Overseas Ministries
Brother Abraham - Christ For India - Brother Abraham began his work in 1976, giving up all he had as a budding engineer in order to follow the call of God to evangelise the nation of India. His work started in the southernmost tip of the country and has grown to encompass more than 4,000 churches across India, as well as more than 15 Bible schools, 5 orphanages, 5 Christian schools, and 10 tailoring schools.
‘Keni’ in Fiji – Our oldest missionary support, Keni was a Fijian pastor within the AOG Church, who worked selflessly for his community and his country, for some time acting as one of the main superintendents for his denomination. Since his death in 2017 we have continued to support his second wife Maraiah, who continues his work in her community.
Touching Asia – Hakan Gabrielsson left Sweden in 1978 to be a missionary. In 1996 he established “Touching Asia” Singapore, establishing many Bible Schools in Myanmar, India and Nepal and evangelizing communities through serving, helping and healing in the name of Jesus. reaching out and changing lives. As he says, “Our focus has always been church planting and training believers and leaders. It was only in 2009 the anti-trafficking work started and has become such an important part of our ministry”.
Voice Of The Martyrs Australia - Founded in 1969, it is part of a global partnership of independent missions started through the influence of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, who was imprisoned and tortured by communist authorities in his native Romania for 14 years, including three years in solitary confinement. He envisioned a ministry that would focus on the persecuted church, raise a voice on its behalf and provide encouragement and both practical and spiritual assistance from the free world to persecuted Christians.
John Cairns Ministries – Originally from England, John and Heather Cairns came to Australia in the 1980’s, and stepped into itinerant ministry in 1996, with a vision "To train, equip, empower and inspire people in their Christian journey." John has ministered powerfully in numerous countries, now encouraging ministers as the leader of Leaders Network International. JCM has developed extensive missionary works in Africa, building churches and communities through his ‘Community Transformation Initiatives’, ‘Partnered Pastors’ and ‘Gifts for Change’ programs. The Cairns visit our fellowship on a regular basis.
Annie Laughton - Annie is a member of our congregation who has regularly made trips to South- East Asia with friends, both smuggling in Bibles and offering encouragement and practical support to Christian communities. She has visited China and Vietnam, and is presently focusing on communities in Thailand and Cambodia. It is exciting to see our support impacting specific people and small communities, funding the establishment of schools and churches, helping villages recover from floods and so on.
Compassion – Compassion International was started in 1952 by Everett Swanson, an evangelist from Chicago, who undertook to support 35 children orphaned by the Korean War. We first committed to the Compassion program in 1995. Individuals in the Fellowship volunteer to provide a monthly financial contribution to support children whom we sponsor, the number of children supported by the church being dependent on the total amount of money being provided. Individuals choose how much financial support they provide.
Australian Missionary Works
Wycliffe Bible Translators - Gordon & Corrie Thompson – The Thompsons are known to us, their brother living locally at Nayook, and we identify with the work Gordon has undertaken for Wycliffe, developing translations of the Bible for our indigenous people and those in the South Pacific islands. Some twenty years ago they moved to Alice Springs, and Gordon has used his extensive computer skills to facilitate the development of Bible manuscripts, and his artistic expertise to provide illustrations. He has travelled to many places and trained many others to do the work. As their motto says, "Good News in anyone's language."
Youth For Christ Australia –Youth for Christ Australia is part of YFC International, an inter-denominational, non-profit, evangelical youth movement unified by a common heart for Jesus and a desire for young people to encounter Jesus, to experience radical freedom and to truly understand their identity as sons and daughters of God. Working alongside local churches, YFC Gippsland have been reaching youth for over 30 years, working alongside local churches, with a significant emphasis on building relationships with high school students. We supported their Drouin Secondary College chaplaincy work when it operated.
Local Works
The Ice Meltdown Project - Pioneered by Janice Ablett, TIMP works to set people free from life-crippling addictions, such as addiction to ice, and from the lifestyles their addictions have forced them to live in supporting their drug habits. It also works to restore their broken family and social relationships. In the past five years the project has had hundreds of people seek assistance, and is able to claim nearly a 70% success rate where former addicts remain free after two years. Our monthly Sausage Sizzle provides funds to assist this work.
Sonshine Toy Library - Sonshine Toy Library is a community benefit organisation, where folks can come and socialise with other mums, dads and children in a Christian environment, as well as having the facilities of borrowing toys at minimal cost. Their motto is "Learning together through play. Loving Jesus, loving people." Orginally based in Warragul, they now operate also out of the Presbyterian Church in Drouin.
Baw Baw Food Relief - This program is a Christian non-profit organization, originating in the 1990’s in The Family Church, which provides food aid and support for families and individuals in need in the Baw Baw Shire. They also operate an Op Shop and Furniture Store, which serve the community and simultaneously generate financial support. They assist over 3,000 families per year, and now operate from a factory outlet in the town, with many volunteer workers. We have a volunteer worker who contributes, and we offer regular financial assistance. Profits from our monthly sausage sizzle provide additional support.
