In St Matthew’s centenary year the Lord is setting before us challenging opportunities for proclaiming the glories of the Son. As we approach our Annual Meeting of Parishioners in June, can I ask you to be regular and earnest in prayer, on your own and with others, about the many matters that are before us.
In late February a small group of about 12 people - Unichurch International Fellowship - began to meet for prayer, planning and bible study with a view to establishing an outreach and discipleship ministry among south east Asian students. We are praying that by next year we may be able to recruit some ministry interns to assist Rory in the oversight of this ministry and work towards launching a new congregation.
Between now and the AMP the 10am congregation will undertake a series of congregational prayer meetings and consultations in order to finalise a decision about expanding the mission of the 10am service. The first of these is a meeting for key ministry coordinators including PABS group leaders, next Saturday 12 April, from 9-11:30 am, at the church. All are welcome to attend. This will be followed by the release of a documented proposal by May 4 and a further congregational consultation, after church, on May 18.
By this time next year we plan to commission a team of people, led by Nigel and Liz Gordon to establish a church planting mission. Unlike previous churchplants in which we have been involved, this project will rely on an intentional, relationship-building model, rather than ‘congregation transplant’.
As we think about the Unichurch International Fellowship, the expansion of the 10am ministry, and the 2009 church plant please pray:
- that God will glorify himself through our frail efforts, increasing our trust and devotion to him, and mercifully bringing many into the knowledge of his love in His Son;
- that across our congregations we will have an increasingly widespread, prayerful and convinced commitment to these projects so that we will share (ie fellowship) in the costs and joys of serving the Lord in these ways;
- that the UIF will grow in unity of the faith and be equipped to contact and welcome many SE Asian students;
- that the meetings of 10 am members over the next two months would be constructive and prayerful. That people would be free to air all their concerns and that we will come to a wholehearted agreement about the best way to proceed;
- that the Lord will raise up people willing to join Nigel and Liz in a new way (for us) of evangelising Perth. That Nigel and Liz would know continually the Lord's sovereign ability to provide for them and to use them for His glory;
- that the Lord would raise up someone to labour full time in the City Bible Forum ministry as well as someone to take up leadership of the 5pm congregation;
- for our partnership with Matt and Corinne Malcolm in Dongara and Ray and Lyn Arthur at Maddington through the April missions; and
- for Parish Council and the working groups, in its oversight of our resources, and attention to all the ongoing requirements of the ministry, in the midst of our attempts to advance.
I trust that you share with me a great sense of the privilege of serving the Lord together as St Matthew's in these days. Please pray that all our efforts would result in increasing praise of the glories of the Lord Jesus, our Risen Saviour and mighty, merciful Lord.
In late February a small group of about 12 people - Unichurch International Fellowship - began to meet for prayer, planning and bible study with a view to establishing an outreach and discipleship ministry among south east Asian students. We are praying that by next year we may be able to recruit some ministry interns to assist Rory in the oversight of this ministry and work towards launching a new congregation.
Between now and the AMP the 10am congregation will undertake a series of congregational prayer meetings and consultations in order to finalise a decision about expanding the mission of the 10am service. The first of these is a meeting for key ministry coordinators including PABS group leaders, next Saturday 12 April, from 9-11:30 am, at the church. All are welcome to attend. This will be followed by the release of a documented proposal by May 4 and a further congregational consultation, after church, on May 18.
By this time next year we plan to commission a team of people, led by Nigel and Liz Gordon to establish a church planting mission. Unlike previous churchplants in which we have been involved, this project will rely on an intentional, relationship-building model, rather than ‘congregation transplant’.
As we think about the Unichurch International Fellowship, the expansion of the 10am ministry, and the 2009 church plant please pray:
- that God will glorify himself through our frail efforts, increasing our trust and devotion to him, and mercifully bringing many into the knowledge of his love in His Son;
- that across our congregations we will have an increasingly widespread, prayerful and convinced commitment to these projects so that we will share (ie fellowship) in the costs and joys of serving the Lord in these ways;
- that the UIF will grow in unity of the faith and be equipped to contact and welcome many SE Asian students;
- that the meetings of 10 am members over the next two months would be constructive and prayerful. That people would be free to air all their concerns and that we will come to a wholehearted agreement about the best way to proceed;
- that the Lord will raise up people willing to join Nigel and Liz in a new way (for us) of evangelising Perth. That Nigel and Liz would know continually the Lord's sovereign ability to provide for them and to use them for His glory;
- that the Lord would raise up someone to labour full time in the City Bible Forum ministry as well as someone to take up leadership of the 5pm congregation;
- for our partnership with Matt and Corinne Malcolm in Dongara and Ray and Lyn Arthur at Maddington through the April missions; and
- for Parish Council and the working groups, in its oversight of our resources, and attention to all the ongoing requirements of the ministry, in the midst of our attempts to advance.
I trust that you share with me a great sense of the privilege of serving the Lord together as St Matthew's in these days. Please pray that all our efforts would result in increasing praise of the glories of the Lord Jesus, our Risen Saviour and mighty, merciful Lord.
KDR
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