Over the course of my life, I’ve had the privilege of partnering with many people in mission, and it has helped to convict me of the idea that mission should be at the centre of church. I believe that the right response to God’s word is to go out and share it with the world, and be partnering with others to do so. So I’m delighted that St Michael’s is committed to mission partnerships that are deep, prayerful and practical, and it is such a joy to hear about the ways that we do that. At 7pm church, I’m greatly encouraged by recent mission trips to visit Tim Smith, our missionary partner in Grenfell.
The most recent mission trip to Grenfell took place the weekend before Easter. One of our 7pm growth groups took the trek out west to help Tim Smith and the saints at Grenfell Anglican in various ways in the run up to Easter. Their youthful energy and enthusiasm was well utilised in promoting the church’s Easter services via letter-box drop, and running an Easter egg hunt and BBQ for the community. This event was of particular encouragement to the 7pm group, when they discovered that half of Tim’s scripture class came along, with families in tow! While the kids (and grown-ups) searched for the eggs, members of the Grenfell church were able to engage with the people who came. We continue to pray that those guests will want to know more about the community and, most importantly, about Jesus and that they will consider going along to Church to find out more.
The 7pm growth group were also able to go out to the tiny Church at Glenelg to serve and worship with the congregation there. Seeing how great their love for Jesus was, despite being so few in number, encouraged the group, with one member saying, “it challenged me to consider serving at a smaller church in need”. I’m overjoyed to see how members of our local church are considering how they can love and serve God’s global church. Supporting a small church can be a small way of showing them they are not alone. As most of the saints at Grenfell and Glenelg are older and have not seen a younger generation in their churches for many years, Tim tells me they often get discouraged and can feel like they are alone in their faith. Being able to visit and meet them in-person and then continue to remind them that even while far away we are keeping them close in our prayers and hearts is such a powerful encouragement to them!
So, as those on the trip were, and as I have been, I encourage you also to consider how you can personally partner in mission in a way that is deep, prayerful, and practical.
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
Romans 10:14-15
Tab
7pm member (& mission ‘Champion’ for 7pm)
