Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant:...
Jack De Vries was hired on by the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia and began his work as Ministry Training Coordinator in January 2008. In 2012 this role shifted to that of Ministry Development Coach.
Jack came from Canada where he pastored three Christian Reformed churches: Alliston CRC, Alliston, Ontario(1983-87), a church plant: New Life Community Church, Pickering, Ontario(1987-95), and Bethel CRC, Listowel, Ontario (1995-2007). Jack is a graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity - 1983) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (Doctor of Ministry - 2003) Jack and his wife Jeannie currently live in Petrie, a northern suburb of Brisbane in Queensland. They attend and are members of Bray Park Community Church. They have four adult children and seven grandchildren living in the USA and Canada.
In Isaiah 58:11 we read: "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Australia has seen times of drought and floods. There is another type of drought in Australia; there is a spiritual drought. But God promises to provide refreshing rain, a never ending supply of refreshing water. The water he provides will satisfy the needs of all Australians. As we take up the missional vision God has given us we extend the life changing invitation of Jesus: "Come! Whoever is thirsty, come, and take the free gift of the water of life!" (Revelation 22:17)
Do you see clearly? If you don't you are not alone. Over 75% of adults use some form of vision correction. Most of these people wear glasses while the rest use contacts. Otherwise they would not see clearly. As one who needs glasses to read fine print I know what it is like to not see clearly. Without my glasses the words on a page easily become a blur. At times it might be an advantage...
What is your purpose in life? Do you ever think about that? What on earth are you here for? These questions are important for a life without purpose is a life without meaning. Without purpose means a lack of goals. You are on a journey without direction. It is no wonder that Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life sold more than 30 million copies. People are searching for purpose in life. What is true for individuals...
What five words would you use to describe the town or city where your church is located? Who lives in your community? And who lives where? What is the social makeup of the people within a 2-5 km radius of your church? We have been discussing what strategic planning or setting direction looks like in the church. How do you bridge the gap between the church you are today and what God wants your church to...
There are hundreds of icecream flavours. Visit any icecream shop and you have a whole raft of choices. Will it be a scoop of Blue Heaven or Cookies & Cream? Or would you go for a couple of scoops of Hokey Pokey? It is hard to find here in Australia, but in Canadian my flavour of choice was Heavenly Hash. Perhaps it was just the name. What is the flavour of your church? We have been...
When you go on a journey there is always a starting point. When I head into the city on the train from my home office I usually check the online app to know the train schedule. On this app I need to state not only my destination, but also what is my starting point? The same is true when you book an airline flight or use the map app on your phone. You need to know...
