We had some very welcome guests at our Wednesday 

morning prayer meeting. We gathered on the deck, as it 

was such a glorious morning, and just before we began 

with prayers of praise, a pair of King Parrots flew in to join 

us on the railing. What a treat, and it wasn’t hard to launch 

into worshipping our Creator after that!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim 

the work of his hands. Psalms 19:1
 

Unexpected things happen when we gather to pray. Birds may not always fly in, but the Holy Spirit always comes near, revealing God’s glory and bringing his peace and help. Just as the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus like a Dove at his baptism, so the Holy Spirit rests on each of us as we honour God in baptism, depend on him in prayer, and step into our callings.  

Last Sunday it was a privilege to pray with many people who responded to God’s call through is word. Mel and I were able to anoint people with oil, a symbol of being set apart for God’s wonderful and holy purposes. That opportunity wasn’t isolated, because each Sunday our prayer ministry team are in the front row available to pray with people. Just by coming to receive prayer, is the act of trust needed for God to work powerfully in our lives. 

On Sunday afternoon I am running a short Baptism class in the upper room at 3pm. Baptisms are our favourite celebration in the church. That’s because every person matters to God, and when they outwardly declare their faith in baptism, all of heaven and the church rejoice. Jesus died for our sins and rose from the grave. Baptism is for those who have personally trusted in this for forgiveness and have received the sure hope of eternal life beyond the grave.  

Sometimes we might wonder why we don’t experience more of the power of God in our lives. Acts 1:8 makes it clear what the power is for. It’s not something we chase for an experience, even though we certainly experience God’s presence with us. It’s an empowering that arrives whenever we seek to witness to Jesus life and work. We do this in how we serve, and how we testify. 

We are filled with the Spirit in special ways whenever we gather to pray, unashamedly confess our love for Jesus in baptism, and when we step out to serve and point others to the person and work of Christ. Maybe God IS calling you to respond in one of those ways today. Our pastoral team would be honoured to guide you in your next steps.

Marty

This week we had a fire flare up on council land not far from the back of the church. We are so thankful for the firefighters who were equipped and responsive to extinguish it quickly. Plus the fire hydrant we installed as a requirement of building the church came in very handy!

Like the firefighters, we also need to be equipped to respond to a fire that is spreading. Not to put it out though, but to help it spread even further. The good news about Jesus is spreading globally, and igniting hearts to follow him. The message can be summed up in John 3:16, that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life. 

In our Ephesians series this week, we will learn how God gives gifts to equip and serve others, so the church is built up and faith grows in people of all ages . As each person plays their part, the church is at its best in every way (Eph 4:7-16). 

We have a simple growth pathway at The Grove. Alpha for those exploring faith, Christian Foundations for those new in faith, and Connect Groups where people gather to study the Bible and support one another in life and faith. I encourage everyone to consider taking a step on this path in your plan to grow this year. 

Even with these things in place, as good as they are, it’s still possible to stall in our growth. This can sometimes be related to faith being learned more than lived. Faith is like a muscle which is strengthened when used. It’s important to plan for growth, but also to know the goal of growth is to help others grow in faith. 

Let me suggest some ways you could exercise your faith this year:

God might be calling you to return to the growth pathway not as a participant, but as a contributor. Be equipped to lead in Alpha, Christian Foundations or a new Connect Group. 

We would love more to be equipped to welcome people, so everyone who comes to The Grove experiences the welcome of God. See inside for upcoming training events for both leading discussion groups and our welcome ministry.   

There are others ways you can serve at The Grove. Maybe a couple has a heart to encourage marriages, so we could introduce you to facilitating the Marriage Course. Perhaps you have a heart for Prayer ministry or to get some barista training to make great coffee in our cafe. Talk to one of us Pastors about these and many other opportunities.  

Wherever we serve, know that it’s part of the church helping people grow in their faith, and a bonus is it grows our faith too like nothing else. When our faith is strengthened through exercising our gifts, it also makes a difference in our daily life as we seek to be a witness to Jesus and a light in the darkness. Let’s grow strong in faith in 2026, Marty.

Happy 19th Birthday church family! As we pause this Sunday to give thanks for 19 years of God’s faithfulness, my heart is filled with gratitude for Him, and for you. On Friday, the YouVersion Bible App’s verse of the day was from Hebrews 12:1–2:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”

These words feel especially fitting as we celebrate this milestone together this weekend. Whether we’ve been coming to church for 19 years, or whether today is our first time at church, we are all part of a much larger story, surrounded by faithful witnesses who have gone before us. Their lives, obedience, prayers, and sacrifices remind us that our church stands on a legacy of faith that spans generations. We are here because others trusted God before us.

Over the past few weeks, I had the privilege of joining a Morling College study tour through Greece and Türkiye, visiting places like Corinth and the seven churches named in Revelation. Walking where the early believers once stood, I was deeply moved by their courage, boldness, and faithfulness. Standing in those spaces gave me a fresh appreciation for the cost of following Jesus, and for the grace that sustained them.

I was especially struck by the life of the Apostle Paul. Once a persecutor of the church, his life was radically transformed by an encounter with Jesus. God used all of Paul, his past, his strengths, his weaknesses, even his failures to share the gospel and strengthen the early church. Paul endured hardship, opposition, and uncertainty, yet he pressed on, fixing his eyes on Jesus. Because of his obedience, and the obedience of countless others, we are able to experience the love of Christ here, in our neighbourhood, today.

