Partnership Perspectives

Partnership Perspectives

16/12/2021 4:07:36 PM | Andrew Palmer and Andrew Duncan

From the earliest days of this mission, partnership was key. And it still is! This ministry God has called us to only works when we do it together.

The State Leader:
Andrew Palmer, Global Interaction NSW / ACT

As a term, ‘Global Intercultural Mission’ has a funny effect on people. For some it conjures up comical (and / or colonial) images of pith helmets and safari suits; others see super-Christians who levitate through life sinlessly…and yet others imagine very earnest, slightly awkward folks with overly long PowerPoint presentations and an outdated wardrobe. 

The theme that draws these images together is that of ‘otherness’: whatever global intercultural mission workers are… they aren’t like me…

But the truth is that global mission workers are largely very ordinary people seeking to follow an extraordinary God… and until they actually move into an intercultural situation here or overseas, on most weeks they are found meeting with their faith family online or in person, because that is who they are. 

Global intercultural mission has always been the mandate of the Local Church, right from the time that the leaders placed their hands upon Saul and Barnabas in Acts chapter 13 and commissioned them for ministry. 

It still is.

Partnering in mission with an organisation like Global Interaction helps speed up this discipling / sending process with specialist capacity and care. Together the church and mission agency act as parents helping their children fly. And it is good. 

The Pastor:
Andrew Duncan, Thornleigh Community Baptist Church

The Apostle Paul, when speaking of his partnership with the church at Philippi, speaks of a common heart, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart;” a common purpose, “whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me;” a common joy, “In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy” and a confidence in God. 

A common heart, a common purpose that produces joy and results in a great confidence in the mission of God. As a local pastor when I am asked what the benefits of our church are in partnering with Global Interaction, this is it!

Although geographically and culturally we are ministering in very different contexts, when I speak with Dave and Caz in South East Asia, Pete and Nomes in Central Asia and Mel heading to the Silk Road Area, there is an alignment of heart and purpose in that we, together, are seeking to make the life transformative message of Jesus known. 

When it comes to learning and growing in how to become more effective in local mission these are the people I turn to. When it comes to infusing a wholistic and integrated approach to faith, it is often these people who speak most powerfully into the life of our church.

Our partnership with Global Interaction continually fuels and shapes the missional DNA of our church. It is a partnership filled with joy and renews my confidence in the mission of God.