Over 600 people attended the 2013 South Pacific and Australia Regional Conference this past September 27-29 in Sydney, Australia! It was an incredible weekend of encouraging fellowship, inspiring prayer, and life-changing lessons. Angel and Luz Martinez came from the Dominican Republic to guest speak for the Conference. God used them in a powerful way to preach the word to the entire region. The SPA Region is so grateful to be connected with disciples from around the world. This Conference was just a microcosm of all the amazing things God has been doing in the South Pacific.For example, in the past two years 17 brothers and sisters have been hired to work full time in the ministry. The SPA Region has gone from 13 to 30 disciples working full time in the ministry in just two short years! The region has also grown in baptizing and raising up local leaders as the Fiji Church recently hired a local couple to work in the ministry and the Brisbane Church recently hired campus interns from the University of Queensland. God has used the Staff to bless the churches with growth and unity.
More specifically, this December the Melbourne Church is sending Jon and Dani Lucas to Western Australia to lead the Perth Church of Christ. It will mark the first time in several years the Perth Church has had full time leadership. There was an emotional send off at the recent Conference, and the disciples in the South Pacific are so grateful for the Lucas' heart to go back into the full time ministry.
Dave and Megan Bliley recently moved to from Virginia to New Zealand to lead the church in Auckland. This also marks the first time in several years that the Aukland Church has had full time staff. The church is already growing in unity, strength, and numbers!
The SPA Region has also made significant efforts to support the growth and training of young nationals throughout the region. A new Ministry Training Program was recently implemented in Australiaunder the return of Mike and Terrie Fontenotcalled the South Pacific School of Missions. Disciples from all over the the region are being trained in Biblical history, theological knowledge, and leadership skills. God is already using the School of Missions to impact the young leaders around the region.
Finally, the Sydney Church has been encouraged in a great way by the service and hearts of the One Year Challenge participants. Seven disciples from different churches around the United States made the decision to come to Sydney in January 2013 to sacrifice a year of their lives and dedicate it to serving the church in an incredible way. All of the One Year Challenge participants have had a huge impact on the church, serving with the teen ministry, campus ministry, and singles ministry. The Sydney Church has had multiple baptisms in every single ministry this year --Teens, Campus, Singles, and Marrieds.
Overall, God is working in amazing ways in the South Pacific and Australian Churches. It is exciting to see Him changing so many hearts, and transforming the lives of so many people. It will be incredible to see all the great things God will continue to do over the next several years as we aim to reach more cities and islands throughout the region! Please pray for us as we strive to change the world by showing people the love of Jesus.
Come join us in the South Pacific!