Elijah Samuel
While ministering at Maadi Community Church in Cairo, Egypt, I received an expression of interest from a pastor of a small church in Nigeria regarding small groups development. At that time, MCC had experienced unprecedented success with Small Groups ministry and a Nigerian national in the congregation had returned to Lagos from MCC to visit family, and during that visit he spoke highly of small groups as being essential in the life and growth of a church.
It was during a visit to the Lagos church in 2004 that I met Elijah Samuel… he was the associate pastor of the church. Elijah’s teachability, respect, and hunger to learn from me sparked a collaborative relationship that has spanned 19 years. Coaching and mentoring Elijah over all these years has been a real joy. He is known by those who are close to him as “Pastor Sam.”
Elijah received the call of God to teach and preach God’s Word to the nations with evidence of salvation and healings taking place. He is currently Senior Pastor of the Assurance Pentecostal Church International (APCI).
For more than twenty-years, Pastor Sam has served in full-time ministry across Nigeria, in Egypt, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya, Ghana and Mozambique. As a conference speaker, he is especially focused on empowering ministers and church leaders with the principles of Small Groups for Church Growth. He also served as the former Director of Training for Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) – Egbeda Chapter, Lagos State, Nigeria.
Pastor Sam believes in, and is committed to, the “Each One Teach One” mission in the body of Christ. He is especially gifted and passionate in meeting the physical and socio-economic needs of the less privileged people around him as revealed in the Book of Matthew 25:35-40.
Elijah is proudly married to Blessing, a supporting and caring wife, and together they enjoy a good home in the Ijoko-Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is the author of Securing Divine Help and Small Groups for Church Growth – available on Amazon.
You can learn more about Elijah’s work in Nigeria by visiting his website at https://assurancepentecostal.org.ng/
~ Bill Joukhadar
Mathew Mikhail
I was born in Sydney into a Coptic Orthodox family of Egyptian heritage in 1984. I grew up in Western Sydney and always had a knowledge and fear of God. My parents got saved when I was around 15 and our family started attending Nepean Baptist Church in Kingswood (Penrith) NSW.
In my late teens and early 20’s, I stopped going to church and started to live a selfish life that was all about pleasing the desires of the present. However, at the age of 22, I realized that the constant pursuit of worldly pleasures was bringing nothing but emptiness and sorrow.
I began starting to have a desire to ‘reconnect’ with God by reading the bible and going to church occasionally. One night, after a university lecture, I was waiting at the station and noticed a fellow student, Joanna. She was waiting for the same train as myself and getting off only a few stops before me, so we caught the train together.
During our conversation she mentioned she attended a Baptist church, to which I mentioned I had been attending a Baptist church (albeit on and off). We got to talking more over the following days, weeks and months, and eventually I started to attend the church where Joanna attended and where her father was the pastor – that was Faith Baptist Church Blacktown.
About 12 months later, in January 2008, I repented of my sins and believed the gospel. I followed Christ in baptism on 29th February 2008 and married the same women I had spoken to some 2 years earlier on that train station platform on the 29th of August 2009 and God has blessed Joanna and I with 3 beautiful children, Joshua (6), Nora (3) and Anna (1).
~ Mat Mikhail
Marian Dyer
My life with God has been something of a roller coaster over the years with pretty steep climbs and dips in the early years and perhaps more of a rolling ride in the later years. I was born into a Christian home with a Presbyterian minister as a Dad. He was mostly an absent father due to the huge responsibilities of ministering in outback Queensland.
I first gave my life to Christ at a Methodist youth camp as a teenager. At seventeen I moved away from home, which was by then in Adelaide, to begin my nursing career in Sydney. This was an incredibly hard and often lonely 3 years. My life as a Christian was pretty much a foot in both worlds during this time.
I did an Intensive Care course in Melbourne for a year and then worked in London for a couple of years in between travelling. On return to Australia, I trained as a nurse educator and loved my job working with nursing students.
