JourneyOnline
THE MINISTRY of pastor has opened up exciting opportunities for Pastor Jan Bryde and her husband Colin as they took up a placement on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, 39km north of Cape York Peninsula in late July.
Pastor Ian Ness of Townsville Central City Mission said he was delighted to attend Ms Bryde’s commissioning.
“Jan was piped out of the commissioning by her husband Colin on bagpipes,” said Mr Ness.
“Then followed a meal and traditional dancing which we were later invited to participate in, dressed suitably in bark skirts for the women and wraparound skirts for the men.”
North Queensland Presbytery chairperson Rev Bruce Cornish conducted the commissioning and despite the North Queensland weather making travel to Thursday Island difficult, the commissioning went off without a hitch.
Mr Ness said it was exciting to see where Ms Bryde’s path has taken her.
“Our journeys to ministry have a number of points at which they coincide,” he said.
At a 2008 North Queensland Presbytery meeting they both shared that God’s call was on their lives.
“I was off to Thursday Island for about six months of supply ministry.
“As I was packing my bags to leave, Colin and Jan moved to Thursday Island for what were a few months of supply ministry after which they returned to the mainland.”
The Queensland Synod and the United Church of Papua New Guinea usually alternate in providing a ministry agent on Thursday Island but it became clear the United Church of PNG was unable to do so.
“Colin and Jan’s heart for the people and the call of God drew them back to Thursday Island where they will now be for at least 18 months,” said Mr Ness.
In 2007 members of the Queensland Synod helped raise funds for extensive repairs needed on the manse on Thursday Island.
Photo : Pastor Jan Bryde being commissioned to ministry on Thursday Island. Photo courtesy of Ian Ness
