Before Easter a group of 30 young Karen and Karenni Baptists and Catholics went on a one-day pilgrimage together.

Before he was arrested, Jesus prayed that his followers would be one. Two thousand years, and hundreds of Christian denominations later, Christian unity seems far away. Christian missionaries arrived in Burma (Myanmar) more than a hundred years ago when Catholics and Protestants regarded each other as heretics, and different Protestant denominations had an only slightly higher opinion of each other. The Catholic, Baptist and several other denominations now cooperate through the Myanmar Council of Churches, but at a grassroots level attitudes are often unchanged. Christians sometimes treat other denominations – and refer to them – as different religions. The divisions between Christians hurts Christian mission. A Karen Buddhist monk once asked me why it was that at Buddhist festivals monks from different monasteries would gather together, but at Christmas and Easter pastors lead worship in separate churches.

In addition to the denominational differences, churches are divided by ethnicity as well. While Catholic and Anglicans in Burma have national bodies, Chin, Karen and Kachin Baptists have separate organisations. Neither do these differences magically disappear when Christians from Burma arrive in Australia. When 30 Karen Baptists and Karen and Karenni Catholics gathered in the You Yangs National Park, it was a group of youth who rarely meet and never worship together.

The Karen Baptist youth mainly came from Werribee Karen Baptist Church, while the Catholic youth were led by Father William Matthews, a Burmese-background and come from Sunshine Catholic Parish.

The group started with icebreaker activities to get the different groups talking to each other. The group then walked up Flinders Peak. After taking the mandatory selfies and group photo, we gathered in a circle on a granite outcrop and Father William opened in prayer. We then read a psalm about God’s creation and had gospel readings about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness and the transfiguration on top of the mountain. Christians read these psalms and passages from gospels all the time – but not usually on top of a mountain. Hearing them in the bush was a new and different experience.

From the You Yangs we drove to Eastern Beach at Geelong. Here we read another psalm and read about Jesus calling his disciples by the sea and calming the storm. The weather was cool and we got off the beach to eat lunch. Lunch was rice and pots of spicy Karen and Karenni curries.

From the beach we drove to Holy Spirit Church, a beautiful Spanish-style church in a quiet Geelong suburb. Father William welcomed the group to the church and spoke about he had visited Baptist churches and learned from the experience, and said that Baptists could also learn from visiting a Catholic church.  Like most Catholic churches it has the Stations of the Cross, a series of fourteen paintings depicting Christ’s arrest, trial, walk to Golgotha, crucifixion and burial. We walked around the church, standing in front of each painting with the youth taking turns reading prayers. “We adore you O Christ and we bless you, for by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world…” Praying the Stations of the Cross was particularly appropriate leading up to Easter.

Diana Taw, a youth leader from Werribee Karen Baptist Church closed in prayer, and we returned to Melbourne.

 “It was great,” Diana said about the pilgrimage, “I loved it when we were reading the bible on top of the rock and on the beach. Next time when we read that we should read louder. I loved the Stations of the Cross because it reminds us of what Jesus did for us and the sacrifice he made for us. I feel like all Christians should do the Stations of the Cross.”

Source: BUV News

At Reservoir Baptist Church (RBC), we have a dedicated person who puts a tremendous effort in bringing Missionary News to us all year round. Every year, in May, she’ll also set RBC up for the Global Interaction’s May Mission Month. RBC has a proud history (since 1926) of not only financially supporting missionaries, but also sending them out from our church.

During May Mission Month, we shared videos and stories of the cross-cultural workers and candidates with our diverse congregation. Each week, we learnt something new about the least-reached people groups, and we saw God’s amazing work through Global Interaction’s projects. This year, we learnt something different from each of the people featured in the videos we watched.

