Seafarer ministry grows thanks to gifts

Christmas cards from Karratha Christians to seafarers helped open the way for our Chaplain to care for maritime crews.

Mission to Seafarer Chaplain Steve Combe has been asked to provide ship visiting services to LNG ships serving Woodside at the Dampier Port.

“This came about in part because of personal Christmas cards which many of us wrote to seafarers last year. This helped oil and gas giant Woodside to see just how much the Mission to Seafarers cares for people visiting our ports. It led Woodside to discussing chaplaincy opportunities.”

The cards - which have a simple, heart-felt message of thanks for the important work seafarers do, and a prayer for their safety - are warmly received.

Shipping companies expressed thanks to Steve and Dampier Seafarers Centre, including: "Your gesture has reminded us how deeply valued our work is, and it has brought a sense of joy and comfort to everyone onboard during this special season." 

Steve said ship visiting is a wonderful opportunity to support seafarers who are away from loved ones for months at a time and to share the good news of Jesus with them.

Seafarers loved the cards and gift bag from Dampier Seafarers Centre

Using 5Fs for outreach

A fireside testimony warmed the hearts of visitors 

The church in Karratha applied 5Fs to reach out to friends with the gospel during Hope25.

Rector Frank Nicol said they cranked up fire, food, films and faith on Fridays and invited friends along to hear stories about the power of God’s love.

Frank said the youth created a pop up outdoor cinema, with epic sound, comfy seats and pizza to watch My Girl and hear a cracking talk about the hope Jesus brings us in death.

The following weekend the church cooked up a great feed around a campfire and added a testimony to the mix.

“The highlight has to be the handful of friends who responded to invites and came along; one of those friends even came along to church the next day!  Many church members also said simply coming along was a great opportunity to keep getting to know each other which is important in a transient church.”

Please pray for people to respond to the call of Christ, that gospel seeds planted will be watered and God will bring growth in time.

Growing disciples in Shark Bay

Locum Stephen Shearsby and his wife Heather were encouraged by faithful Christians at Shark Bay 

World Heritage-listed area Shark Bay is a great place to glory in God’s creation, and to meet God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Rev Stephen Shearsby and his wife Heather returned recently to minister for a month at the small church and found a keen bible study group.

“We were joined by a woman who was new to town. She brought a bible but was not familiar with it. We showed her where to find the index and how to find the passage by looking up the book and the verse.

“In church also we were careful to take is slowly so that people could find the passage in the bible for themselves and grow their understanding of God's word."

Please pray for this little group to continue to grow in love for Jesus and each other, and to share this love with the town’s 1000 residents.

Prisoners seek prayer

Prison showed Chaplain Mal Walker how deep is God's love

Inmates at Greenough Prison are turning to the chaplain for prayer and encouragement.

Geraldton Assistant Minister Mal Walker has begun filling in as prison chaplain two days a week and says the experience has shown him God's immense love for people.

“A prisoner asked to share about faith and pray. He was finding it very challenging to be a Christian in gaol and live in a manner that was godly. He was greatly concerned about his sins and the things he had done.

“It was good to be able to remind him that our salvation doesn’t depend on what we do but on what Jesus has done for us. What matters is who we put our faith in!”

The prisoner was too embarrassed to be seen praying in front of others so Mal prayed alone later. 

“It’s easy for us to believe that God forgives our little sins. But prison is a reminder of how powerful and big Jesus’ grace is. God’s forgiveness extends even to people who have done really bad stuff.”

Please pray for the gospel to free prisoners in Greenough.

Everyday Matters really matters

Children at Dongara Primary School are learning about Jesus and prayer, thanks to Christian Values Education.

Dongara Anglican Church Rector, Dave Thompson and his wife Emma, along with two other Christian ladies from town, have started a lunchtime program with about 20 students. Everyday Matters was developed by YouthCare and each week focuses on a different 'value' using bible time, games and fun.

"Essentially, we explore how we see that value in Jesus’ life and teachings. It's an opportunity to introduce kids to Christianity - something that many don't know much about."

For some kids it’s the highlight of their week. Dave has had the chance to explain to one student that prayer means talking to God, and to tell another about who Jesus is.

"It's a great privilege to be invited into the school. It's a helpful way to get to the know the kids and from there develop relationships with the parents."

Dave and Emma hope to start a Friday afternoon kids club at church. Please pray that Everyday Matters will help encourage kids to come along.

Kids at Dongara Primary School meet Jesus at lunchtime

Treasure at op shop

The Cottage volunteers celebrate the discovery of a valuable painting in their midst. 

Ministry resources were boosted recently with 'treasure' unearthed at The Cottage, St George's Bluff Point op shop. A donated painting, priced for sale at $4, generated $600 when a volunteer spotted its true value.

Coordinator Glenda Blackwell said the volunteer knew the painting was worth more than the price tag and wanted it to be appreciated. She tracked down the original artist, Godfrey Blow, whose work now sells for up to $7000. He was delighted to buy it back at the original 2006 price listed on the back of the canvas. And that’s an extra $600 for ministry at St George’s Anglican Church. 

The artist’s work hangs in the collections of King Charles and The Art Gallery of Western Australia.

Thank God for our many volunteers who faithfully serve the Lord. 

Girls dig in!

Serious bible study is on the menu in Kununurra with Jenni de Vries (r).

Young people in remote North West Australia are digging regularly into big chunks of the Bible as part of a discipleship program.

St James Kununurra couple, Nic and Jenni de Vries, aim to equip the group of six aged between 10 and 14 years to read and understand God's word. 

“I’m passionate about young people being discipled well and that comes down to understanding the scriptures because that’s the foundation they must stand upon," Jenni said. "They need to know how to read the Bible, which afterall, is not just a usual book."

The group enjoys a meal together before tackling a meaty overview of the Bible.

“At the beginning I spoke to them about the importance of doing hard things. Doing the easy thing is not always the best thing. It’s so good to achieve hard things," she said.

The course, How to study the Bible, developed by Foundation Worldview, explores the themes of God’s faithfulness, human rebellion and God’s rescue plan. 

Please pray for these young people to grow as disciples of Jesus. 

Roger the Dog delights kids

Roger the Dog visits Rev Paul Spackman and messy church at St Georges Bluff Point  

Non believers and families new to church came to messy church on Saturday at St Georges Bluff Point.

Rector Paul Spackman said the church wanted to reach out to parents, not just their children who might come to a mid week kids club.

"People came because they received an invitation from their friend, even if they had refused previous invitations to other church events," Paul said. 

Matt Warth, with the puppet Roger the Dog, told the story about the rich, young ruler and urged children to love God more than their material things. Families also enjoyed craft and activities at a range of stations set up in the hall, followed by a sausage sizzle for dinner. 

The event was part of Hope25, the Anglican Church's national evangelism initiative. However, Paul said they would consider making the event a regular part of church life in order to connect with non-church families.