Another great Sunday at Bendigo Christian Fellowship, as Bill Hanna, representing the Gideons, shared with us about the work of the Gideons. He inspired us with stories from his recent mission trip to Namibia, which saw many bibles distributed in schools, hospitals and generally throughout the community, and many people responding and making decisions for Christ. Bill?s enthusiasm and passion for the lost was an inspiration to us all.

Then again on Sunday night we experienced another powerful move of the Holy Spirit, which flowed out of our worship time and saw several people receive healing as they were prayed for. Pastor Alan then preached a message challenging us to consider whether we see ourselves as sons or servants in our relationship with God and encouraged us to see that as sons, we have a rich inheritance which God wants us to benefit from now, as well as in heaven in the future.

?Prayer Power? day continues on Thursdays. Pastor Alan will be in the church building for prayer between the hours of 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. All who wish to join him, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, would be most welcome.

We are supporting the City Wide Connections event on Easter Sunday night ? Risen 06 ? after the fireworks at Lake Weeroona, for what promises to be a great night with the church of Bendigo uniting around a common cause and presenting the real Easter message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for us all.

Last Sunday was a special day for us as we farewelled Kevin and Glenda Pedler. Kevin has faithfully served the church in a number of capacities, most recently as a member of the Committee of Management. Glenda has served as church secretary as well as being actively involved in several different areas of ministry.

In the morning meeting Pastor Tony Smits shared a great message on keys to effective prayer, encouraging us to explore the realms of practising the presence of God in a life of secret prayer, then persevering in supplications and moving on into intercession. Pastor Tony then gave a powerful prophetic word from Isaiah 54:2-3, confirming much of what the Lord has been saying to the church concerning the raising up and releasing of ministries to the nations.

Sunday night saw a wonderful move of the Spirit, with many people being touched by the presence of God and a number reporting healing, whilst two young men made decisions for Christ.

?Prayer Power? day is on Thursday. Pastor Alan will be in the church building for prayer between the hours of 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. Anyone who wishes to join him, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, would be most welcome. Wednesday is ?volunteer day? and anyone who wishes to come to the church on that day can become involved in the many jobs that need to be done around the church and enjoy a day of fun and fellowship together.

Next Sunday morning we will be hearing from Mr Bill Hanna, representing the Gideons. Bill will be sharing about the work of the Gideons and possibly about his recent trip to Africa.

Last Sunday Pastor Ray shared a message on holiness and intimacy with God. He encouraged us to separate ourselves from the habits that break our fellowship with God and to take responsibility for our part in living lives of holiness.

On Sunday evening we joined with View Hill Fellowship to hear John Boney, from Florida USA speak on the Kingdom of God. His inspiring and prophetic message gave us great encouragement in confirming that the direction we have been heading as a church is consistent with where God has been leading the church right across the world.

On Sunday morning we will be farewelling Kevin and Glenda Pedler with a fellowship lunch immediately after the morning service, as they move to Geelong. Glenda has served for many years as church secretary and Kevin has been an elder in the church. This Sunday night we will resume our normal evening services and are looking forward to hearing once again from Pastor Ray Edelsten.

From next week ?Prayer Power? day will be on Thursdays. Pastor Alan will be in the church building for prayer between the hours of 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. Anyone who wishes to join him, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, would be most welcome. Wednesdays will become ?volunteer day?and anyone who wishes to come to the church on that day can become involved in the many jobs that need to be done around the church and enjoy a day of fun and fellowship together.

A unified, corporate body pursuing its vision was theme of last Sunday morning?s message as Pastor Alan expounded Ephesians 4:16 and challenged us to consider whether we are a ?Jerusalem? church or an ?Antioch? church. There is a growing sense of strength and purpose in the assembly, as we unite around our vision to be an outwardly-focussed apostolic centre, fulfilling our calling to faithfully preach Christ, develop disciplined followers of Jesus and equip and release people into their ministries.

Saturday?s working bee was also a great success, with the property having a much needed clean up and those in attendance enjoying a great day of fun and fellowship.

We are looking forward to joining with the other congregations on Easter Sunday night to present ?Risen 06?, immediately after the fireworks, in what promises to be an inspiring presentation of the gospel to the City of Bendigo. On Sunday evening we joined with other churches at the Vineyard Centre for a rally to prepare for the event and enjoyed an excellent night of worship and communion, presented in a different, yet challenging and inspiring way by Pastor Gordon Lingard and the Vineyard team.

This Sunday night there will be no meeting at Bendigo Christian Fellowship, as we will be going to View Hill Fellowship to hear Apostle John Boney from Florida USA speak on declaring the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Every Wednesday is ?Prayer Power? day. Pastor Alan will be in the church building for prayer between the hours of 10.00 am and 6.00 pm. Anyone who wishes to join him, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, would be most welcome.