The ministry of Frontier Services goes back to the vision of Rev John Flynn to create a ‘mantle of safety’ for those living in the bush. The work of Flynn is remembered on our Australian $20 note. 110 years on, bush chaplains and Outback Links volunteers are continuing to help and support people living in rural and remote parts of Australia. As the image shows, things have changed from the early days of Flynn. Women bush chaplains as well as husband and wife teams are now a part of the mix, which was once predominantly male. Frontier Services reach now includes indigenous and mining communities as well as isolated farms and stations.

Life in the bush has always been challenging. The last few years have been particularly so with droughts, mice plagues, covid and this year devastating floods through much of eastern Australia. This requires physical, emotional and spiritual resilience to cope. As the reading from Isaiah suggests, God wants to bring comfort to people and make a way through the wilderness. Usually this comfort and compassion comes through human agents, such as the chaplains and volunteers of Frontier Services.

But to bring this comfort to those in the bush needs resources – not just people but also vehicles and fuel. So Frontier Services relies on the generosity of people living in the relative comfort of the city to support those doing it tough in the bush. In the reading from 2 Corinthians, Paul describes such generosity as a grace, a gift of God’s Spirit.

That is why the folk of Croydon and Croydon North congregations are holding a Great Outback BBQ this Sunday to raise some of the resources needed by Frontier Services. So please join us at 11.30 am for the BBQ or jump on line to make a donation towards the inspiring ministry of Frontier Services.