Missions and Ministry
A Welsh Adventure
By Mark & Kathy Payne
We have just returned to Hervey Bay after spending 3 months at the Bible College of Wales in Swansea, South Wales. We enrolled in the School of Ministry which was a rich experience of living in community, and learning from Bible lecturers who were experts in their field of study, who came from India, USA, England, Wales, Singapore and Australia. Weekends allowed us to explore some of the beautiful places and scenery that Wales has to offer.
Each day involved shared meals, cleaning and gardening duties, regular prayer meetings, leading worship, sharing devotions in morning chapel, taking notes, writing assignments and generally enjoying living in community with 20 people from 9 different nations aged between 17 and 70. It truly was an experience of what church should be like, a family living in relationship, fuelled by the love and presence of God.
Two things stand out to us from our time at BCW. Firstly, the power of God’s presence in prayer and worship times. Experiencing the closeness of God as well as His holiness and love for every nation. This brought about an intense desire to pray for nations, especially the UK where we were, and also Australia. Secondly, the joy of living in a community where you knew that you were truly part of God’s people purpose: in being part of something much bigger than yourself.
One of the biggest challenges was adjusting to cultural expectations. These were lessons in humility and teachability, but we realised that this was a really important part of discipleship. At its core, discipleship is about being teachable and humble. In the midst of these challenges, we saw God at work in our own lives, shaping us in Christ-likeness. We also saw God at work through us as we made a number of contacts with people in the area who were open to being prayed for and hearing of God’s good news of salvation for all.
Returning to Hervey Bay has been a reminder of the many blessings we have in Australia and how much I have taken for granted. We are currently in a time of actively waiting for God’s guidance for our next season. We are keen to see the church in Hervey Bay unite in praying for our city so that we may see God’s kingdom increase in individuals, families and communities.
We have just returned to Hervey Bay after spending 3 months at the Bible College of Wales in Swansea, South Wales. We enrolled in the School of Ministry which was a rich experience of living in community, and learning from Bible lecturers who were experts in their field of study, who came from India, USA, England, Wales, Singapore and Australia. Weekends allowed us to explore some of the beautiful places and scenery that Wales has to offer.
Each day involved shared meals, cleaning and gardening duties, regular prayer meetings, leading worship, sharing devotions in morning chapel, taking notes, writing assignments and generally enjoying living in community with 20 people from 9 different nations aged between 17 and 70. It truly was an experience of what church should be like, a family living in relationship, fuelled by the love and presence of God.
Two things stand out to us from our time at BCW. Firstly, the power of God’s presence in prayer and worship times. Experiencing the closeness of God as well as His holiness and love for every nation. This brought about an intense desire to pray for nations, especially the UK where we were, and also Australia. Secondly, the joy of living in a community where you knew that you were truly part of God’s people purpose: in being part of something much bigger than yourself.
One of the biggest challenges was adjusting to cultural expectations. These were lessons in humility and teachability, but we realised that this was a really important part of discipleship. At its core, discipleship is about being teachable and humble. In the midst of these challenges, we saw God at work in our own lives, shaping us in Christ-likeness. We also saw God at work through us as we made a number of contacts with people in the area who were open to being prayed for and hearing of God’s good news of salvation for all.
Returning to Hervey Bay has been a reminder of the many blessings we have in Australia and how much I have taken for granted. We are currently in a time of actively waiting for God’s guidance for our next season. We are keen to see the church in Hervey Bay unite in praying for our city so that we may see God’s kingdom increase in individuals, families and communities.