January – May 2014 From our home missionaries

Page 3 – Red Dust Ministries

Bro & Sis Meijer

Page 6 – Gold Coast Report Bro & Sis Caltabiano

Page 7 – Darwin Report

Bro & Sis Namakadre

Page 8 – Ballarat Report Bro & Sis Butcher

Page 9 – Ten Target Cities

Newcastle

This last year has seen tremendous success with growth in our Churches. We rejoice in the 10% increase in the Australian Church. Praise God! Additionally we have been buoyed by the ministry of Br & Sis Cole Beebe with over 60 being filled with the Holy Ghost and many being baptized so far. The good news is that we have another evangelist Br & Sis Green travelling throughout our country and ministering during the second half of the year and we are believing God for even more conversions.

We are also excited about the many developments among some of our churches this year, such as; the construction of the Lighthouse Pentecostal Church in Adelaide SA, the major renovations of the  Pentecostals of Sydney building and other churches

are also in the process of applying for the First Church Owners Grant. Our Home Missions churches have also seen significant growth with new souls continuing to be added to the work of God. Australia wide there are contacts seeking for Apostolic churches to be established in their area.  

Our thrust at AHM is still Church Plants. Empirical and research data abounds with the effectiveness of Church plants in reaching more of the unsaved. We want to encourage all churches to plan and prepare to start a preaching point in another location. It is time we start raising more leaders, preachers, missionaries and pastors in fulfillment of this.

 

 

Australian Home Missions Committee Director

Rev. Stanley Harvey (Campsie) Treasurer

Rev. Cameron Butcher (Ballarat) Resources

Greg Hackathorn (Campsie)

 AHM DIRECTOR’S EDITORIAL The Strategy for Reaching the World – Disciple Making Approximately, eighty years ago, Hungarian author Frigyes Karinthy wrote a short story he called “Chain-Links,” in which he proposed the idea that any two individuals in the world are connected through, at most, five acquaintances. The thesis has been revived today and is usually described as “Six Degrees of Separation.

In 1967, the American sociologist,

Stanley Milgram, created a test called “The Small-World Problem.” He randomly selected people in the mid-West to send packages to a stranger in Massachusetts. They were told only the recipient’s name, occupation and general location. They were instructed to send the package only to someone they knew on a first name basis, who would then send it on to another, and so on, until the package finally got to the originally intended recipient. While it was expected that the chain would be at least 100 people long, Milgram actually found that the range was from 2 to 10, with 5 being the average. His study inspired the phrase, “Six Degrees of Separation.” Various forms of the theory have been tested and confirmed, in the decades since. Microsoft analyzed thirty billion Instant Messenger conversations in one month, in 2006. Microsoft analysts confirmed that the average chain of connection between users was 6.6. Yahoo and Facebook are now creating their own test of the theory. When we think about this, it boggles the mind. It’s such a small world!

Recently a leading news magazine in Germany, Die Zeit, decided to put this theory to the test. According to Time:

The paper asked Salah Ben Ghaly, an Iraqi immigrant who owns a local falafel stand, to whom he would most like to be linked. Ghaly, naturally, chose Marlon Brando. It took some months, but Die Zeit managed to relate them. A friend of Ghaly's who lives in California works in the same company as Ken Carson, boyfriend of Michelle Bevin, sorority sister to Christina Kutzer, daughter of Patrick Palmer, producer of Don Juan de Marco, in which Brando starred. Alas, Brando seems unmoved by the relation. He's yet to return Ghaly's calls.

If this theory is correct, then the implications are staggering in that every member of the Church is connected to every single soul in the world. The model that Jesus gave to his followers with regard to world evangelism to make disciples of all

nations (Matt 28:19) is further reinforced with this idea. We can reach the world by winning and discipling one soul at a time. While we can sometimes emphasize the big events and special speakers, which are valuable and have their place, yet I am convinced that the health and increase of the Church comes through the Church evangelizing and disclipling one soul at a time. This model works because when one soul is discipled, the purpose of preaching the Gospel is replicated in another and the chain as a process is perpetuated. The difficulty in many of our churches is the Paretto or 80/20 principle where only 20% of the Church do 80% of the work. If we could increase this by a few percentage points our ability to reach the lost would significantly increase. We must go back to the basics of commissioning our saints to become disciple makers.

