Heart of Mission: Recent Episodes
CMS
Heart of Mission is a podcast about God's amazing global mission. The Heart of Mission podcast is packed with valuable global mission conversation that you won't find anywhere else – hear from CMS missionaries, global mission experts, and pastors. Listen in for insightful conversation, talks, panels, live stories and more, all focussing on God's global mission. For a world that knows Jesus.
S7E06 - Chris and Stef Overhall, have been serving in Chile for seven years. They share the challenges and joys of cross-cultural ministry, from learning a new language to raising children in a foreign context. Chris discusses his work teaching theological education in Spanish through the Center for Pastoral Studies (CEP), highlighting the value of slow, humble service in gospel training.
Stef reflects on how vulnerability in language and culture has reshaped their ministry approach—slowing them down, fostering deeper relationships, and teaching them to listen and ask better questions. Through stories of friendship and discipleship with local women they reveal how everyday gospel conversations can flourish in an unfamiliar context.
They also explore shifts in Chilean society with growing secularism, stress, and spiritual hunger—and how the local church continues to hold out Christ. This episode offers a moving glimpse of faithful mission shaped by dependence, long-term investment, and the transforming power of God’s word.
S7E05 - Meet David and Jenny, serving with CMS in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite the region’s ongoing conflict, instability, and poverty, they paint a picture of vibrant faith, rich community, and deep thankfulness among the Congolese people.
Jenny shares her ministry with women—widows and church groups—where relationships, prayer, and practical service flourish even amidst hardship. Learning Swahili, she now teaches on the character of God to help ground women's heartfelt cries in biblical truth. David focuses on training church leaders and evangelists, bringing clarity around the gospel of grace in a context shaped by legalism and spiritual fear.
They reflect on challenges—security risks, navigating cultural expectations, and language barriers—and the joys of seeing hearts transformed by God's Word. Their story is one of long-term faithfulness, humility, and a willingness to serve where the needs are great.
The episode offers a glimpse into life and ministry in the DRC and invites others to consider joining the work. With over half the population under 16 years old and churches full of young people, the opportunities are wide open—and the harvest is plentiful.
S7E04 - For the past 15 years, Ben and his wife Sally have been living and serving among Muslim communities in South-West Sydney—sharing the hope of Jesus and walking alongside believers from Muslim backgrounds. In this episode, Ben shares some incredible stories from his ministry, showing how God is at work in unexpected ways - through refugee movements, the internet, and everyday friendships - drawing Muslims to Himself, often over many years.
Ben talks honestly about just how long and challenging that journey can be for many Muslims. He encourages us to approach these friendships with patience, grace, and a deep trust that God is always at work—even when we can’t see it.
Ben highlights about the deep identity struggles many believers from Muslim backgrounds face, and the vital role that church communities can play in welcoming, loving, and including them. Ben also shares a challenge for the wider church: there’s a huge need to focus more prayer and mission efforts on reaching Muslim communities.
Drawing from his own experience, both in Sydney and in the Middle East, Ben offers godly wisdom on loving Muslim friends with sensitivity, compassion, and long-term faithfulness.
S7E03 - Kellie Nicholas, has served for over 13 years with KGK, Japan’s IFES-affiliated student movement. Kellie shares about the joys and challenges of student ministry in Japan, where many students have never seen a bible or heard of Jesus beyond vague Western Christmas references, even confusing him with Santa.
There is a long, relational nature of evangelism in Japan, where spiritual journeys often take years or even decades. Kellie explains the unique dynamics of university ministry, where student groups are small, spread across multiple campuses, and led by students themselves. She shares stories of people coming to faith, including a woman whose journey began when her husband became a Christian after being inspired by Elvis’ gospel songs.
This conversation highlights the importance of patient, long-term ministry, cultural sensitivity, and faithful prayer. Listeners are encouraged to pray for student leaders, new friendships, and perseverance in a culture where spirituality exists, but conversion to Christianity is slow and complex.
S7E02 - Tim and Olivia Mulherin share their life and ministry at Mercy Medical Center (MMC), Christian hospital in Cambodia. MMC has the dual purpose of training Cambodian Christian doctors and providing holistic, gospel-hearted healthcare. Through mentorship, spiritual care, and medical training, they are empowering local doctors, and their families, to have strong faith and leadership skills.
Hear how an unexpected health crisis meant that Tim had to become a patient himself and he was able to experience deep care from the very doctors he mentors and trains. This was a great lesson in vulnerability and mutual dependence. Olivia shares her own reflections on this time, emphasizing the strength of local community support and the importance of accepting help.
Tim and Olivia are involved in holistic mission - where medical care, counselling, and spiritual support come together to meet deep physical and emotional needs.
S7E01 - In this episode, we sit down with long-term gospel workers Josh and Susannah Apieczonek serving in Lyon, France, to explore the complexities and joy of ministry in a post-Christian European context. After 10 years in France, they reflect on the spiritual concerns of those around them, adapting to French culture, and the unique challenges of sharing Jesus in a secular society.
France presents a context where religious faith is private and rarely discussed. Yet, beneath the surface, there’s a surprising openness—especially among young people—who are spiritually curious. Josh and Susannah share about GBU (Groupes Bibliques Universitaires), France’s university Christian movement, and its strategic role in evangelism and church leadership development. They also tell powerful stories of people coming to faith through GBU and their local church.
