DOING A NEW THING

Praise to the Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.

– Isaiah 25:1 –

We’ve had a crazy few weeks and had to trust the Lord for His 'new thing' as we prepare to set out on tour for a few months.  The Sunliner Tour trailer we’ve used for the past few years finally gave in to the ordeals of Australian roads. The chassis was broken beyond repair and was written off by our insurance company. Initially this was devastating but we realise it may end up being a blessing. It’s all part of the journey of faith and the adventure of serving God.

Pictured: Steve & Kerrie on the road again.

Thank you so much for your continued interest in the work we are doing across Australia. We are quietly excited that we are entering a new season of revival and restoration for many towns and communities across our nation. 

"Forget the former things;  do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

– Isaiah 43:18-19 –

Thank you for your support.

– Steve

Honouring a Humble Hero

Pictured: An opportunity to meet Billy Graham in 1998.

He reached more people in his lifetime than any other person in history. His message was simple and real.. His message was Jesus.. I will never forget the time I met Billy Graham with my wife Kerrie. Backstage at a major evangelistic crusade in Alburqueque, New Mexico. It was May 1998 and I’d been invited by Franklin Graham to sing to the massive crowd that filled the football stadium. It was an historic event and one of the final Evangelistic Rallies that Dr Graham would be preaching at after decades behind the microphone and public events in nations across the globe.

The remarkable thing about Billy Graham was his down to earth approachability and genuine care in every conversation. He had an unconditional love for all people’s. He probably did more to empower oppressed people groups and bring hope to civil rights than any other man of his time. His message bought real revival to nations in the post WWll years, including Australia… a country he had a great love for. 

For Kerrie and I it was such a privilege to meet Billy Graham and his family. That North Carolina spirit of hospitality is very authentic.. It was like catching up with an old mate as he reflected on his many memories of missions to Australia. 

Our prayer is that millions more will take on the heart, passion and convictions that compelled Billy Graham to bring the good news to a lost and dying world. THANK YOU BILLY.

– Steve Grace

One Hundred Years of Hope

 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord … that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them”  
– Revelation 14:13

His humble message of hope and his vision to travel the nations of earth proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ has seem millions of lives transformed. Billy Graham communicated to over 215 million people through his public rallies in 185 nations. Countless lives have been changed as the Gospel of Jesus Christ was passionately preached to generations. Billy had a way of connecting with cultures like no other. 

We simply want to express our thanks and offer our heartfelt prayers to the Graham family at this time as they farewell a man greatly loved and admired globally. Thank you Billy for your legacy of faith and a hundred years of hope in Christ’s promises. We are grateful.

New Tractor Donated

The Furguson TE20 Tractor donated for the future missions base in Tenterfield. Ced Grace with John Doeke, Steve and Dave the tractor mechanic.

A 1953 Furguson TE20 Tractor has been donated to World Missions to help us develop our future ministry base in Tenterfield NSW. John has been a tractor enthusiast for many years and has fully restored the vintage tractor mechanically.. It’s basically got a brand new 4 cylinder Vangard engine and is ready for work. We plan to repaint the old Furgy back to its classic grey colour and use it for practical jobs around the property. 

We are grateful for God’s provision with this new venture and plan to establish a tax deductible giving account that will help with future buildings and construction. Thanks so much to those who have already expressed interest in helping with the dream. Thanks also to Dennis and Kim for your part in the faith adventure.

On The Road Again

We did it! 10 events in 10 days. From the Capital Theatre in Tamworth and three nights performing at the legendary Scripture Union Gospel Tent, to an outdoor event in Inverell, the showgrounds Pavilion in Grafton and then a concert off the back of a truck in Boambee… then two great church services am - pm at Lifehouse Church in Coffs Harbour!! It was a demanding kickstart to 2018 but we are so thankful to the crowds who turned up and the locals who organised the events.

Stay tuned for the upcoming tours across Australia including the Goldfields Celebration with Will Graham in May. Will will be doing a three day evangelistic rally in Kalgoorlie on the 18th - 20th May. We are excited about being involved and invite you to begin praying for the event. We are believing people will come from all over WA for the historic meetings. Steve Grace and Skypilot will both be performing along with some bands from the USA and Indigenous bands from the desert country. More news soon!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

The encouragement, prayers and practical support we’ve received from you this year has empowered us to keep going. Thank you.

