Newsletter 23/05/25
- Lewis Ramsay Jonker
- May 23
- 7 min read
Chairperson's Reflection
I really feel that the Holy Spirit is leading us! He is continually opening doors and opportunities to us, and when there is a need, it seems to me that it is always being met (either through ANW or ANW attendees).
I was reading this verse today in Romans 15:5-7 and it says this:
"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."
I feel like we are serving Him together with love and encouragement and it’s so good to see what is happening with A New Way, here are my highlights:
People are coming who would not normally go to a traditional church setting.
As people continue to come, I feel that they are growing with encouragement and in their faith walk within our Sundown sessions on Wednesday evenings.
The messages that are spoken are always Christ centred, in a non judgemental way. The Truth is being spoken but with such grace which I believe allows the Holy Spirit to do His work in believers and non-believers alike.
I hear people all the time say things like ‘they feel safe to come to A New Way’ or that 'it’s helping them in their walk with God’.
I love that my own family have been coming and are feeling a part of ANW.
I also love that it is okay for people who are genuinely seeking to have questions and that they feel free to ask those questions.
I love the simplicity of ANW, nothing is a chore - people are happy to help out in any way that they can.
People want to feel connected, People want authenticity, People want to be heard and ultimately people need to know our Saviour - Jesus.
I know that we genuinely have these at ANW and Sharon (my wife) and I are so happy to be part of this journey.
I also really enjoyed hosting our board/staff breakfast last month. I love serving together and I feel God’s blessing is on our journey.
I am sure that as time goes on there will be more decisions to be made and more opportunities that God will open to us and that we don’t have to worry about whether things will work or not because Jesus has got us. I am reminded of Philippians 4:6-7 that says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Director Update
When I departed from the Baptist denomination, one of the saddest parts was losing my celebrancy licence. As a minister, it is a great joy to stand alongside individuals as they publicly commit to each other, and it is especially meaningful when they are brothers and sisters in faith.
Despite completing the required training and officiating six weddings, sadly, the Baptist denomination does not currently have a system in place to retain retired ministers as marriage celebrants, or to offer flexibility for ministers transitioning into the Christian non-profit sector. As sad as this is, I understand, and hope that in the future, denominations and governments might work together to find a solution for people in unique situations like mine.
So, what did this mean for me? I am still ministering within the community, and in the near future, many of the students I pastored during my time on church staff will grow up and want to get married. Of course, I’d be thrilled to help them as a celebrant!
So! For just over six months now I’ve been studying. I’m incredibly thankful to the NSW 'Smart & Skilled' program, who provided a grant for the course, recognising the uniqueness of my situation. I’ve now officially completed a Certificate IV in Celebrancy, and once approved by the Attorney-General, I will be able to conduct weddings and funerals as a civil celebrant.
In other news: We’ve recently been seeing incredible impact at our Sundown Sessions on Wednesday nights, with individuals opening their hearts to the message of the gospel. We’re also meeting people from all walks of life, many who might not feel comfortable in an institutional Church setting. I had a quick chat last Wednesday with someone who had tried an 'Alpha Course' at a local church and quickly realised it wasn’t for them, saying it felt a little too much like school. Instead, they came to a Sundown Session, and despite not being a Christian, they said they feel safe and like learning from the Bible the way we explain it.
I’m particularly proud of a recent talk we presented called 'To My Younger Self'. As it was recently my birthday, I decided to preach to myself. It stirred many emotions and tears throughout the room, and I also received feedback from people who listened online: “I just wanted to say your recent sermon was really good and really stirring! I’m appreciating your voice in all the church noise in the world.”
