What are Cityhope Connect Groups
Connect groups have one, simple purpose—
to create a place where we belong.
We believe God created us to live in community with others and only then can we experience the full life He intends for us. Meaningful relationships can be hard to find, and that’s why connect groups exist — to make life-changing relationships relevant and accessible to you.
A connect group is made up of people who share similar interests, are in the same stage of life, or want to learn from each other.
People gather for all sorts of reasons whether it is participating in a sport or interest, catching up with others for a coffee, or studying the Bible together. The point is not what you meet about, it’s that you are regularly meeting with people and living in community as God designed you to.
When and Where
Connect Groups this year will meet weekly or fortnightly over two semesters. A mid year break allows new groups to start, old groups to continue or the option of joining a new group for semester two.
Connect Groups meet in a variety of places like homes, parks, restaurants, coffee shops and on site at Cityhope Church. You can see which suburb our groups meet in the directory below.
Lead a group
We belong in community, leading a connect group is a great way to make that happen.
We have eight main Connect Group categories for you to start your group in.
Simply choose a topic or activity that interests you, select a time and location to meet with others and register your interest with us. We believe people’s lives are changed by moving one step at a time towards Christ and as a connect group leader, you get to be a part of that.
Leadership training for our connect group leaders happens throughout the year at our heart and soul team nights and also at the beginning of each connect group semester. We also provide leaders access to our Group Leaders Portal which has useful interactive content and study guides for you group. Existing leaders can login below:
Men
Women
Demographic Based
Bible Study
Social
Special Interest
Young Adults
Community
Join a group
We have an easy-to-use online directory below where you can search groups by category and register your interest for groups that interest you. Alternatively you can click Find me a Group and we will be in touch.
Connect Group Directory
McKenna Connect
A relaxed Bible Study with opportunities to get to know each other and pray for life issues. Open to everyone but mostly over 35+
Meets: Fortnightly
Location: Sadliers Crossing
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Tanya McKenna
Alderton Connect
A Bible Study group geared around mentoring and preparing for leadership. Mostly around 35+ and with no small children in the group.
Meets: 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays each month
Location: Deebing Heights
Focus: Bible Study
Leaders: Ron & Marilyn
Welsh Connect
A study group for people of all ages and backgrounds that are looking for a welcoming place to continue the journey you’re on in life.
Meets: Friday Fortnightly
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Tony & Anna
Daniels Connect
We are primarily in our mid 30’s to early 50’s. We use study material chosen with our group dynamic in mind and together we are growing in our own personal relationship with God and each other while having a lot of fun.
Meets: Fortnightly Friday
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Michael & Karen
Trapp Connect
Our Sunday Lunch Connect Group is all about creating an environment to facilitate connections into meaningful relationships. We come together as families with young children to learn about God & grow in our relationship with Him.
Meets: Fortnightly Sunday
Location: Cityhope
Focus: Bible Study
Leaders: Craig & Esther
CityYouth Connect Groups
CityYouth connect groups are made up of school age students meeting around our city each week in different locations. If you’re a young person looking to get to know other students and progress in your walk with God you’ll love our groups.
Meets: Various times
Location: Ipswich/Springfield
Focus: Bible based + Social
Leader: Ryan Germain
CityCycle Connect
CityCycle meets at or around 6:00am fortnightly on Saturdays for a ride and post cycle coffee. Varying fitness levels are found within the group so we remain open to experienced riders and those that are new to cycling.
Meets: Fortnightly Saturday
Location: Ipswich/Springfield
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Craig Trapp
Craft Connect
Hosted by Amberley Craft Group – Bring along that half finished project sitting in the corner, or come along for a chat and to get re-inspired for your next project. We have sewing machines, scissors, stamps & paper craft tools and much more. Our group is Defence Community focused but everybody is welcome, we ask that we keep this group a child free environment, weekly cost is just $2 to go towards materials.
Meets: Weekly Tuesday
Location: Cityhope
Focus: Craft
Leaders: Naomi Power & Debbi Jeffrey
Book Club Connect
We are a connect focused on supporting one another and doing life together whilst connecting over classics and hidden gem novels!! Open to all who are interested.
