The Rising Swell of the Pacific Voice

By Rev Sue Ellis

Back in the early 1990s and as a growing disciple of Jesus, I was interested in the stories of the many missionaries from South Australia who went to Asia-Pacific regions at the invitation of our partner churches.

Evangelism was at the forefront of congregational ministry. I was surprised to hear some Uniting Church leaders prophesy, that one day the people to whom we sent missionaries, would bring the Gospel back to us. At the same time, there was a growing voice telling the church that our mission field needed to be in our backyard, because there were generations of unchurched people here, who did not know the story of Jesus.

Reverend James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches will be in Adelaide as a guest of Uniting Church Fellowship and Mission Support (UCFAMS), to bring the inaugural Polkinghorne Oration on the broken relationship between development driven humanity and the Pacific Ocean, islands, people and creatures. His lecture is entitled Oceans of Justice and Rivers of Fairness - a Pacific Voice in the Wilderness.

James Bhagwan refers to the Pacific Ocean as the liquid blue continent and the First Peoples of the Pacifica have cultures embedded in their close relationship with the Pacific Ocean. The Uniting Church welcomes many Pacific Island peoples who are in Australia as seasonal workers, into our congregations. Their strength of faith and witness contribute immensely to our life together.

James Bhagwan will address the effects of rising sea levels attributed to Climate Change, together with issues of pollution, and the effects of deep seabed mining. He will point us to the truth of the Way of God, revealed in Jesus Christ, for the Pacific region. Members of the Fijian Congregation at Vermont will bring a cultural performance at the event, giving voice to their faith and culture.

Could this be the Gospel returning to South Australian churches from those to whom our missionaries were sent? James Bhagwan will bring a challenging message that may invite us into a renewing relationship with the creation, in which Christ is found.