We also had the privilege of having Graeme and Pat Barnden presenting at our church on the last Sunday of Mission Month. Graeme and Pat have been building relationships with the local B people in South Asia from 2011-2014. They told us that even though they are now based in Australia, Graeme and Pat are committed to returning to South Asia at least once a year for up to four weeks (limited by visas) to provide valuable training. 

During their visits, Graeme continues the mechanical training and driving school work he began, providing encouragement and extra support to the current driving instructor as well as helping with building maintenance wherever needed. Pat continues English teaching and provides support in other vocational projects.

Through their stories and sharing, we saw the deep passion and love that Global Interaction and the cross-cultural workers have for mission. It has also become more apparent for us that missionaries do not have to go overseas in far flung nations; they can be right here in Australia. We hope that this hit home to the least reached people who also make up our diverse church: that we too should, “Grow where we are planted”. In turn, we should reach out to our own people who might feel lonely and isolated in what is a foreign country to them.

At RBC, we will keep on celebrating our diversity with the understanding that a lot of us came to Jesus because someone sowed their care and prayer into us. We hope to do the same and know we can truly grow where we are planted. Every month should be missionary month, for the need never disappears.

Source: BUV News

The Belgrave South Baptist Church community has donated 1,500 cans of food to help those in need.

The church has collected cans for the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) for the past six or seven years, starting with 200 the first time around.

Senior Pastor Tim Dyer said families had been adding cans to their weekly grocery shop since the start of May.

“We try to get people to donate with the pop tops, so they don’t need a can opener,” Pastor Dyer said.

“All the cans get used up by the time winter’s finished. None are leftover. It’s a real, practical and easy way to help. Everyone can buy a couple of cans when they go shopping. 

"We don’t want to just be a church that opens Sundays. We’re connected with the community. We want to be an expression of God’s love in a practical way.”

DRERS CEO Tania Bevan said the donation would make a huge difference.

“It has a really big impact on being able to feed families, people who are homeless,” she said.

“Cans are great for people who are homeless because they can carry that meal around with them.

“We are really grateful for what Belgrave South Baptist does.

“That is a lot of cans. It’s going to help a lot of people.”

To other people who’d like to help with donations, Ms Bevan suggested they think about what they put in their own trolley.

“Then it’s something that someone will use. We’re all very similar,” she said.

“We all use toilet paper, we all use shampoo.”

But aside from the most basic necessities, Ms Bevan encouraged donations of the ‘basics’ that make people’s days a little brighter.

“Some people go to a cafe and have a coffee every day, but some people can’t even afford instant coffee,” she said.

Article previously published by Ferntree Gully Belgrave Mail.

Source: BUV News

Eat, drink and throw a party Jesus gave us pictures, metaphors, for what the Kingdom of God is like – it is like a banquet, a feast (Matt 22:2). And when he asked his friends to remember him, his life and work, he said, “eat and drink in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19) There is, perhaps, no better way live a life shaped by Jesus than to eat and drink, and throw a party. When we eat and drink with others, the table levels us. People from diverse backgrounds become equals when we realise that we all share a common humanity, a need for food and drink, and a hunger for human connection. Each month, we organise an open community event around food and drink in our neighbourhood. In the warmer months we have held Wood Fired Pizza Nights in the community garden. Around 60-80 neighbours from a diversity of cultures, faiths, and experiences come together every month to eat, drink, share stories, and enjoy the human connection we all crave. Through the colder months, we have moved this party indoors for neighbourhood potluck dinners. People bring food cooked at home and in doing so share parts of their culture, gifts, and story. Our first Neighbourhood Potluck in June saw over 30 neighbours eat together. What is beautiful about these nights is how families from a diversity of cultures and religions, join together to talk and eat. We have hindu, sikh, muslim, and christians joining with one another, and the slower pace and smaller numbers indoors, has provided more opportunities for us to have deeper conversations as we get to know and love our neighbours.

