Is it? Or is it really in need of . . . . .
Renewal – Refreshing – Living Water – Jesus!
“Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” John 4:14
Australia Fast Facts
- The general population of Australia is 20 million.
- Australia is considered a very secularized nation. Despite the long presence of the Christian faith and church, less than 5% of the people know Jesus personally.
- Many churches exist but few have any impact and so many have become museums of faith.
- Churches are closing more and more each year.
- Most churches are made up of older aged congregations and more young people have no interest in or no experience of God.
- Many Aussies are interested in spirituality; however most have rejected traditional church and Christianity.
Australians
- We have 2 IMB couples engaging the Aussies, Mark & Karen Ray and Ben & Judy Armacost.
- They are seeking to share Jesus & the good News in ways that are not traditional but speak into the spiritual vacuum that exists in Aussie society & will result in a Church Planting Movement.
Aborigines
- Aborigines are not one people but are actually a number of different tribal groups with their own languages and customs.
- Aborigines are the original inhabitants of Australia and make up a small segment of the total population.
- They are animistic in their beliefs. They struggle with many social & health problems due to alcohol and drug abuse.
- We have one IMB couple, John & Carmen Baynes, who work with the Warpiri & Gurdinji peoples in the Northern Territory. They are based out of Katherine, traveling many miles each month, sharing the Gospel and training leaders in remote areas of the Australian outback.
- There is much spiritual bondage among these people and many are in need of the love of Jesus Christ.
Muslims
- In 2001 it was estimated that around 282,000 Muslims were living in Australia.
- Each year more and more Muslims are migrating to Australia.
- Arabic is the second most commonly spoken language in Sydney, Australia’s largest city.
- Muslims are represented by many people groups from Arabs, Turkish, Indonesians, Sudanese & Albanians, each with their own language, however many worship at the same mosques.
- Muslims tend to live in specific locations in the major cities due to the need for halal food, mosques & community centers. These are closed “enclaves” of Muslims, catering for Muslim needs & resisting assimilation.
- Reaching Muslims is enormous & a constant challenge but with the increasing rate of Muslims immigrating it gives opportunities to welcome and engage these groups as they come.
- We have one IMB couple (names withheld for security reasons) engaging Muslims in the Sydney area. The need for prayer is great if we are to see God’ Spirit move among these people.
Opportunities to serve in Austrailia in 2010
We need College and University aged students wanting to serve alongside Aussie GCC’s in their task of reaching their people and communities for Christ.
- Campus Ministry & Prayer Walking Team – Melbourne, Victoria – May 31-June 14, 2010
- Campus Ministry & Prayer Walking Team – Adelaide, South Australia – June 19-July 1, 2010
Australia Strategy Group
Contact: mray@emailboxes.biz
Skype: markray54