Meets: Tuesday/Wednesday Fortnightly
Location: Yamanto
Focus: Books
Leader: Dilys Franklin
City Young Adults House 1
A young adults connect group focused on building connection with God and others. We alternate between studies and social activities as we do life together.
Meets: Fortnightly Wednesday
Location: Ipswich
Focus: Bible Studies + Social
Leader: Ryan & Celeste McMahon
City Young Adults House 2
A young adults connect group meeting locally to study the Bible. We are mostly young married/married couples with a heart to connect with others on their spiritual journey.
Meets: Thursday Fortnightly
Location: Ripley
Focus: Bible Based
Leaders: Andy & Rachel Waddell
Waddell Lifegroup
Our group is made up of senior students and 1st year outs who are interested in building relationships and studying the bible in a comprehensive way.
Meets: Tuesday Fortnightly
Location: Ripley
Focus: Bible Based
Leader: Andy & Rachel Waddell
Ibbertson Connect
We are a group of families who get together fortnightly to build relationship and discuss studies and messages from cityhope to strengthen our faith.
Meets: Weekly Sunday
Location: Plainlands
Focus: Bible Studies + Social
Leader: Scott & Debbi-Lee Ibbertson
Waddell Bible Study Connect
We are a group of adults who meet together fortnightly to study the word of God in more detail and discuss our Faith.
Meets: Fortnightly
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Brett & Marilena Waddell
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
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McKenna Connect
A relaxed Bible Study with opportunities to get to know each other and pray for life issues. Open to everyone but mostly over 35+
Meets: Fortnightly
Location: Sadliers Crossing
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Tanya McKenna
Alderton Connect
A Bible Study group geared around mentoring and preparing for leadership. Mostly around 35+ and with no small children in the group.
Meets: 1st, 3rd & 5th Mondays each month
Location: Deebing Heights
Focus: Bible Study
Leaders: Ron & Marilyn
Welsh Connect
A study group for people of all ages and backgrounds that are looking for a welcoming place to continue the journey you’re on in life.
Meets: Friday Fortnightly
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Tony & Anna
Daniels Connect
We are primarily in our mid 30’s to early 50’s. We use study material chosen with our group dynamic in mind and together we are growing in our own personal relationship with God and each other while having a lot of fun.
Meets: Friday Fortnightly
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Michael & Karen
Trapp Connect
Our Sunday Lunch Connect Group is all about creating an environment to facilitate connections into meaningful relationships. We come together as families with young children to learn about God & grow in our relationship with Him.
Meets: Sunday Fortnightly
Location: Cityhope
Focus: Bible Study
Leaders: Craig & Esther
Waddell Bible Study
We are a group of adults who meet together fortnightly to study the word of God in more detail and discuss our Faith.
Meets: Fortnightly
Location: Bundamba
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Brett & Marilena Waddell
Anderson Connect
A group for people looking to learn how to read and study the Bible for the first time. We will be learning about how to use various modern resources to help us grow in our understanding of the Bible and how we live as Christians.
Meets: Sunday Fortnightly
Location: Cityhope Church
Focus: Bible Study
Leader: Michael & Tess Anderson
CityCycle Connect
CityCycle meets at or around 6:00am fortnightly on Saturdays for a ride and post cycle coffee. Varying fitness levels are found within the group so we remain open to experienced riders and those that are new to cycling.
Meets: Saturday Fortnightly
Location: Ipswich/Springfield
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Craig Trapp
Craft Connect
Bring along that half finished project sitting in the corner, or come along for a chat and to get re-inspired for your next project. We have a well stocked cupboard of tools including sewing machines and scissors, stamps & paper craft tools and much more. Everyone is welcome. $2 per night
Meets: Tuesday Fortnightly
Location: Cityhope
Focus: Craft
Leaders: Naomi Power & Debbi McBurnie
Book Club Connect
We are a connect focused on supporting one another and doing life together whilst connecting over classics and hidden gem novels!! Open to all who are interested.
Meets: Tuesday or Wednesday Fortnightly
Location: Yamanto
Focus: Books
Leader: Dilys Franklin
Ripley Walking Connect
Would love to have you join us for a regular walk through Ripley! Get in touch if you’re interested.