Source: BUV News

 Views from the Manse

A monthly series showcasing different expressions and experiences of the role of a Pastor’s spouse. Stories span from the archives to the present.  We invite you to contribute your story by emailing John Sampson at jcsampson406@gmail.com

Episode 1 – Circa 1885 onwards
Sarah Ann Richmond Phelan – A tale of two husbands   

In April 1881, the Rev J S (James) Harrison came from England to Victoria and joined up with the Rev Edward Isaac to form a mission team that held evangelistic meetings throughout Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Little did they know that they would both marry the same woman.

In early 1884, Rev Harrison was invited to the pulpit at Aberdeen St and brought his Tasmanian wife with him. While at Aberdeen St, he continued with his evangelistic meetings, teaming up with other evangelists of the day such as the renowned Mrs Amelia Baeyertz who drew enormous crowds, especially on the goldfields. But in Feb 1887, as his health was declining, he resigned and returned to England.

Meanwhile, in December 1884 the Rev Isaac was appointed to the pastorate at Brunswick Baptist Church. It was a challenging call as the church had just endured a very turbulent period in its history.

On March 31^st 1885, Rev Isaac married Sarah Phelan, the daughter of Mr & Mrs E Phelan of Talbot. She was welcomed to the church at a tea meeting and given a fine clock to mark the occasion. Everyone was in high spirits as the meeting closed with three cheers for ‘the pastor and his better half’ and it was reported as ‘being the most pleasant meeting the church had held for some time’.

Mrs. Isaac (née Phelan) was soon in charge of the Young Women’s Bible classes and by 1887 these were flourishing. She was also recognised as a fine soloist.

In 1895, Rev Isaac moved to George St Baptist in Fitzroy. At his welcome he referred to his wife as ‘the pastoress’, clearly showing the importance he placed on her role as his spouse; but the term did not stick. In 1896/97 he was honored as the President of the Baptist Union of Victoria.  In February 1902 he left George St, preaching his final sermon in July.

After a settled existence for 18 years they were on the road again, with a short-term appointment at the Evangelization Society of Victoria for whom he conducted missions throughout the state, before they headed back to England.  

When he left for England his wife, Sarah, was acknowledged as follows:

‘This short sketch of our brother’s career would be very incomplete without reference to Mrs. Isaac, who has been a real mainstay to him. She has proved herself to be a true helpmate indeed. How much of his success is owing to her hopeful and buoyant character no one is able to say, but that her cheerful temperament has largely contributed to it, no one who knows her will deny’.

But the English climate played havoc with Sarah’s health so that they returned to Australia, settling in Launceston on 31 Dec 1904 where he accepted a position at Reed’s Christian Mission Church in Launceston. Six years later he resigned, and they began a period of moving around to short term pastoral appointments.

They moved to New Zealand to positions in Dunedin and St Claire, before moving to the Sydenham Baptist Church in October 1910. In 1911 he had a short pastorate at Mount Gambier before moving to Williamstown. Finally he was appointed to Albert St in 1916 and served here until his death on Dec 30^th 1918.

Sarah wrote an article for the Australian Baptist while at Albert St, in which she made the following observations:

‘People set a very high ideal for the minister’s wife. She has many domestic duties over and above those in a private home. She cannot get help due to the high cost of wages for maids, the high cost of living and low stipends. Her children and the life of the home are her responsibility. She is expected to visit the sick.She is expected to take a Sunday school or Bible class. And she is expected to foster missionary activity in the church.’

In 1922, we get a glimpse of another side of Sarah. She was corresponding with Rev Harrison at the time, who she had known earlier and whose wife had since passed away. He was looking for a new church and she gladly helped by putting an announcement in the Australian Baptist saying that he intended to return to Melbourne in October 1922 with his son. If any churches were interested in securing his services she would be pleased to ensure that he got their correspondence.

But her plan did not work out as Rev Harrison secured a position at Bristol St Baptist in England and started there in January 1923 with a salary of £400 per annum.

