spiritually and generationally meaningful. Carin always hits the right word with her Kids story and the worship team is growing with more young people making a difference. Neve did a great job prophetically leading the service. To hear from the Spirit and lead people into a time of deepened encounter with the Lord to help settle hearts is a very mature undertaking and Neve did it with such authority and grace. Well done Neve the Lord has indeed anointed and appointed you for such a time as this.

The preaching from myself over the weekend for the family service was not as good as I hoped and I’m sorry if I was not as clear as usual. Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 Gives us some great insights into life in some very broad strokes and sometimes there are no easy answers to fill the in-between. The important point to understand is the God is interested in the in-between and that our spiritual life is not reserved for Sunday only but to cover our everyday and every life moment. Sometimes we can think the way of Jesus does not include some base line living around marriage and family. But the opposite is true. Our Life in Jesus makes for a better marriage and family life when done in Him.

A few points to sit with.

1.     Stones of disappointment and bitterness, our emotional rubble needs to be thrown away from us for greater fruitfulness and rebuilding. But they are not to be thrown at people in judgement. Forgiveness from the Lord gives us an opportunity to deal with our rubble of rejection, anger and brokenness not an excuse to hang on and collect them as trophies or weapons.

2.     Knowing when to embrace and when not,  sets up good relationship practices for the safety of relationships in friendships, in family and fellowship of the church. Doing this well brings strength, protection and enduring love, especially in our marriage relationships.

It was a special moment in our service also to pray for the “Peace of Jerusalem” and the Middle East as per Ps 122. But not to pray as a someone taking a side but praying as a Mum or a Dad or as a child witnessing the destruction of families. May the Lord’s will be done, and His kingdom come. Let this war break down the resistance to the saving gospel of Jesus the Messiah. Let us be ready for what comes next.

This Sunday coming will be exciting to hear the report of Ross Nancarrow and those who went to Nepal during September. After the service there will be short break and then our AGM for the year. Please attend to get a copy of the annual report and give thanks to the Lord for all he has done. The AGM and any voting rights is for those who regularly attend Grace Church and call it their spiritual home.

Sunday evening will be our last Powerhouse Prayer and Praise night for 2023 so I encourage us to attend and bring your prayer for revival and renewal in Grace church and for our nation.

Now is the time to be thinking about Carols at Sovereign Hills and on the 5th of November we will have sign up to a Carols service team day so start thinking how you can make a big difference. Then on the 19th of November we will take up a special offering to sow into our Carols Blessing Chest so that we can make it the best ever.

Thank you so much Church for all that you are and all you are becoming in Jesus.

Love and Blessings

Ps Greg

A Kingdom that cannot be shaken

 Hi Church,

The Last week has certainly been difficult for people. Seeing people divided over a referendum with strong views for and against, tears at the fabric of our heart. Some will be ripped completely, many stretched into a new shape different from before. Some relationships maybe permanently damaged and some will try to out shame each other for a result not wanted.

Sadly, what was put as a vote on a change of how we do governance or not,  became an endorsement of value upon a race of people. Many have walked away with hearing a shout, NO! we don’t value you. Therefore, the pain will be ongoing.

Of course, this is a lie perpetuated by the enemy of our souls to keep us divided and hearts closed to each other. As Christians we can’t get locked into a “sideism”, that is choosing one people over another, the Gospel doesn’t allow us to do that, we must find a way to embrace to bring peace. That is the heart of reconciliation.

The same is what is happening in Israel in the Middle east as Media is forcing us to take a side and prefer one over another. To hate one and justify one and to disregard one and accept one. In the natural again its heart breaking. Its horrible to make a choice. Yet Jesus walks right into dead mans zone between the warring parties and lays down his life in the middle, for his friends and for his enemies.

Romans 5:7-9

7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  (To be a sinner is to be an enemy of God.)

Phil 2 tells us this is the attitude we all need to carry into the world. This humbling oneself, this dying to one self, this filling the gap of division with our own life is what, brings peace, truth , hope, love, grace, reconciliation. 

I can’t say that I’m an expert in this but that should not stop us from trying.

There is of course another layer of what is going on in the Middle east right now. We are in the times of the end and God’s plan is unfolding before our eyes. Nations are being pulled into position. Israel is being used by God to reveal the arrogance in the heart of men who have turned their back on God since Sin entered the world.