This episode gives a real-life picture of long-term mission in France and the hope of the gospel in places where Jesus, as Saviour and King, is not yet known.
Links:
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
S6E06 - In this episode of The Heart of Mission, we shift our focus from distant mission fields to the vibrant multicultural communities right here in Australia. With nearly a third of Australians born overseas, our neighbourhoods are filled with rich cultural and linguistic diversity—but are our churches reflecting this reality?
Mark chats with Tamara, a former CMS missionary who spent 10 years on the field with her husband and children, and now serves as a pharmacist and business owner in Adelaide’s multicultural northern suburbs. Tamara shares insights from her recent master's research on bridging language and cultural barriers in pharmacies, offering invaluable lessons for Christians seeking to connect with people from different backgrounds.
From practical tips on rephrasing language to the transformative power of kindness, Tamara unpacks the challenges and rewards of serving in diverse settings. This episode is both humbling and encouraging, as Tamara reflects on what it means to build genuine connections across cultures—whether in a pharmacy or a church. She challenges us to see the gospel opportunities right in front of us and offers hope for stepping into uncomfortable but rewarding conversations.
Whether you’re passionate about global missions, local outreach, or simply curious about serving others, this conversation will equip and inspire you to reach the nations.
Links:
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
Read more about Tamara’s research here:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1551741123000736?via%3Dihub
https://academic.oup.com/ijpp/article/31/6/601/7273698
S6E05 - Meet Daniel, Tamie and Michelle – three Mission Mobilisers from three different CMS branches - all deeply invested in journeying with people as they consider their role in God’s global mission. Considering mission service can seem daunting, but in this episode Daniel, Tamie and Michelle seek to share their life, clarify the inquiry process, and show us what sort of people CMS is looking for.
Our panel also tackles concerns missionary inquirers have - like financial stability, language barriers, and the potential impact on family life. They emphasize that trust in God as central to every Christian’s life (at home or on the mission field) and reliance on Him brings blessings, personal growth, and joy, even during difficulties like water shortages or language struggles. They also discuss the robust pastoral care provided by CMS, which ensures missionaries and their families are supported, enabling them to flourish. And they share their experience of the many fulfilling aspects of missions, from unique life experiences, such as safaris and cultural immersion, to the profound privilege of being part of God's global work.
Mobilising new missionaries is a partnership, requiring us to seek where the Spirit is at work within our own lives, our churches and where the needs are around the world. For more resources or to connect with a mobiliser in your area, visit the CMS website or contact your local CMS branch.
Links:
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
S6E04 - Malcolm and Leanne open up about the "second window of availability"—that phase when God throws up new opportunities, even when they may seem impractical. They share their early stirrings towards mission work, the preparation required to go overseas, and the challenges of adjusting to a vastly different culture and learning a new language in their fifties.
They also discuss the joys they've encountered, including helping to establish a locally led Bible college that serves as a gospel light to the community. The Bible college has a pivotal role in developing leaders for a growing Christian population, many of whom come from regions with limited access to formal theological education. Leanne also shares about her role in teaching English to students, helping them access resources and further studies that will allow them to continue strengthening their churches and communities.
Whether you’re considering cross-cultural mission work now or simply love hearing stories of faith and resilience, Malcolm and Leanne's journey provides inspiration, insight, and a powerful reminder that age doesn’t disqualify you from living out a life of purpose and mission when Christ is at the centre.
Links:
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
S6E03 - Many parents grapple with the question of whether they should they take their children overseas as missionary kids (MKs)? Is it responsible to uproot them from their home culture, away from family, to a place that may have limited medical care, educational opportunities, or stability? What does it really mean to raise a "Third Culture Kid" (TCK), and how does this impact their identity and future?
Our guests today, Maaike Prins and her daughter, Esther, share their personal experiences as a family who spent 17 years serving as missionaries in Cambodia. Maaike and her husband felt called to the mission field, even with a young daughter in tow. Esther, now a young adult, reflects on growing up in Cambodia, attending international schools, and navigating the complexities of being a TCK—living between cultures but fully belonging to neither.
The episode also explores the role of international schools designed specifically for MKs, with a focus on Hope International School in Phnom Penh, where Maaike played a leadership role. These schools aim to provide a supportive environment for MKs, helping families stay on the field long-term.
For educators considering a global mission experience, Maaike offers insights into the profound impact they can have by teaching at these international schools. Esther adds her perspective on the importance of the community these schools provide for missionary kids helping them navigate the complexities of their identity and life transitions.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply interested in the intersection of faith, mission, and family life, this episode offers a nuanced look at the costs, challenges, and rich rewards of raising children in the mission field.
Links:
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
S6E02 - How much focus on global missions is too much? As followers of Christ, we're called to engage in local communities while also embracing God's global purpose. But how do we strike the right balance between local and global mission in our everyday lives and ministries?
Rowan Kemp is a long-serving staff team leader of the Evangelical Union (EU) at Sydney University. Rowan, who has spent decades shaping the hearts and minds of university students toward both local and global mission, brings invaluable insights from his experiences. He shares how his own journey into global mission was sparked at a young age. This early exposure fostered a love for God's worldwide mission that now fuels his leadership at the university.
During the conversation, Rowan outlines nine key principles for promoting a global mission mindset at the local level (see below). He explains the importance of setting a ministry horizon that goes beyond our immediate context, thinking globally while leading by example. Rowan also stresses the need for clear theological thinking about global missions, ensuring that it’s not just an obligation but a joyful response to God's love.