Soon after, however, we find that she had another announcement in the paper in Jan 1924. This one gave the good news that he had arrived in Melbourne at the end of 1923, that they had married and were living in her house at 180 George St Fitzroy. I suspect that when it came to marriage she was not the passive object of Rev Harrison’s quest but took the initiative.

In August 1927, Rev Harrison and his wife, Sarah were welcomed to the pastorate of Hawthorn West, where he served for eight and a half years until his death on 30 Nov 1935.

Sarah died on 10^th April 1947 and her obituary in the Victorian Baptist Witness reads as follows

‘Mrs. Harrison, widow of the late Rev. J. Harrison, whose final charge was at Hawthorn West Baptist Church, passed to her rest recently at her home in 180 George. Street, Fitzroy. Had she lived a few days longer she would have celebrated her 89th birthday.  A lady of very gracious disposition, she has graced many manses and has now been called to grace a mansion of Light. Her two husbands were comrades in the Gospel and both were attracted to her at the same time. The Rev Isaac first won her and for many years she was his helpful partner. After his death the Rev. J. Harrison renewed his quest for her and for many years she proved an able and glad companion during his later ministries. After his death she continued her membership and services at Hawthorn West Baptist Church where every progressive gospel movement immediately won her approval’.

What is your experience of being a pastor’s spouse? If you would like to contribute to this series, please email jcsampson406@gmail.com

Source: BUV News

 Views from the Manse

A monthly series showcasing different expressions and experiences of the role of a Pastor’s spouse. Stories span from the archives to the present.  We invite you to contribute your story by emailing John Sampson at jcsampson406@gmail.com

Episode 1 – Circa 1885 onwards
Sarah Ann Richmond Phelan – A good wife 

In April 1881, the Rev J S (James) Harrison came from England to Victoria and joined up with the Rev Edward Isaac to form a mission team that held evangelistic meetings throughout Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania. Little did they know that they would both marry the same woman.

In early 1884, Rev Harrison was invited to the pulpit at Aberdeen St and brought his Tasmanian wife with him. While at Aberdeen St, he continued with his evangelistic meetings, teaming up with other evangelists of the day such as the renowned Mrs Amelia Baeyertz who drew enormous crowds, especially on the goldfields. But in Feb 1887, as his health was declining, he resigned and returned to England.

Meanwhile, in December 1884 the Rev Isaac was appointed to the pastorate at Brunswick Baptist Church. It was a challenging call as the church had just endured a very turbulent period in its history.

On March 31^st 1885, Rev Isaac married Sarah Phelan, the daughter of Mr & Mrs E Phelan of Talbot. She was welcomed to the church at a tea meeting and given a fine clock to mark the occasion. Everyone was in high spirits as the meeting closed with three cheers for ‘the pastor and his better half’ and it was reported as ‘being the most pleasant meeting the church had held for some time’.

Mrs. Isaac (née Phelan) was soon in charge of the Young Women’s Bible classes and by 1887 these were flourishing. She was also recognised as a fine soloist.

In 1895, Rev Isaac moved to George St Baptist in Fitzroy. At his welcome he referred to his wife as ‘the pastoress’, clearly showing the importance he placed on her role as his spouse; but the term did not stick. In 1896/97 he was honored as the President of the Baptist Union of Victoria.  In February 1902 he left George St, preaching his final sermon in July.

After a settled existence for 18 years they were on the road again, with a short-term appointment at the Evangelization Society of Victoria for whom he conducted missions throughout the state, before they headed back to England.  

When he left for England his wife, Sarah, was acknowledged as follows:

‘This short sketch of our brother’s career would be very incomplete without reference to Mrs. Isaac, who has been a real mainstay to him. She has proved herself to be a true helpmate indeed. How much of his success is owing to her hopeful and buoyant character no one is able to say, but that her cheerful temperament has largely contributed to it, no one who knows her will deny’.

