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Faith quietly caught along the way

Jesus once said, ‘By their fruit you will recognise them.’

This was certainly true for Lam Vuong, who first encountered the Christian faith through the quiet witness and everyday fruit of the people around him: Lutheran teachers who spoke openly of their hope, a boss whose integrity matched his words and friends whose faith was evident in how they lived and worked.

Born in Vietnam into a Buddhist family, Lam grew up in a home where worshipping ancestors was an important part of spiritual life. His mother, who had been educated in a French Catholic school, valued the discipline and structure she had experienced there and later sought similar schooling for her children.

As Lam grew older, he encountered Christians whose faith was expressed quietly but consistently. Lutheran teachers spoke openly about their beliefs, and later, in the workplace, he noticed the same integrity in colleagues whose faith shaped the way they led and worked.

Over time, that quiet witness sparked Lam’s curiosity. ‘They practised what the Bible preached,’ Lam reflects. ‘They walked the talk.’

Lam says it was their daily conduct and down-to-earth nature that made the greatest impression. Seeing colleagues live out their faith in ordinary workplace interactions showed him that belief was not just something people talked about, but something they lived.

He also began reflecting more deeply on life and faith. The deaths of close relatives made him wonder about questions many people wrestle with: Why does suffering exist? Why does God allow violence? Is there an afterlife, and will loved ones meet again?

The search became more personal when Lam and his wife Serina began exploring schooling options for their sons. Through friends, they were introduced to Concordia College and St John’s Lutheran School in Unley, in suburban Adelaide. Although their son had already been enrolled elsewhere, meeting principal Michael Paech left a strong impression.

‘He was particularly engaging, down to earth and caring,’ Lam says. ‘You could feel a genuine vibe about him, and we immediately knew this was the school and environment we wanted our boys in.’

Around the same time, the family began attending St John’s Lutheran Church in Unley. Lam remembers being struck by the calm atmosphere of worship.

‘Everyone was welcoming,’ he says. ‘We just wanted to go somewhere that was traditional and authentic.’

When they were invited to join an Alpha course – which explores the basics of the Christian faith – at the church, Lam and Serina decided to attend.

‘It was casual – friendly people, no pressure. We talked a lot and asked lots of questions. It made us feel part of the family.’

Through those conversations and relationships, their understanding of faith gradually deepened, along with their sense of belonging within the church community.

‘The “why” of having God as part of our lives clicked with us,’ Lam says.

When it came to baptism, Lam says he felt both eager and uncertain. The step was ‘a bit daunting’, he says, and he was ‘not sure what to expect’, but it also felt like the right time.

Looking back now, Lam says faith has brought him a deep sense of reassurance.

‘I feel that God is closer, and having a father look over you, to guide and bless – a strong presence in times of joy and sadness,’ Lam says.

Today, Lam describes church as ‘a sense of family in faith’ and ‘a sense of belonging to a faithful community’. Away from the noise and pressures of everyday life, he says it offers ‘a place of reflection and prayer and a safe community’.

Faith has also shaped the way he notices God at work in everyday life.

‘God turns up when I need help the most and also when I seek guidance,’ he says. ‘Messages come in different forms and from people, but you know God is at work.’

Certain Bible stories have taken on special meaning for him, including the parable of the talents, Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness and the parable of the lost sheep.

Looking ahead, Lam hopes his family will continue to grow in faith and remain connected to the congregation that welcomed them.

For those curious about faith but unsure where to begin, his advice is simple: ‘Ask a friend who is attending church, tag along, ask questions, have an open mind and open heart. Avoid the naysayers,’ he says.

For Lam, seeing faith lived out in the lives of others was the simple beginning of his own journey.

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LCANZ Church House dedicated

More than 100 members and friends of the LCANZ gathered in Adelaide’s CBD in February 2026 to witness the official opening and dedication of the new Church House.

Although staff began moving into the LCANZ building at 139 Frome Street in late November 2025 and visitors have been welcomed since December, the gathering on 28 February marked the formal dedication of the premises as a hub for mission and ministry.

The service, led by LCANZ Bishop Paul Smith, began on the ground floor and unfolded as a journey through the building, culminating on the third level. Along the way, members of the Indonesian Christian Fellowship of Adelaide led singing, adding a joyful multicultural expression of praise.

During the service, Bishop Paul highlighted the Scripture verse inscribed on a plaque unveiled at the opening: ‘Do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus’ (Colossians 3:17). He described the verse as both a blessing and a commission for the ministry that will occur from Church House.

Two Church House staff members addressed those gathered: Tim Stringer, principal of Australian Lutheran College, and Lisa McIntosh, coordinator of the new Exhibition Centre, which will open later this year.

Students from Concordia College provided background music as guests enjoyed afternoon tea and, following the formalities, visitors took the opportunity to explore the building and its facilities. Before the dedication, LLL sponsored refreshments at the adjacent Funk Café, offering a relaxed space for conversation and fellowship.

The five-storey Church House brings together staff members from across the LCANZ, including the Churchwide Office, Australian Lutheran College, Lutheran Media, LCA International Mission, Australian Lutheran World Service, Lutheran Education Australia, Finke River Mission and LCA Insurance.

