Birkdale Baptist Church

Life, Heart and Hope in Jesus

For those of you who are interested I thought I would share my Journey as a Missionary.

In 1986 Linda and I went to a missionary conference at Mount Tamborine at the invitation of a friend. At that stage of life I was self employed in sales and looking to make my first million, but the Lord had a different plan for me. At that conference I felt God's strong calling to be involved in Overseas missions. We were at that time involved in our Church as Small Group leaders and I was a Worship leader and Musician. When I first shared the vision with my Pastor he thought," We'll see", as I up to that stage I was a very spontaneous person and I guess he doubted if the Vision would materialise. Over the next yr the vision only got greater and in 1987 Linda and I with our three little kids headed off to Bible school at New Tribes Mission in Plumpton Sydney. Over the next three yrs we completed Bible School, Missionary training and Language school. During that time I went on a short term mission to Papua New Guinea and we also were challenged by a Missionary who was serving in PNG in the Sepik.

In August 1990 Linda Myself and now 4 children the youngest being 4mths old headed off to PNG to serve in the Sepik region. Our first appointment was the Abelam tribe near Maprik in the Sepik where we joined a Canadian Family, the Wohlgemuts. For the next 4 yrs we were involved in learning the tribal language and culture as well as helping with the small group of believers there. After those 4 yrs it became evident that I John weren't going to be able to get the language fluently enough so leadership asked us if we would move to Wewak to assist with the Supply Ministry. (purchasing and supplying bush missionaries with groceries and goods and seeing them to the airport to be flown in to them.) We fullfilled this role for 2 yrs until due to family needs we returned to Australia. At this time we began attending Birkdale Baptist Church where we  became involved with Leading Life Groups, the missionary committee and the Music ministry. 

In 2000 we again felt God calling us to return to PNG and after a time of deputation headed back to PNG  in June 2001. Upon arriving back in PNG we were asked to go to Lapilo, the HQ for NTM PNG where they asked me to be in charge of Building and maintanance. I had several National workers that I supervised as the Base is quite large.Linda was asked to be in charge of base hostessing. (getting accomodation ready for new folk.)

Although by this stage we were involved in a support role our vision is to see tribal people reached with the Gospel. The fact is that if it wasn't for support missionaries doing what we are doing,as well as techers teaching Missionary children, bookkeepers, supply workers, doctors and nurses, Pilots etc. The Missionaries in the bush would take many more yrs to learn language and culture before being able to present the gospel .

The mode of teaching the gospel that New Tribes uses is called the Chronological approach, or Creation to Christ teaching. What we do is present to the people starting at Genesis Mans Lostness throughAdam and Eves SIn, How God had man come to Him through Sacrifice,How God continually promised a redeemer and finally how Christ was that redeemerwho came to save them. All this is taught through the cultural grid and heart language of the people.One of the biggest problems that missionaries face is Syncretism. In many countries people have embraced Christianity merely by adding it to their animystic beliefs. This method of teaching is designed to rock the foundations of their animism and show them how Satan has been deceiving them for generations.

After coming home for home assignment for 6 mths in 2004. We were asked to move to Sobega the HQ for the Highlands region where we have been involved in Building , Childminding, Finance Office, and bush trips to do building for New Missionaries.

We now are home for 12 months to settle Skye our youngest daughter back here and also to reconnect with the Church and supporters. we value your prayers for this yr as we also get around sharing about Missions and reaching the Lost.