SOUTHERN CROSS MINISTRIES

G’Day from Jim and Becky from Australia to the members of God’s church in Hillsboro.

It is hard to believe we are more than a quarter of the way through 2023 and into our twentieth year of service to the people of the Oceanic islands of Australia, New Zealand, and Tasmania.

A Return to Home Church

We have been unable to find a suitable meeting location since we had to leave the building we were renting since 2020.

During our annual general business meeting, the vast majority said they preferred gathering in homes. Our attendance has remained strong, and we are filling every seat in the library with overflow into the living room.

Three families have offered their houses as meeting locations as the church grows. Though Jim and Becky enjoy having the church meet in their home, and the library is the biggest room anyone has for a meeting, it is important to get other people involved.

Commitment to Mission Support

The Eastern Downs Church of Christ’s giving has increased significantly over the past year. At our annual general meeting, we voted to raise our international mission by giving 15% of our income with the goal of increasing this amount annually. We are supporting a work in Pakistan with these funds. Several members support other mission efforts around the world.

In 2022 the church donated 62% of the offerings to Australian Christian Training Ministries and the Southern Cross Bible Institute. For 2023, the church has added support for the Australian Bible College with what will amount to another 8% of our giving.

Fellowship and Worship

On Sundays, Jim has preached through a series on the Seven Churches of Revelation, Philemon, and Ruth thus far in 2023. We have a prayer meeting on Sunday afternoon, followed by our Bible study of the Book of Revelation. The evening group attracts about thirteen and occasionally more.

Youth groups have seen some changes in 2023. We had some graduates who have moved on to university studies. Others have moved from the primary age group to the high school group. Some new kids are coming to the younger age group. As has been the case in the past, half of the attendees are from somewhere other than our congregation.

The Wednesday homeschool student class is going well with seven students. After our study of where we got the Bible and how we can know it is true, we have started a survey series of the New Testament.

A men’s breakfast convenes on Thursday mornings at a local café. Currently, five men attend regularly, but we expect this number to increase. The morning includes a general conversation, a Bible reading, a short discussion, and prayer.

Short Trip to the USA

Jim has been invited to speak at the Person-to-Person Family Camp in July. In addition, Jim is looking forward to visiting with his mom. Jim will be accompanied by one of the Eastern Downs Church elders. The five-week trip will be an excellent opportunity for Jim to meet with supporting churches.

If you would like to receive notices about prayer requests, you can do so by texting @hccprayer to the number 81010. This will add you to the list.

Any prayer requests we send out will come as a text from HCC Prayer Requests.