The Real Australian Spring 2026 Editorial

Greg Harris, National Director

One of the things that sometimes happens to us as we go through life, is that we lose sight of what God is up to in our world. That can even be true of a missionary organisation like The Bush Church Aid Society of Australia. And that is why, at our recent Field Staff Conference, I took the time to take a step back and remind everyone gathered, of the part we play in God’s purposes for our world.

At the very heart of all we do at BCA is the deep conviction that people living in the bush matter profoundly to God – no person is too far, no town too small, and no community is so remote as to be beyond the grace of God.

Our heart’s desire is that ‘every person in the bush has every chance to know Jesus’. ‘Every person’. From those who are First Nations peoples, to the most recent arrivals.

‘In the bush’ is our way of naming our focus as rural, regional and remote Australia. From mining camps to small rural communities. From red dust to rugged coastlines. From remote towns to growing regional centres.

‘Every chance’ reflects our commitment to generous gospel witness.

To ‘know Jesus’ is not to know about Him, but rather to encounter our living Lord Jesus; to trust in Him; live for Him; grow as a disciple and gather with His people.

Of course, to have this in mind as our vision is one thing, how we work to see this deep desire come to pass is another.

BCA’s desire to see everyone in the bush have every chance to know Jesus drives us to ‘go the distance to share Jesus in the bush’.

We go literally – a lot of travel and lots of work in isolated communities.

And we go metaphorically. Long term faithfulness, resilience, prayerful dependence, sacrificial generosity and the willingness to persevere in gospel ministry over time are in our DNA.

Indeed, you, as our supporters, have demonstrated you share all of these traits of going the distance for over 107 years now. We are so grateful to
God for you. May our great God bless your efforts to partner us so that:

Every person in the bush (has)
Every chance to know Jesus.