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Weekly Prayer Points,
12 July 2010. G'Day from Steve
Let Revival Come.
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2: 4-9
Music and songs are a gift from God. A gift from the creator of the universe. Throughout the history of the Bible songs have been created to worship and celebrate all that God has done for his people. A song can bring hope and healing, confession and conviction... it can fill the soul with visions and dreams. The Christian faith is a singing faith and it always will be.. even for eternity.
Some of my most loved styles of music were born from the evil oppression of slavery in the 18th - 20th century. An era in history when the civilized world justified the right to imprison and enslave multitudes of black African people for generations. Yet Gospel music, Blues, Jazz and Rock'n'Roll all originated from such persecution. From deep sorrow and rejection came songs of hope and heaven.
John Newton was a seafaring slave trader who came to faith in 1748 after the loss of a ship mate in a violent storm. Years later he became a Church of England minister. He was the writer of the great hymn "Amazing Grace" in 1772 where he poured out in one song a picture of his wretched past, God's glorious forgiveness and the promise of eternal life in Christ. Newton had a great influence on a young man called William Wilberforce who would dedicate his life campaigning for the abolishment of slave trade.
Let us sing and write songs that bring change. Songs that bring revival and hope to the lost.
Thanks for your prayers and support. The past weeks in Papua New Guinea have confirmed to us the power of music and song to bring people together for a cause that brings life.
Let Revival Come.
Godspeed,
Pictured: Steve and the P2UIF band. Mt. Hagen, Papua New Guinea
Music, Mentoring and Missions
Pictured: Trentan and Jordan performing their new song "Falling at your Feet" in Mt Hagen.
It has been such an honour and joy to see Trentan, Jordan and Ryan serving the people of Papua New Guinea with their gifts this past week. The days have been long but the appreciation from young people and Pastors from many communities has been amazing. Our final concert attracted nearly 5,000 in the main park of the city and lasted for 5 hours. Through blazing sun and even a rain shower the P2UIF band and SG team presented the Gospel and some very clear messages to help people in their lives. The times of worship brought a very real presence of the Lord into the place. Many responded to the invitation to Christ.
Four Good Questions
Pictured: Four young men seeking answers to the big questions of life. Mt. Hagen concert. Photo - Ian Bail
How will they know... unless we go and tell them the Good News?
How will they grow... unless we give them practical instruction for life?
How will they live... without knowing Jesus and all that God has for them?
How will they lead... without first being taught the gift of knowledge and the joy of serving.
Thanks for your prayers and practical support for our work in PNG.
Bass Guitar Lessons
Pictured: A young bass player listening to Jordan's instruction.
Richard of the Band P2UIF and Jordan had a quality classroom of bass players young and old eager to develop their skills.
The practical investment of basic skills training will produce a great harvest in the coming years in local churches in PNG.
Drum Lessons
Pictured: Ryan patiently teaching each student a drum routine.
Ryan Grace and David Tananabae of P2UIF had a great week with 19 drum students. At the end of the week each player was presented with a certificate and a new set of drum sticks compliments of Ryan's generosity. The guys made sure every student had every opportunity to advance their skills and return home excited to serve their local churches.
Guitar Workshop
Pictured: Trentan teaching basic chord structures.
Trentan Kruger believes he learned so much during the week of teaching guitar to enthusiastic but timid young Papua New Guinean's. Working alongside Peter Ho Leong he was able to give so much basic knowledge and encouragement to the many students who turned up wanting to learn. The P2UIF band members also ran workshops on sound engineering, keyboards, vocal training and songwriting. We will have a full report of the Music and ministry workshop next week.
Heritage Tour - Outback Skies TV Vision
Pictured: Outback Skies website.
We have received this update from Richard Attieh.....
- Prayer for our entire production team to be protected and released by God to continue to think beyond boundaries
- Prayer for blessing to both the ‘Outback Skies’ and the ‘Hymns in the Outback’ projects, for our production staff, and ultimately the people who will be impacted from these television series.
- Prayer for the television work to continue to come together, and for clear storylines to emerge from our research and development phase over the next few weeks
- Prayer for blessings to Steve Grace Ministries and other Christian organisations that have expressed interest in this project
- Prayer for the favour of God throughout this project, and the favour of man from television broadcasters, DVD distributors and futures partners and sponsors for the project.
We want to thank Richard for his enthusiasm and professional approach to this venture.
Go to www.outbackskies.com
Thanks to Ian Bail
PIctured: Ian Bail with his Dobro at our Mt. Hagen concert.
They called him the "man bilong coppa gitar" (Man with the metal guitar) everywhere we travelled in the PNG Highlands. The Dobro slide guitar sounds were a big hit at every concert.
We want to thank Ian Bail for taking some time off work and serving the mission. His photography and documentation of the trip will be a great benefit to us as we develop the concept of Mobile workshops and concerts that bring large crowds together for evangelism and education on issues like HIV AIDS / Health and nutrition etc. Thanks also to the Bail family for allowing Dad to go on a PNG adventure!!
Motorhome Ministry opportunity
Pictured: The bus
Our good friends Brian and Rhonda Graffin from Townsville in North Queensland have offered to help us with the motorhome need we have for the Heritage Tour.
Brian has offered to help drive the Denning Coach he has converted into an amazing home on wheels. Our challenge is achievable as we would cover all fuel and maintenance costs plus provide accommodation for Brian for the journey. The fuel costs are expected to be $12,000 but we wanted to share this with you all and ask you to pray as this could be a very practical way to accomplish the mission without going into any great debt. We need to make a decision very soon on the Graffin's offer and thank them so much for their supportive gesture. Thanks.
Heritage Promo Video
Watch the New promo video online:
http://www.theheritagetour.com/media/downloads/video/
Heritage Tour 2010
Official Website: www.theheritagetour.com
Can you pray with us as we continue planning this tour, that later in the year, will be traveling to every State in Australia. We have been encouraged to pursue this venture through last years concerts in the country towns. The Heritage Hymns CD seems to be establishing a wonderful foundation on which to grow this vision. Many church leaders are responding to the vision of "honouring the past to inspire the future". What an honour to see and hear God being praised through these hymns once again.
Three simple ways you can be involved:
- Pray - Stand with us in prayer weekly as we seek to serve Christ and proclaim the Gospel.
- Give - There will be many financial needs small and large as we develop the tour and team.
- Go - Pray about being involved and serving on the tour for some of the schedule. More details on this soon.
We are still finalising sponsorships with various organizations so appreciate your prayers on this as well.
Testimonies
We are constantly encouraged by some amazing letters in the mail from people who have been blessed by the ministry. As many of you pray regularly for our work we wanted you to also partner in the blessing of these letters. Thank you to each of you who take the time to communicate with us about what God is doing in your life. We really are encouraged by your words.
You can check out the new testimonies page by Clicking Here
Prayer Requests
- Ongoing financial support for all the projects and missions planned for this year.
- National Heritage Tour, and all that needs to be done before we leave on the 4th August.
- For 'grace' magazine as it is being put together at the moment.
- For Steve's Devotional book as it is in the stages of design.
- For the team serving in the Steve Grace Office as they continue co-ordinating and communicating with Churches across Australia.
- For Cheyne as he is in California and working on Heritage.
- For Chase Merrell and Steven Kent coming from California to serve on the Heritage Tour.
- Maryann Willer and Suzanne Rawlings from California are praying to come and serve on some of the Heritage Tour. Please pray for God's guidance for them as they plan.
Until next week,
Steve & Kerrie Grace
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