We can’t stop it and we must not applaud it. We need to pray for God’s mercy in it. Not be afraid but be aware. The Season is changing, our focus needs to shift. Jesus said Look! Your redemption draws near. Luke 21:31.

So let’s be sober minded and not put off any longer being the people He wants us to be.

Romans 13:8-12

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”[b] 10 Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

Love and Peace Church.

Ps Greg and Amanda

Pause to consider

Hi Church, 

Well for me I have had a lovely weekend of family friends fellowship and fun. It started with a lovely celebration Part 2 of my Son Peter and his finance Amelia Raymond at their engagement party which was held at my house. This resulted in some 50 to 60 people turning up from near and far and toasting the Bride and Groom to be. It was a wonderful moment to enjoy as we saw two heritages of faith begin to flow together, as both Peter and Amelia are from multi-generational Pastoral Leadership homes. We will follow up this party with their wedding which will be in Canberra on the 16th of December. Sorry I can’t invite you all but I’m sure you will send your love and prayers anyway for what will be a beautiful day.

Apart from my Saturday there was a wonderful Sunday for us all with Ps Mark Raymond, Amelia’s father, sharing the word with us. I loved Mark’s anointed relax style leading us into an encounter with Jesus as we paused to consider where Jesus was in our storm. Mark showed us through the gospel of Mark 4:35-41 of Jesus in the boat in the storm that Jesus does care and that as Christians we are of all people are best placed to endure the happenings of life because of Christ within us.  Mark told us as trained counsellor that modern Psychology is just recognising now just how important the human spirit is for the inner peace world and mental health. The answer then and now and always will be keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, know that He is close, know that he is our help and peace. The Worship team and the prophetic throughout the meeting was again on point, knitting together a complete spiritually meaningful time together.

A moment of thanks was included in our service to recognise Kalista Klomps much valued work season with us for the past near three years. We bless Kalista for her new season and pray it will be fruitful in her new location. You can always catch up with Kalista at her business Blendz and Beanz on Clarence Street.

Further to my comments last week. Some may have felt offence by them in my broad stroke generalisations, if so please forgive me. My intention is to provoke us to think and pray and take our heart responses to the Holy Spirit for understanding. My heart is that we have a community that is united in love and peace by the Kingdom of God and not divided by race and preference of one over another. I believe the intention in general, is good for those who want a change through the Yes vote. There is a cry for recognition, justice and truth that does need a considered and compassionate response. I also believe that the way it has been packaged as an all or nothing approach leaves so many unanswered questions that the risks for such a major change requested seem very great. We don’t want to be a people of fear and we don’t want to be a people naive to possible dangers of significant law changes and governance.

Either way I believe we are left with a heavy heart as the options placed before us don’t seem to lead us to peace and reconciliation to each other. This is when we pray Have Mercy O Lord  and let “Your Kingdom Come your Will be Done on Earth as it is in Heaven.”

I will leave you with more articles to consider from the Daily Declaration a Christian e-news publication detailing articles for and against which hopefully will be helpful to form your own opinion.   https://canberradeclaration.org.au/

 Approaching the Voice from a Christian Perspective

For the Voice

1.  The Voice: A Christian Consideration by Rev Dr Michael Jensen. Michael is the rector at St Mark's Anglican Church, Darling Point, and a former lecturer at Moore Theological College.

2. Open Letter to Religious Leaders In Australia – Supporting the Voice – Supporting the Voice” by Tim Costello. Tim was the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Advocate of World Vision Australia.

3. Responding Generously to a Generous Voice by Rev Dr Andrew Errington. Andrew is the rector at Newtown Erskineville Anglican Church and researcher at the School of Theology, Charles Sturt University. Andrew writes for Sydney Anglicans on behalf of the Social Issues Committee.

Against the Voice

1. 10 Reasons Christians Should Vote No to the Voice by Kurt Mahlburg and Ps James Dargin.

2. The Voice: Making Life Even Worse for Us  by Bess Nungarrayi Price, AM. Bess is a former Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly and the mother of Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price.

3. A Christian Case to Vote No to the Voice: My Reply to Michael Jensen’s Response by Dr Stephen Chavura. Stephen teaches European and Australian history at Campion College in Sydney.

Conclusion

The issues raised in these six articles give a good overview of where the two positions are coming from. Searching the Daily Declaration for the ‘Voice’ and the ‘Uluru Statement from the Heart’ will retrieve a wealth of information to consider in the lead-up to referendum day.

