ABOUT US
We are missionaries to Adelaide with the international organisation, Power To Change (CRU Global). We are part of the Church Movement strategy and have spent the last decade helping the Adelaide Church be the Church in the everyday stuff of life.
As missionaries with Power to Change, we are freed up to create spaces and opportunities for everyday people to experience the life of Jesus.
One of the ways this is seen is through the Gathered.Church, a diverse family of kingdom families spread around Adelaide, living lives that demand gospel explinations.
THE HARD TRUTH:
According to an extensive survey by Barna in 2019*, they found that Australia (and similarly NZ) had a massively disproportionate amount of people leaving the church (compared to global stats).
* BARNA RESEARCH GROUP - "The Connected Generation: Australia and New Zealand Report" 2019
So many followers of Jesus are becoming wandering sons and daughters, disconnected and unsure where or how they fit into God's Kingdom plans.
In that same report, almost two-thirds of Australians said "faith is very important" and that they are "actively working on growing their faith".
In that same report, almost two-thirds of Australians said "faith is very important" and that they are "actively working on growing their faith".
Yet, over half said they couldn't care less about religion and went as far as saying Religion is actually "harmful" to people, and a "detriment to society".
WHAT DO WE DO WITH THESE CULTURAL POLARIZED VIEWS COMBINED WITH STRUCTURES THAT LEAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS DISCONNECTED?
To connect and reach a Post-Christian world, we have to think outside of the box, differently to what has worked in the past. The answer isn't, "we just need to plant more churches". What we need is training and examples around how to BE the church.
The Gathered Church is one of the ways we seek to answer the cultural moment we find ourselves in, specifically here in Adelaide.
As "Gathered Ones" (Ekklesia), we gather regularly in homes, parks and around tables, seeing each member of the body participate and play a part. We focus on training believers and not-yet-believers to Connect with Jesus and Builds them up in the truth and ways of the Kingdom, so as Ambassadors they can eventually be Sent to do the same.
Just like the shepherd who gladly leaves the 99 to find the wandering sheep, there is a need for us to leave what we are used to (28%) in order to find the wandering sons and daughters (72%).
And as missionaries with Power To Change, we are freed up not only to gather with those who are drifting but also those who may never enter a religious service. We get to enjoy God together and point one another to Jesus.
With the Gathered Church, we create regular spaces and opportunities for everyday people to experience Jesus.
And as missionaries with Power To Change, we are freed up not only to gather with those who are drifting but also those who may never enter a religious service. We get to enjoy God together and point one another to Jesus.
With the Gathered Church, we create regular spaces and opportunities for everyday people to experience Jesus.
THINGS WE ARE LOVING
READ
What a Great Book! These two women know their stuff.
What a Great Book! These two women know their stuff.
LISTEN
Loving Jonathan Ogden's relaxed, indie worship music.
Loving Jonathan Ogden's relaxed, indie worship music.
WATCH
A cool, mainstream movie with a clear gospel message.
A cool, mainstream movie with a clear gospel message.
APP
Updated and even better! PAUSE App by John Eldredge
Updated and even better! PAUSE App by John Eldredge
TOGETHER IS BETTER
JOIN OUR TEAM OF GOSPEL PATRONS WHO ARE PRAYING AND FINANCIALLY PARTNERING WITH US.
JOIN OUR TEAM OF GOSPEL PATRONS WHO ARE PRAYING AND FINANCIALLY PARTNERING WITH US.
Gospel Patron?
Behind all great kingdom movements of God, stand a few generous women and men faithfully praying and generously providing for those on the front line. They were known as Gospel Patrons. These were the part of the Body who enabled the apostles and first missionaries to be sent and to live from day to day. They weren't simply "supporting"... they were crucial and integral partners in the work.
There were at least 3 (named) women who generously supported Jesus' day-to-day life, opening doors and fueling his ministry. Their names were Mary, Joanna and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3). And from the earliest days of the church, women and men funded and cared for those who burned to see cultures transformed and nations reached through the Good News of Jesus. Throughout history, time after time, God worked wonders with these partnerships. Often unknown or unseen, but equal in every way with those whose names many recall.
Here are a few examples...
1. William Tyndale changed the course of history by producing the first translation of the English Bible.
But he did not do this by himself... Humphrey Monmouth was a wealthy cloth merchant who funded Tyndale, strategized with him and even smuggled Bibles back into hostile England. Without him, history may have looked very different.
But he did not do this by himself... Humphrey Monmouth was a wealthy cloth merchant who funded Tyndale, strategized with him and even smuggled Bibles back into hostile England. Without him, history may have looked very different.
2. George Whitefield's saw a sleeping revived by the gospel.
But he was not alone... Lady Huntingdon used her connections and societal status to provide Whitfield with a powerful preaching platform reaching Britain’s elite and allowing 80% of the American colonies to hear the gospel. Together, they fueled The Great Awakening.
But he was not alone... Lady Huntingdon used her connections and societal status to provide Whitfield with a powerful preaching platform reaching Britain’s elite and allowing 80% of the American colonies to hear the gospel. Together, they fueled The Great Awakening.
3. John Newton played a major role in shaping England’s future church leaders, missionaries, and equipping everyday Christians (William Wilberforce being one of them).
But he had a partner in this... one of the wealthiest businessmen in all of England, John Thornton. He funded the printing of the first 1,000 books of Newton’s “Amazing Grace”, affecting millions throughout the centuries. Their partnership helped raise up two generations of preachers and shape the political and spiritual future of their nation.
But he had a partner in this... one of the wealthiest businessmen in all of England, John Thornton. He funded the printing of the first 1,000 books of Newton’s “Amazing Grace”, affecting millions throughout the centuries. Their partnership helped raise up two generations of preachers and shape the political and spiritual future of their nation.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND, WE ARE NOT SAYING WE'RE LIKE JESUS, THE ORIGINAL APOSTLES OR THOSE WHO CHANGED HISTORY, BUT GOD HAS GIVEN US UNIQUE EXPERIENCES/GIFTINGS AND A SPECIFIC HEART FOR THE CHURCH IN ADELAIDE...
AND WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR CITY-WIDE CHANGE.
AND WE NEED YOUR HELP FOR CITY-WIDE CHANGE.
We are looking for Gospel Patrons: Those who can partner with us financially, enabling us to dedicate (at least) 3 full days every week to this work.
Helping reach the 72%, providing a means for us to take time to care for the wanderers and to develop contextualized resources and missional training for everyday people.
NEXT STEPS?