Crazy Road of Life

Pictured: Vic Hausler's vintage 1942 Dodge Weapons Carrier on the Old Andado Track north of the Simpson Desert. Pic: Steve Grace

Blessed are those who have put their trust, hope and confidence in the Lord.
– Jeremiah 17:7

The Bible is a massive travel journal from Genesis to Revelation. I love that the creator of all things is interested in our journey and the faith adventures we experience along the way. Even in those times when we are stuck in our own sinfulness or indecision God's word promises us that He will never leave us or forsake us. From the epic journey’s of Abraham and Sarah to the perilous mission trips of the Apostle Paul there is a common thread of seeking after God on the sojourn of life. He is faithful and true to His word.

On our recent Crossing Australia mission my good friend Vic Hausler joined the team driving a 74 year old military vehicle. On first impressions we all doubted the old truck would accomplish the 12,000km journey across Australia and back home. But it did. Vic had faith in the vintage Dodge and was well prepared, quietly confident that his classic rig would safely get him there and back again!!! Across the great deserts of Australia!! The old Dodge got stuck in deep sand and the boggy clay pans of the Simpson desert a few times but managed to forge its way across the continent at the hands of a skilled operator. 

There is a blessing that comes when we put our trust, hope and confidence in the Lord. When we step out in faith and believe God for more than we can see in the present.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
– Hebrews 11:1

So keep believing for the impossible and keep learning to trust the Lord on the journey of life! He is faithful. 

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

Good News From Harley Davidson

Pictured: The glossy black and chrome of one of Harley Davidson's truck fleet.

Crossing Australia from west to east 'off road' on a Harley Davidson motorcycle initially did not create too much interest from the HD headquarters in Sydney. The reason being is that Harley Davidson don’t manufacture ‘off road’ motorcycles. But that has never stopped me from dreaming about building a dirt track Harley. Well this year.. with the help of many supporters and friends we achieved that dream and conquered the great deserts of Australia!!

On Wednesday I had the privilege of meeting with the marketing manager of HD Australia to share the full vision of why I’ve used motorcycles in ministry events for many years. The men’s shed nights, the drought relief community events, the hundreds of joy rides for kids in rural and remote areas and even songs recorded on CD’s… my passion for Harley Davidson motorcycles has been there since I was a boy. In three weeks I will return for another meeting with the HD management and present some creative concepts to them regarding Depression and Suicide Prevention tours across Australia and working in partnership with HD.

Please pray with us for even greater opportunities to share the good news with people across Australia.

The Usual Suspects

Pictured: Some of our biker mates from Black Sheep and God's Squad CMC who came to church last Sunday in Toowoomba. 

We were quietly amused that the ‘Bikers’ were allocated their own VIP seating in church last Sunday at Victory Life Church!!  Thanks to some of the guys from Black Sheep and God’s Squad CMC for riding in unusually cold conditions to support the meetings we had with the church fellowship up in Toowoomba last Sunday. Thanks to Pastor Jimmy and Ruth for the amazing welcome, generosity and support for our ministry!! We greatly value the growing friendship we have with motorcycle clubs and ministries across the country as well. Thanks for riding up the range from Brisbane to be with us!!

Shed Night Tour

Pictured: A montage of some aspects of the Simpson Desert after rain and the rich colours of the Gibson Desert.

Yes,  we are back on the road!! Shed nights and church services in Perth this coming weekend then heading to Esperance and across the Nullarbor Plain to South Australia.

We hope to be doing a few shed nights on the Eyre Peninsular and the Yorke Peninsula before heading home through NSW. If you want to do an impromptu shed night event please contact the office immediately and we will get it organised with you !!!  We will be presenting a very captivating Crossing Australia visual report and sharing the Gospel!! 

Hope to see you soon. Don’t forget we are starting to map out concerts and tours for 2017 so expressions of interest are welcome at office@stevegrace.com

Thanks heaps!!!

Back to Work

Pictured: The Crossing Australia team somewhere west of Alice Springs near the Papunya community. Photo: Cheyne Grace

Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that nothing you do in His name is ever in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58

G’day and welcome to another weekly update!!

After a few catch up phone calls with some of the Crossing Australia team this week I was reminiscing on our historic adventure and dreaming about getting out into those vast Australian deserts again. We are starting to dream ahead and pray about what God has for us in 2017 and beyond. But till then it’s back to work for everyone!!! Back to the reality of responsibilities at home and a sense of normality. Back to paying the bills and alarm clocks and putting the garbage bins out on Wednesday nights…..

