Resonate 38 | Page 18

Partnership perspectives

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… and yet others imagine very earnest , slightly awkward folks with overly long PowerPoint presentations and an outdated wardrobe .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 .
RESONATE ISSUE 38 | PAGE 17