Bishop's Blog

Draw Near To Hear!

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:55:00 GMT

“Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few” Eccl 5:1-2

There are no lack of voices in the church today but despite all of those voices and amazing messages of God’s revealed truth we are slowly but surely losing the skill of listening. When was the last time you just sat in the presence of God and listened, really drawn near to hear rather than to seek God’s intervention in your life. Most of our time before God is spent with our predefined ideas of what we want to hear rather than an open and vulnerable heart and mind. God wants to speak into our lives His heart and passion, He wants to refine and define our lives. Life changing transformation only comes when we draw near to hear!

In Luke 10:38-42 we read the following: “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” As familiar as we are with this passage of Scripture it’s worth revisiting the story to encounter afresh the truths it contains. Martha and Mary both welcomed the entrance of Jesus into their home and lives. After that the passage shows us two different journeys that the women took. Mary finds herself sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His word. While Martha was “distracted with much serving”, which truth be told finds the majority of us on this journey with Martha. Martha wasn’t distracted by sin or bad things she was distracted in serving, and for so many of us we can get so busy about kingdom business we forget to sit at the Kings feet and let His word draw us into intimacy with Him. We are quick to tell God about who is doing what or what they are not doing. We are quick to run to him and elicit His support for our needs and areas we feel hard done by or are overlooked. Martha knew she could approach Jesus and obviously felt comfortable enough to do it as do many of us. But she didn’t draw near to hear!!! Martha drew near with agenda, plans, frustrations and need - not to sit and the masters feet and listen. To be drawn into intimate relationship with Jesus. The one thing that could not be taken away from her.

My cry to you dear friends is to draw near to hear - to sit at the masters feet and hear his word. To Listen not with the ears of your own dreams and agendas but with an open and willing heart.
Don’t lose the art of hearing the voice of God! Sit in his presence today - He is speaking to you!

Gathering together unto Jesus at the “Bay of the Holy Spirit”!

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 01:21:00 GMT

In Mobile Alabama USA to attend the International Conference of the ICCC (International Communion of Charismatic Churches) in early May this year. The conference was held in “The Living Word Christian Center” and our Hosts were Bishop Levy and Delia Knox, who have a testimony that has gone around the world of the miraculous healing in Delia’s body. Delia was left paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident on Christmas Day 1987 and had lived her life in a wheel chair for the next 22+ years. To be in the presence of this amazing couple as Delia led the worship was an experience I will treasure for the rest of my days. The Rev, Geoffrey Magen of “Sydney Care” travelled with me at his own expense for the Conference and he assisted and blessed me so very much indeed. As a member of the “College of Bishops” it was important for me to be present as we are given the “Oversight” of several million Christians throughout the world and I felt it was the most productive “College” gathering we have ever experienced. It was truly Holy Spirit led!

How Great Is our God!

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:11:00 GMT

My Dear Brethren,

How Great Is our God!?

"What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart"! Amen! Those old Hymn writers sure could express truth in very simple ways, When we meet Jesus, our life is never the same again, even after decades as a christian every day brings with it something new that we've never known about His power and Love before in our lives.

Let me illustrate the above with this amazing answer to a "help me Lord prayer" that I said in exasperation this morning. I desperately needed "Heating Oil" for our AGA and no one in the eastern states seemed to be able to help me. I'd made countless phone calls to 1800 numbers and all I seem to get were contacts in Melbourne, Canberra, etc, etc, etc, ad infinitum! This all happened because the local folk in Parkes had ceased to supply this product and didn't know who could help me. Finally a man in Wellington (just east of Mamre) gave me a number in Forbes, at last daylight!!! This guy was helpful and said he had a truck out delivering oil now, but couldn't promise anything under another month, "Phew!! The truck driver called me, and I'm thinking he could be anywhere in the south west of the state,BUT, he was in Alectown at a neighbours farm!!! Now that may not mean much to you, but it has given me a jump start for the week.

Now I am inviting MEN to a "Mens Camp" to beheld here at "Mamre Farm" Alectown over the weekend 23 - 25 July this year. My special Guest is Warren Taylor a wonderful friend over many years who has experienced a life time of amazing ministry Australia, the Pacific Islands, USA ana Canada. As Senior Pastor to several AOG churches along with countless Missionary outreaches, I believe this man of God has a wealth of mature help for so many men, both young and old, in the church today. If you are able to come, we'll look after you with accommodation and meals etc. However you will need to bring your own sleeping gear. It could be cool on just a bed with a mattress otherwise.

