Our Stories
God On the Move – One Family at a Time
By Di Priest
I recently had the privilege of attending a Zoom Catch up with COACH Coordinators from around Australia. There are over 260 COACH programs scattered around Australia, New Zealand and beyond. We're part of a growing movement of God, designed to bring hope, one family at a time, one conversation at a time, one prayerful encounter at a time.
Some are small, 1-2 mentor programs, some are big, 100 mentor programs, and all are doing what we are doing here, training people to listen, connect and convey hope to families, youth, and children in community.
We're part of something bigger! We're part of a movement of God! And as with all ministries we won't always look or feel as though we’re making a difference or slaying society’s dragons.
Read the book of Jeremiah if you want a biblical reminder of what serving God can look like. He was ignored, abused, derided, dismissed, and reviled. Yet, when disaster struck, he could have shouted, "I told you so," to anyone left standing, instead he humbly said,
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.' Lamentations 3: 19-24
I am always impacted as I ponder the heartfelt writings of God’s faithful servant Jeremiah who never saw success (as we often perceive it) in his ministry. Instead, he saw the destruction of his nation, his people and all he knew and loved. And he knew it was coming. He'd spent a lifetime prophesying the messages of God to people who closed their ears, eyes, and hearts to God's call to repentance and salvation.
We often wonder as mentors if we are truly making a difference. It can be steps forward and back, patches of silence and avoidance and other times of rich connection and fruitfulness. Quite a mix as in all relationships which is not surprising.
It takes patience, perseverance, and faithfulness. It takes a willingness to be present, be honest and respectful of the challenges that life brings to others. We gently walk alongside with permission and do not take that for granted. It’s a privilege.
I recommend and offer an open opportunity and invitation to attend our upcoming training in July to give you awareness and exposure to what is required and possible. You may be surprised at how an hour once per week is all that is required to give to this ministry. You may become aware that your life, your experiences, your faith may be a gentle, humble, and genuine witness to someone who has lost hope and needs help to find it again.
You may, with God’s leading, become part of this great movement of God here in Hervey Bay.
COACH Mentor Training
Sat July 20, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Morning tea & Lunch provided.
Register Here
I recently had the privilege of attending a Zoom Catch up with COACH Coordinators from around Australia. There are over 260 COACH programs scattered around Australia, New Zealand and beyond. We're part of a growing movement of God, designed to bring hope, one family at a time, one conversation at a time, one prayerful encounter at a time.
Some are small, 1-2 mentor programs, some are big, 100 mentor programs, and all are doing what we are doing here, training people to listen, connect and convey hope to families, youth, and children in community.
We're part of something bigger! We're part of a movement of God! And as with all ministries we won't always look or feel as though we’re making a difference or slaying society’s dragons.
Read the book of Jeremiah if you want a biblical reminder of what serving God can look like. He was ignored, abused, derided, dismissed, and reviled. Yet, when disaster struck, he could have shouted, "I told you so," to anyone left standing, instead he humbly said,
"I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for him.' Lamentations 3: 19-24
I am always impacted as I ponder the heartfelt writings of God’s faithful servant Jeremiah who never saw success (as we often perceive it) in his ministry. Instead, he saw the destruction of his nation, his people and all he knew and loved. And he knew it was coming. He'd spent a lifetime prophesying the messages of God to people who closed their ears, eyes, and hearts to God's call to repentance and salvation.
We often wonder as mentors if we are truly making a difference. It can be steps forward and back, patches of silence and avoidance and other times of rich connection and fruitfulness. Quite a mix as in all relationships which is not surprising.
It takes patience, perseverance, and faithfulness. It takes a willingness to be present, be honest and respectful of the challenges that life brings to others. We gently walk alongside with permission and do not take that for granted. It’s a privilege.
I recommend and offer an open opportunity and invitation to attend our upcoming training in July to give you awareness and exposure to what is required and possible. You may be surprised at how an hour once per week is all that is required to give to this ministry. You may become aware that your life, your experiences, your faith may be a gentle, humble, and genuine witness to someone who has lost hope and needs help to find it again.
You may, with God’s leading, become part of this great movement of God here in Hervey Bay.
COACH Mentor Training
Sat July 20, 8:30am – 4:30pm
Morning tea & Lunch provided.
Register Here