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