10th September 2022

Hello and welcome to CCC Weekly News, one of the few bigger editions due to the launch of our Spring Campaign. We are praying as always for our church family and mission partners who live in our vicinity and elsewhere. Lord Jesus, by faith we pray for all those who are needing God’s healing grace and peace at this time. May you and yours experience God’s exceeding abundance this week.

Vale Queen Elizabeth II – We pay our respect to the Queen’s family and the Commonwealth at the sad passing of this great human being that we are confident will be celebrating with the angels. Here is the notice released from the Baptist Association Centre in Sydney yesterday.

The Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT acknowledge the significance of Queen Elizabeth II’s passing today. We join with people across the world in recognizing her outstanding life of devoted service and public leadership.  We reflect on her integrity,  humility, and her faithfulness in her calling.  We also acknowledge her faith, expressed in her own words: “Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life…And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives.  I am one of them…” Our prayers are with her family at this time.

Director NSW / ACT Baptist Ministry Centre

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS SUNDAY 11th SEPTEMBER – We are blessed to be able to share this morning with long-time friend and partner in the gospel – John Stephney, who led the Wollongong (perhaps the Australian) chapter of Agape Force Ministries a few decades ago. A number of our people have history with John so his visit will be a coming home of sorts. We look forward to hearing from God through John at our gathering this week.

NB: We have decided with all that’s happening tomorrow to move our important chat with our southern Illawarra missionaries, Jono and Nicky Hyratt, to NEXT Sunday 18th. We’ll catch up with the latest from them so we can pray and support them more effectively at that NEW time.

IF YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY ON SUNDAY, PLEASE DO JOIN US face to face at the Augusta Street Hub, and if you are away for whatever reason, please join us ONLINE via our Live-Stream from 10am THIS and EVERY SUNDAY … (see our Facebook page link OR our YouTube Channel for online access). NB: The recording of the Live-Stream is available for viewing on our YouTube Channel AFTER our gathering, ‘usually’ from about midday Sunday onward.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER – PLEASE stay home if you or someone in your household is feeling unwell.

The HOPE Project Mission Situation Reports (Sit-Reps)

IT’S TONIGHT!!! – TRIVIA NIGHT IN SUPPORT OF SCRIPTURE AND CHAPLAINCY IN OUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLS – IS TONIGHT, SATURDAY 10TH, 6.30 FOR 7PM @ C3 CHURCH THIRROUL. If you’d still like to be a part of this event, just come along tonight and you can pay at the door and or find Heather, or join in with an existing table (we could probably have 2 tables if a few more registered) Of course, you can still register yourself online and here’s the link …. ONLINE REGISTER FOR NISB TRIVIA

BREAKING NEWS: The Sydney edition of the Keith Green Tribute Concert for HOPE4Kids and Hope and Future Projects, is scheduled for 7pm Saturday 15th October 2022 at the ‘BIG Music’ Auditorium – 85 Alexander Street, Crows Nest and here is the DIRECT LINK to the Concert’s booking website if you or someone you know missed out recently and or, you know someone in Sydney who might like to experience the event.

HOPE4Kids ANNUAL AWARENESS & FUNDRAISER WILL RUN ‘OFFICIALLY’ UNTIL FRIDAY SEPT 23 – this will be the official closing date for the effort BUT we won’t wrap things up until after the second Keith Green Tribute Concert in Sydney during October (see above for details). Extra fund raising (that is, not including Sydney ticket funding projections), has achieved a terrific response and the total has shifted significantly again from $1600 last weekend, to $2786 as of yesterday. We are so thankful to God for people’s generous giving hearts.

You CAN of course give cash specifically earmarked for H4K-22 to Heather or Carol if and when you see them (as some lovely people have done recently), OR if you are already giving to the church account electronically, you could identify an extra gift deposit as ‘H4K-22’, OR you can DONATE DIRECTLY VIA CARD TRANSACTION HERE.

