Armadale Family Church, Chosen Church, Champion Lakes Christian Church, formally Southside Christian Centre, or the Armadale Assembly of God as it was known, had its humble beginnings in the late sixties – 22 May 1967. Armadale Family Church, Chosen Church, Champion Lakes Christian Church, formally Southside Christian Centre, or the Armadale Assembly of God as it was known, had its humble beginnings in the late sixties – 22 May 1967.

Pastor Joe and Eunice Griffiths had moved from England to live in Gosnells and they were sure that God wanted them to pioneer a church in Armadale.

Armadale was a very small sleepy town in those days and many considered Pastor Joe’s decision to plant a church here as unwise because it was ‘too far out in the sticks.’ But against the odds and the opinions of others, Pastor Joe and Eunice Griffiths started holding services in the Ambulance Hall and the old Lodge on Forrest Road.

Church planting was tough in those days and growth was slow, but Pastor Joe was a man of vision and determination. Soon a small group of like-minded people started attending the new church with a desire to see the full gospel preached in the south of the city. Llyod and Helen Ivatts have been here for most of the church’s history.

It was in those early days that a prophecy spoken during one of the services said that “God was going to raise up a church in Armadale that would have an impact upon the nations of the world.” It was to be many years before this prophecy started to become a reality.

In 1973, after the purchase of property, the young church started its building program with just 13 members. It was a huge project and resources were limited but God encouraged the church with the Scripture from the Living Bible that says “Do not despise this small beginning, for the eyes of the Lord rejoice to see the work begin…” Through faith and perseverance, the church continued to grow and establish itself in the community.

Then in 1980 Pastor Joe Griffiths decided that it was time to move on. So the church approached a young man named John Warwick, who at the time was the assistant Pastor at the Belmont Assembly of God Church, to become the new Pastor at Armadale.
John initially declined and did not want to come to Armadale. But God had other plans and John found himself constantly thinking about Armadale and warming to the thought of moving here. After much prayer, John and Julie were convinced that God had called them to Armadale.

So in October 1980 John and Julie Warwick started pastoring the Armadale Assembly of God Church. Using Phil 3 v 13, “…forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead”.

It was at this time that the church decided to adopt the radical new name of Armadale Family Church. It was also in the early eighties that the church decided to make World Missions a major priority and focus. It was during the mid-eighties that we sent out our first missionaries.

In 1994 the Adult Day Care, a ministry to the aged, was launched. This vital area of ministry operates from 9:30am – 2:30pm; four days a week with a daily bus run to provide transport for clients.

Towards the end of 1997 the leadership decided that it was time for another name change and that it was time to spruce up the buildings, so there was a face-lift and a name change to ‘Southside Christian Centre’ to coincide with the 30th birthday.

In 1999, after much soul searching and wrestling with God, John resigned from his position as Senior Pastor in a step of faith. He had no offer for another job somewhere, but he felt the Lord had told him to resign. This later proved to be of great benefit to the Kingdom as John went on to significantly assist Geraldton and Girrawheen to become leading churches in our State.

The transition in leadership was not a smooth one and in the fullness of time, the temporary Interim State Executive representative, Ps Mike Keating, was appointed to lead the church. At this time, Southside was involved with the involuntary church plant in Maddington where David Warwick has grown one of the strong churches in the South.

After some seven years, the church has consolidated its membership and leadership and has taken a new name for the 21st Century: Champion Lakes Christian Church. The church was able to take advantage of the stewardship of previous years to transform the tired asset at Forrest Road into new facilities with three times the space.

Isaiah 46:9 Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.

In our text, the prophet urges us to remember

1) Remember the past evidence of God’s planning and provision
2) Remember God is unique. He cannot lie, cannot vary, cannot be resisted
3) Remember God works from the promise backwards … the future is certain … the race makes sense at the finish line
4) God’s purpose and pleasure will stand if we obey

The challenge for us today is whether it is our purpose and pleasure to partner with the Lord to build his church. Jesus said: “ZEAL for my Father’s House has consumed me”. Jesus was passionate about the House of God.

At the start of 2021, after much prayer and preparation, Ps Aaron and Kristy Pryce were invited to take over the senior ministry role. Despite much effort in planning for a smooth succession, a serious crisis occurred when the lead minister invalidly dismissed the Elders from their roles to escape scrutiny for poor and unbiblical behaviour. This led to an unfortunate split whereby most members have left and reformed as Armadale Family Church.

Out of this church has come two WA ACC State Presidents, one ACC National Executive Members, two WA State Church Planting Directors, one State and one National Bible College Principal, one WA Youth Alive Director, at least 6 career missionaries and many others, one Army Chaplain, two ACC WA State Secretaries, and one WA State Vice president. This church has been used on God to touch the nations as prophesied.

During this time of transition, Ebenezer Full Gospel Church has merged with us to enliven our strength and passion for the Lord. Ps Siji Abraham and Ps Stehen Milton, together with their family and friends, have built an amazing group of disciples.

We have an amazing past, but even a better future.