Origins of the Coast Community Church

The origins of the Coast Community Church stretch back to May 1971 when Mr and Mrs Arthur Evans began an after-school "happy hour" with three small children at their home in Manly View Rd, Killcare.

Extensions to the home had to be added in 1974 to hold 30 children.

Mrs Claire Lidbury and Mrs Dawn Tadman assisted as teachers.

In 1977, "happv hour" was moved to Dawn Tadman's home.

Then in 1979 it moved to the home of Pam Martin.

A women's Bible studv was held and the "happy hour" changed to a Sunday school.

Everyone at the time attended churches out of the district.

In 1981, a community church was formed in the RSL hall.

This was rented for an evening service with emphasis on youth work.

The Sunday school also continued.

The inaugural service and dedication of the hall took place on Sunday, July 31, 1983.

Rev Jim Henderson was welcomed as honorary pastor on October 28, 1984, and he ministered to the needs of the church and the community for 10 years.

During this time, the evening service became a strong youth-centred service and the Friday Friendship Centre also began.

In 1988, the church purchased the building at 114 Araluen Drive from the RSL, the dedication of the building being held on October 30, 1988.

In 1991, the Hardys Bay Community Church affiliated with the Churches of Christ in NSW.

The Churches of Christ were chosen because of their emphasis on the autonomy of the local congregation and access to trained ministry resources.

In 1991, a morning service also began, with very little resources.

In 1992, Andrew Ranucci began as a student pastor.

In 1993, he was a full-time intern and then started as the first full-time paid pastor in 1994, his salary being subsidised by the Churches of Christ.

In 1996, Chris Zaarour joined the ministry team as a student youth pastor and worked with the church for two years.

Glen Dibley was employed as a part-time youth pastor in 1998.

At the end of that year, Glen moved to America and Michael Littlefair was employed as a part-time youth pastor in 1999.

The year 2000 saw Kevin Sheehan being employed as a full-time associate pastor, having major emphasis in youth ministry, worship and the evening service.

In 1999, Marilyn Nikoloff joined the ministry team.

Marilyn's focus for ministry is with the Hardys Bay congregation and under her leadership an effective kids' club was initiated.

In 1997, due to the growth of the morning service and the Sunday school, space became a problem and a second morning service was started at Empire Bay Public School.

Hardys Bay maintained a 9am service and Empire Bay a 10am service.

The service at Empire Bay continued to grow and by March 2000 a second morning service was started at Empire Bay, services at Empire Bay at 9am and 10:30am and the morning service at Hardys Bay changed to 9.30am.

In 1998 the church purchased property at Lot 2 Bundaleer Cres, Bensville, for the future church and school and the land was dedicated exactlv 10 years after the Hardys Bay property.

The church also changed its name to "The Coast Community Church".

Services continued to grow as well as other ministries - home groups, ministries for women, men, youth, and families.

Also in 1999, the 7pm service moved to Empire Bay school and has enjoyed consistent growth.

A small evening service commenced at Hardys Bay followed by tea.

In 2000, The Coast Christian School was begun on the newly acquired Bensville site.

The school employed Alan Reynolds as its first head teacher and the school began with 26 children.

In July 2000, Lot 3 Budaleer Cres was purchased for future expansion of the church and scliool.

Easter services in the year 2000 saw record attendances at both Hardys Bay Ministry Centre and Empire Bay and they are looking forward to seeing the church grow and develop "as we strive to see Central Coast families become devoted followers of Christ".

Information sheet, May 16