Global mission is a partnership. Missionaries, supporters and sending churches each taking hold of Jesus' commission – to proclaim to the whole world the good news of peace with God through Jesus Christ.
More than 30 million people will die this year without ever hearing the name of Jesus. Right now, there is just one missionary for every 216,000 people living in unreached people groups. The need far outweighs the workers. Globally, for every $100,000 earned by Christians, just $107 is given to world mission. Of that, a mere $1.07 supports work among those who've never heard the gospel.
Most of our team live by faith, supported by everyday Christians-families, churches, and individuals. When you partner with Pioneers, you help carry the good news of Jesus to places it's never been heard. There's a role for each of us.
Pray with us. Give as you're able. Raise up the next generation of cross-cultural workers in your church. Because mission was never meant to be the work of a few. It's the shared calling of the whole Church. And it starts with choosing to take part.
Less than 1%
of church giving goes to missions
30 Million +
People that will die this year without hearing the gospel
1 : 216,000
There are currently almost a quarter of a million unreached people for every missionary in the field
At Pioneers Australia, we partner with people who are taking the gospel to some of the least reached corners of the world.
These are places where few have heard the name of Jesus, and where faith often comes at a cost. Every cross-cultural worker we send depends on the generosity of believers here at home-people like you-who choose to sow into God's mission with prayer, encouragement, and financial support.
Your giving directly supports workers on the field: enabling language learning, supporting local church planting efforts, funding practical needs, and opening doors for long-term, life-changing gospel presence. It also strengthens the support systems that sustain these workers-training, care, admin, and leadership-all of which help them stay healthy and effective for the long haul. We don't take your generosity lightly. Every gift is stewarded with care, and every dollar makes a difference.
Together, we're helping bring the hope of Christ to the nations.
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“To belong to Jesus is to embrace the nations with Him.”
Prayer is a vital part of missions, shaping lives and opening doors as God moves in response to His people. Missionaries need faithful partners who will stand in the gap, interceding for their work and the communities they serve.
Want to pray for missions but not sure where to start? Here are some practical ways to begin…
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The Church is at the heart of God's mission. In an increasingly interconnected world, Australian churches have an unparalleled opportunity to partner with God in reaching the nations. While local ministry is vital, global mission is not a secondary calling-it is central to who we are as Christ's body. But why should your church invest in global mission, and how can you be effectively involved? Let's explore the biblical foundation and practical steps for engaging in mission through a partnership with Pioneers Australia.
Before His ascension, Jesus left the Church with a clear mission-to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). This Great Commission is reinforced throughout Scripture, from Luke 24:45-49 to Acts 1:8. Taking the gospel beyond our borders is not optional; it is a core aspect of our faith.
From the very beginning, God's plan has been global. His call to Abraham promised that "all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). The Old Testament reveals a God who desires to be worshipped by all nations, and the New Testament confirms that the Church is His chosen vessel to declare His praises (1 Peter 2:9). As believers, we are a sent people, called to reflect God's mission-hearted nature.
Paul's missionary zeal was driven by the conviction that "the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes" (Romans 1:16). If we truly believe that salvation is only found in Christ (Acts 4:12), we must be active in taking His message to those who have never heard it.
God gives churches unique gifts-financial resources, skills, and people-to be used for His kingdom. Supporting global mission doesn't mean neglecting local ministry; rather, it enhances our ability to serve both locally and globally. Every church has something valuable to contribute, whether through financial giving, logistical support, or sending missionaries.
Engaging in mission expands a church's worldview and strengthens its ability to reach its local community. As Australia becomes increasingly multicultural, the skills missionaries develop-such as cross-cultural communication and community engagement-are equally valuable in our own neighborhoods.
Paul urged believers to “join in the struggle” through prayer (Romans 15:30). Effective mission work begins with intercession, but it must be intentional and informed:
Mission work is not a solo effort, it requires deep, mutual partnerships between sending churches and missionaries:
Financial support for mission should be more than an obligation, it should be an investment in God’s kingdom:
A church’s mission enthusiasm is often a reflection of its leadership. If a pastor is not passionate about global mission, it’s unlikely the congregation will be:
The next generation of missionaries will come from today’s churches. If we are not intentional about developing them, they may never step forward:
The local church is the heartbeat of mission. When churches pray, give, partner, and send, they become a powerful force in God's global work. Engaging in mission is not a distraction from local ministry-it is an essential part of fulfilling God's call.
Is your church ready to take the next step? Pioneers Australia is here to help! Let's partner together in bringing the gospel to those who have never heard.
