Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 19
July 20, 1967
NUMBER 11, PAGE 10-11a

Three Families To Australia

Sewell Hall

As these words are written scores of families are riding the ocean waves or flying above its waters en-route to Australia. They are converging from all over the world. Some go as tourists for sightseeing, some on business for financial gain, some as refugees for a better political climate. But at least three of these families have other goals to save lost souls and to strengthen by teaching those Christians who will receive them.

Behind these three families are the partings and goodbyes so dreaded by all who possess the close family ties Which Christianity encourages. Before them are the uncertainties experienced by all who leave their homeland for the first time to dwell in a new and strange country. Besides them, they face a nation increasingly indifferent to religion, a group of American brethren hostile to their coming, and the Australian brethren whose reaction, except for that of a few friends, cannot yet be predicted. But through it all they have the promise of Him who said, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." And for these dedicated young Christians, this is enough.

Adversaries And Friends

The hostility of American brethren has been most eloquently expressed in a letter written by Marvin Phillips and addressed to all Australian churches. He tells them of a crisis which developed about 15 years ago among American churches "over the 'issues of congregational cooperation and benevolence."' He assures them however, that "the issues have been met, fought out and the curse of those opposed... is fast on the decrease." In fact, he says, "Today I do not know one church among them that is growing." He dreads to see the same battle fought over again among the small numbers in Australia.

"The main concern," writes Brother Phillips, "is the attitude shown by those opposing these things. In the past they have worked to undermine preachers and elders, split the church, and taken over church properties. Wherever one of the preachers has gone, he has left a trail of broken churches, and the cause of Christ set back many years. He tells of dire consequences if their belief were embraced by all, such as the recall of practically all American preachers in Australia, cessation of American support to Australian preachers (since most are under sponsoring churches) and cancellation of the campaigns.

For the battle, Brother Phillips arms them with the old "Constituent Elements" argument and assures them that when Ron Durham, Ray Fullerton, and David and Coy Roper arrive in 1968, "they will be fully capable of refuting the errors." Until that time, he offers his services and those of other brethren in Perth.

It will be interesting to see how much refuting the sponsoring church advocates will do when they arrive in Sydney. Thus far all that has been done has been to withdraw from the one brother in Sydney who has already learned the truth. The withdrawal was sudden and without charges - only that he was no longer in agreement with the Lakemba church on benevolence. The letter of withdrawal praised him for his courageous stand for his convictions and thanked him and his wife for the help and encouragement they have been to the church. Indeed, the brother had been treasurer, co-trustee, and co-ordinator of the Bible classes. Needless to say, he and his wife will be fellow-helpers in the gospel with the Jim Everett and Robert Harkrider families who plan to begin a new congregation in Sydney. And valuable helpers they will be.

Brother Phillips' letter is not the first written to try to prejudice Australian brethren against a sound gospel preacher. Such a letter was written in 1959 concerning Brother Harris J. Dark. Australian brethren during three months spent there last year leads us to hope for the same response to this present letter. We know that some have already had their hearts opened rather than closed by it.

Men And Plans

It has sometimes been charged that the least capable, least experienced men are the ones sent to the "mission fields." This has sometimes been true - but more often, not. These three men are a splendid example to the contrary. Each is an outstanding gospel preacher and leaves a growing congregation. Harold Comer has been working with the exceptionally active church in Brownsburg, Indiana. Brother Everett has been at Fourth and Groesbeck in Lufkin, Texas. The church with which the Harkriders' have been working in Hueytown, Alabama is fully supporting them in Australia, even providing their travel expenses.

Sydney, where brethren Harkrider and Everett will be working, is a city of approximately three million population. Though it is the gateway through which most workers going to Australia have passed, it is yet the most neglected of the major cities. It has only five very small congregations and only one full-time evangelist.

Harold Comer will be working with Roily McDowell and the church in Bundaberg, Queensland. Queensland is a large state of nearly two million. North of Brisbane (in the extreme southeastern corner of the state) there is only one full-time worker, Brother McDowell. Three or four very small struggling congregations and several large towns without churches will offer many doors of opportunity.

Support And Prayers

When these words are read these three families will have landed in Australia. Their physical needs have been well supplied by the "dying churches" (!) which are supporting them. But they desperately need our prayers. Only God can provide the opportunities they need to get their message to those who will receive it. His providence has already been seen in developments both there and here. Through our prayers, He will surely use them to His glory.