Hey there! As 2017 comes to an end we want to thank you again for journeying with us throughout this year. We're so grateful for all that has happened in 2017 and are excited by the approaching opportunities that God is opening up for 2018 to see His Story have a greater impact in more and more lives.

Name Change - "Smiths with AccessTheStory"

You might have noticed we've changed the name of this Blog and our Facebook Page from "Smith's Journey of Faith" to "Smiths with AccessTheStory." This is to better reflect the path this journey is taking us.

We're excited that this faith journey has us serving with AccessTheStory to help see Christian Communities impacted by God's amazing Story, and the name change better reflects this.

Highlights from 2017!!!

2017 has been another year of changes and of seeing an increase in being part of God's Story impacting more lives.

Ahead in 2018!!!


Conversations are continuing regarding how we can serve "City Women" in 2018.  "Bella Sisters" is a ministry of City Women to girls aged 11-17.  It's looking like we'll have an opportunity to share from God's Story with these girls.

Please pray that God continues to guide and open the right doors at the right time.


At NYMC AccessTheStory released the pilot of our new resource, StoryBites. These are Story experiences designed to take only 15 minutes each.

Travis has asked me to help to develop the content for future StoryBites (and other resources) throughout 2018.

To stay up-to-date with our resources as they become available you can sign up for StoryLine emails, and as a bonus you'll also receive a sample of StoryBites.

It was encouraging to hear a few people at the Teen Challenge dinner this week talking enthusiastically about "SEASON."  Two staff asked about seeing this happen again and one of the participants who has now graduated from the Teen Challenge program also spoke to me about how great an impact this had on him.  Please continue to pray with me about the opportunity to share God's Story at Teen Challenge in 2018.


Preparations for Toowoomba Streets & Lanes Festival at Easter are already underway and we're planning to be there for the third time.  I think this event is going to be bigger and better next year.
I've also been approached by a Youth Pastor in Ipswich whom I met at NYMC.  He wants us to come and talk to his leaders about ATS early next year with the view of running something for their youth group.

Conversations are still in progress about seeing VERGE happen again in Qld in 2018.
Watch this space!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

Blessings to you and all your family and friends during this Christmas season as you reflect on our Creator who stepped down into this world, being born as a baby; coming to show us what God is like and what life can be like when we let God be in charge; coming to take our shame, sin, grief and judgment on Himself so we can know God and be with Him now and always; and to see more of God restoring His creation and join Him in this Mission until He comes again to finish what He started. Through Jesus, God is present with us and we get to reflect Him to those around us. Have a very Happy and Blessed Christmas and 2018 in Him.

“Most Australians aren’t engaged by the Bible, so we have developed a suite of tools that help Christian communities access the Story of God in a way that brings clarity to who Jesus is and what it means to join Him in His Mission.”

The longer we're in this the more we see how desperately this ministry is needed.

 We’re grateful that you’re continuing to partner with us and we want to say a big “THANK YOU” to each of you. We couldn't do this without you!

 God has always shown Himself faithful to us and we're thankful and excited to see the increasing opportunities that He is opening up for us to see His Story have a greater impact on an increasing number of lives.

Blessings,
Mike & Ray

Serving with ...