Building Legacy
In 1990, Stairway Church was born from a simple desire—to see the people of Melbourne encounter the relentless love of Jesus. Over the past 36 years, countless people have poured their faith, generosity, and sacrifice into this community so that this vision might flourish.
Following Holy Spirit’s leading, between 2003 and 2005, our church family came together to purchase and transform a warehouse into a sanctuary. This year, we celebrate 20 years at Rooks Road—a place that has become more than a building. It has been a home where we worship, find belonging, grow in faith, and encounter the presence of God.
Over the years, as a community, we have given faithfully and sacrificially to establish this home. Millions of dollars were sown into the land and buildings, and in 2022, we celebrated a significant milestone together as a church family—becoming completely debt-free.
Throughout this journey, our heart has always extended beyond our own walls. Through For Goodness Sake (FGS), we have continued to support justice initiatives that bring hope and restoration. In past campaigns, funds were shared between developing our building and supporting FGS. Over the past five years, however, every dollar raised has gone directly toward the work of FGS.
Now we sense the Lord inviting us into a new season—to once again invest into the sanctuary, the space that has served our community so faithfully.
Physical spaces matter. They shape how we gather, worship, and welcome others. As Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” Our prayer is that this place would continue to cultivate community, inspire creativity, and draw people into a deeper relationship with a God who awakens wonder and reveals beauty.
Through this year’s Building Legacy Campaign, 70% of funds will be directed toward the maintenance and development of our building, and 30% will support justice initiatives through For Goodness Sake.
Together, we continue to build a legacy of faith, generosity, and love for generations to come.
Introduction
We have the privilege of meeting in the facilities at Rooks Road because 20+ years ago, a group of people said yes to pursuing a dream—together. This dream was for the community of Stairway to have a physical place to call home, a physical space that would be saturated in God’s presence, a place where people would encounter Him and be transformed by Him. It was a dream to see young and old pursue the things of God together. It was a dream to leave a legacy for future generations.
This dream became reality, and today we are the recipients of the sacrifice of those who have gone before us.
Now, we have the opportunity to continue building on this legacy as we seek to steward the sanctuary.
The reality is, like any home, buildings cost. Currently, the building requires approximately $750K worth of maintenance work to bring it up to scratch. After 20 years, we need to replace the air conditioners, restore the roof, upgrade outdated lighting systems, install acoustic treatment in the foyer, and repaint.
Stewarding the Sanctuary
Ultimately, we just don’t want to maintain
the building.
We want to dream with Holy Spirit.
We dream of establishing a 24/7 prayer house.
We dream of the possibilities for the community hub and continuing to expand the impact the Pantry is having in the local community.
We dream of curated spaces and places for Kids and Youth to connect.
We dream of a café that could operate for our local community.
Most significantly, we continue to dream of what could happen here as people encounter the one who loves them the most.
Dreaming alone won’t build a legacy. Legacy is built on sacrifice.
“The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The way to do more justice is not simply to ‘do more justice’—it is to grow closer to the heart of God.” ~ Ken Wytsma
The pursuit of justice has been at the core of Stairway's DNA since the very beginning.
Within the first year of Stairway's existence—in 1990—a charity organisation was born out of Stairway, and started an initiative providing a refuge for young homeless men. This initiative was made possible by a family's generosity, which enabled us to purchase a home in Ashburton.
Over the years, our expression and pursuit of justice as a community has morphed and changed, but the heart has always remained the same—to be a people who are the hands and feet of Jesus. To be a people who bear witness to His kingdom, as we partner with God in making all things new.
The Pursuit of Justice
For Goodness Sake
Ten years ago, we launched For Goodness Sake as the vehicle within Stairway that brings together the various justice initiatives we partner with. In this time, we, as a community, have raised nearly $1.8 million, investing in over 60 initiatives across 15 countries.
One example of the initiatives we’ve been involved in was a partnership with Salt Care in NSW titled “A Place to Call Home.” Through our funding and Salt’s expertise, we were able to partner with Salt Care to establish 12 new housing options that prioritised finding housing for mature-aged women, women with children who are escaping domestic and family violence, and other disadvantaged people who have been experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. As a result of the FGS partnership, Salt Care accommodated
14 adults and 15 children.
Our collaborative effort has seen a lasting impact in restoring personal circumstances and transforming communities. This is not something a group of individuals has achieved—this is us, as a community, sacrificially joining our resources together as we partner with what God is doing in make all things new.
As we seek to be a community that builds legacy together, we invite you to:
Posture—set aside some time to posture your heart towards God.
Pray—prayerfully consider how Father is asking you to partner in the Building Legacy Campaign.
Partner—as a community we partner together in our generous commitments. Please join us in prayer throughout the year as we seek to steward the sanctuary and pursue being a community of justice.
You can partner in the Building Legacy Campaign through Stairway Church (not tax-deductible). Methods welcomed are Direct Debit, PushPay or Tithe & Offering Envelopes (select Building Legacy option). Alternatively, to make a commitment over the next 12 months, you can use the commitment card found in the Building Legacy pack*.
The Invitation
Direct Debit Giving
Name:
Stairway Church Whitehorse Inc.
BSB:
083-166
Account:
64-003-1876
Description:
Building Legacy
*Gifts are not tax-deductible, and the percentage split between stewarding the sanctuary (70%) and justice (30%) will be done internally within Stairway Church systems.