How do you prepare for such a journey?
Friday 5th August 2022
As a 17 year old, I (Ken) was about to embark on my first overseas trip. A 12 month journey to Thailand to live as an exchange student with a local host family, who doesn't speak English. I would be living in the far north East of the country and attending the region's High School where each morning's assembly included honoring Buddha. What I didn't know at the time was that I would be the only white face person in my host town and the surrounding villages, and to my knowledge, the only born again believer. My host family would prepare food offerings for their dead ancestors each month and participate in Buddhist rituals. They had no refrigerator, no hot water, and the toilet was a hole in the ground. The family was made up of an amalgamation of four different sets of siblings, of vastly different ages, yet all related. Underlying issues in the relationships were fear, offense, insecurity, and pride. And my host father would try to get me to watch pornographic videos with him and his mates.
How do you prepare for such a journey? We generally think in terms of what one packs in their suitcase. Perhaps buying a book on how to learn the Thai language, and purchasing some Aussie souvenirs as gifts. But none of that really prepares you for the experience ahead.
The Israelites packed in a hurry for their trip to the Promised land, yet they were definitely not prepared for what was to come. As Pastor Braam pointed out:
“God sometimes takes us supernaturally out of Egypt, but he has a hard time getting Egypt out of us."
This first part of our new series 'Destination Promised Land' is focusing on God's WISDOM needed to make the journey to the promised Land. Along the way God wants to prepare each of us so:
- We are not held back because of our past
- We are not influenced by the thinking that operates in our subconscious mind
- We learn how to enter into our full inheritance and destiny in God
Small Group Conference | Highlights
Last Saturday, we hosted a Small Group conference here at the church where Small Group leaders from our church and across Victoria gathered to be equipped and inspired. It was a great time of learning from Saddleback Church speakers who travelled from America to minister and invest into us here in Australia. We also received great feedback just how welcoming and hospitable our church is from people who don't normally come to our church. What a privilege it is to be God's presence to the Small Group community across our state!
Food Pantry | Pick up at your next shop
Can you give someone a hand up, not a hand out, but a hand up this season? Due to the latest global economic conditions that are affecting our local community, the number of families that seek assistance from the Food Pantry has increased. You can Be HIs presence in Every Place and Serve the City by buying some or one of these items at your next grocery shop and donating them to the Food Pantry at the church.
- Toilet paper
- Long life milk
- Spreads
- Sweet biscuits
- Savoury biscuits
- Tinned vegetables
- Tinned fruit
- Shampoo
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
Thank you for giving someone a hand up in this season.
Operation Christmas Child | Bring joy and Jesus to the life of a child this Christmas
Would you like to bring joy to young people? Would you like to bring the gospel of Jesus to children? Would you like to transform the life of a child in a third world country? You have the opportunity to do this by taking part in Operation Christmas Child. And you can do it in 6 easy steps!
- Go to the Next Steps Desk and purchase a box for 50 cents
- Fill the box with the gifts
- Label your box
- Bring the box back by 25th September 2022
- Make a $10 donation for shipping and gospel materials
- Pray for the child who will receive your box
Bring joy and Jesus to the life of a child this Christmas by taking part in Operation Christmas Child.
Find out more by going to the Next Steps Desk before and after the Sunday worship service.
Fuse Youth | Friday 22nd July
This week at FUSE Youth we are continuing our series #RELATIONSHIPS! Come along ready to hear from an amazing panel as they answer your tough questions on all things friendships! Of course, the night will also include a time of worship together, good chats, and good food!
Key details:
- 7-9.30pm
- $5
- @BCOC
Kids Church | Sunday 7th August
Join us in person or online 10am this Sunday at Kids Church…
PREP – GRADE 6 | L-O-V-E
Love God by loving others | Matthew 22:34-40
WONDERKIDS & LITTLE SPARKS | God made everything
God made me | Genesis 1
Sunday Service | Promised Land – Wisdom 3
Wisdom to enter your Inheritance
Sometimes in our lowest points we dream of simply surviving, yet at that very moment God is dreaming of a future for us and an inheritance beyond what we can imagine. However, sometimes our past, and the impact on our subconscious mind rises up to rob us off what God plans for us.
Pastor Ken Rayment, will help us learn WISDOM from Israel’s journey from Egypt to the promised land, learn WISDOM from other’s stories, and learn WISDOM how to practically walk free and enter fully into our future, our inheritance, our promised land!
This Sunday at 10:00am join us onsite or online for the next stage of the journey…
If you missed last week’s message, click here.
If you can’t make it Sunday in person, join us online and watch live stream via YouTube or Facebook at 10am.
Men’s Night | Sunday 7th August
It's finally here! Meet Essendon Football Clubs chaplain Mark Purser who is in his sixth season after serving the Adelaide Crows in the same role for 5 seasons where he dealt with the deaths of two prominent coaches at the Crows within a 15 month period. We can't wait to see you Sunday at 6pm as Mark shares how being resilient can help you reach your goals.
Make sure to wear your favourite footy colours!
Details:
- Date: This Sunday 7th August
- Time: 6.00pm – 9.00pm
- Where: 446 Centre Road, Berwick, room 1
- Included: BBQ, drink & roaring fire
Boys Brigade | Monday 8th August
Be part of the action Monday night. For over 20 years the Boys Brigade has advanced Christ’s Kingdom among boys.
ANCHORS | Grades 1 & 2: 6pm – 7.15pm
JUNIORS | Grades 3 – 6: 7pm – 8.30pm
SENIORS | Grades 7 to 18 years old: 7pm – 9.30pm
Seniors Ministry | Wednesday 10th August
Our Seniors Ministry will have a visit from Rabbi Lawrence Hirsch who will speak to us about evangelism to Jews in both Australia & Russia. He will bring a message entitled “The hem of His garment.”
Details:
- Time: 1.30pm – 4.00pm
- Bring: please bring a plate for everyone to share
Wayne Zschech | Sunday 14th August
Wayne is the Field leader for Operation Mobilisation in Ukraine. He has a vision for Community Transformation and his passion is to see Christian enterprises established to become catalysts of change in their communities.
Wayne first moved to Ukraine in April 1993, just a week before his 18th birthday. His plan was to give God a year of his life before returning home to become a fighter pilot with the Royal Australian Air Force. God, however, had a better idea! Now more than 29 years later, Wayne is still there!
Join us to hear Wayne’s story, and how to help Churches be the hands and feet of Jesus. For more details, click here.
Details:
- Date: Sunday, August 14th 2022
- Time: 5.30pm
Baptism Celebration | Sunday 28th August
Baptism is the complete immersion into water of those who have confessed their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son and their Saviour.
However, it is more than just immersion in water. It has a number of significant meanings.
Complete the expression of interest form if you would like to be contacted about being Baptised.
Thank you for being His Presence in Every Place!
ken rayment
Church Planting Pastor