Beyond Finances
Imagine leaving everything familiar-your job, home, and daily routines-to embark on a journey filled with uncertainty. You know where you're going, but not exactly what it will look like, where you'll live, or even how each day will unfold. Your financial security now depends entirely on the generosity of others. It's exciting, but also overwhelming.
This is the reality for many first-time missionaries as they prepare to leave Australia and step into cross-cultural ministry. They've responded to God's call, stepping out in faith and obedience. They aren't victims of circumstance; they've chosen this path, fully aware of the cost. And yet...
We asked some of our missionaries what they wish people knew about this transition. Their responses were raw, honest, and deeply moving.
“I wish my friends and family understood how stressful this season is. There are exciting days, but also deeply emotional ones. The simple act of helping pack, clean, or just acknowledging the difficulty of letting go of our possessions would have meant so much.”
Practical Help is a Lifeline
“One of the most meaningful things our mates did was help us move out of our house. Packing up our lives was physically and emotionally exhausting, but having people lift boxes, clean, and just be present made all the difference.”
The To-Do List Never Ends
“Preparing for mission feels like a second full-time job, paperwork, support raising, training, logistics. We need help but often don’t know whom to ask. Bringing a meal, minding the kids, or just praying with us can be a huge blessing.”
We Still Need Normal Life
“In the midst of all the preparation, we still need moments of normalcy. Grabbing a coffee, going for a walk, or simply spending time together without talking about mission can be refreshing. It reminds us that we are still part of our community even as we prepare to leave.”
Support Raising is Humbling
“It’s not about selling ourselves; it’s about inviting people into God’s work. When someone says, ‘I want to be part of this’-without waiting for us to ask-it’s a huge encouragement.”
We’re in ‘No Man’s Land’
“We’re transitioning out of life here but aren’t in our new home yet. There’s uncertainty-departure dates, ministry roles, even where we’ll live. It’s a season of trust, but also of waiting.”
Prayer Means Everything
“Hearing ‘We’re praying for you’ is nice, but when someone asks, ‘How can I pray for you specifically?’ it shows they really care. Those prayers give us strength.”
We’re Not ‘Gone’ Yet
“During our sending season, people treated us like we had already left-but we were still here! We loved when friends invited us over for a barbie or included us in everyday life.”
Leaving is Both Exciting and Grief-Filled
“Leaving for mission is a mix of emotions-excitement for what lies ahead, but also deep grief in saying goodbye to family, friends, and the familiar. Recognising and validating both emotions can be a great source of support.”
Staying Connected Matters
“When people check in months after we’ve gone, it reassures us that we haven’t been forgotten. A simple message, a video call, or a letter can mean the world.”
How You Can Help
As friends, family, and church communities, we have a unique opportunity to support first-time missionaries during this pivotal season. Small acts of kindness can make a world of difference:
Let’s be a community that makes the transition smoother. Because while they go, we send - and together, we are part of God’s mission.
You might think the recently returned missionary at your church has terrible fashion sense, and seems generally clueless about normal life. You might be right! When someone has been living in a totally different culture for two or three years at a time, they are going to have some big blanks when it comes to popular culture and what’s trending at home.
I remember arriving back in Australia from India in the mid-noughties and being so confused about Kath and Kim. People were laughing about Kath and Kim, mimicking them, quoting them. But me – never heard of them!
What to wear and how to wear it. The latest music. Church trends. Tech gadgets. Road rules. Coming back into your home culture can be just as tricky as moving to a new culture, except you might be judged a bit more harshly at home! It can be hard to navigate, and some missionaries might be inclined to stick with their comfy and strange “other” clothes and ways.
So how can those of us that love and support missionaries help them slip more easily back into Aussie life each time they come home? Here’s two ideas:
Capture all the tips and news you think might be interesting and helpful in a book that you can give to the missionary when they arrive home. If you love a bit of hands on activity, make it a physical book. If you’d rather tap on your keyboard, make a digital creation.
By compiling topical news from home into an entertaining newsy email a few times a year, you’ll be keeping your missionary friend up to date while they are still overseas.
Either way, you could include things like:
Think about who the missionary is, and what they like, and then let your imagination fly! If you are not sure what to include, why not ask them what they are interested in.
Give it a try, and you may find that as well as being kind and helpful, you have a whole lot of fun in the process.
At Pioneers Australia, we believe that church planting is a calling for the whole body of Christ. Whether through going, sending, praying, or supporting, you can be a part of seeing church planting movements take root among the unreached.
Join us in prayer - ask God how He might be inviting you to partner with Pioneers Australia in reaching the unreached.
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If God is leading you to go, we will equip you through training, community, and support - so that you step out with wisdom and faith.
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