Tones & Tradition

Pictured: The legendary Nashville session guitarist JT Corenflos at work on the new album.

“In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.”

— Colossians 3:23

He moved to Nashville from a country town in Indiana at the age of 18 to pursue his music dreams. Now in his late 50’s JT Corenflos has recorded for and performed with many of the great names in modern country music. He’s considered an electric guitar legend in the Nashville scene.. working with stars like Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Don Hendley, George Jones, Brooks and Dunn, Alabama and Bob Seger…. the list goes on. Yet I have been genuinely humbled that every time I come to Nashville to record a new album JT is only too happy to put a few days aside and help create some amazing tracks for the new songs. JT is usually the last player in the studio at the end of each take.. perfecting his tones and getting just one more take to make the song even better. I observe in quiet admiration this country gentleman. He’s struggled with great physical challenges and battled with cancer.. yet still delights in turning up to make a recording project shine brightly.

Like the Psalmist of old, musicians like JT Corenflos were born with an eternal gift of creativity and music. It is a gift given by the creator of all things and I know when JT plays it comes from deep in his soul. The songs on this new album project are so much richer because of the contribution of a man who has devoted his life to the art of music. Thank you JT. 

Thanks also to friends and prayer partners who have supported us on this faith venture to produce another fine collection of songs that will be used to share the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope we have because of all He has done for us! Songs about life, death and eternity.

Thanks again for your prayers and support.

Godspeed

Steve
 

Revival in the Outback

Pictured: Steve outside a historic church in a town called Sandstone, Western Australia

There’s been a quiet fire burning in the hearts of many people in remote towns and communities these past few years. I’ve seen some desert communities completely turn from the hopelessness of depression, addiction and gambling to choosing God’s way. Turning from the curse of death to the hope of life in Jesus. From the bondage of religious condemnation to the freedom of knowing Christ. 

I’ve had people over the past few years request songs that have helped them in in their own revival journey. Ironically some of those songs are old Gospel songs and hymns from the times of slavery in American history. Songs that have stood the test of time and inspired faith for generations. Its some of these songs I’d love to record on the new album… Songs of revival. 

But I’ve learned that real revival doesn’t always happen in a big noisy crowd… it happens in the heart… one heart at a time. It happens with humble repentance that makes way for renewal and restoration. God delights to revive us in our walk with Him.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. ”

— Psalm 51:10-12

We are very excited to announce that I will be stepping back into the studio to record a new album project. We plan to record August 10-17th at Watershed Studios in Nashville, TN. 

Pray with me as we seek the Lord and prepare for this venture. Financially we are half way there with the expected budget but know God in His faithfulness will provide. We know these songs are an integral part of the coming seasons of evangelism and ministry leading into 2020.

I am praying for revival in regions across Australia… and it starts with us. 

Thanks for your friendship and faithful prayers.

Godspeed,
Steve

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New Album Project

If you would like to partner with us in this project, please email us for bank details or make an online donation. 

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The Spirit of the ANZAC's and Eternity

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

— John 15:13 (NIV)

Eternity Truck design by Steve Grace

It’s been 100 years since the end of the great war. A war that devastated the world and saw millions of lives lost. One survivor of that war was an Australian soldier, Arthur Stace… He returned home to Australia but became an alcoholic on the streets of Sydney. After his profound conversion to Christ he began to write the word ‘Eternity’ on footpaths and walls to remind people of their eternal destiny. He wrote that one word over 500,000 times in his humble crusade to reach people with the Gospel.

Today we honour Arthur Stace. We honour the ANZAC’s 100 years on from their battle for freedom. And we share a vision to keep the legacy alive across Australia. Our vision is for the Eternity Truck. A mobile concert stage that will be used to proclaim the Good News for many years to come.

It started out as a Tee shirt design but we now realise God has far more in mind for this image. We want to reach Australian’s with the Good News. We want to see people set free from sin and addictions and despair. We’ve set up a fund raising account for the vision of the Eternity Truck. Help us make this dream a reality.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

— Galatians 5:1

Seed Time and Harvest

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”

— 2 Peter 1:3

Pictured: Yorke Peninsula farmer Elden Oster checking out the new seasons crop.

Hang out with a farmer for a day and you get it. This walk of faith in dry times. Farmers do their best to feed the world. Unpredictable weather systems and climate changes are all part of the challenge to produce a harvest in due season. There are no guarantees. It is an expression of faith and determination every year as a farmer plants new crops in a field.

But it says a lot about life and who we are as well. Live your life sewing good seed into others, believing in others, supporting those who are out there going for it for God. When we take small steps of generous faith God turns up and provides so much more. Keep loving and serving people like Jesus does. You can’t go wrong.

Farming families across Australia have been forced to plant seed into dry ground again this year as the early season rains have not yet come. It takes great faith to invest so much into the land at this time and yet its that faith that eventually produces a harvest later in the year. And whether a crop is bountiful or fails, God’s faithfulness remains the same. He is at work in our lives as we seek first His Kingdom and righteousness.
 

“And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

— Ephesian 3:19-20

Thanks for your prayers and ongoing support.

Godspeed,
Steve

THIS IS AUSTRALIA

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Pictured: The hardened soil of a desert clay pan near Blackstone community in Western Australia.

Like a work of abstract art the fractured surface of earth in an Australian desert clay pan says so much of who we are. We are made from the dust and the soil of this earth. We do our best to portray a tough impenetrable exterior…. Yet just beneath the surface there is moisture. There is a heart seeking rain that will bring life. I am amazed that most of our country Australia would not survive if it were not for the waters that come from beneath the ground. There are oceans of pure water beneath the sunburned hardened landscape of this land. A desert continent full of life and beauty. This is Australia. 

This is a reflection of you and me. And yes… We can become hardened and bitter… or we can choose to stay humble and sweet. But we can’t be both.

Be expectant of drought breaking rain in your life… the kind of rain that comes from the giver of life, the God of all creation. Don’t give up and become hardened to it all. He is with you and He has a way… sometimes it just takes longer than we want it to. Choose to be sweet and not bitter.  

Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:11-12

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

FROM CITY TO COUNTRY

We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:2-3

Pictured: The Church in Minnipa South Australia where we served and worshipped last Sunday morning with the locals.

The Sunday before last I was singing at the Sydney Opera House. This last weekend I had the honour of singing at the Anglican and Uniting Church in Minnipa on the Eyre Peninsula, South Australia. Pastor Tim Coleman gave a great word from the book of Acts about the journey of faith we are called to take. He’s a pentecostal Pastor with a great vision for the entire region. People from various denominations of church attended and everyone bought a plate of food or a pavlova or cake. Lunch was a literal feast as James, a local sheep shearer cooked up the best BBQ steaks and chicken this side of the border. Life can be pretty tough in these parts, especially if the rains don’t come… but people are honest and real. They are generous and full of faith, They sing loud and they drive long distances to enjoy the fellowship of church family. There is a sweet spirit in these little churches that can sometimes be lost in the rush of life in big cities. I’ve learned to really appreciate it over the years. 

If your walk with God is all about programs and deadlines and schedules… maybe its time to go for a long drive and spend a Sunday in a little country church out bush.

Thanks for your friendship and interest in our mission.

Godspeed,
Steve