Power of Prayer

Pictured: Kerrie praying for Aunty May at the Kidman Street Church in Alice Springs.

She turned up to church last Sunday night with a migraine headache and pain in her shoulder. But she turned up for church anyways.. She sang songs and worshipped the Lord and listened to the Bible teaching message from 1 Peter in the New Testament. When the invitation came for prayer she slowly made her way forward. Kerrie Grace offered to pray for her. After a few minutes Aunty May turned to Kerrie and declared the headache and pain were gone. The power of simple faith and a simple prayer. We rejoice with the precious people who turn up every week at one of the only Indigenous fellowships in Alice Springs. It’s an honour to serve at this church every time we come to town.

Report from Trent

Pictured: Trentan Kruger in Alice Springs, Northern Territory.

It has been an incredible honour to be welcomed into so many remote Aboriginal communities these past weeks with Steve, representing the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I'm always overwhelmed when I do this work at the many - very different, dynamics that exist within and between these Tribal groups.

These people live in an ever conflicting system of expectations and traditions that have been deeply rooted in Indigenous culture for centuries, yet are pressured to conform to a white man's way and live in government funded establishments with Western education. These two worlds are forever warring each other and create issues far too complex to be solved by money and political planning. I'm convinced that the only way we will see our Aboriginal brothers and sisters free from the bondage we've placed them in, is through salvation in Jesus Christ and His presence in their lives. Hence, in summary, I believe that now, more than ever, we need to be continually following up the work of the Lord in these communities.

We saw that many locals, after having returned from "Reality" with a decision made to follow Jesus, have really struggled to maintain and follow through with their commitment, purely because of the lack of Christian encouragement in these remote corners of the desert. Once they come to a faith in Christ, they then have a further challenge in reconciling their new faith with The old law and traditions. We need continual bible teaching, workshops, singalongs and Christian materials to be going into these communities to truly disciple our brothers and sisters into a healthy, loving relationship with Jesus Christ.

I'm so humbled to have been a part of this work and want to thank you, the BGEA, for your heart for our nation Australia, and the want to see EVERY one come to a faith in Christ. Being with Steve on this trip, I have learnt more about the situations of our Aboriginal people and The best ways we can serve them and grow with them - I do believe that Together we will make a difference.

Three Women and a Church

Pictured: Steve sharing the information about the ‘First Steps’ Bible teaching resources provided by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

The presence of the local church in a remote community is a powerful symbol of history and hope. When things fall apart, when conflicts happen, when tragedy falls the church is there.. But it’s so much more than a building. It is people, ordinary people who know they need forgiveness and grace and the ever-present power of God’s spirit in their lives. That’s what makes the church. In Fregon last week we met with three precious ladies who have taken responsibility for the local church until a new pastor comes. They faithfully serve the community and conduct Bible Studies and services to encourage the people to keep trusting in God for the future. It was such an honour to meet Mandua, Merridith and Pauline and hear of their work with the church in Fregon.

Reality Follow Up

Pictured: Steve with some of the ladies from the Areonga Lutheran Church.

Despite the near zero temperatures the locals turned up for our singalong concert in Areonga last Monday night. With campfires blazing and a great atmosphere in the park next to the historic Lutheran Church we sang and shared the Gospel until the fires went out.

The message from Dr Bill Newman projected onto the big screen really connected with people and a number of folks came forward for prayer and counselling after the event. As in many communities it’s the women who have stepped up into church leadership.. Not by choice but out of recognising the great need to keep the Christian faith going in these remote places.

The average age of an Indigenous man is 48 years… So there are not many tribal elders and old men to help lead. This is a sad reality in outback Australia. But we praise God for faithful women who have a passion for their communities. The BGEA resources and Audio Bibles provided by Leading the Way have been a huge encouragement.

Knowing Your Limits

KNOWING YOUR LIMITS

The TV advertising and billboards along the roads all promote “If it’s flooded… Forget it!”  We gaze at them and think that would never happen to me… But the truth is we all have the potential to make some pretty dumb decisions along the way that can get us into perilous situations. It’s one of the flaws of human nature to presume we will always be able to get out of a difficult situation should it arise… But the truth is there is a very big difference between wisdom and foolishness. And we all have that ability to be foolish in life.

