Moore College

Equipping men and women to love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ

St Andrew’s Cathedral School Mission 2021 Day 6

St Andrew’s Cathedral School Mission 2021 Day 6

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“I enjoyed joining the Year 8 girls bible study group one lunchtime. We discussed the importance of pressing on as a Christian, from Philippians 3. The girls really started to focus and listen when a question came up about how we should respond when those around us are against Christianity or Jesus. This is obviously something they live with day by day, and it was a privilege to have a moment to point them to the Bible passage we’d read (Phil 3:18-19) and help them see that we should grieve for those who live as enemies of the cross, rather than feel intimidated by them.” (Steph Adams)

Friday saw the end of our time at St Andrew’s Cathedral School. We finished our debrief this afternoon full of thankfulness for all the ministry, learning and encouragement that has gone on this week! We were especially privileged to hear some great talks from Andy, Tim, Braydon and Becki in chapels and cru groups. Year 12 chapel was a special highlight. We only had 16 minutes to run the session, and students began the time aloof, but by the end of Tim’s talk on the “centurion’s big mistake” in the crucifixion passage, you could have heard a pin drop. Pray that God would be at work in these students so they would make the most of their final year of Christian education and come to clear convictions about the gospel.

Prayer points:

  • Thanks for chapel services and cru groups during the week, where the gospel was clearly and winsomely presented by all who shared
  • Thanks for the ongoing privilege of being able to minister the gospel in many schools
  • Pray for Craig Tubman and the chaplaincy team at SACS as they seek to engage the student and staff bodies with the good news of Jesus week in, week out. We were encouraged by their enthusiasm and thoughtfulness this week.

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Maitland Mission 2021 Day 6

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God is good. When you go door-knocking, you never know who you’re going to meet or how they will respond. Friday morning gave us the opportunity to meet residents who lived close to where MEC meets at Maitland Grossman High School, as well as the growing area of Gillieston Heights. Praise God for all the times we were able to shine a positive light on MEC.

A few of the conversations stood out. Hosea met a gentleman who suffers from chronic back and neck pain. When Hosea offered to pray for him, he extended his hand as if for a handshake. As Hosea prayed, they held hands firmly – it felt like there was a strong appreciation and connection.

Tessa from MEC gave us a real appreciation for how God can work through real partnerships in the community. It was so helpful and inspiring to learn how MEC shows practical care and love for those who are outside of the church family driven by real gospel goals. We heard how a year six boy who was apathetic during Scripture classes was so appreciative of a care pack he was given on behalf of MEC. He was so shocked and thankful. Praise God for how he has been showing his love through the people of MEC.

In the evening, some of the team joined the MEC youth group – Fusion. It was a high energy, fun and encouraging night with Marc preaching on John 16:33. God spoke humorously, clearly and faithfully through Marc about the hope we have in Jesus because he has overcome our sin. All the youth were glued to his speaking and many came away encouraged.

Lachie and Jess came up with some fun and thematic activities like Build-Up Scissors, Paper, Rock. The major activity was passing around a ‘comic strip’ that the kids had to contribute to creating a narrative for a quirky character that had impossible tasks to overcome and then interesting superpowers to do so. Rhys and Julian and Emma played ‘O Praise the Name’ as a musical item which many of the kids joined in on singing or clapping – it was a treat. The whole night was so fun and encouraging to see what God is doing through Erich and the youth team at MEC.


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Liverpool South Mission 2021 Day 6

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As Friday kicked off, the Liverpool South team continued spending time in Luke 10, as we reflected further on what it looks like to be a disciple of Jesus. Following this, the team was provided with further training from Assistant Minister Matt Bales. Over the course of the week, the team has been equipped to speak with a great variety of people and cultural groups, as well as religious and spiritual backgrounds, with today’s focus on reaching people with a succinct sharing of our testimony, alongside Bible stories.

Having practised and prayed, the Liverpool South team then undertook the task of going to the main shopping strips of Liverpool to specifically have conversations with those who were clearly religious or spiritual. Split into threes and fours, many of our groups managed to have some initial dialogue with palm readers, often from a Hindu background, who emphasised a belief that centred on worshipping all ‘gods’, including Jesus. This presented an interesting challenge for our team members, who sought to be gracious and hear and learn from those they interacted with, whilst also presenting the exclusive truth of the gospel, of the Lord Jesus as the only way to the Father. Some of our team members also managed to play some chess with Iraqi-background locals, Mandaeans, a religion that centres on teachings alleged to stem from John the Baptist.

After a late lunch, some of the team continued working on preparing for upcoming talks and ministries, whilst others were trained in how to move evangelistic conversations along from initial introductions and observations of religious beliefs to more meaningful discussions about how sin and the debt owed by humans can be dealt with, so as to allow a relationship with God. The training provided was especially in the context of reaching Muslims with the gospel, demonstrating the differences that exist in the two faiths and the nature of salvation and righteousness. This led to further doorknocking efforts, where two of our team members, Stuart and Anna, were able to spend time in two homes, having extended chats with those who felt particularly isolated from society.

Finally, in the evening, our team was split up into several different ministry opportunities: for some team members, they were treated to dinners with church families; for most of our women, they were a part of a Women’s Bible study for south Indian women at Liverpool South Anglican, where they led the women in Philippians 4. The rest of the team served the church’s youth group, which was a delight, as the students were challenged to grapple with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. A particular highlight of the youth group was seeing the eleven students coming to terms with the reality that we can only be right with God when we trust fully and completely in Jesus, acknowledging our sin and asking for forgiveness – rather than on our own actions. Further to this, the students were in awe at the nerf-gun, laser-tag-style battle, complete with smoke machine, obstacles and Simon Gillham showing some real talent!

Overall, we are grateful that God was at work in so many conversations and gospel opportunities, where Jesus was proclaimed to people from all backgrounds, ages, cultures and walks of life.
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ENC Mission 2021 Day 6

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Leppington

Today, we were able to partner with Hope Anglican Church and witness the growth of south-west Sydney for ourselves. We began with visiting local parks and shopping centres to hand out flyers for upcoming Easter services. We then ran a SRE assembly at a local primary school about Jesus, the good shepherd who knows us and loves us. After an opportunity to hear from some ministry staff about the future growth of the area, we got to be a part of their wild Friday night HUB where kids, youth and parents all come together. It was interesting to hear the motivation behind doing ministry in this way and immediately seeing it unfold.

Praise God for the way Hope Anglican has been able to connect with the community in an area that is going to grow massively over the next few years. It’s so encouraging to hear how God has already exceeded expectations.

Pray for the kids from the SRE assembly that they would know Jesus as their good shepherd and ask their parents to go along to church for Easter.

Chester Hill

Today we started the day with some door knocking in Chester Hill and Villawood. This was a great opportunity to get out into the community and let people know about the international dinner, the Villawood community picnic and upcoming Easter services.

In the afternoon we got involved with the kid’s club and helped set up for the international dinner. After the kid’s club, we ran an Easter egg hunt, a skit and a craft. The international dinner was a wonderful expression of community as it brought together many different cultures and was a great opportunity to meet people from the local area.

Please pray for all the people we met today from various backgrounds and cultures. Pray that they would let the gospel into their hearts. Also, pray for Paul and his team as they navigate ministry in this context and work hard to help love and support their community.
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Emu Plains Mission 2021 Day 6

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We had a few things happening on Friday afternoon!

Some of us helped out with their years 6 to 8 youth group. Since we were at the end of term 1, we were summarising what they had learnt (can you guess from the picture below what book of the Bible they had been learning from?).

Some of us served at Kids In Christ, where we spent time with early primary school kids. Lots of fun games and activities! They had been learning about Jesus’ resurrection and thinking about what eternity means… it’s a difficult concept! Praise God that we may spend eternity with him because of Jesus.

Some of us helped out at a pop-up café where parents would meet while their toddlers went to Kids in Christ. It was a joy getting to know the parents and chatting about their lives, their kids, and church.

The night event was an evening for the youth, with a focus on connecting youth to the church and evangelism. After a fun game with some zombies, Martin shared his testimony, on how he saw that true meaning and purpose could only be found in God. He then recited the transfiguration passage of Mark 9:1–13 from memory with actions (something the leaders have been doing all term) as an engaging way for the youth to learn from Mark’s gospel. The youth separated into small groups where they retold the story and discussed what it means.

Prayer points:

  • Thank God for many faithful brothers and sisters at Emu Plains Anglican who we can serve the kids and parents alongside.
  • Pray that the kids at Kids in Christ would trust in Jesus, who makes us right with God for eternity.
  • Pray that the youth would know that Jesus is the Son of God, who we should listen to (Mark 9:7). Pray that they would respond in faith.

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Church @ the Peak 2021 Day 6

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In the morning some of the team headed to Beauty Point Resort to help run the monthly chapel service. True to its name, it was a large, beautiful retirement village and one of our team members has already enquired about being put on the waiting list.

There are two ladies from the church who live there and see the place as their mission field. It was such an encouragement hearing how invested they are in reaching out to their neighbours, running Bible studies and Christianity Explored courses, and regularly inviting residents to church.

Ming gave a clear gospel talk on Jesus healing the paralysed man and urged the residents to recognise our biggest problem is our need for forgiveness. We enjoyed lunch afterwards shouted by the owner of the resort who is a Christian and was very excited to have Moore College students there.

In the evening half of us helped with leading a youth group while the other half put on a BBQ for youth group parents. Angus called on the youth to humble themselves or be humbled as he preached on the parable of the Pharisee and tax collector. Over at the park, some of our talented musicians offered live music while others milled around chatting to parents.

 Praise God for the conversations we had over this day. Pray that the Spirit will be at work in the retirees, the youth, and the parents. Pray that many might come along on Sunday.
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