I'd love to hear from you should you be coming, so contact me personally email: mamre@ipstarmail.com.au Phone 02 6865 3264 or, PO Box 375 Parkes 2870 NSW.

In His Grip

+ Harry Westcott

Faith to give the Impossible

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:40:00 GMT

Dear Friends

It's seems ages since I wrote you, so here goes!

In 2 Corinthians 8: we read where Paul is challenging the Church at Corinth to observe the amazing generosity of the Churches in Macedonia who weren't privileged like their counterparts in Corinth. In Corinth the people were wealthy, gifted, brilliant, great preachers, you name it they had it. Well in the churches of Macedonia just the opposite was the case; they were poor, persecuted, tested with many troubles and yet they overflowed in rich generosity and abundant joy. In the offering for the poverty stricken christians in Jerusalem they gave what they could and more. They kept begging Paul how they could give more! Can you grasp that? The poor were more open to generosity than were the rich! For them giving was a privilege and they never allowed their financially stretched situations to stop them from giving. They had discovered the truth, that you never receive from God by giving less! They knew that their Heavenly Farther has a limitless Storehouse and they knew how to draw from that heavenly Bank.

In so much of today's church fear replaces faith and so when it comes to giving money into God's Kingdom Work we so often think small rather than BIG. It has been said; "if it rained down $100 dollar notes christians would pick them up, then call at a shop on the way to church and get some small change to give in the church offering!" The Key is, the Macedonians "first of all gave themselves to the Lord". If in the church we have folk who as yet do not know the Lord, it's only natural that a generous spirit has yet to possess them. How many people have we introduced to Jesus so far this year? I imagine not too many, if our lives haven't really "put on Christ" as an attraction to them.

When it comes to giving a "Faith Promise" offering and this is what I'm challenging the folk of Mamre to do on the 6th June in order to pay for the new "Mamre Learning Centre" fully up front. When we stand in faith for a project of this nature, it's easy to get critized, be told raising money this way is a mistake. I'm sorry, but I've been too far and seen too much, I believe the project is important for the evangelism of the increasing number of children, youth, and Community needs in our area. For the offering on the 6th June to be the miracle many are now believing will happen, we all have to be built up in God's word and through our communion with Him and hear what we are to bring as an offering that day. It will be an amount beyond what we normally bring to church and it will represent what God has given us by His Spirit, It will be truly a Faith Promise Offering! Amen, a Miracle!!

Believing God for a financial miracle is no different than having faith for Healing, Salvation, Baptism in the Holy Spirit, it involves our desire plus faith minus unbelief which equals the answer! Let's never forget in all our walk of faith; "God Is A Big God" and I will never limit His provision to my Bank Balance. He owns the "Storehouse" and He can open it to you and me and so allow us to give beyond the impossible! AMEN!!

In His Grip

+ Harry

"Faith" it's not just a word

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 23:15:00 GMT

I believe that when we talk "Faith" it's not just a word, but is actually how we are to live daily with the Lord. When Paul says in Romans 4: 17 that "God creates new things out of nothing". How many of us really believe this is possible in our lives?

At the moment I'm doing 10 1/2 hour studies each Sunday morning here at Mamre on "Living Beyond the Possible - Making a Faith Promise" because I believe I need, as do we all a fresh revelation in how to trust God beyond what we see happening before us.

Firstly; I believe that faith that costs nothing, and faith that risks nothing, is in the end a faith that's worth nothing! Our boundries have to be stretched if we are ever to experience God's miracle working power. When Abraham heard God tell him to sacrifice Isaac he never flinched, but KNEW that even if Isaac was sacrificed, God would raise him from the dead, because of the promise that God had given him; "You will be the father of many nations".. That's the kind of faith I'm talking about; faith that is dead to doubts, blind to impossibilities and dumb to discouragement and sees nothing but success. We must live expecting God to intervene in our lives and do the unexpected. We don't need great faith, but, we must have faith in a Great God.

If money is our problem, then we must understand that money can buy everything but happiness, and pay our fares to everywhere but heaven. When Doreen and I stepped out in our little faith nearly 48 years ago to enter the Methodist Ministry, I think we thought the world would be our oyster as we were so excited. However when we left our new home that we had built at the farm in 150 acre paddock and were placed in a two room flat attached to a Mental Hospital in Sydney, we came to realise that faith was not a "glory road" journey. Our joy was that we were called of God and somehow we never looked at the difficult circumstances we found ourselves in with our two young children. God in His mercy showed us over a seven year period that He actually does "create new things out of nothing", Therefore nothing was hopeless because we believed in His promises. The temptation to waiver is always there, but the Holy Spirit is ever present to help us grow stronger through these trials

Click here to listen to these 1/2 hour teachings that I'm conducting.

