It warmed my heart to announce last week that we surpassed our May Mission Month target of $190,000, raising nearly $205,000 from 168 donations. Such a wonderful response to the invitation of God to participate in his renewing work around the world!

As we come to end of the financial year I wanted to highlight a couple of other ways you might contribute to the work of God. This is not meant to be an appeal to give more money per se but, hopefully, more of a reminder. Our current treasurer, Glenn Smith, talks about the different giving “pockets” we all have. These pockets are defined by a variety of criteria including personal passions, timing, or tax-deductibility. So, if one (or more of these projects touch your heart and you have a “pocket” from which you might wish to contribute, I wanted to remind you of them. There are three projects I wanted to remind you of.

First, the work of Hopefield. I know there are many of you who support the work of Hopefield through prayer, non-perishable goods for HopeDrive, financial support in Hope-tember, and volunteering, but there is, at the end of the financial year, an opportunity to give a tax deductible gift towards their $100,000 appeal. You can find more about the specific projects this would provide for on their website – hopefield.org.au

Second, the GBC Music Trust. This is another way to gain a tax deduction for a financial gift. The trust is the key way we fund our Festival of Christmas; the lights, the live-nativity, etc. 2025 will be the second year and we are in full-swing preparing for this event – it’s going to be great and gifts to this Trust will help us reach the community with the good news of Christmas!

Third, last year we launched an endowment fund. This is not tax deductible but is a way to contribute to the vision of sustainable ministry into the future. You can find out more about this fund here: LINK.

There are, of course, many worthy charities and projects we may support as part of our discipleship and the important thing is that we are growing in generosity – regardless of where we practice! However, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to remind you of these “home-grown” projects!

I’ll be in Perth this coming weekend for Morling College; preaching at a local church, leading a preacher’s workshop, and teaching a preaching intensive. I’m looking forward to it, but also to being back for the 29^th both to preach and for our Mid-Year and Extraordinary Meetings!

See you then!

THIS SUNDAY

Preacher: Phillipa Lowe Encounter Series: Grace (Luke 23:32-43)

6pm Service: Dinner afterward the service - $7.50 all welcome 

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

29th June: 11:30am Mid Year Meeting and immediately following Extraordinary Members Meeting for the appointment of an Associate Pastor for Community Engagement

29th June: Final Encounter Series Sermon

6th July: Welcoming Special Guest from Lebanon, Wissam Nasralla of Thimar as we celebrate 10 years of partnership with Baptist World Aid in Lebanon through Merath (Syria Assist).

MID YEAR MEETING for members and guests starts at 11:30am on Sunday 29th June. This will be both onsite and via Zoom.

Immediately following this meeting, an EXTRAORDINARY MEMBERS MEETING will occur, for the purposes of appointing an Associate Pastor for Community Engagement.

We strongly encourage all members to attend these meetings.

A BBQ sausage sizzle will be held after the 9:30am service, before the meeting starts at 11:30am.

A movie and light supervision will be available for kids.

A huge thank you to everyone who so generously gave to May Mission Month this year. We raised $204,749.96!

What a delight to see almost $15,000 over our target raised to see Lives Changed by Jesus, both at home in Australia and around the world. We are so thankful to God and His people as they give joyfully, partnering with what God is doing to renew and restore all things in Christ. 

With the cold weather and increasing needs in our community, the HopeDrive Pantry is in huge need this month. Let's dig deep and give generously to help families and individuals experience kindness and dignity and a practical helping hand. 

HopeDrive is always the last Sunday of the month - donations can be brought in during the week or on Sundays, or use our Drive-Thru Drop Off from 1:30 - 3:30pm. Every donation matters.

I have been reflecting on the cost of discipleship as my LifeGroup has been following the Encounter series.

In Luke 9:23-24, we find Jesus saying to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

This reminds me that following Jesus is not a casual commitment—it’s a life-altering surrender. Jesus never promised ease, comfort, or worldly success. In fact, He warned that being His disciple means daily self-denial and carrying a cross. That cross may involve misunderstood convictions, personal sacrifices, or even suffering for doing what is right.

Yet, paradoxically, it is in losing our lives for His sake that we truly find them. The cost may be high, but the reward is infinitely greater. We gain a relationship with the living God, the assurance of eternal life, and the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit within us. We are never alone, and we live with a purpose far greater than ourselves.

Jesus gave everything for us—His life, His comfort, His honour—so that we might walk in newness of life. In return, He calls us to trust Him completely, even when the road is hard.

As I think about the cost, I need to remember the reward: Christ Himself. And He is worth it all.

Derek Mullins, Elder

You are invited to join us for a short but effective time of “zoom” prayer Thursday at 7:30pm. A 30 minute guided prayer led by one of our wonderful GBC Elders. You can join in using this link JOIN PRAYER ZOOM or using the Meeting ID: 919 1693 5880 Passcode: f603j2. We look forward to spending this time together in prayer.

* Request for Housesitting (and Dog Sitting!) The Grice Family are looking for a responsible Young Adult (or not so young adult) to housesit and mind their dog during the school holidays. Dates are from 5th-13th July and the house is very close to Jannali train station. Contact the church office for more information. 

* Continue to pray for the Drury family and for Karen Watkins as both recover from major neurosurgery. 

* Pray for the Encounter series, particularly as new people join LifeGroups, that they'd feel 'part of the family' very soon. Particularly pray for those who are interested in faith, Jesus or 'church adjacent' that they would find out more about Jesus. 

If you have something for Family News, contact office@gymeabaptist.org.au or call on 9521 4611. 

Last Saturday we had the great joy of celebrating Hopefield’s 30th Anniversary at GBC, with many GBC folks attending. What a special afternoon it was, a time to pause, reflect, and honour the journey we’ve walked together over three decades of community service.

Surrounded by our supporters, team members, partners, local leaders, and long-time friends of Hopefield, we shared stories of impact, reconnected with familiar faces, and celebrated the heart of what makes Hopefield so special - the people.

Both Hopefield and GBC are deeply grateful for the generous support, donations, and encouragement received on the day. Every contribution, whether a kind word, a shared memory, or a financial gift, helps continue the mission to serve with compassion and purpose.

Congratulations Hopefield - Here's to the next chapter in continuing this vital work, together.

Hopefield has the need for a good quality men’s pushbike and an aged care seat walker for a couple of clients in need. Please email photos to admin@hopefield.org.au or call the office on 9545 0299

HOPEFIELD'S EVE PROJECT FUNDRAISING

As the end of financial year approaches, we’re inviting you to be part of something powerful - the continued growth of The EVE Project.

For women who have experienced abuse and trauma, The EVE Project is more than a program it’s a lifeline. It offers a path toward healing, rebuilding, and rediscovering purpose and community connection.

One participant shared recently

This is what your support makes possible. To those who have already given - thank you. Your generosity is already changing lives and helping women find the strength and support they deserve. As we look ahead to our August 2025 intake, Hopefield is committed to reaching even more women, but we need your help to do it. We’re aiming to raise $35,000 by June 30 to make it possible for more women to participate in this 12 month program. Just $200 enables one woman to participate weekly at no cost to herself Your tax-deductible gift helps fund 1:1 coaching sessions, psychoeducation and life skills workshops together with complementary therapy sessions as part of the 12-month program, providing practical tools that create real, lasting change in the lives of women. Read more about the Eve Project here Please stand with us. Let’s empower women to take their next courageous steps. Thank you, Vicki Sherry CEO