The Constitution, beginning with the words “humbly relying on the blessing of Almighty God”, has given Australia a firm foundation for its nationhood and has served us remarkably well. Let’s lean into that.

A special note Shirley Hallum has presented some insightful research on the Voice and has been published in the editor’s column in the Daily Telegraph on multiple occasions.  Well done, Shirley.

God bless you Church as you earnestly seek the Lord and His wisdom.

Ps Greg and Amanda

Current news

Hi Church,

Hey its good to be back as of Tuesday. And As I have travelled some 3000 km down to Melbourne and back via Eden and Canberra, over the last week I have been enjoying the positive feedback that has been happening for the ministry at Grace Church while I was away. I praise God for that! Because it’s the sign of a healthy church that good ministry and great encounters happen without the reliance on one ministry person alone.  We have a great team here at Grace and I thank Ps Debbie for leading while I was away, and I thank all those who contributed to the preaching Exec Leader Paul Betenson and Ps Kerry Medway. Their messages I’m sure will live on in people hearts for months to come.

Some sad news this Sunday we say goodbye to Kalista Klomp. Kalista will be taking up a new role with The Point Church. Kalista has been with us since the beginning of 2021 and helped us navigate some tough times administratively especially through Covid. She has also helped us achieve three big events of two church conferences and a Carols at Sovereign Hills. Kalista leaves a legacy of a church well administered. We are greatly thankful for her contribution, and she will be greatly missed by all the staff.

Some good news we have special guest preacher this Sunday, Mark Raymond, former snr Pastor of Awaken Church Canberra and current Navel Chaplain and soon to be father in law to my Son Peter.

On a more serious note. We are now entering a time in our nation where an opinion is being asked to be expressed by all voting age people. No doubt your opinion has been called upon in recent times by friends and family. The problem has been of course where do we go to get the best information for our opinion. We don’t want “old mates” opinion from next door, or at the mechanic, or at the hairdresser to be shaping how we vote.

We certainly don’t want fear from right wing news outlets to define us and we don’t want emotional guilt being poured over us from left wing spokespeople, shaming us into an opinion without knowledge and understanding. We need truth.

Jesus was often asked for his opinion on all manner of topics sometimes to trick him and sometimes for genuine understanding. Sometimes he answered with a straightforward explanation, sometimes he answered with a question back at the asker or even a parable, so that we could work it out ourselves.

So where do we go. First of all we can go to God and His word. Prov 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord and Lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways Acknowledge Him. The Book of James says if we ask for wisdom God will freely give it to us. So, we are to study and pray and ask God for discernment.

Second, we go to those who have faith in Jesus and have a proven reputation for thoughtful advice. People like the Rev Tim Costello who has been the head of World Vision Australia and who has been working with the poor and marginalised in this nation for many decades. You can read his open letter here,   but search up responses to the letter to get a full idea. I found what he said helpful https://www.tearfund.org.au/stories/an-open-letter-from-rev-tim-costello-to-church-leaders-on-the-voice

Third we listen to both sides of the argument, read the pamphlet prepared by the Electoral Commission with its arguments, of Yes and NO explained and try and place yourself in the shoes of either side to hear what is being said objectively without prejudice. And can I say anyone who is 40 and over carries some racial prejudice whether we realise it or not, why? because we absorbed it from our culture. So that must be filtered through Kingdom culture of 1 Cor 13 and the call to live the most excellent way of love. Likewise, Ill say to those 40 and younger don’t just follow your heart and do what’s trending on Social Media, examine carefully the content.

Some Scriptures to guide us include Matthew 25:45 where Jesus calls us to really consider very closely how we treat the “least of these” because and without doubt, our first nations people fall into that category in comparison to white Anglo middle class people of majority Australia. From their point of view the current system is broken and they are looking for a better way to be heard and problems resolved.

We may also consider the words of Dr Martin Luther King Jnr who said “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by their character.”  The reality today there is a shortage of people with good character and as a result people are resorting to identity politics to bring clarity around how we should treat each other but sadly it just brings greater hurt and division, as we stop listening to each other and seeing value in each other regardless.

In conclusion I’m not going to tell you how to vote but I am going to ask you to listen, pray, consider, love, read, examine your heart, walk in compassion, reject fear, and do what Paul said in Romans 14:5  One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind……. 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Church pray for Australia, our Nation needs the Lord more than ever. The potential for disastrous racial relations is extremely high going forward, no matter what the outcome of the referendum is. Only the Lords loving kindness and Grace can save us from ourselves. Lord, have mercy.

