Thanks for your prayers, encouragement and support. Praise God for the start we’ve made, and ask for God to continue to grow His church, for His glory.

We had our Vision 2010 day on Sunday, and I was really encouraged by the response of the members of COAST EC. We talked about our strategy for the years ahead as we seek to make more and better disciples of Jesus in our region. If you’re interested in the plan, check it out here.

Prayer Points…

Print Version

• Praise God for the foundation that has been laid over the last 12 months. God has graciously drawn together a like-minded bunch of people who now call COAST EC their home church. Praise God for their friendship and willingness to partner together to see the gospel go out to the 25,000 people living in our region.
• We need more leaders – Pray for God to raise up more leaders (for home groups, youth groups, and children’s ministry). Ask for wisdom as we seek to identify and equip godly and gifted people for these roles.
• Home Groups – Pray for all our home groups to grow in size and multiply into 2 separate groups this year. Pray for Tom and Ali as they have just started to lead a home group (Bible study) on top of heading up the kids ministry (Coasties kids church). Ask God to strengthen and sustain them.
• Mission – Ask for wisdom as we look toward starting new congregations up and down the coast. Pray for God to raise up godly and passionate core groups that we can send out.
• Admin Committee – Pray for wisdom for the AC as they meet on 28th March to hammer out some of the finance and business aspects of the church. Pray for wisdom for Chris as he leads, and ask that we’d be great stewards of the resources we’ve been entrusted with. Thank God for the faithful service of Evan Barnes who has now passed on the baton of treasurer. Pray for Grant Burrow, our new treasurer, that God would equip and energise him for his new role.
• Finances – Thank God for the generosity of the other churches and Christians who have pledged their financial support again this year! Our goal is to be fully self funded after 3 years, so this year we are striving to hit 50% of our budget from local giving. This will be a big stretch – so ask God for joyful, generous and sacrificial giving from COAST EC members.
• Primary School Scripture – Praise God for the 8 primary school scripture classes we’re teaching at Forster and Tuncurry Public Schools. Pray for Evan, Alicia, Ali and Bruce as they share Christ with the kids. Ask for wisdom as we work together with other churches to teach scripture in the local primary schools. Pray that many kids will start coming to Coasties Kids Church and Grommets (youth group).
• High School Ministries – Pray for God to open the door to both the Forster and Tuncurry campus’ of the Great Lakes College, so we can teach year 7 scripture there. Ask for wisdom and soft hearts as we negotiate with the schools.
  Alicia has been participating in three high school Christian groups the Chaplains run (aka Bible studies). Pray for wisdom for the Chaplains as they run these groups and other ministries, and ask God to connect the local kids into youth groups were they can grow to know Jesus.

• Youth Groups – Grommets (yrs 5-6) and Wired (yrs 7-9) have gained great momentum. Praise God that we were able to start Wired this year and for the small core groups that are attending each youth group. Pray that the kids will grow in Jesus and be bold at inviting their friends, and for wisdom and energy for Evan and Alicia as they lead the youth ministry. Ask God to raise up (or send up!) more youth leaders.
• Youth home groups – Chicks (for high school girls) and Barracks (*new* group for high school boys) have kicked off this term. Praise God for the core groups in chicks, and pray that Barracks will develop a solid core groups of kids.
• Marriage Course – Is run on Friday nights over March and April. Ask God to strengthen the marriages of those in our church.
• Easter Celebration – COAST EC turns one!. Pray for a great time to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and the birth of COAST EC. Ask for many opportunities for our people to present the gospel over this weekend to their friends and families, and for many guests to attend the service so they can hear the gospel.
• Staff Holidays are coming up – Alicia – 5 to 12 April and Chris – 26 April to 2nd May. Ask for refreshment and safety in travel. Pray that they’ll be sustained until their holidays.

