Living the hope Jesus brings

The point of us

We exist to build up local people in the hope of Jesus Christ. We pray and work to see people mature in their trust in Jesus, and to experience his hope, healing and joy.

Our priorities

To reach those who are distant from hope with the hope of Jesus.
To build a healthy, safe and welcoming community hub for Brunswick West.
To care for, equip and send out mature disciples of Jesus.

What we value

A Bible-formed and cross-shaped ministry. With God’s help, we will work to be a church grounded in learning from God’s word, the Bible. We will aim to point with humility to the reality of God in Jesus Christ, not only with our words but also by the changes he has made to our lives. The cross of Jesus undergirds the message we speak and the life of discipleship we ask God to help us live. We ask God to help us serve in the power of the Holy Spirit, using our weaknesses and vulnerabilities to help us grow up in Christ. This is for our own sake, and also for the sake of those we are responsible to love and serve.

Using the gifts we have in the places God has placed us. The major work of our church is done by our members living out their lives in the places God has put them. The point of us gathering, teaching and pastoring as Christians is to encourage, equip, and strengthen the daily-life ministry of our members. When we meet together, we also share the gifts that God has given us to build up the church. We can only do things that God gives us the gifts to do. Whether we work together as a church or in the places God has set each of us to serve Him, we will pray for willing spirits to see and take up the opportunities God puts before us. We are not embarrassed by small ministries because we know that often small acts of kindness are significant. So, we will plant and water in the places God gives us, knowing it is only God who grows things. Life is his gift, not ours.

Beauty in brokenness. Our area has many who have deep experiences of brokenness. Though it is costly and risky to do, we embrace this brokenness, believing, as the apostle Paul was shown, that God’s grace is enough for us because his power is made perfect in our weakness. This means we expect to have to be patient with each other, to often have to go slow, but we also have hope. We expect to see spiritual growth, increasing health and purpose for all who seek Christ’s help as his disciples.

To build up and to send out. Our local area is a transient area and becoming more so as apartment complexes replace the factories, houses and flats of earlier generations. We aim to reach out to many, and to build those who respond up in Christ, knowing most will move on to the next stage of their life and serve Jesus elsewhere. So we accept the work of regular welcoming and the grief of regular farewells. We realise our part in people’s journey with Christ is only for a time.

Note, in December 2025, this is a draft statement which has been review by our parish council and is awating feedback from our church members. If you have feedback to offer on this page, please let us know through our contact page.