Australian Christian Churches Complete Profile & Latest Information
All important details about Australian Christian Churches. The Australian Christian Churches is a movement of Pentecostal Churches in voluntary cooperation with over 1,000 churches across Australia. Each individual church is self-governing but commits itself to working together with other churches in the movement for the purpose of mutual support and the spread of the gospel in Australia and the world. The cooperation is laden with a drive to connect people to Jesus. The Prominent Hillsong Church was emancipated from the Australian Christian Churches in 2018.
This is the complete profile and latest information on Australian Christian Churches. In this write-up, you will find all the important details about this movement of Pentecostal Churches in Australia. We will explore the history of Australian Christian Churches, its founders, and its growth over the years. You will also get to know the current leaders of the organization and gain insights into their backgrounds.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to become a member of Australian Christian Churches and the beliefs they uphold. We will highlight the ministries, affiliations, and programs offered by the organization. Whether you are seeking to join the ACC or simply want to learn more about their activities, this write-up will provide you with a comprehensive overview. Let’s dive in!
History of Australian Christian Churches
Who is the founder of Australian Christian Churches?
Although the Assemblies of God was formed by a union of several small Pentecostal groups at Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1914, the Assemblies of God in Australia was formed in 1937 under the leadership of Enticknap (Queensland), Greenwood (Victoria) and Duncan (New South Wales) and has experienced consistent growth. It adopted a new name of Australian Christian Churches in 2007 and consists of over 1,000 churches with over 385,000 constituents, making it the largest Pentecostal movement in Australia.
Australian Christian Churches are rooted in a strong belief in the Bible, evangelical principles, and Pentecostal traditions. Our main goal is to connect people to Jesus Christ.
The Australian Christian Churches, previously known as Assemblies of God in Australia, was established in 1937. What sets us apart from other Christian movements is that we don’t trace our origins to any specific human leader. Although influential figures like Mrs. Janet Lancaster, AC Valdez, Smith Wigglesworth, C L Greenwood, and P B Duncan had a significant impact on early Australian Pentecostalism, none of them individually founded the Assemblies of God in Australia.
The formation of the Assemblies of God in Australia came about through a conference involving the Assemblies of God – Queensland and the Pentecostal Church of Australia in Sydney during Easter 1937. Recognizing the need for greater harmony, cooperation, and unity, leaders from both movements joined together. C.L Greenwood was elected as the first Chairman of the Assemblies of God in Australia, and each state and registered assembly were granted autonomy in their affairs. While growth was initially slow, strong foundations were established.
In 1948, the Commonwealth Bible College was established to provide ministry training for men and women. Over the years, leaders such as Henry Wiggins, Philip Duncan, Edward Irish, James Wallace, Alec Davidson, and Ralph Read emerged to provide guidance and direction to the movement.
In 1977, under the leadership of Pastor Andrew Evans as the General Superintendent, the Assemblies of God in Australia experienced remarkable growth, with membership and adherents multiplying by over 13 times and the establishment of over 700 new churches.
In 1997, Pastor Brian Houston was elected as the new National President of the Assemblies of God in Australia. Under his leadership, the movement continued to grow and expand its influence into the 21st century. In April 2007, the organization underwent a name change, becoming the Australian Christian Churches.
In April 2009, Pastor Wayne Alcorn was elected as the new National President during the National Conference. Today, the ACC represents over 1,000 churches and more than 385,000 believers across Australia.
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Australian Christian Churches Statistics
- FOUNDING DAY: Australian Christian Churches was founded in the year 1937 as the Assemblies of God.
- NUMBER OF MEMBERS: The Australian Christian Churches has an estimated 1000+ churches within her corporation.
- HEADQUARTERS: The Head office for Australian Christian Churches is located at Sydney; PO Box 8093 Norwest NSW 2153
- BRANCHES: Australian Christian Churches has over 1000 churches within its network.
- FOUNDER: The founders of Australian Christian Churches are Enticknap (Queensland), Greenwood (Victoria) and Duncan (New South Wales)
- CURRENT LEADERS: The current leader of Australian Christian Churches is Wayne Alcorn, serving as National President.
Australian Christian Churches Leadership
The leadership of the Australian Christian Churches is constituted by pastors and leaders from diverse ministries. Below are a list of her leadership membership.
