Milestones, Mistakes and Miracles

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10

It’s hard to explain to some people… why we do the crazy things we do. Missions and evangelism in Australia has never been a comfortable and convenient journey. If you’ve ever set out to establish a small business or planted a church in a country town you will understand that there is much sacrifice, faith and determination to keep going.

Crossing Australia is as much about redefining how we connect with an Australian society that no longer goes to church, generations of people who are literally unreached with the Gospel message of Christ’s love…. as it is with riding a motorcycle across the deserts of the Great Southland. 

I always knew it would be a great test of character and physical strength. I did not expect to be stricken down with pneumonia and asthma three days into the ride. I did not expect that we would be changing the route because of weather and closed roads… I didn’t expect to be so well looked after by an amazing team who literally only got to meet for the first time three days before the mission started!!! The events where I was too unwell to speak and sing were highly effective because the team stepped up and made it happen. I’m sharing this because I’m so grateful for the support and encouragement that has come with the journey so far. Thank you.

We’ve never done a big public ‘fundraising’ project like this before, yet every day the GoFundMe campaign increases and that is very humbling. The finances raised on this venture will be invested straight back into the work we are doing in remote regions of Australia to combat suicide and depression. It will also assist us in developing programs that can be implemented in communities long term to build hope into people’s lives. I’m excited about the concepts we are working on with Desert Song music, songwriting, recording, filming and events for the future. Evangelism must be innovative and creative in these modern times… But never compromise the essence of the message.

Some will never understand this crazy venture… But for those who have been through great pain or loss, those who have struggled with depression or lost a loved one to suicide, it all makes sense. So thank you to those who have actually partnered with us in a practical way and sewn into the vision. 

It’s so true… we are called and chosen to be a peculiar people. God smiles when we step out and attempt great (and crazy) exploits for Him!!! Shark Bay to Alice Springs to Birdsville to Byron Bay…. Here we come!!

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

ON A MISSION

Pictured: Ryan, Cheyne and Steve Grace ready for an epic journey across the Australian deserts..

Well this is it!!! We are on the way. The inaugural Crossing Australia expedition has begun…. The first of many we believe. We’ve had a custom built motorcycle trailer built, a modified XR1200 Harley built… we’ve had Oz Trail camping gear and food from Campbell’s Wholesale and Opposite Lock 4X4 equipment donated!! We’ve had two Coates Hire Toyota Hilux twin cab utes loaned to us and fuel cards donated… It has been overwhelming to see the generosity from people who believe in the vision to reach communities with a message of hope. 

If you want to be part of future Crossing Australia ventures please contact us as we get a sense God’s favour is on these missions and the convictions we have to help bring real change to hurting communities. Thanks to Ryan and Cheyne Grace for taking some time out to serve on the adventure. We expect there will be some tough days ahead as the team trek across the Great Victoria desert over the next week. Follow the journey at www.crossingaustralia.com

PATIENCE AND GRACE

Pictured: John Patience with Steve, Ryan and Phil Sprigg at the Patience Bulk Haulage truck yards in Geraldton

We are honoured to have the legendary Patience Bulk Haulage company as a sponsor for Crossing Australia. Ordinary hard working Australian’s who ‘get it’ when it comes to depression and suicide. When governments and big business have no answers to the cultural crisis of suicide it’s amazing to see who steps up to help. The Crossing Australia venture is all about doing doing something positive and actually creating events in remote communities where we can present hope for a silent and tragic issue. Too many Australian’s lose their lives every year. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45. In 2014, 4,623 Australian men took their own lives. 

We want to thank John and Nola Patience for their support. They know only too well the grief and loss that follows losing someone you love to suicide. We love the words patience and grace together!! That’s what it will take to lovingly help those struggling with the ‘black dog’ of depression. Thanks again for your support.

THANK YOU COATES HIRE

Pictured: The Crossing Australia Harley XR1200

There is one company here in Australia that seems to have picked up the heart and soul of what Crossing Australia is all about. When we started knocking on doors and sharing the vision we were initially quite disappointed that more organisations, companies and even churches didn’t pick up on the vision. But we kept patiently working on the dream and believing that what we’ve pioneered for 30 years in Australia would connect with those who had a conviction to see change take place in remote regions regarding depression and suicide. The statistics and news reports are devastating. Too many Australian’s are ending their lives tragically. Suicide is a big killer of Australian’s. But we believe we can help bring the change. So do companies like Coates Hire. Thank you for partnering with us in a worthy cause. 

