A new name for a new season

One of the nation’s oldest mission organisations has changed its name as it looks to strengthen its partnership with Baptist churches across Australia and international partners around the globe.

Global Interaction has become Baptist Mission Australia.

Executive Director of Baptist Mission Australia Scott Pilgrim said the organisation had chosen a simple name, which clearly identified who it was and why it existed.

“We were birthed 140 years ago by faithful mission-minded people in Baptist churches and we continue to serve today as intercultural mission arm of the Australian Baptist movement,” Scott said.

“We’re proud of this long and wonderful partnership and so we’re intentionally going back to our roots.”

“We, like the more than 1000 Baptist churches across the nation, are a mission people. Our heartbeat is to come alongside people in their own community, culture and language, embodying the good news of Jesus by word and deed, in ways that make sense,”

Scott said the name change flowed from the implementation of the organisation’s 2021-2025  Strategic Roadmap.

“As part of this process we have been intentionally and courageously asking big questions about our future directions in a rapidly changing world. As we’ve sought to listen to the Spirit, we saw that it was time to refresh our name and brand for a new and exciting season of ministry.”

The Roadmap envisages stronger intercultural partnerships with Baptist churches and associations across Australia and we’re actively strengthening innovative partnerships with our Baptist family across the globe as we look to new collaborative missional expressions.

“We have a history of bold and innovative faith steps, and we see our new name as another one of these milestones. And yet we also humble ourselves, realising our need to learn, listen and seek the Spirit’s leading as the face of mission changes around the globe.”

“Partnership will be a vital part of our future as we’re excited about the new season of ministry ahead.”

To find out more about Baptist Mission Australia, check out their website: www.baptistmissionaustralia.org

Groundbreaking conference connects Aussie Baptists

Groundbreaking conference connects Aussie Baptists

Hundreds gathered in hubs or as individuals for the inaugural Baptists in Mission conference, a decentralised and interactive conversation around best practices in mission.

Presented by Global Interaction and Crossover, and built on Global Interaction’s renowned Strategic Mission Week, over 40 leading thinkers and practitioners presented online from all over Australia and Global Interaction’s international locations.

Director of Crossover Australia, Pastor Andrew Turner spoke of the value of the partnership with Global Interaction.

“Australian Baptists, with a strong sense of the ‘missionary-hood of all believers’, are increasingly aware of the resource that Global Interaction is for developing our capabilities for effective mission here in Australia,” he said.

“Not only is there a sense of ‘the nations have come to us’, but also an increasing appreciation of the benefit of sound missiology in engaging born-and-bred Aussies.”

Crossover Australia, the national Baptist ministry championing evangelism, is renewing its focus on providing encouragement, training and resources that help Australian Baptists share Jesus. Their partnership with Global Interaction for this event sparked financial support from Baptist Financial Services and Baptist Insurance Services, along with the support of every state association and agency.

Andrew spoke of the significance of this nationwide support.

“[It was] a remarkable display of our ‘sleeves rolled up’ unity around our shared calling to the great mission of our great God.”

Author – Andrew Turner

Pastoral changes

Mike Bullard has concluded as the Church and Leaders Support Pastor for Baptist Churches Western Australia. April Madureira has been appointed as the Associate Pastor at The Sanctuary Community Church. Shane Kuchel has concluded as the Associate Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church and has been appointed the Senior Pastor of Mosaic Church in Queensland. Peter Christofides has concluded as the Pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church’s Coolbellup Campus and has been appointed as the Associate Pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church. Michael Christie has been appointed the Pastor of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church’s Coolbellup Campus. Mark A Wilson is concluding as the Sole Pastor of Dalkeith Baptist Church.