After a quiet morning, our day started off with a fun and useful team activity where Lionel taught us some exercises to improve our speech so that we could speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15) more effectively!
In the afternoon, Roger and Louise (the rector and his wife) explained some of the history of the church and how they navigated conflict when they started at Emu Plains Anglican. We learnt about the importance of healthy conflict (short-term pain for long-term gain), the importance of humility in being open to others’ ideas while holding firmly to biblical truth, and the patience required in bringing change to a church’s culture.
Soon, we were door-knocking, inviting local residents to the church’s Back to Church Sunday and the Easter services. As usual, there were some short ‘not interested’ conversations, but we had a few interesting chats too! One man said he found it difficult to go to church because he was a “wildcat” (as he described himself); we prayed with him and he’s thinking about coming back to church. A young mum recognised that she hadn’t thought much about Jesus or church and realised she needed to think more seriously about it. Another lady heard we were from Emu Plains Anglican and slammed the door shut with a “no!”. And one woman said she had been thinking about coming to church for a while, and that this was a timely invitation to come to church.
Debriefing after our door knocking
The Men’s event at night was a Meat & Meet. We had a delicious spit roast for dinner, and it was a relaxed and friendly environment for church members and their friends to come along to meet each other and hear a short testimony. Sam shared his story of how Jesus changed his life, and how there are costs to discipleship but that the great joy and hope far outweigh the costs. There were good conversations and challenges on what life is about and what it means to respond to Jesus. From the feedback cards, some men are now being followed up for Christianity Explored, coming to church, and reading the Bible with someone!
Sam sharing his testimony at the Men’s Meat & Meet
Prayer points:
- Thank God for Roger, Louise, and the Emu Plains Anglican team, and their hard work in sharing the gospel and growing people as disciples of Christ. Thank God for their wisdom and the lessons they learnt that they were able to pass on to us.
- Pray for those we spoke to during door knocking. Pray that they would be challenged to explore who Jesus really is, that people would come to church, that they would trust in Jesus and be saved.
- Pray for the men who went to the Meat & Meet. Pray that they would be encouraged and challenged by Sam’s testimony and by one another to respond to Jesus in repentance and faith.
