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.
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.
This May, we invite the SBC community to consider giving beyond your regular offering and invest in the mission work being done through Baptist Mission Australia.
Below you can read about the four projects or people we have been supporting across a number of years as they share Jesus around the world.
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 Anthony and Jaquelyn Jenyns.
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
Anthony and Jaquelyn
We also hope to be able to contribute funds to Anthony and Jacquelyn, who used to attend Syndal but have spent many years serving in South Asia.
GIVING TARGET: $15,000
The two main ways projects we hope to support in South East Asia are the Creation Care Project, and the work of Daz and Bee. The funds donated to South East Asian projects will be divided between these two areas as needed. Surplus will be given to connected items.
Creation Care ProjectFor 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.
Learn more about Creation Care project
Daz and BeeSince their arrival, Daz and Bee have focused on learning to understand and speak the local language, and immersing themselves in the culture of their host people.
They have also taken over the directorship of a café the team have been running for several years. They are excited to see how their previous skills in project management, retail and customer service are being put to good use as they take on their new leadership roles at the café. Their newfound language abilities and cultural understanding are allowing them to grow deeper relationships with local friends.
Daz and Bee have seen first-hand how much people need the saving grace of Jesus in South East Asia, and they are passionate about continuing to share their hope in culturally appropriate ways. They are excited to see how God is going to use them and the café ministry over the coming years to transform lives and expand His Kingdom!
GIVING TARGET: $10,000
Support of Rachel HutchinsonThe 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.
We hope to be able to contribute $10,000 to Rachel's ongoing costs associated with investing in this ministry.
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.
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.
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!