My first encounter with the Holy Spirit was in the early 70s at the beginning of the charismatic movement in Australia, where I worshipped with a group of charismatic Catholic nuns and priests.
I married in 1978 and have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. After my mother died of cancer at the age of 54, I was angry and disappointed with God and spent a number of years away from church. I tried New Age for a while, but of course there was no lasting peace there. It just resulted in then needing more deliverance!! But God never gave up on us!
In 1985 we recommitted our lives to Jesus. In 1986 we and our 3 children under 5, spent a year in Edinburgh. This was an incredibly tough year in which the Lord taught us most about not worrying what we would eat or drink but putting his kingdom first.(Matt 6.31-33)
My passion from childhood has been healing and after retirement from nursing, I felt the Lord saying now my focus was to be spiritual healing. I have always loved being involved in interdenominational groups and had a passion to see people healed and set free. Because of this I have been involved in the Healing Rooms ministry since 2006.
For many years I’ve asked the Lord what he wants to say and written down what I believe He has said. The words are from the perspective that it is Jesus speaking. We only ever hear and see in part (1 Cor 13.12) but I pray these words will bless you.
~ Marian Dyer
Alina Mathews
Dancing on Water is excited that God wishes to speak to the world through whomever He chooses. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you a new, young voice on our expanding team of Guest Authors, Alina Mathews.
Alina’s grandmother, Lesley Mathews, is DOW’s Editor! Several months ago, Lesley mentioned to me that Alina’s passion is writing… for God! My eyes sparkled with interest… I needed to know more! Reading just one sample of Alina’s writings was enough for me to invite Alina to be a Guest Author on DOW, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
I’m looking forward to hearing from God through Alina’s voice. The following is from Alina…
Hi, my name is Alina Mathews and I’m 15 years old, currently living in Palmerston North, New Zealand.
I was born into a Christian family and I first invited Jesus into my heart at the age of 4. Despite going to church regularly as I grew up, I didn’t fully recognise the importance of pursuing God and putting Him above all else.
When I was 9, I was baptised in my grandparent’s pool along with my brothers while we were on holiday. It was a special moment, but I still wasn’t active in my faith for years to come.
A couple of years ago when I was stuck in a place of not feeling accepted and adequate, I started reading a little book of devotionals that was gifted to me. As I did, I began to comprehend just how valued I was by God.
Around this time, my family was attending a new church and even though I was nervous, I went along to the church’s youth group one week and found an awesome group of people who were all so welcoming. Over the months that followed, I continued attending youth group and growing new godly friendships, as well as my own relationship with God.
Halfway through 2022, I heard baptisms being mentioned at church one Sunday. I didn’t know whether I could be baptised a second time, but I wanted to find out more.
After talking to family and friends, and feeling that it was the next step in my faith journey, I made the decision to be baptised on the 28th August 2022 and to fully chase after God. Of course, I have had ups and downs since then, but I feel closer to God than I ever have.
Writing is one of my passions and an area in which I believe God has gifted me. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s handiwork, created to do good works which He has prepared for us. I hope that over the years to come, I will be able to use my gift to do good works, further the Kingdom, and bless others all around me.
~ Alina Mathews
Anna Harris
“God, I don’t know if you’re real, but if you are, I want to know you.”
That was the sincere prayer of third grade me as I stood in the playground at Kyogle Public School. I had a sticker on my school bag that said, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven”. When a classmate pointed at it and asked, “Are you one of those Christians?” I paused before saying “Yes, I am”. Up until then, faith belonged to my Aunty Juneanne, my sister, my parents. On that day it became mine and it was a request God honoured.
Over many years, He introduced himself to me. Through schoolyard bullying and chronic illness, He has shown himself ever-present and ever-faithful. God surrounded me with a Christian family. It was my safe place as life brought its challenges.
Back in the 1980s, I was in my late teens when I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). I was told I might not be able to have children. That broke my heart, as all I truly wanted in life was to be a Mum. I wanted an entire footy team. In 1990s my PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) became Type 2 diabetes. I had fertility treatments of every kind. In 2005, Grace was born after a stint in the freezer as an embryo. I had a molly-coddled insulin-dependent pregnancy and a precious Christmas gift, Grace.
