NEWS Honouring our ‘Generals’: George Forbes & John Lewis

On 22nd August, two much loved ACC ‘generals’ entered eternity, both leaving incredible legacies of their faithful service and leadership, and an inspiration for us today to lay down our lives to build the Kingdom.

GEORGE FORBES 1932- 2020

The ACC family honours the life and service of Pastor George Forbes who spear-headed the AOG missions arm for almost three decades and established the solid foundation for our missions work today. Born again and Spirit-filled in 1949, George immediately sensed and obeyed God’s call into full-time ministry. Following Bible college training, he served seven churches over 20 years in pastoral leadership together with his wife, Nancy. He was then recruited by Pastor CL Greenwood in 1969 as Secretary-Treasurer of Foreign Missions for the Assemblies of God in Australia, and was handed a ‘shoebox of files and information’ on missions. This turning point expanded in 1973, when the Assemblies of God in Australia appointed him General Director of World Missions. Over the next decades, George served the fellowship, growing an ever-expanding team until there were more than 150 adults in the missionary team, serving full time in over 30 countries. One striking example was the Assemblies of God of Papua New Guinea, which grew to consist of more churches and members than ACC Australia, as, under George’s guidance, the number of missionaries was reduced so the focus could be shifted to unreached peoples. With a seemingly indefatigable passion and global vision, he inspired leaders, raised finances and led this dynamic mission for thirty years, finally retiring in 1999. George is internationally recognised as a missions mobiliser and strategist, and an inspirational communicator of missions, always drawing attention to the ‘gospel-deprived’ the unreached people groups. A competent storyteller, he drew on a wealth of knowledge and skillfully communicated God’s heart for the world, orally, and through his well-researched writings, which earned him a number of degrees. Most significantly however, he catalysed generations of leaders to commit their lives for Jesus Christ and His Cause in the earth!

JOHN LEWIS 1942- 2020

One of the great leaders of our movement, Pastor John Lewis, served on the State and National Executives, and chaired the board of the Bible College, to pave the way for Alphacrucis in the new millennium. Born in England, John gave his life to the Lord at the age of nine. The Lewis family immigrated to Australia in 1951 and eventually settled in Melbourne He worked as a plumber and completed teacher’s college, before marrying Val Doubikin in 1964. He served as youth pastor at Richmond Temple and travelled around Victoria, preaching. In 1972, John and Val relocated to Calvary Temple, Townsville with their young family to join the youth team. They went on to plant the Ingham church and establish The Ark café, inspired by The Cross & the Switchblade. In 1976 John was invited to become Senior Pastor of the Stafford AOG in Brisbane. The church grew rapidly under his leadership as Northside Christian Family church (today Nexus Church) and established Northside Christian College in 1985. Together with Val, he led Northside for 31 years. John served the movement in numerous leadership levels; he served on the Queensland State Executive as State President, and served on the National Executive for over 20 years, and was elected as the National Vice President in 1997. In 1999, he became chair of the board of the Southern Cross Bible College (later renamed Alphacrucis College) which he served for nine years. After retiring from day to day ministry, John & Val continued to minister in local churches and heading up the ACC Pastors Emeritus as national leaders. In 2020, John was diagnosed John with Mesothelioma and valiantly fought in faith until he passed away into eternity on 21 August 2020.