With the 2025 Reach Australia National Conference on the horizon, focusing on ‘The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns’, we’ve pulled together six great resources. We pray they’ll inspire a renewed focus on mission in your church throughout the summer.

1. Deepen Your Theology on Mission with Andrew Heard

• Why it Matters: With “no religion” on the rise in Australia, Andrew argues that reinvigorating mission isn’t just about programs but a heart-level change. He pushes leaders to start with a rock-solid understanding of the church’s purpose in mission.
  
  
• Takeaway: Start with ourselves. Andrew calls us to wrestle with our own mission convictions as leaders and members of the church.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “If we preach and teach the Bible week in, week out, and don’t see that fervour grow for gospel ambition, then we’re not teaching the Bible properly. I think that’s an indication there’s something going on for us as preachers and leaders. Part of the cure has to be to deal with ourselves in this.”
  
  

2. Creating a Missional Culture: 5 Steps with Dave Jensen

• Why It Matters: Dave gives five practical ways to help churches build a mission-minded culture, pointing out that a congregation needs to feel the urgency and importance of mission. He talks about getting the church ready, especially on Sundays, to welcome and include newcomers.
  
  
• Takeaway: Treat every Sunday as a “big day” where visitors feel welcomed, the service is well prepared, and there are clear pathways for newcomers to engage further. This builds confidence for members to invite people regularly.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “We work very hard at every Sunday being treated as ‘Grand Final day’: that is, ensuring that everything we do is done to the highest possible standard. It helps to remind ourselves that every single Sunday a guest is coming who has been witnessed to, prayed for, and invited by a nervous church member, sometimes for years. It’ important not to ‘drop the ball’ any week as it not only can put off the visitor, it can discourage your church members from inviting people in the future.”
  
  

3. Get Intentional with Your Mission Calendar with Sam Hilton

• Why It Matters: Sam talks about moving beyond one-off events which and thinking through the year with mission in mind. He describes using a “funnel” approach, where larger community events lead into smaller gatherings that build relationships and point people toward exploring Jesus.
  
  
• Takeaway: Create a year-long mission calendar that’s all about connection. Think about how each event funnels into the next—like using carols to invite people to Christmas services or kids’ clubs.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “Our big carols event that happens at the end of the year, isn’t just an event on its own.  The idea of the carols event is then to push people into Christmas church or push people into our Kids Club program.”
  
  

4. Mission in a Small Church: Insights from Liam Doyle

• Why It Matters: Liam offers encouragement to small churches, showing they don’t need big budgets to make a difference in mission. He says that small churches can have a significant impact because of their close-knit community and personal approach.
  
  
• Takeaway: Small churches have a real strength in close relationships, and Liam highlights that it’s often personal conversations that bring people to faith.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “If you’ve got larger church and you’re thinking, well, how do I build a missional culture? That’s a big ship to turn. If you’ve got a smaller church, either you or someone in your church can basically get around it. You can deliberately invest in every one of your people with an eye to mission.”
  
  

5. Talking Religion with ‘No-Religions’—Insights from Matt Varcoe

• Why It Matters: The 2016 Australian Census data revealed Australia to be one of the least religious nations in the developed world. Matt explores how churches can connect with this growing group. He gives insight into understanding secular worldviews and encourages churches to find ways to connect meaningfully.
  
  
• Takeaways: Learn to listen first, finding common ground that can open doors to gospel conversations.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “We’re not in a place these days where people turn up to an event, hear the gospel and become Christians. Sure, it can happen, but it’s pretty rare. People start so far away from the gospel now, and we have to meet them back where they are… people want to be heard before they’re willing to hear, or to listen to someone else.”
  
  
  

6. Case Study: Kellyville Anglican’s Mission Shift with Dave Keun

• Why It Matters: This real-life case study explores how Kellyville Anglican revolutionised their mission approach to becoming a thriving, outreach-focused church. It’s a great story for churches needing a fresh start in mission.
  
  
• Takeaway: Dave explains how building a vision for mission and evangelism was essential to involving the whole congregation as active participants in the mission work.
  
  
• Quick Quote: “The first thing I do is say, I want to share our vision with you. So every newcomer that attends gets to hear me unpack the vision. We have a Vision Sunday once a year, and it’s basically an opportunity to put our mission field before our people, and then put forward some concrete actions from a mission point of view.”