Perhaps one of the reasons as to why there are so few involved in this work is because discipleship requires diligence and sacrifice of time, money and other involvements. To disciple someone may often demand picking people up for church, teaching Bible studies, constant contact and support, prayer and counsel, befriending someone new. More importantly, effective discipleship would require opening up our lives to have someone else integrated into it. This is exactly how Jesus discipled the twelve. He lived, ate, slept, taught, ministered and prayed with them as a means of training them and replicating himself in them.

As pastors we must empower and release our churches to become disciple makers. They may be affecting one soul at time but this will ultimately spread and multiply the number of believers. As a Christian, it is not only a good idea but a requirement to make disciples. Somebody said that there are really only two reasons why we cannot disciple; either we are not disciples of the Lord Jesus or we are in direct disobedience to God’s Word. So let us reach the 7 Billion people in this world

On The Homefront | 2 | January – May 2014

 

 

RED DUST HOME MISSIONS 30 APRIL – 14 MAY 2014 Wednesday 30th of April After arriving in sunny Alice, we made two visits to the offices of Indigenous TV, and discovered that our recently added bilingual program Who Jesus Really Is, has had almost 800 hits in its first few weeks! The officer responsible for the collecting of indigenous programming was delighted to see me with another three units of material bringing our total to 5 including the first 2 chapters of the book of Colossians! This officer had visited Santa Teresa, a Catholic mission community, and had good reports of the material even there, as was corroborated by Pastor Langdon on Saturday evening who told us that his wife’s family from the Aranda people, (not Warlpiri) was very interested in the Oneness message! We also had service in Alice Springs and a pleasant time of fellowship with the Hadens.

Saturday 3rd May In Yuendumu we met with Pastor Langdon and we were kindly given the use of a house for a few days, which we are very thankful for, as some doors to accommodation have closed up this year. There was a funeral that afternoon, an old lady who was related to most of the community, thus there was no service. We also met with Pastor Micah from Nyirrpi, where we spent the next few hours in fellowship and discussing the scriptures and happenings at the funeral. Sunday 4th May The community is in ‘sorry’ for a couple of deaths and a violent incident involving relatives in a community further north that resulted in injuries and death. Monday 5th May Still all very quiet and people are staying in their houses. Hard to meet up with people. By 12:00pm we decided to look for Sis Alice and see how she was going with the translation of the ‘Book of Acts’. Next thing she is

calling out to us at the front gate. We had a study at the back of Sis Nola’s house. The service started at 7:30pm, after songs and Bros Micah and Patrick sharing and our greeting. We had 20 minutes for the Word before curfew. The word was ‘Jesus is Looking for a Bride’, and that she is to make herself ready. The Spirit moved, and many of those present kneeled in prayer at the altar. There were about 26 in attendance. We spent a little time with Pastor Patrick and Sis Glorine as they made tea after service, organising the next few days. Tuesday 6th May I prepared a Bible study for our kind hostess on the meaning of the name of Jesus. At the end of it she remarked:,‘Oh I see how you get what you believe’. Later that afternoon Sis Meijer taught a study on what Heaven is like from Rev 21-22. That evening we witnessed to a lady from the south coast of NSW.