This episode will challenge and inspire leaders, church members, and anyone with a heart for missions to think deeply about how to raise up workers for God’s global harvest while maintaining a vibrant local ministry. Whether you're just beginning to explore global missions or looking for ways to encourage others to think beyond their local context, Rowan's practical advice and experiences will provide a helpful roadmap.
Tune in as we discuss how you can nurture a global heart right where you are!
Nine key principles for promoting a global mission mindset at the local level – listen to hear how Rowan explains and uses these:
1.Set ministry horizon
2.Lead by example
4.Theological clarity
5.Language to capture the vision
6.Empower some champions
6.Embed global mission into regular program
7.Increase firsthand exposure
8.Praise God for the wins
9.Failure is your friend
Links: If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au
S6E1 - In this powerful episode of Heart of Mission, we sit down with Mila who has been serving in the Middle East for the past six years. Mila shares the challenges, blessings, and lessons learned from her time working among refugees in a region deeply affected by conflict. Through her work as both a medical professional and a disciple-maker, she has gained a unique perspective on the intersection of faith, suffering, and compassion.
In a Muslim-majority region, Mila has learned to guide people through Bible stories and engage them in a journey that starts with curiosity and moves toward a life of faith. We learn about Ruth and Naomi, two Muslim women, with whom Mila has been able to read the Bible and what it looks like see God at work amongst Muslim women and their families. Mila talks about the cultural challenge of weakness and vulnerability being viewed as shameful, but how they also lie at the heart of the gospel and need to be shared! Suffering and grief are all around Mila, yet through it she has remained hopeful, believing that God is at work even in the darkest of places calling for a life of dependence.
Links:
Sign-up to partner with Mila through prayer or financial giving by going to https://cms.org.au/missionaries/miqq
If you are interested in serving with or supporting CMS find out more at www.cms.org.au.
"Once upon a time..." Stories are a staple part of childhood; whether true or made up, they capture and grow our imaginations and bring joy and - at times - challenges to our worldview. The Bible itself is full of stories that contribute to the overarching story of God in action in our world. How can missionaries tell this better story effectively? Is it a necessary skill for evangelism?
David Williams is Director of Training and Development for CMS at St Andrew’s Hall, in Melbourne, where missionaries attend a six-month training course before being sent out. One of the components of the training course is in Bible Storytelling.
Bible Storytelling is powerful and accessible; able to reach people with limited literacy and with a preference for oral learning (think watching a Youtube instructional video rather than reading a manual!). The best Bible Storytellers, says David, tell stories in a way that’s “simple, accurate, and memorable”. They can then transition from the story to a conversation.
And it’s not just a helpful skill on the overseas mission field – with Australians become less and less familiar with Bible stories, and less and less curious about God – Bible storytelling has enormous potential to pique interest and curiosity for someone with a secular background.
Resources mentioned:
Telling the Gospel through Story – Christine Dillon
Reimagining Apologetics – Justin Bailey
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S5E6-Frances Cook first arrived in Chile in 1988 with little theological education, and no Spanish whatsoever. Now, 35 years later, she is on her final Home Assignment as a CMS missionary. For many of those years she was teaching the at the Anglican Diocese Centre of Pastoral Studies (CEP) where she has seen whole generations of clergy pass through to be trained. From humble beginnings, the CEP has brought unity in the Chilean Anglican church and laid a foundation for bible-based ministry.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S5E5-Ten years is a long time. So, how do our missionaries stay supported for the long-term? How do we know what opportunities there are across the world so we can place missionaries? Well, it’s because every year our missionaries have an in-person pastoral visit from their Regional Mission Director who spends time on the ground supporting missionaries but also having eyes and ears for what is going on locally. Today we draw back the curtain on the agency support our missionaries are given.
Micah Taylor was a missionary kid, he went on to serve with his own family as a missionary and now, after all that experience, is a is a CMS Regional Mission Director. His role key to helping missionaries stay on location long-term as they face many complex personal and ministry situations. Micah gets to see the local ministry context, share in the joys and frustrations of ministry on location and help find resources and care when missionaries need it. While mission work can be lonely, missionaries with CMS, are not alone.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S5E4 - God is at work in the Middle East and L has been part of that story for decades. Nearly 40 years ago, he and his wife packed up their lives and the kids and stepped out in faith and obedience to head to the Middle East. L has seen how God opens doors and hearts to bring people to himself in some of the most gospel poor and restricted places in the world.
When they returned to Australia, L and his wife then became a teachers and mentors at St Andrew’s Hall (CMS’s training facility) to train up the next generation of missionaries for cross cultural ministry. And now ... he’s headed back to the Middle East. This time by himself, after the passing of his wife, to join a team who are bringing healing, care and hope to refugees. L is using his years of experience and time in retirement to serve and to keep pushing those doors open to see where God is working.
Find out more about supporting L at www.cms.org.au/missionaries/l
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
Resource mentioned: Tom and Joann Doyle “Women Who Risk”
S5E3 - Kylie Zietsch is the Women’s Dean and member of the teaching staff at Johannesburg Bible College (JBC) in South Africa. She opens our eyes to the ministry and lives of women training at JBC. Women who have a profound impact to bring healing and hope to their communities and who are serving God in extraordinary ways.
Kylie never saw herself as an academic, but with a background in teaching and a love for people and ministry done well in context, she has found her place at JBC. She shows us how deeply practical theological education is and how God meets people where they are at and uses them for His kingdom purposes.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
To partner with Kylie go to https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/zietschk
S5E2 - The Jacobsons love Cambodia – they have been many times over the past 10 years. What started as visiting missionary friends for five weeks turned into many regular visits with their kids. Now Maurice and Amanda are long-term CMS missionaries at a rural bible college in the north of Cambodia. This Tasmanian farming couple have traded in cold grassy pastures for humid rice paddies. But their heart to see the gospel grow and ability to come alongside and serve has remained the same.
Elim Bible College is a low literacy bible college discipling and growing young people in both the Bible and sustainable farming practices. Join us as Maurice and Amanda share why they kept going back to Cambodia, give us insight into the effects of the Pol Pot regime on Christianity and farming, and tell us how students are reaching their communities to build the local church.
Find out more about supporting Maurice & Amanda at www.cms.org.au/missionaries/jacobsonma
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S5E1 - Welcome back to season 5! We are kicking off with someone who is a ‘not yet’ missionary. M is currently studying at St Andrews Hall, CMS’s mission training facility in Melbourne, to go and serve in a secure location among Muslim peoples. M has a heart for the gospel-poor and speaks candidly about his journey into mission, singleness, risk and potential danger and how God has encouraged him along the way.
Amongst the uncertainty of location and what ministry and mission will look like M shows us what it means to walk in step with God and his leading. In the location M is seeking to go relationships and trust can take a long-time to form. Find out how M’s training is preparing him for the long-term and how he is goes out, not alone, but in the care of CMS and in partnership with many.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
To partner with M go to https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maxs
S4E6 - T works with some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Children, orphaned, and with disabilities in an Asian country that has not historically had any provision or place for them. It’s been a 20 year journey for T - being a voice and advocate for the most vulnerable at a systemic level, a trainer and teacher as a team has developed, and quite literally the hands of Jesus as T has nurtured and cared for so many children. God’s heart for the vulnerable and forgotten people of this world shines through T and her husband, D’s, work in both Asia and Australia.
There is so much to learn from T as she shares her personal experiences as well as how the gospel has shaped her life and mission. T has seen God do the seemingly impossible to change the lives of these incredibly loved but vulnerable kids.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S4E5 - A foundational experience in Greg’s faith and ministry was the months he spent in his 20s living in a remote Aboriginal community in central Arnhem Land. He was there to study traditional Aboriginal music as he pursued a career in music therapy. But he also encountered a community alive in the Spirit and fervent in worship as they met every night to share testimonies, read the bible, sing and pray. God was at work in the Top End and Greg wanted to join in.
Greg has an immense amount of personal and ministry history working with Aboriginal churches and communities as well as supporting the development of Christian leaders. Many communities have their own rich Christian identity, but are gospel fragile, as they lack resourcing and consistent support. Join Greg as he talks about his passion to see the Aboriginal church thrive and build on the foundations of gospel growth.
Contact Greg through the Anglican Diocese of the Northern Territory webpage www.ntanglican.org.au or email admin@ntanglican.org.au
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S4E4 - The average student in Argentina takes 8-9 years to graduate. Unlike the sprint of most uni ministries of only 3-4 years, Martin and Julie Field have been able to see God at work, disciple and minister with students for a significant portion of their young adult life. While the Catholic church in Argentina in is decline and evangelical Christianity is on the rise, but it has not been without its own conflict and political confusion. This is a real challenge for cross-cultural ministry to navigate where you long to see the local church and leadership take on its own unique Christ-centered identity, but you also want rich theological truths to not be compromised.
When gospel ministry and deep relationships hurt how do you trust God and remain faithful? Martin shares the complexity of walking with a ministry in conflict and how Jesus provided a way forward during this for both his family and the uni ministry.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S4E3 - With over 30 years in South Asia, Bruce and Libby have seen closed doors open through fervent, persistent prayer.
They have been privileged to witness three decades of incredible growth through discipleship and prayer.
Bruce and Libby have also witnessed that changing shape of mission from expats leading hospitals and NGO’s to locals now in leadership positions. Bruce expanded his training from the medical field as a GP to include a Masters of Divinity so that he could support the local church by mentoring and discipleship of key leaders in the church.
The key to Bruce and Libby’s longevity has been their openness to seek God’s leading on where to go, what to do, and how long to go for, all while their character and growth in Jesus shapes their witness to non-Christians around them.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S4E2 - “The gospel is the greatest thing we can give.” Adam and Avril were given a real sense of God’s calling to cross-cultural mission after a short-term medical mission trip to Bolivia early in their marriage. They then set the trajectory of serving in the Spanish speaking world while studying at Bible College, maybe South America? Spain? … No! God put on their hearts Madagascar, the tiny East African island nation which has seen a revival with thousands coming to Christ.
With so many young Christians and churches there are many threats to the gospel and the health of the church in Madagascar – poverty, drought, Islam, animism … So, Adam and Avril seek to go and serve by helping to encourage and develop godly, biblically-sound local leadership to grow this generation of Malagasy Christians and the next.
