Jesus told a parable: the kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Though it is among the smallest of seeds, it grows larger than the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that birds come and perch in its branches (Matthew 13:31–32). This is a fitting picture of EFCCA’s thirty-year journey—from nothing to something, from small to large, and from few to many.

The church is an expression of God’s kingdom on earth. It is not a human club or organisation, but a living organism. Building lives is not a short-term project; it is a long, difficult marathon that tests faith in Christ, love, perseverance and hope.

EFCCA began in 1996 with four families, renting the hall at Mt Roskill Primary School. The early years were difficult. Equipment was basic, and there was little manpower, finance or material resource. We did not have today’s electronic devices, audiovisual equipment or communication tools. Co-workers used what was available and depended on one thing: when we had almost nothing, we looked to God with simple faith and responded to His commission.

Thanks be to God. Looking back, every path is marked by the richness of His grace. Like a mustard seed, the early gospel work was small but possessed powerful life. Through the faithful shepherding of successive pastors and spiritual leaders, the unity of elders and co-workers, and the efforts of brothers and sisters, the church now bears abundant fruit.

Since Pastor Yongjun Dong began serving in 2018, he has strongly promoted a small-group church oriented toward discipleship: outwardly committed to mission and church planting, and inwardly committed to making disciples and shaping lives. The number of believers has multiplied, the church now has its own building, and many families worship with three generations together. The life of Christ is displayed before the world, and this spiritually active house has become a harbour for many hungry and weary souls.

For a person, thirty is an age of maturity and responsibility. For a church, it is both a milestone filled with God’s grace and glory and a new starting line toward the goal. We give thanks for all who have continued serving throughout these thirty years. Their lives testify to our faithful and good God, who has blessed the ministry richly.

Former EFC General Assembly leader Pastor Liu Kang-mu once encouraged EFCCA to become an Antioch church in the Southern Hemisphere—a gospel base and mission centre. That blessing closely matches our 30th anniversary vision: “Planting Churches, Uniting Generations.” Let us look back with gratitude, face the present with faith and welcome the future with hope. May we pursue the goal of becoming an Antioch church in the Southern Hemisphere: a growing, globally minded church, a lighthouse from the south to the ends of the earth, bearing witness to the Lord’s glory.

First Thessalonians 1:3 reminds us: “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Work produced by faith:

faith is directed toward God, holds firmly to His abundant promises and believes He will accomplish great things.

Labour prompted by love:

love is directed toward people and willingly accepts the cost, like parents who labour for their children.

Endurance inspired by hope in the Lord Jesus:

for ourselves, we recognise Jesus as our hope and persevere without losing heart.

Amen.