But the English climate played havoc with Sarah’s health so that they returned to Australia, settling in Launceston on 31 Dec 1904 where he accepted a position at Reed’s Christian Mission Church in Launceston. Six years later he resigned, and they began a period of moving around to short term pastoral appointments.

They moved to New Zealand to positions in Dunedin and St Claire, before moving to the Sydenham Baptist Church in October 1910. In 1911 he had a short pastorate at Mount Gambier before moving to Williamstown. Finally he was appointed to Albert St in 1916 and served here until his death on Dec 30^th 1918.

Sarah wrote an article for the Australian Baptist while at Albert St, in which she made the following observations:

‘People set a very high ideal for the minister’s wife. She has many domestic duties over and above those in a private home. She cannot get help due to the high cost of wages for maids, the high cost of living and low stipends. Her children and the life of the home are her responsibility. She is expected to visit the sick.She is expected to take a Sunday school or Bible class. And she is expected to foster missionary activity in the church.’

In 1922, we get a glimpse of another side of Sarah. She was corresponding with Rev Harrison at the time, who she had known earlier and whose wife had since passed away. He was looking for a new church and she gladly helped by putting an announcement in the Australian Baptist saying that he intended to return to Melbourne in October 1922 with his son. If any churches were interested in securing his services she would be pleased to ensure that he got their correspondence.

But her plan did not work out as Rev Harrison secured a position at Bristol St Baptist in England and started there in January 1923 with a salary of £400 per annum.

Soon after, however, we find that she had another announcement in the paper in Jan 1924. This one gave the good news that he had arrived in Melbourne at the end of 1923, that they had married and were living in her house at 180 George St Fitzroy. I suspect that when it came to marriage she was not the passive object of Rev Harrison’s quest but took the initiative.

In August 1927, Rev Harrison and his wife, Sarah were welcomed to the pastorate of Hawthorn West, where he served for eight and a half years until his death on 30 Nov 1935.

Sarah died on 10^th April 1947 and her obituary in the Victorian Baptist Witness reads as follows

‘Mrs. Harrison, widow of the late Rev. J. Harrison, whose final charge was at Hawthorn West Baptist Church, passed to her rest recently at her home in 180 George. Street, Fitzroy. Had she lived a few days longer she would have celebrated her 89th birthday.  A lady of very gracious disposition, she has graced many manses and has now been called to grace a mansion of Light. Her two husbands were comrades in the Gospel and both were attracted to her at the same time. The Rev Isaac first won her and for many years she was his helpful partner. After his death the Rev. J. Harrison renewed his quest for her and for many years she proved an able and glad companion during his later ministries. After his death she continued her membership and services at Hawthorn West Baptist Church where every progressive gospel movement immediately won her approval’.

What is your experience of being a pastor’s spouse? If you would like to contribute to this series, please email jcsampson406@gmail.com

Source: BUV News

Big Step Weekend was an initiative started 7 years ago at Crossway, with the goal of communicating the Gospel of Jesus Christ & partnering with our Crossway parents at the same time. Whilst an individual profession of faith in Jesus Christ is an individual’s decision, we believe that it is really important for parents and children to be together when a decision like this is made. On Big Step Weekend, we invite and encourage all parents of primary school aged children to join us in our primary ministry rooms, for a dramatic presentation of the Gospel. Any child wanting to make a first-time commitment to follow Christ are joined by their parents or small group leader and they are led through a time of prayer and reflection by one of Crossway’s Children and Families Pastors. Family groups are then given a ‘Big Step Booklet’ that contains discussion topics, bible passage studies and prayer resources to assist our Crossway parents in the continued discipleship of their child. For the remainder of the kids and parents who either have already made the ‘Big Step’ to follow Jesus, or are not ready to take the ‘Big Step’ to follow Jesus, they are led through an intentional family activity designed to move families to have meaningful conversations together in reflection to the presentation they have just seen. Over the years of running Big Step Weekend at Crossway, we have seen many hundreds of children place their trust in Jesus for the very first time. Just last month, we saw over 78 first time commitments from our Primary school children! It is so encouraging to see God at work so powerfully, changing lives one Big Step at a time.

