Gracepoint Chinese Presbyterian Church - English Congregation
The Gracepoint Chinese Presbyterian Church – English Congregation is a nonprofit Christian organization operating under the Presbyterian Church of Australia in New South Wales (PCNSW)[5]. Established around 1990[5], it forms part of the multicultural ministries of Gracepoint Chinese Presbyterian Church, which serves Chinese-Australian communities in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English[3].

History and Structure

The congregation originated as an English-language ministry within a broader Chinese Presbyterian framework, initially developed through partnerships with existing churches[3]. By 2017, the parent church transferred to Hawkesbury Presbytery under the leadership of Rev. John McClean[3]. The English Congregation operates independently but collaboratively with other language groups to minister across generations[3].

Beliefs and Practices

The congregation adheres to Reformed evangelical theology, emphasizing the Bible as the "supreme standard" of faith and the Westminster Confession of Faith as its subordinate standard[3][2]. Worship services focus on biblical teaching, communal prayer, and hymns, reflecting a commitment to spreading the Gospel and fostering relationships through Jesus Christ[4].

Ministries and Outreach

Activities include Sunday schools, discipleship programs, and missional outreach rooted in the church’s motto: “Faith in the Gospel. Love one another. Care about the community”[1][3]. The congregation participates in cross-generational evangelism, aiming to bridge cultural gaps within the Chinese diaspora[3][4].

Governance

As a member institution of the Presbyterian Church NSW and ACT, it falls under the denomination’s national redress scheme for handling institutional abuse claims[5]. The church emphasizes accountability and community care in its operations[5][2].

[1] https://www.gcpc.org.au/en/ [2] https://www.gracepoint.org.au [3] https://www.gcpc.org.au/en/about-us/who-we-are/ [4] https://www.gracepoint.org.au/sunday-services [5] https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/institutions/gracepoint-chinese-presbyterian-church-english-congregation