The rest of July & August is fast paced! Your prayers will see me through!

Please pray for Nilofer, Shahela & Hafsa to hear the gospel in ways that connect their hearts with Jesus’.

Pray for Melvin to be appropriately bold in expressing his faith at work.

Pray for Sonia to lead with integrity, compassion, wisdom and courage.

Pray for weary pastors, managers in Christian orgs, congregations, colleges….

Pray for additional funding as partners reallocate their budgets b/c of economic changes.

Pray for me to speak the gospel clearly, consistently, lovingly & wisely.

Pray for my gentle interactions with those who avoid authorities because of their experiences of abuse and alienation.

Pray for me to juggle opportunities in relation to my energy and well-being.

Pray for projects to produce fruit for the gospel, otherwise they’re a waste of time.

Posted already on ministry FB page.

Are you ready to hear my heart?
 

1. I love Jesus enormously and want everyone to live in a life-giving relationship with Him, knowing His good news in every fiber of their being. John 1

I’m not so keen on religion, kinda like Jesus, but I am keen on every individual created in God’s image being reconciled to Him.  Trust me in this. If you ever doubt it, call me. Romans 5

2. As a missionary, I find creative out-of-the-ordinary ways to get Jesus’ good news to people who aren’t likely to darken church doors. 1 Corinthians 9

These extraordinary ways bring me into conversations beyond my wildest imaginations. They sometimes replay in my dreams as I ponder what else I could’ve should’ve said or asked. I may be the only Jesus follower some people ever sit with, talk with, get to know. The enormity of that can be huge, until I remind myself I’m just the servant messenger. It is the Holy Spirit who does the big hard work. 1 Corinthians 12
 

3. When you see me posting stories about refugees, ‘interesting’ or unusual gatherings on campus, hanging out with desperate people, trying to curb extremism, building social cohesion, enabling disability voices to be heard in all corners of their lives, hanging out with people who only wear black and use language that keeps my hair curly…… well, it’s cause those people need Jesus. It’s why you support me to be here. Matthew 22:36-39, John 13:35…
 

4. At 60 years old with over 3 decades in intercultural ministry, I am just coming in to my own. Don’t know the extent of the value these past decades have had, but I’m in an exciting phase where influence is growing and the scope of ministry is wider than ever. I listen more, and ask questions more than make declarative statements. I find that people respect listeners and grow to trust listeners who lean in……. then when they ask me a question they listen to my response.
 

5. You may see me posting events and projects on my personal and public FB page. Yep, and lots of people who are not Christ followers see that too.

It’s good for them to see that Christ followers care about gang violence, homelessness, people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes & land, justice for the vulnerable and marginalised, people who have been abused in foster care or by church leaders and social agencies.   

I am VERY careful about what I post! It’s a highly curated feed, believe it or not. I pepper it with photos of Lui and my garden so people see who I am when I’m alone, restoring my soul in simple ways. I desire to be authentic, and accessible. That’s also why I do not rant about politics, vaccinations and other stuff that could disqualify me from ministering to someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus. If I get offside with someone over less important things, the bigger things may never be addressed.  Who gets to decide the priorities in the more or lesser importance of things? On my feed, I do, to the glory of God and with accountability to the Holy Spirit as I repent when I get stuff wrong. “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭

6. I’m grateful for your support, in whatever form that comes. If you’re ever confused or concerned about something I say, please don’t hesitate to get in touch directly with me. I’m happy to dialogue with you, and change my mind if your insights and wisdom can make our ministry more effective for eternity. Seriously. Just let me know. If I can attempt to be accessible to a Buddhist, Baha’i or Sikh person, surely I am accessible to my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

I am here in the South Pacific to serve Christ and His gospel in the Church, on the Campuses, and in the Community. It’s who I am as I try to live my life verse found in Colossians 1:28-29, same as I have been doing since the 80’s only in ever-changing ways as God gives opportunity. I am humbled by the places I find myself. In Zimbabwe I was often in places no white person had ever gone. Seriously. Elders told me that!

Now, I find myself in homes, conversations and gatherings where Jesus wouldn’t be represented if I was not there, well, other than the fact that He is in the essence of every individual by nature of Creation. They just don’t yet acknowledge that. See Romans 10:14

Long winded? Yep. Thanks for reading to the end. Wish we could meet up for a chat rather than reply on these screens that are better than nothing.

Until we meet face to face, be convinced of my passion for the gospel, and that I desire to live gratefully, graciously and generously, and pray you do too.

“So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”

Colossians‬ ‭1:28-29‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Gratefully,
Jill