I was born and raised in WA.
I married Jan in 1986. I lived in Canberra from 1987 to 2005.
For the first 11
years I was involved in pastoral ministry at a local church. Soon after we arrived
in Canberra Amanda was born at Calvary Hospital.
Amanda was then followed in two year intervals by Terry and Lincoln. All the
children represented the ACT in cricket and the boys in Aussie
Rules.
My time in pastoral ministry ended in 1999. It was time to move on. In
2003 I started "East to East Ministries". Since then I have visited
Indonesia a many times. My
heart is to do my bit to bless Indonesia. If you want to find out more
look at the
East to East
Ministries part of this site.
In December 2005 we took a 'big step' of faith and moved to Perth so I
could be closer to Indonesia.
In January 2007 I preached in Makassar, Surabaya, Malang, Ambon, Jakarta
and Bali - to around 13,000 people. As well I had a
2 week holiday with my family - it was a great time.
In February I was given an Australia Day award by my Government
agency for my service to Indonesia. What an honour.
In April I ministered in Papua for 14 days visiting Jayapura, Wamena,
Timika and Biak. I really enjoyed visiting Wamena. The scenery was
stunning, the local Dani people interesting (some males only
wearing a gourd). Another highlight was speaking in an Asmat Church near
Timika built on stilts.
In July I was surprised that my application for my work I work
to pay for me to do a degree was successful. So in my mid 40s I started
at uni doing a bachelor of communications. I was a challenging time.
Fortunately I had Amanda to hold my hand.
Just before starting uni in July I visited Kendari, Toraja (where 'death' is a big
things - funerals last at least 3 days) and Makassar (all in Sulewesi).
The final two days of the trip were spent in Makassar. On the Saturday
night I preached on purity from the life of Joseph to 400 young people
hungry for more of God. On the Sunday I spoke four times to nearly 4000
before catching a flight to Jakarta and then back to Perth.
My first booklet
The Power of Forgiveness (it may take a while to download) has
been published and is now being distributed in Indonesia. As I'm not planning to have it printed in
English you can download it for free. I hope it blesses you.
In January 2008 I ministered in Medan and Aceh (Sumatera), Kupang (West
Timor) and Jakarta. I had some interesting adventures ministering to the
'poor-poor' and the 'rich-rich' in both strongly Muslim and Christian
areas.
I'm now back into uni studies again, working on another book - this time
on prosperity. I want to bring a balance on this important issue.
I have just returned from ministry in Malang, Tual (it's 9 hours by
plane from Jakarta but only a night by boat from Darwin) and Jakarta. As
well as speaking I got to look at some of the interesting places near
where I ministry. I also did a book release for Kuasa Pengampunan
(Power of Forgiveness) and sold over 850 copies.
In July I visited three places in Kalimantan
(formerly Borneo) to speak in Churches and sell my book. I did a lot of
travelling around, sold 650 copies of my book and met lots of interest
people. After that I spent three nights in Bali. It really is beautiful,
and Jan found plenty of shops to empty my wallet. After Bali I spent two
nights ministering for the 5000 member Bethany Church in Makassar. I
spoke six times, it was hard work but I believe people were helped - and
another 650 copies of Kuasa Pengampunan were sold.
In September and early October I was back in Indonesia. Initially to
watch Peter Youngren (www.peteryoungren.org)
in action at one of his festivals in Bali, and then to minister in
Surabaya and Balikpapan. Not only did I get see three nights of the
festival (50,000 on last night, majority non-Christian) but I got to
meet with Peter a number of times. My time with him was really
challenging, he really encouraged me to make my ministry more Christ
centred. He loves Jesus, and in his meetings Christ and accomplishment
of the cross are central. After Bali, I spent a couple of days
ministering in both Surabaya and Balikpapan. During my meetings over
1000 copies of my book sold, and I got to speak to over 6000 people. Now
it's back to work, uni and family life until next January when I return
to Papua.
