CMS Centenary Celebrations in Wynyard
Australian Aboriginal artworks on display at the CMS Centenary Celebration in Wynyard. Photo John Tongue
100 years of Gospel ministry in the Top End
The first Anglican church service was held at the newly established Roper River Mission in the Northern Territory on 27 August 1908.
Three missionaries with CMS Victoria, and three Aboriginal Christians from Yarrabah in Qld travelled by boat to the remote spot on the Roper River, where an 'Industrial Mission' was established, largely to protect the local indigenous peoples from the ravages of the rapidly expanding pastoral industry in the Territory, but also to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Aboriginal people of the area.
No doubt, some mistakes were made along the way and in 1998, John Harris' book, We wish we'd done more both celebrated the great success of Christian mission between CMS and the aboriginal population of NT, and looked honestly at areas where that ministry could have been better.
However, 100 years later there are Christians among the NT indigenous communities, there are Aboriginal Clergy, and a full Bible in an Aboriginal language. Much remains to be done but the Lord has proved faithful over those 100 years.
CMS celebrated this centenary right across the country and on Saturday 18 October celebrations were held at St Stephen's Anglican Church in Wynyard.
Around 20 people gathered in Wynyard for singing (an Aboriginal song from the Territory), Bible reflection, a children's spot, a short verbal history and a couple of DVD presentations on the ongoing results of 100 years of mission, and on the launch last year of the Kriol Bible.
There were some Aboriginal artworks to look at, opportunities for questions and prayer, and to thank God for 100 years of Gospel ministry in the Top End.
John Tongue, Branch Chairman CMS in Tasmania