Missionaries from City to Beach
I believe in the Communion of Saints
I believe in the Holy catholic church
I believe in the Holy Spirit
I believe in the Son
I believe in the Father
Healing
Hearing
Holiness
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford What does it mean to live "on mission" in an increasingly secular culture? In this inspiring message, Pastor Tim Littleford breaks down the true theology of mission, drawing from personal family history, church tradition, and Paul’s journey in Acts 18. From a simple plate of fish and chips at Henley Beach that changed his family’s trajectory, to unpacking why our spiritual impact relies on both proclamation (speaking it out) and demonstration (living it out), Tim reminds us that mission isn't something we control—it’s something we participate in. Key Takeaways The Origin of the Mission: Encounter Church’s core vision—to see every person from city to beach encounter Jesus—stems directly from real life-changing moments, including Tim's father coming to faith as a 16-year-old in Henley Beach. Proclamation + Demonstration: True Christian mission requires both speaking the gospel and living it out. Doing one without the other turns us into either hypocrites or just well-meaning social workers. God’s Mission Has a Church: Quoting theologian Christopher Wright, Tim reminds us that the responsibility of mission sits with God, not us. We are simply everyday, ordinary people invited to participate in His extraordinary work. Strength in Weakness: The gospel becomes credible to the world not through polish, image, or perfection, but through authentic, imperfect believers who faithfully follow a crucified King. Overcoming Fear: Just like the Apostle Paul faced fear and hesitation in Corinth, we often fear the social consequences of speaking our faith in a secular culture. Yet, Christ’s encouragement to Paul remains true for us today: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking."
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford In this finale of the Essentials series, Pastor Tim Littleford unpacks the profound phrase in the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the communion of saints." Starting with a vulnerable personal story of finding Pete Greig’s book God on Mute in a Melbourne bookstore while his wife was hospitalized, Tim shares how knowing someone has gone before us makes the path forward seem possible. Putting on his "theological hat," Tim breaks down what it truly means to be a saint—not a person of moral perfection, but anyone set apart and made righteous through union with Christ. Because our faith unites us to Jesus, we are intricately connected to a global, historical "communion of saints." Drawing from Hebrews 11 and 12, Tim challenges us to remember that we are cheered on by a great crowd of faithful witnesses, encouraging us to throw off the sin and heavy weights holding us back and run our race with our eyes fixed on Jesus. Key Highlights & Takeaways: People Who Go Before Us: How finding others who have walked similar trials with faithfulness gives us the hope and courage to keep going. Redefining "Saint": Why biblical sainthood isn't about unrealistic moral perfection, but about being set apart by grace through union with Christ. The Doctrine of Union with Christ: Understanding that what happened to Jesus—His death, resurrection, and righteousness—happens to us through faith. The Crowd of Witnesses: How heroes of the faith throughout history witness our everyday lives and prove that a life of faith is possible in any circumstance. Eyes Up, Weights Off: Practical encouragement to throw off unhelpful habits, generational baggage, and insidious sin by keeping our focus on Jesus rather than fixating on our flaws. Scripture References: John 14:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:1, Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12:1–2, Genesis 4:7 Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Pastor: Tex Horner In this moving and practical message from the Essentials series, Pastor Tex Horner unpacks the line from the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church." Clarifying that this refers to the universal body of Christian believers (little 'c' catholic), Tex shares a deeply personal story of how his church family showed up with front-yard worship and meals during a 19-day COVID isolation, illustrating what true biblical community looks like in action. Drawing from Hebrews, Genesis, and Romans, Tex challenges us to push back against the modern "loneliness epidemic." While salvation is a free gift from Jesus that cannot be earned, living in genuine community requires us to actively trade convenience and comfort for sacrificial, unconditional agape love. Tex breaks down three practical steps to move from isolation to belonging: showing up, actively engaging, and taking immediate action to love others. Key Highlights & Takeaways: The Universal Church: Why confessing belief in the "Holy Catholic Church" connects us to the global, historical body of believers across all traditions. Front-Yard Faith: How practical acts of love—sacrificing time, comfort, and energy for others—create unforgettable moments of dynamic Christian community. The Antidote to Isolation: Understanding God’s declaration in Genesis that "it is not good for man to be alone" and overcoming the cultural trend toward loneliness. Agape Love in Action: Why true, sacrificial love requires other people to receive it and how church is meant to be a family, not just a weekly box to check. Attend, Engage, Act: Three clear, actionable choices to shift from passive attendance to building a thriving, Christ-centered community. Scripture References: Genesis 2:18, Romans 12:4–6, Hebrews 10:24–25 Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor of Encounter Church Adelaide: Mike Wardrop n this message from the Essentials series, Lead Pastor Mike Wardrop steps up to unpack one of the most vital, yet often misunderstood, lines of the Apostles' Creed: "I believe in the Holy Spirit." Injecting a dose of lighthearted humor, Pastor Mike navigates past