ELIM FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH
Welcome to the Elim Foursquare Gospel Church in Tarragindi Brisbane
"ELIM" is an Old Testament name, which means "A PLACE OF REFRESHING"
It was an oasis of 70 palm trees and 12 wells that the children of Israel came to after their exodus from Egypt.
We trust and pray that all who visit not only in person but via our website will be greatly refreshed and richly blessed.
When you come to Elim, much like the Israelites of old who sought to be refreshed after their exodus from Egypt, you too will be spiritually refreshed and uplifted when you come and fellowship with us. Please know that we will welcome you with open arms.
Whether or not you are a believer, everybody is welcome at the Elim Foursquare Gospel Church. We pray that you will come and visit us with your family and friends.
The Elim Foursquare Gospel Church
is located in Tarragindi Brisbane . We are made up of people from many different cultures and backgrounds and of all different ages - all coming together to worship God, grow in our faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and each other.
Our ultimate aim is to be a caring church in our local community and to show the love of God by reaching out with helping hands to those in need.
About Us
Our Leader and President is Dr Pastor Peter Collard
who was inducted as President on 7th April 2013. He is married to Pastor Margaret Collard who has ministered in the church since its establishment in 1983. He is the father of five (5) adult children all of whom are in the Work of the Lord.
Dr Pastor Collard being a family man has a heart for the people of the community, and makes himself available to minister to the needs of all when called upon.
Dr Pastor Collard is an excellent Bible Teacher having received an Honorary Doctorate of Biblical Theology and if you would like to hear any of his Messages please go to our Podcast page
and listen. We know you will be blessed, uplifted and grow in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
We also have other Pastors who are ready to attend as well to any need and they are. Pastor Margaret Collard, Pastor Victor Wright, Pastor Brian Hopper and his wife Elder Elisabeth Hopper, their son Pastor John Hopper as well as Dr Pastor Renae Kulawik who all minister at our Tarragindi Church.
Our Beliefs
We are a Pentecostal church which believes in the Foursquare Gospel. Briefly speaking it is encapsulated in the following statements.
Jesus the Saviour
We believe that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, and all who believe and confess Jesus as Lord can be saved from the penalty of sin.
Jesus the Healer
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is the healer and that healing is provided by His atoning death on the cross.
Jesus the Baptiser
We believe that Jesus Christ is the baptiser in the Holy Spirit, and that this baptism with signs following, is a promise for all believers.
Jesus the Coming King
We believe in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ who at that time will receive unto Himself all born again believers.
Our Articles of Faith
Our Articles of Faith are all Biblically based.
1. God
We believe that there is one God the Creator existing in three persons – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.
2. The Lord Jesus Christ
We believe in the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ - his virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death, resurrection, ascension and second coming.
3. The Holy Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity and that His work is evidenced with His fruits and gifts abiding in the church.
4. The Bible
We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God.
5. State of Man
We believe in the spiritually lost condition of man without Christ.
6. Salvation – Justification by Faith
We believe that by believing in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we receive forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life.
We believe in the essential need of the New Birth by faith in Jesus Christ John 3:3,16 That the only means of being cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious blood of Christ Peter 1:18.19
7. Baptism in Water
We believe that scriptural baptism consists of the immersion of a believer in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.
8. Sanctification
We believe that it is a command for every believer in Christ to be made pure in heart and sanctified through the operation of the Holy Spirit, through the blood of Christ and Word of God.
9. Baptism with the Holy Ghost
We believe that baptism in the Holy Ghost is promised to every believer. It is received by obeying the command of our Lord Jesus Christ who told his disciples to “Wait for the promise of the Father”. We believe that the definite manifestation of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance is the initial evidence accompanying the baptism.
10. Divine Healing
We believe that according to the teachings of the Scriptures, the Children of God should trust their Heavenly Father to protect and heal their bodies from sickness and disease.
11. The Lords Supper
We believe that in accordance with our Lord’s commands we should partake of this ordinance, remembering His words, “This do, as often as ye do it in remembrance of Me, for as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death until He comes.”
