The following isn't a complete narrative - it isn't a settled history: these are only notes - a collection of facts.
To some extent, history can be a matter of perspective. And I'm yet to discuss with certain people who were involved with these events, to hear their reflections and perspective.
I was also only 11 or 12 years old or even younger when some of the earliest of the following events took place. But I've confirmed as many details as I can, with as many people as I can. So I'm as sure as I can be that all of the following-details are correct.
_____
The church was planted in 1978
_____
In the second half of the1970s, Percy Mole felt a renewing of his personal spiritual life. As a result, Percy began a regular Friday night prayer meeting in his home, at Coal Street, Bundamba, together with his wife June.
The prayer meeting was attended by the likes of Bob Knight, Lawry Carson and John and Pat van Kempen. And John and Pat invited their friend Evan Heading along.
The prayer meeting was attended by the likes of Bob Knight, Lawry Carson and John and Pat van Kempen. And John and Pat invited their friend Evan Heading along.
And others also attended gatherings at Percy and June's place - like the young Greg Siddans and his parents.
The meeting also sometimes doubled as a bit of a Bible Study, Evan said - though it was mainly a prayer meeting.
Percy's longtime friend Bill Hawkins (a former Apostolic Church minister) had become an Elder at Christian Life Centre (CLC), Brisbane in those days, according to Pastor Peter Cotter. So, through Percy's friendship with Bill Hawkins, Percy came to be interested in attending meetings at CLC Brisbane.
Some of those who attended Percy's prayer group often therefore travelled to CLC Brisbane with Percy on Sundays.
CLC was pastored by Trevor Chandler. Trevor was a leader in the Charismatic Renewal. CLC's Sunday meetings began at 3 in the afternoon, in those days - so that many who belonged to other churches and who were interested in Charismatic Renewal could attend after having attended their own churches in the morning.
Since a number were traveling from Ipswich to Brisbane with Percy, Percy said he had the seed-thought:
"Why not a local fellowship for the Ipswich folk".
Much of the prayer at Percy's Friday night prayer meeting therefore became about that: they were praying for a fellowship to start in Ipswich, according to Evan Heading.
Around the same time, several attendees of Silkstone Baptist Church had become increasingly hungry for the move of the Holy Spirit. Some of them were also traveling to Brisbane to attend the meetings at CLC, including: Bruce and Lynette Edwards and their family (who had recently returned from missionary-work in Japan); Mrs Thelma Atwell; and Risie Wilkins; and their families, and others.
It was at CLC Brisbane that Percy first met Bruce and Lynette. Percy later said he felt that meeting Bruce and Lynette at CLC Brisbane was important, as it was an encouragement to him that a church would indeed be launched in Ipswich.
Bruce and Lynette made inquiries about attending Percy and June's Friday night prayer meeting at Bundamba - but Lynette reflects that when they did so she got the impression the group was a bit 'closed'. (If that impression was correct, I imagine it probably had less to do with Percy and June themselves and perhaps more to do with one or two of the others who were attending the meeting.)
So the Edwards's never became part of Percy's prayer-meeting at Bundamba. (And as we shall see, CLC was soon to launch in Ipswich anyway.)
In those days other charismatic home meetings were also held across Ipswich. For example, Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International meetings were held in the home of Trevor and Margaret Kucks. Trevor previously attended Raceview Congregational Church, and had subsequently become involved with a number of Charismatic events in the city.
In those days other charismatic home meetings were also held across Ipswich. For example, Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International meetings were held in the home of Trevor and Margaret Kucks. Trevor previously attended Raceview Congregational Church, and had subsequently become involved with a number of Charismatic events in the city.
Thus various Ipswich-folk were occasionally or regularly visiting CLC in Brisbane on Sunday afternoons. Some of them, such as Percy and June, had made CLC Brisbane their home-church - whilst others, such as the Silkstone Baptists, remained in their churches, at first.
Over a period of time Percy was talking to the church-leaders at CLC Brisbane about the idea of opening a church-fellowship in Ipswich, Percy said.
The next step towards seeing a fellowship start for the folk in Ipswich, Percy said, was that further to his Friday-night prayer-meeting, he and June also started a midweek home-meeting which from the very start was officially affiliated with CLC Brisbane as part of the Brisbane church's weekly program.
The next step towards seeing a fellowship start for the folk in Ipswich, Percy said, was that further to his Friday-night prayer-meeting, he and June also started a midweek home-meeting which from the very start was officially affiliated with CLC Brisbane as part of the Brisbane church's weekly program.
Hilton Ireland was another person of interest with regard to the Charismatic renewal in Ipswich who attended that CLC-affiliated home-meeting, at Percy and June's home at Bundamba.
