The Caloundra Church of Christ is intentional about making a difference in people’s lives by introducing them to Jesus; and providing both practical and financial support.
The church intentionally allocates as a minimum, 12.5% of its general offerings to missions support and the Missions Team disburses these funds to a variety of ministries in our local community, here in Australia and overseas. Such disbursements have historically been far in excess of the budgeted allocation, because of special projects, specific appeals, additional gifts and donations.
Intentionally Making a Difference in Local Schools
Kids Hope Aus
Kids Hope Australia is a mentoring program that helps Australian children needing additional support, and their families.
Through a partnership between local churches and primary schools, Kids Hope Aus. works to improve opportunities for mentored children in the areas of education, self confidence and well being.For one hour each week, a caring adult from the church mentors a child needing additional support at their school. This usually involves helping the child with homework, playing games, arts and crafts, or just spending time together.
KIDS HOPE AUS. assists churches to recruit and prepare caring mentors for ongoing mentoring relationships with vulnerable children. Churches are responsible for appointing a coordinator to run the program with the assistance of Kids Hope Aus.
The Caloundra Church of Christ has partnered with a local school, Meridan State College and their school chaplain. The school chooses children who would benefit from a one-to-one relationship with an adult. The mentors are volunteers from our church. Each one engages with his or her student for one hour a week, building the relationship through encouragement, help with school work, craft or art and games.
This is special one-on-one time for one child for one hour for one day a week.
Religious Instruction
Currently we provide RI teachers and helpers for several classes at Currimundi and Golden Beach State Schools.
It is such a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to take the gospel message into schools each week. All our RI teachers and helpers are supported by Fan the Flame on the Sunshine Coast who host training events and workshops throughout the year to ensure we are well equipped.
School Chaplains
We financially and prayerfully support a number of school chaplains in our local schools and these include:
| SCHOOL | CHAPLAIN |
|---|---|
| Caloundra High School | Peter Murray |
| Currimundi Special School | Rebecca West |
| Currimundi State School | Anthony Pulford |
| Meridan State College | Kelly Davis (Secondary School) Chris Davis (Primary School) |
| Golden Beach State School | Colan Coleman |
| Talara State College | Colan Coleman |
School Chaplaincy is a Scripture Union ministry that places Chaplains in Primary and High Schools across Australia.
School Chaplains respect the range of christian views, affiliations, and cultural traditions in the school community and are approachable by both students and staff of all faiths.
They are a safe person for young people to connect with at school and provide a listening ear, caring presence and a message of hope. They care for students who struggle with issues that include; family problems, confused relationships, peer pressure, low self esteem, bullying, friendship difficulties, depression, suicide, drug and alcohol issues and emotional abuse.
Chaplains run positive and fun activities for students in and out of school, and foster a caring school environment that is supported by partners such as local churches, businesses and community organisations. These positive and healthy relationships help students to face issues, provide hope, meaning and purpose.
The Chaplaincy programme is voluntary and student participation requires consent from parents or caregivers.
The chaplaincy programmes at Sunshine Coast schools are well regarded by school staff and parents.
Intentionally Making a Difference To Missions Overseas
India
In conjunction with Churches of Christ Overseas Aid (COCOA) we provide Child support.
Samartitan’s Purse
The mission of Samaritan’s Purse is focused on International Relief and has as its President, Franklin Graham. We support the operation “Christmas Child” arm of the mission by preparing “shoe box gifts” for underprivileged children each Christmas.
Africa (Zimbabwe)
This mission is a joint venture of Churches of Christ in Australia and KiwiLink of New Zealand that ministers in Zimbabwe, supporting orphanages, church planting, local pastors, conducting self help programmes etc. Opportunity is given to visit the field as part of a team.
We support Obert and Elizabeth Banda. Obert has use of a motor bike which allows him to minister more effectively to the congregations in his circuit. Obert ministers to eleven congregations in the rural areas including Somabhula, Shangani and Gweru.
We support the Madzore family. Themba ministers to the Mberengwa Circuit comprising four churches, Mberengwa, Crome Draai and Shauro. Themba also has use of a motor bike which allows him to minister more effectively to the congregations in his circuit.
Intentionally Making a difference To Missions here in Australia
Reach Beyond Australia
We support Derek Kickbush who serves as Media Manager for Reach Beyond Australia . Derek is responsible for the program content being broadcast from the shortwave transmitters in Kununurra, Western Australia into the Asia Pacific region.
Derek and Glenda are members of the Caloundra Church of Christ where they regularly worship.
We support Stephen Sutherland who serves as Broadcast Engineer at the Reach Beyond Australia Broadcast Facility at Kununurra, Western Australia. Stephen is responsible for the maintenance of the 100 KW transmitters, antennas and the computer systems which manage them.
MAF Australia
Ed Hawthorn is Fleet Manager for MAF International based at Mareeba QLD. We support this family as Ed carries out the world wide task associated with his MAF position.
Discover more about MAF in our corner of the world at MAF Australia.
His wife, Liz home-schools their four children. Read a little more about Ed & Liz on this page .
Intentionally Making a Difference wherever we can
The Dollar Club
Everyone is encouraged to simply give an additional dollar each week and designate it for the dollar club. Dollar Club funds are used to respond to the needs of others by serving in a way that Jesus desires of us. The church’s policy concerning the dollar club can be found here.
I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me …. I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:35-36, 40.)
When combined with many others, one dollar does make a difference in the lives of people doing life tough. Dollar Club funds are given away (with no strings attached) to unexpectedly bless the lives of those with a known need. Recipients have included individuals and families: some from within the church; some known by our people; some who have a connection with one of our ministry areas; some we hear about from our local community and some specific needs of missions supporting people in crisis situations.
If you are in need, or know of someone in need, please let us know. Use this application form or ask for one at the church office. Applications are considered in confidence by a team of four (comprising an Elder, the Community Life Minister, Team Leader Missions and a representative of the congregation).
Regular reports of how Dollar Club monies are distributed are provided at church worship services and in the Connect Weekly newsletter. This is a very important part of the Dollar Club program for accountability and encouragement to those who support the program.