Key Themes
Whether your church community can dedicate one, two or four weeks, there are quality resources to equip you to get involved.
2023 Theme: Alongsiders
Key themes:
1. People of Prayer: Mark 1:35-39
We follow Jesus' model of retreating to pray before stepping out
2. People of Peace: Acts 16
We are people who bring peace and seek people of peace
3. People of Love: John 5:1-15
We love people and holistically respond to their needs
4. People who Partner: Philippians 1:3-6
We partner together in God’s mission
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.
Alongsiders [Key Video]
WATCh alongsiders
Video with captions >>
This is the key video video for May Mission Month 2023. It is the entry point for the full Alongsiders series, designed to open the conversation on what being an alongsider means for you and your faith community... wherever you are.
In this video, sit down with intercultural team members Rours, Reaksmey and Paul as they explore what they are learning about being alongsiders. And then, take a moment to consider what being an alongsider means for you. How is God calling you to step out and live as an alongsider?
How to use this video
This video can be used as a discussion prompter for churches and small groups. It's our prayer that your faith community takes this piece, and uses it to spark a new conversation about how you are individually and collectively living as alongsiders.
As a church (or small group), watch the Alongsiders video during your service, and then invite people to form small discussion groups. Use the PPT slides or printable PDF to share the questions.
Questions:
- What do you think it means to be an alongsider?
- What does this look like in your life?
- What are you learning about being an alongsider? Choose one word each to reflect on: love / patience / prayer / openness / partnership / time / hope / humility / peace
- How is God calling you to step and journey with others? Is there anything holding you back?
Extended Conversation
Reaksmey, Rours and Paul had lots more stories and reflections to share! So we also recorded an 30 minute extended version of their conversation as a Missioning podcast episode.
Special Thanks
Thank you to everyone who made this short film possible: Rours, Reaksmey, Paul, Beck, Gerry, Jemimah, Dema, Phil, Lena, Teagan, Scott and Susan.
Extra special thanks to
Baptist Financial Services Australia LTD (BFS) for sponsoring this video.
The Alongsiders video has been produced by Thick Black Frames.
Giving and Projects
For over 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 otherwise never hear it.
We can only do it together! Your generosity is enabling our team members 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 intercultural team members who are currently undersupported and projects.
explore team gifts
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 team members 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 Baptist Mission Australia 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 2022/23 financial year, gifts must be received at our office on or before 30 June 2023.
Pastor's and Leader's Guide
The Pastor's and Leader's Guide has been developed as a launching pad for leaders explore the key themes of the Alongsiders series with churches and small groups.
Each theme has an
introdution of the theme and scriptures, key
takeaways, mission
stories to use as illustrations,
questions for small groups and a
prayer. It can be used as a four week series or as standalone sessions.
It can be printed on A4 pages and then folded in half to create an A5 booklet.
leader's guide
Theme 1: People of prayer
Scriptures: Mark 1:35–39, Colossians 4:2–6 and 2 Chronicles 7:14
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video
Key Points:
- Prayer empowers us for mission
- Prayer opens doors for the Gospel
- We are empowered by the Spirit
Mission Stories:
- Daz and Bee, South East Asia
- Liz and Glenn, Thailand
leader's guide
Theme 2: people of peace
Scriptures: Acts 16:11–15, Matthew 5:9 and James 3:13–18
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video
Key Points:
- Peacemakers seek people of peace
- Peacemakers are called the children of God
- Peacemakers show the wisdom of heaven
Mission Stories:
- Sally, Mozambique
- Bob, Western Australia
leader's guide
Theme 3: people of love
Scriptures: 1 John 3:16–18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11–19 and 1 Timothy 2:1–7
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video
Key Points:
- We are people of love in our words and actions
- We are people of love in our encouragement and support
- We are people of love in our prayers and thanksgiving
Mission Stories:
- Joyce and Jean-Claude, Malawi
- Citywide Baptist Church, Tasmania
leader's guide
Theme 4: People who partner
Scripture: Philippians 1:3–8, John 13:34–35 and Matthew 28:18–20
Sermon (Scott Pilgrim): Video
Key Points:
- We are people who partner in the Gospel
- We are people who partner in love
- We are people who partner in the Great Commission
Mission Stories:
- John, Victoria
- Leisha, Victoria
leader's guide
Filmed Sermons
Thematic Videos
Intercultural Team Update Videos
Each year, our wonderful, passionate intercultural team members produce short video updates for you and your church. Be encouraged by stories, reflections and updates from the team members you partner with.
Some videos relate to one of the four key Alongsiders themes. You will see these identified by a theme number after the team member's name. These story or reflection videos can be used as illustrations in sermons or as standalone pieces.
