Bush Church Aid is Keeping Outback Churches Alive
By: Justin Rouillon
Coober Pedy’s Catacomb Church is unlike most other churches in Australia, carved out of a hillside in the opal mining capital of the world.
And although the church has found a way to beat the extreme heat of the desert, Catacomb Church isn’t immune from the realities of operating in a remote part of Australia.
Pastor Dave Wood and his wife Margaret joined the church 18 months ago as its full-time ministry couple, ironically after a 30 year career as a mining engineer.
He says that he seemed destined to wind up in the outback following a decision to enter ministry full-time.
Bush Church Aid is an organisation that is dedicated to ensuring the gospel message is available to everyone living in remote and regional Australia.
Partnering predominantly with Anglican Dioceses, BCA helps to provide gospel workers in the outback, support those bush locations through prayer and ensure that experienced clergy and other volunteers are available to pastorally care for those in the field.
Without the support of Bush Church Aid, churches like Catacomb Church would struggle to keep the doors open in remote areas.
“Our church has around 12 regular members, but then in the tourist season it goes up to 30 or 35,” Dave said. “There’s no way we could afford a minister. So there’s ourselves and about 40 other churches around Australia supported by BCA.”
Dave says that the support of BCA not only keeps the doors of the church open, but enables him and wife Margaret to get out in the community.
“ The days of people just walking into the church is long over, you’ve got to go out to them. You’ve got to go to their church. So myself and Margie join a lot of things.
“Margie’s in the historical society and she helps out at the drive-in. So we have South Australia’s last drive-in and we’re both on the committee for the drive-in, which is a load of fun.
“I’m part of the SES and I do a Christian radio show, Dusty Radio, so it’s all about being arms and legs.”
“We had a mission group not long ago do some work down in the Aboriginal community, and they were so thankful. It was such a wonderful opportunity to reach out to a fairly hurting minority, to be honest.
“Doing stuff in the community is really impactful, and then you get to have those conversations.”
If you happen to find yourself in Coober Pedy, you can visit the Catacomb Church at Lot 746 Catacomb Road.
You can also visit the Bush Church Aid website to find out more about serving with, or supporting the work of BCA in regional and remote Australia.
Article supplied with thanks to 96five.
Feature image: Supplied and Used with Permission
