Life is an adventure of faith. Over the past 2 years I have had the privilege of working a lot more in pastoral ministry and the joy and challenge of studying God's word in greater depth at Bible college. During this time we have still continued with more Breath of Life evangelistic ministry. This is the shape of our life for the next six months at least. In whatever context, we want to keep... Creatively Communicating Christ

God is so good!!
Within a week, my engagements for this year will be completed. My last engagement is on Saturday 18 December, Newport Christmas Carols. The Sunday service at another church was cancelled because the new minister did not know who I was. I have travelled to six states/territories, visited nearly 50 churches and given over 100 presentations including church services, concerts, seminars, schools, combined church events, nursing homes, camps, etc... It is exciting to see God at work.

One of the significant things has been the number of return visits to churches I have already been to. While this means less income for us (they already have the CD’s) it has been great to build on previous visits. Attendance numbers have been up as people have felt confident to invite friends. We have seen people give their lives to the Lord and many others were encouraged or challenged in their commitment to Christ.

We want to thank those who support us in prayer. Philippians 1:3 says, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” Here’s some encouragement I must pass on. (When I play in churches or do a concert, I often give away a CD or two. Many times I have heard stories later of how it blessed the person or how appropriate it was for that person to be the one I chose.) This email was from a country church I visited: “do you remember the boy whom you brought up on stage and then gave one of your CDs to? His Dad and Mum have often told me that your CD is one of George's favourites and he is always playing it. As a result of that evening, George began his journey to playing sax by starting clarinet lessons. His parents do the 200 km round trip weekly for his lesson. George just sat his grade 1 AMEB exams and gained an ‘A’! He loves his music, and when his aunt visited France a few months ago she bought him a beautiful new clarinet - his Mum says it has a rich, beautiful tone, and George gladly exchanged it for the old one which often needed repairs. Not only is George loving his music but he is also growing in his faith and his parents are thrilled. God is so good.”

From April 2004

Change, challenge and choice...Change presents both challenge and choice. Some once said "a bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you're afraid to turn." We have cancelled the tour of QLD (although some churches have booked later in the year) and wanted to give some background to our decision.

Over the last few months both our senior pastor and associate have moved on. I was asked to have oversight of the young adults and youth for a short time. They are a vibrant, enthusiastic group and I have really enjoyed and engaged with them. I feel my work with them is not complete. While we have an excellent part-time locum minister, I was concerned for their growth and direction. I was also concerned that they (or any other ministry of the church) might plateau or decline until the new senior minister arrives at the beginning of July. I have always had a heart for pastoral ministry, but can also see the impact and value of the itinerant work I have been doing.

We felt challenged to offer our time and talents in the same way as early Christians who sold fields, gave their money and shared their resources. The decision was based on what we feel God has placed on our hearts. SO, the next few months (April - June) will be a great opportunity to taste pastoral ministry again.

The main tasks are oversight of youth and young adults. I will also be preaching at some services. Please pray for this time of ministry. Pray for wisdom, insight and leadership. Pray for Jude and the girls, that together, we will have a special time of being together more. Please pray for significant fruit among the young people. Some of them are already being trained for ministry in various ways. Pray that my involvement will be an inspiration to them and that Jude and I can be a Godly role-model for them as they develop deeper relationships with members of the opposite sex. Please continue to remember your own pastoral team in your prayers. It is a privilege to serve the Lord, but it can be very exhausting and challenging too. They need your encouragement.

Recently, I have been setting many Bible verses to music - what a privilege and joy to sing the Scriptures. If you are interested in sheet music for your church, email your name and postal address to us.

From December 2003

The year that was...
All up, an estimated 12,000 people have heard the gospel in presentations this year:
• 144 performances: churches around Australia, toddler groups, schools, nursing homes, community venues, a beach mission and even a Bible college lecture!
• 14 denominations: inner city, suburbs, rural cities, country towns. Small churches (one congregation had 7 people), and large churches.
• 14 Seminars: usually 4 sessions over two days, although some were just one session. One evangelism seminar and two Terrific Toddlers parenting seminars.
• “The gift” CD completed and selling well (leading up to Christmas). We have also given over 100 copies away.
• Over 40 valuable prayer supporters - you know we could not continue effectively without your support. Thank you ssoooooo much.
• Highlights: a) feedback about the impact of the ministry. This was very exciting:
At a recent church visit a mother told me her six-year-old daughter had asked Jesus into her heart after I did a concert at their school in Easter this year. I told them about Jesus and how I had asked Jesus into my heart at age six. She thought, “I’d like to do that too.”
b) Having my photo taken with “Miss Australia”... ...from 1927!
c) Churches joining together to reach their community such as “Rise up”, a huge event in our local area.
d) Completing the new CD and already seeing the ways God is using it to touch people's lives.
e) A couple of weeks ago I finally made contact (I have tried before) with the lady who gave me the bush sax four years ago. She was thrilled with the new CD.