Join us for season 4 and hear how God is working through faithful Christians for His kingdom purposes in Madagascar … and beyond.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S4E1 - Amongst the action of God transforming lives and the world is where Arthur and Tamie Davis found themselves in Tanzanian university ministry. After 10 ½ years in Tanzania they share how mission has been an immense privilege, expanding their own faith and worldview, and giving God the opportunity to bring about rich relationships and opportunities for gospel growth.
Arthur reflects on how partnering long-term with TAFES leaders meant he could work with them towards making student ministry sustainable and effective in new ways. While Tamie was able to complete her PhD on TAFES women and their theology and has rich insight into the deep faith and sophisticated theology of African Christianity.
Other topics they cover are:
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Tolerating ambiguity when working cross-culturally
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Understanding the prosperity gospel and poverty
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Paying attention to how the Holy Spirit is working
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Their amazing journey into mission
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God’s empowerment and provision for them and their children over the past 10 years
Join us for the start of season 4 and hear how God is working through faithful Christians for His kingdom purposes in Tanzania … and beyond.
Acronyms
ES – Evangelical Students (local student group)
AFES – Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students
IFES – International Fellowship of Evangelical Students
TAFES – Tanzanian Fellowship of Evangelical Students
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
How do we work our way through different faith backgrounds to the truth that sets us free? How do we hold out hope and share our faith without descending into arguments? How do we overcome our own ideas of what a conversion experience should look like and actually enter into, not one or two, but years of conversations?
Richard Shumack lives in Sydney and is the Director for the Arthur Jeffery Centre for the Study of Islam at Melbourne School of Theology.
Richard has lived and worked for many years among Muslim communities where he developed his passion for helping Christians and Muslims speak constructively about faith and who Jesus is. Richard shares from his own personal experiences of engaging cross-culturally with Muslims in Australia. Where our secular friends are unable to articulate spiritual things, this is not the case for many of our Muslim neighbours who are willing to have deep conversations about their lived faith and listen to your faith too.
As we listen to Richard’s wisdom and love for Muslim people may we all be challenged to take the next step in our conversations.
Richard’s book ‘Jesus through Muslim Eyes’ explores this further.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S3E5 - Chris and Grace Adams didn’t have to go far to get to another country that, despite its geographical proximity to Australia, is deeply under-resourced in the gospel and many other ways. While the people of Timor-Leste are spiritual, it’s a spirituality that is full of uncertainty, and can result in financial ruin as well as spiritual poverty. There are many Jesuses in Timor Leste, however not many people know Jesus of the Bible. Ten years ago, Chris and Grace made a deliberate decision to live in Timor Leste because, even though it’s one of our nearest neighbours, not many missionaries were there.
Their decision has meant that more people have been equipped to preach, teach and handle God’s Word wisely, and Bible translation has gone from floundering to flourishing.
You can partner with Chris and Grace through prayer or financially - click here.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S3E4 - Anna is passionate about sharing Christ’s love and lordship over this world through creation care. She is on the cusp of going to Kenya for her first term on the mission field. Kenya is not an unfamiliar place; she grew up there watching and helping her missionary parents. So, she has seen firsthand the intersection between community poverty and environmental decline and is set to work with a local Christian ministry that seeks to educate and restore land and water resources. This is an amazing opportunity to point people to the Lord of creation and the eternal hope and care found in Him through meeting real and practical needs.
Anna also speaks candidly about her transition back to Australia as a missionary kid and journey to working out her own identity and relationship with God. She is no stranger to feeling like an outsider and wondering what culture she fits into yet in God’s kindness he has shown her all the resources he has given her to reach others.
You can partner with Anna through prayer or financially - click here.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S3E3 - Today’s episode comes from a live interview that took place at Top End Global, a CMS SANT global mission conference in Darwin. We hear from Marlene and James, two Aboriginal teachers at Nungalinya College in Darwin, helping to equip and encourage Aboriginal Christian students to walk in faith and in God’s word.
Marlene and James are a powerful witness to God’s work in Aboriginal communities. Hear them talk about the blessing and challenges of how they live as Christians in their own community and culture while also navigating white Australia.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting www.cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S3E2 - God is already powerfully at work in Africa – after all Africa is currently the centre of global Christianity. The challenge for the African church is to match gospel growth with enough godly, faithful, and well-equipped leaders to disciple this generation and be prepared for the next. Mike and Karen Roe want to be part of this movement and do this by serving in theological education at George Whitefield College in South Africa. They have a heart to train and disciple leaders who love Jesus and are soundly rooted in God’s word.
Hear Mike share about being a theological lecturer in a multicultural college and Karen share about her passion for upskilling theological teachers in adult education. They are careful to point out that the African church doesn’t need the West, but we can ask God how He would have us serve with the skills and resources he has given us. This is humble and vulnerable mission.
You can partner with Mike and Karen through prayer or financially - click here.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S3 E1: Steven and Sandra Parsons have served in Japan for 26 years! They have a lot to share about their love for Japanese people and culture. Japan is one of the least reached people groups in the world: less than 0.5% identify as Christian, local churches are small, and it can take someone 10 years to decide to follow Jesus. It is in this context that Steven and Sandra have worked faithfully alongside Japanese Christians and other missionaries to develop local ministry and have seen the Holy Spirit at work.
