Hannah discovered her passion for evangelism in high school, where her teachers introduced her to the concept of missionary work. Her teachers encouraged her to complete work experience at AFES university ministry.
“I was overjoyed and amazed to see believers dedicating their life and occupation towards evangelism and discipleship. After this four-day experience, I began to actively seek further exposure to mission.”
After school, Hannah enrolled in The Bridge, SMBC’s gap year program, to continue her journey towards mission.
“It has been such a gift from God to meet like-minded believers and understand further how I might serve God! The Bridge has been one of the biggest blessings to my life. By God’s goodness, The Bridge has given me insight into, and a greater passion for, mission!”
“The Bridge has been one of the biggest blessings to my life. By God’s goodness, The Bridge has given me insight into, and a greater passion for, mission!”
Several aspects of the Bridge program helped shape her thinking about mission. ‘Missionary of the Week’ became the highlight of her week. “Their (well, God’s) work was so encouraging, and a reminder of the many people who need to hear the gospel, and the significance of the work being done.”
The three-week Cultural Study Tour in South East Asia gave her opportunities to see God at work in remote and hard places. As she listened and watched local gospel workers, she experienced first-hand that “Mission is not possible without God.”
She was amazed to find that “South East Asia felt far more like home than Australia. I learnt that God is capable of causing a foreign land to feel like home, and a foreign people to feel like family.”
“As I walked along the local streets, and so deeply loved those I saw and met (and burdened by their unbelief) more than I could give reason to, I saw God’s grace in sharing His missional heart with me.”
“Mission is anywhere – The Bridge has painted a more accurate picture, and mended my misconceptions of mission.”
The Bridge didn’t just sharpen Hannah’s passion for mission; it changed how she understands the nature of the work itself.
“Mission is anywhere – The Bridge has painted a more accurate picture, and mended my misconceptions of mission. Previously, I had understood mission as the process of travelling into foreign cultures and nations with the intention of sharing the gospel, rather than actively engaging in God’s mission to bring the gospel to people.
“By understanding this, I’ve learnt the value of engaging in mission wherever the LORD has placed me! Australia is a nation with unreached peoples, and while I remain here, I can actively engage in mission. God’s mission isn’t limited to foreign borders, but rather His will and purposes for His people wherever they are!
“Mission is anytime (while I wait) – God’s brought to my attention the risk of simply fixing my eyes forwards and failing to engage in mission where I am. It’s far easier to make plans to witness to people in a decade, than to witness to the unbeliever before my eyes.
“I’m desperate to witness to the lost overseas, however those within my town I’ve become less burdened for. The Bridge has caused me to ask myself, if I don’t make the effort to witness to those around me now, why will I when overseas? The Bridge has taught me to seize the opportunities the LORD has handed to me now. To witness to the person on the bus. To pursue the timely conversation and relationship for God’s purposes. Wherever I am, now.”
Hannah learnt about the joy of the gospel, and the God who invites us into partnership with him. “That we mere humans have firstly received the gospel and that we might carry this good – the best – news to those who have not heard, truly astounds me.”
“Mission is an honour – Although the work of missionaries is celebrated, oftentimes it had been communicated to me as a terribly intense work only for a select few. Whilst I don’t deny that living as a servant of Christ may result in severe persecution, harassment, and even martyrdom, I seriously overlooked the honour of being able to engage in God’s mission.
“That we mere humans have firstly received the gospel and that we might carry this good – the best – news to those who have not heard, truly astounds me.”
“It is God who strengthens us to engage in His work and who stirs the repentance of sinners. It is He who deserves the glory and who ultimately does the work; we are only vessels for His purposes. May we be willing, ready, and faithful vessels.
“I thank God every day for The Bridge. It seems as though God has hand-crafted this program to shape, encourage, and equip His young servants to step out into mission for the sake of His holy name.”
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Update: Since graduating from The Bridge, Hannah has completed a mission internship in South Asia hosted by prayer partners to The Bridge program. She is considering long-term mission work, potentially in South Asia.
Hannah has begun studying social work at university, to reach marginalised communities that they might be built up in Christ. She has been involved in local ministries, receiving mission mentorship, and soaking in uni evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship.