Exciting stories of church growth in Kowanyama QLD mirror what’s happening in many other Indigenous communities across the Top End, with new people beginning to attend church despite–or perhaps because of–difficult times recently.

Wayne Connolly of the Church of the Ascension in Kowanyama told pilot David Curtis of Bible Society’s Flying Bible Ministries that twenty new people have been attending church over the past few months. “Reverend Connolly explained that the community has been going through some difficult times recently,” Curtis says, “but that it’s been an opportunity for people to think about their lives.”

Curtis says the move of God at Kowanyama is reflected in other Indigenous communities. He reports that last year over 200 people were baptised in Lajamanu and Kalkaringi, both in the Northern Territory. “I’ve heard of communities reporting a renewed commitment and an ever growing passion for God. Some missionaries working in these places for years say it’s just been taking off. People see what’s happening to others, note the real change in their lives, and want to be part of it.

“These new believers have a desire to meet with other Christians, to share their faith with others around them, and to go deeper into God’s word.”

The Flying Bible Ministry’s newly rebranded plane

That’s where the Flying Bible Ministries (FBM) steps up to help, delivering Scripture materials to remote Australian communities. “It’s exciting supporting where we can,” says Curtis. “On my visit last week to Kowanyama, I didn’t have a great number of resources to offer as it was the tail end of a trip to several places – but what I had, people snapped up and still wanted more. The kids were excited to receive their story books and coloured pencils.”

Curtis often shares from the Bible when he visits rural and remote communities, but says he receives a lot from these encounters too. “Typically, the meeting will include singing, and it’s great to hear our Indigenous friends singing praises to God in their unique style. People share Bible verses and testimonies of how God is working in their daily lives. They share very openly.”

David Curtis says the children love the story books

Curtis was so blessed by what he heard at the Kowanyama service, he posted right away on Facebook. “Great to hear so many honest stories from new people coming to faith at Kowanyama. More than 20 new committed believers so far this year! Please pray for them! They are hungry for God’s Word.”

To follow David Curtis online on his trips click here or here