CLC Ipswich Begins Above the UFS Dispensary in East Street, Ipswich
But eventually Pastor Chandler and Bill Hawkins visited the Ipswich folk. Percy said a donation of some four-thousand dollars was promised by Ron Edwards and others, after which Trevor said, "Looks like Ipswich is a go-er". (But I'm personally not yet sure whether that detail belongs at this point in the story or later after the Ipswich-church had well-and-truly started and was already considering purchasing a property at Brassall.)
Nevertheless Percy said that soon after Trevor and Bill met the Ipswich folk, a decision was reached: premises were rented above the UFS Dispensary on East Street, and Sunday morning services began. Christian Life Centre (CLC) Ipswich was launched. This was at least as early as 1978.
(Evan Heading and Hank van der Steen have both suggested that this may even have been as early as 1977, though they felt unclear about that.) But at the very latest, it was in 1978 that Christian Life Centre Ipswich was started, with Sunday-morning services in rented premises.
Many of those who had been attending the meetings at Percy and June's home therefore became the earliest attendees of CLC Ipswich, including: Percy and June Mole themselves; their son Des and Heather Mole; Lawry Carson; Evan Heading; most-likely also John and Pat van Kempen (I would imagine - though Lynette Edwards said they wouldn't yet have been married then); and others; and their families.
Not all who had been attending Percy's meetings joined the new church though. Hilton Ireland, for example, stayed at Pring Street Assemblies of God (although Hilton did join CLC Ipswich years later).
Bruce and Lynette Edwards also held a home meeting in their home at Prunda Parade, Raceview - and some of their Silkston-Baptist friends who had been travelling to CLC Brisbane joined CLC Ipswich as soon as it began, or as soon as they had heard it had begun, or soon afterwards - like Thelma Atwell, and others, possibly Rissie Wilkins and Harold and Joy Manttan and their families. (I'm not sure whether the Edwards' home meeting began while Bruce and Lyn were still attending Silkstone Baptist Church, or only after they'd left Silkstone and had begun attending and belonging to CLC Ipswich.)
The Edwards' home had a particularly large lounge room, and on one extraordinary occasion I remember approximately 50 people attended, including at least one of the Elders of CLC Brisbane although the meeting was only informally in fellowship with CLC Brisbane.
As soon as CLC Ipswich started, a number of Bruce and Lynette Edwards's friends from Silkstone Baptist Church who had been traveling to CLC Brisbane on Sunday afternoons, became early adherents of CLC Ipswich - even before Bruce and Lynette themselves came to belong to CLC Ipswich. Some of those folk included Mrs Thelma Atwell; Rissie Wilkins; Joy Manttan; and their families; and others.
Joy Manttan said that her family attended "from the beginning". She recalls that this was a full year or more before the church moved to Haig Street at Brassall, in her mind at least.
It was another month, or possibly longer, before Bruce and Lynette Edwards eventually joined the folk who had already made CLC Ipswich their home-church.
Bruce and Lynette Edwards wished to remain loyal to Silkstone Baptist Church as long as they could - but some of the church's leaders, due to their non-Charismatic stance, were making it increasingly untenable for them to stay.
Lynette was Silkstone's church-pianist and choir-director though - so she and Bruce determined to stay at Silkstone until she'd honoured her commitment to play for the church's Christmas production a few weeks later that year (or perhaps it was a month, or maybe even a couple of months later). But then as soon as that obligation was fulfilled, Bruce and Lynette Edwards, together with their family made Christian Life Centre Ipswich their home-church. That was in December 1978, according to Lynette.
Lynette recalls that there were 17 people in attendance that Sunday morning. From their very first Sunday morning at CLC Ipswich and onwards, Lynette became the church pianist, joining Des Mole (and I think Laury Carson, if I remember correctly) on guitar. Lynette can't remember whether the figure of 17 included children or not. Mr and Mrs Siddens were there that first Sunday the Edwards's attended, but never again, according to Lynette. Mrs Siddens was a pianist, but somehow Lynette was asked to play and ended-up playing every Sunday.
The song-leading, and the ministry of the Word, were shared by Percy Mole and Bruce Edwards, and others. Elders from CLC Brisbane, and a missionary of theirs, also took turns travelling to Ipswich to minister in the church, including Pastor Trevor Chandler; Hank and Lany van der Steen; Vince Esterman; missionary Peter Clyburn; and Jim Christian.
Mrs Thelma Atwell (who had belonged to Silkston Baptist) had been eagerly reaching-out door-knocking. One lady she met was Diana, and her children Doreen and Les - and they started attending church.
