“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
The church doesn’t have a mission, God’s mission for the world is the Church. As the church, we are all called to engage missionally in our world: locally, nationally, and internationally. It’s what Jesus did - it’s his mission, and he chooses us, his church, to achieve that mission.
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20
The church doesn’t have a mission, God’s mission for the world is the Church. As the church, we are all called to engage missionally in our world: locally, nationally, and internationally. It’s what Jesus did - it’s his mission, and he chooses us, his church, to achieve that mission.
Initiatives
hILLS cOLLECTIVE HAMPER APPEAL
In 2018, our Christmas hamper appeal was birthed. Since then we have had the privilege to put together Christmas food hampers for those in need in our community each year. We are constantly overwhelmed with the number of hampers and donations as larger organisations continue to jump on board. The Hills Collective Hamper Drive connects to Coffee Beans Delivered, Zarafas, Gouldielocks Hair, Churches of Christ Care, Marist180 and SU Chaplains to package hampers and distribute them via our chaplains to many homes and families across our region. From single mums in hospital, to people in our very street, we bless them and give a tangible expression of the love of God.
In the Bag Appeal
Our Christmas “It’s In The Bag Appeal” is all about making a difference. Last year fifty handbags were filled with personal hygiene items and gifts and were delivered to the Nest Community in Everton Park. The Nest Community is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation created to develop and maintain a community for the purposes of reducing social isolation, to provide advocacy, education and harm prevention strategies for women and children. This was our first contact with the Nest, and we look forward to continued engagement.
PARTNERSHIPS
Compassion
Arana Hills Church of Christ has a partnership with Piang Luang, a small town in north-western Thailand, close to the border with Myanmar. A church partnership is when one church family in the developed world and one in the developing world form a relationship to care, pray and grow in Jesus together. As our sponsorship requests have grown over the years, members from Arana now also sponsor children in other Northern Thai villages. These villages are ethnically diverse with Chinese, Korean, Thai, Lisu and Lahu people groups represented.
As the Arana community, we currently sponsor approximately 130 precious children through Compassion International, concentrated mainly in Thailand but also 14 other nations. The gift of partnership, your love, prayers, and letter writing for these children and their communities cannot be underestimated and we thank you all for this.
We encourage those who sponsor children to join us on trips to Thailand. It is a fantastic way to further develop your friendship with your sponsored child and their family. During a trip you will also have opportunities to see the broad work Compassion is doing in the country, meet their staff and enjoy some of what this beautiful country has to offer.
Our sponsor visits have proved encouraging, emotional, challenging and often a time of tears, laughter, and learning. If our visits are anything to go by, the children that you all sponsor are engaging, keen, fun and sometimes more than a little cheeky. It’s a joy to meet them and be able to personally share a little of yours' and Jesus’ love with them face to face.
As the Arana community, we currently sponsor approximately 130 precious children through Compassion International, concentrated mainly in Thailand but also 14 other nations. The gift of partnership, your love, prayers, and letter writing for these children and their communities cannot be underestimated and we thank you all for this.
We encourage those who sponsor children to join us on trips to Thailand. It is a fantastic way to further develop your friendship with your sponsored child and their family. During a trip you will also have opportunities to see the broad work Compassion is doing in the country, meet their staff and enjoy some of what this beautiful country has to offer.
Our sponsor visits have proved encouraging, emotional, challenging and often a time of tears, laughter, and learning. If our visits are anything to go by, the children that you all sponsor are engaging, keen, fun and sometimes more than a little cheeky. It’s a joy to meet them and be able to personally share a little of yours' and Jesus’ love with them face to face.
City Changers Movement
The City Changers Movement operates in so many countries and cities, and we are pioneering a Brisbane Branch of this organisation! We have had the privilege to hear Alan Platt (founder of the City Changers Movement) speak at our church for services and events, sharing God’s heart for City Transformation. “We serve local leaders in changing their world” is their mission, and we are seeing this in the establishment of a Brisbane learning community, with leaders from Arana Church, Kenmore Church, Churches of Christ, 4M, Uniting Church, SU Chaplains and other Churches coming together to see how we can make a united impact in our city. We met for our first retreat in the beginning of 2020 and look forward to seeing how this group develops.
Scripture Union
Chaplaincy: SU QLD chaplains, or ‘chappies’, provide spiritual and emotional support to school communities. They are in the prevention and support business: helping students find a better way to deal with issues ranging from family breakdown and loneliness, to drug abuse, depression and anxiety. They provide a listening ear and a caring presence for children and young people in crisis, and those who just need a friend. They also provide support for staff and parents in school communities.
Camps: SU QLD’s camps are held primarily during holiday breaks for both primary and secondary school students. SU QLD provides quality holiday programs which aim to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual health of each participant.
As a church, we are very involved with Smash Camp (high school camp) and send leaders and students every year.
Camps: SU QLD’s camps are held primarily during holiday breaks for both primary and secondary school students. SU QLD provides quality holiday programs which aim to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual health of each participant.
As a church, we are very involved with Smash Camp (high school camp) and send leaders and students every year.