Welcome to Rev Warren and Annette Taylor from Dubbo who have just joined the ICCC Australia Inc. They are truly a precious couple with years of experience in ministry both in Australia & New Zealand.

Finance: it's a little dissappointing that only one couple consistently give into the ICCC A/C: Westpac Banking Corporation Clarinda Street Parkes NSW BSB 032 834 account number 16 7102. Will you ask God if you should be involved in giving a gift on a regular basis?

In His Grip

Bishop Harry

Faith That Pleases God

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:37:00 GMT

“It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying -- “he disappeared, because God took him”. For before he was taken up, he was known as a person that pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith.” (Hebrews 1:5-6 NLT).

In all my years of ministry the issue that challenges me most is the immature way we western Christians in general understand the meaning of “Faith”. Like you I’ve heard people say; “I have faith to be healed” or, “I have faith for a new home”, or “I have faith to birth a church”, or “I have faith to buy a new car and the list goes on and on. These “goals” (that’s what I call them), are good and helpful, but do we really know how to have faith to believe God for the impossible in our lives and circumstances, or are we being exposed as having faith in nothing much at all?

Enoch’s faith was simply, “he pleased God”, We know nothing more about him other than that fact. He walked close to God for 365 years (Gen. 5:24) before God took him. We know nothing about all the miracles in his life, healings, provision etc. etc, etc. No, all we know is that he “pleased God”! So much of our lives are occupied with material things, like property, things and money to the extent that we easily miss the point when true faith has to do with pleasing God rather than pleasing ourselves.

Now Noah, on the other hand heard God tell him to build an Ark --- and he did! It took him 100 years, but he built it and it wasn’t raining either when he built it. What Noah did was impossible because he saw the invisible picture of the Ark throughout all those 100 years as he believed God’s amazing word spoken to him on what the purpose of the Ark must be. So when the flood eventually came Noah’s faith had achieved the impossible and saved human and animal life to replenish the earth. The only man on earth at the time who walked in “close relationship with God”. (Gen:6:9). Noah obviously “pleased God”.

If you and I are ever to test the Almighty Resourses of God, we must have faith to see and do in the Holy Spirit what is humanly impossible, and believe that it’s not impossible with God, (Matthew 19:26) that’s what Jesus said. Doreen and I often share together about whether we have the faith to believe God for that which is impossible for us, but not for God. If it’s not impossible with God, then clearly it’s not impossible. Material things are possible, because we can see them, for example, buildings, property, vehicles, homes etc. However, can we choose to believe like Enoch, Noah and all those listed in the 11th chapter of Hebrews whose faith believed for what they could only see as impossible. Like 20 year old and strong Isaac obediently laying on the altar of sacrifice while his 120 year old weak father Abraham raised the knife over him! That’s the faith I’m talking about! Or, Jephthah’s daughter agreeing with her father’s vow to God that she would die a virgin. That’s the faith I’m talking about! Or, our Lord Jesus on the cross crying out “Eli, Eli, lema, sabachthnai”? ‘my God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” That’s the faith I’m talking about! The faith of God in us inspired by His Holy Spirit whereby we begin living and believing in a way that “pleases God”. It wont cost much, – just everything!

That is a much richer, fuller and truer life, than simply having faith for a car park at the supermarket!

In His Grip
+ Harry

Seeing the Miraculous

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:38:00 GMT

When Jesus said: "If you had faith as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it would move. Nothing would be impossible" (Matt:17:20). In another place Jesus said; "Humanly speaking, it is impossible, but with God everything is possible".

Make a list of everything you are facing this year that appears to be impossible to happen. Then believe with your not as big as mustard seed faith and Praise the Lord that it's possible with God. Seeing will be believing for you, and my prayer is that you will behold amazing wonders this year.