The next seven years were a time of pressing, of reading God’s word and learning to proclaim it like a battle cry. When God promises you something, you can hold Him to it. As a team, my husband and I reminded God of his promises through failed IVF cycles and barren years.
Just like Jacob waited seven years to marry Rachel, we waited for Jacob. But the promises of God are faithful. In 2011 Jacob arrived into our family and made us complete. I didn’t have a football team; I have a perfect pair.
God is in our pain and suffering. He draws near at these times. I walked a long slow faith journey where I got to know the Lord deeply. Would that have happened without the test of infertility? I often wonder if I could have learned to depend on God without that experience.
Through decades of leaning on God, He has become my closest friend and confidant. He is my provider. He has used me in the workplace to support children with disabilities, and to help their families. He has been faithful and used my own journey as a source of wisdom and encouragement for others.
This is our God. This is what He does. I love to write, and I am looking forward to sharing Jesus and his multi-faceted love with you.
~ Anna Harris
Lesley Mathews
I grew up in a Christian home and I absolutely loved going to Sunday School, Youth Group and church. I was always happy sitting in church with my parents as a child. Somehow it gave me a sense of comfort and belonging.
I continued on in my faith journey but it was fairly shallow for a long time … still there, but not very active. I didn’t have a relationship with Jesus but still felt drawn to Him in my limited understanding.
My husband and I attended church faithfully and as we brought up our children in the faith, our spiritual growth slowly deepened. We became involved in church and Home Groups and started serving in many and varied ways. We enjoyed a long and very happy association within the Emmaus Community and served in leadership and other roles while making many life-long friends. This was life-changing for us as we saw the Body of Christ in action.
It was when I had a Holy Spirit encounter that my relationship with Christ truly took off in a way that I couldn’t have dreamed. It has made such a difference in my life and I am so thankful that
God never gave up on me and showed me in so many ways His endless love and grace.
I live to worship, love and obey God in every way possible, and I pray that I may leave a legacy of Christ’s love to my family and friends.
~ Lesley Mathews
Sophie Bonar
Hi, my name is Sophia Bonar, I’m 15 years old and have been raised in a Christian family in Queensland, Australia. I love to read, write, and sing as well. I’m quite involved with my church in youth ministry, kids church, and the worship team.
My first realisation that God was near to me was probably at my first youth camp… it changed me and continues to do so.
I was invited to write articles for Dancing on Water (DOW) and honestly, at the time I didn’t know what to write about, but God prompted me to write about things that impact me.
~ Sophie Bonar
Alexa Smith
My name is Alexa Smith. I am 14 years old and currently live in South East Queensland, Australia.
I was born into a Christian family and invited Jesus into my heart when I was 4 years old. Growing up and attending church was and is a weekly activity.
Although my family has always been a part of a church, I never fully understood where I fit in with God. I didn’t feel like I was growing; in fact, I felt stuck in an unsure place.
About a year ago, I attended my first youth camp and found a new love for the Gospel. My faith journey since then has been up and down but from the beginning of this new year, I have been reading a new devotional with Bible readings every day and I am loving it!
I didn’t know I was capable of writing but as I wrote my first article, the words came easily and I know that this is God at work. Now my relationship with God has never been better and I am so excited to discover what God has in store for me.
~ Alexa Smith
Ray Graetz
Hi. My name is Ray Graetz and I live in Brisbane, Australia.
I was raised in a small country town, in southern New South Wales, where our family regularly attended a Lutheran Church. At age 16, I left home to attend University and stopped attending church.
After graduating from University, I worked for 10 years with the Australian Public Service in Canberra, primarily directing various research programs.
At age 29 I was dramatically born again one night as I was driving my car in a suburban street in Canberra. Sometime later I was baptized in water (as a believer) and baptized in the Holy Spirit.
