“Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”. (Luke 3:5-6) Hi Fighter, I always know that Christmas is coming when my favourite Yuletide figure – John the Baptist – strides […]
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
It’s been a difficult week for me. I think we’ve lost the battle for boxing club. The church is throwing us out and there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to stop this happening or even to get a short delay of execution. We opened our doors early in 1991. I’d been asking local people what was most needed in our area and they all said, “the kids have nothing to do after school”. That’s when Kon Pappy and I opened up the church hall in the afternoons as a drop-in centre – offering wrestling classes to local kids – and I started Father Dave’s Fight Club in the evenings. The rest is history.
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Father Dave’s Fight Club throwing in the towel? Read More »
. Hi Fighter, It’s Saturday night as I start this week’s newsletter, and it’s already been a full weekend here at Binacrombi. I’ve been driving around the property today in our new CF MOTO buggy, and blessedly avoided some nasty accidents. I’ve got my first Binacrombi baptism happening tomorrow, and I’m excited about that. I’m
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Preparing for launch! Read More »
Hi Fighter, It’s midnight on a Saturday night as I start this missive. I’m in the middle of the Australian bush. It is cold and damp. If you did an inventory of lifeforms within a 50km radius, you’d find a thousand kangaroos and wombats for every human being. My friend, Mike, has just arrived after
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Father Dave’s Preach and Punch Fest Read More »
. Hi Fighter, I begin today’s newsletter from beautiful Lord Howe Island, somewhere off the east coast of Australia (though I have no idea exactly where). This is not somewhere I ever thought I’d end up, but about 18 months ago I agreed to do a wedding here for a young Swedish boxer named Ola
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Controlled by Fear? Read More »
“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9) Hi Fighter, I remember as a young Christian – still a teenager – hearing a woman preach on these words of St Paul (reprinted above) to the church
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Hi Fighter, It’s Father Dave, and I am feeling weary as I pen this week’s update. Energy levels ebb and flow for all of us – I know. I’m at a low energy point today. Coming to terms with the fact that this may be my last year in parish ministry is something I’m struggling
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Hi Fighter, Father Dave here, and I’m on the road to Damascus (more or less). To be exact, I’m starting this quick update on board a flight from Abu Dhabi to Beirut, at which point we’ll hopefully find a bus waiting for us that will put us directly on the road to Damascus. It’s been
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
On the road to Damascus Read More »
Hi Fighter. I hope you’re having a great Easter, I know Easter Day was weeks ago but in our church calendar we are still in Easter season. It can’t hurt to keep the celebration of life and hope going a bit longer. For me this Easter has been one of great highs and great lows
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
Hi Fighter, Here we are, at the end of Holy week. As begin to write, it’s still Friday, and the images of our wonderful Good Friday service are still fresh in my mind. Even so, it’s been a busy and emotionally-draining week for me. Years ago, what always exhausted me this time of year were
Preacher, Pugilist, Activist, Father of four
The light shines in the darkness Read More »
