Heartlands News Archives - Page 2 of 3

10 October 202222 November 2022

Heartlands Spring 2022

HEARTLANDS news is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Check the details on these events by scrolling down.
Have you subscribed to Heartlands to find out about events in your region?

Pro-Tip: DOWNLOAD invitations to invite your friends by email, or print some for your church, or another group.

DAY OF PRAYER, northwest

Ulverstone Baptist
10am, Saturday 22nd October
RSVP Mon 17th Oct gabefife@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD Northwest, Day of Prayer Invite

DAY OF PRAYER, south

Claremont Baptist
2pm, Saturday 22nd October
RSVP Sat 15th Oct jenny@tasbaptists.org.au

DOWNLOAD South, Day of Prayer Invite

MORNING TEA, northwest

Monclair of Latrobe
10am,Saturday 12th November

DOWNLOAD Morning Tea Invite

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Late October/Early November 2022

World Day of Prayer 2022, Heartlands Spring 2022

Heartlands Spring 2022, Day of Prayer 2022

President of Baptist Women of the Pacific Elissa Macpherson explains what the Day of Prayer event is all about.

This event was launched by the Baptist World Alliance Women over sixty years ago, after World War II had shattered unity between the nations.

Heartlands Spring 2022

Action for You

FOMO or JOMO?

Do you suffer from FOMO? It is so easy to have a Fear Of Missing Out!

The Joy of Missing Out, Heartlands Spring 2022 — **You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and**
**clothed me with joy.** *Psalm 30:11 (NIV)*

We don’t want to miss out what’s on social media. So we scroll, and keep on scrollinig.

We don’t want to miss out on that delicious cake or muffin. So we stack the kilos on.

We don’t want to miss out on that special moment, or this event, or the other big gathering. And in the process wear ourselves out.

But check this: THERE IS ANOTHER WAY!

Have you heard of JOMO?

The “Joy Of Missing Out” is easy too.

Stop scrolling, and ease your anxious heart.

Say NO to that cake – and enjoy a slimmer you.

Take a break from endless commitments, to make some space to rest your body, soul and spirit.

Instead of being fearful of missing out, choose JOY and relief in taking time out. Today.

Women Making a Difference

From one Generation to the Next

Love Beyond our Backyard

Three generations of northwest Baptist women leave a wonderful legacy across the world.

Sophia Russell recently chatted with three women from the same family from Wynyard: Shirley Wilson, daughter Cindy and granddaughter Kelsea Clingeleffer. Kelsea is the International Programs Coordinator at Baptist World Aid.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

Heartlands Spring 2022

10 October 20229 November 2022

2022 World Day of Prayer

Praying for Baptist Women

14th October – 13th November, 2022

Women from more than 100 countries will gather around the first week of November for World Day of Prayer. This event was launched by the Baptist World Alliance Women over sixty years ago after World War II had shattered unity between the nations. Once again, this need is as desperate as ever, especially for the many Baptist women in Ukraine and Russia.

Here in Tasmania, two regional events are planned for Saturday 22nd October.

NORTHWEST: 10am, 22^nd October at Ulverstone Baptist.
SOUTH: 2pm, 22^nd October at Claremont Baptist

PARTICIPATE IN TASMANIAN EVENTS

Many Papuan women will walk up to three days through the jungle so they can be part of the World Day of Prayer.

What’s the World Day of Prayer?

The World Day of Prayer sets aside a time in which women and men pray for their global sisters. The Prayer Guide lists prayer requests from all over the globe, requesting God’s intervention over issues of domestic violence, human trafficking, armed conflict, and areas devastated by natural disasters.

DOWNLOAD THE PRAYER GUIDE

Here in the Pacific region, many will gather to be part of this global movement. Over a thousand will gather in Papua, with many women walking up to three days through the jungle so they can be part of the World Day of Prayer.

Yet, others will gather in churches and homes in Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, PNG, Vanuatu, and Tonga. The Pacific Island have the highest rates of domestic violence in the world so the need for prayer is desperate.

Financial Support

As part of the gathering, women will bring a monetary gift which will be used to finance the work of Baptist World Alliance Women, and also our regional branch, Baptist Women of the Pacific. International projects supported by the Baptist World Alliance Women include a women’s outreach in Iraq, a safe shelter for women in Jamaica, and nurses aid training in Myanmar.

