Gateway Church

“A church plant from a church plant?” you might ask. Yes, that’s the story of Gateway Church. Here in the heart of Melbourne, Gateway Church has a unique history. It all began in 1997. A group of young adults from Forest Hills Church, aged 19 to 22, had a vision. They wanted to reach their friends in the city. They dreamed of establishing a church right here in the heart of Melbourne. These passionate young people dove into learning about outreach programs, home groups, and how to run camps. By 2000, they took their first concrete step. They transformed a Friday night youth program from Forest Hills Church into a home group structure. They called these groups C.A.R.E. groups, standing for “Christ’s Attitude Reflected in Everyone”. These groups became the building blocks of Gateway Church. They multiplied across the city, attracting university students and young adults. In 2003, their dream was finally realized. The first official worship service of Gateway Church was held on March 15th. It began with a modest group of 35 people in a lecture theatre in Carlton. Gateway Church continued to grow, driven by its young members and their heart for sharing faith. They held conferences, attracting hundreds of young people from all over Australia. Today, Gateway Church has expanded to multiple locations and has even inspired church plants internationally. Gateway Church proves that even a small group of young people with a vision can have a significant impact.