Dr David Turnbull shares his final thoughts as he steps away from his role as State Director SA/NT with Global Interaction.
After almost three years as a State Director, I concluded my service with Global Interaction on Friday 16 July.
My new position, which God opened unexpectedly, is with Overseas Council Australia, as International Program Director, Local Online: A Global Strategy.
The role involves working with over 125 theological and Bible colleges in the Majority World, building their capacity to provide online learning post-pandemic, partnering in training faculty to delivering best-practice, and to develop a repository for visual resources.
I conclude with a thankful heart for the opportunities God provided in the role to partner with individuals and churches who faithfully seek to share the good news of Jesus locally and globally. These partners encourage a global vision for the least reached, witness God calling workers and candidates, and deepen missiological understanding.
The highlights are plenty. Visits to churches in the city, rural areas, and the Northern Territory. The welcomes received, the breakfasts, dinners, concerts, and cultural events. And I can never forget the people met in the journey.
The takeaways are numerous. Firstly, the faith development through God’s incredible capacity to provide against the odds, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, and to be the catalyst in connecting the seekers with the messengers.
Secondly, the incredible importance of showing respect and acceptance through empowering those walking with Jesus to follow in their own distinctive ways.
Thirdly, the generosity and spiritual contribution of God’s people as experienced in my travels.
I am excited about the future of Global Interaction and eager to see the impact of our workers in their contexts as they get alongside the people they are called to, and in the continuing provision of new candidates offering for service.
My prayer is that God will continue to use our movement in South Australia and the Northern Territory to respond holistically and contextually to the needs of the least-reached locally and globally, and to allow the lessons of global engagement to inform local activities and practices.
David Turnbull
Former State Director SA/NT