Envisioned as more than office accommodation, Church House is designed as a collaborative hub to support mission and ministry across the wider church.

The Exhibition Centre on the ground floor will provide opportunities for community engagement and education, with displays that reflect both Lutheran heritage and future direction. The exhibition area is expected to formally launch in time for South Australia’s History Festival in May 2026.

The Frome Street building was purchased following the sale of the LCANZ’s North Adelaide properties in 2024 and is located near Bethlehem and St Stephen’s Lutheran churches in Adelaide.

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One child. One mentor. One hour

Just one hour a week may seem a small commitment, but for a primary-school-aged child, that consistent time with a trusted adult can be life-changing.

Each week in South Australia’s Adelaide Hills, members of St Mark’s Lutheran Church in Mount Barker step beyond their congregation’s walls to participate in Kids Hope: a structured, one-to-one mentoring program that links schools and congregations to offer children steady encouragement and care.

St Mark’s is one of four Lutheran congregations in South Australia involved in Kids Hope. Most partnerships are with public schools, making the connection between St Mark’s Lutheran Church and St Mark’s Lutheran School a rare collaboration.

From the school’s perspective, the impact has been ‘deeply meaningful’, says Deputy Principal Rachel Harrip. ‘Partnering with mentors from St Mark’s congregation provides our students with consistent encouragement, care and positive role modelling. This strengthens our students’ confidence and sense of belonging.’

St Mark’s member and retired early childhood educator Jane Hill has been involved for almost a decade. She began as a mentor and now coordinates the program for St Mark’s, supporting volunteers and liaising with the school.

Over the years, Jane has walked alongside five children, meeting each one for an hour a week during school terms. ‘When you’re given a student, that’s the only child you support,’ she explains. ‘You stay with them until they finish primary school. A connection forms so easily. There’s anticipation of the visit and obvious enjoyment during the time together.’

Mentoring isn’t about solving every problem. It is about presence, listening and sharing small moments.

The benefits flow both ways. Mentors often speak of the privilege of being invited into a child’s world – through games, conversation, reading or simple shared activities. For Jane, cooking is a favourite weekly ritual. ‘The children love it,’ she says. ‘Sometimes we’d keep a part of what we made to give to someone elderly or lonely. It was a way to show the child the joy of thinking of others.’

For Jane, the reward is mutual. ‘I feel blessed as the mentor as well,’ she reflects.

Fellow mentor Vicki McNeil has also seen how small, consistent care can make a difference. She recalls a young girl who loved reading, games and crafts. One day, the child asked, ‘Do you just visit me?’ Vicki replied, ‘Just you – you’re special.’ At the end of the year, the girl gifted her a succulent plant with a sign: ‘Thanks for helping me grow.’

Jane has also seen the lasting impact of mentoring. Last year, a former mentee in the program reached out. ‘She is now in Year 10 and looks back fondly on our time together,’ says Jane.

Through Kids Hope, St Mark’s congregation lives out the simple yet profound gift of presence – nurturing confidence and connection that extend far beyond a single hour.

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A cross-cultural home for faith

by Tim Eckert

At Glynde Lutheran Church in Adelaide’s north-east, located in a rapidly changing multicultural area, the sounds of Mandarin, Korean, Nuer, Hindi, English and other languages can be heard throughout the church complex. You might see English learners chatting, individuals of all ages in Bible studies, youth participating in activities, families at a playgroup or adults sharing food and conversation.

This is the everyday life of a congregation that has long sensed God calling it to be a welcoming home for people from all nations, ages and backgrounds, where the gospel is shared through friendship and hospitality.

With the support of the LCANZ’s Local Mission Fund, Glynde is now preparing to take a significant new step in that calling by establishing the Glynde Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre, a three-year project designed to strengthen multicultural and ‘first-third’ ministry locally and provide cross-cultural mission learning opportunities for the wider church.

Over the years, Glynde has embraced this mission opportunity through English classes, ‘Coffee ‘n’ Chat’, ‘Grace Over Lunch’, youth discipleship, playgroup, Mainly Music and family-friendly worship. We have established partnerships with Grace Lutheran Chinese Church, Adelaide Global Mission Church, and the Nuer Lutheran Fellowship, as well as an informal relationship with Pilgrim Lutheran Church Magill.

Alongside this, Glynde has invested deeply in first-third ministry (ages 8 to 30), recognising the strong connection between cross-cultural mission and youth discipleship.

Building on these foundations, the Cross-Cultural Ministry Centre will offer a safe, hospitable and grace-filled space where people can encounter Jesus, explore faith and connect with others. Core programs will include English classes, youth gatherings, family ministries, Alpha and ‘Intro to Faith’ courses, and community hospitality activities.

Central to the project is a commitment not only to welcome people but also build friendships and equip new leaders, particularly from culturally and linguistically diverse and first-third backgrounds. The centre will also share its learnings with the wider church, inviting congregations to learn together how to welcome newcomers and share the gospel in culturally sensitive ways.

The Local Mission Fund grant is both an encouragement and a call to step forward in faith, trusting God to grow this ministry as a place where many hear the good news of Jesus and find a home in his family.

