Removing Resistance

Hi Grace family,

We are into the Christmas season now and days are filled with organising and planning and making ready for all the festivities ahead. Somehow amid this we need to be aware of the people around us so as to not just walk on by, drive on by, or look on by, without connecting intentionally to the people that matter in our lives and the ones that God brings into our lives.

Its also very easy at this time to start saying no! Don’t bother me, I don’t want to be involved in anything else. But be careful as to not block God’s plan and purpose. I posed a challenge to everyone in my message on Sunday.  What plan is poised on your permission and what is required to remove your resistance?

The Scriptures show many examples of simple faith and trust in God regardless of the cost and regardless of the likely opposition. The best example of this is Mary the mother of Jesus, who when faced with a lot of unknows but a big promise and a big request, her default position was, “Let it be according to your word.”  Or in other words YES count me in.  I’m willing.

Such surrender without resistance brought the saviour of the world into existence. What could your simple Yes to the plan and purpose of God do for the people in your world. Maybe a box of mangoes given to a cranky neighbour just may mellow their heart to the gospel. Maybe a prayer meeting started in your workplace could change the whole culture and save your job and others.

Let’s be ready to act and let our Yes be a loud Yes! Just like Mary.

I’m excited for this weekend coming Carols in the Carpark 2025. A simple family time in our grounds to celebrate the birth of Jesus and reach out to our local community.  Invite a friend, bring your camp chair and mozzie repellent. Park in Coles car park to leave spaces on site. And  please pray and please help as able.

Now thinking about the end of the year. The very last Sunday 2025, the 28th of December,  this is Thanksgiving Sunday. This is when you as a church speak up about the goodness of God and testify how he has impacted your life or your family during 2025. So have a short testimony ready and together we will finish 2025 with great gratitude.

See you there!

Christmas blessings love from Pastor Greg and Amanda.

The Prophecy before the Silence

Hi Church Family,

We have just recently returned from a visit to our son, Peter and his precious family in Townsville, QLD. Our 13-month-old granddaughter Esther has grown up from when we last held her and clearly, she is not a baby anymore. As we journey together in our faith, it’s clear that true growth in God goes far beyond simply growing older or turning up on Sundays. Maturity in Christ is a conscious step – it’s about taking responsibility for our lives, wholeheartedly submitting ourselves to Jesus, and developing a real hunger for His word and for time spent in prayer. When we do this, the Holy Spirit can guide and transform us from the inside out, shaping us to be more like Jesus.

Ps Debbie-Ann last Sunday shared from Malachi 4, reminding us how Israel, despite God’s mercy in bringing them home after exile, fell back into their old immature ways. They neglected true worship, mistreated the vulnerable, and lost sight of God’s standards. The Lord warned them – and warns us – that there’s a day coming, “the Day of the Lord”, when all will be brought to account. It’s a sobering truth: there will be a final reckoning, and our choices will matter.

Spiritual immaturity often whispers, “There’s loads of time, I’ll get serious later.” But maturity says, “I’ll live rightly today. I’ll align my life with Jesus now, and I’ll help others to do the same.” It starts at home – dads turning their hearts towards their children, demonstrating truth to them, and children looking up to their parents, realising that to know God they need to listen to wisdom. Together generationally, we grow as a community, seeking God’s ways and sharing His love.

We experienced something truly special at our final More evening service. As we worshipped and welcomed the Holy Spirit, the sense of God’s presence was so powerful that, for the last ten minutes, we were left in awe – still and silent, feeling the Lord’s closeness. Our prayer, as we step into a new year, is “More, Lord!” May the revival fires continue to burn bright amongst us.

This coming weekend, we’re looking forward to a fantastic celebration, honouring everyone who has served Grace Church so faithfully throughout 2025. Our dinner promises to be a joyful and uplifting event, as we celebrate the hundreds of hours people have poured into our ministries. If you haven’t had a chance to RSVP yet, please do – we would love to see you there!

We carry you all in our prayers and in our hearts. Let’s keep seeking God together and showing His glory in all that we do.

With love,

Ps Greg and Amanda

To listen to the sermon again, click here.

The Firm Foundation

Dear Grace Church,

How good was the gathering on Sunday!?! So.Good. Because God is good.

“Read your Bible pray every day. Pray every day. Pray every day. Read your Bible. Pray every day and you’ll grow grow grow.

Don’t read your Bible and forget to pray. Forget to pray. Forget to pray. Don’t read your Bible and forget to pray and you’ll shrink, shrink, shrink.”