Another friend of Thelma's was Judy Bognar. Judy received the baptism with the Holy Spirit in Bruce and Lynette Edwards's home at Raceview one night in June 1979. (I remember it was the eve of the night when Skylab re-entered the earth).
Judy's husband Steve (Eugene) drove his wife Judy to the home-meetings in my parents' home. He wouldn't let her go by herself because he said he couldn't trust her, he said. He wouldn't come inside the meeting, because he was a Baptist, he said. He stayed outside sitting in his car the whole time, sometimes smoking a pipe.
Judy's husband Steve (Eugene) drove his wife Judy to the home-meetings in my parents' home. He wouldn't let her go by herself because he said he couldn't trust her, he said. He wouldn't come inside the meeting, because he was a Baptist, he said. He stayed outside sitting in his car the whole time, sometimes smoking a pipe.
Eventually one day Steve did venture inside the home-meeting, but I remember on that first occasion he was quite guarded or even somewhat antagonistic, arguing against Charismatic distinctives.
Lynette Edwards said 27 people attended their home meeting.
Steve (who later wished to be called by his name Eugene) did end-up getting filled with the Holy Spirit - and later became a song-leader at CLC Ipswich; and then he and his wife Judy - quite the soul-winner and facilitator in her own right - became associate Pastors at CLC Ipswich; and then later moved to the Gold Coast to become Senior Pastors of Gold Coast Christian Community, a church which by then had become affiliated with Christian Life Churches International [CLCI]; until they retired from pastoring and focused on local and international ministry and mentoring, including to the nation of Hungary.
The presence of God in the meetings above the UFS Dispensary in Ipswich was intense. The Word of God was taught profoundly; signs and wonders manifested in the meetings, such as tongues, and interpretation, and prophesying - and demons were cast out; often some people were unable to stand in the glory of God; and there was salvation. One of Laury's daughters Tracy gave her life to the Lord had to be carried to the car by her father after the meeting. There was great joy in the singing.
Baptismal services were held in Ron and Syliva Edwards's swimming pool, on Blackstone Road at Silkstone. Jan Lingard and others, including later Norman Hart, were baptised. (Phillip Mützelburg, an associate Pastor at CLC Brisbane, attended one of those baptismal events at Ron and Sylvia Edwards's place.)
As mentioned above, Trevor Chandler was somewhat reluctant at first about a fellowship starting in Ipswich, according to Percy: Trevor didn't want anything to drain people away from attending the meetings in Brisbane, and preferred that the folk who were traveling from Ipswich continued to do so. But after Ron Edwards and others at some point in this story promised some four thousand dollars, Trevor Chandler allegedly said, "Looks like Ipswich is a goer", according to Percy.
After meeting above the UFS Dispensary in Ipswich for approximately a year at least (and possibly for a significantly longer time than that, some have suggested, as stated above, although I'm not sure about that), it was decided to purchase premises on the corner of Vogel Rd and Haig St, at Brassall. Sunday afternoon and evening services then transferred to the church's own purchased-property, in the latter part of 1979.
Once at Haig Street, the ministry continued to be shared by Percy Mole and Bruce Edwards, and occasionally also by Trevor Chandler and others who visited from Brisbane; and on at least one occasion there was a visiting minister.
I was saved at Haig Street, the night that guest ministered, which was Sunday night the 16th of December, 1979, at the age of 12.
Lynette Edwards said 27 people attended their home meeting.
Steve (who later wished to be called by his name Eugene) did end-up getting filled with the Holy Spirit - and later became a song-leader at CLC Ipswich; and then he and his wife Judy - quite the soul-winner and facilitator in her own right - became associate Pastors at CLC Ipswich; and then later moved to the Gold Coast to become Senior Pastors of Gold Coast Christian Community, a church which by then had become affiliated with Christian Life Churches International [CLCI]; until they retired from pastoring and focused on local and international ministry and mentoring, including to the nation of Hungary.
The presence of God in the meetings above the UFS Dispensary in Ipswich was intense. The Word of God was taught profoundly; signs and wonders manifested in the meetings, such as tongues, and interpretation, and prophesying - and demons were cast out; often some people were unable to stand in the glory of God; and there was salvation. One of Laury's daughters Tracy gave her life to the Lord had to be carried to the car by her father after the meeting. There was great joy in the singing.
Baptismal services were held in Ron and Syliva Edwards's swimming pool, on Blackstone Road at Silkstone. Jan Lingard and others, including later Norman Hart, were baptised. (Phillip Mützelburg, an associate Pastor at CLC Brisbane, attended one of those baptismal events at Ron and Sylvia Edwards's place.)