Steven explores how from the outside Japan appears affluent, well-educated and has embraced many things from the West, but at its heart it is Eastern, and people yearn for meaning. Japanese people hold strong convictions about their Japanese identity and religious traditions (even if they don’t believe in them), and so, it seems to many that to follow Christ is to reject being Japanese. Yet young people are coming to Christ. Churches are developing their own cultural identity, worship, and programs to reach their friends and neighbours with the good news of Jesus. Sandra and Steven have learnt a lot about trusting God when growth is slow and how obedience to God’s calling gives us strength and conviction when obstacles have come their way.
You can partner with Sandra and Steven through prayer or financially - click here for more information. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/steven-and-sandra-parsons/
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
S2E7 - Peter Rodgers has had a heart for mission since he was a child; it has shaped his whole life. For the past 11 years Peter has served as the International Director of CMS Australia and prior to this he and his family were missionaries in Indonesia for 11 years. Peter brings to us his vast knowledge and experience of mission, and what it’s meant to help raise up and send CMS missionaries.
Hear what Peter has to say about:
- His own experience of being a missionary has shaped his pastoral heart
- How mission has changed and it's future
- Qualities CMS looks for in missionaries
- Holistic mission
- His wife, Marcelle's, faithful ministry and their future plans
- How we too can foster a heart for mission and see a world that knows Jesus
If you are interested in partnering with CMS by praying or giving click here. If you’re interested in mission please contact your local branch.
S2E6 – Imagine if your church had baptism every single week. Imagine if there were non-believers in church every week genuinely wanting to know about Jesus and coming to faith. Can you?
Warwick and Caroline work in a city in the Middle East that hosts people from around 200 nations. They are part of an exciting global movement where the Holy Spirit is at work convicting hearts, quelling fear of persecution, and helping Christians take the Great Commission very seriously – both in the Middle East and as they return to their home countries.
Warwick and Caroline share with us stories of individuals transformed by grace and passionate about reaching friends. They also highlight the vital place of small groups and bible reading to mature disciples, tackle cultural barriers, and practice evangelism. Hear how we can all not only understand the Word but have confidence to speak it to others and be part of this global mission movement.
You can partner with Warwick and Caroline through prayer or financially - click here.
Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
Earlier this year Gordon was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer and prior to this he had suffered from anxiety and depression. He doesn’t see himself as an exception: he knows that suffering is common to everyone. However, his Christian hope allows him to experience the daily evidence of God’s grace and know that God has a plan for him and his family, even in the face of death. Listen to Gordon talk about how he lives a life without regret, how his suffering shapes ministry and how he is passionate about keeping lines of communication open with missionaries so we can learn to cross cultures in our own backyard. Read https://www.cms.org.au/checkpoint-blog/ (Checkpoint online) or you can subscribe to receive a posted copy by contacting your https://www.cms.org.au/contact-us/ (local branch). Read http://ingmarhingwah.blogspot.com/ (Gordon Cheng's blog.) Don’t forget to register for your local branch’s summer conference. Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting https://www.cms.org.au/ (cms.org.au) and selecting your local branch.
S2E4 – M’s love for Jesus and his engineering skills have led him all the way to majority Muslim South Asia to serve in clean water and sanitation projects (along with his wife, K, and two children). After training, preparing, going and language learning M was excited to join a locally led team to bring clean water to surrounding villages. Only his welcome wasn’t as warm as he anticipated leaving him emotionally devastated. Find out about the power of prayer that took M from the floor his apartment sobbing to gaining the trust and building life-giving relationships with his colleagues. He will challenge us to consider how vital prayer partnership is to building community and care while isolated on the mission field. While unpredictability can be disheartening, “God’s faithfulness in responding to and answering prayers” has given M and his family the encouragement needed to keep going. You can partner with M – partner in prayer by signing up to receive his partnership updates https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/m-and-k (here). If you are also in a position to partner financially, please click https://give.cms.org.au/mkqv (here). Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting http://cms.org.au (cms.org.au) and selecting your local branch.
S2E3: Did you listen to Episode 2 yet? If the answer is no, then that’s the first thing you should do after reading this sentence! Because this episode is the second half of a great interview with Maggie about her work in Southeast Asia helping girls back on their feet after they’ve been rescued from exploitation. Once you’re back you’ll be all set to fully appreciate another reference to the “purloined” Bible. You can’t help but finish this episode feeling both hopeful and challenged. Hopeful that Maggie’s organization is making a real difference as they care for the girls who are referred to them. It’s a holistic, long-term kind of care where girls are supported to get back on their feet after some awful circumstances and begin to dream about the future and rebuild their lives again. The hope is not only for an earthly transformation but also an eternal one as Maggie, along with other Christians in her workplace, are making Jesus known and making God’s Word available. You might also feel challenged as Maggie puts forward the question that prompted her steps into overseas mission (listen in to find out what that question is!). You might also consider how you can be involved in supporting mission; whether it’s in praying, giving, caring, or going. As Maggie points out, “We can’t do everything … but we can do something.” What will your something be? On that note, you can partner with Maggie – partner in prayer by signing up to receive her partnership updates https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes (here). If you are also in a position to partner financially, please click https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes (here). Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting http://cms.org.au (cms.org.au) and selecting your local branch.
