Why Church-Plant?
(short-version) “Church” is God’s appointed means of discipling, baptizing, teaching, and enfolding the people into His heavenly
community on earth. In other words, church-planting is God’s primary, and most effective tool for area evangelism. Planting a
church is planting a Gospel message in a geographic heart of an area. It is His physical and redemptive intrusion, as the body
of Christ is introduced to a community. Church-planting is an evangelistic tour-de-force.
So, will this be missions or church-planting for you?
Both! It is not either/or. It is missions in that we are (1) culturally displaced (2) for the Gospel ministry, AND it is church-
planting for a lasting establishment of a covenant community.
When are you leaving for the “Land-down-under?”
We are hoping to leave before the end of the year 2005, once the support is fully raised and visa matters are squared away.
Please pray for us in these regards.
When should we effectively start the support?
Start praying for us immediately. As for giving, after prayerfully committing before the Lord, send in the pledge card/sheet to
MTW, along with the fund, just as soon as you can start. Even though we are not leaving the country until the end of the year,
the monthly pledge amount must meet the budget prior to leaving. Also, the amount which accumulates prior to leaving will be
used for training, traveling, and relocation costs.
How long are you going for?
At the moment, we don’t have a return plan. It’s a church plant, and we’re planning to stay on and serve in that church, so
only the Lord knows. But one “term” with MTW is 4 years, so they will help us to assess the progress throughout each year and
each term.
Do you know anybody out there already?
We know a few people in Sydney, but mainly, we’re just trusting God’s lead. However, there are two teams in Australia
(Brisbane and Perth) who are also with MTW. Particularly, a fellow pastor (Rev. David Cunningham) in Brisbane’s Christ
Community Church will be our close accountability and advisor. Paul Taylor is the Astral-Asia area director, and he will be
overseeing our work as well. Please pray that we will also make good local friends in Sydney.
Where exactly in Sydney will you plant the church?
We are committed to the “city model” for our church plant, so it will most likely be “in” the city of Sydney itself. The future
church plants may look to the suburbs or other major cities, but the primary church will be in Sydney City.
How do you plan on starting a church? What is your “strategy?”
By evangelizing; communicating the Gospel to people. We plan to get to know other ministries in the area for their prayer
support; visit local university campuses (University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, UTC, etc.); evangelize in the city
and to our neighbors; host Bible studies; lead discipleship training; etc. Eventually, a formal worship will be held on Lord’s
Days. But, most importantly, by completely depending on the Holy Spirit, praying hard, and living in the Word of God.
Will you accept “short-term” mission teams?
Of course, starting December ‘06! For individuals, please coordinate through MTW, and for churches, please have your pastor
contact me early (at least 6mo. Prior; after March ‘06).
What are the people like in Sydney?
It’s always a bit silly to generalize a group of people, but “they” will say for themselves that they are more “easy going” than
the Americans. However, the rest of Australia looks at the Sydney residents the way mid-westerners might the New Yorkers
(too fast-paced, driven, diverse, etc.). Besides this, I'm sure we will learn of their "inner-culture" once we are in their midst.
What is weather/season like in Sydney?
It’s generally balmy and mild, just like Southern California. But, the seasons are reversed because Australia is in the Southern
hemisphere. When it’s summer in the U.S., it’s winter in Australia.
What is the cost of living like in Sydney?
It’s very much like Orange County (shock!); except cars, computers, anything technological are much more expensive (choke,
gasp!!). I was hoping they would be less, but… Oh, well.
What is transportation system like in Sydney?
They have a nice public transportation system of buses, trains, and ferries, so we think we can get by with having just one car.
Is Claudia going to continue to teach kids?
Perhaps not in a regular school, but definitely in our church. Claudia’s gift is in teaching children, so she will be very effective
in children’s ministry.
Do wild kangaroos, koalas, emus, and Tasmanian devils run around everywhere?
Come on~ :(
Can we come to visit?
Anytime, but please call at least a day ahead. :)
What's with the new look of the website?
Claudia didn't like the other picture. She thought it was too dark and gloomy (the one with rain cloud over Sydney). I tried to
explain that it represents God's theophanic presence (that's a fancy word for God's manifested presence, as in form of cloud
and fire), but it didn't fly.