As mentioned above, Trevor Chandler was somewhat reluctant at first about a fellowship starting in Ipswich, according to Percy: Trevor didn't want anything to drain people away from attending the meetings in Brisbane, and preferred that the folk who were traveling from Ipswich continued to do so. But after Ron Edwards and others at some point in this story promised some four thousand dollars, Trevor Chandler allegedly said, "Looks like Ipswich is a goer", according to Percy.
CLC Ipswich Purchases its First Property on the Corner of Vogel Road and Haig Street, Brassall
Once at Haig Street, the ministry continued to be shared by Percy Mole and Bruce Edwards, and occasionally also by Trevor Chandler and others who visited from Brisbane; and on at least one occasion there was a visiting minister.
I was saved at Haig Street, the night that guest ministered, which was Sunday night the 16th of December, 1979, at the age of 12.
That morning Mrs Pat van Kempen had challenged us children to make a confession for Christ. Then at night a guest ministered. The guest-minister was visiting from interstate, likely from Victoria, Percy recalled, but last I asked Percy, he couldn't be certain of his name. But it was actually Percy Mole who led me in the prayer of salvation.
One Sunday while Bruce and Lynette Edwards and family drove past the Ipswich swimming pool on their way to church, Bruce's mother Marion Edwards remarked at all the 'Sunday worshipers' at the swimming pool. Bruce Edwards spoke-out by faith that one day there would also be as many people attending CLC Ipswich - and I laid up those words in my heart.
Souls got saved; and the church continued to grow. Despite the growth in attendance, Percy Mole didn't feel led to assert a Senior-Pastor role in the church. The role was also offered to Bruce Edwards, but he didn't feel led to take-on that specific role either.
One Sunday while Bruce and Lynette Edwards and family drove past the Ipswich swimming pool on their way to church, Bruce's mother Marion Edwards remarked at all the 'Sunday worshipers' at the swimming pool. Bruce Edwards spoke-out by faith that one day there would also be as many people attending CLC Ipswich - and I laid up those words in my heart.
Souls got saved; and the church continued to grow. Despite the growth in attendance, Percy Mole didn't feel led to assert a Senior-Pastor role in the church. The role was also offered to Bruce Edwards, but he didn't feel led to take-on that specific role either.
So an opportunity was there for Vince and Denise Esterman who, at the time, were youth pastors at Brisbane CLC, and newlyweds - to fill the role. Vince and Denise accepted the position, and moved from Brisbane to Ipswich.
Thus CLC Ipswich - after having already seen sustained growth; and after having already purchased property; and after having already existed in two locations for longer than a whole year (or possibly even longer) - finally had its first official Senior Pastor, from very early in 1980, I thought (although I'm wondering now whether Vince may not have actually started preaching regularly there in the last couple of weeks of 1979: I'm yet to check that question out).
After Vince and Denise arrived the church continued to grow - quite spectacularly. Souls were saved, demons were cast out, and many were filled with the Spirit. For a short time Pastor Vince even held Saturday-night deliverance meetings.
The Elders of CLC Ipswich continued sharing much of the ministry, as before, with Vince. Missionary Beryl Akers was one who also visited to minister on one occasion. And other visiting ministers also came.
After Vince and Denise arrived the church continued to grow - quite spectacularly. Souls were saved, demons were cast out, and many were filled with the Spirit. For a short time Pastor Vince even held Saturday-night deliverance meetings.
The Elders of CLC Ipswich continued sharing much of the ministry, as before, with Vince. Missionary Beryl Akers was one who also visited to minister on one occasion. And other visiting ministers also came.
On the same night, I (the second son of Bruce and Lynette) was filled with the Spirit and spoke with tongues, when Pastor Trevor Chandler laid hands on me.
At the youth activity probably the following weekend - a meal at Vince and Denise's home in Ipswich - Dean was filled with the Spirit and saw a vision, when Pastor Vince laid hands on him.
John and Pat van Kempen were soon appointed as the first youth-leaders.
Some of we youth who belonged to CLC Ipswich began reaching-out at our high-school, including Peter and John Edwards, Les and Doreen Munn, Dean Biddle, and Ian Taberham, and others. As a result, Scott Beattie was one of those from Bremer High School who started attending CLC at Haig Street, and attending Bruce and Lynette's home-meeting at Raceview.
For a while Pastor Vince used to pick some of us up from school one afternoon a week, and take us back to his house for afternoon snacks then minister to us and inspire us.
Some of we youth who belonged to CLC Ipswich began reaching-out at our high-school, including Peter and John Edwards, Les and Doreen Munn, Dean Biddle, and Ian Taberham, and others. As a result, Scott Beattie was one of those from Bremer High School who started attending CLC at Haig Street, and attending Bruce and Lynette's home-meeting at Raceview.
