AChA Knowledge  /  Culture & Values  /  2025 AGM Report
Culture & Values

2025 AGM Report

From a bold announcement in November 2022 to sold-out concerts, a registered charity, and transformed lives: here is the story of what God has been building through our community of musicians, singers, and servants.

Our Journey So Far

Nov 2022: Orchestra Announced

A vision cast for a new kind of Christian arts community in Australia.

May 2023: Orchestra Launched

Musicians came together for the very first time.

Nov 2023: Night of Worship with Darlene Zschech

Bridge Church welcomed 250 people for a powerful evening of worship.

Feb 2024: Hope UC Church, Central Coast

800 people gathered for a worship night that stretched the Central Coast community.

Jun 2024: Logos at UTS

200 people gathered on campus for an evening of music and meaning.

Aug 2024: Became Australian Christian Arts Limited

Registered as a charity, taking over Exalt Collective Limited and its registration number.

Sep 2024: Choir Launched

A new chapter opened at St Philip's York Street as voices joined the family.

Nov 2024: Messiah Concert

First combined Orchestra and Choir concert at Congress Hall (Salvation Army).

Mar 2025: "Passion and Glory" Easter Concert

550 people at St Barnabas celebrated Easter through music and story.

May 2025: Gold Coast Tour, ACC National Conference

An extraordinary 2,500 people experienced worship at the Australian Christian Churches gathering.

Jun 2025: Night of Worship, Scots Church

550 people joined the Orchestra for an unforgettable evening.

Aug 2025: "Our Story" Choir Concert

200 people at Scots Church heard the Choir tell its story through song.

Oct 2025: Programs Director Joins Staff

Programs and Events Director role filled part-time, a milestone in our organizational growth.

Oct 2025: "The Narrow Way" at St Matthew's Manly

150 people gathered for an intimate evening with a selection of the Orchestra.

End of 2025: "Joyful Joyful" Christmas Concert

650+ people joined us for a joyful Christmas celebration, our biggest yet.

End of 2025: First Online Stream & Youth Announced

Our first online broadcast reached beyond the concert hall, and a Youth Orchestra and Choir were announced for 2026.

Mar 2026: First Concert Hall & Professional Theatre

A landmark moment: our first performance in a dedicated concert hall and professional theatre.

May 2026: Youth Orchestra & Choir Launch

The Australian Christian Youth Orchestra and Choir launches under Natalia and Lucy, with strong interest already building, an exciting new chapter.

2026: Town Hall Concerts

We're looking at booking the Town Hall for concerts this year, building momentum and faith for the road ahead.

End of 2027: The Sydney Opera House

In faith, we're looking towards taking the stage at the Sydney Opera House: the ultimate vision for what God is building through this community.

The Numbers

A snapshot of what God has done through this community since 2022.

Concerts & Events

Across Sydney, Central Coast, and Gold Coast.

People Gathered

And that number keeps growing.

Programs

Orchestra, Choir, Youth Orchestra, Youth Choir, Production.

Years of Growth

From vision to registered charity with staff and nationwide reach.

Denominations United

One of Australia's most ecumenical arts communities.

Lives Touched

131 helped toward finding a church, 185 reaffirmed faith, 24 recommitted, 4 new believers.

These numbers tell a story of faithfulness, growth, and God's provision.

Our Community

Our Ecumenical Community

One of the most beautiful things about Australian Christian Arts is who we bring together. Our community has attracted members from across the full breadth of the Christian tradition in Australia.

Anglican

The largest tradition represented in our community.

Catholic

Roman Catholic members worshipping and serving alongside the wider community.

Eastern Orthodox

Greek, Antiochian, Macedonian, and Russian Orthodox traditions.

Reformed & Presbyterian

Presbyterian, Reformed, Brethren (Gospel Chapel/Brethren-style).

Uniting Church & Methodist

Baptist

Baptist churches from across Australia.

Lutheran

Evangelical & Charismatic

Evangelical, Pentecostal/Charismatic, Apostolic Faith.

Churches of Christ & Nazarene

Salvation Army & Adventist

Independent & Non-denominational

Oriental Orthodox

Coptic Orthodox

Every Age, Every Stage

Our community unites generations and diverse life experiences, creating a unique tapestry of talent and faith.

calendar

Ages 18 to 70+

Spanning multiple generations, our community brings together diverse experiences.

briefcase

Varied Occupations & Stages

Students, fresh out of school, fresh out of uni, business owners, stay-at-home mums, retirees, newly employed, and everything in between.

users

Diverse Life Stages

Singles, married couples, and families with multiple children serve and create side by side.

Leaders Rising

None of this happens without faithful people stepping up. These are the leaders who have made it possible, drawn from a wide variety of denominations, primarily Anglican, but also Orthodox, Baptist, Pentecostal, and beyond.

Production Director

Production Director, holding the technical vision together with skill and calm.

Lucy

A day-one leader and steady pillar of the organisation, now stepping further into the choir.

Susannah

A key pillar across the organisation's life and culture.

Josh

Leading our music with excellence and creative vision.

Sarah

Choir arranging and support, bringing the vocal vision to life.

Matt Gibb

Choir Director, shaping the sound and heart of our choral community.

Yvonne

Taking care of our home teams and memberships, nurturing connection and belonging across the community.

Jonah

A new conductor from the Oriental Orthodox tradition, bringing fresh energy and depth to our musical leadership.

