Alongsiders

5/09/2023 1:21:38 PM | Various

What does being an alongsider mean for followers of Jesus across Australia and around the world?

“I am learning what it means to be an alongsider in my context on the Silk Road, which is quite different from life in Sydney!

I am part of a fitness group here, and God is teaching me that being an alongsider in this group not only means exercising and encouraging healthy lives with each other, but also celebrating birthdays and babies, being part of a micro loan program and going out for tea and dancing once a month. And sometimes it means eating a second dinner when you bump into your friends on an evening stroll and are invited for dinner and dessert!”
- Mel, Silk Road Area

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“In recent years, there has been significant flooding in our area which has caused pain and major damage to the community. As a church we have tried to practically and relationally respond to our community’s needs.

We want to share God’s love through word and deed. And something I am learning is that being a people of love is less about what we do to people or even for people, but that it’s something we do with people.

Being an alongsider is about noticing where God is at work. Because He is at work! It’s not about trying to contrive, create or force something... but it’s about having our eyes open for where there is Gospel curiosity and being ready to open that door when people want it.”
- Steve, Lismore Baptist Church

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“One of the things that God has been saying to me over many years is to listen well. The ability to be attentive to both what God is doing and what is going on for people is very powerful. I don’t always get it right, but as I seek to be a peacemaking alongsider, I am seeking to be an attentive listener.”
- Kath, Mozambique

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“Being an alongsider means journeying together with people as they walk towards God’s Kingdom. At the same time, we are further being formed into Kingdom people too.

A key characteristic of being an alongsider is humility. We don’t pretend that we know it all. We don’t pretend that we have already arrived. But we do set our gaze firmly on the King of the Kingdom and encourage those we are journeying with to do the same.”
- Mike, South East Asia

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“We reach out into our local community through an op shop and cafe that has been running for 10 years. That gives us a lot of connections and we have been able to build relationships with people in our local community and come alongside them. It’s encouraging that a number of them have been open to me praying with them or visiting them in their homes.

As a church, we just come alongside people who come amongst us! We don’t need to go out and look for them - God brings them to us and we take the opportunity to build relationships. We make sure to get to know each person and hear something of their story.

And as we do, we look for opportunities to talk about Jesus and to help them know that Jesus is the good news. It’s just about faithfully living alongside people.”
- Tricia, Camden Baptist Church

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“Losing your home due to natural disaster is an incredibly traumatic and destabilising event. Over the last few months I have had the privilege of walking alongside folk in our local communities who have lost their houses as a result of Cyclone Freddy.

It’s been a slow process as we assess each of close to 90 houses and start to assist with materials and labour for the rebuilding process. As we attend to people’s practical needs for shelter, we get to hear their stories of hardship and pain.

Supported by generous supporters in Australia, we are able to provide some hope – both physically and spiritually – to people who have had one of their most basic necessities stripped away from them.

In the midst of their distress though, we also get to hear their stories of incredible resilience and endurance, which is a great encouragement as we journey together.”
- Gunther, Malawi
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