Reimagining partnership

When co-located Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale and Redeemer Lutheran College in Brisbane began reimagining their partnership, they shared a simple vision: to reconnect, renew and reach out together in faith.

That vision took shape in early 2025 with the creation of the Community Connection Facilitator – a shared ministry role designed to strengthen relationships between the church, the college and the wider community. The position, held by Christian Hansen, was initially funded through an LLL Mission Outreach Grant and has already begun to reshape how these two communities work together for the gospel.

Now, with the strong support of Redeemer and a successful application to the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund, Our Saviour hopes to continue and expand this ministry over the next three years.

The heart of the Community Connection Facilitator role is simple but profound: building relationships where the good news of Jesus can be shared naturally and relationally. Rather than focusing on programs or events alone, the role seeks to create everyday spaces in which faith and life intersect in conversations, shared service of the wider neighbourhood and community gatherings.

The gospel is best shared in relationship. We’re seeing lives touched and communities drawn closer together as people experience what it means to live faith in daily life. This partnership helps us embody the church’s mission in ways that feel personal and authentic.

Through the work of the Community Connection Facilitator, new opportunities for connection are emerging across both church and college life. Our Saviour members now regularly visit classrooms to read Bible stories to Prep students. Members from both communities meet at Messy Church once a month. Congregational volunteers prepare coffee, tea and hot chocolate for staff and parents during Redeemer’s chapel devotions twice a week.

Additionally, longstanding connections have been strengthened. The shared Helping Hands ministry has had renewed support from the Community Connection Facilitator.

Redeemer Principal Darrin Schumacher says the college has already seen significant fruit. ‘There has been a noticeable increase in social connection, strengthened relationships between Our Saviour and Redeemer members and new engagement with surrounding state schools,’ he says.

The partnership between Redeemer and Our Saviour, supported by the Community Connections Facilitator, continues to benefit and give new ways for each community to introduce people to Jesus.

Lee Kroehn is the pastor at Our Saviour Lutheran Church Rochedale in Queensland.

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