Coates Hire are supporting Crossing Australia with two Toyota Hilux vehicles and championing us as a team to achieve the mission to cross the continent and encourage remote communities along the way with concerts, BBQ’s, workshops and good old fashioned friendship in that classic Australian way. Thanks Coates Hire. - Steve

THANK YOU GERALDTON

Pictured: The church family at Geraldton Baptist Church celebrating the launch of the Crossing Australia.

This church family has fully embraced the vision of Crossing Australia. They have given of their time and resources to support the work we are doing in remote regions of Australia. They have volunteered for sausage sizzle’s at sporting events and hardware stores… They have donated finances and food and basically gotten very excited about a mission that involves music, motorcycles and the message of the Gospel. It was such an honour to share with the church family first hand the real vision and story behind Crossing Australia. When people realise it’s got nothing to do with motorcycles and all about meeting people where they are at… It all makes sense.  Depression and suicide are huge issues in your nation and we have the answer.. Lets get out there and see people set free from the dark cloud of oppression that seems to rob so many of hope and life. Thanks Geraldton Baptist for partnering with us in this venture. - STEVE

WHAT BECOMES OF A DREAM

Pictured: Totally stoked in the XR1200 Harley build for Crossing Australia

Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him and He will do this. He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still and wait patiently for Him. Psalm 37:3-7

The Bible tells us that ‘life and death are in the power of the tongue’. The words we speak out have such a significant affect on the lives of others. Just about a year ago I shared a message at Sun City Church in Geraldton, Western Australia. A message about dreams and visions. Little did I know the impact that message would have on the locals. The dream was one I have held close to my heart for nearly 20 years.. the dream of riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle across the deserts of Australia from west too east. To be honest I gave up on the dream years ago after a few big set backs. But God never forgets.. He will never leave you or forsake you. The dream is alive and well. 

Back then if I’d had my way it would have been a selfish ambition…. But now it is so much more. It is a dream to help people struggling with depression and the hopelessness of suicide. Crossing Australia is a mission to bring hope to people isolated in the battle to find real life. 

There’s so many people to thank. The list is too long. I am so humbled that God would give me this opportunity to attempt riding a motorcycle 5,720kms (3,550 miles) across the outback tracks of the Great Southland of Australia. That’s like riding from San Francisco to New York off road!!!.. But I’m so grateful for everyone who has smiled a crazy smile with me and thought “Just do it”. Give it your best shot!! Thanks for your friendship and the freedom to be able to dream a crazy dream and see it grow into a tangible reality!!

I’m grateful.

So… Crossing Australia… Here we come!!

Godspeed

Steve Grace

Crossing Australia has begun. We’ve created a GoFundMe campaign if you’d like to support our ministry. You can also stay updated via FaceBook and Instagram. Thanks heaps for your support. 

Machines and Miracles

Pictured: Phil Sprigg with Col from Full Throttle Workshop in Geraldton and the donation from Geraldton City Speedway.

When the locals at Geraldton City Speedway heard about our vision to reach remote communities with depression and suicide prevention through community BBQ’s and events they responded with support. Sadly the association lost one of its young champions Ashley Page, to suicide just over a year ago. When they heard we were visiting Ashley’s home town of Meekatharra on the Crossing Australia tour, the club decided to pass the hat around and help our mission. Every day miracles seem to be happening. Including the provision of the 2009 Harley Davidson XR1200 that is being modified to endure the outback tracks across the great deserts of Australia. We are so grateful to everyone who has stepped up to support the cause. We will have more details of the bike and the mission next week!!! Two weeks to the day till we set of from Shark Bay, the western most point of Australia.

We will be holding a fundraising event in Geraldton on Sat 20th August. If you’d like to support financially go to: http://gofundme.com/crossingaustralia

Crossing Australia The Hard Way

Pictured:  A drawing of Steve Grace on the Crossing Australia Harley.

The thing I love about this classic illustration is there’s still a smile on my face!!! (Although I am looking a little bow legged.. ) Yep that’s a drawing from one of the kids at King’s Church Kununurra from two Sunday’s ago. I gave them a little project to do while I was preaching from God’s word. The kids came back with some classic images of the Crossing Australia bike!! 

We are four days away from the start of Crossing Australia. We’ve done all we can to prepare and set up a way that people can financially support the mission. It’s going to be an exciting venture that we pray will impact many lives with the theme ‘Choose Life’ being the main message for the tour. 

If any other kids out there want to draw or paint a Crossing Australia Harley picture we will be having a competition and giving out prizes at the completion of the adventure on September 18th. Photographed or scanned pictures can be emailed to office@stevegrace.com  Thanks kids!!!!! Let’s get drawing.