History
In early 1990, six brothers and sisters from different churches recognized the urgent need for gospel outreach among the Chinese community in Sydney’s southwest region, particularly around Bankstown. They committed themselves to sharing the gospel with the local Chinese population. Their strategy included offering adult English classes, teaching Chinese to children, and organizing activities for the elderly. As their ministry expanded, they established the “Lok Kwan” Community Centre in a commercial building in Bankstown, which made them aware of the lack of a Chinese church in the area where seekers could integrate and be nurtured. Thus, they formed a prayer group specifically dedicated to praying for the establishment of a Chinese church in the region.
By March 1991, the prayer group developed into a “Church Planting Team,” whose members included Pastor Chi-Ming Choi and his wife Lan-Mei Choi, Brother Siu-Leung Ng and his wife Pei-Ching Ng, along with Sisters Sau-Ying Yeung and Ying-Wah Chan. In October of the same year, they began holding weekly worship services at Brother Siu-Leung Ng’s home.
In January 1992, they officially started meeting at the Lok Kwan Community Centre and established the “Chinese Gospel Church.” In 1993, the church joined the Baptist Union of NSW, becoming part of its ethnic fellowship, and was renamed “Bankstown Chinese Baptist Church.” In 1994, the church relocated to Bankstown Baptist Church (Cnr. Stanley St. & Leonard St. Bankstown) for worship.
At the beginning of 1999, the church applied to the Baptist Union for independence and was officially recognized as an independent church.
In March 2018, the church temporarily relocated to Riverwood Community Centre. From October 2018 to May 2021, services were held at 14 Enterprise Ave, Padstow.
Since June 2021, the church has been meeting at Punchbowl Community Centre (44 Rossmore Ave, Punchbowl 2196).
Between November 2021 and June 2024, services were held at Panania Christian Church (183 Tower St, Panania NSW 2213).
Since August 2023, the church has been worshipping at the current site, which is the East Hills Baptist Church.
Throughout the journey of our church’s growth, we have witnessed how God led us from humble beginnings to steady establishment. Despite multiple relocations, every step has been guided by God’s gracious plan. We sincerely thank God and all the brothers and sisters who have faithfully served over the years, especially the pastors who have shepherded the church: Rev Chi-Ming Choi (Advisory Pastor), Rev Kam-Hung Leung (Advisory Pastor), Pastor Siu-Leung Ng (Youth Ministry & English Worship), Pastor Fung-Luen Wong, Rev Stephen Lee, Pastor Wai-Keung Leung, Pastor Sammy Chan (Volunteer Worker), Pastor Wai-Kuen Wu (Mandarin Ministry), Pastor Andy Ting-Long Yip (Youth Pastor), and Pastor Petty Suk-Kuen Chan.
May God continue to lead us, shaping us as vessels fit for His purpose. May Bankstown Chinese Baptist Church be a shining light in this region, proclaiming the gospel and advancing God’s kingdom. Amen!
Mission
Through our gatherings, we worship God, proclaim biblical truth, and practice all the teachings of the Scriptures.
Through teaching, training, and discipleship, we nurture the spiritual growth of our congregation.
Through our communal life, we uphold the lordship of Christ and fulfill the mission of global outreach.
Vision
To establish a vibrant and joyful church in the southwestern region of Sydney, one that is firmly rooted in God's Word and continually growing in Christ.
We are dedicated to proclaiming the gospel to the Chinese community in Sydney’s southwest, leading people into the presence of God.
Statement of Beliefs
- 1. The Nature and Unity of the Godhead
- There is one God, Who is eternal personal Spirit. He is infinite in power, wisdom, holiness and love. He is Triune in essential being and revealed to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
- 2. The Deity and Humanity of Christ
- Jesus Christ as the second Person of the Godhead is eternally one with God the Father of Whose Person and glory He is the accurate expression. To become man He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, so that two whole and perfect natures, the nature of God and the nature of man, were united in one Person; truly God and truly man.
