About AChA
Sydney's first Christian symphony orchestra and choir — uniting 20+ denominations through music, beauty, and shared worship since 2022.
Our Mission
A Creative Renaissance for Christ
Reclaiming the Arts for Christ. To build, grow, nourish, and unite God's Church, revealing His Kingdom to the world.
The tradition of elevating creativity through a Christian lens continues to guide and inspire our artistic journey. In honouring this legacy, we strive to infuse our artistic endeavours with the same spirit of innovation and reverence.
'Reclaiming the arts for Christ' is a profound call to action — a commitment to revitalising the role of Christianity in Australian arts and culture. Read more about who we are and our community.
Based in Sydney, we run five programs: the Australian Christian Orchestra, Australian Christian Choir, Youth Orchestra, Youth Choir, and Productions. We unite Christians from 20+ denominations, governed transparently as an ACNC-registered charity.
Our Vision
Three interconnected objectives.
World-Class Arts Companies
To establish, grow, and maintain healthy, world-class, industry-leading Christian creative arts companies across creative disciplines — from ballet, to media, to music and theatre — both nationally and throughout the world. Rooted in tradition, on the cutting edge, trail blazing the Church's legacy of creation.
Powerful Creative Communities
To form and foster powerful creative communities, where Christians with both talent and character are seen, brought together, and released to serve Jesus at the highest artistic levels — for their community, for their country, and supremely for the Kingdom of God.
Lives Transformed
To see thousands of people begin, recommence, or recommit to their journey with Jesus through the impact of concerts, shows and events, and to see them established in their chosen Church community — focus remaining on the individual, not the crowd.
Organisational Values
HEMIOLAS.
Eight values that shape every rehearsal, every concert, and every relationship within AChA — each grounded in Scripture and the Early Church Fathers.
Humility
Talent matters greatly, but humility surpasses virtuosic ability. The organisation prioritises fruit of the Spirit above technical skill. Leaders ask 'What is the Lord teaching me?' before forming judgments.
James 4:6
"It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels." — St. Augustine
Eternity
Living and working with eternity in view. Jesus Christ is the only saviour; temporary frustrations are held in light of everlasting purpose. Rehearsal rooms and concert halls are places of eternal significance.
Colossians 3:2
"Nothing so helps the soul as keeping the thought of eternity constantly before the eyes." — St. John Chrysostom
Magnificence
Every available medium — music, lighting, movement, space, visual detail — glorifies God. Beauty evangelises without words. The organisation cares deeply about detail because magnificence honours God and serves audiences.
Psalm 29:2
"Nothing so lifts the soul as harmony and beauty offered to God." — St. Basil the Great
Interconnectedness
Intentionally interdenominational. Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox, and others gather as one body. Members rehearse together, perform together, eat together, and learn from traditions not their own.
Ephesians 4:4
The Church, though scattered across the world, 'preserves one faith as if living in one house.' — St. Irenaeus
Ownership
Taking responsibility. When gaps appear, the organisation fills them. Members use language such as 'we' rather than 'you' when addressing leaders or discussing organisational matters.
Colossians 3:23
Each member has role and responsibility in the body, not spectatorship. — St. Clement of Rome
Listening Ear
Listening before speaking — to leaders, one another, and the Lord. Attentiveness in rehearsals, careful word choice, diligent communication, and openness to feedback.
James 1:19
"Obedience begins with listening" — the first step of humility. — St. Benedict
Advancement
God calls beyond the present — across Australia and the world, into new cities, art forms, and expressions. The organisation moves wisely but boldly, serving a vision, not a personality.
Isaiah 54:2
"The Church must always be growing outward as it grows inward." — St. Gregory the Great
Servanthood
Humility in action. Service extends beyond role. Leaders serve first. Conductors set chairs. Leaders clean floors. If the organisation is too big to serve, it is too small to lead.
Mark 10:43
Leaders are recognised not by authority, but by love expressed in service. — St. Ignatius of Antioch
Creative Values
SCENES.
Our approach to creativity balances tradition with innovation, craftsmanship with inspiration, and engages all the senses to create meaningful artistic experiences.
Something Old, Something New
We stay in touch with tradition while pushing boundaries, finding balance between classical and modern approaches to create art that resonates across generations.
Craftsmanship
We value the creative process because it demands significant investment. Anything worthwhile requires such investment, through which we hone the skills to create increasingly excellent art and music.
Excellence
Excellence is not simply about perfection but about a relentless pursuit of quality and authenticity in every detail, ensuring that our work reflects both passion and precision.
Nuance
We pay attention to the details that others might miss. From the smallest musical phrase to the subtlest theological nuance, we believe that careful attention to detail honours both our craft and our calling.
Elevation
Our goal is to create art that lifts people's eyes towards the transcendent. Art that is pure, godly and wholesome, pointing beyond itself and inviting audiences to contemplate deeper truths about life and the grace of Jesus.
The Senses
We create with attention to the senses, considering visuals, lighting, and aesthetics to craft holistic artistic experiences that engage the whole person.
A Note on Emotion-Invoking Aesthetics
In every sunrise and at every sunset we see a glimpse of how God uses beauty: "the heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1). As His image-bearers (Genesis 1), we follow that pattern.
