A wonderful coming together happened recently in Darwin. Indigenous leaders from remote communities such as Lajamanu, Willowra, Murray Downs, Katherine, Kalkarindji, Dagaragu, and Yuendumu, met alongside representatives from Baptist Mission Australia and Baptist Churches SA & NT. Those present shared times of story, naming challenges and opportunities for their church communities, and for themselves as church leaders.
There was the chance to pray with and for one another, and worship together in song in Warlpiri, Gurindji, Alyawarr, and English. There were shared meals and opportunities to encourage one another through words of welcome and support. Melinda Cousins shared with us from the Psalms of Ascent and Psalm 121. This resonated strongly and tied together many conversations from our time together.
Everyone was excited to contribute to the gathering. From these contributions and discussions, a poetic summary was written called Our Journey with God. There was a sense as we met together of strengthening and deepening our connections as Family together, a part of the wider Baptist family. It fittingly culminated in the bigger family gathering of BCSANT.
It was a wonderful privilege to witness God at work amongst the leaders of our most remote Baptist Churches. The inspiring, resilient faith of women and men who love King Jesus and are living out lives of faith and hope in their communities. Alongside the challenges, there were stories of hope to celebrate together. People are still talking about the great time together and looking forward to meeting again sometime soon.
Indigenous leaders present: From Willowra: Jeanie Presley, Suzanne Brown. Murray Downs: Robin Moreton & Jacintha Morrison. Yuendumu: Andrea Tasman. Katherine Warlpiri: Sharon Rockman & Herbert Mosquito. Lajamanu: Roger Jurrah, Annette Patrick, Lynette Tasman & Mary-Kathleen Lewis. Dagaragu & Kalkarindji: Danny Palmer, Queenie Bernard & Reony Jimmy. The leaders were joined by Baptist Mission Australia Outback Team members Mat Anderson and Mal & Chris Good (with background support from Danny and Beth Hunt) as well as National Team Members Andrew Duncan, Lisa Cornish and Elliot Keane. Melinda Cousins and Elliot Keane represented Baptist Churches of SA & NT at the gathering and continued the journey of building connection for the remote churches with the wider movement. John Whitbourne a long retired, beloved ABMS worker who holds a special place in the hearts of those gathered, was also part of the gathering.
Words by Elliot Keane
First Nations Engagement Facilitator
Baptist Mission Australia