Within our own region, offerings have funded a gardening project which enabled Fijian women to feed their family and community during Covid-19. Purchased sewing machines for women in Vanuatu, and funded literacy programmes for women in the highlands of PNG.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECTS | HOST YOUR OWN EVENT

Elissa Macpherson
President, Baptist Women of the Pacific
president@bwpacific.org

WATCH

Invitation to Day of Prayer by BWA Women Executive Director Merritt Johnston

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31 August 20227 October 2022

Love Beyond our Backyard

From Local to Global

How three generations of Baptist World Aid supporters built a legacy of generosity

“Giving has shaped our lives to bring a perspective way beyond our backyard“

Shirley Wilson remembers the day she first decided to become a Child Sponsor with Baptist World Aid Australia.

It was 1977, and she was raising four children, working part time as a nurse, and helping her husband, Graeme, run a small poultry farm in the northwest of Tasmania.

A guest speaker from Baptist World Aid Australia visited Wynyard Baptist, and spoke about a Child Sponsorship program. He explained that Australians could provide a monthly gift to support the work of Christian Partners working in places like Bangladesh and India. The funding would support children in those countries, helping them build a future free from poverty.

‘I decided it would be a good thing,’ Shirley said. ‘I’ve always loved Jesus’ words in Matthew 25:40, “as much as you did to one of the least of these my brethren, you did to me,” and I wanted to put it into practice’.

A Thrilling Discovery

After that Sunday, Shirley decided to support Anika*, a Child Partner living in India. Anika was nine years old, which made it easy for Shirley’s similarly aged daughter, Cindy, to connect with her. Cindy was thrilled to discover Anika enjoyed the same things she did—skipping rope, running games, playing outside with friends. But Cindy also learnt that their lives were vastly different.

‘It was an interesting education to have insight into somebody else’s world,’ Cindy said. ‘That’s when I started to think outside my own community.’

‘It was an interesting education to have insight into somebody else’s world,’ Cindy said.

Cindy loved exchanging letters with Anika so much, that when she got her first job as a teenager, she used her pocket money to become a Sponsor.

‘Mum’s example had a big impact on me,’ she said. ‘We can’t all go overseas, but this is how we can contribute’.

One Generation, to the Next

Cindy didn’t stop contributing—even when she married her husband David and they had children of their own. And even when it wasn’t easy. ‘David lost his job about 20 years ago,’ Cindy said. ‘We clung on to our Child Partner for as long as we could, so it was heartbreaking when we couldn’t support him anymore’.

When David started working again, the first thing they did was ask if their Child Partner was still available to support. ‘I was so happy that he was,’ Cindy said. ‘That made me realise what a big impact our Child Partners had on us.’

Sponsorship also had a big impact on Cindy’s kids. Her eldest children, Kelsea and Braden, took over a newspaper delivery business as teenagers, and used their earnings to support a Child Partner themselves.

‘My mother’s heart sang!’ Cindy recalls. But for Kelsea, raised by big-hearted parents and grandparents who travelled with overseas mission organisations, generosity wasn’t something extraordinary. It was just part of the Christian life.

Generosity wasn’t something extraordinary. It was just part of the Christian life

A BIG Perspective

‘I always knew that there were communities that were in different circumstances to mine,’ Kelsea said. ‘In my family, it was normal to see the world as a bigger place, not just to focus on us.’

This perspective eventually led Kelsea to pursue a career in international community development, spending 22 months in Cambodia with the United Nations Development Program. At the beginning of 2022, she started serving as an International Programs Coordinator at Baptist World Aid. Her role, which focuses on building community resilience and responding to disasters, is a far cry from her paper delivery days. But her heart is the same.

‘While it’s easy just to focus on ourselves, God calls us to love our neighbour,’ Kelsea said. ‘That might be the person next door, or it might be someone overseas.’

