MONBULK TRANSFER
In the Bible there are a lot of references to something being finished. However, the only thing truly finished in its entirety is the work of Christ.  Lynne’s and my most recent assignment is now finished but the work in building this Church for its future destiny has just begun and God has placed the responsibility and leadership for the days ahead in the hands of Pastor Jason Pilcher, who with his wife Michelle, will lead it and advance the Kingdom in Monbulk.

It is also worth noting that the Lord began preparing for our 3-year ministry some years before that. In November 2016, Colin Cooper brought a team of seven wonderful brothers and sisters in the Lord to Australia to share with some interested Churches about MFG.
Monbulk Christian Fellowship joined MFG and it was in the following year that Pastor David Keys was diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours and passed away.  In their wisdom [?] the Elders asked Lynne and I to come and lead the Church as we sought the Lord’s leading for a permanent man to take the shepherding role. Without Colin and Sue, with all our friends in MFG, it is doubtful that MCF would have survived the difficulties it was facing. We accepted the role and three years of our future was now devoted to MCF. 

The search for a new pastor, though it took three years, was also quite miraculous. In the same week of February 2019, there were three new pastors in this very small town of Monbulk. That was significant. We three agreed to pray together on the last Tuesday of every month [or more often if required] and a great relationship began to develop. One of the Churches approached us to see if they could merge with us but came to reject the Holy Spirit and wanted to remain as they were, preferring a 1950’s style of Church life. They also rejected their pastor.  So, we dealt with helping to heal the pain and meeting the needs of that family for many months without strings of any kind. Eventually though the Lord spoke to that couple, and we met frequently with them discussing the possibility of pastoring MCF.  I don’t think any shepherd has been so thoroughly examined for a role. After much prayer and consideration, we all arrived at the same conclusion in the Lord.
Three years to the day, MCF inducted Ps. Jason Pilcher to the role of our senior man at MCF.

A new era begins. Our assignment from the Lord at MCF is concluded and God has installed his man to take the Church into the future and its destiny. There were times when many thought MCF would shut up shop, but the Lord is faithful, and His plan is prevailing.  Lynne and I are being honoured and respected by everyone, but the focus is moving to the future, and we believe Jason will accomplish what we were never intended to – and we are so happy with that. I will remain an Elder until the end of June to ensure the transition is smooth and after that – who knows?  Well God does, and we can rest and wait on His decisions. This is His Kingdom and His Church, and His people and we are His servants.

What pleases Lynne and myself most, about this transition, is the way that God can change the culture and expectations of people in the midst of difficulties and seemingly endless hiccups. He built such a great team of Elders in the process. He enlivened so many dead Christians into an enlarged Christian experience. He brought hope, set prisoners free, developed the gifts, removed chains, transformed mind sets and so many other aspects of His goodness are still bearing fruit in our midst. Is it all perfect? Not at all. But the Church is expectant, hopeful, faith-filled and anticipating great things in God. There will be a transformed village of Monbulk because of what the Lord has done in this Church.

Thank you Lynne for standing with me and thank you MFG for your prayer support and the practical support of the MFG Leadership. This success would not be our experience if it were not for you as well. You share in this blessing and so deserve to be recognised for your part in it.