Rev’d Jonathon Holt from Lanyon Valley Anglican Church shares with us his passion for ministry and the Gordon Community Centre which serves the local community and operates in partnership with Anglicare.
When did you know you were called to ministry?
As an older teenager, people at church encouraged me to have a go at some of the leadership and teaching roles at church. I felt like my part in the body of Christ included this particular call to set aside other kinds of work to devote my energy to servant leadership and faithful teaching.Through the faithful prayers and generosity of the Parish of St Matthew’s Wanniassa, I was invited (and supported) in building a team to start a new church, the whole new Parish of Lanyon Valley. I have been honoured to continue serving the community ever since.
Why do you have a heart for the Lanyon Valley and the people who live there?
The Lanyon Valley is a beautiful area, and many who live here are searching for meaning and kindness. The Lord of creation is calling them to trust him; all around they can see the beauty of what God has made (in communities and in nature) and this is the place where God has put me to extend his loving invitation to find help, encouragement and hope.
How did the partnership with Anglicare for the Gordon Community Centre come about?
Ever since our Parish set up the Lanyon Pantry as an emergency food program for our area, we had been having chats with Anglicare about how to strengthen the partnership that our Parish might have with this important Anglican agency. Various ideas had been floated, but none had been the right idea at the right time. Then Jeremy (Anglicare CEO) asked about the potential to create a Community Centre, and we were able to see a way for us to work together in an ACT Government building, providing emergency food and so much more.
Can you share with us some of the impact Gordon Community Centre is having in the local community?
There are a couple of great outcomes we’ve seen. One is the expansion of the Lanyon Pantry, when it moved into Gordon Community Centre, and with Anglicare’s help we could grow the donations and so increase the people we could help. The Centre is also a popular venue to hire for family events, we’re pleased to have a safe and affordable place for locals to host birthdays and celebrations. Another positive outcome is the relationships that have formed amongst the faithful and wonderful volunteers, they are generous with their time and compassionate toward the people we seek to help.
Do you have a personal highlight or favourite memory since the Gordon Community Centre has been opened?
One day, just a regular Pantry Day, a new fellow arrived to ask for food. Though his real need was for a conversation. But coming for the emergency food gave him a way to feel okay about showing up. He asked if we had counselling services, and our quick thinking volunteer offered for him to speak with the Minister on site. That first conversation has turned into many more, with added times for meeting with me to read about the life of Jesus, and also to have an opportunity to give back, and contribute to a project at the Centre.
What is your vision and hope for the future?
I want people to meet Jesus and discover, as I have, how much of a difference he makes. Jesus urged us to love our neighbours, whoever is in need and whom God puts in our path. I’d love to see the Gordon Community Centre grow in how it provides a safe place for communities and people to connect, flourish and find hope. Lanyon Valley Anglican Church is keen to see more disciples of Jesus and we will show God’s love to as many as we can, so that they may be drawn to know him.
What’s a fun act about you that people might not know?
I recently joined the ACT table tennis club and have been enjoying the challenge of regular games.
