Let the Search Begin
As we continued our journey of faith through various small-scale fundraising activities, the Lord began to bring further clarity to our vision. In 2016, He refined our search criteria—defining the project budget, location parameters, structural requirements, and overall timeline for our Church Home project. This clarity was essential, as our congregation had grown beyond its early days, becoming a thriving, multi-generational community of believers committed to worship and the Great Commission.
To ensure that our efforts were focused and effective, a dedicated committee was established, leading to the creation of the Building Prospectus, a guiding document that would serve as the framework for our search. The following essential criteria were established for our future church home:
- Within a 20km radius of Leisurelife Centre
- A seated capacity of 200 members
- 50 onsite car parks
- Place of Worship use permitted in the town planning scheme (via change of use if required)
With the release of this Building Prospectus and a projected cost of $2.5 million, we took a bold step forward in faith, launching our very first fundraising pledge exercise among our members from 2016 to 2019. The goal was to grow our seed fund significantly, enabling us to carry out meaningful searches for suitable properties. We believed that just as God provided for His people in the past, He would also provide for us in His perfect time.
Walking by Faith: The Search Begins
We thank God that in 2018, He began opening doors for us to explore various properties, ranging from commercial warehouses and existing church buildings to vacant land. Each property provided us with valuable learning experiences as our project team and church leadership prayerfully weighed the options against our essential search criteria. Throughout this process, we sought God’s wisdom, discerned the market, and placed offers in faith. While some opportunities did not materialize, God was shaping us through every step, strengthening our unity and deepening our trust in His provision.
As the COVID-19 pandemic started to subside, we were informed by the Town of Victoria Park that a major redevelopment of our current precinct, including Leisurelife Centre, was planned for the near future. How great is our God, who had already prepared us for this transition even before we received this news! This development brought a new sense of urgency to our search, leading us to explore an alternative approach: “lease first, buy later.”
God’s Perfect Timing: A Breakthrough in 2023
Although several offers did not come to fruition, God remained faithful. He continued to unify our church family, deepening our resolve to trust in His divine timing. Then, in June 2023, after years of searching and praying, God led us to a remarkable opportunity—a vacant land at 8 Blackwood Avenue, Hamilton Hill that aligned with our search criteria.
As with all previous prospects, we exercised wisdom and diligence. Our team:
- Verified the town planning scheme to ensure compliance
- Conducted land valuation and market analysis
- Consulted with a builder to discuss construction feasibility
- Led prayer walks over the land, seeking prophetic confirmation
After much prayer, prophetic guidance, and a deep sense of God’s peace, our leadership team embraced a long-term vision for a permanent church home in Hamilton Hill. We recognized this as an opportunity not just to build a structure but to establish a spiritual stronghold for God’s kingdom—a place that would empower future generations to proclaim the gospel, disciple believers, and bless the City of Cockburn and Western Australia.
Sealing the Promise: A Testimony of God’s Provision
In a miraculous display of God’s provision, a few generous members promptly contributed an additional $125,000, enabling us to finalize our offer. With great faith, our leadership team proceeded, and on 5th October 2023, the seller officially accepted our offer. The purchase contract was signed, sealing the deal and marking a historic milestone in our journey!
We give all glory and honor to our God, who has led us step by step in this incredible journey of faith. As Ephesians 3:20-21 declares:
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”
This is just the beginning. The vision is now unfolding before our eyes, and we trust that God, who has brought us this far, will see it to completion. Let us continue to walk together in faith, united in prayer, and committed to the work of the Great Commission. Our Church Home Project is not just about securing a building—it is about establishing a spiritual legacy for generations to come.
To God be the glory, now and forever! Amen.
