About GPC
In Christ, Grow, Love and Share

 

Kia Ora and welcome to Glendowie Presbyterian Church (GPC)

We're a church community of all ages with a vision of sharing our faith while growing closer to Christ. We'd love for you to join us at our weekly Sunday morning worship service at 9.30am.  We have a vibrant kids and youth ministry every Sunday at the same time as the service.

We are ordinary people, amazed and challenged by extraordinary beliefs.  Exploring this website is a good way to start getting to know us.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.



Our Story

During the 50’s and 60’s Glendowie residents worshiping at St Heliers Presbyterian Church saw the opportunity for establishing a church in their own suburb.  Land was purchased, facilities built, buildings moved and services conducted under the guidance of St Heliers Church.

In 1968, after a time of consolidation and growth, a full time minister was called to the newly established Glendowie Presbyterian Church.  Which means that 2018 was our 50th birthday! 

Since its inception GPC has held an evangelical understanding of the Christian faith.  This includes an emphasis on the inspired nature of the Bible and the challenge of following Jesus Christ as Lord. 

 

GPC today


Kids and Youth have a strong focus at GPC - we have a mainly music programme every Wednesday, and the Glendowie Christian Kindergarten (GCK) that offers fun and educational programmes since 1996, and a dynamic Kids Church that meets every Sunday during school terms.

Overseas and local mission are part of our DNA.  We partner with many other local mission partners.

Many of the residents of St Andrew's are members at GPC, and we value their experience and input as part of our truly intergenerational community. 


At GPC you can ask questions, learn about Jesus and the bible, and get equipped for life.  This is a community where the hurt and the sick can receive prayer and support, where the bereaved and the lonely can find comfort and companionship.  GPC is a place where children build great memories of being in a church family. 

We'd love to meet you and help you discover the plans the Lord Jesus has in store for you.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29.11

Planning your Visit

A Warm Hello 

The following information is specifically for those planning a visit, so that you know, beforehand, what to expect on a Sunday morning.

Where and When

We meet at the Church Building (details here) for our Sunday Service starting at 9.30am. For your first visit, we recommend arriving 10-15 minutes early to ensure you get a parking space and find somewhere to sit before the service begins. When you arrive, you should be greeted by someone on our Welcome Team who will be wearing a Welcome lanyard.

We serve tea, coffee and biscuits after our service. It is a great way to meet people, or simply take time to find your bearings. All refreshments are free.

Accessibility: There is wheelchair access, and a sound loop for anyone who needs it. Please let one of the Welcome Team know on your arrival and they will help you to get set up. There are disabled toilets in the main foyer.

Our Service

The main service begins at 9.30am with a warm welcome from one of our team members. Then follows a time of sung worship, led by our band. We typically have 2 or 3 songs lasting approximately 20 minutes. Sometimes a person might pray out loud or read a small passage from the bible. One of our leaders will give a sermon that is bible based and that we can apply to our everyday life. We then finish with a final worship song. There is an opportunity to receive prayer at the end of the service.

images: Services

What about my kids?

We have a great programme lined up for kids of all ages:

GPC Kids for children from birth to age 11 (school year 6)
GPC Youth for young people aged 11+

Children stay with their parent or grown-up at the start of the service for the welcome, songs and notices. We really value worshipping God all together as a family. At the end of the notices someone will announce that it’s time for the younger members to go into our church lounge for GPC Kids/ GPC Youth.  You will need to go with your children to their groups and register them as part of our child safety policy. Whilst you are dropping your kids off at their groups, we pause to take time to chat to someone sitting near or next to us, giving folk a chance to come back before the sermon begins.


The kids group activities vary depending on the age but usually there is a friendly welcome, bible stories, testimonies, praying, music, craft, drama, fun games and free play. Please pick your children up as soon as the service finishes.

Children

Getting Connected


Small Groups

While Sundays are a great way to meet new people, it is often in smaller gatherings that you can really get to know someone. Being part of one of our small groups allows you to make new friends, share together and support each other. We have a variety of groups that meet throughout the week, some afternoons and some evenings. Check out Small Groups and see if there’s one that you could join, or we can put you in touch with a small group leader who will be more than happy to invite you along to their group.

Serving and Volunteering

If you want to get involved in the life of the church and help us make Sundays run smoothly, you can sign up to serve on a team. 

Other Ministries

We also run the following ministries:

  • Men's Ministries
  • Women's Ministries
  • Music Team Ministry
We hope that whoever you are, you will feel at home at our church.