Just as artisans once shaped stained glass windows and inventors pioneered modern lighting, we use aesthetics to help point people towards the divine. This is not coercion or manipulation. A sunset does not demand a response from us; rather, it invokes one. God has given humanity the wonderful gift of our senses, and of creativity to move and subsequently lift hearts towards Him.
Through creation, and supremely through the Incarnation, He demonstrates how the physical world reveals His immanence and His transcendence. Music, lighting, spoken word, soundscapes, dance, drama, historic spaces and beautiful modern spaces: God can use it all for His glory, and that is what it is all about.
Organisational Culture
ENSEMBLES.
Our culture shapes how we present ourselves and interact with others. These values define the experience people have when engaging with Australian Christian Arts, fostering a vibrant and supportive community.
Encouragement
We foster an environment where encouragement is freely given. We verbally encourage one another with the same vigour and specificity as the times we provide insightful feedback or critique.
No 'Second Fiddle'
Every role and person is valued equally; we believe no contribution is more important than another in our collective artistic endeavour.
Sincerity
We cultivate authentic and vulnerable relationships, believing that true connection empowers deeper artistic expression.
Enthusiasm
We approach our creative processes and events with genuine enthusiasm and joy. The word 'enthusiasm' comes from the Greek 'entheos' meaning 'God within,' reminding us that true joy flows from God's presence in our work.
Mutual Honour
We practise mutual honour, recognising and respecting the unique gifts, personalities, and the image of God in every individual within our community.
Bravery
We act with bravery and courage, unafraid to take risks and be unapologetic in pursuing our mission and vision for God.
Lived Thankfulness
We actively practise gratitude, verbally expressing thankfulness for salvation, opportunities, and to our leaders and peers.
Embracing Community
We embrace new members and ideas, creating welcoming and warm environments where everyone feels valued, accepted, and supported.
Spiritual Fruit
We strive to embody the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — in all aspects of our artistic and communal life.
Our Founding Belief
"The Church is the one place where the artist's vision is most needed, because art is a communal activity."
— Makoto Fujimura
Concert Highlights
20+ Christian Denominations United
Our Journey
From 2022 to the Opera House.
Nov 2022
Orchestra Announced
Australian Christian Orchestra publicly launched.
Nov 2023
Night of Worship with Darlene Zschech
AChA performed for the 30th anniversary celebration of Shout to the Lord · 250 gathered.
Feb 2024
Hope UC Church, Central Coast
800 people gathered.
Jul 2024
Logos Concert
UTS Small Theatre · first professional venue.
Aug 2024
Australian Christian Arts Limited
ACNC registered charity formed.
Sep 2024
Choir Launched
St Philip's York Street.
Nov 2024
Messiah Concert
Congress Hall · 800 people · first combined Orchestra and Choir.
Apr 2025
'Passion and Glory' Easter Concert
St Barnabas · 450 people.
May 2025
Gold Coast Tour — ACC National Conference
AChA ministered to 2,500 people at Australia's largest gathering of Christian churches.
Dec 2025
'Joyful Joyful' Christmas Concert
650+ in attendance.
Mar 2026
Chatswood Concourse
First 1,000-seat concert hall.
Now
We are here
Building toward the next decade of Australian Christian arts.
May 2026
Youth Orchestra and Choir Launch
Ages 13 to 19 · Sydney CBD · under Natalia Raspopova.
Aug 2026
Australian Christian Proms
Sydney Town Hall.
2027
Sydney Opera House
Take the Opera House for Christ.
From Our CEO
Ryan Alexander Gilpin
Chief Executive Officer, AChA
"Young creatives are some of the most sensitive, thoughtful, spiritually open-hearted people in the world — yet they're often the ones left without a place to belong."
"Many churches don't have room for a bassoonist, a violist, a young composer. So we built something different — a place where their gift isn't 'too much,' where their faith isn't separate from their art."
"Under Natalia Raspopova's leadership, the Australian Christian Youth Orchestra and Choir exists to give young musicians what they've been searching for: a place where they can grow into the artists — and the people — they were meant to become."
Ryan A. Gilpin
Founder & CEO · Australian Christian Arts
Founder FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Ryan Gilpin.
20+ Denominations United
One body, many traditions.
People who may never worship together on a Sunday serve side-by-side every fortnight — praying for one another, sharing meals, and becoming like family. Unity itself is our witness.
Statement of Faith
The Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed (381 AD).
We affirm this creed as formulated at the Council of Constantinople in 381 AD — our shared statement of faith uniting Christians across every tradition. We present it in its original form as a point of shared confession across the historic Church.
Scripture: the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments as our common scriptural foundation. We use the New Revised Standard Version Anglicised (NRSVA) for its scholarly rigour and broad interdenominational acceptance.
A note on the Filioque: Some Western Christian traditions include the phrase "and the Son" (filioque) in their confession of the Holy Spirit. We present the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed in its original 381 AD form as a point of shared confession, recognising it as a common reference received across the historic Church and suitable for our ecumenical purpose.
We believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, begotten from the Father before all ages, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made; of the same essence as the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; he became incarnate by the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary, and was made human. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried. The third day he rose again, according to the Scriptures. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom will never end.
And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life. He proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He spoke through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We affirm one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and to life in the world to come. Amen.