That’s right - Godly wisdom with squats - feel the burn. Challenge accepted!

It’s great to see the multigenerational body of Christ proclaiming Jesus and celebrating life together.

• The interview - fun questions, great answers. The reward of serving in Kingdom Kids. Thanks Tilly, Annette, and Dicky.

• The competition - cool kids vs adults (Did Leroy & Jenny mention an engineering background?). Foundations matter as you build your life. If you want your spiritual house to stand: make sure your foundation is Jesus.

Bree Brown shared a powerful message on foundations and faith and her lived experience of standing firm in faith: walking with Jesus through devastation. Church, be encouraged that God is faithful (Psalm 36:5), our foundation is secure (Isaiah 28:16) and it is our generation’s turn to build with Jesus our Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

Thank you Neve and our youth worship team for leading and seeding new songs in God’s Presence: encouraging us to everyday faith and lives with Jesus at the core.

Thank you Keith and everyone who served on barbecue. Thank you to the barista and hospitality teams, our service hosts, and every heart who saw a need across the day and reached out to fill it. Thank you for your love and faithfulness.

Abba God bless your living Word and Holy Spirit to us and use our lives as lights in this the world in the everyday.

Sunday at 9:30AM we look forward to completing our study of Malachi. Read ahead and see what Holy Spirit highlights for you. Then at 5:00PM you are welcomed in God’s Presence as we worship at More. See you there.

Love & Grace,

Debbie-Ann

The Four Elephants

Dear Grace Church Family,

How blessed are we to be fed by the word of God week after week!

Sunday’s message - Malachi 3 - was filled with God-words to live by. Thank you Paul Betenson. God is clearly tending His vineyard: lifting up, pruning, guiding, providing water and specific nutrients. I speak good ground over every heart that calls Grace Church home. It’s up to each of us to intentionally order our lives according to God’s word. It’s up to God to give the increase.

Jesus said “My house will be called a house of prayer.” If we want God to live among us (and we do) let’s be enthralled by the precious, holy, God conversation that is prayer.

Pray. Pray for the spread of the gospel, for the sick, the oppressed, the grieving, for the lost, for your family, for the city, for the nation, for the nations.

Sunday the 16th is our Family Service! These services are always full of joy and laughter: a great opportunity to see generations of God’s children worshiping together.

Pastors Greg & Amanda are away visiting their grandchild and family. Lots of hugs and photos coming their way I’m sure.

God bless you this week in your work and schools, your life groups, prayer groups, and community groups. In all your activities know that Holy Spirit is at work in you and through you: reaching out to restore the broken.

God bless you abundantly, amazingly, always.

Ps Debbie-Ann Bax

Honour in marriage

Hi Church,

How does God encourage us to honour Him by honouring our marriage? Let’s look at what Malachi 2:13-16 has to say. We’re called to cherish the partner we married in our younger days. Take time to remember why you chose your spouse and let those memories rekindle your love for each other now, even as you grow older together.

Your spouse isn’t meant to be someone you control or dominate, but rather your companion—someone who walks beside you, helps you, and advises you, just like the Holy Spirit does for us. Marriage is a sacred covenant that we enter into with our words, our bodies, and even our very lives. The two become one, joined together in a bond that’s more than just a contract; it’s a promise that God honours and blesses when we keep it.

We’re also called to build godly families together. Children are a blessing from God, and He wants us to raise them in ways that honour Him. But to do that well, we need to look after our own hearts and spirits. The strongest marriages are those where both husband and wife put Jesus first, drawing on His love rather than trying to rely solely on their own strength—which can falter. That’s why it’s so important to guard your heart from anything that might come between you and your spouse.

This subject is far too big to fully cover in just one Sunday morning. I hope today’s message encourages you to dig deeper on your own. I know there are many in the church who have experienced divorce, sometimes for very serious reasons like adultery or domestic violence. This isn’t about judgement or condemnation—it’s about learning how to get it right from the start, so we don’t end up in places we never intended to be.

The good news is that God’s grace is more than enough to help heal broken marriages, to strengthen good ones, and to prepare those who aren’t yet married to enter into it wisely. God delights in marriages that bring Him honour, so let the Holy Spirit guide and embolden you to see things through. And if you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

We’re journeying together as a church. Know that we’re with you.

