Missionaries
Missions are our overflowing delight in God that gives us a willingness to sacrifice everything but the Gospel for the sake of the Gospel.
Ivan and Maddie Alegria
We met in Word of Life Chile, serving God as part of the volunteer team during the summer camps. We went to study at Word of Life Bible Institute in Argentina during the years 2008 to 2010. On March 6, 2010, we got married and went to study our last year in the Bible Institute and this prepared us to develop the call that God had for us. God has given us two wonderful daughters Antonella (born in 2011) and Micaela (born in 2014). Our role in Word of Life is Local Church Ministries, working alongside pastors and youth leaders. Providing resources, training, discipleship, and counseling. We also lead the worship during the summer and winter camp.
Terence Bell
In 2018, Terence completed a ministry apprenticeship with the Christian Union in Bendigo. In 2020, he completed his apprenticeship and transferred to Geelong to continue serving Jesus on campus while studying theology. In October 2024, South Valley Baptist Church sent Terence off as a full time missionary to Slovenia. Terence has been in Slovenia learning the language and is getting used to a new culture/way of living.
Albert & Lynne Castelijn
Albert and Lynne Castelijn serve the Banwoan Tribe located in the Philippines. They are involved in the founding and running of the Banwoan Highschool, and have spent decades translating the Bible into the Banwoan native language.
Nehemiah Institute
Phil and Lauren Castelijn
Little Sisters
The Nehemiah Institute financially supports a number of Indian pastors who are ministering in poor rural areas and South Valley is blessed to be able to sponsor Pastor S. Samathana Prabu. He has been faithfully involved in gospel ministry in Thumbal, Tamil Nadu since 1997 at the Bethel New Life Church. Sadly, his wife was taken home to be with the Lord in 2001. His two adult children, Sam and Esther, faithfully work together with their father in serving the people in their village, as well as extending their gospel reach into neighbouring villages.
Phil and Lauren Castelijn are a newly married couple in Newcastle, NSW who are training for the overseas mission field. God has put it on Phil's heart to serve through mission aviation and he is currently training as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. He is hoping to further this training with pilot accreditation's in the near future. Lauren also feels called to overseas mission in the form of Physiotherapy and is currently completing this training at university. Together they want to glorify God by reaching the unreached people groups with the love of Jesus with these passions and skills that God has given them. Phil and Lauren are currently serving as missionaries overseas. Phil is a pilot for AIM.
In 2014 God led Rebhecca Lancaster to start “Little Sisters.” This ministry provides homes and sponsors for little tribal girls who have been rescued from being sold into the sex trade industry – as well as for children who were born with HIV/AIDS, because of their mothers forced into prostitution. All of these children come from various tribal groups dotted throughout the Eastern Hills Region of Southern India. It is a priority with Little Sisters, to see that these children have every opportunity to enter into a life-transforming relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you would like more information you can contact Rebhecca email: rebheccajayne@gmail.com
McCays
Garry and Faith McCay, along with 10 month old baby Claire, moved into the village of Ora in September 1999 to plant a church among the isolated Kol people of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. Whilst on furlough in 2003, their son, Kade, was born. For the first 5 years they worked on learning the language and culture of the people, and established a medical clinic to serve the pressing needs of the locals. In 2004 they began teaching literacy in the Kol language and presented the Gospel first in 2005. There are now 3 locations where regular church services are held using the lessons Garry has developed. Garry continues to write and teach Bible lessons and is working on a draft of the New Testament in the Kol language as well. The local men and women now have the responsibility of the daily medical and literacy programs with the McCays providing materials and other support when needed. Some of the local men are also training as Bible teachers.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
— Matthew 28:19-20