Craig and Miriam Guntrip planted Village Church Tasmania in Devonport three years ago, starting with a vision and a few Christian friends. After years in youth ministry, they felt called to build a church from the ground up.
Initially meeting in function centre breakout rooms, then a leased Lutheran church, their growing congregation—250 to 300 people, including 100 teens—needed a permanent home.
Twelve months ago, they found an old nursery and retail shop in Don, near Devonport. The $1.35 million property was ideal, but banks wouldn’t consider them due to their short financial history.
BFS offered a loan, enabling the purchase. The process involved negotiating offers, securing council approval, and meeting sale conditions. “At every step, we thought, ‘Surely this won’t work out.’ But then it did,” Craig said.
Finalised in January 2025, the sale marked a new chapter. With 6.5 acres and fit-for-purpose buildings, Village Church now has a home base to gather, grow in faith, and share Jesus with the wider community.