In May, our focus is on global mission.
Throughout the month, we are inviting you to PRAY for global mission, GIVE to global mission, and invite God to speak to you about whether he wants you to GO into mission in some way.
Our giving target for 2026 is $45k, shared between projects in South Asia and South East Asia.
Pray
During May, we invite you to join us in prayer for God's mission.
We have put together a 7 day prayer plan which you may like to pray on repeat throughout May.
It's a chance for us to pray together for the good news about Jesus to spread both locally and worldwide, to listen to God about how he'd like us to invest financially, and to invite him to guide us in how he'd like us to be on mission personally.
South Asia Projects
TOTAL GIVING TARGET: $20,000
The two main areas we hope to support financially this year, are the Rural Incomce Generation Project and the work of Arthur & Josie*.
Any surplus fund will go towards other line items like team travel costs and team building costs.
The Rural Income Generation ProjectThis long-term project continues to transform the lives of B people through practically improving food production, sustainable livestock rearing and farming initiatives. Improving these techniques leads to increased income for families which changes their future and that of their children and generations to come. Meetings are held with community-based organisations who identify participants and the types of programs needed in their area, then those that are able are included in training sessions throughout each year (usually 10-15 people at a time), creating long-term sustainable change.
Learn about the Rural Income GP
Arthur & Josie*
We also hope to be able to contribute funds to Arthur & Josie, who used to attend Syndal but have spent many years serving in South Asia.
Learn more about Arthur & Josie
*names changed for security reasons
South East Asia Projects
TOTAL GIVING TARGET: $15,000
The three main ways projects we hope to support in South East Asia are the Creation Care Project, Teaching the Heart project and the work of Max & Ezzie. The funds donated to South East Asian projects will be divided between these three areas as needed. Surplus will be given to connected items.
Creation Care Project ($5000)For nearly a decade, this project has impacted thousands of people living in poverty. It has also influenced communities to encourage government and corporate responses to the environmental crisis that inequitably affects the poor. It includes the facilitation of community education campaigns and reduces poverty through environmental management and empowerment programs for socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Initiatives include a waste bank and recycling income generation program, provision of food and resources in times of natural disaster or economic distress, literacy support for children, financial literacy for families and training in food production, community clean-up events and targeted environmental and social rehabilitation projects.
Teaching the Heart Project ($5000)
On a remote island in South East Asia, there is a people group who number more than 80,000 and yet their language has no script and is threatened with extinction and loss of culture.
The team are helping preserve the local island language and teach it to others. They have had frequent contact and interaction with people from this language group but now there is a unique opportunity for a focused effort in protecting their heart language and teaching the language to people wanting to work in the area. Through this, there will be a new opportunity to share the good news of Jesus where there are few known believers.
Max and Ezzie ($5000)Max and Ezzie have serve in South East Asia for many years. They are involved in Kingdom building, community development activities through Creation Care and Language Centre projects.
Cambodia Project
TOTAL GIVING TARGET: $10,000
Support of Rachel Hutchinson ($5000)The Hutchison family lived and served in the North West region of Cambodia for many years and recently relocated back to Australia.
But Rachel Hutchinson continues to travel back to Cambodia regularly to continue training and equipping for the 'Language of the Heart' ministry.Rachel trains local women to provide a sensory and communication rich play environment for children with disabilities.
The children and their families learn and practice strategies and skills to improve behaviour, play, daily living and communication skills. They provide access to longer term interventions and a support community for families that is not available elsewhere, and it enables them to interact with other families in a similar situation for increased support. It also provides training and employment for the local staff, benefiting their families and community.
Peace Bridges Project ($5000)
Even though decades have passed since the Khmer Rouge tragedy, many marginalised communities continue to be impacted by structural and family violence, poverty, deforestation and other human rights abuses.
The locally-led and run Peace Bridges team provides training in peace building and conflict resolution, aiming to reduce domestic and other forms of social violence. They begin with individuals and families and as they are reconciled, they become trainers of others. Local communities are also supported to address historic conflicts and learn new ways to deal with the issues confronting them.
GO
Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations is a commission for all believers.
That means that we are all called to actively seek to share the good news of Jesus - for some that will be in our local context, and for others that will mean going to new communities and countries.
This May, we invite you to be talking to Jesus about where he is inviting you to 'go'.
We have listed some questions below which you may wish to take to Jesus in prayer and listen for his answers.
If you sense God nudging you to explore cross-cultural mission, or even full-time mission her in Australia, we recommend you hit the button 'I want to talk to someone about mission' (below).
One of our Missions Task Force (people who LOVE helping SBC grow in our missional work) will be in touch to arrange a time to chat so you can share your questions and thoughts, and they can help you find resources and support you on the journey.
Are you exploring mission?
We interviewed some of our Members in Service about their journey into the mission field and what they've learned along the way.
You can read their stories in 'The Journey Into Mission' resource by downloading via the button below, or
watch these short videos about their experiences.
Visit Missions Page
During the year, our Missions page is a great place to visit to learn about our Members in Service, to find helpful resources on mission, or to arrange to chat to one of our Missions Task Force.
Check it out now!