12.The Gifts and Fruit of the Spirit
We believe that the Holy Spirit has gifts to bestow upon the believers of the Lord Jesus Christ and that these gifts are divided to every man severally as the Holy Spirit wills.
13. Ministries in the Church
We believe in the God given ministries in the Church as set out in Ephesians 4v11, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers.
14. Second Coming of Christ and the Millennium
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is coming first for His saints, when they will be caught up to meet Him in the air. His coming is called the rapture of the Saints. We believe He will return and set up His millennium reign on this earth.
Explanation of the Gospel
The explanation of the Gospel can be summed up in the scripture found in John 3v16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
The Word of God says in Revelation 3v20 “Behold I stand at the door and knock and if anyone hears my voice and opens the door (of their hearts) I will come in to him and eat with him and he with Me”
The Lord Jesus Christ invites everyone to come unto Him for Salvation and the forgiveness of their sins.
There are a number of simple steps you need to take and these are as follows:-
i. Realise that you are a sinner and repent from your sins and ask God’s forgiveness;
ii. Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour believing that He died for your sins and paid the price for them on the cross at Calvary; and
iii. Make a commitment to follow Him every day as your Lord and Saviour.
If you have believed this there is a short prayer that you need to pray which is set out below.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive me of my sins today. Please come into my life. I accept you as my personal Saviour and I agree to follow you and serve you for the rest of my life.
If you have prayed this prayer you will be "Born Again" and become a Christian and your eternal future is secure in heaven.
You will also need to start praying and reading your Bible daily and fellowshipping with a Bible believing church. It is also worthwhile sharing with a friend or family member what you have just done.
IF you have prayed this prayer please contact us on our Home Page.
Our History
The Elim
Foursquare Gospel Church had its beginning in the revival that occurred in the early part of the last century. One of the early churches to rise following this revival was the Elim
Foursquare Gospel Church.
Early Days
Two members of this early Church were Pastor Samuel Wellington Dobbinson and his wife Laurie. After his work in a Church in Sydney, Pastor Dobbinson moved to Coolangatta prior to World War 2 and started a pioneer work in the area. The early mission was run by Pastor Dobbinson and his wife and his wife’s brother Mr. Charles Chapman, who had been a senior missionary in China, Sister May Runge and Sister Pearson.
Pastor Dobbinson and his household were regular evangelists on the streets of Coolangatta with many thousands coming to hear the Word of God being preached. He was both an inspirational speaker and great orator. He lived completely by faith and trusted in God for all his needs. All people without exception were welcome at his church. This rustic little building was known as the ‘bag’ church, as the exterior was made of hessian bags.
In 1973, Pastor Dobbinson suffered a tragic stroke, which confined him to his home where he was cared for by Sister Runge. He went to be with the Lord 1st November 1983.
Start of Elim
In 1983 under the Lord's direction the faith mission was formalised into a church. On 29th of October, 1983 the first meeting of the Elim
Gospel Church was held at 33 Dixon Street, Coolangatta with 55 people attending the first meeting. The church was named the ‘Elim
Gospel Church of Australasia’ and became a legal entity on 22nd of April, 1984.
Following Pastor Dobbinson's death Pastor Runge became the Principal of the church. She was a powerful preacher of the Word and so many lives were touched and changed, until the Lord took her home on 23rd May, 1987. After this event Pastor Ross Grainger-Smith then took over the leadership of the church. Under his leadership, the church expanded and many lives were changed. Pastor Grainger-Smith passed on to be with the Lord on 13th March, 2013.
Dr Pastor Peter Collard who had been Pastor Grainger-Smith's deputy for many, many years then took over as leader of the church. He continues to maintain all that the previous Principals had put in place. He is an excellent teacher of the Word of God and has a caring heart and a listening ear.
The church continues to maintain it's work for the Lord and is growing in many new areas. We have always been a Pentecostal Church established on the foundational truth of the Foursquare Gospel namely - Christ the Saviour, Healer, Baptiser with the Holy Spirit and soon coming King.