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)
One year changed everything for me. The year was 1973. I was 16 years old, just got my driver's license and my first car - a 1970 VW Beetle. But my new found freedom on the open road was not what changed my life. My pastor asked me to be part of a group of people who were discussing how we can reach the lost for Christ. Our church had joined a global outreach initiative called...
How would you characterize your church? Is it your priority to get people to gather in rows or in circles? With all the restrictions and lockdowns mandated by the government in response to the COVID realities, you might say that your priority is to get people to gather in rows. You desire that people come to public worship on Sundays, sit in pews, participate in worship, and listen to sermons preached. And such gatherings are important. ...
Why? Why do you gather for worship with others? You might meet in a church building, a rented hall, outdoors, or online. But why gather? Why worship? If you are a worship leader or preacher, why would you invest so much prayer, energy, and time in preparing for worship services. The songs. The prayers. The sermons. The liturgies. Why? I read someone's tweet this week. They said: "Pray for me. The sermon was so bad today...
Structures are essential for building. Without structures a house, an apartment complex, or a factory will simply implode. Without structures automobiles, motorcycles, and spacecraft will not survive any thrust or movement. Without structures your computer, mobile phone, or tablet could not function. One of my latest projects is rebuilding a small motorcycle. This is a project I took on with a young boy I am mentoring. A month ago we stripped the entire bike right down...
What is your passion in life? Ask anybody and you get a myriad of answers. You might passionate about history since you think it is important to remember where we have been. Or adoption! You think there is nothing better than finding a child who needs a home and family, and giving it to them. You might have an artsy bent so you are passionate about creating things. Welding, wood-working, cooking, writing -- or just creating...
