CHURCH PLANTING - HOPE OURIMBAH

In the Hope Movement, we wholeheartedly believe that we can help fulfil the Great Commission by building strong and biblical people to plant strong and biblical churches all over the world. We in Hope Newcastle desire to join with our sister churches all over Australia and the world, and we believe that even though we are a smaller church (at the moment, that is...), God can use us to plant many healthy churches.

Hope Newcastle pioneering in Central Coast

This vision compelled us to start a seed Care Group on the Central Coast earlier this year on February 25th, with a team of 3 people.

We have been meeting at my house on Sunday mornings since then. Each step of the way, we have seen the miraculous hand of God moving. God powerfully called one team mate into the team with multiple confirmations. He then provided two fantastic ministry houses in Ourimbah on the Central Coast, only about 1 kilometre from the uni! The houses are literally in the same street, which greatly assists in communication and avoids lengthy travel times between the houses. God has provided employment in the local area for the two team members who needed a job.

We launched CCM earlier this year, and had a total of 22 contacts during Orientation week.

Starting fellowship Group with 3 people

There are other major praise points too. We have had a steady stream of regular visitors, with care group attendance reaching 15 people at our Care Group on 20 May 2007. This outreach care group included 7 people from Hope Newcastle.

I rejoiced at the fact that they were willing to travel to support us, and that we had 8 people from the Central Coast join us - this is more than double the 3 people we started with!

It has been wonderful to see the servant-heartedness of the Hope Newcastle Care Groups, who have taken turns almost every single week since we started to come down to the Central Coast and support us. My heart is so blessed too when I think of my faithful team members Kane and Christine. We have all grown so much this year, in our ministry skill, in our steadfastness, in our zeal, and in our passion and love for the lost. Christine is such a valuable asset to our efforts, and Kane's consistent joy and enthusiasm has been a constant encouragement - his lack of complaining and unwavering keenness in travelling 1.5 hours or more on the train to join us each Sunday morning is convicting!

The photos are of a care group earlier in the year. That was seriously one of the most powerful experiences of the presence of God I have had in a care group, and a highlight of 2007 for me. It was a truly wonderful time.

God is with us during our challanges

We have had many a battle and struggle over the last few months. However God is our Encourager.

Several phrases seem to keep popping up, such as

"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up" (Gal 6:9),

and "It's all worth it". Brothers and sisters, do not give up. The harvest is coming to your church! It will be all worth it. If your Pastor challenges you to get involved in church-planting, I urge you to seriously take up the call to pray and seek God about what he would have you do. It's all worth it!!!

God bless you abundantly,

Danny Whitbread
Hope Ourimbah