Previously published in Mission Together

God has been opening doors across Asia for Australians to serve in some of the world's most diverse societies. From crowded cities to remote villages, SIM workers have encountered an extraordinary variety of peoples, cultures and traditions throughout the region. It is a story of many voices joining in God's mission — believers from many nations serving, encouraging and partnering together to share the Gospel. 

That story stretches back to 1893, when Australians Charles Reeve and E. W. McGavin travelled to India with the Poona and Indian Village Mission (PIVM). Around the same time, the Ceylon and India General Mission (CIGM) was established in Sri Lanka and India. As their work spread across the region, the two organisations eventually merged to form International Christian Fellowship (ICF) in 1968. When ICF became part of SIM in 1989, this opened new pathways for Australians to serve across Asia, joining established ministries, local churches and mission workers who had already been faithfully sharing the Gospel for generations. 

Prior to this time, Asia was seen primarily as a destination for mission workers. By the 1980s, mission in Asia was changing. Churches across the region that had once received mission workers were increasingly sending and supporting workers of their own.  

SIM Australia played a major role in establishing a small council in Singapore that brought together Christians from across the region who shared a vision for global mission, with Australian churches and supporters provided much of the funding, to help the new initiative grow. Representatives from Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Indonesia, South Asia and elsewhere became involved as the council developed into SIM East Asia, initially a ministry of SIM Australia, before becoming an independent entity in 1992.   

As Director of SIM Australia/East Asia, Gordon Stanley helped encourage this emerging movement, building on work already begun by Rob Brennan. He was also involved in the establishment of the Missionary Training Institute in Korea, which continues equipping mission workers today. Looking back, Gordon emphasises that SIM's role was not to create the vision, but to encourage what God was already doing. "The Lord was working in the hearts of many in Asia and our role was simply to hang back and encourage," he recalls. "And now they are serving in huge numbers in many different settings. They truly are main players in world missions."  

While the ministry looks very different from the work begun by Reeve and McGavin more than a century ago, the heart of the mission remains the same. Today, the doors opened through ICF and SIM East Asia have expanded the reach of SIM Australia across the region and provided new opportunities for both Asian and Australian believers to serve cross-culturally. Today, many SIM workers serve across the continent, sharing the Gospel and supporting local believers. 

In a Muslim-majority nation in South Asia, Phoebe* has spent more than 20 years serving alongside local believers. When she first arrived, there were many new believers but few mature leaders. Today, she sees local believers discipling others, leading ministries and helping churches grow in maturity. Yet following Jesus can still come at great cost, with some believers facing rejection from families and communities because of their faith. 

In a neighbouring context, Sue and David joined a team serving in South Asia. Their focus is supporting mission workers and their families through member care, alongside projects that address practical needs such as arsenic contamination in village water supplies. As Sue describes it, much of their ministry involves "turning up" and encouraging those already serving in difficult circumstances. 

Further east, the picture changes again. In Japan, SIM partners with A3 to support local churches and develop Christian leaders in a country where believers remain a small minority. When Jack and Amanda Batchen explored ministry options in Japan, they discovered that God can use a wide variety of gifts, interests and experiences in ministry. Jack and Amanda are now in the process of raising funds so they and their young family can serve overseas. Ministry across Asia continues to take many forms, with workers serving through a range of ministries including theological education, healthcare, community development and student outreach. Elsewhere, media ministries are sharing the Gospel and discipling believers through digital platforms, while educators, administrators and health workers use their professional skills to support local churches and communities.  

The settings may differ dramatically, but a common pattern emerges. Across Asia, ministry is increasingly carried out in partnership with local believers and local churches. The story is no longer simply one of mission workers arriving from elsewhere. It is a story of Christians from many nations serving together. 

Andrea, who serves in Thailand, caught a glimpse of that reality at a recent gathering where worship was sung in Thai, English and several other languages. 

"It felt so heavenly, so beautiful," she recalls. "God was there and listening as we enjoyed that fellowship together." 

It is an image that reflects the story of mission in Asia. Across more than a century of ministry, many different people have joined together to share the Gospel.  

Many voices. One song.