It has been said that ‘from the motel room to the classroom – no one escapes the Gideons', but Gideons Northern New South Wales Regional President, Barry Hammond, disagrees. “I love that quote but frankly it is untrue. It may be that there is some truth in it for Western developed countries but it is untrue elsewhere. Even in developed countries like France, there is huge opposition to the reception of scriptures,” he says.

I have a friend who is a Pentecostal pastor. Once when we were having coffee I was giving him a hard time about the title of Brian Houston's book, You Need More Money. What an outrage, I said, how could this guy be serious!

Evangelicals seem to be great squabblers. They divide over all sorts of issues: from creationism to the millennium and all the bits in between, it seems. The word ‘evangelical' itself seems particularly rubbery, implying ‘fundamentalism' to some, ‘charismatic' to others, referring to a liturgical style at one point or to a right-wing social programme at another.

The educational funding debate is a vexed issue with many of the facts distorted by political opportunism and entrenched rhetoric which is deaf to different points of view. Even amongst Christians there will be sharp differences in opinion and even some bitterness.

Darfur, the world's ‘worst humanitarian crisis' has been in the media for weeks. Every day seems to bring new twists to the narratives of despair, violence and inhumanity.

“Few things are more crucial at this time than the raising up of more full-time Christian workers,” Archbishop Peter Jensen told parish clergy recently.

A heavenly vision is set to blossom in Moss Vale over the next year with the launch of Anglicare's new community garden project. The project aims to provide a healthy place where men who are socially and geographically isolated can meet, form friendships and contribute to the community.

The risen Christ still towers over history to progress his gospel and he will accomplish his purpose. The substance, response and blessings of his gospel are still the same. We 21st-century followers of Christ are still to be involved in his work in his way until the end should come.