LUKE & BEC | Australia

Ministry Life

The Isaacsons serve in Townsville, Australia, where they pastor a local church, Antioch Townsville, and run a ministry that supports single and/or pregnant mothers. They are also actively involved in reaching out to the local community in various ways. This includes regularly partnering with YWAM's Discipleship Training Schools and running Alpha. Additionally, they serve as leaders with Together for Townsville—a combined churches initiative focused on reaching and discipling the city. Their community involvement extends to a variety of outreach efforts, including work with sports teams, Indigenous communities, and local youth. Their heart is to share the love of Jesus with those who are hurting and to help people find hope and purpose in Him. They're passionate about reaching the lost—both in Australia and in the wider Australasia region.

Details about their country

Australia is the 6th largest country in the world by land area—but has one of the lowest population densities (26 million in a country about the same size as the USA!).

Around 90% of Australians live on or very near the coast, making beach life and outdoor living a staple of everyday life.

Australia is home to lots of unique wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, emus, wombats, platypus, Tasmanian devils, echidnas, and 20 of the world's deadliest snakes.

Australia is made up of six states and two territories - and Queensland, where the Isaacsons live, is known for its tropical climate, rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef.

Facts about their work

Australia is largely agnostic, with only 12% of people attending a weekly religious service of any religion.

Almost half of Christian churches in Australia have less than 50 people, and 27% have less than 25 people in attendance.

Australia is one of the few countries with a negative evangelical growth rate, with 70% of Protestant churches in decline.

Townsville has the highest rate of youth crime in the country, and is also a hub for domestic violence.