God continues to grow our church, both in numbers and in godliness. We are a church concerned for lost people, not only in Northmead and Winston Hills, but further afield. Locally, we are concerned for our local shop-keepers and concerned for the students in the schools nearby. More widely, the Berthons left us to work in North Australia and the Santiches in New Zealand are linked to us. In the past we have supported the Baikies in Indonesia and Alison Collis in France. We also partner with Brendan and Sally Jones in their work among refugees.
Now we are developing some new directions and new ways. For several years we have been developing a new strategy. It’s a strategy of more direct partnership. I guess it all started with the teams going to Ngukurr. Our youth and young adults have been several times and lived with the Berthons for a week and ministered alongside them.
Last year we sent teams to Africa and India as well as individuals going on short-term mission. A team has also worked alongside the Joneses.
This more direct involvement is increasing in 2010. George and Barb May will be going to Africa in March where they will be joined by Peter and Sue Sinclair. George and Peter will be teaching the Moore College External Studies programme to pastors while Sue will be working with African Enterprise projects in Kenya. Barb will be ministering amongst the women students and staff.
George will also be exploring the possibility of direct partnerships between local churches in Africa and NAC.
This is very strategic ministry because of what the Lord appears to be doing in Africa. You can get a taste of this by reading the latest ACL News – I can’t find it on the web so email me if you’d like a copy.
Sydney Diocese is well-placed to be of great support to the African churches by assisting them with theological education. Our Archbishop is leading the way and Moore College is very active. CMS is involved.
NAC is only one of many church sending trainers to Africa and India to help train pastors.
Our parish is also involved in helping these teams in another way. We have freed up some of George’s time so he can assist these teams further. Often the individual teams have started from scratch. There has been no or little co-ordination of material and resources for the teams. George is collating the material and developing new material for these teams.
This will cost NAC financially and is additional support of global mission.
In this way NAC is being strategic behind the new strategy. We are serving the servants. This also has been the way we seem to have done a lot of ministry in the past – quietly.
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