// CHRIST OUR REFUGE – COMMISSIONING

Last Wednesday, I was commissioned by Bishop Glenn Davies as the Pastor of a new church – Christ our Refuge – part of the Diocese of the Southern Cross. We are looking to launch with more of a bang later in the year, but this was a significant moment for our fledgling community.

Since we moved to Brisbane 7 years ago, the population of the Brisbane local government area has increased by 300,000 people! Church growth and church planting have certainly not kept up with this growth. We are convinced that more churches need to be planted to reach these people with the gospel of Jesus.

I will continue working full-time with Open Doors as we build the team for Christ our Refuge.

Find out more about our weekly gatherings, joining our team, prayer updates, and financial partnership here: http://christrefuge.co

More photos on Facebook.

THANKFUL FOR 16 CRAZY MONTHS IN MELBOURNE // BRISBANE CHURCH PLANT UPDATE

#THANKFUL

Dear Friends!

In November we celebrated Thanksgiving with some American friends. Aside from eating too much Turkey, I love the concept of taking time to give thanks to God for his kindness.

On Christmas Eve as we give thanks for the coming of Our Saviour into the world, I thought it would be worthwhile taking a few moments to share a handful of things we are thankful for.

1/ CITY ON A HILL MELBOURNE: We are so thankful to God for 16 crazy months in Melbourne! We have loved living in Melbourne and are thankful to have been part of the City on a Hill Melbourne team. It is a unique team united around the central vision of Knowing Jesus and Making Jesus Known. On Tuesday we had a celebration with the team and are so thankful to have been sent out from Melbourne to begin a new work in Brisbane.

2/ NEW CHRISTIANS: It has been so exciting to see people become Christian this year. Give thanks in particular for Dave, Nat and Steve who have turned to Christ.

3/ OUR FAMILY: Thank God for sustaining us throughout lots of disruption in moving from Sydney to Melbourne and now on our way to Brisbane! Thank God that Samuel has had a great first year of school. Please pray that God would continue to be with us.

4/ SUPPORTERS: God has been kind in raising up 437 prayer partners. We are thankful for the prayer support and those who have already begun supporting us financially. (We’re still looking for more financial support, that can be done via this page: cityonahill.com.au/give – click ‘Brisbane’ in the drop down menu or you can also find the Brisbane bank account details)

5/ USA TRIP IN OCTOBER: I’m really thankful to God for all the things I learnt in the USA. In Texas I loved seeing the way that a large church like The Village Church is so deliberate in caring for individuals. In Florida I was moved by the gospel generosity of Spanish River Church as they plant churches all around the world. You can see all of my posts from the USA here on my blog.

6/ CITY ON A HILL BRISBANE: Praise God for those who have already committed to being part of the team! We are excited about what is ahead. We arrive in January and will kick of mid-week weekly team gatherings in February. Download our Info Card.

Have you seen our latest UPDATE VIDEO? Click here.

brisbane-update-nov-2015

Thanks for your support. I’m praying that you have a great Christmas and that Jesus continues to be supreme in your life as we head into 2016.

Keep trusting Jesus,

Dave.

ps – have you prayed this dangerous prayer?

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// FAREWELL MONT ALBERT

INSTAGRAM YO

Sunrise this morning looking East toward Box Hill.

We’ve moved out of our house a few days ago and have been staying in a serviced apartment across the road for our last few nights in Melbourne.

Thanks to Megan, Andrew, Leighton, Sharon, Dave, Ben, Vanessa, Eliot and Kelsey for helping us move out! And massive props to Rowena for coordinating everything!!

Tonight is our last night in Melbourne! Excited to be in Sydney with family for #Christmas and expectant ahead of our move to Brisbane in January!!!

#melblyf #montalbert #miersmelbourne #mierssydney #miersbrisbane #melbourne #sydney #brisbane #sunrise #cranes

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// YUM SENG

INSTAGRAM YO

Fun wedding times at #AlyssaMarcus2015 (@mcwh5 @alyssa.y) with @neildcastle, @kirstyncastle + @rowmiers.

I learnt a new phrase, “Yum Seng” (Cantonese for “bottom’s up”) and had lots of fun yelling it out with each toast.

#wedding #parttimemodel #celebrantlyf #tatra #mountdandenong #visitvictoria #melblyf #cityonahillmelb

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