My plans for 2012

Firstly, given that the Lord may return before 2012 anyway, and given that we have not in any way given up on 2011, and given that we want to be giving thanks for his grace at all times and in all places,

Merry Christmas!

And thanks to God who gives us his grace in so many ways, but most especially through the life, death and resurrection of his son, the Lord Jesus.

However I wanted to let blog and facebook readers know in a bit more detail what my plans are for 2012. They are in order of importance: one, to keep following Jesus as Lord; two, to keep loving my family in word and action; and three… well read on.

Due to family and personal circumstances I decided to take a break from AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) work half way through 2010. I’m convinced under God that it was the right thing to do so, with some sadness, I finished up as campus director at the Cumberland campus of Sydney Uni.

There was never any intention to step back from the work of gospel ministry, however. So in the time since then, I’ve looked for opportunities to keep on teaching the Bible and God’s message of forgiveness in Jesus—whether in the family with my dear wife and daughters, or in meeting one-to-one with various people, or in preaching at church and elsewhere, including a series earlier this year on the book of Daniel at Cumberland campus.

As well as that I’ve done some writing, including some articles on the resurrection, and some writing and editing for a Bible course, Faith Under Fire for use in the Australian Defence forces, and drafting a statement of belief for a Christian school.

I’ve also been producing a video featuring broadcaster Kel Richards and evangelist John Chapman, and working with children’s gospel worker Bruce Linton in putting together a website for children’s ministry resources (we haven’t gone live on that one yet).

Together with the joys and responsibilities of family life, and part time work singing and playing the piano, and driving hearses, most weeks have become just as full and busy as any of the work that I was doing on campus!

However in God’s grace, a new possibility has come up for 2012. Having talked again to various friends in AFES, I will be starting work with the Conservatorium of Music (known to all and sundry as the Con, part of the University of Sydney) as soon as I am able to gain sufficient support to begin.

Initially I will be working two days per week, but there is a very good possibility that this will increase down the track once we all get a chance to see how things are going. The basic job will be the same as previously: Bible teaching, meeting with leaders and meeting one-to-one to read the Bible and pray, together with a team of others including some friends from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Andrew Lim and Sarah Cheng.

There’s a lot more to be said, but one of the things I must do before I can start is work on building a team of friends and supporters who will pray for the campus and the progress of the gospel, and possibly be willing to offer financial support as well. If you’re a facebook friend or a friend from other parts of life I may already have contacted you about this already, and thank you very much to those who’ve already said they want to be part of the support network for what I’m affectionately referring to as ‘the Con job’!

I’m already making plans to contact more people to ask if they (you?) would like more information about how to support the work of this ‘Con man’ in 2012. But if you don’t want to wait for my call or message, please let me know that. The best way is to message me on facebook and ask for more information, or you can send me an e-mail at ggordonc AT optusnet DOT com DOT au with the words ‘Con job’ (or something similar) in the subject line.

So that’s the latest, would love to tell you more and no doubt will do so through this blog or other means, but if want to make sure you find out, please make contact with me and let me know that.

UPDATE: You can contribute financially, if you wish, by going to this link and finding my name on the relevant drop-down menu.

http://www.afes.org.au/support

All quiet on the Eastern front.

Heading to Canberra, then Belmore, for AFES NTE, so things are going to be a bit quiet for a week or so.

Would you like to receive an e-mail prayer letter?

As many of you blog-readers know I am working with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students at the Cumberland Campus of Sydney Uni (better known to the students as 'Cumbo!'), with a group known as the Evangelical Christian Union.

So anyway.

Would you like to receive the Cumbo prayer letter by e-mail (if you aren't already)? Shoot me an e-mail at ggordonc AT optusnet.com.au

It's taken longer than I wanted to get all of this sorted out, so thank you to people who have been keen to get the prayer letter but haven't yet, and thanks especially to those who have already been praying and supporting the work in other ways.

Thank you

Things have been moving at whirlwind pace. Yesterday was my last day at Matthias Media, today I am about to go on a planning weekend for the Cumberland Evangelical Christian Union, getting ready for the year.

Thank you so much to the many people who have offered their good wishes, prayers and support. Some of you I've responded to, others not (and I'm sorry about that, but still thankful). I am very aware of the kindness of friends and of the great God, the Lord Jesus, who stands behind all. This weekend with Tracey Gowing and the staff and student leaders of Cumberland ECU is going to be a great time, and I'm looking forward to new friendships, reading the Bible and praying, and whatever else the year may hold.

To be honest I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment, but also very confident that the God who led me in this new direction, as many prayed, will continue to lead me and those around me into the good works he has planned in advance for us to do.

Before I can formally begin employment I need to have a certain amount of financial support pledged (30% of the year's salary needs to be in the bank, and 50% needs to be pledged), so I need to turn my attention to this without losing sight of the gospel ministry that we are trying to work out on campus this year. If you are in the habit of praying, would you please pray that I can get on with this?

If you want information on how you can support me or the work at Cumberland, the best thing I can advise just at the moment is to contact the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students and leave your details with them so that a member of the Cumberland Support Raising group can get in contact with you.

Thank you again to those who have prayed and made contact.

I've got a job!

Thanks to those of you who have been praying. I will be starting work this Saturday as campus director with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students (AFES), based on the Cumberland Campus of Sydney University.

The AFES group I'll be associated with is the Evangelical Christian Union. I consider it a great privilege and honour to be invited to work with these friends.

Basically it's the same job that I did at Melbourne University from 1989-1999. In God's grace, I also had a hand in starting the Cumberland University Church, which has now become a part of Berala Anglican church within the St Paul's Carlingford Group of churches.

Fifi and I couldn't be happier, and the girls are excited too.