Fanning the Flame of Unity

Last Friday night, we gathered with 10 local youth groups—across five different denominations—to worship together and hear from God’s Word. It was an incredibly encouraging night. Over 220 young people lifted their voices in praise, shouting and singing to God with passion. To witness that kind of unity and spiritual hunger in the next generation was something special.

That morning, as I spent time in prayer and reading through our Fan the Flame devotion, I was surprised to find the passage was Acts 10:23–48. It’s a powerful account of unity—one that brings together very different people in undeniably messy and uncomfortable circumstances. In the story, both Cornelius and Peter are learning something vital: that the gospel of Jesus is for anyone, anywhere, at anytime.

Peter refuses to let Cornelius worship him as a god, and in turn, Peter refuses to treat Cornelius as inferior—which, sadly, would have been culturally acceptable at the time. Instead, through the work of the Holy Spirit, two men from vastly different worlds are brought together in Christ.

Bringing together 10 youth groups from different backgrounds might sound like a logistical challenge—but the power of the Holy Spirit brings unity far beyond human effort. And I wonder: what parts of your life need that same power?

Is there a situation you need to bring before God? A relationship that feels strained or stuck? Maybe there’s a place where you’ve been praying for peace or healing. Be encouraged: the same Spirit that brought Peter and Cornelius together is still at work today. He can unite even the messiest parts of our lives—and when He does, the gospel goes forward, and the Word of God continues to spread. May he continue to fan the flame of unity across Queensland and our Nation.

Acts 10:34–35:

"Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realize how true it is that 

God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation 

the one who fears him and does what is right.'"

Blessings,

Henry

One of the highlights of my week this week came early on Tuesday morning at 6:30am at Ferny Grove Primary School. I had just dropped off half of our pancake supplies and was walking back to my car to collect the remaining supplies, when a young girl headed to before school care with her Dad spotted me coming along the path and began waving excitedly. I was tempted to look behind me to make sure she was waving at me, and not someone else, but I waved back and when I approached her I said, “are you looking forward to pancakes this morning?” She smiled and nodded and her Dad said “We thought you were the pancake lady!”  I’ll take it! My role is generally helping set up and prepare the pancake mix, ready for the BBQ team. A “behind the scenes” type role, but important nonetheless.

There is something special about serving in small, practical ways, especially when it brings joy to kids and families in our neighbourhood. That morning we cooked up 20kg of pancake mix and heard one of our best compliments ever! One boy said “These pancakes are better than a five-star restaurant!” We didn’t ask him if he’d ever been to a five-star restaurant, but again, we’ll take it!

On that same Tuesday morning, Pastor Henry was serving pancakes at Ferny Grove High School, and there is an opportunity to serve pancakes at The Gap High School with Chappy Kristen next week also! These opportunities are such a simple but powerful way to show God’s love and bless our next generation through yummy food, lots of fun and a connection that makes a lasting impact.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16, and it is also written on the wall in our foyer, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

When we serve others, the light of Christ is able to shine into the darkest of places and when we serve with joy, people notice, not just the delicious pancakes, but the heart behind them.

If you’ve been thinking about serving in one of our ministry teams and would love to be involved, we’d love to help you find your place. There is more information in this week’s Newsletter about how to get involved, 

but let’s keep shining where God places us, even if its one 

pancake, one kind word, one smile or one act of love at a time.

God bless, Mel

I pray you’ll be encouraged and uplifted by our special service this Sunday, as we honour mums and all women who have poured love, wisdom, and strength into our lives. After the service, we invite you to stay and enjoy some morning tea on our beautiful back deck. 

We’ve planned a special Mother’s Day segment this Sunday, where we’ll hear from women across all generations, from our littlest to our little older. It’s a lovely reminder that God is at work in every season of life and He loves to use ordinary women in extraordinary ways to show His love.

We are also continuing in our Fan the Flame series, reading from Acts 8:26–40. It’s the story of Philip, a man whose divine detour leads to a Spirit-led encounter and a life completely changed by the good news of Jesus. I love the moment where it says, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus” (Acts 8:35). I’ll also be sharing a little about one of my own divine detours, and how God used an unexpected path to bring transformation in my life too.

Philip’s detour is a powerful reminder that the Christian life is meant to be Spirit-led. God is constantly working behind the scenes, and when we’re willing to say yes, even without a perfect plan, He can do amazing things through us, right in the middle of our everyday lives.

It’s such a beautiful picture of what we celebrate on Mother’s Day. So many women in their roles as mums, grandmas, daughters, sisters, friends and spiritual mothers live out their faith in quiet, steady ways. Offering kindness, sharing wisdom, and simply showing up when it matters most. These everyday moments might seem small, but in God’s hands, they can have a lasting impact.

