25 August 2009

Northpoint church finalises property purchase

Tullamarine, Victoria
Intravic

After hours of prayer, research and meetings, Northpoint church, with the help of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the South Pacific and Victoria, have purchased a new church facility, situated a few minutes from the Melbourne International Airport in the heart of Tullamarine.

The church plant began meeting in 2003 and membership has grown steadily. At the beginning of 2007, there was an average of 40 people attending. This year, the number rose to 95 following an evangelistic program. There are also a number of people who attend small groups run by the church.

Northpoint church made a submission for a grant from the Adventist Church in the South Pacific, administered by the Funding Urban Churches Committee. They were successful and obtained a grant of $A830,000, although the church was still searching for a suitable site at the time of the grant being approved. The Adventist Church in the Victoria also contributed $A100,000 toward the purchase of the building.

As the year progressed, attendance reached maximum capacity and the need for a new church building became "urgent." The property in Tullamarine becoming available was an "unanticipated miracle," according to church members.

Pastor Greg Pratt, associate pastor at Northpoint church, says, "Although the site had everything we needed, we had dismissed it as unsuitable because the asking price exceeded what we could afford. We were at a dead end. Properties we were interested in were bought by others or we were unable to get council approval for our plans. It seemed God was leading us back to this one that was way out of our league."

Following all-night prayer vigils by church members and leadership, they were able to purchase the property at a lower price.

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