The photo above illustrates the strategic moves happening right now in the South Pacific. It shows The Heads, also known as The Rip, the narrow opening linking the Bass Strait to the bay of Port Phillip in Victoria. It marks the only maritime route into Port Phillip and the only sea access to Melbourne and Geelong. Ships enter The Heads and go toward the lighthouse (between the trees on the Mornington Peninsula).

When boats get to the buoy (between the two ships), they make a sharp left turn. Even as these vessels chart a new course, the region reports big moves. Hear about the growth of the CMA Standards Council. Learn about cohorts planned with CMA. Celebrate mentoring to aid peer accountability groups globally. Meet a steward following God’s calling to serve the region. Say farewell to the GTP CFO. And get a free conference invitation.

CMA Standards Council

The CMA Standards Council (CMASC), the peer accountability group (PAG) accrediting churches and ministries to standards in Australia, took shape with help from ECFA (USA) and CCCC (Canada) in 2016. On his first trip to Australia while serving as ECFA International Liaison, Gary Hoag attended the CMA conference in Gold Coast in 2016 and signed an MOU with Gary Williams and Steve Kerr. At that event, CMASC launched its pilot season.

Today, CMASC has 28 accredited partners or members. With help from another seasoned steward, Dick Menteith, Steve works with churches and ministries to understand and comply with the CMASC standards and sends completed applications to the CMA Standards Panel who accredits the partners. CMASC has proven processes, a strong track record, and showed a willingness to aid other PAGs formed in the last decade.

CMA / GTP Cohorts

In February 2025, Gary Hoag visited Australia for the 11^th time. Upon arrival he met with Gary Williams. They exchanged updates and discussed how GTP could best serve CMA (Christian Ministry Advancement) in 2025. As CMA has worked to strengthen the effectiveness of leadership, governance, and management of churches and ministries in Australia for 20+ years, he felt that GTP could offer two cohorts for their networks.

Look for GTP to run a cohort for the CMA fundraising network based on the book, The Sower, and a cohort for the CMA governance network based on the book, The Council. GTP will deliver these courses with help from Cecil Benjamin (GTP Course Moderator) who has both taken GTP on demand courses and moderated them. GTP plans to invite workers from the entire South Pacific to register (exact dates to be determined).

Mentoring

Since the start of GTP, Steve Kerr has served as Regional Facilitator for the South Pacific. Like the boat taking a turn in the photo above, he has a new role effective this month. He will serve as GTP Global Accreditation Mentor to support stewards wanting to advance peer accountability, to serve working groups with PAG formation plans, to strengthen PAGs to ensure church and ministry accreditation, and to strategize a pilot country project.

Hear Steve’s heart as he embarks on this service: “I'm both excited and daunted to take on the role of Global Accreditation Mentor. If there is any way I can support the cause of peer accountability around the world, then with God's help, I will lend that support. Please pray for the forming and formed peer accountability groups whenever you get the chance - they can only prosper through your prayers and God's grace.”

Calling

Steve leaves big shoes to fill. Thankfully, God has raised up a willing servant. Josh Reid, COO of Focus on the Family Australia, just agreed to serve as the new GTP Regional Facilitator for the South Pacific. Listen to what he has to say: “The opportunity to share biblical principles of governance, accountability, trust, and raising funds with faithful stewards in many countries excites me.”

The South Pacific region includes American Samoa, Australia, Bougainville, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Wallis & Futuna Islands.

CFO becoming a CEO

Since July 2020, Matthew Gadsden began working as CFO & Strategy Catalyst for Global Trust Partners. He has participated in every financial review and audit in the history of GTP. He has led the effort for GTP to get accredited annually with ECFA. And he has helped the organization scale from 5 staff to 16 staff with annual revenue growth going from less than $500,000 USD to over $1,000,000 USD annually.

On his recent trip to Australia, he announced to Gary Hoag that he would help GTP get through the 2025 audit and then transition in July 2025 to serving as CEO of Project 114 Australia. Gary Hoag adds this comment: “Matthew has grown a lot since joining GTP. He’s made a huge impact and been like a brother to me. As Elijah prayed for God to give a double portion of his spirit to Elisha in 2 Kings 9, I pray that for Matthew in his new role.”

CMA 2025 Conference

The CMA 2025 Conference will take place in Brisbane, Australia on 10-11 June 2025. It features skilled speakers and a wide range of workshops aimed at equipping church and ministry workers for fruitful service. Gary Williams reports: “When international members of the GTP global network have attended the CMA conference in previous years, their presence and participation has greatly enhanced the experience for everyone.”

For this reason, CMA has a special offer to international (non-Aussie) Christian workers in the GTP Global Network who live and serve outside Australia. If you serve 1) as a GTP board member, staff member, regional facilitator, course moderator or country coordinator, or 2) on the staff or board of a PAG outside Australia, or 3) as a member of a group in the process of forming a PAG, you may attend the CMA 2025 conference free of charge (a value of around A$900) if you agree to assume responsibility for your own travel, meals, and lodging expenses. 

Email [email protected] to register interest in attending the CMA 2025 conference so that you can bypass the payment gateway, and to get assistance with a visa letter (if needed).

Prayer Points

Praise God for the strength of the CMA Standards Council. Pray for God’s blessings on Gary Williams, CMA, the 2025 conference, and their networks. Pray for Cecil and the upcoming on demand cohorts. Pray for favor from God and fruitful new service for Steve, Josh, and Matthew. And pray for this Aussie team to aid stewards interested in peer accountability in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and all over the world.