Melbourne’s outer boundaries continue to push further out, and communities that once were small, quaint country villages, are slowly feeling the push of the urban sprawl. There is a greater need than ever to build communities of faith that are reaching out to people who experience loneliness, hopelessness and a life without a place to connect to God in meaningful ways.

Rob and Sue Tanner came to Melbourne in 2015 following God’s leading to move from NSW to Melbourne and establish themselves to minister to local communities. Having many years of church planting and pastoral ministry experience, their heart beats to a deep desire to connect people to God, each other and to take the love and hope of Jesus to a hurting world.

With a passion and love for the church, they have continued to ask what it means to be the body of Christ. Why do we as the church expect those outside the church to understand why we do what we do? What is at the core of the gospel, and what does it mean to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the local community?

Connect Mitchell Shire vision is to create a place of community, of connection, and a place to explore what spirituality is. All ages, no matter what background have something of value to offer each other. At the core of every being on this planet is the desire to belong, to feel connected, to have a safe place to explore why we are here.

After hosting several community events in 2018 an opportunity came about with the provision of a venue in Kilmore to gather, connect and explore what it is that God wants to do in the communities of the Mitchell Shire.

Since February, these meetings have focused on gathering people together to build deep friendships, share meals together and provide opportunities to explore spirituality in creative and relaxed ways. Connect Mitchell Shire desire to bring the love of Jesus TO the local community and together this group is exploring ways to do this.

Still in its infancy, Connect Mitchell Shire hope to establish new groups all over the Mitchell Shire. Groups gathering to explore ways in which God’s vision for this area can become a reality; by connecting people with God, connecting people with each other and connecting people with a hurting world.

Jesus’ last instruction to us before he ascended to Heaven called us to… Go!  Go into ALL the world; make disciples (followers of Jesus) of all nations; baptise them and teach them. This is the Great Commission, a mission that can only be achieved by working together.

This is what it looks like to ‘Go! … Build deep friendships; meet with people of peace in places they gather; make lasting connections; and together discover what it means to grow closer to God.

ON MISSION TO THE MITCHELL SHIRE

Rob and Sue Tanner have planted three successful, thriving healthy churches in Sydney and have followed God’s direct calling to move to Melbourne with a focus of connecting people with God, with each other and with a hurting world. Their heart is to build thriving communities of faith that welcome all people from all walks of life. A place of true community and connection. A place to belong. A place that reflects Jesus to a hurting world.

Connecting with God – with each other in true community – and connecting with a broader hurting world.

come and have a meal with us

Every Sunday afternoon we gather at the Kilmore Memorial Hall from 4.00pm where we hope to make many new deep friendships… nourishment for our souls.

We explore together what it means to be part of a community of faith through various creative expressions. We look at God’s desire for humankind to experience lives of meaning and purpose. We seek healing through laughter and tears… nourishment for our minds.

We gather as a community of faith sharing all these things finishing with a weekly meal together… nourishment for our physical bodies.

Acts 2:42-47 TPT
Every believer was faithfully devoted to following the teachings of the apostles. Their hearts were mutually linked to one another, sharing communion and coming together regularly for prayer. A deep sense of holy awe swept over everyone, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. All the believers were in fellowship as one body, and they shared with one another whatever they had. Out of generosity, they even sold their assets to distribute the proceeds to those who were in need among them. Daily they met together in the temple courts and in one another’s homes to celebrate communion. They shared meals together with joyful hearts and tender humility. They were continually filled with praises to God, enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord kept adding to their number daily those who were coming to life.

Proudly partnering with Jesus, North Church and the Baptist Union of Victoria