Perth Creative Ministry
A group of musicians from a number of different churches have begun to have informal 'jam sessions' once a month to encourage indigenous young people in their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Pastor Denzil Humphries saw the potential of music recently when Christians held an opening night for a festival gathering in the Kimberley, with children, youth and adults joined together in an alcohol free celebration.
Two other indigenous Christian musicians, Rodney Rivers and John Beeck have teamed up with Denzil and recruited a number of other Christian musicians who have a heart to mentor and encourage young musicians, as well as to draw in others who are not following Jesus actively.
The first event was held in a community centre in the southern Perth suburb of Armadale with an audience of about 40 people. Holy Spirit's presence was really felt. Several pastors who were present were deeply touched at the way the musicians blended together, coming together from different denominations. Some people were sure it was a band that regularly played together, but most of them had never played together before.
There is huge potential to touch people's lives deeply through music and creative arts. In the future this move may lead into annual awards in music, dance and other art forms. The intention is to hold these events monthly in different parts of the city, drawing in people who have no church involvement. Leadership want to keep it open so it is not linked with any particular denomination or Christian stream. Please pray that it will be a means of bringing unity among Noongars and churches in Western Australia, as well as bringing many people into a vibrant, creative relationship with God through Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit.

ABORIGINAL MEN SAY SORRY FOR ABUSE AND VIOLENCE
Hundreds of Aboriginal men from across Australia have issued an historic apology to their women for the "pain, hurt and suffering" indigenous men have caused them. In the icy desert of Central Australia, men of all age groups from Cape York, the Top End, Central Australia, NSW and WA recently met to discuss ways to be better fathers, husbands and sons. They also sought to repair the damage caused in the 12 months since their communities were denounced as hotbeds of violence and abuse.
Since the federal intervention to combat child sex abuse was launched in June last year, John Liddle - from the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress - said Aboriginal men had been painted as brutal and uncaring. Mr Liddle told the gathering at Ross River outside of Alice Springs. "We need to acknowledge the hurt and pain that has been caused by violence which has shamed many indigenous males who are not violent." But he conceded good men had sat in silence, and now felt they needed to issue a collective apology.
"We the Aboriginal males from Central Australia and our brothers from around Australia ... acknowledge and say sorry for the hurt, pain and suffering caused by Aboriginal males," the statement said. "We also acknowledge that we need the love and support of our Aboriginal women to help us move forward."
One of the authors of the report which sparked the Howard Government's emergency response, Rex Wild QC, said the apology was "very powerful and very moving". He said child abuse was not just an Aboriginal problem and it had been unfair of governments to single them out. "They are not acknowledging there is a higher rate - they are acknowledging there is a rate, that there is a level of domestic violence that they have now said sorry for," he said.
Joe Hayes, a father who lives on an outstation 25km from Alice Springs, said he walked away from the gathering "a  proud Aborigine". "We have got to try and be responsible parents and our attitudes have got to change ... saying sorry is the best part of healing," he said.
Source: Compiled by Australian Prayer Network from media reports

Development and Outreaching Ministry – Rev Willie Pickett
Since arriving in Geelong and gladly taking on this role of "Development and Outreach Minister" it has been great, meeting many people both from the church and others who don't have any connection.
Vince [Ross], John /UAICC VICTAS have been excellent encouragers and to be a part of this network is continuing to have positive results on both my family and myself and have had also a major impact on us settling down to which we can grow as a family and certainly a larger impact on the future ministry here in Geelong, Narana, Heywood, Minajarlku and Robinvale.
I anticipate that the nature of this ministry may change throughout the first twelve months as will the dynamics in each location of ministry but I feel reassured with the flexibility given by Congress Victoria to allow those changes to happen.
Café Fellowship at Narana
This service is begins at 6:30pm goes through to 7:30pm -8:30pm.Up to now all is well we are averaging about 29 persons that includes mostly adults with small number of children.
Slowly the service is getting recognized although it would be great to see more people come but the aim is to continue inviting people from the Geelong area.
Overall there is much potential at all locations for future ministry.
I look forward to the next half of the year.