Being part of the story
When I was growing up on a farm in country Victoria, we would have pastors come and stay at our home. They would spend weeks traveling around farms, collecting for what we now call the ADRA appeal (it was called the APPEAL for missions in those days). These men were totally committed to the mission of the church and many of them had served in exciting and challenging places overseas as missionaries. We would sit around in the evening eating dinner and listen, spellbound, as they told exciting stories. They shared dramatic stories of sharing the story of Jesus in places where cannibalism was still a reality and where the battle between good and evil happened before their eyes. Lots of people at that time gave sacrificially to enable the message to be shared across the world.
On the 4th of August 2025, it will be 100 years since Nevill Westwood and Greg Davies set out from Carmel College on a missionary journey to sell Christian literature. Their journey was a missionary adventure. They drove in a tiny Citroen 5CV car, affectionately known as “Bubsie”, which is now housed in the National Museum in Canberra. The journey was completed by Nevill Westwood when he drove into Perth on the 31st of December 1925 in a blaze of publicity. Nevill was the first to circumnavigate Australia in a car. Greg pulled out of the journey at Albury on the New South Wales and Victorian border.
This journey is going to be commemorated by two different groups. Firstly, by David Reilly, who is writing a book on the original journey. He has purchased an exact model of Bubsie and is going to retrace the original route. The second is by a team from the “Incredible Journey”, who have purchased two little Citroens and are going to be travelling to different parts of Australia and working with local churches.The program would include a community event involving food and featuring of “Bubsie” at local car clubs, aiming to connect the local community and the church. This may be through something the church can offer such as health programs, kids clubs, Bible Seminars or a shared interest in cars. You can read more about their plans at https://tij.tv/event/rightaroundaustralia/
Mission work is still critical to us as a church today. If we believe in Jesus Christ and His command to share the Everlasting Gospel, this is not an optional extra for any of us. This is committing our lives to prayer and then being led by the Holy Spirit. Mission work can be showing care practically, such as lending a hand, being willing to listen, being open to praying for other people’s needs and sharing Jesus. It cannot be done without interacting with people.
Mission can be as close as home, at work and at school. It is part of life and God wants you and me to make a difference. It can also be overseas. There are still opportunities to go to places like Laos and Timor Leste and to serve as a volunteer or even as a paid missionary. Sharing Jesus at home or overseas is the most exciting adventure you can embark on. Be involved and see God at work.