As you may know, sales of Graeme’s music raises funds for HOPE4Kids all year round, and each year, dedicated sales funds are added to monies raised through the annual community fundraiser to boost the total giving. We are re-setting our music and merchandise counter at the HUB OR you can contact Heather about anything ‘Heartland Music’, particularly with Christmas approaching (arrrrrgggghhh I said it!). You can also catch up with the latest about our KIDS and the 2022 campaign stories on the HOPE4Kids Facebook Group. If you’d like to read the H4K backstory, visit our website’s ‘HOPE4Kids’ page.

HOPE COMMUNITIES UPDATE – SPRING CAMPAIGN (SOFT LAUNCH) We will launch this properly during Graeme’s annual ‘Covenant Partner Sunday’ address scheduled for a couple of weeks’ time on Sunday 25th September. In the meantime, we will simply highlight here, some of the things that we’ve seen as needed, based upon listening to God and to each other, AND in keeping with the time we have reached in this journey of transition. The ‘Spring Campaign’ is designed to help us prepare intentionally for the kingdom and harvest task we’ve been called to as a church, SO AS TO help focus our immediate efforts on strengthening and sharpening the gifts and tools we need as a mission company (Hub), to support and resource the developing frontier. It should be noted that the following bullet points are not listed in an order, they are identified as process and opportunities that we are relying on the Holy Spirit to help us do as ONE strategic plan in this season. As previously articulated, this can’t be done by human method, ONLY by the Spirit if what we are proposing is aligned with God’s Primary Purpose. The processes will include group provision and development for prayer, care, prepare and share

Check the Calendar Update section in each week’s news for specific details related to the following

  • PILLAR OF PRAYER
    • Prayer for the Mission Effort and Souls Rescue
    • Prayer for ONENESS in and through the body of Christ
    • Prayer for God’s favour with people (‘persons of peace’) He leads us to
  • PILLAR OF CARE
    • Prayer for Care, Encouragement, Healing, Restoration
    • Sharpen Access, Hosting, Reception, Engagement Process
    • Re-Establish HOPE Cares for sharper responses to community need
  • PILLAR OF PREPARE
    • Provide Consistent Devotional / Bible Study Resources (HOPE Distinctives)
    • Equip Disciples to Make Disciples who Make Disciples
    • Equip the Heaven’s Embassy Team (5-Fold Equipping Ministries)
    • Establish the NEW shape for the Facilitating Leadership Team and Commission the Team
  • PILLAR OF SHARE
    • Provide Simple Resources to support divinely appointed opportunities for Faith Sharing
    • Establish HOPE Communities Strategy for increasing Kingdom Gospel entry points and multiplying pathways for discipleship (ALL 4 Pillars)
    • Provide or Engage Catalyst Harvest Gathering Processes and Events

UCI BIKE RIDE (17th – 25th September) – The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body of cycling, recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and somehow, it is holding it’s largest annual world cyclist competition event in Wollongong for 8 Days later this month. If you’d like to brush up on road closures etc. HERE IS A HELPFUL LINK which is a part of a bigger web site with a lot of helpful information on it.

IMPORTANT NOTE: On Sunday the 25th September which is the day of our Annual General Meeting (AGM), please note that Pioneer Road will be closed between Bellambi and Towradgi between 9.15am and 12.15pm (and knowing how these things go, probably a little bit before and after) so ….. please adjust your travel route to the HUB from the west (unless you are John and Margaret who I’m sure will just thumb their noses – nicely of course – and walk up Augusta St)

  • If you are east of Pioneer Road, perhaps park as close as you can and seek to walk across and up Augusta Street
  • If you are north of the church and west of Pioneer Road, you should be able to navigate Memorial Drive to Railway St and Duff Parade.
  • If you are south of Five Islands / Cordeaux Rds, you’ll probably need to access the M1/Memorial Drive from Northcliffe Drive – then via Railway St and Duff Parade to Augusta.
  • If you are somewhere in between, there should be at least one clear path to an M1/Memorial Drive On Ramp – then via Railway St and Duff Parade to Augusta.
  • To confirm your route on the 25th, use this link and navigate the road closure info via suburb or map

NOW ….. OF COURSE THERE IS A GOSPEL REACH OPPORTUNITY HERE THAT SOME HAVE LIKENED TO THE PENTECOST FESTIVAL – with visitors from up to 150 countries of the world present in our city, a lot of regional churches with current programs and plenty of resources have channeled effort towards ensuring we have a gospel presence and representation at all the community opportunities that the event affords. Here’s a couple of ways we can serve.

