Receiving affirmation in challenging times

I believe God is calling us to plant a church in Gawler, north of Adelaide. This may sound counter-productive to some, considering there is already a Lutheran church in Gawler, of which I’m a member. But the call came when we prayerfully discerned what God was up to in our community.

Through COVID-19 restrictions, we were unable to access our normal worship routine, but found a unique opportunity to worship in the local school. It was through prayer, that God provided a vision for reaching the school community, and this is the beginning of our journey.

Under the body of Gawler Lutheran Church, New Life Church is an intentional move to incorporate worship and a faith community at the school. As with any new venture, we have had challenging moments of doubt, resistance, and even health challenges.

At our most challenging times, we’ve intentionally set aside time for deep prayer. In these moments, God has actively been present in affirming our work, redirecting our vision and encouraging us in profound ways. The power of prayer has been integral in our journey. The Lord has prepared hearts and minds, protected us from threats of doubt, fear and resistance (‘the enemy at the gate’), and kept us firm in his promises.

I urge and encourage all congregations to seek out specific ‘prayer warriors’ in your church community. They are the lifeblood of any church vision. God bless your journey.