In early November, the Rev Esmond Lau and a team prayed for the launch of their Menangle Park church plant. They were adding to prayers the saints of Campbelltown Anglican Churches first offered 40 years ago for a church in this suburb.

 A month in, God is answering their prayers. “Every week we’re bowled over by how God is continually bringing people here,” Mr Lau says. 

As a wider parish, they knocked on more than 1000 doors before the launch.

The senior minister at Campbelltown, the Rev Jason Veitch, says, “We prayed for 150 people in our first week – we had 250 in total! Since then we’ve averaged at 135, with more than half being genuine visitors.” 

The new congregation has also launched its first LIFE course, with a dozen guests exploring Christianity. 

Rapid development

As little as two years ago, Menangle Park had paddocks where whole streets of homes now stand. Tens of thousands are expected to move to the area within the next decade. It’s merely one of many suburbs on the outskirts of Campbelltown experiencing rapid change. 

“Right across Campbelltown, there is a wide socioeconomic difference, and so much need,” Mr Veitch says. “[In Menangle Park] people have come to build their new lives, and those people need real hope. They’re finding hope in a house, and they need much more hope. 

“People will be working really hard to pay for their houses in Menangle Park, and looking for community.” 

Adds Mr Lau: “We have twice the amount of South Asian and twice the amount of people from a Muslim background, compared to the state average. One thing I’ve noticed as I’ve been doorknocking is that people are making a life change, they’re open to different ideas and ways of life.”

Parish and school partnership

When the parish founded Broughton Anglican College 40 years ago in Menangle Park, it hoped a church would follow to reach the area. 

“This is an old idea,” Mr Veitch says, “and it came alive again three years ago when our church at Campbelltown started to grow.”

The school community has 1500 students. The new church has given many in the school community an opportunity to explore faith beyond the classroom. 

In addition to leading the church plant, Mr Lau is also a parent at the school and  teaches Biblical studies two days a week. 

“Seeing so many [from the school community] come to church for the first time has been so exciting,” he says. “Pray that our partnership will continue to be gospel-focused and full of joy.” 

Please pray

• Pray for families, friends, neighbours and members of the school community that are being invited to the new church. Praise God for those who have accepted invitations.
• Pray for all who have attended the LIFE course. Pray for the LIFE courses planned for 2026.
• Pray for a good partnership between Broughton Anglican College and the Menangle Park church – that each will be mutually blessed by the other.
• Pray for Menangle Park and for the families who are moving in to find real hope in Jesus Christ.