Key Themes
Whether your church community can dedicate one, two or four weeks, there are quality resources to equip you to get involved.
Crossing the Street
Living alongside with the hope of Jesus
- Crossing the Street – Sent like the Son [John 20:1-23, Mark 1:9-15]
- Crossing the Street – Meeting people where they are [John 4:1-38]
- Crossing the Street – Modelling the heart of Jesus [Luke 7: 11-17]
- Crossing the Street – Being the good news together [Luke 10:30-37]
As followers of Jesus, we are called to cross the street, step out, build bridges and meet people where they are. We are called to live alongside our neighbours with the hope of Jesus. That's what our intercultural teams around the world do! And it's what church communities in Australia are called to as well.
Through this four week Crossing the Street series, we will explore stories of Jesus from the Gospels, learn from His example and see how passionate people in Australia and around the world are living it out.
Crossing the Street short film
WATCH OR DOWNLOAD THE FILM
Video with captions >>
Crossing the Street short film
We are excited to share this short film with you! Crossing the Street tracks the daily lives of three followers of Jesus in Thailand and Australia. Each are living out what it means to cross the street in the community they live.
This short film has been created as the entry point for the Crossing the Street theme of May Mission Month 2022. It can be used as part of a sermon, as a standalone video or as a small group resource.
What's the short film all about?
In Crossing the Street, we meet Liz who is an intercultural worker in Thailand, Jan who is a supporter in Australia and Danny who is a university student. They live in different contexts and are at different stages of life, however, they are all followers of Jesus who are following Him across the street. Because that's how Jesus lived His life on Earth! He went out of His way to embody the good news and meet people where they were.
In the film, we see Liz doing this by building relationships with sellers at the market and her tuk-tuk driver, and then getting her hands dirty to help her friend on her farm.
Jan crosses the street by listening to and praying with her friend, and then volunteering to teach English at her local church.
And Danny shares God's love through offering hospitality to his friend at uni and inviting him into a welcoming group of friends.
In ordinary - but transformative - ways, Liz, Jan and Danny are crossing the street with the hope of Jesus.
And so are our Baptist Mission Australia teams, all around the world! Your partnership means they can keep crossing streets and seeing people meet Jesus in ways that makes sense to them.
partner today
Sharing this video
We are passionate about partnering with you as you cross the street in your local communities and invest in our teams as they cross the street around the world. This short film has been created to inspire, challenge and encourage all followers of Jesus to step out and share God's love... across the street and across the world.
So, will you help us get the message out there by sharing this video?
Direct Vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/700701817
With captions: https://vimeo.com/701527442/17c70e3fb7
(To download, click the link above and then click the 'Download' button below the Vimeo player that opens up.)
Ideas for sharing:
- Send it to your Pastor or mission representative
- Play it during a service
- Share it on your church's social media
- Add it to the mission section of your church's website
- Share it with your small group
Video Script
We see it all through Jesus’ life on Earth, don’t we... the act of crossing the street.
The act of stepping out, of building bridges, of meeting people right where they are.
Of coming into our world!
Crossing the street to meet the Samaritan woman, the tax collector, the person with a disability, the child, the woman who bled, the man who had leprosy. You. Me.
Crossing the street to love people His culture said you shouldn’t even talk to.
Yes, it’s countercultural and transformative… it’s confronting.
It’s hope for you and me! He’ll cross the street for us too. We know it. He already has.
It’s hope for the whole world.
Jesus came into the human neighbourhood to show us what love with skin on looks like. He came to give us life with passion and purpose.
He came as a servant and invites us to do the same.
Jesus’ life asks something of us – calls us to follow Him.
It’s a gracious invitation, but it’s confronting at the same time.
Jesus calls us to cross the street.
To step out of our comfort zones in our own neighbourhoods and to the ends of the earth.
To love people through our actions.
To go to them, not expect them to come to us.
To partner with God in sharing His stories in places where few have heard them.
To suspend judgement and actually listen.
To embody the good news.
To live alongside.
We see it in people like you, through the daily, imperfect, busy lives of Australian believers – choosing to follow Jesus’ even when it’s hard, choosing to try again after mistakes.
