Christian Hope Centre

Christian Hope Centre is a non denominational Pentecostal church that has been based on the Gold Coast for 28 years.

The first meetings were held in Surfers Paradise in 1996. Meetings were initially held at Macintosh Island, then the Palladium/Trocadero, then the Bus Station, Beach Rd. CHC is now based in Burleigh Heads with our missions base at Biggera Waters.

Over the years CHC has been strong in the areas of outreach, locally and internationally. The Jesus Tent of Miracles was the outreach vessel for many years, traveling inland to Toowoomba and northward to Mackay. There were many amazing testimonies that were reported through the media on a number of occasions. ‘Phyllis’ was the first reported healing in the Tent at Macintosh Island. This was our first meeting and we were all amazed to see Phyllis on the Channel 9 news that night testifying that a Cancerous lump had amazingly disappeared from her back in the meeting. All the pain had disappeared and she was lit up like a light bulb. A few months earlier, the doctors had given her until Christmas to say her goodbyes and have her house in order.

Several years later, Phyllis’s son arranged a breakfast with her and her husband and Naomi and myself. The question he asked was ‘what did you do to my mum?’ We explained that all we did was pray but Jesus did the rest. Again a few more years on we caught up with Phyllis. The pain and the lump and the cancer never did return.

Our international outreach has included Sri Lanka, India and the United States. Earlier, myself (Peter) and my wife, (Naomi Willis) were involved in the runnings of the Christian Cafe in Cavill Ave. This incorporated 12 halfway houses for those in need. The Family Services Department of Qld showed their support for the earlier works at the Cafe by providing three accommodation centres for three years with all rents completely paid for.

Reg Hunt, a former candidate as Mayor for the Gold Coast and the founder of the Wax Works Museum and Queensland’s first Drive in Cinemas also showed his support by providing three houses at Budds Beach for three years. CHC appreciates the support of the State Government (especially Anne Warner : Family Services Qld. and the outstanding entrepreneur Reg Hunt for their early support). Also a special thanks to Regina King for her wonderful support for the Christian Cafe in its early stages. We would also like to thank Peter George (Bombay Rock) for his support in supplying fruit and vegetables at the Christian Cafe on many occasions, that went to helping the poor and needy, especially the street kids. Also a special thanks to former Mayor Lex Bell for his continued favour and support as we all worked together to help those in need.

There is something special and satisfying to be able to help and support young teenagers and adults that have fallen on hard times. To have the support of the local people on the Gold Coast made the challenge all the more rewarding.

With troubling times around us now and more in the future, it’s always wonderful to see what can be done in our immediate area when people begin to have compassion on the less fortunate and join together to do their bit. May there be more successful times ahead!