Sydney's Second Generation

By Steve Mayo

It is a mark of maturity when a child gives something back to his parents. The same is true in the life cycle of a church.

A missionary plays an essential parent role between a church's infancy and adolescence. When a church reaches adulthood it is time for it to carry its own weight of responsibility, and even to contribute something back. We call this self-propagation, a goal more often discussed than achieved.

ABWE began planting churches in Sydney, Australia, 30 years ago. Five of these are now "adult churches," self-supporting and self-governing. Until recently, however, the question remained, "Will these churches reproduce?"

Darryl Kilker pastors ABWE's first church plant, Grace Baptist, which was pioneered by Larry and Jacqui Armstrong in 1971. Since the church had grown to the limits of its facilities, Darryl suggested, "We don't have enough room to build, and we are comfortable with the size the church is now. I think it's time we planted a church."

With Pastor Kilker's input, the Sydney suburb of Erskine Park was chosen as a target area. Grace Baptist contributed two families to the leadership team of the proposed church plant.

Emmanuel Baptist Church, started in 1972 by ABWE's Dave and Bev Toro, learned of the new church plant. Like Grace Baptist, Emmanuel was growing, and one of their families even lived in the target suburb. Emmanuel's current pastor, Ken Lesta, reflected, "I didn't want to give up a family from our church, but it was the right thing to do. People need to be able to reach their own neighborhoods." Andrew Skinner, who lives in Erskine Park, echoed these sentiments: "It's difficult to invite a friend to church when it's 50 minutes away."

Grace Baptist and Emmanuel Baptist teamed with ABWE to plant Cornerstone Baptist Church. Budgewoi Community Baptist, an ABWE church plant led by Don and Connie Duty, staffed a holiday Bible club in the target area that attracted 106 children.

February 20, 2001 was selected as the new church's birthday. Anticipation built as that date approached. Was Erskine Park ready for a new church? Would the community be receptive to the gospel?

The answer on February 20, was a resounding, "Yes!" as 52 people gathered for the inaugural worship service-a far cry from the early days when ABWE missionaries sometimes preached only to their own families.

The planting of Cornerstone Baptist Church contributes to an emerging interest in church planting among Australian churches. Sydney churches are already planning to give birth again.

This is why ABWE-Australia is praying for new personnel to fill immediate needs in church planting, evangelism, technology and teaching.

ABWE's ministry in Australia has entered a new era. ABWE missionaries work not as parents, but as brothers and sisters with churches born years ago. Together we pursue a fresh vision for a distinctly Australian church-multiplying movement.

Back to Top	Respond to this Article Email Article to a Friend Print this Article