Intercultural Churches Growing in Tasmania

Throughout 2026, average Sunday attendance across Tasmanian Baptist churches grew by approximately 19%, with much of that growth coming through our intercultural congregations, which now form a significant and valued part of our Baptist movement.

Among these congregations:

• Pastor Paul leads a thriving Nepalese fellowship of around 80 people in Mornington.
• Pastor Kosan pastors a growing Matu Chin congregation of more than 40 people in Launceston.
• Pastor Paw Nay serves approximately 100 Burmese Karen believers in Hobart.
• Pastor Joseph gathers with around 15 people through the Vietnamese fellowship at Hobart Station Church.

Yet these congregations are only part of the broader picture. Many Tasmanian Baptist churches now include migrants and refugees from a wide range of backgrounds, and some gatherings across our movement have included dozens of ethnicities worshipping together. In many ways, this reflects the richness of the early church — people from different cultures, languages, and experiences united together in Christ. It is a beautiful reminder of the family of God.

Over the past 12 months, Director of Mission Matt Garvin has intentionally worked to strengthen relationships and collaboration across all Tasmanian Baptist churches as we navigate the opportunities and challenges of a changing 21st-century Tasmania together. Part of this work has included helping intercultural pastors and congregations become more deeply connected into the wider Tasmanian Baptist network through initiatives such as advocacy trips to Canberra regarding Myanmar, highlighting intercultural ministries during Assembly gatherings, and hosting both online and in-person multi-ethnic services.

Looking ahead, we are expectant that this richness, partnership, and shared mission will continue to grow as we learn together what it means to serve Jesus and participate in His mission across Tasmania.