At the start of every year, the staff and congregation members of Wesley Mission gather together to dedicate the year and all our work to God.
On Sunday 2 February 2020, people from all areas of Wesley Mission came to celebrate the year ahead and all its plans. At Wesley Mission, we are moved to do all the good we can, but we know we need God and His guidance to do so. The service featured prayer and readings from Senior Minister, Rev Dr Rick Dacey, board member, Dr Keith Suter AM, and two of our operations managers, Pam Waterhouse and Lisa Ellis
The CEO of Wesley Mission, the Rev Keith V Garner AM, interviewed our special guest, Jacqui Floyd, a Trainer Educator from Wesley Financial Literacy, who has also worked in financial counselling with people in prison and as a missionary in East Timor. Jacqui spoke about the financial literacy course, ‘In Charge Of My Money’, which aims to support those with financial struggles to persevere in hope.
“We have a great opportunity to give hope to people, to say to them, It doesn’t matter what your past has been. You have the opportunity to draw a line in the sand and move forward and make different choices for the future.”
Singing was led by musicians from both congregations and staff. One of the songs accurately expressed the hope we have in God as our way maker, miracle worker and promise keeper, as He is the one who sets the paths before us as we serve Him.
The message delivered by Mr Garner, reminded us of the importance of commitment and the challenge of covenant, taken from Jeremiah 31:31-34,
‘“…Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord.’
This declaration gives us hope. Hope for the unique lives and paths that God has placed before us.
“Hope releases us from the negativity of the past… It motivates people to bounce back, no matter the circumstance.”
Mr Garner ended with a covenant response that he invited everyone to reflect or recite upon.
“I am no longer my own but yours. Put me to what you will, put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you or laid aside for you…
Let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing;
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal.”
“Jesus did not and does not focus on what people are like, but what they can become. It’s not what you’ve done, it’s not what you have, it’s what, in God’s grace, you can become as He changes your life. Allow Jesus’ promise to give shape to you as you move to the future.”
You can read the full covenant response and watch Mr Garner’s message and interview with special guest Jacqui Floyd.