Print the Prayer Update here

PRAISE GOD

• Our home groups (Bible study groups) are growing. We have just multiplied our Wednesday night group into 2 groups. Pray for Tom and Ali as they lead this second group. Praise God for the 3 new people who’ve started coming – ask that God will reveal Himself to them as they read His Word. Please also pray for God to raise up more leaders for more home groups.
• Praise God for the new people who’ve started coming to church since we transitioned to the 5pm time slot. Ask for them to come to a deep and sincere faith, and to partner with us in reaching the 25000 people living in the region.
• Praise God for the Solid Rock Cafe Mission during January. It was the best mission I’ve seen – the team did a sensational job of connecting with local youth and sharing Christ. Pray for the girls who’ve become Christians, and ask God for wisdom for Alicia as she meets with them on Sunday arvo’s to read the Bible and pray. Pray they’d grow in their faith, and be effective witnesses amongst their family and friends.
• Praise God for the generosity of His people. He has faithfully provided the resources we’ve needed so far to launch to the church.
• Praise God that the youth ministries are all up and running (which includes a new youth group – Wired, and a boys home group – Barracks). Pray for Evan and Alicia as they head up the youth ministries and ask that God will sustain and energise them. Also that the kids will come to a deeper relationship with Jesus, and that the groups will grow a solid core group. Pray also that God will raise up like minded leaders to partner with us (from within the church, and other regions).

ASK GOD

• We’re starting a new teaching series on ‘church’ (looking at the various metaphors used for church in the Bible). Pray that this will encourage and convict people attending COAST EC– to see themselves as God sees them, and to treat others as God intends them to. Pray that we’d be a church that reflects what God says about church.
• Pray for the 2 pregnant mums at church (Sharon and Ange). Ask for health and safety, and for the kids to grow up soft-hearted to Jesus.
• Pray for God to continue to equip our muso’s as we seek to establish a band at church.
• We’re hoping to start a ‘marriage course’ in the next month or so. Pray that God uses this to strengthen marriages in our church and our community.
• Forster High School said ‘no’ to our request to teach scripture to year 7 students next year. Ask for wisdom as we work through the issues with the school. Pray for God to overrule, and open the door. Ask that many kids might get saved.
• Pray for the SRE (Primary Scripture Classes) Allocation day on the 3rd Feb. Pray that we’ll be able to teach the ages we are trying to build ministries around (years 3, 5 and 6). Pray that there won’t be ‘clashes’ as these classes are allocated, and that God’s Name will be glorified through SRE.
• Pray for the local ministers association to be more open to gospel ministry. Ask for God to change some of their hearts. Ask for wisdom for Chris as he seeks to work with them (or apart from them).
• We are hoping to be a self-funded church after 3 years. Last year 25% of our giving came from local members. This year we are hoping to double that to 50% (and the year after we’ll be shooting for 80%). So, please pray for the locals to give generously, and also for the continued support of our external givers.
• Alicia will be spending at least 3 hours a week in the local high schools, attending and helping to run the Christian lunch time/recess groups. Pray that this time would be really effective for building relationships with the youth, and that kids will get linked into local churches and youth groups where they can grow to know Jesus.
• Pray for Tom and Ali as they head up kids ministry. Ask that God will give them wisdom as they plan for the future, and pray that God will raise up leaders to partner with them. Pray also for the kids coming to Coasties Kids Church, particularly for the kids that are a ‘handful’, that they’ll have soft hearts and open ears to Jesus.

PRAISE GOD

• We have renewed our contract with the school, so we have a venue for our public meetings next year.
• Our home groups/Bible study groups are growing. We are going to multiply our Wednesday night group into 2 groups at the start of next year. Pray for Tom and Ali as they step up to lead the second group.
• Praise God for the new people who’ve started coming to church since we transitioned to the 5pm time slot. Ask for them to come to a deep and sincere faith, and to partner with us in reaching the 25000 people living in the region.
• Praise God for the opportunity to partner with the SU Beach Mission team, and the Solid Rock Cafe Mission team during January. Ask for many to hear the gospel, and for effective follow up of any locals contacted.
• Praise God for providing a new treasurer for our church. Evan has done a great job, and is handing over to Grant. Pray
  for God to equip Grant for this service.