Having a Heart that Rubs Off

Today, Shirley, Cindy and Kelsea still call the northwest coast of Tasmania home. And they continue their legacy of generosity. Shirley’s home is full of gifts she’s crafted for children in need overseas—girl’s skirts, doll clothes, toy hedgehogs made from old scarves. She’s still supporting children, now with friends from Wynyard Baptist Church. And she couldn’t be prouder of her granddaughter Kelsea.

‘You always hope that having a heart for others rubs off on your kids, and their kids,’ Shirley said. ‘It’s pleasing to know that we can make a difference to someone else’s life.”

Cindy, who is still part of Baptist World Aid’s Child sponsorship program, agrees. ‘We’re not meant to live as islands,’ she said. ‘As Christians, we’re called to live in community and support each other, even across the globe’.

*not her real name

Sophia Russell is the wife of a minister, mum of two children and the communication specialist at Baptist World Aid.

Read Heartlands, Spring 2022

Read ReCharge

August/September 2022

Disaster Strikes Floods in Pakistan – Baptist World Aid
Around the Churches News and events statewide
Ministry Profile Ben Cochrane, Somerset
Deep Thought 21st Century Mission by Laurie Rowston
From Andrew Turner of Crossover Census Overview
Stand Sunday 2022 Make a stand for foster carers ~ During September
Church Profile Claremont Baptist
From the MLT Achieving Lasting Social Change

August 2022 NEWS
July 2022 NEWS

DOWNLOAD Recent Issues

Love Beyond our Backyard

22 July 202224 August 2022

HEARTLANDS News Winter 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Check the details on these events by scrolling down.
Have you subscribed to Heartlands to find out about events in your region?

Fri/Sat 24/25 June SOUTH Shelter Retreat – read the overview!
Sunday 31st July NORTH Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft at Westbury Baptist
Saturday 17th September NORTHWEST Coffee and Walk, Latrobe
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

Southern Event

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

How the Shelter retreat weekend unfolded

OUR THEME: SHELTER …

Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.

But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

Denise Stephenson and Jenny Baxter — Denise and Jenny

The retreat was led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
A rejuvenating literal Sabbath, from sundown Friday until sundown Saturday
Delicious home-cooked meals, in an intimate setting
Great connection with old and new friends
Amazing harp music – live and in-person!
Times of input, plus silence and reflection
Creative activities to keep minds focussed, and hands busy
A trip to the beach to explore and reflect
Private counselling and prayer opportunities
A real sense of God’s SHELTER in this busy world

Denise and Jenny are available to run similar women’s retreats in other parts of Tasmania.
To express interest please contact Jenny at empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

Northwestern Event

10:30am Saturday 17th September

Pig Island Walk with EmpowHer, Sept 2022

Invite Others! Download Brochure

Join a friendly leisurely walk at Pig Island Latrobe on the Mersey River.

Continue with coffee at at Monclair of Latrobe and Madame M Cafe.

All women welcome!

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Gabrielle – 0421 434 138

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Late October/Early November 2022

This year there will be Day of Prayer events held in the north, northwest and south of Tasmnia as we pray toether and raise funds for Baptist women working on some amazing projects in developing countries.

Subscribe to HEARTLANDS to find out details of these events as they come to hand!

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

Northern Event – NOW OVER!

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Come along for a cuppa and craft at Westbury Baptist for a relaxed afternoon together.

We will be joined by special guests Maria Hutchison (Newstead) and Lacey Holloway (Westbury).

RSVP or MORE INFO:
Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188 | Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

Action for You

Invite someone along

Have you noticed that not everyone is back yet?

Winter walk at the beach — We all need each other!

Post-Covid hesitancy is a thing. Maybe it’s because people are reluctant to move out of their houses and safe spaces. Or maybe we got used to managing on our own.

Whatever the reason, it’s true to say we all need each other. Being part of a community is critical to good mental and emotional health.

Whether or not you are wary about getting back into circulation, why not ask a friend to come with you? That could be as simple as going for a walk together on the beach, grabbing a coffee at a local café, or heading off to the gym or church together.

Or maybe you could invite someone to one of the EmpowHer events lined up in your region.

It’s a good time to be the blessing!

God’s Whisper

It’s so easy to think up your own answer to a problem. Instead, remember to listen for God’s still, quiet voice.

