Christian Outreach Centre was founded in Brisbane in June 1974. Since that time, the movement has spread to around 200 locations around Australia and to over 45 nations. COC churches are known for their lively worship, an acceptance of people no matter what their background, and a desire to make a positive difference in their local communities.
A Christian Outreach Centre church was started in the Adelaide Hills in 1990 under the leadership of Pastors Robert and Desley Saldanha. They decided to base the church in Mount Barker because of the town’s central location and projected growth. Church meetings were first held in the Mount Barker High School until more permanent premises were secured in 1993 in the old Metro Meats complex on Dutton Road, Mount Barker.
From this base at Dutton Road, COC Adelaide Hills was able to expand its work in the community. With the commencement of the redevelopment of the old Metro Meats site in early 2005, COC Adelaide Hills had to vacate its premises on Dutton Road. Church meetings were transferred to the Mount Barker Town Hall and a temporary office was leased.
The leadership of the church is currently investigating land availability for the building of a worship and community centre. In January 2006, a church plant was established at Strathalbyn, with a service on Friday nights.
Our Vision
To establish prevailing churches that influence their communities with the Good News of God’s Kingdom, resulting in law & order, stable families and prosperity.
Our Purpose
We exist to develop mature followers of Jesus Christ [ Discipleship] who love God [Worship], love people [Service/Fellowship] and spread the Good News of God’s Kingdom [Evangelism].
Explanation of Key Purposes
Worship - loving God wholeheartedly in all we do.
Discipleship - growing to be Christlike in character.
Evangelism - spreading the Good News in a relevant way.
Fellowship - living in loving relationship with each other.
Service - using what God has given us to benefit others.
Our Values
1. We value WORSHIPPING GOD – a genuine love for God is our first priority and Christlikeness is our goal. We are committed to a lifestyle of personal spiritual disciplines and consistent spiritual growth with honest accountability.
Mark 12:29-31; 1 Timothy 4:7; 1 Peter 2:2; 1 Peter 2:21
2 .We value EVANGELISM – as all people are eternally valuable to God. We respond to the Great Commission by building genuine relationships with the unchurched and being a church that is relevant in our community.
Proverbs 11:30; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; 2 Peter 3:9
3. We value LOVING RELATIONSHIPS – where trust, affirmation, encouragement and community are evident in a “family” atmosphere. Conflicts are resolved in a way that honours God and builds godly character.
John 13:34; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 6:1-10; Colossians 3:12-15
4. We value SERVING – as every believer is created to serve God by serving people. We do this by discovering, developing and deploying our God-given gifts for the benefit of others.
Mark 10:45; Romans 12:1-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-30; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 4:10
5. We value STEWARDSHIP – as every resource we have (our time, money, gifts) belongs to God and are to be used for the extension of His Kingdom. We do this joyfully and with a spirit of generosity.
Proverbs 11:25; Psalm 24:1; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 6:20
6. We value EMPOWERING LEADERSHIP – servant leaders who are fully committed to Christ and willingly invest themselves in identifying and developing other leaders.
1 Timothy 3:1; 2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:6-9