After a performance of The Mark Drama at Geraldton, cast members shared the gospel with a visitor and explained how she could invite Jesus into her heart.
Mal and Wendy Love who worshipped at St Georges Bluff Point were part of a small cast that presented a 90-minute dramatization of the Gospel of Mark for Easter.
“After the play, we noticed a woman sitting in the front row with friends who seemed unwilling to leave because she really loved the play,” Wendy said.
She had never seen or heard anything like this.
“We spoke with her for about 20 minutes and explained how much God loves her, that Jesus is real, and God is real and speaks to us through the Bible.”
The pair told her that to become a Christian was simple: ask Jesus into her heart, ask for forgiveness for the wrong things she had done, and invite Jesus to be Lord of her life.
“She was really engaged with everything we were saying, kept constant eye contact and took home a gospel.”
Please pray that Jesus will reveal himself to her as she reads the Gospel.
Hymn sing-a-long strikes right note
The Hymn Morning at St George’s Bluff Point is a highlight for older folk who live in local residential aged care.
Lay Assistant Minister Kate Gibson said they love the outing to the church once a term to sing familiar hymns, meet old friends and praise God. The morning features 10 hymns, a gospel message and a prayer.
Kate started the initiative because of her own love for hymns that was nurtured as a child. Having worked as a chaplain in aged care facilities, she has also seen the joyful impact on the residents of singing hymns from their childhood or younger years.
“Hymns hold so much scripture and they’re not scared to talk about the lows in the Christian life, which they address by pointing to Christ’s love.”
Pray walk brings hope
North West Anglicans are bringing prayer to the streets of Kununurra each Saturday night.
A small group of Christians, including St James Kununurra member Darcy de Vries, walk the town centre offering prayers and sharing the hope of Jesus with locals.
Darcy was eager to be involved. “I could see a massive need in the community for this and it was a simple thing really to put aside a few hours once a week."
Most people they approach are Aboriginal and are happy to be prayed for.
“Oftentimes, after praying, we then ask them about their knowledge of prayer and the Christian faith and this leads to us explaining the gospel.
“Sometimes we have a 20 or 30 minute discussion that includes general questions about the Bible, what it means to be a Christian, and how to live as a Christian.”
"i trust that God will use every conversation we have in some way."
Food gifts for clergy
The Christmas Appeal for our link diocese in Karamoja, Uganda, raised more than $10,000 to support the gospel and clergy families in this poor region.
Recently, all the clergy and lay readers each received a box of rice, sugar and soap to help survive in the aftermath of the drought. Karamoja Bishop Michael Chorey said the Diocese purchased these essential items using funds received in 2024.
Bishop Michael said he was grateful he was also able to buy fuel to distribute the parcels and encourage clergy with a pastoral visit.
We thank God for supporters of Karamoja who help enable the Diocese of Karamoja to guard the gospel and oversee faithful ministry throughout the region.
Synod 2024
The life saving and life transforming ministry of Jesus Christ continues steadily across the North West, Bishop Darrell Parker reported in his Presidential Address to Synod.
Raising up Aborignal leaders
Training leaders
Rev Chris Webb travels the Kimberley helping to train Aboriginal Christian leaders.
Broome People’s Church is helping equip Christian leaders in remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley.
Rev Chris Webb, a CMS worker based at Broome, was recently invited by a local elder to visit Yakanarrra, near Fitzroy Crossing, and run Bible teaching and leadership training.
The initiative is a partnership with the Kimberley Christian Fellowship which runs an annual weekend training workshop in each of four communities, including at Noonkanbah, Yiyili and Wangkatjungka.
Overall, the aim is for people to attend all four workshops as an integrated training program. However, distance and cultural commitments make this difficult so Chris delivers stand-alone foundational training to those who come along.
At Yakanarra, Chris and pastor Jamie Short from Kununurra People’s Church led a small group study of Titus 1, looking at the aim of ministry and qualities of a leader.
“We also want to support the local Christians to share the gospel with their community, so we had a BBQ evening and church service that were open to all,” Chris said.
Christians in each community are keen for others to hear the gospel and want to have a church set up. However, they face many challenges, including isolation and a population that moves around a lot.
“In most of the places, opportunities for face-to-face Christian encouragement are few and far between and we are yet to see a strong church take root and grow.
“But, the men who are coming to the training weekends, have grown in maturity and understanding of what being a Christian is all about and under God we trust that spiritual growth is happening.
“Our prayer for them is that they will be able to begin small but regular gathering of Christians – that they would feel confident and take the initiative to start a Bible study, prayer meeting or a sing along.”
