8th July 2022

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ, this brisk July evening. In recognizing that this is the dawn of an exciting time for us as a local church (more detail very soon), we just want to ask that you press in and pray for each other even more fervently. Most of our people are experiencing some sort of frustration, or ill-health, or family challenge and the like. Nothing is inconsequential in its context, but simply stated, we need to sensitively and care-FULLY help each other walk in Christ’s victory and not allow the evil one to distract or divert us from our calling.

THIS IS THE TIME for saints to pull together so that people desperately in need of rescue, whether known or not, can see more of the victory of the cross bursting forth out of the jaws of defeat, rather than the bleak view we have when we are trained on our own depleted circumstances. Let us together, rise up in THIS TIME and declare with ONE voice, we are MORE than Conquerors through Christ who loved us and nothing can separate us from the love, the ahava – the feeling in with active love of God (thanks Mick), IN Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39). This is our truth, it is our hope, it is for this purpose that we were placed here, for the sake of ‘others’. So, today, as the apostle Paul exhorted in the letter to the church in all time (Ephesians), let us live a life worthy of this call.

We are so thankful to God for all our church family and mission partners living close by or elsewhere. Our love and prayers are with you always.

THIS SUNDAY 10th JULY – Last week, Graeme kicked off the first phase of our church’s transition season (that we are referring to as “The SEED of Sustainability’); aligning NEW data from the new Census with the word from heaven we have received, to help us orientate ourselves towards God Primary Purpose and what’s needed from us as Christ’s Ambassadors. (a small taste of that message can be re-engaged here with the ‘I Have a Dream Today’ section of Graeme’s message)

THIS WEEK, fresh from his tour of Dapto and Kanahooka last Sunday (gidday to our beloved siblings at ‘River of Life Church’ Dapto) David will commence a reflective THREE – PART mini-series with the working title ‘How then, should WE live?’ We encourage those of YOU WHO ARE IN THE VICINITY STILL, (we continue to pray for those who are away) to JOIN US face to face at the Augusta Street Hub, or ONLINE via our Live-Stream from 10am THIS and EVERY SUNDAY … (see our Facebook page link OR our YouTube Channel for online access). And if you sense a prompting from the Holy Spirit, INVITE someone you know along for the ride as we seek to unpack eternal truth in the context of everyday life.

The HOPE Project Mission Situation Reports (Sit-Reps)

HOPE4Kids 2022 Awareness and Fundraising Event Launched – over the next couple of weeks we will be furnishing details on as many communication forums as we have access to, about our 2022 HOPE4Kids fund raising event. Every other year we do something a little different to promote the cause. In the past these have included 24 Hour Table Tennis and Drumming marathons, Backwards Walks and just last year we coloured and shaved Graeme’s hair and beard.

In between these crazy events we have utilized Graeme’s music connections to hold entertainment events. This year, 2022, coincides with the 40th Anniversary of Keith Green’s death in 1982. – Keith was a child prodigy signed by the iconic Decca Records, and a multi-award winning gospel music artist and prophetic teacher who was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Keith was just shy of his 29th birthday when he and two of his children died along with 9 others in a light plane crash.

In light of all of this, Graeme, with Gordon Barr, Mark Matthews, Wayne Gardner, Peter Sharp, Kyle Barr, Robert Sackett, Karen Hush and other wonderful friends, will present a ‘Keith Green 40th Anniversary Tribute Concert’ as this year’s HOPE4Kids Fundraiser. The fundraiser will be shared with Gordon’s ‘Hope and Future – Ugandan Orphans Project’.

The Wollongong Concert will be held @ City Diggers in the CBD with a second concert in Sydney yet to be announced. Here following is the early announcement details (as mentioned there will be more details and more access coming) BUT for now it is important to inform you that the City Diggers venue has limited seating and so BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL.

Here then is the DIRECT LINK to the Concert’s booking website and if you don’t like online booking, or are challenged by it in some way, PLEASE contact Heather via the secretary email address OR via our Contact Us page ASAP so she can record your interest and organize a group booking if NEEDED.

We will update the HOPE4Kids Facebook Group page shortly but for now, read the details and brief back story on our website’s ‘HOPE4Kids’ page.

HOPE College Semester TWO organization – The JULY Edition of the HOPE College newsletter, ‘HOPE HERALD’, will be sent out over the next couple of days with information about how we are producing and providing training and study content when we return for Semester TWO, NOW the week commencing July 24th. If you would like to be added to the list of email addresses to receive the regular ‘HOPE HERALD’ update, please use the secretary email address or our Contact Us page to let Heather, who is our College registrar, know. THANK YOU!