By Jenny Baxter

Too many people and not enough food!
How many times have you been caught in that situation? I have to admit, I’ve been there a few times. Tiny servings of apple crumble, and thinned-down pumpkin soup have featured on my table, much to my horror.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

22 April 202229 June 2022

HEARTLANDS News Autumn 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

Watch out for more info coming from your region, directly to you.

Saturday 21st May NORTH Basin Café and Gorge Walk.
Saturday 24-25th June SOUTH Day-Retreat: “Shelter”
Late Oct/Early Nov World Women’s Day Of Prayer – events across the state

What’s Happening?

Basin Café and Gorge Walk

9:30am, Saturday 21st May 2022

EmpowHer Walk May 2022, Heartlands Autumn 2022

Invite Others! Download brochure

Join us for a cuppa at Basin Cafe (RSVP required)

A walk through the Gorge to Duck Reach will follow (weather permitting)

RSVP ESSENTIAL …

Jenna – 0488 330 390; Belinda – 0408 267 188
Or via our Facebook group: EmpowHer (North)

SHELTER Retreat

5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

SHELTER …

Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.

But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1

Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
$45/person Covers food and materials. (This is a non-residential retreat.) Contact us if you have hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute. Contact us if you have any hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
Get your Rego Form Call or SMS Jenny 0401 652 566
Invite Others! Download brochure

Action for You

Praying with intention

Do you often pray like this?

God bless Mary
Lord, please look after my son
Jesus, can you please stop all wars
Father, give me a good life

These are all good prayers, and quite legitimate, but they are so general! They are all “motherhood prayers” – prayers so broad it is impossible to know if God truly answers them.

Instead, pray with intention. Fill those prayers with meaning and talk to God about what worries you. And, when prompted, follow up your prayer with action. Relationship is critical to answered prayer.

How different are these prayers to those above?

God, how can I bless Mary today?
Lord, give me wisdom as I call my son, so I can encourage him.
Jesus, I pray about the war in Ukraine. Is there something I can do to assist?
Father, help me to love and care for others around me, even if my life is not so good.

It’s a time to be the blessing!

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Women’s ministry at Beauty Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point.

The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

The Science of Seeing God

Gratitude and thankfulness for the World, the Universe, and Everything!

By A.J. Spurr

Recently, I interviewed a young man who had been struggling with addiction since the age of 12. He had completed a program at a Christian rehab centre, and while he was there, he encountered Jesus.

“The first thing I noticed,” he said, “was that I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before, even though it had been happening the whole time. I was finally able to feel it.”

So, what had changed?

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

SUBSCRIBE HERE

22 April 202222 April 2022

The Science of Seeing God

Heartlands – Autumn 2022

In Awe of God’s Creation

Gratitude and thankfulness for the World, the Universe, and Everything!

"I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before"
Seeing God — “I could feel the breeze on my skin. I’d never experienced it before.”

Recently, I interviewed a young man who had been struggling with addiction since the age of 12. He had completed a program at a Christian rehab centre, and while he was there, he encountered Jesus.

So, what had changed?

Romans 12:2 explains that you’re transformed as you renew your mind. But how does one go about doing that?

‘You’re blessed when you get your inside world – your mind and heart – put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.’
Matthew 5:8 (MSG)

Awe and Wonder

Have you ever watched a newborn discover their hand for the first time? It’s mesmerising. They slowly turn their wrist, then watch in wonder as each finger, one by one, moves by the power of their mind, their eyes as wide as dinner plates at the sheer wonder of it. Then they discover their feet and toes and the slow, awe filled dance continues.

But then one day, their hands and feet are just ‘there.’ No longer mesmerising, just existing without fanfare.

A while ago, a friend severed the top of his finger and it had to be surgically reattached. His whole finger was wrapped up tight for weeks while it healed. When it was finally unwrapped, his fingertip was so sensitive to touch, like electricity running through his hand, he had to get used to it all over again. I imagine that’s what it feels like for newborns; every touch like electricity, until their brain and senses adapt.

Auto-pilot vs High alert

The fact is, if we spent our days staring at the wonder of our hands, and feeling electricity at every touch, we wouldn’t get very much done. So our brains have a ‘block out’ system, ensuring we only notice what’s ‘necessary’ at the time. It’s why you can drive home from work and have no recollection of the journey.

