An overseas team trip fostered mutual encouragement, support, and a shared sense of mission between The Street Church in Wellington and GC3 Mission Partners Ben and Bekah.
The GC3 team write that “the visiting team joined Ben and Bekah on campus in Central Bangkok—a place known for both its strategic importance and its spiritual challenges. This university consistently shapes many of Thailand’s future leaders, which means that every conversation and connection made there has the potential for long-term influence.”
“Through surveys and friendly conversations, the team helped gather over 270 responses, with 19 students expressing interest in meeting to talk about Jesus. This was an extraordinary answer to prayer.”
“The team also planned and ran their own outreach event on campus, complete with games, friendly interaction, and a short testimony from one of the team members, which was translated into Thai. This simple, wholehearted time together created opportunities for genuine connection and left both local students and the team encouraged.”
“Ben and Bekah shared how much the team’s presence refreshed them—not just by widening ministry impact, but by reminding them that their church family in New Zealand is walking with them.”
Ben says it is a great joy to share in Jesus’ Great Commission alongside the team. “What made this visit so encouraging was that it reflected that shared sending and partnership. It wasn’t about arriving as short-term saviours, but about churches standing with those they send.
“Through presence and mutual encouragement, it strengthened the long-term work of disciple-making God is already doing and reminded us that this is one mission, carried out by one body, across different contexts.”
Pastor Jerram Watts, who was part of the team, says it was deeply encouraging to see the impact the trip had on team members.
“The heart behind this trip wasn't about the impact we would have on Thailand necessarily, but about how the trip would influence the team members going. We were very clear that this was an exposure trip: an opportunity for them to experience, see, feel what God is doing in a different context and have their view of God and missions expanded, and hopefully light a fire in them for cross-cultural missions in the future!”
GC3 says Ben and Bekah’s story is a powerful reminder of the value of partnership—not only through financial support and prayer, but through presence. “When a local church chooses to step onto the field, even briefly, it strengthens ministry in ways that last long after the trip ends.”
Thanks to GC3 for sharing this story with us. To learn more about Ben and Bekah, or to connect with GC3 and explore how you can grow in your love for God’s global mission, visit www.gc3.org.nz
