The Seed is Planted...

February 1977 was one of new beginnings in Raymond Terrace.  A group of children, along with their parents who lived at the local caravan park, attended a barbeque at Finnan Park and expressed an interest in attending a Sunday school.  There was great enthusiasm when the old RSL Memorial Hall (now the site of a shopping precinct) was hired so that a Sunday school could commence for pre-schoolers and primary children as well as a Teen Club for high school students. 

Most of these people had few, if any contacts with a church. But as time went on, they expressed an interest in Christianity and so it was decided by the Sunday school teachers, that a Church fellowship should be established which would cater for the needs of the local community and teach the Bible.

The Raymond Terrace Community Church was born.

From the small beginnings of a few member families, Raymond Terrace Community Church began to grow, with several new families and individuals attending. Forty-four people took communion in July 1981. The Church Fellowship provided a spiritual base for these people and in turn contributed towards the further development of this vibrant church community.

When the RSL Memorial Hall sold at the end of 1987 and a meeting place was urgently needed, God provided the Common Room of Raymond Terrace High School.  Despite some limitations, this became the new location of the church.

God provides the land...

A weatherboard building which stood on an acre of land and belonged to the local Catholic Church became available for purchase in 1992.   Trusting in God for the finances, the Church Membership took a step of faith by committing personal funds and supporting a loan to purchase the property.

After some renovations including painting, a new kitchen and the purchase of a large number of second-hand chairs @ $2 each, the Church family moved in.

The substantial size of the grounds provided an excellent venue for social gatherings of children, young adults and the mums and dads.

A multi purpose building to garage buses was used on Sunday mornings as a venue for teenagers to enjoy “Brekky Club” where bible teaching on current issues of morality, relationships, drugs and other relevant topics followed an enjoyable early morning Sunday breakfast.

“Kids Club” provided an enjoyable time for the primary aged children every Sunday morning and Friday’s “Youth Night” enabled the teens to enjoy activities such as concerts, rock wall climbing, roller skating and indoor cricket.

This “Live” Church actively sought after people of the township so that they would have the opportunity of hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The future realised...

By 1999 the weatherboard church building had reached its “Use by” date and was hindering the growth of the church. The Church leadership began to pray about constructing a new building.  After much prayer and consultation the current construction was completed in February, 2003.

During this period the Church’s first Pastor, Glenn Baigent was called, and commenced his ministry in August, 2001.

Continuing with the growth was the calling of Tim Blatch to the Associate Pastor (Children and Youth ministries) in January 2006. 

We give the Lord Jesus Christ all the praise and glory for all that has been achieved in the past and trust Him to write a new history in the future.