City on a Hill is launching a new Church in Brisbane. Our story began eight years ago with a small team and a big vision to make a difference in Melbourne and beyond for the good of all people and the glory of God. Now the story continues in Brisbane as Pastor Dave Miers leads a team to further our cause of knowing Jesus and making Jesus known.
Will you help us find people who can pray, give and join City on a Hill Brisbane?
See below for longer version of script from the above video…
PACKED BAGS PART 1
It was a year ago when Rowena and I, along with our 3 young kids, Sam, Tom and Beth
packed our bags and moved from Sydney to Melbourne to be part of City on a Hill.Now, I had really high expectations of what it would be like to be on the team. And let me be honest, my expectations… have been met and even exceeded!!
I’ve worked in and around great churches for the last 12 years, but in all seriousness
the last 12 months have been some of the most significant!I’ve felt like I’ve grown not only in my appreciation for fine coffee but also in: preaching; vision; leadership; strategic planning; team work; pastoral care; and in my love for Jesus and his people.
I love working with Guy Mason and the rest of the team, both staff and volunteers. City on a Hill has so many humble, courageous and sacrificial leaders. We have learnt so much.
COLD FEET
We came to Melbourne, to prepare to plant the first interstate City on a Hill church in Brisbane.
However, on a recent flight to Brisbane, I actually began to get cold feet. Not physically, it’s Queensland, the temperature was perfect!
But I started to have all these thoughts
Maybe I love Melbourne too much?
Maybe someone else should plant in Brisbane?
Maybe Brisbane is a good city to visit, but a terrible city to live in?Yet those thoughts quickly disappeared after spending a couple of days in Brisbane CBD, walking the streets, feeling the rhythms and heart beat of the City, noticing the needs of people and praying fervently that City on a Hill will join in the mission of KNOWING JESUS + MAKING JESUS KNOWN in that great city. Jesus loves Brisbane. And so do we!
JESUS IS WITH US
Brisbane is Australia’s third largest and fastest growing City and tipped to increase from 2.3 Million people to 3 Million people in the next 5 years… There are cranes everywhere at the moment!
Brisbane desperately needs more healthy churches planted, to keep up with the population growth AND to reach the millions of people who haven’t yet put their trust in Christ!
We are daunted by the task ahead but excited and expectant knowing that, as promised in The Great Commission, that Jesus will be with us.
THE ROAD MAP
God-willing, our family will finish up in Melbourne at Christmas time and in January 2016 make the move to Brisbane.
February will see the commencement of a weekly, midweek team gathering.
By April we hope to start Gospel Communities… communities of life, love and mission meeting in apartments and houses across Brisbane.
In June, we plan to run our Christianity course, Introducing Jesus. Wouldn’t it be incredible to see our friends, colleagues and neighbours become Christian before we even launch Sunday services!?!
And then, when the time is right, in the second half of 2016 we will launch Sunday services each week in the City.
SACRIFICE
It’s not only a daunting task ahead, but it will be costly. It’s already been costly moving our family from Sydney to Melbourne. And to be honest, it feels like there will be many more sacrifices as we make the move to Brisbane!
A number of years ago I was struck by the story of CT STUDD. A 19th Century English Cricketer and Lawyer, he sacrificed everything he knew to pursue his missionary calling
He said these inspiring words… “If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”
The road map ahead will require sacrifice. But it’s worth it, when it’s all part of the mission of pointing others to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus for sinners at the cross.
We are willing to do whatever it takes. We’re up for the sacrifice.
ARE YOU WITH ME?
In September this year, we had over 150 people join us at our City Vision Brisbane events. It was so good to be able to share the vision for City on a Hill: Brisbane.
At the events we put the call out for people to sacrificially partner with us in this work.
It was such a massive encouragement that there are people who have signed up to be prayer partners, financial partners and team members!
This is crazy, but there’s already people who have moved from Melbourne and Sydney, and are on the ground in Brisbane!!! It’s been such an exciting time!
But we need more! Will you help us find people:
who can pray for City on a Hill: Brisbane?
who can give towards City on a Hill: Brisbane?
who can join City on a Hill: Brisbane?