CHURCH PLANTING IN AUSTRALIA

JANUARY, 2005

2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

We had a good Christmas and trust you did as well. Our son Jonathan and his wife, Lynne, and some former neighbours from Sydney, now living in Newcastle, John and Rosemary, had Christmas dinner with us. Rosemary made a profession of faith during a Bible study Pam had with her many years ago but sadly her life doesn’t reflect her profession. Even though we both have moved from Sydney the Lord has allowed us to continue having contact with them and we continue to pray for her and John.

Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

Upon the threshold of another year

-Thomas Wearing

A New Year brings new beginnings. Thank the Lord for New Beginnings. In this very first month of a brand New Year, 2005, may we again "present your (our) bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Often we do get lethargic in our labour for the Lord.

Spurgeon in his sermon "The Master's Profession; The Disciples' Pursuit" spoke of ornamental Christians. May none of us be likened unto these of whom Spurgeon said, "In all our churches there is a very large proportion of idle people. I hope they are saved; the Lord knows whether they are or not. But whatever else they are saved from, certainly they are not saved from laziness.

We seem to get some people who are but half converted. I hope their hearts are converted, as their hands do no work. Some Christians seem to imagine that they are ornaments, for certainly they are of no use. They think that their whole duty consists in taking their seat, filling up their place, and listening with more or less attention to the sermons that are preached.

As to the idea of everybody doing something for Christ, and the exhortation as good soldiers of the cross not to shirk their duty; these people say that it is sheer madness.

Sleepy souls, they presently become victims of their own infatuation. The apathy of the church, which has lasted so long, is truly disheartening. With many a deep drawn sigh do we bewail it. O that we could get the church to awake!"

As we begin this New Year we again ask you not to cease in praying with us and for the following:

1. Gary will be taking a six month long service leave beginning 31 March. He and his mother are going back to England for that time. He is seeking the Lord’s will as to whether he is to stay there or return to Australia.

2. Tracey’s salvation. She has attended a couple of services but was gone over Christmas visiting family in Victoria.

3. Jim and Margaret’s son, Malcolm, for salvation and the determination to stay off heroin. He came home just before Christmas and with his parents help detoxed himself. He has been a real drain on his parents in finances and emotions.

4. The two radio programmes, Sunday’s The Gospel Hour and Friday’s CrossTalk.

5. An increase in support. The Aussie dollar is still high against the US dollar and that affects us greatly. We recently received a letter from our now former insurance company informing us they are ceasing to carry liability insurance for churches. David telephoned several other pastors and the only company that now does this is EIG-Ansvar. We had 10 million before at the cost of $1400 per year but now for the same coverage it is going to cost $2165.

We want to thank those individuals and churches who sent Christmas cards and checks. Thank you. To all our supporters "...ye have well done... as concerning giving..." THANK YOU very much! May God "... supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Your Missionaries to Australia,