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Grants help Christian ministries

5:23pm Sunday, 29th August 2010

Thirteen Christians and ministries from around Australia have received a share of $100,000 from Australia’s premier Christian travel agency.

The grants will help fund a hospital in the Congo, raise awareness of boat people escaping to Australia, train a Ugandan doctor, help feed 150 homeless people each night in Brisbane, teach children in Africa, train 100 IT missionaries, care for children of prison inmates in Victoria and produce a healing, intercessory music album.

Mission Travel Group co-founder, Lisa Scerri, said the team was overwhelmed by almost 2,500 applications across four categories in the missiontravel.com.au Giving Back campaign.

“This $100,000 Giving Back opportunity has without a doubt been the most rewarding experience of the four years since Frank and I started Mission Travel Group.

“As a judging panel, we prayerfully considered every application,” said Lisa. “There were lots of tears shed as we read stories of people trusting God in the midst of all that life has thrown at them.

In Brisbane Nightlight Outreach Inc will receive a grant for a vehicle to help feed Brisbane’s homeless. Nightlight feeds and clothes up to 150 people who are homeless and disadvantaged in Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast each night. Michaela Porter and her husband currently operate out of the back of a 2001 Ford Laser Hatchback. The Giving Back grant will go towards the purchase and fit out of a Toyota Hiace van.

Michaela shares, “In just the short time of us being out on the streets, we have seen many changes in people’s lives when they accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour,” says Michaela. “Receiving a grant of $10,000 will really help us establish our place firmly and recognizably in the community and expand God’s kingdom from there through the purchase of a van.”

In Melbourne, Prison Network Ministries will use a $5,000 grant for their Kids Matta program, which includes camps, ‘Fun with Mum’ sessions and attending special activities like footy matches and movies for up to 50 children each year.

“We’re passionate about the women we work with in the prison and the kids,” says Debra Redford, CEO Prison Network Ministry. “It is great to know others have read the application and share that passion about what we do. In providing funds to send disadvantaged children and teenagers to Christian camps, it is often the only opportunity they have to see another way of life and to be genuinely loved.”