Source: BUV News

My name is Gail Moe Dwai. I was born in the midst of conflict and civil wars in a Myanmar jungle in 1976 when the Burmese military dictators forced villages under their controlled area to relocate. My parents tried to flee from the forced relocation and hid in the jungle. I was born under the bush with no assistance from a midwife, with just my parents and small siblings around. Praised God, I survived and my mom was healthy.

Our family hid and lived in the jungle for many years. One evening when I was only two, my father and uncle was caught by the military patrolled groups. They killed my uncle the same night but let my father lived. He was taken to a camp where he was tortured and forced to work. They released my father after three months but he didn’t reunite with us in the jungle until many months later. We continued to hide in the jungle until I was five years old. Our family sought refuge at the Thai-Burma border where the Karen Nation Union based their military headquarter.

I grew up and received my basic education in Karen schools at the border. In 1995, the Burmese military attacked the Karen headquarter and we were forced to flee to Thailand where we became real refugees and were put in the Thai refugee camp.

In the year 2000, I decided to risk my life to pursue further theological studies. I sneaked out of the refugee camp and went through Burma to India illegally. Having lived in jungles and refugee camps all my life, I’ve never experienced town or city life. I’ve never even travelled outside my confined area in Burma or Thailand. Throughout my two-weeks journey to India, I was so anxious and constantly worried about being caught. I find my hope and faith only through Christ who gave me strength. And Praise God, I completed my Masters in Divinity at the Oriental Theological Seminary after three years.

I went back to the Thai refugee camp and began teaching at the bible school. In 2006, I met Rev Geoff Wright (a former pastor at Westgate Baptist Community Church) who visited the refugee camp and he helped me with the application for the Australian humanitarian visa. Together with the other Karen community leaders, we were granted our visa in 2008. With the help from BUV’s Refugee Airfare Loan Scheme, I was able to leave the refugee camp to travel to Melbourne. Praise the Lord for that.

In May 2008, a new congregation started in Werribee Baptist Church and I was appointed for my role as the pastor prior to my arrival in Melbourne.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1:4-5. The call to Jeremiah is very much similar to my life. I finally arrived in Melbourne on 8 January 2009 and begin my new life in a city! Although I still have worries but I have a stronger faith and hope in the Lord.

Rev Gail Moe Dwai and her family.

My vision for the church is to be fruitful and be a blessing to others. God bless us not for our own enjoyment but for us to shine the light and be a blessing to others. Our mission for the church is based on “triple Ls”:

• Pouring his Love within and beyond;
• Develop strong and relevant Leadership in the second generation;
• Leave a Legacy behind to our generations to carry on the life and ministry of the Church.

Please pray for our second generation to carry on the ministry of the church, the tradition of loving, caring, and hospitality to one another. 

Source: BUV News

I was born in 1958 to a middle class family.  When I was 8 years old, a series of incidents led me to start questioning the meaning of life. However, we enjoyed a fairly good life until the fall of Saigon in 1975. Growing up, life in Vietnam was like hell – especially under the iron fist of the Communist government from 1975 to 2000s. (This doesn’t mean from 2000 until now is acceptable as the iron fist is covered by velvet!). 

In 1980, to avoid being conscripted and sent to the Vietnam-Cambodia war, my third elder brother and I decided to escape by hijacking a government boat to Thailand. This was when the first great miracle happened to me.

A small group of us were on the boat when suddenly, a larger group of soldiers got on. They were heading towards a different destination from our intended one. We were worried that we’ll be overpowered if we tried to force the boat to our destination. All of a sudden, it started to rain and all the soldiers moved to the passenger basement of the boat. The rain was brief but it gave us a golden opportunity to take action and controlled the boat for a few minutes. We managed to steer the boat to our destination and no one was hurt. We thought that “Ông Trời” the Vietnamese Creator God had saved us. 

