Jesus is the bringer of new life to the world.

It’s what the world has always truly needed - in 2020 more than ever. This Christmas we celebrate (new) life at Encounter Church. In this message, Pastor Jen challenges us by asking what would change if we believed that 2020 was a year of God's favour- not because of circumstance but because Jesus is ALIVE, that He brings new life, He has still won, and He is wanting to move in our lives? How would this truth transform our understanding and celebration of Jesus' birth this Christmas?

Teaching text: Isaiah 61:1-4

VISION SUNDAY: Call it out

Ps Mike reflects on the trials and joys of 2020 for Encounter Church whilst looking to what is to come in Jesus in 2021. He announces our core focus for the new year whilst unpacking the new mission goals, these being:

Impacting the Generations

Bible Fed & Spirit Led

For the City

Developing Resilient Disciples

Teaching text: Matthew 16:13-17

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like?

In our final week of our series, Pastor Mike teaches us what lies at the heart of all our relationships; how to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind.

Teaching text: Hebrews 12:1-3

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like?

In the third week of our series, Pastor Mike brings an unpacking of Jesus’ controversial teaching on marriage and divorce that helps us understand the holiness of marriage, before Ps Jen joins him for a Q&A on healthy relationships.

Teaching text: Mark 10:2-10

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like? In the third week of our series, Pastor David Shepherd joins us from Hills Baptist Church Verdun to bring us a message on sex. Diving into Genesis 2 and 3, he teaches us what God’s beautiful design for sex truly is. Where culture’s understanding rebukes this way of life and loudly declares that it is “denying ourselves” to only enjoy sex within a committed marriage, Dave reminds us that God’s design flows from a place of love, forgiveness, freedom AND understanding, for He too denied Himself His place in Heaven for the cross so that we may live.

Teaching text: Hebrews 13:4, Genesis 2:7 & 20-25, Genesis 3:1-7, Philippians 2:5-11

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like? In the third week of our series, Pastor Sam Long joins us from Nova Church to bring us a message on sex. Challenging the world’s disposable narrative of “whatever, whenever, and whoever”, he encourages us to look to the word of God as our final authority when navigating sex. He reveals God’s intention for sex, explaining that it was designed to glue a committed marriage together spiritually, emotionally, and physically. However, no matter our histories, he reminds us that in Jesus, there is forgiveness, grace, freedom and purity.

Teaching text: Genesis 1:28, Proverbs 5:15-20, Mark 10:6-9

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like?

In the second week of our series, Pastor Matt Phelan from Rise Church brings us a message on dating. He challenges us to seek a partner that is equally yoked; a person who not only claims to be Christian but one that has strong convictions in Christ, is obedient to His leadership and direction and chooses daily to become more like Jesus.

Teaching text: 2 Corinthians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 4:23

As followers of Jesus, we are called to first love God and then love each other. So what do true Christ-like relationships look like? In the first week of our series, Rev Brant Jones teaches us what it means to practically honour our parents and to raise children up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Teaching text: Ephesians 6:1-4

It's intern week! Two of our current interns Adelaide and Tayla bring a Word on two Heroes of the Faith. Adelaide challenges us to follow the countercultural lifestyle of John the Baptist; a lifestyle that simply but passionately points to Jesus above all else. Tayla dives deep into the story of Ruth to demonstrate the expression of God's heart and faithfulness to His people and teach us the way that Jesus is our ultimate kinsmen redeemer.

Teaching texts: Matthew 3:11, Ruth 1:16-17

It's intern week! Two of our current interns Tarin and Eric bring a Word on two Heroes of the Faith.

Tarin challenges us to find peace in the daring just as Esther found courage, peace and strength in God when confronted with pressing times. Eric dives deep into the story of David to illustrate that our current position does not shape our ultimate victory in Christ.

Teaching texts: Esther 4:10-17, 1 Samuel 16:6-12