The Foundery officially opened in Wollongong
Commissioner James Condon speaks at the official opening of The Foundery cafe in Wollongong. (Credit: Photo by Dean Simpson)
Commissioner James Condon said The Salvation Army's founder General William Booth would be proud of the newly opened Port Kembla Mission building in Wollongong.
The Foundery, named with the first General in mind, operates as a cafe-style church with the aim of connecting with people in the community.
“To connect with people in this age, we need to do church differently,” Commissioner Condon said as he officially opened the building on Sunday 16 March. “Different to the way it's been done before. And that's the way The Salvation Army began, with William Booth doing it differently. And through The Foundery here, it's a different way – food and coffee – what a great way to connect with people!”
Lieutenant Paul and Captain Christy Kurth run the Port Kembla Mission in the industrial heartland of the Illawarra.
The opening was attended by about 50 people, with special guests including the Army's Australia Eastern territorial leaders Commissioners James and Jan Condon, and Sydney and Illawarra divisional leaders, Lieutenant-Colonels Peter and Jan Laws.
“This is the culmination of a lot of prayer and hard work,” said Lieutenant Paul. “We aim to use this cafe as a training facility linking with employment agencies. Our hope is to give people on-the-job training so people gain the necessary skills needed for employability. All this while aiming to be the best cafe we can be, with great food and great coffee!”
The building, located near the top of the hill on Port Kembla's iconic Wentworth St, was purchased two years ago and has undergone a major renovation from its last use as an Italian restaurant.
“The building has an interesting past,” Lieutenant Paul said. “Apparently, at one stage, the upstairs area was an illegal gambling ring. There were about 40 power points in the rooms and I had always wondered why!”
In his opening presentation, Lieutenant Paul addressed the vision for The Foundery, outlining three main points.
“Firstly, we want to do life with people,” he said. “Secondly, we want to build relationships with these people we connect with. And thirdly, we want to explore faith with them and, as John 10:10 says, offer them life in all its fullness.
“Looking down the track we want to be profitable so we can give people work skills. Employ people who may not generally be seen as the most employable people.”
Commissioner James Condon said he was looking forward to seeing and hearing stories of salvation from The Foundery.
“I pray that The Foundery will see something of The Salvation Army vision fulfilled,” he said.
By Dean Simpson
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