Just over ten years ago, a young marketing executive found his way into the Wesley Centre. As a Christian working in the fast-paced marketing environment, he knew he needed a different sort of connection during the day, a moment of peace amidst his busy career.
Dressed in his suit, he walked from his office into Wesley Mission’s CityHeart gathering. Rev Rick Dacey was preaching on Jesus cooking fish on the beach, and after, offered communion and conversation to the marketing executive. By the time he left, he’d decided to join the weekly service.
“I realised everybody was welcome at the Ground Floor of Wesley Mission, even a man in a suit,” he said.
The man was Sam, who today is a Chaplain of our Ground Floor Ministry and believes all the more it is a place for everyone.
“There’s no mistake God has placed Wesley Mission here, in the centre of the city where all sorts of people can come, people in suits, people who are [experiencing] homelessness, young people from overseas and most recently, tenants from Wesley Community Housing,” Sam says. “It’s a great mix. Our goal is to make it a safe space for everyone.”
Sam left his marketing position and joined Wesley Mission as Chaplain for Wesley Community Housing in southwestern Sydney, building relationships with tenants and serving alongside Community Engagement Officers like Liesa. They held various events at Liverpool housing properties, one of Wesley Mission’s 485 tenancies that include a range of housing across the housing community.
When Sam became Chaplain at Ground Floor a year ago, instead of saying goodbye to the tenants, he saw an opportunity. Sam and Liesa, who’d become Community Engagement Lead, considered how to connect Wesley Community Housing with Wesley Mission’s Congregations and Wesley Connect through Ground Floor ministries. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Wesley Connect had been a food and care ministry, but Sam and Liesa realised they could combine Jesus Christ’s care in Word and deed if they built on the relationships they’d established in housing and the city.
“Many tenants would ask me where their ‘Padre Sam’ had gone,” Liesa says. “I’d say, ‘he’s a chaplain now in the city but we could visit him’. A lot of tenants are afraid to take the train into the city, so we hired a bus at first and then offered lifts, anything to give them a chance to experience hope.”
And they did. Sam and Liesa kept inviting tenants to Wesley Connect and CityHeart on Tuesdays, and on Wednesdays to Bible study and sing along, creating what’s become a convergence of engagement.
Two Wesley Community Housing tenants attended that first one. Now, almost 40 people converge weekly from Wesley Community Housing, Wesley Mission’s Congregations, Wesley Connect and even staff from other programs. The atmosphere is informal and welcoming, with games, songs and conversations. Some attend the Bible study or service while others enjoy the space or quiet – much the way a young marketing executive did.
“I love the community and friendly faces,” says one tenant who comes to the Tuesday gathering. Another loves “playing games. It makes you happy. If you are down, Liesa cheers you up”.
Whatever the reason, Sam and Liesa believe people experience Christian love, fellowship and the Christian message at the gatherings.
“They grab a snack and see this as an extension of their lounge room, or if they don’t have one, this is their lounge room,” Sam says. “Especially since COVID, we’re constantly adapting to create a space that’s welcoming for everybody across our ministries. No matter who you are, you are welcome. There’s something here for you.”
Join Sam, Liesa and others at Wesley Mission’s Ground Floor Ministry:
Tuesdays: Wesley Connect 10am to 1pm, and CityHeart 1pm to 2pm
Wednesdays: Wesley Connect 10am to 1pm, which includes a Bible Study and Time of Worship in Song