- 3. The Holy Spirit
- The Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Trinity is eternally one with the Father and the Son yet He is sent by Them to achieve the Divine purpose in the world and in the Church.
- 4. The Divine Inspiration of the Scriptures
- The Scriptures, consisting of the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, are the infallible word of God. They were written by holy men of God inspired by the Holy Spirit and have supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
- 5. The Sinfulness of Man
- Man was made in the image of God and for fellowship with Him. By transgression of God’s command he fell from fellowship with God and his nature was corrupted. As a consequence, all men are spiritually dead under Satan’s dominion and control and subject to God’s wrath and condemnation. Therefore, apart from God’s grace, man is helpless and hopeless.
- 6. Christ’s Atonement for the Sin of Man
- In order to redeem mankind from the guilt, penalty and power of sin, Jesus Christ became man and died a sacrificial death as our representative substitute. By His resurrection, God’s acceptance of his atoning death was demonstrated. This atonement is sufficient for the whole world but effective only in those who receive it. The sinner is justified and reconciled to God, not through any personal merit but solely on the basis of God’s gracious gift of salvation in Jesus Christ received through faith.
- 7. The work of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
- The ministry of the Holy Spirit is necessary for the acceptance of God’s provision of salvation. The Holy Spirit convinces sinners of their sinfulness, leads them to personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and so brings them to spiritual birth as God’s children and to fellowship in Christ. Working within the life of believers the Holy Spirit makes real the presence of Christ, witnesses to their relationship with God, leads into all truth, bestowing gifts for effective service and produces graces for holy living.
- 8. The Church
- The Church is the body of people whom God has separated from the world through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. All regenerated. persons are members of the universal Church of God, which takes local form wherever groups of believers unite for worship, fellowship and service in accordance with scriptural principles. All believers are called to a priestly ministry in the offering of spiritual sacrifices and sent into the world to be witnesses. God calls individuals to positions of oversight and leadership or to special ministries. The Church recognizes such by ordaining pastors, commissioning missionaries, appointing deacons and other leaders, following New Testament practice.
- 9. The Baptism of Believers only, by Immersion
- Baptism is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. In accordance with New Testament Scripture it should be administered only by total immersion, except in special circumstances discussed and agreed upon by deacons when sprinkling will be performed, which symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in death, burial and resurrection, the remission of sins and the believer’s dedication of himself to God to live and walk in newness of life.
- 10. The Communion
- The Lord’s Supper is an ordinance of the Lord Jesus Christ, instituted by Him to celebrate with the elements of bread and wine by believers in Christ until the end of the age. It commemorates and declares our thanks for the Lord’s substitutionary death. The celebration of the ordinance expresses our fellowship with and in the Lord Jesus Christ as members of the Body of which He is the Head.
- 11. The Return of the Lord Jesus Christ
- At the end of this age, according to His promise, Jesus Christ will return personally and visibly in His glory to the earth. The full consummation of the Kingdom of God awaits His return.
- 12. The Resurrection of the Dead
- At the end of the age, there is to be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous. After death of bodies of men return to dust, but their spirits return immediately to God – the righteous to be with Him and the unrighteous to be reserved for the judgment.
- 13. Rewards and Punishments in a Future State
- God has appointed a day of final judgment for the world. At that time Jesus Christ will judge every man and each will receive reward or punishment according to his deeds. Those judged righteous, in their resurrected and glorified bodies, will receive their reward and will dwell forever in Heaven with the Lord. The unrighteous will be consigned to Hell, the place of everlasting punishment.
Leadership
Our leadership team is founded on humility, God's wisdom and love, dedicating ourselves to serving God's church and following His will. The team consists of the pastor and deacons, who together shoulder the responsibility of providing spiritual guidance, pastoral care, and fostering the growth of the church. We lead the church to grow continually in God's truth, committed to establishing a community filled with divine purpose and spiritual vitality.