With love,

Ps Greg and Amanda

I have loved you

Hi Church,

How do we respond when someone says "I have loved you"? It’s a big statement. What we discovered into our launch of the book of Malachi is that it all depends on who is making the statement. If it be a stranger, then we would probably say prove it. If it is our mother or father, we would probably say “I know”. If it’s our spouse we may say with a cheeky smile, “what do you want”? But what if God says it? Are we convinced enough of His love to love Him rightly in return?

The nation of Israel was asked that question by God through the prophet Malachi and He didn’t wait for an answer, rather He gave them the answer. And His answer they didn’t like. Because He said you have shown me dishonour, disrespect and you have profaned My Name, meaning you have disregarded My Name as if it’s nothing, just like you have trampled it into the ground. Wow that’s not good. I mean if anyone we loved dearly like a friend or a parent said that to us, I’m sure we would be deeply upset and want to know how we could change that, fix that or renew the relationship. That’s called humbling ourselves and repenting. But that’s not what Israel was quick to do.

So, what about us? When God the Father says "I have loved you" and shows you the cross are we satisfied with the answer or do we require more. More feelings, more peace, more community, more prosperity, more, more of anything else. Is what He has done through the cross enough for us to surrender all and bow the knee low towards Him and say “I give you my all”. Sadly, we have been conditioned by a society who is always asking for more. Rather than being content in the Spirit to declare "Jesus you are more than enough for me". I pray in age of discontent that we would find our Shalom, our peace, in Him and then worship Him whole heartedly. We can only do this because He chose to love us long before we chose to love Him.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our ministries at Grace Church Port Macquarie over the weekend. The Lord was moving mightily upon the hearts of His people. Let’s continue to make Him our greatest desire.

With love

Ps Greg and Amanda

We Honour God When

What a great week it has been in the life of Grace Church.

It started on the Monday the 13th and each night till Wednesday, we gathered at 5:00pm till 6:00pm and we prayed and we fasted. Sensitising ourselves to the Holy Spirit we then came together and cried out to God for revival, for healing, for deliverance, for salvation.  It truly stirred us to believe God for an outpouring of His Holy Spirit. Thank you for the 30 or so people who turned up each night your input and commitment to prayer makes a massive difference.

I would also like to thank Graeme Kightley for his great commitment to the Samaritans Purse Christmas Box outreach. Over 145 boxes were sent out with funds matching, this is a record for Grace Church. I’m so blown away by the generosity of our church and also a big thank you to Judith Tetley and the Craft ladies who supplied numerous items to fill boxes. 

ON Sunday just gone we had the privilege of having special guest speaker Ps Chad Mansbridge. Chad brought a great word which is speaking into our theme of How-to Honour God with our whole heart.  Chad took on the first 6 chapters of Ezra and what a great job he did.  I was blown away by the Historical context he placed Ezra and Malachi in. His 5 points of how we honour God are so good and I encourage anyone who missed them to listen to the message with a pen and write them down. I will be continuing the Malachi study this Sunday and going along the similar theme. There is so much good truth to challenge us and I pray we will respond. Because for a revival to come there first must be a confession and repentance of where we have missed the mark in worshipping God and make those corrections.

After Chad finished it was such a joy to pray over Chad and his wife Jaye as they were stepping out to plant a new church in Coffs Harbour.  If you know someone who needs a place to fellowship in Coffs then watch out for the socials for the start up name, place and time.

Believing for great days ahead.

Ps Greg and Amanda

Matters of the Heart

Hi Church, 

Here we are, and we have entered the final quarter of the year. How did that happen? The Mazda TV Advert that says Zoom Zoom is the best description for the way time passes us by.  That’s why it has been so important of late to slow up a bit and consider what is going on in our hearts.  Have we been guarding our heart, and have we been examining our heart, and who has captured our heart? 

Jodie Lindfield shared a great message on Sunday that continued with “Matters of our Heart”. She particularly looked at two main scriptures, the first Luke 4:18 where Jesus described His mission as setting at liberty those who are oppressed. Then she linked it with a practical demonstration that Jesus gave in the parable of the Prodigal son in Luke 15:11-19. 

Here Jodie demonstrated that the prodigal built up many strongholds in his heart and thus received many heart wounds, because he chose to believe lies and give in to the temptations of the Devil. 

The question is what overcomes these wounds? Well, in short, it’s the Love of God. In Hebrew God’s love is an action love that is full of compassion, kindness and is connected to His covenant promise to be with us.  We see this on display through the story of the Prodigal son. The Father doesn’t wait until the son is clean and washed up and contrite before accepting him. He runs to the son before he gets home and then showers gifts on him that speak of His great Love and full restoration into family. He gives him a Ring, a Robe, and Sandals. 

