Moving into the neighbourhood
The Salvation Army first began work in the Macquarie Park community in September 2001 when Craig and Danni Stephens, (Danni 
pictured right), members of the Ryde Salvation Army, compelled by the sacrifical love of Jesus Christ, decided to approach the Local Area Commander of Ryde Police with a simple but powerful question: How could The Salvation Army best serve the City of Ryde?
Ryde Police quickly directed them to the Ivanhoe Estate, the largest area of Public Housing in the city. The work began immediately as The Salvation Army began meeting tenants, hosting neighbourhood BBQs, running movie nights, working to build community and trust.
In September 2001, The Salvation Army picked up the keys to 47 Ivanhoe Place from Housing NSW and the Stephens family moved into the neighbourhood. Over the past 12 years the community of Macquarie Park has transfomed.
The lives and stories of the residents tell a tale of freedom through faith in Jesus, freedom through community formation, and freedom through love in action.
The Stephens family have since moved on to continue helping people find freedom from addiction at the Dooralong centre on the Central Coast. But the story doesn't end there. Nathan and Karen Moulds (Nathan pictured left with Ivanhoe Estate resident, Judy) now lead the work of The Salvation Army in Macquarie Park and are no less committed to the Ivanhoe Estate and the families and neighbours who call it home.
