History
In 1988 Clinton and Jan Kelleher received a number of invitations to pastor in various places. Although they had considered leaving Dunedin nothing really seemed right. So one day Clinton decided to put an end to all this indecision - should he leave Dunedin or continue to pastor Dunedin City Elim Church, which was growing at a steady rate, and if they were to move, where? Clinton put a day aside to wait on the Lord to hear what God wanted him to do.
During this time of quietness Clinton says God spoke to him in a way that was unmistakable. It was very clear that the Lord said to go to Christchurch. At this time Clinton and Jan had never really considered going to Christchurch. Although Clinton was saved at the Assembly of God Church in Christchurch he didn't really have a desire to return until that one moment when he heard the Lord's call.
At this time the way wasn't really open for them to go into Christchurch to open up a new city centre Church, but over a period of time they saw God turn the whole Christchurch scene which created a need for the new City Elim Church. Both Clinton and Jan stood back and watched certain things happen with amazement knowing God was at work.
There were many other obstacles to work out. Who would take over at Dunedin City Elim? Who would help them establish this new church? One by one these obstacles worked out with great ease.
After sharing the sense of call with the National Leaders of the Elim Church of NZ they all felt this was the right move. Clinton and Jan prepared to move to Christchurch in the summer of 1989. They spent one night in Christchurch and Clinton got up early and asked the Lord to really confirm this call to the city through his daily reading. In Genesis 28:13 he read:
"I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and i will bring you back to this land."
The church began in February 1991. Services were first held in the old Avon Cinema on Worcester Street (now the Holy Grail Sports Bar) and the offices were situated in the upper floors of the building overlooking Cathedral Square.
After several moves, Christchurch City Elim Church opened in it's current building at 285 Cashel Street with an official opening in July 2000.
The plans for Christchurch's third cathedral were unveiled in 2006 and the name of the church was changed to Elim Cathedral of Hope in 2007. Today, apart from our Sunday services you will find something happening at the Elim Cathedral of Hope every day & every night of the week. Click here to view the soon to be built Elim Cathedral of Hope.