Each one of the gifts have significant meaning. In brief, the Robe restores to the heart full relationship, dignity and purity. The Ring restores authority, identity and acceptance, and heals rejection. The Sandals speak of freedom and empowerment, and family provision and purpose. Each of us carries heart wounds that need the healing of the Father. So come home to the cross, lay your wounds down and let The Father bring His healing love to your heart, His ring, His robe and sandals. 

This week we start a new series about setting our house in order. You can prepare by reading the book of Malachi in the Old Testament. As we go deeper into our surrender before the Lord let our love and voice of praise get louder for Him.

Thank you for your generosity, Church. 

In His Love.  

Ps Greg and Amanda 

Guard your heart

Hi Church,

Port Macquarie turned on a beautiful long weekend for the weather, and many took the opportunity for a getaway. But those who were with us were greatly encouraged by the worship and the word and the food. It’s always good to have a snag sandwich at the end of Church. Thank you to all those prepped and made it possible.

A key moment in the service was the testimony time. Wonderful news was shared about relationships between father and son restored, salvation coming to a denying brother, and revelation removing grief and worry about previous negative church teaching. Testimony is so powerful because it prophecies what Jesus can do in us, because of what He did in others. So thank you Lord, I receive those testimonies for my life and my relationships.

The teaching centred around guard your heart, it’s worth it! Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence,  For out of it spring the issues of life.”

From this passage we discover that wisdom flows from father to sons from grace not laws. As David was restored in his heart, he was able to share that wisdom with Solomon who in turn taught his sons. This tells us that our hearts are so important to God. For out of our heart flows everything. So heavenly Father is encouraging us to make sure we know what’s flowing in so that the outflow will be honouring to Him and others. Jesus also speaks into this out of Matt 6:45, “ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart and evil out of the evil stored up in his heart.”

The way we make sure we are guarding well is to be vigilant just like a shepherd, just like a guard in a prison, or just like a watchman on a wall during a war, we have to be constantly aware. What is going on with my heart? Am I believing lies? Do I know where the enemy is attacking me or lies in wait? Am I believing and living according to God’s way not my way?

To help us to return our wayward heart to Jesus our example of repentance and restoration is King David. Psalm 51 gives us a beautiful example of what it means to ask forgiveness and turn from all sin and be washed as white as snow. I encourage you all to read it this week and let your heart be renewed by the Holy Spirit.

So this coming week we will continue this theme, and I encourage you to prepare your heart before coming to congregation time so that you have something to give rather than hoping to receive.  I’m excited for the future Church. God is moving and we are catching the wind of His Spirit.

Hey, don’t forget prayer and fasting starts next Monday night, 5 till 6 at Grace so let’s get ready to seek the Lord with all our heart.

Love you all

Ps Greg and Amanda

Love and Marriage

Hi Church,

Well love is in the air and that is the season of Spring. I have celebrated two weddings in as many weeks and I conducted one of those over the weekend.  So not only do weddings happen but weddings are remembered. Many wedding anniversaries are celebrated during September. Amanda and I celebrated 31 Years on the 17th. And Jess and Paul are celebrating 10 years. And I spoke to someone just recently who ticked over 60 years. So what makes a good marriage?

On Saturday I spoke to the bridal congregation about Love as we see in 1 Cor 13. There are some 18 instructions as to what Love is in that chapter. And what we come to know is that Love is not a theory, love is not a clever marketing campaign, that is “Love is Love”, but Love is a verb. Love is an action, love is something that is demonstrated rather than pronounced. Yes we all long to hear the words I love you, but it means very little unless its backed up with clear action from the one who gives it, to the one who receives it.  

So Love is Patient, Love is Kind, Love is not selfish, love is not boastful, love serves, love forgives, love supports and love cares. Love is generous and Love always hopes and love never gives up. These are just some of the actions that speaks love. The to top it off Jesus makes an even stronger definition of what love is. He says in John 15:13 No Greater Love than this, that a man lay down his life for His friend. O that just takes love to a whole nother level.

I don’t know if I have ever loved like that, definitely not physically, but in attitude……..mm I think I have a way to go. Yet that is the way, the most excellent way, that God requires Husbands to love their wives and all followers of Jesus to do likewise to those around them.   John 15:12 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

This love is so sacrificial and self less. How can it be done? Only through the empowering of Gods grace in us, His presence, in us.

