A new vision for CMS Australia will see the organisation seek to increase its presence in South-East Asia.

Announced at CMS NSW Summer School on January 6, the vision ‘Towards 2020”, praises God for the growth of His kingdom, particularly in East Africa, but acknowledges the people groups still in need of the gospel.

“The gospel never changes, but the world is changing rapidly,” said CMS Australia general secretary, Peter Rodgers. “We need to ensure the work that our missionaries are doing is strategic.

“We are conscious that many gospel-poor peoples live in our “near neighbour” region. We will therefore develop a greater focus on our near neighbours in the South-East Asia and Pacific region.”

In the past CMS has had a small presence in SE Asia and the Pacific, but it is the goal of the organisation to increase the number of missionaries serving in the region, as well as expanding the type of work that is done.

“Australia is part of the SE Asia region,” Mr Rodgers said. “There are still millions of people who don’t know Christ. The need is huge there and CMS Australia should be taking more responsibility for its own region.”

One of the challenges of increasing its presence in SE Asia is that CMS must adapt to the people and cultures of the region, to most effectively minister to them.

“We will develop our expertise in outreach to people from a Buddhist background to a similar level as our engagement with Islam,” Mr Rodgers said.

This shift in focus to SE Asia leads to the second part of the new vision.

Instead of withdrawing from places like East Africa and South America, because of the work that has already been done in growing God’s kingdom, CMS’s role in these places will shift.

“Our role is now equipping church leaders instead of reaching gospel poor people,” Mr Rodgers said. “Our partners in these places are asking us to work with them in developing Christian leaders.”

This will mean a greater emphasis on helping groups like CEP in Chile, a Bible school training the next generation of Chilean church leaders.

CMS will seek to develop relationships with bible colleges and theological seminaries around the world, to offer support and assistance in equipping new leaders.

“It is not only about teaching pastors,” Mr Rodgers said. “We also want to train up leaders in all fields to think biblically. We want to work with universities, and hospitals, as well as offering mentoring. The emphasis is on Christian leadership.”

The final part of the “Towards 2020” vision is to engage churches across Australia in cross-cultural mission and to develop CMS across the country.

“The great challenge for churches in Australia is to develop passion to reach their neighbours from other cultures because the world has come to us,” Mr Rodgers said.