SUGARCANE COUNTRY CONCERTS

Pictured: Deep into North Queensland ‘Cowboys’ country and land of sugarcane. 

The best time of the year to be heading north from the winter cold is June!! Yep we are on tour in North Queensland. Last weekend was an amazing time in the Proserpine/Airlie Beach region and it was so good to see the area coming back to life after the devastating affects of Cyclone Debbie a couple months ago. The region was decimated and many folks are still struggling to get back to a sense of normal. But we thank God for some quality time with the locals and hope to return soon for more work in the region.

This week we head for Cairns for ministry with the Living Light Church. Please pray with us that lives will be impacted by the Gospel and people will be encouraged. Then we head for the Atherton Tablelands and the town of Millaa Millaa and then inland away from the green of sugarcane paddocks to the cattle country of Charters Towers.

PRAYERS, PLANS AND PROMISES

Pictured: The never ending adventure of maps and calendars and ministry tours across Australia..

"Lord you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise. You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down. You are familiar with all my ways." Psalm 139: 1-3

The Bible tells us that we are to make plans… not just sit around and feel sorry for our present situation in self pity.. We are called to be proactive in believing for God’s intervention in our lives. As we make our plans He will establish them, as we honour Him our lives will know His favour. It’s not about sitting around waiting for God to turn up.. it’s about choosing to step out in faith and have a go. He actually turned up a long time ago and completed the work that was needed to redeem humanity from death and self destruction. That’s what Jesus came to earth to do. He made a way for us to intimately know the Father’s plans and promises.

Reading through Psalm 139 is always an inspiring revelation. God knows me for who I am and despite that… by His grace, is willing to work with me on making me a better man for His Name and His Kingdom.. He is familiar with my ways and everything that goes through my mind… wow. That’s a humbling thought. He created my innermost being and formed me in my Mother’s womb. He says I’m fearfully and wonderfully made! And His works are wonderful!!

"All the days ordained for me are written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts O God! How vast is the sum of them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. 'when I awake, I am still with you." Psalm 139:16-18

It is so good to know that He is still with us.. in our prayers, plans and promises. In the madness of a world that has lost its way, keep declaring to the Lord “I am still with you”. 

Thanks again for your prayers and support as we map out the rest of 2017 with missions and concert tours.

Godspeed,

Steve

MENS MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY

Pictured: Steve with Pastor Steve Kennedy of Champions Church

 

My good mate Steve Kennedy has been asking me to come with him on a motorcycle mission for years. Every year the men of Wave Church, Virginia take a week off and venture south to Tennessee to ride some of the best roads on the planet. It’s a week of great fellowship and with ministry in churches on the weekends. Thanks to Steve Kennedy for arranging for me to be part of the adventure. The generosity of many of the men allowed us the privilege of riding late model Harley’s and enjoy many a good meals and mountain cabin accommodation… complete with a visit from a 400lb black bear one night. Yep I was on the phone to Kerrie out in the carpark when out of the shadows 20ft from me appeared a hungry black bear!!! I bolted back to the safety of the cabin!!

The three week ministry trip and motorcycle adventure in the USA was a refreshing break combined with great opportunities to connect with many men and churches over there. Thanks Steve Kennedy for your enthusiasm and passion for souls!

ALBUQUERQUE

Pictured: Pastor Skip Heitzig teaching from the book of Joshua at Calvary Chapel Albuquerque.

When nearly 2,000 people turn up for a Wednesday night Bible Study at your local church you can be assured there’s good things happening.

The music and worship songs were tastefully presented and created an atmosphere of expectation. Pastor Skip’s authentic and honest explanations of God’s word were captivating. I sure was honoured to be the guest artist for the night and greatly appreciate the opportunity to come and share about our missions work in Australia. 

Thank you Calvary Chapel Albuquerque in New Mexico for inviting me to come and spend a few days in town. It was 19 years ago that I first sang in the church when I was involved with the Billy Graham / Franklin Graham Festival of May 1998. Always an honour to return and catch up with old friends. www.calvaryabq.org

VIRGINIA BEACH

Pictured: Steve sharing songs and encouraging people to mission at Wave Church.

It was a great honour to share songs and stories at Wave Church in Virginia Beach last weekend.

A church founded by our good friends Steve and Sharon Kelly about 15 years ago. A church with a vision to impact millions of people for the Gospel.

It’s been 14 years since I last visited Wave Church and it’s been overwhelming to see all that God has done since then. To be a small part of planting a vision many years ago and to see the harvest of souls since then is incredible. I know that’s what it’s all about. We are called to be part of what God is doing wherever we are.

