Deputation Visit to Australia

By the Rev. Craig Dennison Deputation Speaker

The Trinitarian Bible Society has a long history in Australia. In 1887 the first Australian auxiliary meetings of the Society were held in Sydney; and after the formation of many more auxiliaries, eventually in 1992 a branch of the Society was formally established. In the summer of 2023 I was invited by TBS (Australia) to conduct deputation meetings there. In twenty-two days I took thirteen flights, spoke at twenty meetings, visited fourteen cities and towns, and met hundreds of people who support the work of the Society.

My journey to Australia was broken up with a weekend stopover in Singapore. I preached at a Lord’s Day service in Singapore before travelling to Brisbane on the Monday. This was followed by a long drive down the east coast to Grafton for the next meeting. The next day saw an early flight to Sydney for two meetings before travelling to Melbourne. Following services in Castlemaine and Melbourne, I travelled westward along the beautiful gold coast to Nullaware. After this came a very brief trip to Tasmania for two meetings at opposite ends of the island. My next destination was the Eyre Peninsula for four more meetings before heading to Adelaide. A house meeting in Adelaide was followed that evening by a meeting in Maitland. The final part of my trip took me to Perth on the west coast for the final series of meetings, including a meeting in an Aboriginal church.

It was a pleasure to meet people who had travelled many hours to attend a meeting and hear updates of the work of the Society. I was particularly encouraged to meet many supporters who passionately share our Biblical convictions for the Hebrew Masoretic Text and Greek Textus Receptus. Much literature was taken, and we trust the Lord will use it to bring others to share our convictions concerning the purity of Scripture.

Many people helped contribute to this trip—too many to name—but can I extend my appreciation for all who assisted in travel, hospitality, and organising facilities for the meetings. The trip would have been most difficult without their gracious assistance. Furthermore, I am thankful to the Lord for His mercies in travelling; every flight was on time, luggage arrived at every destination, and every meeting proceeded as planned.

My trip coincided with the launch of a commemorative Bible to mark the first Christian worship service held on Australian soil in 1788. Excitement for this Bible was seen in all the meetings where it was mentioned, and many expressed their gratitude for such an endeavour to reach the lost with the good news of the Gospel.

Please continue to pray for the blessing of God upon the work of the TBS in Australia. The increased demand for Scriptures in the nation is most encouraging, and we pray that as many read the good news of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will come to saving faith in the only Redeemer of sinners.