The streets of Canley Heights draw people from all suburbs to dine in the evening. They are home to some of the best Vietnamese and Thai restaurants in Sydney, and are bursting with life. This is where the people are, milling on street corners, gathered in cafes, sharing bowls of pho and noodles together.
This is the reason Cam Phong Huynh chose to plant a church here. 

Life Anglican Church, Canley Heights meets in the Canley Heights Hotel, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the restaurant nightlife. “We thought it was important to start a 5pm service,” says Cam, whose main goal is to reach out to the large number of second-generation Vietnamese in the area. “In terms of Vietnamese population, the suburb of Canley Heights is smack in the middle. There were still so many people unreached.”

This is Cam’s second church plant. Two years ago, he planted Life Anglican Church two suburbs over in Fairfield, which has now grown to more than 80 people (adults, youth and children). But he knew there were still people they were missing. “There were people in our 11am service who couldn’t always make it because of work or late night commitments on Saturday nights,” he says.

Photo: Cam Phong outside his new church location – the Canley Heights Hotel.

Initially the plan was to start the church plant with seven committed members. More than 50 people attended the launch night of Life Canley Heights early in February, including many new people. “One guy has a business in the area and hasn’t been able to go to church,” Cam says. “He closes at 4pm, so a 5pm service suits him.”

Although they meet in the function room of a pub, Cam has received a lot of positive feedback, and this excitement in others has been a great encouragement to him.

“People loved the setup,” he says. “After the service we continue our fellowship in the restaurants. We have one guy who recently recommitted his life to Jesus – with tats all over one arm. He brings coffee and tea and welcomes people at the door.
“I’m very excited we have this opportunity to plant a church in Canley Heights,” he adds. “I hope that God will use it to reach the lost English-speaking second generation of Vietnamese in this area.”