After a week of mission and engaging with the community, the grand finale, the denouement, the big fish was finally here!
Men’s Breakfast
The “Back to Church” gamut of activities kicked of (ed: get the pun) with the Men’s Breakfast, including Dave Simmons NRL testimony. After getting to know the young and old men at Oak Flats it was tremendous to spend a morning with them, having a good old fry up, and talking to them about their faith in Jesus. Dave’s testimony was once again spot on (he’s getting worked hard this mission!), and articulated well the difference between success, like in the NRL world, compared to knowing and trusting in God. Edward Stocks (3rd year) gave a great talk from Mark 10, and compared our human search for greatness in achievement. However, Jesus did not do this. He served us, coming as a baby and eventually to die in our place. Are we humble enough to let this Jesus, the King of the world, serve us because we’re completely unable to do achieve anything ourselves?
Jamberoo Markets
Straight after the Men’s breakfast, came the big hit attraction of the Jamberoo Markets. It was interesting to hear that for the Jamberoo community, it seemed that the Markets were one of the last things that really brought them together. And with the extra love and care put into it this year, not to mention the increased advertising through door knocking and pamphlets, it was one of the biggest Markets they had in a long time. The Markets provided a great opportunity for the church members to get to know the rest of the Jamberoo Community. It was a chance to talk to people about Jamberoo Anglican and what they believed.
Saturday 5pm & Sunday 8am Jamberoo “Back to Church”
We don’t have any pictures from the Saturday 5pm or Sunday 8am service “Back to Church” services at Jamberoo Anglican. But there was chops, chips, chocolate and church alright! It was mania. On Saturday night around 80 chops were cooked, two backloads of chips were ordered, and two crazy chocolate fondues. The community was invited back into church and talking to Jodie McNeil (Rector) there were a few newcomers! John Hanlen (4th year) gave a talk on Mark 2:1-12 on Saturday and Matt Straw (4th year) gave a talk on Luke 24:36-48. I’ll detail their talks bit later on in the post.
Oak Flats 10am “Back to Church” Sunday
Oak Flats geared up for a big Sunday with the 30 kg meat spit roast and the first of their back to Church Sunday services. It was great after a week of engaging with the community, the school, and the neighbourhood, it was satisfying to now come back as a church community with the Gospel being proclaimed with the other Christians here on mission. Dave Simmons (we’re really working him hard!) gave his testimony, and John Hanlen (4th year) knocked it out of the park, preaching on Mark 2:1-12, showing that like the paralytic, our greatest need is not physical health (however important that is) but rather for our sins to be forgiven. And since that is our biggest need, whether we think we need it or not, what a great news and a great saviour we have in Christ!
Oak Flats 5pm “Back to Church” Sunday
The last hurdle was here. The Oak Flats 5pm “Back to church Sunday” was the last task for the team. Real hope and the real Jesus was on display on this final service for the team. Kathryn Russell (2nd year) gave her testimony and expressed the incredible blessing it was growing up in a Christian family that taught her the Gospel. Matt Straw (4th year) talked on Luke 24:36-48 and how a Real Jesus resurrected means a definite and sure hope for us in this world with our sins forgiven. And to cap off the night we had sausages and slushies! So good.
In the last post from the Oak Flats and Jamberoo team blog, we thank you for reading it and thank for you prayers. Keep on praying for these great brothers and sisters at Jamberoo and Oak Flats for their mission in this area.
And to finish? I finally finished a great “heart” for latte art!