My elder brother and I stayed at a Thai refugee camp for two years before being accepted and resettled in Melbourne. We are thankful to God and Australia for their love for refugees. When we first arrived, there were not much help available. As such, we missed our families and suffered from loneliness. We also struggled to find acceptance within the Australian community (not yet multicultural). To support ourselves and family back in Vietnam, we were often exhausted by hard labor work. It was a dark period for me and that's when the second miracle happened!

It wasn’t as dramatic as the first miracle but it happened through a combination of incidences. Firstly, God reminded me of the kindness of the Baptist people in Thailand when we were there as refugees. Secondly, He sent a Vietnamese Student Pastor to visit me occasionally and then later on invited me to join a small group of Vietnamese Christians (meeting at Reservoir Baptist Church) who welcomed me warmly to their community. Thirdly, God showed me his words when I started reading and studying the Bible in English. Through these incidences, I realized (in fact God opened my eyes, mind and heart) that the God of the first miracle is the God of the Bible. God gave me the answer that He loved me. His love is the meaning of my life. 

From then on, I had a deep desire in my heart to help people know, experience and enjoy God’s love. I started by volunteering at church and driving non-Christian friends to our small worship service. I also accompanied church leaders with their visits and shared my testimony. Eventually, I decided to further my understanding of the Bible and took up courses at Kingsley and Whitley College.   

In 1996, I married the love of my life, Phuong. God used her to make my life fully meaningful and He gave us a special gift – Samantha, my little “Imago Dei” in 1998. They are my third miracle(s).  

These miracles helped me find the true meaning of my life and through my studies at Whitley College, I realized (again, in fact God opened my eyes, mind and heart) that I was called to pastoral ministry. The two verses that most impacted me are:  “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) and “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). 

I’m thankful for God’s calling and how He used other people to influence my future ministry and pastoral style. The Whitley teaching staff and BUV leaders ( Dr Frank Rees, Dr Keith Dyer, Dr Geoff Pound, Dr Mark Brett, Dr Merril Kitchen, Dr Colin Hunter, Dr Ken Manley, John Simpson, Allan Marr, just to name a few) have been instrumental in helping me shape the development of my theology and pastoral ministry.   

From 1999, I was also given the opportunity to serve with the BUV Multicultural Task Force (later known as Multicultural Ministry Group) where I’ve developed a vision for a reverse Multicultural church that worships in different languages. The focus of the ministry is to attract English-speaking generations into a multicultural congregation. This may seem too idealistic and challenging with issues such as availability of facilities, the possible tension between diversity and integration, and the drastic changes of local cultures and sub-cultures etc., However my wife and I see ourselves as the first brick for this type of church and with God, all things are possible!

In 2001, God further refined my ministry direction and vision by showing me who he wanted me to minister to. Through Luke 4:18-19: “They are the poor, the forgotten and the marginalized”, I understood God’s calling and moved to Brimbank to plant a Vietnamese congregation. 

The year 2006 marked the fine-tuning of our spirituality by an unexpected encounter with and experience of the Holy Spirit. Pastor Phong Truong helped us so much in understanding of them and he has since become our spiritual companion.  Perhaps this is the manifestation of Acts 1:8 to remind us to “walk and live by the Spirit” rather than “just do ministry” by our own human strength and wisdom.  We now define our ministry as “helping one another to be fulfilled by the Holy Spirit so that we can become like Jesus’ disciples who share God’s love and the Good News of Jesus to the poor and forgotten.”   

We have also been blessed to be a member of the Vietnamese United Revival Ministry.

I am now a pastor at Brimbank New Life Baptist Church. Please pray for my family and our community that we will be faithful to the Word, the call, the vision and ministry that God has eventually revealed to us.    

Source: BUV News