Alongsiders: the movement spreads
In the past month, we have signed partnership agreements for two of the largest countries in Asia.
Children in an Indonesian slum.
In the past month, we have signed partnership agreements for two of the largest countries in Asia: Indonesia and India - representing hundreds of millions of vulnerable children that need love, mentoring, discipleship and encouragement.
Our strategy is to partner with large church networks in each country, so that the movement is "owned" and run by local Christian leaders.
So, rather than coming in as a foreign NGO, setting up administrative offices, hiring administrative staff and building an infrastructure from ground up, - we partner and we come in under local leadership.
This is pretty core to our strategy.
You see, it takes a spider to repair its own web.
And it is going to take local Christians to transform these nations.
Our role is to walk alongside those who walk alongside.
Join us in praying for these movements as we begin to lay the foundations to equip one generation to reach the next.
[Photo credit: Christin Gilbert]
Key appointment in drive to do short term mission differently
Short term mission is broken. Its time for a change, and we know just the person to help.
Andrew and Janice Collins
The Alongsiders International team is excited to welcome Andrew and Janice Collins, who will be relocating to Phnom Penh, Cambodia to work from our head office.
Andrew is a sought after trainer of short term mission groups - bringing insight and wisdom from his 17 years of service as the Australian Director of International Teams. He has consulted with churches all over Australia and beyond, helping Christians engage with the poor in more meaningful and sustainable ways.
Andrew will work closely with church partners and supporters from outside the developing world, to help them engage with the Alongsiders movement and journey deeper in their faith and engagement with poverty and justice issues.
An outdoorsman, he is a keen cyclist and walked 800km across Spain in 2008 on El Camino (a world famous pilgrimage). Andrew is also a fine cook, loves blue cheese, and is known for his delicious pancakes.
Janice Collins also brings a great deal of experience and giftedness to the team. A gifted administrator, Janice has served in government, seminary and more recently missions, leading International Teams in Australia after Andrew stepped down.
Janice is known for being efficient and focused, but beneath that is a heart of growing engagement with God's unceasing love. She is a wife, mother and grandmother of three (Harrison, Immanuel and Jemima). Janice enjoys walking, classical music - and a good cup of strong coffee.
We welcome Andrew and Janice to the team in August and look forward to their service to the wider movement.