Reachout

IN THIS TIME OF NEED

(January 24, 2020) Robert McQuillan encourages continued prayer and caring for Australia in this time of need …

The bushfires ravaging our nation, the total devastation of towns, businesses, homes and forests; the loss of livestock and nature’s animals – and sadly some lives including brave firefighters, two from the States – has seen Australia foremost in the news recently and even declared a war zone.

In short, Australia is currently in great need! And I’m reminded of Psalm 136, that psalm that rings loudly of God’s unceasingly love. Verse 25 (Message) declares: ‘[God] Takes care of everyone in time of need. His love never quits!’ That’s so precious, so reassuring to those who trust in God.

Worldwide caring prayer
It’s been great to hear from friends overseas sincerely enquiring about our safety – and we can advise that we’re not in the fire danger areas. Their caring becomes even more precious when they say that they’re praying and caring not just for us only but for our nation, that the bad news on TV has touched their hearts! (more…)

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN…

(January 15, 2020) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reminds us of Jesus’ challenges and warnings …

We’re already almost halfway the first month of 2020! Christmas is over… and whatever gifts we were given are parts of last year’s history.

However, thinking of gifts given reminds me strongly of the greatest gift ever, that of God’s gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

What a glorious free gift from God, all because of his love for us (Ephesians 1:4) and his incredible grace (Romans 5:15)! Unworthy though we are, we have received so much!

As I meditate on God’s goodness, I recall afresh just how much we’ve been given. And I’m also reminded that as disciples of Christ it is our responsibility to share this good news with others – as required by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20, those scriptures known as the Great Commission.

Much given, much required!
In Luke 12 Jesus told a parable about responsibility that speaks of blessings to those who have been given much when the master returns… but also of warnings. (more…)

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GET UP…!

(December 9, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, asks a challenging question …

2019 is almost gone! Christmas – a time when people are expecting good things and encouragements by way of cards and gifts – is only a couple of weeks away.

But beyond meaningful cards and gifts, churches and Christians will be celebrating that the heart of God and the gospel message that speaks of the greatest gift of all – God’s gift of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

It’s every Christian’s responsibility to share the good news of the gospel. And, as the Holy Spirit leads, we can find opportunities to share the good news of the real reason for the season. We may not be a missionary overseas but even here at home we can fulfil the great commission in our local suburbs!

The babe of Jesus Christmas would grow up to become the Saviour of the world, calling many to follow him and share the good news of the gospel.

(more…)

ADVENTURES OF ‘THE GINGER VICAR’ AND ‘THE BALDING BISHOP’

(November 14, 2019) Michael Ireland, media missionary, shares about an unusual adventurous missions duo…

Richard Ellerington, an English church leader known as the ‘Ginger Vicar’ has embarked on a 500-mile trek along the Camino route with a surfboard attached to his back, to raise awareness of the growing global Surf Church movement.

The Ginger Vicar is the first pilgrim ever to walk the Camino with a surfboard strapped to his back… for all 500 miles.

 

Richard Ellerington with his surfboard

Vicar Ellerington, originally from Bristol, Somerset will be hiking the famous pilgrimage over a 35 day period and will be the first to do so with a surfboard in tow. (more…)

THE BIGGEST BUSINESS IN THE WORLD!

(November 13, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, challenges us to be involved in God’s business – now…

‘And this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in all the world as a witness to all nations. And then the end shall come’ declares Matthew 24:14.                              

Too often we are prone to look for the end before we have really considered the allotted task – and before we have really done enough that is realistic about witnessing to even one nation, let alone all of them.

Nevertheless the end is ultimate! But between the beginning and the end there are many factors, including time, season, opportunity, and God’s enabling.

The certainty is that the gospel must be proclaimed in the entire world, nothing less, as a witness to all nations not one less, and then and only then, will the glorious end come. Then and only then…

  • Christ will appear in the clouds
  • The dead in Christ will rise
  • We (who are still living) will be caught up and together we will meet our Saviour Jesus in the air to be forever with him!

The biggest business on earth!
Meanwhile we must be about our Father’s business. With his guidance, enabling and power, there is much work to do that must be done! (more…)

MAF PLANE TAIL CHEWED BY HUNGRY HYENA

(October 22, 2019) Michael Ireland, media missionary, shares about an unusual rescue mission in Mozambique…

Roger Clark of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) says: ‘I was in central Mozambique helping with a long inspection of an MAF Cessna 206 when the call came in from the Niassa Game Reserve in the far north of the country, nearly up into Tanzania.

‘MAF has long supported conservation work in this, the largest game (animal) reserve in Africa. The Wildlife Conservation Society flies their Cessna 206 in this 42,000 square kilometre reserve, providing anti-poaching and game counting flights. Now their airplane was grounded and they needed help.

Mechanic urgently needed in a poor country
Clark said it was a treat to be back in his old stomping grounds of South Africa, Lesotho, and for the first time, Mozambique.

‘MAF Moz has been around for 20 years, serving one of the poorest countries in the world. A country whose flag features an assault rifle, a lingering symbol like the lingering effects the 16-year civil war had on Mozambique’s 30 million people.’

