History

a little of our story ...

In 1988 Pastor Bruce Sharman had a vision involving a particular buidling in Red Cliffs, in which the Holy Spirit said, "I have lit a candle in this place".

Shortly afterward, our first seeds of revival were planted in Red Cliffs. Prayerful hands were laid on the building featured in the vision, although our first meeting place was the Red Cliffs RSL hall. With a stack of chairs for a lecturn, the new church began with an average of around 15-20 people in attendance.

No conversions occured during the first year. The meetings were held at 3:00pm in the afternoon, for that year, which was very hot and difficult to manage in the summer. In the second year a word was received which was interpreted to get ready for a coming revival. A little later this was further interpreted to indicate an opportunity with Chinese students and 200 bibles were bought in anticipation. A mini Revival resulted, which saw over 200 people saved in a 12 month period.

Mid-way through the revival, Pr Bruce's car was 'torched' during the service. This set in motion a chain of events which led us into our first freehold property, which was miraculously purchased for cash. In this place the church grew and grew.

In 1993 the church was led to purchase the building in the center of town, which was depicted in the original vision leading to the birth of the church. The funds were raised and the building purchased in 1994; fulfilling the original vision.

The building's founders, affectionately known as "diggers" were volunteer servicemen from World War 1. A number of them formed a company, Diggerland Proprietry Limited, as recorded on the title of land, and the building was embossed with the name Diggerland.

We have since adopted the name of Diggerland for the church body. 

Our name Diggerland symbolizes a people volunteering to go and symbolically fight in the trenches of life for freedom and justice in the cause of Jesus Christ to make a better world for future generations. To this end the church is more and more involved internationally for the gospel.

The church continues to grow in membership, ministries and staff. It has daughter churches and ministries sown out. We now have an exciting grand daughter ministry and church extending our legacy.

Over the years the church has been heavily involved in major regional and town events. The church very much appreciates the wider body of Christ, and co-operates where ever possible both locally and in missions. In recent years, this has included the Riverfest music festival.

Diggerland has also enjoyed producing many of its own songs on CD using church owned digital studio equipment. (Information Link Below) Additionally, the church has produced significant musical dramas, over the years, visited by thousands.

The church now caters to all age groups with various ministries; and there are specific holiday programs for children, thanks to "GO TEAM", and a fortnightly program for mothers of pre-schoolers (MOPS). Arts Generation serves the church body and the broader community with education in a myriad of arts-related skillsets. Diggerland Community Services DCS is a fantastic community building arm of the church.

We have shared some of our history and we invite you to consider being part of the story yet to be told. Check out our Vision. Simply make contact, or arrive at worship on Sunday morning, and it will be the start of the rest of your life.

To Find out about CDs and recordings, contact Andre Whitton.