Meets: Weekly
Location: Ripley
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Josephine Wellings
Women's Cycling Connect
Come join other women interested in cycling for a local ride!!
Meets: Weekly
Location: Ipswich
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Marilena Waddell
Men's Golfing Connect
Come out for a friendly hit, chat and some pointers from Eddie to help improve your game!
Meets: Mid Week Fortnightly
Location: Ipswich
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Eddie Bien
Bushwalking Connect
Come join us for a bushwalk, a great way to see the outdoors and build relationship with others!
Meets: Saturday Fortnightly
Location: Ipswich/Springfield
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Neville Blair
Meals Out, Movies & Drives
Come out and connect with us fortnightly over Meals out, Movies and Drives around the great South East!
Meets: Friday/Saturday Fortnightly
Location: South East Qld
Focus: Special Interest/Social
Leader: Tanya McKenna
Men's Golfing Connect
Come out for a friendly hit, chat and some pointers from Eddie to help improve your game!
Meets: Mid Week Fortnightly
Location: Ipswich
Focus: Special Interest
Leader: Eddie Bien
Men's Guitar Building
Come join us if you’re interested in guitar building! We work out of John’s shed and will be starting with the basic cigar guitar.
Meets: Fortnightly
Location: Bellbird Park
Focus: Men’s/Special Interest
Leader: John Carroll
Coversations over a Cuppa
We’re a group of men who do life together over a fortnightly coffee catchup – get in touch if you’d like to join us.
Meets: Your Choice
Location: Your Location
Focus: Your Focus
Leader: You!
Start a Women's Group!!
At Cityhope we believe in the value of Women meeting regularly across the life of the church in connection. Perhaps you feel lead to start a women’s group, it could be an art group, walking group, bible study or maybe a social coffee – whatever your group, we’d love to hear from you below!
Meets: Your Choice
Location: Your Location
Focus: Your Focus
Leader: You!
Playgroups QLD - Ripley Playgroup
We are a group of mums and dads who gather each fortnight for friendship and interaction with our young children! We have toys galore so come along for a great morning together.
Meets: Thursday Weekly (School Term)
Location: Ripley
Focus: Social
Leader: Jane Weston
Waddell Lifegroup
Our group is made up of senior students and 1st year outs who are interested in building relationships and studying the bible in a comprehensive way.
Meets: Tuesday Fortnightly
Location: Ripley
Focus: Bible Based
Leader: Andy & Rachel Waddell
CityYouth Connect Groups
CityYouth Connect Groups are made up of school age students meeting around our city each week in different locations. If you’re a young person looking to get to know other students and progress in your walk with God you’ll love our groups.
Meets: Various times
Location: Ipswich/Springfield
Focus: Bible based + Social
Leader: Ryan Germain
City Young Adults - House 1
CYA House 1 is a young adults connect group focused on building connection with God and others. We alternate between studies and social activities as we do life together.
Meets: Fortnightly Wednesday
Location: Ipswich
Focus: Bible Studies + Social
Leader: Ryan & Celeste McMahon
City Young Adults - House 2
CYA House 2 is a young adults connect group meeting locally to study the Bible. We are mostly young married/married couples with a heart to connect with others on their spiritual journey.
Meets: Thursday Fortnightly
Location: Ripley
Focus: Bible Based
Leaders: Andy & Rachel Waddell
BBQ in the Park
Our BBQ in Queens Park is held for those in our community that are homeless, living in crowded boarding houses, feeling isolated, lonely or just struggling to make ends meet. This group provides food and a safe place for those in our community who need it most.
Meets: Tuesday Weekly 4:30pm – 6pm
Location: Queens Park, Ipswich
Focus: Community
Leader: Naomi Power
Start a Community Group!!
Cityhope’s heart is to show God’s love to our community, we believe the church is the light of the world. Our Cityhope Care initiatives focus on several key areas however there are also other needs in our community. Do you have a heart to start a community focused group? Register below!
Meets: Your Choice
Location: Your Location
Focus: Your Focus
Leader: You!