September 7, 2010 by Dave Harvey
Categories: Church planting
While I’m sure the word has spread, some of the most exciting news in Sovereign Grace Ministries is that we are now in Australia! That’s right. A new church has just been planted and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Our friend Dave Taylor and his family have relocated from Christchurch in Newport, Wales, to the land down under. Public meetings for Sovereign Grace Church Sydney began this past Sunday.
We’re so grateful for the Taylors and their ambition to see the gospel preached even when it calls them half way around the world away from family and friends. I recently had the chance to ask Dave some questions about his venture. Here you’re going to find a story that is shaped by the grace and wisdom of God, as well as filled with the faith of two people, Dave and Emma, who loves God greatly. I bet God stirs your heart—like mine—as you read. And don’t miss the part about the importance of community.
Dave Harvey: Tell us about the process of discovering you were called to plant a church in Sydney.
Dave Taylor: This story begins in July 2008, when I had the privilege of accompanying Pete Greasley on a church-planting exploratory trip to Australia. [Pete is the senior pastor of Christchurch and serves Sovereign Grace Ministries in our international development.] I had never before even thought about heading over to Australia. It always seemed so expensive of a trip and way too far to go, but my good friend Pete was keen to have me along and so off we went.
It was a wonderful time. Shown around by Mike Pasalich (a Sydney-born Australian) we were warmly introduced to so many people who were excited about the possibility of Sovereign Grace planting a church in Sydney. I returned home from this trip enthused about the doors that seemed to be opening up in Australia. God was clearly at work and I, like many others, was keen to help out—from afar—in any way that I could.
It was in December 2008 that the “afar” status then came into question. You, Dave, were actually in the UK and gave a message to our small-group leaders on ambition. The thrust of the message was actually on contentment, but in making a side point you quoted William Carey: “Attempt great things for God, expect great things from God.” As you said it, I felt particularly provoked, a stirring that I could not shake.
The following week, my wife and I were out enjoying breakfast and randomly Emma asked how things were progressing in Australia. I explained that right now we didn’t have anyone to lead the plant in Sydney. She began to ask about what was needed for the job. I threw out a quick five points as I ate my toast. That’s when the life changing moment occurred, as she replied, “Dave, you seem like that type of guy to me.” We both laughed…nervously…and, yet, in that very moment, I think we both knew, as best we could, that God was at work here.
After a few weeks of prayer the burden just wouldn’t shift and so I talked to Pete. Was it just me? Had I eaten too much cheese? Was my own ambition simply driving this? Why me? Pete was so kind as I chewed this over with him, as were the other pastors on the team and the Sovereign Grace leadership team. By April 2009 our course was set for Sydney.
DH: Tell us about the formation of the team. What was involved for these folks in getting the church off the ground?
DT: Including children, the church planting team is around 60 folks. Having waited at least two years for this plant (many far longer), they’ve all exhibited sacrifice and vision ahead of this plant.
Mike Pasalich invested three years of his life in the US and then the UK to make this plant a reality. Sarah (Mike’s wife), a true American, headed off to Australia in faith to help Mike care for this initial group. Mark and Bianca Williams—native Australians—came to the UK for two months, along with their one-year-old, to throw themselves into Christchurch life. Dave Elsing moved from Perth to the UK to take part in the Christchurch GAP Team, and then relocated to Sydney to get involved in the plant. Patrick and Meg Chavez relocated—twice—just so that they can get involved with the plant. The Woods and the Williams, two Christchurch families, are preparing to make the 10,500-mile relocation from the UK to Australia.
The sacrificial, visionary stories just go on…How can I thank God enough for the joy of serving men and women like these!
Folks, this is just the beginning. We have in Dave and Emma, a couple who love God and the gospel and are sacrificing home comforts, closeness to family, and much more to see God’s church built. Exciting stuff! Don’t miss part 2 where Dave tells a bit more of what’s happening on the ground in Sydney.
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Dave Harvey leads international expansion and church planting for Sovereign Grace Ministries and is based in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. For more information about the Sovereign Grace church-planting process, click here.