About Us
To be a Christ-centred, multicultural church that welcomes people from every background — strengthening families, developing disciples, and sharing the Gospel, love, and hope of Jesus Christ with our community.
How We Started
The Gospel Church Newcastle, known as IBCA (Indonesian Bethel Church Australia), began with Ps. Isaac and a group of Indonesian graduate students in Newcastle who longed for fellowship, to grow together in faith, and to hear and live out the Word of God while being far from home.
What started as a small gathering gradually grew into a church community, welcoming not only Indonesians but people from different nationalities, cultures, and generations. Our desire is to be a place where people can encounter the Gospel, grow in their relationship with God, and find genuine Christian fellowship.
We are part of the Bethel Church (Gereja Bethel Indonesia) denomination, one of the largest Pentecostal networks in Indonesia, with a growing presence across Australia. We are committed to serving the Indonesian community while building bridges to the broader Australian community.
Today, we gather every Sunday as one family to worship God, hear His Word, encourage one another, and grow together in Christ.
Statement of Faith
We believe in the Holy Bible, the Trinity, salvation through Jesus Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, baptism, communion, and the Great Commission.
Worship & Teaching
To advance the Christian faith through worship, prayer, preaching, and the teaching of the Bible.
The Gospel
To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pastoral Care
To provide pastoral care and spiritual support.
Discipleship
To encourage Christian fellowship and discipleship.
Mission
To support missionary work and community outreach.
Charity
To provide charitable assistance to people in need where resources allow.
Community
To conduct activities that benefit the community and are consistent with Christian values.
Ps. Albert Stevanus & Christanti
Ps. Albert leads The Gospel Church Newcastle with a heart for a multicultural community and expository preaching. Responding to God’s calling, he and his family moved from Sydney to Newcastle to serve and lead the church, overseeing its vision, pastoral care, and spiritual direction.
Beyond the local church, Ps. Albert also serves as the IBCA Youth Leader across Australia, investing in the next generation and helping young people grow in faith, leadership, and their relationship with Christ.
Christanti ministers alongside her husband with warmth and pastoral care that is felt throughout the whole congregation, particularly through her heart for families and the people of the church.
Leaders
Bethel Church Network
We are affiliated with Gereja Bethel Indonesia (GBI) — the Bethel Church Indonesia denomination — one of the largest Pentecostal movements in Indonesia, with a growing presence in Australia through IBCA (Indonesian Bethel Church Australia) congregations across the country.