S2E2 - In this episode, you’ll meet Maggie. She’ll tell you she’s nothing special – but by the end of this episode, you’ll probably disagree. You’ll hear Maggie’s faith story – which includes a “purloined” Bible, a trip to an Indian Ashram and an unexpected connection between Hong Kong and Adelaide, find out how many countries she has visited, and hear about the great need for the work she is doing in South East Asia, to rescue girls from exploitation and trafficking. While this episode covers content that can be confronting and uncomfortable, it is an important one. Please take care of yourself; don’t hesitate to reach out if you need to talk. You can always call Lifeline (13 11 14) or speak to a trusted friend. The situation may feel hopeless but take heart: the fight against exploitation is being taken seriously by governments and many not-for-profit organisations, including where Maggie is working. Stay tuned for Episode Three … You can partner with Maggie – partner in prayer by signing up to receive her partnership updates https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes (here). If you are also in a position to partner financially, please click https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes (here). Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
Whilst CMS and other mission agencies are committed to global mission and equipped to send and support workers in locations overseas, it is the Church that inherits Jesus’ commissioning of the Disciples’ to go to the nations. The sending of missionaries is a responsibility that sits with all Christians, and our leaders. So how can local churches deepen their involvement and focus on global mission? What does that look like on the ground? How might a local pastor help their congregation participate in global mission? To help think through these questions, we’ve spoken to a church pastor who is passionate about global mission - Chris Jolliffe. Chris is the pastor at Trinity Church Aldgate, in the Adelaide Hills. In this episode, Chris talks about his church’s recent focus on global mission through their series on the book of Acts, and shares practical gems about connecting with and caring for gospel workers (including swimming with cuttlefish!! Okay, maybe that’s just Chris …). Find out more about how CMS can help your church partner in global mission by visiting cms.org.au and selecting your local branch.
The Heart of Mission podcast is back, with this one-off special episode in the lead up to the CMS SANT Annual Online Dinner, on the 22nd of June 7:30pm South Australian time. https://www.cms.org.au/event/sant-annualonlinedinner-2022/?branch=sant (Click here for more information on the Annual Online Dinner.) In this special episode we meet Simon Gillham, our speaker for the upcoming Annual Online Dinner, and a former CMS missionary. Simon has been married to Margie for 28 years and together they have two adult children, Maddie and Noah. Simon and Margie have served together in local church ministries in the Hunter Valley, as CMS missionaries in Namibia, and for the last six years at Moore College where Simon is the Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Mission, in Sydney. Where did his interest in global mission come from? Why did he go overseas on cross cultural mission? What will he be sharing with us from the Bible at the Annual Online Dinner? We dig into these questions, and more...! To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here). Begin a relationship with a missionary, and partner with them today. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram) https://www.cms.org.au/news-sant/meet-the-speaker-annual-online-dinner-2022-heart-of-mission-podcast-transcript/?branch=sant (Click here to read the episode transcript)
Mission in the Future What is the future of mission? Is it different to mission in the past, or of now? What about the impact of COVID-19? Are we better equipped for mission now than ever before with modern techniques, tools and technology? In a discussion with Dr David Williams (Director of Training and Development CMS) we will unpack the future by taking a look at our current culture, and delving into the historical origins of CMS. What will it take to see a world that knows Jesus? Should we still be sending missionaries? It's an exciting discussion on mission throughout time - and God has been at work in it all! We continue learning about what life is like for Christians across the world, this time hearing from CMS SANT Gospel Worker Maggie, serving in Cambodia. She shares valuable insights into life for Christians living as a minority group and amongst cultural pressures. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes/ (Click here to partner with Maggie.) Could you GO on cross-cultural mission? Peter Sholl (Regional Mission Director, CMS Australia) lays out the pathway - right from having initial conversations all the way through to looking at specific opportunities for serving cross-culturally. It's a valuable discussion and helpful for unpacking what it might look like to consider going. https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/opportunities/ (Click here to view a list of mission opportunities with CMS.) If you're eager to think through whether you could GO on cross-cultural mission, Mark Peterson (Director CMS SANT) is eager to help talk that through. Contact the CMS SANT office at sa.nt@cms.org.au. CMS SANT Gospel Workers Arthur and Tamie Davis share their experiences of deciding to GO and serve God overseas, and an encouragement for us to take steps in considering whether it could also be us going. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/arthur-and-tamie-davis/ (Click here to partner with the Davis family.) To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here). Triple the impact of your giving - thanks to the generosity of two donors all new and increased regular giving will be matched until end of June 2022. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram)
Mission to the Unreached Who are the unreached? What is a frontier people group? What does the Bible have to say about reaching gospel poor peoples? Is this any different to sharing the gospel with our neighbours, families and friends? What does it mean to faithfully go to the unreached, while trusting that God is the one responsible for bringing people to Himself?
