Mission
The Lord Jesus has come to us, lived amongst us, died for us, risen and ascended. And before he returns bringing salvation and judgement, he has commissioned us - on the basis of his authority with both a command and a promise:
'And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." ' (Matthew 28:18-20)
Mindful of Jesus' lordship over heaven and earth, and of his great desire to have all people come to him (see Matt 11:28-30), we at St. Mark's seek to faithfully respond to this call of Christ's in a number of practical ways.
The chief way we seek to make disciples of men and women and children in our church is through the public ministry of the word and sacraments - as God's word is heard and responded to in faithful obedience we grow as people made holy by the Spirit.
In addition to this, we also seek to express our thankfulness to God by being generously and personally involved in the ministry of the gospel to those beyond our borders. It is for this reason that we are conducting a number of mission trips. In 2008 this includes a trip to the Solomon Islands in September, and Coober Pedy in October. Read on for more.
Coober Pedy Trip, October 2008
Mark Hood: 19-Oct-08
On Tuesda, 8 members of St Marks take off for Coober Pedy in Outback Sth Australia. Will you please partner with us in this mission trip.
Coober Pedy is positioned in the heart of hot, dry, outback South Australia. Its mining country, which means that the focus is down - in the deep dark mines. It has also meant that many of the people who call Coober Pedy their home do not have the same focus up, towards our Lord Jesus Christ.
Over the next 8 days, we at St. Mark’s are partnering with the Coober Pedy Catacomb Church with the aim of introducing more men, women and children to the Lord Jesus Christ and faith in Him. We hope to do this, by raising the profile of the Church there, and particularly by striking up some connections with the townsfolk as they shop.
Please partner with us in this by praying daily during the week of the mission: Prayer Notes.
in Christ,
Mark
Solomon Islands Trip Sept 2008
A letter from Matthew, 24th August:
From 5 to 14 September I shall be leading a partnership mission to the Solomon Islands. I shall be introducing 3 people from the Melbourne Diocesan Ergon Program to Solomon Islands culture and life. Two good men from St Mark’s, Stuart Asquith and Mike Wegman, will also be joining the group. We shall be travelling rough and living simply, sharing the normal lifestyle of the locals. (Of course, we’ll be coming back to the comforts of Boroondara!)
Our focus will be on meeting people working in the various church ministries and mission. We shall travel up to the Mother House of the Melanesian Brothers where we shall worship and pray with them. We shall also have the chance to visit Bishop Patteson College which is the theological training centre for the Anglican Church. Rev. Keith Joseph is an Australian man who has a critically important influence there as lecturer and Dean of Students.
We plan to visit Selwyn College which is a rural co-ed church boarding school. We are praying about and exploring the possibility of linking with Selwyn as educational partners.
After this we shall return to Honiara by truck and undertake the 24 hour boat trip to Makira. The experience of watching the sun rise over the ocean with Makira on the horizon is priceless (as are the “sea-sick” tablets!) We shall stay at the Pamua School, where the Pickerings lived for a time. I hope this will be a highlight for the team. I am very excited about going back to see friends and particularly eager to deliver the materials the women of our church have provided for the girls’ Home Ec program. I shall show you the photos of their sheer delight.
While there the team members will share faith testimonies and pray with the students. I am trusting that I shall have the opportunity to strengthen the faith of the believing brothers and sisters there.
The final stage will begin with an open boat “canoe” trip down the coast and a “fingers crossed” small aircraft flight back to Honiara and then worship in the Cathedral and then... home!
All these plans are in God’s hands. Melanesia is a place where anything, or nothing, can happen. We shall know the trip is a success by the relationships we build and especially as they are grounded in our Lord.
I am praying for an increasing depth of engagement between the Australian and Solomons Church – not one built on aid or even assistance but one based on the understanding that we are bound together in Christ and that by his command we share our lives together.
Thanks to Lisa Scerri of Mission Travel and members of St. Mark's for travel and itinerary work; and to our Church for releasing us for this ministry.
Matthew Pickering