Your brain is on ‘auto-pilot’ in familiar surroundings. But it’s on high alert, taking in every street name and landmark when you’re driving in unfamiliar territory. Put simply; if we took in every piece of information thrown at us each day, our brains would not cope.

It means that noticing things which have become familiar doesn’t come easily. We have to consciously make an effort to notice, and strive not to lose the wonder in the familiar. Being transformed, as it were, by the daily renewing our minds (Romans 12:2).

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

Seeing God

So, what does a breeze have to do with seeing God? Well, what if I told you that God is speaking to you every day through His creation?

‘See the marvels of God! He plants flowers and trees all over the earth… “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”’
Psalm 46:8-10 (MSG)

Your whole outlook on the world changes when you literally stop to smell the roses. Stand under a canopy of trees and recognise the creativity that went into designing each leaf, and the delight God must have felt as he crafted each of the colourful birds chattering amongst the branches, and taught them to weave elaborate nests, miraculously engineered to survive summer storms.

smelling roses, seeing God — “Your whole outlook on the world changes when you literally stop to smell the roses.”

I explain more about the science behind ‘God encounters’ in my book, ‘The Simple Joy of Seeing God.’ But when the Bible says, ‘Be still and know that I am God,’ here’s what it really means…

A while ago, I was struggling with anxiety as I walked through a particularly stressful season in my life. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, literally causing pain in my back and neck. My heart racing, tears flowing, I stepped outside and lay on the thick carpet of grass in our backyard.

As I lay still, gazing upwards, slowly, the thoughts in my head quietened, and for the first time in a long time, I started to hear birds happily chirping as they flittered to-and-fro, and the wistful hum of bees as they gathered around a tree bloom. A sense of peace and lightness came over me.

“Now,” His familiar voice gently whispers, “now I have your attention.”

‘Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.
Remember the world of wonders he has made.’
Psalm 105:4-5 (MSG)

A.J. Spurr
Author, The Simple Joy of Seeing God (2021)

A.J. Spurr is a speaker, freelance writer and regular radio guest who has worked in media for over 20 years. A.J. is a praying mama of two boys and happy wife of a footy-loving, barbecue aficionado.

Undervalued or Super Loved?

Heartlands – Autumn 2022

Women’s Ministry at The Point

By Rachelle Hawkins

Since the The Point* Baptist’s inception in 2006, we have endeavoured to hold many outreach events to reach our town of Beauty Point. The message is always about who Jesus is, and why it’s important. These events include men’s dinners, women’s dessert nights, concerts, kids’ clubs, and an annual visit by Texan missionaries who do all the above, and more.

We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

At the beginning of last year, we were feeling disappointed that international borders were still closed due to Covid-19. It meant our Texan friends could not come out to hold their mission outreach. As well, watching social media, it was clear our town had a number of people experiencing varying levels of anxiety, grief, depression, loneliness, confusion and hopelessness. We, as a church, long to share the hope Jesus offers.

Cormorant Café - Undervalued or Super loved — The Point Baptist Church meets here:
The Cormorant Café, Seahorse World

A timely visit

When I was visiting Newstead Baptist Church, I was taken with the personable and articulate way Wendy Marston led the service. Her voice conveyed a particular sense of love and care. And her words conveyed her love for the Lord and the people and activities of the church.

After the service I asked her if she’s ever shared her story. At first she said no. Then remembered she had shared it once before. I asked if she would be willing to share her story again to a group of ladies in Beauty Point, and without hesitation she said yes, she would.

So we planned another women’s event.

And the response? Outstanding!

The vent was soaked in prayer - Super loved

We decided to host a 3-course meal in The Cormorant Cafe, cooked by our chef. Wendy would be our speaker, and I invited a musician – guitarist and singer/songwriter Briar Marshall to bring some music. Wendy titled her talk “Undervalued or Super Loved?” and this went out on all the invitations.

The event was soaked in prayer, and was run by a team of women helping the logistics.

The responses came flooding in. We were all floored when 54 people RSVP’d to come, with 26 of these not currently attending church. On the night, we announced we were about to start a new Bible study, designed to introduce people to the life and love of Jesus.