We Need Another God Invasion

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:50:00 GMT

Over Christmas I understood a fresh that when God impacts the world He doesn't use the methods that humans always resought to. I'm writing this note just down the road from Ft Hood arguably the largest military Base on earth and I'm convicted to ask God this question; "When You invade the earth Lord in Power, how do You do it?" The answer I received really shocked me when He told me through His Word these facts: "When I invade My world I always call someone weak, young or old and sometimes it's a woman. My biggest impact was when I chose to call a young teenage girl called "Mary" to bare My one and only Son, Jesus, to be the Savior of the world. His birth by this young Virgin girl has changed the World forever"!

My, my, my, that set me searching the Scriptures and of course I found Sarah, Jochebed,Hannah, Elizabeth (to mention a few) and many great saints of God that fill the Bible, Whether it's Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Gideon, David, Peter James & John, (and time doesn't allow me to mention such anointed Generals as John Wesley, Charles Finney, George Whitfield, Amee Sempeton McPherson, Martin Luther-King , Billy Graham, TL Osborn, K E Hagan, Benson Idahosa and Oral Roberts,and you could name thousands more. God has never used a Nation to change His World, He has always called SOMEONE.

Military Might will never save the world! But a surrended man or woman who is prepared to live obediently full of God's Holy Spirit even now can be used of the Lord God Almighty to be His invasion plan to reach the world. So, could it be you!!?

Hearing ABOUT the Word

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 22:37:00 GMT

In Mark's Gospel 5: 27 the lady with the flow of blood for 12 years was once, I believe a very wealthy woman,however she had "spent all the money she had on many physicians" and had actually gotten "worse". However "when she HEARD ABOUT JESUS" she made a brave decision, she went to where He was, she was illegally present, didn't have an appointment, she was "unclean" an outcast. But she had HEARD ABOUT JESUS and that was enough! When you hear good news, then go chase it, barge through the protocol and grab hold of Jesus! To heck with what others say, it's your life, it's your healing, it's your miracle! You may not have any more money left to spend on Medicines, Doctors and Specialists etc. But Jesus is available to you and for you right now. This lady didn't necessisarily go to Church, nor did she particularly attend great Healing Meetings, she had only "HEARD ABOUT JESUS" What she heard changed her whole life forever as she was spurred into action; "if only I can touch His clothes I shall be made well"! Unlike many today who only want the visiting evangelist or senior pastor to pray for them she was happy to just be where Jesus was and to touch him (she thought) secretly.

In His Grip

+ Harry

God Can Make It Right For You

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:58:00 GMT

Job:19:25-27 In life God has the last word, when you believe like Job that your Redeemer Lives! So don't listen to the Bildad's of bad news. Job never lost hope! Neither should you. He knew he would see God even if he died and went to dust, God would raise him up to see him in his flesh! Such was the faith of Job. "Though He slay me, still I will love Him". Job: 13: 15. Intense trials can happen and even be caused by Satan, However the Holy Spirit within you is greater than the devil in the world 1John: 4: 4. Download message

Bishop Harry's ministry schedule while in the USA

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:02:00 GMT

Churches that I'll be visiting while in America are: Bethel Christian Center, Riverside California,`with Rev Dr Ron Halvorson: Faith Temple, Killeen Texas, Home church for Jen & Larry: Calvary Cathedral Fort Worth, Texas , with Pastors Bob & Joy Nichols: and CedarTown, Georga, with Bishop David Huskins. I'll also be meeting up with Bishop Coletta Vaughn of Detroit.

I truly appreciate your prayers as these ministry opportunities present themselves over December and January

Christmas Letter from BP Westcott

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:47:00 GMT

I'm not apologizing for communicating with you in this form because at my age it's simply the easiest! However I trust I am not offending any one of you just the same because all I desire is for you to have a most wonderful Christmas and New Year time hopefully being spent with your loved ones and friends. Celebrating Christmas is really quite simple, it all about Jesus who "came into the world to save sinners", which obviously includes every one of us and for that we are most thankful.

Doreen and I have a family that just keeps on expanding and you wouldn't want to know about each one life's story! We have five married children, nineteen grandchildren (two of them in heaven) and eight great-grandchildren; yes, we are a tribe and when we are able to get together it can be a circus of fun, much noise, gamesmanship, food and a lot of happiness. This Christmas is predominately with in-laws so Doreen and I are therefore able to spend Christmas with our American daughter (Jennifer) and her family in Copperas Cove Texas where it will be much cooler (praise God) to be away from this heat!