  • SHARING YOUR FAITH – We are all at different stages of this journey of intentional faith sharing and so, instead of offering to do things as a church in this arena, I suggest that anyone with seasoned experience or a genuine passion to share their faith through the coordinated effort of the churches making up ‘Together for the Illawarra’ of which we are one, then let me know your interest ASAP and I’ll connect you to an appropriate group of people so that you can pursue that safely and effectively. NB: It’d be good to have a chat about it in any case as we are about to launch a training option for intentional, word-based faith sharing and multiplying – (Talk with Graeme about this ASAP)
  • UNDER-GIRDING PRAYER – Thanks to all who expressed their interest in this PRAYER opportunity to Carol last week. WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO HOST THE FIRST REGIONAL CHURCH-WIDE PRAYER MEETING FOR THE UCI EVENT – THIS TUESDAY @ THE HUB FROM 10.30-11.30AM IF YOU HAVE TIME AND YOU ARE IN THE VICINITY. (or let your contacts in other churches know please)
  • There will be other updates and information to share and we’ll do our best to pass all that’s relevant on to you in an expedient way.

SERMONS / STUDY GUIDE OUTLINES – are now becoming available on our HOPE Podcast Station as we complete and upload them (as per first bullet point in PILLAR of PREPARE story board). The first of these is Julie presenting the prophetic word the Lord gave her in August which she preached on the same month. If you are interested in accessing this, we have uploaded Julie’s Prophetic Word Podcast HERE and the written out version of the prophetic word is available on our Sermon Notes etc. website page HERE. Julie has recommended that if you are planning to listen to this particular podcast, it would help to have a printed or visible electronic version of the prophetic word in front of you as she speaks to the context and biblical bases in the podcast which is about 25 minutes in length. There are of course FIVE (5) new short weekly HOPE Devotional podcasts also available on the HOPE Podcast Station. MORE RESOURCES UPLOADED SOON …

‘BUILDING THE FUTURE’ (BTF) – In the aftermath of our meeting with the potential project manager recently, the BTF Team is now reviewing the reams of material that we’ve been provided for prayerful consideration. There is a significant journey ahead of us and nothing will happen overnight, but all the sifted through and pertinent summary information will be presented as part of the ministry reports at the AGM on September 25th. If you are still catching up and missed the ‘Building the Future’ announcement that Mick presented so well and clearly on the 31st July OR, you simply couldn’t access the link for one of a number of reasons, HERE IS THE LINK to the recorded version.

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (OCC) 2022 – is our hands-on way to bless children in need across the world by filling shoe-boxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. The shoe-boxes and other helpful materials are available now from the Hub. See Heather or one of our Hosts soon, if you are at the Hub on any given Sunday OR use our Contact Us page to let us know you are interested in helping and would like to know more and we’ll make sure you have all the information you need. As boxes are completed, we will gather them together and deliver them to our local OCC coordinator Robyn, who will distribute them in the name of Jesus Christ to children living in vulnerable situations.

Calendar Updates

(Please use our Contact Us page if you’d like to register for, or get more details for the following)

