RECENT NEWSLETTER FROM GARY BLAIR,
BFP INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ADULT COORDINATOR
From the 11th of July to the 15th of August I had the opportunity to travel on behalf of
Zealous and Bridges for Peace to Australia and New Zealand to speak in churches,
schools and a Bible School about Israel, the ministry of Zealous8:2, and why
understanding and supporting Israel is essential for Christians. This was in fact a Becky
Brimmer tour, but she allowed me to tag along and speak about the young adult ministry
that we are all apart of.
(Lauren and Gary getting coffee, Sunshine Coast)
In Australia we visited the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelheid and Perth.
Lauren Bugler, our Aussie National Coordinator, was heavily involved with the trip
during the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane leg of the tour, and Katherine Reynolds was
involved during our Perth leg of the trip as our Zealous rep in this city. This is what Keith
Buxton, the Australian National Director, had to say about our Aussie tour:
“It was a delight to welcome Gary Blair to Australia as part of the
team visiting from Jerusalem in July, when Becky Brimmer shared
about Israel and the ministry of Bridges for Peace across the
nation. Gary had opportunity to speak about our Young Adult
ministry, and challenged many people to pray about investing in the
lives of today's young generation of believers. It was great to see
one group of Bridges supporters immediately respond by giving
over $1000 towards sending a young person to the next Zealous8:2
tour.
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(Brisbane. From left: Lauren, Becky, Keith, Trixie and Gary)
Especially encouraging has been the resultant interest among
many young people in visiting Israel, and currently we are
expectant that at least half a dozen from across Australia will join
the upcoming January tour. The potential exists now for the
development of a Young Adult representative structure in Australia
coordinated by Lauren Bugler, whose life was deeply impacted
when she went on a Zealous tour recently. We are really believing
for a surge of interest among young people in the whole subject of
God's heart for Israel.”
(Lauren and Gary, together with Tom, Becky, Keith and his wife Trixie, meeting
with members of the Jewish community in Brisbane, Australia)
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Lauren did a fantastic job organizing an event for young adults at the Maroochydore
Baptist Church (I have a suspicion that she might have a gift of organization and
administration.) She also joined the Quintet when visiting leaders of the Jewish
community in Brisbane. Katherine has been instrumental in organizing meetings and
following up on interested young adults in Perth.
(New Zealand is beautiful!)
From Australia we flew to New Zealand and landed in Christchurch, traveled up to
Motueka, and then on to Whangarei. Whangarei is the home of the 5 Kiwis that
participated in our first tour and internship, and also the home town of our New Zealand
National Coordinators, Brian and Pat Ashford. While this couple is a little older than the
Zealous age group, they are ALL Zealous at heart, and connect so well with our
generation. Of our tour, Pat Ashford said:
“Many have a first time awareness and excitement for the people
and the land of Israel. Some of the young people are already
making plans to save for a trip to Israel. Here in the Christian
School where Gary spoke there has been displays hung up
regarding books, cut out pictures and a map of the land of Israel.
The type of tour with its off-beat content really seems to strike a
cord with the young people. We feel blessed here. Becky’s and
Gary’s teaching was received well by not only the young ones, but
also the teachers, and head Pastor.”
Pat concludes that, “the main opinion is that young peoples’ eyes have been
opened about Israel and the scriptures.”
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(In the church at Whangarei. From left: Tom Brimmer, Mattie Pyle, Aimee
Mitchell, Gary Blair, Rachel Garton)
Overall, I believe that the tour was a very good one for Zealous. We spent some amazing
time with some quality people, Keith, Trixie, Brian, pat, Lolly, Katherine, and the gang
from Whangarei, as well as many others. I really believe that this tour will bear fruit for
the Kingdom and for Zealous and Bridges for Peace. Please continue to pray for us and
this work as we partner together to build the Kingdom.
Yours in Yeshua
Gary Blair
Notice the pink tie
PS. Brian Ashford, Our NZ
National Coordinator,
presented me with a pink tie.
What is that about?
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