Even though officially we have handed over Vision Ministries Inc. to Rev Jeffrey and Rebecca Evans (our son-in-law and daughter), life and ministry has been as busy as ever. Here at "Mamre Farm" we enjoy playing fullback and hopefully being of assistance to Jeff, Bec and all involved with "Mamre Fellowship" which has amazed us with its constant growth and outreach. When we had the "Go Forth Faith Arena; Australia's Bush Cathedral" dedicated 12 years ago the last thing on our minds was expansion!! Well believe it or not, we are about to expand and build a new "Learning Centre" to cater for the ever increasing children and young people who now need a separate building for their ministries. When Archbishop Benson Idahosa dedicated the "Go Forth" and he saw that it was built on a farm 31 klms (20 miles) from the nearest populated town of Parkes, his word to everyone about me was; "Well, he's either heard from God, or he has a mental problem"!! The auditorium alone can seat over a thousand people, so we do live in an exciting age where our vision remains: "Mobilizing Australians For Jesus".

A real highlight for Doreen and me this year has been a time of ministry in New Zealand at the ICFM (International Convention of Faith Ministries) which had us ministering in Auckland, Wellington and Whangarei. To share with Pastors Bob and Joy Nichols of Calvary Cathedral in Fort Worth Texas wonderfully blessed Doreen and me. Truly we were revived all over again as we experienced a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Signs, Wonders and Miracles that we hadn't witnessed for over twenty years. Doreen was challenged to rewrite an expanded version of her book "You Are Someone Special", this occurred after Doreen spoke at the "Women's Meeting" and the President's wife (Pastor Elaine Miller) was so impressed that women everywhere need to read Doreen's story and it has actually happened and the Book is due in from overseas this week!! So if any one would love a copy then let us know, they will be available in the New Year

May the Gracious Love of God Almighty lift, strengthen, heal, provide and encourage each one of you now and forever more. Amen<

In His Grip

Bishop Harry and Doreen Westcott

Climate Change and all that false religion jazz!

Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:04:00 GMT

We have all endured some of the most unusual weather patterns in years over the past few months and it’s quite easy to be drawn into understanding something about all the talk on Climate Change. Maybe, unlike you, I’m proving to be quite dense and the more I know about it, then it’s the less I know about it!

Some two years ago I was on an Emirates Flight from Dubai to Sydney and I sourced the movie Channels and discovered that Al Gore’s “Inconvenient Truth” had just commenced. It interested me so I watched it and sat there enthralled for over two hours as I tried to come to terms with his slides depicting the death (my word) of Planet Earth. To be honest, it really shook me up! So at last I knew something about “Climate Change”! Two years later however, I’m still confused! I do know that our Electricity Bills have increased by 20%, all types of fuel is on the increase, and we have experienced record temperatures for November, while the citizens of Cumbria in the UK are dealing with floods greater than ever recorded over a1000 years. Is it Climate Change, a Sign of the Times, End of the World, or just some old fashioned False Religion that is deceiving even the very Elect of God? If we are not worshipping God, then maybe we are worshipping and idolizing the Weather?

I believe that there is nothing new under the sun, so what goes round, goes around again. When I study the Scriptures, and read all about the false god of “Baal” which the children of Israel regularly idolized, resulting in the judgment of God, they were defeated on a regular basis.

Modern discovery has made the character of the false god Baal clear to us. It’s the worship of fertility and everything connected with reproduction, particularly in the growth of flocks and crops. One sphere of Baal worship was the “Weather” which is important for flocks and crops and every form of reproduction. Humanity itself is dependent on the cycle of reproduction. Once upon a time we would celebrate in our Churches “Harvest Festivals”, as our Christian Worship full of Thanksgiving to God for the blessing of another year of health and cheerful provision. Initially it was a farming thing, but everybody was involved being so grateful to God for our lives and livelihoods. Now with 75% of our State drought declared and for many the heartache of another failed harvest, loss of employment, empty rivers, dry dams, skies of brass, and dead gardens etc, etc. What do we do? Obviously we must be better, cleaner stewards of this wonderful planet and cease being its polluters and that means, if we haven’t commenced already, we must begin NOW

Read 1 Kings Chapters 17, 18, 19. Elijah was as human as we are (James 5:17) and yet he defeated all the false prophets of Baal. Climate Change, Human Greed and Worship of the Weather will never replace God Almighty’s ownership of His planet. Never before in all my years of ministry have I been so aware that a new form of Global Idolatry is gripping not just the politicians but Christians also!

