Mission work has always been an important part of the College culture, right from the very first year. In 1985, that first group of children performed the musical Agapeland at Northside Church and then took it to the Chermside Old People’s Home (as it was then named). The oldest student was in Year Three.

The Biblical command is that we be His witnesses in “Jerusalem (our local community), Judea (further afield in neighbouring communities), Samaria (interstate) and to the uttermost part of the earth (overseas)." Acts 1:8

In 1994, a timbrel group was formed by Mrs Kay Garbutt and later continued by a number of different teachers. In 1997, Mrs Garbutt told of a visit to a Care Home with the girls in which there was a man who had not communicated since he had been seriously injured in an accident. When the girls were ministering, he responded – for the first time. This is one of a number of good stories that could be told. 

As the age of the students increased, the local missions were added to by trips further afield until, in 1999, overseas trips were begun, with one to Japan and one to China. Since then, there have been multiple trips to places as diverse as Vanuatu, China, Uganda, Russia, Ukraine, Korea, and Mozambique.

Somewhat closer to home, the destinations have included the Torres Strait Islands, the Whitsundays, and Outback Queensland.

Local missions have flourished with every year level of the College contributing. Through World Vision and Compassion, sponsored children are supported by local fundraising, prayer and letter-writing. A favourite Junior School fundraiser is Red and Yellow Day, on which they dress in those colours when they bring their gold coins. Across both Junior School and Secondary, there are projects happening to support a long list of charities and ministries. 

Since 2007, there has been an ongoing ministry to the poor and homeless in the inner city, with a band of faithful people going in every Friday night to minister practically and spiritually. The visits to Care Homes, which began in 1985 still continue.

Covid stopped travel for a time, but, apart from going overseas, the mission works have continued.  Some local ministries could continue and after the floods in northern NSW, there have been two groups of volunteers headed down there to help as part of the effort by Samaritan’s Purse. Of course, the support of the sponsored children continued without a break. 

Looking outward is important for both adults and children alike as it trains us to be thinking of others and not just of ourselves. We are called to be part of the Great Commission of Jesus. 

So many stories could be told, but to illustrate, there is a photo from 2002 of two young boys in Russia sitting at the base of a statue of Lenin - reading Bibles that had been given out by the team. That’s a great illustration.