SERVE
Serve with an Interserve team in Asia or the Arab world.
Serve intercultural communities in Australia or the UK.
As Jesus-followers in a globalised world, we’re called to love our neighbour and be agents of hope in refugee camps and the city slums as well as the corner cafe and the local footy club.
So, where do we start? Crossing the barriers of language and culture takes skill, prayer and practice. Easy to say. Hard to do. Thankfully we don’t have to do this alone. Jesus calls us to walk with others on the journey.
On Track Together is an opportunity to learn more about wholistic mission and explore faith and justice issues through intercultural study and service overseas. Together with others.
On Track Together is offered in partnership with Tabor
On Track Together is for people in their 20s and 30s, from all walks of life.
In particular, you might step in from one of these four places:
I care about global justice issuesI am thinking about long-term missionI am uncertain about where to nextI am keen to use my skills to make a difference
Short-term mission trips, overseas holidays and even our social media newsfeed have shown us the plight of communities living in poverty, women and men subject to exploitation, or families seeking refuge from war.
“The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the Lord will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.” Isaiah 41:17
We know that these people matter to God. As a follower of Jesus, we too are called to respond.
Through On Track Together, you will:
- Grow in your awareness and knowledge of global justice issues
- Consider what the Bible says about the poor, oppressed and the foreigner
- Meet and walk alongside those working for justice
- Respond to God’s call to love our neighbour using your gifts and skills.
“I look at the world; particularly those regions where unspeakable pain and suffering exist not just for a moment but as a way of life with no means of escape… Then I look through the eyes of Jesus and imagine his response to their suffering as his call to me. I need to do something about God so loving the world. Following in the footsteps of Jesus is putting faith into action.” Peter, Arab world
For some of us the call to engage in long term cross-cultural mission is core to who we are. For others it is a possibility that continues to come across our radar that wants exploring.
“My interest in cross-cultural service grew from when I was very young, reading biographies and hearing stories in church of cross-cultural workers. A series of short-term mission trips confirmed my early interest and gave me a desire to explore long-term cross-cultural service.” Amy, South East Asia
Jesus’ great commission to his disciples included their local neighbourhoods and the ends of the earth. On Track Together brings together missional opportunities both near and far, offering you scope to discern your future long-term engagement in local and overseas environments.
Through On Track Together, you will:
- Take a step of faith and try out your call to long-term missional involvement
- Grow in your understanding of the faith, culture, and missional practice
- Be mentored by and walk alongside other long-term cross-cultural workers
- Discern future steps in your calling with the support of others.
“From the very first day I understood the gospel, my desire was to tell other people about the wonderful gift of eternal life. Although we wondered which country we would serve in, we felt quite sure he had ‘wired’ us to live and serve him cross-culturally.” Brian, Arab world
Choosing a career and discerning a life calling doesn’t always come naturally. It can be difficult to find a fit for your passions and skills in an employable occupation, even if you’ve got a qualification. Yet God calls us to live for Him even in the uncertainty of life. He doesn’t require a career plan. He invites us to participate in what He is already doing.
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:17
Current statistics suggest that young people may have up to five careers in their working lives. On Track Together responds to this trend by modelling lifelong practices of growth, reflection and engagement as a disciple of Jesus. You can bring these practices wherever you are and whatever work you’re doing.
Through On Track Together, you will:
- Support the work of the local church and cross-cultural workers
- Grow in your ability to relate across cultures in an increasingly globalised world
- Journey with other like-minded Christians and reflect together on faith and action
- Discern your next steps with a dedicated mentor.
“Your contribution may be small but it can provide much encouragement to local Christians as they endeavor to live out their calling in their world.” Interserve Partners in Central Asia
You’re qualified in your chosen profession and you’re keen to put your skills to use. Whether it’s sitting in an office, pacing the halls of a hospital or managing your own classroom, your passion is becoming reality. Our work can be life-giving – not only for ourselves but for the communities where we share our skills. It can make a real difference.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
As followers of Jesus we are part of God’s “blessing to the nations” (Galatians 3:8). On Track Together is an opportunity for you to see how your skills can be used to bless communities in different cultures.
Through On Track Together, you will:
- Learn about God’s heart for the nations and our role as followers of Jesus
- See how your skills can promote hope, healing and wholistic transformation for communities in need
- Grow in cultural understanding and practice to best serve people from all nations
- Gain international experience and learn from other professionals.
“It was God who created me and moulded my life. He gave me a desire to use my skills and experience to be a blessing to others and a witness of His grace and mercy. Through all this I can see God’s hand, His call to ‘Follow Me’.” Amy, South East Asia
“From the very first day I understood the gospel, my desire was to tell other people about the wonderful gift of eternal life. Although we wondered which country we would serve in, we felt quite sure he had ‘wired’ us to live and serve him cross-culturally.”
“It was God who created me and moulded my life. He gave me a desire to use my skills and experience to be a blessing to others and a witness of His grace and mercy. Through all this I can see God’s hand, His call to ‘Follow Me’.”
“Your contribution may be small but it can provide much encouragement to local Christians as they endeavor to live out their calling in their world.”
“I look at the world; particularly those regions where unspeakable pain and suffering exist not just for a moment but as a way of life with no means of escape… Then I look through the eyes of Jesus and imagine his response to their suffering as his call to me. I need to do something about God so loving the world. Following in the footsteps of Jesus is putting faith into action.”
Getting Started
Timeframe: flexible (begin when you are ready)
Connect with regular web events and explore issues of justice, faith and mission
Jump into some intercultural study with Tabor^
Check out opportunities to grow your cross-cultural skills in your town or city
Get matched and meet up with a missions mentor
Discern where God might be leading you next with regular online gatherings
^Study at your own pace. Full time and part time options available for the Diploma of Intercultural Studies.
Getting practice
Timeframe: 6 or 12-month placements
Pack your bags, you’re off overseas. Choose a 6 or 12-month placement in one of the following regions:
- Middle East / West Asia
- Central Asia
- South East Asia
- Great Britain
Join an Interserve team, and use your gifting, skills and profession to serve others
Learn a new language*
Delve deep into your experiences with reflective tasks*
Join in exposure trips to Asia and the Arab world (for UK placements)
* Successful completion of language study and reflective tasks allows you to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning for two Tabor course units, giving you course credit toward a Diploma of Intercultural Studies. You may also complete other intercultural course units while you are overseas.
Getting Reflective
Timeframe – flexible (recommended 6 months)
Connect back with your church and share your story
Gain your diploma, complete final course units
Discern your next steps with your missions mentor
As followers of Jesus we live and work among the most marginalised peoples of Asia and the Arab world.
Walking with the poor
More than 580 million people are still living in extreme poverty. And yet ending poverty is more than urgent relief to physical needs. True transformation is only possible when we understand the whole person and the society around them.
In Asia and the Arab world, Interserve workers serve with the local church, development organisations, hospitals, schools and social enterprises to help communities break free from poverty’s devastating effects and experience the abundant life Jesus offers.
People on the move
People are on the move. They are fleeing war, conflict and persecution. They’re looking for work. They’re being trafficked. They’re joining family. They’re seeking hope. For any number of reasons, they are in a new place. The UN estimates there are more than 250 million refugees or 3.3% of the world’s population.
Interserve workers throughout the world are working alongside local Christians to respond to the needs of refugees and migrants. They build friendships, share their skills, and are agents of God’s hope to those who find themselves in new places.
