Dr. J. Nederhood’s Visit To Australia.

A.H. Schippers, Trowel and Sword, October 1968

Preamble: Following on from the recent article, “The Gospel Blimp and the Back To God Hour” which gave us a picture of the do’s and don’ts of evangelism, we now take a closer look at the Back To God Hour through the lens of Dr. Joel Nederhood’s visit to Australia in 1968 – some 55 years ago. As a fledgling denomination, we had an enthusiasm and determination to make things happen. What should also be recognised is how much support we received from the USA. as well as from The Netherlands. Why has this changed? Why have we allowed it to change?

Dr. J. Nederhood’s Visit To Australia

Although the various sessions and committees have been duly notified already on the visit which Dr. Nederhood will bring to our country and they are stepping up their advertising campaigns, we want to bring this forthcoming visit to the special attention of our readers.

The Reformed Churches of Australia are deeply involved in the work of the “Back to God” Hour, the broadcast of the message of Jesus Christ to the world. The endorsement of this work by our churches may nevertheless fall into the danger that this evangelistic work becomes the endeavour of only a few church members and of synodical and classical committees, whereas the congregations as such and the individual members in particular are just sitting back, patting themselves on the shoulders that “our” churches really are evangelistically minded.

In order to create more interest in and to stimulate the evangelistic approach to unchurched people in our area the visit of Dr. Nederhood can become of tremendous value. It is therefore necessary that everyone who is able should attend a meeting held in his area. But attending such meetings is not the only thing to make the visit of Dr. Nederhood worthwhile. Make this visit an object of your prayers and prepare yourself prayerfully to the task that has been laid upon you as members of Christ’s church to witness of the Lord Jesus.

We would have made a great mistake if we are going to make this visit a happy get together of people who all serve the one Lord. This would also be very disappointing for Dr. Nederhood himself who does not want anything else than to promote witnessing. Of course we may have our fellowship together and we look forward to meeting the man “on the top” but we should never forget that this top is only the top of the evangelistic work that WE have to do.

Make the visit and especially the rallies, that will be held, known to your workmates and your colleagues, and invite them to come along, and do whatever you can to bring them to these rallies. It is important for THEM to attend these rallies and to become known with the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

A.H. SCHIPPERS.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

Dr. Joel H. Nederhood graduated from Calvin College in 1952. After serving in the Army for two years, he entered Calvin Seminary in 1954. Upon graduating from the seminary in 1957, he studied at the Free University of Amsterdam. He completed his work at the Free University in January 1960. The subject of his dissertation was, “The Church as Mission and the Educated.”

Dr. Nederhood joined The Back to God Hour staff in September 1960 as the associate radio minister. In this capacity, he was involved in the administration of The Back to God Hour and frequently heard over the air as the summer speaker of the broadcast. As associate radio minister, he also served a group of Back to God Hour listeners near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and aided them in establishing a Christian Reformed church there. After that church, located in Washington, Pennsylvania, had called its own minister, Dr. Nederhood returned to the Chicago office of The Back to God Hour (sic).

After the death of the Rev. Dr. Peter Eldersveld on October 14,1965, Dr. Nederhood was appointed as the radio minister of the Christian Reformed Church. As such, he now serves as the main speaker of The Back to God Hour radio broadcast. This denominational radio program is carried by the Mutual Broadcasting System, NBC, the Yankee Network, and the Intermountain Network. Besides, many other large broadcasting stations carry this witness to the historic Christian faith. The English program is also heard overseas and is the official radio voice of the Reformed Churches in Australia and New Zealand.

Besides the English broadcast of the Christian Reformed Church, The Back to God Hour operation also includes programs in the Arabic and the Spanish language. Both the Arabic and Spanish programs have full time radio ministers who carry out a substantial radio ministry from the Chicago headquarters.

PUBLIC MEETINGS with Dr. Nederhood as the speaker have been arranged as follows: 

• NEWCASTLE, N.S.W.: Tuesday October 15, 7.30 p.m. in Hamilton Wesley Church.
• Beaumont St., Hamilton (suburb of Newcastle). 
• BRISBANE, Queensland: Wednesday October 16, 8 p.m. in A11 Saints Hall, Ann Street, Brisbane City.
• ADELAIDE, S.A.: Friday October 18, 8 p.m. in A.M.P. Auditorium, corner North Terrace and King William Street, Adelaide.
• PERTH, W.A.: HARVEY, COLLIE AND DISTRICT: W.A.: Saturday, October 19, 8 p.m. in Christian Centre, 146 Beaufort Street, Perth City.
• Harvey Collie and District: WA: Sunday, October 20, 8.30 p.m., in R.S.L. Hall, 19,  Spencer Street, Bunbury.
• SUTHERLAND AND WOLLONGONG, N.S.W.: Tuesday, October 22, combined meeting for Wollongong and Sutherland, 8 p.m. in the Reformed Church, Glencoe Street, Sutherland.
• SYDNEY AND DEE WHY, N.S.W.: Wednesday October 23, combined meeting for Sydney and Dee Why, p.m. in St. David’s Church, 12 Arthur St., Surrey Hills.
• BLACKTOWN, N.S.W.: Thursday October 24, 8 p.m. in the Reformed Church, Sunnyholt Road, corner Fourth Avenue.
• CANBERRA, A.C.T.: Friday October 25, 8.15 p.m. In the Hughes Community Centre, Hughes, A.C.T.
• GEELONG, Victoria: Saturday, October 26, 8 p.m. in the Reformed Church, 233 Pakington Street, Newtown.
• DANDENONG, Vic: Sunday, October 27, 8.15 p.m., Youth Rally under auspices of the Victorian Branch F.C.Y.A., in Dandenong Town Hall.
• LEONGATHA, Vic.: Monday, October 28, 1.30 p.m. in the Methodist Church, Bruce Street, Leongatha.
• MELBOURNE, Vic.: Monday, October 28, 8 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, 156 Collins Street, Melbourne.
• NORTH WEST COAST Tas.: Tuesday, October 29, 8 p.m. in the Ulverstone High School, Ulverstone.
• LAUNCESTON, Tas.: Wednesday, October 30, p.m. in Andrew’s Kirk, Corner Patterson and John Streets, Launceston.
• HOBART, Tas.: Thursday October 31, 8 p.m. in Hobart Town Hall, Macquarie Street.