New Beenleigh Corps building a launch pad for the future
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
BY SIMONE WORTHING
Territorial Commander Commissioner Miriam Gluyas has officially opened and dedicated the new Beenleigh Corps building in a new location south of Brisbane.
The corps, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is overseen by Major Heather McKeown (Team Leader) and Captain Anthony Hunt (Team Member).
The officially opening was held on Sunday 24 May, although services have been held at the new site since March.
“It was a beautiful and significant day for Beenleigh Salvos,” said Heather. “We are deeply grateful to Commissioner Miriam Gluyas for joining us and helping us mark this important moment in our story.
“This building is not simply a place to gather – it is a place from which we are sent. As we celebrated Pentecost, we were reminded again that God fills his people with hope, courage and purpose for the sake of the world he loves.
“Our prayer is that Beenleigh Salvos will continue to be a people of hope in the Beenleigh community – caring for people, creating faith pathways, building healthy communities, and working for justice.
“To God be the glory, and for the good of our community.”
A fresh start
Captain Anthony Hunt recently spoke to Salvos Online about the Beenleigh Corps and its new beginning.
How long has the corps been in the new premises?
We had our first Sunday service on 22 March this year, followed by opening to community engagement activities the following week.
Why has it moved to the new location?
Our previous site at Bahrs Scrub was no longer fit for mission. It was isolated from the wider community and made it hard for people to engage with us as the corps focused more on meeting the growing needs of the Beenleigh community. Our current location places us within the heart of the Beenleigh CBD, in the centre of the action.
What programs and services are available in the new building?
We offer Doorways support with our caseworker, Rhona. We have showers, laundry facilities, a food pantry, and a great kitchen for serving people when they come in for support or a chat. We also have Sunday services, and on Tuesdays we focus on our spiritual needs – with a prayer meeting and Bible discovery groups.
Many locals came to the official opening and toured the building inside and out.
What are the focus areas for the corps?
Our primary focus at the moment is meeting people where they are at and listening. We want to be a corps that exists for the good of our community and not presume what that good is.
How has the community responded to the corps in its new location?
We have already had a lot more engagement from those who are facing a wide range of difficulties within our community – homelessness, cost-of-living pressures, family and domestic violence, just to name a few. We are definitely seeing people come back on a regular basis, either to be supported or just drop by for a chat.
Are there any particular challenges, or new joys, that you are discovering in the new location?
As with all new spaces, the biggest challenge is working out how best to use the space. Having two entry points mean we need to be aware of when people come into the building. One of the great joys is that our location puts us near the local primary school, and we see some great potential for relationships to grow in that space.
What are some of the hopes and plans for the future in this building?
Our biggest hope is that we, as a corps, don’t see this space as an arrival but as a launching pad for further ministry. We believe that our street address is no accident, and that the Spirit is going before us, preparing the hearts, minds and souls of all who enter in at 44 Kent St, be it to seek support or be a support.
Is there any one change that you have particularly noticed?
Just about everyone who enters the space for the first time mentions how at home they feel. We see this as such a positive as we want people to feel welcomed and embraced by the Beenleigh Salvos.
