A Newsletter – From the Russell Family
Calvary Chapel Melbourne, Australia
February, 2008 Volume 2, Number 7
Greetings in the Name of the Lord,
I hope all is well and your new year is off to a great start. I pray that with the many goals and aspirations ahead, your eyes are kept on Jesus Christ. Sometimes our days can be so packed full of tasks that we may feel overwhelmed like were drowning in the sea of life. The more we gaze at our situation or circumstance, the more we want to hide or take that walk to a secluded place where there are no worries.
Maybe you can relate. I have found that the crazier life and ministry becomes, the more I need to trust in the Lord. Once I take my eyes off of Him and look at my circumstances, the more overwhelmed, stressed, scared, fearful, anxious and worried I become. When I don’t have the peace of God in my life, I know that I’m in sin and not trusting in the Lord. So God’s peace is the thermostat or barometer in my life.
This is what the Lord has been speaking and teaching me over the last several months.
I need to trust that the Lord will provide for our finances, He will protect us from harms way and from the enemy, He will bless us if we are obeying Him, and He will use us if we are abiding in Him.
40 days of Prayer and Fasting
On Feb 4th we will be starting a 40 days of Prayer and Fasting campaign. Each week we will be fasting and praying over specific things. If you are either interested in the materials, please feel free to email me or go to my web site at :
http://web.mac.com/calvarymissions/
The_Aussie_Connection/Monthly_Newsletters.html
What’s New in Children’s Ministry?
On February 3rd, we will be starting an eighteen week program on The Armor of God. We have put together an exciting and fun curriculum that covers all of the Children’s Ministry age groups: (Crèche 0-4yrs); Adventure Kids (Kindergarten –grade 4) and the Junior High Group (5-8th grade). We will be introducing, The Armor of God With an Army Boot Camp theme: There will be lots of Sir Yes Sir’s! and Mam Yes Mam’s! We have had such a blast creating this curriculum and are very excited to see how the Lord is going to use His word to touch the hearts and lives of the children here at Calvary Melbourne.
We will also have our first Children’s Ministry training this month. Please be in prayer that the volunteers will come with an open heart and desire to learn, grow and gain insight on how to teach the children more effectively.
What’s Next on the Russell’s Agenda?
We are going to be applying for our Visa extension, so we will have another two more years to serve here. It is amazing how quickly these past two years of gone. Please pray for a quick process.
We are getting close to finalizing our home leave trip in June. I’m hoping to attend the Senior Pastors conference during the first week of June. Then we will try to visit with as many as possible over the next two weeks. The airfare has gone up more than $2000 than last year. So we are trying to do all we can to make it. Please pray for the provision and funds.
Leadership Quote of the month
“Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.” — Stephen R. Covey
Verse of the month
Mark 6:31 And he said unto them, “Come apart by yourselves into a desert place, and rest a while”
Prayer request:
A greater passion for the Word of God and for the people of Australia.
For the anointing of the Spirit upon our lives and the churc
For strength and guidance as we home school Joshua this year
For protection, discernment, and guidance.
For wisdom in making decisions.
Provision in finances – monthly support and for home leave.
Just to let you know
Here is our churches web site:
Here is our “Aussie Connection” web site that I’m trying to develop: http://web.mac.com/calvarymissions/
The_Aussie_Connection/Welcome.html
Blessings to you and until next time,
Pastor Andrew Russell
Andrew, Niki, Joshua, and Christian
Contact info:
3 Walton Court
Narre Warren,
VIC, 3805 Australia
011-61-3-9796-7771 = home #
011-61-4-3456-2543 = mobile (cell) #
Email address: ccma@calvarychapel.com
Sending Support address:
Saving Grace World Missions
17451 Bastanchury Road, Suite 203
Yorba Linda, CA 92886
(714) 993-4801
Memo line: the Russell’s in Australia
