Reformation Day 2026 event

Mark Gilbert, Certainty4Eternity and Evangelism and New Churches are running what promises to be a super helpful event.

A morning helping Protestant Christians to speak with people from a Roman Catholic background about Jesus with understanding, clarity, confidence, and wisdom.

Saturday 31st October 2026, 9:15am–2:45pm at St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney.

Mark also writes,

As inheritors of the Reformation, Reformation Day is a great opportunity to celebrate our identity in Christ.

But as well as that, Reformation Day 2026 will help those that come to understand people from a Roman Catholics background better so they can have great conversations with them about Jesus.

Please consider coming and bringing a team with you.

• Bible Teaching
• Historical Theology
• Applied Theology
• Evangelistic Tips
• Wonderful Testimonies
• Stephen Shead playing the grand piano
• Curated Bookstall
• Free Food

What’s not to love?

See the promo video below – and reserve your spot.

George Whitefield College newsletter October 2026

It’s important to remember that what the people of South Africa (and Australia) need most is the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. George Whitefield College in Cape Town is equipping men and women to share that gospel.

In an email to supporters, College Principal Mark Dickson introduces their latest newsletter –

“This edition celebrates the rich heritage and cultural diversity of our College community, where students from across Africa and beyond come together to be shaped by God’s Word and equipped for gospel-centred ministry. Our different languages, traditions and experiences remind us of the beauty of God’s global Church, while our shared faith in Jesus Christ unites us in a purpose that reaches far beyond our own cultures and borders.

Through the stories in this newsletter, we hope you will be encouraged by what God is doing through the lives of our students, graduates and wider GWC community. We are grateful for your prayers, partnership and continued interest in the work of the College. As you read, please consider sharing these stories with others. We especially encourage churches to download and print the newsletter for their congregations, helping more people discover how theological education is preparing faithful men and women to serve Christ and strengthen His Church across Africa and beyond.

Thank you for being part of this work. May we continue to celebrate both the diversity of God’s people and the unity we share in Christ.”

Download the newsletter at this link. And see previous newsletters.

Among the stories in this newsletter:

L-R: Vice-Principal: Development Dr. Vuyani Sindo, David Mansfield, Dr. David Seccombe, Principal Dr. Mark Dickson.

“Former GWC Principal Dr David Seccombe honoured at book launch

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the launch of The Secco Collection, David Mansfield’s new publication celebrating the life, ministry and enduring influence of GWC’s former Principal, Dr David Seccombe.

It was a special afternoon of memories, stories and fellowship as we reflected on Dr Seccombe’s contribution to the church, to theological education and to the many lives he influenced through his ministry.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fruits of Dr Seccombe’s vision, faithfulness, and commitment to theological education in Africa tangibly seen in the richly diverse community that GWC enjoys today, with students drawn from across the continent and beyond. Visit gwc.ac.za to read the full article.”

A surprise visitor

“A few months ago, a Carnarvon man walked into church for the first time and said, ‘My family has been praying for me, and I thought I’d come to church today.’…”

– Here’s a short, but wonderfully encouraging, story from the Diocese of North West Australia.

ALIVE rally at Penrith 19 September

Dave Jensen has been speaking at ALIVE rallies across greater Sydney.

The last one is coming up at the Western Sydney Convention Centre in Penrith on Saturday 19th September. Could you take friends?

From the website:

“ALIVE is a movement led by Evangelism & New Churches (ENC) and fuelled by local churches across Australia.”

Here’s the promo video:

Five things to love about the Mark Drama

“This year I’ve been involved with the national committee for the Mark Drama – or as we call it in France, Marc L’Expérience (MLE). It’s been a year of transition and learning as I take over coordinating the committee and all projects for MLE in France, as well as finishing my training to be a director.  

MLE is a theatrical presentation of Mark’s Gospel. It’s performed all over the world, including in Australia. In France, MLE is coordinated through the GBU student groups, though we also help local churches put on performances. …”

– Karina Brabham, who serves with CMS in Poitiers, France, shares the blessings of the Mark Drama. At the CMS Australia website.

Photo: The first performance by the Strasbourg students. CMS photo.

Glad tidings and the New Testament of William Tyndale

“Five hundred years ago, William Tyndale produced an extraordinary gift to the world: his English translation of the New Testament. It has rightly been called ‘a treasure of English-speaking culture’. The old adage ‘No Tyndale, no Shakespeare’ is probably spot on.

But Tyndale would be surprised if we were to rejoice in his impact upon English language and culture only. No, it is the immeasurable spiritual impact of his work for which we ought chiefly to praise God. …”

– At SydneyAnglicans.net, Mark Earngey, Head of Church History at Moore College, gives thanks for William Tyndale and his work.

Photo: Moore College.

