Founded in 1949 as Sutherland AOG Horizon Church has a rich history. Its first service was in the Sutherland School of Arts Hall. The church moved to its current location at 7-9 Stapleton Avenue Sutherland in the early 1950s. It’s undergone several name changes. It was Sutherland Assembly of God then the Christian Growth Centre. It became Shire Christian Centre in 2000. In 2006 it was rebranded as Shirelive. In 2018 it finally adopted the name Horizon Church.
Horizon Church isn’t just a local church. It’s part of the Australian Christian Churches. This is the Australian branch of the Assemblies of God. The church has expanded significantly. It now boasts satellite churches in St Andrews Busselton Western Australia and even Rote Island in Indonesia. Another campus is planned for Western Sydney.
A major building project took place in 2007. This included demolishing the old auditorium and youth centre. A new 1090-seat convention centre was built. Brad and Alison Bonhomme became senior pastors in 2013. Interestingly former Prime Minister Scott Morrison is a member of the congregation. This adds a unique political dimension to Horizon Church’s story.
Horizon Church is a Pentecostal church. This means it’s not a mainstream church in Australia. Some members believe in divine healing. They practice speaking in tongues. This is considered a miraculous gift from God. Horizon Church is a vibrant community. It’s a place of faith and fellowship. It’s a place where people from all walks of life gather. It reflects the diverse community of Sydney. The church also offers online services for those who can’t attend in person. This further expands its reach. Horizon Church continues to grow and evolve. It remains a significant part of Sutherland’s landscape and the broader Sydney community.