General Ministry Update!
Have you ever thought your prayer life could be better? It’s something I’ve been challenged about lately.Part of my learning in the last few weeks has been around the importance of prayer. I’m realizing more and more how much I need prayer, and that I don’t pray enough.
I’m not talking about meeting some expectation to pray everyday. I mean that I don’t avail myself of the privilege of spending more time in God’s presence on a regular basis.
It’s one thing to spend a brief time in prayer, and even to seek to maintain an attitude of prayer throughout each day, as important as that is. But what about deliberately setting aside a regular, longer period of time where it’s just me and God, where I can talk to Him about anything, seek His will, wait on Him, bring requests to Him, worship, and see more answers to prayer?
I need this! I need to grow in my relationship with my Father in heaven and Jesus, His Son. Which means being intentional about spending time with God, whether it’s while strolling through the beautiful Aussie bush, or in a closed room at home. Wherever it is, to be alone with God.
Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
(Psalm 105:3b-4)
Seek the Lord and his strength;
seek his presence continually!
(Psalm 105:3b-4)
And for me the amazing thing is that God wants to spend time with me, and loves to meet with me in those times. Have you stopped to think about that? The Creator of the universe LOVES to spend time with YOU. How amazing is that?
Well, twelve months have passed in Toowoomba, and yes, we survived our first winter. J It actually wasn’t too bad over all. God’s been good in easing us into the colder climate here.
You’ve probably heard the news by now that the ATS team have had to make the difficult decision to postpone the first VergeQld event which had been scheduled to start at the end of this month in Hervey Bay.
From a number of conversations I’ve had, it seems that there are many other great events on around that time, which meant that we didn’t receive the registrations to make Verge viable this time round.
We’re learning that this needs to happen in God’s timing, not ours, and trusting that He will continue to reveal His plan each step of the way. Thanks for your prayers.
We’re privileged that Matt Fricker, from ATS in Perth, is still flying over for the time that Verge would have been on. Looking forward to seeing what conversations and connections open up during that time, in Hervey Bay, Toowoomba and beyond.
I was privileged to be involved in a youth outreach day - Project X - in Dalby this last weekend. This is run by a great bunch of young people who have a heart to see others come to Christ. They meet regularly for prayer and have held an annual event in different towns since they began three years ago. It was great to join their prayer meeting on Monday night last week, and then to be part of this event on Saturday. Project X includes a number of zones that appeal to young people and families, including an extreme BMX and Freestyle Motocross zone featuring JC Epidemic. The day also had presentations of the gospel, and a “Why do you exist?” zone. A number a Bibles where given out as well. It was cool to see the Dalby churches coming together for this event to reach the community with Christ’s love.
God’s also been good in allowing an article about what He’s doing through ATS to come out in this month’s One Church newspaper, put out by the churches of Toowoomba.
Blessings,
Mike
Financial Support Update! THANK YOU for your financial support! Another special gift has been received, and it looks like another regular supporter is coming on board as well, which will take us to about 7.5% of Mike’s full-time budgeted income being met. Thank God for this good start. J |
We invite you to consider whether God is calling you to contribute financially to this ministry. Let us know if you’d like to receive more info. Whether you feel called to support financially or not, we still greatly value you and you’re ongoing prayer support. Please let us know how we can be supporting you, too. J |
Coming Up!
27 Sept | Ministering at Full Gospel Church, Hervey Bay. |
9-10 Oct | NYMC and ATS team catch up, Gold Coast. |
1 Nov | Ministering at Tamborine Life Church, Mt Tamborine. |
2016? | VergeQld - Please pray with us for God’s guidance, that VergeQld will happen at the right time and place. |
Toowoomba Family Life! – by Ray
We made it, we survived our first winter in Toowoomba. It wasn’t actually that bad, but the locals are saying that it was a very mild winter this year. The trees are starting to get leaves again, everything is starting to green up and we have had a few spring storms already. We have now lived here for one year, and we still love it and feel so blessed.We have also had the flu/gastro bug over the last few weeks (which is always fun). Josh has been worst hit, and still isn’t over it yet. There is only 2 weeks of school left and then it is holidays.
We are still going up to Hervey Bay for the first part of the second week of school holiday, even though Verge isn’t happening. Looking forward to catching up with friends and family, although it will be a very rushed time.
Hannah is growing into a lovely, caring young lady. She is loving youth group and the girls Bible Study group she goes to, she has also been backing singing at church and sings in the school chapel band. She is really starting to leave her mark on the people of Toowoomba. She is trying to find a job as she will be going for her Learner’s in 6months time and is trying to save up for a car.
Josh has been sick for the past few weeks, so has missed quite a bit of school (which he is happy about). He enjoys going to a group at church called 7, 8, 9, which is for, as you guessed children in grades 7 - 9. He still struggles to socialise, however he is gradually starting to mingle more.
My job at the hospital is coming up for permanency, which basically means that all of our jobs in the referral centre at the hospital will become permanent positions and will be advertised and we will have to apply for them along with anyone else who applies. It will be advertised publically. Please pray with me that God’s will be done and that He would provide the right job for me, whether it be this one or another.
I have been busy planting out my veggie gardens. I am hoping that the frosts have finished now, or that they at least don’t get to the seedlings.
Looking forward to catching up with some of you while we are in the Bay.
Love
Ray
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