TOURISTS

Jonathan and Rebekah Mitchell





Pastor Jonathan Mitchell and wife Rebekah had their honeymoon on Kangaroo Island in 2003 and returned in 2019 for their 16th anniversary, this time with three kids.

They also, on this second trip, looked in on Western Cove, which led to the Pastor getting asked, "What is Christianity good for?"

Before we go into his answer we'll go through other details first.

It was their seventh day on KI.

Places they had already visited included the Penneshaw Market, American River, Emu Bay, Emu Bay Lavender Farm, Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Distillery, Remarkable Rocks, Hansen Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Kelly Hill Caves, Little Sahara, Raptor Park, Clifford's Honey Farm, and the Frogs and Roses Garden. The kids were most impressed with the Little Sahara and the Kelly Hill Caves.

Jonathan remarked on the cleanliness of the beaches and clarity of the water. He said he has an inflatable kayak from which he could clearly see down to the sea floor.

Jonathan is Pastor at the Northwestern Community Church which is a Church of Christ near Port Adelaide.

His previous ministry, which went for ten years, was at the University of South Australia where he trained Evangelical students in evangelism. His official position was Campus Director for A.F.E.S. (Australian Fellowship for Evangelical Students).

Rebekah is a relief teacher, teaching years 6–10 in English, Society & Environment, and Mathematics. She has an uncle, Len Jamieson, who lived at "Nepean Bay" but she does not know exactly where.

Getting back now to the question, "What is Christianity good for?"

Jonathan said the central belief is that God raised Jesus out of death after his crucifixion. This gives hope beyond the present life and security for the future centred on the Creator. The Church is a community, comparable to an extended family, based on love and fellowship, where people are appreciated and care for each other.

The wider society benefits too via Christian charities such as:
•    AngliCare;
•    UnitingCare;
•    Salvation Army.

The founders or co-founders of much of the medical, social and educational infrastructure of Australia, including many institutions that promote public wellbeing, were Christians. Jonathan and Rebekah cited some examples:
•    Adelaide Children's Hospital;
•    Royal District Nursing Service;
•    Red Cross;
•    Royal Flying Doctor Service;
•    University of Adelaide.

Pastor Mitchell did not specifically train to be a pastor but achieved the four-year Bachelor of Theology degree at the Bible College of South Australia. 
(2019 April)





Some Web pages that
support the above claims regarding Christianity:

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/galway-marie-carola-10273

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/hughes-sir-walter-watson-3813

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/jefferis-james-3853

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/lyall-james-4050

http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/911b5af72f818795ca2569de0024ed5a?OpenDocument

http://www.wch.sa.gov.au/about/history/history_founders.htm

https://anglicaresa.com.au/about/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allan_Campbell_(Australian_politician)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustave_Moynier

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Flynn_(minister)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_District_Nursing_Service_(South Australia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Adelaide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Hughes

https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/

https://www.unitingcare.org.au/about-us

www.wch.sa.gov.au/about/history/history_founder.html
CONTENTS PAGE