The Beginnings of Christian Outreach Centre

John Thorburn

Part I: Clark Taylor's Life and Ministry.

Clark Taylor was a name that was well known in Australia, especially in Queensland, in the late seventies and the early eighties.

Every person who came across this man, either in person or through the medium of television could not avoid being touched and impacted by this dynamic and unconventional minister.

Taylor's outgoing personality and his total dedication to the preaching of the Gospel were used by God to touch many lives. The result of this man's God-given vision and his obedience to see that vision fulfilled is known today as Christian Outreach Centre.

Clark Taylor was born in Queensland in 1937 to Joe and Rita Taylor. His mother had always prayed, "Lord, make him a minister", and like most mothers had always felt that her son was special.

In his early years, Clark had a great dislike for things academic. He was even known to have eaten green fruit in an attempt to avoid having to go to school.

Taylor was never afraid of hard physical work, having spent many hours working on the family property at Palen Creek, near Rathdowney, 70 miles south of Brisbane.

At the age of 14 his family moved to the Northern Territory, where they leased a property and raised beef cattle. At the age of 16 he was running a mustering camp, where he had authority over some of the roughest and toughest men in the Territory.

One sad event that took place during this period of his life was the death of his father who was killed in a tractor accident. It was after this tragedy that Clark moved back down south where he was to encounter something that would change his life forever.

Conversion

The year was 1959 and at the urging of his Aunt Alexandra, Clark Taylor found himself at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds where American evangelist, Billy Graham was holding a series of crusade meetings.

The following is an extract from the magazine A New Way of Living where the journalist describes what happened that night.

The choir, hundreds strong, led by Crusade Songleader Cliff Barrows, sang fervently. Tonight was the final night of the Crusade. The bright moonlight revealed a scene typical of Billy's crusades. Thousands had gathered - many from outback Queensland, to join in what had already been described as an historic event in Australian church life.

The words of the hymn meant nothing, Clark told himself. Sitting on the grass in the arena, looking up at the thousands in the grandstands, he cursed their churchiness and their assurance. Had there been a group of vocal hecklers, he might have joined them ... but here, he was alone - as alone as he had been on other moonlit nights, far, far away from crowds ... and from Christianity. The crowd fell silent, drawing Clark's gaze to the stage in the centre of the arena. The boyish looking Cliff Barrows had stepped back, giving place to a tall wavy-haired man whose craggy face and penetrating eyes commanded Clark's attention: Billy Graham.

So this was Billy Graham. A dark suited, fortyish, tall figure whose right hand held a New Testament, whose left hand index finger stabbed skyward, and whose voice carried clearly to every part of the arena. After praying, Billy began to preach. He would preach for around forty minutes on this night. He would question, answer, anticipate, explain. He would speak of Heaven, and warn of Hell; he would even object, on his listeners behalf, to his own statements. "But Billy, you say ..." would be repeated often ... followed soon after by, "The Bible says ..." By the close of his sermon he would have answered every objection, closed every exit, leaving only Jesus, The Way. He would have spoken thousands of words ... and Clark would not have heard one of them.

"CLARK". The voice, unlike any Clark had ever heard, somehow entered into the very centre of his being. There in front of him, and slightly above the heads of those seated a few feet away, stood Jesus. During the next forty or so minutes something took place that was unknown ... even to Clark Taylor. Somehow the spirit of a man which life had battered and embittered received an awakening, in a communion that would defy explanation.

Then He was gone...and Clark, aware once again of his surroundings, was amazed to find that Billy Graham had finished speaking. The choir was again singing ... this time softly, invitingly ... "Just as I am". The evangelist was standing, head bowed, chin propped, silently praying ... In the moonlight, people were streaming forward ... from the grandstand, from the open air seats, and from the grassed oval where Clark sat, stirred in his heart as never before.

Still within him, the battle raged, as reason fought revelation and pent up anger the love of Jesus Christ. Verse after verse was sung. Still they came-- people from all walks of life; men and women of all ages....coming to Christ. It was time. Fighting feelings of foolishness, Clark rose to his feet and joined the throngs.

What a beautiful description of a night that would change one man forever, but also see the beginnings of a ministry that would see worldwide effect.

Spirit-filled Ministry

In 1961, Clark began training for the Methodist ministry. It was during this time that he met and married his wife, Anne. This union was to produce three children, Linda, Philip and Robin.

In 1963, Clark contracted cerebral malaria, which would cause him to lapse into periods of unconsciousness. In 1967, he received healing from this disease. This was the same year that he was baptised in the Holy Spirit.

Clark and Anne then spent time as Assistant Ministers in the Holland Park Methodist Circuit where they were responsible for St. Paul's Church at Upper Mount Gravatt. It was during this time that Clark began to have difficulties with his denomination over the gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit which were happening under his ministry.

Clark was then to spend some time at Kings College, but he eventually resigned from the Methodist Church in 1970. He then joined himself with Trevor Chandler at the Windsor Full Gospel and then they started the Christian Life Centre.

This partnership lasted until 1972, when Clark resigned and spent the next eighteen months in travelling ministry. After receiving a prophetic word, Clark returned to Brisbane where he commenced Christian Outreach Centre.

