We are sure that most of you agree, life groups are one of most joyous experiences you’ve had in church. No matter what age, locality, or seasons of life, each of us always find ourselves laughing and being filled with the joy of fellowship amongst our fellow life group members.
Around 9 years ago, a similar life group was started in Hope Perth. Focusing on the Filipino working adult community, many of the former youths from Agila (Hope Perth’s Filipino community) started Elevate, a thriving and diverse group of young adults from various walks of life. From its humble beginnings, Elevate has been a testament to God’s faithfulness, sustaining and growing the life group year after year.
Two years after its founding, Elevate began expanding in a unique way, as members’ partners joined the group. This gave rise to its affectionate nickname: the “couples life group.” Since then, they have celebrated six weddings within the group, with another couple preparing to marry next year! These couples have not only grown spiritually together but also bonded through marriage preparations and seminars.
Elevate already had 11 regular attendees, but last year, God blessed them immensely. The life group grew exponentially, now totaling 20 members! Some found them through personal invitations, while others discovered the church online. Many of these new members are international students or professionals adjusting to life in Australia. For them, Elevate has become a home and a sanctuary—a place of belonging, prayer, and encouragement for hearts seeking hope and peace.
Their weekly life group gatherings are intentional spaces for connection. While they worship together on Sundays and often enjoy lunch afterward, life group meetings were where the members got to dive deeper. They were able to share life intimately, praising and worshiping God, studying His Word, asking honest questions, encouraging one another, and praying together. While some may attend only for a season, Elevate continues to be grateful to serve as a faith family they can lean on whenever needed.
“Elevate isn’t just about spiritual growth; it’s also about celebrating life”
Within the life group itself, Elevate has a dedicated social team that organizes monthly birthday celebrations with potlucks, cakes and prayers. The group also plans fun outings like hiking, go-karting, mini-golf, and more. These activities foster meaningful relationships and bring joy as we share life together in Christ. As the group has grown, it has become a vibrant melting pot of personalities, ideas, and energy. Whether hosting themed events like “Christmas in July” with a Ken and Barbie twist or enjoying shared adventures, Elevate reflects the joy of living in community with Christ at the center.
Over the years, this life group has shared laughter, tears, and prayers. Together, they have witnessed God’s incredible work in each other’s lives; prayers answered, breakthroughs experienced, and lives transformed. This life group has opened up opportunities to learn lessons that they couldn’t have grasped alone, and hear God’s voice through one another in powerful ways as they walked in life together.
Now, Elevate is blessed to be transitioning into two life groups as they continue to grow. We stand in awe of how God is shaping and evolving this community in Perth. His faithfulness has been evident every step of the way, and we eagerly anticipate the new ways He will work in and through Elevate in the years to come.
