On the 9th November 1958, the first meeting of what was to become Life Ministry Centre took place at the Loyal Orange Lodge in Wattle Park. Within two years the group moved to the YWCA buildings in Russell Street, Melbourne Central. Hal Oxley was appointed as Pastor in 1962 and became fulltime Pastor in 1967.
In 1969 the Assembly moved to Cotham Road, Kew.
In 1972 LMBC – LMC’s teaching and training live-in Bible college – was formalized. The College began at Merricks but moved quickly to the new Assembly premises in Oban Road, Ringwood then moved to Dixon’s Creek, to Olinda, and finally to Old Melbourne Road, Chirnside Park. Students came and were sent out to places such as Nagaland, India, China, Japan, Kenya, the Philippines, Indonesia, PNG, New Zealand, England, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Hungary.
The Assembly moved to Oban Road, Ringwood, in 1973, and then to Nunawading High School for two years whilst building a new centre at 331 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood.
In 1979 we purchased seventy acres of land in Chirnside Park that we now call home
1979 saw Life Christian Academy commence in Warranwood with eighty students and six teachers and Mr Dale Kent as Principal. By 1983, the Academy moved to its permanent home-site in Chirnside Park. David Odd was the next Principal in 1985 and 1987 LCA became Oxley College. In 1992 Mrs Sally Broadley took over the Principal’s position and remains in this role to this day. This year the school has over 120 staff and close to 1,000 students from nations around the world. The school’s impact on overseas students has been one of Life Ministry Centre’s primary mission fields and has seen great success.
In 1989 Pastor Hal Oxley stood down as Senior Pastor of LMC after 31 years of leading the assembly, and Pastor Delton Gordon was inducted as Senior Pastor.
The vision of LMC was always to bring the best possible ministry to the assembly and the body of Christ. The roll call of visiting ministries is printed on this document, and reads like a “whose who?” of international and national ministry. These men and women have greatly impacted our church.
More than 23 outreaches and churches were established from this Centre. Some have merged, others have closed down and some remain strong. Members of Life Ministry Centre have served in missions, and ministered, throughout the Asia Pacific region, India and the sub continent, Africa, Europe, and China, Russia and the United States of America.
We have also been blessed with outstanding leadership. Men such as Pastors Hal Oxley, Delton Gordon, Ian Richardson and Graham Nelson as Senior Pastors and many others as listed below. We thank God for the devotion of these men.
In 1998 a new era dawned at LMC when Pastor Graham Nelson was appointed Senior Pastor. The past ten years has seen us focus on Outreach and community involvement, youth and kids ministries, and the building of strong relationships.
In 2008 Oxley Stadium became operational with the aim of bringing the community on to our property. Thousands from our community drive in and out of our property weekly.
Today LMC continues its journey and looks ahead to many more years of ministry and impact in growing the Kingdom of God.
Download the pdf documents of the 2008 50th Anniversary Brochure: Outside | Timeline (Note: these links will open a google document page - you need to click on “File” then ‘Download Original” if you wish to download the pdf document)
