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.

Our water pressure has always been around half of what it should be for our church property. Not anymore! Thanks to a generous donation, a booster pump was installed at the front of the property, doubling our water pressure. Now we can properly irrigate our gardens, and more importantly, fill up the baptism pool twice as fast!  

The gift of a booster pump is just one of many reasons, big and small, to be thankful to God at the end of 2025. Whenever someone shares a testimony about God’s provision, faithfulness and goodness, the result is joyful praise and growing faith in many. That’s why I would like to encourage everyone to write a note for our thanksgiving booklet to be released on thanksgiving Sunday. 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. 

What might your thank-you note say? Maybe you are grateful God brought you back to church this year. Perhaps you are thankful for how He answered a prayer. You might like to write how your life has changed after encountering Jesus in 2025. You could be a parent who is grateful for those who taught your children, or someone thankful for those who came alongside you in a difficult trial. 

Of the many reasons I am thankful for those who serve and invest their lives at The Grove, I was reminded this week of all who follow Jesus calling to their workplaces. I heard a story of someone in our church who was working in a clients home, when tragically their clients partner passed away. They took the opportunity to pray with this person in their great need, and even passed on my name to them. Their client actually phoned me, and through tears told how the worker was sent by God to bring calm and comfort in the hardest of times.  

Most of Jesus work through his church is not seen, but happens everyday through the church living out Jesus call to go; witnessing to his grace, and taking opportunities to share his love as the Holy Spirit prompts. It makes me so thankful for the church whether gathered to worship and serve, or scattered during the week on mission in jobs. 

Whenever we write down a thanksgiving story, we bring glory to God and encourage the faith in us all. In fact, nothing releases joy among us more than thanksgiving. Like our water pressure, may the volume of joy double as we pour out many expressions of thanksgiving to God. See inside for how you can play a part. 

Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. 

Psalms 107:22

Thankful, Marty 

As Andrew shares the final message in our Ephesians series this week, I’ve been reflecting on how much I’ve enjoyed this journey and how God has opened my eyes in new ways over the past five weeks. Last week, Warren reminded us that Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility that once separated people from one another and from God. In Him, we are no longer strangers or outsiders, but members of the same family, built together into a dwelling where God’s Spirit lives.

That picture of unity and reconciliation speaks deeply into how we live out our faith today. When we choose humility and love, responding to the Spirit’s promptings with open hands and generous hearts, we join in God’s work of breaking down walls and building something far more beautiful, a community shaped by love and grace.

I have been so encouraged this week! Last Sunday I received a message from someone in our church who felt God prompt them to donate $500 to the Flourish Gingerbread House event this year. Each year, this event should run at a loss, as we keep it affordable and welcoming for all ages, yet time and time again God provides exactly what is needed. It’s such a wonderful expression of His faithfulness and a reminder that when we focus on blessing others, He takes care of the rest.

Then on Thursday, Jade was at Aldi buying food to prepare a meal for the youth and young adults after this Sunday’s PM service. With her trolley full, a woman in the store asked who all the food was for. When Jade explained, the woman mentioned that her daughter had attended Smash Camp and that she’d recently dropped her off at a church called The Grove! What a coincidence! As they were talking, another shopper nearby overheard the conversation, went to the counter, purchased a $100 Aldi gift card, and handed it to Jade. She explained that she attends Bridgeman Baptist Community Church, but was so encouraged hearing Jade share about what The Grove was doing that she wanted to bless it. What an incredible reminder that God is always at work, often in the small, everyday moments. God is so good!

Philippians 2:5–11 highlights how Jesus, through His life and death, showed that God values humility. His willingness to serve, to lower Himself, and to give everything for others reveals the very heart of who God is. Humility teaches us that faith is not just something we understand in our minds but something that transforms our hearts. It calls us to live with a spirit of service, looking for ways to love and care for those around us, just as Jesus did.

These moments of generosity show us what it means to live out the heart of Christ. They turn love from an idea into something tangible and real. They remove barriers, build community, and remind us that when we listen to God’s leading, He uses us to show His love 

in the most beautiful ways.

