Farewell to much loved gospel workers

The Naden family, including children Jamie, Jum & Jono, first joined the BCA family in 2006 when they were asked by the Church Army, the Uniting Church and BCA to set up a church plant in Broken Hill.

Neville & Kathie had established a similar church in Mount Druitt, Sydney, where they stayed for 10 years. When they were asked to move to Broken Hill, they felt that the church was at a point that it could continue without them. Today, the Mount Druitt Indigenous Church continues in partnership with Minchinbury Anglican Church and Mount Druitt Presbyterian Church.

The Living Desert Indigenous Church became a vital part of God’s mission and ministry in Broken Hill. Like in Mount Druitt, Neville & Kathie stayed for 10 years. During their time there, they not only reached out to First Nations people, but welcomed many visitors including school groups, church groups, Dusty Boots trips and CFT tours. “For me, the best part of being in Broken Hill was getting to know and love the people there,” says Neville.

In 2008, Neville wrote in The Real Australian, “The importance of Indigenous ministry in the outback has been highlighted by the recent Census. The Aboriginal population in the Far West is on the increase, whilst the non-indigenous population is declining. Many of our people are moving back to their places of birth and are seeking to set up house and home in the area. The Far West Indigenous Church is uniquely positioned to provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to be trained for ministry.”

In early 2016 at the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Convention in Port Augusta, former BCA National Director Mark Short approached Neville and asked whether he would consider working with Bush Church Aid on a full-time basis as its Indigenous Ministry Officer.

“In his time in this role, among many other things, Neville has cared pastorally for Indigenous Field Staff, supported our Field Staff when ministering to Indigenous people; championed the raising up of Indigenous ministers and mission workers; and travelled far and wide promoting the work of BCA and Indigenous ministry to churches across Australia,” says current National Director Greg Harris.

Neville & Kathie developed Cultural Awareness Training aimed to assist ministers, clergy and other mission workers in ministering to and alongside Indigenous peoples. They brought their personal insights and experiences, as well as valuable knowledge and skills into these training sessions. This training was rolled out to all BCA Field Staff as well as other organisations and theological colleges across Australia.

“I suppose the highlight for me in my time as Indigenous Ministry Officer is BCA taking Indigenous ministry seriously,” says Neville.  “BCA has always had a desire to minister in the Indigenous space, but it was originally non-Indigenous people taking the Gospel to Indigenous people. But now First Nations people have been trained up and empowered to take the Gospel to our people themselves. There’s nothing that would please me more than to see that this continues to develop, and BCA is heading the charge on those things. 

“Other highlights for me have been the establishment of the Indigenous Student Bursary, the Chaplaincy program at Nungalinya College, and the bringing on board of First Nations Ministry Training. We also mentored George Ferguson during his ministry training in South Tamworth. Now he’s serving his people in Walgett and Collarenebri. Jack Harradine continued my work in Broken Hill and now works as an itinerant minister amongst our people in South Australia.”

Another of Neville’s key accomplishments was BCA’s Acknowledgement of Country and Reconciliation Action Plan. Working with Indigenous advisors, these documents were prayerfully and carefully crafted. Today they are a key part of BCA’s commitment to  Indigenous Ministry. The Acknowledgement of Country has a special place in many hearts as a Biblically sound and meaningful declaration of God’s sovereignty and lordship. It is used by many organisations apart from BCA. You can read this Acknowledgment of Country on our website bushchurchaid.com.au/indigenousresources

So where to now for the Nadens? “Kathie and I will be trying our hand at retirement for a season,” Neville says. “If it doesn’t quite suit us, we may look at transitioning into a role that supports the work of the Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship. “For now my plan is to support struggling Indigenous churches. I also hope to continue to provide support for BCA’s Indigenous ministry program. BCA does a wonderful job in the Indigenous space.”