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MONTHLY PASTOR PROFILE

MONTHLY PASTOR PROFILES

Below you'll find a comprehensive bunch of questions asked of some Australian and New Zealand pastors from Baptist Churches. 

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PASTOR JIM HEBERLE - MURGON, QLD

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you?

    • I think its no coincidence that I grew up in a small country town called Shortsville, in western New York state in the US. A great place to be from when you're 5'5''! (165cm)

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • My sense of humour

  3. What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • My favourite hymn is Day By Day. The Christian life is a step by step journey. It's a marathon, not a sprint

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy.

    • I enjoy cycling, running, playing soccer and auto mechanics

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • To visit the Holy Land

  6. What’s one thing you’ve overcome in your life?

    • Working through the pastoring/shepherding side of the ministry

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • The time and circumstances surrounding the occasion when my wife Becky and I first met

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else. What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • My wife Becky and our two children, Jimmy and Lydia

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • I was saved when I was 8 years old and called into the Gospel Ministry when I was 12 years old through the preaching and testimony of a veteran missionary

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • I have learned to depend more and more on the strength of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Reading, studying, praying, listening, and asking questions

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for. On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss. How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • I find a Biblical principle and stick to it

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • In Bible school, I was given advice to ask Becky out on a date. Fantastic advice!

  14. Where are you currently serving the LORD?

    • In Outback QLD

  15. How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    • 13 years

  16. What’s the one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up this year?

    • The possibility of expanding the Outback ministry to new areas

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Commitment and faithfulness to our heavenly Father

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • Cycling across the Nullabor!

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February
2020

PASTOR Mario schiavone - sydney, nsw

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you?

    • I love hearing NSW beating QLD in the State of Origin

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • Truth, but no/little grace

  3. What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • The KJV Bible because I believe it is the verbal plenary inspired infallible Word of God 

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy.

    • I used to love playing Rugby League

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • Visit the 7 churches of Asia in Turkey

  6. What’s one thing you’ve overcome in your life?

    • Becoming a professional football player

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • Being saved at the age of 14, getting married in 1987 & the birth of each of my children

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else. What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • The godly mentors in my life that have fleshed out biblical Christianity according to John 1:14

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • Called from Jeremiah 20:9 in 1985 and entered the ministry in 1987

    • It has been 18 years since I was ordained.

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • That I am a wicked vile sinner that needs to rest in the grace of God daily and rejoice in His mercies along the way

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Walk with God daily and spend time with great men that penned their wisdom and knowledge in books

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for. On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss. How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • Colossians 3:1-2

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • The best of men, are at best, only men - CHS

  14. Where are you currently serving the LORD?

    • Metropolitan Baptist Church

  15. How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    • 25 years

  16. What’s the one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up this year?

    • The completion of our building project and support more missionaries through God's biblical plan of Faith Promise Missions Giving

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Grace and Truth

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • To start a church in the heart of downtown Sydney and an Australian Christian Heritage Museum

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December
2019

PASTOR Paul Stephenson - kwana/buddina
queensland

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you?

    • I think I am pretty open about everything - nothing that I can think of is hidden.

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • My passion in Christianity, preaching and belief - often taking me as narrow-minded, when the reality is I am just passionate for Christ.

  3. What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • Autobiography of Charles Finney;

    • It always stands out to me as to the type of men these great men were, simple faith and prayer always stands out to me. 

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy.

    • Rugby Union - I was actually picked to play for the state Under 15's (Brighton Rugby Union Club);

    • Rugby League.

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • To Preach around Australia.

  6. What’s one thing you’ve overcome in your life?

    • Personally - I grew up without a Dad and overcoming the consequences of that, then being a Insulin-dependent Diabetic has been with me for many years.  Both in my own life and in ministry, this really caused me to rely on The Lord to keep me.

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • Growing up and getting saved in a great Church, then getting married.

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else. What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • A good, faithful wife!

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • I got saved in 1980, and at that time I said to my Aunty that I wanted to be a circuit-riding preacher.  But it wasn't until 1996 when Sam Davison preached at some fellowship meetings that God definitely called me to be a preacher. 

