Prayer Networks

PRAYER NETWORKS There are many organisations and networks of prayer across Melbourne Melbourne-wide Prayer Organisations and Ministries Local city prayer Networks Denominational prayer networks Etc The list below is under construction and lists a number but probably omits many.

Please email any additions or corrections that you know of to Transforming Melbourne

MELBOURNE WIDE PRAYER ORGANISATIONS and ministries:

INTERCESSORS FOR MELBOURNE

IFM is an inter- church network of those people called to pray for our city, for the renewal of the church and the salvation of the unsaved. (Is 62:6 Luke 10:2) GOALS:· Teaching, training and encouraging intercessors· Forming a wider network of intercessors· Developing relationships, unity and vision.· Facilitating local prayer groups in each municipality.· Developing relationships of IFM Prayer Groups with Local Pastor's Networks.· Upholding the church of every denomination.· Praying for renewal of the church.· Praying in the harvest for the kingdom.· Hearing from the Lord together and praying prophetically. RESEARCH & MAPPING FOR INFORMED PRAYER We are forming teams for researching the needs of every area and the wider city to enable prayer to be more informed and focussed. For information call Mr. Bob Flavell (Phone: 9555 5281)

“Watchman”

is the Newsletter produced by Intercessors for Melbourne published about four times a year. Call Tony Stevens to subscribe.

IFM CONFERENCE DAYS

IFM meets 4 – 6 times a years for Worship – Teaching – Prayer Walking – Intercession – Fellowship at Swanston Street Church of Christ (nr Lt Lonsdale St) CONTACT INFORMATION:General Info: Mrs Maree Wilson Phone: 9716 2886 Email: mwilsonifm@hotmail.com Administrator: Mr Tony Stevens Ph: 9776 1940 Email: stevens@pastornet.net.au IFM Web Address: www.pastornet.net.au/ifm

FOCUS MINISTRY

A GROUP COMMITTED TO PRAY FOR MELBOURNE – ESPECIALLY THE CBD MEETING MONTHLY IN THE SALVATION ARMY CITADEL IN BOURKE STREET CONTACT: PASTOR LEONIE ALLEN (PHONE: 9758 7059)

CATCH THE FIRE

A PENTECOSTAL PRAYER MEETING ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH CONTACT: DANNY NALLIAH (PHONE:9799 9630)

LOCAL CITY PRAYER NETWORKS

Our aim (with IFM) is to foster a network of Christians from all the local churches in each of the 31 local (municipal) cities across Melbourne.Details of these and their contacts will appear under “PRAYING FOR LOCAL CITIES” on this website

DENOMINATIONAL PRAYER NETWORKS

We understand there are a number of these, but Details not available as yet.

Pastors Networks

PASTORS PRAYER FELLOWSHIPS

Pastor, we encourage you to know YOU DON’T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE!

So many pastors are struggling, overwhelmed and burning out because they get

too much pressure

too many expectations

too little support and encouragement

almost no pastoral care for themselves and their families.

What is the answer to our needs?

PASTORS CARING FOR EACH OTHER!

The time has come for us to drop the barriers that separate us from other local pastors, priests, ministers of other denominations and traditions. The pastor in the church down your street, or the big church on the corner is on your side! We are all part of the same Church. We have acted as if we are in competition, but we all win or lose together.

Our “Ministers Fraternal” meetings have so often had no place for close relationships. There has been little or no sharing of who we really are and what we really need. Too often there has been little love and little prayer.

THE TIME HAS COME TO GET CLOSE TO THESE OTHER PASTORS – WE NEED TO BE IN A PASTOR'S PRAYER FELLOWSHIP

where we can be real, share our lives, build relationships, get to know pastors of other traditions of the Church (it’s amazing how our view of the other denominations is so prejudiced and negative, but as we get to know someone from that background we discover there is just SO MUCH we have in common!)

In this situation we can share our faith in Jesus, our common vision for the Kingdom and pray together for our community and for one another.

Value each other’s different congregations and styles, but start celebrating our unity in Christ. There is ONE CHURCH. THIS IS THE REAL CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST!

