PERTH, AUSTRALIA

Australia. The name brings all sorts of images to mind: kangaroos and Crocodile Dundee, great white sharks and dramatic landscapes. But Australia is more than what appears on post cards. It is bigger than the lower 48 states, has a thriving economy, and is incredibly culturally diverse. Australia is also reluctant to embrace religion—any religion.

In the sunny city of Perth in Western Australia, our team is actively ministering to a people who are friendly and fun, yet largely unwilling to engage in conversations about Jesus or Christianity. Here, MTW missionaries are working with several local churches. They partner with local Christian leaders, and use music, art, street ministry, and education as inroads into their neighbors’ lives. They're also reaching out to the Aboriginal community as well as rural communities outside the city. All of this is in pursuit of a long-term vision of planting and building up more churches. It takes patience and creativity to work in Perth. Progress is slow, but it is fruitful, and our great God is on the move.

MEET THE TEAM

Bailey, Richard & Teresa

Richard and TC Bailey serve at The Canning Vale Community Church in the MTW church-planting effort in Perth, Australia.

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Hinkle, Lee & Shannon

Lee and Shannon Hinkle and their family are part of a team planting a church in Perth, Australia. They boldly proclaim the gospel in the very artistic urban atmosphere of Perth.

Lee and Shannon Hinkle and their family are part of a team planting a church in Perth, Australia. They boldly...

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Rarig, Steve & Berenice

The Rarigs are leaders in church planting, national leadership training, theology, and arts and culture-making.

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Reiter, Ryan & Joy

The Reiters connect to the community in rural Western Australia through technology, literacy, sports, and community development.

The Reiters connect to the community in rural Western Australia through technology, literacy, sports, and community...

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Shadburne, Andy & Missy

In Perth Australia, Andy and Missy Shadburne use and share their gifts in music and education at a church planting team to point others to the ultimate Creator.

In Perth Australia, Andy and Missy Shadburne use and share their gifts in music and education at a church planting...

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GET INVOLVED

Church Planters for the Perth Metro Area

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Church Planting Apprentice/Intern

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My Long-Awaited Baptism: A Japanese Woman Shares Her Faith Journey

I had always wanted to get baptized, but my husband had not come up with an answer yet. I also had problems to face in Japanese society.

Dying on the Road

Our journey with God is not always going to be as we imagine. Jesus tells us this journey with Him will cost us our egos and our lives.

MK Explains Christianity to His Fourth-Grade Class

An Australian public school teacher asked his class a question about Christianity. One boy's hand shot up.

Berenice Rarig on Art and Culture: A Video

Catch a glimpse of Berenice's work as she explains installation art and the innate value of things.

Churchfreo: Grace in the Margins

Churchfreo is arguably quirky, which makes for both an endearing community of diverse people, and a challenge for leaders and members alike.

Remembering Sketch: Beloved Australian "Streetie"

After about a month of worshipping in churchfreo Sketch asked Del and me if we wanted to see his "squat," the place he lived.

Pray for Tim Mills (Thailand), Abi Lowther & Roger Lowther (Japan), Joe Congdon (Japan), and Shannon Hinkle (Australia) as they all use their artistic gifts to support the Church in gospel outreach, mercy ministry, and community building.

Pray for team cohesion in Perth, Australia, as the team is newly brought together and doing varied and different ministries.

Pray for the next generation of students in Australia, that they would be exposed to the gospel and come to a solid faith in Christ.

Pray for those who feel called to missions, but don't yet know what or where God is calling them to. Pray for clarity, but also a resting peace in our sovereign God.

Pray for Christian creatives around the globe seeking to create art as a way to communicate the glory of God to the culture around them.

Please pray for the development of The Village Church in Freemantle, Perth, Australia, in partnership with Westeminseter Presbyterian Church in Australia.

Pray for churchfreo and its daughter churches reaching both a community of artists and of "streeties."

MAKE Collective

MTW creatives are becoming part of international church-planting movements.