From very small beginnings of 25 adults meeting in his home, C.O.C. has grown through many different stages to what it is today. The vision began as Australia for Christ but this later grew to Reaching Our World for Christ.

Clark was known for his radical and unusual approach to ministry but there was no denying the anointing that was on his life.

Another outstanding aspect was in his ability to impart the ministry gifts to the pastors of C.O.C. Even though there was no formal theological training, he equipped these pastors in such a way that they were sent into towns and they established strong and vibrant churches. Even though this method had its limitations, it was instrumental in establishing churches in cities where there was very little Christian influence.

There were many other aspects of his ministry, such as television, outreaches, establishing Christian schools, and in the latter stages, a Christian Teachers College and School of Ministry.

Clark Taylor resigned from Christian Outreach Centre in 1989, and is now involved in itinerant evangelistic ministry. He should primarily be remembered as a man who ministered powerfully in the anointing of God and as the pioneer of a movement that has not only touched Australia, a country that he loved, but a movement that has impacted the world.

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Part II: Christian Outreach Centre, Mansfield

At the end of Wecker Road in the Brisbane suburb of Mansfield stands a complex which is the hub of what is now a worldwide movement. From a small beginning of 25 people in the lounge room of Clark and Anne Taylor's home on 16 June, 1974, this church has grown to a current membership of approximately 2500 people, while the movement that was birthed from its vision has grown to a worldwide membership of 349 churches.

After that first meeting the numbers grew so rapidly that the church saw the need to move to larger premises. They spent the next nine months meeting in the Teachers Union Building in Spring Hill until further growth forced another move.

By God's miraculous provision the old Salvation Army Hall in Trafalga Street, Wooloongabba was purchased. This building was soon bursting at the seams and after knocking out walls and even joining up to the house next door it had finally outgrown its usefulness.

West End

Premises at 100 Victoria Street, West End were then purchased and the church was to have its home here for the next six and a half years. It was during this time that the Centre saw tremendous growth through the use of the medium of television.

A program called A New Way Of Living was produced and was shown on Sunday mornings. God had placed a powerful anointing for healing miracles and salvation over the church and as people saw these things happening in their lounge rooms they were drawn to the Centre to see for themselves.

Even though many had come out of curiosity and to have a look at this madman who seemed to break all the rules of what a preacher should be, many were saved as they sat under the anointing of God and saw the miracles that were taking place.

Another ministry that saw growth was with the children. It was during this time that Neil Meirs came on staff to head up the childrens work. Every Saturday Neil would take his eager team out into the streets and to the shopping centres. There they would be dressed up as clowns and would put on shows and invite the kids to come to Sunday School. As the children came, so did the parents.

The church continued this steady growth until once again the building was too small. Even though it seemed humanly impossible and too big a task, the people of Christian Outreach Centre once again put their trust in God.

Mansfield

Land was purchased at 322 Wecker and work was begun on the current Auditorium. Even though the cost was great, once again God supplied every need and the building was officially opened in May, 1983.

Even though the founder's personal battle with immorality lead to his dismissal from the ministry in 1989, the movement which he founded is still growing strongly today. This proves beyond doubt that if God wants to build and use something to touch people, he will do so. And he will do it despite the weakness and the imperfections of the people that he chooses.

Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of Christian Outreach Centre has been its desire to "equip the saints for the work of the ministry", and to see that work carried out throughout the nations of the world.

In its early years there was great emphasis placed on the vision to see Australia for Christ. There were many pastors sent out from the Centre and even though they had only very basic training they were having a great impact wherever they went. This is because of the emphasis that was placed on relying on the Spirit of God to see you through.

Many ministries

While this was a good principle to live by, over the years it was realised that more was needed. This lead to the establishment of another important part of the ongoing ministry of the Church. This is education.

The Church now has the facilities in place to educate and train people from Primary through Secondary and on to Christian Heritage College. Every day there are over 2000 men, woman and children either training or being trained within the grounds of the church.

Another important part of the ethos of the church is its Sunday services. These are a time of great joy and celebration of what God has done and is continuing to do in and through His people. There is always a time of praise and worship where people are free to express their love for God.

Another strength is found in the variety and quality of the messages which are preached from the pulpit. Because of the size and reputation of the church it is able to attract world renowned ministries to supplement the quality of the `in house' preachers. This provides the members with a very well balanced diet of spiritual food.

One of the challenges which a church of this size faces is found in the size itself. Because of the large numbers of people who gather together in one place every Sunday it is very difficult to maintain a family atmosphere. People can come along and not even be noticed.

In fact, it was not uncommon to find two people who had been attending the Church for a period of time and had never met each other.

This problem has been overcome by the introduction of the Home Cell principle. It has taken about 12 months to get people away from reliance on the Pastor to meet their needs and to look to each other for support. This has totally changed the atmosphere in the church and has formed a much friendlier and closer relationship amongst the people.

In summing up it is perhaps important to look at the vision statement of the Church: "Our vision is to lead people to Christ making disciples in our neighbourhood, city, nation, and overseas."

The church was founded with the vision of outreach and it has seen success in this area. As a church and as individuals, we need to continue to be open to allow the Holy Spirit to mould us, change us, train us and use us.

If we continue to do this and remain faithful to God, we will continue to see our God-given vision fulfilled.

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