Recently Indigenous leaders from remote communities including Lajamanu, Willowra, Murray Downs, Katherine, Kalkarindji, Dagaragu and Yuendumu gathered in Darwin, along with some of our Outback team and representatives from Baptist Churches SA & NT (BCSANT). This gathering was a great way to connect with other leaders and encourage one another with words of welcome and support.

There were a number of things that threatened to unravel the event. “Up until the night before it was hectic,” writes Team Leader Mat, “Yet God brought it all together so beautifully. There was wonderful strengthening of relationships all round.”

Those present at the gathering shared in times of storytelling and discussed the challenges and opportunities they face in their church communities. They prayed together and worshipped in Warlpiri, Gurindji, Alyawarr and English. Melinda Cousins, Director of Ministries, shared from the Songs of Ascent, in particular Psalm 121. This resonated strongly and tied together many of the themes of conversations throughout the time.

Everyone had come to the gathering excited to hear from God and contribute, and from these contributions a poetic summary was written called Our Journey with God. This beautiful piece explores themes of family, being guided by Jesus, the future and the past. You can read this in full below.

The gathering was also a rich time of connection and relationship building. Mat shared how some of the people at the gathering had never seen the ocean before, so one night a group had dinner by the beach.

First Nations Engagement Facilitator Elliot Keane writes, “It was wonderful to witness God at work amongst the leaders of our most remote Baptist churches and to be inspired by the resilient faith of women and men who love King Jesus and are living out lives of faith and hope in their communities.”

Will you join with us in praying for the leaders who attended this gathering and the remote communities they serve.

Our Journey with God

We walk through suffering, on our journey there are floods and storms and all kinds of trouble.

As we walk, sometimes we lose our way, our feet get dirty, but Jesus washes our feet.

Ngali, Wapirra, Ingkarte helps us on the path and guides our steps.

We walk together, family together, young and old together, Kardia and Yapa together, men and women together.

Many have walked faithfully in front of us, we want to be like that too. Some of us are just starting our journey.

We walk with courage trusting Jesus to walk with us and to show us the way.

We have a song to bring for the future.