Ps Lakshman and Dami Kanagasabai
Founding Pastors
The story of our church began with humble beginnings as a home bible study in the home of Ps Lakshman and Ps Damayanthi Kanagasabai in Vermont South in 1988. Recent migrants from Sri Lanka, with an apostolic pastoral and prophetic calling on their lives, the church soon outgrew the small bible study in their home and was relocated to a scout hall in Forest Hill. Here, other migrants from Sri Lanka would gather each week to hear the word preached with power and authority and confirmed with signs, wonders, and miracles. After serving The Lord bi-vocationally for several years, Ps Lucky left behind a lucrative career in corporate banking and the couple both went into full-time ministry.
In the early days, the close-knit family of believers would gather each week, share family events, and do life together. Sacrificially this family of believers sowed into the kingdom and on 26 May 1996 acquired their own property on 374-378 Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley. The church continued to grow and expand under the leadership of Ps Lucky and Ps Dami. On his 70th birthday on the 23rd Sept 2018, the church was transitioned to the leadership of their son and daughter-in-law, Ps George and Christina Kanagasabai. This was after prayerful consideration and unanimous support from the board of elders. In this new season, CLA has continued to diversify and grow and is now home to a multinational and multigenerational family of believers of diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
On the 2nd of January 2020, Ps Lakshman Kanagasabai went to glory and is now resting with his heavenly father, and will be fondly remembered for his rich knowledge of the word, generosity of spirit, and love and care for all around him. Ps Dami joined Ps Lucky in heaven’s glory on 13 October 2021. She was a strong prophetic voice and powerful prayer warrior who left rich kingdom deposits around the world. They are fondly remembered for their love, sacrifice, and pioneering spirit.