Roger continued: ‘Last year I heard that their Cessna 206 was down for a long inspection and had hoped that I could go and help get it done, as they are short staffed, especially short on mechanics.’

Clark’s health kept him home last year, but he was surprised to hear that the plane was still languishing for a mechanic this year. ‘Feeling good, I made plans to head to Moz in April. My main goal was to complete the landing gear portion of what we call a 1000-hour inspection,’ he says. (more…)

WE CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

(October 22, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, brings an encouragement from his heart as he shares some personal memories…   

So often we hear great challenges from missionaries and pastors calling for Christians to make a difference for Jesus in this darkened world and to help build the kingdom of God. But, sadly, many of us belittle ourselves, thinking how could we make a difference?

Let me share something personal about myself, recalling some of ‘my story and journey’ so as to encourage readers who feel inadequate – or are wondering what God wants of them, what can they offer…

More than fifty years ago God revealed to me that we all can make a world of difference. Back then I was a new convert and knew little of God’s word and will. But… I can still remember clearly the moment after an inspiring service at a Christmas Christian camp when a man of faith laid his hands on me and prophesied that I could make a world of difference.

Me? Me? I had never been out of Australia!

But then, as his prophecy was concluding, I saw a vision of hundreds of thousands of people from multiplied nations around the world. Kevin Conner, who prophesied over me, finished with the words: ‘You will go to the nations, where God will use you for his glory.’

(more…)

POSSIBILITIES UNLIMITED   

(September 20, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reflects on a great biblical truth…      

The truth recorded in various verses of the Bible is that God himself is the source of possibilities that are unlimited.

From creation on through every generation God’s everlasting arms have lifted up and encouraged so many. He has been a refuge for troubled, hurting men, women and children, more times than can be numbered. The Almighty God of heaven and earth cares so much for us… all because of his love for us. 

But… sadly too often God’s love has been ignored and even rejected by proud sinful humankind – yet he made us, provided for us, patiently waited for our hearts to change and turn to him for fellowship and help. It is his unlimited love and mercy that give me hope today… and is available to all!

Possibilities are unlimited because of God’s love!

Certain moments can become opportunities for miracles
Jesus showed this to be true in his ministry, his death and his resurrection. He taught his disciples that the things that are impossible for us are possible for God.

One time he said to the father of a child dumb from birth because of demon possession, that anything was possible to a person who believes (Mark 9:20ff). Asked if he believed, the father cried out, ‘I believe, help my unbelief.’

That moment an impossibility became a miracle of healing and deliverance! And at Jesus’ command the boy was set free from the impure spirit.

Example of a hindrance
When a religious leader who diligently kept the law of Moses asked Jesus (Luke 18:22-30), ‘What must I do to inherit eternal life?’ the answer Jesus gave him was profound! (more…)

WHAT SOBERING WORDS – ‘TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS REQUIRED!’

(August 26, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reflects and challenges…       

For many years now, as it has been my joy to serve the Lord Jesus Christ, I have been guided and constrained by his words as found in the gospel of Luke, chapter 12 verse 48.  They ring in my mind and spirit every time I read them or think of them.  

Those challenging words from Luke’s gospel are – ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’

Sobering words!
These are sobering words indeed – challenging words, clear words – about our responsibilities as servants of God. 

And when we consider it we have indeed been given so much –

  • Forgiveness of all our sin
  • Born again by the Spirit of God
  • Washed by the atoning blood of the lamb of God
  • Peace with God
  • Adopted as children of God.

Every believer experiences the grace and mercy of God from the moment of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  Then we grow in his grace and every day we experience his mercies. We also grow in the knowledge of Christ, finding more of the power of his love and the fellowship of his sufferings. (more…)

A HEART FOR THE HARVEST

(July 19, 2019) Dr George Forbes, missionary statesman, reflects …

The Lord gave me ‘a heart for the harvest’ early in my life journey of faith! Through prophecy and a vision, within a year of my conversion I was called to the nations!

But… I failed to understand the prophecy and direction that God set before me. For many years I did not understand it: In fact it wasn’t until almost ten years later when Charles Greenwood, my pastor at Richmond Temple, guided me toward the first steps that began to unfold this major step in my life.

There’s a world harvest, not just local!
After serving as a local pastor in five churches, over about 15 years, I was asked to visit Papua New Guinea for some weeks in 1968.

Until then, my focus was on local people who needed Christ.  I did not yet have a ‘heart for the harvest’ in the world. That came progressively over some years. My annual visits to Papua New Guinea were in reality my training for the harvest in the world. I owe much to the older missionaries who demonstrated a commitment and love for the indigenous people that I did not yet have.

A lesson I valued early in my many travels as I visited missionaries and negotiated with government authorities for permits, was the necessity of never giving up and not getting tired of doing what is good, because reaping time is ahead. I also learned well that it is God who supplies ‘the seed’ of the word of truth that can set the captives free and produce an ever-growing number of new local churches of new believers (2 Corinthians 9:10).

Keys of responsibility


Every local church where the believers honour the word of God has the biblical responsibility to consider and obey the words of the Lord Jesus to look with open eyes and observe the fields where there is a ripe harvest. This is a responsibility that must be honoured in faith. (more…)