With you Church Ps Greg and Amanda

Intimacy with God

Lord, I love the house where you live: the place for your Glory dwells. (Psalm 26:8)

How awesome was Sunday! A perfect example of the unity of the Spirit. 

I looked across our congregation and saw faces carrying the expectancy that moves the heart of God. His joy is that you would be at home in Him. His desire is to know and be known by you. How beautiful that Holy Spirit moved through worship to align our hearts for Paul’s word “Intimacy”. How great that so many people responded to his invitation to just rest in God’s Presence at the end of the service. It felt like time stood still. May that moment of rest increase your hunger for your daily being with Abba Father. 

In other news it’s school holidays  and a few of our families are travelling. Praying blessings as you travel and experience something new or enjoy your staycations in our beautiful Port Macquarie. Our wonderful Kingdom Kids team are on holidays too but Kingdom Kids will launch Term 4 on the 15th October. 

As I said on Sunday if you’re a part of a church family there’s always something to celebrate and there’s always something to pray for. Thank you God for being across it all. Let’s continue to uphold church family who are waiting for their breakthrough and let’s keep celebrating the testimonies. No one should have to carry a burden alone or celebrate alone. That’s what family is for. So let’s be ones who speak and say what’s so and lift, encourage, pray and help and love as one body in Christ. 

Love, Grace and Peace to you, 

Deb & Sloan

Seasons of life

Hi Church,

Family Service lived up to its amazing reputation again. How hilarious was Kaidee and Carin in their presentation of Sling and Stone and the battle of David and Goliath?  I could not of thought of a more entertaining way of presenting the story of David and Goliath and seeing Carin fly through the air as a stone after spinning off the back of Kaidee, who played the sling, this will be a sight that is truly unforgettable. Apart from the value of laughing together the true meaning of fulfilling your God purpose even if it seems scary is well worth remembering. It was also good to see some of the young people do some big things for the first time like Jarmaine doing communion and Bethany reading the scriptures.

My message was a wrap up of a very significant week of family moments for myself and sharing at Mal’s memorial service and then a lean into the scriptures found in Ecc3:1-10. These  key verses teach us about timing and seasons and how we need to respond appropriately at just the right time to bring about positive outcomes in the relationships that are close to us. We only looked at the first 4 verses but they can be summed up by these points as follows.

1.       You have one shot at life so make it count. Verse 2

2.       There is a time to prepare for fruitfulness. Verse 2b

3.       There is a time to put things right. Verse 3

4.       There is a time to show your emotions - it brings you closer to those you love. Verse 4

Everyone goes through different seasons at different times but the important thing especially as a parent no matter how hard, or ugly in the appearance, or long the journey it seems. Do not give up hope.

The promise of Verse 11 is, God will make all things beautiful according to His time.

So I encourage you, to listen again to the message, there was lots of tips for family life. Strong families make for great churches which make for greater communities. Let’s keep encouraging each other, and spurring one another on, to live better together.

For the next two weekends Amanda and I will be away for a week’s holiday crossing over two Sundays. On one of those Sundays, we will be celebrating in Canberra at our Son’s Peter and bride to be Amelia Raymond, engagement party. During this time the services will continue here at Grace with preaching from Paul Betenson and Kerry Medway. Ps Debbie-Ann and the Grace Executive Leadership team will keep the Church moving under God’s direction and care.

Also just be aware that our Kingdom Kids Shed will be leased out for a short term for pre-poll voting for the National Referendum to be held on Saturday 14th Oct. This will mean we have no access from the 5th of Oct to the17th of Oct to the KK Shed. All other services and use of our Church is as normal, but carparking will be difficult mid-week. Church on Sunday will be unaffected. We give thanks to God for the revenue that is generated, by releasing the facility for community use. 

See you soon Church

Love Ps Greg and Amanda.

Kingdom of God

Hi Church,

Another big weekend went down in Grace Church world. It started with CityServe on Saturday with 10 or more of our team, combining with 40 other people from various Port Churches and we went along to Tacking Point Primary and we made over the gardens, painted a class room, water blasted steps, re-planted gardens, built a sandpit for play, trimmed trees and plants and turned some ugly into beauty. And That’s a picture of what the Church can do best, turn lives made ugly by sin, shame and brokenness and turn them into the beauty of the Lord, reflecting his glory. It was also a moment to shine for the Kingdom of God. We went to that place and brought the presence of the King, and we made it His domain.    Thank You Grace family.

