Coast puts its faith in religion
CASHED-UP mega churches are expanding rapidly on the Gold Coast as congregations of the faithful grow.
The city’s industrial estates are being reborn as churches, backed by booming congregations and seven-figure coffers.
At least 10 churches have made the move in the past two years and more are expected.
The latest is the Liberti Church, which wants to revamp part of a Carrara industrial estate into a new campus.
It follows the Metro Church selling its longtime home in Southport’s Ridgeway Ave and temporarily relocating to Varsity Lakes while it searches for a permanent place.
Metro founder Garry McDonald said an increasing interest in Christian faiths, especially from younger people, was behind the growth.
“This hasn’t happened overnight, but some churches have flourished in the past five years,” he said.
“There is a lot of forward momentum and it is reaching the point of critical mass.
“There is a new and more relatable expression of the stylings of Christian worship and it is attracting the younger demographic.”
On top of a strong growth in congregations, Coast churches are also reporting strong financial positions.
Robina’s Glow Church, with a congregation of more than 2000, is the fastest-growing in the country and has an annual gross income of more than $2 million, while Metro has a total income of more than $1 million. Glow’s income has quadrupled in five years.
Data released last year showed a significant boost in support for Pentecostal churches, of which there are now more than 80 on the Coast. This compares to the city's 67 traditional mainstream churches. These include Baptist, Anglican, Catholic, Presbyterian, Uniting and Wesleyan churches.
Many of the newer churches have operated out of rented premises but are now looking for permanent homes. Some are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in fit-outs.
Liberti Church wants to shift to Indy Court, Carrara, after outgrowing its Warrener St home near the Nerang train station. It has shared the Nerang site with another church.
Liberti, which also holds services at Coomera and Mermaid Beach, has lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council.
For the past 15 years new churches have been primarily housed in industrial areas where there is greater parking and weekend services will not disrupt residential areas.
“We are seeing them pop up more and more in the industrial areas, but it is not something I have any problem with,” said councillor Bob La Castra.
“It won’t have as much impact on residential areas from a parking and noise point of view, so this location makes a lot of sense.”
Last month, the Bulletin revealed Hillsong had unveiled plans for a place of worship at the former Masters hardware complex at Highland Park.