Stories...

Bruce's story...

I grew up in the south-east suburbs of Melbourne in an area known as Hartwell.

During that time the family, my parents and five older brothers, moved house twice. Initially the family moved from a home on a residential block to a home in the Hartwell shopping strip. Alongside the home was an operating dairy and at the front a milk bar. After several years the family moved again to a home on a residential block around the corner in Summerhill Road.

All this time, and while I was completing my primary and secondary schooling, the family worshiped at the Hartwell Church of Christ where my father was church secretary and my mother, who had a lovely soprano voice, sang in the church choir and prepared the flower arrangements for the Sunday services.

The evening services were traditionally known as the Gospel Service where the minister on finishing his sermon would give an altar call for anyone, who wanted to commit their life to Christ, to go forward to the front of the chapel.

I recall when I was aged fifteen my friend at the time, Ian, responded to the invitation. He got up out of his seat on the pew and went forward to the front of the chapel. I chose to stay!

Next Sunday after the morning service the minister at the time, H.J. Patterson, a wise and wonderful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, quietly came alongside and suggested that I would have liked to have gone forward that evening with my friend Ian. I responded in the affirmative and H. J. invited me to join him and Ian in his study for a series of lessons in preparation for our baptisms.

(Never underestimate the value of the quiet, personal invitation extended in response to your observations of a person's possible interest in the Christian faith and the prompting of God's Spirit. Take the step and ask, your invitation may lead to someone making a transaction with God that has eternal value.)

Ian and I were baptised into Christ during an evening service at the Hartwell Church of Christ on Sunday 26 July, 1959 and were welcomed into the fellowship of the church on the following Sunday 2 August.

My baptism was an outward expression of what I had known inwardly for sometime that I needed to declare publicly my faith in Jesus as my Saviour, Lord and Friend.

Little did I know that two days later, Tuesday 4 August 1959, my father would suffer a heart attack at work and die, aged 52. His death was a setback for a young lad, who had being growing up in a loving and caring family. However, although I drifted through life for the next few years, I was well aware of God's interest in me. Over the years He has brought wonderful people across my path, who have had an amazing influence in regard to my journey with Christ. God has been and continues to be good to me.

I was presented with a New Testament on the day I was welcomed into the church.  Although our older daughter got her hands on it at some stage while she was growing up I still have it on the bookshelf as a constant reminder of God's goodness.

Blessings

Bruce.

Janine's story...

6 years ago I was a lost sheep ... Wandering through my life.  I was lonely, depressed, and wondering if this was all life had for me.  Sure I had things to be thankful for - my loving husband and a beautiful 2yo boy who brought much joy to my world - and I was pregnant with a beautiful girl - another blessing!  But yet something was missing in my life.  I couldn't put my finger on it.  I yearned for more but deep down I knew the world could not fill it - no amount of shopping, eating or chasing after success could satisfy that part of me that felt empty.

About this time I had been going along to Mops (Mothers of Preschoolers) here at one2one.  It was such a lifeline to me.  As a first time mum I was so lonely.  I enjoyed being a mum yet at times it was overwhelming and no-one in my normal circle seemed to know how to help me.   It was the love of the Mops mums that kept me sane.  Indeed, the Mops leaders (Patsy, Tanya, Sally, Helen, Karen and many others) were wonderful.  They cared.  They loved on me. They listened to me.  They accepted me.  And they had something I didn't - an inner peace and joy - and I wanted to know why!

So when they invited me to come along to a Journeys course to find out more about the Christian faith, I thought sure, why not?  I trusted these ladies and thought maybe I'd find some answers!  So off I went with my young baby Emma on my lap, and I heard about how having a personal relationship with Jesus had changed people's lives - and it dawned on me ... I too could have a personal relationship with Jesus and my Heavenly Father ... That was what I was missing in my life!  It wasn't about religion or doing good works - it was about knowing God.  This was a turning point in my life, and I gave my life to the Lord.

Now I'd like to say my life miraculously transformed overnight - but alas that was just the beginning of my wonderful walk with God.  Yet He is so clever!  He knew to bring me closer to Him He would have to throw me in the deep end so I would learn to rely on Him and build that personal relationship with Him.