CONTACTS: Listed below are a number of Pastors Prayer Fellowships around Melbourne.

If there is not one near you, there may be the name of a pastor who is interested in being in a group or interested in starting a group.

If there is no-one listed, why not approach one or two pastors you know, and just start!- an hour a week? 30 mins. sharing + 30 mins. praying- a longer time (weekly/ fortnightly/ monthly?) have a meal/ time in simple worship/ share your journey of faith, your vision/ discuss how you can support each other/ pray together

PASTORS PRAYER GROUPS In the Municipal Areas of Melbourne

BANYULE: Heidelberg/Diamond Valley/Greensborough/Watsonia/Ivanhoe/ Rosanna AREA CONTACT: Ian Wilson, Rosanna Uniting Church 204 Lwr Plenty Rd, Rosanna 3084 – 9457 6114; Greensborough Pastors Prayer Fellowship; Leader: Craig Anderson COC Greensborough 9467 3456; Rosanna Pastors Prayer Fellowship Contact: Ian Wilson Rosanna Uniting 9457 6114

BAYSIDE: Brighton/Beaumaris/Black Rock/Sandringham/Hampton/Gardenvale AREA CONTACT: Paul Kent, Bayside Community Church, PO Box 244, Brighton 3186 – 9580 9835; Brighton Pastor's Prayer Fellowship; Paul Kent, Bayside Community Church Brighton

BOROONDARRA: Ashburton/ Burwood/Box Hill Nth/Surrey Hills/Kew/Camberwell/Hawthorn AREA CONTACT: Peter McHugh, Camberwell CityChurch 9888 8778; Burwood Minister's Association (Prayer Fellowship) Leader: David Bradley, Wattle Park Chapel 9808 2728; Ashburton Pastor's Leader: Haydn Blaess Ashburton Lutheran 9568 2107

BRIMBANK: Keilor/Sunshine/St Albans/Sydenham/ArdeerAREA CONTACT: ALAN YORK, Keilor CCC PO Box 14, Keilor 3036 – 9331 5660; Sunshine Pastor's Fellowship Leader: Larry Blackmore 9364 8927; Brimbank Minister's Fellowship Leader: Alan York, CCC Keilor 9331 5660

CARDINIA: Pakenham/Cockatoo/Upper Beaconsfield/ Beaconsfield/ Bunyip/Lang Lang; AREA CONTACT: Ian Battersby, St James Anglican, 7 Jan-Maree Ct, Pakenham 3810 – 5941 1013

CASEY: Berwick/ Endeavour Hills/ Hampton Pk/ Cranbourne; AREA CONTACT: Chris Duff, St Matthews Anglican, 1 Magra Pl, Endeavour Hills 3802 – 9700 2349; Casey Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Leader: Peter Woods, St Matthews, Anglican, Endeavour Hills

DAREBIN: Coburg/Thornbury/Preston/Northcote/Reservoir/Fairfield; AREA CONTACT:Larry Holt, Thornbury Church of Christ, 426 St Georges Rd, Thornbury 3071 – 9484 2918; Pastor's Prayer Group: Larry Holt, Thornbury Church of Christ, 9484 2918

FRANKSTON: Seaford/Frankston/Langwarrin/Carrum Downs; AREA CONTACT: Rick Paynter, Gateway Family Church, 23 Poplar Gv, Langwarrin 3910 – 9789 4534; Frankston Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Leader: Rick Paynter Gateway Family Church

GLEN EIRA: Caulfield/McKinnon/Mt Waverley/Bentleigh/Elsternwick/Balaclava/Ormond' AREA CONTACT: Richard Kasperczyk, Eastleigh Community Church, 216 E. Boundary Rd, E. Bentleigh 3165; Caulfield Pastor's Prayer Fellowship; Leader: Michael Whorton, Balaclava Presbyterian 9527 3270; Glen Eira Pastor's Prayer Group Richard Kasperczyk, Eastleigh Community Church 9642 4555

GREATER DANDENONG: Dandenong/Noble Park/Springvale/Noble Park; AREA CONTACT: Alan Hughes, St Michaels Dandenong, 1472 Heatherton Rd, Dandenong 3175 – 9792 4925; Dandenong Fraternal/ Prayer Fellowship Leader: Alan Hughes, St Michaels Anglican 9792 4925

