Meet our Event Partner, Cityhope Church

If you’re new to church, you can experience what Cityhope Church as to offer from the comfort of your own home with their online Hope at Home services.
Cityhope Church Banner

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, what we have grown to appreciate more is the importance of our community and staying connected, even if it is virtually like this year’s Park2Park. Our Event Partner, Cityhope Church has been and will always be here for our community.

About Cityhope

Cityhope Church has been a part of the city of Ipswich since the mid-1960s. Lead by Pastor Mark Edwards for the last 29 years, Cityhope Church aims to spread love and positivity through evangelism in the community.

“Covid- 19 has been a trying time for everyone” reflects Sarah, General Manager of Cityhope Church. As a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Cityhope Church had to close their doors physically. However, gave them the opportunity to innovate to stay connected with their community in a new way.

Hope at Home

In March, Cityhope Church launched their at-home online service, ‘Hope at Home’, streamed live on Facebook, Youtube and their website portal.

The website portal is a platform that allows users to connect with the church in a way they have never done before. By gathering online, connecting with them, asking questions, prayers and online groups and online courses, it has allowed Cityhope Church to continue to remain connected with the community.

Back in person

Now that restrictions have eased, the Church’s Friday night City Youth Program and Sunday mornings City Kids programs have been reintroduced. Services at Ripley have also relaunched, and services at Springfield will resume from Father’s Day.

“Although our services might look a little different now, we still have the same heartbeat to reconnect with our community!”

Always has the community at heart

Cityhope Church launched their charity, Cityhope Care as part of their mission to reduce “risks associated with social isolation, neglect and abuse related distress and trauma”.

One program initiative “Hampers of Hope” has seen a 500% increase in community need for essential food items since the start of Covid-19.

“Previously, we were giving 50 hampers a month people in need, we’ve now seen a spike and giving out 500 hampers a month” explains Sarah. “Each hamper supports a family for 7 days. This year alone we have been able to support nearly 900 adults and 1300 children, with a value of $196,000 worth of goods being distributed.”

Care packs from Cityhope Care“Thanks to the generosity of our people, partners and community, we are able to provide food and supplies to people in need.”

Whether it be a small monetary donation or food offerings, every little bit counts. “It was so good to see our community and people were able to come together” so Hamper of Hope could “give to families who are in need of a little extra help and support” expressed Sarah.

Park2Park: one of their favorite community events

Cityhope Church has been a part of the Hospital Foundation’s Park2Park for many years now, “it’s one of our favorite community events to be a part of”.

Mark Edward with is team running park2parkDuring the launch weekend of the new virtual event, you would have seen Pastor Mark completing his virtual distances around Ipswich.

“There’s an incredible community and family in running and getting active. We are excited we can also be a part of it too for another year.”

Experience the community at Cityhope

The last few months has highlighted that a sense of community is important now more than ever.

Cityhope Chuch offers all that, and more. Better yet, you’re always welcome!

“We have a real community feel at Cityhope.”

If you’re new to church, you can experience what Cityhope Church as to offer from the comfort of your own home with their online Hope at Home services.

Alternatively, the church offers an opportunity to connect with likeminded people and meet new people on campus – in a socially distanced way of course.

If you’re interested in experiencing what Cityhope has to offer, visit www.cityhope.com.au to find out more!

Leave a comment