Hostility to the gospel is common today. Yet spiritual breakthroughs are often at the periphery, not the centre; and not by human plans, but by God’s initiative through prayer. Join us and learn from former OMF General Director Dr Patrick Fung and Brisbane School of Theology lecturer Dr Robert Edwards about how we might be fearless in proclaiming the gospel, willing to cross cultural barriers, and demonstrate the powerful mercy of Jesus Christ.

Key Speakers

Dr Patrick Fung
Patrick was born in Hong Kong and received medical training in Australia and the UK. He, and his wife, Jennie, previously served as medical missionaries in South Asia. Patrick currently serves as the global ambassador of OMF International (formerly the China Inland Mission). He formerly served as the general director of OMF International from 2005–2023, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ in all its fullness with East Asia’s peoples. Patrick was formerly on the Lausanne Movement’s international board and is currently the advisory team chair of Lausanne YLGen and the programme chair for the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization.

Dr Robert Edwards
Robert is Deputy Principal and Director of Postgraduate Studies at Brisbane School of Theology, which he joined in 2023.  Originally from Canada, he was previously a researcher in early Christian history and theology in the USA and Germany. In addition to his ongoing dedication to theological research, he is committed to providing robust theological education in our post-Christian age, something he thoroughly enjoys doing at BST. He is married to Kerensa and they have three children, each born in a different country.  

Electives

	Mission and the love of God – Dr Mark Baddley The love of God has been a powerful motivation for mission through the centuries. But what sort of shape should mission have, when it is grounded in the love of God? A desire to save souls? A commitment to the restoration of creation? A focus on the flourishing of the whole person? This session reflects on the ways in which believers have wrestled with the implications of the love of God for mission, and seeks to identify some key principles for the biblical shape of mission when it is compelled by the love of God.
	Facing life’s disruptions – Susan Chapman God does not promise an easy road for His disciples. In fact, “we must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and cancelling our plans …”* But how to be ready? Through research and lived experience, Susan has discovered three steps that can make a world of difference as we face life’s interruptions – knowing truth, continuing to learn, and having appropriate self-care. In this elective we will unpack and explore these so we can be ready for when life gets turned upside down.
	The Past and the Future: How History Shapes our Mission Practice Today – Dr Robert Edwards From the very beginning of the church through to today, Christians have continuously been engaged in mission. Although most early missionary work was never memorialized in writing, in this workshop we will examine some of the earliest evidence for mission in Western Europe. As we examine closely the priorities and methods of these early missionaries, we will also take the opportunity to ask those enduring questions that continue to surround missions: planning, funding, and contextualization, among others. Reflecting upon missionaries of the ancient and medieval past will provide an opportunity both to learn from our forebears and to allow them to be a mirror for our own contemporary practice.
	Opportunities and Challenges in a New Mission Landscape – Dr Patrick Fung Since the Edinburgh Missionary Conference in 1910, more than a century ago, the landscape of global missions has undergone significant changes. Many of the mission fields of the past are no longer open to traditional missionaries, and Christians are increasingly facing persecution. However, God’s call to the Church for missions has not changed. This workshop aims to explore current mission trends, new mission concepts and the challenges and opportunities the Church faces in today’s context to fulfil the Great Commission commanded by the Lord Jesus.
	A World of Opportunity – Paul Jessop Asia has more than 50% of the world’s population, but less than 10% have heard the gospel! Where are the greatest needs? Can I use my vocation or is church planting the only way to go? Do I need to be in Asia to make a difference? Join us as our National Director Paul Jessop helps us explore current opportunities to share the good news with East Asians.

Details

Date: Saturday 2nd August 2025 
Location: Living Church (formerly Creek Road Presbyterian) 
Address: 1541 Creek Rd, Carina QLD 4152
Time: 8:30am – 1:30 pm 
Cost:  
Adults $30 
Students $15 
Children (12 & under) Free  

qld@omfmail.com 
(07) 3391 6777