Australia. The name brings all sorts of images to mind: kangaroos and Crocodile Dundee, great white sharks and dramatic landscapes. But Australia is more than what appears on post cards. It is bigger than the lower 48 states, has a thriving economy, and is incredibly culturally diverse. Australia is also reluctant to embrace religion—any religion.

In the sunny city of Perth in Western Australia, our team is actively ministering to a people who are friendly and fun, yet largely unwilling to engage in conversations about Jesus or Christianity. Here, MTW missionaries are working with several local churches. They partner with local Christian leaders, and use music, art, street ministry, and education as inroads into their neighbors’ lives. They’re also reaching out to the Aboriginal community as well as rural communities outside the city. All of this is in pursuit of a long-term vision of planting and building up more churches. It takes patience and creativity to work in Perth. Progress is slow, but it is fruitful, and our great God is on the move.