HOBSON’S BAY: Altona/Laverton/Newport/Spotswood/Willianstown; AREA CONTACT: John de Blank, Christ Church Newport, 8 Speight St, Newport 3015 – 9391 1206; Newport Pastor's Prayer Group: Contact: Mark Barnard, Hobsons Bay AOG 9391 8643

HUME: Sunbury/Broadmeadows/Bulla/Campbellfield/Craigieburn/Tullamarine; AREA CONTACT: David Michaels, Broadmeadows COC, 45 Lyndhurst Rd, Gladstone Pk, 3043 – 9330 0184; Sunbury Pastor's Prayer Fellowship, Milton Oliver 9740 8799; Westmeadows/Gladstone Park Prayer Group David Michael CRC 9330 0184

KINGSTON: Chelsea/Mordialloc/Mentone/Cheltenham/Moorabbin/Heatherton/Dingley/Parkdale/ Highett/ Westall/ Clarinda/Sth Clayton/Braeside; AREA CONTACT: Rob Buckingham, Bayside Community Church, PO Box 500, Cheltenham 3192 – 9585 2455 – Kingston City Pastor's Fellowship – Rob Buckingham Bayside Community Church 9585 2455

KNOX: Knox/Boronia/Wantirna/Rowville/Ferntree Gully/Upper FTG/The Basin; AREA CONTACT: Brian Shields, Rowville Anglican 67 Park lane, Mt Waverley, 3149 – 9807 2327; F. 9888 3191; Knox Minister's Association Chris Sutton Eastside AOG 9720 2099; Rowville Fellowship Brian Shields, Rowville Angl. 9807 2327; Boronia Minister's Gathering Contact: Edwin Lang, St. Paul’s Boronia (Anglican) 9761 1797

MANNINGHAM: Doncaster/Donvale/Templestowe/Bulleen/Warrandyte/Wonga Pk; AREA CONTACT: Richard Kerridge, Liberty Christian Church, 19 Grevillea Rd, Doncaster E., 3109 – 9841 9410; Manningham Minister's Association Capt. Eddie Holman Doncaster Pastor's Prayer Fellowship contact: Richard Kerridge, Liberty F/ship, Donc E. 9841 9410

MARIBYRNONG: Footscray/Gladstone Pk/Yarraville/Braybrook/Maidstone; AREA CONTACT: Kevin Forlong, Westside Christian Centre, PO Box 117, West Footscray 3012 -9318 4477; Western Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Leader: Kevin Forlong Westside Christian Centre (AOG)

MAROONDAH: Ringwood/Warranwood/Heathmont/Balwyn/Bayswater/Croydon; AREA CONTACT: Capt. Don Stelling, Ringwood Salvo, 53 Wantirna Rd, Ringwood 9870 0720; Maroondah Minister's Group Leader: Amy Turner, Warranwood Anglican

MELBOURNE CITY: City Centre/Carlton AREA CONTACT: Alan Baker, Swanston St Church, 194 Lt Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000 – 9663 3884

MELTON: Melton/Diggers Rest/Rockbank; AREA CONTACT: Ian Hickingbotham, Melton Uniting Church, 19 Yuille St, Melton 9743 5696; Melton Fraternal Ian Hickinbotham Melton Uniting 9743 5696

MONASH: Mulgrave/Oakleigh/Chadstone/Glen Waverley/Mt Waverley/Clayton/ AREA CONTACT: Craig Semple Clarinda Baptist, 124 Bourke Rd, Clarinda, 3169 – 9557 4780; Clayton Fraternal/Prayer Group contact: Craig Semple, Clarinda Baptist 9557 4780 Waverley Pastors Prayer Fellowship Monthly Prayer for community in Civic Centre (lapsed)

MOONEE VALLEY: Essendon/Ascotvale/Moonee Ponds/Newmarket/Strathmore/Keilor E`; AREA CONTACT: Mark Simpson, Glenbervie Baptist 6 Woodvale Cl., Essendon 3040 – 9379 3662; Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Contact: Mark Simpson Glenbervie Bapt. 9379 3662

