I have just returned from a trip to Kempsey NSW. A town of roughly 48,000 people. If you have ever been there you would know that it is a small town that is not known as a holiday destination, it is 25 mins to the nearest beach,  So why did I go?

To proclaim the gospel!

Through a great couple from my Church I learned about a mission to Kempsey, called Kempsey Bible Club. This Club is a week long (5 days) of morning sessions singing, teaching from the Bible, playing sports and games, and hanging out doing various things. Also it involves afternoon trips to the local hangout spots to meet up with the families that attend the club through the week. The sad reality of this mission is that the kids hear the Gospel for the week but there is nothing for them through the year.

Why Kempsey?

Kempsey was the starting point where God started helping me understand the need for more people to get into full time ministry. The Churches are struggling, and getting older (in age of the congregation but also in terms of its seperation from today’s society and culture), they are in desperate need of contextualization and a time of mission focus.

There is also another hardship of mixed cultures. Kempsey is one of the biggest aboriginal populated towns in NSW, if not Australia. There is a struggle of misunderstanding between the anglo and Aboriginal population in the town which creates tension. There is also a struggle within the Aboriginal culture, most boys when they reach later teenage years will have gone to jail or will end up in jail when they are in their 20’s. Stealing, vandalism and alcohol related crimes are among the prime offenses that will lead to imprisonment.This culture is creating problems for families, there is no good model of family relationships and dynamics, it also puts a strain on the financial strain on these families (most have more than 3 children and no working father to provide).

But the Gospel can change Kempsey for the better. This is my hope, prayer, and dream. I can see this verse holds great value and implications for Kempsey.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph 2:14–18 ESV)

The future of Kempsey is unknown but I can see hope of God doing great things there. After meeting with 2 ministers on the Mid North Coast I can see that Kempsey is a place that WILL see and hear and experience the Gospel in a great way, whether it is tomorrow, next year or in 10 years. God has a great message that is going to change lives for the better.

I dont know if God has it as part of his plan for Aimee and I to work in Kempsey but it is my prayer that he sends someone and soon.

Please pray for Kempsey and the Gospel going to all places over the world. Also please pray that as i keep talking to the ministers in the Mid North Coast that God will open doors for us to preach the Gospel full time in Kempsey.