Chinese Alpha Graduation at Nunawading-Waverley
The 11th of August 2025 was a special date for the Nunawading-Waverley Lutheran Church in Glen Waverley, Victoria. After more than three months of learning about God and faith and studying the Word, we celebrated with five of the eight participants in our first ever Chinese language (Mandarin) Alpha Course.
The group included a mix of people wanting to explore faith, new Christians, and those who have walked with Christ for a while but wanted to connect with others. It was led by our passionate and inspiring evangelist, Sherry Hong.
The service was an emotional and up-lifting multi-cultural service led by Pastor Tim Castle-Schmidt, and with interpretation by Sherry and most slides in two languages. Tim reminded us that this is how the church started at Pentecost, with everyone speaking in their own tongue. While speaking in your native tongue, or “heart language”, makes it easier to connect with God, He really does transcend languages and cultures and brings us together to be one family.
Pastor Tim presented each participant with a certificate of recognition of their Alpha Course journey, and a holding cross to support them as a reminder of the nearness of our Lord. Then, as a token of appreciation from the Alpha Group, Sherry presented Pastor Tim with a framed Mandarin text, reading ‘God Loves the World’, and gifts to each of the congregational members who had provided refreshments throughout the course.
After the service, many of us gathered for a celebratory lunch together. This provided a great opportunity to enjoy delicious Chinese food, and to share stories, thus continuing to bridge our two communities.
Again, many thanks to both the LLL and the LCA for their substantial financial support and encouragement and prayers, which have enabled our multicultural ministry at Nunawading and Waverley.
Our participants have developed a strong connection to each other and desire to keep meeting. The plan is for this group of new-found friends to continue to get together regularly as a life-group. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to grow in Christ, and as our congregation continues to seek to be a welcoming place that spreads the Good News across cultural boundaries.
