Ministers Desk 24th February 2013

Overseas mission has been a key activity of the Christian church since the time of Jesus Christ.  When we read of Jesus crossing the Lake to the other side (eg Mark 5:1) he’s leaving Jewish Palestine and taking the message of God’s love to the Gentiles.  After the resurrection Jesus commands his disciples to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Act 1:8).  So begins the missionary journeys of the Apostles.  We know of Paul’s journeys that take him as far as Rome and of his unfulfilled intention to travel to Spain.  Other sources indicate that the some of the apostles went to Egypt, Persia, Ethiopia and perhaps even to India.  Much of the exploration of the New World was driven by both evangelistic fervour as the desire to acquire gold and riches. 
 

In the twenty-first century the overseas missions still continue to a key activity of the Christian church.  However, no longer do the missionaries take the good news of Jesus to those who haven’t heard it.  Now, we travel to join with other members of God’s church and together share in deepening our faith and our love for God.  When we are involved in overseas mission it is a blessing to both us and the destination we visit.

 

Last year Barry Jardine, Maureen Witheyman and I visited our partner church in Noro in the Solomon Islands.  It was a great time.  We were welcomed by native warriors brandishing spears and by the Girl’s and Boys’ Brigade companies on parade.  We were shown overwhelming hospitality through their attention to our needs.  We shared in vibrant and life giving worship.  The locals shared their lives with us, telling us their personal stories and giving us a glimpse of the joys and struggles of living in Noro.

 

Our very presence in Noro was a blessing to them.  We honour our friends by visiting them and reducing their isolation.  When we were in Noro we conducted training in computing, bookkeeping and patchwork, training that was eager welcomed.  For the five days of training there were some people who attend training in both the morning and evening and worked their usual full time job and walked 40 minutes each way (4 trips a day). 

 

The relaxed pace of life, the vibrancy of worship, the covering of every activity in prayer, the graciousness of personal interactions and the utter dependence on God all serve to nurture our faith.  Wendy comments that when I come back from the Solomons I am noticeably different, with greater energy, focus and enthusiasm for life and ministry. 

 

I invite you to be part of a life giving trip to Noro in June this year.  We are putting together a team of people to bless our partner church and in return be a blessing.  The primary requirement for the trip is that you are willing to spend time talking and building relationships with others.  We will also offer training.  Possibilities may include computer use (basic operator level), Sunday School and youth group leadership, skills for starting and conducting a small business, meeting procedure and church leadership, sewing and craft. 

 

Please speak to me if you’re interested.

 

Grace and peace

David Fender