The Aussie Connection-A Newsletter-From the Russell Family-CC Melbourne
Greetings from the Land Down Under,
We just celebrated our fourth year here in Australia! It seems like just the other day we jumped on the plane to embark on this new journey to serve the Lord in Melbourne. It has been a life changing experience filled with both joy and sorrow.
Accepting the call and counting the cost was the best and toughest decision both my family and I have ever made. Serving overseas is a real honor and privilege, but it is not without difficulties. Cultural adjustments can be tough, for instance, feeling vulnerable and unsettled, feeling homesick for family and friends, missing your favorite foods and at times the loneliness can seem unbearable. We serve such an amazing God who not only carries you through those difficult times but also abundantly blesses you. Thank you Lord for your unfailing love and faithfulness; you are the lifter of our heads, our rock and our strength. We have been stretched and changed by our loving father and we wouldn’t trade this experience for anything in the world.
Our 4th year Celebration Service
Get the Baptism service ready
This past Sunday was one of the most exciting services we have ever had! The sanctuary was jam-packed; we had close to a hundred people turn out for the baptism. I stand in awe of our Lord and how he has moved over these past four years; from our first Sunday with seven people to almost a hundred four years later. We had such an awesome time of fellowship and a wonderful luncheon after-wards. What a blessed day!
One of the guys we baptized
New Study and Service
We recently started the Book of Revelation on Sunday mornings. We Just finished the book of Daniel so the anticipation and excitement has been building as we are gearing up for this next journey.
Sunday Evening Teaching
On Sunday evenings, we will be starting a series on the Holy Spirit and implementing an extended time of worship and afterglow. As we wait upon the Spirit, we will have communion set up for those who would like to partake, and have the elders available to pray and anoint those with oil who are sick as James 5:14 instructs us to. It will be a great time of refreshing, waiting on the Lord and praying for one another.
Sunday Night
Youth Group
We have such an awesome group of youth! We have grown over the past 4 months; our group now includes 5 boys and 5 girls. It’s been exciting to see the kids invite their friends not only to Friday nights, but also Sunday mornings. These kids are hungry for God’s Word, and are just an amazing group to work with. We are currently doing an In-depth Inductive study through the book of Daniel and they are loving it!
Youth Group
I thank the Lord that he has brought an absolutely amazing and gifted co-leader. She has not only been a blessing to me, but a great example and strong leader for these kids. Please keep us in prayer as we start this new season of ministry. It is such an honor and privilege to work with these kids and I have been so blessed by this ministry, however it has been a challenge for me to balance my busy schedule. Our prayer is that the Lord will provide a husband/wife team that could dedicate more time to these amazing kids. If you could please join us in prayer for the Lord’s Will to be done in this matter, it would be much appreciated.
Women’s Group
Women's Group
There have been several healthy changes that have taken place within this group over the past 6 months! The women’s ministry has doubled in size and the dynamics of the group has changed; the women are connecting on a more personal level and are bonding in the intimate small group setting. We have also seen growth in the outside fellowship from this particular group; it warms my heart to see the intimacy that is developing between these women. My co-leader, Lorraine and I are each taking a group of 10-12 women and leading them through the study, then we are coming together as a large group to enjoy the teaching videos. God has truly blessed me with a wonderful, solid and gifted co-leader. We are currently studying through the Book of Esther with Beth Moore. It’s been amazing to see how the Lord is using this study to reveal, stretch, and strengthen these women’s walk with the Lord. Please continue to pray for wisdom, guidance and direction for this ministry.
Thank you for all for your prayers and support. It is making a huge difference here in the lives of so many
Prayer request
Pray for all the new comers at church, that they would get connected and committed and plugged in.
Pray for our family / church camp coming up in September. We need helpers in children’s and youth ministry.
Please pray for wisdom, discernment, protection, provision for our family and the church
Pray for a revival and for the Lord to pour out His Spirit in the church
Pray for the Lord to bless Calvary Chapel and all the supporters of the Aussie Connection.
Please pray for us to have the right balance with family time, homeschooling, ministry, and all the other areas of life.
Please pray for our family – Niki, Joshua, Christian, Andrew.
Thank you for your prayers and support. You are truly making a difference in the kingdom.
Until next time……
Pastor Andrew Russell
Andrew, Niki, Joshua, & Christian
Russell Family and CC Melbourne BLOG
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