2 Jun 2023

TRIBUTE- Andrew Evans

By Pastor Bill Vasilakis

-National Chairman, CRC Churches International.

-Senior Minister, Christian Family Centre.

On behalf of my denominational family CRC Churches International, I honour Pastor Andrew as one of Australia’s most influential spiritual and political leaders for over four decades.

I never heard a bad word about Andrew from his fellow ministers,  or in his later career, from politicians. One could safely trust him and have confidence in his judgement calls, even in rare differences of opinion. This is a unique quality, as his credibility was built on decades of consistency in his beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviour.

I came to know Andrew in 1971 as a seventeen year old boy recently saved during the Jesus Movement.  Though I came to Christ through Leo Harris’s ministry in the CRC, I loved coming to the Klemzig Church on Sunday mornings before our own CRC afternoon and evening Services. 

It didn’t take me long to respect Andrew as a most authentic, on-fire spiritual leader who oozed integrity.  I learned so much by observing how he led and fed his people who all knew they were deeply loved by their pastor. Through Andrew’s stewardship, the Paradise church became Australia’s largest Pentecostal Church, but he always remained a humble servant-oriented leader -just like Jesus.

Andrew helped me personally after I became Senior Minister of the Christian Family centre in 1978. During the 1980’s when revival growth was seeing hundreds of people saved each year, I didn’t know how to structure our Church to handle this enormous growth.  Andrew advised me how to form a Board of loyal and skilled governance personnel, and to release our growing number of Staff & Pastors to minister unencumbered. This was radical advice in those early days but it was so wise and helpful at a crucial time in our development.

Andrew was a much-loved special guest at several CRC Conferences and I still remember some of his messages that were faith filled and loaded with practical wisdom.

Andrew led the Australian Pentecostal Ministers Fellowship (APMF) with distinction, and I was awed to attend my first gathering in the mid 1980’s as the CRC representative.

Andrew inspirationally led the Australian Christian Churches (Assemblies of God) into its greatest growth era for 20 years between 1977 to 1997. This motivated all other Pentecostal groups to step up their evangelistic and church planting efforts. We all grew through his leadership excellence.

When the history of contemporary Pentecostalism is written -  Pastor Andrew Evans will be recognised as one of its finest spiritual leaders.

To Ashley, Russell and family, our deepest condolences, but be encouraged by the many tributes about your wonderful Patriarch.

Sincerely

Bill Vasilakis.