15/10/2026
We’re still going the distance to share Jesus in the bush because everyone in the bush should have every chance to know Jesus! Thanks St Anne’s for being a part of His mission as you partner with us!
When Rev. Syd Kirkby left St Anne’s in 1919, after five years ministering to the people of Ryde through the First World War, he was about to embark on an extraordinary adventure. Kirkby helped establish the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA) in 1920, with a mission to bring the good news of Jesus and practical care to people living in Australia's most isolated communities. He travelled enormous distances, sometimes walking through the bush carrying his own swag. On one occasion in Gippsland, his appearance was so unusual that locals—and even the police—questioned whether he really was a minister!
But Kirkby was more than an adventurous traveller. He was a gifted organiser. Under his leadership, BCA established nursing services, hospitals, hostels and mobile ministries. By 1928, they were even using aeroplanes to reach remote communities! Kirkby believed that living far from the city should never mean being forgotten by the church.
What began as a pioneering mission continues through BCA even today. And St Annes is still a financial and prayer partner with Bush Church Aid in 2026.
当Syd Kirkby牧师于1919年离开圣安妮时，他已服事了Ryde的居民五年之久，期间经历了一战，之后他将踏上一段非凡的冒险旅程。1920年Kirkby协助创立了Bush Church Aid Society(BCA)，其使命是向居住在澳洲最偏远社区的人们传播耶稣的福音并提供实际的关怀。他走过了千山万水，有时甚至背着自己的野营包穿行于丛林之中。有一次在Gippsland，他看起来太“另类”，以至于当地居民——甚至连警察——都质疑他到底是不是一位牧师！
但Kirkby不仅是一位富有冒险精神的旅行者，更是一位卓有才华的组织者。在他的领导下，BCA建立了医护服务、医院、宿舍和流动事工。到了1928年，他们甚至乘飞机前往偏远社区！Kirkby坚信，生活在远离城市的地方，绝不意味着被教会所遗忘。
这项开拓性事工一直延续至今，并由BCA继承发扬。到了2026年的今天，圣安妮依然是Bush Church Aid的合作伙伴，以资金和祷告支持他们。
