On the 30 January 2023 hundreds of believers from across the Hunter tuned into Rhema FM, joined the regional prayer zoom or went along to one of the many livesites throughout the region for a dynamic expression of the Body of Christ.
Rick Prosser's opening greeting.
Livesites
Live sites were hosted by ministers from a diversity of Christian Church backgrounds.
MUSWELLBROOK
Pastor Garth Belford (Hope City Church) and Reverend Angela Peverell (Muswellbrook Anglican).
Scripture Jeremiah 29:7/ Praying for the region’s welfare.
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
"It is all happening in Muswellbrook. Last Sunday we had 7 salvations in Church. We pray that the Holy Spirit moves over our towns and cities in the Hunter. That we see Your Kingdom come, Lord we ask that you minister in peoples lives and draw them to you." Garth Belford, Hope City Church.
NEWCASTLE
Pastor Stuart Brown (The Grainery Church) and Rev Kimberley Sawyer (St John's Anglican Church).
Scripture: John 17:20 – 23 / Praying for oneness.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
“We might have all different traditions, come from different ways of expressing our faith but the key thing is that we are united in Christ. When Jesus prayed for us, he prayed that we might be one, completely one that we might show the Glory of Christ in the world and share the great news of His death and resurrection and the hope that we have.” Kimberley Sawyer, St John’s Anglican Newcastle.
SWANSEA / PELICAN
Pastor Matthew Brown (Swansea Baptist) and Pastor Wayne Williamson (Gateway Church).
Scripture: Matthew 19:14 / Praying for young people.
“Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”
“We pray for the young people growing up that they know they are loved and valued by you, the King of Kings. Protect our young people from emotional and physical harm, we pray against the scurge of domestic violence. May families be a place of peace for children. Matthew Brown, Swansea District Baptist Church.
“I pray that our pastors and leaders that they would not hinder the children. A people who imitate Christ, the Kingdom model in us. That we create a space for the young people of our city to find Christ.” Wayne Williamson, Gateway Church.
MEDOWIE / RAYMOND TERRACE
Pastor Brad Fewster (Overflow Baptist Church) and Tim Blatch (Raymond Terrace Community Church).
Scripture: Romans 15:13 / Hope.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."
“Hope is missional and we have the hope of Jesus to share with this region. Hope comes through Christ, today can be a new day.” Brad Fewster, Overflow Church
“Hope is found in you (Jesus), stability is found in you, love is in you. You are our cornerstone and today can be a new day to find hope in Jesus Christ.” Tim Blatch, Raymond Terrace Community Church
LAKE MACQUARIE (WEST)
Rev Mel Whalley (Christ the King Anglican Church), Rob Sweeney Associate Pastor (New Vine Westlakes) and Allison Forrest (Toronto Uniting).
Scripture: Philippians 4:13 / Praying for strength.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
“We pray for Your strength for believers, to step bravely to reach out to those in need, to reach the lost. That our hearts are in tune with you.” Mel Whalley, Christ the King Anglican Church
Worship: King of Kings
MAITLAND
Pastor Phil and Vicki Cosgrove (The Grainery Church, Rutherford).
Scripture: Psalm 19:1,2 / A new day to make God and His Glory known.
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. (NLT)
"There is an amazing sound that comes out of creation but there is no point to it if the spiritually blind can’t see it. We pray that God opens up the eyes and ears of the spiritually blind and deaf, that they hear and see through our witness. Make us articulate, as we cry out your praise and Glory over our family, over the church of the region." Vicki Cosgrove, The Grainery Church, Rutherford.
CESSNOCK
Pastor Daniel Watton (Kingdom Community Church, Weston).
Scripture: Ephesians 3: 17-21 ”…Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever!”
LAKE MACQUARIE (EAST)
Pastor Nate Welburn (c3 Victory), Pastor Steve Troyer (New Vine Lakes) & Pastor Mark Edwards (Hunter Christian Church)
Scripture: Matthew 11:28–30 (The Message) / Prayer for rest.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
“We are praying for people in the church who feel depleted, carrying a heavy burden. We pray that a sense of rest would come over every believer, that the Holy Spirit would bring an incredible sense of rest in Jesus. We also pray for Salvations that people would find true rest in the Name of Jesus, rest from the burden of sin. We are believing for a great move of God across the Hunter.” Nate Wellburn, C3 Victory.
SINGLETON
Pastor Susan Fellowes (Generate Church)
Scripture: Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
PORT STEPHENS
Pastor Elly Webb (C3 Spectrum)
Scripture: Matthew 6: 9,10 / His Kingdom Come!
“‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Dan Armstrong (in his 90's) prays for the region.
“I pray for a great and beautiful move of the Spirit across the whole region. There is a growing desire in the hearts of people for something better, for something that can be believed in and trusted in. There is so much disappointment in what is happening in life today. I pray that in the hearts of your people you will place such a sense of wanting to see people coming into the Kingdom, finding the joy and hope and blessing that belongs to every human on the face of the earth. I pray in Jesus precious name that sense will be there in the heart of every believer to see the kingdom come, to see God the creator and Jesus the healer and the Holy Spirit the transformer of life reach and touch the lives of those who so need a sense of hope and future. That people feel a sense of hope and purpose. I pray in the precious name of Jesus. Amen” Dan Armstrong
Benediction by Rick Prosser.
Worship: I speak the name of Jesus
'Click' to view the whole 2023 zoom gathering!