Pastor Dave & Tana Black

Following the grievous death of Coastlands Founder Ps. John Robertshaw, in 2001, and in accordance with his desire, the Coastlands Board of Directors unanimously agreed to call Dave and Tana, who were at the time ministering in Fiji, to come and take up the leadership role of Coastlands Ministry.  Having finished their work in Fiji and Vanuatu, and having obtained Australian Permanent Resident status, they are now based in Bowen, Queensland, Australia.  Pastor Dave is the Director, and Chairman of the Board of Coastlands Ministry.

Dave and Tana have been Christians more than 40 years, serving God in ordained ministry for over 25 years and bring with them a wealth of Biblical teaching, counseling and pastoral experience.  Along with this, they are also knowledgeable and experienced sailors, having sailed from Venezuela to Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, on the East coast of the U.S.A, and their yacht “Liberty” from the Canadian border to Mexico, and, again, from Seattle, Washington to Bowen Australia.  They also have had many “outback” experiences in the deserts and winters of Montana while living there.  Dave is also a commercially rated airplane pilot, and an experienced Broadcast Engineer with numerous other credentials from the FCC and FAA.  Both are experienced teachers.  Tana has an Honours degree in Psychology and has taught English, French, and Reading.  She is currently teaching Religious Education in the Bowen State School and serving as Treasurer in Bowen Women’s Aglow.  Dave has held teaching credentials from the State of Washington and is a Master Instructor with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as well as being Crew qualified.  Both have a passion to serve God, and to help local churches in the remote, isolated, hard to get to places of the world.  They are on the ministry team at Bowen Christian Family Centre and regularly teach/preach there, at Collinsville, and at other local churches.

We have no greater joy than serving our Lord Jesus Christ!  Our goal and vision is to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you… To “make disciples” of Christ is what we are called to do.  Not to take our culture to them, but to take the Kingdom culture of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Many go and preach, but few are willing to endure the hardships necessary to see His Church built in those “unpopular” and hard to get to places of the world.  Few are willing to suffer days in a small boat, miserable, wet and often frightened or to travel hundreds of kilometers over rough tracks in a 4WD to get to a remote village to bring His “Good News” and encouragement.  These people are the current true heroes of the Faith and our heart is to do everything possible to help them in accomplishing their missions. 

We will accomplish this vision:

By going ourselves or by supporting the others who are called to go,

Through our radio base here in Bowen which provides twice daily radio schedules with those in the field which includes detailed weather reports, health and welfare information, counseling and pastoral care.  We provide a telephone interconnect system that allows those at sea or in remote areas to make phone contact with their families, liaise with their local sending pastors, with doctors for medical advice, and with master mechanics for repair and replacement information.  We provide an unattended HF radio email service for missionary vessels and vehicles,

Through our annual Summit which provides a wonderful time of fellowship, networking, teaching, and ministry.

We will do any and everything our Lord directs to accomplish His vision.

We desire to pour out our lives to support the local churches in those hard to get to and often dangerous parts of the world.  We have built the only Christian radio station in Northern Uganda, (upgraded this year) and are working hard to begin supporting the local Congo River Ministry in Africa.  We plan, with the help of others, to rebuild the radio network in Vanuatu.  We know our limitations and seek to network with other like-minded brothers and sisters to see the work of our Lord go forth. 

With this in mind, and in understanding Scriptures such as 1 Samuel 30:24, Psalm 68:12, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 25:14-30  Romans 16:1-2 and 3 John 5:5-8, which tell us that ‘as his part is who goes down to the battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies,’ we prayerfully, earnestly and eagerly invite you to partner with Coastlands Ministry both financially and in prayer to help accomplish the Great Commission given to all of us in Matthew 28:19-20.