Blessings flow from Bluff Point church

Sixteen young mums have joined a Bluff Point Bible study to learn how to read, understand and apply God’s Word in their lives

God is using the Bluff Point Anglican Church to bless the women of Geraldton through a Bible study that equips women to read and understand Scripture for themselves.  

More than a dozen women from other churches have joined the weekly Bluff Point ladies group led by Laura Hurley, wife of Assistant Minister Brendan Hurley. They are growing in faith in Jesus through Bible study, fellowship and prayer.

Laura is passionate about giving women tools to understand the big picture of God’s plan that unfolds through the Bible, and to apply God’s word to their lives.

“In order to love God better we need to know God better, and the only way to know God better is through his Word,” she said.

One participant, a single mum said. “Growing up I’d been told that the bible was important to read but I’d never been shown how to read it.  

“I’ve never studied the Bible and I’ve never read the Bible book by book. I’m excited to learn how to read the Bible so I can make a Christian home for my kids to grow up in.”

Another participant said she was the first Christian in her family and the Bible study was her first experience of reading anything other than a gospel.

For the group, Laura chose a study of Hebrews over 20 weeks which applies a mix of homework, teaching and discussion.

“I wanted a resource that had women doing some hard work in the Word on their own during the week so that they make conclusions themselves.

“During the group discussion, the teaching is able to correct wrong understanding and grow our knowledge and love of God.”

Please pray that each lady will grow in love for God’s Word and obedience to Jesus Christ.

Cyclone Seroja Update

On the evening of April 11, Cyclone Seroja made landfall near Kalbarri, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. This rare event - a cyclone well south of the tropics - hit towns and farms that were never designed for weather this extreme.

This left communities reeling. Many homes and businesses suffered damage. Farmers lost sheds of fertilizer and other supplies necessary for seeding. It will take months, if not years, to recover and our communities will need much support.

If you wish to make a donation for cyclone relief, you can do so through the Anglican Relief and Development Fund Australia.

Please join with us in praying for those communities that were hardest hit. Pray:

- for the church family as they serve one another and minister to their wider community.
- that those in need of assistance may find the people and services to help them
- for a coordinated effort to rebuild the community
- that people would turn to Jesus in times of hardship

Sharing Jesus in DNA

For the newest Minister in the North West, evangelism is part of his DNA.

Mike Welham, with his wife Emma and their three young children, began ministry at the Geraldton Cathedral in 2021 as Assistant Minister for Youth and Families.

Mike says he has a passion for seeing people come to know Jesus for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to working with young people and children, to help them see that there is nothing in this life that is of more value than living for Jesus.

“Partnering with families is also vital to help young Christians grow strong in their love for God.

“In a world that is opposed to God, I’m excited to help young people stand firm in their faith and defend it.”

Mike will support Bluff Point Assistant Minister Brendan Hurley to run the Friday night youth group which needs to be built up again. More than half the teens left at the end of 2020 when their families left town – a common challenge in North West churches which suffer from regular and persistent population change.

So, Youth Group in Term One will focus on Tough Questions to give visitors a chance to explore who Jesus is and – we pray – make a decision to put their trust in him.

As for Mike, in his spare time growing up in regional Western Australia and working in Perth, he developed a ministry to the Mormon and Jehovah’s Witnesses cults. He loves engaging with people at local parks, pools or anywhere else, and has trained fellow Christians to share the gospel in their own context.

Helping hand in Covid-19

The Port Hedland Seafarers Centre played a key role in Australia’s Covid-19 emergency response, thanks to its good reputation among seafarers.

Centre Operation Manager John Hague said Covid-19 had been very difficult for seafarers, with many confined to ship for months on end. Life was even more difficult if a Covid-19 outbreak was recorded.

When some crew were found to be infected on bulk carrier Patricia Olendorf anchored off Port Hedland, the Western Australian Emergency Response Management team sought help from the Centre.

“The Philippine Society in Port Hedland recommended the government get us involved,” John said.  

“We helped transport seafarers to medical services and quarantine, provided counselling and welfare services that were culturally sensitive. We continue to support seafarers with encouragement by phone and social media, reminding them that Jesus loves them. We also offer to pray with them, especially for their families back home. 

“Please pray for seafarers. One seafarer commented he felt the situation was worse than prison, because at least in prison you have a release date. They have no idea when they will be able to go home,” John said.

“We want Australians to remember that seafarers play a vital role in our nation’s wellbeing. They transport our exports that keep the economy going and bring in essential goods. Without them we’d be in trouble.”

Taking the gospel to Shark Bay

Eugenie Harris, Jocelyn and Bill Ross prepare for mission to Shark Bay

A mission trio recently took a nine-hour road trip to share the good news of Jesus’ birth with students at an isolated school in Shark Bay.

Rev Bill Ross, his wife Jocelyn and Diocesan worker Eugenie Harris were invited to Shark Bay School to share the true story of Christmas with about 50 students from Kindy to Year 10.

Bill led an interactive celebration of Bible readings, prayer, singing and question time. The event featured a drama skit which involved 27 girls and boys up on the stage.

