30 Years of Country Towns

Pictured: Steve with the locals and families from Minnipa and Streaky Bay on the Eyre Peninsula. 

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” And he kept on preaching throughout Judea. Luke 4:42-44

The greatest audiences in the world are people who live in rural and remote regions of Australia. I recorded my first cassette album in October 1986 and was on the road touring and serving God this time 30 years ago. Along the way there has been the honour of serving YWAM and Youth for Christ, opportunities to travel the world and sing at Billy Graham Crusades, Harvest Crusades.. serve with Compassion and Samaritan’s Purse and many other great organisations. I’ve had the privilege of singing at Hillsong church and countless other churches across the planet. But the greatest response to the message of my songs has come from the bush. From families living on the land in country towns. That’s where the greatest number of genuine decisions for Christ have been made and where people have taken up the call of the great commission.

With my wife Kerrie and our three sons Cheyne, Ryan and Jordan we have pioneered a very unique work for the Lord and we know it’s by His grace we are still going. We also know that there’s been many who have supported the vision to reach people for Christ and excite the church to mission. 30 years of hard work, miracles and vision. 

Thank you.. To everyone reading these words you have been a wonderful part of our journey and we are grateful.

My last concert for 2016 was at the Minnipa Uniting / Anglican church. Folks stayed around after church for a good feed and concert!! I was pretty honoured to be with such amazing people. A great way to be reminded this is what it’s all about. Keep focusing on the calling God has given to you and get out there and do it.

At the same time for us it’s also time to find a solitary place and have some rest after an extremely busy year. It will be the Nullarbor to Nashville to record a new album project then some rest over Christmas. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Godspeed

Steve Grace

Perth Report

Pictured: Steve with the Bathurst Family in Perth, WA

Last weekend we were back in Perth! We want to say thank you to Quinns Baptist Church for having us at their Church on Sunday. We packed out the School Hall and had a great morning Service with Tea, Coffee, Cakes and Food Platters afterwards. And a thank you to the Bathurst Family for holding a Father’s and Sons Shed Night in Wangara. Dean Bathurst allowed us to park our motorhome in his shed for the past six weeks while the Crossing Australia mission was on. Thank you mate. We are so honoured to have faithful friends across the country willing to help out in the practical things along the way. See you again in 2017!

Crossing Australia

Pictured: Steve with a gathering of Baptist Pastors and their families out at Brendellan near Aramac, QLD back in 2015. 

We are praying at the moment about the future of our Australian Country Towns tours, Crossing Australia missions and remote ministry in the Outback. It’s always exciting developing new ways of reaching people for Christ and exciting churches to mission. It’s never meant to be boring! Ultimately is about the Good News of Jesus and the hope we have through faith in Him. 

Our recent motorcycle mission, Crossing Australia was not really about riding a Harley Davidson motorcycle across the deserts of Australia… It was really about exploring creative new ways to tackle the curse of depression and suicide in our country. More people die from suicide each year in Australia than from road and traffic fatalities. Crossing Australia is all about connecting with people, captivation the attention of entire communities and presenting the message of the Gospel to them in an authentic way. Please pray with us that future projects will gain the support and sponsorship of churches and organisations as we plan out some exciting missions ahead.

Tribute Album

Pictured: The legendary Slim Dusty and a map of his beloved country.

We are half way towards raising the funds for the USD$12,000 budget for the Slim Dusty Tribute album and we are still working on the best song selection that will truly honour Australia’s late king of country music. We’ve got a few weeks to go before boarding a flight to Music City USA to record these classic songs. 

We are believing that this new project will reach an audience far beyond the church walls and enable us to build a stronger relationship with the country music scene and communities across Australia. Thank you to those who have supported the vision and are willing to help in practical ways. We are believing for some great opportunities ahead! Including invitations to perform at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January 2017. 

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

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