The following History of our story has been collated by Marianne Verschuur. One of the founding members of our Church.

A record of the Geelong AOG churches according to Marianne Verschuur.

To my knowledge there were 2 previous attempts made to start an AOG in Geelong.
I was a part of the first in its final 2 years, and a 'foundation member' of the second. Of the first church, names such as Phil Hills, Arthur Magrath, Michael Rafferty, John Pike, and the last, Ed Watts, are known. It closed down in 1974.
Ps Ed was an American, his wife was from Perth. While they were pastoring here they lived in Melbourne, they travelled down every Sunday, and once during the week for Prayer Meetings. When his wife contracted breast cancer they resigned and moved back to Perth where she died. He then moved back to Melbourne, where he died some years later. In its history, it worshipped at St Philips Presbyterian Church. The last place of worship was an upstairs hall in Pakington Street, opposite Waterloo Street.

Between 1974 and 1982 there was no AOG in Geelong. The second church started in 1982 by John McDonald and closed two years later. John has since moved to America.
John began with home meetings; after a few months, he hired a school hall in Reynolds Road. Some time later the church moved to the Music Hall (GPAC), Ryrie Street.

Ps Tim Hall & his team were sent from Richmond AOG to assist Ps John McDonald. They all moved down, Tim, Graeme and John and their families moved to Corio, the Fletchers to Ocean Grove. They never got to assist Ps John.

The present church was started in 1984 by Ps Tim Hall, assisted by Graeme Leach, John O'Donnell and Ian Fletcher (youth).
Tim started in the West Geelong Town Hall. Some months later the church moved to St. Philips. It moved again that same year to the GPAC Music Hall.

Ps Tim was called to WA the following year, and Graeme Leach became the senior pastor. He left in 1986 and, to my knowledge, started a church in one of Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

The church called Pastors Ron & Freda Lewis in 1986. They left in 1989 to go to a church on the Mornington Peninsula. Later I heard that they no longer pastored but worked in the secular field.

Then the church called Ps Colin Oates, who left at the end of 1992, and went to Queensland.
Colin moved the church to Dowsett Street, South Geelong, into an empty warehouse. He also organized church camps at Anglesea at Easter time.

The church was without a pastor for some months until it called Ps Jim McMillan, who pastored from 1993 - 1998. He went to the USA, but has since returned to Australia.
Jim moved the church from South Geelong into the Geelong High School hall, and later, to the Ukrainian Hall in Pakington Street. The church had offices cnr Ryrie & Bellerine Sts; in James Street; and above the Ryrie Street Market while it met at GHS.

Then the church called Ps Phil and Glenys Ward, he started February 1999 and is still with us.
He moved the church out of Pakington Street into Newcomb Secondary College, where we spent 9 months. Then it moved into the Conca d’Oro, where we meet presently. The church hired these facilities for a number of years, before purchasing it in 2005.

The church also owns 5 acres of land on the Queenscliff Highway.
Marianne Verschuur, 13/08/2006

 

 

During the time of Pastor Phil and Glenys Ward the church has planted itself firmly in the Geelong Landscape. Now owning land, building and property for the first time in the many years of existence. The vision that has been poured in to the church through Pastors Phil and Glenys and the Prophets that God has sent has come at the right time. For such a time as this. Part of Pastor Phil's vision in coming to Geelong was to Love the poor and help them practically also. One of the things that he endevoured on with his team was to start Gateway Assist. GA is exists for this reason alone to help the community, to feed the poor and offer training to those who need a chance in life.

Now more than ever the next generation is looking stronger, passionate, hungry, and ready for the future church in Geelong to be what God has destined.

This is our story for now!

Gateway International Church