The Sanctuary Illawarra – God is working through our ‘Backyard Missionaries’, Jono and Nicky as the efforts under the Holy Spirit’s leading to establish a southern Illawarra outreach church continues to build early momentum. Things are starting to grow around the Thursday face to face opportunity so please pray as new connections like Mark, Les and Wendy make decisions about their commitment to the planting effort. The 3pm Sunday online offerings are ON HOLD for the time being BUT you can still catch up with previous and current online messages via their YouTube channel and via their Facebook page for all that’s happening and for updates as they come to hand. PLEASE continue to pray for this building facilitating team, and give The Sanctuary connection details to anyone you know in the Southern Illawarra that would benefit from the ministry of this Targeted Mission HUB, particularly with regard to their ‘Soul Recovery ALL Addictions’ weekly meeting 8pm Monday’s at Central Church Hall, 4 Fitzwilliam Street Port Kembla.

WE’LL CATCH UP WITH THESE SAINTS TO GET THE LATEST, AT THE 24th JULY SUNDAY GATHERING! This weekend Jono and Nicky are driving up to the Blue Mountains (we pray safely), to join in a wedding of Donny their friend and a long time mission partner and mate of Graeme’s also. For now we thank God for His provision of community care sector work for Jono, now 4 days a week. We also thank God for his streamlining of Nicky’s work and study needs and continue to pray that these things all work in balance with the planting mission. At CCC, we embrace missionary support and or bi-vocational approaches to funding church plants. If you’d like more information about how you can support the Sanctuary, please contact us at the HUB.

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

  • Women’s Monday Fortnightly Study and Prayer (Julie) 11th July – 10.30am @ the HUB
  • General Bible Discussion (Beverley) 20th July on the verandah at Judy’s place (now the 1st and 3rd Wednesday’s of each month)
  • National Day of Thanksgiving presentation to TEACHERS in our schools. We are offering gifts of thanks to teachers at Corrimal East Public School and Corrimal High School as soon as we hear back from the schools and can organize a suitable time …. now most likely early Term 3.
  • The next Blokes Ministry Event – Date to be confirmed – probably Tuesday 9th August. Talk with Andrew Fisher.
  • The Wollongong ‘Keith Green 40th Anniversary’ Tribute Concert (for HOPE4Kids & Hope and Future Ministries) at City Diggers Saturday evening August 27 … Artists include Mark Matthews, Gordon Barr, Wayne Gardner, Graeme Hush, Kyle Barr …. find out more HERE, including our ticket website
  • Korimul Gang (Scout & Guide) Shows – Friday 9th or Saturday 10th or Sunday 11th September (IPAC Wollongong – TBC) for more details contact Rob or Sharon Sackett
  • TRIVIA – Northern Illawarra Scripture Board Fundraiser at C3 Thirroul on Saturday 10th September
  • Stay Tuned for updates about the HOPE College Podcast Station and Equipping Workshops.

Weekly Pastoral Prayer Update (designed so you can spread points for prayer out over the week)

