An Unusual Journey to Hendon 

By David Hall

The bombs were raining down on the city of Surabaja on the island of Java, Indonesia, as the missionaries scrambled frantically aboard a ship in the nearby harbour.  This was the last ship to leave the port before the Japanese took control of Indonesia during the Second World War.  But the threats facing the refugees were not yet over.  As the vessel made its treacherous journey towards the coast of Western Australia they were being stalked by a submarine, until fog finally closed in around them providing a soft blanket of vital protection.

These missionaries who originated from a large church in Seattle, USA, had been responsible for establishing churches in Indonesia in which there are now millions of members. The ship finally docked safely in Melbourne and went on to Wellington, NZ, where it became clear to some of the missionaries aboard, that they should return to this part of the world after the war.

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in the tiny town of North Battleford, Canada, a spiritual revival was slowly brewing in the hearts of a group of students in a Bible school.  They were distressed about the division that existed between Christian groups, and the animosity that was sometimes present between leaders.  So they went to earnest prayer and, not long after, God answered them in a miraculous way as revival broke out in their town.  Ministers were being reconciled to one another and congregations were flowing together as they gathered each day, week after week, in meetings that were as unplanned as they were miraculous. 

From these inspirational gatherings a number of new understandings emerged as part of God’s equipping of the Church for the closing days of history.  These understandings included the desire and faith for the miraculous and total unity of the Church, the Body of Christ, across the world before the return of Christ.*   what had happened there in such a miraculous, yet small way, could happen throughout the world. 

The revival meetings in Canada saw another miracle in what has since been referred to as ‘singing in the Spirit’.  In this phenomenon the entire congregation would set aside the hymn and chorus books to sing together inspirationally in harmony and rhythm, while each participant sang words of his or her own expression of love and devotion to God.  Soloists and instrumentalists would also lead out in new songs that were inspired at that moment – often duets and trios in harmony.  Participants frequently reported hearing a beautiful choir that was not physically present, and they referred to this as the ‘heavenly choir’.

The meetings were totally unplanned, depending entirely upon the immediate leading of the Holy Spirit as folk stepped forward to speak prophetic utterances, or exercise other ‘gifts of the Holy Spirit’ (as in 1 Corinthians 12 & 14).  The preachers and teachers would likewise contribute spontaneously as they worked together in one heart and mind.  The concept of ‘body ministry’, or the spontaneous and inspirational contributions of many throughout the flow of a meeting, was emphasized in contrast to customary planned services or liturgies.

Some of the returning missionaries from Seattle became caught up in the North Battleford revival.  Having sat under the ministry of Pastor W.H Offiler in Seattle, they were well equipped in deep understandings of the Bible, and especially of Old Testament content as it relates to the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ and the events at this end of history.  Offiler showed us that God will prepare a ‘glorious church’ without any defects, before the return of Christ. (Eph 5:27)   The similarity between Offiler’s direction for the Church, and the North Battleford desire for unity, are immediately obvious.

When the former missionaries returned to New Zealand, and eventually to Australia in 1950, they brought the richness of both backgrounds – from Seattle, and from North Battleford, Canada.
The message they brought has formed the basis of so much more understanding that has been added since.  Because God is preparing a ‘glorious church’ then … there is also a process of preparation bringing this to pass, and changing each individual who has faith to participate; the mystery of God’s master plan for His people is being sought out, revealed and declared; we can receive God’s divine life, planted in us as a seed that will enable each to grow to full maturity as a ‘son of God’, a ‘joint heir with Christ’; (Rom 8:17)

The message of God’s life is being declared and shepherded to families and individuals, enabling them to see change in themselves; local communities of believers are learning to relate and be bonded together as God intended, not around strong personalities or euphoric presentations, but in the reality of God’s faith and love; an administration of gifted men and women is emerging to equip God’s people as they also stand up to declare the gospel to neighbours and friends.

Now congregations across this nation, in Papua New Guinea and in South East Asia, are flowing together in the hope and unity of this message. While there is no head quarters or central congregation, we are submitted together in the fellowship of this goal and in the administration of it.  Ministering men, while based in various local congregations, move throughout the whole fellowship of churches, strengthening individuals, families and groups.

Locally, our goal is to be an open door in this community, to share the message of God’s love and plan for each person through the programmes we present, and in the simplicity of conversation and friendship.

*Note that such a unity is not to be confused with the negotiated ‘unities’ being attempted amongst denominational Christianity.