The year that will be...

The calendar for next year is taking shape quite well. The ministry will continue as before, but the mode of transport is going to be a little different. We bought an old caravan a couple of months ago. We have now got it registered and Pete has been busy with some repairs and recovering the lounge and mattresses and making new curtains. It still needs a thorough clean out, but it is looking fantastic. The next step will be setting it up with all we need for travel. Our first trip is in two weeks. Pete is speaking at a youth camp on the south coast. In April - June we a doing a 10-week tour right up to Cairns, QLD. We have/are lining up ministry along the way.

Leaving Jude and girls at home is not completely a thing of the past, but it will be great to be able to share many more experiences by travelling together. Apart from this, we will continue as we have been this year with home-schooling the girls, church involvement in various ways and the various interest activities each of us have.

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From June 2003

Jude and I have travelled together a few times this year and as a result have been able to participate together in ministry events. One exciting and very fruitful venture has been the Terrific Toddler’s Seminar. Here are the details:

Title
Terrific Toddlers

Duration
3 Hours

Cost
$200 and $5 per participant.
Note: registration of $15 per person or $12 per couple/single-parent is paid to your church
(the cost is fully covered by 20-25 participants).

Requirements
• A room with two learning areas: seats in circle or rows (depends on numbers)
trestle tables without chairs (8 people per table)
• Play dough made up in at least three colours (one decent lump per person)
• A box of old magazines, scissors and glue
• Overhead projector
• Whiteboard with markers (if possible)
• Childminding with competent carers in a separate room

Scope
The seminar is for parents with children aged 1-5 (ie toddler - pre-school).

Seminar overview
There are eight short sessions with a 20 minute break in the middle of the seminar. The seminar is designed to encourage, equip and excite parents about their vital role. It is full of simple, effective ideas and practical suggestions.

It covers subjects like; managing anger, the root cause of bad behaviour, developing a flexible routine, constructive toddler activities, motivating behaviour, and the significant role of a father.

Books
The seminar is based on a superb book by Mel Hayde, an Australian mother of three. She has now completed book two as well. Price is $18 each or $35 for both books.

Promotional notes for your church bulletin
Terrific Toddlers

If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be? ...Perfect kids!!! Well maybe kids that at least sleep through the night, kids that respond when I ask them to do something, kids that I don't feel like shouting at, kids that are kind to each other, kids that share their toys, kids that respect my time with my partner, kids that can play without my constant attention, kids that don't nag me all the time...

...It sounds impossible. And while it can't happen overnight, it can happen. As parents, we can influence our child's behaviour, character and choices. The Terrific Toddler’s Seminar, with Peter and Judy Stacey, will help you enjoy your toddlers not just endure them. The seminar is lots of fun, practical and very encouraging. A children's program is available during the seminar.

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From 17 December 2002

It has been a full year. Peter has travelled to five States/Territories, visited over 70 churches and given over 100 presentations including church services, concerts, seminars, combined church events, outreach events, etc... It has been exciting to see God at work. The last few events of the year were very positive, especially the carols with about 1000 people from the community.

Highlights of the year were two weddings (both were music pastors in churches I had previously visited) and the many seminars where there was a tremendous sense of God’s presence, enabling me to communicate and equipping and exciting people about their vital role within the church. I still ‘sit’in’ with church bands when I visit. It is always fun to play with a live band. I did not foresee how encouraging this would be to many of the muso’s young and old alike.

At home, Jude has been kept busy with our beautiful girls and her involvement with the Toddlertime ministry at our church. She (along with several others) have developed an excellent ministry that is touching the lives of many unchurched families. We have seen a couple make a commitment to Christ and become more involved in the church as a result. In term 3 this year we wrote and lead a 5-week course based on an excellent book titled Terrific Toddlers, by Mel Hayde. Some other churches have shown interest in the course since then.

The girls are all well and have been very busy making and decorating Christmas cards. Joanna is 5 and loves her gymnastics (she was awarded a medal for most potential). Rebekah is 3 and loves being outdoors or in the pool. Jessica is 14 months and has explored most of the house so now has to explore the contents of cupboards and drawers, etc. They are such a blessing.

We hope that Christmas is a special time for you and those you share it with. We are often trying to teach our girls that Christmas is not just about getting, but when you think about it, the real meaning of Christmas is all about getting:

getting Jesus Christ!
I hope he is your most treasured gift this Christmas and forever. Lastly, thank you to those who have and are praying for our ministry. With your support we will keep on... Creatively Communicating Christ
May your heart be filled with God's peace, joy and love throughout this CHRISTmas and new year period.

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Last update: 4 October 2002

Thanks to those who came to our M5 prayer meeting. Of course most of our valuable prayer supporters could not be there due to distance... as far away as Austria!

