Beltana, a real life ghost town 240km north east of Port Augusta, came alive as hundreds of people from all over Australia arrived for a weekend of celebration.

The brainchild of the local progress association, they wanted to celebrate the centenary of the founding of the Australian Inland Mission (AIM) and bring people back to “where it all began”.

“There is a rich history to this town,” said the Rev Stuart Bonnington, Superintendent of the Presbyterian Inland Mission. “It’s where John Flynn first went when he left Theological College to be the minister at the historic Smith of Dunesk Mission church.

“It was here that it became clear to Flynn what was needed to help the people of the outback, both practically and spiritually. The time there was formative for him. ”

Representatives of the successor organisations of Flynn’s AIM were there for the weekend, as were many former residents and descendents of those who had lived and worked in the town. Opportunity was given for their stories to be told and tours of the town brought local history to life. There was the obligatory country dance on the Saturday night and commemorative books were launched.

On Sunday morning nearly two hundred people gathered at the historic church for a special service. Inside the church was standing room only and many had to remain outside in the shade of a tree or on whatever seating they could find.

Locals were heard to say that it was the biggest church meeting there for decades. They had spent many weeks restoring the church in preparation for the day, and in true country style literally passed the hat around during the service for financial gifts to help finish their restoration plans.

The Rt Rev David Jones preached on one of John Flynn’s favourite verses which was written in large script on the back wall of the Church in 1918. ‘Seek ye the Lord while he may be found.”

He called on all present to acknowledge forgiveness of personal sin as their greatest need and to call on the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to forgive and restore.

Local residents had also built a large cairn at the front of the church with a plaque to formally recognise the centenary of the founding of the AIM by John Flynn. Some of the personal qualities of Flynn as a pastor, communicator and visionary were recalled to those gathered before the plaque was unveiled with rapturous applause – a fitting finale for an historic weekend.

A manuscript version of the message by the Rt Rev David Jones can be found at www.pim.org.au