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)
In Lewis Carroll's story, Alice in Wonderland, one day Alice comes to a fork in the road and as she sees Cheshire Cat in a tree, she asks: “Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat. “I don’t much care where –” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go …” said the Cat. ...
Both theory and practice are fundamental to all learning. Theory refers to the intellectual understanding of a topic – the studying. Practice refers to actually doing what you are studying about. This begs the question: what’s most important, theory or practice? Studying or doing? The Bible has an answer to this question. We read in the book of James: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who...
Why would anyone aspire to enter full-time gospel ministry? There are probably a number of reasons, but there is something that what will hinder people from considering ministry as a vocation in life: a negative example of ministry. Suppose all you see and hear is that ministry is tough. Ministry involves long hours, minimal pay, massive sacrifices of time and energy, disgruntled church members, and a few breaks. You probably will choose another path for your...
It is one thing to read from a textbook how to do something; it is another thing to have a mentor show you how to do something. As a teenager I read lots of articles on how to do woodworking. But into my early twenties I had a brother-in-law show me how to make things out of timber. A few years later a skilled craftsman in my first church showed me how to build furniture. What...
Is training a normal part of your church? You might direct traffic in the parking lot, lead in prayer, share your faith, host a small group, or serve on your church council or session. Have you been equipped for every task you are called to do? As a pastor or church leader do you regularly meet with people in your church to train them in and for gospel ministry? In the current series of articles we have...