It was a very encouraging time together. I had it planned out as follows (typical teacher!):
7:30pm Menu: Welcome & supper
7:45pm Ministry: Pete shares recent ministry stories
7:50pm Mothering: Jude shares about home life and weekends
7:55pm Music: Singing
8:00pm Motto: Vision and direction
8:10pm Meditation: Bible input
8:20pm Memories: Answered prayers, praise and thanksgiving
8:30pm Members: Sharing ideas, concerns, encouragement, or personal needs
Pray for all prayer supporters
8:40pm Missions: Praying through this years itinerary
8:50pm Memo’s: Things to ask God for:
• Pete to communicate the gospel clearly
• Holy Spirit to powerfully move people to respond to the message
• energy and inspiration on and off the stage
• integrity at all times
• time and discipline to meet with God personally
• Bookings to fill this year and begin next year’s itinerary
• Jude and the girls while Pete am away
• Quality family time when we are together
• safety in travel
• good health

It did not go exactly like that, but it was a fruitful time together of sharing our hopes, expressing our gratitude to God for his faithfulness, sharing struggles, frustrations and obstacles and looking ahead with confidence in what God will do in and through us.

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From 4 September 2002

I want to begin by thanking our prayer supporters. They are the lifeline of our ministry. Many times I have felt carried on their prayers.

Breath of Life M5. Sound interesting?
We are having our first prayer supporters night soon - Music Ministry Members Monday Meeting. ‘Members’ referring to our prayer supporters. We are going to share about future plans, share stories from recent months and pray together. We’ll end the night with supper. If you’re interested, send us an email.

It has been a fruitful winter. Several states, linking with about 25 churches for concerts, cafe-church, outreach services and worship seminars. The seminars have been particularly well-received. I always finish with an evaluation form. When I get home I read them and map out the results. It is great to see what people are finding most helpful. It helps me as I prepare future seminars, targetting the most needed areas, adjusting the notes, using a variety of learning techniques, etc...

While it is hard being away from home nearly every weekend, I consider it a privilege to be doing God’s work and sharing the music gifts he has given me. I enjoy it, and I thank God for this work. The recorded music continues to be loved by so many people. We regularly hear from people about how much they have enjoyed it. Sometimes people share moving stories about the way God touched their lives through the music and the stories that inspired some of the songs.

More soon...

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From 24 June 2002

After driving over 1000km's, conducting a worship seminar, an outreach concert and preaching in two different churches all in a single weekend I'm pretty tired. I got home this afternoon in time to pick Joanna up from pre-school. It is always good to be home again, to see Jude and our girls.

In the rest of Monday, I'll write letters to the churches I visited, follow-up on the weekends ministry, repack the bags for next weekend in South Australia and catch up on correspondance (email). Tuesday and Wednesday is usually spent preparing for upcoming events. Recording the new album also takes time and creative energy.

We call Thursday our 'family day' and we try to make it just that - a day of spending quality time and quantity time together. Friday or sometimes Saturday, I am heading off to the next weekend of ministry somewhere else. That's a snapshot of a typical week!


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From 17 May 2002

It is such a privilege to lead people to faith in Christ. I have had two special moments in the last couple of days: one with a Grandmother and the other with an eight year old girl. Both embraced the forgiveness, friendship and freedom of knowing God.

The family tour to Bundaberg was an enjoyable time together. Our daughters coped very well with the travel. We were able to borrow a friends car for the whole time in Bundaberg so we flew to Brisbane then got a train to Bundaberg - one day of travel instead of three days driving each way!

The ministry was well-received in the three churches we visited. I had the opportunity of sharing about Christ with 300 school students in Bundaberg as well. After a radio interview in Gladstone, I was asked to judge the Mother's Day competition. The challenge was to explain in 20 words or less why your mother deserved to be pampered. Both having a background in teaching, Jude and I went to work...

...we did not worry about spelling, but too many words came into the equation. It came down to two entries with only one prize. We had already given away a couple of CD's during the interview, so we decided to give a CD as a consolation prize.

On the last Sunday night, it was fun to perform with Steve Apirana at 'Church in the Park'. We joined with one of the local churches in an excellent outreach. Free BBQ, good music and it was my privilege to share a brief message about the hope we have in Christ. The weather was perfect, the sound was clear and many people stayed, listened and chatted when it was over.

After about 3,000km and probably 1,000 people in different audiences, we got home. It is tiring but God's work has such meaning and purpose. Galatians 6:9 says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

After a lot of planning, prayer and hours of hard work, the website is nearing completion. We have already had a couple of online bookings for future ministry opportunities! We are very grateful to Adam Valpied for his professional help in seeing this site become a reality. You can visit him at: www.avinteractive.com.au

Recording is finally underway on the new album. It has been a long time coming, and so has some of the equipment I needed to do the production. Stay tuned (I'm trying to) for this one!