WorldChangers
As a church we believe that we have the power to make a difference in Our Community, Our Country and Our World. Mission is a core value and vision of our whole church and we invite the entire church to own and be a part of it. As a church our mission is our heart beat and not an appendage or “ministry area”.
We are aware that there are so many ‘good causes’, needs and opportunities. However we are about harnessing our resources and strategically focusing them where we believe God is calling us to minister.
Our vision has been divided into three categories; “Our Community”, “Our Country” and “Our World”. These areas are outlined below and will continue to be evaluated by the leadership of the church. Our current goals are also listed below.
If you would like to know more about WorldChangers as a whole or a particular area mentioned, how you can be involved practically or if you wish to make a donation, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to seeing and experiencing what God will do in His power through our church.
Our Community
Farmborough Road Public School
This year we will continue to invest our resources into Farmborough Road Public School in several ways.
Kids Hope Aust.
Community Impact.
Inner City Meals Program
In partnership with Gateway City Church a Food Van goes out every Tuesday to minister to an inner city public housing area providing evening meals and support. Our vision is to increase this ministry from once to twice per week. It has been great to see the involvement and working together of so many volunteers from both churches and the use of what was an under-utilised church kitchen in serving the poor.
Food Parcels
Every Wednesday morning a team of volunteers are on hand to sort and package non perishable food items donated by the congregation to provide food parcels to those who are experiencing financial hardship in our church and community. At Christmas extra parcels are provided for individuals and families, including the Farmborough Road Public School Community and Family Centre.
Christmas in the Mall
It all started Christmas 2007 when we decided to take our celebrations ‘down the street’ to our City Mall and share the Spirit of Christmas with our community through music, singing, kids’ activities, clowns and street theatre. Christmas in the Mall began! Christmas in the Mall is now held the Thursday evening and Saturday before Christmas as our gift to our community, all activities paid for by the church and free to the community.
Relay for Life – Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th 2009
Each year the church community gets involved in the Wollongong 24 hour Relay for Life event raising awareness and funds for cancer. Relay for Life is one way we join other community groups to make a difference.
Personal Development & Recovery Courses
Today the brokenness and woundedness of life is evident in our church and community. Through courses and workshops we share the grace and forgiveness of Christ and as people get back on their feet they discover the potential God has created in them. In 2009 our key focus is to offer courses to facilitate spiritual health in our church community, along with the continuance of the Separation and Divorce Recovery Workshop.
Our Country
Aboriginal Community Partnership
In the upcoming year we plan to identify and build a relational partnership with an Aboriginal community that we can serve, bless and share the grace and love of Christ. Whether this community is suburban, country or ‘outback’ is open to the direction of the Spirit and yet to be decided.
Serving Churches
As a church so richly blessed by many gifts and resources we aim to serve and help equip like-minded churches whether it be in practical deed or in ministry training.
Our World
Currently we are strategically investing our resources into Asia in two locations, Sri Lanka and the Philippines. We will be harnessing our spiritual gifts and financial resources to empower other cultural communities to help themselves. This is incarnational mission. It is our view that the Spirit will continue to inspire our leadership regarding the support of other South East Asian communities in the future.
Sri Lanka
In February ’08 Bret visited Sri Lanka to build a relationship with Dr Sir Adrian De Visser of Kithu Sevana Ministries. This was to explore a potential long term partnership with this incredible national movement.
In April / May ’09 we plan to send a team to assist in a building project that we will fund. We will also be assisting in the training and equipping of staff and leaders involved in the children’s orphanages and women’s center.
The Philippines
For four years a team of people have set out from our church to build houses, community centres, build relationships and make a significant difference in the Kabugwason Village.
Planning has commenced for the next trip for the second part of 2009, more details soon.
Also, we continue to have quarterly funds released by Global Mission Partners (Churches of Christ Overseas Aid) to support he Medical Mission led by Pastor Noel Bolero of Metro Bacolod Church of Christ and $220 per month is provided to assist with Pastor Noel’s stipend and support the church’s outreach into Kabugwason Village.
WorldChangers Goals
OUR COMMUNITY
• To support and serve Farmborough Road Public School through the Kids Hope Aus. Mentoring program and in practical ways such as Community impact projects, serving at fetes and assisting with children’s games at community days.
• To assist individuals and families in financial hardships through the provision of food hampers and by partnering with Gateway City Church in the Food Van Ministry feeding people down the street at least once per week.
• To share the festivities and story of Christmas in Wollongong City Mall in the week prior to Christmas.
• To participate and serve in the Relay for Life community event.
• To continue to develop personal development and recovery courses and workshops for those hurting in our community.
• To provide benevolent and generous care to people in need.
OUR COUNTRY
• To strategically partner with an Aboriginal indigenous community.
• To share our gifts and resources with like-minded churches where called upon.
OUR WORLD
• To continue to develop the relationship with Dr Sir Adrian De Visser and Kithu Sevana Ministries in Sri Lanka, serving, sending impact teams and resourcing this movement where possible.
• To raise funds of over $100,000 and send two teams to build 20 houses for the Tamil Community in Sri Lanka over the next two+ years.
• To strategically support our partnership with Metro Bacolod Church of Christ in the Philippines and their Medical and Outreach Ministries.
Our financial goal is to raise $100,000 over the 08 / 09 financial year for WorldChangers, so as to achieve our goals.
Members of our congregation have made a faith promise of what they believe God is calling them or challenging them to give, above their general offering, to the mission, WorldChangers ministries of our church. Approximately $130,000 has been promised in faith.
At the end of December 2008 close to $60,000 has been donated through faith promises with nearly $14,000 of income received through fundraising and other donations. We believe that we can make a difference and be WorldChangers!
CareWorks NSW
We continue to enjoy a partnership with Churches of Christ NSW CareWorks that provide both ministry support and provide tax deductibility for some of our local community projects.
Global Mission Partners (Churches of Christ Overseas Aid)
We are grateful for the support and partnership with Global Mission Partners in Overseas Projects.
WorldChangers Events
If there are no events below, then there are no planned events, please check back again later or call the church office