“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Neil Flower
From Moore College:
“For Neil Flower, studying at Moore College was a formative experience, helping him to systematize and understand the Bible’s teaching about God, people, and life. Over the past 16 years of retirement, Neil has travelled across Australia—from Karratha to Lord Howe Island—serving in locum roles, leading evangelistic missions, and teaching the Bible. His passion for evangelism continues to drive him, finding no greater joy than seeing people commit their lives to Christ.
Neil encourages churches to pray for their ministers, that they would stay sharp in their mission to lead, disciple, and build up God’s people.”
– Moore College is continuing its “100 Ministry Stories” series – this time with Neil Flower.
Earlier, the College spoke with Daniel Faricy with BCA in Kununurra in the Diocese of North West Australia:
“Daniel Faricy and his family followed God’s call beyond Sydney to serve in the Diocese of North West Australia, ministering in Kununurra with Bush Church Aid. While they have seen great openness to the gospel, the transient nature of the town presents challenges in building long-term relationships. Yet, they remain committed to sharing Jesus and sending people on with a kingdom focus.
Daniel asks for prayer for wisdom in reaching the community and for their children to grow as strong disciples of Christ.”
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Chenny Thie
“Chenny Thie serves with CMS in Japan, sharing the gospel with university students in Tokyo. Moore College equipped her to confidently handle God’s Word, enabling her to teach students how to read and understand the Bible for themselves and share it with others. She treasures the fellowship and shared learning she experienced at Moore, which continues to shape her ministry today.”
– Moore College’s “100 Ministry Stories” continues with Chenny Thie, serving in Japan.
Why I Left the Church of Rome
“I grew up in a devout Roman Catholic family and attended private Catholic schools for both my primary (St John’s Riverstone) and secondary education (Oakhill College, Castle Hill) both in the Western Suburbs of Sydney, NSW. While nothing is perfect, I really enjoyed my upbringing and even aspired to becoming a De La Salle brother, which is kind of like a ‘teaching monk’.
All that changed though when I received a sporting scholarship to the United States to play tennis on the college circuit. In the providence of God, I ended up in a Missouri Synod Lutheran University in Southern California, formerly called ‘Christ College Irvine’ but is now Concordia University. My world was about to be turned upside down. …”
– At AP, Presbyterian minister Mark Powell shares the wonderful news he heard, and how it changed his life.
Lord for the Years: A tribute to Timothy Dudley-Smith
BBC Radio 4 last week aired an edition of “Sunday Worship” with a tribute to Timothy Dudley-Smith.
It’s available on their website for a limited time.
(Image from a 2020 message from Bishop Dudley-Smith to the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland.)
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Dan Lee
Moore College is continuing its “100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” – this one features Dan Lee:
“Dan Lee came to know Jesus at the end of high school through a local youth group where he first experienced Christian community and read the Bible for himself. After completing a ministry apprenticeship, he chose Moore College to deepen his theological understanding, particularly gaining a richer grasp of the Trinity. Now leading a new campus of MBM Church in Parramatta, Dan encourages all ministry apprentices to pursue theological education, equipping them to serve effectively—whether in paid ministry or as active church members.”
Melbourne Anglicans mourn former Archbishop of Melbourne Keith Rayner
“Australian Anglicans are mourning the death of a former Melbourne archbishop and pivotal figure in the ordination of women in the Church.
Bishop Keith Rayner died peacefully on 12 January 2025, almost eight weeks after his 95th birthday. …”
– From The Melbourne Anglican.
Photo: Stpeters-cathedral, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
“100 Ministry Stories from Moore College” — Peter Sholl
Moore College is featuring this brief video from Peter Sholl, International Director of CMS Australia as part of its “100 Ministry Stories”:
“God used Peter’s time at College to equip him with a solid foundation in theological thinking and a heart for mission, preparing him for service as a CMS missionary.
Now serving as the International Director of CMS Australia, Peter supports missionaries around the world, encouraging gospel work across cultures.
Peter’s story attests to how God uses theological training to prepare men and women for global ministry.”
