For the past 6 years we have sent a team of people from across our congregations up to Lightning Ridge for 9 days. The motivation to go is the same one which sees us wanting to reach our family, friends, neighbours and local community with the hope of the   gospel – Jesus’ love. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14 -

For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that
one died for all, and therefore all died. 15And he died for all, that
those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again. 

We don’t go to minister “to” the folk of Lightning Ridge. We go to minister “with” them. It may not sound like much of a difference, but there’s all the difference in the world. We go to give and receive, listen and talk, help and be helped.

The team get involved in many aspects of church life - church services, kid's clubs, youth clubs, scripture services in the local schools, women's bible studies, men's dinners and more!

The Lightning Ridge Mission Team have just returned from their 9 days away working with Mike & Chantalle Keith and Lightning Ridge Community Church.  It was a fantastic week of sharing the Good News of Jesus, our own experiences and our lives with those we came into contact with.

2009 team: Claire Aylward, Gordon Crane, Chloe Ferres, Amber Hartwig, Scott Graham, Anja Jamieson, Michael Jamieson, Sarah Jamieson, David Janzen,  Cate Meyer, Ed Little, Sophie Little, Melissa Magee, Brian Magee, Matt Paterson, Connie Scurr, Rob Stewart, Liz Stewart, Amy Stewart, Chloe Stewart, Tahlia Stewart and Al Verren.

Some highlights of the program included two Back to Church Sunday's that saw a number of infrequent attenders return to church followed by a church lunch. The Women's Craft Night on Monday had over 40 women from ages 14 to 80 years get creative scrapbooking photo frames, jewellery making and card making while the blokes enjoyed a campfire dinner & fellowship at a local property on Tuesday night. Both the primary school and high school gave us a warm welcome as we conducted Easter Scripture Services and BBQ lunches. Our fearless leader, Rob along with Mike Keith participated in a radio interview on OPAL FM letting the people of Lightning Ridge know about activities and events that we were running during the week.

A real encouragement to the team and Mike & Chantalle alike, was the success of the 'Littlie's BIG day out' which was run like a fair on Saturday morning with face painting, craft, balloons, games, songs and party food. Over 20 families joined us and adults and kids had a great time!

We helped the church launch the 'Jesus All About Life' Wheelie Bin which will promote Jesus to the community during the annual Wheelie Bin races over the Easter Weekend. It looks fantastic especially the flames coming off the wheels!

The team acknowledge that they do not complete this mission on their own. We are immensely thankful to our great God for the many opportunities he gave us, for keeping us safe & healthy and for the work he is doing in the community of Lightning Ridge. We are also incredibly grateful to our St Matt's family for their generous financial contributions & prayer support. We could not do this on our own.