Vince Williamson, CEO of Kingsley Enterprises, a manufacturer of 4WD accessories, understands the mentality of the average unchurched Australian dad, stretched thin between work and family commitments.
Indeed, he only came to Christ in middle-age, just over a decade ago.
‘Work was my god,’ he says. ‘My two loves were my family and my work, but I was doing a pretty bad job of giving my family the time that was needed.’
The turning point in Vince’s life was when his wife decided there had to be more to her life and decided to attend a Christianity Explained course.
‘I went along to support her in her search, and in the process God converted me!’ Vince said.
It was a decision that had a ripple effect, with his children also turning to Christ. Two of them are now Christian ministers.
But God had more to teach Vince. One day, as he was reading the Bible passage about the parable of the talents, he says he realised ‘that I was like the servant who did not use the master’s property wisely.’
‘God had given me so much. All my prayers had been answered but I was just sitting on my hands.’
Vince decided to go to Moore Theological College so that he could be trained for active lay ministry, especially to the men he works with.
He now believes a flexible approach is the key to reaching men busy with work and family. ‘One-on-one discipleship is important but there also needs to be a sufficient range of programs that men can invite their friends to.’