    • It has been 18 years since I was ordained.

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • How inadequate I am, and how much I have to rely on Christ.

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Read a lot, a wide variety of books;

    • listen to plenty of preaching;

    • I find that helping improve other folks often reveals area's in which I can and ought to improve. 

    • I have found that attending conferences also helps.

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for. On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss. How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • I go back to my calling and often revisit the time God called me to preach, and again 2005 during a hard time God reminded me of 3 basics of God's calling me into the Ministry. 

    • Jeremiah is always a good example to preachers of disappointment in ministry.

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • Always leave the lines of communication open.

  14. Where are you currently serving the LORD?

    • Kwana/Buddina - Queensland's Sunshine Coast

  15. How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    • 4 years.

  16. What’s the one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up this year?

    • I am really excited about our theme "Confidence in Ministry" and seeing how The Lord develops this in the lives of the folks of our Church.

    • God has also given me some promises and I am looking forward seeing them come to pass.

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Genuineness, Faithfulness and commitment o the Lord.  Also the positiveness and can-do attitude.

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • I have a sense of something The Lord has in store for me and I am really looking forward to seeing Him bring that to pass.

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October
2019

PASTOR James Harvey - Murray Bridge,
South AUSTRALIA

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you?

    • I did Judo as a boy.

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • My sense of humour.

  3. What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • Outside of the Bible itself, my favourite would be Handel’s Messiah.

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy.

    • I am partial to gardening, because of the pleasure I get from the variety of plants to grow.

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • If the opportunity were to come about, it would be good to go to Israel.

  6. What’s one thing you’ve overcome in your life?

    • I have by God’s grace learned to be content in whatever state the Lord has chosen for me. When He is our shepherd I shall not want!

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • To have a Mother & Father who cared and loved me.

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else. What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • To be blessed with a wife who has been good to me despite my many failings.

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • While I was attending Bible College, I felt stirred to enter the Gospel Ministry. In 1988 I became an Assistant to a Pastor, and October 1989 I became a Pastor.

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • I learned how little I really knew what it is to walk by faith and not by sight.

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Just trying to keep faithful in the ordinary things, knowing it is only the Lord who works the change.

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for. On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss. How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • I find comfort and release from stress by thinking upon God’s great love and also upon the truth of His providence the He works all things together for goood.

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • When you stumble don’t stay there, humble yourself and get up and get back on track.

    • Proverbs 24:16

  14. Where are you currently serving the LORD?

    • Murraylands Baptist Church, Murray Bridge South Australia.

  15. How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    • 8 years.

  16. What’s the one thing you’re excited about that’s coming up this year?

    • Our church with the help of other churches, is hosting the National Baptist Fellowship Meetings. (2019)

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Humility, generosity, speak well of others, a love for God’s work.

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • To finish the course God has set for me, to make sure I can say as Paul, Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

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August
2019

PASTOR Mark joy - banksia grove, perth, western AUSTRALIA

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you

    • I love board games and have a huge collection of them.

  2.  What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • ​

  3.  What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • I enjoy western movies & novels.  I am a Louis Lamour fan.  I think because my Dad introduced me to them and I enjoy sharing that with him.

  4.  Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy?

    • I love all sports - but especially basketball.  I was playing at State level at 16 years of age and if it wasn't for my calling to be a preacher - who knows maybe I would have made it to the NBA (in my dreams at least)

  5.  What is something on your bucket list?

    • Visit Israel

  6.  What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

    • At 20 years old I was kicked out of Bible college 8 weeks shy of graduation.  It took several years to get back on the horse and now I have my Bachelors and Masters degree.

  7.  What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • ​

  8.  As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else.  What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • My wife: Ashleigh & my son: Nathanael (Nate) These two are my world & brighten up every day.

  9.  What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • I grew up wanting to be a preacher, but it was at the age of 16 I surrendered to full time ministry.  Ever since then I have served in some aspect of ministry.  But as pastoral staff I have been in the ministry for 9 years.

  10.  Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself

    • That I am not that talented, but God working through me has resulted in some amazing things.

