In some ways, second year MTS is easier than first year. In other ways, it's harder than I thought it would be. I now feel like I have some idea what I'm doing. However, that new understanding has helped me see so many more places to be spending my time! Full-time ministry seems endless and daunting, so praise God that it’s his mission, not mine!

I'm still having a great time doing MTS. I've said it before, but it is such a privilege to be training for full-time ministry. Thanks for your support!

Melanie and I are thinking through applying for bible college, student ministry positions, and ministry after college. Some decisions we can put off, others will affect future ministry opportunities. I'm looking forward to college, though I'm not looking forward to full-time study again.

Please pray:

·        That I would note be distracted from looking after Melanie by the often overwhelming nature of ministry.

·        For our decisions about college and future ministry.

• Pray for my continual adjustment to this new work, it's a big change from last year and it is taking me a while to fully settle.
• Thank God for a thorough, encouraging and helpful team of trainers and co-workers which makes things easier than it could be.
• Please pray that my health would be better and wouldn't prevent me from learning and working.

I've been really enjoying the privileged opportunity of ministry training this year.

Please pray:

• that I would be a man of prayer and humble to be changed by the Word, trusting in God above myself.
• Pray for the men at Sydney University Cumberland Campus that I will be looking after, that I would care for them and continually point them to Jesus.
• Pray that my marriage would always be strengthened further in Christ and a testament to God's love for us in Jesus.
• That Sarah and I would would be generous with our home, money and time to serve others.

I think I have enjoyed 2nd year much more than 1st so far. I'm still at 7.15, North Rocks Anglican Church, and UWS Parramatta. It's been nice having less ministries on, so that my brain is in less places, and I can focus on a few things more, rather than lots of things minimally. My frustration last year, was that i just didn't know what I was meant to be doing, so the first few weeks were spent trying to get various ministries up and running. The next couple of weeks were spent following people up, and now it kinda feels like I'm spending my time maintaining what's already there.

Please pray that I continue to grow in godliness and Christlikeness.
Please pray for me as a husband, that I continue to lead Helen in godliness and Christlikeness.
Please pray for the ministry at UWS Parramatta that God raises up student leaders, and that the Christians there grow in their understanding of the gospel, and that people come to know Christ.

The past six months has been a great learning experience in various ministry areas.

Cumberland Campus (ECU Team): It's been awesome getting to know the students especially the student leaders I meet with weekly. We're reading the bible together and having discussion and debateover the text- it's super to be encouraging each other and we're really enjoying fellowship under the word of God.

Scripture (Carlingford West PS): After initially following a given program my Year 5 were more interested in reading the bible for themselves, so we began with bibles entitled "The Story of God". We've covered The Fall and lookingto how God brings us back into relationship with Him. They're keen with even the usual suspects volunteering to read the passages and participate in question times! Year 2 class has taught me to be more dynamic yet simple in how to present the lesson.

Baulkham Hills North: I'm really enjoying teaching Sparks/Beagles Sunday School at BHNAC.

5 o'clock: The people at church have been encouraging, supportive and forgiving as I lead services and I'm thankful in being able to serve them and hopefully trying to encourage them through conversation, prayer and meeting.

Thank you so much for your partnership both personally and as part of the MTS program through prayerful and financial support.

Please pray:

• For me to totally trust the power of God's word to change lives and not to be quiet but to boldly proclaim the gospel!!
• For me to be able to utilise my time more effectively.
• For the children who are attending Scripture and Sunday Schools that they will come to relationship with God through our Lord Jesus.

I am loving my first year of MTS. I am learning heaps about God and I'm getting to do heaps of things that I wouldn't normally get a chance to do. I thank God for this opportunity.

Please pray: 

• That I would rely on His strength in all I do.
• Also pray that I would glorify God with my whole life.