Why Will Tim Costello Visit Our Church?

 

By Eric and Carolyn Hatfield from the Justice and Mercy (JAM) Team

Carolyn and I first met Tim Costello at Black Stump Christian Arts Camps where he was teaching and leading seminars on social justice issues. We were impressed with his broad knowledge and the fact that he could speak for an hour without notes while holding his audience enthralled.

At that time he was pastoring Collins St Baptist Church in Melbourne and we heard stories of the more well-to-do parishioners having to step over homeless people sleeping on the church steps while coming to the morning service. 

As a result of this obvious need, Tim began a ministry from his church to serve the marginalised in inner city Melbourne. When we visited Melbourne we were privileged to be invited to attend an informal evening service in the basement where these people felt comfortable to attend.

Tim is now well known as CEO of World Vision in Australia and a respected spokesperson on justice and overseas aid. He will be our guest at Saturday Night Church (SNC) on 26th July at 6pm to present us with an award.   For the second year running we were the top money raising church in Australia for the World Vision 40 Hour Famine.

World Vision is one of the World's largest relief and development organisations with annual revenue of almost $3bn. It runs the 40 Hour Famine each year, and Menai Anglican Church has participated for more than a decade.

Tim's topic will be God's mission in the world, how Christians can relate to the community around us, and how the 40 Hour Famine is part of all that.  Having visited many countries where World Vision has responded to disaster, war, famine or injustice, he shares from deep experience.

Joining him that night will be musician Levi McGrath, who will lead us in worship and share some of his own songs. Levi has volunteered overseas with World Vision.

It promises to be a great night of celebration, learning and being challenged to serve God in our world. 6pm Saturday 26 July.