So how is your love life?  Ps Kerry challenged us with these thoughts again on Sunday morning with his message titled “Seek intimacy with God” .  He led us through the Book of Song of Songs encouraging us to see it as a passionate example of love between man and woman and also between Jesus and His Bride the Church.

During this spring season can I encourage you all church to heat up the passion of love between Husband and Wife. Don’t take it for granted, don’t just say empty words or say no words, back it up with action that speaks true love. And turn up the passion on your love for Jesus. Meet with Him regularly, spend generous amounts of time with Him, sing your praise and speak your thanks, and tell someone about Him. As Jesus said in Rev 2:4, return to your first love. Return to Him.

God bless you Church lets keep pressing in and going deeper in love for Jesus.

Ps Greg and Amanda.

Commissioned by Jesus

Dearest Family,

God is truly amazing. His Presence was so evident on Sunday morning during the worship led by Jane & Neve, in Jess’s Holy Spirit filled service leading, in you the congregation’s faith-filled prayers and praise. Thank you Jess, Sloan, Paul, Suzie, and Angela for releasing the right words at the right time. Thank you church for bringing your hunger. “God is awesome in His sanctuary.” (Psalm 68:35)

On Sunday we looked at being commissioned by and with Jesus. 

Excerpt from Sunday’s message:

“You are the light of the world. You are the salt of the earth. You are evidence that Jesus is alive and Jesus wants his evidence to shine. Every. Single. One. Of. Us… filled with the Holy Spirit, trusting in God. Abandoning everything else. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Abandoning everything else except His will, His way, His word, His cause, for His glory, in humility, with love with our arms wide open.”

We need to know God, know His vision for this commission, know the scriptures, and hear what the Spirit is saying so we can declare on earth in time with what God is declaring in heaven and see His power move through earth’s circumstances. 

Finally we were encouraged to make every effort to do our part so we will be productive on mission:

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV)

Bless you, 

Debbie-Ann

HI Church, Greg here. A big thank you to all who ministered over the weekend. It allowed Amanda and I to attend the wedding of Sam Zanardo in Melbourne, the Son of our dear Friends Ps Paul and Monica Zanardo, who are much loved by this house. It was a very Jesus glorifying time with His presence evident to all.  

So with Weddings in mind please be in prayer for Neve and Aaron this weekend as they enter into their covenant of love with each other. Pray for peace and sunshine, pray for Jesus presence to be felt and His blessing to be known by all and that His favour would rest on Neve and Aaron.

Lets continue to be known as a House of Prayer, Praise and Love.  

God Bless

Ps Greg and Amanda

Mark Chapter 16

HI Church,

O I love it when the body of Christ comes together and there is an anointing on what we do because of corporate belief. This is where the worship and word and prophetic flow interchangeable and powerful. Last Sunday was one of those days. I pray we have more of them. I pray we all come hungry every week to seek God’s face and worship Him passionately.

My Message on Sunday from Mark 16 was about Embracing the Power and Purpose of True Belief.

My three main points were Belief Provokes, Belief Proclaims, Belief is Proven. The following is s summary of that message.

As followers of Christ, our faith is not meant to be a collection of abstract statements or passive agreements. Instead, it is a dynamic and living reality, demonstrated by the transformative power of God at work in and through our lives each and every day.

The heart of faith is more than words—it is seen in changed lives and the natural occurrence of supernatural power. This, as believers, should be part of our daily experience; it is the “bread and butter” of a vibrant Christian walk. If we are not seeing this, we may be missing out on the fullness of what God intends for us and believing less than His promises.

Drawing from Mark 16, we see that belief is never passive. In the Gospel, belief is an active journey that challenges and changes us. It provokes and confronts our doubts and wrong thinking, urges us to proclaim the truth with conviction, and is proven by the evidence of signs and wonders. Mark’s message is a call to respond—not just by admiring Jesus from a distance, but by believing in Him as the risen Lord and living out that belief boldly in every aspect of our lives.

Let us, therefore, embrace a faith that does not merely reside in our heads, but one that overflows into action, power, and proclamation. May we allow God to work through us so that our lives become testimonies of His love and power. Do you believe it? Then let us say “Amen” in word and deed, and pursue a faith that is alive, active, and world-changing.

Let do it Church.

With you to be changed to be like Him.

