Throughout Australia and Beyond
The power of the gospel! This is what the apostle Paul reminded the church in Colossae. He wrote to them: "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." (Colossians 1:6) Bearing fruit and growing! As churches of the CRCA we believe this to be our God given mission here in Australia: To multiply Bible-based Christian fellowships and congregations which equip and nurture their members and grow throughout Australia and beyond. This is the power of the gospel. It bears fruit and grows!
Nine years ago, in 2006, when the CRCA Synod met, it committed our churches to this missional vision of reaching lost people for Christ. Four strategic commitments were made: to pray, to grow, to train, and to align. READ MORE
Could you imagine over the past nine years to see more over 4000 new believers gathered together in churches, over 200o gathered in prayer groups, and over 3000 new coverts baptized? Hard to imagine? But this is exactly what has happened since 2006. But I am not talking the gospel work done here in Australia. Sure, we have seen people come to faith, be baptized, and new churches being planted all across Australia. But this gospel fruit is miniscule compared to the gospel bearing fruit and growing through G.O.S.P.E.L., a ministry supported by churches of the CRCA. We can truly testify that the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout Australia and beyond.
If you have not yet read the G.O.S.P.E.L. annual report, you need to need to read the full report. You will be amazed at the power of the gospel. This report begins by reporting: Under the gracious hand of God, the work of pioneer Church Planting through GOSPEL continues to progress in the four Central Western Indian states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Gospel of salvation by grace alone is proclaimed; new believers receive baptism, instruction and pastoral care is given; communities are impacted and house churches are planted. We thank God for his abundant blessings. READ THE FULL REPORT
To God be all the glory!
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)
