the real australian - The Bush Church Aid Society

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Councillors Column Dear BCA Friends, One of the challenges facing ministry in the Diocese of Sydney (where I work) is the need to reach people from a variety of cultural backgrounds. This phenomena of cross-cultural ministry is also affecting BCA Field Staff working in remote areas of Australia. For example Gary and Nikki Alexander working in the Diocese of North West Australia in Kununurra at the Anglican Church have found that the church is finding new opportunities to reach people from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they move to town to find work. Nikki is running 2 English as a Second Language class. There have been people from South Korea, Estonia and Thai, as well as other countries attend these groups. She has been able to teach English using the Bible and share about Jesus. How exciting! Another ministry couple is Dale and Rachel Barclay from Sunraysia South Anglican Parish in the Diocese of Bendigo in Victoria. They are seeing the parish become increasingly multi-cultural as people from Tonga and South Sudan have joined the church. The vision of BCA is Australia for Christ and as the context of Australian society 26 SPRING 2013 changes BCA is seeking the Lord for Gospel workers who will be willing to work in increasingly multi-cultural contexts. This means that we are praying that God will raise up people from a variety of cultural groups who will be well trained theologically and have experience and skills in reaching people in the bush who increasingly come from diverse and different ethnic groups. Not only has the world come to urban Australia it has also come to remote, regional and rural Australia. The Gospel message of Jesus’ death on the Cross for our sin doesn’t change and BCA is always seeking to understand the context in which the Gospel is lived and preached so that our mission strategy is appropriate to reach the variety of people we encounter. This is missionary work on home soil. It is exciting as we seek to work towards the vision of Revelation 7 where heaven will be full of people from every tribe, language and nation group as they respond to the Gospel of Jesus. BCA has embraced this vision and I would ask that you continue to pray for us and support us financially. David O’Mara BCA Councillor
From the Archives For all the marks of mission penned over the years, the lines of mission statements formulated by councils and committees, the motto of the Society, “Australia for Christ” encompasses them all. For nearly 100 years the motto has given those who went forth and those who supported the focus, the reason, and the goal of what the Society was on about. I don’t think there was much time spent in coming up with those three words. The corresponding NSW committee of the Colonial and Continental Church Society (affectionately known as Col & Con) seemed to just accept the motto without much discussion back in the early 1900’s. It seemed logical to them that if the Col & Con was seeking to bring Christ to the British Empire and that they had reached a point when the Australian sector of that work should go it alone as a new entity, then their motto should be just like Col & Con’s which was “ Empire for Christ”. ‘Australia for Christ’ is clear, straight forward, hardly ever challenged. It gives a base line for the work of mission. Back in 1929 Noel Rook, writing about the BCA work at Penong and outlying districts, reminded the Real Australian readers that to the folk in that far flung dusty place on the Great Australian Bight, “the BCA representative comes with a message of comfort and cheer, bidding them wipe from their brow the sweat and dust of toil, and in Christ’s quiet strength again be made strong.” In those days Rook described a mission outreach journey in these terms, “The road that has no end now terminates at some homely cottage, or your journey is punctuated by a crude school-house, a queer old battered landmark that belongs to past years, where a band of faithful Christians congregate to pay homage to their King, …the divine companion.” RA No 34 June 1929 p5 ‘Australia for Christ’ happens as individual people come to Jesus and acknowledge him as Lord, it always has and always will. • Brian Roberts Hon Archivist VALE Clem Kirkby We give thanks and praise for the life of Clem Kirkby who passed away on 7 th August, aged 94. The son of BCA founding missioner, Bishop Sydney James Kirkby, Clem was BCA’s honorary archivist for more than 20 years and faithfully organised the historical records on his weekly visits to the National Office. Clem was a gentle, godly man – himself part of the BCA story. A great encouragement to everyone, Clem was honoured at a BCA Farewell just 12 months ago.• the real australian 27
Page 1 and 2: SPRING 2013 the real australian Und
Page 3 and 4: Editorial During a recent visit to
Page 5 and 6: Many games and fun were also had du
Page 7 and 8: A number of Nomads recently visited
Page 9 and 10: Bibles featuring an article by him
Page 11 and 12: A gathering of one of the early Mai
Page 13 and 14: Open Gate and the Mental Health Fir
Page 15 and 16: BCA Staff also joined Rich to suppo
Page 17 and 18: A group from Mount Kembla in Winton
Page 19 and 20: Tracks Of Grace BCA supported minis
Page 21 and 22: April Bottom Scholarship 2014 Hayle
Page 23 and 24: Celebrating BCA’s birthday in App
Page 25: Avril and Barry Luke works at the O
Page 29 and 30: 2 new Christmas Cards Aboriginal de
Page 31 and 32: Response Form Personal details Revd
Page 33 and 34: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! God bless all of
Page 35: I WANT TO BE A MEMBER OF BCA FOR KI

the real australian - The Bush Church Aid Society

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