Nothing in my hands…

From the Dean of Sydney, Sandy Grant,

“Dear Friends, sadly, diphtheria has been in the news again, due to the outbreak of this serious bacterial infection interstate. …

Diphtheria was a common cause of death in Australian children until the 1940s. Today, cases are rare due to high vaccination rates. …

The impact of diphtheria was brought closer to my consciousness when I served in the Parish of Kurrajong. The minister’s residence had a cemetery right next door.

The saddest graves were a family plot near the entrance. In it were buried George and Henrietta Jaffray, and four of their children. …”

– From the St. Andrew’s Cathedral Sydney newsletter for 4th June 2026.

In addition, he shares, “P.S. On a different note, here is one of the most helpful articles I’ve read all year… by a tradesman, not an academic.”

– Both at the link.

Photo: Cemetery of the former Presbyterian Church in Cranbrook, Tasmania.

John Lennox interviewed on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett

Oxford mathematician and Christian apologist John Lennox in a brilliant interview –

“A powerful conversation on AI, God, hell, truth, and more.

John Lennox sat down with Steven Bartlett to discuss his life, his faith and his insights on what it means to be human in the age of AI on one of the biggest podcasts in the world.”

– Posted last week, and already seen by two million viewers, this interview with John Lennox is very much worth your time.

It’s 86 minutes long, so set aside the time. (Direct link on YouTube.)

Consider how you might share it with others – whether Christian or not.

No condemnation No separation — Romans chapter 8

Bishop of Bathurst Mark Calder is continuing his series on Romans – this week he is up to chapter 8.

See the full series here.

Peace with God

At Moore College chapel on Friday, Mark Calder, Bishop of the Diocese of Bathurst, preached from Romans 5:1-11.

– Good to hear and great to share.

So Many Dumb Ways To Die?

From Tim Challies:

“Do you remember the catchy little earworm ‘Dumb Ways To Die?’

In what was undoubtedly one of history’s most successful public awareness campaigns, Metro Trains of Melbourne, Australia, reached millions of people around the world with their message of railroad safety. …”

– He reminds us that – despite all whatever the campaigns tell us – there are really only two ways to die.

Related:

Two Ways to Live.

Comfort in God’s Sovereignty

“Are you feeling your life circumstances out of control? Or are you feeling anxious about the future?

Let’s take comfort with Scripture’s most comforting teaching: the Sovereignty of God. …”

– Partick Jason shares Scriptural truths at AP, the Presbyterian online journal.

Revelation 12 and Easter

Mark Powell at AP, the Australian Presbyterian online journal writes,

“It’s easy to become so familiar with the person and work of Jesus that we fail to appreciate the cosmic significance which it had. In particular, what did Christ’s person and work look like from a heavenly perspective? This is where Revelation 12 is so helpful with its ‘unveiling’ regarding the true spiritual significance of what took place in history approximately 2000 years ago.

While I’m sure not many preachers would choose this particular part of God’s Word to preach on at Easter, Revelation 12 has often been viewed by scholars as ‘the centre and the key to the entire book’. In short, as Greg Beale summarises: ‘As a result of Christ’s victory over the devil God protects the messianic community against the Devil’s wrathful harm’.

That’s a message which surely goes to the heart of what the Gospel is all about! Too many preachers shy away from the book of Revelation, so I would like to exhort us to lean into its contents as a powerful way of preaching the victory of Jesus who is the Christ. …”

– Read it all here.

The Dawn has broken

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

There is an African Proverb that says, “However, long the night, the dawn will break.”

On this glorious day, Christians across every tongue, tribe, and nation gather together to proclaim the most world-changing truth in all of human history: the tomb is empty, death is defeated, and Jesus Christ reigns as Lord.

Easter is not just a symbol or a season. It is a fact — the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the first-fruits of a new creation.

Because He lives, we live. Because He has conquered sin and death, there is no corner of this earth, no depth of suffering, no weight of grief that stands beyond the reach of His resurrection power and endless love.

To our brothers and sisters around the world — in seasons of joy and in seasons of persecution — we say with one voice: Hold fast in the hope of the resurrection. The risen Christ holds you, He sees you, and He hears your prayers.

He who walked out of the grave on the third day is the same Lord who walks with you today. And as we joyfully proclaim every week in our services, Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again. 

This Easter, may the living hope of the resurrection fill your hearts, strengthen your faith, and send you out as witnesses to the world that Jesus Christ is alive — and that His Kingdom shall have no end.

Let us pray together:

Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may, by your life-giving Spirit, be delivered from sin and raised from death; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Grace and peace,

The Most Revd Dr Laurent Mbanda
Chairman of the Global Anglican Council
Easter Day, 5th April, 2026

A clip worth re-watching

Alistair Begg preaching in 2019 on the Power and the Message of the Cross. You may have seen it before, but it’s worth re-watching.

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