I came across this children’s peddle car stuck in a river out in the middle of the western desert. It was a perfect day and the car looked so out of place. It had somehow been washed downstream after recent torrential rains and floods in the outback. It was a surreal picture but somehow reminded me of me. I have the ability to get myself stuck in situations I was never meant to be… either through foolishness, sin or lack of wisdom.

Don’t let the enemy or your own lustful desires cause you to become stuck on the road God has for you in life. Be aware of the warning signs and stick to what you know is true. Surround yourself with people who will make your stronger and wiser. We live in a world of distraction, deception and detours.. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus He enables us to make good strong decisions that keep us focussed on the visions and dreams He’s placed in our hearts. So keep the faith… and if it’s flooded… forget it. 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the Cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2-4

Godspeed,
Steve Grace

News from Trenton Kruger

I want to thank each and every person who has been praying for my health over the past 6 months. After taking some time out, getting stuck into juicing, and adjusting a few lifestyle factors, I can thankfully say that many of the symptoms I was dealing with have gone, and I’m confident that in time, God will continue to heal the few symptoms I have left!

However I have some MORE exciting news!! Six weeks ago we were all in Alice Springs for the Will Graham “Reality 2016” Event. In my mind, we were purely there to work and serve the event, but The Lord had slightly different plans in mind. A beautiful young lady by the name of Amy McArdle, who was sent out by her church in Brisbane to serve the event, caught my eye as soon as I met her! It was an incredibly busy few days of ministry, but whenever I had spare time I’d make Amy a coffee just so I had an excuse to talk to her. By the end of the weekend, I asked if I could take her for a Harley Davidson ride after the event, thinking she’d say no, but she said yes! 200 kilometres later we rolled back into Alice, I took her to dinner that night and the rest is history.. I’ve never felt joy like I have with Amy, and I’m rejoicing that God’s brought her into my life.. So who knows.. 2017 might even hold a wedding! 

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favour from the Lord” - Proverbs 18:22

The Church that I See

Pictured: The singalong at Lake Nash Church dedication went for 8 hours last Saturday. 

 

They sang for 8 hours straight last Saturday… and then had Church Sunday morning and another singalong.. Even tonight in the middle of winter here in Australia families in many remote desert communities will gather around campfires and sing gospel songs, worship God and read from the Bible. Why? Because so many of my Indigenous brothers and sisters know that Jesus is the only way for them to know real life. For generations governments and policies and dispossession of traditional lands and persecution have not wavered their faith in what they have discovered to be true and absolute. The church I see in so many of these remote regions is so much like the early church we read of in the letters of the New Testament. Thank you to all the faithful families and fellowships in remote places for singing your songs to the God of the heavens and earth while we sit at home and watch the meaninglessness of life on our computer and TV screens. Keep singing the praises of Jesus!!

Heroes of the Faith

Pictured: Steve with local legend, Johnny Percy from Alpururrulam community on the Sandover Highway, Northern Territory.

Johnny is one of the church leaders at the Alpururrulam Christian Fellowship. 8 years ago Aunty Hazel Lauridsen, one of the missionaries to the region for decades, made him a red cowboy shirt. Johnny decided the shirt would only ever come out for sacred events and celebrations. Last Saturday was one of those ‘red shirt’ days. The opening of the new church was a dream come true for so many of the locals. When a revival took place a few years back in Lake Nash it changed the entire town. Gambling, alcohol abuse and domestic violence were exchanged for singing around campfires and Bible studies and helping one another build a better home in the remote desert region. Men like Johnny have been part of that ongoing revival and I’m so honoured to learn from them in my journey. Thank you Johnny for shining your light before all people’s in your bright red shirt!!!!

Joy for Generations to Come

When a large mining royalty contribution came to the Alpururrulam tribal elders they had the choice of distributing it among all of the clan groups and families in the region, or do something significant with the money. Unanimously, the entire community voted to build a new church facility that would be a blessing to everyone for generations to come. The building contractor listened to their ideas and concepts and designed a construction that will be useful in all the extremes of seasons. Every wall has large sliding doors that open up for the summer months and can keep out the cold winds of winter. The existing church to the right of the picture was the very first construction at Lake Nash community back in the 60’s so the dedication last Saturday was an historic event for all the locals. 300 people turned up to honour God and celebrate this milestone in the life of a remote community.