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)
Leadership is all about empowering people. Effective leaders move people from where they are to where God would have them be, in life and in ministry. Moving people from "I can't do this" to "I can do this". You might to check out what I had to say about 'Empower' is my recent article. One of the best ways to help people become empowered for ministry is to guide them along a journey of discovery. Here...
In my study I have small brass bugle draped with a towel. For years this has been a symbol to me of my role as a leader in the church. On the one hand, the bugle reminds me that an important part of my role as a leader is to call people to action. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, "if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" (1...
If you want to see growth you need to do some pruning! You know that if you have ever worked in a garden. You might have some roses, some perennials, or some fruit trees. If you want to see more flowers and fruit you need to get out your pruning shears. In our backyard we have several fruit trees, including bananas, lemons, oranges, mango, and apricot, to name a few. Every year after the fruit harvest...
Partnerships are important! So said the Teacher in the book of Ecclesiastes: "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the person who falls and has no one to help him up.... A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) In life we see that working in partnerships can lead to better outcomes than working...
"Get up and pray" were Jesus' words to his followers just prior to his death on the cross (see Luke 22:39-46). Earlier that night he had urged his disciples to pray. But while Jesus earnestly prayed to our Father in heaven, even to the point that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, he found his disciples fast asleep, exhausted from sorrow. It was then he commanded them to "get up and...
