Mar 2007
The Prestons-Rouse Hill Connection
28 March 2007 Filed in: Team Update
This past Sunday the
team gave a presentation at Bethesda Baptist Church
in Prestons. The Webers have assisted Bethesda in
various ministries, since the church is young and
growing. We (Kwoks) were first-time guests, but the
most popular newcomer was the Webers' baby girl
Sarah. She attracted many admirers! After the
service, we mingled with the church family over
refreshments.
Because Bethesda is relatively new, it's interesting to learn how God brought the church together. Pastor John Sirone planted the church in 2004 while working full-time, after years of preparation in the Word and ministry. From the outset, Pastor Sirone emphasized Bible teaching and has resisted the mainstream churches' trend toward featuring entertainment in worship. At the same time, the church is actively involved in evangelism through organized outreach and personal relationships with the community.
We were especially encouraged by the church's initiative to help sponsor our team's ministry to the Rouse Hill area. This will be a great help, as launching a new church requires initial financial support. Lord willing, we look forward to a productive partnership with Bethesda Baptist Church!
See the team with John & Thelma Sirone here.
Because Bethesda is relatively new, it's interesting to learn how God brought the church together. Pastor John Sirone planted the church in 2004 while working full-time, after years of preparation in the Word and ministry. From the outset, Pastor Sirone emphasized Bible teaching and has resisted the mainstream churches' trend toward featuring entertainment in worship. At the same time, the church is actively involved in evangelism through organized outreach and personal relationships with the community.
We were especially encouraged by the church's initiative to help sponsor our team's ministry to the Rouse Hill area. This will be a great help, as launching a new church requires initial financial support. Lord willing, we look forward to a productive partnership with Bethesda Baptist Church!
See the team with John & Thelma Sirone here.
Sarah Elisabeth Weber
17 March 2007 Filed in: Team Update
Welcome to the latest
member of the Weber family and the ministry team!
Sarah arrived on Thursday night and is adjusting
well. Parents are in good shape too! See photo
here.
Prayer Request: Baby Arrival
15 March 2007 Filed in: Team Update
Paul & Rachel
Weber would appreciate your prayers as
they expect a baby girl imminently.
Imminently--as in "any day now!" We look forward
to seeing the newest addition to their family very
soon. Thanks for taking time to pray for
them.
Why Rouse Hill?
03 March 2007 Filed in: Church
Planting
We spent several months
last year investigating areas where a new church was
needed. Sydney's northwest held our interest for
several reasons:
1. Growth area: Sydney continues to attract the majority of new immigrants, with around 800 new residents each week. The Baulkham Hills Shire is one of the larger and fastest growing regions of western Sydney and the state government has planned extensive development for the area, including over 60,000 new homes and a commercial centre in Rouse Hill.
2. Demographics: about a third of the Shire's population was born overseas and the most common language other than English is Cantonese. The median resident's age is mid-thirties. The workforce is generally highly educated. The two largest religious groups are Roman Catholics and Anglicans.
3. Existing churches: the Hills District features numerous churches and religious groups, including the influential Hillsong Church. However, recent religious surveys indicate that Australian churches are struggling in today's culture. Only one in four Christians surveyed believe the Bible should be taken literally. 85% of those surveyed felt their faith had grown in the past year--but only one in five credited this to their local church! About 50% of Christian teens surveyed were open to other religious viewpoints; 1 in 3 did not profess to hold strong beliefs.
4. Distance to Fellowship Baptist Church: believing that healthy churches reproduce, we sought for an area outside Blacktown yet close enough for Fellowship members to regularly assist the branch church. The Rouse Hill area meets that criterion.
5. Prayer and consultation: during our search, we continually asked God for wisdom and guidance and we consulted at length with pastors and ministry workers in various denominations. All of them encouraged us to consider outreach in the Hills, citing growing needs for evangelism and discipleship. God permitting, we will pursue opportunities to build His church here.
1. Growth area: Sydney continues to attract the majority of new immigrants, with around 800 new residents each week. The Baulkham Hills Shire is one of the larger and fastest growing regions of western Sydney and the state government has planned extensive development for the area, including over 60,000 new homes and a commercial centre in Rouse Hill.
2. Demographics: about a third of the Shire's population was born overseas and the most common language other than English is Cantonese. The median resident's age is mid-thirties. The workforce is generally highly educated. The two largest religious groups are Roman Catholics and Anglicans.
3. Existing churches: the Hills District features numerous churches and religious groups, including the influential Hillsong Church. However, recent religious surveys indicate that Australian churches are struggling in today's culture. Only one in four Christians surveyed believe the Bible should be taken literally. 85% of those surveyed felt their faith had grown in the past year--but only one in five credited this to their local church! About 50% of Christian teens surveyed were open to other religious viewpoints; 1 in 3 did not profess to hold strong beliefs.
4. Distance to Fellowship Baptist Church: believing that healthy churches reproduce, we sought for an area outside Blacktown yet close enough for Fellowship members to regularly assist the branch church. The Rouse Hill area meets that criterion.
5. Prayer and consultation: during our search, we continually asked God for wisdom and guidance and we consulted at length with pastors and ministry workers in various denominations. All of them encouraged us to consider outreach in the Hills, citing growing needs for evangelism and discipleship. God permitting, we will pursue opportunities to build His church here.