From this initial night, seven ladies became part of the Bible study. A follow-up Bible study is currently underway, with most of the same ladies plus some new ones.

The debrief – Reflecting on what happened

We consider this outreach meal particularly successful. What made it so, compared with many events we’ve held which were all equally prayed over?

Timing – it was June 2021 and people (especially mums) were keen to get out of the house
Offering a free meal in a café, which was neutral territory
The title of the talk “Undervalued …. Or Super-loved?” resonated with a lot of the attendees. This can not be stated enough, as a number of women commented that it sounded like something they “really needed to hear”.
Having the follow-up bible study planned, with flyers to hand out, which allowed the ladies to respond on the spot, by expressing interest in a bible study.

Beauty Point still has a whole lot of people who need to hear of the hope and forgiveness that Jesus offers, and the lengths he went to, to purchase it. We hope 2022 brings more opportunities to share His love.

Jesus died because sin is killing us

Undervalued and super loved

Invest in people's lives and get to know them. Super valued!

The important thing, in my view, is to recognise that without the forgiveness of Jesus, people all around us are heading for eternity without him. We, at the Point Baptist, feel the burden of telling that message clearly.

So whether that’s through personal/friendship evangelism or inviting friends to events such as the Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham. Perhaps by investing in people’s lives, getting to know them and showing a genuine interest in them. Or events like the one described above.

All these create opportunities to explain Jesus died because sin is killing us. His life and death was God’s plan to deal with our problem of sin and death. What an exchange!

Once someone accepts Jesus’ free gift of forgiveness, they have a restored relationship with the God of the Universe. Even more than that, He comes and lives inside them to guide, shape, convict and counsel them, and to transform them into the likeness of Jesus for the rest of their life!

That’s one heck of a deal that people living all around us don’t even know is offered.

About Rachelle

Rachelle Hawkins grew up in rural NSW and studied science at Newcastle University. Immediately after marrying Craig, they moved to Tasmania where Craig took up a job as a forester. Here she studied aquaculture and was employed as Senior Biologist at the newly starting seahorse farm in Beauty Point. Six children and many thousands of seahorses later, Rachelle loves nothing more than coffee with friends, time with family, her involvement with the Point Baptist Church, local soccer, and driving the taxi for her kids.

* The Point Baptist Church in Beauty Point is a small congregation in a small town. We meet at 5pm every Sunday in The Cormorant – Café on the Pier, which is upstairs in Seahorse World.

23 February 202223 August 2022

Praying for Alice

A Lifetime of Prayer

By Jenny Baxter, Tasmanian Director, EmpowHer

What do you do when the answers don’t seem to be coming?

While my life flashed before my eyes, I sat in the Spanish winter sunshine, nervously waiting for the bride, our Alice, to be given away.

Well, it wasn’t my life exactly. It was pieces of Alice’s life I’d kept close in my heart. Moments I had participated in, helped with, and cried over.

The memories flickered through my mind like precious flowers, once fresh but now pressed, faded and time-worn.

FLASH: Her traumatic assisted delivery, after an almost-C-section.

FLASH: The trip to Canada before she could even crawl.

FLASH: Sitting in piano lessons, piano lessons, piano lessons.

FLASH: Tears over a nasty gravel graze, her first week on a bike.

FLASH: Her first grown-up hairdo, Grade Six graduation night.

FLASH: Torn, watching her lag at the back of a pack of high-schoolgirls, convinced she was born to lead.

FLASH: Goodbyes on the bus, leaving home for Victoria, little knowing she was really on her way to France, via Sydney and Japan!

The memories flickered through my mind like precious flowers, once fresh but now pressed, faded and time-worn. Compressed into short minutes.

And the prayers. Especially, I remembered the prayers. So many for this very moment. This day, when she would promise: To have and to hold from this day forward.

Praying for Alice – and the switch

Prayer is a commitment I made to my children as each was born. I pray for them all, regularly.

As well, I committed to pray for each one’s life-partner as both halves were forming and founding, maturing and mellowing, living and learning. What better time to sow into their lives until the two became one? Granted, I didn’t know who those partners would be. But God did.