So about a year after becoming a Christian, God called me to lead the Mops Ministry at one2one.  I can tell you I had many Moses moments of "why use me Lord?" And "but I can't speak to all those people!"  Yet after much deliberating, I decided to be obedient ... and God was faithful - when He calls you He equips you. He surrounded me with the love, support and leadership gifts of some wonderful Mops leaders, and together we loved on our Mops mums to shine Jesus into their lives. 

See God knows serving Him in a leadership role will bring you closer to Him like nothing else - it humbles you and makes you realise how dependent on God you are.  It puts the spotlight on those aspects of your life that need to change - no longer can you remain selfish, demanding and self-centred.  And God gently peels off the layers of hurt and shame from the past, so you can in turn help others to do the same.

After 4 years of Mops leadership, I found myself graduating and wondering where God would lead me next.  I couldn't imagine a life without serving Him in ministry - loving others and helping them to come to know a personal relationship with Jesus.  I wanted to continue to grow in my relationship with God and serve Him.  Many times I prayed fervently He would guide me towards His path for my life.  I didn't just want to jump into anything to keep busy and I didn't want to return full-time to my existing job.  I knew I wanted to serve Him where he needed me. 

You see, through leading Mops I have learnt how to trust God, how to lean on Him, and I discovered His unconditional love for me.  He healed me of many hurts from my past for which I am so grateful.  He encouraged me and helped me believe He had great plans for my life - One of my favourite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares The Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

So now I embark on a new adventure at one2one as Director of Groups and Newcomers.  God has opened doors for me that I couldn't have ever contemplated on my own.  And yes I found myself having more Moses moments of "why me God" and "I can't speak to all those people" ... Yet I trust God implicitly ... I have seen his faithfulness, His goodness, and I am so thankful yet again for the opportunity to serve Him.  And at those times when I catch a glimpse of His vision for our church and I feel awed at the task ahead, He gently reminds me He is in control and He will be with me!

Maybe God has been inviting you to dive in the deep end, to take on something new or pick up something you have let go?   Maybe he wants you to discover more of Him and His wonderful love for you?

I am so thankful for all God has done and is doing in my life.  I am even more thankful for what His son, Jesus, did for me - how he died on a cross for my sins so I could have a personal relationship with His Father - our God.

Shaun’s story...

Bruce: How come you started attending one2one Gillies Street Church of Christ?

Shaun: A few days before Christmas 2011 I attended hospital for some treatment. While there I struck up a conversation with one of the medical staff and inquired what they might be doing over Christmas. The common response of spending time with the family was given but along with that was an explanation that they would be attending the 11.00 pm Christmas Eve service at one2one Gillies Street Church of Christ. Furthermore the person extended an invitation to me to come along and I would be most welcome to join in.

After leaving hospital I didn't give the invitation much further thought. However, as Christmas Eve approached I gave it serious consideration. The 2011 Christmas Eve service at one2one Gillies Street Church of Christ was the first time I attended and I have been a regular attender at the Sunday evening services ever since.

Bruce: Shaun you've got cerebral palsy, can you tell us what it has been like growing up?

Shaun: Growing up as a young person with cerebral palsy was very difficult particularly at school where I didn't have many friends and was teased constantly. Although I was quite good at mathematics I struggled at school and the constant abuse weighed me down. There have been some very dark periods where I was very fearful of what might happen.

Bruce: So what’s changed since you started attending one2one?

Shaun: It’s been good. The medication I’m now on has helped and I’m much more optimistic about life. My circle of friends has increased dramatically. I continue to attend church of an evening where I’m rostered to help out on the door and I often go out for supper afterwards. Also I have been attending Bible study group on a Tuesday afternoon.

Bruce: Shaun we've discussed from the Bible how you can know God personally.

Shaun: Yes, I've come to know God and have put my trust in Jesus as my Saviour. Although I still have some down days I now know that God is with me each day.

Bruce: One other thing, you take communion each Sunday evening,  the cup of grape juice and a small piece of wafer. How does that work for you?

Shaun: Well at the start the small cup was a bit difficult to manage and there were a few accidents. However, with the cerebral palsy, I concentrate and work on it…the good news is you can now stand beside me and be confident you won’t get sprayed.

Shaun, front left, with the members of his Bible study group