Reaching Carnarvon with the Good News of Jesus

In our end of year appeal in 2024 we sought your help to support seven new communities across Australia. Carnarvon in Western Australia was one such community and Mike & Emma Welham have hit the ground running since moving there in March this year. Here Mike tells us more:

Our Commencement Service went really well, with visitors from Geraldton and Carnarvon filling the church to officially mark our start here. It was special to have Lachlan Edwards (Dean of Geraldton Cathedral) with us to lead the service. I was a student minister under Lachlan and he said that the service was like a graduation for me – a proud moment for him as my trainer. Another special detail is that Lachlan was a student minister to Ray Arthur who was there on behalf of BCA National Director Greg Harris. We had a photo taken of Ray, Lachlan and myself, marking the generational ‘passing of the baton’ in ministry from Ray to Lachlan to me.

Pastors from each church in Carnarvon attended the service, which was very encouraging. I have met with most of them privately and am enjoying getting to know my co-labourers in the Lord and how we can work together for the cause of Christ here. We had an opportunity to do ‘Stations of the Cross’ at Easter, and the churches unite to put on a Carols event in December. There is also discussion about combined prayer events to bring the body of Christ together here.

There were some newcomers from Carnarvon, who had not been to church in some time, who were glad to be part of this occasion. We have also had a few new people join our church after being away for some time, which is a great encouragement.

Emma’s connection to the community as a chaplain has been swiftly put to good use. She was asked to speak at a Carnarvon Community women’s event about her chaplaincy, which she very much enjoyed. She is making good headway with staff and students
at the school as well. Emma’s role would not have been possible without the support of BCA in bringing us to Carnarvon.

Now and into the future

For now, I am focusing on getting the essential elements of ministry established. These include Bible teaching on Sundays, two new
Bible study groups, pastoral care/ visits, building the electronic presentations for our weekly services, plus a ton of admin!

After establishing new Bible study groups, my aim is to do some evangelism training to help build the confidence of our church members to reach out to people in the community they already have connections with. The goal is for each person to articulate the Gospel and share their personal testimony about how Jesus changed their lives – and pluck up the courage to tell people about Jesus with these skills!

I am hoping that in and through me, God would mature and grow His church here in Carnarvon, lost sinners would find salvation in
Christ alone, and that we would be intentional about connecting with the lost and the broken in Carnarvon (there are a lot of social
issues here). The hard part is that we can’t do everything at once, and I need to pace myself as my role is four days a week. I am praying for God’s guidance and wisdom as we establish the ministry of the Gospel in our patch here.

Emma continues to work on deepening her connections with staff and students at the school, and we pray that people would be pointed to the love of Christ as she works in this vital role.

Please pray with us as we near six months here in Carnarvon. May many find the hope that we share in our risen Lord Jesus Christ.