24 Feb 2020

Pastor Ian Hillman passed from this life into the presence of his Lord and Saviour on Tuesday 11 th February 2020, aged 83 years.

Ian & Claudine and their family joined the Moe CRC Church in 1970 and quickly became active contributors in the ministry of this young church under the leadership of Ps Lyle Potts.

Ian was a strong ‘faith man’ and lived by his conviction of faith in the living God. He also held firmly to the new creation message and built this into many other people. In 1976 Ian and Claudine were asked to go to Burnie, Tasmania to take over a church in need of help. They responded and moved there and started leading a group of about 20 committed people and other adherents.

Over the years until 2000, Ian built up the church to a regular attendance of 200-250 people. He was also instrumental in drawing Pastors and wives of the north west coast of Tasmania together in regular fellowship, and in significant combined rallies. Ian was also an active supporter of Global Missions. He travelled overseas twice with Ps Barry Silverback, and financially helped support the CRC Ministry in PNG, as well as the work of Ps Abraham in India.

For many years Ian was the CRC State Chairman of Tasmania, encouraging the CRC Pastors throughout Tasmania. He was also a member of the CRC National Executive during this time serving and contributing to the leadership of the whole CRC Movement in Australia. Ministers were raised up under Ian’s leadership in Burnie. This included Ps Rod Nes now in St Agnes, South Australia; Ps Rodney Garland now in St Agnes with Ps Rod Nes; Ps Richard Murray now in Canberra; Ps Chris Brock now based in Gold Coast; and Ps Greg Jones now leading the Burnie CRC Church and the Tasmanian State Leader of CRC.

Ps Ian had bypass heart surgery in 1998, but never fully recovered from this, and as a result in the year 2000 handed over the leadership of the Burnie Church to Ps Greg Jones and moved to Townsville where his daughters were living.

For about 15 years Ian and Claudine attended and contributed to the leadership of the local ACC church. Then about 5 years ago, in his late 70’s, Ian started a CRC Fellowship of about 60 people. This progressed well for a time, but with his failing health over the last 3 years, and no clear future leader, the incorporated body was closed down at the end of 2019.Ian was always faithfully supported by Claudine, who was a significant contributor to the ministry over the years.

We honour Ps Ian and Claudine, and their family for their faith and love of the Lord Jesus, and for their outstanding input ministering the life in Christ to many people.

Well done good and faithful servants.

Pastor Mike Cronin and Pastor Rod Nes