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)
We have a lot of potted plants around our home. All kinds of plants. Large ones, small ones, flowering ones, and lots of potted green plants. From time to time the potted plants don't look healthy anymore. We have given them lots of water and fertiliser, but the plants simply stop growing. In fact, they begin to wilt and die. Then we realise the problem: they need a new pot!...
Church work can at times be a real struggle. We go two steps forward and three steps back. There are roadblocks to advancing the gospel. And Christians can feel frustrated, worn out, and desiring to quit. I've had those times pastoring churches. I would wonder if ministry was all worth the struggle. There were times when my struggles were drenched in tears. There were forces and people both inside and outside the church...
Growing up I wanted to become an architect. I loved to design and build things. As a child I loved to build forts in our backyard. Or boxes made from toothpicks or popsicle sticks. In my teenage years I used larger pieces of wood to build furniture I had designed. I think my dad wanted me to take over his landscaping business, but I did not like doing lawn and garden maintenance. ...
I am all about efficiency! I like to get more things done in less time. I want to get the greatest amount of fuel efficiency in the cars I drive. I always look for the biggest bang for the buck. If I can get more stuff for less money -- well that seems to be a bargain! Often the focus on efficiency drives politicians when they make election promises. "We...
How can we as churches strengthen our witness in the world? For years in the CRCA we have been encouraging churches to GROW: "To grow healthy churches which nurture and equip their members...." But this begs the question: what aspect of increased church health will nurture and equip their members, by God's grace grow the church numerically, plant new churches, and increase their gospel impact throughout Australia and beyond? Almost 50 years ago Pastor...