Whichever season we’re in at the moment, it is wonderful to know that God sees us and meets us where we are. He loves to work through ordinary people in unexpected and extraordinary ways, right where we are,
as part of something bigger than we can imagine!

God bless,

Mel

Have you ever watched a fire begin to fade? Its flames flickering low, the warmth starting to wane, until someone stirs the coals and adds fresh fuel. In a moment, what looked like dying embers burst back into life.

When our children were younger, we used to love going camping in the School holidays. Some of our favourite memories were made sitting around the campfire at night, watching the flames flickering in the darkness. There was something mesmerising and comforting  about that glow, but if we didn’t tend to the fire, it would slowly fade. It needed attention. It needed fresh fuel. It needed stirring.

As I’ve been journeying through the Fan the Flame devotionals each day, I’ve been deeply reminded that God has entrusted something powerful to each of us. His Spirit, His gifts, and His unique calling. But just like a fire, it won’t burn brightly on its own. It needs attention. It needs to be stirred, fed, and fanned into flame so it can burn with purpose and passion.

Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim 1:6-7 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 

That same Spirit is alive and at work in us today. And He does not lead us into fear, apathy, or passivity, but into bold, Spirit-filled living. In Acts 4, we see the early church under pressure. The disciples had every reason to shrink back, but instead, they came together in prayer and asked God for boldness. They didn’t pray for an easier path, they prayed for courage to stay faithful on the one they were already walking. On Tuesday morning, Jade and I were reflecting on the day’s reading in Acts 4:29 “And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants great boldness in preaching your word.” The disciples didn’t pray for protection, they prayed for boldness and God responded. They were filled afresh with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the word of God boldly.

I love that story, not just because of what God did then, but because it reminds me of what He can do now. These were ordinary people. No special qualifications. No perfect track records. Just hearts surrendered to God, filled with His Spirit and willing to step out of their comfort zone.

That’s the encouragement for each of us. We don’t need to be extraordinary, we just need to be available. The Holy Spirit takes what we offer and makes it powerful. He fills us to serve, speak and love in ways far beyond what we could ever imagine on our own. My prayer as we continue in this series is that each of us would lean in with open hearts, seeking God with expectancy and asking Him to fill us with boldness to follow wherever He leads. May God fan the flame in each of us, and may that fire ignite a movement of His love and truth throughout our neighbourhood and beyond!

God bless, Mel

On Monday, Leanne and I farewell our daughter Gemma, her husband Matthew and our grandchildren Audrey, George and Wesley. They leave for a two-year call in Japan, where Matt will teach English in the Connect English School in Nagoya. The school was originally established by two missionaries from the UK, one of whom still runs it today. 

While we are so thankful to God that Matt and Gem are following Jesus call, we are going to really miss our children and grandkids. While we always tried to encourage our children to go where Jesus leads, we didn’t think it would include our grandchildren too! Yet I am thankful for the timing of God’s word today, which once again brings us courage. Providentially I am starting the Fan the Flame series by preaching on Acts 1:8.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

The context of this verse couldn’t be more on point. Jesus was leaving to ascend into heaven, when he gave his final commission to go into all the world as his witnesses. We have received the power from the Holy Spirit to be bright witnesses to the hope of Christ in Ferny Grove, Upper Kedron, Queensland, Japan and wherever he leads. This deeply confirms in my heart that Jesus’ call, is backed by his power. Not only for my family, but for our family at The Grove. Thank You Lord for this guarantee today. 

I pray that as we journey through the book of Acts, and reflect on the birth and spread of Jesus church, we will hear his call and receive his power. Whether it’s to be a witness to our neighbours, in our workplace or to another culture, it for the same purpose. We are sent to share the love and life of Jesus with anyone, anywhere, anytime. We don’t want anyone to miss out on an everlasting relationship with our Father in Heaven. 

On Easter Sunday we celebrated the baptisms of two women, who talked about the witness of those who follow Jesus and their impact in their faith. Then on Easter Sunday night, Hazel O’Farrell was called home to be with Jesus. Hazel used to attend The Grove in person for many years, until her health prevented her. But Hazel would continue to watch online thanks to our live stream witness. I fondly remember Hazel’s unique witness to Jesus’ love through her strong hugs and sloppy kisses! Now she has been embraced and welcomed by the one who loves her the most. 

I believe God is confirming his promise to us with the timing of his word. That he will fan into flame our witness as his church at The Grove. That as each of us pray and point to Jesus, his power will make us more effective than we have ever been before. It’s a guarantee – you WILL receive power…and you WILL be my witnesses…to kids, teenagers, adults, families in Ferny Grove and to the ends of the earth. God bless, Marty