Hope Melbourne 26th Anniversary & Opening of New Building

There are some dreams that God has placed in your heart to accomplish that you find yourself patiently waiting for to come into fulfilment, almost to the point that you begin to doubt or begin to feel that the dreams are just destined to remain outside your grasp.

[Gathering together to celebrate the purchase of our New Church Building 2015]

More than 10 years ago, our church began to dream of having a place to call home. A building fund was set up and over the years many people faithfully gave. People not only gave financially, but sacrificed their time to pray for God’s provision and to pray for God’s leading in finding the right location and what type of church we should be seeking to build. Over those years, several attempts were made to find a place. There were many discussions about where to locate ourselves, what were we looking for and the right timing to buy. However, each time it seemed that the time was never right. It was hard not to get a little disheartened as the time drifted on and we were no closer to the fulfilment of the dream. During this time there was no lack of words, visions and pictures from people earnestly seeking the Lord’s guidance and direction. We had visions of the church growing into a place where there would be a school, a medical centre, and a counselling centre.

[During the Celebration of our New Church Building, we implanted God’s Word on the walls]
[Renovation of our New Building underway in 2016]

In 2013, Ps Ian Foley sensed that God was telling him that it was time for him to accomplish some of the dreams that had been on his heart that had yet to be accomplished. Ps Ian commenced to form a committee to find us a new home. It is with a little sense of wonder that we look back on this time, because it was just around this time that Ps Matthew took over the leadership of Waverley. Prior to being a Pastor, Matthew had been an architect and had also recently helped City Centre find a new premise to lease. It is amazing how God can provide the right people with the right expertise to see this dream come into reality. Over the next two years or so, the dream slowly became reality.

 

[Our Local Councillor Bill Pontekis with Ps Ian Foley and Ps Wilson Lim Official Opening the New Church Building]

Today, we celebrate the fulfilment of this dream that started over 10 years ago, to have a place called home. On Sunday 31st October, the four centres in Melbourne with Ps Wilson gathered together to celebrate our official opening of our new church building and also to celebrate our 26th Church Anniversary.

[Cutting the Cake to Celebrate Hope Melbourne’s 26th Anniversary in our New Church Building. From Left to Right: Ps Lai Ling Lim, Ps Wilson Lim, Ps Ian Foley, Ps Daisy Foley, Councillor Bill Pontekis, Barbara Pontekis]

 

 [Our New Auditorium]

 

[What a Blessing to have Ps Wilson Lim celebrating with us and sharing the word with us]
[What is a Celebration without the Generous and Faithful Service of our Brothers and Sisters preparing food for lunch]

The theme for the day is “Greater” and it is fitting because the dream that started off as us having a place to call home has evolved into us having a place that can be a place of refuge for those who come to us in need. So today, we have a place to call home so that tomorrow, we can grow our church into a refuge for the lost, the hopeless, the outsider, the marginalised, the people God is calling us to minister to. The dream continues but now we have greater hope and greater faith in what we will see happen next.

Written by Rob Saunders, Hope Melbourne 

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Ps Brendan Kirby

Brendan and Helen Kirby are the founding pastors of Hope Church in Adelaide. Brendan became a Christian in 1984, and joined Hope Melbourne in 1991. In the 80’s Brendan trained in physics at The University Of Melbourne, and graduated with a PhD in 1989. Since then he has worked as a post doctoral fellow and research scientist for about 23 years in various government research organizations. He married Helen in 1994, and in early 1998 they moved to Adelaide plant the Hope Church together while they both were working. He resigned his job as a research scientist for the Australian Defence in 2012 to work full time as a pastor.  Brendan is passionate about building and planting churches, and oversees churches in Perth, West Africa, Central Africa and India.

Ps Lance Wolter

Ps Lance & Belle were married in 2006 while pioneering Hope Church Gold Coast. As time went on they began to also become more and more involved helping with other churches in Australia and missional work (especially in Africa). In late 2018, they both took a leap of faith and relocated to Southern Africa to help churches in that region to become more fruitful in discipleship and the multiplication of churches. They are currently serving over 180 churches in Southern and Eastern Africa as well as churches in Gold Coast, New South Wales and ACT (Australia). Lance and Belle are passionate about pioneering community empowerment and social justice projects for the poorest of the poor. The family is also blessed with two beautiful children, Michael and Hadessah.

