Glenmore Park is a Church going through change. In 2020, the church is saying goodbye to Senior Minister John Lavender, welcoming a new leader and is undergoing a building project to plant a new Church in the growing suburb of Silverdale.

When John and Karen Lavender joined Glenmore Park they were able to run church in the rectory garage. They set up an air-conditioner in the back of their house and welcomed the people of the new suburb into their lives. In 1996 they began work on a new church building. Soon, 40 adults and kids were able to move in. 

There is a lot to praise God for. After over 20 years of service, Glenmore Park runs five services with 600 people meeting on a Sunday and interactions with hundreds of community members every week. Karen Lavender estimated over their time at Glenmore, 600 people had put their faith in Jesus.

On Australia Day weekend Glenmore Park farewelled John and Karen Lavender, their senior minister of over 23 years 


 Local MP Tanya Davies joined the farewell celebrations, thanking John for embodying “light and love”. John has also written an article in the Western Weekender newspaper for more than twenty years. In total, that is 300,000 words - faithfully proclaiming the gospel. They have been a fantastic example of faithful, Godly service. 

Glenmore is gearing up to welcome a new family to lead them forward 

Early last year they announced Chris and Beth Braga will join Glenmore Park as senior minister. It’s a big change for the family of nine - five of their seven children will move into the rectory and change schools. After living in Summer Hill for over 10 years, they’ll have a lot to get used to! We’re very excited to see how God works through Glenmore Park and the Braga’s over the next few years. 

Pray for Glenmore Park in this period of change 

  • For John and Karen as they transition away from Glenmore Park after over 20 years serving
  • For Chris, Beth and their children as they say goodbye to Summer Hill and prepare to join Glenmore Park 
  • For the Silverdale building project that the plans would go smoothly and the new congregation would be able to move in. Pray that there would be new people reached and brought into relationship with Jesus through this congregation. 
  • Pray for the staff team as they transition to working under new leadership. 
  • Pray for the congregations that God would give them patience and excitement and joy in God amidst all these changes.