Until All Have HeardSample

“We know you were in Russia — but what I want to know is why you were there?” About 15 of our neighbours and their kids instantly stopped chatting as this question was addressed to my husband, Lloyd. After moving house, we’d invited all our new neighbours to a somewhat chaotic dinner, and this was the show-stopping question. A lively conversation ensued: childhood dreams of being a missions worker were explored by one neighbour, deep scepticism about faith emerged, some polite nods followed — and we had the joy of seeing one family come to church with us a few times. It was a brilliant evening, full of questions, followed by many more conversations and meals together. We love our neighbours! And if knowing Jesus is the best part of our lives, why wouldn’t we share with those around us? But we all know how hard it can be.

Around the world around two billion people have not heard of Jesus. Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (NIV). How can we “overflow with hope” without hearing about Jesus’ death and resurrection? As NT Wright says, “Hope, for the Christian, is not wishful thinking or mere blind optimism.” It is firmly anchored in the death, resurrection and promise of Christ.

In OM, our great dream, along with tens of thousands of partners, is to see vibrant communities of Jesus followers among the least reached. To see men, women and children who know and love Jesus, living in and testifying to his resurrection hope. All over the world those who love Jesus will be celebrating hope. In the midst of war in Sudan, in villages across Ukraine, for both refugees and the wealthy, Jesus will give meaning to hope and a future.

So, the questions for us to ponder are these: what are the needs only we can see, whose are the hands only we can hold and where are the people only we can reach? In other words, how are we living Jesus’ message of eternal hope?

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Katherine’s adventures with OM include 17 years in Eastern Europe and Russia — a part of the world that still holds her heart. Married to Lloyd, who teaches at a seminary in Perth, and with two adult daughters who have both served with OM, Katherine’s passion is to see many more live life to the full in Christ. She currently serves on OM’s Global Leadership Team and is responsible for Organisational Development where she gets to minister with a fantastic international team of dreamers and implementers. After 35 years with OM, she recently piloted a plane for the first time while on a Bible teaching safari in outback Australia — and she's keen for many more adventures with Jesus. For Katherine, equipping people to live and share their faith in Christ is both a privilege and joy.