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

  • 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! We particularly pray with gratitude for those involved with staging and hosting recent regional combined prayer events; that the churches of the Illawarra might be ‘In ONE-ness accord’.
  • 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 that we are now working towards the FIRST PHASE of the time we are referring to as ‘The SEED of Sustainability’ (2022-23) so a strategic plan for the 2nd half of 2022 will be released for prayer and response shortly. PLEASE PRAY AS WE PREPARE (Pre-Prayer) and keep tuning in for more.
  • 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.
    • We thank you Lord for Andrew and Linda’s safe return on Thursday after sharing with extended family after the loss of their cousin in Narrabri this last week. We ask for peace and comfort for the family.
    • Linda has also today alerted us to her close cousin and our friend Vickie’s need. Vickie works in partnership with us at ‘Food for Life’ and her Dad passed away Thursday night. Please pray for the family as they prepare, and particularly as Vickie works things out with Graeme (whom they have asked to preside at the funeral), for a ceremony, probably at the end of next week.
    • We pray for Dot’s knees (she says they are tennis knees – like elbows – but we suspect most likely from prayer and devotion) Dot sends her love to you all.
    • Please pray for Karen and her family as they grieve the loss of a long time close family friend, who passed away this week in somewhat tragic circumstances. Joey was a much loved mate.
    • We thank you Lord, for the good news that David’s Mum Jean is recovering well from recent respiratory issues and is home after a stint in hospital.
    • We pray for Betro and SoYoung who celebrate their Korean Wedding tomorrow our time in Seoul. Lord we ask Your blessing to shine on these two and all their families and friends present.
    • We have been asked to pray for Wendy from The Sanctuary. Her daughter has a challenging form of epilepsy and is struggling currently. Her specialist appointment is this Tuesday (5th). Please pray for complete healing for this young life.
    • We pray for Caleb, Georgia, Zarah and Stellah Angilley. For a bit of sickness but mostly for this new season of ministry to youth and young adults up in the Loganholme area of SEQ. The Angilley’s send their love and prayers for us.
    • We unite in prayer with Josie, for her neighbour’s family, whose Mum passed away after some time in ill-health post a lung transplant. Praying comfort for her children and grand kids.
    • June has asked us to pray for wisdom about decisions she needs to make about her independence. We thank you God for her continued improving hips and we continue to ask Lord for June’s neighbour Ashley who was rushed to hospital last week after a stroke. Lord, bring complete healing, that glory can be ascribed to You.
    • We pray for the complete healing of Christine’s broken toe and for continued wisdom and strength for her and her two sisters and the aged care consultants helping them care for their Mum in her own home, also for her family members who have been inundated with water during recent rains and their daughter with a broken arm.
    • Christine is also asking for prayer for hers and our friend Treena who has been very unwell recently.
    • We thank you for the improvement in Maree’s health, and we continue to seek You for complete healing and renewal in all aspects of her life.
    • Kylie’s daughter Rachel, who reached out to Graeme after his call for prayer recently. Rachel is making some big decisions about her future, including work and a potentially BIG move. Please pray for wisdom and clarity for Rachel.
    • Jono’s Dad Richard – we praise you Lord for answered prayer and we ask for your continued peace and protection as Richard prepares for a pacemaker to be inserted.
    • We praise You Lord for Jono’s and Nicky’s improved health and for safety as they dive to teh Blue Mountains this weekend.
    • We pray for the complete healing of Christine’s broken toe and for continued wisdom and strength for her and her two sisters and the aged care consultants helping them care for their Mum in her own home, also for her family members who have been inundated with water during recent rains and their daughter with a broken arm.
    • Christine is also asking for prayer for hers and our friend Treena who has been very unwell recently.
    • Maggie recently asked us to pray for the daughter of a friend in Qld who was rushed to hospital recently in need of intravenous antibiotics for a compromised immune system. We pray God’s healing peace and power for her AND ….
    • Our Evelyn who is recovering from a fall at home, having had a pin inserted in her left leg. Currently in Bulli Hospital for rehab. Please pray for a complete and speedy recovery.
    • We continue praying for Gwen who is recovering at home (and misses us) and her son Jason who has had Covid recently.
    • We continue to pray complete recovery for Joe and Joanne who need your healing touch presently.
    • We pray for John and Margaret’s close friend Michael and his wife Judy as Mike battles with ill-health.
  • Please Keep Praying for these Brothers and sisters and situations –
    • 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 our support team who work with the hamper truck on Thursday mornings. (Gary, Christine, Beverley, Ken, Jacki, 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; in particular we continue to pray for Mich and Hamish.
    • 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 healing for members of our family who are each dealing with a variety of ongoing health issues currently, including the growing number experiencing cold and flu symptoms and or respiratory infections.
    • We continue to pray for Harry, Joy and Greg, Tom, Elsie and Carolyn’s family, and for Kylie and her family and friend’s needs.
    • Grant Wilson (Kiama Baptist Minister) whom Graeme saw recently. He is now back at home in Kiama and has started a minor regime of work. Pray for his continued good recovery, his family and the church as they deal with challenges in this time of transition. Grant has asked to pray that he has more grace for the long haul.
    • We ask you Lord to bring healing and increasing peace to Graeme’s ministry colleagues Wayne Crockford (whom some will have met) who has had a difficult week with health and broader circumstantial issues, and Lindsay Mee, fighting Influenza A after a big week traveling and working.
    • 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 break between terms 2 and 3, and as they engage with the ‘in-service’ national SRE conference in Qld this week.
    • 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.
  • 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 currently. LORD HAVE MERCY!
    • We pray for hepatitis and monkey pox outbreaks around the world and ask for You intervention Lord, bringing about a speedy restoration of health. 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 senseless violent attacks on people in Ethiopia, Vietnam, Togo and Ghana, Kenya, Myanmar, 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), India, Iran, the Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
    • 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