Tony and Francine Riches have recently begun an important new Aboriginal ministry in partnership with Footscray Church of Christ in Melbourne’s inner west. Significantly this is an Aboriginal led initiative that will provide a safe space for Indigenous peoples to encounter Christ in the context of their own community. The church will provide culturally appropriate services for local families to access in support of their spiritual needs.

Would you please consider supporting this much needed and important Kingdom work? If you would like more information or you would like to make a donation, please contact Greg Gow at the Footscray Church of Christ on 03 9687 7584 or you can give electronically with a direct transfer to:

Bank: National Australia Bank
Account Name: Footscray Church of Christ
BSB: 083-144
Account Number: 515382351
Reference: Koori Church

Aunty Jean Phillips, Billy Williams and Graham Paulson

Friday night the 14th of May saw history in the making. For only the second time in the Baptist Church in Queensland (the 5th in Australia), an Indigenous man was ordained into ministry. Congratulations to our good friend, Billy Williams of Jisas Wantaim.

It was particularly powerful and meaningful to have the first Indigenous ordained Baptist Pastor in Graham Paulson present along with long time campaigner and advocate for Aboriginal ministries, Aunty Jean Phillips (see photo).

Billy is married to Vicki and they have 3 children – they currently live and minister in Brisbane, Queensland. Billy is originally from the Kamilaroi people of North-western New South Wales and he now helps lead Jisas Wantaim, an organisation that seeks to equip, empower and enable a network of Indigenous ministries. For more info check out: www.jisaswantaim.org.au

Pain teaches a most counterintuitive thing—that we must go down before we even know what up is. In terms of the ego, most religions teach in some way that all must “die before they die.” Suffering of some sort seems to be the only thing strong enough to destabilize our arrogance and our ignorance. I would define suffering very simply as “whenever you are not in control.”

If religion cannot find a meaning for human suffering, humanity is in major trouble. All healthy religion shows you what to do with your pain. Great religion shows you what to do with the absurd, the tragic, the nonsensical, the unjust.

If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it.

If there isn’t some way to find some deeper meaning to our suffering, to find that God is somewhere in it, and can even use it for good, we will normally close up and close down. The natural movement of the ego is to protect itself so as not to be hurt again.  The soul just wants meaning, and then it can live.

— Richard Rohr (taken from the Daily Meditations series)

We like to say we are a community of artists who create visual media  for the church to re-orient God’s people around Jesus’ good news and  mission to make all things new. It’s a mouthful, but it about covers it.

“I’m a long-time raving fan of The Work of the People. Travis Reed and  his collaborators create resources that enrich, stimulate, challenge,
educate, form, and inspire. Since I know the heart and values that  motivate this amazing crew, I encourage you to link up your creative
impulses with theirs.“ —Brian McLaren, Author and Activist

“The Work Of the People produce the smartest and snappiest and most  gut punching videos for churches around the world. Nobody creates
resources for worship with more originality and verve”. —Craig Detweiler, Author, Professor & Filmmaker

“I’m not sure what I think of “new media” in churches but if there’s  any good in it I think The Work of the People have found it. For churches who are going to use new forms of media, you can’t do better than these guys” —Stanley Hauerwa, Gilbert T. Rowe Prof. of Theological Ethics, Duke University

” I am glad to hear your work goes on. I am glad you are at it;  we surely need folk like you, given the over-supply of cunning business people.”
—Walter Brueggemann, Author

Click here to get details of the In the Mix Sessions at SURRENDER:10