Looking at Parramatta SDA Church’s congregation, Pastor David McKibben and Associate Pastor Jean-Pierre Martinez noticed it is composed of numerous young families.  With this in mind they decided they wanted to provide members with tools to help improve family life, whether by helping them invest in their marriages or supporting families in raising their children.  Thus, the idea for “Family Matters” was born.

This program, which spans five weeks, combines families’ contributions at home, with speakers and workshops.  Five speakers, including three guest speakers, are presenting sermons on various aspects of family life.  The church services are followed in the afternoons with workshops that provide resources and Q&A time.  Additionally, at the beginning of the series, all families were given a book of devotions that they are encouraged to do together as a family throughout the five weeks.  (The devotionals are also available on the church’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/parramattasda). Each Sabbath a different family is interviewed and shares how they have enjoyed the experience of having family worship together.

This experience is not just impacting the present, it’s also stirring up childhood memories for some.  In discussing the experience of family worship, Sarita Sologuren of Parramatta Church reminisced on the Parramatta Facebook page, “My father was patient, he was kind, he was forgiving and he was funny. Growing up, every Saturday morning, we would wake to Christian music playing and dad making us breakfast. Most importantly, he taught me about Jesus, and now I have the hope in the promise I will see my dad again, happy and healthy. Soon and very soon, praise God!”

The emphasis on building strong family structures is an important one that will go a long way to reinforce the strong Church family at Parramatta Church.

The speakers for this event have included David McKibben, Jean-Pierre Martinez, Trafford Fisher, Julie Weslake, Brendan Pratt and Trafford Fischer.