Jan2022
Ethnic focus: Tonga
by Craig Heidenreich
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tongan people after the recent volcanic eruption, so it seems a good time to highlight our Pacific neighbour as the ethnic focus of this edition.
Jan2022
Pray for Tonga
by Craig Heidenreich
At 5.00pm on 15 January, the local population of Tonga was deafened by an almighty bang so loud that the sound waves went twice around the world, and within minutes, ocean waves flattened homes and ash rained down.
Jan2022
Unexpected blessing at Morley Bethlehem
by Craig Heidenreich
Since coming to Morley Bethlehem in Western Australia a year ago, Pastor James Luk has developed a relationship with the local Sudanese community. A local Sudanese choir was invited and blessed us with some African hymns and songs during a worship service.
Nov2021
God shares his good news in mysterious ways
by Tania Nelson
When the LCANZ was contacted by a member of La Jolla Lutheran Church in California USA because of that church’s ‘Bibles for the Nations’ project, Local Mission Executive Officer Tania Nelson soon realised this ‘out-of-the-blue’ connection was no coincidence.
Nov2021
‘Day of celebration’ as cultures come together
It was a ‘day of celebration’ for members of Bethlehem Lutheran congregation at Morley in suburban Perth recently, when a visiting Sudanese community choir swelled their numbers and shared African hymns and songs during worship.
Sep2021
Beauty (and soul) therapy
Are planned church programs or congregational community outreach efforts essential to effective cross-cultural ministry? Or can we work for the Lord’s harvest with people of all nations in everyday life? LCANZ member Beverley Heidenreich thinks God often provides opportunities for evangelism.
Aug2021
How can we respond with compassion?
by Craig Heidenreich
Recently International Refugee Week was recognised. Such occasions are a chance to reflect on our response to people in this predicament, says LCANZ Cross-Cultural Ministry Facilitator Craig Heidenreich.
Jul2021
We waited so long!
The wait, oh, the wait. We can all relate to waiting, and this story is a wonderful celebration about waiting and waiting for answered prayer in the life of a family we have been supporting for years now.
Jun2021
My friend Mwajemi
by Craig Heidenreich
Let me tell you a story about my friend Mwajemi. I first met her about 10 years ago when she and her family arrived from the Congo. They had been in a refugee camp in Burundi, and if you can imagine something tough, double it, and you would be closer to the circumstances they endured.
May2021
Conferences support mission
The LCANZ’s New Horizons local mission conference program is heading to Sydney this month. The conferences are being staged across Australia and New Zealand, as the teams work together to engage with new arrivals and support congregations wanting to be more embracing of newcomers.
