The Miracle Zone

Evangelistic Rally at Labuan Square

Next Saturday 6 Nov I'm hosting our first ever Evangelistic Rally at a poor and dilapidated public square in Norlane where we have been praying for the locals around 10 times this year. As part of my Harvest Team, this rally will involve about 8 ministers of the Word each speaking for 7-10 mins, communion, prayer and an alter call. 

Please pray for the kingdom of God to come in power during this time.

Play Group

We had the best ever playgroup last week with 21 in total. The sweet presence of Jesus during our worship time, prayer time and teaching about Jesus was the highlight. Seeing the children and parents grow is also very satisfying. 

Preaching and Leading in Church

I am now being paid about $350 per week for my work at Bethel - what dream come true! Also today I preached on using our spiritual authority and shared these laminated cards for those ready to take their God-given spiritual headship over their family.

You can watch the video here.

Youth Group - back with a bang!

"What do you have to do to become a Christian?" asked the first kid to arrive at Pizza Night after lockdown. Later that night, this boy and another girl sat still as two new youth-group leaders laid down the gospel for them to follow with compelling spiritual authority. 

I suspect we are in 'The Miracle Zone', a place in which the Lord is acting in POWER to achieve His purposes and I am just one small part of His mighty works.

That night we had 12 in total. We played 3 legged race and egg and spoon race and other games, getting ready for the Tree Planting Festival we're hosting as soon as we can.

Tree Planting Festival

Covid restrictions have meant the council is delaying giving me a permit to host a large event with the Lions Club etc but I believe it will happen soon. Most of the legwork is done regarding changing the new park into at place to plant 17 large trees, so the festival will follow soon - surely.

Please pray for this simple outreach strategy as we seek to multiply it throughout Corio over the years ahead.

On a Personal Note

Christine and I went camping recently at Lake Elizabeth in the Otway National Park. It was wonderful!

Thank you for praying for the Kingdom of God to come in power. Love you heaps!

I am so happy!

Dear Prayer Buddy, 

I so love writing to you because it gives me time and space to reflect and, in real terms, linking with you is linking with a powerhouse of prayer, someone well-known in Heaven who can help me reach out to the poor with the powerful living word of God.

 Harvest Team Labuan Square Outreach - Crunch Time

Can you please pray for God's clear leading and intervention? Next Thursday I will put it to the locals that we go next level, that we commit to Every Second Thursday in Term 4; for worship, communion, prayer, the Word. The purpose would be to draw them from merely being 'fond of Jesus' to being filled with the person, works and fruit of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for Joseph & Shelia, as I will need their commitment, charisma and leadership, if this is going to work.

Lockdown Youth Group in the Park!

Thank You Jesus! Over the last few weeks we have transitioned to Youth Group in the Park because we can't meet in our home. We've been 'kicking the footy' over a BBQ and today we even started practicing for the FESTIVAL we will hold soon with the THREE LEGGED RACE! We will practice knot-tying and other games so that when the public arrive for the festival we will ALL be able to lead them. I am committed to 'get really good at youth-group leading' as I see this as a vitally important ministry, so please pray I will become excellent at it and lead a team of red-hot practitioners!

Tree Planting Festival

Can you please pray for God to open the way for the best ever Tree Planting Festival here in Booth Crt Reserve Corio?! Months of lobbying to come together with various groups so that the JOY and LOVE and CONFIDENCE of God will come through like an old-fashioned SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC! Thank you xxx

Bethel Christian Fellowship

Please pray as we grapple with accomodating the Vaccinated and the Unvaccinated in the months ahead. On the bright side, this Sunday we have soup after church around cafe tables and we'll meet our new prayer buddies for October. This is to enrich our family relationships with the power of GOD, who is able to bring life to the dead.

And now for my BIGGEST JOY - PLAYGROUP

We had a Playgroup during the school holidays and 14 people came along. I get the sense that Term 4 will be massive. We have several 4 year old boys who will start school next year, so in our last term with them we will really try to get them confident and strong and ready to hit school as ready as can be!

