How it all started...
CiTiGATE Church commenced its ministry in Footscray on 19 July 2008. After much prayers and seeking God's heart and mind in 2007, the Lord directed Michael to pioneer a church in Footscray where he lives with his wife Janet. They started CiTiGATE Church as a house group meeting for prayers and Bible study every Wednesday night for 4 months before they moved into the Footscray Church of Christ building at 252 Gordon St Vic 3011.
The Lord placed a specific burden in Michael and Janet's hearts to see people come back in relationship with Christ as Lord. The Lord's instructions were 3 fold to reach out to those who have walked away from the church, to minister to those who have walked away from Him and to reach out to those who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ. In short, it is "to get people into heaven and to get heaven into people". Michael has the burden to see God restore many lives and all that he does and lives for is focused toward this end.
The Lord placed a specific burden in Michael and Janet's hearts to see people come back in relationship with Christ as Lord. The Lord's instructions were 3 fold to reach out to those who have walked away from the church, to minister to those who have walked away from Him and to reach out to those who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ. In short, it is "to get people into heaven and to get heaven into people". Michael has the burden to see God restore many lives and all that he does and lives for is focused toward this end.
The vision...
The theme of CiTiGATE Church is the place where you find your destiny... and this theme was inspired by Isaiah 61. From Isaiah 61 the Lord impressed clearly to Michael that CiTiGATE Church was to see people become more passionate for God, to become more aware of God's presence, be more purposeful in living, be more knowledgeable about the Triune God, be more intent in following Christ as Saviour and Lord, be more clear about their God given identity, be more transformed, to know more of God's love and to give His love to all people.
Isaiah 61
From Isaiah 61, the Lord impressed upon Michael's heart that the destiny of God's people needed to be restored so like His promise to the returned exiles of Israel, broken and wounded people would once again, be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
(Then) they will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
(then) they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Then) Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And (then) you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
(Then) they will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;
(then) they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (Then) Aliens will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards. And (then) you will be called priests of the LORD, you will be named ministers of our God. You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.
