New South Wales Trumps Queensland
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.
While there were at least 60 church folk at the Queensland gathering in May, on 15 June there were 66 people registered and attending the Advance Together Conference in New South Wales. It was a cool but sunny day when people gathered for this fourth state-wide event to explore how we can make disciples together.
Many of the thirteen churches of Classis New South Wales were represented, with great numbers from the Sutherland and New Life congregations. Three church leaders got up early that Saturday morning and took the close to 3 hour drive north from Canberra. As in each of the other Advance Together events, it was wonderful to sense the buzz around the place -- seeing church members from all across the state engage in conversations. The highlight of these events has been the coming together of churches after lunch for a time of integrating and applying what they have learned for their own local congregation and community.
All the talks can now be uploaded from the Ministry Formation website: www.ministryformation.com.au. There is a possibility that this same event will be held later on in 2013 in Tasmania and we are exploring about hosting a similar event across Australia again in 2014.
About the author
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)