1. Wayne Alcorn (National President)
Following an election process, Pastor Wayne Alcorn assumed the position of National President of the Australian Christian Churches in 2009. With a remarkable tenure of over 37 years as an ACC pastor, he has fulfilled significant leadership positions within the Movement, including serving as the National Director for Youth Alive and as the Queensland/Northern Territory State President for 12 years. In April 2023, his inaugural book titled ‘My Father’s Son’ was published. Alongside his wife Lyn, Wayne shepherds the multi-campus Hope Centre church located in the South-East region of Queensland. They are blessed with two married sons and five cherished grandchildren.
2. John Hunt (Vice President)
Pastor John Hunt brings an extensive pastoral background of over 35 years, with a notable 27-year tenure as the pastor of Centro Church. Additionally, he served as the State President of Queensland and Northern Territory for a remarkable 12 years and currently holds the esteemed position of Director of ACC International. His commitment to ministry is complemented by a longstanding marriage of 40 years to his beloved wife, Francine. Together, they take joy in their three married daughters and the blessings of six cherished grandchildren.
3. Sean Stanton (National Secretary/Treasurer)
Pastor Sean Stanton brings over four decades of unwavering commitment to the ACC movement, where he has served in numerous leadership capacities and held positions on ACC Executive boards. In 2011, he was elected to the esteemed role of National Secretary/Treasurer on the ACC National Executive, exemplifying his dedication to the organization. Alongside his wife Lynda, Pastor Sean serves as the Senior Pastors of Life Unlimited Church in the ACT, providing spiritual guidance and support to the congregation. They find immense joy in their two adult children and are grateful for the blessings of three beloved grandchildren.
4. Ally Cawthorn (Executive Member)
Pastor Ally Cawthorn, currently serving as the Vice President of ACCWA, brings valuable leadership to the organization. Her appointment to the ACC National Executive in 2021 reflects her commitment to the mission of ACC. With an impressive academic background, she earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary in California in 2020, complemented by a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies completed through Southern Cross College (now Alphacrucis). As the Founder and Director of ‘The Immersion Academy,’ Pastor Ally demonstrates her passion for equipping and empowering others. Alongside her husband Steve, they serve as the Neuma Australia Hub Leaders, fostering spiritual growth and connection. Their shared journey includes the joy of raising three children.
5. Joel Chelliah Executive Member
Pastor Joel Chelliah, a visionary leader, was elected as the ACC State President of Western Australia in 2012. Under his guidance, the state has experienced remarkable growth and witnessed an enhanced overall well-being. Joel’s dedication to the ACC extends to his role on the National Executive for the past four years, where he contributes his insights and expertise. Additionally, he serves as the Director of the Harvestnet church planting movement, fostering the expansion of faith communities. As the founder and Senior Pastor of Centrepoint, a thriving multi-site church based in Perth, Joel continues to inspire and guide his congregation. Together with his wife Sharon, they invest in ministering to couples, nurturing healthy marriages and families. Joel’s written work, ‘The Chat,’ showcases his wisdom and perspective. Outside of their ministry, Joel and Sharon cherish their roles as parents to three sons.
6. Matt Heins (Executive Member)
Pastor Matt Heins, an esteemed leader, currently holds the position of ACC State President for Victoria and was elected to the National Executive in 2019. Alongside his wife Franca, he serves as the Senior Pastors of Faith Christian Church, a renowned multi-site congregation known for its compassionate outreach in the south-eastern region of Melbourne. With a deep commitment to their community and beyond, Faith CC actively engages in caring for others. Matt’s dynamic speaking ability, coupled with his prophetic gift, inspires and impacts the congregation. Under his leadership, Faith CC thrives in both local and international missionary endeavors, reflecting a heart for global transformation. Matt and Franca’s marital bond of 27 years is a testament to their enduring commitment, and they are blessed with three children.