On The Homefront | 3 | January – May 2014

 

 

We were with Pastor Jimmy on the verandah, who shared with her a full blood aboriginal’s testimony of the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ over the power of tradition! The Holy Ghost was moving as he shared. Wednesday 7th May with Pastor Patrick. After greetings at the pastor’s house in Yuelamu/Mt Allan, we then went to the church, and did a study on the attributes of God with Pastor and Sis Glorine and four of his leaders. At the end, all the leaders left to go to WA to a place called Ringer Soak for a funeral, and a fist full of teaching DVDs for Sis Shonelle’s family! Later we went to the clinic with Pastor and Sis Singleton to sort out an appointment with an ophthalmologist. We landed a medical examination the following morning, and a further referral on Monday morning to finally see the ‘eye team’ in June. That evening we helped Pastor Patrick set up the church for service, what followed was

a sweet time of worship and praise, with several people in attendance, and praying at the altar.  Thursday 8th May We drove back early from Yuendumu to

accompany Pastor Patrick and Sis Glorine to the medical Centre. The day was spent in fellowship and encouraging our brother and sister. Friday 9th May We travelled to Nyirrpi, set up, and had service with the church and Pastor Micah. The message was ‘Worship the Lord in the Beauty of Holiness’. The Spirit moved and people responded. Saturday 10th May We had Bible study at 11:00am, with several in attendance with the teaching on the first 2 chapters of Acts.  One of the sisters had yet to receive the Holy Ghost, which she had been seeking for some time. She had introduced us to her miracle baby who had been born several months earlier despite doctors’ warnings that she would not be able to have children. She asked Sis Meijer, ‘How do you receive the Holy Ghost?’ To which my wife simply replied,

‘Continue praying at every opportunity and expect the gift from God.’ At 2:00 pm, Sis Meijer had a meeting with the ladies, and in the evening the message was ‘Rejoicing in the Holy Ghost’. There was much praise and worship, and at the altar call, this dear sister (from the morning’s Bible study) was on the ground with her face in the sand. Her testimony is that as she sought God, “There was a cool wind that blew through me and then it (words inspired by the Holy Ghost) just came out.” Praise God Hallelujah! Sunday 11th May A two and a half hour Sunday School lesson, with 28 children in attendance! Games, activities, stories, drama, sausage sandwiches, cut up oranges and prizes, the children loved it! That afternoon sister Meijer taught a Sunday School teachers seminar, as well as distributing the many clothes which had been donated from Faith Point in NSW. That evening the Lord moved wonderfully, with a resulting deep heartfelt

On The Homefront | 4 | January – May 2014

 

 

spontaneous worship under the stars! Monday 12th May A group Bible study using the DVD Walking with Jesus was organised. A lady, who had been sick a few months earlier and the Lord had healed her, arrived beaming. The students enjoyed the material, and were inspired to hold their own weekly Bible study using the DVDs they had been given. After lunch, we held a short session on ‘Feeling after the Spirit’. Wonderfully two of the participants were ‘children’ of the brother Henwood Memorial Seminar, which was run almost a year ago: these were some of the fruit, who are still walking on. One young brother was delightfully comfortable in praying together in the Spirit! After this Sister Meijer held a women’s study time and pastor Micah and I fellowshipped. Tuesday 13th May We drove through Yuendumu checking up for possible cancelled appointment at the hospital so we could take Bro Patrick with us to Alice, but to no avail. We arrived in Alice without incident and after finding lodgings we visited the Hadens.  Wednesday 14th May In Alice: wash the vehicle, wash all the bush clothes, have the new rear shock absorbers

fitted (feels like a different vehicle now), arrange access to the caravan in storage, book a registration inspection, have the vehicle inspected and registered, call in on the Central Land Council to keep track on the progress of the land lease application, call in on Stratco, and have a discussion with the draftsman......etc  Praise God for His faithfulness in the 3 communities, with people being soft to the Spirit and being filled with the Holy Ghost. At this point, we would like to express our appreciation to the pastors, their wives and leaders in the desert, men and women of God, who in addition to the normal burdens of pastoring, encounter and endure many unique, local difficulties which we find hard to understand. We would ask the Australian church to join us in holding up the hands of these precious people in prayer as they labour in their respective fields of the harvest.

