Why Fellow Jesus - 16. to Belong To A Caring Community

Hello and welcome to Van Life Devotions. We are in beautiful Busselton, and this is the famous Busselton Jetty which is the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere at nearly 2 kilometres long. Today it has become a major tourist destination in Western Australia.

However, it has an incredible history, one that speaks about the importance of community. The first section of the Jetty was built in 1865 but over the years it was extended up until the 1960s. The last commercial ship used this jetty in 1971. It was officially closed in 1972 and fell into disrepair due to neglect, rot, and fires.

In 1978 Cyclone Alby destroyed much of the shore-end of the jetty. The local community, seeing their beloved jetty in disrepair came together and formed committees and over the years raise funds for repairs and lobbied governments and businesses for help. Storms and damage continued, but the community worked hard together and in 2011 this $27 million refurbishment was completed.

Today, the Jetty continues to grow with visitor numbers nearing 800,000 per year. What an achievement that started by the local community coming together.

One of the great reasons to be a follower of Jesus is the love and support one receives. When you become a follower you become a part of a family of other followers – commonly known as the church.

According to the Bible, the church is a gathering of believers and seekers who support each other in prayer and other practical needs, learn together how to be a follower of Jesus, share with others the message of God’s love, and care for the vulnerable.

Describing the very first church, the Bible says, “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common” (Acts 2:42-44 NIV).

In 2007, Northlands Church in Georgia, noticed a growing number of people attending their services were battling addiction. Instead of treating them as problems to be fixed, the church leadership made a radical choice — they created space for healing inside the church.

They launched a ministry called Out of Darkness, specifically aimed at helping those struggling with addiction, homelessness, and human trafficking. The church provided not only prayer and pastoral care but also housing, therapy, job training, and most importantly — a community that didn’t judge.

One of the early members was a young woman named Brittany, who had been trafficked, addicted, and homeless. Through the church's support, she found recovery, went back to school, and eventually became a licensed counsellor — helping others walk the same road she once did.

Over the years, this church helped hundreds of women and men out of crisis. Their approach was simple but radical: Love first. Heal second. Preach always.

If you are not a part of a healthy biblical church, pray and google. Pray that God will guide you to a church and maybe google churches in your area. You are also welcome to get in contact with us.

You don’t need to be a follower to be accepted by a church. All are welcome. The church exists to rally together to worship God, care for one another, and teach about following Jesus.

I invite you to pray with me.

Father God.

I am sorry that I am a sinner.

Thank you for forgiving me.

Please guide me to a church community

where I can be loved and share Your love.

Enable me to put my trust in You and

to obey Your teachings.

In Jesus’ name

Amen.

David Moyes