Thank you Wave Church for your generous welcome and hospitality. I sure loved being part of ministry over two weekends including Memorial Day. Looking forward to returning again. www.wavechurch.com

AMERICA REPORT

Pictured: Steve standing in front of Wave Church in Virginia Beach last Sunday for Memorial Day weekend.

It was a great honour to be asked to sing and speak at two churches in America for the Memorial Day weekend.

Australia has been a military ally to the USA for 100 years. Memorial Day in America is specifically set apart each year to remember those who paid the supreme sacrifice in conflict, those who gave their lives for the freedom we have today and the pride and patriotism runs deep.
People have migrated from every nation on earth to call America their home and it is amazing to see how the fallen are never forgotten, no matter what skin colour or race they came from. I think that’s what makes America a great nation where people are free to work hard and dream.
The past two weeks have been so encouraging to see the interest in the work we have been doing for the past 30 years in Outback and Rural Australia. As I flew across the continent of the America’s I was also greatly inspired to keep going with the work God has called us to. Every church I sang and spoke in welcomed us back for more ministry in the future. 

I must admit while looking out over the vast expanses of American wilderness and deserts I contemplated the challenge of doing an off road Harley Davidson crossing of that nation as well!! But I’ll need to get God’s favour and Kerrie’s approval before embarking on that project. But the concept excites me greatly! I’ve come home dreaming ‘Big Dreams’ and very grateful for the few weeks in America.

PENTECOST SUNDAY

Pictured:  Steve singing at the combined churches Pentecost Sunday event in Hervey Bay, QLD

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12

There was nothing holding them back… They’d seen too much and experienced what living with Jesus in their lives was truly like. Peter and John would never again deny the transforming power of God as they stood before the religious leaders who accused them of healing a man crippled from birth at the temple gates. Thousands would have seen the miracle man jumping and leaping and praising God as he was set free from the prison of immobility. There was no turning back. Their courage and boldness and the presence of the Holy Spirit within them was too much for the proud religious leaders who could not contain the explosive growth of this new 'Jesus movement’ throughout the known world of that time.

Today that same Jesus movement is still growing across the planet and it was great to see churches celebrating Pentecost Sunday in many nations. We had the privilege of being part of a gathering of every denomination of church in the Hervey Bay region last Sunday. The Baptist Church was packed to capacity. Reports from school chaplains, Scripture teachers and people whose lives have been transformed by the Gospel made for an inspiring night of unity and vision. As we sang the classic anthem ‘Great Southland of the Holy Spirit’ the entire crowd stood and many came forward to rededicate themselves to the Lord and to their ongoing desire for the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

Thank you to the combined churches of Hervey Bay and to our good friends at Bayside Church for the invitation to be there for Pentecost Sunday.

In just over a week we begin our tour of the Queensland Coast all the way to Cairns and back. Thanks for your prayers and support as we get back on the road and into action!!!

Godspeed,
Steve

COFFEE WITH A CAUSE

Pictured: Cheyne Grace at work with the Kombi Cafe at Eastgate Church in Byron Bay.

When Cheyne is not on the road serving with our concert tours and missions trips he’s based at Lennox Head near Byron Bay. On Sunday’s, Eastgate Church love having his mobile Kombi Cafe set up out the front knowing the funds raised go towards the work of World Missions. The 1975 Kombi is a great people magnet and gets used every week to provide the best espresso coffee’s in town. 

We greatly appreciate the effort Cheyne puts in behind the scenes with our ministry. He’s also got a growing design company helping churches and business’ with branding so if you are looking for quality graphic design contact Cheyne!!! 

NEVER SAY DIE

Pictured: Steve learning to operate 'Sambos' 1949 Field Marshall Tractor at Glenora Downs, QLD.

This tractor was built nearly 70 years ago and is still ready and able for a good hard days work!! Somehow in this modern age we have lost the art of building things to last. The old Field Marshall was Ian Sampson’s first tractor when he started farming near Wudinna SA back in the early 50’s. When the family moved to the rich black soil plains of central Queensland the old tractor came too. These days…. the new machinery is much bigger and requires a lot more maintenance than the old bull dog Field Marshal. What it took ‘Sambo’ a week to accomplish on his faithful old green tractor can now be done in a  day. But despite the greater productivity this old workhorse is still his favourite. 

I admire the ‘never say die’ determination of Aussie Farmers who these days have to compete on a global market. You don’t meet too many farmers looking for welfare handouts, even in the droughts they never stop working… just like the old Field Marshall tractor. Support Australian farmers and buy Australian grown produce.