Roebourne gets new lease of life

The gospel of Jesus Christ will again be proclaimed from Holy Trinity Roebourne – the oldest stone building in the North West.

For the first time in more than 25 years, regular ministry can begin here after the church has been painstakingly restored to its original unique beauty.

Youth Worker Matt Warth says Holy Trinity stands as a beacon atop Mount Welcome, visible for miles around.

“The Pilbara ministry team is praying for wisdom as we plan for the future and ask God to open doors for new ministry opportunities so we can reach local residents with the hope of salvation,” he said. 

Bishop Gary Nelson will lead a celebration marking its 125th anniversary and new lease of life in May this year.

Holy Trinity has been a place where Christians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, have gathered since it was completed in 1895. Extreme weather, punishing heat and cyclones had reduced the building to little more than a shell. However, the gospel remained unchanged, and the desire by local believers to bring the good news of Jesus is strong.  

The generosity of the Heritage Council of Western Australia and a small group of committed supporters, such as Joy Brann, helped bring the church building back to life.

“This building has witnessed the unfolding story of the Pilbara and bears silent testimony to the faith that sustained generations of pioneers as they struggled against incredible hardships to open this vast and incredibly wealthy part of Australia,” said Joy.

Gospel worker news

After nearly one year without a minister, members at Port Hedland were excited to welcome new Minister-in-Charge Rev Eion Simmons and his family. 

Eion (together with wife Claire and five children) moved from his role as Children’s and Youth Minister at Geraldton Cathedral. They were warmly welcomed by the Hedland folk in January and are excited about the many opportunities to share the gospel, especially as the parish is seeking to reopen St Peter’s Anglican Church in South Hedland.

We thank God for nearly ten years of faithful service at Port Hedland Seafarers Centre by Assistant Chaplain Garry South. He and his wife Kathy recently finished up and returned to NSW.

In other news, Chris and Karen Webb (Broome) are in NSW until June on furlough, visiting supporters and churches to talk about their work among Aboriginal communities that are gospel poor. Please pray for Michael Baines and Steve Combe as they cover for Chris.

Rev Eldred Royce (and Geraldine) have concluded their ministry at Northampton and Eldred has joined the Geraldton Seafarers Centre in a part-time role.

Rev Dr David Seccombe and his wife Lorraine will join us to pastor the Cathedral congregations while we search for a new Dean. The Carnarvon congregation thankfully welcome Rev Dale Appleby (and wife Joy) to serve as locum tenens at St George’s (Feb-April).

For family reasons, Finance Officer, Pieter Overmeire is now working part-time. He and his family relocated to Perth, from where he’ll work remotely, visiting Geraldton regularly for meetings.  

A Year of Expectations

By Bishop Gary Nelson

As 2021 dawned we experienced a collective sigh of relief.  2020, the year the Covid-19 virus infected the world resulting in change, fear and sorrow.  So, what’s in store for us in 2021?  Certainly, many expectations like more normality through the vaccination program with fewer cases and deaths; more contact with family and friends; more citizens returning home from oversea.

Over 2000 years ago, expectations were in the air.  Would God’s promises revealed in the Old Testament finally be fulfilled?  Would the darkness of ‘exile’ be removed as the Messiah’s light shines into our world?  Would the gospel of salvation be heralded throughout the land as God redeems his people?   Hear the joyous relief as Simeon holds the infant Jesus in his arms:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes  have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for  revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”      [Luke 2:29-32, ESV]

Simeon could now rest contented since God’s salvation has come, the promised child has arrived [ see Isaiah 9:6-7].  His long-awaited expectations fulfilled. 

As Jesus commences his Galilean ministry, he announces Israel’s longed for hopes are about to be satisfied:                    

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel “ [Mark 1:15]

In announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom, Jesus is effectively bringing it into existence.  No more waiting, no more years of unmet expectations, for the new age has dawned.

Friends, we are all involved in bringing this good news to those with whom we share daily life.  Covid-19 changed our lives, resetting our expectations.  Yet, God’s not bound by this viral pandemic. It isn’t outside of his knowledge, control and purposes.  We’re thankful to God that life in the North West has been relatively ‘normal’.  This privilege has given us continued, and increased opportunities, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus across our vast region with its amazing array of men, women and children. 

Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support.  Please join with us, as we thank our Lord, for the people redeemed in 2020; for the Christians established and equipped in their faith; for the ‘exports’ we are sending you.

May God bless and keep you in 2021.

Solar Bibles shine God’s word

Chris Webb explains how to use the solar-powered Bible

People who can’t read can hear God’s word with MegaVoice

Solar-powered audio Bibles are reaching Kimberley Aboriginal people with the gospel.

Thanks to donations and grants, Rev Chris Webb at Broome People’s Church is able to sell the MegaVoice Bibles at a subsidised price that is affordable for locals. He’s had so many requests that he’s run out of supplies.

Chris says the audio device is great for isolated communities — easy to use, durable, charged using a small attached solar panel and available in a variety of languages. People who struggle to read or have failing eyesight can hear and study God’s word no matter where they live.

“People listen to their MegaVoice when they have trouble sleeping or are anxious about something. It really helps calm their fears as they hear God's word in audio form,” said Chris.

“A young woman bought a MegaVoice for her dying grandmother. The old lady had tears in her eyes when she first listened to the Scriptures played through the MegaVoice placed beside her on the pillow.”

For Chris, the MegaVoice helps facilitate Bible studies with church members or at the local drug and alcohol rehab centre.

