Brisbane, Day 2

Thursday, February 7

It’s 10 a.m. and I attend a staff meeting at International City Church (ICC). Following their own concerns, I am asked to share the Seven Core Commitments of a Multi-ethnic Church a discussion that soon morphs into a practical time of q and a. Just before noon, Steve Dixon and David Borja from Garden City Christian Church arrive in advance of a scheduled meeting with me over lunch.

Garden City is one of the largest and most influential churches in Brisbane – a church whose congregation has become increasingly diverse in the last four year, thanks (I learn from the Mok’s) in large part to Steve’s efforts. Steve tells me that they are currently translating into eight or nine different language! Yet having said that, he recognizes that the church remains Aussie led. David, who is of Brazilian descent, he points out is the first ethnically diverse staff member to be hired by the church, and Steve (the church’s (Associate Pastor) expects there will be more. As the Cultural Ministries Pastor, David oversees the leaders of the varying ethnic fellowships. With us as well is a man representing the Bible Society in Australia.

I return from lunch to ICC and am interviewed for Alive, Australia’s premier Christian magazine. And at 4:00 p.m., I guest lecture for a two-hour class on church growth and development being taught through the Asian Pacific Institute. Needless to say, it’s been a busy day … but, we’re not yet through!

Tonight, we are celebrate the Chinese New Year at a restaurant David and Jeannie Mok have rented out for some 50 members of their family, and other friends from church. If only Harry Li and DJ Chuang could see me now ... I even try the jellyfish! After the meal, a smaller group of us gather at the home of the Mok’s to celebrate the birthday of their daughter-in-law, Jon’s wife, Debra – and then, finally, I return to Jon and Debra’s apartment over looking the city’s waterfront for a few hours sleep. I’m due at the airport at 5:00 a.m. for the flight to Christchurch, New Zealand.

Comments

[djchuang]

yeah, buddy, jellyfish! :) for more eating adventures, you'll have to see all the stuff that some people eat on Travel Channel's BIZARRE FOODS