A Surprise Visitor

A Carnarvon man walked into church for the first time and found Jesus  

A few months ago, a Carnarvon man walked into church for the first time and said, “My family has been praying for me, and I thought I'd come to church today.”
 
Minister of Carnarvon Anglican, Mike Welham, was thrilled to welcome this first-time visitor.

The man positioned himself at the front of the church and listened intently to the sermon.

During the Lord’s Supper, Mike explained that anyone who had genuinely come to trust in Jesus, even that very morning, was welcome to participate.

Unbeknown to Mike, God had worked in the visitor’s heart. He had responded to the gospel and took the elements.
 
Since that Sunday, the man has continued attending church and regularly catches up with Mike who says he's been growing in his faith, learning to trust the Lord, and recognising God's answers to prayer.

After praying for work, the man was delighted to share with Mike that he'd found a job.  “This teaching from the Bible has completely changed my life!” he exclaims.

Mike says, “he’s just so joyful.”
 
Mike regularly enjoys engaging locals and tourists around town in gospel conversations, but how wonderful it is when God brings someone straight through the church doors!

Yearning for tradition, mystery, and beauty

Perth Gospel Partnership 2026

A Reflection by Mal Walker, Curate at Geraldton Cathedral

One of the highlights of the year for many of the North West clergy is attending the Perth Gospel Partnership (PGP) Annual Conference.

Ministry leaders from across denominations and from all over WA gather for it.

This year, the Rev Dr Thom Bull (lecturer at Trinity Theological College) spoke to the yearning experienced by many for tradition, mystery, and beauty – and which has even seen a number of protestants leave our tradition for Rome or Eastern Orthodoxy.
 
Rather than outright condemning these desires, or embracing them wholesale without reflection, Thom helpfully explored them in light of the gospel and in conversation with our past brothers and sisters.

And we walked away with confidence that these desires are to be expected, and may even shape our worship, if our God truly is Lord over history, infinite and eternal, and the source of all that is beautiful.
 
Praise God for PGP and the unity shared in the gospel!

Scott finds anchor in Jesus

Geraldton man Scott Willis has found an anchor in life and protection from evil, thanks to faith in Jesus Christ.

Scott encouraged members at Geraldton Anglican Cathedral with his testimony of heart transformation that has seen previous attractions and desires dropping away from him.

“I was always searching for something. I always knew the world was not quite right but didn’t know why.

“I was watching a podcast and it stated that Satan runs this world, and that triggered me. I always thought that if God was in charge, why is this world like it is?”

Scott had never been to church nor prayed but his mother-in-law urged him to join her at a Sunday service. He discovered that the Bible made sense because it says that Jesus came in the flesh, died for our sins, was resurrected and will one day rule the New Creation. 

“I wanted to be on the right side once I found out there was an evil and there was the Prince of the Air. I wanted to get to know my Lord and Saviour.

“I was probably lacking an anchor, which I’m finding the Lord is providing for me.”

To keep growing in his understanding and love of God, Scott reads the word regularly, has joined a Bible study and will be confirmed at Easter.

At 52 years of age, Scott found faith and is preparing to be confirmed.  

Atheist loves hymns

Ron Morton (left) doesn't believe in God but comes to the Bluff Point Hymn Morning

Favourite hymns resounded at St George’s Anglican Church Bluff Point recently as the church celebrated 90 years of gospel ministry. 

Rector, The Ven Paul Spackman said the anniversary coincided with a Hymn Sing-a-long, a soft outreach event that’s easy to invite friends along to. 

Visitor Ron Morton doesn't believe in God but says:

"I love to sing hymns. The words are quite meaningful and the music is very healing.

"It's hard work being an atheist.

"People who believe in Jesus have a purpose in life - to glorify God. And what a great attitude that is to have. I think of God as a mental construct." 

St George's, which began in faith on 15 December 1935 - lacking both sufficient building funds and a minister - is a testament to God’s faithfulness.

