Be the neighbour – near and far

As I write this, I’m on my way to Cloncurry to visit the Owen family, who serve faithfully in Cloncurry and Julia Creek – taking seriously the idea of ‘going the distance’ to share Jesus with the bush. As I drive, I’ve been reflecting on the Parable of the Good Samaritan which I recently preached on, and how being a neighbour is at the heart of ministry in Cloncurry.

Jesus clearly shows us that when it comes to our neighbour, we’re not just talking about the person over your fence you chat to when checking the mail. Our neighbour also includes the one who lives thousands of kilometres away, in a rural or remote town you may have never been to.

The question asked in the parable of the Good Samaritan is this: if you see the need, will you act? Will you go and do likewise? It’s easy to think that being a neighbour is just about feeding someone’s dog while they’re away or dropping over a meal. And it is that! But it’s also about being a neighbour near and far – to the people of Coober Pedy, the rugged Pilbara, the wilderness of Tasmania, and many other parts of this country.

BCA has been ‘going the distance’ for over a hundred years, helping churches in the bush to keep proclaiming Jesus where there may be no other church for hundreds of kilometres. All BCA Field Staff, including the Owen family living and serving in Cloncurry and Julia Creek, can do what they do because of neighbours like you, who faithfully pray and give to BCA. It is your willingness to be the neighbour near and far, through your generosity and prayers, that makes their ministry possible.

Our gracious Lord saw our need, crossed the divide, and saved us. He is the ultimate neighbour. May he grant us eyes to see the need and the boldness to act, so that we might ‘go and do likewise’. That we might continue to go the distance and be the neighbour – near and far.