Exciting News
We have been blessed to be receiving a new Pastor later this year to go on the next phase of our journey with us and thought you might like to know a bit about him and his lovely family. As shared by Pastor Matt:I am married to Sal and have six lovely children: Benjamin, (19) Jonah (17), Zachary, (15) Tabitha, (13) Philippa (11) and Grace (9). I have been a pastor at Trinity Pasadena for 4 1/2 years working in Cross cultural ministry, family's ministry and Aged care. My previous career before ministry was as a clinical music therapist for 12 years in both the U.K and in Australia working in disability, brain injury and psychiatry. I have a passion for preaching teaching and sharing the Gospel, music ministry, trauma counselling, and parenting work with families.
Sal is a wellness coach with Weight Watchers and her previous career was as a company & commercial lawyer in the U.K. Sal loves writing speaking, sharing her passion for God's Word. She enjoys sewing in her 'spare' time.As a family we come with a toolbox of gifts and skills, and are so looking forward to partnering with the congregation in God's mission in the community, and working with the congregation to fulfill its vision as part of new and renewing churches. As a family of band musicians, we are also excited to be able to contribute to the worship life of the congregation. We thank God for this opportunity to part of the church community and to help lead, encourage and equip you all as a congregation!
Koang
Koang Nhial is a Specific Ministry Pastor in training working with our South Sudanese Fellowship, encouraging and organising the community in its many challenges. He has a Diploma of Theology from ALC, and he plans worship, preaching and pastoral care for the fellowship too.
Welcome to Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church!
Welcome to the Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church – a Christian community rejoicing in and living out the good news of God's amazing love in Jesus our Saviour. We have more to learn and share, and you are most welcome any time.
The Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church is a single congregation with three worshipping communities: St James Moorabbin, Holy Trinity Dandenong and the Dandenong South Sudanese Fellowship (Nuer language).
Our life together has been both enriched and challenged by these different backgrounds and opportunities for ministry.
Our story so far
St James and Holy Trinity began in the 1950s as Melbourne grew into the bayside suburbs (Moorabbin) and post-war European migrants arrived in industrial areas (Dandenong). A significant number of refugees from the war in South Sudan arrived in the early 2000s. Our life together has been both enriched and challenged by these different backgrounds and opportunities for ministry.
Our three worshipping communities are blessed to gather for services each Sunday, with St James and Holy Trinity in the morning and the South Sudanese Fellowship in the afternoon. On the fifth Sunday of months that have one, we have a combined congregation service and fellowship time together. The South Sudanese community joins other Lutheran South Sudanese fellowships for a joint service every few months and is also part of the Nuer United Christian Churches group in Melbourne.
Our congregation base is at the St James worship centre at 416 South Road, Moorabbin, completely redeveloped recently from the original 1960s facility, although incorporating its heritage-listed façade in the new building. Beautiful retirement living apartments in The Healey complex are partially above and behind it. Holy Trinity and the South Sudanese Fellowship worship in the Marian Room of the Catholic church's St Mary's Community Centre at 24 New Street, Dandenong, after the old and decaying Pickett Street church was sold in 2019.
Community life more broadly is supported by fellowship after worship, special fellowship events, two St James care groups, a crafty chat group and the spontaneous engagement and care of one member for another. The Sudanese Fellowship has its own leadership group, women’s group and choir. Cross-cultural engagement has been a particular characteristic and blessing of our life together.
Formal pastoral care is given by teamwork between the pastor and pastoral assistants, and a prayer tree ministry is available for confidential shared prayer.
St James actively participates in the LCA’s Grow Ministries with its emphasis on cross-generational inclusion and engagement. Faith formation in the home is promoted and resources provided.
We are hugely blessed by our life together in Christ, and again, we welcome you too!
About Lutherans
The Lutheran Church is the largest Protestant denomination in the world, with over 80 million people identifying as Lutheran. Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church is one of 360 congregations in the Lutheran Church of Australia. Our churchwide mission is to be a place where love comes to life. We believe that God's love is for everyone everywhere and we want you to see how his love comes to life in us – and in you.