ASK GOD

• Pray for our first ever Christmas Eve Service tomorrow. Pray that many locals will come, trust in Jesus and link into the church. Pray also for energy for all involved in the service (we’re a bit low on man power).
• Pray for the 2 pregnant mums at church (Sharon and Ange). Ask for health and safety, and for the kids to grow up soft-hearted to Jesus.
• Pray for God to equip our muso’s as we seek to establish a band at church.
• Chris is preaching at the ‘Men and Meat’ outreach night (run by Forster Beach Mission) on the 4th January. Pray for gospel clarity, and for the Spirit to open minds and convict hearts.
• Forster High School said ‘no’ to our request to teach scripture to yr 7 students next year. Ask for wisdom as we work through the issues with the school. Pray for God to over rule, and open the door. Ask that many kids might get saved.
• Pray for the local ministers association to be more open to gospel ministry. Ask for wisdom for Chris as he seeks to work with them. Ask for God to change some of their hearts to be more inclined to partner with gospel ministries.
• Pray for the SRE (Primary Scripture Classes) Allocation day on the 29 January. Pray that we’ll be able to teach the ages we are trying to build minsitries around (years 3, 5 and 6). Pray that there won’t be ‘clashes’ as these classes are allocated, and that God’s Name will be glorified through SRE.
• Pray for God to provide the resources we need for this ministry. Praise Him for the generosity of so many people who’ve ‘got us going’ and who are ‘keeping us going’. Ask that He will grow His church here, and that we will be self-funded after 3 years.
• Pray for Alicia as she attends the Next Generation Conference (kylc) at Katoomba during the 18-22 January. Ask that God will better equip her for ministry and teaching His Word throughout this conference. Pray that she’ll have energy throughout this week of training.
• Pray for the Kids and youth ministry plans for 2010. We’re really excited about the ways we can connect and share the gospel with kids and youth. Pray that God will provide the extra helping hands that are needed to partner in these ministries, and ask for wisdom for Ali and Tom (Kids) and Ev and Alicia (Youth) as they plan and seek to develop their ministries.

Thanks for lifting us up in prayer! We take great comfort and encouragement knowing that we’re not going it alone. Here are some things to keep you busy in prayer. You can also check out our most recent supporters update video below.

Prayer Points

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Sharon in pregnant with our #2! Praise God for giving new life. It’s only early days so please pray for health and safety.
• Our home groups/Bible study groups are growing. We are hoping to multiply our Wednesday night group into 2 groups by the end of the year. Pray for a smooth transition and for Tom and Ali as they step up to lead the second group.
• We’ve made the transition from a 10am to a 5pm service. Praise God for already drawing in some new people.
• Thank God for all our hardworking partners in the gospel, who frequently give up their time and money to support our mission in the Forster-Tuncurry Region.

ASK GOD

• Pray for God to raise up more muso’s so we can a establish a band at church. Ask for God to give energy to Dave and Min as they head this up.
• Pray for wisdom for Chris as he works with the local ministers association in regard to gospel ministry in the schools.
• Continue to ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal will also be open to it).
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Committee. Our budget next year is just over $100,000. Our goal is to be self-funded after 3 years. But in the meantime we need serious financial support from other churches and Christians. Ask God to provide the resources we need for this ministry.
• Pray for wisdom (and leaders!) as we finalise plans to significantly expand our children’s and youth ministry next year (we’re hoping to start 2 new primary school groups, and 2 new high school youth groups). This will be biting off a lot, so pray for energy and many to step up to serve.
• Pray for our regulars to be bold at inviting their friends along to church as we get stuck into John’s gospel together. Ask for God to stir our hearts with a passion for His glory and a desire to share Christ with others.