  • EVERY THURSDAY MORNING 10-11am – We provide a support team to help distribute affordable grocery hampers out of a truck parked in the Car Park west side Fred Guest Park off Balgownie Road. If you could help every week, or fortnightly or monthly, please talk with Gary or Jacki – thank you!
  • Women’s Monday Fortnightly Study and Prayer (Julie) 19th September – 10.30am @ the HUB
  • General Bible Discussion (Beverley) 21st September at Judy’s place (on the verandah or inside with the heater if cold), (now the 1st and 3rd Wednesday’s of each month) Contact Beverley or Judy if you are thinking of coming any given meeting.
    • NB: There will be minimal impact from the UCI Bike Event re. travel to Judy’s place for this meeting. From south of Five Is – Cordeaux Rd, access the MI/Memorial drive from Northcliffe Drive, and from north of the same – access from ramp north of Figtree. Railway Street from Corrimal is definitely clear and we believe that on the 21st, Towradgi Rd is also clear. Pioneer Rd might be a clearway but not closed until the 24th/25th.
  • Regular Hour of Prayer for the Churches of the Illawarra and the Salvation of Souls (Graeme) @ The Hub 7.45am the 2nd & 4th Mondays of each month. Next Prayer Time = 12th September.
  • Northern Churches Prayer for UCI Event – (We are Hosts – Please talk with Jacki for more) THIS Tuesday 13th September 10.30am – 11.30am at the Hub
  • Covenant Partner Sunday – AGM – scheduled for the Sunday 25th September Gathering – notice has been sent in accord with our Constitution. (see road closure notice in sit-rep about UCI Bike Ride)
  • NEXT Blokes Sharing and Ministry – Tuesday 11th October (TBA)
  • The Wollongong ‘Keith Green 40th Anniversary’ Tribute Concert # TWO (for HOPE4Kids & Hope and Future Ministries) at the ‘Big Room @ Big Music’, 85 Alexander Street, Crows Nest (North Sydney) Saturday evening October 15 … find out more HERE, including our ticket website
  • WEEKLY TRAINING WORKSHOP (between mid-October and the end of November) in discipling, pastoral and community care, the ministry of reconciliation, starting kingdom conversations and more – 1st EIGHT (8) WEEK INTENSIVE – please see Graeme ASAP as he will confirm times / days etc once he has spoken with all the interested parties.
  • Oct-Nov Sunday Weekly Preaching – Gathering Theme with an Outward Focus towards ‘others’ will be ‘All You Need Is Love’ and will span the FOUR Sunday’s from October 23rd to and including November 13th. As with ‘Outrageous Forgiveness’ in 2021, we will focus messages, creative and interactive presentations over the FOUR Sundays around the ‘All You Need Is Love’ theme. More Detail soon …
  • ‘Carols in the Street 2022’ – is scheduled as always for the second Sunday of December (11th). The street closure will occur from 4pm – 8pm. We will gather on that Sunday (11th Dec) morning to PRAY and ALLOCATE tasks for this our annual Christmas Gift to the community and as such there will be NO SUNDAY AM GATHERING that day. Our mate AMBER NICHOLS is booked in! DESPINA is checking her schedule. More Details soon. SAVE THE DATE!
  • Spring Campaign – Check back here SOON for more of the updated HOPE Project schedule! (as per the above Sit-Rep)

Weekly Pastoral Prayer Update

NB: We leave prayer points up until we either hear about resolutions OR thank God for answers etc. so …

