So far this week we’ve been preparing for our church prayer meeting on Sunday 21st June, by finding out more about the 2 churches we will be praying for in Spain (Part 1 and Part 2) and Australia (Part 1).
Today, we’re going to hear more about the Sovereign Grace Australia Church Plant scheduled for 2010, and being led by my friend Dave Taylor.
I recently asked Dave to fill in some more of the blanks concerning the practicalities and details of what is going on and the plans he is making.
Nathan:
Dave, can you tell us what part of Australia you’re planning on going to and why?
Dave:
Well, after a lot of study, prayer and counsel we’re going to Sydney! This city is absolutely fantastic! In so many ways it feels like home, which is weird because it couldn’t be any further away from home, and yet the people there are so similar to us in the way they do life.
Sydney is on the south-east coast of the country and is Australia’s largest city and functionally, its capital city and so it’s very multicultural, busy and very heavily populated, with over 4 million people residing there. It enjoys excellent weather, 29C in the summer, 19C in the winter! The city is home to the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and its beaches, like Bondi Beach!
Outside of the USA more Sovereign Grace books and CD’s are sold in Sydney than anywhere else in the world! Through books and CD’s Sovereign Grace Ministries is already influencing the Christian Sydney scene, and yet to be honest Sydney and Australia are far from Christian communities.
In an overall sense the general openness to the Gospel doesn’t seem to be that different to the UK. For most folk church is a ‘weddings and funerals’ exercise, and so evangelistically we have a lot of work to do.
Nathan:
You’re going to be leading the church planting team, tell us a little about whose in Australia already.
Dave:
I’ll be leading the team supported from afar by my good friend Pete Greasley but it’s early days to answer this question really.
So far we have 5 couples and 15 children including Emma and me and my family and Mike & Sarah Pasalich. These guys and those waiting in Australia are great folk and have clearly been assembled by God for this task. Without them I would never have even entertained this venture and yet with them I reckon I’m the most blessed church planter on the planet right now! So, although the team may be small, I am thrilled with the folk that comprise it.
Nathan:
In all that’s going on, what are you particularly grateful to God for?
Dave:
My wife. If it wasn’t for Emma’s faith and joyful desire to pursue the Lord in this way then right now there would be no Australia story. What a very special lady I have married, and what a God who would ordain this for me.
Nathan:
What three things can we specifically pray for at this time regarding this church plant?
Dave:
Firstly, we need our visa to be approved. There is no guarantee with this, so please pray that God works this out for us as Sovereign Grace Australia is set up.
Secondly, please pray for the folks already gathering on the ground in Australia waiting for the church to start. Please pray that God would give them grace and patience as plans are made.
Thirdly, with so many decisions to make, and my brain being so limited, please pray that God would clearly guide my path in the many plans that come with planting a church in a new country.
Nathan:
Thanks Dave, we will be praying for you and Emma and the kiddos, and all the plans and outworkings of this exciting adventure!
We will be praying for the Sovereign Grace Australia Church Plant on Sunday 21st June 2009.
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