MAY 2017 (mini-update)

The last few weeks have been a flurry of activity - and there are some changes afoot - check out the latest, and keep us in your prayers!

STORY PACKS - On the 13th of April, Trav led 270 students and teachers from Portside Christian School through AccessTheStory's StoryPack on the death to life story of Jesus. The next evening (Good Friday), Trav, Pix, Tom, Aleisha and Fred headed down to Goolwa and served the SA Baptist Church Easter Camp with 309 StoryPacks.

      

It was a full couple of days, but the response from those who participated was overwhelmingly positive as they were provided the space to reflect on the Easter story in a fresh way.


"NCOH" Camp - Trav took Nicole with him as they joined the team from "Northern Communities of Hope" at their youth camp on the Murray River - 18-21 April.  This was a rewarding opportunity to walk through God's story with a group of young people from one of the most disadvantaged areas in Adelaide.  You can read more of Trav's thoughts on this camp from his blog.

SEQUEL RETREAT - Last weekend, Trav and Pix enjoyed a little getaway (with 6 other people!)  Trav facilitated some teaching and Pix catered for three young people and their coaches as they rounded off a 3 month journey through God's story.   You can read more of Trav's thoughts on the ATS website.

JUNKTION

So, this is the big prayer point.  We have been formally notified that the landlord is planning to turn the main part of Junktion into a food outlet, and we have been offered a smaller tenancy in the same group of shops.  Currently we are awaiting paperwork, then we have 10 days to decide what to do.

The floorspace being offered will present a significant challenge to continue operating in the same manner, so we need to respond decisively as to whether we stay or find an alternative venue for our future base of operation.  We are having some conversations that could present an exciting alternative, but at this stage it is too early to say.

Please pray specifically for a smooth transition - the next few weeks are going to be significant for the future location for Junktion and the ATS office.  We have some specific dates in mind that will serve us well for whatever change needs to happen - we can't share those yet, but if you could remember to pray for those dates to be met, that would be amazing!

APRIL 2017 (mini-update)

Last week Fred turned 12 - we can hardly believe it!  Here's a snap from his party on Saturday
- Trav possibly enjoyed the bowling more than 9 young guys, but birthday celebrations were the real winner for the day.

Here's a few things to be praying for over the next few weeks :)

AccessTheStory Retreat 

On the 24-26 March, we hosted a gathering of 16 people at our first ever Team Retreat.   Board members, workers, and volunteers gathered for personal refreshment, story sharing, and dreaming for the future of AccessTheStory.  Please pray that as Trav gather the notes from our conversations, we can distill a clear longer term vision for AccessTheStory.
  

STORY PACKS

Trav will be facilitating sessions at two seperate events over Easter.  This coming Thursday, 250 senior high students will experience our "satisfied" story pack as part of their chapel session, then over 300 campers at the Baptist Churches Easter Camp in SA will be journeying engaging in God's story through the same pack.

"NCOH" Camp

Trav will be joining the team from "Northern Communities of Hope" at their youth camp on the Murray River - 18-21 April.  This will be an exciting opportunity to walk through God's story with a group who will predominantly be hearing it for the first time.

JUNKTION

Settlement for the commercial property where Junktion and the ATS office reside falls on the 12th of April.  We are still unclear of the ramifications for our tenancy, but we get the sense that change in the wind - please pray for clarity on this matter, and for a manageable turn around if we need to change location.

MARCH 2017 - (quarterly update)

We hope you're keeping well!

Hit the link below to catch what our boys are up to, read some AccessTheStory ministry stories and find out why Trav is in Sydney this week!

There is also an important finance update to be found in the second link.

Thanks for your prayers!

Trav & Pix 

CLICK HERE FOR OUR MOST RECENT UPDATE

This info will provide you an opportunity to participate financially in our personal support, or at least inform your prayers more specifically :)

FEBRUARY 2017 (mini-update)

Last week Adelaide was melting!!!  42C, 42C, 39C, 35C ... we're grateful for a cool change on Sunday!

Here's a few things to be praying for this month :)

SEQUEL

Our follow-up course opened again on the 6th of Feb, and we are excited to be facilitating this journey for four Christian Endeavour campers and their leaders - please pray for them as they engage with God's story through to the end of April.

