Notes: Below is the speech delivered by Bishop Julian Porteous during our Evangelisation Rally held in All Saints Parish, Liverpool, NSW.

In 1988, Pope John Paul with clear insight summarised what he saw happening in many cultures across the world: Whole countries and nations where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing and capable of fostering a viable and working community of faith, are now put to a hard test, and in some cases, are even undergoing a radical transformation, as a result of a constant spreading of an indifference to religion, of secularism and atheist.

The Pope saw then that many people in such situations are now living, as if God did not exist". Do we not see this occurring in our own country, Australia? On the eve of Australia Day January 26 it is appropriate to consider the future spiritual and moral state of our country. This is what I see as the Great Challenge.

Then for our response I will look at the Great Commission.