MORELAND: Glenroy/Fawkner/Pascoe Vale/Moreland/Brunswic/Coburg; AREA CONTACT: John Rigby Glenroy Wesleyan MethodistGlenroy Ministers Association Contact:Dave Wilson 9350 4655

MORNINGTON Mornington/Dromana/Rosebud/Rye/Sorrento/RedHill/Hastings/Baxter; AREA CONTACT: Andrew Hope Mornington Uniting, 12 Tallis Dv, Mornington, 3931 – 5975 6121; Mornington Clergy Group Contact: Ken Parker St Peters Anglican Church, 5975 0198; Dromana Clergy Group Peter Williams St Mark’s Dromana, 5987 2856

NILLUMBIK Panton Hills/Diamond Creek/Hurstbridge/Eltham; AREA CONTACT: Peter Ness, Hurstbridge Life Centre, PO Box 123, Kangaroo Ground 3097 – 9718 1630; Hurstbridge/Panton Hill Fellowship Contact: Geoff Pittaway, Panton Hills Anglican, 9719 7438

PORT PHILLIP: Sth Melbourne/St Kilda/Albert Pk/Balaclava/Elwoood/Pt Melbourne; AREA CONTACT: Derek Snibson St Lukes Anglican, 210 Dorcas St, Sth Melb 3205 – 9699 7869; Area Pastor's Fellowship Derek Snibson 9699 7869

STONNINGTON: Armadale/Malvern/E. Malvern/Prahran/Toorak/Sth Yarra; AREA CONTACT: Jim Minchin Holy Advent Anglican Church, 5 St Georges Rd, Armadale, 3143 – 9509 1523; Stonnington West Minister's Support Group: David Head, St Martins Anglican, Hawksburn Malvern Minister's Fellowship Contact: Jim Minchin Holy Advent, Malvern 9509 1523

WHITEHORSE: Blackburn/Burwood E./Box Hill/Forest Hill/Nunawading/Mitcham/Vermont; AREA CONTACT: Rob Carter, St Alfreds Anglican, PO Box 1066, Nth Blackburn, 3130 – 9894 1781; Whitehorse Pastor's Prayer Group Rob Carter St Alfred’s Balckburn Nth (Angl) 9894 1781; Blackburn Sth Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Rev. Keat Seng Teoh, Evang. Chinese Church, Blackburn Sth 9877 3988

WHITTLESEA: Bundoora/Thomastown/Mill Park/Epping/Whittlesea; AREA CONTACT: Serafim Antoniou, Open House Christian Fell., PO Box 334, Bundoora 3083 – 9401 2895 Pastor's Prayer Group for the City of Whittlesea Serafim Antoniou Open House Fellowship Thomastown Mill Park & District Clergy Fellowship Leader: Chris Mitchell, Anglican Mill Park 9436 4800; Whittlesea Pastor's Group: (local) Peter Greenwood, Whittlesea Uniting 9716 2330

WYNDHAM: Werribee/Hoppers Crossing/Laverton; AREA CONTACT: Mal MacLeod, Werribee AOG PO Box 504, Werribee, 3030 – 9748 9177; Fx.9748 9211; Pastor's Prayer Group: Geoff Needham, Hoppers Crossing 9749 4945

YARRA: Richmond/Fitzroy/Collingwood/Abbotsford; AREA CONTACT: Major Colin Gaskin, Collingwood Salvation Army 9482 2172

YARRA RANGES: Montrose/Healesville/Mt Evelyn/Lilydale/Mooroolbark/Yarra Jn/Belgrave/Monbulk/ Kallista; AREA CONTACT: Ian Richardson Life Ministry Centre, PO Box 553 Lilydale, 3140 – 9726 8111; Belgrave Fraternal/ Prayer Fellowship Ian Weickhardt, St Martins Belgrave Hts 9754 7862; Chirnside Park/Mooroolbark Pastor's Prayer Fellowship Graham Nelson Life Ministry Centre 9726 8111; Mt Evelyn Pastor's Fellowship Leader: Alan Meyer, Mt Evelyn Church of Christ 9736 2323; Montrose Pastor's Fellowship JohnHouston, Montrose Christian Fellowship 9761 9888

Transforming Your City

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TRY THE OTHER DROP DOWN MENU UNDER TRANSFORMING YOUR CITY IN THE MEANTIME

Micah Challenge

MICAH CHALLENGE

What can one Church Do?