Ps Greg and Amanda

Fathers Day 2025

Hi Church, 

What a wonderful and honouring Father’s Day celebration we just enjoyed. From the all-male Worship team led by Josh to the sensitive service leading by Paul and the heart felt video messages from the Youth and Kids and a message of Fatherhood from me. And we can’t forget Matt Harris, letting rip with a bunch of hilarious Dad jokes plus a heartfelt tribute to fathering. 

Finally Amanda and Jodie Lindfield presented an exceptional morning tea full of treats after all the men walked a guard of honour and were applauded by the Youth and Kingdom Kids on their way out of church. So well done to Grace Family for celebrating our dads. 

My message began with light-hearted comments as to why Dads get a new fat dad bod for parenting and we discovered this was, God’s armour to help them through all the parenting years, to keep them slow enough for toddlers, bouncy enough for wrestles and cuddly enough for hugs. We also found that God intended to for righteous men to be fat. It was his way of saying they were happy and thriving.

Psalm 94:14 says in KJV

14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.

The point of my message was not an endorsement of obesity or gluttony but and acronym that we could easily remember. 

F.A.T = Faithful, Available, Teachable. 

The scriptures have a lot to say about those three subjects. And even asks the question can a faithful man be found? (Pro 20:6) I encourage you to go search them out both men and women. 

I believe the answer is yes, if the man is surrendered to Jesus in a devoted relationship with Him through the intimacy and power of the Holy Spirit, whilst cultivating observable fruit of the Spirit. 

With so much sadness and brokenness in the world caused by the hearts and actions of evil men, the world needs more FAT men. Men who will stand up against injustice, love the week and vulnerable and be a great example for their families. 

This message came on the heels of a great Men’s breakfast held on Saturday morning with Ps Kerry, who spoke on a very similar topic about asking the Lord to examine our hearts. So overall it was an amazing weekend of celebrating the goodness of God as our Father and the goodness of God to work through the lives of our fathers. 

Thank you, Church, for a being a true family of God. 

In His love. 

Ps Greg and Amanda 

Mark Chapter 15

Hi Grace Church

We pray you are well and enjoying the warmer sunnier weather. Sometimes things that change regularly or not enough or too much in one direction can greatly affect us.  We feel moody or sad during long periods of rain and cloud and happy during moderate temperature days with the sun shining.

One of my friends oversaw a common space in Britain a few years back and found even in the best months of summer, there was still a lot of grey and gloom in his location and so in his lunch space he painted everything bright and sunny with tropical pictures and sunshine beaming. He said it made a difference people were not so glum in the lunchroom and it lifted their mood in the workspace. 

Robert Harison preached a great word on Sunday and told of the greatest love story ever through Mark 15. Jesus willingly dying on the cross for us. It is essentially a sad story where one life is made a ransom and dies for the sake of the many that includes us. But it is a death not done in gloom and darkness it’s a death done by choice and joy and love. 

So, what should our response be to such love demonstrated for us. Sadly, I think many Christians respond like they do to the weather. Its all based how they feel in the season. I believe this robs us of the same joy Jesus had when he thought of us as he endured the cross. 

But our response should be a consistent thankfulness, gratitude, loud praise, demonstrations of worth, declarations of freedom and love for all that he has done for us. 

Don’t live according to the weather. Live by the truth. Jesus loves me this I know for the cross demonstrates it so! Always. 

An additional note there are great opportunities for mission contribution over the next month with Operation Christmas Child ramping up and Young People being asked to sign up for a mission trip to the Philippines.  Please consider what you can do and provide. 

Don’t forget Father Day this Sunday. It will be a fun day with a photo booth and a generous morning tea.  So come along and enjoy family together. 

Good to be with Church,

Love Greg and Amanda 

30th Anniversary celebrations

Greetings Grace Church

What can I say? There is no place like home. To be home with the Grace family is the best feeling, knowing we are surrounded by the people we love and whom we know love us.  We feel safe and secure and at peace in our Grace Family Tribe. Thank you to Pastor Debbie Bax for leading the ministry team and Thank You Paul Betenson, for leading the Executive leadership Team in my absence, you both did an amazing job giving your whole heart to the cause.

How good is this tribe of called out ones, called the Church. Grace Church celebrated 30 years over the weekend. Grace was started by a few courageous families under the leadership of Ps Kerry Medway, they began a new work in Port Macquarie where a community of believers felt safe and secure to be “Spirit Filled” and proclaim worshipfully and passionately, “Jesus I love you”. 

