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From Luke’s Journal May 2025 | Vol. 30 No. 1 | MIMBY

The idea for the title of this issue came to me when reading about the housing crisis and learning about the term “NIMBY”, short for “not in my backyard”. The term seems to have appeared first in the mid-1970s and is defined by Britannica as “a colloquialism signifying one’s opposition to the locating of something considered undesirable in one’s neighbourhood.

“NIMBY” is used to characterise homeowners who, while theoretically supporting the construction of large-scale housing developments being built to address the housing crisis, refuse to let this happen in their own neighbourhood. “NIMBYism” is a movement stemming from this, usually driven by the concern of potential negative impacts, such as increased traffic, noise, or reduced property values, often driving residents to oppose new housing developments or initiatives that promote diversity. According to researchers, when developments are built, these fears rarely come to pass.

The term “NIMBY” is generally used by housing advocates to specifically refer to residents who have significant privilege and aim to maintain their privilege, rather than embracing residents who oppose development due to concerns about displacement or other reasons. This led me to re-characterise the term through a Biblical lens into MIMBY, or “Missions In My Backyard”. In this issue, I want to ask our membership how they see where they live as a privilege to being part of God’s kingdom and the Great Commission. In this issue, I want to ask our readership: “Who is in your backyard?” – or put in a Biblical framework, “Who is your neighbour?” This issue seeks to find out what missions in the backyards of some of our members looks like.

“When the Great Commission sets our course, we will see our entire world as part of God’s kingdom and therefore, as our neighbour.”

One of our recent issues was titled “Sacrificial Service” and primarily focussed on cross-cultural work overseas. When the Great Commission sets our course, we will see our entire world as part of God’s kingdom and therefore, as our neighbour. In this issue, we focus on sacrificial service that is happening in our own backyard. Like the Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37), CMDFA has members who see their neighbour in need in their places of study and work within our own borders and upon our own shores.

For example, you’ll read about members in the far north where Dr Richard Wong was redirected on a detour by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearby you’ll find Dr Viboo Ganeshalingam reflecting on busyness in the workplace as a Christian medico. Journey westward and you’ll find our brother Dr Nathan Combs serving his neighbours in the Kimberley region, and our sister Dr Sara Fraser reflecting on mission through the stages of her emergency medicine training. Drive inland to join Dr Sunil Abraham in the red dirt of Pilbara, who spent his sabbatical years serving the communities amongst Indigenous Australian neighbours, marred with brokenness, but buoyed by fellowshipping in this beautiful part of outback Australia.

Travel eastwards to Newcastle and step into Soul Clinic with Dr Catherine Hollier, where feeding and caring for the body and soul is a community project bringing together medical, community, and pastoral care services under one roof. Then head southwards to rural Victoria with Dr James Wei who writes about “Trouble in Paradise” and accept the invitation to be a “Christian-in-Residence” with final year medical student Joshua Poon.

Several book reviews are to be highlighted as well. There are reviews of two titles by Dr Sam Chan: his latest “Topical Preaching in a Complex World” and his next-to-latest release “How to Talk About Jesus (without being that guy”). Don’t forget to check out the practical titles “Past Pain” by Sam Evans and “Spiritual Care in Palliative Care” by Dr Megan Best. Finally, stop for a refreshing breeze by the ocean shore reading the reviews for “Doors of the Ocean” by Dr John O’Callaghan.

“Wherever your backyard is in these beautiful lands we call Australia, we hope this issue inspires and encourages you in your healthcare work to your neighbours…”

Wherever your backyard is in these beautiful lands we call Australia, we hope this issue inspires and encourages you in your healthcare work to your neighbours, as we keep working and worshipping together as the body of Christ for His glory and our good.

Your fellow partner in His mission,

Eleasa 
On behalf of the Luke’s Journal editorial team

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