Monday, February 24, 2014

Dear Praying Friends,
On the 14th of this month we celebrated one year of service here in Australia.  All glory goes to God for allowing us to minister on His behalf in this country.  The time has flown by.  It seems that yesterday we were praising Him for providing our visas.  Please join us in thanking and praising God for His grace displayed in this ministry He has called us to.
In this last year we have: moved half way around the world, learned how to drive on the opposite side of the road, met many new people, and tried to learn more about the culture of Melbourne.  The list can go on and on.  The adjustments have gone smoothly and all thanks to God answering prayers.
The Lord has brought people into the church, some from just putting an invite into the mail, some from personal invitations from members, and some from God drawing them without any work from us at all.  It is so amazing to see Him at work!  Now God is working in the hearts of some of the visitors to consider joining the church.  We have come in contact with many Christians that have just been searching for a good church home, and now they are wanting to join Grace Baptist Church.  It is a great encouragement.
Now to be completely honest we have experienced trials and there have been struggles over the past year.  There are still struggles now.  Whenever the Lord is at work there is opposition.  Yet through all the trials we have been drawn closer to Christ and what He is doing in our lives and in His Church.  Trials can either drive you to the Lord or from Him, and we have seen believers driven into the arms of their Savior, to which we are so thankful.
Please continue to pray for us, and for those the Lord allows us to minister to.  Pray that we would see unbelievers come to Christ in this next year of service.  Pray that we would come into contact with more Christians that are searching for a church home where God's word is taught and Christ is exalted.  Please pray that God's will is accomplished through us here in Australia.
Thank you for reading and praying.

In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Praying Friends,
Summer has finally arrived here in Melbourne.  As the big tennis tournament wrapped up the weather is heating up.  School is back in session after a long Christmas and summer break.  Now we set our sights on our big back to school outreach event called Family Fun Day.
This next Sunday February 9 we will have families from our community visit the church for a time of games and getting to know Grace Baptist Church.  We have printed over 2000 fliers and our prayer is that we will see a good turnout this year.  Last year there were 42 children that came.  Their parents stay and have coffee and something to eat while the children play games and win prizes.  I will have the opportunity to share the gospel in the middle of all the fun.  Please pray that hearts would be receptive and that we would see people come back and visit to learn more.
I have not been here in Australia long, but it seems that most people here have no idea what Jesus did for them on the cross.  They have never really had someone draw their attention to Him.  Please pray that God would prick their hearts when they hear the message, and that they would repent and receive Jesus as their Savior.  Thank you for looking at this site and for praying for us.

In Christ,
Mark Pitts and Family