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

Merry Christmas and welcome to The Grove. 

The words of the ancient prophecy in Isaiah 9:2, connect with us today. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; 

on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 

We come to celebrate Christmas following a dark moment in our nation at Bondi. Because of this, the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah to the Jewish people in 732 BC, are even more significant this year. That those in our Jewish community, and those suffering as a result of this dark action, would see the true light that has come into the world. In fact, that all people walking and living through dark times, would experience the love, comfort and hope found in Jesus this Christmas.   

As we come to honour Jesus, we can know that darkness can never overcome the light that came from heaven. God himself was born into the very world he created, and the angel announced that it’s good news of great joy for all people. That in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to us, he is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). 

As we celebrate Jesus birth at The Grove this Christmas, let’s also pray that he would bring peace and hope through churches all across the world. While the freedom to worship has been attacked this week, we should remember that many live in places where they are not free to worship anytime. May Jesus light shine even brighter in the hardest places in 2025, and may a new story of peace begin to unfold, and of light expelling darkness as hearts are changed by God’s great love.  

While this might seem like an unlikely gift the world might receive this Christmas, let’s remember that the God we pray to is the gift of Christmas to us. The one who came as light to those living in darkness is described in Isaiah 9:6. 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

This is the one we celebrate, pray to and trust. May he answer your prayers, and may the Lord bless you and your family this Christmas. You are also very welcome to join us in 2026 if you are looking for a spiritual home, and place to belong and explore 

faith in Jesus. 

Marty and Leanne Luke

On Wednesday I visited the Google offices in Sydney with Joel Hockey. Joel works for Google, and each year the company gives employees $400US to give to a charity, which they also triple match when donated! So Joel invited Andrew Browning to come and speak to employees about the Barbara May foundation, as an option to donate their funds to.  It was a privilege to be a guest and meet the BMF team, as The Grove has supported this incredible life saving work among African mums for three years now.  

This is such a great example of how followers of Jesus are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God in workplaces. We all have different jobs, and different opportunities to point to what Jesus is doing in the world; but we can be confident God placed us in our vocations not only to provide a service, but to be a light in the darkness.    

Last Sunday Ryan Vallee preached about praying to the Lord, asking him to send out workers into the plentiful harvest field. Ryan shared encouraging evidence of the growing harvest seen in people becoming more open to God. Church attendance in Europe has doubled in six years, and in the last week the YouVersion Bible app passed 1 billion downloads! In Australia the stories of God moving in lives are also stacking up, even in our own church. 

Then last Sunday night, Ben Daiton shared about being a light in the darkness. He finished with our church mission verse in Matthew 5:16. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. All the darkness in the world cannot extinguish even one little light. But when we let our light shine through deeds done in Jesus name, our light overcomes darkness. Ben had the auditorium lights turned off and asked a few to shine their phone torch. Then he asked everyone to shine their torches and the result was a fully lit up room. One light is good, many lights can’t be missed. 

When two guest preachers share the actual words of Jesus about reaching others, we need to take notice that God is speaking to The Grove. Jesus own mission statement was that he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). It’s clear that God wants us to have a laser focus on his search and find mission, in this time of incredible openness and opportunity for the gospel. 

I am so thankful for the many ambassadors shining their light in their workplaces. I am thankful for the twenty young adults shining their light as Red Frogs at schoolies. I am also thankful for the many who pray, because prayer is the hidden mission. As Ryan reminded us, much prayer much power, little prayer little power, no prayer no power. With many Christmas opportunities coming up at work, in our neighbourhoods and as a church, 

lets pray and shine light whenever we have opportunity.

God bless, Marty.