Welcome to SOMA
Thursday, August 28 2008 @ 02:16 PM EST
Welcome to Sharing of Ministries Abroad
Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) has developed out of the crucible of the Charismatic Renewal which swept through the historic Christian churches from the mid 1960s. As a missionary agency within the Anglican church, SOMA has pioneered the concept of short term missions within the denomination. SOMA's birth took place in the context of the first International Anglican Conference on Spiritual Renewal which was held at the United Kingdom in 1978. In a great celebration in Canterbury Cathedral, God spoke to the 300 gathered leaders in a prophetic word about,
"minding the nervous system of the Body of Christ"
Archbishop Ian Ernest (Mauritius & Indian Ocean) & Bruce Moon (Executive Officer - Australia)
SOMA is dedicated to fostering the renewal of the Church world-wide, with a view to enabling and equipping the Church to fulfiil the"Great Commission" of Jesus Christ given in Matthew 28:19-20. While the ministry of SOMA is primarily to the Anglican Church it is not limited to that and there is involvement by and with other churches.
Welcome messages from Friends of SOMA:
SOMA has developed considerable experience in sending teams to assist dioceses in different parts of the world, especially in areas where the Church has to face conflict and shortage of material resources. They take steps to ensure that the team members are carefully recruited and trained for the task required. SOMA with its distinctive renewal perspective, seeks to serve the Anglican Communion in its mission. I warmly commend its work to you.
The Most Revd George Carey
Recent Archbishop of Canterbury
A missionary bishop from North Asia has expressed his conviction that SOMA, through its strategy of short term missions, is having a more significant impact on the world-wide church than the traditional missionary societies. Whether or not that is true, know that your participation in a SOMA Team will have a profound and far-reaching effect on the individuals and churches. They will be indelibly changed through a Spirit-led encounter as will team members.
The Revd David Harper
Past Chairman SOMA International
Team ministry - especially in another culture - is an enriching experience. Not only do we share our gifts, but we learn from those to whom we minister as they share their gifts with us. SOMA is providing opportunities for a new type of missionary with its short term missions. Our teams comprise clergy and lay people from all walks of life, from all parts of Australia and elsewhere, who are filled with and led by the Holy Spirit. They bring a variety of spiritual gifts but are possessed with one common motivation - a deep desire to take the Gospel of salvation to all nations.
The Revd Richard Stamp
Past National Director SOMA AUSTRALIA
Copyright © 2008 SOMA