For a while Pastor Vince used to pick some of us up from school one afternoon a week, and take us back to his house for afternoon snacks then minister to us and inspire us.
Peter and John Edwards, and Scott Beattie, were baptised by Vince Esterman and by Bruce Edwards, during a church picnic at Bell's property on ANZAC Day 1980; and on other occasions many others were baptised.
Other early attendees of the church included Rod and Meryl Jones, and their large family. And later Paul Ferris, and others.
Some of the above-mentioned youth started a lunchtime outreach meeting at school. Scott Donald was one of the many who got saved in that meeting.
Vince led a regular street-outreach on Thursday nights at the Ipswich Centre, through which Graham Frost was saved, and others. Several church-members participated in the outreach, including we youth, and Evan Heading and sometimes Julie Atwell, and others.
Peter Edwards was ordained as a deacon, along with other ordinations that took place.
As the church continued to grow, it was decided to raise the existing single-level sanctuary and office building, to build a new, large, ground-level auditorium underneath. During the six-week interim when construction was taking place, the church met at the Greyhound Racing track clubhouse at the Ipswich Showgrounds. It was an exciting time for the church, and one Sunday there was a notable demonstration of the power of God.
Once the building-extension was completed and meetings were resumed at Haig Street, the momentum of the church's growth didn't wane but only continued. Pastor Vince honed his focus on evangelism.
Other early attendees of the church included Rod and Meryl Jones, and their large family. And later Paul Ferris, and others.
Some of the above-mentioned youth started a lunchtime outreach meeting at school. Scott Donald was one of the many who got saved in that meeting.
Vince led a regular street-outreach on Thursday nights at the Ipswich Centre, through which Graham Frost was saved, and others. Several church-members participated in the outreach, including we youth, and Evan Heading and sometimes Julie Atwell, and others.
Peter Edwards was ordained as a deacon, along with other ordinations that took place.
The Haig Street Building is Extended
Once the building-extension was completed and meetings were resumed at Haig Street, the momentum of the church's growth didn't wane but only continued. Pastor Vince honed his focus on evangelism.
One day when Vince was door-knocking, he met Robert and Judy, who soon came to the Lord, and others.
Vince formed the church into a soul-winning machine!
Sunday afternoons were believers' meetings with worship, communion, the Word and the Holy Spirit; while Sunday nights were praise, items, salvation and ministry-nights.
Among the many enthusiastic and active members of the church was Darren Bennett, who reached out to students at Gatton University, and who later married Dorothy.
Bruce and Lynette Edwards' home-meeting became so large, it was decided that those who were coming from Amberley would begin meeting at Steve Judy and Steve Bognar's place. Other new weekly home-groups began too. Once a month all the home-groups combined for a midweek prayer and praise night with fasting, at the church.
The Holy Spirit moved during the praise and worship on Sundays, and in altar-call ministry.
Neighbours used to sit on their verandahs enjoying the sound of the music.
Musicians and song-leaders in the church included Lynette and Bruce Edwards (music-directors, song-leading, piano, and sometimes lap steel), Scott Beattie (organ, guitars), Des Mole (guitar), Scott Donald (drums), Don Johnston (drums), Greg Manttan (drums); Ron Edwards (song-leading), Steve [Eugene] Bognar (song-leading), Vince Esterman (trombone), Peter Edwards (trumpet), later John Edwards (trombone), sometimes Jill Edwards (trumpet), and others; and tambourine-playing ladies; and Lynette formed a choir.
"An Exciting Church with a Difference" became the slogan of the church. And it really was.
A vision was perceived in my heart, that CLC Ipswich's influence would spread beyond Ipswich, to towns surrounding Ipswich, and to Papua New Guinea, and north, including to Japan, and wider to the nations. We were soon to see that come to pass.
Vince organised a three-weekend outreach at Gatton, Qld. The first two Saturday nights, no-one responded for salvation. Vince sought the Lord. And on the third and last Saturday night, 14 people responded to the altar-call for salvation. Hal Oxley spoke at one of the meetings.
"An Exciting Church with a Difference" became the slogan of the church. And it really was.
A vision was perceived in my heart, that CLC Ipswich's influence would spread beyond Ipswich, to towns surrounding Ipswich, and to Papua New Guinea, and north, including to Japan, and wider to the nations. We were soon to see that come to pass.
Vince organised a three-weekend outreach at Gatton, Qld. The first two Saturday nights, no-one responded for salvation. Vince sought the Lord. And on the third and last Saturday night, 14 people responded to the altar-call for salvation. Hal Oxley spoke at one of the meetings.
