“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” - Acts 19:20
Luke uses these words to describe the gospel bearing fruit through Paul in Ephesus. They’re a fitting way to frame this report too.
What follows are stories of what God is doing among us — people coming to trust in the Lord Jesus, leaders growing in faithfulness, and churches being strengthened and planted across Australia.
Under God, we keep praying that many more would respond in repentance and faith. We pray with confidence, knowing how God’s story ends: a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language gathered before the throne (Rev 7:9).
We’re praying for 300 new churches to be planted by 2030. Already, more than 165 churches have been planted, and over 350 are experiencing healthy change.
God is raising up planters, shaping leaders, and drawing people to himself.
As you read, give thanks for what God has done — and look ahead with bold faith to what he will continue to do.
In gospel partnership,
Scott Sanders
on behalf of the Reach Australia network
Based on data from 62 churches between April and September 2025, comparing average annual attendance growth before and after the participation of the senior pastor in the Leadership Development Program. Professions of faith are self-reported by churches using their local definitions.
We thank God for his work in drawing people to himself through local churches, and for the training and support that strengthens leaders to serve faithfully and grow healthy churches.
"During our launch weeks, two people came to faith in Christ — unchurched people brought from death to life. That’s been a great encouragement as we’ve begun.
We weren’t planning to run any courses this year, but there was enough interest that we started our first LIFE series (our evangelistic course) in a lounge room. Five seekers attended. Please pray that they would also repent and believe.
We’re already hitting capacity in our venue and are praying for a new location. God has provided space at the PCYC, right in the heart of an underprivileged part of the city, and it’s embedded us in the local community at just the right time.
The people walking through the doors are unchurched and de-churched — not transfers from other churches. It’s what we prayed for, and so far, God has been kind."
Nathan Milham
Associate Minister
New churches are five times more likely to reach people who don't yet follow Jesus or haven't been to church in years.
We're aiming to help plant 300 new churches by 2030.
Healthy churches don't happen by accident. They need leaders who can faithfully teach the Bible, care for people, and lead with courage and skills.
Our goal is to develop 750 church leaders by 2030.
"Our church was stuck. We had around 80 people on Sundays, but we weren’t seeing people who didn’t know Jesus come to faith. As elders, we had to ask some confronting questions: where are we heading, and why do we exist?
The Leadership Development Program forced us to face what needed to change. One of the first things we did was as basic as putting flags out the front so people could see we were open. It seems small, but it marked a shift from being inward-looking to intentionally welcoming our community.
In the months that followed, God began opening doors we hadn’t seen before. People who had never been to church started turning up, saying they sensed there was something more. That has blown me away and opened my eyes to what God can do — far beyond what I had expected.
This season has changed me as a leader too. Churches don’t drift into fruitfulness — real change requires honesty, repentance, and faith."
Josh Davies
Montmorency Community Church (Melbourne)
"Over time, it became clear that our staff team was working hard but not always moving in the same direction. Planning conversations kept stalling, and we found it hard to move forward together in a clear direction.
Doing the Team Development Program together changed that. We now share the same language and tools for planning and reviewing ministry, and we’re clearer about what we’re aiming for and why. Instead of just responding to what’s urgent, we’re setting outcomes that serve our vision of seeing people on the Northern Beaches know Jesus, and working together to get there.
It’s made us more united, more deliberate, and more focused on the work God has given us to do."
Ben Molyneux
St Faith’s Narrabeen
We’re praying to see many more healthy churches planted and leaders raised up across Australia — so that by 2035, the number of Reformed evangelical Christians in Australia has doubled.
That means moving from decline to growth: not losing people each year, but seeing new people come to know Jesus and join local churches.
In a church of 100, instead of one person leaving each year, five people joining.
"I came to the Wives Network retreat with assumptions about who I’d meet, and they were quickly undone. Being there felt like being surrounded by warrior-class women — pastors’ wives who are thoughtful, resilient, and deeply tuned in, regardless of background or stage of life.
The training met us right where many pastors’ wives are: exhausted, carrying fear, and unsure whether we’re doing too much or not enough. It helped us work through those emotional and spiritual burdens — whether you’re just starting out or carrying years of unresolved hurt.
Those days gave space to rest, to be understood, and to persevere again. That’s the gift of the Wives Network — when you’re often the only one like you in your church, it creates a place to belong.”
Amy Isham
St Kilda Presbyterian Balaclava Church (Melbourne)
22 potential church planters completed a rigorous assessment process
Goal: 25 assessments
20 leaders equipped through planter bootcamps to launch new churches well.
Goal: 25 trained
39 senior pastors growing through our two-year leadership program.
Goal: 60 leaders
123 gospel workers from 23 churches trained to lead healthy, collaborative teams
Goal: 100 workers
56 churches guided through in-depth reviews to strengthen their ministry
Goal: 60 churches
228 senior leaders, team members and pastor's wives supported through one-to-one peer coaching
Goal: 250 relationships
47 ministry apprentices trained through practical masterclasses
Goal: 32 participants
1,310 church leaders encouraged and equipped at National Conference
Goal: 1,300 attendees
780 women engaged through gatherings and training
Goal: New workshops and podcast episodes launching this year
49 spouses refreshed and strengthened through dedicated retreats
Goal: 65 women
81 podcasts, 1 ebook and many articles produced to equip church leaders
Goal: 100+ new resources
25 churches and Christian organisations strengthened through branding, websites and systems support
Goal: 25 churches
80 church leaders from 52 churches developing clear pathways for future leadership
Goal: 40 new leaders
204 people completed questionnaires to clarity their strengths and future in ministry
Goal: 200 conversations started
It’s a joy to work alongside churches across Australia.
In 2025, 160 people and churches gave generously, providing over 60% of Reach Australia’s funding.
These are the people who enable training church planters and senior pastors, who support leaders and families in tough seasons, resource churches, provide consults that strengthen ministry on the ground - all the activities you read about in this report.
The Leadership Development Program and Team Development Program are heavily subsidised through the generosity of Christians who want to see churches equipped. Our conference operates on a break-even basis. Church planters are raised up and prepared to launch entirely through God’s provision, by his people's generosity.
It’s a humbling joy to partner with so many who share this work.
This year, we’re praying to see 20 churches planted and 160 church leaders trained.
If you’re excited about what that means for Australian Christianity, please pray and consider giving.
Would you give a coffee a week to help train a pastor?
Reach Australia is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC). It holds Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status for giving towards our online resource library. Tax-deductible gifts help fund podcasts, ebooks, articles, and other resources used by churches across Australia.
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