CLC History
On June 16th 1981, Lismore’s Summerland Christian Life Centre (now Centre Church) began sending people to Kyogle to hold meetings in the old RSL Hall (now Kyogle Cinema) to show people the love of God. Many lives were deeply impacted by what happened in those meetings. Miraculous healings took place and hearts were filled with the hope that Christ brings.
A new church was birthed in those days and the first pastors of the church were John and Janet Carothers who served for one year. There was then a period when the church had no pastors until Barry and Joan Winton came in January 1985.
Barry, Joan and their children had come from the mission field in Papua New Guinea where they had served as pastors in various places. They remained in Kyogle for 24 years. In 1994, Barry and other leaders went to Sydney to investigate Catch the Fire and what was known as the 'Father’s Blessing' or the "‘Toronto Blessing’. They were
greatly impacted and, as a result, many wonderful things took place here in this Kyogle congregation.
Barry and Joan Winton
At this time the church met in the Memorial Hall on Sunday mornings and met during the week in a rented room called 'The Upper Room' above a downtown cafe in Kyogle. The church had their eye on a fantastic building for many years but didn't have the means or opportunity to buy it. But, as a testimony to the power of prayer, in September 1999 the church purchased the old Roxy Theatre from the council who had renovated the whole building. This has been an amazing blessing for the church.
In February 2008, James and Danielle Howes were employed part time as youth pastors after they had spent a year at Catch the Fire, Toronto's School of Ministry. In March 2009 they took over the role of pastoring the church and Barry and Joan finished their 24 years as pastors in Kyogle.
“We know that God is great and is mighty to save and we know that he wants to bring transformation to this town and community. Much more is coming as we join together to shape the course of history in Kyogle for the glory of God, by the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit.”
- Pastor James Howes
