Patrick Donohoe
City On A Hill | Melbourne Foothills, Australia
Tell us about your family.
Together with my wife Carly, we are raising three wonderful gifts from God, Simeon (5) Mae (3) & Lina (4 months). You will often find our family outside. If it's the beach for 2 weeks camping off grid, or playing in our garden that is one of our joys. We love our church community - so our favourite thing is to have everyone and anyone around our table for dinner.
How have you seen God working in your family?
The Lord has been writing a full on story with our family in the last 7 years. Carly and I have been married 14 years, and in that time with have loved and served Jesus in different walks over the time. From being house managers of a boarding house for people at risk of homelessness, to being inner city young professionals, to know planting a church in the outer suburbs of Melbourne.
Our marriage has also been marked by suffering. We lost our first born son, Jasper, to a heart condition when he was just a month old but Jesus in His kindness gave us grater faith and understanding in that time.
And in December of 2025 Carly has been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, and is currently undergoing chemotherapy. This has rocked our world but not shaken our faith. We have already seen God move through His Church, as well in the lives of our unbelieving friends. We covet your prayers for this situation.
How have you seen God working in your life?
Over the last 15 years of following Jesus I have seen him do amazing things. Every day I wake up and am reminded of the grace that is only found in Jesus.
As I write this, I am reminded of the peace that comes with the cross. The peace that frees us from striving, from hopelessness, from worry. Leading up to planting a church there has been a lot to be nervous about but I have felt a peace that surpasses all understanding.
This has freed me from my temptation to do it all myself and worry if it doesn't work out, to be able to focus on proclaiming Christ crucified with clarity and boldness.
How have you seen God working in your church?
Our church is only a few months old, but we are already seeing God on the move in powerful ways. We have seen people give their lives to Jesus for the very first time, and others move from lukewarm faith to overflowing zeal. It has been an incredible privilege to have a front-row seat to what God is doing.
Just this past Sunday, a couple joined us because they simply Googled a church in their area. They had never been to church before. Throughout the service they were in tears as they heard about what it means to be the bride of Christ, and they couldn’t wait to come back next weekend.
While I was chatting with them after the service, a child outside bumped his head and needed medical attention. Suddenly the woman I was speaking to shouted, “I’m a nurse-let me help!” Afterward she said, “Wow, I really feel like I was part of the bride then.”
I pray that she might come to know Jesus and discover that, in Him, she has even more to give than her already incredible gift of first aid.
What is your church’s mission/vision?
To know Jesus and make Jesus known.
Under God, we hope to be a church planting church. We want to be a part of the ten cities vision, to see 50 churches planted in 10 cities with the beauty, truth, and relevance of Jesus.
How can we be praying for you?
Mission: Please pray that as we start our first evangelistic course many might hear the gospel and turn to a relationship with Jesus in repentance.
Stability: Please pray that as we form teams in a rapidly growing church we might instil healthy teams and leaders to further the mission.
Personal: Please pray for Carly (my wife). As she battles with breast cancer pray for faith in her saviour, courage in the face of illness, and boldness when the opportunity comes to proclaim the gospel. Pray also for our 3 kids at home - Simeon, Mae, and Lina - that they might know how to love their mum during this time.
To send Patrick a note of encouragement, write to HelloCP@spanishriver.com.