You can listen to this talk on:
Online/Podbean - https://lewisjonker1.podbean.com/e/to-my-younger-self/
Easter Community Dinner & Donations
We had an amazing community dinner, and many of us had family and friends visit for the first time. As a community, we also collected Easter eggs for the children’s ward of Gosford Hospital. We received the following message, which was very kind (even if it is tokenistic):
"Dear A New Way Services INC, I would like to thank you and members of your charity for the recent donation of chocolate Easter treats – eggs and bunnies – for the Children's Ward, Gosford Hospital. Your kindness ensured that any child in our care over the Easter period received an Easter gift. This brightens the day of our youngest patients and helps provide comfort and distraction when they are not feeling the best. We are very fortunate to live and work within such a generous community – thank you again for your generosity and support.
– Chief Executive"
On Easter Sunday, we didn't have a service, but Evan (our Chaplain) personally delivered Easter eggs to local youth refuges and shared morning tea with young people who may not have had family to share the holidays with. We also quickly delivered some chocolate to the homeless community living in the Gosford commuter carpark.
We hope you had a great Easter, but also remember that the meaning of Easter is relevant year-round, not just on one Sunday a year.
We Need Help
Our community work has been increasing! We have dreams of hosting ESL classes, high school tutoring clubs, open mic nights, and young adult programs... However, this means we would need slightly more space. Our landlord has caught the vision and is very keen to help us reach our goals, and is willing to find a way to secure more space for us!
Luckily, a family from our community has donated a carport/cover that will be installed behind our venue so our landlord can store more equipment there.
On the weekend of the 14th/15th of June, we will be having a working bee, primarily to move equipment and to construct the carport. If you think you can lend a hand to make this a quick job, please let us know! You can email admin@anewway.org.au or text 0458 384 807.
Some other needs you may be able to help us with:
Do you have any connections or know anyone with a shipping container who may be able to donate it or offer a significant discount? This would enable ANW to have full access to the current warehouse and run unlimited programs in the future.
Could you consider donating paint to do a very simple seal on some sections of the floors in the warehouse during our working bee? We’re not needing an incredibly professional solution – just a very cheap way to make the floors look slightly cleaner.
Are you able to help us clean the space as we expand?
Soul Conference
We were invited to celebrate the 25th birthday of 'Soul Survivour NSW' this was an phenomenal event, and we are cheering on their ministry that has reaches thousands of youth and youngadults across NSW.
I am particularly inspired by leaders like Matt Gelding who started this interdenominational ministry 25 years ago. ANW hopes to follow in their footsteps!
Donations.
At our AGM, our board realised that we would only need an extra 50 individuals or businesses donating $25 a week to meet our expenses and help us achieve sustainability by 2026.
As we primarily serve our community (most of whom have been hurt by churches or do not have the means to give) we rely on outside donors to help us achieve our mission. The beauty of it is that our expenses are significantly smaller than those of a traditional institutional church!
If you think you could be one of the 50 donors who anonymously helps us become a sustainable charity, that reaches local individuals who have previously fallen to the wayside, we'd love you to consider donating $25 per week, anonymously, via direct debit.
We hope that at our next AGM we’ll be able to say, “We don't know how it happened, but we are sustainable.” Or perhaps, “Thank God He gave us a creative social enterprise idea to make us sustainable.” Or even, “We are broke... let’s keep serving the community anyway!”
Acc: ANW Donations
BSB: 082-356
Acc No: 915282595
Reference: A New Way
Prayer Requests
We are thanking God for our new board members! Hannah Lawrie and Jurgen Weber. We pray that God will guide then as they help on the board by offering their wisdom, faith and expertise.
We pray that our working bee is a success and that more space means more opportunity to reach and serve our community.
We pray for the local churches on the Central Coast, that there would be unity and a desire to work together for the good of the Kingdom.
We pray for the members of our community... for those who are Christian and for those who are seeking community. We pray that we would all grow in our faith.
Save The Date!!
Men's BBQ - 26th of July
Krosswerdz Hip Hop Church - 25th of October
Canvas Of Faith Showcase - 30th of November
Christmas BBQ - 17th of December
OPEN MIC NIGHTS - First Sunday of the month starting July
Sundown Sessions - Every Wednesday, 7pm
Sunday Rythms - Every Sunday, 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Numbers 6:24
A New Way
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