The facilities have recently undergone a second renovation in four years to cater for the growing congregation as members actively seek to share the gospel with friends and family.
 
Please pray for the hymn mornings to transform Ron's heart.

Epic impact from Epic Reading

Bek Wilson

To help prepare the congregation for a sermon series in the Gospel of John, Geraldton Anglican Cathedral hosted an Epic Reading of John lasting three hours.

Bek Wilson went along to get involved in church while in Geraldton for a five-month contract job. Although familiar with the book, reading John in one sitting helped bring out connections she hadn’t noticed before.

“It's different from only reading a portion because you see themes that start building - such as glorification and being lifted up - and it helps put things in context,” she said.

Assistant Minister Mal Walker introduced the 'Epic Reading' events because of his thorough conviction that it's God's word that converts and changes people.

"I was also mindful of my ordination vow to be devoted to the public reading of Scripture. I was pretty happy that 23 people put up their hands to read the gospel in one go," he said.

Pray the 'Epic Readings' will build up the church. 

Gathering Together - 2025 Fellow Workers Conference

The DNWA team together for Fellow Workers Conference

In early October, clergy and their families from across our Diocese gathered in Perth for Fellow Workers Conference. 

It’s impossible to over estimate the importance of this conference for the Lord’s work in the North West. Our workers labour hard and long often in isolated and challenging places. The opportunities to meet together are rare.

These are the core reasons that make this such an important week (every two years) in the Diocese of North West Australia. Not just our paid workers, but their spouses and children, all together in the one place, sitting under the word of God, being built up in the truth, enjoying fellowship as part of team DNWA, and sharing stories, joys, and struggles from the front lines of gospel declaration and discipleship.

We thank the Lord for this beautiful opportunity and pray he will use it once again to prosper his people and purposes in North West Australia. 

Vale Don Miller

Don Miller in 2009

In mid-October, Don Miller, one of the longest-serving ministers in the North West, went home to be with his lord.

Don joined the Diocese in 1982, first serving as Rector in the Parish of the North Eastern Goldfields.

While there, he was struck by the story of the Mardu people, some of the last in Australia to come out of the bush. Though initially they had responded in great numbers to the gospel, this waned quickly as they struggled to adapt from life in the bush to living as fringe dwellers in a white urban environment.

In 1988, Don moved to Wiluna, and purchased Ululla Station, a 120,000ha sheep station 70km out of Wiluna. He hoped to make this a place where the local indigenous people could feel at home. There he served as a chaplain of sorts for the local Mardu people, as well as Rector of the church in Wiluna.

In his retirement, he moved to Mullewa, where he served as Rector up until the present day.

Bishop Darrell commended Don's ministry, saying:
"Don has been a long and very significant servant of our Lord Jesus in the North West. He was particularly cherished and effective in ministry among the region’s indigenous population.

We thank the Lord Jesus for his faithfulness to Don in the forgiveness of sins through the cross and the resurrection to eternal life. We also thank him for Don’s long example of sacrificial service and for the fellowship in the gospel we shared with him."

Please pray for Don's family and those impacted by his life and ministry, and that the gospel would flourish among the Mardu people.

Diamond Jubilee in Kununurra

St James' Kununurra stands strong after 60 years

St James' Anglican Church Kununurra recently celebrated 60 years of God's faithfulness. 

Rector Daniel Faricy said it was a joy to celebrate that God has been at work, establishing and equipping believers, through the Anglican Church, for six decades in Kununurra. 

The ministry has been sustained through a partnership with Bush Church Aid. St James' is the longest continuing BCA-supported ministry in Australia, with Coober Pedy running a close second. 

About 90 people attended the service which was followed by a potluck lunch and celebratory cake. 

St James' is also preparing to farewell the Faricy family, as Daniel will take up the role of Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral Rockhampton in the Diocese of Central Queensland from 2026.  

Please pray for the Faricy family as they finish up and begin a new ministry, and for God to raise up a new minister to serve in Kununurra.