I finally made it!
as you can see the sunshine coast is a beautiful place
Why I'm Here: In case you don't know why I'm in Australia let me bring you up to date. I first came here two years ago to serve as a worship leader for the summer. My good friend and roomate from college is Australian, and his dad is the pastor of the church in which I serve. After visiting two years ago I really fell in love with the ministry and the people on the sunshine coast. I could feel that God was doing something great and extraordinary in the lives of the people here on the coast, and I felt called to be apart. So after finishing college and a long process with immigration offices I set out on this new journey. I'm serving again as the worship pastor for the church but this time for a bit longer.... like a year or two longer. I honestly don't know how long I will be here. I do know I want to be here long enough to build real relationships and authentic community, getting beside people in every day life as we grow in our relationships with Jesus.
What I've Been Up To: I've now been here for just over two weeks, and apart from preparing for Sunday services and leading worship, I've had a few other things happening as well. I've been concentrating on getting to know the people in the church so that I can begin to build those relationships. The people here have been tremendously welcoming and are making it real easy for me to transition into a new unfamiliar lifestyle. I'd say I've began to settle in quite nicely. John (the pastor) and I usually try to go for a surf in the mornings which has been a good way for us to get to know each other and begin to connect and share ideas so we can work better together. We've recently been looking at leasing a building to use as office space as well as a multi functional facility in order to reach the community. The church is still rather new and we meet in a cinema so the "church office" is currently located at John and Cami's house. Hopefully by having a building we can be in throughout the week, people will know where to find us if they need counseling, mentoring, or just a place to hang out.
How You Can Be Apart: I ask that you begin to pray for the work of the Holy Spirit in peoples lives as we continue to minister to them. Many people we come in contact with are very apathetic and turned off to the idea of Christianity or God at all. Pray that as we make these people apart of our lives showing them authentic love and compassion, and sharing with them the gospel of Jesus, that they come to know the Lord as the King of their life. We can do a lot... but without a movement of the Holy Spirit our work will be worthless.
Also, if you would like to give financially I would gladly accept the blessing. I am very fortunate to be getting paid by the church but as you can imagine, as a new church, finances are limited. However, I am confident that the Lord will supply and provide for me. All contributions can be sent to my home address in the states at 7101 Tulane Rd. N Apt #74 Horn Lake, MS 38637. Thank you and may the Lord bless you.
"Me with Church at the Riverwalk"
