A South Carolina native, Kristen Kelly spent many summers serving overseas during high school and college. Now a Clemson University graduate, Kristen has spent the last five months serving as a ministry apprentice at a church plant in Adelaide, Australia. Check out the snapshots below from Kristen as she tells us in her own words about life and ministry in Australia.
God has been gracious to combine my love for learning, travel, and culture with my desire to serve Him and spread the Gospel. I am currently five months into serving as a ministry apprentice (intern) at Trinity Bay Church, where I serve in the young adult and women’s ministries. Words cannot describe how God has provided for me, guided me, and taught me more about His love for me and His people since the day I felt led to do overseas mission work in South Australia.
God has been so good to provide me with whatever I have needed in Australia. A non-Christian Irishman who owns a bike shop down the road lent me his very own bike to ride around. Who does that? I use this to go to and from the church office and for joy rides along the coast.
I have learned that every Australian birthday has to have fairy bread. Fairy bread is literally a slice of bread cut into fourths, covered in butter, and then dipped into color-coated sprinkles. So, sugar bread.
The young adults at my church put together a concert to share the story of Jesus’ death and bodily resurrection through song. It was amazing to see God’s people using the gifts that He has given them to their full potential.
I was blessed with the opportunity to go on a road trip through the Australian outback. There was nothing for miles and miles and miles. Under cloudless nights and the Milky Way, I saw God’s grandeur, His creativity, and how awesome He is up close. I couldn’t miss it.
I have not convinced myself to eat a kangaroo burger yet, but I have had a kangaroo and emu pizza. You can pretty much convince me to eat anything that is on a pizza.
I co-lead some of these women in our women’s growth group. For Easter, we hosted an event where women could come into a welcoming environment and make chocolate eggs and grass crosses.
Paying with plastic has a whole new meaning here. Australian bills are not only plastic, but are different colors and sizes, so you know exactly what you are getting when you pull out a bill. I love it.
I wrote a report on Ayer’s Rock in 6th grade for Ms. Roberts. Who knew that I’d travel to see it eleven years later?
I threw a USA game night for the church youth complete with baseball, country music, Cracker Jacks, Hershey’s chocolate, and Moon Pies.
Want to connect with Kristen? Follow her on Instagram or check out her blog.
PRAY
Pray for Kristen to have clarity and authenticity in her discipling relationships with young women in Adelaide. Pray also that these women will be led of the Spirit to disciple others.
While Australians have access to the gospel, the prevalence of post-modern pluralism has led to the decline of the evangelical church. Less than 8% of Australians engage in weekly Christian worship. Pray for a revival of the Australian church.
Pray that God will send more workers to Australia.
GIVE
You can help TEAM send more missionaries like Kristen by supporting the Global Outreach (GO) Fund. Click here to give!
SERVE
There is a great need for workers in Australia. Missionaries are needed for teaching, discipling and church planting. Click here to learn more about TEAM’s ministries in Australia and view service opportunities in Adelaide.
Is good to know your part and function there. To God be the glory for your testimony!