Wesley Mission
Encyclopedia
Wesley Mission is a name used by several Uniting Church
congregations which are a part the Uniting Missions Network of UnitingCare Australia
. Wesley Missions grew out of the inner city missions of the pre-union Methodist Church of Australasia
. These were Central Missions and are not to be confused with the City Missions, which were part of what is now Mission Australia
.
is the largest Wesley Mission. Prior to union it was known at the Central Methodist Mission. the mission headquarters are in Pitt Street right at the heart of the CBD of Sydney.
The Wesley Institute
is the educational arm of the Mission.
It was previously headed by the Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker
, an international evangelist and founder of Lifeline
.
After a worldwide search Rev Dr. Keith Garner was brought from the United Kingdom
to replace Gordon Moyes
as Superintendent of Wesley Mission on the 5th Feb 2006. He became the 9th Superintendent in the Mission's 193 year history. As well as being Superintendent and CEO, he preaches each Sunday evening in the Wesley Theatre 6pm. His sermons are broadcast on TV and he hosts a weekly TV program on Channel 9
.
Wesley Mission operates out of over 200 centres and employs over 3000 staff with a budget of $160 million.
It owns and runs the old Bourke St. Methodist Church in its current form, a crisis accommodation
service called Edward Eagar
Lodge.
Wesley Mission Victoria assists children and young people, people in crisis, people experiencing homelessness, older people, people with disabilities, and people with Huntington's Disease.
The Mission was established in 1893 on the same site it occupies today next to the Wesley Church in Lonsdale Street. At that time, the area was known as the 'back slums' of Melbourne and was notorious for opium dens, gambling houses and places of ill-repute.
Wesley Mission Victoria's heritage is founded on the response of Wesleyan Methodists in Victoria to the severe economic depression and associated inner city poverty of the early 1890s.
Today the Mission employs over 700 staff and receives the support of over 2,000 volunteers who help to deliver 57 services across metropolitan Melbourne. In 2006-2007, the Mission had an operating budget of over $38 million. Approximately 73% of revenue was government funding. The remainder was raised through fees for service, fundraising and commercial activities.
Uniting Church in Australia
The Uniting Church in Australia was formed on 22 June 1977 when many congregations of the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Presbyterian Church of Australia and the Congregational Union of Australia came together under the Basis of Union....
congregations which are a part the Uniting Missions Network of UnitingCare Australia
UnitingCare Australia
UnitingCare Australia is the Uniting Church in Australia's umbrella community services body. UnitingCare Australia is committed to values based advocacy, speaking with and on behalf of those who are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged, for the common good.It is a sister body to UnitingJustice...
. Wesley Missions grew out of the inner city missions of the pre-union Methodist Church of Australasia
Methodist Church of Australasia
The Methodist Church of Australasia was a Methodist denomination based in Australia.It ceased to exist in 1977 when most of its congregations joined with the many congregations of the Congregational Union of Australia and the Presbyterian Church of Australia to form the Uniting Church in...
. These were Central Missions and are not to be confused with the City Missions, which were part of what is now Mission Australia
Mission Australia
Mission Australia is a provider of family and community services throughout Australia. The organisation has at least 3200 staff, 1,000 volunteers and 300 services in every state and territory of Australia, and is one of the largest community organisations in the nation. It is currently headed by...
.
Wesley Mission Sydney
Wesley Mission SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
is the largest Wesley Mission. Prior to union it was known at the Central Methodist Mission. the mission headquarters are in Pitt Street right at the heart of the CBD of Sydney.
The Wesley Institute
Wesley Institute
Wesley Institute is a tertiary education provider in Sydney, Australia offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in counselling, creative arts , education and theology.-History:...
is the educational arm of the Mission.
It was previously headed by the Reverend Dr Sir Alan Walker
Alan Walker (theologian)
Sir Alan Walker OBE was an Australian Christian minister, theologian and evangelist.Walker was:*involved in the formation of the World Council of Churches...
, an international evangelist and founder of Lifeline
Lifeline (Counselling service)
Lifeline is a free, 24 hour telephone counselling service in Australia. Volunteer counsellors provide suicide prevention, crisis support and mental health services via telephone. This service can be accessed by calling 13 11 14 within Australia....
.
After a worldwide search Rev Dr. Keith Garner was brought from the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to replace Gordon Moyes
Gordon Moyes
Gordon Keith Mackenzie Moyes AC is an Australian Christian evangelist, broadcaster and former politician.-Early life and career:...
as Superintendent of Wesley Mission on the 5th Feb 2006. He became the 9th Superintendent in the Mission's 193 year history. As well as being Superintendent and CEO, he preaches each Sunday evening in the Wesley Theatre 6pm. His sermons are broadcast on TV and he hosts a weekly TV program on Channel 9
Nine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
.
Wesley Mission operates out of over 200 centres and employs over 3000 staff with a budget of $160 million.
It owns and runs the old Bourke St. Methodist Church in its current form, a crisis accommodation
Crisis accommodation
Crisis accommodation is accommodation provided to people experiencing temporary or ongoing conditions of crisis with the aim of removing them from an otherwise harmful environment and allowing them to improve their situations from a safe and stable environment...
service called Edward Eagar
Edward Eagar
-Early life:Eagar was born in Killarney, Ireland. His parents were landed gentry so he was well educated. He trained as a solicitor and became an attorney to His Majesty's Courts in Ireland. In 1809 he was charged with forging a bill of exchange, and he was convicted and sentenced to death...
Lodge.
Wesley Mission Victoria (previously Wesley Mission Melbourne)
Wesley Mission Victoria (previously Wesley Mission Melbourne) works alongside those who are most disadvantaged, inspiring them to live their lives to the fullest as valued members of the community. Wesley Mission Victoria is the organisation behind some of Melbourne's best known and most valued community services, including the Lifeline Melbourne telephone counselling service and the Wesley Do Care social support service for isolated frail aged people and adults with a disability.Wesley Mission Victoria assists children and young people, people in crisis, people experiencing homelessness, older people, people with disabilities, and people with Huntington's Disease.
The Mission was established in 1893 on the same site it occupies today next to the Wesley Church in Lonsdale Street. At that time, the area was known as the 'back slums' of Melbourne and was notorious for opium dens, gambling houses and places of ill-repute.
Wesley Mission Victoria's heritage is founded on the response of Wesleyan Methodists in Victoria to the severe economic depression and associated inner city poverty of the early 1890s.
Today the Mission employs over 700 staff and receives the support of over 2,000 volunteers who help to deliver 57 services across metropolitan Melbourne. In 2006-2007, the Mission had an operating budget of over $38 million. Approximately 73% of revenue was government funding. The remainder was raised through fees for service, fundraising and commercial activities.