In 1986, three events took place that merged into a long-time desire for me to labor in Australia. First, our family met Alastair McEwen, who was studying for his ThM at Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich., and a friendship began. Second, Pastor Bob McCracken returned from his 5-year pastorate in Australia and visited our congregation, sharing of his ministry. Third, that year Nancy and I felt God was calling me into pastoral ministry.

Now, 20 years later, that desire has been realized. Our family has boxed up, sold out, and moved to Australia. I have been invited to pastor the Reformed Presbyterian congregation in McKinnon/ Frankston (located in Melbourne, Victoria) for at least 2 years.

People from the U.S. often ask, “What is it like in Australia?” People here struggle with the same sins. People here seek to faithfully serve the same Lord. The influence of Christianity is somewhat less here, but the net effect seems to be little different from the U.S. There is a great need for faithful Christian preaching and for Christians to be gospel-living and gospel-proclaiming people. The saints with whom we are ministering labor to be used in spreading the gospel to their friends and neighbors. The need is great, but the laborers are few. “Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt. 9:38 ESV).

Melbourne is similar to Chicago in that there are many smaller towns one after the other. We live in Frankston South, which is nearly the southernmost of these towns. The congregation is officially based in McKinnon—a town about halfway between us and the central business district. We meet for worship in McKinnon in the morning (a 40-minute drive) and then in Frankston in the evening.

About 35 people attend each service. We have had some new people attending regularly and some visitors in the 3 months since we arrived. The Lord tripled our normal morning attendance to over 100 at our 60th anniversary service in McKinnon. Many who attended were Christians with a past connection to the congregation, but several were, as far as we know, unbelievers with whom we hope to follow up.

The Irish RP Church began mission work in Australia in 1857, which resulted in congregations in Geelong (est. 1858) and McKinnon (est. 1946). Four of the first five pastors in Geelong were Irish ministers (the third minister was an American) and the present pastor, Andrew Stewart, is an Irish minister. The first two pastors in McKinnon were Irishmen as well.

Over time, congregations were established in Sunbury and Frankston. Sadly, the Frankston congregation closed in 1989, and the Sunbury congregation closed this June. Several in the core group in Frankston have petitioned presbytery to re-establish the work there. They have presently joined the McKinnon congregation, and we are seeking the Lord’s timing and direction for the next steps.

There is an influx of Americans into the RPC of Australia. We flew here on the airplane with Brandon, Megan, and Jolene Fisher (Lafayette, Ind., RPC) who have come to serve as a laboring family in the Geelong congregation. Last June, Josh McEwen brought his American wife, Sarah, (Southside [Indianapolis, Ind.] RPC) and daughter, Eleni, back to his home country. Allan Nelson (Brandon’s employer, a ruling elder in Geelong, and a provisional ruling elder in McKinnon since 1990), and his wife, Winifred, came from the USA years ago. We are the only Americans in our congregation but join several from the U.K., especially Ireland. The rest are from Australia.

A mission team of 7 Americans, including our sons, Allen and Zachary, came this summer to labor with the churches for three weeks. Allen and Zachary are beginning a semester at the university here before returning to the Lafayette RPC and Purdue University.

Graeme Hart, with his wife, Allison, and children, Caleb, Lachlan, and Jasmine, has completed a 9-month pastoral internship in the Lafayette RPC. Graeme serves as a ruling elder in Geelong and hopes to complete his seminary training within the next two years and serve pastorally with the Australian church.

These international connections are vital to the ongoing ministry of the RP Church of Australia. We pray that they continue and expand through us, if the Lord directs, and through others.

Update

As this issue went to press, Pastor Ed Blackwood announced his decision to accept the call of the Frankston RPC to be its regular pastor. He had previously committed to serve as a stated supply pastor for two years.