About the Church in Australia

Thurgoona is a small town 10 hours southwest of the large city of Sydney, Australia and 3 hours north of Melbourne. A small group of Christians in Thurgoona have been praying for "God to bring them guidance in restarting an evangelical church in their midst which has been in decline"  Surprisingly, only 12.5% of the population is evangelical. Australia was not founded upon a Christian base therefore, most people are indifferent to God and do not see their need for a Savior. Thurgoona has 3 major universities and is also the agricultural hub of New South Wales.

Over the past two years teams have travelled twice to the town of Thurgoona, located three hours northwest of Melbourne. A small church plant has been struggling, praying for a church to come alongside them and partner with them to help them grow and lead people to Christ.

This past spring Pastor Jerry and Katie Goodell travelled to Thurgoona to lead a pastor’s and women’s conference. During that time, Pastor Jerry challenged the church to pray the Prayer of Jabez. The church accepted the challenge and began to pray. They started to see God- sized things happen! They not only had additional residents of Thurgoona start to attend, but also Bhutanese and Ethiopian peoples. The church has a weekly attendance of 60, the highest Sunday attendance has been 74, this including over 20 children. Each week buses bring people to Sunday services who have no other transportation.

Mission Trip Opportunity:

Sydney (Thurgoona), Australia
Dates: June or July 2012 (Tentative)
Approx. Cost: To be determined 
(Passport cost is not included)

Purpose of the Trip
To continue to work alongside the church plant & serve with the nationals in the development of the Church Plants discipleship program. We will provide leadership training, VBS children's ministry and evangelism outreach programs.

Trip Team Meetings
There will be several team meetings for those going on the trip. These meetings will be scheduled & announced through. the FBC Worship Guide, FBC Website, our Missions Office and through our Connect Groups.

Pray for Australia:
For more leadership as those currently leading are “stretched thin.” They need Bhutanese leaders.

For many in the services that are unsaved. Pray that those who are lost will understand the foundational truth of the Gospel and for conviction of sin.

For a bi-vocational pastor for the group.

Ways You Can Give:
Ministry teaching materials for children and adults.
Bible “players” in the Bhutanese language

Staff Continent Leaders: Jerry Goodell and Walter Dearie
Lay Continent Leader: Ronda Davis

Let us know if you would like more information or would like to sign-up for the RS7 Australia Team.