On April 18-19 the entire Aussie Mission team was in Dallas, TX to participate in MRN’s annual banquet and some team development.  The banquet was a great presentation of MRN’s vision and desire for global missions.  Our team along with three others were sent off (prayed over) by hundreds of people.  We were blessed by their prayers and by their interest in our calling.

On Saturday we met with two of the three other teams and talked about the blessings and challenges of moving abroad for the sake of ministry.  Those who presented included Phil Jackson, Mark Hooper, Dottie Schultz and Alan Phillips.

We were blessed by many new friends and reconnecting with friends we had not seen in a long time.

Corey and Emily Mullins joined the team 6 months later…

Each of us individually and as families has their own passion for Christ and engage in unique ministries according to the gifts he has given each one, but we also enjoy (and need) the mutual encouragement from each other. In the past two months–December and January–God has provided us with opportunities where we could “land” together. We relaxed and had fun in each other’s company and we also had heart to heart talks. And our worship of God together took us to a new place, created a greater thirst in each of us to see the vision realized that he has placed in us.

“Stop crying! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has won the victory.” (Rev. 5:5)

“The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will rule as king forever and ever.” (Rev. 11:15) 

“Again you must speak what God has revealed in front of many people, nations, languages, and kings.” (Rev. 10:11)

Our departure for Australia is coming quickly. During this busy time of preparation, networking and fundraising, it was a great blessing for our team to reflect on our team formation process. God has woven many different people in and out of our lives during this process. He has planted a vision and a passion for the people of Wollongong in each of our hearts. And He continues to equip us and refine us as individuals and as a team. We are thankful for this opportunity and pray that our small part in this year’s workshop was an encouragement to all who attended

   In October, the team gave a presentation at Missions Interest Group on HUGSR campus. Three members from the White Station congregation and Gena Granberg acted as the missions committee. Dr. Evertt W. Huffard and Dr. Stan Granberg critiqued the presentation and gave feedback to both the team and the missions committee.

     The team updated the packet to reflect the current status of the team. You can see the updated packet under the documents tab. 

2007 (January-May)—Corey Mullins and Jason Whaley take Church Planting with Stan Granberg; their wives, Emily and Nicole, audit the course. Whaleys visit Memorial Road Missions committee and reports on the history we have with the congregation and express appreciation and hope for a long-term relationship. Mullinses complete their psychological testing. Whaleys travel to Buford, Georgia to explore the possibilities of a future relationship with the Buford Church elders and several deacons. Whaleys travel to Abilene, Texas to explore possibilities with the Southern Hills Church missions committee. Whaleys share their vision with the Park Avenue Church missions committee. Jon Grizzle graduates from HUGSR with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry. Shawn and Jason graduate with Masters of Divinity. Kendra graduates with a Masters of Education from Freed-Hardeman.

2007 (June)—The Grizzles notify the team that they have decided not to go to Australia with the team, but that they will be our prayer warriors and visit us to encourage and work for the mission. The team accepts their announcement with prayer and as well as relief because of the confidence and discernment with which the decision was made.

2007 (July)—The now three-family team processes the change in team dynamics and ministry to the Grizzles. MRN, Alan Phillips, comes to Memphis, prays with the team, and gives encouragement and coaching in building partnerships and helps us process team changes. The team begins to build momentum. We meet with Mark and Christine Parker, who spent five years as missionaries in Croatia, to learn more about communication to partners (discussing a newsletter specifically). (Mark is Vice-President of HUGSR.) Team begins visa processes and writing newsletters.

2007 (August)—The team sends out their first newsletter. Continue worshipping God together and discussing deep convictions about the Gospel and key doctrines. Whaleys present a clearer vision to the Memorial Road Church’s missions committee and asks for the Church to sponsor them.

2007 (September)—The website is reborn thanks to the creative genius of Noel Green (www.parkeastinc.com). The team sends out second newsletter. . . . Team continues effort to solidify sponsorship possibilities while living in discipleship within our present time and contexts.

2005 (August-September)—The Whaleys and the Griffiths begin meeting again as teammates and invite Rex and Laura Butts to join them. The team deliberates forming a partnership with Missions Resource Network.

2005 (November-December)—The Buttses decide they are being called to seek an established ministry opportunity and so withdraw from the team partnership. The Whaleys and the Griffiths complete applications for partnership with Missions Resource Network.

2006 (January-May)—The Whaleys and the Griffiths complete psychological testing and invite Jon and Sara Grizzle to begin “dating” the team and seriously consider joining. After hearing responses from people familiar with church planting in Australia, the team decides to survey Wollongong, Australia over other alternatives in the country. Shawn Griffith and Jason Whaley take Global Evangelization with Stan Granberg; their wives, Kendra and Nicole, audit the course.

2006 (March)—The Whaleys and Griffiths spend a weekend with members of a previous mission team to Australia including their children now grown [Kent and Nancy Hartman, Dale and Sheila Hartman, Charlie and Debbie Powell, and Tony and Betty Kesee]. We don’t see all the former team members, but we discuss family and strategy questions and we worship God and have fun together.

2006 (July)—The Whaleys, Griffiths, and Grizzles take a survey of Wollongong, Australia. We talk to locals, to fellow believers, and to leaders from various churches in the Sydney area. We worship with the ten or so brothers and sisters who met for communion, acapella singing, sermon, bible study, and a fellowship meal. We exchange some ideas about sharing the life we have in Christ with more people in Wollongong. We also have a meal on Saturday night with a mix of Christians and non-Christians thanks to Binh Truong’s hospitality. She’s a member of the Bankstown church in Sydney.

2006 (August)—The Grizzles commit to the Griffiths and Whaleys and to the mission to the people of Wollongong. The team begins to get to know the Mullinses who have just moved onto campus where the Whaleys live and begin participating in the life of the Park Avenue church.

2006 (October)—Kairos church planting strategy lab at Southwest Church in Jonesboro, Arkansas. It is an intensive week of vision casting, strategizing, learning, and worshipping. We get to know members of the Kairos church planting team of coaches and work together on our own team among two domestic church planting teams. The week closes as Shawn, Jon, Corey, and Jason join in a prayer meeting and time of encouragement with two men from MRN—Alan Phillips and Phil Jackson.

2006 (November)—Shawn and Kendra place membership at the Sycamore View Road church. Shawn eventually becomes an intern and then apprentice in ministry.

We continue to pray for God’s wisdom and guidance on how we can be light and salt in the Wollongong area.

We toured some real estate properties for our personal homes if we were to come to Wollongong. We met with some of the leaders in the Australian Churches of Christ over the past few days. We have also talked and interviewed many people from many walks of life.

Being here, experiencing the culture has heightened our awareness of the need for Christ in our life as well as those in Wollongong. Please continue to pray for our team.

Blessings.