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Paul Mergard leads the Salvation Army Mission Team. Paul is the son of Warren & Lynette Mergard of Bundaberg, Q. The Mission Team that Paul leads is based in Brisbane. Mission Team aims to train and equip Christians for effective mission and resource corps (Church) based mission teams as they develop mission strategies. Paul writes, "We sense God calling us to raise up individuals and teams to be effective in mission by poviding opportunities for ordinary people to effectively share their faith. We are committed to leadership development through mentoring for emerging leaders within the mission team context and to deepen the Salvation Army's prayer culture by facilitating creative prayer experiences, which will be a catalyst for mission." One of the stimuli for prayer is the 24-7 Prayer Network whereby a community or corps engages in prayer, 24 hours a day, for a full week. Paul was involved in leadership of a 24-7 for The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom, and also for Australia Eastern Territory (QLD and NSW and ACT), which had profound impact on the lives and ministries of those involved. Another of the Team's initiatives is to take teams of young people on short term mission trips, called 'Project 1:8' which is based on Acts 1:8, including teams to South Africa, PNG, Zimbabwe, India, & Schoolies Week on the Gold Coast. Participants learn from local people,
experience first hand the issues of poverty, and encourage local mission, evangelism and leadership. On return home, they are able to pray for and respond to the people of the places they have been, and grow ethically and spiritually as they reflect on their Project 1:8 experience. [LINEAGE: Paul s/o Warren Mergard s/o Gladys Saint d/o Minnie Strand d/o Emma Stehbens d/o Detlef Staeben s/o Frantz H Stebens.]
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