Over the past year, members of the Providence family have shared their unique experiences of serving in a new church plant in Sunnybank.
This week we'd like to introduce Angell, our fearless pre-med student who loves Disney, cooking authentic Chinese food, and being in touch with nature. At 18, she's also the youngest member of Providence church!
Despite the exteriors of the church, I found that what really kept me coming back were the people...Church as a concept has been transformed for me. Church isn’t just a place for a Sunday service - church is a people. And doing life with these people, seeing God work in these people, and experiencing Christ-like love through these people – that’s what church is about for me.
1. You're from Sydney! What brought you to Providence?
I moved to Brisbane to study at UQ and Dan (who is doing the same course) invited me to visit Providence. At that point all I knew from him was that his friend is trying to start a church – which seemed bizarre! But I’ve always wanted to find a church in Brisbane to settle into throughout my studies, so I gave Providence a chance, and visited a week before the church launched publicly.
During my first visit I found Providence quite quaint. There were fairy lights, fresh flowers, antique suitcase decorations (but actually practically stored things) and a very minimalistic set-up in a Bowl’s Club. Despite the exteriors of the church, I found that what really kept me coming back were the people.
2. What has been the highlight for you so far?
The highlight at Providence would probably be our road trip to Kondalilla Falls. I remember having a rough week and felt extremely burnt out by the end of it. Waking up early to go on a day trip sounded like the last thing I wanted to do. Even though I was knocked out during the car ride, and kept to myself the whole day, I felt so, so touched that everyone was still so kind, tolerant and accepting of me.
I really feel like I can be all of myself when I’m with Providence. I think just going through life, knowing that I’m surrounded by people who are genuinely living and loving like Jesus, encourages me every time I get to spend time with them.
I really feel like I can be all of myself when I’m with Providence. I think just going through life knowing that I’m surrounded by people who are genuinely living and loving like Jesus, encourages me every time I get to spend time with them.
3. What is one thing you have learned about God's character since joining a church plant?
I wouldn’t have dreamt about joining a new church plant in Brisbane but I’ve come to realise that when looking for a church, what’s most important isn’t about what the church can offer you, but what you can do for the church.
Joining a church plant, as opposed to fitting into an established church, has its unpredictable moments. You never know who’s going to walk into that door or who’s going to come back for a second time. Seeing familiar faces is always serendipitous. I think what I’ve really learnt is God’s providence (surprise!). The fact that anything that happens with the church is by God’s will and that He directs, cares for and governs all things, including the growth of Providence as a church plant. I wouldn’t have dreamt about joining a new church plant in Brisbane but I’ve come to realise that when looking for a church, what’s most important isn’t about what the church can offer you, but what you can do for the church.
4. How has the gospel vision of "loving Jesus, each other and our world" changed the way you view and do church?
I personally really love our ‘motto’ or as Mikey always says “the vision and what Providence is all about” – which is true if I do say so myself. I think just through how loving and caring people at church are towards everyone who visits and each other (which can be hard some days but we all try!) I get to see our gospel vision in action. The fact that we all come from different places, with different interests and at different walks of life, but can put all that aside and have fellowship with one another, being united in our love for Jesus is incredible!
The fact that we all come from different places, with different interests, and at different walks of life, but can put all that aside and have fellowship with one another, being united in our love for Jesus is incredible!
I think church as a concept has really been transformed for me. Church isn’t just a place for a Sunday service - church is a people. And doing life with these people, seeing God work in these people and experiencing Christ-like love through these people – that’s what church is about for me. So what I really want is for people who have been hurt by the church or have no interest in an ‘institution', to come to know that a church family can be so helpful, encouraging and supportive. Not just because people are putting up a nice front, but because that’s how God has always wanted for His people to live – to love Jesus, each other and our world.
The Providence family meets every Sunday, 5pm at the Sunnybank Bowls Club.
Like this story? Meet more members of the Providence family here:
