May Mission Month 2023: Alongsiders
No matter where we are, we can journey alongside our neighbours and friends.
Being an alongsider means listening, showing hospitality, bringing peace and humbly sharing the good news of Jesus. It means praying and seeking the Spirit’s leading. It means loving the people God has put in your world, as well as loving the world.
Being an alongsider means sharing God’s love in genuine, active and relevant ways. It means partnering together with each other and God – sending and being sent, giving and receiving. Working together as partners in God’s mission.
Theme: Alongsiders
Key themes:
- People of Prayer: Mark 1:35-39
- People of Peace: Acts 16
- People of Love: John 5:1-15
- People who Partner: Philippians 1:3-6
Why May Mission Month?
Engagement with global and local mission is an all year around calling for followers of Jesus. So how does May Mission Month fit in? May Mission Month is an opportunity for Australian Baptist churches to dedicate focused time to learning about and partnering with God’s mission.
MAKE A GIFT
Resources for One, Two or Four Weeks
Alongsiders resources for all ages are available to help your faith community to engage with mission and Baptist Mission Australia's ministry in a new way.
Click here to explore resources >>
Do churches have to do all four weeks? No, church communities can pick and choose which of the themes they focus on. You might dedicate one, two, three or four weeks to Baptist Mission Australia's May Mission Month. The four themes can be run as a series, or each theme can be used a standalone theme.
RESOURCES
Click on the dropdown boxes below to explore more.
One Week
Key Resources:
'Alongsiders' Short Film
Play the 4 minute key May Mission Month video during your service.
Sermon
Preach using the pastor's and leader's notes, use one of the filmed sermons or invite a Baptist Mission Australia guest preacher.
Children and Youth
Use one session of the children's and interactive youth group material.
Fundraise
Promote and support a particular intercultural team member, team, project or Baptist Mission Australia's ministry as a whole. We can only do it together!
Additional Resources:
Intercultural Team Member Videos
Play an update video from one of the team members you partner with during your service.
Small Groups
Encourage small groups to focus on mission and Baptist Mission Australia's ministry through using May Mission Month resources and small group discussion questions.
RESOURCES
Two Weeks
Key Resources:
'Alongsiders' Short Film
Play the 4 minute key May Mission Month video during your service.
Sermons
Preach using the pastor's and leader's notes, use one of the filmed sermons or invite a Baptist Mission Australia guest preacher.
Thematic Videos
Utilise the inspiring global and local mission stories to illustrate the key themes of May Mission Month.
Children and Youth
Use two sessions of the children's and interactive youth group material.
Fundraise
Promote and support a particular intercultural team member, team, project or Baptist Mission Australia's ministry as a whole. We can only do it together!
Additional Resources:
Intercultural Team Member Videos
Play an update video from one of the team members you partner with during your service.
Small Groups
Encourage small groups to focus on mission and Baptist Mission Australia's ministry through using May Mission Month resources and small group discussion questions.
Missioning Podcast Episodes
Share Missioning episode links with your congregation and be encouraged by stories from around the world. Four May Mission Month episodes are available for each of the four key themes.
RESOURCES
Four Weeks
Key Resources:
'Alonsiders' Short Film
Play the 4 minute key May Mission Month video during your service.
Sermons
Preach using the pastor's and leader's notes, use one of the filmed sermons or invite a Baptist Mission Australia guest preacher.
Thematic Videos
Utilise the inspiring global and local mission stories to illustrate the key themes of May Mission Month.
Pray
Facilitate a creative prayer time, hold a prayer event or set up prayer stations as part of a service. Utilise Baptist Mission Australia prayer resources and ideas to prompt prayer for mission, our teams and our ministry.
Children and Youth
Use all sessions of the children's and interactive youth group material.
Fundraise
Promote and support a particular intercultural team member, team, project or Baptist Mission Australia's ministry as a whole. We can only do it together!
Additional Resources:
Intercultural Team Member Videos
Play an update video from one of the workers you partner with during your service.
Small Groups
Encourage small groups to focus on mission and Baptist Mission Australia's ministry through using May Mission Month resources and small group discussion questions.
Missioning Podcast Episodes
Share Missioning episode links with your congregation and be encouraged by stories from around the world. Four May Mission Month episodes are available for each of the four key themes.
RESOURCES
Want to talk to someone?
If you would like to chat about resources or how you and your church can engage with Baptist Mission Australia's May Mission Month, then contact your State Leader here or our Communications Manager, Teagan Dwyer-Riviere on tdwyerriviere@baptistmissionaustralia.org