
Hey there,
2018 is well underway, and we hope it has been a good start for you and your loved ones.
Thank you for continuing to journey with us to help see God's Kingdom increase through His Story.
Mike - "Agent" for AccessTheStory
It seems that it's not quite the right time for me (Mike) to step into a paid role with AccessTheStory, however, I have recently returned to the status of Associate Worker and have been approved to become an AccessTheStory "Agent." This is still a voluntary role with the advantage of being able to access my support account for ministry expenses.
This doesn't mean that we're given up on raising support to the level required to draw an income, and we continue to be grateful to all who are continuing to contribute financially through special gifts or ongoing support. Our level of support has increased, but still has a way to go to get to the required level to go part-time.
Please continue to pray with us that this will progress according to God's schedule, knowing it will also work in with the needs of our family. More on this below ...

One of these new resources, StoryBites, was piloted at NYMC last year and is already being very well received. Each of these booklets will consist of a series of five or six sessions; and each session will be designed as a 15-20 minute Story experience ideal for youth group "devotional spots", etc. The goal is to develop a booklet for each of the seven ATS Episodes.
If you want to be kept up-to-date with resources as they become available, then you can sign up for StoryLine.
Content Development for AccessTheStory Resources
Mike is loving being part of developing content for upcoming AccessTheStory resources. There are some exciting things ahead.
One of these new resources, StoryBites, was piloted at NYMC last year and is already being very well received. Each of these booklets will consist of a series of five or six sessions; and each session will be designed as a 15-20 minute Story experience ideal for youth group "devotional spots", etc. The goal is to develop a booklet for each of the seven ATS Episodes.
Rayleen's Heart Health
As you may have heard, Ray is currently on medication to control the speed and rhythm of her heart and has been on the waiting list to have further tests and probably a "Catheter Ablation" procedure. This has now been booked in for 7 March (next week) at Princess Alexandra Hospital. Please pray with us for God's wisdom and guidance for all the medical staff involved during all tests and any procedures, that they will know the best treatment and do it well, that recovery will go well, and for the best outcome. Our hope is that this surgery would be successful so that Ray will be freed from the need to take any further heart medication after her heart has recovered from the procedure.Hannah Heading to YWAM DTS in Adelaide (July)!!!
Hannah has been accepted into YWAM's "Abide" Discipleship Training School (DTS) in Adelaide in July and is in the process of raising the required funds for this missions trip. It includes 12 weeks of training and local outreach, 10 weeks of overseas missions and a couple more weeks of further training and time of debrief.Costs are expected to be as much as about $10,000 (depending on overseas location) including flights to and from Adelaide, and so far she has reached about a third of this through various fundraisers, so she is well on the way. We'll have a better idea of the actual figures needed in the coming months.
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this, whether through buying chocolates, direct financial support, donating items to the garage sales, etc. It has been so encouraging to see so many getting behind her.
Josh's Schooling
As of this year, Josh is studying grade 10 at home through Brisbane School of Distance Education. Now in the sixth week, it's been great to see him taking the initiative each day to get to online classes and complete his scheduled work each day. It is working well as he has a timetable and meets with his various teachers and fellow students in virtual classrooms for each subject.It has also worked out well that my schedule hasn't filled up too much just yet, as it's allowed me to be there to support Josh in his schooling when needed. This has been particularly important during this initial time of transition at the start of the year and also during a chemistry experiment he had a couple of weeks ago.
I'm also still able to schedule time for ministry events and to the development of content for AccessTheStory for new resources that are in the works (as mentioned above).
What's Next!!!
With only a month away to the third Toowoomba Streets & Lanes Festival on Easter Saturday, our preparations are well underway and we're planning to do something a little different this time. From what I'm hearing, this event is going to be bigger and better than last year, and we're excited to be presenting four stand-alone stories of people in the Bible who discovered Jesus. Come along for a fresh view of Jesus' impact on these lives. You might even come away with a renewed appreciation for Jesus in your own life.

Rayleen and Mike were able to be at the first "Bella Sisters" for 2018 last week and conversations are continuing regarding how we can serve in 2018. "Bella Sisters" is a ministry of "City Women" to girls aged 11-17. We're excited to see how we can serve this community in future. Please continue to pray for guidance and the right opportunities at the right time.
Plans are in place for Mike to facilitate "SEASON" for Teen Challenge again later this year. Please continue to pray with us, that it will happen according to God's timing, and that it will speak into lives, according to His plan.
Mike is still in conversations with a Youth Pastor from Ipswich (that he met at NYMC last year) who is wanting his leadership team to see a demonstration of ATS in the near future, with the view of running story experiences in their youth group.


Conversations are still in progress with YWAM Toowoomba about the possibility of VERGE happening here again. Please pray for God's will to unfold!!!
“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 ...
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