  • Firstly, we are THANKFUL for all the answered prayers that often go unnoticed. Thank you, Lord, for Your faithfulness.
  • Secondly, each and EVERY week we pray for each other and our brothers and sisters representing the Illawarra region’s body of Christ through other local churches who meet around us. And as Jesus prayed 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. We know this is a season when we will need to be combat ready and so we pray for each other that we would stand firm in the victory Christ won for us … AND that the Lord will add daily, those who are BEING SAVED!
    • THIS WEEK we are praying with the Northern Illawarra Churches in preparation for the UCI World Cycling Event, as we seek to declare, represent, and demonstrate the kingdom of heaven to the visitors to our city from around the world.
  • Thirdly each week we pray for the New Season of Mission Effort – We thank you for the first ‘7 years of planting and re-aligning to heaven’ and now we pray for the FIRST PHASE of the time we are referring to as ‘The SEED of Sustainability’ (2022-23). As we now release the strategic plan for Spring 2022, PLEASE PRAY AS WE PREPARE (Pre-Prayer). PLEASE ALSO PRAY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE 2ND KEITH GREEN TRIBUTE CONCERT IN SYDNEY ON OCTOBER 15TH. GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE WOLLONGONG CONCERT A FEW WEEKS BACK, AND FOR THE KIDS AND FAMILIES WHO WILL BE IMPACTED THROUGH HOPE4KIDS.
  • Fourthly, here following are the MOST RECENT prayer requests that we have been given permission to share across our praying network … (please talk directly with the source of the request if you want more info) – we will endeavour to seek updates on all of the following, particularly those points that we’ve been praying for these last few weeks – not always simple, so thanks for your patience.
    • Lord God, we have been praying this week for Linda’s sister Shirley (in Abu Dhabi) and Alex’s brother Rab (in Perth WA), who have both undergone serious life saving surgeries. We continue to pray for both and their families and thank God for early good reports in the aftermath of both surgeries.
    • Father, we pray for our Gwen who was admitted to the hospital’s medical ward last week. We pray for complete healing and peace and strength for Nancy, Jason and the whole family.
    • We ask Lord that you continue watching over the Boots family. We pray for all the health and other things that have occurred during their time away, that all might be resolved in Your care.
    • We pray particularly for Christian who was rushed to hospital with acute appendicitis recently. We thank you for the stability of his condition which has allowed preliminary processes to occur and we pray peace and resolved good health as doctors seek to schedule other needed procedures soon. We praise you Lord for his presence with us at last Sunday’s gathering.
    • Lord we continue to pray for Jayden O’Connell (son of John and Chris) who took ill whilst away in Tweed Heads. He is stable and slowly recovering in ICU. There are things being monitored. The family will be in their current location for a bit longer yet but are assured of the best care where they are. Thank you Lord.
    • We pray for Margaret and John. We ask for extra strength for this wonderfully caring and hospitable couple in the aftermath of the loss of Margaret’s brother. We continue praying with them for their friends (and ours) Mike & Judy and Rob & Young, and ALSO for John’s brother Malcolm and brother-in-law Ray out in Marco Polo.
    • We continue to pray for June (up in QLD with daughter Danielle) and Josie and their wider family as they not only grieve for Don, but also now in the follow up to their brother Ken’s passing as well as another well loved Beaton family member last week. We pray for Ken’s family, June, Josie and their families including Julie’s, Donna’s and Sandi’s – BUT also for our mate and Ken’s son, Mark, his wife Lou, his brother and sisters and all connected to this well known local family. We pray for peace beyond all understanding after a lovely, indeed inspiring ceremony for Ken’s farewell at Corrimal UC last week and the funeral for Mark’s Aunty also this last Friday.
    • Please keep praying for our friend Marie and her family as she continues to recover from some serious health challenges. We praise God for her recent positive move to a Residential Care Home and we pray for the family and health professionals as they work longer-term options out with Marie and Doug.
    • We are praying also for our friend Audrey who is dealing with some health challenges and care regimes. We pray for health and peace for her, her family and her friends.
    • We are praying for complete healing in Jono’s body, particularly the hernia that has been an issue for some time now. Lord, bring peace to Jono, particularly with regard to what you want from him with regard his work situation.
    • We pray for Nicky who is in need of a restorative, healing touch from heaven at present.
    • Jono’s son Jacob – we ask you Lord for long-term answers for the life and health issues confronting this terrific young bloke.
    • We thank you Lord that Christine continues to improve after her broken toe and the recent bout of the migraines she’s been having. Christine sends her greetings and heartfelt thanks for prayer support.
    • We thank you Lord for our sister Dot who sends her love to you all and we keep praying for her general health and well-being.
    • We thank God and keep praying for Evelyn’s complete recovery.
    • We are praying for Maree’s friend Gail who has a suspicious nodule on her thyroid gland. We pray for God’s miraculous healing supernaturally through the surgeon – guide them in whatever they do. Lord bring hope, peace and healing to Gail and all who love and care for her.
    • We pray for Emma’s friend Anna. That you will be sovereign in her life and completely cure whatever is wrong with some vital organs. We thank you for a recent positive update.
