CHURCH PLANTING IN AUSTRALIA

It is said that when Sir Walter Scott was on his deathbed, he asked Lockhart to read a book to him. As Lockhart scanned the shelf of books, he asked, "What book shall I read?" Sir Walter replied, "Why do you ask that question? There is but one book; bring the Bible." How true! There is only one BOOK for DYING MEN and that is the Bible, the very Word of God! Paul asked the same when he said "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments." (2Timothy 4: 6, 13)

Paul also stated in 2Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." This is the battle cry of the elder preacher to the younger preacher, and as it was then so now. That cry has not ceased. It continues to echo against the walls of the ages to His churches and preachers today. May we be found faithful! Thank you for your prayers as we proclaim the Gospel "in season" and "out of season". As most of you know from experience many around us hate the gospel and have turned "away their ears from the truth". One has said that "If one finds the masses admire him as a preacher he has just reason to tremble."

We began letter box tract distribution again after David’s return from his father’s funeral in the states. That is until David sprung his back. He was simply bending over to pick something up and out it went. He has had to take it easy for about a week but it is much better now and we have begun distribution again. As we look back at our tract distribution we have put tracts into every letter box in Dubbo (a city of 38,000) at least four times. The only visible results seen are a couple of anti-letters. One said they were offended by what the tract had to say about people going to hell and another just simply said "Do not leave anymore in my letter box!" Blunt and to the point.

Last month Pam had the opportunity to go to a small rural public school and do a craft with the children plus give a Bible story. She is going again this month to do a Mother’s Day craft and Bible story. Also, an unsaved friend of ours recently had a baby girl so Pam made a gift for the baby plus we put a child’s Bible with it as well. We have had opportunity to get several of these children’s Bibles into unsaved homes via births. Praise the Lord!

There is a movement in Dubbo seeking to establish a Community based FM radio station. We saw this as an opportunity to reach Dubbo with a population of 38,000 with the gospel via the airwave so David emailed the city councillor promoting the project. David wrote:

I am presently on WARFM Gilgandra but live in Dubbo and would be interested in knowing more about what is happening with getting a committee together for a community radio license here. Any information you have concerning future meetings etc. would be appreciated

Thank you.

David C. Bennett

The councillor’s answer is as follows;

Thanks for your email Mr Bennett, Council has yet to set a date for the public meeting to form the association. However I would point out that the association or the station will not have any religious components what so ever. Dubbo is currently served very well in this field with 2DCB (Rhema FM). The station will be for the benefit of the whole community and thus will be unbiased in all

political and religious affairs. The reason why a 2nd community radio station arose is because of the fact the community isn't being served with a general community radio station. Council will advertise future developments in its Council Column in Thursday’s Daily Liberal. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to discuss this on...

Regards

This let the air out of our balloon pretty quick but the Lord might have different plans and we may still get some air time when the station is up and operating. As far as Rhema is concerned David has contacted them several times seeking information on obtaining a time slot for a programme with no success. Rhema’s station is located on the Assembly of God property and is pretty much controlled by that church. It is probably best we not be associated with Rhema anyway due to the charismatic involvement. David will be attending the meetings for the new community station when they commence, just to keep up with what is happening.

Tuesday, 2 May, David must attend the annual compulsory Ongoing Professional Development for Registered Marriage Celebrants. David has been the only "religious" celebrant at the last three meetings. The denominational churches have enough numbers to hold their own. It is an eye opener to be around these secular people and hear them talk.

Lest we forget, we want to thank those who remembered David’s birthday in April. THANK YOU! Your thoughtfulness means so much. If you are wondering how old he is, let us just say he will never see 60 again. Finally, we want to thank each of our supporters for their continued financial gifts.

Serving the Saviour in the Land Down Under,