Vince followed the crusade up by going to Gatton for fortnightly Tuesday night meetings; and eventually CLC Gatton was launched with Sunday services.
Eventually Paul and Doreen Ferris were sent as Pastors of the Gatton church. Demons were cast out; property was purchased and developed; and the church grew significantly.
In anticipation of continued growth, CLC Ipswich purchased more vacant, uncleared land in Brassall.
Suttons Foundry
Then as the need for larger premises became all the more obvious, one day Pastor Vince, looking out from his church-office window, saw the buildings of the old Suttons Foundry - and with characteristic bravé, Vince perceived a thought. It was decided to make a bid to purchase the Foundry.
The vacant land which the church had previously bought was sold and used for a bridging-loan to purchase the Suttons property. A large task lay ahead in order to prepare the no-longer used structures for use by the church.
But well before the church ever began services at the Foundry, Vince, and Denise, always a pioneer - like an apostle - after some six years of leading the church, announced that they were leaving Ipswich to live in France as Evangelists. And it was decided that John and Coby Pasterkamp would become the new Senior Pastors.
John and Coby were Dutch missionaries. They had been involved in evangelism and Charismatic Renewal in Australia for some three years, before pioneering a work in Papua New Guinea. Their work in Papua New Guinea had been adopted by the CLC movement. Missionaries and pastors associated with CLC Brisbane had gone out to Papua New Guinea as missionaries and as visiting ministers. The works were supported by CLC Brisbane and Ipswich. John and Coby had later also become missionaries to Japan; and were in demand as speakers internationally.)
So John and Coby moved to Ipswich, with their three sons Mark, Stephen and Daniel. Over a three-week period the Senior-leadership was transferred from Vince and Denise to John and Coby. Pastor Trevor Chandler officiated at the ordination of John and Coby to the role, which took place while the church's home was still at Haig Street.
The task of overseeing the preparation of the Sutton's property - carrying-out pastor Vince's vision for the property - and transitioning the church from Haig Street to its new location of the Foundry therefore fell to Pastor John and Coby, as by that stage Vince and Denise had left for France.
But well before the church ever began services at the Foundry, Vince, and Denise, always a pioneer - like an apostle - after some six years of leading the church, announced that they were leaving Ipswich to live in France as Evangelists. And it was decided that John and Coby Pasterkamp would become the new Senior Pastors.
John and Coby were Dutch missionaries. They had been involved in evangelism and Charismatic Renewal in Australia for some three years, before pioneering a work in Papua New Guinea. Their work in Papua New Guinea had been adopted by the CLC movement. Missionaries and pastors associated with CLC Brisbane had gone out to Papua New Guinea as missionaries and as visiting ministers. The works were supported by CLC Brisbane and Ipswich. John and Coby had later also become missionaries to Japan; and were in demand as speakers internationally.)
So John and Coby moved to Ipswich, with their three sons Mark, Stephen and Daniel. Over a three-week period the Senior-leadership was transferred from Vince and Denise to John and Coby. Pastor Trevor Chandler officiated at the ordination of John and Coby to the role, which took place while the church's home was still at Haig Street.
The task of overseeing the preparation of the Sutton's property - carrying-out pastor Vince's vision for the property - and transitioning the church from Haig Street to its new location of the Foundry therefore fell to Pastor John and Coby, as by that stage Vince and Denise had left for France.
It was no mean task. Over the next couple of months Church-attendees volunteered their skills and labour - notably builders Robert Clark and Bruce Edwards, and many others.
The property was soon ready. The church-property on Haig Street was sold; the transition was carried-out successfully: CLC Ipswich became established in its new (and still-current) location at Suttons Foundry.
With John and Coby as pastors, the church continued to grow. The Word of God was taught wonderfully; signs and wonders continued to occur, including demons being cast out. The Elders and deacons also continued to share in the ministry.
Many who joined the church said they joined the church because of the music. Congregational singing was audible: the congregation and musicians responded spontaneously to the waves of the Spirit. The music, and the presence of God, drew people of all ages.
City-wide crusades were organised or co-hosted by John Pasterkamp and CLC Ipswich. Large combined-churches early morning prayer meetings were held across the city. Including a citywide crusade with Frank Houston; and a citywide crusade with Bill Newman.
The property was soon ready. The church-property on Haig Street was sold; the transition was carried-out successfully: CLC Ipswich became established in its new (and still-current) location at Suttons Foundry.
With John and Coby as pastors, the church continued to grow. The Word of God was taught wonderfully; signs and wonders continued to occur, including demons being cast out. The Elders and deacons also continued to share in the ministry.