Natalia

Music Supervisor and Youth Conductor from the Russian Orthodox Church, guiding the next generation of musicians for Australian Christian Arts.

Section Leaders

Our section leaders across the Orchestra and Choir are really starting to lead the charge, stepping up with ownership, care, and musical excellence within their sections.

Honouring A Few People

Behind every concert and rehearsal are people who show up, serve quietly, and give generously. We want to honour a few who have made a lasting mark.

Bek Manning

Faithful since the very start, her steadfast commitment has been a cornerstone of this community.

Chris Lawn

A dedicated presence in the Orchestra, serving with consistency and heart.

Nathan Carr

A faithful member of the Orchestra, contributing his gifts week after week.

Lucia

A valued voice in the Choir, bringing warmth and dedication to every rehearsal and performance.

Anna Carter

Going above and beyond in the Choir and across the wider life of the organisation.

Jemima

Always there in the doorway moments: welcoming, helping, and making people feel at home.

Monica

Leading with excellence on the violin, inspiring those around her with musicianship and commitment.

Noah

Always ready to help in the Choir, showing up with a servant's heart time and time again.

Kay

Always bringing her help and her smile: a bright and generous presence in our community.

The Wongs

Their warmth and hard work have been a gift to everyone around them.

Becca

Her maturity and consistency have been a quiet strength in our community.

Liam

Faithful and dependable, always showing up when it matters most.

Alex Thursby

His hard work behind the scenes has been invaluable to the life of this community.

Ciarrin

Going above and beyond in our production teams: a tireless and dedicated servant.

New Voices and New Works

This season has seen fresh creative voices emerge and original music find its place on the concert stage.

Lachie South

Had his works performed for the first time.

Josh Clift

Conducted for the first time and delivered standout orchestrations consistently highlighted by audiences and musicians alike.

Jonah

Joined as a conductor, bringing fresh energy.

Matt Flind

Stepped in to help with logistics.

William Dooley

Composed for the Orchestra for the first time.

Jemima

Led prayer moments at concerts with grace and conviction.

Natalia

Joined as Music Supervisor and Youth Conductor, bringing vision and heart for the next generation.

Original Works Premiered

Jonathan Billingham's original work was a highlight of the year: a proud moment for Australian Christian composition.

Standout Orchestrations

Josh Clift's orchestrations were consistently highlighted as standout by audiences and musicians alike.

Teams Taking Shape

Behind the scenes, dedicated teams make every event possible.

Lachlan Smith

Stage Manager, leading stage management with precision and reliability.

Lisa Tracy

Stage Manager, partnering in production leadership to keep everything running smoothly.

Ciarrin

Production Technician, handling the technical details that bring every event to life.

Jeremy

New to the organisation, jumping in wherever needed with a willing spirit.

Events Volunteers

Our volunteer base has grown significantly. At our most recent event, 15 people served, a wonderful sign of a community giving generously of their time and talents.

What We're Working On

Growth means getting better, not just bigger. Here's where we're sharpening our focus as an organisation.

1

Tighter Rehearsals

Maximising every minute together, more focused, productive, and purposeful.

2

Better Tech Rehearsals

Raising the bar on technical preparation so every performance runs seamlessly.

3

Better Time Management

Respecting everyone's time by running tighter schedules across all our programs.

4

Attendance Policy Enforcement

Strengthening accountability so our ensembles can rely on each other and grow together.

5

Excellence in Musicality

Pursuing a higher standard in everything we play and sing, honouring God with our best.

6

Inspiring Voices from Universities & Denominations

Bringing in guest speakers and voices from universities and different traditions to inspire, challenge, and broaden our community.

7

Better Training & Onboarding

Improving how we welcome and equip new members so they can hit the ground running.

8

Better Communication Flows

Streamlining how information moves across the organisation, clearer, faster, and more consistent.

9

Ecumenism Done Well

Getting this right for all types of personalities and beliefs across our organisation, creating a space where every Christian feels welcome and valued.

10

Policies to Keep Us Safe

Developing clear policies and frameworks to protect our community and ensure a safe environment for everyone.

11

A Spiritual Ethos for Everyone

Shaping a spiritual ethos for the organisation that honours and suits every Christian from every denomination, united in Christ, respectful of tradition.

Impact & Looking Ahead

Impact at Our Concerts

Music opens hearts. These numbers represent real people, real moments, and real transformation: the reason we do what we do.

Helped Toward Finding a Church

People we helped toward finding a church community.

Faith Reaffirmed

People who reaffirmed their faith in Christ.

Recommitted Lives

People who recommitted their lives to Jesus.

New Believers

People who gave their lives to Jesus for the very first time.

Every number above is a person. Every person is a story. Thank you for being part of what makes these moments possible, through your giving, your presence, and your prayers.


Looking Ahead

The journey is far from over. Here's what's on the horizon, and we're trusting God for every step.

Mar 2026: First Concert Hall & Professional Theatre

A landmark moment: our first performance in a dedicated concert hall and professional theatre.

May 2026: Youth Orchestra & Choir Launch

The Australian Christian Youth Orchestra and Choir launches under Natalia and Lucy, with strong interest already building, an exciting new chapter.

2026: Town Hall Concerts

We're looking at booking the Town Hall for concerts this year, building momentum and faith for the road ahead.

End of 2027: The Sydney Opera House

In faith, we're looking towards taking the stage at the Sydney Opera House: the ultimate vision for what God is building through this community.