Australia Mission Team

Team Home | Team Information | Testimonies | Australia Mission Team Website

Information Sheet

Leaders: Dr. and Mrs. George Matzko
Email: australia_team@yahoo.com

History of the Ministry

Two Bob Jones University students, Tony Miller and Wally Jaworski, went on a mission trip to Australia in 1970, after being challenged in chapel by Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. God called Wally to Ingham, Queensland, where he has served in the same church for over thirty years.

Bro. Wally invited the Matzko family to minister in Ingham for two months in 1995. It was to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But because of the Matzkos' nine summers of experience with the BJU Mission Team to Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 1980's, they quickly realized the great training opportunities in Australia (foreign culture yet English-speaking). The Lord opened the doors in 1996 for the first BJU Australia Team. Over one hundred and sixty students have participated during the past twelve years.

Several team members have returned to Australia as full-time missionaries and Christian school teachers. Others are seeking the Lord's will regarding their future place of service in Australia or in other fields of Christian service at home and abroad.

Opportunities

  1. Church Ministries (21 last year): preaching, teaching Sunday School, children’s church, music, ladies’ meetings
  2. Camp Ministries (4 last year): cabin leaders, music, operational staff, grounds preparation, skits, sign painting
  3. School Ministries: Home schools, Christian schools, and Religious Education classes in public schools
  4. Outreach Ministries: Vacation Bible School, letterboxing, Awana, Bible clubs, drama, puppets, young people’s meetings, Bible/science seminars

Purposes

  1. To provide practical, hands-on missionary training under the direction of veteran field missionaries, national pastors, and evangelists
  2. To help students discover for themselves the abilities and training necessary to succeed in any ministry
  3. To provide extra manpower so that the work of the Lord may be extended in Australia
  4. To provide godly role models for Australian children and teenagers
  5. To encourage and uplift Australian Christians of all ages

Team Members Will . . .

  1. Learn the steps a missionary must take to get to the field
  2. Increase their faith as they trust the Lord for finances
  3. Observe the difficulties and demands that the pastors and missionaries face on the field as the team members stay in their homes and fit into their daily routine
  4. Understand themselves better as they find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings outside of their comfort zone
  5. Grow in their desire to win the lost and disciple converts
  6. Improve their communication skills
  7. Be challenged to consider future ministry in light of the great need overseas
  8. Meet first generation Christians who have to live and work in an environment hostile to Christianity
  9. Increase their gratitude for the Christian heritage they have in America
  10. Return home with a renewed desire to learn and more prepared to serve the Lord wherever He leads

Vital Information

  1. Dates: June 4 to August 2
  2. Grades are given for this three-credit course which can be taken either for Social Studies (SSS) or Missions (CM) credit. Requirements include reading two books on missions and Australia, attending weekly team meetings and spring deputation services, and keeping a spiritual journal while on the field.
  3. The cost for this course is about $3800 (room, board, and tuition being $2180 and the airfare being about $1600.