I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Phil 1:3 – 5
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We may not realise what our contribution to the work of the Gospel through St Marks actually achieves. What we actually see from our busy corner of life is like the tip of an iceberg. The bit we can see is our partnership in the Lord’s work through St Marks - our involvement through our presence, prayers and giving. The bit we may not see is the real and lasting impact on lives the ministry of the Gospel through the work of St Marks has. Each one of us is is an important partner or fellow worker in this most important mission and God calls us to play our part in words and actions as we’re able. The ‘Grace of Giving’ is one important way we partner in the Gospel. |
St Marks trains and encourages people for a lifetime of Christian life and ministry. James Vimpany (currently at Moore) writes,
“I knew nothing of Jesus before uni and God generously used the friendship, teaching and training I received from Chapel to bring me from being his enemy to being adopted as his son. I am loved, forgiven, saved, enpowered, entrusted and kept as I serve him now at Moore college.”
Ben Staunton & YoungLife Armidale • Glen Simpkins (Scripture Union) Northwest NSW • Roger and Judy Lund (CMS) Tanzania/Australia • David and Alisan Greef (CMS) Namibia • Peter and Sally Cunningham (SIM) Niger • Ian and Meg Hazelton (SIM) Tanzania • Robert and Margaret Love (Wycliffe Bible Translators) Australia • Karl & Lyn Weaich (Interserve) • and John and Helène Stambolie (TCZ) Zimbabwe who write,
In the early nineties - which was also the early years of our marriage - we came to UNE for further study on AUSAID funding. We attended St Marks right from the first Sunday we were in Armidale and never looked back. God was to use those eighteen months in a profound way as we were shaped and challenged by the clear Gospel teaching and training at St Marks, the good friendships we developed there, and our participation in Chapel activities. It was a critically formative time for our relationship with the Lord and our marriage, and set the course for the years ahead. On returning to Zimbabwe we became actively involved in several areas of Christian ministry and our family grew with the addition of four children. For the past six years, while our nation is undergoing a particularly turbulent time, John has been the Administrator at the Theological College of Zimbabwe. Our personal experience at St Marks convinced us of the need for solid Biblical teaching and training, and this remains a central motivation in all that we do. We gratefully depend on the prayers and the generosity of fellow Christians - which “through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” (2 Cor. 9:11-12). Grace be with you, John & Helene Stambolie
“I was a christian, just out of school, that had just moved away from my home, my family and my church, all to stay at a college and to complete my degree. I was vulnerable to any new temptations on offer by this world in this stage of my life. My christian life would not be what it is today without the encouragement, friendships and care of the St Mark’s community.” Dan Climpson (2nd Year Uni)
“Suddenly I find myself caught up in the Chapliancy ministry at TAS and wonder how on earth did I get here? Christian family, chaplains at school, but I don’t think I can measure the personal friendship, support and steady Bible teaching I’ve had through SMYG and the youth leaders at St Marks.” Simon Pain (now 18 and trialling Gospel ministry at TAS)
“St Marks is great for our family. Our kids are growing in a safe Christian environment that reinforces what we’re teaching them at home, from pre-school through to their university years. And being a Uni-based church, our family can play a role in training tomorrows leaders today.” Brian Sindel
The work of St Marks is not paid for by the wider Church, the government or the University. It is financially supported by our own giving.
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• Our 2007 - 2008 Budget is for $200,000 in giving. This equates to about $500 per person per year or $10 a week. Note that this is an average and we have lots of children and Uni students.
• This still leaves a deficit of $35,000 drawing on reserves which will not be sustainable after the 07-08 financial year. This deficit equates to, on average, $100 per person per year or $2 per week.
Models the Bible does not encourage
1. Pocket Roulette - From whatever happens to be in our pocket.
2.
Spasmodic Surplus - Whenever we have some spare cash.
3. Emotionally
Driven - Whenever we feel guilty or feel moved.
4. God last - From
whatever is left over after everything else.
The Biblical Model we encourage
1. Voluntary, cheerful, thankful.
2. Sacrificial and generous.
3. Prioritised, planned and committed.
On the first day of the week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income. 1 Corinthians 16:2
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9
Each of you should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7
But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also, excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:9
1. Payroll deduction by your employer.
2. Direct debit from your bank account through a standing arrangement with your bank or via Internet banking.
3. Collection in church. Regular giving envelopes are available to help with this.
• NAB (National Australia Bank) 082-876 50997-3112 and
• NECU (New England Credit Union) BSB: 932-000 Account: 609753
All partner information is kept completely confidential.
• Bequests - Consider the possibility of leaving a bequest to the church in your will.
•Special Gifts - People from time to time have unexpectedly received gifts or inheritances and have made a special gift to the church by giving a portion of these. In the past this church has been greatly helped by these types of generous gifts.