technical church language to explore who the Holy Spirit is, how He operates, and why His presence matters in our daily lives. Tracing the Spirit from Genesis to Pentecost, Pastor Mike breaks down the shift from God's presence dwelling in the Old Testament Temple to living inside every believer today as His "mini-temple." This message addresses the difference between God's general presence and His tangible, life-changing manifest presence—offering practical ways to recognize the Holy Spirit's whisper and align spiritual experiences with scripture. Key Highlights & Takeaways: The Apostles' Creed as a Anchor: Why standing together under this historic confession unites us with the global, historical Church (the catholic with a little 'c'). The Holy Spirit's Timeline: From hovering over creation in Genesis to empowering Old Testament leaders, fulfilling prophecies in Ezekiel, and filling believers at Pentecost. Torn Veil, New Temples: How the death of Jesus tore the temple curtain from top to bottom, releasing God's presence out into the world and into the hearts of everyday disciples. Omnipresence vs. Manifest Presence: Why we don't just want intellectual information about God—we crave the real, felt, transforming presence of the Holy Spirit. Discerning the Voice of God: How to recognize the Holy Spirit's guidance, distinguish it from our own random thoughts, and test every prompt against the truth of the Bible. Scripture References: Genesis 1:1–2, Ezekiel 36–37, Matthew 27:50–51, John 16:7, Acts 2 Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Youth Pastor: Tim Goldney Ever noticed how often the phrase "Jesus Christ!" gets dropped on a job site compared to the average workplace? In this message, carpenter and youth pastor Tim Goldney kicks off his segment of the Essentials series by unpacking what happens when we move past using Jesus’ name as an exclamation and start understanding who He truly is. Exploring the second portion of the Apostles' Creed, Tim breaks down the dual nature of Jesus—fully God and fully human. Using everything from job-site realities to a $12.9 million Michael Jordan/Kobe Bryant trading card, this episode reveals why Jesus isn't just a historic figure or an abstract concept, but the ultimate "one-of-one" who bridges the gap between God and humanity as both our High Priest and our final sacrifice. Key Highlights & Takeaways: Name vs. Title: The difference between "Jesus" (His earthly human name, meaning the Lord saves) and "Christ" (His divine title, meaning Messiah or Anointed One). Fully God & Fully Man: Why Jesus’ humanity gives Him the ability to empathize with our daily stress, pain, and exhaustion, while His divinity gives Him the power to save us. The Ultimate One-of-One: What a record-breaking collectible trading card teaches us about the absolute uniqueness of Jesus and the free gift of salvation. Priest and Sacrifice: How Jesus transformed the Old Testament system by becoming both the High Priest who intercedes for us and the once-and-for-all sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 4). Approaching the Throne: Why you don't need to "clean yourself up" before coming to God, and how to step toward Him with confidence instead of fear. Scripture References: Hebrews 4:14–16, John 1:1, 1 Timothy 2:5, Matthew 1:18–24 Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Lead Pastor: Tim Littleford In a culture that senses a transcendent reality but struggles to define it, Lead Pastor Tim Littleford kicks off a new sermon series, Essentials, exploring the ancient, foundational truths of the Apostles' Creed. Starting with the declaration, "I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth," Tim addresses a fundamental human question: If God exists, what is He actually like? Drawing from a candid bedtime conversation with his daughter, insights from philosopher Francis Schaeffer, and the wisdom of Dallas Willard, this message dives into why our ideas about God shape every corner of our lives. Discover how an infinite, relational, and triune God reveals Himself—not as an abstract cosmic force, but personally through the character, grace, and love of Jesus Christ. Key Highlights & Takeaways: The Problem of Existence: Why searching internally for life's ultimate purpose falls short, and why true meaning must come from the One who designed us. Understanding the Triune God: How the Trinity demonstrates that God is inherently relational and the ultimate source of complete, reciprocated love. At the Mercy of Our Ideas: How our foundational views of God—whether we assume He is distant, disappointed, or deeply loving—directly shape our identity, dignity, and worldview. God Revealed in Jesus: Exploring Hebrews 1 to see how God moved beyond silence to show His exact character through the mercy, justice, and sacrifice of Jesus. Scripture References: Hebrews 1:1–3, Romans 1:19–20 Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Preacher: Angus Green In this moving message at Encounter Church Henley, guest speaker Angus Green tackles one of the most raw and challenging topics in the Christian walk: healing and suffering. Angus shares his personal story of watching his mother miraculously recover from breast cancer—only to face the heartbreak of its aggressive return and her passing when he was just 13 years old. Through his own journey with grief, anger, and spiritual wrestling, Angus addresses the damaging lie that "a lack of healing is caused by a lack of faith." Drawing from the Old Testament story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5, as well as the life of Job, Angus explores how God desires encounter over transaction. This message is an invitation to stop trying to dictate terms to God, lay down our need for control, and discover how His presence can transform us—even in the midst of unfulfilled prayers. Key Takeaways from This Episode: Personal Testimony & Grief: Angus’s story of navigating his mother's cancer journey and processing the pain of unsaid answers to prayer. Debunking the "Faith Formula" Myth: Why a lack of physical, emotional, or spiritual healing is not a reflection of poor faith, insufficient prayers, or a lack of God's love. Lessons from Naaman (2 Kings 5): How military general Naaman almost missed his miracle because he tried to receive healing on his own prideful terms rather than through surrender and obedience. God’s Power vs. God’s Presence: Understanding that while God's power can change our outer circumstances, His presence has the ultimate power to change us from within. Moving Away from Transactional Faith: Breaking free from the mindset of viewing God like a subscription service where "more prayers equal guaranteed breakthrough." Navigating Suffering with Job: Looking at how Scripture frames suffering, testing, and trust when life completely falls apart. Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley welcomes Guest Preacher: Nathan Pullman In this inspiring message at Encounter Church Henley, guest speaker Nathan Pullman (Pastor at Waypoint United Church) shares a humorous yet deeply moving insight from a bathtub moment that changed his life—and brought him together with his wife, Darcy. Drawing from the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10, Nathan explores why God doesn't just want our ears or our task lists—He wants a deep, loving relationship with all of us. If you’ve been feeling burnt out, distracted by urgent tasks, or trapped in the lie that you have to perform to earn God's love, this message will invite you to slow down, stop striving, and choose the "one necessary thing." Key Takeaways from This Episode: God is a God Who Speaks: Understanding how God speaks into the chaos of our lives through His Word, His church, His Spirit, and quiet moments. The Desert Island Joke & The Bathtub: How Nathan realized God presents opportunities right in front of us, but we have to step out to take them. The Trap of "Hurry Sickness": Examining how constant rushing and overwhelming to-do lists turn our time with God into a rushed afterthought. Mary vs. Martha (Luke 10): Why Martha was distracted by good tasks, and what it truly means to sit at Jesus' feet like a student with their Rabbi. The Concept of "Beholding": Moving past short "arrow prayers" and stepping into a life lived fully in deep relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Abiding in the Vine (John 15): Why working in our own strength leads to burn-out, and how abiding in Christ gives us true rest, joy, and purpose. Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Church Henley Welcomes Guest Preacher: Conrad Tickner In this episode, guest preacher Conrad Tickner drops by Encounter Church Henley to unpack the true, complex definition of righteousness. Sharing stories from his 35+ years in ministry—from experiencing a high school revival on Kangaroo Island to stepping out in crazy faith at an airport counter—Conrad challenges us to stop treating our relationship with God as a transaction. If you’ve ever felt trapped by your past environment, old habits, or the pressure to perform for others, this message is for you. True righteousness isn't a wage you earn through good behavior; it’s a banking metaphor—a free gift credited to your account by Jesus. The only question left is: are you going to leave that gift unopened in the closet, or are you ready to rip it open and live out your true calling? Key Takeaways from This Episode: Conrad's Journey: From growing up on Kangaroo Island as a "ratbag" with divorced parents to seeing God move miraculously through fire recovery, school pastoral care, and cross-cultural missions. The Train Seat vs. The Cross: Why common courtesy and human kindness, while wonderful, are completely different from the righteousness of God. The Definition of Righteousness: A simple yet profound look at what it means to do what is right in the sight of God. Imputation (The Banking Metaphor): How God formally credits Jesus' clean record to our account as an absolute free gift. Ripping the Paper Open: Moving past your old nature and environments to embrace a transformed mind, bold faith, and a lifestyle that expects God to do big things. Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley
Encounter Henley Welcomes Pastor: Ashlee Littleford In this launching episode of our new winter series, The Power of Encounter, Pastor Ashlee Littleford addresses the unspoken dryness so many of us experience. The problem isn’t that you aren't trying hard enough, nor is it that God is stingy. The reality is that we are constantly and expertly being formed by a modern culture built on an attention economy—where the carved rule over every door is to go up, build a personal brand, and secure the high ground. Pulling from John 13, Ashlee takes us into the upper room to witness what historian John Dickson calls "the humility revolution." In a world where humility was held in contempt, Jesus—with full authority and all things in His hands—rewrote the definition of greatness by picking up a towel and a basin. If you are tired of standing on the dry high ground of self-promotion and striving, this message is your invitation to step into the low place. Because grace is like water—it never runs uphill. It always finds the lowest place in the room and pools there. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Attention Economy vs. The Basin: How modern culture rewards self-promotion, while the algorithm of heaven has no category for pride. The Monument to Pride: A look at the 12 disciples with dirty feet, arguing about who was the greatest, while the basin sat untouched by the door. What Humility Is (and Isn't): Why humility isn't about thinking less of yourself or being a doormat, but rather being so secure in who God says you are that you are free to spend your power on others first. The Direction of Glory: Recognizing that going low isn't a step down into defeat; it's a deliberate step into the living rivers of the Holy Spirit. Washing and Being Washed: The challenge to not only find your "basin" this week in your home, conflicts, and credit but to also possess the humility to let others serve you. Connect with Encounter Church Henley: Website: encounteradelaide.com.au Instagram: @encounterhenley