The final day of college mission was a big one.
We started at 8am with a traditional service. Seb Lane gave a clear and challenging talk from Mark chapter 1. Seb challenged us on whether we knew the authentic Jesus of Mark 1 and asked if we had responded to his call to follow him.
Then it was all hands on deck for the climax of mission week, the Panania Anglican open day. The weather wasn’t perfect but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from turning out and enjoying a coffee cart, bbq and drinks, fairy floss, finnska, giant jenga, face painting, children’s play group and information sessions at 11am and 1pm to tell them how to get involved with the church.
There were a lot of visitors, and a few good connections made. It was also a good opportunity for the different church congregations to join in together at an event. There was a great energy and atmosphere the whole time and both the Panania Anglican staff and parishioners were very happy with how it went.
At 5pm we had our final team meeting and both the mission team and the staff at Panania felt the week worked really well and that the goals we had for the week were achieved. We all were encouraged and thoroughly enjoyed partnering in the gospel for a week. Our hope and prayer is that this mission will bear much fruit and that we will see significant gospel growth in the suburb of Panania as a result.
We then had our final service at 6pm. Seb preached again as Dave Simmons lost his voice today. Seb was clear and helpful yet again from Mark chapter 1. We had our farewells and now it is back to home. It is sad to be leaving such a great church but we will remember this mission with great fondness.
