Festival Tasmania - A great time of co-operation in the Gospel

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June 2005

Festival Tasmania - A great time of co-operation in the Gospel

It was a time of Christians coming to know one another better, as they worked in service of the Lord. John Tongue reports.

It was a time of men and women being trained, encouraged and enabled in their own personal witnessing and Gospel presentation, and most importantly, it was a time when many people had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ.

But how did it affect the life of our parish? First of all, many of our own people were involved in the lead-up to the Festival in some way or other. Many learned new skills for the Kingdom, were challenged and empowered in their service of the Lord, were enthused to get out and connect with friends and colleagues and share their faith in Christ. Everyone in the parish was encouraged at the very least to be in prayer for the Festival, and their friends.

From a 'results' point of view, we had regular members of our congregations making significant steps of re-commitment to the Lord, including one man for whom this has meant added peace, in the final stages of his battle with cancer!

Some with 'minimal connection' are now getting involved in the family of God in deeper ways. Others who had little or no contact with the church, or Christian faith, have been helped to continue the walk they have begun.

We have three specific 'follow-up' groups operating at the moment across the English and Chinese congregations, with the possibility of others forming in the future. Members of our church are also leading one 'Neighbourhood' group for people who did not specify any particular church.

These transforming works of God are exciting… and involve lots of time and energy from many people. Please pray for us, and for the many other people and parishes who have been similarly touched, that the Lord who has begun such a marvellous work might carry it on to completion on the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6).

The Rev. John Tongue is Rector of Holy Trinity Hobart and Vice-Chair, Executive Committee for Festival Tasmania.

Part of the crowd at the Derwent Entertainment Centre for Festival Tasmania with Franklin Graham. It was a great time of co-operation in the Gospel between many churches and across many denominations.

	The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search
	a healthy church...transformingLIFE
	Home About Contact us News Issues Parishes Prayer Calendar Youth Resources

				June 2005

		Festival Tasmania - A great time of co-operation in the Gospel It was a time of Christians coming to know one another better, as they worked in service of the Lord. John Tongue reports. It was a time of men and women being trained, encouraged and enabled in their own personal witnessing and Gospel presentation, and most importantly, it was a time when many people had a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. But how did it affect the life of our parish? First of all, many of our own people were involved in the lead-up to the Festival in some way or other. Many learned new skills for the Kingdom, were challenged and empowered in their service of the Lord, were enthused to get out and connect with friends and colleagues and share their faith in Christ. Everyone in the parish was encouraged at the very least to be in prayer for the Festival, and their friends. From a 'results' point of view, we had regular members of our congregations making significant steps of re-commitment to the Lord, including one man for whom this has meant added peace, in the final stages of his battle with cancer! Some with 'minimal connection' are now getting involved in the family of God in deeper ways. Others who had little or no contact with the church, or Christian faith, have been helped to continue the walk they have begun. We have three specific 'follow-up' groups operating at the moment across the English and Chinese congregations, with the possibility of others forming in the future. Members of our church are also leading one 'Neighbourhood' group for people who did not specify any particular church. These transforming works of God are exciting… and involve lots of time and energy from many people. Please pray for us, and for the many other people and parishes who have been similarly touched, that the Lord who has begun such a marvellous work might carry it on to completion on the day of Christ (Philippians 1:6). The Rev. John Tongue is Rector of Holy Trinity Hobart and Vice-Chair, Executive Committee for Festival Tasmania.		Part of the crowd at the Derwent Entertainment Centre for Festival Tasmania with Franklin Graham. It was a great time of co-operation in the Gospel between many churches and across many denominations.