Tucked in from the coast, a three-hour drive south of Sydney, is a town of almost 5000 people and a mob of kangaroos. At Synod in September, the saints of Sussex Inlet celebrated gaining full parish status – some even travelling up to Sydney to witness the event in person 

The Rev Marty Davis, senior minister of St Mark’s, Sussex Inlet, said this was a joyous occasion for their whole parish. “For those who’ve been at the church for a long time, things ebb and flow but we’ve seen growth over the years. We’re in a position now to stand on our own.” 

Playtime a pathway to faith

Mr Davis shared about some of the people God has brought into the congregation over recent years. “Bron is a mum of young kids, and moved to Sussex Inlet with her family about five years ago,” he said. “She came along to our playtime group, and Bron and I struck up a good rapport. She had an interest in doing triathlons. I’ve done a number of triathlons so we had a common interest. She said this was different for her – she had come from a Catholic upbringing and never felt any real connection with the priests. 

“Not long after, Bron started coming to church with her kids. During COVID Bron, along with my wife Viv, did an Alpha course online with the Bridge Church. Viv continued to encourage and disciple her, and she also joined a women’s Bible study. 

“Last year, Bron put up her hand to co-ordinate playtime. She appreciated the role playtime had in introducing her to church community and to Christ, and wanted to see this ministry continue. Last year we were only getting one or two families regularly to playtime. This year, with the backing of prayer and renewed energy, we have had contact with 20 families and one has started coming to church as well. It’s great to see green shoots.”

A journey to Jesus. 60 years in the making

“John is a larger-than-life character in his late 70s. He was brought up in the church but wandered away in his late teens. He’d been a well-seasoned traveller and man of the world, but I take it there was a seed planted in his earlier years. John was a regular at men’s breakfast, and accepted an invitation to the Alpha group, and has been part of that group now for 2½ years. There has been more than one occasion when John has been in tears in church because he understands how deep God’s love is and how rich his grace.

“John loves to open his Bible and has joined a Bible study group. He has also appreciated the way people have prayed for him. He told me that he would publicly like to thank the members of his congregation for their prayer for him. John’s journey to Jesus is a story some 60 years in the making.” 

Mr Davis praised God for the way he has worked in the lives of his congregation and brought newcomers into their gathering. 

“But I want to add, we know there are many challenges before us – challenges familiar to most of us,” he said. “We especially long to see more kids, youth and young families become part of our church and disciples of Jesus. We are thankful to God for having sustained us over many years and also excited to see some growth.”

PRAYER

• Give thanks for the people God he has brought to St Mark’s and the beginnings of growth 
• Thank God for the way he has graciously sustained the church, for the faithful saints of St Mark’s and their partnership in the gospel
• Pray that God will help church members make an impact for the gospel in their community
• Pray that kids, youth and young families in the area will hear the good news of Jesus