That was the message on the following Sunday morning that the Kingdom of God is within us and through us comes His Love, Joy, Peace, in the Holy Spirit. What I love about this truth is that I don’t need an organisation to make that happen, I don’t need an event to make that happen, I just need to turn up to make that happen. And every time we turn up together the light increases and the Kingdom is advanced. So, whether there is two or more gathered in a hospital, in a school, in a factory, in a work place, in a café; the Kingdom of God comes.  And the Jesus prayer he taught us, Let your Kingdom Come, Let your will be done as it is in heaven let it be on earth. That prayer becomes extremely necessary, and very powerful.

Our Carols event coming on the Sunday the 3rd December will be us bringing the Kingdom of God to our community. The free food, the free celebration, the free activities speak of the Love, Joy, Peace in the Holy Spirit that we are distributing to the community. We are turning the ugly into beauty, turning a place to live into a place to call home. So, church we need to start praying now, believing we have enough people to do all required, another provision to provide what is required, and enough food to feed everyone.  I’m excited for what is coming.

God is doing good things Church we have had three people give their lives to Jesus for the first time in the last two weeks, one as recently as Monday morning, we have handed out bibles nearly every single week since conference, the prophetic is being stirred and trained, so lets keep moving with Holy Spirit.

On Sunday we celebrated Neve’s Betenson’s 21st Birthday and showed our appreciation for her leadership to our wonderful World Changes Youth Ministry.  They too have been involved in spreading life through Gospel stones placed in gardens in the local community, all had a scripture or something positive to speak to the finders of the stones.

Lets remember to pray for safety in travel and health for Ross and Donna Nancarrow and Shirley Capon in Nepal this coming three weeks as they head to the opening of the Nepal training centre. Let us believe and pray that it will be a catalyst for revival for the nation of Nepal as leaders are equipped and empowered from that base, to share goodnews. 

The Kingdom of God is moving Church so let it move through you!

Love and Blessing

Ps Greg and Amanda

Father's Day

Hi Church,

Well, we had a another very special Sunday as we celebrated Father’s Day. The Worship, the prayers, the scripture, the communion, and the message all pointed us towards the Father’s Heart towards us. His love has certainly been lavished upon us through Jesus Christ our Lord. This lavishness was represented by the cream and iced donuts that Amanda presented to the men for morning tea, what a great yum moment that was. John Ives preached a special message that called men into their responsibility to be the priest of their family and cover them with the authority and the love of the Heavenly father as we stand under His Shadow and protection. John quoted many scriptures but one of the stand outs was Ps 91.

Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”

John gave a living example picture as a reference of a family standing under an umbrella which stood under the umbrella held by God. Whist ever we remain close to God his protection is over us. Men were called to bring their families close to God.

He also called the men of the day to have an Elijah spirit as he quoted Malachi 4.

5 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

That we would be those fathers who would have hearts for their children.

This will require a shift in priority to make sure our kids are not last on the list of our time and emotions, that we be present for them in person and in heart.

Second, we must forgive our own fathers passed or alive and release them of hurt and pain they inflicted on us, so that we can come into a deeper relationship with our Heavenly father. 

Fathering is so important, society is suffering because they don’t know how, and the church has a responsibility to do it well so we can be an example that the world can imitate.

As they follow our example it will lead them into relationship with the Son and the same love he experienced from His Father. John 17:

22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

What a beautiful healing awaits us Church. As we are loved with same love, God the Father has for God the Son Jesus, so Lets share it boldly.

Love you Church.

Ps Greg and Amanda

Adullam’s Cave

Hi Church,

Well, I’m only just recovering from a huge weekend with Men’s Camp Friday to Sunday and full service day Sunday, finishing off with Powerhouse Prayer and Worship. It’s probably that I’m feeling my age, turning 55 this week and trying to play beach soccer with blokes and kids decades younger then me. The legs just don’t move when the brain tells them to anymore. Anyway, days later they tell me I did way too much. Lol.

But let’s get back to what I shared on the weekend. It was truly a powerful time at Camp as we discussed what good fathering is all about and for the kids what it means for them to be positive sons and daughters. We also prophesied over just about everyone thanks to Paul and Justin. Also, thank you to Justin Pagotto, Michael Acland, and Doug Bollard who all shared their heart with good Bible teaching over the weekend.