Also, please pray with us about some of the urgent needs amongst our desert churches: • That the Lord will heal

Pastor Patrick’s eyesight

• That the ministry will have strength to remain effective

• That the elders of

Yuendumu community will grant a suitable piece of land for a church building at the next meeting

• That the Lord will raise up more labourers amongst the Warlpiri people

Thank you Church of Australia for aiding the work in the red centre. We count it a privilege to work with you in this field.    

On The Homefront | 5 | January – May 2014

 

 

John had come with his partner, Sherry, and the two of them had to take a few months getting used to hearing people speaking in tongues but now he was Spirit filled, thank you Jesus. The next morning, before our final service, my 9 year old son, Judah was baptised and the church stood around the pool to witness the event. Judah had been filled with the Holy Ghost in September 2013. On our final service a lady by the name of Sharon came forward to receive the Holy Ghost but didn't receive it during the altar service so we closed in prayer and everyone made their way outside to take photos except Sharon, she was determined to receive the Holy Ghost and she did. It took only a short moment and she was speaking in other tongues, thank you Jesus. Sharon had been seeking the Holy Ghost for a year and now she was filled. She cried with joy letting everyone know her tears were not of sorrow but deep joy knowing she was now spirit filled.

Two weeks later we were blessed to have the traveling evangelists come, Bro and Sis Beebe and what a tremendous blessing they were. They ministered effectively on the Thursday night on the thought "disciples". We had a games night with the youth on the Friday night and the Beebe's were awesome fellowship. The youth loved them as they were not just anointed on the pulpit, but great to fellowship with as well. On the Saturday evening Bro Beebe preach a powerful message and a lot people came forward to pray. Sherry, the partner of John who was Spirit filled at the camp, came forward to receive the Holy Ghost. Sherry had been discouraged for two weeks because John had receive it but not her and at this service she was determined she was going to get it and she did. Sherry had been a heavy smoker before this time but she has been testifying for the last month now that as soon as she received the

GOLD COAST REPORT 2013 was a year of stability for Gracepoint Church as we faced many challenges however God was with us throughout each challenge. Towards the end of 2013 we planned our events for 2014. We felt it would be good to have a family camp in April with Bro Stan Harvey and his wife Sis Robyn Harvey as our guest speakers. For the first three months leading up to family camp there was a lot of focused prayer and fasting for the family camp, we really wanted to see someone filled with the Holy Ghost. April came and so did the camp. The focus of the camp was "Closer" as we wanted to leave the camp closer to God, closer to family and closer to the church family. On the Saturday evening service we had a mighty move of God and a brother named John who has been attending for just under 2 years was filled with the Holy Ghost and we rejoiced.

On The Homefront | 6 | January – May 2014

 

 

Holy Ghost she has never had another cigarette or the desire to smoke again. While Sherry was being filled we had another sister named Agness, was also filled with the Holy Ghost. Agness had been a Christian for many years but like those in Act 19, she had never been told about the Holy Ghost. When truth was revealed Agness responded and God was faithful in filling her. The next morning many were touched by the preaching and after the service John and Sherry were both baptised in the beautiful name of Jesus as the church joined with angels and rejoiced. God has been good to us this year but please keep praying for us and the other home missions churches as we face many challenges. As winter is approaching us, we usually see a drop in attendances as families get sick or stay at home to avoid the cold, so again please pray for faithfulness, consistency and growth as we continue to labour in His kingdom. God bless, Jacob Caltabiano

