Training & Travelling

What a great honour and privilege it is to be serving in partnership with you for the sake of God’s kingdom. Let us take this time to fill you in on some of the activities that have been taking place here in Broome.

This year Lachlan has taken on the role of Youth & Children’s Ministry Coordinator. Our outreach to the kids of Broome is significant. On Sunday we run three Sunday School age groups for kids 0-13 years old. We have just over 30 kids on our roles and average another 3-5 visiting kids each week as well. During the week Lachlan has the honour of teaching 150 kids in two of the three state primary schools a half-hour ‘Religion In Life’ class each week. Nearly 80% of all the state primary school kids in Broome are being taught religion each week by 6 volunteers – PRAISE GOD! On a Friday afternoon at the church we run our JAFFA (Jesus A Friend For All) kids club. We average around 20 kids to this event. Many of these kids do not normally attend church. This program is also having an impact on the kid’s parents and they hear about Jesus though their kids reporting what they have been taught.

Some of the other roles Lachlan undertakes during the week include running the “Sunday@5” Café church; distributing bread donated by the local Brumby’s bakery to the poor in town; and occasional preaching; funerals, weddings; baptisms and meeting up one-to-one with congregational members. Lachlan has also taken on the role of the North West Diocesan Professional Standards Contact which addresses the issue of abuse in Church. He also organized and ran a church camp over Easter. We camped down at 80 Mile Beach - 360km south of Broome. We were joined by some members of the Port & South Hedland churches on the Saturday. It was great fun camping & learning together.

So with his new roles, ongoing training as an Assistant Minster & deputations Lachlan will be on the road & in the air many times over the coming months. He is enjoying the diversity of his position.

Bec is endeavoring to complete her Graduate Diploma of Bible and Ministries by correspondence this year (20-30 hours per week). She is looking forward to a break at the end of this semester. Bec is also active in our church leading bible studies, meeting with ladies during the week, teaching a Sunday School group, singing in church and consulting on our church buildings’ repairs and renovations.

Colin Buchanan playing in our church

At the end of this semester we have a rare treat of being shouted a trip to Perth for a 3 day marriage conference. We have this opportunity due to the generosity of an anonymous benefactor. We are very grateful for their gift to all the diocese’ clergy and their wives. Colin and Judy have kindly agreed to be surrogate parents for Tim and Emily while we are away.

Tim and Emily love their school and church activities. Tim is also now swimming with the Broome Barracudas swimming team up to 3 times per week and doing “Hip Hop” dance classes. Emily is continuing ballet and piano classes.


Generally our church is growing in their knowledge and love of Christ. Our aim this year is to equip and train people in serving the Lord. The Lord provides in mighty ways and although we said farewell to 8 families last year due to their leaving Broome, we have welcomed another 6 families already this year. This does not include the multitude of travellers who visit us each week (last week we had 15 visitors to our services). At the moment we have around 25-30 adults at 8am, 30-40 adults and 20 kids to 10am and 10-20 at the evening Café church including a number of Aboriginal folk.


Please PRAISE God for:

• Our church growth in our love and knowledge of Christ
• Religion In Life classes in the schools
• Faithful prayer and financial supporters
• The opportunity to proclaim Christ in Broome
• Colin Buchanan’s visit to our church last Sunday. An unexpected treat for the kids (& the adults).
  

Please PRAY for:

• The approval of the Broome Anglican Community School by the independent appeals board on May 29th.
• The July School Holidays “SEASIDE Rock” Kids club run by youth from Perth Reformed churches.
• Family solidarity especially during Lachlan’s intercity travels over the next 2 months.
• Bec’s completion of her Graduate Diploma including successfully completing all her essays and exams.
• The funding and provision of a school chaplain for each of the three state primary schools and the state high school. (Some funding already available)
• The provision of 2-3 volunteer Religion In Life teachers.
• The plight of many Aboriginal people in town and wisdom as to how we can make a difference.
  

Thank you for your continued support,

God Bless