On a Personal Note

I can scarcely believe how wonderful life is at present. Christine is joining me at playgroup and we feel, as spring ushers in growth, the last quarter of Term 4 will be a time of solid growth for all our ministry endeavours.

I hope this blog encourages you and I am able to pray for breakthrough in YOUR LIFE if you would just contact me and let me know what's going on. Our heavenly Father is able to do more than we might imagine if we have faith and believe.

Love you heaps - Angus :)

Missing our chargers

The Worst Thing about Lockdown

So much of our work has been cancelled due to Covid - 19:

• Prayer Seminar

  

  Intercessor Robin meets boys she prays for!

• Playgroup
• Family Pizza Nights
• Harvest Team - Labuan Sq Outreach
• Face to face Church
• Tree Planting

This means we not only miss our chargers, but we feel we've let them down because we're not there to continue the special relationships we've nurtured for so long. 

Despite the lockdown, we have been able to continue to pray for the families of Corio who don't know Jesus and also for those in our Labuan Sq group. During the Lockdowns, I have been well utilised helping Bethel Christian Fellowship with leading groups on Zoom. We recently had Peter and Kathryn Yaxley minister from Tasmania on Zoom. They did a creative reflection on "The Beautiful Feet of Jesus" a poem by Peter Yaxley

New Facebook Page for Bethel Christian Fellowship 

Please considering following us!

The biggest news is that we have launched a Facebook Page for Bethel. There are two main purposes for the page: 

1. Outreach - Memes about Jesus.

2. Keep the church informed of what we're doing as we host a lot of events for the wider church.

Revival in Labuan Square

We had a small team and we were missing many of the folks who usually join in, but we still had a special time. Lynn led in worship so powerfully and many were moved to take communion and then we prayed for many folks. We love going here because they are humble and so appreciative. This is part of our work: Harvest Team. 

We created a songbook for this group because they asked for one! Here are the songs:

• The Darkest Hour is Just before Dawn
• Just a Closer Walk with Thee
• Be Still and Known that I am God
• How Great is our God
• The Lord's My Shepherd
• One Day at a Time
• Time Out for Jesus
• There is Power in the Name of Jesus
• Who You Say I am

We're keen to resume all our outreach groups as soon as lockdown permits!

Tree Planting

After the success of our last Tree Planting Party, I am pushing the council for our next three parks to plant out. I have a new liaison officer at the City of Greater of Geelong and she seems to get our unique model of running Tree Planting Festivals involving games, face-painting, live music and a BBQ.

"The Beautiful Feet of Jesus" a poem by Peter Yaxley

Is this the beginning of Revival? What an incredible month!

Tree Planting Party - In Winter, In Corio!

We had the best ever Tree Planting event you could imagine. Honestly. Check out this video! We had about 70 people planting trees in Corio in Winter. This alone is a little miracle! And this is just the beginning. Our relationship with the City of Greater Geelong is growing and there are so many parks in Corio which need to be planted. Our model works, so we'll scale it up in future. Thanks for praying! Thank You Jesus! 

Is this REVIVAL?

Last month I mentioned the opposition at Labuan Square in Norlane, with people getting aggressive as we brought the gospel of God. This time we experienced so much grace we are all amazed. The locals cried, and sang and prayed and were hungry for the HOLINESS of Jesus. We prayed for over 12 locals and Jesus was honoured. Here is our website for your info. We will continue at Labuan Square every fortnight for Term 3. In this adventure, I've learned that, as a dynamic leader, I am nothing if I do not submit to the INTERCESSORS; I can make stuff happen, but those who wait upon the LORD are above me in the hierarchy of effectiveness. I am only worldly if I don't wait upon them for the will of the LORD. This is the Body of Christ working properly.

Family Pizza Nights 

The latest Covid Lockdown has meant we've been unable to host Family Pizza Nights for most of July. However our church families have cooked loads of food for Dylan, a local kid whose mother died recently. We're rearing to host the kids as soon as we can with two new leaders, Fiona and Kathryn.

