The church family now known as Emmanuel Christian Outreach Inc. (ECO) was founded in 1978, from a Macclesfield home fellowship of Bethesda Christian Outreach Inc., of Marion Road, Mitchell Park SA. It was then known as Fountain of Life Christian Centre Inc. prior to a change of name in 1990 to Emmanuel Christian Fellowship – this change in name followed a change in senior leadership and also the development of new vision for the church .
The church relocated from Macclesfield to Strathalbyn in 1986. By June 2004 the Lord had blessed the ministry of the church with the development of 2 Christian Schools and a second congregation in Murray Bridge , which then led to corporate restructure of the Ministry group. Subsequently the church corporation (which owned the land on which the schools were based) was renamed “Emmanuel Christian Schools and Ministries Inc ” and the objects and rules of the constitution were amended appropriately and a new Corporation was formed to “house” the church members and named “Emmanuel Christian Outreach” (ECO). ECO is one church meeting in two locations – Strathalbyn and Murray Bridge respectively.
The leaders and partners of ECO were involved in the founding of Bethesda Ministries International (BMi) network of churches in 1984. ECO provides a home for local Christians who seek to know more of Jesus Christ and serve Him.
To develop a missional church “culture” in which people and teams partner and take responsibility for the continuous Spirit-led improvement and expansion of our service for the Lord Jesus Christ – applying themselves with passion to His Mission.
In 2012 ECO joined a missonal movement of Churches, A2A.
A2A embraces an apostolic model of governance. Ephesians 2 states that the church is built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets with Christ as the cornerstone.
A2A believes the bible teaches that the church is built on leadership that demonstrates the various ministry gifts listed in Ephesians 4 which states that when Jesus ascended back to heaven, he gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to serve the body of Christ.
We do not believe every leader is an apostle, but every leader is encouraged to function in an apostolic manner as they exercise leadership in the local church. Leadership principals can be learnt.
The national leadership team will be selected from recognised and proven ministries from the churches who are holders of the appropriate ministry certificate with the movement, and all officers of A2A will come from this representative body.
The national leadership team nominates the national leader who is then affirmed after prayerful consideration by the certified ministers of the movement.
Although there is no formal vote included in the procedures of governance, the inclusion of all credentialed ministers in the process, and the open transparent manner that information is passed, maximum opportunity exists for credentialed ministers to make comment on all important matters effecting A2A.