And this should give us great encouragement! As followers of Jesus, we can trust that God will use all of us as well, when we are willing to trust Him and step out in faith, even when the path feels uncertain or a little overwhelming. We are not alone in the struggles we face. Others have run this race before us, and their witness reminds us to persevere, to keep moving forward, and to trust God’s leading. Guided by grace and fuelled by faith, we can press on and discover the fullness of life God has prepared for us. What a beautiful and inspiring heritage we share!

The YouVersion Bible app commentator for this passage in Hebrews said, “A shared faith is a strong faith, and our faith might be the reason someone else finds theirs.” As we look forward this year, I pray that we would be a people who, with courage, boldness and faithfulness, allow the love of God at work within us to flow through us. May we explore and share our faith in ways that are humble and loving, and may many come to know the love, life, and freedom found in Jesus this year.

Happy birthday church family! 

God bless, Mel

If you are reading the newsletter today, it’s probably because The Grove is your local church. If that’s the case, then you can also know you are part of Jesus mighty plan to reach the people of this world. Through churches of all sizes and styles, the light of Jesus shines life and hope into neighbourhoods wherever they are planted. 

Right now, we are hearing some incredible stories of God working through his church. Stories that run parallel with news stories recording a different narrative. 

·      We read about distressing loss of life in Iran after the protests, yet at the same time Jesus church has been growing rapidly in a phenomenal underground movement. 

·      There are countless travel blogs about amazing places to visit in France, but in Toulouse the traditional church can’t keep up with baptisms because so many students are turning to Christ. 

·      Nigeria has experienced waves of violent and extreme persecution against the church, yet it’s the fastest growing church in Africa and a Christian powerhouse. 

There is so much darkness, and reasons to be deeply concerned about the state of the world and our own nation too. But there is also another story being written by the author of life. A story that shows how God moves in great power and love, wherever he is wanted. 

God comes where he is wanted.

Last year we heard so many encouraging stories from people in our church whose lives turned around. We witnessed Jesus reaching a new generation who are hungry for him. God is moving in The Grove, and there is much more to come than what's behind us.  

If God comes where is he wanted, may we let him know in prayer and through the openness and willingness of our faith, that he is wanted here in 2026. Join us this Wednesday through to Friday for our Look Up prayer event. See inside for times, but let’s pray that we want the Spirit to move in our hearts, our church and neighbourhood.

We also want God to come and grow our faith, and to empower us to live out our calling to share his love and message with others. If you want to connect with God and explore what faith means, come to the Alpha dinner or invite a friend. Maybe it’s the year to join a Connect Group for our All In series. There are children in our local schools who want to know about Jesus, but we need to fill two more RI spots with people who don’t want kids to miss out on this God given opportunity. See inside for more details. 

God is moving through his church, wherever his church wants him to come. May that be the cry of our heart this year; God you are wanted here. 

Marty

Happy new year!    

I am so thankful for a wonderful finish to 2025 with over 700 people coming to our three Christmas outreach services. It was a joy to meet so many people who don’t normally go to church, but were really encouraged by God and experienced his love. Thankyou to all who were involved, and a special thanks to Dan, Isaac and Paul for sharing your testimonies of how Jesus has turned your lives around. 

Looking ahead to 2026 I wonder what God has in store and what lives will he touch and change this year? Well, it’s an encouraging start with Dan’s sister Ruth being baptized at our 5.30pm service on the first Sunday of the year. Praise God! May there be many more baptisms this year as Jesus continues to draw people to himself and transform hearts. 

For all of us who wonder what this year holds, and even if we face it with unresolved issues or uncertainty of the path, I believe we can trust God. I was reminded of this last Monday which I sense is for the church. Leanne and I drove out to Bullocky’s Rest to watch the sun set over the Dam. We sat in our chairs, thinking about the year coming to an end, and the new year about to begin, when something caught my eye. Right in front of us a Koala, with its baby on her back, climbed down a tree and up another. We sat in awe watching this rare sighting of Koalas in the golden hour light. See the photo on the front of the newsletter.  

It felt like God was speaking through his creation, and that he did this just for us…I mean our Creator is our Father after all! I felt joyful and humbled at the same time. Too often I try to make things happen and miss what God is actually doing. Yet on that afternoon, Leanne and I were sitting and watching, and by God’s grace he enabled us to capture some of his glory. The baby Koala wasn’t doing anything either, just holding onto its mother. Too often have we wearied ourselves as if God’s work was up to us, or that we could force his hand, instead of just trusting him to lead us, and as he so often does, carry us.  

Whatever this year holds, I am sure our Father wants us to behold his glory as Mel will preach on this Sunday. To notice what he is doing, and join him in his work rather than make it up ourselves. And to trust him to lead us as we follow and hold onto the one in whose arms we live. Our God is so good, and if we take time to watch and pray, to listen to him speak in his word, we will see this more and more. Prayer will be significant in 2026, so I pray that we would all find time in January to sit at Jesus feet because he has much to show us, and what he reveals will deepen our trust and open the way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

May God bless you this year, Marty