Andy and Keris Hobbs say the benefits of becoming part of Salt Church core team were nothing like they'd expected.
Before going to Wollongong the Hobbs say they were comfortable and happy serving in the church they were in, and already serving in a number of ministries.
“It's not as if we were coasting along, but it was easier because we were in established relationships,” Keris says.
But God kept bringing the idea of church planting in front of them. They both had very portable jobs and a heart for the Gospel, and they began to wonder whether He was asking more of them.
“If we could come up with excuses why we shouldn't go somewhere, then no-one would ever do it,” Andy says.
The Hobbs joined Dan and Renae Godden in planting in Wollongong just over two years ago. The commitment meant shifting from the Central Coast to a city only Keris had been to before, and then only once.
“I think when I joined the core team I thought, 'I'll do this, I'll serve in this way,' and I thought there were lots of things I'd give to church planting,” Keris remembers.
But it wasn't long before she realised that God had other plans.
“God really challenged me,” she says, thinking of the people she has laboured alongside of. “And in the last couple of years, being here, I've grown more than I've grown in the rest of my Christian life.”
Andy adds it also hasn't just been about experiencing personal growth. Many of their unexpected blessings have come from growing in company with others.
“There were a number of people who would be good at different things – things that I wasn't good at, and Keris wasn't good at,” he explains.
“But everyone brought different gifts, and together we complemented each other,” Keris adds.
“And so, though we've been giving a lot, we've been receiving more,” Andy says.
