"True leadership starts with a purpose, not a plan." In many ways this statement sums up Albert Mohler's excellent book on leadership: The Conviction to Lead. Leadership has to do with conviction. As he writes: "Congregations and Christian institutions need effective leaders who are authentically Christian -- whose leadership flows out of their Christian commitment."
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)
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When you think of the unsaved millions in the world -- how do you think about them? I'm thinking about non-Christians. They might be co-workers, friends, neighbours, and/or family members. How do you think about them? It matters how you think of them. It really does. I like to explain what I mean. I like to suggest a nuance that might bring about a shift in your thinking. And if your thinking changes, perhaps this might change how you live.
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In 2006 the CRCA adopted a strategy to increase church health and effectiveness throughout the denomination in Australia. The churches agreed to the vision to be "A church reforming to reach the lost for Christ." The stated mission described what we as churches prayerfully and by God's grace hoped to achieve: "To multiply Bible-based Christian fellowships and congregations which equip and nurture their members and grow throughout Australia and beyond." So now 7 years on, how...
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On 12 June 2013 a number of pastors and leaders in the CRCA met at the Sydney airport to think about how we as churches can bet minister to South African migrants and pastors. This was the first time CRCA has gathered South African ministers of our denomination together. This was an important meeting, given the significant contribution South African Ministers and migrants are making to our denomination. There was a palpable cathartic atmosphere in the meeting, in which people shared both the positive and negative
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It was almost a replay of the first State of Origin match in 2013. New South Wales trumped Queensland. The Blues beat the Maroons. But it wasn't rugby. It was the gathering of church leaders and members, men and women, younger and older, at the Advance Together Conference held at New Life Christian Church in Blacktown.
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