As followers of Christ, we are called to share the gospel through our words, through telling others about what Christ has done for us (Romans 15: 20-21; Philippians 1:18). We are also called to proclaim the gospel through our actions and deeds, and through what our lives demonstrate about the gospel, and about and the love, mercy and compassion of Christ (James 2: 14-18; 1 John 3: 17-18; Eph 2:8-10). Each and every church is called to actions of mercy that form part of ‘faith expressing itself through love’ (Galatians 5:6), and that extend the reach of the gospel to all.
Since ADM’s beginnings, the gospel has compelled and sustained our mercy ministries. In responding to Christ’s love, at ADM we continue to share the gospel through both Word and deed, and to build on the rich foundations laid by the deaconesses who faithfully served Christ and shared his gospel with a broken and hurting world.
In responding to the second greatest commandment to love our neighbour (Mark 12:31), ministries of mercy show others what the gospel looks like. As churches grow in serving marginalised and disadvantaged members of their communities, and become places that are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all, we see God’s love displayed and opportunities for more and more people to meet Jesus, and to experience his love. In the Church, mercy ministries are inseparable from the work of discipleship - of seeing people come to know and experience Jesus, of continuing to grow in his love and persevere through challenges because of the hope that he brings.
As well as sharing the gospel, mercy ministries also reveal the fruit of the gospel in each of our own lives, and are a response to the love we have received through Christ as we each share this with those around us.
ADM continues to grow gospel-shaped women who serve Christ in the Church, the community and the world. We equip and encourage Christian women as they bring the gospel to bear in Word and deed, and who share the love of Christ with those experiencing marginalisation and injustice.
Our recent work includes programs supporting and resourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women in ministry, as well as initiatives led by Christian women to equip churches in caring for survivors of domestic abuse. We also support those ministering in chaplaincy and pastoral care, as well as in mental health care and disability ministries. We have also funded Christian women to develop church-based mercy initiatives that respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that share the love of God with their local communities.
In every church, we see opportunities for both Christian women and men to come together and to form contextual mercy ministries that extend Christ’s love to the world, and that respond to the abundant love and mercy that Christ has shown to us. At ADM, our vision is not just to equip and encourage those who are already ministering in mercy initiatives, but to also resource and support new ministries, to see every church serving in mercy ministries that extend the love of God in every context, and every community.
Through our mercy ministries, we:
Equip and encourage Christian women in developing gospel-shaped mercy initiatives that meet the distinct needs of their communities
Resource and partner with Christian women who are ministering faithfully in marginalised and disadvantaged communities and contexts
Work to see gospel-shaped, integrated and discipleship-focused mercy ministries in every church
ADM is building a library of insightful pieces on the subject of Domestic and Family Violence, both for those impacted by the horror of this abuse and for those who are seeking to be better informed:
The release of the key results of the National Anglican Family Violence Research Report recently into Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a key moment for the Anglican church. It provides a snapshot of what is happening and what can be done to address this urgent and significant issue. ADM’s CEO, Rev. Jo Gibbs, reflects on the report’s findings.
Six women serving in local churches throughout Sydney have received funding to support church-based mercy ministries through ADM’s COVID-19 Church Response Program.
Australians are invited to celebrate together under the theme of ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’. As the NAIDOC Week website notes, “’Always Was, Always Will Be’ recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.”
ADM awards $80,000 Restoring Sanctuary Innovation Grant to innovative model for churches to create safety for domestic abuse survivors
ADM is honoured to announce today the awarding of the Restoring Sanctuary Innovation Grant, an $80,000 grant to support the development of an effective church-based response supporting domestic abuse survivors, to Dr. Wilma Gallet and her group.
ADM sponsored Jerusha Mather reflects on her recent trip to Parliament.
Last month, Libby Sanders, ADM’s program manager for Mercy & Justice, 2019 Senior Fellow Brooke Prentis and 2019 Creative Fellow Emma Pittman joined 200 Australians and 15 Pacific Church leaders in Parliament with the goal of sharing their support for Australian Aid and to discuss what the Pacific Step Up means for Pacific people.
Calling upon Australian-based Christian women to form an innovative, collaborative and church-based response to domestic violence, the grant invites applicants to consider new and theologically-based ways to ensure the safety and healing of domestic violence victims among Christian fellowship.
Miriam Numamurdird is the first local Christian leader in the Northern Territory to participate in a unique pilot program. An ADM Mercy & Justice Grant is providing Miriam with a two-year paid traineeship in Bible translation & leadership development. She is working in partnership with Rev. Kate Beer, CMS Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese. Hear Miriam’s story…
Mercy and justice program manager Libby Sanders on her recent visit to Canberra advocating for action regarding violence against women and children in the Pacific region.
In a time of global suffering and political unrest, how can Australia best serve its global neighbours? As the nation approaches a federal election, how can Christians think biblically about engagement in politics?
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme is dedicated to supporting Christian women and their ministries. The aim of the program is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women who are serving their communities in formal or informal ministries, either in a paid or unpaid capacity. Grant funding between $250 - $2,500 will be awarded to successful applicants.
COVID-19 has impacted our communities in a range of ways, and vulnerability and insecurity have deepened for many already struggling before the pandemic.
ADM formed the COVID-19 Church Response Program, to equip Christian women to do mercy and justice through their local church, to meet real and present need and practically share the love of Jesus through this period.
Domestic violence is a critical issue affecting women, children and men in Australia.
With a single prize of $80,000, this 2020 project drew new initiatives responding to the ongoing crisis of domestic violence, so that women may flourish as God intended.
Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Australia (AEF) and Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) came together to design a Loss, Grief and Trauma Care Pilot Project for Aboriginal Women.
The 11-month project began on 31 July 2017 and was rolled out initially across Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It aimed to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to explore their experiences of loss, grief and trauma, and facilitate healing through the use of creative tools – all within a biblical framework.
Continuing from the success of the East Coast Program, ADM progressed with further roll-out of the Grief, Trauma and Loss workshops into communities in the West-Coast region of Australia.
An ADM Mercy & Justice Grant is supporting a unique pilot initiative in the Northern Territory Anglican Diocese. Miriam Numamurdird is the first local Christian leader in the Northern Territory to participate in this two-year paid traineeship in Bible translation & leadership development. She is working in partnership with Rev. Kate Beer, CMS Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme Grantees Announced
ADM is delighted to announce that twenty-two women have received grants to support their ministries through the 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme.