Christian Outreach Centre

Christian Outreach Centre

Christian Outreach Centre (often referred to as "COC") is an international movement of churches founded in 1974 by former Methodist minister Clark Taylor.[1]

Contents

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 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 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, Neil Miers was appointed International President, and under his leadership the movement expanded to include churches in over 30 countries. In 2009 Ashley Schmierer became the new International President.

Schools

Christian Outreach Centre operates a number of schools within Queensland, initially opening a campus in Mansfield in 1978[2] called, Christian Outreach College Brisbane, followed by another on the Sunshine Coast in 1979 called Suncoast Christian Academy, later renamed Christian Outreach College Sunshine Coast, then again changed in 2001 as Suncoast Christian College. A third school was built and opened in 1982 in Toowoomba called, Christian Outreach College Toowoomba.[3] 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.'[4]

The schools cater for students of all ages from preparatory right through to 12.[5]

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"'.[6]

External links

References

COC Singapore is a family-orientated church at the heart of Geylang, Singapore. Pastored by REV DR EDWARD JOB, it is a small-numbered church consisting of members from the different races in Singapore. It runs an English, Hokkien ( Chinese Dialect) & Tamil Service.


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