7. Ben Naitoko (Executive Member)
Pastor Ben Naitoko holds the esteemed position of ACC QLD/NT State President and has served on the Queensland State Executive for four years. Alongside his wife Trish, he serves as the Senior Pastor of King’s Church Australia, a vibrant multi-site church and Christian school. With a rich history of over 20 years as an ACC Pastor, Ben’s journey began as a Youth Pastor in Mackay and later led him to become the founding Principal of Planetshakers College (now iSEE College) in Brisbane. Additionally, he served as the founding campus director of the Alphacrucis Brisbane Campus, demonstrating his passion for equipping and empowering future leaders. As the current board chairman of Youth Alive Queensland, Ben actively contributes to the development and growth of youth ministry. Ben and Trish are proud parents of three sons, further nurturing a legacy of faith within their family.
8. Mark Varughese (Executive Member)
Pastor Mark Varughese is the founder and Senior Leader of Kingdomcity along with his wife Jemima. Kingdomcity is a growing, vibrant church in multiple locations around the world. Mark left his legal career in 2003 to pursue full-time ministry and in 2006, planted what is now Kingdomcity in Malaysia. His first book ‘Ready, Fire! Aim’ shares his personal journey. As a pianist, Mark works closely with the worship team and has written multiple songs. Mark was elected to the ACC National Executive in 2021. Mark is married to Jemima and they are parents to two sons.
9. Mark Zschech (Executive Member)
Pastor Mark Zschech is a member of NSW+ACT State Executive and pastors the multi-site Hope Unlimited Church with his wife, Darlene on the NSW Central Coast. Mark has a background in engineering, music, youth work, and business development, and has used his entrepreneurial skills to launch significant ministry initiatives, including Hope Global which impacts those living in poverty in Rwanda, Cambodia, and India. Likewise, 4B Media maximizes TV media ministries that support developing nations. Mark and Darlene have three daughters (two married) and six grandchildren.
Australian Christian Churches Programmes / Events Calendar
Stay- up-to-date with Australian Christian Churches events and programmes calendar for this year.
- Sunday Services: 07:30AM | 09:00AM
- National Conference
How to be a Member of Australian Christian Churches?
Becoming a member of Australian Christian Churches involves seeking understanding, connecting with a local ACC church, attending membership classes, embracing baptism and salvation, engaging in church service and ministry, expressing your desire for membership, and participating in a formal induction ceremony. Remember, membership is not just a title but an opportunity to grow in your faith, serve others, and be part of a community that supports and encourages your spiritual journey.
Australian Christian Churches Belief Statements
Beliefs
- We believe that the Bible is God’s Word. It is accurate, authoritative and applicable to our every day lives.
- We believe in one eternal God who is the Creator of all things. He exists in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He is totally loving and completely holy.
- We believe that sin has separated each of us from God and His purpose for our lives.
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ as both God and man is the only One who can reconcile us to God. He lived a sinless and exemplary life, died on the cross in our place, and rose again to prove His victory and empower us for life.
- We believe that in order to receive forgiveness and the ‘new birth’ we must repent of our sins, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and submit to His will for our lives.
- We believe that in order to live the holy and fruitful lives that God intends for us, we need to be baptised in water and be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to use spiritual gifts, including speaking in tongues which is the initial evidence of baptism in the Holy Spirit. We believe that God has individually equipped us so that we can successfully achieve His purpose for our lives which is to worship God, fulfil our role in the Church and serve the community in which we live.
- We believe that God wants to heal and transform us so that we can live healthy and prosperous lives in order to help others more effectively. We believe that our eternal destination of either Heaven or hell is determined by our response to the Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming back again as He promised.
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Australian Christian Churches Ministries, and Affiliations
1. ACC International: is a team dedicated to sending and supporting Field Workers and Partners throughout the world. We are a movement of Australian Christians working to transform communities and nations, one life at a time. The ACC International embarks on International relief projects.
2. ACC Community Engagement: The ministry is out to engage with the community, towards helping them see themselves as incredibly valuable wherever they find themselves.
3. ACC Kids
4. ACS Financial
5. Alphacrucis University College
6. ACC Chaplaincy Australia
7. Indigenous Initiative
8. Youth Alive
9. Alphacrucis University College: ACC is a ministry committed to education and training. Alphacrucis is a multidisciplinary Christian University College shaping and forming students to make an impact in the world of Business, Counselling, Education, Ministry, Music and beyond. Click here to find out more.
Australian Christian Churches In Photos
