Extending the kingdom of God in our community and abroad

Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students - $15,000

AFES aims to strengthen the Christian Unions in regional Victoria through supplying theologically trained and experienced staff to work with the student groups at Deakin University Geelong and La Trobe University Bendigo.


Urban Seed - $30,000

Urban Seed has commenced a new project at Norlane Baptist Church in Geelong. This follows its model carried out in Melbourne’s CBD of having people live in its premises and providing the local community with a free meal to share with neighbours, particularly those who are marginalised.


OPENaid International - $15,000

OPENaid International has established a program in Pattaya City, Thailand, to rescue  women caught in the sex-tourism industry. This includes counselling, group activities such as artwork and writing exercises, Children of the Go Go’s (ministry to the children), financial loans (above photo of crops). The purpose is to help victims recapture a life out of prostitution. Support teams are able to build relationships with young girls and provide much needed psychological, spiritual and physical care. OPENaid works in partnership with a number of churches in the city and is staffed through a large number of volunteers both in Australia and in Thailand.



Mphatso Children’s Foundation - $15,500
Geelong resident Robyn Casey, works in Malawi in Africa, where she has established six Christian-based day care centres. In these day care centres, over 900 small children are taught, entertained and fed each week day. The children sing about God and his love for them. Local teachers and cooks are employed which gives several families much needed income. Mphatso is the name locals have given Robyn and it means ‘gift’.



CNEC Partners International - $48,320

CNEC Partners International in partnership with HEAL Africa received a grant to fund four health professionals employed by HEAL Africa based in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, to undertake a two year distance education program through a Kenyan University. They also received funds to employ two pastors as part time hospital chaplains in the town of Goma.


Operation Mobilisation - $5,000

The MV Doulos is the oldest ocean-going passenger vessel in the world. Owned and operated by Operation Mobilisation, Doulos visits port cities throughout the world, supplying vital literature resources, encouraging inter-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, promoting greater global awareness, providing practical aid and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity. The granting of this money coincided with the visit by the MV Doulos to Geelong in September 2008.


Wycliffe Bible Translators - $5,000

This funding will go towards testing 100 ‘Saber’ MP3 digital audio players for their suitability for long term large scale use in places where Wycliffe teams are already working. The Saber is a rugged MP3 player that can be powered by a number of sources, including a handwind generator. The Saber will allow Wycliffe field teams to make the Bible and other teaching materials available in audio format to those who are illiterate.