Learning the Ropes as You Go

Being equipped to lead isn’t just about experience—it’s about stepping out in faith and learning as you go.

In 2004, Matt Ooi had just finished directing his first Scripture Union Family Mission (SUFM) at Portarlington, VIC. At the SU end-of-summer celebration, held behind the Box Hill Town Hall, he met Eric – 92 years old and a member of Portarlington’s very first SUFM team in the 1930s.

“He was asked to co-lead the team,” Matt recalls, “but he’d never done a beach mission before!”

“‘It’s fine!’ his co-director had said. ‘I’ll show you the ropes as we go.’ And that’s what they did.”

What followed was organised chaos, but their willingness to step out in faith birthed a mission legacy nearing 100 years.

This mindset – learning as you go and being equipped as you serve – is at the heart of SU Australia’s training and discipleship. By sharing expertise and creating supported leadership opportunities, experienced leaders raise up the next generation.

On finishing his reflections, Eric said something that has stayed with Matt for 20 years: “I only wish I could’ve done more.”

“After all Eric had seen in his lifetime … to wish in his twilight years that he had done MORE beach missions blew me away. But it made sense.”

He had no regrets about stepping into the unknown to share the Good News. God equips the called. You don’t need to be the most skilled or experienced leader – just willing to learn as you go.

Matt became an Ordained Pastor in the Anglican Church of Australia in 2014, serving at St. Mark’s Camberwell. In 2023, The Church Missionary Society sent Matt and his family to Japan as full-time overseas missionaries, where they currently reside.

Thank you for enabling leaders like Eric, Matt and others to be equipped and released for God’s mission. If you would like to be equipped and serve with SU Australia, head to su.org.au/get-involved to find out more.