Can I encourage you this week to stay open to the quiet nudges of the Holy 

Spirit. Sometimes His promptings come through conversation, a shared meal, 

or a small act of giving. Each one is an opportunity for God to work through us

to reveal His love to others.        

God bless, Mel

It’s hard to remember enjoying rain as much as I did last Tuesday. Probably because it followed Monday’s stifling heat, and the longer dry season that concluded with a glowing red sunset through smoke filled air. Witnessing a downpour of rain on my crispy lawn and gardens felt like the refreshment God loves to bring, not only to the land, but to dry and thirsty souls. 

There are numerous ways God refreshes the hearts of people, which I have been reminded of in stories I have heard recently. One of those was last Sunday night when Charlee shared her baptism testimony. She shared that while she grew up going to church, she didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. She moved to London and worked as a nanny, and during this time stepped away from faith altogether. Yet God was at work to draw her back to himself. Here are some of her words…

When I moved back to Brisbane in March, I went to church one morning with my parents. During that service I realised how much I missed going to church and felt a conviction to come back. I added The Grove to the first on my list of many to try out so I came to an evening service in early April. I do not remember a single thing about that service. I could not tell you who spoke, who led the worship, what the message was on. Nothing. But I do remember an overwhelming feeling of welcomeness as a group of strangers invited me to go surfing with them the next morning. And while I didn’t go surfing it was that moment that led me to call The Grove my home. Since coming here my faith has absolutely flourished. I no longer have a superficial relationship with God but now know him personally. I have come back to the realisation that I am a daughter of God, that I am known, chosen and truly loved by him.

What I love about Charlee’s story is how powerful the welcome of a church is. When people welcome others with the love of Jesus, it’s like the first rain after a long season of feeling empty, dry, and even alone. What started with a welcome, was soon a testimony of flourishing faith in Charlee’s life. 

I am so thankful for our church family, because many seek to welcome and love others each week, morning and night. Jesus is drawing more and more people from dry and tough seasons, to come and try out church again. People like Charlee who are curious and looking to reconnect with faith. People who are weary from going it alone, and looking for what can fill a growing hunger in their hearts. People who have wounds, are battling some tough issues… people just like us. 

Let’s all play our part in expressing the love of Jesus with others, and reflect 

the one who invites those who are weary to come to him and find rest for their 

souls. Simply coming to church each week is an opportunity to be the people 

God uses to bring spiritual refreshment to dry and weary souls. 

         Marty

There are many things to be thankful for at the moment, and I truly believe we are witnessing something special unfold in the next generation across our church and surrounding suburbs. Recently, I was reflecting on the verse in Revelation 2:4-5 that calls us to “return to your first love”. It was a call to remember the initial, passionate love for Jesus that motivated the early Church in Ephesus. For me personally, it was a reminder to look back at all that God has done, but to remember why we first serve God and give our lives to Him. This is the zeal and fire that I am seeing in the young people of this church. I know we are not about numbers, but I do think it’s important for us to take stock and give thanks for all God has been doing. 

We recently sent 13 leaders (and 20 youth) to SMASH camp over the September holidays and saw God move in incredible ways. Heaps of youth encountered the Holy Spirit, and many walked through the front doors of a church for the first time. Our biggest ever PM service was a few weeks ago, the Sunday after camp, as we gathered with nearly 140 youth and young adults to worship and hear from God’s word. Among our Young Adults we have seen a real growth in numbers, but in particular, spiritual growth. A new hunger is being seen at our PM service with Young Adults coming open to hearing God’s word and hungry to experience the presence of Jesus (there are 10 currently going through Alpha on a Sunday afternoon). Worship has been a real highlight over the past few months, and in particular, our young people are again engaging with worship in a fresh and new way. Across our youth team, we have grown to nearly 20 leaders and over 60 youth on a Friday night. It is honestly such a privilege to serve God alongside a generation who are seeking after Him and placing their trust in God.

As you read this, I pray that you are encouraged but also challenged to return to your first love as well. To be reminded again of the beautiful gift we have been given in Jesus, but also to rekindle a fire and passion for following Jesus as we tell the next generation of the mighty things God has done.

Psalm 78:4

 We will not hide them from their descendants;

    we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

    his power, and the wonders he has done.