    • Linda and Andrew have some things going on for them with friends and family. God knows what’s happening so let’s pray for them and the circumstances in faith for complete resolution in the name of Jesus.
  • Please Keep Praying for these Brothers and sisters and situations –
    • We pray healing for members of our family who are each dealing with a variety of ongoing health issues currently, including those still experiencing cold and flu symptoms and or respiratory infections. We thank you for recent full recoveries and Lord for your protection over other family members of these precious folk.
    • We continue to pray for Harry, Joy and Greg, Tom, Elsie and Carolyn’s family, Tim, and for Kylie.
    • We pray thanks to God for the work of the Northern Illawarra Scripture Board and for answered prayer. We pray that we are empowered to play our part in this kingdom advancing work as it increases across the northern Illawarra churches network. We pray for our scripture teachers and chaplain as they get stuck into the challenges of term 3 and for tonight’s Trivia Fundraiser.
    • We also pray continuously for health and energy for Rob and Sharon who are heavily involved and busy as, coordinating scouts across the region for an increasing return to activities post-covid AND in particular the Korimul Gang Show, returning to the stage (IPAC) THIS WEEKEND.
    • We continue praying for Murray and Julie and the Food for Life Community Care team as they work tirelessly to provide affordable groceries to people trying to make ends meet across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven. We pray for Murray in the aftermath of a melanoma removal and the impact this has for his wife and mission partner Julie and the Kids, with Julie running the FFL Service currently. We pray for our support team who work with the hamper truck on Thursday mornings. (Gary, Christine, Beverley, Ken, Jacki, Denise, John, Margaret, Maggie and Alex)
    • We pray for the people doing it tough that our Food for Life volunteers come across weekly when they serve hampers off the truck.
    • We continue to petition our Lord Jesus for Heaven’s answers to the needs of so many who are struggling in the current economic climate and or have lost significantly in these repeated floods and cold weather snaps up and down the east coast.
    • For all of the wonderful people connected with our church family as we stand together during this new season of the battle for souls. We thank God for His encouragement, His healing touch and His mercy, grace and protection.
    • We pray both thanks to you God and ask for exceeding abundant blessings on all the new people who are determining whether or not to partner with us in the mission You have called us to.
    • We also pray with thankfulness for the wonderful and consistent giving and investment that our family and partners offer to enable this mission to thrive.
    • Graeme is so grateful for the faithful pray-ers who have stepped up and interceded for important gospel and kingdom work that we’ve been engaged in of late. Please pray that Karen’s energy and health returns fully and swiftly.
    • We have been asked to pray with Lionel Rattenbury (Hope Church – Helensburgh) as he and a team engage people with dire need in the Port Kembla CBD. We pray for all efforts in this space, including Gordon and Port Kembla Baptist, Brian and Hope Street (Baptist Care), James Dargin and the Aboriginal Outreach, The Foundery, YWAM and more. Lord, hear our prayers!
  • The World needs our Faithful Prayers –
    • We continue to pray for people in the Ukraine and Russia, for peace, for unity, for a sense of purpose together for the future, instead of the divide and the misdirection that seems evident and ongoing. LORD HAVE MERCY!
    • We pray for ongoing health issues around the world and ask for Your intervention Lord, bringing about your purposes in response to these things rather than feeble human control efforts. LORD HAVE MERCY on those affected and those working out what’s happening, and those working closely with those affected.
    • Please pray for the people who are hungry and helpless. Pray for the church (under persecution in many of these countries mentioned below) that they along with World Aid organizations will be able to be God’s effective hands and feet in that desperate scenario.
    • Pray for the people in many other countries who are dealing with political, religious and military unrest and or are being subjected to violence and persecution; in particular this week we pray for the unrest and unease particularly in Myanmar this week, but also ongoing concerns in Afghanistan, the senseless violent attacks on people in Ethiopia, Vietnam, Togo and Ghana, Kenya, pending genocide in predominantly Christian Papua (Indonesia), Eritrea, Burkina-Faso (particularly in the East where Jihadists seem hell bent on eradicating Christian facilitated education), Algeria and Indonesia, Nigeria (particularly for recent savage attacks on churches and renewed calls by IS to attack Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Shi’ite places of worship across Africa and Asia), India, Iran, the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and this week our prayer call is for continued and lasting peace along the North-Eastern Syrian border with Turkey (and Syria in general)
    • PLEASE add any concern you have for our world HERE and pray LORD HAVE MERCY!
  • Of course if you have any thing you feel confident to ask us to SHARE in prayer for, please call, send a text or email Gary Padwick if you know his contact details, otherwise via our Contact Us page. We can help connect you, and Gary will faithfully engage our prayer-network.
  • Thank you for continuing to uphold each other and the lives and circumstances of our partners everywhere, in life-empowering prayer.

Love & blessings
Graeme for The Team