Jean-Claude and Joyce Manirakiza, and their children Chris, Ornella, Venerande and Isabella

(Baptist Mission Australia – Malawi)

Jean-Claude and Joyce are serving in Malawi, witnessing to the Yawo people. Jean-Claude’s background is in church planting, and the family have a real heart for the community they are living in. Please pray for the work that the Manirakizas and the Malawi team are doing, which includes improving health, adult education, relationship building and bible translation into the Yawo people’s language.

Mike

(Baptist Mission Australia – S.E. Asia)

Due to the sensitive nature of where he is working, we are unable to show a picture. Mike has been serving in S.E. Asia since 2021. His first year was spent adapting and learning to adjust to life in the small, yet fast-developing regional city he now calls home. In 2023, Mike began working as an English Teacher at the Education Foundation. This role not only allows him to help the local people develop their English language skills, but is also necessary for him to have a reason to stay long-term in S.E. Asia. One of Mike’s goals is to develop deep trust and respect with his friends at the language centre, so that he might have fruitful conversations about the Kingdom with them.

Ben and Petra & Family

(Baptist Mission Australia – Silk Road Area)

Due to the sensitive nature of where they are working, we are unable to show a family photo. Ben and Petra have been serving among the K people of the Silk Road Area since 2016. Aside from language and culture learning, Ben leads an English program that provides both a valuable service to the local community, as well as the opportunity to meet many people. Petra uses her skills as an Occupational Therapist to connect with families who have children with disabilities, demonstrating that God’s love is unconditional and for all.

Maz and Esther & Family

(Baptist Mission Australia – S.E. Asia)

Due to the sensitive nature of where they are working, we are unable to show a family picture. From 2015, Maz and Esther have lived among the B.I people in S.E. Asia, although they have been serving in the S.E. Asia region since 2011. Over the years, they have learned the local culture and language and engaged in relationship building with the local people. They have been involved in community developed activities through Creation Care and Language Centre projects, including environment, agribusiness related activities, education management consultancy and literacy programs for children, trash bank programs and food aid projects during the COVID 19 pandemic. They are passionate about sharing the Gospel with the B.I people in culturally appropriate ways, and seeing faith communities emerge.

Daz and Bee & Family

(Baptist Mission Australia – S.E. Asia)

Due to the sensitive nature of where they are working, we are unable to show a family picture. Daz and Bee (and their family) live amongst the SI people in S.E. Asia. They moved to S.E. Asia in 2018, and since then, have learned much about the culture and language. They are now involved in launching a new ministry that will use a cafe as a third space to connect with locals, as well as provide training and employment for those most in need in society.

Compassion

Our partnership with Compassion is an exciting opportunity to link our congregation with Compassion and churches in the developing world, together seeking justice for children in poverty. It affirms the unique and God-ordained role of the local church as an instrument of change in the world, bringing justice to the poor and oppressed.

As a church family we have partnered with ID255 Student Centre (located in North Sulawesi, in East Indonesia) with more than 150 children participating in the project. Members of the Beacon Community family sponsor over 30 of these children, and in 2012, several of the Beacon Community family visited the project, which was rewarding for all.