In His Grip
Harry

News Release from Bishop Harry Westcott

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:46:00 GMT

“Mamre Farm” Alectown is ready for 20th “Camp Meeting”

At 7.00 pm this Saturday 3rd October through until Thursday evening the 8th October Vision Ministries Headquarters at “Mamre Farm” Alectown will welcome visitors from across the nation and overseas to celebrate the 20th time these Christian Family Camp Meetings have been held during the first week of the NSW School Spring Holidays.

Overseas visitors this year will be coming from the USA and New Zealand, while nationally there will be at least five States represented with families attending. “Mamre Farm” offers a wonderful opportunity for families to enjoy a rural holiday and at the same time to be built up in the Christian Faith. Children’s and Youth Programs are provided besides the regular morning and evening sessions in the Auditorium of the “Go Forth Faith Arena; Australia’s Bush Cathedral”.

Meeting times commence at 9.00 am daily except Sunday which is 10.00 am. And each evening at 7.00 pm. Afternoons are free for people to enjoy each other’s company which usually involves tea/coffee and damper. Many children bring their bikes and easily amuse themselves in healthy competitions.

People wishing to attend this 20th “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meeting” at “Mamre Farm” Alectown, either as Day Visitors or Camping should contact Vision Ministries by calling 02 6865 3377, 02 6865 3264, 02 6865 3302

The “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meeting” Turns 20 This Year!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:35:00 GMT

“Mamre Farm” at Alectown and Headquarters of Vision Ministries Inc. is being well prepared for a special 20th year Celebration of the annual “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meeting”. The Camp will run from Saturday 3rd to the 8th October and everyone is invited to attend and enjoy this very unique Australian Christian gathering which has obviously maintained its popularity now for over two decades. This year will provide the same kind of program that has always proved successful over the years of ministry to the whole family including special children and youth activities along with the regular morning and evening sessions in the main auditorium of the “Bush Cathedral”. 2009 will also see Vision Ministries hosting folk from throughout Australia and again from overseas. Meetings take place each morning at 9.00 am and of an evening at 7.00 pm. The afternoons are always free to share with others and in some cases make friends for life. The Canteen is always available to purchase food.

When Harry & Doreen Westcott held their first “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meeting” in September 1990 it was in very humble, make shift circumstances. A borrowed Tent, from Ps. Arden Burrell, of Dubbo, hot water per kind favor of the Army with their “Chuffer” and toilets and showers built within covered wheat mesh bins. Every thing was basic even the food was prepared in the old machinery shed which had a dirt floor. The 130 people who attended that first Camp all went home rejoicing and not one person became sick. We’re sure if OH&S had looked us over we’d have never got started!!

Over the 20 years of conducting Camp Meetings many improvement have eventuated that has greatly assisted our ability in holding these annual national and also international gatherings. The Parkes Shire Council has made a commitment to keep Mamre Road from Alectown to Mamre Farm in good order which has been a wonderful help. At our first Camp one person actually got bogged half way between Alectown and Mamre Farm!! Those 6 Klms from the Newell Hwy are important to all that happens in the future here on Mamre Farm. It has become a very busy road and Harry’s sure will be sealed in his lifetime!

Over the years the main changes have been in providing comfort to all our visitors, especially those who travel from overseas. Good hot water, flushing toilets, excellent showers, a wonderful kitchen capable of preparing meals for all who require them and an eating area that can accommodate up to 150 people. We also have a group of seven new Cabins (2 completed) under construction because there is always pressure on us to provide accommodation for those who do not have camping equipment. Apart from our homes we also have three other Cabins in existence. That is a huge leap forward from Harry and Doreen’s spare bedroom!!

At Camp Meeting 1997 just after Harry had been consecrated in London as a Bishop of the “International Communion of Charismatic Churches” (a world wide communion of over six million Christians), Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa from Nigeria, Bishop Michael Reid from England and Rev Ron Halvorson from the United States all came and established Harry as Australia’s first ICCC Bishop. And at the same time Dedicated the newly built “Go Forth Faith Arena, Australia’s Bush Cathedral” to the work of the Lord God Almighty. In seven short years we were transformed from the basics of our beginnings to an Auditorium capable of seating more than a thousand people. It has been nothing short of a miracle!

Just as time certainly brings about many changes, so too is it true about Ministry and Leadership of that Ministry. Five years ago Harry and Doreen Westcott began the process of handing the Ministry of Vision Ministries Inc. over to Rev Jeffrey and Rebecca Evans who have been very active in encouraging many to become involved in Vision Ministries theme; “Mobilizing Australians for Jesus”!