Over the years, there have been many ways Global Mission Partners has connected with its partners, but at the heart of it all is a simple yet profound belief that mission is not one-way. It is a shared journey of faith and partnership.
Each visit from our overseas partners to Australia embodies this truth, creating space for connection, encouragement and mutual growth within the global church. We have enjoyed visits from our partners from Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India and most recently, Indonesia. These visits reflect the interdependence of the body of Christ.
We asked our staff and partners to reflect on why inviting our international partners to Australia matters. Carly Cassidy, National Church Relationships Manager, said, “These visits embody the mutuality of the global church, where mission is not just about sending, but about partnership and shared witness.” Just as Apostle Paul and Barnabas once revisited the churches that supported them (Acts 14:21–22), they strengthened believers and reminded them of God’s ongoing work.
In the same way, when our partners visit your churches and events to share their stories, they testify to God’s power across cultures and generations. As Hery Susanto from the Christian Church Theological School of Indonesia explained, “It’s about encouraging and spurring one another toward love and good deeds.” His words echo Hebrews 10:24–25, which calls believers to keep meeting together and to encourage one another in faith and purpose.
Hearing firsthand accounts of God’s grace in diverse contexts renews faith and restores hope. Partners’ testimonies, as Revelation 12:11 reminds us, carry power to overcome fear and discouragement in a world often filled with bad news. “When our partners speak about what God is doing in their communities,” Leah Odongo, Director of Partnerships, explained. “People are inspired to join in and become part of these transformative relationships.”
Relationally, these visits create meaningful spaces for connection and learning. “It’s a two-way exchange that fosters deeper understanding,” Leah said. When partners visit Australia, they meet those who have prayed, given and stood with them, while supporters gain a deeper glimpse into the faith and resilience shaping communities abroad. These encounters build trust and reflect genuine partnership.
Chief Executive Officer, John Lamerton, highlighted how these visits “inspire our supporters through in-person events which strengthen the relational connection and financial support offered by Aussie churches.” Major Gifts Manager Craig Brown reflected on the same impact, noting that “there was something special about this; it was unfiltered and from the heart. Ideas put on flesh, as supporters could hear directly what the benefits were of their support.”
The impact of these visits reaches far beyond the moment. For our partners, being in Australia offers fresh cultural experiences and a deeper appreciation for the people behind every donation. For supporters, meeting partners transforms mission from a charity into shared discipleship and an ongoing commitment to walk together in faith.
Hosting our partners also brings a fresh perspective. “No matter how familiar you think you are with a project, there are always nuanced layers that only come to light through direct interaction,” Leah said. Conversations, questions and shared worship reveal insights that written reports alone could never capture.
Partner visits are far more than events. They are sacred encounters that strengthen faith, illuminate God’s work across cultures and remind us that mission is always about people, journeying together in God’s love and purpose.