After all that’s been said and done this week in Melbourne, we want people to know about it. 

“We get to proclaim we had this front-row seat to see some of what God is doing,” Lorrie, our leader, said to the volunteers. “We want people to know He has worked gloriously.”

Making known the deeds of the Lord serves both to expand Kingdom work and to glorify God’s name. As we return home, we do this by sharing with our own supporters what we’ve seen happen here. And, beyond that, we advocate for global workers within our churches and communities. 

Because another thing we’ve learned this week is that global workers need not only our cheerleading, but our advocacy. For the work of global workers is not merely a thing the church does, it’s the main thing—what Jesus commissioned us all to do. 

Our churches send out global workers to do the hands-on work, but our global workers cannot do it without us. These women cannot pour out onto others when their own pitchers have run dry.

It’s what compelled twenty-three volunteers to travel halfway around the world to a beautifully restored, century-old hotel with tile mosaic foyers, creaky wooden floors, and stained-glass windows. Not to indulge in sumptuous surroundings, but because we know appropriate self-care leads to meaningful soul care. Lavish care is nothing less than a tangible expression of God’s extravagant, undeserved, gospel love. 

We’ve seen that Thrive’s model of member care works. Global workers return to the field refreshed, replenished, and ready to continue the work God has called them to do. 

As attendee Michele said, “Anyone supporting Thrive should know that it’s not in vain.”

These women have entrusted us with their stories, which, in significant ways, have woven into our own—and all are part of God’s gospel story. Our continuing service to them includes stewarding their stories well. 

As we go forward from here, we pray that our stories about what we’ve seen in Melbourne honor our global workers, and ultimately the Lord who sent them.