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Christian Outreach Centre
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Christian Outreach Centre (often referred to as "COC") is an international movement of churches founded in 1974 by former Methodist minister Clark Taylor[1].
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[edit] History
Taylor launched the first congregation with 25 people in his house in Brisbane, Australia. The meetings were characterised by lively worship, including clapping and dancing, and an emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit. They regularly included "altar calls" in which people would come to the front of the meeting to receive prayer. The COC Church grew rapidly over the next few years, moving several times as it outgrew its venues. It gained a reputation for welcoming marginalised people, including the homeless, drug addicts and ex-criminals. By 1977 COC numbered over 1000 people, and began planting new congregations in nearby towns. The television programme "A New Way of Living", produced by the church, included many apparent claims of miraculous healing. By 1985, the Brisbane church met in a purpose-built 5000-seat auditorium.
By 1988, the movement had grown to 136 congregations, including groups in New Zealand and the Solomon Islands as well as Australia. In 1990, following the resignation of Clark Taylor over a sexual scandal[2], Neil Miers was appointed International President. David McDonald is the current Australian Chairman who also Pastors Sydney COC.[3] Between 1991 and 1996 COC churches commenced in South Africa, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Germany, South America, Tonga, Western Samoa, Spain and the United Kingdom. In 1997 COC opened its first United States churches and in 1998 Argentina and Bolivia.
[edit] YouthNet
YouthNet is the Youth arm for COC in Australia.
[edit] State Directors (Australia)
- NSW/ACT - Jack and Ashya McDonald
- Queensland - Dave and Bec Connett
- Victoria - Craig and Chris Anderson
- South Australia - Tim Howard
- Western Australia - Rebekah and Ryan Prosser
[edit] Conferences & Camps
There are generally 2 major conferences within the year for YouthNet states in Australia. One is the State/Regional Camp held within each state usually in the last quarter of the year. The annual HUGE Leadership Conference is held in April for NSW & Victoria and in February for Queensland. Many local YouthNet ministries also plan their own camps and conferences throughout the year.
[edit] YouthNet Ministries
Some local YouthNet Ministries include:
- Youthoria of Suncoast COC on Queenslands Sunshine coast
- SevenEleven of Sydney COC
- Emerge www.theuprising.com.au of Elevation Church Elevation Church Gold Coast, QLD
- Macarthur YouthNet of Macarthur COC
- Coastside Youth/Switch of Coastside COC
- Dominion of Shellharbour COC
- Crossroads YouthNet Maitland, NSW
- Ministry of Youth of Shoalhaven City COC
- Power House - Youth Ministry of Victory COC Gympie, Queensland
- YouthNet San Mateo of COC-San Mateo, Rizal, Philippines
- RFCUVCF YouthNet San Pedro of San Pedro, Laguna, Philippines
[edit] Schools
Christian Outreach Centre operates a number of schools within Queensland, initially opening a campus in Mansfield in 1978[4] called, Christian Outreach College Brisbane, followed by another on the Sunshine Coast in 1979. A third school was built and opened in 1982 in Toowoomba called, Christian Outreach College Toowoomba.[5] The mission of each of the schools is roughly the same, best summed up in the statement 'Our mission is to disciple students in their personal and scholarly growth within a Biblical worldview so that they may serve God and their fellow man.'[6]
The schools cater for students of all ages from preparatory right through to 12.[7]
[edit] Tertiary Education
Founded in 1986, the Christian Heritage College at Mansfield, Brisbane, Queensland describes itself on its website as '"established in 1986 as a result of Christian Outreach Centre's vision for Christian higher education"'.[8]
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.pastornet.net.au/renewal/revival/birth.html
- ^ http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/07/28/1090694012667.html?from=storyrhs
- ^ http://www.coc.org.au/about/chairman.aspx
- ^ http://www.brisbane.coc.edu.au/Site/About/History.asp
- ^ http://www.coct.qld.edu.au/index.htm
- ^ http://www.coct.qld.edu.au/
- ^ http://www.brisbane.coc.edu.au/Site/About/default.asp
- ^ http://www.chc.edu.au/history
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