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Praise God for growing our adult bible study groups (we’ve got 16 adults in a Wednesday night group and 4 ladies in our women’s bible study group on Tuesday arvo). Please pray for us to grow in maturity, godliness, knowledge of the scriptures, love for Jesus and passion for reaching the lost.
• Praise God for Dave and Min who are leading our music ministry! Pray for God to equip and sustain them.
• Praise God for Deb and Bruce who are doing a great job of looking after our catering. Ask for God to sustain them.
• Praise God for the great fellowship we’re experiencing as God draws together a new community.

ASK GOD

• We’re changing the service time from 10am to 5pm for summer (from 15th Nov) in an attempt to be more accessible to the young families who are involved with Nippers. Ask God for the transition to be a good one, with the result that more people come to Christ.
• Ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal will also be open to it)
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Committee as they seek to finalise the budget for 2010, and ask for God to provide the resources for the mission. (We are looking at a budget of around $103,000 and will need plenty of God’s people to be generous!)
• Pray for Chris, Sharon and Caleb as they have 2 weeks holiday (26 Oct – 9 Nov). Pray for good time together and for refreshment
• Pray for Matt Jacobs and Chris Allan as they preach at Coast EC on the 1st and 8th Nov.
• Pray for wisdom (and leaders!) as we finalise plans to significantly expand our childrens and youth ministry next year (We’re hoping to start 2 new primary school groups, and 2 new high school youth groups). This will be biting off a lot, so pray for energy and many to step up to serve.
• Pray for our regulars to be bold at inviting their friends along to church, especially as we re-launch for summer and get stuck into John’s gospel together.

Thanks for your encouragement, support, generosity and prayers. This ministry would not be possible without your partnership.

Keep your eyes on Jesus,
Chris

_____________________________________

Download a printable version here

PRAISE GOD

• Praise God for drawing together a great core group of locals. Coast EC has now got 30 regular adults coming to the Sunday service. Ask for God to make our love for each other increase and to overflow in mission to the region.
• Praise God for the womens bible study group and the youth girls bible study group (’chicks’) that kicked off on 15th Sept. Pray for Sharon and Alicia as they lead these groups, and for God to use them to draw many women into deeper fellowship and maturity in their faith
• Praise God for raising up musicians! Pray for Dave and Min as they step up to lead us in praising God and encouraging each other through song.
• Praise God for the wonderful provision of a house for Chris and Sharon. Ask for it to be a great base for their family and the church.

ASK GOD

• Ask God to draw more people to Himself as we move the service time from 10am to 5pm for summer (in an attempt to be more accessible to the young families who are involved with Nippers).
• Ask God to open the door to the local high schools so we can teach Scripture. (Praise God for the initial positive response we’ve had from the Principal at Forster High, and ask that as we approach Tuncurry High the principal
• Pray for Tim Scott (pastor of the CCC church in Forster) and his 4 kids. Tim’s wife Cathy died unexpectedly. Pray for God to use her death for his glory.
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Commitee as they meet Sunday 27th Sept to manage church finance issues and to draft a budget for 2010
• Pray for Alicia as she has two weeks of time off over the October school holidays. Pray that it would be enjoyable and refreshing for her.

