Amid the vast landscapes of Central Australia, thousands of kilometres of dusty red roads draw travellers towards distant hazy horizons. Along the way, there’s time to think. To wonder. To be. People who live amid the vast landscapes of the Red Centre often feel a deep connection with the wonder of creation. God can build on this spiritual openness to connect people with the message of Christ. After the Lutheran missionaries arrived at the Finke River in 1877, the Aboriginal people became gradually ready to hear the new stories about God the Creator, and his son Jesus Christ. Today there are around 7000 Aboriginal Lutherans in the heart of Australia.
Synod welcomes Finke River Mission delegates
Melbourne’s city skyline was a stark contrast to the vast verdant landscape of Central Australia for four Aboriginal delegates attending the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand’s 20th Convention of General Synod from 9 to 12 February 2023.
Read MoreSynod offering to support FRM songbook project
The offering from General Synod will support a Finke River Mission (FRM) project revising and reprinting Lutheran song and hymnbooks in Central Australian Aboriginal languages.
Read MoreFarewell (and thank you), Tim!
After 12 years of outstanding service, Tim Stollznow steps down as FRM Board chair.
Read More‘God has always looked after us’
I was born out in the bush on 16 October 1947, so now I am 75 years old. When I was young I never thought I would become a pastor. I was a stockman, riding horses, doing cattle work.
Read MoreChrist in the ‘Top End’
Nungalinya College, situated in Darwin, is the premier ecumenical Bible and community development training facility for Indigenous students in Australia.
Read MoreGod at work at Anmatyerr
Since starting work part-time with Finke River Mission last November, it has been challenging to establish any kind of routine. COVID restrictions and family commitments have created interruptions to my ministry in the Anmatyerr area, where there are about a thousand speakers of the language.
Read MoreYirara College Baptism and Communion Day
Yirara College Baptism and Communion Day 2002 was celebrated on Sunday 6 November. Sixteen students were baptised in the Yirara College chapel, and 28 celebrated their first communion.
Read MoreTwo churches opened in one day
The small outstation Irrultja is on Utopia freehold country. Its sister community Atnwengerrp, just a few kilometres northwest, is part of the former stock route on Sandover River.
Read MoreBush courses
The last of the three pastors bush courses this year was held at the end of September at Harts Range, about 215 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs.
Read MoreBush church opens at Ingkwelay
Three years ago, a new bush church was dedicated at the small community of Engawala, 150 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs. Now, on 29 May, another bush church was opened, at a family outstation on Utopia freehold lease Ngkwelay (Ingkwelay), also known as Kurrajong Bore.
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