Questioning evangelism a hit

KJ had lots of people wanting to talk about hope at the Kununurra market stall. 

Asking questions proved to be a winning formula for Anglicans in Kununurra as they sought to engage locals around the gospel.

St James Rector Daniel Faricy said the church held a stall at the popular Saturday markets as part of Hope25, the Anglican church’s national evangelism initiative.

 ‘What gives you hope?’ was a disarming question which many residents and tourists were happy to answer. This opened the door for church members to practice new skills from recent evangelism training and invite visitors to outdoor church.

Daniel said, “It was great to see people asking helpful questions to promote discussion - one of the tools we practised at the training.” About 200 people turned up for the Outdoor Church Service in a park with a message about Jesus, who provides certain hope in an uncertain world.

Daniel listed two big benefits from the outreach. Locals saw that the church was out and about in the community, and members were encouraged by the community response.

Farmer hears about hope

Carnarvon church Rector Revd Mike Welham shared the good news of Jesus with a lonely farmer who was struggling with life’s challenges.

Mike began ministry at St George’s in February and is excited by the opportunities to share the message of salvation with a lost world, especially during his walks at the Carnarvon Fascine.

“I was able to tell the farmer that my support network is the church which comforts and helps us through tough times.

“However, the real hope isn’t just the church, but ultimately Jesus. I have comfort in knowing that, no matter how difficult the circumstances, Jesus is with me in these struggles.”

Even more than that, he said, is the promise of the hope of eternal life, when Jesus will return and make everything right.

Please pray the farmer will accept Mike’s invitation to church to check out this hope for himself.

Easter dawns in Exmouth

On Easter Sunday, Christians gathered at Exmouth to praise and worship God as dawn broke over Cape Range National Park.

Rector Simon Roberts said about 50 people joined the service held at the iconic Vlamingh Head Lighthouse on the north-west tip of the Cape.
 
The service focussed on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who defeated death and brought salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Exmouth is a tourist town, so Good Friday is a normal work day for many locals. In response, the church holds an evening service which marks the time of Jesus’ crucifixion. 

Pray that more people in Exmouth would worship the Creator instead of His magnificent creation.

Drama reveals Jesus’ power

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.  

Cart (0)