Boaz flies the flag for Jesus at men’s crisis accommodation centre

Salvation Army Territorial Commissioner, Miriam Gluyas, officially launched the new faith community of hope with chaplain Boaz Smith.

BY LERISSE SMITH

Boaz Smith still remembers the poignant moment a simple, yet powerful vision struck – to start a church in the community he calls home.

It was bold. It was daunting. But it cemented his purpose as the chaplain of The Salvation Army Flagstaff Men’s Crisis Accommodation in Melbourne’s western region – a centre that provides temporary housing for men experiencing homelessness.

“There was this strong feeling I could do more,” he recalls, reflecting on the moment his church came to life.

“After two years in the chaplain role, something stirred deeper. I spoke with my team leader and said, ‘I have a vision for us to start a church service here on a Sunday.’ And he said, ‘Well, why not? We can give it a try and see how it goes.’”

That simple encouragement lit the fuse. A full year of planning, praying and persevering followed, culminating in the official launch of Flagstaff Community Church on 7 September.

The community gathered to celebrate at the centre’s chapel. Among the attendees were The Salvation Army’s Territorial Commissioner, Miriam Gluyas, who officially launched the new faith community; Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, Rosy Keane; and Team Leader, Les Smith – three key sources of prayer and support for Boaz and his team.

A special mural unveiling also added colour and meaning to the day – ‘Jesus-centred, Sprit-led, hope revealed’ – with guests encouraged to paint the final touches.

The mural that adorns the wall of the chapel.

“It was such a privilege,” reflects Boaz. “Just being in a space where people from places came together to grace the occasion. And of course, having the Commissioner attend was a tick of approval.”

Doubts dispelled But the road to that moment wasn’t smooth. Doubts crept in for Boaz. Negative thoughts kept resurfacing.

“I remember thinking, what will the service even look like? Will we get it right? Will anyone come?” he says.

“What if something happens to disrupt it? When God is coming somewhere, the devil also tries to fight. But my doubts started to fade when, a few months ago, in April, we actually started. It was a good service! We also invited the community to make it more lively.”

Something special has taken place with the church adding spiritual life to the accommodation centre, Boaz says.

Boaz clearly recalls the small beginnings. Only a few people showed up at the chapel for the first service. But the next day, he felt God speak directly to his heart – numbers did not matter. What mattered was that the doors were open and an option for anyone to walk through and experience connection and community with no judgement.

“That was powerful for me,” he says. “It shifted my focus from the crowd to the individual. Even one soul coming to God is worth everything.”

Since that unassuming beginning, something special has happened with the church, adding spiritual life to the 25-year-old centre, which houses 64 men at a time. Every Sunday from 1pm to 3pm, the chapel comes alive. Hymns, prayer, Scripture, preaching, and more recently, personal testimonies, fill the room. There is even plenty of time to chat afterwards. African praise and worship is next on the horizon.

But this isn’t just about church. It is about transformation.

“It’s about telling people their past does not define their future,” Boaz says.

“We believe homelessness is not the end. Even at your lowest points, there is still hope. God can see you through. The vision behind this ministry is to bring Christ to where we work because, in homelessness, there’s more of darkness and hopelessness.

“A lot of negative thoughts. So having Jesus in such a place brings hope. It brings life to people who think there’s nothing for me. Even at their lowest point, there is hope. You know God can see them through and that they have value.”

Church attendees help create the special mural at the official unveiling of the church.

Feedback from church attendees has been overwhelmingly positive.

Residents and community members alike have felt the impact of what’s happening inside Flagstaff’s chapel. They are desperate for God, the chaplain reflects, adding that the church attendees were not just coming to hang out.

A key component of the church is not only its inclusivity, but its intention to impact everyone who walks through the doors.

From the moment someone steps inside, Boaz wants the congregants to see the blue “Jesus-centred” sign and feel the atmosphere shift. It is community they are building – a community where everyone comes together to seek God and fellowship.

It is also an equal platform where Boaz wants everyone to know they are all God’s children. There is no hierarchy, just a chapel to worship God and fellowship in holiness.

But a harsh reality does exist among the centre guests – many of the men carry painful memories of church.

Some have been mistreated by church communities before, Boaz explains, but he emphasises to the men that it wasn’t God who hurt them, it was people.

“That is why we are here. We are going to treat them the way God would want us to treat them,” he says. “To advocate, to offer a place where they can belong, where they are not condemned, but welcomed. When they walk into this service, they are respected and treated well.”

And hope is everything for the men.

“You can be rich and famous, but without hope? It’s nothing,” Boaz explains.

“This church brings hope back to the community. My prayer for each homeless man who enters the chapel is that they experience calmness. After six months or more on the street, some people are full of anxiety.

“I want them to walk in and think, ‘Okay, I’m safe now. I can look forward to a better day’ and to help them forget about the past trauma and believe tomorrow can be better than today, so they can see a brighter future rather than live in a dark past.”

Among the attendees at the official launch of the Flagstaff Community Church with Boaz were Secretary for Spiritual Life Development, Rosy Keane and Victorian Chaplaincy Team Leader, Les Smith – two key sources of prayer and support.

Flagstaff Community Church is also not trying to copy traditional congregations – and that’s intentional.

“We are not changing church, but I think we are practising the more context of church,” Boaz emphasises.

“It’s not about expensive clothes, shoes or hats. It’s about winning hearts for God … The Salvation Army is not just about food or material help. It’s about being Jesus-focused, too. Because without hope, these things pass away. So, the ministry is to give them continuous hope.”

With the church now officially opened, the chaplain is excited about the days ahead.

“It belongs to God,” he says. “I won’t be here forever, but at least something has been planted. Some can come and water it. And people want to be part of a new thing that is growing. They want to be part of it – and it is fantastic.”

 Clockwise from top: Fun and fellowship were the order of the day when the local community gathered to paint a new mural and huge sign as part of the official launch; Miriam puts the finishing touches on the mural; Victorian Chaplaincy Team Leader Les Smith speaks at the event; Aux-Lieutenant James Singer, chaplain at Foley House, was one of the guests.