Looking out the window presents a very different view from North West Australia. I see the fall colours of North and South Carolina, along with their cooler temperatures. Currently, I am visiting supporters in these states, speaking at churches, meeting key Christian leaders and sharing the work of our diocese with mission-minded individuals and groups. I am very thankful to God for the opportunity to fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ whose vision reaches even the North West.
‘Making disciples of all nations’ (Matthew 28.19) is our key focus as we seek to proclaim the gospel faithfully, anchoring all we undertake in the trustworthy Word of God.
The privilege I feel in visiting churches, groups and individuals has given me a new appreciation for the list of Paul’s greetings that we find at the conclusion of his letters. The sense of gospel mission, and hence fellowship Paul shares with these people, is very encouraging. We see bonds stretching across the Mediterranean, centred in knowing Christ and making him known.
So, he writes in Colossians 4 of folk such as Tychicus, who ‘is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord’ (v.7) while he asks the Colossians to pass on greetings to the Christians ‘at Laodicea’, along with ‘Nympha and the church in her house’ (v.15). But Paul is also concerned that the church at Colossae is aware of the fellowship they share with his fellow workers. He writes (v.10ff),
‘Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas … and Jesus who is called Justus. [They are] among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God’.
Friends, it is such a joy to fellowship in the gospel with you as you pray and support the work of the diocese. We continue to have incredible opportunities to bring the good news of Jesus to the nations passing through our region, whether as iron ore miners, tourists, agricultural workers or seafarers. Please pray that the Lord of the harvest will raise up more workers for his harvest here in the North West, especially for a minister in Exmouth, as well as, chaplains for our missions to seafarers in Dampier and Port Hedland.
Please accept our greetings and heartfelt thanks, whether you are in Australia or overseas, as we fellowship in making disciples of all nations.
Bishop Gary