What does "life together" look like at The Billabong? Below are some reports and stories from our various groups and programs about what they have been up to in the last year or so (2024-25). We hope you enjoy reading these, and that it piques your interest in joining a group or serving in one of these ministries. 

BILLABONG WOMEN (LADIES GROUP)
Dinah Lacey

Last year I started a new women’s group, which met twice a month at the Billabong. The main purpose was to connect women of all ages, through testimonial stories. It provided a relaxed space where women could encourage each other’s faith journey and strengthen our friendships, over a coffee. Due to limited interest, we decided to combine with the Ladies Prayer Group, earlier this year. We have up to a half dozen women, meeting every Wednesday evening at church. Currently we are doing an in-depth study on the book of Daniel. We also incorporate  private time of praying for each other’s needs. As our study of Daniel draws to a close, it is anticipated we will either return to viewing testimonies from around the world, or choose to dive into another book of the bible.

LIFE GROUP
Kevin Tan & Terry Halse 

Our group consists of 4 couples - always happy to welcome more. We continue to meet 2nd and 4th Sundays after church - currently in the church library.

Our meetings consist of having BYO lunch together, often enjoying the added hospitality of Joe & Joanne’s & Jenny’s contributions - yum!

We usually study through a book of the Bible. Last year we went through Romans, and some did some other topical studies . We are about to start looking at 1 John. Group discussion is welcome. Our meetings often involve sharing news, family updates, and other matters of interest. We try to maintain a prayer list - praying for matters raised by the group.

We usually break during the end of year school holidays. We are open to anyone who would like to join us.

LIFE GROUP SUNDAY TACOS
Dinah Lacey & Karen Stagno

We are a small group, made up of a number of families, with an age range from around two to eighty years! However, due to health and other life circumstances, attendance has been highly variable. We have just a small core of mostly women (along with their children), who join useach fortnight for fellowship and prayer. We always begin with enjoying each other’s company over lunch. This is then followed by a brief discussion over either an aspect of the sermon or some other relevant topic or scripture. We try to encourage the kids to join in wherever possible, through activities such as colouring in scripture together, sharing our goals for the year and prayer. Last year the adults enjoyed a couple of movies together (The Case for Christ and American Gospel) which we may do again this year sometime! Our main emphasis is on family fellowship.

AEGIS SERVICES
Nigel & Georgina Jones

Every 2nd Thursday of each month, we arrive at Aegis Amherst, Canning Vale, shortly after 10am, to sign-in and set-up for the church service that starts at 10.30am, and runs for half an hour.

The church services are usually held in the cinema room, but at times are in one of the large open areas.

Aegis staff play hymns on their laptop for the residents until 10.30am, and we bring a laptop with PowerPoints of Bible reading passages, prayers, and hymn lyrics for residents to follow along with.

Volunteers are made aware that the hymn ‘Blessed Assurance’ is on permanent reques from the residents and staff, and they have asked for it to be included at each service.

Other churches provide services on the 3 other weeks, including Anglican and Catholic churches which provide communion as part of their services. In the case of a 5th Thursday in

a month, residents and staff organise a service that week.

After the service, we stay and chat to residents (and play hymns in the background) until staff are able to assist all residents to their next activity. Previous Covid restrictions affected staying regularly after the service, but we are occasionally invited to join residents for a cup of tea and a chat, or for prayer.

The Aegis Amherst & Billabong Church Services continued well in 2024, and received

positive feedback from residents and staff. It is an honour to be invited to worship God with Aegis Amherst residents and staff, and we always experience a blessed service together.

If you would like to visit, or help with this ministry, we’d love to hear from you, thank you. Volunteers may still be required to show evidence of Covid vaccines, and/or annual flu-shots before entry. Thank you to previous visitors and helpers.

God bless. Nigel and Georgina

AMPLIFY YOUTH GROUP
Suzie Warwick

Amplify youth is a small group of highschoolers and young adults that come together fortnightly over the school term and participates in activity-based evening like movie nights, games nights, food focused nights, fire nights and just some totally random nights and occasionally a special outing. Whether we are watching movies, playing games or sitting around the fire together, there is always an opportunity to connect with each other, build friendships, and the space for open and intentional conversations with each other about life, faith and everything in between.

SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER GROUP

The Sunday Morning prayer group usually meet between 9 to 9.55am in the Billabong Prayer Room,

however unfortunately in 2024 (and early 2025), we have had a reduction in volunteers, and due to other

commitments, have struggled to maintain prayer meetings each week or for an entire hour.

Nevertheless, when we do meet, we pray for that day’s Sunday Celebration services, the congregation, the

volunteers in all the serving areas, and the wider community. We also aim to pray as led by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:14 (NIV) For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

We also support Minister Luke, and the church with any prayer requests received throughout the year.

Often recently, there may just be one person in the prayer room alone, so if you have a heart for prayer,

or want to learn more, you are welcome to come along and join in the Prayer Room on Sunday mornings

before church, or send a message via the Billabong Admin Office.

James 4:8 (NKJV) Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…

God bless you and your families.

LADIES BIBLE STUDY

Ladies Bible Study has been meeting weekly for over 15 years now, on either a Wednesday or Thursday morning, depending on what suited the people in the group that particular year. For many years we met in someone’s home, but once the Billabong Community Centre was built it was decided to centralise our gatherings in our new premises. We met over a cuppa, for Bible Study, prayer, conversation, laughter, tears and more laughter and mostly we studied a book of the Bible, sometimes a character in the Bible and sometimes a Christian trait or character or fruit we were looking to emulate. All of this was to help us to get to know each other better and to help us to Be Disciples who Make Disciples.

Over the years many women have passed through this group, and moved on for many and varied reasons, but the group has always remained around 6 – 8 members.

In 2024 it became extra hard for many to commit to being present each week – life encroaches in ways we wish it didn’t – and in 2025 we have decided to cease meeting. What happens next with this group, as always, is up to God and time will tell.

It has been a privilege to lead and be a part of this group, to watch women grow, to be trusted with their stories, to pray with them, to have our hearts break together, to cry, to laugh, to eat and to just BE together in God’s presence. Thank you, Girls! God bless you all, wherever you may be or go.

Frances Jenkins David