Supporters Update: June09

Has it been a month!

I can't believe that it has been just over a month since the last post. My apologies for the silence. Here's an update of what has been happening.

Family
M and I have been unwell over the last few weeks. A mild flu-like viral thing. While it knocked us around a bit we both seem to have recovered OK, and the good news was that the children remained unaffected. With only 3 weeks left of school term we are looking forward to a bit of a break mid-year.

On the campus
Two very exciting pieces of news. The first is that the E-Networking Mentoring that we have been developing has just over 50 active participants. This is great news. I have met with many of them and heard their joys and struggles in evangelising their friends. It is such a privilege for me to be able to minister to them in this way.

The second is that AnCon (our annual week long conference) which starts on June 29 has hit 600 registrations. This is amazing. Up from 440 in 2008 and 380 in 2007. This year's topic is the Holy Spirit and Rowan Kemp is the main speaker. There will also be a moderate number of non-Christians coming which is very exciting. I am giving two seminars on exploring the validity of Christianity (aimed mainly at non-Christians). I have been trying a different approach using ethics as a entry point, and using a component of Keller's 'Defeater Beliefs' methodology. Please pray that I would continue to give adequate preparation for this in the next week and that God would convict those who hear it.

Conferences
This is the season for various conferences.

• The EU Senior staff will spend 2 days on longer term planning and how to juggle the absence of Caz in semester 2 as she is on leave.
• MTS held a national conference to motivate trainers for recruiting and training. I was asked to give a seminar on the 10 things I have learnt about recruiting apprentices in the last 10 years. This helped crystalise some things that had been 'floating' around in my head for a while.
  
• This week has been the AFES senior staff conference with about 70 staff from around the country. It has been great to be there and catch up with friends from College, and others working hard in student ministry in different contexts.
• Of course - AnCon in 11 days time!
  

Finances
A big thank you to those who over the last few months have committed to giving to the EU Graduates Fund. My support for the year is now getting close to what is needed. This support enables me to continue to serve the students within the EU. I am looking to find another 15-20 people who would commit to supporting me at either $50 or $100 per month. If you would like to support me please send me an email and I'll forward the paperwork.

Other news

• I am currently acting rector at Blakehurst Anglican while the Senior Minister is on LSL. This will be until mid-August. This is the church where I was student minister during College and it will be good to catch up with some of those who I haven't seen for a while. This will involve Sundays and regular preaching.
• I'm also exploring some possibilities for evangelism across Sydney. This is something I started thinking about last year and intend to move forward on in the next 6 months.
  

Thank you for your ongoing support - by way of personal encouragement, prayer and in giving.

Father in heaven,
We give you great thanks for your sovereignty in bringing people to know, love and serve you. We pray for the students within the EU as they share Jesus with their friends. Please continue to give them opportunities to speak with their friends and boldness as they speak of Jesus. We pray that in your mercy you would grant their friends new life in Jesus. We ask that AnCon would be a week where your word is taught truthfully, considered carefully, and applied faithfully. Please change lives. We continue to thank you for the ministry of Jesus and look forward to His return. Come Lord Jesus come.
Amen