Many who joined the church said they joined the church because of the music. Congregational singing was audible: the congregation and musicians responded spontaneously to the waves of the Spirit. The music, and the presence of God, drew people of all ages.
City-wide crusades were organised or co-hosted by John Pasterkamp and CLC Ipswich. Large combined-churches early morning prayer meetings were held across the city. Including a citywide crusade with Frank Houston; and a citywide crusade with Bill Newman.
Derek Prince also visited the church and taught prophetically and cast out demons. Street outreaches continued, organised by groups of young people from a number of different churches. And people got filled with the Holy Spirit.
The crowd attending CLC at Suttons Foundry was such that the Elders had to consider running multiple services on Sunday mornings.
The crowd at church easily rivalled the crowd at Ipswich swimming pool - and I remembered the words of faith that my father had spoken several years beforehand, that the church would grow to such an extent.
A number of missionaries were sent out: to Japan (Scott and Kay Beattie), China (Scott Donald, who later married Tracy), and other nations. Bruce Edwards travelled to Japan with John Pasterkamp. (And later returned for nine months, teaching in a Bible College, as we shall see.)
Not only CLC Brassall, but other Charismatic churches across South East Queensland also were on quite a roll, by the mid to late 1980s. It was a tremendous time of growth. Momentum was picking-up citywide, and really all across South East Queensland.
Yet as wonderful as the move of God was during the Charismatic Renewal, there was still a sense of a greater manifestation of the Spirit - a greater glory - coming. There was a sense that something even more spectacularly-supernatural than the Charismatic Renewal should come. And the people eagerly yearned for it.
John and Coby Pasterkamp then moved from Ipswich and took up the pastorate of Gold Coast Christian Community, at Burleigh (and then later moved back to the Netherlands where John continued in Senior ministry roles, and national roles, and international ministry, and is now with the Lord). Phillip and Mandy Mützelburg, who were associate Pastors at CLC Brisbane moved to Ipswich, with their two children Carl and Betsy, to become the next Senior Pastors of CLC Ipswich.
At Pastor Phillip's direction, the name of the church was changed to Heritage City Community Church. The facilities were improved. The naturally-lit, airy sanctuary was modernised into a state-of-the-art theatre-type auditorium with improved sound-systems and lighting.
In a brilliant move by Pastor Phillip, the congregation were invited to donate in order to purchase vacant land adjoining the Suttons property. The congregation responded readily, and the land was promptly purchased.
Phillip decided to disassociate the church from Christian Life Churches International (CLCI).
The vision of being a missionary-sending church continued to come to pass, with a number more going out on mission, both overseas and locally, both longterm, midterm and short-term, including missions to China and Thailand (led or co-led by Pastor Phillip); Bruce and Lynette Edwards were also sent to Japan for some nine months, then returned to Ipswich (and eventually were sent to become Elders at Surfers Paradise Assembly of God; and Senior Pastors of the Gold Coast Japanese Church, which they pastored for some 23 years, until they retired from the Japanese church and picked-up a Bible-Teaching ministry at Reedy Creek Baptist Church, which they continue to the present-day). Others also went to Japan, and other places, including Vince and Denise to the Renuion Islands (planning to return to Australia as a base, in November this year 2020).
I am also one of those who was sent out by the Elders of the Brassall church and went traveling from that time, throughout surrounding townships, interstate, and overseas including to the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and other nations. It was while I was away on those travels, that my parents Bruce and Lynette were sent to the Gold Coast. So when I returned from overseas, the Lord led me to make Surfers Paradise Assembly of God (later named Surfcity Church, then now Presence Church) my home-base, from where I continued for some time to travel.
A number of missionaries were sent out: to Japan (Scott and Kay Beattie), China (Scott Donald, who later married Tracy), and other nations. Bruce Edwards travelled to Japan with John Pasterkamp. (And later returned for nine months, teaching in a Bible College, as we shall see.)
Not only CLC Brassall, but other Charismatic churches across South East Queensland also were on quite a roll, by the mid to late 1980s. It was a tremendous time of growth. Momentum was picking-up citywide, and really all across South East Queensland.
Yet as wonderful as the move of God was during the Charismatic Renewal, there was still a sense of a greater manifestation of the Spirit - a greater glory - coming. There was a sense that something even more spectacularly-supernatural than the Charismatic Renewal should come. And the people eagerly yearned for it.
John and Coby Pasterkamp then moved from Ipswich and took up the pastorate of Gold Coast Christian Community, at Burleigh (and then later moved back to the Netherlands where John continued in Senior ministry roles, and national roles, and international ministry, and is now with the Lord). Phillip and Mandy Mützelburg, who were associate Pastors at CLC Brisbane moved to Ipswich, with their two children Carl and Betsy, to become the next Senior Pastors of CLC Ipswich.
