News from Ryan & Kathleen

Pictured: Ryan & Kathleen, March this year.

I never thought one day I would go back to studying after my one year at Hillsong College. I thought I was done with being a student. But little did I know how wrong I was after recently moving back to the Sunshine Coast with my wife Kathleen. I started a new job building fences, things were going good, we just moved into our new house. About 2 weeks ago I showed up for work as usual and to my surprise was layed off due to not enough work. I’m not gonna lie I was a bit angry and confused with God and on the way home from work had an interesting conversation with God. He basically drew a line in the sand for me and said, "When are you gonna start believing in the calling on your life and stop ignoring it".

I had told people about the church that God told me to start awhile ago with a built in rehab centre in it called, Freedom Centre.  A church where people will not only find freedom from there broken heart but from there addictions as well.  Just like I did for you.

He told me it’s time to start taking steps towards it, not just always talking about it. So I have enrolled in a dual diploma of drugs alcohol and mental health. This will give me the qualifications to work in a rehab centre and when the time comes start my own. Kathleen and I would greatly appreciate your prayers and support for this new season. It’s a big step of faith but we believe its a step towards our future. 

Thanks Ryan & Kathleen Grace.

They Grey Nomad Culture

Pictured: The Ford Fairlane and caravan that Slim and Joy travelled in for decades.

There are approximately one million grey nomad’s travelling Australia every year. Retired folks who have dreamed of experiencing their beloved country Australia and purchased a 4X4 vehicle and caravan and set out for who knows where? Thats the dream. Just living life out on the road with no fixed agenda. It is a special part of the Australian ethos of life. The joy of becoming a vagabond, a swagman, a wanderer, a gypsy… It is just built in to the way we are. We love to travel. 

Ironically the centre piece of the Slim Dusty Centre south of Kempsey is the beloved Ford Fairlane and caravan that Slim and Joy travelled in for decades across Australia.

It is a spectacular symbol of what ‘freedom’ means to millions of Australian people. It is with this spirit that we are compelled to record a tribute album that we pray will reach many in this ‘grey nomad’ culture. They all love Slim Dusty music so we pray this new tribute album will connect and captivate the hearts of the travelling culture.

Thanks for your prayers and support for this new venture.

Nullarbor to Nashville

Pictured: The western edge of the Nullarbor Plain… You drive a long way to get this picture.. But it’s worth it every time..

It’s not too many times in life you can drive across the endless Nullarbor Plain in Western Australia and a few week’s later board a flight to Nashville, Tennessee. The title track of the last album is a captivating song that tells some interesting little stories of the past 30 years of music ministry and life on the road. So we were pretty excited to camp out at the Nullarbor truck stop and begin filming a video clip that will be completed when we arrive in Nashville in the coming days. From the windy treeless plains of the desert to the spectacular colour and chaos of Music City USA. You can look forward to a fascinating video clip that will encompass the song. And we are just so grateful to everyone who has supported our ongoing vision to reach people for Christ and excite local churches to mission across Australia. Thank you.

Remembering a Legend

Pictured: Songwriting sessions and final preparations for the Slim Dusty Tribute project

 

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

He was Australia’s pioneering King of country music who lived his childhood dreams out in the real world. At the age of 11, David Kirkpatrick, the son of a hard working Irish farmer from Kempsey, NSW dreamed of singing his songs to people. He even came up with a stage name ‘Slim Dusty’ believing one day he could record songs and play country music. When World War ll ended his Dad had promised him he would help him record his first record in Sydney. But sadly in 1946 Dan Kirkpatrick passed away. Soon after Slim Dusty recorded his first song and was signed to EMI, the beginning of a life long music career. Slim Dusty sold over 6 million albums in a country with a population of 20 million. He became the heart and soul of Australia and released over 100 albums until a battle with liver cancer took his life in 2004. 

In my own journey of life I’ve looked back to see where the inspiration and influence has come from. Slim Dusty happens to be one of the icons and heroes. I only ever got to meet him once and yet felt like I knew him as a good mate from my early teenage years.

