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TRIBUTES

Mike Cronin

80th Birthday Tribute

By Pastor Bill Vasilakis - National Chairman

I have known Mike for a very long time, and have worked closely with him overseeing CRC Churches International since 1985.

 

Mike has been Victorian CRC Chairman on 2 occasions and served with distinction as our National Chairman for 8 years from 1988 to 1996.

 

In recent years he accepted the call by our National Executive to serve as our Australian Missions Director, and boy has he impacted our rapidly growing international scene by his world missions vision which he has faithfully developed. He stepped down last year and passed the baton to another powerful apostolic leader, Pastor Phil Cayzer.

 

From the 1970’s Mike (in partnership with his wife Lois) has been one of our premier church planters.

 

Warragul was the first, and from there he pioneered this church (Reveal Church which was called South Eastern Christian Centre)

 

This church in the Endeavour Hills area became a strong apostolic base as many churches were planted & dozens of pastors raised up in the melbourne area, interstate & overseas.

 

Mike’s apostolic leadership gift inspired me and many other pastors to follow his example by birthing many new churches across Australia.

 

Mike & his church became a role model for our CRC movement.

 

Mike wrote up this ‘acts’ style journey in his book—‘Riding the Wave’ and its an inspirational read that will encourage you.

 

For all who have the privilege to really know Mike, they soon come to ‘respect’, ‘trust’ & ‘love’ him.

 

You cannot help but “respect” his genuineness & authenticity as a committed Christ follower.

…Mike is the real deal who practices in his life what he preaches.

…The fruit of this is so evident in his much loved wife Lois, and his fabulous kids Anna & David, as well as the many spiritual sons and daughters he has raised up who are serving Jesus all over the world.

 

It’s so easy to “trust” Mike because he is so respected.

 

Mike is worthy of our respect because he is totally ‘consistent’ in his personal life and through his amazing ministry over the past 50 years

… This is why he is a most ‘credible’ man of God.

… Its only consistent, credible people who are truly trusted & Mike Cronin is one of the most trustworthy men I know.

 

When you ‘respect’ & ‘trust’ someone you naturally ‘love’ them

… true and lasting love is more that a feeling or just skin deep

… it flows so easily out of respect & trust

… this is why so many people deeply love Mike and I am one of these fortunate ones.

 

Congratulations on reaching the big 8-0 Mike… You are now officially one of our CRC Fathers. May the next decade be a most blessed one and I look forward to celebrating your 90th.

PASTOR KEN CHANT

TRIBUTE

 

By Pastor Bill Vasilakis

CRC Churches National Chairman

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On behalf of CRC Churches International, I honour Pastor Ken Chant as one of our spiritual Fathers and a genuine hero of the CRC.

 

Ken was deeply loved and highly respected by all of his CRC family. He was a living legend amongst us.

 

What an extraordinary journey Ken embarked on when he was ordained as a CRC Pastor in 1954–the year I was born.

 

Ken was Leo Harris’s key associate Pastor for several years. 1959 he ran the Adelaide Assembly while Leo was overseas for the year. Ken was only 25 years old and Leo trusted this totally loyal young Pastor who demonstrated great integrity.

 

Along with his brother Barry, Ken influenced generations of pastors and leaders not just in the CRC, but across the entire body of Christ.

 

Ken’s life and incisive teaching ministry through his prophetic preaching and 50 plus books touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the globe

 

What an audacious vision he had when he commenced his Bible correspondence course with a handful of students in the early 1970’s from Launceston Tasmania.

 

What a vision!

“To take the whole Word to the whole World”

 

My first meeting with Ken was as a 19 year old student at Crusade Bible College.

 

I was awed by him then, and I still am.

 

I remember vividly his lectures as they were deeply impacting and they greatly helped form me as a new follower of Jesus.

 

I devoured every new book Ken produced and they helped me during my university years

 

His writings about Science & Faith being complementary and not contradictory enabled me to get a high distinction in a paper I wrote.

 

Though Ken was so intelligent and widely read in so many disciplines, he remained humble and had no pretences about him.

 

I had many discussions with Ken over the decades, and though I felt I was a dumbcluck in his presence, he never made me feel this way but was genuinely interested in my opinions on a host of spiritual matters.

 

I especially remember the nights in Bible College when Ken was discussing a deep concept and provoking us to think critically and question everything.   He would throw in red herrings left and right.   Some students were snowflakes and got up and walked out, unable to grasp the intellectual concepts he was imparting, enraged by his audacity to make us question everything we knew.   Then he would turn the discussion on its head and we would leave challenged, and imprinted with another gem of truth, or revelation like a sharp arrow into our hearts.   Life changing concepts that are with me to this day.

 

Ken loved Jesus till the end, adored his wife Alison and was so proud of his children’s & grandchildren.

 

Ken is in heaven now with Jesus, but he will continue to live and minister here on earth through his prolific writings.

 

I am zealous to ensure his key books are read by generations of future CRC Pastors & Leaders.

 

I have no doubts that Pastor Ken Chant will

continue to be one of our most influential CRC Ministers.

 

My condolences to dear Alison his helpmate of over 70 years who strongly supported her man in all his ministry endeavours

 

Ken mentioned to me he could not have achieved what Jesus called him to do without Alison being by his side.

 

Thank you Alison for allowing me to visit Ken a couple of times in his final months

 

It was a privilege to share with both of you and to pray together. 

 

Ken is having a wow of a time in heaven and no doubt was thrilled to receive Jesus welcome and embrace and to hear the words … “So well done dear Ken, my good and faithful servant, enter into the joyous realm of your Lord and master.” 

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