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)
Where do you find support in life and in ministry? The popular adage is true: we are better together. We are not meant to do life alone. In fact, our creator God made this abundantly clear when he created the first man. In the opening pages of the Bible God declared that "it is not good for the man to be alone." (Genesis 2:18) And so God created a "suitable helper" (Genesis 2:20) for him. A woman. As...
Your church has a postal code. It is situated at some crossroad in your community. Suppose one day you spend an hour or so at a local cafe near your church. You don't go there to have your soy double shot latte. Oh, you might order a coffee, but you are there to ask people walking by one question. This question: "What impact has name of your church made on your life and name of your community?" If you...
Disciples are not born - they are made! This is what Jesus told us in what many call 'the great commission.' After his death and resurrection, and before Jesus ascended into heaven, he told his followers that they are to "go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:19) Make disciples! This is our God-given mission in this world. As churches we understand that this begins by evangelism and continues by equipping all believers to be...
You hear the word 'evangelism' and this might conjur up all kinds of images and ideas. Today, as I hear the word 'evangelism', I immediately think of Billy Graham who for almost 60 years held evangelistic crusades all over the world. Or those who hand out gospel tracts at community events. Or the people that knock on your door and ask you all kinds of questions. Your might think of sandwich boards draped over somebody or...
What is your outlook in life? Your outlook as a church leader? What about your church? On what do you set your sights? These are important questions in life and ministry. And your answer to these questions will greatly impact what you do with your life, how you steward everything that God has given you. Not just you, but also your church. We have been looking at the Biblical values that shape the culture of the CRCA, a...
