Our desire is to be a church of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds, united by our salvation in the Lord Jesus. We would love you to join us in our worship and mission.
In 2013 a small but committed group from Grace Bible Church planted a new church in Forest Lake. Initially called Cornerstone Bible Church, the church sought to meet, care for and minister to the people of the western suburbs of Brisbane and Forest Lake in particular.
In 2016, another church invited us to move to Corinda and carry on gospel ministry in the spirit of previous decades. Under God, we have established in this new community and have had opportunities to grow connections with those who live locally. It is a blessing to have people walk, cycle and drive to church on a Sunday morning.
Ben Shannon
Planting Pastor
I am thankful for being raised in a church-going family here in Brisbane, but it was my time studying chemistry at university that has shaped the rest of my life. On campus, I heard the gospel explained with clarity and met my wife. I worked in petrol and convenience retail before studying at Queensland Theological College.
I am the planting pastor of Grace Bible Church Corinda. I am excited by how God’s word works in people’s lives through the everyday ministry of the local church. Some of my strongest theological influences have been from D.A. Carson, Phillip Jensen and his fellow pastors. I long to see all the people of our church – including myself – grow in maturity in Christ.
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, thinking about and discussing God has been part of life since my earliest memories. It was only during my late teenage years that I realised my relationship with God didn’t rest upon my commitment to Him but rested entirely in His gracious and loving commitment to save and rescue us. I’ve spent most of my life studying; first, learning what makes plants tick as I trained and worked as a research scientist and more recently, studying the ways, works and word of God as I work towards a MDiv qualification at Queensland Theological College. My constant companion through all of life’s adventures, Deb and I been married for some years and continue together to experience the graces of God poured out day by day.
Deb and I were part of the original church plant team at GBC Corinda and it’s been home ever since. It is a great joy to have the opportunity to serve our church family in an increasing capacity as I train for pastoral ministry. My theological convictions have been shaped and firmed by lots of helpful people over time. To highlight a few: on grace and knowing God, Calvin; on Christian living, John Stott and Paul David Tripp; on exegesis, Andreas Kostenberger and Tom Schreiner; and on preaching, Christopher Ash and Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
I was born in Queensland Australia but went to school in New South Wales. Dropping out of High school in grade 8, I decided to go into the work force.
Within this time, I came to understand the glorious Good News of Christ’s substitutionary death and resurrection for sinners. This truth led me to pursue further education at Queensland Theological College (QTC).
In 2016, I married a beautiful young woman named Salli and we are currently raising 3 kids to the glory of God.
I love reading books on Theology, Apologetics, and Christian fiction – my major influences would be Charles Spurgeon; John Calvin; C.S Lewis; Cornelius Van Til; Greg Bahnsen; Herman Bavinck; Scott Oliphint; Joe Rigney; Douglas Wilson & many more!
I have the great privilege of serving as one of the pastors at Grace and love the clear biblical preaching that extols Christ and humbles man.