Mozambique Team
People of Love - Sally, Mozambique
Person of Peace - Kath, Mozambique
Partnering with God - Kath, Mozambique
Scott and Bek's Update - Mozambique
Bible Translation Project Update - Tobias and Heather, Mozambique
Malawi Team
Jean-Claude and Joyce's Update - Malawi
Sarah and Gunther's Update - Malawi
Gary and Shirley's Update - Malawi
David and Susie's Update - Malawi from Baptist Mission Australia on Vimeo.
Reflection on Being Poor in Spirit - Tim and Melanie, Malawi
The Next Generation - Tim, Malawi
Silk Road Area Team
Videos from the Silk Road Area team are password protected. Please contact our team to access the password.
Peacemakers - Mel, Silk Road Area
Eliza and David's Update - Silk Road Area
People of Prayer - David and Eliza, Silk Road Area
Suzanne's Update - Silk Road Area
Ben and Petra's Update - Silk Road Area
Thailand Team
Liz and Glenn's Update - Thailand
Testimony of Peace - Muana, Thailand
Muana and Villy's Update - Thailand
Jit and Jan's Update - Thailand
Partners in God's Mission - Dema, Thailand
Margaret's Update - Thailand
Cambodia Team
Rours and Reaksmey's Update - Cambodia
Luke and Rachel's Update - Cambodia from Baptist Mission Australia on Vimeo.
Therapy for Children with Disabilities Project Update - Rachel and Luke
(Captions) Catherine and KimLean - Cambodia from Baptist Mission Australia on Vimeo.
Posture of Prayer - Deb and Rob, Cambodia
Dreaming Big - Deb, Cambodia
Tristan and Megan's Update - Cambodia
South East Asia Team
Videos from the South East Asia team are password protected. Please contact our team to access the password.
Mike's Update - South East Asia
Cafe Project Update - Daz and Bee, South East Asia
Pat and Joy's Update - South East Asia
Kate's Update - South East Asia
Ministry Update - South East Asia
Dave and Caz's Update - South East Asia
Ally's Update - South East Asia
Ando's Update - South East Asia
Max and Ezzie's Update - South East Asia
South Asia Team
Videos from the South East Asia team are password protected. Please contact our team to access the password.
Lisa's Update - South Asia
Ryan and Suzie's Update - South Asia
Anthony and Jacqueline's Update - South Asia
Fiona's Update - South Asia
Phil's Update - South Asia
Outback Australia Team
Outback Australia Team Update
Mat and Shannon's Update - Outback Australia
Beth and Danny's Update - Outback Australia
Chris and Mal's Update - Outback Australia
Urban & Regional Australia Team
Paul and Naomi's Update - Urban & Regional Australia
Daniel's Update - Urban & Regional Australia
India
Rema and Beii's Update - India
Missioning Podcast
Across the Alongsiders series, host Nathan Reid (Baptist Mission Australia Mission Coach) talks to people in Australia and around the world who are stepping out and living as alongsiders.
MISSIONING PODCAST
Episode 1: People of Prayer
Listen here >>
Guests: Daz and Bee, South East Asia
In this conversation, Bee and Daz share about their experience of prayer, how this has evolved since moving to South East Asia five years ago and how God is shaping them - day by day - to be people of prayer. They share vulnerably about challenges they have experienced and what God taught them about prayer during those seasons.
They also explore the story of Jesus retreating to prayer in Mark 1:35-39.
Episode 2: People of Peace
Listen here >>
Guests: Cam and Kath, Mozambique
Cam and Kath have been serving with our team in Mozambique among the Yawo people for ten years. And in conversation with Nathan Reid, they share stories of how God has gone before them and placed people of peace in their lives - opening Kingdom opportunities in communities.
Episode 3: People of Love
Listen here >>
Guests: Steve Hales, Lismore Baptist Church & Petra, Silk Road Area
Petra serves with our team in the Silk Road Area and is using her Occupational Therapy skills to invest in the lives and development of children with disabilities. Steve Hales is a pastor at Lismore Baptist Church in NSW. Over the past years, Lismore has experienced multiple devastating floods and in this episode, Steve shares about the church's practical and loving response.
Episode 4: People who Partner
Listen here >>
Guests: Suzanne, Silk Road Area & Marbuen Diaz, Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT
We talk a lot about partnership at Baptist Mission Australia, but what does it really mean? What makes a healthy ministry partnership? Why is working together sometimes so hard? And is true, equal partnership across cultures even possible?
In this thought provoking episode, Nathan, Suzanne and Marbz explore these questions and more. Suzanne is preparing to head to the Silk Road Area, joining our intercultural team. And Marbz works at the Baptist Churches of NSW & ACT and has many years experience partnering with community development projects and other organisations.
