Hello A.C.T.S. Action Prayer Partner,
We are delighted to share our partner, the Bible League, latest Aboriginal news article below. It contains Pastor Les Bowden’s uplifting testimony of being raised from the dead from multiple knife wounds to lead a transformed life.
The Bible League’s article also highlights the latest shocking facts underpinning Australia’s Aboriginal people are still the most neglected people on the face of the earth after 134 years of disposession. We pray that Les’s testimony and Bible League’s facts will move many A.C.T.S. Prayer Partners like yourself to pray and contribute to “Bringing Hope to Australia’s Indigenous Communities.”
You’re bringing hope to Australia’s Indigenous communities
Vol 10 Issue 3
The spiritual and physical needs among Australia’s Indigenous people are immense. “Australia’s Aboriginal people are some of the most neglected people on the face of the earth. After 30 years of observation, I see no evidence to soften this.” says Fred Schaeffer of Aboriginal Christian Training Services, and the shocking statistics bear him out:
- The suicide rate amongst Indigenous Australians is twice the national rate.
- Life expectancy is roughly eight years less than other Australians.
- Indigenous Australians make up 2% of the population – but 27% of the prison population.
- Only 49 per cent of Indigenous Australians aged 15 – 64 are employed, compared to around 75 per cent of non-Indigenous Australians.
The need is undeniable – but so is the power of God’s Word to restore lives and bring hope into more and more households, thanks to friends like you.
Fred is a witness to the story of how God is transforming the lives of Indigenous Australians and has seen the power of Bible League resources like the Plain English Version support recent revivals.
He shares how the most recent revival, bathed in prayer, started amongst Indigenous Australians in 2006. By 2019 there were reports of revival amongst Indigenous communities all across Australia – and some see this as a seed of a great awakening
across this vast country.
As you help to resource the under-resourced Church in Indigenous communities, the power of God’s Word is transforming thousands of lives like that of Les:
When he was assaulted, stabbed multiple times, and left for dead, Les could have become another statistic. But instead, he says he was healed miraculously by God in the hospital morgue in an event that left nurses and other staff speechless.
“I heard a voice that said, ‘You’re not dead, brother. You’re still alive. I want you back.”
Les & Josie
Since that time God has restored many of Les’ relationships, including his marriage and family. Les takes every opportunity to share his story and tell others about the power of God at work in his life. He along with his wife, Josie, are spreading the fire of revival to many communities.
Despite the challenges of COVID-19, there is a growing hunger for God’s Word across a number of Indigenous communities. Thousands have gathered together to praise and worship, and hundreds of small groups are meeting for Bible study and fellowship. So please continue to pray that many Aboriginal Australian likes Les will come to meet and follow Jesus through the faithful support and prayers of so many friends like you.
PRAY that many, many friends like you will step forward to share God’s light and love by resourcing the under-resourced Church in Indigenous communities across Australia.
Sources for UN Statistics above:
1 Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/resources/data-and-statistics/
2 Australian Government ‘Closing the Gap’ report 2020 https://ctgreport.niaa.gov.au/life-expectancy
3 Australian Law Reform Commission ‘Pathways to Justice’ 2018 https://bit.ly/3ixbiMe
4 Australian Government ‘Closing the Gap’ report 2020 https://ctgreport.niaa.gov.au/employment