Geelong-Wide Prayer Seminar

I'm thrilled to be co-hosting a significant Prayer Seminar for the Kingdom of God coming Geelong-Wide. This will be run by Pastor Chek Chia who is very keen on Unity and Revival for regional Victoria and has a proven track record. 

Church Leadership

God continues to impress on me His desire for me to grow in church leadership, not just leading outreach. During the recent lockdown, we made this video of a Church Brainstorm bouncing off the book 'Red Alert' by Gill Cann.

Play Group

Covid Restrictions have prevented us from holding Playgroup for some time, but next Monday we are ON. In the meantime, I wrote an article for the Christian Playgroup Network which I recommend as a quick read :) 

Thank YOU for Being Part of the Story!

Christine and I really appreciate your PRAYER SUPPORT and couldn't do this without you! 

I need you :)

I need you - Prayer Warrior

Last night at our amazing Leaders' and Pastors' Unity Dinner, a young Church Planter let fly prophetically to the group. He said we need to rest, knowing, as the Body of Christ, we each play different roles. I can never be more than I can be in the here and now. I rely on God to guide His people to work in His harvest to compensate for what I can never be. We had 27 guests, representing 9 organisations. Hallelujah! We hosted this Unity Dinner because church unity is a prerequisite for revival.

Harvest Team Update

Our strong team of 6 went witnessing 5 times during Term 2, focussing mainly on Labuan Square, a 'very dilapidated strip frequented by drunks' in Norlane. We love these honest, welcoming guys. Last Thursday they split; some arguing the Word of God is important, others saying our 'free BBQ' was undercutting the local shops. In the end, we were invited back - see Term 3 - please pray :) I'm trying to teach the church that 'the win is persevering'.

Multicultural Play Group

A record, 25 attended last time and I feel God saying He wants to 'do more' with the Playgroup. Please pray for a powerful manifestation of the Kingdom of God, of love, healing, trust, vulnerability and healing, as God comes, as faith comes. 

Big Tree Planting Party - Biggest Ever

At the end of the current School Holidays, we're hosting our biggest ever Community Tree Planting Event. The Norlane/ Corio Lion's Club will be here with their BBQ and prizes: 2 bikes, a computer and skate board. Our aim is to help people mingle and love living in Corio! Please pray and I'll send you the video next time!

Acting Senior Pastor

I'm back to Assistant Pastor now Paul Hills is back from holidays. We have such a healthy church, 'managing' while he was away was a doddle :) Thank you Lord. 

Personal Employment 

Christine starts work with the Australian Bureau of Statistics next week - a new job. I'll continue working 2 days in the chicken factory. I've found out 90% of local pastors work full time outside of church: delivery driver, abattoir, hospital orderly. They're champions!

Obeying the Lord

Upping the ante, is what I'm sure God has called me to do with this next event, to which you are most cordially invited. Please pray now for CORIO ADULTS to step up and take responsibility for this vision.

Thank You

Frankly, Christine and I could not do this without you. If I need to remind you, the power, will and love of God is manifest today, in our time as we each devote our time in prayer; our hearts in sacrificial intercession knowing that finally our life is IN HEAVEN, not on this earth.

Let our prayers be multiplied today and in this season. 

Warmest regards

Angus & Christine.

    

Chugging along and working in a factory!

Tree Planting on sunny days

We're grateful that we could have a wonderful little tree planting day using the new ground the council has given us. Many church people came and mingled with the locals. This is an important step as we build up for our big party in mid July.

Harvest Team in Labuan Square 

We had six in our team last week. We were very warmly received and got to pray for lots of people. In early June, we're going to bring guitars and sing some Maori worship songs with the folks at Labuan Square as many of them have a dormant faith which can be rekindled.

Pizza Nights

We've had a little miracle. I was tired and I wanted to quit the Friday Pizza Nights, but instead God brought a new leader along and also Christine did the teaching, really well. I learned that God will provide what we need as we step out in obedience and love our neighbours.

