Wednesday 21 Jul
Scott shares a list of things to be grateful for.
At a recent National Team meeting I brought along some oranges to signify the 'half-time' theme. Like me, you may have memories of childhood sporting days and the half-time coach’s talk, with quartered oranges to renew team energy for the second half of the match.
The first half of 2021 for our Global Interaction mission community has brought considerable challenge, with the ongoing implications of the global pandemic. On Monday our leaders from across the world came together to take stock of the challenges, learnings and opportunities that the pandemic continues to bring. We’re also mindful of the ravaging impact of COVID in some of the places we serve, including South East Asia and South Asia.
Currently South East Asia is experiencing 50,000 cases per day and so I know you will join me in praying for this country and our team serving there.
As our leaders shared and prayed together this week, we reminded ourselves of our Good Shepherd who leads us through the valleys of life and ministry.
And yet in the midst of these challenges, there has been so much to give thanks to God for in the first half of 2021.
As our National Team symbolically shared half-time oranges [in a world of restrictions] we celebrated many things, including:
- Continuing stories of God at work across the world, as our team members embody the good news of Jesus through word and loving action
- Stories of individuals and families from Malawi to the Silk Road Area, from Cambodia to Central Australia experiencing the hope of Jesus in ways that make sense to them in their culture
- New candidates being accepted
- An amazing response from our partners to May Mission Month, where we have significantly exceeded our target
- An encouraging response from across our movement to our growing suite of digital resources
- Positive steps forward in the implementation of our 2021-2025 Strategic Roadmap, including significant work on how we sharpen and articulate our missiology in a changing world
- A review of our member care strategy and approach
- Encouraging conversations as we look to new ministry opportunities in Outback Australia
- New workers being able to join their teams, despite pandemic travel and visa challenges
- The launch of new roundtables – Global, National and Missiology
- New National Team staff members and the strengthening of team culture
- Work done on our communications/brand, governance and intercultural worker budget reviews
Yes, we have many things to be thankful to God for, in the midst of these challenging days. And we have much to pray for in our hurting, broken world.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Your partnership matters. It’s vital to what we do.
Grace and peace,
Scott
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