All of us care about poverty and want to see justice in our world but the problems seem so big that we feel powerless to achieve any real change. Church programs are already packed with important activities for growth and mission – so ‘What can one Church Do?’

The truth is one person and one church can do a lot. A new CD for churches (and individuals) is available in mid March. For more details on the content, see http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/resource/WhatCanOneChurchDoblurbsforeachdoc.pdf

Email info@micahchallenge.org.au to order your copy. Please include your name and full postal address.

Bono speaks out on faith and poverty at US National Prayer Breakfast

Bono spoke last month to an audience including President Bush, at the National Prayer Breakfast. Here is a short extract

“God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is in the silence of a mother who has infected her child with a virus that will end both their lives. God is in the cries heard under the rubble of war. God is in the debris of wasted opportunity and lives, and God is with us if we are with them. "If you remove the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger and speaking wickedness, and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then your light will rise in darkness and your gloom will become like midday and the Lord will continually guide you and satisfy your desire in scorched places."

For the full speech, see http://www.data.org/archives/000774.php

As many of you will know, U2 is touring Australia in April. Watch out for interviews and articles about Bono’s stand on poverty issues – use the opportunity to talk to friends about the issues and about supporting Make Poverty History.

What is happening in 2006?

Look out for various events and times throughout the year – make a space in your diary/planner NOW and check the website for details closer to the time. See http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/resource/10thingstodoin2006.pdf

Take the Challenge – website for young people

16 – 30 years? Go to www.takethechallenge.org.au to register for faith and life challenges on poverty, mercy and justice.

Prayer is the key to change

Pray for the people who make decisions about our national Budget – tax cuts may be in the pipeline, but we can afford spending on poverty reduction.

Please pray for wisdom and insight for Christian leaders in Australia.

Actions you can take in March/April

Get a copy of the new CD – What Can One Church Do? If your church or group would like a copy, please email info@micahchallenge.org.au or ring 02 9453 1586. This resource is for busy churches and groups that want to care about poverty issues but need some ideas on how to start; that want to explore Biblical ideas on justice; and it’s for anyone who has said, “The problems are so big…. What can I do?”

April 9 in Melbourne, there is the chance to hear Jim Wallis, author of the best seller, God’s Politics and head of Sojourners in the USA – see http://www.sojo.net/index.cfm?action=sojomail.home . Put the date in your diary now as Jim Wallis is an inspiring speaker on faith, ethics and politics. 2pm till 4pm at Melbourne Town Hall. He will do a book signing and copies of the Micah CD, What can one church do? will be available.

Download a postcard flier from the website http://www.micahchallengejim wallis visitMicah Chall Wallis postcard.pdf

Write to your MP. A new letter guide is on the website, see http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/resource/MPHLWG_Feb06.pdf

You can donate money or time

Thank you to those who have donated to Micah Challenge. It costs money to keep the websites running, produce resources and do lobbying. We also want to send money to the international campaign so that campaigns in the developing world can grow.

You can donate to Micah Challenge using the form at http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/pages/content.asp?plid=32 .

Or you may want to donate through your favourite Christian agency which supports the campaign and mark your donation, “Micah Challenge”.

If you live close to the Micah office and have some financial expertise, we would love your help for one day per month to help us keep our accounts accurate. Please contact Amanda on 02 9453 1586

There are Micah groups in every state, which would love your time and expertise. It may be a short-term or longer-term involvement. See http://www.micahchallenge.org.au/pages/content.asp?plid=7 for details.

Quote of the Month

“Nothing short of the Holy Spirit can really help forward the cause of righteousness on earth”.

Elizabeth Fry, wife, mother of 11 and prison reformer who recognized that faith and action are inextricably linked.