In just over six months the Synod of the CRCA will meet. The committees have been asked to write their reports. Since Synod of 1996 the CRCA has been focused on a new missional initiative referred to as the Fourfold Task. By God's grace and with the Spirit's aid and assistance we have made much progress in turning the tide of decline. In every state we are witnessing the momentum of planting new churches. The overall CRCA numbers of members are growing at a pace not seen since 1962 -- almost five decades. As we move forward, what are the key elements for denominational effectiveness?
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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A new church is being planted in Mackay – Pioneer Community Church. And I guess I could start today* by talking about all the plans that have been made over the past number of months. A lot has been accomplished. The launch team has put in many hours and many prayers into giving direction for a healthy launch of Mackay’s newest congregation – a church called Pioneer Community Church. And we will get to that – all the plans for the future of this church.
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Pioneer Community Church, a CRCA church plant in Mackay, will kick off the second phase of the church plant at a gathering at the Mackay Harbour Park on Sunday 11 September 2011(2:30 - 5:00 pm). It is with gratitude to God and in answer to many prayers that a group of believers is growing, a group committed to seeing the establishment of a Christian Reformed Church in Mackay.
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I met with a young preacher today and he posed a question that made me do some reflection. Over the next year he hopes to ask this question of a number of "older" colleagues in the ministry. "What is the most important lesson I have learned in my years of ministry?" I did not have to think long to format an answer in my mind. The almost three decades of ministry have taught me a very important lesson.
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Ready, Fire, Aim!
On Thursday evening, 19 May 2011, over forty adults gathered in the wonderful facilities of the Salvation Army in Mackay to see the launch of a new Christian Reformed Church in Mackay, a town which is listed among the ten largest growing regional centers in Queensland. This meeting was organised by Ninette Nell and Dolla Marneweck, local residents of Mackay, in consultation with myself, Jack De Vries, representing the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia (CRCA), and Wayne Crouch, one of the pastors of Bray Park Community Church. A number of table hosts prepared the hall, set up tables, and prepared a feast of all kinds of food. Little did we anticipate the overwhelming positive response to this information meeting.
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