2nd International Run UK

God's Garage

Marto's new Helmet

Sean Euro President

Australia and Germany

John and Werner.

2nd International Run UK

The odd couple

Northern New South Wales in South Wales

Pedro trying to cook the BBQ in Swansea

North NSW and Ukraine

Wes, Pasha, Max and Pedro

Pasha and Max

2nd International Run UK

John Smith International President

2nd International Run UK 2010

2nd International Run.

Timo and Wes

Zac's place Swansea

Northern NSW at Zac's Place

Vintage Smithy tells it like it is . . .

A diverse audience of around 150 people gathered in the packed bar - bikers, musicians, artists, believers, seekers and cynics among them . . . . for a few moments the pool table, pinball machine and the bar fell silent . . . . John Smith reflects on two stories and opens up the 'old book' in a way that only he does, in a bar.




This recording was made back in 2002 in the public bar of a city centre pub in Swansea, South Wales, at a gathering hosted by Zac's Place.

More reflections from John are available on this podcast

New Member - Southern NSW, Australia

Congratulations to Stu and Michelle on Stu receiving his colours and the Southern New South Wales Chapter on their new member ... once again a long road and a significant milestone.

60 second reflection - 'Churches Without Borders'

Lithuania Squad Supporters

We are pleased to welcome our first Supporters of God's Squad in Lithuania after some great dialogue and time together over the past year.



Lithuanian supporters on the road back home from a recent UK visit

Reflection from a life on the road ...

God's Squad International President, John Smith, reflects on Mark's Gospel Chapter 6 and the importance of a radically transformed life out on the road.
This excerpt was recorded in UK, August 2010, in a gathering of God's Squad members and guests from eight nations. When most people of his age are thinking of slowing down, John continues to stir the pot and encourage the church to action.

2010 INTERNATIONAL RUN SNAPSHOTS

From Finland in the North and Australia in South . . . gathering at the Manchester HQ

The Ukraine Chapter spent several days on the road from the east ....

... and from the West our Pilgrim Chapter in Ireland

Congrats UK Terry on 10 years Membership

New Member - UK Chapter

At the recent International Run, hosted by the UK Chapter, Andy received his colours - Once again the road has been long ... and worthwhile ...

UK 15th Anniversary and International Run, 2010

GSCMC United kingdom


International Brothers


"Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different....." Mark's Gospel Chapter 6

JOHN SMITH - STILL ON THE ROAD - UK DATES

When most people his age are thinking of slowing down, God's Squad's International President, John Smith, who is based in Melbourne, Australia, still continues a hectic public speaking schedule in addition to his responsibilities with the club and at St Martin's in Melbourne.

This month he's on the road in the UK. Here's a few selected dates and venues that are accessible to the public:

Sun 15 Aug. 6.15pm Emmanuel Church, Barlowmoor Road, Didsbury, MANCHESTER, M20 6TR.

Tue 17 Aug. 7.30pm God's Garage, 1st Floor Vernon Mill, Mersey Street, STOCKPORT, Cheshire SK1 2HX

Tue 24 Aug. 7.30pm Zac's Place, George Street, SWANSEA, SA1 4HH


Sun 29 & Mon 30 Aug Greenbelt Festival, Cheltenham Racecourse, CHELTENHAM. You can read John Smith's Greenbelt Biography here. Greenbelt itself runs from 27-30 August.

Norway

Here's a few snapshots from the Norwegian Chapter last weekend ...



..stock and chop ..


...shovel troubles ...

On The Road - Ukraine to Lithuania

Several brothers from our Ukraine Chapter made the road trip last weekend to Lithuania to catch up with some friends of the club there - here's a few snapshots....

Out and About

On The Road - UK

Heading back South from Manchester ...

New Member for United Kingdom

Many congratulations to Adrian on receiving his Colours with the UK Chapter ...

From Tasmania

From Andrew.

Good Friday Focus

The servant grew up before God—a scrawny seedling,
a scrubby plant in a parched field.
There was nothing attractive about him,
nothing to cause us to take a second look.
He was looked down on and passed over,
a man who suffered, who knew pain firsthand.
One look at him and people turned away.
We looked down on him, thought he was scum.
But the fact is, it was our pains he carried—
our disfigurements, all the things wrong with us.
We thought he brought it on himself,
that God was punishing him for his own failures.
But it was our sins that did that to him,
that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins!
He took the punishment, and that made us whole.
Through his bruises we get healed.
We're all like sheep who've wandered off and gotten lost.
We've all done our own thing, gone our own way.
And God has piled all our sins, everything we've done wrong,
on him, on him.

He was beaten, he was tortured,
but he didn't say a word.
Like a lamb taken to be slaughtered
and like a sheep being sheared,
he took it all in silence.
Justice miscarried, and he was led off—
and did anyone really know what was happening?
He died without a thought for his own welfare,
beaten bloody for the sins of my people.
They buried him with the wicked,
threw him in a grave with a rich man,
Even though he'd never hurt a soul
or said one word that wasn't true.

Isaiah 53:6-9 (The Message Translation of the Bible)
Written in the region of 700 years before Christ.

Ol Skool Resurrection Blues and Gospel Tour - Australia East Coast THIS WEEK

Ol skool blues/rock, folk/gospel and a message to challenge your thinking, your ideas, your views on life, and your future...

More Info Here
Further media feature in the Salvo's 'War Cry' Magazine

Melbourne - 7pm Thursday 25 March One Community Church, 184 Surrey Road, Blackburn
Albury - 7pm Friday 26 March City Central Church, 445 David Street, Albury NSW
Canberra - 7pm Saturday 27 March Parkway Auditorium, 490 Sulwood Drive, Kambah ACT
Wollongong - 7pm Monday 29 March Regent Theatre, 197 Keira Street, Wollongong NSW
Newcastle - 7pm Tuesday 30 March Belair Baptist Church, 130 Garden Grove, Adamstown NSW
Taree - 6pm Wednesday 31 March Taree Baptist Centre, Kolodong Road, Taree NSW
Destination - EASTERFEST 2010 2-4 April EASTERFEST TOOWOOMBA

UK Chapter Party - South Wales

A couple of hundred guests rolled up to help the UK Chapter kick off their 2010, 15th Anniversary celebrations at Zac's Place .....

International Media

Here's a couple of links to two recent media features about God's Squad.

The first is from an Australian magazine called Alive and God's Squad Sydney Chapter features in an article on pages 16-19 of the March 2010 edition and is viewable online HERE

The second is a Swedish language faith based programme, Himlaliv, broadcast in Finland features the club's 2009 Euro Run with contributions from various European chapters and is hosted by Isak the club's Finnish President. You can view it for the next few weeks HERE

Melbourne - Saturday

How Does God Speak?

In the first of a three week series John Smith, International President of God's Squad explores this tough question. First preached at St Martins, Melbourne, Australia in January this year.

Click here to listen.

49 minutes (77meg MP3 file)

Wired To Love, Valentine's Day

"We celebrate love today. HUMAN LOVE We are wired to love. If you're not on a faith page don't be offended. I love you and Jesus has inspired love in my heart. Sadly multitudes who profess Jesus, hate their enemies and use their friends. They sing, preach, write great books about him, but they don't follow him as the lover of all, even enemies. Faith, hope, love..three essentials, BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE."
From John Smith's facebook page, 14/2/10

Australia East Coast Tour ... in a city near you

God's Squad's John Smith hits the road with Chicago Bluesman Glen Kaiser and Aussie songwriter Steve Grace ...
More Info Here