Reaching People Who Usually Walk Away

People don't reject Jesus, they reject who they think He is!

Not What You Think exists to challenge assumptions and create curiosity.

Through short social media videos, street conversations, market outreach and online content we invite people to take another look.

The Principle Behind Not What You Think

• In a culture where many people immediately switch off when they hear religious language, Not What You Think was created to start a different kind of conversation.The philosophy behind Not What You Think is simple: before people will listen to a message, they need to feel heard, respected, and understood. Many Australians have formed opinions about Christianity based on past experiences, stereotypes,or assumptions.

• Rather than beginning with religious terminology, Not What You Think starts with the everyday questions, struggles, and hopes that people already carry.  Our target audience is not primarily people who attend church. It is people who would normally avoid anything they consider religious. They may be sceptical, disinterested, disappointed, or simply disconnected from faith.

    Yet they are often searching for meaning, purpose, belonging, hope, and answers to life’s deeper questions.

• The name itself reflects our approach. We seek to challenge assumptions and invite people to look again. The goal is not to argue people into a belief system, but to create opportunities for genuine reflection and conversation.

• At the heart of Not What You Think is a conviction that every person is created for relationship, purpose, and hope. We believe the story of Jesus is far bigger than many people realise. It is not primarily about religion, rules, or escaping earth for heaven. It is the announcement that King Jesus has come, that His Kingdom has already begun, and that through Him heaven and earth are being brought back together.

• We believe that people were made to flourish under God's good rule. Yet we all experience brokenness—within ourselves, in our relationships, and throughout the world around us. Jesus came to confront that brokenness through His life, death, resurrection, and victory over death itself. His invitation is not merely to believe certain ideas, but to enter a new way of living as citizens of His Kingdom.

• One of the ways we share this message is through street engagement. Team members meet people in public spaces and offer friendly conversation, encouragement, and practical resources. Rather than leading with preaching, we seek first to build connection and trust. People are invited to visit the Not What You Think website, where they can explore short articles, videos, personal stories, and thought-provoking content at their own pace.

• To support this outreach, we produce a series of short social media reels, typically around 30 seconds in ength. These reels address everyday topics such as relationships, success, loneliness, addiction,identity, purpose, forgiveness, anxiety, and hope. They are intentionally designed to be accessible, engaging, and relatable. Each reel points viewers back to the website, where they can continue exploring these questions in greater depth.

• Another important aspect of our work is our presence at local markets. Our market stall is designed to feel welcoming and non-threatening. We stock recycled books, encouragement cards, conversation starter cards, and puzzles etc. These simple items act as natural bridges for interaction, creating opportunities for genuine conversations to develop.

• The market environment provides opportunities to meet people who might never attend a church event but are willing to stop, browse, chat, and share part of their story. Through these simple interactions, meaningful relationships can begin.

• Everything we do is guided by four simple callings:

* Image Bearers – reflecting God's character in everyday life.

* Hope Carriers – bringing encouragement where hope is fading.

* Life Bringers – demonstrating the life of God's Kingdom wherever we go.

* Bridge Builders – connecting people with one another and ultimately with Jesus.

• At its heart, Not What You Think is about creating connection. It recognises that many people are not rejecting God as much as they are rejecting what they think faith represents.  By meeting people where they are, speaking in everyday language, and building authentic relationships, we aim to open doors for conversations that many never expected to have.  Sometimes the most significant conversations begin with a puzzle, a book, a card of encouragement—or a simple invitation to consider that faith may not be what they think.

Overseas Missions

"Missions do not begin when you cross the seas but when you see the cross"

The gospel is for every nation.

Our Message – Jesus supports and participates in evangelistic mission both locally and internationally.

Current areas include:-

• Bible distribution projects

• Zambia outreach initiatives

• Support for evangelists

• International partnerships

• Training opportunities

Bryan is connected with the Christ For All Nations Evangelism Alliance and the Global Evangelist Alliance.

Together, we share a vision of seeing people encounter Jesus and become disciples.