After a series of unusual events, that took place over a 6 month period, I concluded that God was calling me to leave Canberra, leave the Public Service and leave the Lutheran Church — to go to Brisbane, to a particular Assemblies of God church, to become the (practical) right hand man to the senior pastor. I made the move, turned up at the church and found that they had decided to appoint a full time Administrator and were praying that God would send them the right person. I was appointed as the Administrator and, soon after, married the pastor’s daughter (that wasn’t part of my original guidance, but I regard it as an “inspired” move).
Three years later we relocated to Canberra, following what I thought was fresh guidance from God. Nothing I anticipated worked out and, after going through a very traumatic season, we returned to Brisbane.
I enrolled at an Assemblies of God Bible College to study part time for a theological degree. Soon after, I was invited to become a part time lecturer there and, for the next 18 years, was privileged to teach as a part time lecturer in five different Bible Colleges. But I should mention that, with that time commitment, as well as the challenge of running my own business for 36 years and endeavouring to be an honourable husband (to Joy) and father to three (now adult) children, I never did get around to completing a theological degree.
Over the years I have come to understand God’s primary purpose for my life: “To do everything I can…to help every person I connect with…become all that God has designed them to become.” And I have developed some (free) resources that are designed to help people recognise, and outwork, God’s purpose for their life. More information is available on my website at whyamihere.net.au
~ Ray Graetz
Ross Smith
My mother was a parishioner in our local Anglican church. I was baptised as a baby and was confirmed as a13 year old. My first encounter with God happened when I was at University. I experienced waves of His love after I simply asked, “God help me!” It was ten years later however when I was 30, that both my wife and I received Jesus as our personal Lord and Saviour. We were having marriage problems, and my newly saved in-laws invited us to some meetings in their local Anglican church. The minister of that church had conducted our wedding seven years earlier.
That weekend he counselled us, prayed with us to receive the Holy Spirit and renewed our wedding vows. We returned to our hometown different people, born again and filled with Holy Spirit! Shortly after our return we were water baptised in Lake Taupo. We also began a small group in our home so that we could grow together with other believers. After nine years in Taupo, we moved to Hamilton to undertake a career change in another High School. Little did we know that this move would be another launching point for seasonal change.
Four years later, I resigned from my job as a secondary school teacher and joined the pastoral staff of an Assemblies of God church in Hamilton, NZ. By the way, I loved teaching. Many of the skills that I learned in the classroom were useful in pastoral ministry settings. In 1990 our family, including our three children, left NZ and relocated to Brisbane to join the pastoral staff at Garden City Christian Church where we served for the next nine years.
The invitation that we received to come to Brisbane was undergirded by the promises in Isaiah 58:11-12 (NIV) These verses have been and continue to be, foundational to the expressions of our Christian service. My main responsibility in Brisbane was to promote the growth of small groups. During that time, we were also impacted by a move of God, commonly called the ‘Toronto blessing’ perhaps better called the Father’s blessing! I together with countless other believers received a deeper revelation of the spirit of sonship.
In 1999, we planted a church in Logan City called The Vine Community Christian Church. We were committed to the principle that the only basis for fellowship between believers is the life of Christ revealed to the believer by the Holy Spirit. We promoted small group involvement so that giftings could also be identified and exercised for the benefit of all its members. I served as Senior Pastor until November 2018 when I retired from that position.
Retirement for the believer never happens! We continue to promote small groups, including The Gathering. I also mentor men. We also continue to support and partner with The River ministry in Thailand. I enjoy writing. I authored Restored For Good (2019). Any believer who is being restored is also empowered to become a restorer. Just Like My Father (2020) explores spiritual sonship and its impact upon family life. Beginnings (2024) is a practical devotional containing 100 reflections from Genesis. (rosssydneysmith@ gmail.com for any enquiries)
We, Diane and I, have three married children and five beautiful granddaughters. They all love the Lord because “He first loved” them (1 John 4:19)
~ Ross Smith
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