Fri
Jun
24
2005

Windana - dumb name, great idea

For the last 16 years or so, there has been a school holiday children’s mission run in our area during the first week of the July school holidays (this year, July 4th-8th). It’s called ‘Windana’ and I’m not sure if it has been under Scripture Union’s banner for all that time, but it is now.
A number of local protestant churches are involved (included ours), and this year our MTS Apprentice, Tim, and his wife, Leah have taken on the directorship of the mission.
This was a last minute sort of move, due the withdrawal of the previous directors for personal and health reasons.

Tim and Leah are quite experienced Beach Missioners, but this is their first urban mission.

And I think it’s a brilliant thing to do!

I’ve struggled a bit with Beach Missions in the past. The concept is great: go to all the camping and caravan parks up and down the coast during the January holiday period and take the gospel to them.
But after 10 days – whoosh! – everyone’s gone home and the opportunities for serious follow up are few. It really does resemble ‘hit and run’ evangelism.
But… it is better than none.

A local urban mission, however, has a much better chance of making ongoing contacts for local people, and feeding them back into local churches.

So, if you are a local Christian, please consider being part of this great outreach to our local community.
If you are not a local Christian, please pray for it.

Oh yes, ‘Windana’ apparently means ‘which way’... and we plan to tell people exactly that!

Posted by Neil, 24 June 05,
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Comment

  1. i worked on team at Windana a few years ago. It was a great experience. Urban mission really makes sense. it is hard work getting the follow up in local churches, but in theory, at least, it is possible. It has developed a reputation in the area and many non-church-goers start asking about it about this time of the year. So even if there has been no church contact through the year, there are quite a lot of ‘regulars’ who turn up each year. Do pray for the team. There have been two leadership changes in as many years (I’m good friends with the last directors). Despite many problems, God has seen to having this mission running each year. Lets pray for that to continue. As well as being a great time of speaking and acting the gospel, it is a wonderful opportunity for Christians to get experience ‘up front’ and plenty of behind the scenes work. It can be a time of great encouragement.

    — Elizabeth · Jun 25, 08:41 PM · #

  2. Thanks for contributing those encouraging words Elizabeth, you are dead right when you talk of the value of a long term, ongoing project like Windana. There is so much in Christian ministry that draws value from the 'long haul' approach. We're looking forward to God doing great things this year and beyond!

    — Neil · Jun 26, 05:47 AM · #

  3. Having been a member of Wagga Summer Mission, I would concurr with your comments about Urban versus Beach missions. For urban missions in non-local settings, you need to be strategic in chosing your site and make sure partner churches are ready to get involved. Having people from the town on team helps alot and builds a sense of fellowship with Christians in other places even when not on ‘mission’.

    — Pete · Jun 29, 11:28 AM · #

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