“My current approach is to show a Global Recordings flip chart picture and play the Bible story on MegaVoice before we chat about the text. This method seems really effective for people who are not so confident at reading. 

One of our church leaders who cannot read usually takes a back seat in book-based Bible study. However, when we are using the MegaVoice he actively leads other men in discussing the Bible story we are listening to.

“The MegaVoice is a non-threatening medium for him and many others to engage with God’s word.”

Chris was thankful to recently receive a $2000 grant from Mother’s Union Australia and $1000 from CMS to make available dozens more subsidised audio Bibles.

Hope in pain & death

“I pray constantly as I am listening to people - for the opportunity & courage to bring the gospel to each person”

Prayer and privilege - two words that describe the life of Geraldton Hospital Chaplain Jeremy Rice.

Jeremy provides providing pastoral care and home visits to hundreds of patients, their families and staff each year.

“It’s such a privilege to be with people at this time in their life. Suddenly they have an accident or a diagnosis with a bleak outlook. They come to a crossroads and everything is different.

“As a Chaplain I have a precious opportunity to speak with people about the hope of the gospel and the saving grace of Jesus Christ.”

His role in a public hospital requires great sensitivity and he is guided by the teaching in 1 Peter 3:15, ‘But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.’

“I pray constantly as I’m listening to people. So often I feel weak, cowardly and inadequate to the task. I ask God to give me the opportunity and courage to bring the gospel to each situation and I pray that I won’t make a mess of it.

“It’s amazing the conversations that open up. I look to find a point of contact by exploring how a person makes sense of life, what gives their life meaning and what they most value.”

Jeremy has seen God at work in the lives of the dying: a professed atheist joining in prayer each visit; a self-reliant man claiming Jesus’ forgiveness and salvation for the first time; and the joy of sharing the Scriptures, prayer and fellowship with dying Christian patients and their family.

“Support can involve listening and talking generally or discussing deeper issues like ‘Why is this happening?’ and ‘Where is God in all this?’ Conversations can be about Jesus, healing, hope and may involve reading the Bible and praying with patients. Others don’t want a bar of talk about God but they might still want to talk.

“My aim is to listen well and to combine truth and love in my words, manner and actions — doing all to the glory of God.”

Onslow hungry for God's word

Christians in Onslow are hungry to learn more about God’s word, grow in their faith and encourage others to follow Jesus, according to Minister Simon Roberts.

In June Simon, with his wife Alison, held the first service for 15 years in St Nicholas Anglican church – making the eight-hour round trip from their base at Exmouth.

“Our plan is to visit Onslow each month to encourage gospel growth among the saints there.

“While the church was closed, the believers were doing a great job of supporting and encouraging one another, and Alison and I pray we can assist them to do this more and more.”

Simon says many are fairly new Christians and haven’t had the opportunity to be trained in how to read, understand and apply the Bible, but they are hungry to know more.

“It has been a great delight in Onslow to see the believers’ enthusiasm to learn from God’s word and their appreciation for the Christian ministry we can provide.

“We plan to run training sessions on the big picture of the Bible during our visits and using online technology in between times.

“We’ll look at how the Bible fits together, how to understand the Bible and how to apply it to our lives.

“Our aim is also to support the small groups that meet week to week by training group leaders so they will grow in their confidence in understanding the scriptures and leading group discussion.”

Please pray for the growth of the gospel in Onslow and the partnership with Exmouth Anglican Community Church. Pray we can make the most of opportunities and that people would continue to hunger and thirst for God’s word. 

Prisoners do business with God

“This is the best thing I have ever read,” said a prisoner in remote Western Australia after learning that Jesus died for his sins.

He was stunned to read Romans 5:8 and find that: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Our chaplain in Wickham, Matt Warth, visits Roebourne Prison weekly to hold a regular Bible study for up to 24 guys and says it is the highlight of his week.

Last year we spent 12 months going through Mark’s gospel. Mark is not a big book nor a hard book but the guys wanted to really understand it and so we studied it at a good and consistent pace.

‘’I tell them they are here to do business with God, not business with God through Matt. “And the power of God’s Word is amazing. There is one young man who has undergone such a remarkable transformation in attitude and outlook that even his acquaintance can‘t believe he’s the same guy.

“Sure, the discipline of prison has helped him, but as he has sought to understand God’s word, the Spirit has changed him.”

After release, Matt says, the prisoners tend to keep their distance. However, recently a fellow asked if he could visit and ”talk Bible” together.

“It is so encouraging to see God at work drawing people to his son Jesus. The guys usually come to Bible study the first time because it’s held in the only airconditioned room in the prison.

”But then they keep coming and happily spend up to two hours each time reading the Bible. ”It blows them away to learn that no matter what they have done, God forgives and loves them unconditionally.”

Brigade outreach

At the Geraldton Boys Brigade young people are learning habits to form a solid foundation for a life of faithfulness to Jesus.

Brigade Captain Eion Simmons praises the program which helps boys and young men develop Christian maturity, balanced personal growth, leadership skills and community service.

“One of the strengths of Brigade is its practicality. Kids learn skills such as how to read the Bible for themselves, camping, bush survival, cooking and debating.”

“We don’t have a Girls Brigade at Geraldton Cathedral, but girls are able to join the primary school age sections of the company,” Eion says.

Brigade is an outreach which attracts children from non-Christian families as well as from a range of other churches in Geraldton.

“Our programs encourage kids to develop habits that are part of true Christian manliness, such as obedience, reverence, discipline and selflessness.”

Programs are on hold but will begin again once Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.