Partnership in Mission: Local Church and Mission

Agency
(Draft # 2 August 2008)

Most people involved in mission recognise the centrality of the local church in
God’s plan for mission. Most mission agencies highlight the need to work closer
or in partnership with the local church. This is nothing new. The problem has
always been how to make this partnership happen. There are many reasons why
it has been difficult to implement and the problems vary depending on the
context. It may be valuable to list and discuss these historical problems and
someone may have done this already.
However, I would like to propose a way forward.
One effect of the environment we now live in is the globalisation of education.
Students from developing nations that traditionally have been the focus of
missionary endeavour are now coming to developed nations to further their
education. This is not a new thing but the nature and extent of the movement
has changed significantly. Because of the threat of terrorism in USA and England,
Australia is how receiving a greater proportion of international students.
Australia is also seen as a desirable destination because of its proximity to Asia,
the lower cost of living and our multicultural environment. Governments have
recognised this and have invested significant amount of resources in this sector.
Many churches have recognised the mission opportunities provided by
international students and have responded by offering free English classes,
hospitality and practical assistance.

There are a large number of categories of “International Student” some of which

are listed in the Appendix.

I believe there are great opportunities for mission agencies to partner

with local churches to reach and disciple international students.

Mission agencies are seeking to respond to the changing face of mission. SIM (as
does many other agencies) speaks of “from anywhere to everywhere”. Asian
nations are now sending out more missionaries than many western (former
“Christian”) countries. Korea is often cited as the classic example. In Brisbane as
I am sure in other Australian capital cities we have many South Korean pastors
and missionaries. I have recently appointed a Korean lady to a staff position at
my church. I met last week with a Korean missionary to Australia who has come
here specifically to reach International Students. He now has four others working
with him. Koreans recognise and are responding to the opportunities to reach
International Students here in Australia!

Mission agencies have long recognised the challenges of multinational mission

teams. I understand that South Koreans have experienced difficulties in working
in teams with other nationalities. Australia, because of its history of
multiculturalism has a great opportunity to train and equip missionaries from
other countries both in speaking and teaching English as well as in cross-cultural
communication. Returning missionaries and home staff have great potential in
assisting in this.

Mission agencies have wrestled over the years with the value of short-term
mission. Often people interested in mission want some short term experience to
“test the call” or their suitability for cross cultural mission. There is a great
opportunity to get candidates involved in cross-cultural mission here in Australia
with international students, migrants or refugees. And there is an opportunity for
them to work with the local church and mission agency to disciple international
students in their own neighbourhoods.

Mission agencies are in an ideal position to link students who become Christians
in Australia with churches in their home country. This is again another way that
mission agencies can partner with local churches to fulfil the Great Commission to
disciple the nations.

This all sounds great in theory but how can it work? I’m seeking to model this
partnership through a pilot programme with SIM and a number of Brisbane
churches. As part of the visioning process for SIM Queensland, Council and
prayer group members have been asked to survey their own churches to assess
the mission programme and to research ways SIM could assist them in reaching
international students. The plan is to seek to partner with up to ten churches
ranging in size and demography that have a desire to disciple international
students. I plan to provide support and training through links with Intercultural
Training Associates (ITA). ITA provides TESOL training and networks with
churches who hold conversational English classes

Together with Missions Interlink, I am looking at resources Mission Agencies have

that could assist local churches in this mission.

By setting up these networking partnerships I hope to provide a model of how the

local church can partner effectively with mission agencies in mission. I’m aware
that other churches and agencies are working effectively together and I’m keen
to find out who is doing what so that better networking and support can be
achieved. I would appreciate any suggestions or information on partnerships that
you have so that my ideas and actions can be further developed.

John Anderson
Senior Pastor
Windsor Road Baptist Church

Appendix 1 Categories of International Students

1. International students studying post graduate/doctoral studies on scholarships to return to their

country

2. International students studying post graduate studies and intend to stay in Australia

3. University students studying a degree, some will want to stay in Australia

4. TAFE students studying so as to get permanent residency

5. TAFE students who intend to return to their country

6. Language college students Student Visa (1 – 12 months)

7. Language college students on working holiday visa (has 3 months any language college then
change college or get some part time work)
8. Working holiday visa students (rely heavily on free classes to learn English and to network).
Can be very itinerant (farms and cities)

9. Home-stay students who enjoy going to church with their home-stay family

10. Migrants

11. Refugees