CE Kids Camp

Trav was privileged to facilitate learning for 120 nine-twelve year olds and their leaders in the first week of Jan - one leader said: "The best part has been watching a coherent biblical theology condense well into crystal clear moments, accessible to children."

Teen Challenge

Last week, one of our team members - Mike - began a 7 week series with a group of young women as they rehabilitate from substance abuse.  Mike was super-encouraged as he heard one of the girls say: “I never realised that God made me on purpose, I always thought I was a mistake.”

AccessTheStory Retreat

We have just opened rego for our first ever team retreat (24-26 March).  We've invited our Board, workers, and anyone who has completed ThePath over the last three years.  Please pray that God gathers a great group of people for us to consider the longer term vision that God is giving ATS.   

JANUARY 2017 (mini-update)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  May you know the leadership of God's heart as you start a New Year.

Here's a couple of things to be praying for this month :)


Obviously after selling the old house we could never move back to it legally, but this large orange beast has now made it physically impossible as well.  

Sure it's a bit sad to see, but how exciting to consider all the possibilities and future memories to be created in our new home!

FAMILY

After a quiet Christmas and New Year, and a busy couple of weeks of involvement with Christian Endeavour Camps in SA, we are looking forward to 3 weeks of family time from the 10th of January.

MINISTRY UPDATE

SEQUEL - pray for campers and leaders from Senior CE camp who are currently discerning if they register for SEQUEL as the next step in their faith formation.

CE Kids Camp - Trav is currently facilitating story content at a kids camp (4-8 Jan) in partnership with the leadership team.  There are already some exciting stories of kids engaging with God through His story. 

ENJOY

Trav's word for this year is "ENJOY"
Please pray for us to:

ENJOY the possibilities of experiencing community in our new suburb 

ENJOY the value of AccessTheStory initiatives and influence

ENJOY the investment of personal and professional development


ENJOY the distribution of that which has been created in 2016

"SOUPport" day

"SOUPport DAY" - 14th of August - Edwardstown Baptist Church - $5 for soup and bread - after the AM service

Ok, we know it's cheesy, but we thought August was the perfect time for our first ever "SOUPport" day ... think a cup of hot soup and bread roll after church for $5, and you have the idea.

We're in a spot with our support account where we need to replenish our support buffer, so we've chosen the 14th of August as a marker to help see that happen ... here's what we wrote to our supporters just recently:

We continue to see exciting opportunities open up through AccessTheStory, so we remain convinced that God is still leading us to pursue a long-term commitment to this work.

It for this reason we are not discouraged by the gradual decline of our support account over the last financial year - but we do need to respond to this decline. TO REPLENISH OUR SUPPORT ACCOUNT, WE’RE HOPING FOR $5000 over and above our regular support by the 14th of August, then a further $4000 by the end of November - you are invited to contribute to this need through either or both of the following:

• A SPECIAL GIFT over and above our regular support by the 14th of August or the 30th of November - email us at travpix4boys@gmail.com if you need to know how to do this
• BUYING SOUP & BREAD for $5 on the 14th of August after the AM service at Edwardstown Baptist Church  

Hope to see you there!
Blessings
Trav & Pix Johnson

"FOCUS" 15th Feb 2015

Every year we love connecting with those who support us - whether it be through prayer, finances, or both!

This year is no different - but it is a little different!

No different, in that we're looking forward to connecting with people - but different in that we're not launching anything, or eating anything, or running a fundraiser.  We simply want to call people to pray with us.

So, "FOCUS" is our theme for this year ... and our hope is to provide an opportunity for you to focus on God - with us - for one particular day - the 15th of February.

You can do this one of two ways:

1. IN PERSON - Junktion and the ATS office will be open from 2-5pm, we will have some prayer stations set up for you to walk through and pray for specific needs and opportunities for the year of 2015.  You can just rock up to this, or you can let us know you'll be there through an email, or through the Facebook event.

2. ON-LINE - Can't make it on the day?  Well, we'd still love to inform your prayers wherever you may be on the 15th.  Our plan is to provide you with regular prayer updates throughout the day through the Facebook group we have set up for the day.  You can sign up to that here.

We can't wait to see how God will answer prayer this year, and can't wait to have you involved in the process!