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)
How can we reach the lost for Christ? The unchurched people in our neighbourhoods. Our missional vision asks that each congregation consider how they can reach out to unchurched groups in their community. Is your church thinking about this? Suggestions are given of the kinds of people we could be reaching: "unbelieving spouses of church members and the unchurched among single people, professional people, high rise or gated communities, ethnic communities, sports clubs,...
Be holy! The Bible calls us to be holy as God is holy.The Apostle Peter commanded us to be “like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior” (1 Pet 1:15). This might sound far fetched. But think about it! God wouldn’t command us to do something if it were not possible. On that basis, it must be possible to become holy as God is holy. I...
Our biggest opportunity for growth in the CRCA is "equipping parents to disciple their own children." This is what a recent survey* among CRCA youth ministries revealed. While "Bible teaching" scored as our greatest strength, the priority of family scored lowest. Most churches do not teach or train parents how to disciple their own children. As churches we have agreed that our key task is "to equip our church members to be disciples...
Every mighty oak tree was once a little nut! Every time I see an oak tree with its massive trunk and thick limbs I am amazed how all of this came from a single acorn seed. Some years ago a farmer told me I could have the four metre long trunk of an oak tree that had been cut down in the middle of his grain field. It was over two metres in diameter. Together...
Where you stand determines what you see! This was the challenge given at the recent Church Summit I attended hosted by McCrindle Research and NCLS (National Church Life Survey). Both these organizations have done extensive research on church life and culture in Australia, and by listening to them one has lots to learn. This challenge is really asking you and I to stand in the shoes of the typical Australian. When we stand...
