Earlier in September, we were delighted to welcome Hery Susanto and Theodorus (Theo) Miraji from Christian Church Theological School of Indonesia, our partners from Indonesia, who came to visit some of the churches in Australia.
Their visit was an incredible opportunity for partnering churches across Victoria and Western Australia to hear firsthand about the life-changing ministry happening in Indonesia, and to celebrate the ways that Australian Churches of Christ are part of God’s global story.
They began their visit in Melbourne, where they were warmly welcomed by supporters and hosts. Their first major event was with the Monash City Church of Christ, where they joined a supporter gathering to share about the ministry of our partners in Indonesia. This time of storytelling and prayer helped supporters gain a deeper understanding of the daily realities of mission work in Indonesia and the importance of ongoing support from churches in Australia.
From Melbourne, they travelled to Ballarat, where the one2one Church of Christ community embraced them wholeheartedly with a spectacular Indonesian dinner on the Saturday night. On Sunday morning, Hery preached during their worship service, sharing stories of faith and transformation from Indonesia. That evening, he was invited to speak again at a combined service, giving further opportunity for the congregation to engage.
These gatherings reminded the church that our mission is about faithful presence, especially in a challenging world where we hope to inspire and equip the church to embrace mission in everyday life and across cultures, particularly in places where faith-sharing requires wisdom, humility, and deep love.
Hery also spent time meeting leaders from Peel St and York St Churches before returning to Melbourne, where they connected with the Ringwood Church of Christ community. The time spent with Ringwood was a testament to table ministry, as they connected over meals and talked about the power of hospitality. Hery and Theo shared about the witness of theological school students serving in Muslim communities, discussing a model of mission marked by presence, service, and story.
A highlight of this leg of the trip was a meal with the GMP Executive Team, which provided an opportunity for personal connection and reflection on how our partnerships can continue to grow. Before leaving Victoria, Hery joined CCVT leaders in South Melbourne for a morning tea, strengthening ties with the wider movement.
From Melbourne, they travelled west to Perth, where they were welcomed into the community at Subiaco Church of Christ. His first day began with an English class, giving him the chance to connect in a grassroots way with the life of the church. Later, he joined a Ministry Night, which included dinner, giving church members a chance to hear and pray for the ministry in Indonesia.
On Saturday, Hery was the guest speaker at a supporter brunch at Subiaco, before sharing again in the church’s evening service. On Sunday morning, he shared at both Subiaco’s services and later facilitated a workshop, which sparked thoughtful discussion and reflection on the role of the church in mission today. He shared about the vision and work of the theological school.
Hery’s stories of perseverance and faith resonated deeply with Australian congregations, who were encouraged to see how their partnership is making a tangible difference.
Reflecting on his time in Australia, Hery said:
“We feel very blessed to have had the chance to meet with the churches, and to strengthen our partnerships.”
Carly Cassidy, GMP’s National Church Relationships Manager, also reflected on the visit:
“It has been such a pleasure to hear some wonderful stories from Hery and Theo, stories about how Christian Church Theological School of Indonesia is training up and equipping students to go out and share the gospel in some really challenging places.”
Hery’s visit reminded us all that mission is not just the work of individuals, but of God’s people working together across cultures and nations. Hery and Theo’s presence in Melbourne, Ballarat, and Perth inspired congregations, strengthened partnerships, and encouraged church members to pray, give, and engage more deeply in God’s global mission.
We are also grateful to the churches and leaders who made space for Hery’s visit and ensured it was a time of rich encouragement. As we reflect on this visit, we are reminded that when we listen, share, and stand alongside one another, the Kingdom of God grows stronger.