DARWIN REPORT After the Conference this year we have been trying to get things rolling. So we started off our January and February with prayer and fasting. Pastor has been teaching and preaching on that topic and also getting Rev Nakauta involved in preaching. Our prayer meeting group which used to be only in Casuarina Library has been extended now, and there's another one going also in Palmerston Library at the same time on Wednesday night. In doing this we found that more people attend the prayer meeting and they pull their socks up, knowing that they are able to attend the one that is convenient to them in their area. Since we came back from the Conference Rev Tukeli Nakauta has been attending a Fijian prayer meeting group on Friday night with the Uniting Church. After every meeting they will ask him to say something, and he has been sharing his testimony. Now that Fijian group meet once a month and they have asked him to share on TITHING & GIVING this Sunday week. He has also set up some bible studies with some of the group members. One of the ladies from that prayer group also attend the Casuarina Prayer Meeting on Wednesdays. Our Bible School has begun again and that has really revived the students since they took one year off of studies. One of the sisters that came to the Conference also came back with a purpose after the conference

On The Homefront | 7 | January – May 2014

 

 

and she has started getting involved with the music ministry. She brought her digital drum set, and her $4k guitar to church and has been playing every Sunday. She has also been training our son on the drum. We were blessed to have the Caltabianos with us for our church’s Anniversary Weekend. We had a tremendous time in the presence of the Lord and the church was encouraged and strengthened. God continues to work in Darwin and we thank you for all your support and prayer.

BALLARAT REPORT We have wonderful news to convey in this quarter's report - we have been tremendously blessed to have 3 baptisms in Ballarat during January. The Lord is working in amazing ways and we are so privileged to be part of the work here. The three saints that were baptised have been extremely faithful in attending services and their hearts are so hungry for the Word of God. We know we shouldn't be surprised by what God does but He is amazing. We have had a number of first time visitors this year, with several people returning multiple times and last Wednesday night we enjoyed our peak biblestudy attendance since moving here in 2012. Our hearts are just so full when we realise that we are surrounded by such faithful

people here in the Ballarat church, who are committed to seeing the work of God expand and reach out to the lost souls of Ballarat and surrounds. It is through the support of these wonderful saints, as well as the support of Australian Home Missions, that we are able to continue working for the Lord and we are truly thankful.

On The Homefront | 8 | January – May 2014

 

   

TEN TARGET CITIES Newcastle, NSW The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in New South Wales. With a population of 540,796 in the greater Newcastle area (154,777 in the city itself) this region is considered the seventh largest ‘city’ in Australia. Yet despite this vast population there is no UPCA church located in Newcastle. Located at the mouth of the Hunter River, Newcastle is the largest coal exporting harbour in the world and is the gateway to the Hunter Valley. With a good transport system (only 160km NNE of Sydney), busy city centre and excellent public and private schools the city has everything that has come to be

expected in a major population centre. Newcastle even has it’s own professional Rugby League and A- League team. This is a beautiful part of the world and one that we must reach for Jesus Christ! Other Target Cities

Gladstone, QLD Mooloolaba, QLD Toowoomba, QLD Armidale, NSW Dubbo, NSW Wagga Wagga, VIC Mildura, VIC Bunbury, WA Launceston, TAS

We are looking to churches to appeal to the workers and leaders in their assemblies to take up the challenge of going into these new areas and we are praying for individuals to take the step of faith

Austral ia Home Missions United Pentecostal Church of Austral ia

Director. Rev. Stanley Harvey

PO Box 12 Belmore NSW 2192

Phone. (02) 9718 8086 Fax. (02) 9718 2679 australianhomemissions@gmail.com

www.upca.org.au

Austral ia Home Missions Purpose Statement.

VISION: Every Church in Australia involved in planting new Churches.

MISSION STATEMENT: is to inspire and equip every UPC church in Australia to win and disciple the unsaved through planting new works in unreached areas and significant population centres.

GOAL: Every existing Church to start one new Daughter Work by 2018.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS FOR OUR HOME MISSIONS WORKS AND FOR AUSTRALIA.

Donate to the Austral ian Home Missions

ACC Name: Australian Home Missions UPC ACC No: 1008 7203 BSB No: 06 4170 PO Box 739 Ballarat, VIC 3353

Please ensure that any donations are submitted through your local assembly.

On The Homefront | 9 | January – May 2014

First Church Owners Grant recipients Gospel Lighthouse Pentecostal Church, Adelaide