A call to Springfield, carried together.
Before the first public service, there was a call to share the Gospel in word and deed, make disciples and raise leaders who would serve others.
The call began in local schools and a family home.
From at least the early 1990s, Phil Cutcliffe taught Religious Instruction at Camira and Carole Park State Schools. John van Bennekom was also involved in Religious Instruction in local schools. In 1995, as the church team listened to families around Springfield, Phil and his wife Julianne moved into the area and the call began to take shape in their home.
Julianne was a significant founding contributor. Their home became SCF’s first office and the meeting place for a Life Group of eight. John and Deb van Bennekom and Ralph and Jo van Strien were part of that first group, praying, serving and preparing together. SCF was birthed from Christian Family Centre at Sumner Park, with prayer and practical support from the church that sent them.
A church family begins.
A public interest meeting was held in February 1996. The following week, a Life Group of eight began meeting in the Cutcliffe home to pray, listen and prepare.
On Pentecost Sunday in May 1996, SCF held its first public service at Springfield Early Learning Child Care Centre. About 100 people came, more than half of them children.
The early church family shared more than a Sunday meeting. Phil and Julianne opened their home and carried the work together. John and Deb, Ralph and Jo, and the growing team prayed, prepared borrowed rooms, shared meals, cared for children and kept making room for others. Prayer and practical service belonged together from the beginning.
Connecting our Communities to Christ
Hear the story from the people who carried it.
For SCF’s thirtieth anniversary, members of the church family shared memories of the people, prayer and practical service that shaped its first three decades.
Choose play to watch the anniversary film.
The call kept reaching outward.
Life Groups, shared Scripture, prayer and serving helped people grow as disciples and equipped leaders to help others grow.
Westside Community Care began soon after the church was established, expressing the Gospel through food, practical support, the Garage Giveaway and care for local families. In late 2007, WCC received management rights for the Camira Springfield Community Centre.
SCF moved to Woodcrest College in the early 2000s and later pioneered its Springfield Lakes campus. John and Deb van Bennekom helped carry the Springfield congregation while Phil and Julianne pioneered again. Further campuses followed, raising leaders and extending the same call into growing communities.
Westside Transformations opened on 4 March 2023, creating a structured Christian residential community where men can rebuild their lives. The former campuses remain part of SCF’s history; today the church gathers as one family at Woodcrest and continues to serve locally and beyond.
Explore community impact
The call, carried through changing seasons.
A few milestones trace the story. People, prayer, discipleship and practical service carry it forward.
- Early 1990s
The call takes root in local schools.
Phil and John serve local families through Religious Instruction in local schools.
- 1995
The vision begins to form.
The team listens to Springfield families, and Phil and Julianne move into the community.
- 1996
Eight people begin, then the doors open.
A Life Group gathers in the Cutcliffe home before SCF’s first public service on Pentecost Sunday in May.
First public interest meeting · February 1996 - Early 2000s
Woodcrest becomes a gathering place.
SCF moves to Woodcrest and continues raising leaders as the church reaches into growing communities.
Children in the life of the house · SCF archive - Late 2007
Community care gains a lasting base.
Westside Community Care receives management rights for the Camira Springfield Community Centre.
- 2023
Westside Transformations opens.
A structured Christian residential community for men opens in Springfield.
Westside Transformations · Springfield - Today
One church family carries the call.
SCF gathers at Woodcrest and continues in discipleship, community care, recovery support and generational faith.
Worship today · Springfield Christian Family
The call continues in ordinary faithfulness.
Today, one church family gathers at Woodcrest to worship, open God’s Word and make room for every generation.
The same outward call is carried through discipleship, serving and practical care across Greater Springfield. Meet the family on Sunday, or explore a next step with someone beside you.