Tim Eckert is Chairperson of Zion Glynde Lutheran Church SA.

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The everyday rhythms of school life

Faces of Faith – Matthew 5:16 

In Faces of Faith, we tell the stories of people across the church whose lives bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Through vocation and service, these stories highlight how God equips and sends his people.

by Elise Mattiske

Faith is not always expressed in dramatic moments. Often, it is revealed quietly through presence, care and how people are treated in ordinary, everyday encounters.

For Fiona McAullife, executive principal of Good News Lutheran College in Tarneit and Mambourin in Melbourne’s west, faith is lived this way each day. ‘In the Lutheran understanding of vocation, I have come to see that faith is not something we merely profess, but something lived out daily in service to others,’ she says. This understanding, she explains, is grounded in the message of James 2:18: ‘I will show you my faith by my works.’ ‘As I lead the leaders, I also use a translation, “Don’t just tell me, show me,”’ she says.

Her sense of vocation began early. Growing up on a farm in South Australia’s Mid-North as the eldest of six children, she was raised in a family deeply connected to their faith. From a young age, she knew she wanted to become a teacher and developed a love for mathematics. Over time, she came to see how those passions could intersect.

Her journey into Lutheran education was shaped by formative experiences and influential mentors, particularly at Concordia College in suburban Adelaide. The school’s motto, Fortiter in Re, Suaviter in Modo (‘Firm in principle, gentle in manner’) resonated with her, capturing how she aspired to live and lead. ‘I felt at home in a community where humility and quiet achievement were valued,’ she says.

Across a range of school communities and cultural and religious contexts, her sense of vocation has remained consistent. ‘I’ve come to see that faith is not about striving to prove anything,’ she says. ‘It’s a response of gratitude, shown through care, presence and love.’

‘While these environments have differed greatly, my purpose has remained grounded in God’s call to serve faithfully where I am placed,’ Fiona says.

Like many, her journey has not been without challenge. During her early adulthood, a tragic head-on collision between a mother and son profoundly affected her. The accident took the life of a young man she had grown up with and left a woman who had cared for her like a mother utterly devastated. In the aftermath, Fiona found herself seriously questioning where God was amid such immense suffering. It was not until several years later, following another painful event, that she truly felt God’s presence and understood that he had never left her. ‘Those experiences strengthened my faith and gave me resilience I didn’t know I had,’ she says.

That resilience was called upon early in her time at Good News Lutheran College at Tarneit in Melbourne’s west. She began in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, in one of the most locked-down areas in the country. The year also included a lightning strike that damaged key infrastructure and the death of a Year 12 student. Reflecting on that time, she says, ‘Possibly the most important lesson was that whatever is happening, care for community is key. Every student and staff member is considered before anything else.’

What brings Fiona the greatest joy is forming genuine connections. ‘Whether it’s a conversation at school pick-up time, lending a hand at a community event or simply being a familiar face around the grounds at the college campuses, these moments of connection create a sense of belonging and remind me why I do what I do,’ she says.

She has also been stretching herself to learn some phrases in Hindi, spoken or understood by many families in her school communities. ‘Through my experiences, I have gained valuable insights into what it means to lead and create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone feels cared for. The positive responses from students and families have reinforced the importance of these efforts,’ she says.

Mentoring and coaching future leaders has become a particularly meaningful part of Fiona’s work. ‘Supporting aspiring leaders as they grow in confidence and capability fills me with hope for the future of our school,’ she says. Through this, she sees leadership as an expression of service, rather than authority.

Faith is woven into the life of the school in intentional ways. Fiona is encouraged by students who engage openly with faith through Bible study groups and devotional activities. ‘Seeing young people come together to explore their beliefs, support one another and share their faith stories is a powerful reminder of the strength found in community,’ she says.

She also points to the visible presence of the church within the college grounds. Buildings named in honour of Lutheran congregations and their histories serve as reminders of faithful witness across generations. ‘The journeys of those that have come before us in the name of God and have followed their faith through all manner of challenges inspire us to face our own challenges and let our own faith guide us,’ she says.

Looking to the future, her hope is for the continued flourishing of the school community in both Tarneit and the newer campus at Mambourin. ‘With our significant wait lists, I wish we could take in all who want to be in our school and care for them as well as we care for our current students,’ she says.

Today, Fiona says her journey has shaped how she sees others. ‘My journey has deepened my faith so that I am now genuinely able to see the presence of God in everyone I interact with,’ she says. ‘My role is not to impose faith, but to bear witness to it through compassion, integrity and faithful service.

‘In this way, each day becomes a lived expression of faith, gently and consistently showing God’s love in action within the everyday rhythms of school life.’

Ultimately, Fiona’s motivation and passion are sustained by the relationships she builds and the encouragement that flows generously from those around her. ‘Each day’s interactions, big or small, remind me of the impact we can have when we serve with kindness and work together for something greater,’ Fiona says.

Elise Mattiske has served as the LCA Communications Coordinator and is the LCA’s new Publications Editor.

Know of any other Faces of Faith stories in your local community? Email the editor elise.mattiske-rogers@lca.org.au

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