In 33AD, the followers of a crucified Jewish rabbi shocked the whole Greco-Roman empire. These men and women who were previously cowering for their lives, started speaking with such boldness and hope. Their message was that their teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, a man who claimed to be the Son of God, had risen from the grave just as he said he would. All people were invited to this everlasting life by turning from the world's ways of thinking, believing in Jesus and being connected to him through Baptism.
In 1517 the world was shocked once again. The Church of the middle ages had become corrupt and had lost sight of who Jesus is and what he had done. The pope, bishops and priests were teaching people that they could earn God's favour through good actions. Many even paid the church money so that they, or a loved one, could pass through purgatory and straight to heaven. Then a German monk named Martin Luther caused a stir. The 95 complaints against the church he posted to the church door were taken down and recopied thousands of times by the local (newly invented) printing press. For the following decades Luther and his friends fought to ensure that the Bible could be read by ordinary people. They taught that we can't be in relationship with God through our own efforts, but only through Jesus. We receive him in seemingly ordinary things -- the words of the Bible, the water of Baptism, the bread and the wine of Holy Communion.
Ordinary people are still looking for hope, a kind of peace which doesn't depend on circumstance. We believe that this hope which fueled the early church, amidst suffering and death threats, can still be found in the reality-changing message of Jesus.
Everhope Church was born on the 31st October 2021 when a small team led by Matt Schubert were commissioned by Rockingham Mandurah Lutheran Church. This team were compelled by a conviction that a new church was needed in our region to connect with those who don't think of themselves as church people. So Everhope's church services look a lot like Australian surburbia, using language that unchurched and dechurched people can relate to. At Everhope, we believe that church should feel like family and involve everyday life.
As you might know, every church reads the Bible in slightly different ways. We're human, after all! So what can we do about it? As Lutherans, we think the best way to figure out what Jesus meant is to trace his followers' beliefs back through history. In this age of information, we have access to letters from the generation after Jesus walked the earth! We can read how these early Christians understood the Bible. It turns out, they had a very grounded faith. Here's what they believed, and what we do too:
We soberly acknowledge we're messed up. We do good things at times, but our hearts are crooked with a bent towards sin. We can't help ourselves. In fact, we need help from outside ourselves. When God rescued us, he did so all on his own (without our cooperation). But even if it's true that Jesus died and rose again 2000 years ago, how on earth can we be impacted by something that happened so long ago? Jesus kindly gives us physical things we can hang our faith on. What we mean is that the Spirit of Jesus comes to us through the water of baptism and the bread and wine of the Lord's Supper. We believe in a triune God whose presence breaks into ordinary things and everyday life.
MATT SCHUBERT
Pastor
At Everhope, everyone chips in and does their part, but Matt is the only one on our payroll. In June 2020, he was called to recruit, train and lead a group of people to establish a new congregation -- Everhope Church. Whether preaching or in private conversation, he strives to communicate the greatness of Jesus in a robust, down to earth way.
Matt is married to Becca and together they have three young children who keep life full. On a slow day you'll find them down at Golden Bay foreshore on the swings, sipping coffee at Bru's, or just keeping the backyard under control.
Matt is ordained as a Pastor of the Lutheran Church of Australia. He has completed a Master of Theology, a Bachelor of Ministry, and a Diploma of Leadership. He co-leads the Lutheran Church Planters Network and is passionate about the multiplication of Gospel-centred, sacramental churches.
ROBYN PHILLIPS
Deacon | Leader for Training & Formation
Robyn and her husband Ken were founding members of Everhope Church, and since then they have helped shape Everhope into the community it is today. Robyn is a qualified counsellor, supervisor, occupational therapist and trainer consultant. She has a wealth of leadership experience in both Christian and secular organisations, and is particularly passionate about seeing people lead emotionally and spiritually healthy lives. She oversees our short courses and midweek discipleship groups, training our Cluster Leaders, and working to see our church remain a healthy, relational community.
Robyn and Ken live in Meadow Springs and have four adult children. They find time to keep active and love holidays of every kind, whether camping, fishing or by a pool in Bali.
Robyn is a member of numerous Counselling Associations. She has completed a Master of Counselling, a GradDip in Counselling & Integrated Psychotherapy, a Bachelor of Science, a Diploma of Theology, a Diploma of Management, and various other qualifications.