Rivers Baptist Church - Christ alone - and Him crucified

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

We hope this update finds you all well in the Lord. God continues to take people on the journey of their lives. The Lord has been growing & stretching our fellowship. What is amazing is how people are responding to His call.

The beginning of this year saw the beginning of a youth ministry in the church. We put on a part time youth pastor, (named Pat), & he & the team are doing an awesome work for Jesus. Pat is also a part time SU chappy in the school. It is great to see God raising up pastoral leadership from the local church.

2007 will also see us losing some people who have been real gems in the church – but we are praising God for that! Some are responding to the call of bible college, others to missionary work. The last 12 months have been formative for these guys spiritually. There is a deep sense of confirmation in Gods calling. Please pray that God will fill the whole that they leave with people hungry for Gods word.

We have seen a lot of natural growth in the church as well – there have been babies popping out everywhere in the last couple of months. Please pray that babies Jude, Lucy & Levi will reach their full destiny in Jesus Christ.

Personally, we are also seeing the refining in our lives and that is bearing much fruit. The Lord has called us this year to a deeper walk and dependence upon Him and to walk in love with all people.
‘God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.’ I John 4 16

This is a challenge.

• The church has called a part-time Youth Pastor – Pat Eastwood, to begin and establish ministry with the youth in our church and community. He is working with a team of 7 leaders. Please pray for the Lord to continue to do His work in the and through the leaders, and in the youth.

• Matt has been leading a teaching/training session on Thursday nights. 1st Term was a study on Revelation, and now they are looking at evangelism and how we can connect with and impact our community.
• We are involved in the Combined Churches unity meetings on the Capricorn Coast. God is doing His work amongst all the churches.
• We have seen new leaders trained and released in the Kids church ministry this year and have just had our first Kids Church Camp. The Kids had an excellent time and the bonding between them was wonderful to see. The focus was how we can serve at home, at church, our community.
• We had a visit from Rob Bartle – MTQ Leader. It was great to have him preach at church and to catch up with him.
  Pray for MTQ as they in the process of changing leaders midyear.

• Rev. Danny Pollock came to minister in May. He did some seminar teaching on the authority of the believer, prophecy and healing. This was followed by some pratical ministry & many people were deeply moved by a fresh work of the Holy Spirit. PRAISE GOD.

Hope the Lord is blessing you. If there is anything that we can be praying about for you, let us know.

The Lord bless you,

Matt, Sue, Gabby, Meg, Emily and Charissa.