Crossing the street, sharing a meal, starting conversations, modelling God’s love, meeting people where they are… in your local neighbourhoods.
And we see it in our humble, passionate Spirit-led workers, serving in communities across the world.
Here and there - we’re on mission together.
We’re listeners, learners, alongsiders.
Givers, go-ers, pray-ers.
Followers of Jesus.
Street crossers.
And our Baptist Mission Australia workers can only keep crossing streets and seeing people meet Jesus in ways that make sense to them with your partnership.
Join us, partner with us, and let’s cross more and more streets around the world together!
Special Thanks
Thank you to everyone who made this short film possible:
Nithya, Liz, Glenn, Jesse, Pam, Ruth, Stinoj, Dilo, Janice, Peter, Sherena, Edwin, Shaolui, Vanessa, Zhong, Ziliong, Weihong, Rob, Sue Isaac, Teagan, Scott, Lena and Phil.
Extra special thanks to Baptist Financial Services Australia LTD (BFS) for sponsoring this short film.
Crossing the Street was produced by Thick Black Frames
Giving and Projects
For 140 years, Baptist Mission Australia - as the Australian Baptist mission - has been sending people to share the good news of Jesus with communities who may never hear it otherwise.
We can only do it together! Your generosity is enabling our workers to play their part in God’s life-changing mission. But we’re not done yet. As we look ahead, we hope to go deeper and wider in the mission. Partner in our work knowing that you and your church’s investment will make an eternal difference.
MAKE A GIFT
team gifts and projects
This year, we have identified the most pressing needs for each team. These include candidates, intercultural workers who are currently undersupported and projects.
You can explore all these options here >>
Please contact us to discuss partnership opportunities or answer any questions related to your giving. Thank you.
Fundraising Ideas
May Mission Munch
Enjoy food together after a service or in homes, asking people to ‘pay’ for the food they eat. Why not include dishes that our intercultural workers eat with their local friends?
Walk, Run or Cycle-A-Thon
Set up a course in or around your church for people to walk, run, cycle, wheel, hop or skip! Sponsor those participating with an amount per lap.
Movie, Trivia or Games Night
Host a fundraising event for people of all ages to enjoy.
Puzzle Wall
Create a large puzzle out of paper and put a price on each piece. As people give, invite them to add puzzle pieces to the wall. You’ll know you have reached your target when the image is complete!
Around the World Photo Gallery
Celebrate culture and God’s love for the world by inviting people to contribute photos they have taken during their travels. Ask for a gold coin donation (or more!) to view the gallery.
How to give
Individuals can give online through our website (make sure they add the church name in the comments section so the gift is linked to the church's record as well as their individual record.)
Alternatively, the church can receive the funds and transfer to Global Interaction through a direct deposit, post or via the website. We can send individual receipts to members who have given if you fill and send in the remittance spreadsheet.
For receipts to be issued in the 2021/22 financial year, gifts must be received at our office on or before 30 June 2022.
Pastor's and Leader's Guide
The Pastor's and Leader's Guide has been developed as a launching pad for leaders to use in exploring the key themes of the Crossing the Street series with churches and small groups.
Each theme has an
explorations of the theme and scripture/s,
takeaways, mission
stories to use as illustrations and
questions for small groups. It can be used as a four week series or as standalone sessions.
The guide has been based off Scott Pilgrims sermon series.
It can be printed on A4 pages and then folded in half to create an A5 booklet.
leader's guide
Theme 1: Sent like the Son
Leader's Guide >>
Scriptures: John 20:1-23 (The Empty Tomb) and Mark 1:9-15 (Jesus' Baptism)
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video and audio
Key Points:
- We are sent like the Son
- We are loved by the Father
- We are empowered by the Spirit
Mission Stories:
- Suzanne, Silk Road Area
- Mel, Silk Road Area
- Dave and Caz, South East Asia
- Pete, Melbourne
leader's guide
Theme 2: meeting people where they are
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture: John 4:1-38 (The Samaritan Woman at the Well)
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video and audio
Key Points:
Meeting people where they are...
