Triumphant Life Fellowship began in the late fifties as a small group of evangelical Methodists who shared a concern for their Church and an earnest desire to see a revival in Australia. They met monthly at the Lutwyche Methodist Church Hall, Brisbane Queensland. Their sentiments were very well expressed in the words of their theme song which was sung with great enthusiasm at every monthly meeting.

Revive Thy work, 0 Lord: Now to Thy saints appear; Oh, speak with power to ev'ry soul, And let Thy people hear.

Chorus

Revive Thy work, 0 Lord! While here to Thee we bow; Descend, 0 gracious Lord, descend : Oh, come and bless us now !

Revive, Thy work, 0 Lord: Exalt Thy precious name; And may Thy love in ev'ry heart Be kindled to a flame.

Revive Thy work, 0 Lord: And bless to all Thy word; And may its pure and sacred truth In living faith be heard.

Revive Thy work, 0 Lord; Give Pentecostal showers: Be Thine the glory, Thine alone, The blessing, Lord, be ours.

The fellowship was proud of its "Wesleyan Heritage" and published a small magazine by that name. Although founded by Ian Walker, TLF's best known Chairman was Jim Hill.

The group recognised the importance of the Keswick movement as a catalyst for revival and Jim's vision of a (Houseparty) Conference Centre on the Mt. Tamborine Keswick Convention property was well received.

With very little money the group's first camp on the Convention Property (1962) had humble beginnings. The farm's old milking shed was used for accommodation. Nicknamed the "MooCow Mootel".

With a twelve pound donation in hand the group met to select land at Mount Tamborine and finally settled on a 2 acre block of ground on the Convention Property. Jim commissioned an architect to draw up some plans for a building. With the plans drawn the next logical step was to raise funds to purchase building materials. But God had different ideas.

The Sunnybank Bowls Club offered its clubhouse for removal for 300 pounds and its dimensions were within inches of the architect's drawings.

Jim mortgaged the family home to help raise the 1275 pounds needed to get the building onto the mountain and the dream was now becoming a reality.

The block was covered in thick vegetation, tall trees and some huge stumps. But "giants in the land" were no deterrent. God sent a man and a few good sticks of gelignite.

Everyone worked untiringly until the ground was finally ready for grass to grow. Jim's wife Joyce is pictured below.

The building was transported in 3 pieces, joined and stumped on the land with the lower section excavated for the toilet and shower facilities. The first camps were held before the toilet/shower block was completed but "roughing it" was considered a joy by most.

Here's some "greenhorns" at Jungle Jim Hill's Survival Camp. Jim (in the blue shirt) is pictured below.

Weekend after weekend working bees continued and Convention numbers grew. The expansion required was met by digging out underneath the building. When the work became tiring and funds, materials and spirits were low, Jim was encouraged by another verse of Scripture (15 March 1967);

"This is my opinion on the matter: it is better for you to finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act, but also to be willing to act. On with it then and finish the job! Be as eager to finish it as you were to plan it, and do it with whatever you have. For if you are eager to give, God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you don't have." 2 Cor 8:10-12 TEV

The work continued and all that was needed was miraculously provided. Triumphant Life Fellowship never charges their Convention campers for their food and lodging. Working on the "faith principle" a donation box is left in the hall and donations are anonymous and confidential. TLF has never failed to meet its commitments - the Lord to this day has always honoured the system. Joyce Hill pictured on the verandah.

The first excavation was made for an extra 3 dormitories.

The second digout made room for another 2 dormitories. Pictured below is Tony Rigby and his bobcat.

In 1984 Joyce Hill passed away never seeing what she longed for - the building finished. But others were raised up to carry on the work.

The handiwork of the Creator is breathtaking. Jim Hill loved this view so much that he moved to Mt. Tamborine on 17 January 1995. Here Jim passed away 30 September, 1996. The Triumphant Life Fellowship Conference Centre was his dream and such an important part of his life. Praise God!

But the original goal that prompted the formation of the Triumphant Life Fellowship has not yet been attained. A challenge remains for God's people today to labour and to pray as they did,