“Did you know Foothills Church started in a home?” That’s right. This wasn’t always a grand building. Foothills Church began its journey in 1995 as a small group meeting in the home of its founding pastor Paul Marshall. He was ordained and sent out from the Pomona Vineyard Christian Fellowship. He served as an assistant pastor while studying at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena Los Angeles. The church’s first public meeting happened in February 1996. It was held at Regentville Public School with about 20 people. It’s amazing how much it has grown.
Foothills Church has a rich history. It was planted as a Vineyard church. This was formally recognized in a ceremony led by John Wimber in Perth in 1995. For many years Foothills was part of Vineyard Churches Australia. But in 2017 the church decided to end its formal affiliation. It chose to maintain its Vineyard values and theology. It sought to build stronger relationships with international mentors and like-minded churches. This demonstrates Foothills’ commitment to its beliefs while seeking broader connections.
The church isn’t just about faith. It is deeply involved in community service. In its early years Foothills engaged in simple acts of kindness. They washed cars and gave away free drinks. Their goal was to show God’s love unconditionally. This commitment continued. The church ran a bread run to a housing commission in Cranebrook. They also operated a mobile BBQ and soup kitchen for the homeless at Penrith Station. This led to a long-term commitment to community outreach. A weekly BBQ in Cranebrook has built strong relationships over 14 years.
Foothills Church also has a global perspective. From 1998 onwards they sent mission teams to Papua New Guinea Indonesia and Thailand. This led to the creation of Mustard Seed Global. This organization facilitates their international mission work. Their dedication to service and missions truly sets them apart. Foothills Church moved to its current location in 2019. It’s on two acres of land in Factory Road Regentville. The former orchard and chicken farm has been transformed. It’s now called “The Orchard” symbolizing their hope for future growth and fruitfulness. Standing here today it’s easy to see Foothills Church isn’t just a place of worship. It’s a vibrant community deeply rooted in faith service and global outreach.