One of the truths I wanted the Dad’s and Kids to see with their eyes and know with their heart was the importance of knowing who is their tribe. Sometimes the younger Dads can miss on a Sunday in context of the larger family that there are others the same as them at the same life stage. So to see us all together around the camp fire declaring I’m here for you, I see you, was very necessary. Of course, we take that into our larger church family and state that for everyone. The Kids had a moment too where they joined that circle around the campfire, and we said we are here for them. For their welfare and care and for their growth and journey in God.

My teaching at Camp and on Sunday included two major truth stories in the Bible. David hiding out at Adullam’s Cave in 1 Sam 22 and Nehemiah 2. David in his hiding from Saul managed to gather around himself a crew of people who started as discontent, indebt and distressed men and their families but as time progressed then became David’s mighty men. That transformation brought about the new kingdom under David which is an eternal Kingdom we all benefit from today as the descendant Jesus sits on the throne that has been established forever. That transformation happened as they went from individuals to a tribe, to a family to one body. In the New Testament we call it the Church.

Likewise for Nehemiah, he brought hope to a city broken and in distress with walls that were smashed and burnt and scattered. These walls were restored around Jerusalem in record time when families stood by each other protected each other and worked encouraging each other. Again, another picture of the church in the New Testament. Jesus is our Nehemiah as he gathers living stones that were broken and he turns them into a temple magnificent for his dwelling.  

The Church is the place for the broken the burnt out, the distressed, the indebt, and the discontent we must never forget that. For that’s the way we all came into Gods family. Sin destroyed us but God rescued and restored us. Taking us from nothing to a kingdom that will never end. Let’s encourage each other and find our place in this wonderful tribe. Let’s be there for each other, lets take our church forward not settling for the less but the more of what God wants in Port Macquarie and beyond.  

Love you Church

Ps Greg and Amanda

29th August 2023

A special Family service

Hi Church,

Family services are such fun, always full of laughs and very special moments where your heart gets filled with joy and love. Last Sunday was no exception. A confident Ashlee Klomp led the service with our youthful team on the platform leading in worship, with a special appearance (whom I forgot to mention) from my son Caleb Campion on guitar, making a home visit from Uni. Then of course there was a big bible reading time from Harry Bollard, a sensitive communion from Mathea Betenson, a very engaging Kids talk from Graeme Wright and who could forget the inspiring first time preach from our Children’s Ministry Leader, Carin Bohlschied, who just nailed it.  But what was truly a very special Holy Spirit moment was the faith journey shared by Kara and Josh Teisen and the response from the congregation to rise and spontaneously bless them with dollars and help them to purchase air-tickets to Redding California, to attend the Bethel Ministry School.

I was blown away by the love shown in that moment and so parent proud of the abundant generosity shown by Grace Church family. That’s what family does, we rise up for each other. In that moment we also proved again we are a sending church. An apostolic church that releases people to the nations. So we pray for Josh and Kara that every faith step will be made clear and that every obstacle will be removed for their going.   

Now unsurprisingly but amazingly the Holy Spirit was speaking on Sunday through everyone’s input and as Kara and Josh Testified of big faith steps, Carin got up and preached on being strong and courageous through the life of Gideon. Some of her thoughts included:-

• That we need to be a church that’s stands on the promises of God and put our trust in Him not on our circumstances.

• God is calling out those who are hiding in caves to come out and lead into the victory that God promises.

• Is 43:2 reminds us that through fire and flood and every attack of the enemy God is with us!

• Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

• You are all called anointed and equipped!

• God has used shepherds, stutterers, murderers, little boys, the lame, the leper, a prostitute, the least in a family…….. so he can use you!

A timely word in a season of challenge!

Let’s stay positive, loving, courageous and connected Church.

Please keep this week and weekend in your prayers as we take the men and mostly young boys of our families away for a fun time on the beach. Pray for hearts to be connected and vision expanded and safety for all activities.

Please consider going to the EDM movie night. It’s a big fund raiser at Majestic cinema, dealing with a very sensitive and dangerous topic in our modern times; Rescuing Children from Sex trafficking. The ticket price includes a contribution to Every Daughter Matters (EDM)

Loving You

Ps Greg and Amanda

22nd August 2023