The Lord favoured this motely crew and so 30 years later and thousands of lives touched with Holy Spirit Power and over one million dollars given to Mission, and hundreds who confessed faith in Jesus from every generation. Grace Church stands as a testament to the presence of Jesus alive and well in Port Macquarie. 

Our Celebrations began with a bush dance and dinner, and boy was that fun, kicking up our heals in the Shed.  It was such a joy to see every generation laugh and move and try and stay instep with the music. 

Next came Sunday morning where tribute was made to the founding Leadership team and memories shared of the great outreaches and hilarious moments of community life, then testimonies flowed of what God had been doing in the now. 

The testimonies were phenomenal where miraculous healings were shared, deep family support experienced, Satan’s oppression broken, and new Jobs received. All these testimonies gave glory to Jesus to confirm that if it happened for me it can happen to you! Just believe. 

From there we worshipped whole heartedly with the help of our Youth Band, then honoured the mothers of Grace Church, the Pastor Wives who stood leading with their husbands over the last 30 years, Julie Medway, Sarah Medway, Jane Bax and Amanda Campion. 

Finally, the Young Adults, World Changers and Kingdom Kids presented a skit demonstration of what it means to pass on the candle of faith down the line of generations. This was to complete the recognition that Jesus Was and IS and IS to Come, the beginning and end, through us His Church. 

To make the celebration weekend happen I want to Thank our Staff Team for their dedicated contribution, and in particular the 30th Celebration Leadership Team led by Suzie Wood with Graeme and Jane Wright, Paul and Linda Mapstone and Dicky and Carol VanDyke, and Leith Betenson. These wonderful people planned, purposed and produced a meaningful celebration for us all to enjoy. You can now rest, Well done! 

With love,

Ps Greg and Amanda

Mark Chapter 14

Dearest Grace Family, 

I was wondering, could we pause together and imagine? A contemplation from the woman with the alabaster jar of perfume…

I am imagining a fragrance called Grace. A people generously giving Jesus the full benefit of a year’s labour in the Spirit.

Consider your calling as you become more like Jesus. What if, starting today, the gathering of God’s children known as Grace Church Port Macquarie, pursued and persisted to lavish a years worth of love and faithfulness on Jesus so that Jesus can reap the benefit? Imagine the fragrance: remarkable in our generation. I’m about it. 

Carin Bohlscheid’s teaching from Mark 14 centred on generosity and humility, on Jesus discipling those who would abandon Him in His darkest hour: knowing His obedience would lead to reconciling them and many sons and daughters to God. This is love in action: purposeful, generous, powerful in impact. 

Grace, your love for God and each other is showing…

…in the way you showed up as family on Saturday to clean and clear, weed and prune, patch and paint at the Working Bee: above and beyond measure…

…in your smiles and cheers as we reunited with Pastors Greg and Amanda in fellowship Sunday morning…

…in Monday’s funeral and afternoon tea and the many who came to honour our beautiful Nancy Trounce and surround the Trounce family with love in a time of grief. 

Thank you for being love in action. God promises that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

We stand in the realities of earth while experiencing the joy that is Jesus. With that in mind, we are looking forward to celebrating 30 years of God’s faithfulness to Grace Church this weekend. 

This Sunday our testimonies of God’s greatness will be the message.  Come ready to share. 

The table is set. See you there.

Love & Grace,

Debbie-Ann Bax

Mark Chapter 13

Dearest Grace Family,

Listening to the livestream of Paul’s message from Mark 13, I was mindful of its amplified significance given world events and events closer to home on Sunday.

On Sunday morning the Trounce family and others were called to Nancy Trounce’s bedside to say goodbye. After a full day of talking, watching, praying, and worshipping Jesus in the hospital together with us, Nancy went to be with Jesus on Sunday the 10th August 2025 at 5:00PM.

The day and the hour. 

"However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!

You, too, must keep watch! For you don't know when the master of the household will return-in the evening, at midnight, before dawn, or at daybreak. Don't let him find you sleeping when he arrives without warning.  I say to you what I say to everyone: Watch for him!" 

(Mark 13:32-33, 35-37 NLT)

Church, receive Paul’s encouragement to keep oil in our lamps at all times. This is Christ’s will for you. At our Tuesday morning prayer we prayed for Holy Spirit to fill every Jesus follower  in our region: that we would overflow with the oil of God, watch and pray, walk in purpose, and keep our lamps burning brightly. 