For well over three decades, I prayed for Alice, and her as-yet unknown husband. Where was he? What had happened to him? My hope wore out.

Only a year ago, Alice had given up. But during one Zoom call, from somewhere deep down, I found the words to encourage her to keep believing he would materialise. Tearily, she’d agreed. But only when remembering the letter her close-to-death grandfather had written 13 years ago, for opening on this very day.

It’s hard to believe it was only 10 months since I’d switched up my praying. Inspired by the story of Isaac and Rebekah in Genesis 24, I stopped asking for a husband. Instead, I audaciously asked for Alice to be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

The most unexpected answer

And here he was. My soon to be son-in-law, AJ. Arthur Jnr. Standing with the minister, patiently waiting for Alice. He was everything I had hoped for, and nothing like I expected.

I didn’t know he would be Nigerian-American. Or that he would live in Spain. Or that Alice would move to France, and now Spain, to join him for their new future. How little I knew!

But those qualities. They were everything I had prayed for. Faithful. Caring. Believing. Strong. Determined. Loving. Kind.

Her moment had come. That prayer from her birth, now answered before my very eyes. God’s magnificent answer.

And then came Alice on her Dad’s arm! Jessica’s Theme melodically bringing an undeniably Aussie flavour, and tears to my eyes. She was ready. In love. Looking gorgeous and dewy-eyed. Having waited all those years.

Alice and her dad, walking the aisle to "Jessica's Theme" from Man from Snowy River. Photo Credit: Jonas Mantay

Here was the culmination of a lifetime of prayer. Pinching myself this was all real, I was so aware it was a moment I will savour forever, that morning in the wintry Spanish sunshine. It was an ending and a beginning. The old and the new. The faded and the fresh.

My prayers for Alice and her future husband, are now complete. Thank you God!

But, you know, there is more to come. From here on, I pray for Alice and her newfound family.

Alice’s life in pictures

Alice at 2
Alice at 4
Alice at 10, our family complete
Alice at 12, in Grade 6
Alice at 14
Alice at 17
Alice at 24
Alice at 29
Alice at 32
Nigerian ceremony
It is done! Time to celebrate. Alice at 34.

This story was first published in HEARTLANDS Summer 21-22.
This is the quarterly e-mail news for EmpowHer, an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to Heartlands!

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19 February 202220 April 2022

HEARTLANDS News Summer 2022

HEARTLANDS is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Table of Contents

Diary Dates

There’s a few things coming up in the EmpowHer Calendar!
Watch out for more info coming from your region.

Sunday 27th February Northern Walk at Tamar Island. SEE BROCHURE for details >
Monday 4th April Release week for HEARTLANDS Autumn
Saturday 9th April Proposed Southern Day-Retreat: “Shelter”
Saturday 21st May Northern event. Stay posted for details!

Recent EmpowHer Events

Ladies Event at Ulverstone Baptist

Tuesday 30th November 2021

Ladies evening with Amanda Cox 30Nov21, heartlands-news-summer-2022

The evening went off! Attending on the night were 93 women to hear speaker, Amanda Cox, talk about belief systems.

Many of the women at Ulverstone Baptist invited their friends and family members. The talk was both inspiring and challenging, and the delicious supper afterwards was a great time to share some treats and good conversation with friends.

Congratulations to Gabe Fife and her team for pulling off a wonderful pre-Christmas event.

Action for You

Thinking outside your box

It’s both an interesting and challenging time in Tasmania. COVID has caught up with us! No matter where you are in the pandemic journey, it’s always good to connect with others to encourage, and intentionally create a safe space to engage.

So . . . who can you catch up with, one-on-one? Who do you know who might need someone to talk to? You could go out for coffee. Meet at the park. Call someone up. Or, make an effort to connect more deeply after church.

These can become moments of connection, support and encouragement for both you and your friend or family member. Maybe you could even offer to pray for them, or ask them to pray for you?

There are many ways you can interact to make sure others are cared for during this time.

It’s a time to be the blessing!

Praying for Alice

By Jenny Baxter, Tasmanian Director, EmpowHer

Praying for Alice became my lifetime passion

While my life flashed before my eyes, I sat in the Spanish winter sunshine, nervously waiting for the bride, our Alice, to be given away.

