A church group that stemmed from modest surroundings is enjoying a new multimillion-dollar home, which is also available for public use.
hm.church recently opened its impressive new facility on the banks of Lake Kawana.
It includes a cathedral-style foyer with a 10m-high ceiling and full-length glass frontage, a 300-seat auditorium with premium sound and lighting, a foyer hall that seats 150, a contemporary cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, a kids’ room, mothers’ room and creche facilities, meeting rooms and creative workshop and bridal preparation suites.
Church operations manager Darren Lockwood said the $2.85 million venue was a long time in the making.
“The building was purpose-built to give hm.church a permanent home: a place where people can gather to worship, connect and serve the community,” he said.
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“At hm, we believe there’s no place like home.
“This project has been a journey of faith spanning nearly two decades.
“From humble beginnings in a pub function room and rented school halls to now having a purpose-built home, we’ve witnessed countless miracles and unwavering community support.
“The building itself stands as a testament to the generosity, unity and persistence of everyday people.”
The venue, known publicly as The Cove Sunshine Coast, is also available for hire.
“Beyond Sunday services, the space is designed as a multi-purpose community venue that can host weddings, conferences and special events, creating opportunities for connection and positive impact throughout the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Lockwood said.
“It provides a serene lakefront setting with versatile indoor and outdoor spaces.”
The property, on Sportsmans Parade, is owned by Historymaker Australia Ltd, a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. The facility was designed by BRD Group and constructed by Integral Construction. Construction started late last year.
The cost was funded through “the church community and a commercial loan”.
“Our congregation rallied through faith and generosity over several years, with hundreds of families contributing financially to make this dream a reality,” Mr Lockwood said.
hm.church is a non-denominational Christian church founded by Pastors Benny and Sharon Tan in 2004. It’s run by Senior Pastor Alex Tan, his wife Karlie and a pastoral and operational team.
The church has a weekly attendance of about 450 people across two Sunday services, with additional mid-week gatherings, youth programs and community initiatives.
Mr Lockwood said there were more plans for the church.
“While our current focus is on establishing this new facility as a thriving hub for worship and community connection, our future vision includes expanding outreach programs that support local families and youth; hosting leadership training, conferences and creative arts events; and continuing our legacy projects, which invest in future facilities, missions and next-generation ministries locally and abroad,” he said.
