A cross-cultural home for faith

At Glynde Lutheran Church in Adelaide’s north-east, located in a rapidly changing multicultural area, the sounds of Mandarin, Korean, Nuer, Hindi, English and other languages can be heard throughout the church complex. You might see English learners chatting, individuals of all ages in Bible studies, youth participating in activities, families at a playgroup or adults sharing food and conversation.

This is the everyday life of a congregation that, for many years, has sensed God calling it to be a welcoming home for people from all nations, ages and backgrounds, where the gospel is shared through loving friendship and hospitality.

With the support of the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund, Glynde is now preparing to take a significant new step in that calling: establishing the Glynde Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre, a three-year project designed to strengthen multicultural and ‘first-third’ ministry locally and provide cross-cultural mission learning opportunities for the wider church.

Over the years, Glynde has embraced this mission opportunity through English classes, ‘Coffee ‘n’ Chat’, ‘Grace Over Lunch’, youth discipleship gatherings, playgroup, Mainly Music and family-friendly worship. Partnerships have grown with Grace Lutheran Chinese Church, Adelaide Global Mission Church (South Korean) and the Nuer Lutheran Fellowship, which share facilities, worship or ministry activities with Glynde. An informal partnership has been established with Pilgrim Lutheran Church Magill, focusing on sharing resources and supporting one another in mission.

Alongside this, Glynde has invested deeply in first-third ministry (ages 8 to 30), believing that cross-cultural mission and youth discipleship are interconnected. As young people from diverse cultural backgrounds grow in faith, leadership and service, the congregation has experienced how the Spirit builds a beautiful, intergenerational family of God.

Building on these foundations, the Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre will offer a safe, hospitable and grace-filled space where people can encounter Jesus, explore faith and connect with others. Core programs will include English classes, youth gatherings, family ministries, Alpha and ‘Intro to Faith’ courses, and community hospitality activities.

At the heart of the project is a commitment not only to welcome people but also build friendships and equip new leaders, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse and first-third backgrounds. The centre will intentionally create pathways for leadership development, worship involvement, faith mentoring and ministry participation.

A key part of the project is Glynde’s commitment to sharing what it learns with the wider church. Over the next three years, Glynde will be available for congregations to learn together how to welcome newcomers and share the gospel in culturally sensitive and life-giving ways. In this sense, the centre is not only for Glynde, but for the whole church.

The Local Mission Fund grant is an encouragement, a confirmation and a challenge to step forward in faith. With God’s leading – and with the support of partner congregations, volunteers and the wider LCANZ – Glynde hopes this new centre will continue to grow as a place where many hear the good news of Jesus and find a home in his family.

Tim Eckert is Chairperson of Zion Glynde Lutheran Church.

Glynde Lutheran Church was one of seven congregations to receive grants through the 2026 round of the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund. In addition, a churchwide mission project will receive backing from the fund. Now in its second year, the fund has been established to help congregations, districts and agencies as they seek new ways to reach their neighbours and local communities with the gospel. Expressions of interest for 2027 grants will open in mid-2026. Click here for more information.