Why we exist We believe God's greatest gift is a life-changing experience of Jesus: our passion is that people embrace this gift. Responding with deep compassion and cultural sensitivity, Global Interaction is empowering communities to develop their own distinctive ways of following Jesus.
Who we are Australian cross-cultural mission agency
- Operating for 120 years [previously known as Australian Baptist Missionary Society]
- Reaching nine identified Unreached people groups in Asia and Africa
- In partnership with growing and active churches in India, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe,
Zambia, Papua New Guinea, Papua (Irian Jaya) and Thailand
- 140 cross-cultural workers
- 40 home staff
- A wide range of medical, health and development initiatives led by indigenous church movements and leaders (primarily through partnership with Baptist World Aid Australia )
- 225 people involved in short term mission experience each year
- Global Interaction is ‘the most unifying movement among Australian Baptists' according to historian Ken Manley
Our Story Thirty years ago Global Interaction staff were in a Muslim nation, where Tribal and Hindu converts would be extracted out of their communities and into churches. Over time, some also come to faith from Muslim communities, yet they often reverted back to Islam. A small group of Global Interaction team members were burdened with the need to reach the majority Muslim people group in new and innovative ways. They were told by others that they would not succeed, but they saw that the Kingdom of God is about risk and experimentation. So they began to forge a new path – not founded in textbooks on contextualisation or tested methods of outreach, but based on the methods of Jesus and Paul.
The result was a profound breakthrough in working among Muslims that now shapes our entire approach.
The Future Over the next five years we hope to see God use Global Interaction to:
- Establish functioning faith communities in nine unreached people groups.
- Enter the final phase of localisation in selected areas of work.
- Motivate and resource Australian churches to be more active in culturally sensitive and innovative mission.
- Gain significant prayer support; sufficient skilled staff; and adequate financial support to fulfil our mission.
Core values
Global Interaction upholds the following values:
Dependence on God The gospel and its transforming effect on the whole of life
Prayer
Christ-like compassion Love, justice and mercy
Intentional focus Focus on specific selected groups and excellence in ministry The right of all people, especially the ‘unreached’, to have a ‘fair go’ in understanding the gospel
Identification Incarnational ministry – living among people in need and adapting to their situation
Creative communication The proclamation of Christ by life, word, deed and sign Willingness to be radical in communicating the gospel Churches that express faith in culturally appropriate ways Churches that interpret and apply scriptures as guided by the Holy Spirit and fellowship with others
Team approach Partnership with Australian Baptist churches in global mission Team ministry Opportunities for ministry regardless of gender, age or race
Pastoral care Appropriate preparation for cross-cultural service Quality care of staff before, during and after service |