We complete this year filled with expectations for 2018. The vision for World Missions, for evangelism, for effective ministry in rural and remote regions continues to grow.

We started the year serving at the Gospel Tent at the Tamworth Country Music Festival and have been on the road since. We were determined to clear a past ATO / Accountants debt which has burdened the ministry for three years and we praise the Lord it is now behind us. The donation of the Tenterfield property is going ahead and we know this will be significant in the future. The release of the Slim Dusty Tribute album and the award winning short film ‘Outback Rider’ has made it a productive year full of future opportunity.

Thanks so much to Cheyne Grace, Trentan Kruger and Glenda Green who have served with World Missions this past year. Ryan and Kathleen Grace are headed for Victoria to serve with Teen Challenge after Ryan’s graduation in Mental health and Drug / Alcohol counselling. Jordan and Paige Grace are busy in the hospitality industry in Byron Bay, Jordan graduates as a fully qualified chef early 2018.

Kerrie and I are so thankful for God’s grace and guidance over our lives and again thank you for your friendship.

All the best for Christmas and for the new year.

Steve and Kerrie Grace

UPDATE FROM RYAN AND KATHLEEN

Pictured: Ryan and Kathleen Grace ready for a new adventure.

Thanks for your ongoing interest in the Grace family and our team. Here’s a few words from Ryan Grace:

Our life in this season is one of the unknown at the moment, living out of suitcases and trusting God for His leading and provision. We had planned to do some seasonal labouring in the Northern Territory for a few months to save some money but realised we probably need to take some time out and wait on God for what He has next.

It looks like we will be working with Teen Challenge in Kyabram, Victoria for 2018. This is really the only door that has opened since graduating with a mental health and Drug and Alcohol counselling diploma. We hope to start early in the New Year. Thanks for your interest and prayers for all God is doing in our lives. We are excited for this new adventure together. Ryan and Kathleen.

SONGWRITING WITH KIDS

Pictured: Steve sharing some songs with students from Cannonvale State School before the songwriting and music workshop last week.

During two 2 hour sessions last week we managed to write, record and video a brand new song for the Whitsunday region. The enthusiasm of the primary aged kids to share their traumatic stories and help write a song about the catastrophic cyclone that hit their region back in March this year was inspiring. Cyclone Debbie devastated the entire region as a category 4 system causing $2.4 billion in damage and claiming the lives of 14 people across Australia. 

The song ‘Whitsunday Morning’ emerged from the stories of survival as kids recalled the disaster and weeks following the ordeal. Teachers and school staff were amazed at what can be achieved in a few hours with the kids captivated with the creation of ‘their' new song. Ian Bail has documented the events of the day and we will produce a YouTube video to share with the students and families of the school. We love doing this kind of work…. Letting kids know they are important to God right where they live. Pray with us that more opportunities will open up to encourage and inspire hope in hurting towns.

BOOM TIMES AND BUST

Pictured: The historic Catholic Church overlooking the remnants of the former gold mining boom town of Ravenswood, North QLD.

"Pass through, pass through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Raise a banner for the nations." Isaiah 62:10

We did a concert in the historic gold mining town of Ravenswood last Saturday night. A crowd of 65 turned up. About 300 people live in the area these days… but back in the 1870-1890’s boom times over 5,000 people lived in town. There were 48 pubs and it was the administrative centre for the region… then came the 1912 miners strike followed by WWl and the town was deserted. There’s a beautiful timber church up on the hill overlooking Ravenswood that is still used to this day. Through boom times and bust it has been used for weddings, funerals and the building up of faith for sinners and saints. It stands as a symbol of grace in a town built by gold and greed. 

It’s been a tough year for our ministry.. and yet a year of miracles as well. We’ve worked hard to clear past debts and keep serving rural and remote communities with the Gospel. We look back with so much gratitude at the friendship and support we’ve had from many who receive the weekly updates. Thank you.

Through boom time and bust we believe God has called us to this. Like an old church on the hill standing strong and symbolically declaring the goodness of God. We are determined to pass through the gates and prepare the way for people to know Christ… to build up people who have lost hope and clear the road so that a banner of hope can be raised over our nation. 

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:12-13

Expect mistakes and expect miracles. And keep going.. through boom time and bust to achieve all the God has called you to.

Thanks for your support.

Godspeed,

Steve Grace