There was a spirit of freedom about the life of Slim Dusty. He dreamed… he believed and he accomplished.  I greatly admire that in the life of a person. Slim had a faith and determination that impacted the lives of millions. I think that’s why I’m recording this new tribute album for him… in the hope it will reach millions with the good news of Jesus.

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5: 22-23

Remembering people who have made such an impression on history is always a risk… as they were basically human and flawed like all of us.. But I do take it as a great honour to record some of the songs that one of my heroes sang. I’m inspired by the life of Slim Dusty. Thank God for people willing to believe and pursue life to its fullest.

Thanks for your prayers.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace

2017 Dreams and Plans

Pictured: The road...  it goes on forever and we still love it.

We are looking forward to a break over the Christmas / New Year period but already expectant for the opportunities for the new year. If you’d like a concert, Shed Night, Church service or evangelistic event in your town please let us know. We are mapping the year schedule at the moment. 

One thing is for certain we are available to go anywhere and serve the local church in its task of evangelism. So please let us know if we can help serve in your community.

Nullarbor to Nashville - and Slim Dusty Project

Pictured: The replica of the original Nullarbor Roadhouse on the Eyre Highway across Australia.

It’s rather ironic that we have just travelled across the Nullarbor Plain and in the next two weeks will be in Nashville Tennessee to record a Slim Dusty Tribute album. 

We were able to document some of the trip including a performance of the song 'Nullarbor to Nashville’ in front of the old Nullarbor Roadhouse shed. That will be out on YouTube soon!!  

We greatly appreciate your prayers for this project. If you’d like to partner with us financially with either a donation or a loan we would be very happy to talk. We are about 50% of the budget at the moment and excited with the potential. 

Thank you for your prayers and interest...  Contact: office@stevegrace.com

The Great Australian Bight

Pictured: The 'Head of the Bight', is a spectacular landscape where the continent of Australia meets the Southern Ocean.

One of the great privileges of the missions trips we have been doing for 30 years is the spectacular destinations along the way. The drive across one of Australia’s loneliest roads is the Eyre Highway on the southern edge of Australia. It takes about three days and for many the Nullarbor is dead straight and boring. But it also has some unique places, incredible wildlife and exposes you to the magnitude of this great country. The Nullarbor makes you feel very small as your journey across the endless treeless plains and barren horizon. I’ve lost count of the times we’ve crossed the Nullarbor… But it’s different every time!! We are looking forward to our next mission to Western Australia and South Australia. Thanks to our supporters who help out with fuel costs and vehicle maintenance along the way.

Thank You Esperance

Pictured: The legendary Sonny Graham sharing a song at our Esperance concert last week.

On short notice the community of Esperance in Western Australia hosted a concert last Wednesday night at the Wongutha Aboriginal Christian School north of town. Over 200 people turned up for a big BBQ and a concert. The enthusiasm and support from the staff and students was inspiring and local churches and the Christian Motorcycle Association CMA all turned up to support the event. It turned out to be an amazing night of ministry. One of the highlights was a song by an old elder, Sonny Graham who loves to sing country Gospel. Sonny was born near Balladonia on the Nullarbor Plain back in the 1940’s and is one of the true Indigenous statesmen of the region. 

Songwriting Workshops

Pictured: Steve with Wendy Robertson working on the final lyrics to the new Wongutha School song before the concert.

It’s always a big challenge and quite an adrenalin rush when you stand before a high school assembly and say “lets write a song today!!” Then get down to a good quality hour of teaching the basics of songwriting and inviting students to help create a new school anthem or a song for the community. A song is such an amazing gift to leave with a town or school as it builds confidence, loyalty and vision for the future. With the help of Wendy Robertson I was able to present a completed new school song called “The Wongutha Way” at the concert on Wednesday night. Thanks Wendy and thanks to the students, staff and teachers at Wongutha. A school for Indigenous students from every remote corner of Australia!!