New Work

As Christine finished teaching, I have taken a job in a local chicken processing factory cleaning crates 9 hours a day for 2 or 3 days per week. I have been praying and worshipping God at the top of my voice because no one can hear me over the noise and I've been building relationship my fellow workers.

Paul & Karen away

While senior pastor Paul Hills is away on holidays, I am responsible for Bethel Christian Fellowship. This means adapting to the lockdown and growing in leadership, facilitating Sunday services and prayer meetings. Recently, the prophetic folk amongst us have begun saying we are going to grow as a church and that God is going to provide what we need. I am so privileged to be a significant part of what God is doing here in Corio!

If you're interested, here's a video of a Zoom Church Online last Sunday. 

Celebrating TWO YEARS of Little Miracles Home Group Corio

Historic excerpt below

Harvest Team - Review says "More Please"

Harvest Team Website

Feedback from the team indicates the format is really good and people want to keep doing it! So I have launched a website to help facilitate evangelists throughout Geelong and the Lord helped me see a lot of my value will be in facilitating others and that I don't have to worry too much about the actual ministry to unbelievers on the ground. My priority will be bringing others together and nurturing them in Evangelism.

Tree Planting Festival?

New Area to Plant

The City of Greater Geelong has blessed us with high-level permission to continue planting in Rosewall Reserve and then extend to other areas nearby. The Lord has put on my heart to host a Community Tree Planting Festival in the next school holidays. I've received personal help from senior council 'gofers' regarding obtaining a permit. Part of the challenge is to facilitate an event that is 'bigger than me'. All my work up to this point requires me to 'do everything' but we won't be able to expand if I don't learn to get others working smoothly with me to host community events. So please pray for this.

Playgroup - We've outgrown our room!

17-18 people are turning up for Playgroup now so we've moved into the larger room at church. One of the blessings is that we are getting Christians from several different churches in the area. So this playgroup has become a vehicle for UNITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH! Praise God :)

Karen Fundraising Dinner

Because of our friendship with the local Karen community, I've been asked to speak briefly at their fundraising dinner on Sat 29 May. What an honour! It will help with unity in the church, too.

On a personal note

I have been doing some work washing dishes in an Italian Restaurant to keep the funds rolling in and to humble myself. Washing dishes professionally is humbling, trust me. Christine has resigned from her teaching job and is ready for a change. Please pray for God's ways for her. She just bought a kayak which she has wanted for ages so, celebrate with her :) 

Church life is so good

At Bethel Christian Fellowship I'm surrounded by loving mature Christians who love to pray and are praying for the Kingdom of God to come in Power in Corio. We are working as a team and loving each other in humility and the fear of God. It is such a wonderful season. 

Excerpt from our first blog post in April 2019

Little Miracles Home Group launches next Sunday 28 April, at 6pm.

Where and Who?
We are in Rosewall Neighbourhood Centre Corio, Geelong, a very disadvantaged area with 21% unemployment. We have our Public Liability Insurance and we are ready to go.

Each Sunday will be:

• 6pm Dinner - Rice and stew/curry - Free, healthy, simple and yummy - to get to know people and LISTEN to their story.
• 7pm Discussion & Teaching - We look at the teachings of Jesus and how to live better and discuss together. This involves dynamic sharing.
• 7:45-8:30 Prayer - One on one or in small groups, we pray for God's kingdom to come in people's lives bringing healing and renewal.

Is it a church?

Churches attract Christians but Jesus called sinners to repentance. We don't want to create a church, but a hospital for the soul where people come to be healed and born again, and Christians come to serve the needy. We believe it is time to experiment with different forms of church, time to reinvent mission, outreach and service. We fill a niche where people come to be healed, not to be comfortable. 

Over the two years, you can see the purpose is the same but the methods have evolved to better fit the lives of those we live with. I shared the good news of our anniversary on Geelong Christian Radio 96Three in an interview. This is to help the Christians of Geelong to focus on outreach; encouraging them to love their neighbours. 

Thank YOU 

I really appreciate you being there. Feel free to drop me a line. Angus & Christine