The Year in Review

We began this year with the phrase “all the more” from Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

God gave us a clear strategy to focus on the “one another” commands of the New Testament, to love and encourage each other all the more because of the wonderful hope that we have in him. This year we have seen many blessings for us as the Lifeway family - five people baptised, four children dedicated by their parents to the Lord, salvations, people set free physically, mentally and emotionally, and an increasing number of people coming to call Lifeway their spiritual ‘home’.

Our Kids Ministry is flourishing as more families are attending (and more often)! For the last couple of years we have focussed on providing a kids programme on a fortnightly basis as we’ve developed a new team post-covid. Now the challenge before us is to (re)launch new youth and young adult ministries. We are trusting the Lord to guide us and to provide leaders, facilities and other resources. We are also just about to send our first long term missionary couple overseas – Jylan and Nathan will be returning to YWAM Japan to be part of developing a new YWAM base in Otaru (Hokkaido).

This year we have worked on the spiritual rhythms of worship and fellowship in our community by having a range of opportunities to connect and go deeper with God and each other, such as monthly mens’ Bible study in a café, regular social outings and nights chatting around a backyard fire. For the ladies we also have a monthly women’s night (lots of laughter and fun is had), bible study groups etc.

Our leadership team has been stretched this year with the many opportunities for ministry throughout the church and it is wonderful to see them flourishing as the leaders God has called them to be. We are very grateful for them as we continue to lead and shepherd those whom God has given us to care for together. The Lord is adding to our church family, and we continue to seek Him for a continual outpouring of the Spirit in love, grace and power.

We are starting to fill out the hall that we hire on Sunday afternoons (our main church gathering), and it is forcing us to look ahead at what the next steps for us as a church family look like.  It is only a few months since we rearranged our seating plan to fit more chairs in our Sunday gathering and already we are filling it up again! It’s a good problem to have and are trusting God to provide wisdom and a way forward, with space and leaders/teams for kids and youth also.

God is constantly faithful to us all, and we have certainly experienced His constant blessing. We continue to lean in close to Him to discern His voice and to press on towards the long-term God-given dreams we hold for Lifeway Church. We are grateful for the continuing support we receive from Josh and the CCH Eldership, and also to Kat and Patricia, who continue to provide us with great admin and financial support.

Much love,

Dave and Caroline Dennis

Pastors of Lifeway Church Port Macquarie