Pastor On Tour

After going via Sydney (My bestest city in the world so far – sad that we didn’t go out of the airport!) we flew on to Adelaide and were picked up by our fabulous hosts Ralph and Margaret who will be looking after us for the week. To say that we have been spoiled is an understatement! Their hospitality is reflective of the Edge Church, a church that seeks to model the value of “giving more than we could ask or imagine…” Thanks so much for your hospitality.

Below are some pictures from the Sunday ministry that I was privileged to be able to deliver in two fabulous churches run by Pastor David Helyard and his amazing team. First at the Northgate Church in the morning and then in the evening to their satellite church in Walaroo. Interestingly enough, Wallaroo (I thought it was Waterloo… honestly!) is known as “Little Cornwall” because of the Cornish Pommes who settled here years ago as the Copper Mines opened up. Yes – you can actually buy pasties here and they also have a Lowender Festival once every two years. Spooky as Dame Edna would say. This Sunday I am preaching at Salt Church in Gawler.. And really looking forward to it.

What can we say about the Edge church and conference… Awesome! (Our friends in Northgate will understand especially the significance of that statement!) To be truthful, it is like the conference has been tailor made for us. Great ministry from Andre Olivier, Brian Houston, Leo Fontaine, Robert Fergusson, Geoff Woodward etc. and of course, even the great John Partington himself! We have made some new great friends that I trust will develop… Many of you know that church is facing a significant challenge at the moment. For me, the way that they are handling it is an inspiration. The last night of the conference was highlighted by a phenomenal spontaneous jazz sessions with Tommy Emmanuel (Ozz’s premier rock guitarist) James Morrision (Ozz’s legendary jazz trumpet player) along with professional newly saved singers Deborah Byrne and Lisa Edwards. What a night!

Hope that this short update finds you well. We fly to Cairns on Tuesday morning via Sydney for the two week beach break in the sun. its tough but someone has to do it….

Our incredible hosts, Ralph and Margaret who have so looked after us. Their house is.. Well, how do I describe it.. Its like, well… heaven!

The only complaint that we could think of was that we were not carried physically from the car to the front door, we actually had to walk!

Thanks so much for your love kindness and hospitality, it is recorded in heaven….

Bluff Cove…

Not a bad spot. This shot was taken in the crisp spring air in a temperature of around, say… 20 degrees

Our hosts at Northgate….

David and Carole Helyard (David is the Senior Pastor of Northgate)

Paul and Ann Helyard (Paul is the Executive Pastor of Northgate)

Ministry at Northgate, a wonderful church that feels like NCC.. It has the same spirit, though its two pastors were prone to exaggerating the dangers of Ozzie spiders, snakes, flying sharks and rabid Kangaroo’s etc. After three hours in a car with them both it felt like the safest thing for us to do for the rest of our stay in Australia would be to seal ourselves in a small room, whilst wearing overcoats, gloves and with our trousers tucked well into our socks, with wellies on!

Scenes from the conference. Around 900 pastors etc. joined together for teaching and inspiration. The whole “Social concern” element (Part of NCC’s DNA) is a cornerstone of the Edges philosophy of ministry.

All of the pastors (including us were totally spoiled for three days, with the very best of ministry, care, love and food (with a huge anointing of chocolate) the “servant spirit” of the church is both inspirational and wonderful to behold. Thank you JESUS indeed!

I was wondering what really summed up the message that God had for me at the conference. There were so many relevant messages that were faithfully delivered. The message of “ storms that reveal defects” from Leon, “warning triangles” from Robert Fergusson, along with “God’s message is a man, and you are that man” Geoff Woodwards “Seasons” impacted meI was massively challenged by Brian Houston’s “Would I meet the Pope” (seriously!) and the three kings that seek to depose us.

But actually, beyond the messages was an overwhelming sense of a church that was “together” in the most traumatic of times. A church that was focused despite the media attention that it was receiving, a church that was positive and inspirational, with a great leader who although he was struggling with huge pain, was magnanimous in his openness and frankness, and showed love warmth and friendship to all of the delegates that he was so intent on blessing. There was an real transparency from all of the speakers, that beyond all of the fun and laughter, and all of the great theology and teaching was fresh in its relevance to the clinical “professionalism” that is so often seen in churches today

A step further? I guess eclipsing everything was the overriding ethic of servant hood that shone through Edge’s volunteers and people as they gave up holidays, worked through the night and did everything within their power to ensure that all were looked after and well catered for.

The experience will last us a lifetime. Our appreciation of John and Andrene Partington, their invite to us along with making sure that we could have the best experience ever is deeply appreciated.. Thanks both… maybe a curry next time?

Love y’all, Pastor Mike and Shelagh