The Australian Missionary News IPTV anchorman Mark Tronson noted that Sean Spencer runs his own engineering business in Midge Point, not a two minute drive to the Laguna Quays Respite facility on Repulse Bay.
Sean Spencer explained that he grew up in Calamvale, Brisbane and his mother sent him off to boarding school, to the Marist Brothers in Ashgrove where he earned his Year 10 Certificate. At this point he started working in jobs such as turf laying and window making until he secured a Boiler Maker and Welding apprenticeship at Evans Deakin in Salisbury, Brisbane.
After completing his trade ticket he worked for Skilled Engineering in a wide range of tasks in and around Brisbane before taking off to Papua New Guinea where he worked on heavy equipment at the Bougainville mines. When he returned to Brisbane he worked on many overseas contracts in the gold mining industry
Sean Spencer noted that he originally came to Christian faith in Jesus Christ when he was 16 as his parents ran an engineering business and their secretary worshipped at COC Mansfield and invited them all to church. They attended and this was where he gave his life to Jesus, but then, for the following 10 years ran away from God.
After he and Sue married 1991 and Sue was pregnant with their first (Luke), Sue met a Christian man in Toowoomba at a Garden Show who had a stall next to her parents' Stall. His son worshipped at the CCC (Christian City Church) at Westside in Brisbane near where Sean and Sue lived and recommended they attend.
Sean explained that he and Sue had been reading their Bible in private and had been considering attending a church when all this happened, and they began attending there, where they served for the following 10 years.
Both of them at this juncture in their lives had been thinking about a sea-change as Sean wanted to get out of debt and they owned a small acreage for 15 years in Midge Point. They ended up selling in Brisbane, relocating, became debt free and initiated an engineering business. They also believed this to be of the Lord as they sought to find a way to minister locally and get involved with a local congregation. This they did: AOG Liberty Church in Proserpine, 25 minutes away. At this church Sean plays the drums, eldest son Luke is on the violin and second Joel is on electric guitar.
Although there have been previous attempts to initiate a Christian fellowship in the tiny community of Midge Point, nothing to date has got off the ground, but they are praying that the Lord might lead additional Christians to them and they might kick start a mid-week home group.
Sean Spencer noted that many years ago while at the CCC in Westside a guest preacher (otherwise referred to as a prophet) came to their congregation who spoke a prophecy over him and Sue, that they they would be involved in a Respite ministry one day, whereby they would be in a position to have a home for missionaries and burnt-out pastors whereby they could come and rejuvenate and be refreshed and have a holiday.
Mark Tronson filled in the other side of the story that when their Well-Being Australia 'Laguna Quays Respite' was secured in February 2011 (the third such facility, the first in 1992 Moruya south coast NSW, the second in Tweed Heads 2006), his wife Delma saw a scrapbooking advert at the general store.
Delma and Mark followed the directions to the address in Midge Point and it happened to be Sean and Sue's place as Sue runs a scrapbooking small business and holds a Tuesday class in Proserpine. One thing led to another where they discovered not only their mutual faith but also their vision for Respite. Since June when the Laguna Quays Respite facility was opened, four mission couples have visited.
Sean Spencer picks up the story. He and Sue visited missionaries Omar and Kay during their September visit to Laguna Quays Respite and met with them over a cuppa and connected and fellowshipped, and later Sean took Omar fishing.
Fishing is always on the agenda as Sean is is a very keen fisherman (Sean takes Mark fishing and they catch fish) and should any of the ladies wish to attend Sue's Tuesday scrapbooking / craft class, Sue is very pleased to get them involved and participating.
Sean Spencer's interview on the Australian Missionary News IPTV YouTube Channel can be viewed at YouTube.
Enquiries for the Laguna Quays Respite for missionaries and pastors – timeout@bushorchestra.com 0487 245 207
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html
