This is the world through their eyes:

The 2020 Action Team Photo Competition

Action Teams is the BMS World Mission gap year with a difference, and each year, we ask the young people who serve overseas to get behind the lens and capture the best of mission on the frontline for our photo competition. They sent in these photos to inspire, yes, but also because of the stories behind them. Of all they shared and experienced this year, this is what they wanted you to see.

Behind each of these pictures is a team of passionate young people, dedicated to sharing the good news of Christ’s love on their gap year. We hope you can see God’s incredible creation in these photos, and that they encourage you to see God’s handiwork in your every day, just like these Action Teamers did. We hope you enjoy the winners of the Action Team Photo Competition 2020!

First place: Street Barber

Street barber in Delhi. Winner of the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition. — Taken by Miriam, Team Delhi.

Congratulations to Miriam of Team Delhi, for taking the wonderful winning photo!

“When we first arrived in India, we were struck by the number of street barbers and thought they perfectly summed up the efficient chaos of what we saw in India,” said Miriam on her inspiration behind taking the photo.

The judges loved the personality shining through the barber’s face. “I was really drawn to this photo because I think we’ve all developed a greater appreciation for the incredible skill of barbers and hairdressers, like this man, during our time in lockdown,” said one of the judges. Well done Team Delhi!

Second place: Children at the Window

Well done to Team Kolkata on scoring second place!

“I was taking photos of the school we served in and church it was connected to,” said Zoe, who captured this wonderful image. “I just loved the way the boys were sitting, watching the craziness of the after-lunch rush around them.”

The judges were really struck by the colours in the photo and loved how Zoe captured this moment of quiet in the middle of busy school life. Congrats Team Kolkata!

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Children in Kolkata. Second place in the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition. — Taken by Zoe, Team Kolkata.

Third place: The Cross

A large cross in Kosovo. Third place in the 2020 Action Team Photo Competition. — Taken by Esther*, Team Kosovo.

The judges loved this photo taken by Team Kosovo. Congrats on getting third place!

“I was really impressed with how the photographer managed to capture such a simple yet powerful insight into life in Kosovo,” said one of the judges. “In a country where much of BMS work is sensitive, it’s so inspiring to know that Christ’s love is being displayed like this.”

Well done Team Kosovo!

Want to be inspired by more photos like these?

If you’ve enjoyed these photos, then you’ll love the beautiful photos from our brand–new Mission Worker Photo Competition, featured in the next issue of Engage, the BMS World Mission magazine! You won’t want to miss out on this. Keep being inspired by God’s work across the world, and sign up for Engage today.