The old saying is possibly true, namely; “the only thing we ever learn from history, Tis that we never learn from history”! So I ask myself this question as we gather to celebrate Vision Ministries twenty years of “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meetings” at “Mamre Farm”? What impact has been made in God’s big family here in Australia over these 20 years. What has been learnt through these annual gatherings?

To begin with, why did we commence “Camp Meetings” in the first place? Briefly, our situation in Sydney became financially untenable. This was due mainly to the movement away from those unifying Charismatic Conferences conducted by Vision Ministries in all the major Capital Cities over some 15 years to an emphasis more local and parochially centered in denominationalism. So the goal posts had dramatically moved by the mid eighties and we too had to change or become an unwanted ministry considered by some as irrelevant through the amazing growth of Pentecostalism.

Resulting from the above crisis and through the blessing of my family we were able to purchase 90 acres around the old family home 31 klms north of Parkes in the central west of NSW where I had originally spent the first 27 years of my life. This property we named “Mamre Farm” provided not only a home for Doreen, myself and our family, but also a more permanent dwelling for what was left of Vision Ministries. We have since subdivided 10 acres as a gift to Vision and that is the area where all our development has and is taking place.

In those early days of moving the ministry from the city to a rural block of land, many friends came to encourage Doreen and me as we began to adjust to such an enormous change in location. One couple from Newcastle, (Noel & Marcia Saunders) were the Lord’s voice to us when they said: “Harry, this is a most beautiful place, why don’t you just open it up for folk to come and camp, while at the same time sharing with them the simple reality of living the Spirit filled life in Jesus”? That was IT!! A purpose for ministry to all the hurting, needy, hungry, disillusioned, destitute, wounded and also including wonderful believers who have just had enough of organized religion. A place of healing, restoration and evangelism in an accepting manner of non judgmental love of God.

So it is now 20 years that this ministry at “Mamre Farm” has been flourishing. It has also birthed a vibrant local congregation that is a wonderful base for all Vision Ministries activities throughout Australia and overseas. The future is no longer dependent upon Doreen’s and my leadership as over three years ago we handed the ministry that has been our life for 28 years to Rev Jeffrey and Rebecca Evans who are loved and truly gifted to lead this ministry into what must be an exciting and challenging future for us all. So all that is required now is to celebrate the history that moved Vision Ministries to conduct “Old Fashioned Revival Camp Meetings” in the first place. We’ll do that with great joy from 3 – 8 October here at “Mamre Farm” and you are all welcome to attend a vital part of Vision’s history. Just maybe, we’ll all learn something!

In His Grip

+ Harry