Travel Itinerary

Upcoming Church Visits in Australia

• 11 October | Grace Bible Church

• 18 October | Bald Hills Presbyterian Church (AM) / Mitchelton Presbyterian Church (PM)

• 19–21 October | Sydney

• 25 October | Village Church (AM & PM)

• 1 November | Redemption Baptist Church

• 8 November | Christ Central Church

• 22 November | Ipswich Central Church

• 29 November | Glasshouse Baptist Church

• 6 December | Noosa Presbyterian Church

• 13 December | Maroochydore Presbyterian Church (AM) / Palmview Church (PM)

• 20 December | Aura Church

• 27 December | Peninsula Presbyterian Church

• 10 January | Coolum Beach Baptist Church

Westminster Creed

I believe man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

I believe that the word of God, contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule given to direct us how to glorify and enjoy God.

I believe God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth; I believe there is but one true living God; that there are three persons in the Godhead: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and that these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; I believe God has foreordained whatever comes to pass; that God made all things of nothing, by the word of His power, in the space of six days, and all very good; and that God preserves and governs all His creatures and all their actions.

I believe our first parents, though created in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, sinned against God, by eating the forbidden fruit; and that their fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery; I believe God determined, out of His mere good pleasure, to deliver His elect out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer; I believe the only Redeemer of God’s elect is the Lord Jesus Christ, who, being the eternal Son of God, became man, and so was, and continues to be, God and man in two distinct natures, and one person, forever; I believe Christ, as our Redeemer, executes the office of a prophet, of a priest, and of a king; I believe Christ as our Redeemer underwent the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, the cursed death of the cross, and burial; He rose again from the dead on the third day, ascended up into heaven, sits at the right hand of God, the Father, and is coming to judge the world at the last day.

I believe we are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit; I believe God requires of us faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance unto life to escape the wrath and curse of God due to us for sin; I believe by His free grace we are effectually called, justified, and sanctified, and gathered into the visible church, out of which there is no ordinary possibility of salvation; I believe that we also are given in this life such accompanying benefits as assurance of God’s love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, and perseverance therein to the end; that at death, we are made perfect in holiness, and immediately pass into glory; and our bodies, being still united in Christ, rest in their graves, till the resurrection; and at the resurrection, we shall be raised up in glory, we shall openly be acknowledged and acquitted in the day of judgement, and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoying of God to all eternity.

(Emphasis in original.)

The Westminster creed is based mostly on the Westminster Shorter Catechism, it is taken from the Pastor’s Book p329/330 (Kent Hughes & Douglas Sean O Donnell, Crossway)

Is God doing something special in Germany?

Yesterday, 18th September, about twenty of us gathered in Giessen, in the heart of Germany, for a meeting called RefNet. RefNet is a new Reformed and Presbyterian network aimed at bringing together like-minded men from across Germany. It began about two years ago and has now developed into an annual gathering.

This year’s theme was “Discipleship,” and we heard from three pastors who spoke on the subject. What I found particularly encouraging was the honesty with which the men shared about the struggles and challenges they face in their respective churches. There was no pretence that everything is easy. Instead, there was a willingness to speak openly about the difficulties of ministry.

But perhaps the most encouraging aspect of the whole day was the fellowship with other men. Knowing that I am not standing alone, but that others are standing together for the gospel, brings immense joy and encouragement to a weary soul. There is something deeply strengthening about meeting with other brothers who are labouring for the same faith and facing many of the same challenges.

An older, retired pastor also charged us to remain under the Word. He repeatedly said to us, “Stay under the Word! Don’t make any compromises!” The weight of those words were felt by us all. This pastor has laboured faithfully, and often alone, to establish a Reformed church in Germany for most of his life, with a gentleness and faithfulness that is not often seen today.

Looking ahead, there are many encouraging signs. Could we be seeing the beginnings of a revival of healthy churches in Germany? We do not know what the Lord has in store, but we can pray for it.

Would you pray with us that God would rebuild His church in Germany? Germany was once the heartland of the Reformation, but today it is very much a mission field. Yet the Lord has not changed, and His promise remains true: Christ will build His church.

As Jesus told Peter: “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18

May the Lord raise up faithful men, establish healthy churches, and cause the gospel to flourish once again in Germany—all for the glory of Christ.

5 ways to care for a gospel worker on home assignment

1. Help gospel workers in practical ways as they prepare for their home assignment. For example assist in organising a car and accommodation during their time in Australia. Many missionaries receive a salary that doesn’t allow for paying double rent, therefore try to find accommodation for them that is not going to be a burden on them but that will also provide the refreshment that they need. Some other ways to help, is to organise someone to pick them up from the airport, fill the cupboard and fridge, help them organise a SIM card, help them with clothes (especially if they are coming from another season), shout them a much needed holiday. Perhaps provide the opportunity for the husband and wife to go on a date.

2. Reassure and encourage. Many workers come home discouraged that they didn’t reach all the objectives and goals that they wanted to during their term. Understand gospel workers have left their work and church behind, and are quite apprehensive about returning to a home culture that they haven’t experienced for a number of years. Many might be nervous about all the changes and the loss of social structure that they have worked hard to cultivate in their host country.

3. Help workers with doctor check ups and/or other help that they can’t get in their host country.

4. Provide gospel workers with pastoral care. Many have gone through a number of hard years filled with stress, disappointments, suffering, and loss. They might just need someone to sit down with them and listen to their needs and concerns.

5. Help gospel workers both to reconnect with existing churches and supporters but also provide the opportunity for them to form new partners.

3 ways you can pray for Germany!

1. Pray Colossians 4:3, “that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ” in Germany. We know that it is only God who saves through the preaching of his word.

2. Pray for the government of Germany to make wise decisions that will enable the gospel to flourish in Germany.

3. Pray that the Lord would provide funds for ministry and church planting. As the evangelical church is quite small (about 1.5% of the population), many churches rely heavily on outside support. There is also the great challenge that every pastor and missionary faces, exorbitant taxes.