To experience God’s love, expressed in quality relationships and through pastoral care that will restore individual lives, build healing communities, praying for each person and growing disciples of Jesus.
Scriptural emphasis – Matthew 25:35-40
35 For…….
I was hungry and you gave me food, (meals for those in need)
I was thirsty and you gave me drink,(meet people’s needs)
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (new people may feel welcomed)
I was naked and you clothed me, (provide support in many areas)
I was sick and you visited me, (for those who face physical challenges)
I was in prison and you came to me. (for those who are bound)
37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?
38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [a] you did it to me.
Meetings are held each month and the format of each meeting commences in prayer, devotional, sharing what God has been doing in our lives and a topic for the meeting.
Kids church is open on Sundays during the service to children of all ages.
All groups use age-appropriate material that meets our goal of taking the children deeper into an aspect of Christ’s character over several lessons.
4-11 yrs old group learns the fun way using different stories, games and activities. At the end of the term, presentation to the whole church allows the children to share their learning and shows our congregation our children’s increasing love for and knowledge of Christ and the Father.
Youth Connect on Sunday mornings is for youth aged 11 to 17. This group meets fortnightly during the sermon. Material is age appropriate, currently exploring some basic truths about identity to begin with and going through Alpha Youth. The Alpha course is created to get the young people asking questions about God and life in a setting that is safe, which appeals to the current culture. The vison for us is that the young people will feel safe and comfortable to share and ask questions and to participate in the discipleship process.
Kids club meets every fortnight on Friday evenings. Children 8yrs and above are welcome. It is a fun based programme where we encourage kids to be kids. Activities have included games nights, talent quests, bowling, master chef and many more. More recently dinner is being provided to encourage children sharing together about their week. Leaders endeavour to insert a short, relevant Christian message into the activities.
All our programmes operate at least with two leaders in place each week to ensure we comply with Child Safe standards and the risk plans are in place. Our leaders have necessary training to ensure all safety standards are met and adhered to.
We feel very blessed with the number of children attending, which is such an affirmation from God.
We are blessed with many people who make SouthPoint a friendly and welcoming place for fellowship. It starts with our friendly welcoming team at the door, a big thank you to Molly and Val as well as others who take the time to great people at the door.
After our service, there is the opportunity to receive prayer. Thank you to Robyn and Trish for coordinating this valuable service and for all the team who make this a regular service that we can provide each week.
Morning Tea items are provided by Bite Me bakery (c/o Nicole) and Lynne is amazing, preparing fruit as well as ensuring the fridge and pantry are stocked with morning tea supplies! Lisa Croke’s help to set up in the morning is appreciated and her special treats that she and Stephy bake, for Father’s Day and other occasions, provides welcome additions to the regular items on offer.
Jo Knight has very generously made beautiful craft/ food goodies for our special events such as Easter, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day, which make everyone feel special. Thank you, Jo!
Gaynor and Hanli helped organise this year’s Greatest Morning Tea to raise funds for cancer research.
SALA is another event where SouthPoint provide an evening of catering and fellowship for Artists and the community.
We also hosted a Men’s breakfast and Indian lunch we had around 50 people to these events.
We have been blessed to have little Amber helping with the dishes and Stephy helping in the kitchen. Its lovely to see the lessons learned during kid’s church being enthusiastically embraced by our kids!
Thank you to everyone who lends a helping hand and serves faithfully in this portfolio.
For such a small church our Outreach is amazing. New as well as regular missions that take place are:
- Biggest Morning Tea to support Cancer research
- Dignity Freedom Network that helps releasing and protecting women and children from human trafficking
- Puddle Jumpers cooking that is so much more than just making meals for those in need (about 10,000 meals a year). The “missional” conversations that take place with helpers and those that come in for meals are confirmation from God that he is in this venture.
- Create and Sala are our artistic ministry to the community. The weekly Sunday afternoons of coming together with other artists and sharing the skills is a huge blessing to particularly a group of lonely elderly people.
- SALA is an annual event where local artist display their works.
- Kids and Youth Group are fortnightly outreach to our community
- Bible study for the elderly and community
- Supporting past elderly members by visiting and offering help to them as they are in residential care.
- Compassion children
Thanks to all who do so much to assist in God’s mission in our local community and across our world.
The last year has seen many new faces join the music team and the team has been extremely welcoming of new talent.
The music team meet monthly to get to know each other and go over the new songs and fellowship together.
New songs have been welcome by the congregation.
The Stewardship Ministry team is responsible for overseeing the governance, financial and property aspects of the Church.
The Stewardship Ministry team is responsible for overseeing the governance, financial and property aspects of the Church.
The team is led by Rod Hook and comprises of Josephine who is looking after the finance and the admin team serving day to day running of the church.
Stewardship team’s duties include as they ensure our:
- offerings are accounted for and banked
- church expenses are paid when due
- transparency and appropriate auditing of all church finances
- ensuring maintenance issues with our property are addressed
- developing the thoughts and ideas of church members regarding our future development prospects
- all obligations of the church as a registered not-for-profit and an incorporated body are attended to in accordance with legislation and government requirements.
While we strive to bring Gods word, we also want to communicate the message of Jesus, his love and acceptance of us, wherever we are in the journey. We also communicate encouragement to those who know Christ, to have the confidence to share their faith and grace with this community. There is room for collaboration and initiative instead of rigid structures.
Our challenge is, now more than ever, to encourage the embattled and hurting and be there for those God brings who may be searching. The vision we feel most passionately about is that this church continues to be safe space for people who don’t know God and for those who have been lost or hurt in their previous experiences of church.
We all share the load and responsibility of bringing salt and light to all who come through these doors and have created a space for the people in those respective areas to expand on their skills and their interactions with the congregation. We continue to build a cohesive community, who is encouraged to actively participate with the worship team as the worship team sharing what’s on their hearts during worship.
Our Facebook page, App and the website are other channels of communication.
Rod Hook
The longest standing Elder in SouthPoint, Rod is a very strong member in our church and a wider community.
Rod’s favourite bible book is Romans, particularly Romans 12, as it is the most practical and profound guide for Christian living.
In spare time Rod likes watching his grandchildren play sport.
Gaynor Steele
Gaynor is in charge of Kids Church and Outreach Ministry.
Each of these ministries have special place in Gaynor’s heart fulfilling her mission at SP. For example, “missional” conversations with helpers at Puddle Jumpers carry a confirmation from God that he is in this venture.
Sala and Create bring together people from all cultures and backgrounds and are a great example of a community effort.
Kids Church & Kids Club is another affirmation of our program and blessing from God with our “regular” attendees.
Not surprisingly, her favourite bible book is James, which spoke to her at a time of need and is very practical
Sean Castle
Sean has joined SouthPoint as the Youth and Generations pastor, following his move to South Australia from Queensland.
We appreciate his knowledge of the gospel and special ministry with Youth and Young adults, where they are talking about some basic truths about identity and going through Alpha Youth. Alpha course is created to get the young people asking questions about God and life in a setting that is safe. Vision going forward is that the young people will feel safe and comfortable to share and ask questions and to participate in the discipleship process.
Create is a visual arts ministry run by Paul and Gaynor Steele, every Sunday during school term time from 13:00 to 15:00 at SouthPoint, Edwardstown. Members are encouraged to grow their artistic abilities. Members share skills of painting with acrylic, oils, watercolour and pastels to encourage each others' creative growth. Membership is free and participants provide their own materials. We are happy to provide advise about what to purchase. The group convenes a SALA exhibition annually in August.