The purpose of my return to Newman, Western Australia, five days ago (Jan. 13) was to complete a 4 ½ years God-appointed assignment by inducting Elijah Viliafi into the role of Pastor of the Newman Community Baptist Church. This amazing outcome which has been in the making for many years is the result of ordinary believers yielding their lives to the will and pleasure of our amazing, miracle-working God.

Friends, it is my conviction that healthy churches are leader-breeder churches. They are places where the membership work conscientiously in partnership with the Holy Spirit to develop today, tomorrow’s leaders from within their ranks. Jesus came into our world with a multipurposed-plan: first, to raise-up successors who would carry-on His work on earth, after His ascension; second, to defeat Satan and sin through the atoning sacrifice of His life on the cross; and third, to build a loving, healthy, and flourishing Universal Church.

It would have been a breeze for me in 2018 to help the leadership of the church conduct an Australia-wide search for an experienced pastor to oversee the life and development of the Newman church. However, this was not Jesus’ pastor-successor strategy. It was not Moses’ strategy. It was not Paul’s strategy. And, it was not going to be mine.

It is my conviction that pastor-successors are best raised-up from within healthy churches, rather than scanning the horizon for ready-made strangers from outside the church family. This approach is costly in time and money, with accompanying risks. Within a short period, either party, or both, may come to see that the appointment is not an ideal fit. On the other hand, the appointment of someone from within the church who has been coached, equipped, and mentored over a lengthy period is cost effective and risk-free. Such a selection that results from seasons of prayer and observation of the successor’s character, conduct, commitment, and competence is easily made.

Jesus chose 12 ordinary men to teach, train, equip, and empower to succeed Him. Except for Judas Iscariot, these men went-on to succeed Jesus. Their succession was successful as the Church has not stopped flourishing since that time, two millenniums ago. The Apostle Paul followed Jesus’ lead in raising-up others to succeed him. His invitation to those who chose to be with him was simple, “… imitate me, just as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). Friends, a right successor of Jesus is someone who is dedicated to imitating Him with their lives, not impersonating Him like a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Pastoring is a call of God… it is serious business! The vocation is not for lazy, half-hearted, 9 to 5 – Monday to Friday, people-pleasing hypocrites.

Throughout my time at Newman, I followed Paul’s lead. At different times I invited “select” men of the church to “imitate me as I imitated Christ.” I made it known publicly that I was in the business of raising-up as many successors as possible. Because of well-advanced age and 4,000 kms distance-separation from my wife in Queensland, my days at Newman would not be many. Considering a number of other factors, I chose to work smart, not hard. I needed to stay close to the Holy Spirit… sensing and seizing every opportunity He chose to reveal to me. I was about serving God’s purpose for the Newman church, according to His plan, power, and provision… for His glory!

Early in my time at Newman, Elijah’s sacrificial love and loyalty to God and the church family caught my attention. In my eyes, Eli stood-out head-n-shoulders above every other member of the church. He is a native of Samoa and his wife, Luisa, is a native of Tonga. Eli and Lu are seasoned, multi-gifted, servant-hearted believers. They harmonise beautifully together as one-in-Christ and complement each other in their God-honouring lives and service. What a team! They are attractive, “adoption quality” believers.

Those who know me, know that my “modus operandi” is to “strike while the iron is hot.” My policy is this: “If I am unable to attend to an important matter today, I’ll make sure it is actioned, yesterday!” So, I put the pastor-successor idea to Eli. How did he respond? Well, his response was like a lead balloon that remained stone-dead on the ground. However, our strong relationship survived the shock. Did I make a mistake in seeing Eli as my pastor-successor? No, I was not mistaken. Simply, it was not God’s time for Eli to say “yes” to God’s call. 

In October, 2021, I felt led by God’s Spirit to re-approach Eli, this time with a modified call to a “part-time” pastoral position, for a “probation” period of twelve months. Without hesitation, Eli said “yes”! Well, much has happened since that time, and it is all good… goooood… great news! The church family know Eli and Lu very well. The church family is delighted with them and loves and respects them very much. Time and experience had given Eli and Lu and the church family opportunity to test God’s call upon their lives. The part-time call in 2021 was correct. But now, 2023, a full-time call is in order!

December 31, 2022, was Eli’s last day as an employee of BHP Billiton Mining Corporation. Three days ago (Jan. 15) I had the pleasure of inducting him into a full-time position as Pastor of the Newman Community Baptist Church. It has been a privilege and joy to have served God at Newman by investing His goodness in the lives of Eli and Lu. STOP PRESS… there is more! Pastor Eli already has in his sights two pastor-successor candidates! Paul said to his successor, Timothy, “Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others” (2 Tim. 2:2). Friends, with my pastor-successor now in place, I can boast that my assignment @ Newman is successful! 

Best wishes
Bill Joukhadar