Real-life stories and reflections from CultureConnect workers.
God went ahead of us
We were absolutely delighted with the amazing, warm hearted and friendly responses from asylum seekers.
Seeing others blossom
“It is for more than a warm feeling or a desire to help these women that I go each week for tea and conversation. I want to show Nasima and the others the love and grace that God has shown me.”
Fearless, generous hospitality
Hope in the powerful name of Jesus is light in darkness—it breaks the bonds of fear.
God is moving
"I didn’t want to be alone anymore. I was so lonely I was ready to befriend anything that moved."
Nurture and hospitality
"How on earth could we come alongside people with stories like these, and stand with them in appropriate ways? Even though we knew something about being foreigners and strangers, we were beginners in working with displaced people."
Mountains to beaches
"That’s how I come to live near this beach. My brother and I are sort of like Australian teens already, even though the Tibetan community here holds activities to help us remember what it means to be Tibetan."
People of peace
There is an Afghan man I’ve known now for about 11 years, and who I consider to be my best friend. He loves to share his faith but has suffered a lot of rejection from his relatives because of his allegiance to Jesus. He has a real gift for explaining the scriptures and all the believers greatly appreciate him. He is a person of peace.
Go with God
My initial “call” came in response to human need. I attended a missions conference and the speaker told of the desperate need for the gospel among Muslim nations.
The church and the refugee
In our corner of this city, we’re having a crack at being a welcoming church community for the asylum seekers and new migrants among us.
University Witness
At a university in Australia, we have a witness among Muslim students, with a weekly Bible study and a bookstand. Students from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and other countries join us to hear about Jesus.
Of Cars and Karma
A Buddhist friend in Australia asked for my help in buying a used car. He was frustrated after several unsuccessful attempts, disappointed and baffled by the experience; after all, he had done nothing particularly bad in his life. For a Buddhist, the law of karma means that bad deeds result in bad consequences, so why him?
Connecting cultures in Melbourne and Asia
As we gave our testimony of healing in a city square, we met a former Buddhist monk who had become a Christian that week and destroyed his idols and scriptures. We were able to pray for a lady who had hearing impairment since childhood, and she was healed straight after our prayers.
Contact Us
CultureConnect Director
Lisa Bateup
director@cultureconnect.net.au