- Models the incarnation
- Is motivated by love
- Opens Gospel opportunities
Mission Stories:
- Sally, Mozambique
- Pete and Nomes, Central Asia
- Jennifer, Brisbane
- Cam, Mozambique
leader's guide
Theme 3: modelling the heart of jesus
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture: Luke 7:11-17 (Jesus Raises the Widow's Son)
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video and audio
Key Points:
Just like Jesus in the passage, we need to...
- SEE the need
- FEEL the experience of the other person
- ACT in loving response
Mission Stories:
- Petra, Silk Road Area
- Megan, Melbourne
- Ben, Mozambique
leader's guide
Theme 4: being the good news together
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture: Luke 10:30-37 (The Good Samaritan)
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video and audio
Key Points:
God calls us to...
- Get our hands dirty
- Embody the good news
- Do it together!
Mission Stories:
- New York church partnership story
- Tim, Malawi
leader's guide
Filmed Sermons and Speakers
Thematic Videos
Thematic videos are shorts stories or reflections related to the four Crossing the Street themes. These can be used as illustrations throughout sermons, standalone pieces or discussion starters for small groups.
Their purpose is to inspire and encourage, as together we participate in God's mission. They highlight God at work across the street and across the world.
To download a video, click on the link and then click the 'Download' button below the Vimeo player on the page that opens up.
Theme 1: Sent like the Son
What Happens When We Step Out? - Craig and Kim, Cambodia
Our Journey of Call - Rours and Reasksmey, Cambodia
(Suzanne's video:
Contact for Password)
Sent Like Jesus - Suzanne, Silk Road Area
Theme 2: Meeting people where they are
Meeting People Where They Are - Sally, Mozambique
(Pete and Nomes' video:
Contact for Password)
Stepping Out - Pete and Nomes, Central Asia
Meeting People Where They Surf - Andrew Hamilton, WA
Theme 3: Modelling the heart of Jesus
Creation Care - Andy, Global Partnerships Director
Word and Deed - Andy, Global Partnerships Director
Seeing the Heart of Jesus - David and Susie, Malawi
Theme 4: Being the good news together
(Mike's video:
Contact for Password)
We Can Only do This Together! - Mike, South East Asia
Partnering Together (Whitehorse Churches Care spotlight)
Intercultural Worker Update Videos
Each year, our wonderful, passionate intercultural workers produce short video updates for you and your church.
Be encouraged by stories, reflections and updates from the workers you partner with.
Some videos relate to one of the four key Crossing the Street themes. You will see these identified by a theme number after the worker's name. These story or reflection videos can be used as illustrations in sermons or as standalone pieces.
To download a video, click on the link and then click the 'Download' button below the Vimeo player on the page that opens up.
Outback Australia
Mozambique & Malawi
Thailand
Silk Road Area
Videos from this location are password protected. Contact us for the password.
South East Asia
Most videos from this location are password protected. Contact us for the password.
Cambodia
Central Asia
Videos from this location are password protected. Contact us for the password.
South Asia
Videos from this location are password protected. Contact us for the password.
Special Projects
Missioning Podcast
We are excited to launch the 2022 season of Missioning with our May Mission Month series. This is a four episode series correlating to the four key themes of Crossing the Street.
Across the series, join host Jodie MacCartney as she talks to people around the world who are stepping out and crossing the street with the hope of Jesus in the communities they live. Jodie also draws on the experiences and learning of her own decade in Thailand. She is currently serving in the Baptist Mission Australia team as a Mission Mobiliser.
missioning podcast
Episode 1: Sent like the Son
- Guests: Caz (South East Asia) and Andrew Palmer (former NSW/ACT State Leader)
- Passages: The Empty Tomb (John 20:1-23) and Jesus' Baptism (Mark 1:9-15)
- Listen now!
Episode 2: Meeting People Where They Are
Episode 3: Modelling the heart of Jesus
- Guests: Max and Ezzie (South East Asia)
- Passage: Jesus Raises the Widow's Son (Luke 7:11-17)
- Listen Now!
Episode 4: Being the Good News Together
Children's Resources (primary school ages)
Youth Resources (secondary school ages)
Welcome to the Crossing the Street resource series created for youth!
