Equipping Australian communities -no matter your age or experience - to engage across cultural, class and social differences to create partnerships that transform communities.
The Walk Humbly Initiative offers workshops, training curriculum and consultation to Australian faith-based communities.
The Walk Humbly Initiative was founded by me, Stacie Ellinger.
I have over 20 years’ experience working in local and international community engagement.
More than anything else, I love to see people find their sense of vocation and connect their personal values, beliefs and skills with how they can love their neighbours well. I love seeing friendships develop, stories shared and deep appreciation of each other’s life experiences turn into partnerships that transform communities.
Who I am.
I hold a Masters in International and Community Development, an Arts Degree specialising in Modern History and Literature, a Graduate Certificate in Counselling (Youth) and I am currently completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
This unique combination has shaped my understanding of how relationship barriers, generational trauma and lived experiences shape not only how we respond to experiencing hardship, but how we view others who are experiencing challenges.
I have recently returned from Cambodia where I founded an education program called Rok Kern. This program, created alongside Cambodian Christians, educated visiting teams in do-no-harm short term missions and explored how teams could support local Christians to care for vulnerable children. I provided management consultation to a Khmer preschool, as well as managing communications for a Cambodian local NGO.
Prior to moving to Cambodia in 2014, I worked as a school Pastoral Care Worker (Chaplain) for five years and have ten years experience leading youth groups and church community outreach programs.
What People Are Saying
‘Stacie is a reflective development practitioner who combines a heart for justice and human flourishing with the discipline of seeking to understand the complexity of these issues. She comes with the posture of a learner and those who care to join her will be enriched as they seek to love our neighbours with generosity and integrity.’
— Christine Gobius
National Director, Interserve Development
"Partnership is not about short term visits, but it is about ongoing support and relationship building - and that is a long-term investment. That's why Rok Kern is so excited about The Walk Humbly Initiative.”
— Saray Reuk
Rok Kern Project Manager, Children in Families
This program offers new perspectives and a different outlook on ethical volunteering that benefits the volunteers and the communities they visit. Instead of learning that is focused on outsiders experiencing ‘poor’ countries, The Walk Humbly Initiative fosters all people learning from others across the globe.
— Lynny Sor
Executive Director, Children in Families
The Walk Humbly Initiative addresses critical issues that all churches and Christian schools involved in cross cultural exposure visits and service learning should carefully consider if they wish to avoid doing harm and instead make a positive difference. Stacie Ellinger, who leads this engaging program, is a skilled and passionate facilitator with many years of first-hand experience of cross cultural development work.
— Mike Penberthy
Team leader, South East Asia & Pacific Island Nations, Tearfund Australia