Up until the mid-80’s, Narellan was a small village that served local dairy farmers and coal miners. Sydney’s urban sprawl has put an end to that ‘quiet country village’ scenario.

According to Narellan’s rector, Michael Blake, the current population will double in the next decade. Narellan is set to become a city comprising in excess of 60,000 people.

Having come to Christ as an adult (at age 22), Michael is confident that the gospel is ‘God’s powerful way of saving those who believe’ (Romans 1:16). “The local Anglican minister at the time, Ken Short, urged me to embark on the ‘Search the Scriptures’ program. In November I reached Luke 9:25: “What does it matter if a man gains the whole world and loses his very self?” It was like a voice speaking. I realised I was a sinner because I was living for myself and not for Jesus. I responded to him as Lord right then.”

Michael went on to complete a PhD in chemistry before working for two years on the UNSW chaplaincy team. “Those two years were most formative for me,” he says. “I saw patterns for ministry that placed a priority on the Bible, on proclaiming Christ, and on loving relationships among God’s people.” Michael left this work to study at Moore College in 1983.

Michael and his wife, Alison, went to Narellan in January 1994 to lead a small group of five who were planting a church in the new residential release area. I asked him to explain something of this pioneering work.

Stuart Robinson: Michael, you began with just five people?

Michael Blake: We did. God graciously added to our numbers and provided us with many skilled and gifted people.
Ours is now a ‘cradle-to-the-grave’ ministry. The outreach ministries include playgroups, two after school kids’ clubs, a men’s and women’s ministry and an annual Easter mission.

We encourage all our members to be in Growth Groups and we operate a range of other discipling programs for children and teens. This year we employed a children’s minister, which has really strengthened our work in this arena.

SR: Tell us about Growth Groups.

MB: Growth Groups form a vital part of membership of our churches. They’re a place where relationships are formed around the Word of God, where practical care and support is offered and where people spend time in fellowship and prayer. We only invite members who are in Growth Groups to be involved in other ministry areas, like music or Sunday School.

SR: Does the diocesan vision for reaching and enfolding ten per cent of the population influence what you do?

MB: Growth is always on our agenda. The Archbishop’s vision has encouraged us to set the goal, ten per cent in ten years. That goal is just so huge that it drives us to prayer.

The vision has also caused us to look for men and women to send into full-time ministry. It’s hard to release friends who have shown such promise and who have been loved by so many people, but we must do it for the sake of the gospel. We believe that God is able to raise up more people to serve here in the parish.

SR: Is church planting still on your agenda?

MB: It is. In 1996 we planted our second church in conjunction with South Creek Anglican and formed the ‘Sunday @ 7’ meeting. Last year, my colleague Stefan Bull and several families from our congregations planted a new church in Harrington Park. This meets in the local primary school.
We are now planning for additional plants in the suburbs of Currans Hill and Mount Annan. All this is exhausting work and stretches our resources – human and financial – to the limits!

SR: What are the challenges you face in this cutting edge kind of ministry?

MB: We are seeking to reach people who believe that security and satisfaction come with acquiring more and more, only to be let down again and again. They are people with hard hearts who don’t want to know God.

We perceive a ‘darkness’ or a deadness of spirit. Only God can deal with this. We must pray. Our real encouragement is that God will use the proclamation of his Word to call people to himself and establish them in his Kingdom.

SR: How might we pray for you?

MB: For God’s mercy and the outpouring of his Spirit – both on us and on our community. Pray that God will raise up people to serve in ministry, as well as the resources to accomplish this.