God is working in unexpected places. In the vast Savannah region of far north Queensland, where communities are separated by long stretches of road and populations are measured in the hundreds, He continues to call ordinary people to share His love. In 2018, the Lis family moved to Georgetown, population 254, when Mrs Lis took the job as teacher in the local primary school. They soon discovered there was no Adventist church in town. Wanting their three daughters to enjoy fellowship with other Christians, they attended the only church in the community—an Anglican church with a congregation led by the school chaplain, a young man who had a heart for the people of the Savannah who was especially dedicated to the children.
Although worshipping on Sunday was unfamiliar to the Lis family, they embraced the opportunity to worship with fellow believers while continuing to keep Sabbath at home. The arrangement was not always easy. With church on Sunday mornings, household jobs and yard work were often squeezed into Sunday afternoons before the working week began again.
In 2021, the Lis family moved 40 kilometres west to Forsayth, population 107. Despite the move, they continued travelling to Georgetown each Sunday to support the small congregation. Over time, they became increasingly involved in the running of church. Previously, whenever the school chaplain was away, services were cancelled. Their willingness enabled the church to remain open more consistently for the small group of believers.
For four years, the family worshipped on a Sunday. During that time, the Holy Spirit was quietly at work, impressing hearts and leading individuals to study the Bible more deeply for themselves. As members explored the Scriptures, many became convicted of the biblical significance of the seventh day Sabbath and God’s invitation to honour it as a day of worship and rest. Then, in what the family describes as a miracle, the congregation voted to change its worship day. It was not the result of pressure or persuasion, but of the Holy Spirit’s gentle leading as people responded to God’s Word.
On New Year’s Day, the first Sabbath of January 2022, after years of Sunday services, the little church in Georgetown opened its doors for Sabbath worship. It was a powerful testimony to God’s leading and a reminder that when people sincerely seek His will, He faithfully guides them into a deeper understanding of His truth.
In Forsayth however, another small church stood silent. Years of neglect and termite damage had left the historic building in poor condition. In 2025, community members came together to restore it so that it could once again be used for weddings and funerals. As the work progressed, several residents approached Mrs Lis and asked if her family would run church services.
One local lady, who had prayed for years that God would send someone to reopen the church, rejoiced to see those prayers answered when the first church service in years was held in December 2025.
Worship services now take place on Sabbath mornings in Georgetown and Sabbath afternoons in Forsayth. The Lis family continues to travel between the two communities, holding church services. Their daughters, now in their teens, run Sabbath School for the younger children and lead the song service. While Mrs Lis is quick to describe herself as “just a primary school teacher”, her experience has reminded her that God does not call only pastors and evangelists, He uses ordinary people.
In two tiny towns with fewer than 400 people between them, God is writing His own story. Through faithful prayers, open doors and willing hearts, His truth is continuing to shine across the Savannah region of far north Queensland. Mission in the outback is not always grand or dramatic. Sometimes it looks like a family travelling lonely roads, opening church doors and trusting God to do the rest. And He does.
Lexie Daley is a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Far North Queensland.
