Freedomhouse Church celebrates its eighth anniversary this year and continues to place a premium on family and God’s Word as the guiding principle.

The Burnedale-based church has grown from humble beginnings to serving a dedicated regular congregation of around 400 people.

It first began at a home in Brettenwood with just a few volunteers, before taking over a former wedding venue at Burnedale, fondly nicknamed “the love shack”.

“If a barn was good enough for Jesus then it is definitely good enough for us,” said co-founder Ryan Matthews. “The true riches of our church are the people.”

Freedomhouse is led by a nine-person eldership team who share leadership duties and hold each other mutually accountable.

The team is made up of team leaders Ryan and Melissa Matthews, Nicholas and Tarryn Graham, Sydney and Tracey Joelson, Greg and Mariza Nixon and Theo Moolman.

“Aside from the elders, we also have a broader leadership throughout the church with people who lead home groups and ministries,” said Matthews.

“It’s about sharing in the common vision, which is the preaching and teaching of God’s Word. It’s not an informational transaction, it’s a transformational transaction.”

The church hosts services on Sundays at 9am, with a prayer meeting before at 8.15am.

There is also a weekly youth night on Fridays and a once monthly prayer meeting on Mondays.

“We are not trying to be a perfect church, but try to create a space where men and women can be radically transformed.”

“We want to equip people to do the work of Jesus.”

To keep up to date with service times, follow Freedomhouse on Facebook, or Instagram @freedomhouseballito.

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