  11.  What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Trying to spend more time in prayer each day.

  12.  The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for.  On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss.  How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e. unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • I pray to God and I share with my wife - both of these cheer me up & help me focus on what's important.

  13.  What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given

    • Live for an audience of 1.  (It doesn't matter what others think, only God's opinion matters!).

  14.  Where are you currently serving The Lord?

    • The Grove Church: Banksia Grove, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia

    • Avon Valley Baptist Church: Northam, a country town in Western Australia

  15.  How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    • Banksia Grove - New church plant started 31st March this year!

    • Northam - since December 2018

  16.  What's one thing you're excited about that's coming up this year?

    • Handing over Avon Valley Baptist to another Pastor. (End of November is the plan).

    • Baby No.2 due in early January!

  17.  What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Openness

  18.  What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • ​

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July

2019

PASTOR GUS bATTISTUZZI - Phillip Bay, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you

    •  I’m 1/4 part Jewish from my mother’s side. My Nan’s maiden name was Heller. Would have loved to have known what tribe she was a descendent from.

  2.  What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    •  That because you’re a Pastor it’s easy to live the Christian life and never have a problem with sin.

  3.  What is your favourite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • Favourite book - The bible, books within the Book, 1st and 2nd Samuel.

    • Favourite movie - Marvel universe.

    • Favourite song - wow, too many to list but a stand out amongst them would be “How Great Thou Art”. It is the quintessential worship song.

  4.  Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy?

    •  Love Soccer, I’m Argentinian by birth so it’s in the blood.

  5.  What is something on your bucket list?

    •  Would love love love to take a tour or the Holy Land and other biblical sites with my wife one day.

  6.  What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

    •  Understand and accept that ALL THINGS work together for good in God’s plan for my life and the life of my family, and realise that his ways are higher than my ways. I lost almost my entire family (Mum, Dad, Grand-parents, Brother-in-law, Corrine’s Nans) in the space of 5 years. Just seemed like it was one funeral after another.

  7.  What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    •  I grew up in the 80’s, the world seemed a lot more innocent back then. I remember my shiny red dragster bicycle with the long banana seat. Lol.

  8.  As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else.  What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    •  Thankful to the Lord for taking this miserable wretch of a man and giving him eternal life and making him acceptable in Jesus Christ.

    • Thankful for my King James Bible! Probably not a popular stand today, but hey, we are called to be peculiar. 😉

    • Thankful for my wife Corrine. I’d be only 1/2 a man without her.

    • Thankful for my two awesome children, Kayley and Gabriel.

    • Thankful to God for not only calling me into the ministry but putting me into the ministry.

    • Thankful for a great bunch of people God has given me to minister to, and with, at Lighthouse Baptist Church

    • Thankful for real Biblical friends.

  9.  What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    •  Served as Assistant Pastor at Lighthouse Baptist Church for a year. 6 months after our Pastor resigned, God called me to put my hand up for the office of Pastor at our Church.

    • That happened at the leadership conference at Good Shepherd Baptist Church QLD. The theme that year, which was printed on a massive banner on the back wall?... “Feed My Sheep.”  Before the first song was even sung, I knew God was speaking to me. That was just over 3 years ago.

  10.  Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself

    •  The spirit is indeed willing but my flesh is weaker than weak.

    • Don’t trust your own reasoning Gus!

    • I’ve learned that despite whatever calling I have on my life, or anybody has on their life, Jesus calls us to be totally, irrevocably and completely dependent on Him.

    • How easy it is to loose our first love.

  11.  What are you doing to improve yourself?

    •  I can’t fix me. Only the Lord can sanctify and change me.

    • My responsibility is to submit to him, love him with all my heart, soul and mind, and walk with him all the days of my life and leave the results to him.

    • For the Christian, self improvement comes as a natural by product of a deep and intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus.

  12.  The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for.  On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss.  How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e. unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    •  I take note from what David learned. When in the midst of one of the worst moments in his life, 1 Samuel 30:6 says David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

    • When in the middle of depression, negative feelings and experiencing a sense of loss and grief, I realise not only that this too shall pass, but that God has a Christ-likeness-building exercise and purpose for everything I go through. God is always teaching me that He alone has to always be enough in my life.