• Praise God for drawing people into fellowship. We’ve got about 25 adults and 10 kids who call COAST EC home; 8 boys coming to the youth group (Grommets); and 17 people coming to our home group / bible study on Monday nights. Pray for them to grow in maturity, and to partner with us in our mission.
• Praise God for the kids who’ve started coming to kids church (Coasties) as a result of contact made at the recent kids outreach program (Holiday Hang Out). Pray for God to also draw their families into the kingdom. Ask for God to grant Tom and Ali wisdom and energy as head up this ministry.
• Praise God for a good time of fellowship at the FIEC conference on 10-12 August @ Collaroy. Ask for God to use this network of like-minded churches to make a huge impact on our nation, and that many more Christ-honouring churches will be planted in the next few years.
• Ask for God to burden our hearts with a deep love for the lost that drives us to prayer and mission. Pray for wisdom and boldness as we seek to connect with many locals. Ask for opportunities and courage to share the gospel.
• Pray for Chris as he prepares to speak at St Matts (West Pennant Hills) Mission weekend (28-30 Aug).
• Pray for God to open the door into the Primary Schools (so we can run a lunchtime outreach group for kids in years 5-6), and into the High Schools (so we can teach scripture to year 7 next year). Pray for other ministers in the area to get on board with this so we can approach the school with a unified front.
• Chris, Sharon and Caleb are moving into the house they bought on 11th and 12th Sept. Ask for God to use this house as a great base for their family and the church. Pray for good connections with their new neighbours that lead to gospel conversions.
• Caleb (7 months old) is being dedicated to the Lord on Sunday 13th Sept. Pray for him to grow up knowing, loving and serving Jesus. Pray also for the family and friends who attend to be convicted about the truth of the gospel and their own need to respond.
• Pray for the women’s home group and the teenage girls home group to get established on a Tuesday afternoon (starting 15th Sept)
• Pray for Alicia (doing MTS) – for God to heal her from tonsillitis soon.

• Praise God for drawing people into fellowship. We’ve got about 25 adults and 10 kids who call Coast EC home; and 6 boys coming to the youth group. Pray for them to grow servant hearts and to get involved in serving.
• Praise God how Holiday Hang Out came together! We had a couple new kids join us to have fun and learn about Jesus. Praise God for the St Faith’s Mission Crew that came up and worked hard for the Kingdom. Pray that the kids that came (and their families) will be linked into Grommets and Coasties and keep coming to learn about Jesus.
• Praise God for good relationships with the school we’re meeting in (We renewed our lease until the end of the year)
• Praise God that he has provided regular work for Ali and Tom! Please pray that God will provide work for Stu really soon, and that Evan will find some part time work too (Evan is starting a Certificate in Aged Care in August).
• Pray for Coasties Kids Church, that the new kids that have been coming will keep coming. Pray that local families will use this great resource of kids ministry, and that Tom and Ali will have wisdom as they lead Coasties.
• Pray for the upcoming Christianity Explored Course starting Wed 5th August. Pray for people to attend and get saved. And also for those at COAST EC to be bold and have open doors to invite people.
• Pray for a good time of fellowship at the FIEC conference on 10-12 August @ Collaroy.
• Pray for wisdom for the Admin Committee as we meet on 2nd August to work through the finance issues.
• Ask for God to burden our hearts with a deep love for the lost that drives us to prayer and mission. Pray for wisdom and boldness as we seek to connect with many locals. Ask for opportunities to share the gospel.
• Pray for Chris as he prepares to speak at St Matts (West Penannt Hills) Mission weekend (28-30 Aug).
• Pray for God to open the door into the Primary Schools (so we can run a lunchtime outreach group for kids in yrs5-6), and into the High Schools (so we can teach scripture to yr 7 next year). Pray for other ministers in the area to get on board with this so we can liaise better with the school.
  ]]> http://www.coastec.net.au/july-09-prayer-update/feed/ 0 http://www.coastec.net.au/june-09-prayer-update/ http://www.coastec.net.au/june-09-prayer-update/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:49:20 +0000 leesh http://www.coastec.net.au/?p=679 Hi friends,

  Thanks for taking an interest in this church plant and supporting us. We know that ‘unless the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain’. So please pray for the Lord to change many hearts!

  You can read the prayer points below, or download a print friendly version.

  Praise God for:

  • The 15 adults and 7 kids who’ve started calling COAST Evangelical Church their home church since we kicked off 12 weeks ago.
  • The new women’s bible study group that Sharon started 2 weeks ago. So far, 3 new women have joined.
  • The kids that are regularly attending Grommets (year 5 & 6 youth group) – we had 6 there last Friday!!!
  • The great opportunity Alicia Barnes (doing MTS) gets to share the gospel as she teaches two year 2 scripture classes at Forster Public School.
  • His amazing love and provision for the church.
  • For the regular work that Tom and Ali Brittle have received.

