News

News Update No. 18
May 2005
Dear Friends,
It is good to be in touch with you again. The seven months since our last News Update have seen many events involving enormous disruption and suffering, including the war in Iraq and the tsunami in Asia. In these and many other troubled places Christian people, alongside others, have been working hard to help, heal and rehabilitate.
We have been in frequent contact with a Sri Lankan pastor and his family in order to support and encourage them. We have known them for many years. They are undertaking the huge task of helping many people to be housed and re-established.
If you would like to help them, please contact us for more details.
Recent Ministry
Many churches and Christian organisations are wrestling with the issues involved in being God's people in the twenty first century. The huge changes in our western culture have taken many leaders and members by surprise. Many
are seeking help to understand our times, how to move from 'maintenance' to 'mission mode' and how to communicate the gospel to an increasingly diverse and unchurched society in this 'post-Christendom era'.
Since our last News Update there have been many requests for such ministry.
In late 2004 these included speaking, often over periods of several days, at the Lighthouse Community Church, Brighton, (Adelaide); the Roaring Forties Conference in Tasmania; the Cornerstone Community's Muster in Dubbo, NSW; and Uniting Churches in Pyramid Hill, Whittlesea and Trafalgar, (all in Victoria).
In early 2005 - a seminar at Belgrave Heights Convention; the Staff retreat of the Evangelisation Society of Australia, (ESA); the Leadership Team conference of Church Renewal Australia, (CRA); a weekend with the North Balwyn Baptist Church, (Melbourne); Graduation and Leadership meetings of the Cornerstone movement, N.S.W.; the Staff and Board retreat of the Annandale Christian School, Townsville, (Qld); preaching at the Townsville Wesleyan Church: special meetings of the Lara Uniting Church, near Geelong; and the Gideon's Regional Convention in Bordertown, (SA).
To be involved in these events has been a great privilege and responsibility. I have been greatly encouraged by your interest and prayer support, and have experienced the Lord's enabling many times. We thank Him for excellent outcomes in many of these places. Numerous letters, emails, and phone calls received from many groups and individuals thank God for His work in the lives of the people, organisations and churches concerned.
Also, there have been several requests for follow-up visits and on-going long-term involvement in the future.
Speaking Assignments
May 21
Belgrave Heights Men's Convention Seminar: 'The Sunday-Monday Connection'.
May 22
North Balwyn Baptist Church
May 25-29
Tea Tree Gully Uniting Church
(Adelaide).
June 29
Conference of Leaders of Bible Colleges in Australia and South Pacific, Melbourne.
July 15-17
CYC Men's Conference, Burleigh Heads, Qld.
July 30
Heathcote Combined Churches
(Victoria).
Aug. 6-7
Missions Conference, Clayton Church of Christ, Melbourne.
Sept. 4
Ivanhoe Baptist Church, Melbourne.
Sept. 18
Cooma Uniting Church, and other district churches.
I would greatly appreciate your prayer in preparing for, and participating in all of these events. Please pray that people will hear the Holy Spirit speaking to them. I am very aware that, as Jesus Himself said, 'It is the Spirit who gives life, apart from Him our best efforts count for nothing' (John 6 v63).
'The pen is mightier than ...'
Editing the Evangelical Alliance magazine 'Working Together', and writing articles for this and other publications continues to be very fruitful with many grateful responses. We have enclosed one of these articles for your use.
My work on a new book continues steadily, between ministry, family and other responsibilities. This is a challenge indeed! I hope to especially concentrate on this during June. Thank you for your encouragement and prayer in this. Please continue to pray!
Family News
Dur second daughter Melinda, and icr husband Paul Denham face a )ig and unexpected challenge, sspecially for a young couple. *aul was recently elected mayor >f the City of Maroondah, the lingwood - Croydon area of Melbourne.
Phis civic involvement places ixtra demands upon them both md their children. They would be 'ery grateful for your support in irayer.
iVeek by Week
n our last News Update (October 04) we mentioned the loss of everal long time financial upporters due to drought, etirement and other causes. We ;reatly appreciate the response of everal people whose support has iclped reduce the shortfall.
^he only guaranteed income we eceive is for my part-time roles vith the Evangelical Alliance vhich amounts to about one third if our living costs. For the emaining two thirds we are lependent on remuneration for lublic ministry, (which varies ;reatly), and on the support of hose who feel led to partner with is. This support is very important .s there are many 'behind the cenes' activities such as ilanning, research, preparation, .nd encouraging others which iroduce little or no income.
So week by week we trust the Lord, to provide, through His people, the larger part of our needs. Perhaps, you would consider becoming one of those people who share with us in this vital way.
Thank You
Thank you indeed for your interest, encouragement and prayer and for receiving our News Update. We greatly appreciate your involvement with us.
We would like to know of needs for prayer which you may have. We will do our best to pray for you and help in any way we can.
May the Lord enable you, wherever He has placed you, to live as though Jesus died only yesterday, rose to life today, and is coming back tomorrow! May you experience His love, His grace, and His enabling, every day.
Your brother and sister in Christ,

Gil & Cathie Cann