It's More Blessed to Give than Receive!

What a joy it has been to send 6 cubic metres of school bags, caps and other items to bless hundreds of needy children in Sri Lanka this Christmas.

Making a Difference in Burkina Faso

What a joy it was to visit the work of Compassion in Burkina Faso on the West Coast of Africa. Some 40 children have now been sponsored by families who have attended Casey Life. For many of these children, their lives, their families and even their communities will be changed forever!

Care Day

Christmas will be a little brighter for many families this year, with hundreds of free food parcels, toys and clothes given away in Hampton Park.

People from Casey Life Church and Hampton Park Baptist Church have a partnered together in a show of support for the local community.

Many of the toys and clothes were donated by members of the two churches, bringing to reality the words of Jesus, "it's more blessed to give than receive."

Dozens of volunteers have assisted with the packing of food parcels, and to bring a friendly smile on the day.

Pastor Graham Shand said that the "Care Day" was "a practical way of letting people know that we care, particularly during the Christmas season."

(Pastors Angela Garton and Graham Shand pictured above)

Opening of Casey Life Centre

The following article appeared in the Cranbourne News on 9th June 2011

From left, City of Casey councillor Lynette Keleher, Casey Life Church pastors Graham and Julie Shand, and special guest Pastor Stephen Joseph, from Sri Lanka, at the official opening of Casey Life's new centre.

CASEY church-based organisation Casey Life now has a new home to help it continue it services to the community.Casey deputy-mayor Wayne Smith and Cr Lynette Keleher officially opened the doors to the group's new centre, based in Hampton Park Shopping Centre, last month.

Casey Life includes Casey Life Church, which also offers a fortnightly Sri Lankan service, a training centre and community services. The new facility is equipped with two training rooms and a multi-purpose and meals area.

Youth and children's programs are run each week as well as free budgeting courses. An ESL course will start at the centre in the third term.

Casey Life Church pastor Graham Shand said about 60 volunteers assisted in seeing the project become a reality, along with many good and services being donated from the local community.

“The centre will provide the extra space needed, as we expand on the services that we are making available to the community,” he said.

“It was important to have a facility that was attractive and welcoming to people of all ages.”
For further details call 9799 9911 or visit the website www.caseylife.com.

Casey Life acknowledged in State Parliament

Judith Graley MP  Gave the following speech at the 4th June 2010 ASSEMBLY

Ms GRALEY (Narre Warren South) -- It was a joy to attend the national day of thanksgiving at Casey Life Church in Hampton Park on the last Sunday in May. Senior pastors Graham and Julie Shand are passionate about reaching out to the community, and under their leadership the church welcomes everyone with open arms. I admire Graham and Julie's commitment to sharing their love of God. People in my community are fortunate to have such generous-hearted people serving them.

With its strong sense of compassion, Casey Life has also led missions to Sri Lanka, India, Fiji and the Philippines. It is very ably supported by pastors Joseph De Souza, Phil Olsen and Emmanuel Chembiah, and there is the very talented pastor, Charmaine Sime, who performs like a rock star and inspires young people to live a life with purpose and fun and to be extraordinary.

The old, the young, men and women, and people from many different countries and backgrounds are all important and can find a place at Casey Life. The church's mission is building bridges, changing lives, and it certainly is. For thanksgiving day church members said a big thank you to all the local small business people who provide services, goods and, when asked, donations to the Hampton Park community. I thought the small business people really appreciated the acknowledgement and appreciation. I know that the church will continue to grow and do good things for others. There is a sign in the church that says 'Greater things are yet to come; greater things are still to be done'.

I look forward to enjoying many more great times with the folk from Casey Life. The service finished fittingly with uplifting singing led by Maryann De Costa, backed up by Julie Shand, Isadora Zhimomi, Tanya James and Ilo Zhimomi, with band members Jared Shand, Caleb Shand, Jonathon De Souza and Malcolm Anderson. They sang How Great is Our God with a great deal of passion.

Carols in the Park 2009

Each year Casey Life has been involved in organizing the Carols held at the Hampton Park Shopping Centre. Again last December it was another great night for the community at the new location in the park opposite the Shopping Centre.

The following article appeared in the "citynews" a publication of the City of Casey.

From Cr Lynette Keleher and Cr Wayne Smith JP: Carols

"We had the pleasure of attending the Hampton Park Carols by Candlelight, staged in a new location on the General-Joshua Drive parkland. The event was probably the biggest and best attended ever. Thousands of residents watched a fun-filled, family oriented program with lots of talented performers and community singing. Hampton Park’s Casey Life AOG Church, led by Pastors Graeme

and Julie Shand, is to be commended for once again producing this very important annual community event."

Hampers Given Away

In the lead up to Christmas, a team of Volunteers led by Kay Anderson organised the collection, packing and distribution of Christmas hampers to people in the community. These were a great blessing to those who received them, particularly given the financial stresses faced by many over the last year.