Life Church Graz

Church Location: Graz

Church Name: LIFE Church Graz

Pastor/Leader of Church: Helge Plonner

Helge is originally from Leoben, where he has been the head pastor since 1997. As such, he was also involved in the founding phase of Life Church Graz, which he has now been leading since July 2023. Helge is the author of numerous worship songs and an entrepreneur (driving school). As head of the theological community of LIFE Church Austria. he is also the author of booklets on socially relevant issues. He is married to Petra and they have three grown up children.

What does he love about LIFE Church:

Helge is moved by the fact that LIFE Church is a visionary movement that has set itself the goal of postively influencing society. He also loves the relationship-orientation that can be felt throughout the organistion: friendship is a valuable asset. Helge is moved by the hunger for the supernatural God, which finds a strong expression here.

What he loves about Austria:

Helge has a strong sense of being called to Austria. Even though his life is accomplished by ministries abroad, his focus is on what Jesus wants to do in his homeland. Helge enjoys the Austrian cosiness and the restaurant and coffee house culture. He thinks that Austria is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. He loves to go swimming in the Wörthersee in Summer and is a fan of SK Strum Graz

What he love about Church planting & leadership:

Since his conversion in 1990, Helge has repeatedly been involved in church planting. :Free churches are a rarity in Austria, which is one of the reasons why planting them is of central importance for spiritual growth in the country. His longing as a leader is for every believer to find their place in church life with their vision of the Kingdom of God. Among other things, he therefore trains believers to be able to name their vision and follow it.

Short blurb about the church: (how long has it been there, what are they doing to reach people etc)

In 2014 a Christian group formed and regularly met in the ROX Music & Grill Bar and reached out to Gianni to mentor them. In 2015 a couple moved to Graz to lead the church. . The first official Church service took place on April 10th, 2016 and in the following years continued either on a Sunday afternoon in an art & leisure Centre or on Monday evenings in the ROX Music & Grill Bar.

Information about the area: (could include some fun facts about the area):

County: Styria

Population of City = Political District: 290,000

Features of the City: known to be a „Student City“ - StudentenStadt

Culinary Speciality: Backhendl & Vogerlsalat

Graz is the capital City of the district Styria, has a population of around 290.000 people and is the 2nd largest city in Austria.

Today the Church building is located in the neighbourhood "Lend“, which lies right beside the city centre and is "the place to be“, either at the markets during the day or for its nightlife.

Biggest needs in the area:

Typical challenges of a large town/district capital: mental hardship, as there are a lot of people with psychological problems, loneliness, crime, high immigration.