Newsletter 06/04/25

A New Season

This journey has been incredible so far and we have been blown away by the number of people who have supported us with prayer and practical help.

This week I visited my 92-year-old neighbour on her birthday, and as I was about to leave, she went to her kitchen to retrieve an old jar of instant coffee that she had been filling with loose change since I first told her about the idea of A New Way... Why? Because she knows young people need to find a new way! She wanted to do anything she could to help. I am truly in awe that she would consider us a worthy cause. It has been one of the most encouraging donations we have received so far.

These encouragements have been a real gift over the past few months, as we have been preparing for a new season.

A New Way is proud to announce that we are now officially a registered charity: A New Way Services INC. The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission have recognised our objectives as Advancing Religion and Advancing Social and Public Welfare.

This is a milestone we have been working towards for some time, and it means that we will no longer be auspiced by Narara Valley Baptist Church.

We want to thank Narara Valley Baptist Church for their support up until now, especially for including us under their insurance. We also want to give special thanks to their treasurer, David Kenny, who has personally helped us with accounting and reporting. His wisdom and his willingness to use his natural talents for the greater good has been an inspiration to us all. (He’s also answered plenty of phone calls from us at all hours, and thankfully David always seems to have the answer haha)

I am also personally thankful to the A New Way board for their encouragement and practical support throughout this transition. We have an incredible team, and I believe that we have developed healthy accountability, and that we are of one mind and purpose: to be the Church of Christ, and to bring the good news to our local community in a new way.

This new season comes with new expenses and fresh challenges. We now manage our own accounting, insurance, and IT systems. However, we are confident and certain that this was the right time to make the change.

Our board and staff gathered for a breakfast celebration, and we look forward to planning a public celebration in May!

Canvas of Faith

We are thrilled to announce Canvas of Faith, a brand-new mentorship program designed to empower 12 young people from the Central Coast to share their personal stories of Christian faith through creative works. Their story could be a testimony, a moment of hardship, a significant life event, a significant moment with God, or an honest reflection on their struggles with faith.

Participants aged 16 - 26 will engage in a series of workshops focused on storytelling, artistic expression, and community engagement. The program will culminate in a live showcase event and an online archive of their work to inspire others and to promote peer-to-peer evangelism.

Each participant will also receive between $300 and $500 to support their chosen artform and help bring their creative vision to life.

This project has been made possible through the Backing the Future grant, funded by the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) and delivered in partnership with the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR).

We believe that stories have power. Through Canvas of Faith, we are excited to see young people step into evangelism in a new way, and for them to create something beautiful.

If you know a young artist, you can encourage them to apply through the online form: https://forms.gle/neQ4G7v6F2h6mLHV6

Easter Community Dinner - You're Invited

Join us on Wednesday, 16th April from 6pm at the warehouse (16 Laycock Street) for a relaxed community dinner.

This is an open invitation! If you’ve never been to one of our Sundown Sessions but are curious to visit and meet our community, we’d love to have you. It’s a pot luck style evening, so please bring a plate to share.

We hope to create a warm welcoming enviroment, where you are safe to invite family, friends and neighbours. We believe in celebrating together and breaking bread with eachother.

We’ll also be collecting Easter egg donations on the night, which will be delivered to Gosford and Wyong hospitals, as well as local youth refuges. Hope to see you there!

Itinerant Ministry

I’m thrilled to have been invited to speak at Revive Southern Sydney, a combined Baptist youth event at Narwee Baptist Church this June, as well as Thornleigh Baptist’s youth camp in September. I’d really appreciate your prayers as I prepare for these opportunities, that young people would hear the good news clearly and be encouraged in their faith.

If you know of any churches or youth groups, whether local or in regional areas, who might benefit from itinerant ministry, please feel free to pass on our details. We’d love to connect and serve where we can.

Our Friends at 'Insight Highschool Ministries'

One of my greatest joys is volunteering on the board of Insight Highschool Ministries and helping create videos of their staff and mission. We wholeheartedly support this organisation and encourage you to check out www.insightcentralcoast.org.au

Please be encouraged by the following video:

Insight High-School Ministries

Community Chaplaincy

Sunday Rhythm’s has wrapped up it’s first month. This pilot period allowed a time to trial the space, how it will function and the various creative elements available for attendees to

connect, collaborate and form community in a safe and supportive environment while having access to ANW’s Chaplain.

We have seen a variety of new faces check out the space and feel connected once again to a community after feeling isolated. This has offered something to a demographic that lacks programs and support and we have had the absolute honour to play a role in that.

The highlight has been finding ways to use the creative process through music, creative writing and RPG gaming to explore self expression and sharing your story. We are looking forward to seeing this initiative grow and our end of term events. - Evan Lawrie

ANW Audio Bible

Firstly, I want to sincerely apologise for the lack of communication around the Audio Bible Project. When I first began this journey with A New Way, I genuinely believed I would be able to accomplish so much more within my 3.5 working days each week.

However, I’ve quickly come to realise that the time and effort required to start a new charity, apply for grants, run weekly gatherings, and manage a growing portfolio of projects is more significant than I had anticipated.

Sadly, I haven’t been able to progress with the Audio Bible as much as I had hoped. The production and editing process requires around 8 hours per week, and I simply haven’t had the capacity to sustain that. I’m truly sorry for over-promising and under-delivering; especially to those who supported A New Way in its early stages because of their passion for this project.

I remain confident that this project will be completed, though I’m not currently in a position to commit to a set timeline or weekly hours. As A New Way becomes more financially stable and we settle into a sustainable rhythm of ministry, I’m hopeful that this project will find new momentum. I continue to believe deeply in its impact and purpose.

In the meantime, the first few recordings/books are available on our website if you’d like to listen. Thank you for your grace, patience, and continued support.

New Bank & Donation Details.

If you are considering contibuting to the work of ANW (We would appreciate your support) or if you are currently donating, please be advised that we have changed our bank account details.

Acc: ANW Donations

BSB: 082-356

Acc No: 915282595

Reference: A New Way

You can also read a longer notice about subscription and card donations here: anewway.org.au/update

Prayer Requests

• That our new accounting systems will run smoothly.

• That our easter dinner will be filled with new faces seeking community.

• That our programs would grow, as more people encounter the good news of Jesus.

Numbers 6:24

A New Way