“It was such a privilege to be able to visit and share the news of God’s plan for salvation with these young people,” Eugenie said. 

“The students asked great questions like, ‘Why did Jesus have to be born?’

“The highlight for me was when a teenage student came up afterwards and asked for a Bible. He said he wasn’t a Christian but he’d been wanting a Bible for a while, however, he didn’t know where to get a copy.

“I praise God that He had been working in this young man’s heart and that we were able to be the messengers bringing the Word to him.

Bill and Jocelyn retired from ministry at Shark Bay in 2020 and a positive relationship with the school was one of the fruits of their labour.

Please pray for these young people in Shark Bay to respond to the gospel.

Roebourne gets new lease of life

The gospel of Jesus Christ will again be proclaimed from Holy Trinity Roebourne – the oldest stone building in the North West.

For the first time in more than 25 years, regular ministry can begin here after the church has been painstakingly restored to its original unique beauty.

Youth Worker Matt Warth says Holy Trinity stands as a beacon atop Mount Welcome, visible for miles around.

“The Pilbara ministry team is praying for wisdom as we plan for the future and ask God to open doors for new ministry opportunities so we can reach local residents with the hope of salvation,” he said. 

Bishop Gary Nelson will lead a celebration marking its 125th anniversary and new lease of life in May this year.

Holy Trinity has been a place where Christians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, have gathered since it was completed in 1895. Extreme weather, punishing heat and cyclones had reduced the building to little more than a shell. However, the gospel remained unchanged, and the desire by local believers to bring the good news of Jesus is strong.  

The generosity of the Heritage Council of Western Australia and a small group of committed supporters, such as Joy Brann, helped bring the church building back to life.

“This building has witnessed the unfolding story of the Pilbara and bears silent testimony to the faith that sustained generations of pioneers as they struggled against incredible hardships to open this vast and incredibly wealthy part of Australia,” said Joy.

Gospel worker news

After nearly one year without a minister, members at Port Hedland were excited to welcome new Minister-in-Charge Rev Eion Simmons and his family. 

Eion (together with wife Claire and five children) moved from his role as Children’s and Youth Minister at Geraldton Cathedral. They were warmly welcomed by the Hedland folk in January and are excited about the many opportunities to share the gospel, especially as the parish is seeking to reopen St Peter’s Anglican Church in South Hedland.

We thank God for nearly ten years of faithful service at Port Hedland Seafarers Centre by Assistant Chaplain Garry South. He and his wife Kathy recently finished up and returned to NSW.

In other news, Chris and Karen Webb (Broome) are in NSW until June on furlough, visiting supporters and churches to talk about their work among Aboriginal communities that are gospel poor. Please pray for Michael Baines and Steve Combe as they cover for Chris.

Rev Eldred Royce (and Geraldine) have concluded their ministry at Northampton and Eldred has joined the Geraldton Seafarers Centre in a part-time role.

Rev Dr David Seccombe and his wife Lorraine will join us to pastor the Cathedral congregations while we search for a new Dean. The Carnarvon congregation thankfully welcome Rev Dale Appleby (and wife Joy) to serve as locum tenens at St George’s (Feb-April).

For family reasons, Finance Officer, Pieter Overmeire is now working part-time. He and his family relocated to Perth, from where he’ll work remotely, visiting Geraldton regularly for meetings.  

A Year of Expectations

By Bishop Gary Nelson

As 2021 dawned we experienced a collective sigh of relief.  2020, the year the Covid-19 virus infected the world resulting in change, fear and sorrow.  So, what’s in store for us in 2021?  Certainly, many expectations like more normality through the vaccination program with fewer cases and deaths; more contact with family and friends; more citizens returning home from oversea.

Over 2000 years ago, expectations were in the air.  Would God’s promises revealed in the Old Testament finally be fulfilled?  Would the darkness of ‘exile’ be removed as the Messiah’s light shines into our world?  Would the gospel of salvation be heralded throughout the land as God redeems his people?   Hear the joyous relief as Simeon holds the infant Jesus in his arms:

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes  have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for  revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”      [Luke 2:29-32, ESV]

Simeon could now rest contented since God’s salvation has come, the promised child has arrived [ see Isaiah 9:6-7].  His long-awaited expectations fulfilled. 

As Jesus commences his Galilean ministry, he announces Israel’s longed for hopes are about to be satisfied:                    

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel “ [Mark 1:15]

In announcing the arrival of God’s kingdom, Jesus is effectively bringing it into existence.  No more waiting, no more years of unmet expectations, for the new age has dawned.

Friends, we are all involved in bringing this good news to those with whom we share daily life.  Covid-19 changed our lives, resetting our expectations.  Yet, God’s not bound by this viral pandemic. It isn’t outside of his knowledge, control and purposes.  We’re thankful to God that life in the North West has been relatively ‘normal’.  This privilege has given us continued, and increased opportunities, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus across our vast region with its amazing array of men, women and children. 

Thanks for your prayers and generous financial support.  Please join with us, as we thank our Lord, for the people redeemed in 2020; for the Christians established and equipped in their faith; for the ‘exports’ we are sending you.

May God bless and keep you in 2021.