BCA  –  Newsletter  November  2014  

…..   1  

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. May He bless you with grace, sustain you in peace, and strengthen you with wisdom and understanding so that in faith, hope and love you may always and in every way, in the power of the Holy Spirit, proclaim Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Like everyone we are wondering just where the year has gone. We are so in awe of God's mercy and goodness to us to be able to minister in such times as these. We have been very encouraged by your prayers, emails and letters. Please do not underestimate the strength that they give us to carry on serving our mighty God.  

Ben  &  Meegan When last we wrote, we asked that you would join us in prayer for a young couple (Ben and Meegan) who we asked to do Christianity Explained after attending our Easter services. All praise be to God, they have given their lives to Christ. Isn't it a wonderful thing when new Christians are part of the congregation!? It buoyed us all. Ben gave his life to

Christ the “Men of Iron” camp and Meegan gave her life to Christ the same weekend. Ben who is a geologist, lost his job in the redundancies that were announced three months ago. They have just left Newman, knowing who they are in Christ and having hope for their future. But before leaving both of them wanted to reaffirm their marriage vows under Christ. This was a big move as Meegan had been one of the main marriage celebrants in Newman and at the service there were more no-Christians in church than Christians.

“Men of Iron” The "Men of Iron" Men’s camp was once again a great blessing to those who attended. There were blokes from Sydney, Karratha, Port Hedland, Perth and Newman. We camped at Pardoo Station, which is about a100 kms North of Port Hedland. The food was good, the fellowship was great and the teaching from our good friend Nathain Secker from Presbyterian Youth & the Timothy Partnership, was excellent! It was on work, money and relationships. From the time Derek invited Nathain to be the guest speaker, Nathain prayed about the talks he would give and believed that they were the teachings he was meant to give. When he was told the day before the camp, that four of the men from Newman had just lost their jobs he said " these talks are going to be like antiseptic on a wound. They will hurt like hell, but if allowed to sink in, they will bring healing". The healing came. Ben gave his life to Christ and others were enriched in their walk with Jesus. No. 4 Son Our youngest son Gordon (photo below) has just spent three months up in Newman with Ma

BCA  –  Newsletter  November  2014  

…..   2  

& Pa, and has left Newman recharged in his Christian walk. Praise God.

Raise the Bar Was the name of our church camp that we held in Marble Bar in August. The photo is of Gordon holding part of the banner that we made. Highlights of the camp were the fellowship at night in the local caravan park and the sightseeing around this spectacular place. We held a church service on Sunday in St. Hugh’s or as everyone called it, “Donga Church.”

The funny thing is, we thought that the old church on the hill was the Anglican Church and had invited people from Marble Bar to it, only to find out it was the Catholic Church!! At nighttime we all gathered round and sung choruses and to our delight, we had some travellers come and join in. On the last night we were there, one of the prospectors who we had had a bit of contact with and who had taught us to "pan", came over and gave each of the children a small gold nugget! BCA Conference The Bush Church Aid Conference in September was a great time to be recharged and refreshed. It is one of the rare times when we go away that we are simply filled with good teaching and great fellowship, without having to be the organisers. It is like gold! We had a space of ten days before our Diocesan School of Theology followed by Synod. + Peter Jensen was the speaker for the School of Theology. No wonder we are feeling charged up and raring to go! Roy Hill Project Derek was appointed Chaplain to Roy Hill Project in August and it has been a wonderful venture in the Lord. When Roy Hill initially approached him they were looking for a Chaplain for 2 days a week. But after a couple of visits they asked if he could also include the Rail Camps and the Gateway Village in Pt. Hedland as well. Derek spoke to our Parish Council and their response was, "If it means getting the Gospel of Jesus out to those guys, Derek, go for it. You have our full support". This has come from men who would dearly love a Chaplain in their own work place, who don't have one, yet have the maturity in Christ to give up their Minister for two Sundays a month and take the services while he is away. We are so blessed to be part of this wonderful faith community. Derek visits the Mine Village, the four Rail Camps, and the Gateway Village in Pt Hedland

BCA  –  Newsletter  November  2014  

…..   3  

twice a month. He is away for nine days and back in Newman for five days per fortnight. It has been a big change for everyone and Amanda says " I wouldn't give him up for any one but Jesus". The ministry comes under the banner “Look up & Live” and a monthly newsletter aims to promote the subject of faith in the workplace. The workers are typically Australian, - don’t say much - but they really appreciate the initiative by Roy Hill and the presence of a Chaplain on-site. And one for the Dr. Who Fans

Is there a mid life crisis happening here? Some would say yes. This old troopie has been in Newman for over thirty years. Derek bought it for $250 as a project and named it "The Tardis" as it has travelled through time. Interestingly, a contact Derek established with a truck driver through the “Truckies Outreach” has recently finished his restoration of an FJ45 troopie just like this one. Derek says “Inspiration comes in many different ways” but Amanda is yet to be convinced.

The “Deeper Group”

Our children's Bible Study has continued to grow in ways that give us all great encouragement. We now have fourteen 8-15 year olds studying the Bible in our "Deeper Group” each Monday afternoon. They are just a wonderful group who have great respect for each other, and a desire to truly understand more of God's ways. It has been so clearly shown to us that we don't need gimmicks to attract young people, what we need is to show them the awesomeness of God's written Word in a vibrant way. We Praise God for Amanda's

co-leader Betty who delights in God's ways and who is an integral part of the ministry teams here. We’re not done yet! Having been in Newman for four years next January, we thought it would be a good idea to stay for another two years. Praise the Lord, so did + Gary and BCA. As we close this newsletter, we again thank you for your support and courage giving.

“Look up & Live”

BCA  –  Newsletter  November  2014  

…..   4