Ps Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont

Pastor Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont came to know Jesus Christ in 1988 at Hope of Bangkok church when he was a high school student. After he graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architechure from KMITL Bangkok, he was trained and sent out to be the pastor of Hope of Hatyai church in 1996. He then moved to be a regional pastor at Hope Nakornrachasima and oversaw the North East region of Thailand. In 2000, he moved to Hope Bangkok church to join the pastoral team and oversaw the North region of Bangkok. In 2002, he moved back to Hatyai again and oversaw the Southern and North East of Thailand. He is currently the Vice President of HIM Thailand. Pastor Chaiyapruck is married to Pastor Patcharee. They have 2 daughters.

Ps Chuchat Chaisombat

Pastor Chuchat Chaisombat grew up in Payao, Northern Thailand.  After graduating in Economics, he started to serve God as a full-time pastoral staff.  He now lives with his wife Siriphorn in Chiangmai. He graduated in Master of Ministry from Bangkok Bible Seminary (BBS). He is currently the President of HIM Thailand, and leads the HIM churches in Thailand. Chuchat enjoys pioneering churches and discipleship.  He has a deep desire to inspire and help Christ-followers to be passionate for God and to serve Him until their last breath.

Ps James Loke

James Loke graduated in economics and worked in the central bank in Singapore. He then received a sovereign call to serve God in the mission field whence he travelled widely to preach and teach the Word of God. He is based in Singapore, where he serves God with his wife Christine. He oversees HIM churches in Thailand and the Philippines.  James believes that God wants His people to know Him well and to have a close relationship with Him and with fellow believers.  James desires Christ-followers to be passionate for God, mature in Christ and live pragmatic lives honouring Him.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Ps Prakich Treetasayuth

Pastor Prakich Treetasayuth received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science, majoring in Biochemistry, from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He was awarded a Master’s Degree of Philosophy in Theology from the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. After receiving Christ in Hope of Bangkok Church in 1988, he was committed to the church and its ministry in many areas including biblical studies. In 1995, he became a regional pastor and the Head of Publication, in charge of the church’s teaching materials. He was appointed as the Pastor over Student Ministry in 1999 until he relocated to Europe in 2004 in his new role as the Regional Pastor over Hope Europe. God called him back to Thailand in 2021 for an additional role as the General Secretary for Thailand Bible Society. Pastor Prakich is gifted in leadership, word of encouragement and as a shepherd and a teacher.

Ps Kwong Lie Ong

Pastor Ong Kwong Lie pioneered Hope Johor Bahru (in Malaysia) in the year 1993. With a humble beginning of 1 person, today the church consists of more than 200 members and is still growing. Besides pastoring Hope Johor Bahru, he also oversees daughter churches in the state of Johor and Malacca. God has also entrusted him to oversee churches in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and India. Pastor Kwong Lie graduated from Harvest Bible College in Melbourne with Diploma in Christian Ministry in 1991. He is married to Pastor Swee Min and they have 2 sons. Pastor Swee Min supports him in his pastoral role locally and internationally.

Ps Denis Lu

Pastor Denis Lu was one of the pioneering members of Hope Kuching with Pastor Simon, in 1992. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching. He oversees HIM churches in Malaysia. Denis graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1991 from University Newcastle, Australia in 1991. He returned to Kuching, lectured at Stamford College and later became the College’s principal in 1995. He moved on to be an education counselor for Taylor’s College before entering full-time ministry in September 2001. Denis is married to Pastor Chong Hai Eng, who is also the Senior Manager in the HIM Elders’ Office. They have a son.

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Ps Simon Eng

Pastor Simon Eng is a Civil Engineer by training. He has been ministering for over 30 years. His experiences include pioneering Hope Kuching, mentoring leaders and pastors, and ministering in cross-cultural Regional Conferences. Pastor Simon is married to Pastor Lai Eng and they have 3 wonderful children, who are active in their faith as well. Pastor Simon is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuala Lumpur and an Elder in Hope International Ministries. He loves to build God’s people and travels extensively to minister and care for God’s churches.

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Ps Wilson Lim

Wilson and Lai Ling are founding pastors of Hope Church, a thriving multi-site church with its headquarters in Brisbane. Wilson is currently serving as President of HIM and oversees Hope churches in Oceania and North America.  Wilson is known for his lively, engaging expositional preaching, theological and leadership insights as well as apostolic father’s heart.  His passion is teaching, equipping leaders and building the church.  Wilson holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Monash University) and a MTh (The University of Manchester). He was a research scientist with CSIRO. He also formerly served as a Bible College director and is currently the chairman of Australian Care & Trauma Services.  Lai Ling complements him in ministry with her passion in the areas of prophetic, intercession, pastoral care and counselling.  Together, they minister widely around the world today and founded a ministry equipping website wilsonlailing.com.  They have three adult children and 1 daughter-in-law.