What's the Crossing the Street youth series all about?
The youth resource for May Mission Month 2022 is a special four session video series. As youth often participate in the congregational church service, this resource is designed to help them engage with the themes of the series through youth targeted reflections and activities. It has been created to sit alongside the full Crossing the Street series, however, it can be used as a standalone piece.
The videos created for each of the four sessions have ‘pause’ points throughout where the activities can be run. Refer to this Leader’s Guide for questions and instructions. Alternatively, the video script is outlined in this booklet for leaders to use in replacement of the videos.
The Leader's Guide includes additional resources for each session. These videos and extra questions can be used to expand each session into a full Bible study. Depending on how you use the resource, each session can go from 5-60 minutes.
youth resource: leader's guide
Session 1. Sent like the son
Crossing the Street Youth Series: Episode 1
Key Idea:
We are empowered by the Spirit and endorsed by the Father to be sent like the Son. Why? While we are not Jesus, we are sent out under the same authority and with the same spirit and purpose.
Session 2: Meeting people where they are
Crossing the Street Youth Series: Episode 2
Key Idea:
Just like Jesus humbled Himself to take on flesh and meet us where we are, we are called to do the same. Jesus didn’t demand that people be perfect, easy to reach or exactly like Him when He healed, spoke to, or ate with them. Instead, He met people where they were at, building bridges rather than fences. Out of these relationships Jesus offered restoration and salvation through both word and deed.
Session 3: Modelling the heart of Jesus
Crossing the Street Youth Series: Episode 3
Key Idea:
Following Jesus means living a life that reflects Him. As Colossians 1:15 states, “The Son is the image of the invisible God…”. To model the heart of Jesus is to model the very heart of God to all we encounter, and creation itself.
Session 4: Being the good news together
Crossing the Street Youth Series: Episode 4
Key Idea:
Together is a key word here! We are partners in God’s mission and can partner with each other through prayer, giving, going, encouraging and advocating. This theme is a call to action and response. We all have a role to play in God’s redemptive plan.
Videos from teens for teens
These videos have been created by children of our intercultural teams for teenagers in Australia. They are a great resource to help teens in Australia get a taste of life in another country.
What's it like being a teen in Mozambique? Matilda and Jack share the good and the bad!
(Nadya and Puia's video: Contact for password)
Hello from Nadya and Puia in South East Asia!
What's it like growing up in Thailand? Grace and Daniel report back!
Crossing the Street in Malawi with Clayton!
Prayer Resources
Promotional Material
For promotional material specifically for your church to support your fundraising target, please contact Teagan on info@baptistmissionaustralia.org or
1800 329 165
Posters
Powerpoint
Social Media Tiles
QR Codes
These QR codes can be included in your church's bulletin or other printed material to help people easily access May Mission Month webpages. Click and download the jpgs below.
BullEtin / website text
Below is a piece of sample text that can be included in your church's bulletin, website or facebook to promote May Mission Month with your congregation. There are three versions of different lengths, depending on how many words you are able to include. Why not also add information on the specific team or worker your church is partnering with this May Mission Month!
- 80 words: May Mission Month is here! The theme for 2022 is ‘Crossing the Street'. Through this four week series we will explore stories of Jesus from the Gospels, learn from His example and see how passionate people in Australia and around the world are living it out. Let’s unite in partnership with our intercultural teams and get excited about all that God is doing through His people in neighbourhoods near and far. We can only do it together! Explore all the resources: www.baptistmissionaustralia.org.au/MayMissionMonth
- 50 words: May Mission Month is here! The theme for 2022 is ‘Crossing the Street'. Through this four week series we will explore stories of Jesus from the Gospels, learn from His example and see how passionate people in Australia and around the world are living it out. Explore all the resources: www.baptistmissionaustralia.org.au/MayMissionMonth
- 40 words: May Mission Month is coming! Let’s unite in partnership with our intercultural teams and get excited about all that God is doing through His people in neighbourhoods near and far. We can only do it together! Explore all the resources: www.baptistmissionaustralia.org.au/MayMissionMonth
Logos