Sunday Service from Encounter Church in Henley, South Australia
At Encounter Henley, our heart is simple: we exist to help every person, from city to beach, have an encounter with Jesus.
Encounter Henley Welcomes Guest Preacher: Sarah Boyens
In this powerful and eye-opening message, Sarah Boyens from Open Doors Australia sheds light on the reality facing the global persecuted Church—where 1 in 7 Christians worldwide (over 388 million believers) face high or extreme levels of persecution for their faith.
Tracing the 70-year legacy of Open Doors from Brother Andrew ("God's Smuggler") to today's work in Asia and Africa, Sarah reveals that Open Doors doesn't seek to end persecution—which Scripture promises—but to stand alongside and strengthen believers on the frontlines. Unpacking King Jehoshaphat’s response in 2 Chronicles 20 when surrounded by three vast armies, Sarah shares how we can learn from persecuted Christians to turn our gaze away from overwhelming circumstances and set our eyes fixated on Jesus.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
The Legacy of Brother Andrew: How Open Doors began in 1955 smuggling Bibles behind the Iron Curtain with the famous Smuggler’s Prayer: "Lord, make seeing eyes blind."
The Reality of Persecution: The modern scope of Christian persecution across Asia (where 2 in 5 believers face extreme pressure) and Africa, including systemic "squeeze" persecution in North Korea and China.
Standing in the Midst, Not Ending It: Understanding 2 Timothy 3:12—why persecution is a promise for those following Christ, and how presence ministry, Bible distribution, and practical aid empower believers to stay resilient.
The Jehoshaphat Principle: When faced with fear and impossible odds, King Jehoshaphat made the deliberate choice to inquire of the Lord rather than rely on military strategy.
Setting Your Face Like Flint: Why you cannot fix your eyes on Jesus while simultaneously letting your circumstances have the final say over your perspective.
Connect with Encounter Church Henley:
Website: encounteradelaide.com.au (http://encounteradelaide.com.au)
Instagram: @encounterhenley (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/encounterhenley)
8 Oct 2026
Compassion Australia
Encounter Henley Welcomes Guest Preacher from Compassion Australia: Will Hall
What does it actually mean to live a life "all in" for Jesus?
In this inspiring message from Encounter Church Henley, guest preacher Will Hall unpacks the foundation of effective Christian faith and mission. Opening with a poignant story about his father’s final days and last words, Will contrasts human farewells with the ultimate last words of Jesus: the Great Commission in Matthew 28.
centered on Acts 16, Will explores three foundational principles for seeing the Gospel move forward in our everyday lives. He challenges us to move beyond an "either/or" mindset and embrace a "both/and" dynamic—combining intentional strategy with active sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.
Key Takeaways
The Power of Last Words: Just as human last words hold immense weight, Jesus’ final words before ascending—"Go and make disciples"—are the central directive for every believer's life.
Strategy Meets the Spirit: Effective mission isn't about choosing between strategic planning and Holy Spirit guidance; it requires being intentional with our plans while remaining completely open to divine redirects.
Cultivating Expectancy: The early church shifted regions and shaped history because they expected the Holy Spirit to guide their daily steps, decisions, and conversations.
Going "All In": Understanding why we are breathing comes down to surrendering our plans to God's greater purpose for transforming our communities.
Connect with Encounter Church Henley:
Website: encounteradelaide.com.au (http://encounteradelaide.com.au)
Instagram: @encounterhenley (https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/encounterhenley)
13 Sept 2026
Missionaries from City to Beach
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."
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