Well, it wasn’t my life exactly. It was pieces of Alice’s life I’d kept close in my heart. Moments I had participated in, helped with, and cried over.

The memories flickered through my mind like precious flowers, once fresh but now pressed, faded and time-worn.

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS!

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26 October 20218 November 2021

WALK | PRAY | LOVE

Heartlands SPRING 2021

Walk | Pray | Love Events during November 2021 (scroll down)
Being an Imperfect Ministry by Jenna Blackwell
Baptist World Day of Prayer for Women by Elissa Macpherson

NOVEMBER 2021 EVENTS

Join with others state-wide to walk, pray, love and enjoy the company of other women.

REGION	DATE	TIME	WHERE	WHAT
North	Monday 1st Nov	7:30-8:30pm	Homes and Groups	Global Day of Prayer
	Saturday 20th Nov	11:30am	Hollybank	Hollybank Picnic Adventure
Northwest	Monday 1st Nov	7:30-8:30pm	Homes and Groups	Global Day of Prayer
	Tues 30th Nov	7:00-8:30pm	Ulverstone Baptist Church	Ladies Evening with Amanda Cox
South	Friday 5th November	7:30-8:30pm	Hobart Baptist Church	Global Day of Prayer
	Saturday 13th Nov	10am-1pm	Claremont	Windermere Bay-Claremont Loop

SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE INFO

NORTH – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Informal Gatherings
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Saturday 20th November

11:30am Hollybank Picnic Adventure
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Walk Pray Love: Hollybank Picnic Adventure

NORTHWEST – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Informal Gatherings
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Tuesday 30th November

7:00-8:30pm Ladies evening
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite
RSVP to Yvette: admin@ub.church by 25th November | $10 pp on the night

SOUTH – walk | pray | love

Friday 5th November

7:30-8:30pm Global Day of Prayer Coffee and Dessert Night
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Saturday 13th November

10:am-1:00pm Claremont-Windermere Bay Loop Walk
INVITE FRIENDS! Download Invite >>>

Walk Pray Love South Windermere Nay walk

EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women

OUR VISION is to see a network of women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

Diary Dates

DAY OF PRAYER, northwest

DAY OF PRAYER, south

MORNING TEA, northwest

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Action for You

FOMO or JOMO?

Women Making a Difference

From one Generation to the Next

Love Beyond our Backyard

Heartlands Spring 2022

Praying for Baptist Women

What’s the World Day of Prayer?

Financial Support

WATCH

Subscribe to Heartlands

From Local to Global

“Giving has shaped our lives to bring a perspective way beyond our backyard“

A Thrilling Discovery

One Generation, to the Next

A BIG Perspective

Having a Heart that Rubs Off

Read ReCharge

August/September 2022

Love Beyond our Backyard

Diary Dates

OVERVIEW: SHELTER Retreat

FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

Overview of the SHELTER Retreat

What’s Coming Up?

Pig Island Walk, Latrobe

10:30am Saturday 17th September

International Women’s Day of Prayer

Cosy Cuppa, Chat & Craft

2:30PM, SUNday 31st JULY 2022

Action for You

God’s Whisper

Diary Dates

What’s Happening?

Basin Café and Gorge Walk

9:30am, Saturday 21st May 2022

SHELTER Retreat

5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay

Action for You

Undervalued or Super Loved?

The Science of Seeing God

In Awe of God’s Creation

Awe and Wonder

Auto-pilot vs High alert

Seeing God

Women’s Ministry at The Point

A timely visit

And the response? Outstanding!

The debrief – Reflecting on what happened

Undervalued and super loved

About Rachelle

A Lifetime of Prayer

Praying for Alice – and the switch

The most unexpected answer

Alice’s life in pictures

Diary Dates

Recent EmpowHer Events

Ladies Event at Ulverstone Baptist

Action for You

Praying for Alice

Heartlands SPRING 2021

NOVEMBER 2021 EVENTS

NORTH – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

Saturday 20th November

NORTHWEST – walk | pray | love

Monday 1st November

Tuesday 30th November

SOUTH – walk | pray | love

Friday 5th November

Saturday 13th November

EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women

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