We tackle all these questions (and more!) in a discussion with Kristan Slack (pastor at Alice Springs Anglican). Could you GO on cross-cultural mission? Peter Sholl (Regional Mission Director, CMS Australia) discusses why mission to the unreached is important, and the need for long-term cultural understanding and building of relationships. Additionally, Peter addresses the practical HOW of going to the unreached through opportunities across the world that can engage a diverse range of skills and professions. We continue learning about what life is like for Christians across the world, this time hearing from CMS SANT Gospel Worker 'K' serving in South East Asia. She shares valuable insights into life for Christians in a collectivist culture. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/k2/ (Click here to partner with K) To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here). Triple the impact of your giving - thanks to the generosity of two donors all new and increased regular giving will be matched until end of June 2022. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram)
Should we still be sending missionaries? Why send missionaries when... Technology allows us to connect globally, Globalisation means that people are coming to us, Mission sounds outdated and there is so much bad history connected with colonialism, Local churches can minister to their own culture, There are so many people right here who need to hear about Jesus
We tackle all these questions (and more!) in another panel discussion filled with global mission expertise and experience. As mentioned by Peter Sholl (Regional Mission Director, CMS Australia), Checkpoint articles written by Gospel Workers on the fruit of mission are a great resource for going deeper into understanding global mission. Gospel Workers write these articles with a perspective of long-term cultural understanding. https://www.cms.org.au/sant/contact-us/ (Click here to contact CMS SANT) and arrange a quarterly subscription to Checkpoint magazine, orhttps://www.cms.org.au/checkpoint-blog/ ( click here to read the articles online.) We continue learning about what life is like for Christians across the world, this time hearing from CMS SANT Gospel Workers Arthur and Tamie Davis serving in Tanzania. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/arthur-and-tamie-davis/ (Click here to partner with the Davis family.) Could you GO on cross-cultural mission? There are plenty of opportunities across the world, and Peter Sholl shares on opportunities for equipping Christian leaders. The CMS SANT partnership essentials are pray, care, give and go - and we will dig deeper into one of these each episode. In this episode we learn more about what it looks like to care for Gospel Workers, as we hear from K working in South East Asia answer the question of 'what does care mean to her on the field?' https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/k2/ (Click here to partner with K) To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here) .Triple the impact of your giving - thanks to the generosity of two donors all new and increased regular giving will be matched until end of June 2022. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram)
In this episode of the Heart of Mission podcast series we unpack ‘Vulnerable Mission’, including what that means, what it looks like and why it is important for cross-cultural mission. We are excited to have a panel filled with global mission expertise and experience to discuss vulnerable mission and help us understand it better theoretically and practically in action. Our panel includes both current and former CMS SANT Gospel Workers, and Dr David Williams, the Director of Training and Development for CMS at St Andrew’s Hall in Melbourne. We will also hear from CMS SANT Gospel Worker Frances Cook, serving in Chile, on what life is like for Christians in Chile and how God is at work in his world. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/frances-cook/ (Click here to partner with Frances.) The CMS SANT partnership essentials are pray, care, give and go - and we will dig deeper into one of these each episode. Starting with prayer, CMS SANT Gospel Worker Maggie Crewes, serving in Cambodia, shares a long list of prayers that God has answered. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/maggie-crewes/ (Click here to partner with Maggie.) Read more on the topic of vulnerable mission with recommendations from our panel: https://www.amazon.com.au/Are-Not-Hero-Missionary%C2%92s-Dependency/dp/1937756459 (Jean Johnson - We are not the hero ) https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Practice-Vulnerable-Mission-Appraisal/dp/1610979443 (Jim Harries “Theory to practice in Vulnerable Mission: An academic appraisal”) https://www.koorong.com/product/when-helping-hurts-how-to-alleviate-poverty-without_9780802457066?gclid=Cj0KCQjwwLKFBhDPARIsAPzPi-JDVGf4O0fB5UposHFoif0ESxepToUAQpYqbBmPoaQRxR6PEw7ATiEaAjs4EALw_wcB#product-tabs (Corbett and Fikkert “When helping hurts: how to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor… and yourself”) To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here). Triple the impact of your giving - thanks to the generosity of two donors all new and increased regular giving will be matched until end of June 2022. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram) To read the full episode transcript https://www.cms.org.au/news-sant/29312/?branch=sant (click here)
In our first episode in the Heart of Mission podcast series, we unpack ‘Mission to the Nations’, with a talk from the Bible on the book of Isaiah from Dr Chris Fresch from Bible College SA and hearing from our Gospel Workers serving Christ cross-culturally, and what mission to the nations looks like where they are serving and living. Malcolm and Ainsley Purdey and their four children are preparing to head to Santiago in Chile to serve at a Bible College, known as the CEP. Hear from them about how preparations are going, and how you can get involved in supporting them as they undertake this ministry, serving for a world that knows Jesus. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/malcolm-and-ainsley-purdey/ (Click here to partner with the Purdey family.) Listen in to hear from Mike and Karen Roe on life, church and ministry, as they serve in South Africa at George Whitefield College. They share what is the first of many insights to come about what life is like for the Christians in the nations where CMS SANT Gospel Workers are serving. https://www.cms.org.au/missionaries/mike-and-karen-roe/ (Click here to partner with the Roe family.) To find out more about CMS SANT missionaries and how you can get involved in supporting them and God's global mission https://www.cms.org.au/sant/get-involved/partner-with-sant-workers/ (click here). Triple the impact of your giving - thanks to the generosity of two donors all new and increased regular giving will be matched until end of June 2022. Connect with us on social media: https://www.facebook.com/cmssant (Facebook) https://www.instagram.com/cms.sant/?hl=en (Instagram) To read the full episode transcript https://www.cms.org.au/news-sant/heart-of-mission-podcast-episode-1-transcript/?branch=sant (click here)
Heart of Mission, the podcast that was to be a conference. Summer Conference may be cancelled, but let's continue investing in how God is at work globally. In this five episode series we'll explore the question 'should we still be sending missionaries?', hearing from our speakers and CMS SANT Gospel Workers serving cross-culturally. Listen in weekly from the 31st of January for insightful conversation, talks, panels, live stories and more, all focussing on God's global mission. For a world that knows Jesus.