Mission in Australia

Sarah Earlam

In September 2010, Sarah Earlam left Derbyshire and moved to Melbourne in Australia to be a part of the Newfrontiers church plant there. This page will be updated with news from Sarah and details of how you can support her.

26th November 2011

Dear church,

We are now meeting on a weekly basis in a school in Camberwell, it's a wonderful location - very central to where Dave felt God had call the church to be. On average there are twenty people each week who come to worship God, hear awesome teaching and have fellowship. We have Ken, the pastor of the New Frontiers church in Christchurch, New Zealand coming this Sunday. He'll be sharing on what God has been doing in Christchurch after the earthquakes they had.

It very intimate, the lovely the church being a bit smaller - everyone is going out for lunch on Sunday after the meeting, it's lovely. We have more people coming from around the world next year - a number of families, including one family coming over from England in January.

There is such a sense that God is building something. There's momentum and really passionate people involved. Very open to what God wants to do in Camberwell.

We have a bible study on a Tuesday night for women and worship practise for the band. We have a prayer meeting on Sunday before the meeting. Everyone in the church is quite spread out so this works well.

There's a church website now, it went up this week yay - www.gracechurchcamberwell.com.au

Sarah.

top

15th June 2011

Hello everyone,

I moved into a lovely new home about two weeks ago, after finishing my farm work. I'm living with Dave Birds sister and her family, its really nice they are lovely and they too planted a church 18years ago. My house is about 20mins drive from where the church plant is going to be, but longer on public transport. So I'm hopefully going to get a car soon, they're more expansive and not as easy to get as in England for some reason.

We're meeting together to pray next Tuesday which I really look forward to God speaking and moving. Dave and Terry have just moved house near the church plant. Things feel like they're moving faster now, the church is going to be called 'Grace Church Camberwell'. There is a section about us on the Sydney Grace Church website, until we get our new one up.

I've started a new job in the area of Camberwell, but I'm only on a trial with a few others as well, so a few people will go. Please pray I get this job, its in a bakery/cafe 9-3:30 (Australian full time) its really nice. Grace Church Camberwell is Newfrontiers so will have a look like Matlock church, free and deep in the word. Also the miraculous, presence of God and family feel. The leader of the Christ Church NZ is coming over to pray with us next Tuesday which will be great.

love Sarah

top

21st February 2011

Hello everyone,

A quick update so you know I'm ok out here. It's a cold day today, at 19c so I'm inside drinking a cup of hot tea. It's funny I never thought I was that English until I got here. I understand a lot more about other cultures and ways of life since being here. I've made some really great friends here from all parts of the world.

You might have seen on the news about the floods and fires. We were fine down here, we just had flash floods in the city for a day and a half. But Queensland got hit bad and Perth side of Australia had terrible fires. There are a few people from work who's family's have had deaths and people they know were hurt and now don't have a home. Australia is a very friendly community kind of place, so everyone has been feeling a bit sad about it.

The church has been meeting once a month in the City to have a Barbeque, to chat and pray with one another. It's been really nice getting to know people as well as hearing their stories about how God is working in their lives.

I go to Tasmania next week until June 2011 to do work that will count towards my visa. When I return, I will be allowed to stay until approximately October 2012, unless God opens up any other doors.

I'll be moving to Camberwell when I get back, so I will be looking for a new house and job then.

Sarah.

top

16th December 2010

Hello,

I arrived in Melbourne, Australia in mid-September 2010. It's beautiful here, in and around the city. 

I have settled into life over here quite quickly. The people are very friendly, out-going and helpful. Melbourne is a cosmopolitan city, unlike other parts of Australia. Australia is very chilled out and quite a new country. They do love barbeques on the beach, which is good - they have them a lot!

The church plant is moving but has not started properly yet. There are about 30 people involved at the moment and we are starting to meet together once a month. We are waiting for a few practical things to happen before starting officially. For example, some people have to leave jobs and move home etc.

By around next June, we should have a building sorted out. It will be just outside the city in a suburb called Camberwell. Everyone is very excited and expectant.

Sarah.

top