Robert Howells has put his faith in community support, not just divine intervention, as he raises money to improve programs at a historic Ipswich church.
He is now leading the charge to further enhance the offerings and support a suburb that remains close to his heart.
“I grew up in Leichhardt – I went to kindy right out the back here and then went over the road to Immaculate Heart until grade five,” Pr Howells, 39, said.
“A big part of what I remember from my early years here is the relationships between the kids and the teachers and that feeling of genuine care.
“In many ways Leichhardt seems to be an isolated suburb. I don’t mean that in a bad way, it brings with it a real sense of community and an attitude of helping others.
“If anything it’s lack of services that let us down, but this church was built on relationships and community and it still is.
“Our programs are here to facilitate those relationships and build through the generations and across cultures. That’s our focus – bringing people together.”
Leichhardt Baptist Kindergarten class of 1982 with Robert Howells in the front row, second from the right.
Indigenous Australians continue to play an important part in church activities, which include a youth drop-in centre from 3pm to 5pm Wednesday and a youth group from 6.30pm to 8.30pm Friday.
The church building recently received new carpet, a fresh coat of paint and improved seating.
A trivia night will be held next month with money raised supporting the purchase of new audio visual equipment and resources for the youth programs.
“We’re primarily here to help people with their spiritual life but beyond that I see the church as a central hub in the Leichhardt community,” Pr Howells said.
“We do things in the community with no expectations of a return. We’ve been part of the Leichhardt community for 49 years, now we need your help.
“We need a team approach to improve what we do and thankfully there’s already some of that happening.”
Trivia at the Church will be held on Saturday, 14 April from 6.30pm.
Entry is $5 per person and there will be gold coin competitions throughout the night.
To secure your seat or donate a prize email [email protected] or phone Jenny on 0407 731 429.
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