At Pastor Phillip's direction, the name of the church was changed to Heritage City Community Church. The facilities were improved. The naturally-lit, airy sanctuary was modernised into a state-of-the-art theatre-type auditorium with improved sound-systems and lighting.
In a brilliant move by Pastor Phillip, the congregation were invited to donate in order to purchase vacant land adjoining the Suttons property. The congregation responded readily, and the land was promptly purchased.
Phillip decided to disassociate the church from Christian Life Churches International (CLCI).
The vision of being a missionary-sending church continued to come to pass, with a number more going out on mission, both overseas and locally, both longterm, midterm and short-term, including missions to China and Thailand (led or co-led by Pastor Phillip); Bruce and Lynette Edwards were also sent to Japan for some nine months, then returned to Ipswich (and eventually were sent to become Elders at Surfers Paradise Assembly of God; and Senior Pastors of the Gold Coast Japanese Church, which they pastored for some 23 years, until they retired from the Japanese church and picked-up a Bible-Teaching ministry at Reedy Creek Baptist Church, which they continue to the present-day). Others also went to Japan, and other places, including Vince and Denise to the Renuion Islands (planning to return to Australia as a base, in November this year 2020).
I am also one of those who was sent out by the Elders of the Brassall church and went traveling from that time, throughout surrounding townships, interstate, and overseas including to the Philippines, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea and other nations. It was while I was away on those travels, that my parents Bruce and Lynette were sent to the Gold Coast. So when I returned from overseas, the Lord led me to make Surfers Paradise Assembly of God (later named Surfcity Church, then now Presence Church) my home-base, from where I continued for some time to travel.
Therefore I'm not a qualified eyewitness of the details of events that transpired at the Brassall church from that moment onwards.
But I am a witness that in the mid-90s the Spirit was poured out upon churches worldwide with fresh joy. Just as participants in the Charismatic Renewal had foreseen and longed for, greater glory was poured out congregation-wide in churches all over the world. And this move also touched the church at Brassall, for a time.
Even children began effortlessly functioning in the Spirit. In many places there was joy, laughter, dancing, visions, prophesying, tongues, interpretation, confession of sin, repentance, reconciliation, forgiveness, deliverance from demons, giving, and people feeling called and released into ministry and missions. Many churches, including the church at Brassall for at least some period of time, held extended, special Holy Ghost meetings as well as experiencing the move of the Holy Spirit in the regular Sunday services.
This fulfilled a vision which had been in many hearts since Charismatic Renewal days.
Phillip reconciled with Trevor Chandler and with CLCI. And soon afterwards he oversaw the dissolving of Christian Life Churches International (CLCI), and the forming of a new organisation Acts 2 Alliance (A2A) of which he became the inaugural President.
When Phillip and Mandy retired as Senior Pastors, their son Carl - always good person since his youth - and his wife Jessica became the Senior Pastors of the Brassall church.
The church's name was changed to Catalyst Church.
The adjoining land which the church had purchased was subdivided into residential blocks for sale. Income from this project helped fund a further, modern redevelopment of some of the church-facilities.
Phillip reconciled with Trevor Chandler and with CLCI. And soon afterwards he oversaw the dissolving of Christian Life Churches International (CLCI), and the forming of a new organisation Acts 2 Alliance (A2A) of which he became the inaugural President.
When Phillip and Mandy retired as Senior Pastors, their son Carl - always good person since his youth - and his wife Jessica became the Senior Pastors of the Brassall church.
The church's name was changed to Catalyst Church.
The adjoining land which the church had purchased was subdivided into residential blocks for sale. Income from this project helped fund a further, modern redevelopment of some of the church-facilities.
With Carl and Jessica as Senior Pastors, the church continues at the Suttons site, as a prominent church in the city of Ipswich.
Pastor Carl announced that he will be resigning as lead pastor; and in April 2024 Mark Wilson shall be inducted as the new lead pastor.
Much fruit continues to be borne both at the church, and in every place wherever everyone who has ever belonged to the church at any phase of its history were sent. Each person taking the Spirit's flame.
All that the Holy Spirit showed us in advance, has come to pass: nothing failed of all that He showed us.
And there's more to come!
And you are part of it.
To God be all the glory.
To God be all the glory.
Fantastic read ;) Love Doreen
ReplyDeletelove your work John...thank you
ReplyDeleteenjoyed reading this immensely
ReplyDeleteThank you
ReplyDelete