But the good news is this. No matter where you are or what you are doing.. whether its on some great adventure or just office administration you can do it with a kingdom attitude.

When you wake in the morning and seek first God’s best in your life and His righteousness.. then so much of the garbage of this world will not affect you. The Good news is that God is so much greater than the latest news. While ever your heart is for Him and for loving people like He does then you can take joy in knowing your work has great value, even the mundane little things nobody ever sees.

Keep looking to Him and living life with eternity in your heart.

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 faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

Thanks for your support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

Thank You Desert Song

Pictured: Cheyne Grace with the Desert Song Troopy in the Simpson Desert

The Desert Song Troopy has been a huge asset to our ministry over the past few months. We were able to reach 20 aboriginal communities in Central Australia before and after the Will Graham REALITY event in Alice Springs using this amazing vehicle. Over 6,000 people attended the three day events and 850 made decisions to follow Christ. The Troopy was then used as a key support vehicle on the Crossing Australia mission. We are very grateful to Desert Life Church and Desert Song for the use of the Troopy. There are many more missions up ahead for this workhorse!!! Thank you!

Slim Dusty Tribute

Pictured: Steve visiting the Slim Dusty Centre in Kempsey, NSW

It’s been a dream of mine to record a Slim Dusty Tribute Album for a long time now and we are believing to do this year!

We know that this album would reach an entire new audience of people across Australia, but we are at a stand still. Our flights are booked for November 23rd to begin recording at Watershed Studio in Nashville on November 28th, but we need to make some decisions in the next few days as to whether we should postpone the project until we have all the funds. It’s always exciting when things are tight financially to see God turn up. We are simply looking to Him for His provision for a vision we believe will reach many. Thank you to those who have already donated towards this album.

If you would like to support this project please email kerrie@stevegrace.com or visitstevegrace.com/donate

Outback Generosity

                                            Pictured: Dave and Sue from the town of Quilpie donated a tank of fuel for the Crossing Australia Harley.

The Crossing Australia expedition brought about many little miracles and many opportunities to share the good news with perfect strangers and pray with people along the way. It was also an adventure in receiving. Not a day went by on the month long journey that our team were not spontaneously blessed with financial gifts and acts of kindness. As soon as people heard about the work we were doing in remote communities to prevent suicide they would immediately want to give towards the cause. I met Dave and Sue as I was about to pay for a tank full of fuel at a truck stop in Quilpie, they had heard about our mission and immediately demanded they pay the bill.

It says so much about the heart of people out in the bush. They don’t have much but what they have they share generously. Thank you to everyone who supported the mission. It was a huge step of faith for the entire team who volunteered to serve and travel thousands of kilometres to complete Crossing Australia.

Our vision for evangelism in country towns and remote communities is stronger than ever and as we look towards 2017 pray with us for wisdom as we begin making plans.

Thank You

Pictured: Steve & Kerrie in Shark Bay, WA at the beginning of Crossing Australia.

 

Our apologies for a long delay between Weekly Updates… The weeks following the Crossing Australia mission have been ones of recovery from exhaustion. To be honest we are still recovering… But ready to get back into the immediate plans ahead. The Nullarbor to Nashville Shed Night Tour kicks off in Perth on Saturday 29th October heading east towards South Australia. Stay tuned for the full tour schedule!

Kerrie and I want to thank everyone who helped out on the Crossing Australia project. It was a huge step of faith for the team involved and we are still getting ourselves organised and following up with so much. A big thank you to Phil and Helen Sprigg for all the behind the scenes work they have also done in recent weeks. 

"Crossing Australia was a historic achievement. The first Harley Davidson to ever cross the deserts of Australia from west to east."

An incredible team of volunteers, lots of prayer, generosity and determination made the mission a great success. The ministry we were able to accomplish in remote communities along the way was by far the highlight of the month long expedition. Financially we have a shortfall of about $5,000 which we are working hard to recoup before moving on to new projects and tours.

We thank God for the opportunity we’ve had to achieve what many said was impossible!!  I’ve now got an appointment with some of the management team of Harley Davidson Australia to discuss ways we can work more effectively with suicide prevention in remote regions of Australia. So pray with us for a great outcome!