Perseverance in Papua New Guinea
Posted on: 31st December 2018
CMS missionary Keith Birchley (serving with Marion in Papua New Guinea) speak here of their experience in a country where 97 per cent of the population claim to be Christian. To be ‘all things to all people’ will sometime mean resisting what others do naturally. We’ve been (mostly) enjoying the ride of ministry in […]
Facing difficulties in the Kimberley
Posted on: 17th December 2018
CMS missionary Chris Webb (serving with Karen in North Australia) meet spiritual crises amongst the Aboriginal people of Broome that reflect striking differences in cultural expectations, on both sides. Does the gospel address those differences? Read Chris’s account, and be encouraged to be specific in your prayer for Christ’s power to prevail. It was 11:30pm […]
Review: Gumbuli of Ngukurr: Aboriginal Elder in Arnhem Land
Posted on: 10th December 2018
Gumbuli of Ngukurr: Aboriginal Elder in Arnhem Land; Murray Seiffert; Acorn Press, Melbourne, 2011 Over a decade ago, author Murray Seiffert and some colleagues were discussing the books that have been written about the Arnhem Land communities where CMS has been involved. They realised that all of them have focused primarily on the missionaries, and […]
Review: A Life Uncommon by Ken Perry
Posted on: 10th December 2018
A Life Uncommon; Ken Perry; Self-published, 2011. Ken and Jay Perry served with CMS in Borneo from 1955 to 1959, then Singapore and Klang between 1960 and 1965. On their return to Australia Ken was appointed Victorian General Secretary of CMS from 1965-1972. After a period of parish work in Melbourne and its surrounding districts, […]
All things to all people
Posted on: 10th December 2018
Former CMS missionary John Bales, now training people to work with Muslims as part of the CMS MENTAC program, is convinced by Paul’s example of the need to be ‘all things to all people’. Paul writes: 19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win […]
Welcoming missionary kids on Home Assignment
Posted on: 20th November 2018
H served as a CMS worker in the Middle East with her husband A and their children. Here she gives some excellent practical ideas and insights for how you or your church can make the time on Home Assignment smoother and more enjoyable for all. For many children re-entering Australia (or visiting from CMS involvement […]
Exploring mission with Mentac
Posted on: 19th November 2018
CMS missionary E serves in South Asia, but before she arrived at that destination she was involved for two years as an apprentice in the Mentac program supported by CMS. Checkpoint Online asked her some questions about her experience. What did you do during the Mentac program? The training in the program is a mix […]
Preaching Christ in traditional rituals in Toraja
Posted on: 16th November 2018
CMS missionary Andrew Buchanan has been serving in the Church of Toraja in Indonesia since 2002. As the church faces the resurgence of traditional grave cleaning practices, Andrew explains why and how he has recommended to ministers to take part in this ritual. The Church in Toraja ministers to a region that only came into […]
Review: Shoot Me First—Grant Lock
Posted on: 10th November 2018
Shoot Me First; Grant Lock; Broad Continent Publishing, Melbourne, 2011 When you start reading this book, you’ll wonder if the word ‘Biography’ on the back cover is a mistake. Abductions, blood feuds, suicide bomb attacks, a woman married to a warlord by force, a baby daughter sold in a bazaar … you could be forgiven […]
Review: Only Kafirs Ask Questions
Posted on: 10th November 2018
Grant Lock and his wife Janna served with CMS for 24 years in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In this edited extract from his autobiography Shoot Me First, Grant reminds us that the political troubles in the Middle East started long before the Arab Spring… Islamabad, 2002 “My name is Wurzan, and I come from Iraq.” Over […]