    • I love what he told Abraham in Gen 15:1: "... Fear not...I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."

  13.  What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given

    •  All you can do, is all you can do, and all you can do is enough.

    •  You can only minister to people that want to be ministered to.

  14.  Where are you currently serving The Lord?

    •  Lighthouse Baptist Church, Phillip Bay, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

  15.  How long have you been in this particular ministry?

    •  Just over 3 years.

  16.  What's one thing you're excited about that's coming up this year?

    •  Our church’s 20th Anniversary, we are flying Pastor Doug Fisher out to have a special week of meetings in November.

  17.  What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    •  Christ-likeness, integrity, genuineness and a sense of humour.

  18.  What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • I have two:

      • To be the man God wants me to be.  “I want to be that man” :)

      •  To see some of those family members I love dearly come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

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April

2019

PAUL BRINKMAN - Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you?

    • I played field hockey in my last year of high school. All our team were first timers, we were coached by 1976 Olympic gold-medallist Mohan Patel, and we won our division!

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • Because I am a pastor of an independent Baptist church they think I am American. (Can you hear my Kiwi accent or not???).  I am proudly Kiwi born and bred!!!

  3. What is your favorite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • ​Besides The Bible of course...

      • Favourite book of all time: "In His Steps" by Charles Sheldon;

      • Favourite movie of all time: "Ben Hur" (the original);

      • Favourite song of all time: "The Old Rugged Cross" (unquestionably).

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy?

    • My first port of call is spending time with my wife; after that is reading (particularly history); I love playing tennis (need to lose weight and get some fitness back first!).

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • To visit Israel and the Greek islands.

  6. What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

    • Trying to do things in my own wisdom and in my own strength!

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • The last 5 years of our new church plant.

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else.  What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • God's patience with me;

    • My wife, Hera;

    • My four children;

    • My eight grandchildren...and counting!

    • My Church;

    • Friends and Churches that pray for me.

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • God called me to preach in January 1980 at a family camp. I started Bible college in February that year. I have Pastored a couple of existing churches, but also taken time out for my family. God called me back to plant a church in South Auckland, which we did in February 2014.

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • That I didn't have all the answers!

    • Wisdom is far greater than knowledge;

    • That this is a spiritual journey and I am completely dependent on God each step of the way!

    • I can't trust trust myself or anyone about me, I totally need to trust in the Lord.

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Reading;

    • Studying for my Master's Degree in Bible;

    • Attending at least 2 conferences a year to sharpen myself and my ministry.

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for.  On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss.  How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e. unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • Unpreparedness is generally my own lack of discipline! Some times it is because other ministry needs come along unexpectedly.  I endeavour to prepare much earlier now than I used to.

    • Depressing moments and moods are really just selfishness on my part - having a pity party!  I remind myself (sometimes later than sooner) that it is not about me, it's about Jesus!

    • I get a lot less frustrated nowadays! Previously I was trying to manage and change people, now I realize that God is far better at change than I could ever be. Now I rejoice in even the tiniest steps that a person makes!

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

  14. Where are you currently serving The Lord?

    • Community Baptist Church in Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand.

  15. How long have been in this particular ministry?

    • 5 years.

  16. What's one thing you're excited about that's coming up this year?

    • Sunday! I am excited about every Sunday and the possibilities of what God can do through me and our Church!

    • ...and celebrating our 35th Wedding Anniversary 🙂

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Honesty.

    • Being Real.

    • Trustworthy.

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • Revival in New Zealand!

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March

2019

PASTOR CHARLIE WILLIAMS - Chelsea, Vic.

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you? 

    • People who don't know me that well would have no idea of my life before Salvation.

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • People think I'm Spiritual.

  3. What is your favorite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • Well my favourite book, (as a Christian/Pastor) is obvious, I love the Bible for it has told me of my Salvation in Jesus Christ.

    • Favourite song is "God's Perfect Lamb".

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy?

