How do we go about sharing the Adventist message with a city of 4.5 million people spread across 12,000 square kilometres, where 35 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home?

Sydney’s population represents some 20.5 per cent of the Australian population. In the five years to 2008, it grew by 210,000 or more than 40,000 annually. Sydney is now one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting also a wide diversity in religious pathways.¹ The challenge of evangelising this complex and widespread city is daunting.

The Greater Sydney Conference (GSC) is preparing for a city-wide outreach campaign in 2013. This conference was chosen by the Australian Union Conference to be the beneficiary of a General Conference grant to enable concerted evangelisation of major cities around the world. Original expectations were that perhaps 10 venues could be sponsored; however, once Pastor Michael Worker, GSC president, extended an invitation to pastors and churches to participate in this global campaign, close to 30 pastors and 40 churches opted in. This has become Sydney’s biggest evangelistic thrust in decades.

Almost all the presenters are from Sydney. Programs will be held in nine different languages; one of the English venues will focus on the needs of Aboriginal people. The thematic title in the advertising for most of the venues will be “The Last Empire”, beginning with Daniel 2, but within that framework will be a variety of styles of presentation to meet the diversity of Sydney’s population. The advertising and presentation materials are being professionally developed to harmonise with the quality of our message. These will then be available for use by other conferences in Australia and New Zealand.

Four strategically positioned billboards (on the M4 and M5 motorways and at Dural) have been rented at a price far below the usual cost. A significant aspect of the awareness campaign before and during the public meetings is the use of electronic and social media. These include a website <www.lastempire.com.au> with links to all the venues, enabling people to choose a venue that suits them. A Facebook page has also been developed <www.facebook.com/sydneyadventists>, with links to Instagram and Twitter.

“I am excited about the momentum and enthusiasm amongst our pastors and church members to work together in reaching our city for God,” Pastor Worker said.

“The level of buy in and support from the team far exceeds our dreams and expectations. We are blessed with an amazing team of pastors in Sydney and we are investing in their development and growth as we prepare for next year. Our prayers are for a great harvest for His kingdom as a result of this initiative.”

Garth Bainbridge – Ministerial Secretary

¹ Based on information at www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/AboutSydney/CityResearch