Jesus told His first disciples that love was the defining mark of a true disciple (John 13:35). 

It was core to their credible witness in a watching world. Paul embraces this mandate in Colossians 3, fleshing out what Christ-like love looks like in relationships and community. 

Colossians 3:12-14 
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Two millennia on, in all the places and spaces we serve in across the world, we are beckoned to live, love and lead more like Jesus. This is true for our team members and partners serving in Africa, Asia and Australia, and it’s the same for us in our local communities and Baptist churches across the nation.

Jesus doesn’t say we will be known for our theology, worship, missiology, knowledge or success. Others should see the authenticity of our love for one another. Love is the uniform for Christ followers.

Appreciating the vital importance of modelling Christ-like love in our fractured world, we are intentionally leaning into this theme in 2026.

Last night our intercultural and national team members and volunteers from across the world came together online for our annual ministry launch event. This year our internal mission community is ‘Clothe Yourself’, as we focus anew on Paul’s Christ-like challenge to daily clothe ourselves in Christ-like love.

In Colossians 3 we are reminded that authentic discipleship, is like our daily clothing rhythms. With the Spirit’s help and leading, we need to daily take off things that don’t reflect the ways of Jesus and clothe ourselves with Christ-like thinking and behaviour.  We are called to reflect Christ-like behaviour in our compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We are called to forgive others freely, just as the Lord has forgiven us.

And above all, we are to put on Christ-like love, which binds all these other qualities together, creates unity, and serves as a powerful and practical witness. 

Aligned with this internal focus, May Mission Month 2026 will focus on God’s love with our theme – ‘What’s Love Look Like?’. Explore our May Mission Month theme and resources here>>

Across our Australian Baptist movement, we will focus on how we are called to bring God’s love to life – everyday in every place – across the street and the world. We will be reminded that at the heart of God’s mission is love. As John wrote: “We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

For 150 years Baptist Mission Australia team members and partners, supported and spurred on by our faithful and generous supporters from across our national movement, have sought to model God’s love by word and deed across the world.

With your partnership, we’re committed to this Kingdom endeavour again in 2026. Last night our team members rededicated their lives, calling and service to our God, who continues to lavish His love upon us.

This year – across the street in our local communities – and in partnership, across the world, may we renew our commitment to “clothing ourselves” in the loving ways of Jesus, and may we enter into the brokenness and messiness of our world living as people of love and light – bearing and bringing, with the Spirit’s help, the transforming hope of Jesus.

Thank you for your partnership with us. Go well!

Grace and peace.
Scott