    • I play competition Table Tennis, I like a game of chess and I like to go surfing, spearfishing, open water swimming, as well as Bee keeping.

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • To spear a Spanish Mackerel off the coast of Coffs Harbour.

  6. What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

    • Forgiving a Church person who caused us a lot of trouble.

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • The early years of my new found faith in Christ.

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else.  What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • My Wife!

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • The Lord called me into the ministry, my wife and I started Oasis Baptist Church in 1991 and by his grace we are still here.

    • 28 years.

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • I've learnt church planting is not what I thought it would be or how it should be done. I've learnt and are still learning to do things God's way and let God build the church in His time.

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • I'm learning to be more gracious and I'm learning to trust the Lord with things I have no control over.

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for.  On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss.  How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e. unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • Yes, we had a very traumatic time in 2014, all I could do was say, Lord, I don't know what to do but my eyes are on thee. I guess the answer to this question is simply, Trust the Lord by faith.

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • Be faithful to your calling, I Corinthians 4:2

  14. Where are you currently serving The Lord?

    • Chelsea, Melbourne, Oasis Baptist Church.

  15. How long have been in this particular ministry?

    • 28 years.

  16. What's one thing you're excited about that's coming up this year?

    • Pastor & Wife Couples Retreat, my wife and I are hosting it this year in Melbourne, March.

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • Faithfulness and Honesty.

    • Commitment to our friendship.

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • Six months or more off to travel around Australia in a Winnebago or something, with my wife, surfboard, and diving gear, visiting our daughters and their families in Mt. Gambier and the Atherton Tablelands.

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February

2019

PASTOR GRAHAM JACKSON - Bundaberg, Qld.

  1. What’s something that no one would guess about you? 

    • I'm actually a bit of a loner.

  2. What is the one thing that people always misunderstand about you?

    • My motives are often misunderstood.

  3. What is your favorite book, movie or even song of all time and why does it stand out to you in this manner?

    • George Beverley Shea singing How Great Thou Art (in front of a huge crowd) - if I stand in awe of this, how much more will I stand in awe when the heavenly multitudes sing when we are in Heaven.

    • David Brainerd's Diary & George Muller's biography - the faith these men showed in their lives is inspirational considering we have the same God today as they had!

  4. Is there a particular sport, hobby, or the like that you really enjoy?

    • Cricket.

  5. What is something on your bucket list?

    • More overseas travel, seeing well-known Churches

  6. What’s one thing you’ve had to overcome in your life?

    • It's not my abilities, but The Lord's abilities.

  7. What time of your past do you remember most fondly?

    • The day I sat on a hill, overlooking the Mary Valley and nailed-down my Salvation - making sure I was saved for certain.

  8. As Christians we are obviously more thankful for Calvary than anything else.  What else in your life would rank at the top of your list for which you are most thankful for?

    • My Mum and Dad, my Wife!

  9. What brought you into the Gospel Ministry, and how long have you been serving?

    • I always had a desire to share the Gospel, but when considering the Second Coming of Christ, The Lord ran John 4:35 passed me and I understood The Lord wanted me personally in the Gospel Ministry.

    • 28 years

  10. Since entering the Gospel Ministry, what have you learned about yourself?

    • The Lord always has more layers of pride to strip away.

  11. What are you doing to improve yourself?

    • Asking The Lord to teach me humility.

  12. The Gospel Ministry is no easy task and quite often throws challenges we are unprepared for.  On top of these are those moments that leave us feeling as though we have experienced a loss.  How do you deal with negative emotions – i.e. unpreparedness, depressing moments and moods, frustration?

    • Realise that God has put me where I am and He is in control.

  13. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

    • Don't quit!

  14. Where are you currently serving The Lord?

    • Bundaberg, Queensland.

  15. How long have been in this particular ministry?

    • 9 years.

  16. What's one thing you're excited about that's coming up this year?

    • The Lord adding to The Church.

  17. What qualities do you value in the people with whom you spend time?

    • A good sense of humour, but also folks who are serious about their walk with The Lord and a willingness to be reproved by Him.

  18. What is a dream you have that you’ve yet to achieve?

    • Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God!

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