Occasionally in our Christian walk, we arrive at a lifechanging place that sets up a way of living for the next many years. I had one of those experiences in 1972 that has been a guiding factor in much of what I do as a Christian and as a Pastor.

A preacher from Argentina came to Adelaide. His name was Juan Carlos Ortiz. When I heard him speak, I drank in what he said as would a thirsty man in a desert when he comes to an oasis. His two main themes were the blessings of what we now call Home Fellowships or Connect Groups, and how there ought to be Unity between pastors and churches within a town, or city.

Alison and I used to be part of midweek meetings, usually for prayer and teaching. Often, either a husband or a wife might stay at home to look after the kids (if there were any). Ortizs revolutionary idea was that the whole family should attend. If there were any young kids, put them down to sleep (wherever. And we did, and have). Ortiz also said to often have fellowship meals together, discuss scripture in practical ways; how it related to daily living, and if a problem persisted in ones life, discuss it again shedding light and wisdom and hopefully coming up with a good solution. In doing these things, a group could build fellowship, trust, acceptance, and a place to feel loved, wanted, and at home.

When I heard this idea, my heart leapt within me as I thought to myself, Fantastic, this is how it ought to be. I went back to our church and began to evangelise the idea of home fellowships. Many people grabbed the idea too and out of that, Home Fellowships became part of our church life. That was literally 50 years ago, and Alison and I have hosted, led, been part of, encouraged, and enjoyed these meetings for almost all of that time. Sometimes at our house, and if that was not practical, sometimes at someone elses house. I could not imagine church life without these great meetings. If you are not part of a home fellowship/connect group, I commend them to you.

The second main theme from Pastor Ortiz was that the Pastors, Ministers, and Priests of a locality ought foster a spirit of Unity among each other by meeting together periodically, praying together, refraining from criticising each other, and understanding that Gods work might be done in different ways from your way, yet it would still be Gods work. Again, as I heard this preached, I thought to myself, Of course, this is how it ought to be. So I went back to our home church and began building these bonds of fellowship and love among the church leaderships. I found that they too, when presented with these thoughts, began to think, Yes, this is how it ought to be. I must add that not every pastor and priest grabbed hold of this with enthusiasm. But many did.

So a new atmosphere began to develop amongst those Pastors and Leaders. Working together rather than working alone, and remarkably, by Gods grace, across the broad spectrum of mainstream Christian belief.

Out of that revelation grew combined monthly prayer meetings which ran in our locality for 18 years, a 14-night cross-church evangelistic crusade with an Adelaide preacher/teacher, a 10-night tent evangelistic outreach, with an Australian evangelist, which brought many many people to faith in Christ. Work in the schools grew. Outreach concerts started taking place. It seemed like there was an open heaven about our locality.

As these events developed, fostered by leaders in unity of faith and purpose, Christians across denominational spaces began to appreciate more and more the wonderful work of God and the power of the Holy Spirit when unity was there among His people.

So for 50 years, those two themes have been in the mainstream of my life and ministry. They are still powerful today and are outworked today in my relationships with other churches and ministries in our Eastern Suburbs.