Retreat, Refreshment, Recharge 2014
"Best ever... balance between great talks and free time was really good. Lovely, special activities. I feel privileged to have been here, 'refreshed,' 'renewed,' and thankful." These comments made by one of the persons attending Recharge 2014 reflect what just about everybody said about the recent CRCA Ministry Conference held in Collaroy Conference Centre, Collaroy, NSW.
In the words of an old adage, a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out the pictures on Facebook here.
The main speaker this year was Andrew Reid, the lead Pastor at Holy Trinity Doncaster (Melbourne). Andrew gave five excellent Bible talks on the first chapters of the book of Exodus. These talks are now available for listen or download by going to the following links:
3. Who Am I?
4. Getting the Most Things Right
On the final evening Recharge hosted a formal banquet during which Rev. Joe Vermeulen of Grace CRC (Perth, WA) gave a mini concert. Here are links to the music he shared:
Lord I lift your Name – Jazz version
There will be no Recharge Conference in 2015 since the CRCA Synod will meet that year. While many people said this was the "best ever" Recharge Conference (including previous Ministers and Wives Conferences) -- we are already looking forward to the gathering in 2016. Our commitment is to take serious the feedback we receive each year and attempt to host a conference that is a retreat is every sense of that word -- a time to be refreshed, encouraged, and truly recharged for ministry.
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)
