how churches can partner
with a college

A Three-Way Partnership:

  How OCA helps Australian churches connect
  with leadership training in the developing world.

What advantage is there for an Australian church to partner with a theological college in the developing world?

• Cost effective mission involvement – a small amount of money produces big results.
• Long term value to the church where it is growing fastest.
• Congregation members can easily identify with training needs.

Why partner with Overseas Council Australia in mission activity?

• OCA selects and monitors evangelical, well run, strategic colleges.
• OCA provides ongoing information, education, and resources about the students and partner college as well as world mission issues.
• the partnership encourages Christians in Australia to understand and contribute to training Christian leaders in the developing world.
• The partnership can be tailored to suit the ministry and educational needs of the Australian congregation.
• The partnership may be a commitment for one year, two years or three years. The congregations involvement can grow over that period with successive elements.

  Possible Elements in the Partnership Mix

  • Each small group could sponsor a student.
  • Fund a particular project e.g. a library or translation project.
  • Hold a youth or other group camp at the college overseas.
  • Invite a faculty member, a graduate and a student to the church
     for two weeks to speak at church and small groups.
  • Phone link during a service with the college principal to hear
     the latest prayer points.
  • Educational programs/camps provided by OCA.

OCA Facilitates the Partnership

Stage 1
Evaluate your current mission education and orientation in the congregation to determine if your church is ready for a three-way partnership.

Stage 2
Devise the elements for a partnership in consultation with Stuart Brooking. Choose an appropriate country/college and project mix.

Stage 3
Implement and review each six months to assess the progress of the various elements of the partnership. Adjust elements as needed.

The OCA Advantage

OCA is affiliated with Overseas Council International, which is the largest donor to theological colleges in the developing world. Its research team is a world leader in assessing the strategic value of colleges and promoting development of colleges in every region of the world.

OCA's mission is to assist Christians and Churches in Australia to participate in world mission through training leaders for the church in the fastest growing part of the church.

Contact Rev Stuart Brooking to start Stage 1 of a three-way partnership.