  Ask God to:

  • Provide jobs for Stu and Evan, plus more shifts for Tom. This is becoming increasingly urgent. Ask for continued motivation for these guys to apply for jobs, and for them not to get discouraged.
  • Keep helping us understand and apply Colossians, and to support each other in living it out.
  • Help us connect with many people in town – to build friendships, to love and serve them, and to have gospel intentionality with them. For boldness and wisdom.
  • Open doors to the high schools (so we can teach Scripture to year 7 next year), and
    the Primary Schools (so we can start a yr5-6 SUPA club on a monday or wednesday lunchtime). We are trying to work with other pastors in this – ask for wisdom for Chris as he leads this process.

  • Keep providing the finances (especially in light of the serious unemployment issues in our church).
  • Help Alicia and Evan as they plan the Mid Year Mission (22-24 July). Please pray that this Mission reaches many unsaved year 5 and 6 kids in this region, and that they become linked to Grommets. Pray for the St Faith’s Crew who are coming up to serve, that they’d grow in godliness and maturity.
  • Keep working in the core team as they head up their various ministries. That they’d have energy and wisdom as they serve, and be able to start training others to serve. Pray that they’d stay focused on Jesus and bathe their ministries in prayer.
  • Refresh Chris and Sharon as they have a week off (28 June – 4 July).

  Thanks people!

  ]]> http://www.coastec.net.au/june-09-prayer-update/feed/ 0 http://www.coastec.net.au/may-09-prayer-update/ http://www.coastec.net.au/may-09-prayer-update/#comments Mon, 25 May 2009 01:36:47 +0000 leesh http://www.coastec.net.au/?p=537 Hey people,

  We’ve been going for 7 weeks now! Here’s some recent news and praise/prayer points…

  The core group (all 7 of us!) have been working hard at building relationships through the soccer club, mother’s group and work places. Please pray for us to shine brightly as we live for Jesus, and for wisdom and boldness to share the gospel.

  We’re praising God that several local people have decided to join the church! So far 2 families, and about 8 others have said they’re keen to call Coast Evangelical their home church. Many people who’ve been coming along are people who’ve fallen out from going to church in the last 6 years or so. Pray that they’ll get through their past pain, rejoin fellowship, and make a fresh start of serving Jesus.

  We’re building a kids church and youth group around the children who have started coming. The kids are keen to invite their mates, and the parents are going to start inviting other parents and kids from the local schools. Please pray for heaps of kids to get converted and for them to bring their families to church too.

  Praise God that our Youth group (yrs5-6) started two weeks ago with 3 kids regularly coming. Pray that they’ll keep coming, growing in their faith in Jesus and that they’ll invite their mates. Pray for Evan and Alicia as they head up this ministry. We’re planning a mid year mission to yr5-6 kids (July 22-24 July) – pray for the young team from St Faiths Narrabeen who are coming to help us.

  Please pray that we’d be able to start a second home group / bible study group soon. We’re trying to round up a core for that, and one of the new ladies who’s joined the church is praying about hosting.

  I met with some pastors and the principal of the Great Lakes College to talk about getting High School Scripture started next year. The proposal has now gone to the school board / P & C. Please ask for God to open this door, and for Him to raise up gifted teachers to share Christ with the 1600 students at the College.

  Also pray for Tom, Ali and Stu – that they’d get regular jobs soon (and stay positive and motivated to keep looking).

  Give thanks for the generosity of God’s people who’ve made this ministry possible so far, and ask for God to keep providing the funds and resources we need.

  Thanks for your prayers and support

  Chris
  (and the COAST EC team)

  ]]> http://www.coastec.net.au/may-09-prayer-update/feed/ 0