On her appointed day and at her appointed hour, our beautiful Nancy walked from this life into eternity worshipping Jesus and singing “I am a child of God.”

So let it be. Amen

Church, you are in Christ. Called. Chosen. His holy temple. The apple of God’s eye. Blessed. Loved. He is able to make us stand firm in Jesus regardless of current events. 

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord shine His countenance on you, and be gracious to you. The Lord give you peace. 

In Love & Grace,

Debbie-Ann

Mark Chapter 12

Dearest Grace Family,

You are remarkable for your love and genuine dedication to Jesus. Thank God for your hearts towards Him, your genuine love for each other, and your desire to lead others to follow Jesus.  

Sunday’s message was ”Mark 12- Bad Actors and Genuine God Lovers”

Ross’s title says it all! Some people engaged with Jesus to trap Him. Others engaged from hearts seeking God. Reading along, we saw earthly powers confronted by God’s authority. 

Thanks Ross, for a brilliant (light-imparting) message.

Holy Spirit highlighted so many things. 

Three of my takeaways:

• As disciples of Jesus, we live towards God alone, unshaken by the majority, standing humbly in His authority.

• Give God what belongs to God. What belongs to God? (#everything)

• The faith of the poor widow who offered God #everything she had to live on while being observed by Jesus who was literally about to give #everything for her… for us. 

Missed the message or want to watch it again? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlSOxt85rAE

• And then on Monday…

Thank you church being present for Carol Edwards’s funeral service on Monday. Ron and all the Edwards family were completely blessed by your thoughtfulness and love. 

Remember Amanda & Greg and all the Campion and Dart families in prayer this Friday as they lay Mum Marie to rest. 

God bless you, fill you with great grace and peace and unfailing love, and surround you with songs of victory. 

Love you all,

Debbie-Ann

Mark Chapter 11

Dearest Family,

On Sunday Holy Spirit led us to experience Jesus’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem in a new way as we contemplated our cloaks and laid them down in allegiance to Jesus our covering and King. We as you King Jesus to ride into our city using everything about us. All we are is Yours. 

The triumphant entry is happening today. It’s the one where you allow Jesus to enter your heart, your life, your circumstances, your talents, your identity. The triumphant entry is the one where Jesus is enthroned on everything about you. The triumphant entry is the one where Jesus shakes what can be shaken, cleans out His temple and fills you with His word and the person of Holy Spirit. Then you will triumph over the things that used to drag you under. You will live in victory and God gets the glory. 

Missed the message or want to listen again? 

https://youtu.be/u6PPcdEoFNE

Next Sunday we will continue with Mark chapter 12 with Ross Nancarrow. So excited to see what Jesus does next and what Holy Spirit does as we gather. 

Church, thank you for your love and generosity. On Sunday we collected almost $1600.00 towards SRE (special religious education) in our Port Macquarie region. Amazing! God bless your hearts for local mission and multiply a harvest of righteousness and salvation in children in our region.

God bless you and personally inspire you as He speaks life and vision into you: engaging everything about you to the praise of His glory.

Love you all,

Debbie-Ann

Mark Chapter 10

Dearest Grace Family,

We are blessed in Jesus and in each other. Thank God for you and for your daily life in Jesus. Holy Spirit is increasing in our gatherings because of your midweek faithfulness:  living in communion with Jesus in the everyday. 

During Sunday’s communion, Carrol highlighted daily recalling Jesus’s death and resurrection. Are you going through a difficult season? Take communion as an act of faith, a daily reminder that you are of the blood and body of Jesus,  chosen in Him, a carrier of resurrection life.  Be encouraged. 

Kerry’s message -Mark 10 - highlights Jesus’s wisdom, God’s heart, childlike faith in God, Jesus’s ability to discern and call us higher, losing to gain, and Jesus’s commitment to His mission. 

Watch again: 

Mark Chapter 10 | Ps Kerry Medway | 20th July 2025 | Grace Church Port Macquarie

https://youtube.com/live/OHzVyV1eyr0?feature=share

Recall The Testimony: 

Testimony is holy. Speaking what God did brings Him glory and increases faith in others. 

As we move toward 30 years of Grace Church let’s recall the testimony.  What was the circumstance? What did you ask God by faith? What was your step of obedience? How did God show up? Let’s glorify God for doing what only He could do. 

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. [28] God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, [31] Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

(1 Corinthians 1:26-28,31 NIV)

With Love & Joy,

Debbie-Ann