Midsummer Moments

Summer! The season that captures and defines the Aussie psyche more than any other. As a word summer is almost synonymous with rest, beach, heat, cricket, suncream, and the occasional question about what day of the week it is. What is there not to love? 

What makes it even better are the ministry opportunities that abound over the summer. People from across all our congregations have been sharing the gospel, encouraging others to grow in the gospel and supporting the work of mission both inside Australia and across the world.

While the last slices of Christmas pudding were being divided up on Boxing Day, dozens of people were preparing to hit the road to go up and down the coast for Beach Missions. These 10 day trips bring people together from different churches under the Scripture Union banner to share the gospel with holiday makers and locals alike. A large crowd of church members were in Kiama this year for SummerLife and Emily Streeter, one of the leaders said “During the 10 days of mission 5 people became Christians, over 170 bibles were handed out and over 1000 people got to hear the gospel.”

While the tents were being rolled up from Beach Mission, Jesse and the team were making final preparations for Summer Camp. 180 youth plus leaders descended on Youthworks Port Hacking for 5 days of faith-filled fun and frivolity. Not even a blackout on Saturday afternoon (yep, the hot day) could spoil the joy of being with friends, swimming, sliding and jumping into water after diving into the Bible each morning. Huge shout out to Nick and Stacey Bell who were houseparents and absolutely nailed it. Lucas Lin said to me, “Through scorching heat, crazy weather and a blackout, deep friendships were formed and nurtured, much fun was had and God moved powerfully in the hearts of youth.”

Meanwhile, overlapping both Beach Missions and Summer Camp was Summer School, the annual CMS missionary conference where 4000 people ascended to Katoomba to hear from Dan Wu on Proverbs and to encourage each other in God’s global mission. Summer School is open to anyone and I’d highly recommend it to families looking for great input for everyone across the summer. The Kids programs are next level - just ask Tash when she starts next Monday (she spoke at the Preschool program) - and our kids have lifelong Christian friends as a result of us committing to be there every year. Caroline shared with the team this week that Rebekah, our Mission Partner who is visiting us in February was there, sharing struggles and joys of life in her part of the world.           

Of course, all the action is not elsewhere. Sunday by Sunday it’s been a joy to gather together and open the Bible here at church as we seek to get connected with God for the year ahead. This little series examining some of the spiritual disciplines has been a real boon for many with one dad commenting that it has provided shape and encouragement for their whole family for the year as they set their course for how they want to be and what they want to do in 2026. Brilliant!  

So much more is happening and summer is a great time to rest so please get stuck into that. But please also be praying for the fruit of all these ministry ventures that Jesus may be honoured, believers may be encouraged and that new Christians may be birthed for the glory of God.