From Brooks Brewer re: Australia
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Aug 30 2005 at 8:19 PM
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From Brooks Brewer re: Australia

Before Todd, Colton, and I set off for the great land down under, our pastor, Andy Taylor, had a word from God for us. The word was "outbreak". Some of my friends were kidding around and said maybe he meant "outback". So we went with "Outbreak in the outback", and that is what we feel happened in many ways. God was in the trip from beginning to end, but that's par for God isn't it?

One of the things I found ironic is all of the media attention we received due to Todd being a bullriders pastor, was initiated by a non-Christian woman. God used her mightily to facilitate us speaking and singing to thousands across the Australian landscape. Only God knows fully the impact that has had and is having.

I found Australia very friendly, but very lost. The people were wonderful to us but there was an overwhelming sense that they did not know much about a relationship with Jesus. Oh they've heard of Jesus, but see the whole thing as religion instead of relationship. Most of the country is either Catholic or Anglican and it seems to be very structured and liturgical in practice. I spoke with some very kind folks from New Zealand who were very touched, even to the point of tears, just over Todd praying at the beginning of the event. They were not used to someone just praying off the cuff like that.

I would have to say that one of the highlights for me was learning that the event announcer had never been to a church service in his entire life and just decided to come to the service we held on Sunday morning. He was glued in from the get-go. The next morning at breakfast I was speaking with him and telling him that Todd was going to baptize several of the bullriders in the ocean and he immediately said, "I'm in mate". He was ready to jump head first into this Kingdom relationship. Wow! Needless to say baptizing five guys in the ocean right on the beach is a pretty cool deal by anyone's standards.

Of course being able to spend time with Troy Dunn and his beautiful family was absolutely fantastic. What a neat family. They are so hungry for God in the midst of a region plagued by dead religiosity. Please keep them in your prayers. Troy is the real deal; kind, sincere, hard working, honest, and a sold out believer. God will change a culture through this family.

God's hand was evident each and every day. What a privilege to be a part of this trip. You can't spend that much time with Todd and Colty Bear and not have a great time. Where we go' in next mate?

In His Service,

Brooks Brewer