Alistair Begg: Honesty, Humour and Hope
From The Pastor’s Heart:
“We speak to Alistair Begg about pastors, suffering, humility and surviving long term in ministry. Alistair Begg is in Sydney this week speaking at the Church Missionary Society conference in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
Alistair has served the people of Cleveland Ohio for 42 years at Parkside Church and has a global impact through the influential Truth for Life Ministry.
We go backstage with Alistair to discuss: His teaching on 1 Peter, focussing on suffering, perseverance, trials, humility and standing firm in God’s grace. Reflections on 40+ years of pastoral ministry and lessons learned along the way. Insights into global mission and the long-term commitment of missionaries. His upcoming transition after more than four decades of leadership. The impact of Australia on his ministry in the US, including his close friendship with former Moore College Principal John Woodhouse. Insights into preparing for life after pastoral leadership as he approaches his final months as senior pastor.”
After 150 years of Christian compassion Leprosy is nearly defeated
“In November, people from nearly thirty countries gathered in New Delhi for the 150th anniversary of The Leprosy Mission. they thanked God for amazing progress in treating the disease and committed to strive for a world without leprosy by 2035. A world without leprosy is within sight. With improved preventative medication, diagnostic tests, and even vaccines, the tools and knowledge needed to end leprosy are in our grasp.
‘It was a marvellous time of celebrating the progress we’ve made, but also longing to finish the job,’ said Greg Clarke, the CEO of The Leprosy Mission Australia (TLMA).…”
– This article by Anne Lim at The Gospel Coalition Australia is a great encouragement. It’s also a reminder of the key work of Australian doctors such as Grace Warren.
Photo: Dr Grace Warren meeting Diana, Princess of Wales, Anandaban Hospital, Nepal, 1993. From Leprosy Mission Australia.
Albert Mohler remembers US President Jimmy Carter
In a special edition of his The Briefing broadcast, Dr Albert Mohler reflects on the life of former US President Jimmy Carter, who has died at the age of 100 years.
The edition includes reference to President Carter’s understanding of Biblical Authority and Evangelical Identity.
50 years on: Santa never made it into Darwin, but Christian journo Ramon Williams did
Fifty years ago, in the early hours of Christmas morning 1974, the city of Darwin was devastated by Cyclone Tracy.
At John Sandeman’s The Other Cheek, Jon Guyer at Panania Anglican Church shares some recollections from Ramon Williams, the grandmaster of Christian journalism, on his lightning trip to Darwin, a city ravaged by Cyclone Tracy.
Also see Ramon’s account of his trip to Darwin in this 2018 interview with The Rev Keith Garner at the Wesley Mission:
Top photo with thanks to Anglican Media Sydney.
Ramon has generously shared many of his photographs with us over the years and we are immensely grateful. See some of them in these posts.
The Astronaut who left NASA to help support healthy churches
“In spring 2021, Capitol Hill Baptist Church (CHBC) in Washington, DC, had nine pastoral interns. Eight were 40 years old and under. Seven were coming out of—or would head into—seminary.
And one was NASA’s former head astronaut. Pat Forrester was 63 years old. …”
– Sarah Zylstra has this encouraging story at The Gospel Coalition.
Interview with Richard Chin
Moore College has published this video interview by Archie Poulos with Richard Chin.
Most encouraging and challenging. Runs for 19 minutes.
Related:
The Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students.
An interview with Jocelyn Loane
At The Australian Church Record, Kirsten McKinlay catches up with Jocelyn Loane to find out about her new book Motherhood — How the gospel shapes our purpose and priorities.
Rico Tice comments on the Makin Report
“My heart aches for all the victims of John Smyth, some of whom I know personally. I remember them as people who were enormously kind to me as a schoolboy, at a difficult time in my life. It’s devastating to discover that people who showed me such compassion were victims of Smyth’s cruel abuse.
These victims have a right to the truth about what happened. I also know that media attention on this issue will be intensely painful to some, and that in speaking about it I have a responsibility to consider both of these things. I hope that in sharing what I know with The Times earlier this week, and again here, I am honouring them. That is certainly my intention. …”
– Rico Tice writes at Honest Evangelism.
See also:
‘I didn’t leave the Church of England. It left me’ – Premier Christianity.
(Thanks to Anglican Mainstream for the links.)