Introductory Episode: Being Alongsiders
In addition to the full Missioning series with Nathan, this episode gives an overview of the Alongsiders theme. It's an extended version of a four minute video we have produced as the key video for May Mission Month 2023
(you can watch that video here: https://vimeo.com/813385481)
In this episode, sit down with intercultural team members Rours, Reaksmey and Paul as they explore what it means to be an alongsider. Paul shares from his experiences serving in Central Asia and Australia. And Reaksmey and Rours share stories from their years in Brisbane, where they are living as they prepare to join the Baptist Mission Australia team in Cambodia.
Listen here >>
Watch here >>
MISSIONING PODCAST
Children's Resources (primary school ages)
The Alongsiders Children's Resource is a four session curriculum for primary aged children. The aim of this resource is for kids to learn from Jesus’ example of loving all people and to explore how we can all live as alongsiders.
Through the sessions, children will explore stories of Jesus in the Bible, as well as discover what it means for them and how they can be a part of God’s mission. This is achieved through games, activities, Bible stories, discussion questions, videos and prayer.
Children's RESOURCE
Children's RESOURCE - FOR PRINTING
Session 1: Recharged and Ready!
Session 2: Peace People
Session 3: Sharing the Love
Session 4: Better Together
A special thank you to Carol Cleasby from Thornleigh Community Baptist Church for writing sessions one and two of this resource. Thank you Carol!
Kid's Videos
Videos for kids, from kids!
Chris, Ornella, Venerande and Isabella live with their parents Joyce and Jean-Claude in Malawi. What's their life like?! In
this video, they share all!
What is like growing up in Malawi? - Chris, Ornella, Venerande and Isabella tell all!
Josiah and Levi, two of Bek and Scott's children, love having fun with their friends in Mozambique. In this video, they share how they live alongside their friends.
How We Live Alongside Our Friends - Josiah and Levi, Mozambique
Video with captions >>
Youth Resources (secondary school ages)
This
Alongsiders Youth Resource has been designed as a single 1.5-2 hour youth group session.
It is based around four interactive prayer stations that correlate to the four key themes of the Alongsiders series - prayer, peace, love and partnership. Each prayer station also has a corresponding extension activity that can be done by youth individually throughout May and beyond.
Through the prayer stations and the extension activities, youth will be encouraged to lift their eyes to what God is doing both globally and locally.
Youth Resource
YOUTH RESOURCE - For printing
Printables
There are PDFs to be printed for each of the prayer stations.
If this is an issue for your group due to access or cost, please let us know. Baptist Mission Australia can print all the elements and mail them to you.
Station One: People of Prayer
Station Two: People of Peace
Station Three: People of Love
Station Four: People who Partner
The Alongsiders Youth Resource has been written by Rachel Stevens, Baptist Mission Australia’s Next Generation Specialist. Rachel is passionate about engaging with young people as they explore who God is and who He has made them to be.
Prayer Resources
Prayer is critical to Baptist Mission Australia's ministry.
Your faithful partnership through prayer is one of the most consequential gifts you can give. Here you will find resources to equip you to pray throughout May Mission Month and beyond.
Prayer Guide
Pray everyday in May with the May Mission Month 2023 Prayer Guide. It's a two part resource:
Each part of the guide can be printed on an A4 page, then folded in half to create an A5 booklet.
Throughout this two part guide, there are prayer points for each Baptist Mission Australia ministry location as well as May Mission Month related prayer points for each Sunday.
Ongoing Prayer Resources
Join us in praying for our teams all year around. Subscribe to prayer resources:
- News & Prayer: Fortnightly e-newsletter with up-to-date stories and prayer points about our ministry and teams.
- Intercultural Worker Newsletters: Ministry updates and prayer points directly from candidates and intercultural workers.
- News Stories: Concise and encouraging ministry stories, regularly added and perfect for church bulletins.
Thank you for praying! Your prayers sustain our teams and open doors for the Gospel to the shared.
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
Invitation Video
Short invitation to May Mission Month video from Scott Pilgrim and the team. Perfect to download and share with your congregation!
Welcome to May Mission Month!
Posters
These posters can be printed A4 or A3. If you only want a single poster, then use the primary one or use both to create a continuous image. The secondary poster sits on the left of the primary poster
(like this >>).
Powerpoint Template
QR Codes
These QR codes can be included in your church's bulletin or other printed material to help people easily access the May Mission Month webpages.
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.
- 70 words: May Mission Month is here! This year, the theme is 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. Let’s unite in partnership with Baptist Mission Australia's 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/MayMissionMonth
- 50 words: May Mission Month is here! This year, the theme is Alongsiders. No matter where we are, we can journey alongside our neighbours and friends. Let’s unite in partnership with Baptist Mission Australia's intercultural teams and get excited about all that God is doing through His people in neighbourhoods near and far. Explore all the resources: www.baptistmissionaustralia.org/MayMissionMonth
- 35 words: Let’s unite in partnership with Baptist Mission Australia's 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/MayMissionMonth
Social Media Images
Logos