Over 12 months ago my Youth Pastor, James Middleton, and I, started discussing the possibility of planting a Campus of Inglewood Church. We talked about what was in our area, where the needs where, and what we could do.
I put it to him that we should take a risk and launch out. He took up the challenge and we decided he would be the Campus Pastor of a Church Plant at Edith Cowan University at Mnt Lawley.
It is close to our Church, it has a demographic our Church lacks, and it is strategic. As the vision was birthed in our hearts a story started to be told. Imagine if we could see students from all over the world be sent out to a world to be leaders in government, enterprise, education and the arts…having discovered Jesus.

James and the very hardworking team from Inglewood Community Church have been serving pancakes, giving food and practical help, driving international students around and generally serving them for the past 12 months. It is a great and hardworking team, dedicated to Jesus, and the students at ECU. They help in whatever area they can and are authentic examples of Christ followers.

We launched the service this Sunday night at the University Campus. The idea being we are there to serve them, and to be a positive influence on Campus. About 40 people turned up, the committed ones, some interested onlookers, and some visitors. It was a great start and we are very excited about what God is going to do.

James Welcomes People to The Hub

17 “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none,
      and their tongues are parched from thirst,
   then I, the Lord, will answer them.
      I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them.
 18 I will open up rivers for them on the high plateaus.
      I will give them fountains of water in the valleys.
   I will fill the desert with pools of water.
      Rivers fed by springs will flow across the parched ground.
 19 I will plant trees in the barren desert—
      cedar, acacia, myrtle, olive, cypress, fir, and pine.
 20 I am doing this so all who see this miracle
      will understand what it means—
   that it is the Lord who has done this,
      the Holy One of Israel who created it.

Its been a busy weekend, with a dark Monday to kick off the week.
We look after some children from a family going through some struggles on the weekend. Lovely kids, but having them at our place created an unbalance and made me appreciate my family.

Yesterday I had a few difficult things to deal with. Being a church which meets in a temporary facility brings with it unique challenges. Not owning, or even leasing, property means you don’t have authority to do what you need to sometimes….Brian Houston from Hillsong Church gave a message once on what it was like when his church was renting different facilities. He talked about how ownership gave you authority…and freedom.

Our Church stands at the precipice of our next big move, and it is intimidating, but necessary. We can’t stay where we are, for many reasons.

I have many balls to juggle. Along with trying to sell property, launch a new campus, deal with Church issues for next years and plan for long service. Love my church, love my ministry…but its pretty all encompassing in my thinking at the moment.

Mark Mark Mark….busy busy busy….

Selling land
Many Pastors become real estate agents when they leave the ministry, I am one while still in it…sort of.
Our Board has decided to sell the land ourselves, although we are getting some help. This has been a steep learning curve for me, but as with all things, its about people. The revenue from these blocks will help us achieve our long term vision of building a community theatre. Want some great land in Bedford?
Go here

Hub Launch
Very excited as we are only two weeks away from launching our second campus, at ECU Mnt Lawley. Had the core team around for a meal on Sunday night. We shared communion together and I prayed for them all by name. Also asked them what their fears were… We had a great time. I shared with them that their role is to be faithful, and pray for fruitfulness….but ultimately it is God who will bring the growth. If you are interested in getting involved, check out some of the details here

Long service leave
Looks like we have the first four weeks of our long service leave sorted…now for the next 8 or so weeks. Know anyone in Tassie who wants to let us look after their house over Christmas? 😉

Going to Real Mens conference this year organised by my friend and mentor John Finkelde.
Last years highlight for me was Graham Maybury. He was frank, direct and humorous…which is always good!
This is definitely a great conference for blokes to get together…and be encouraged.
Love to see you there!

More…

Recently the 7pm Project has had some great stories on their show featuring people making a positive difference in the world.
On Monday they featured Ollie from Wheelchairs for Kids.
A lady from our Church, Lois, is a OT and goes to Vanuatu annually to help children with disabilities there. Also the cushions for the wheelchairs are sewn up by our purposeful craft group, Words Works and Wonders.