Halfway There

By Paul Bailey, Melbourne Labouring Community

Here we are, midway through 2025, reflecting on all the good the Lord has done, but also looking ahead in faith for what is to come. It has been a number of months since I was able to give a comprehensive update on all that’s been happening!

So here are a few highlights:

Our mini retreat.

Going back to early December, we held a mini retreat with a new crop of labourers along with some existing ones. It was great to get their thoughts and feedback and invite them to pray and consider how to serve in 2025.

During the month, two of our key students, Issy and Matt, got married – a God-glorifying, gospel-focused event. Issy was the first student I ever met, and I have been discipling Matt the last two-plus years. It was great that Navs was one of the places they could cultivate their relationship and serve together.

Between December 27 and January 3, we supported Beach Mission, and we hope to continue supporting this mission by sending a few students every year. Nick & Hans went for the first time and absolutely loved it.

In early January we had a group meeting, where a number of our key old and future labourers gathered. We had a time of reflection and sharing and considering the promises of God in His redemptive plan. This opened the door for discussion and planning for the ministry. Later that month was the January Staff Training, which was encouraging as always. I was able to bring Hans, Jie Ling & Janelle along with me. We focused on ‘God’s Heart for the Nations’ through His redemptive plan.

By God’s providence we found a number of students free from 12-1pm on Tuesdays, ushering the way to weekly devotions where students took the lead. This served as a place to casually meet but also invite friends. We were often joined by those on our fringes too. We had great topics, good discussion, and prayed for different countries each week. The students definitely grew in articulating Gospel Truth and Gospel Obedience in life.

During ‘Jesus Week on Campus’, we and two other Christian Clubs teamed up to share the gospel to students. We offered hot chocolates and engaged in many conversations throughout the week, sharing the gospel to hundreds of students. It was a big step of faith for many of our students, yet they did so boldly and grew from it!

Due to schedulling, I’ve had to lead two seperate Equip Groups during the first semester, going through Living Proof as a guide to relational evangelism. By God’s grace we managed to get one session as a whole group!

We had a quick mid-semester hike at Warburton. Due to unforeseen circumstances we only had one girl join us! But she was a trooper! Pray for “A” as the girls have been trying to reach and share with her for over two years now.

Malvin is someone who Hans has been investing in and discipling for the last two years. He just got baptised, having grown tremendously in the last year. It was great to hear his testimony. Pray as Malvin considers reaching out to those around him.

On Fridays, after our Extended Time w/ God, we usually go out for dinner. This is a key part of having that life-on-life element of discipleship.

Our Labourer Intern Training Group (LIT) also made a short trip to the beach to pray and consider Genesis 22:17 ~ “your descendants will be as numerous as the sand”. It was a great reminder and encouragement that God has made promises and we can participate in them. Be in prayer for Lashan, Jie Ling & Nick.

Our Labourer Intern Training Group (LIT).

Prayers

Would you join me in seeking the face of God in prayer for the rest of 2025 and beyond:

For the current labourers during their transition period – that they would not lose sight of the goal of worship and missions
For the new crop of students – as we hope to deepen this conviction of knowing Christ and making Him known amongst their peers
For our team – we have had some changes over the last 5 years, with part-timers, volunteers and a new staff couple. Pray for unity and alignment in our planning
Pray for good collaboration as we partner with a new ministry starting up at Deakin
Pray that God would put in the heart of some of our graduates to return and help disciple some of the younger students
Pray for our National Conference in October – a good time of edifying fellowship with onne another and a deepening relationship with Christ through His Word
Pray for Semester 2 – the girls are hoping to group together and reach out to other girls. They have felt a bit disconnected from each other over the years. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead them and protect them from discouragement.

Your prayers and support have been greatly appreciated over the first half of 2025.

Paul is involved in our university student ministry in Melbourne. In particular, he meets with groups of students from Monash University, facilitating groups for Bible Studies, discipleship, sports, and other leisure and fellowship activities. If you would like to get in contact, visit his Staff Profile or use the contact button below:

Featured image: group at sunset by Javier Allegue Barro, unsplash. All other images: supplied.