reCharge NEWS December 2024

Dec 04, 2024

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23rd Baptist World Congress!

Creative Arts EOI
Baptists will meet together 7-12 July next year in Brisbane, Australia, for the 23rd Baptist World Congress! One of the most meaningful aspects of a Congress is the breadth of music and other creative arts offered from around the world. Each contribution is unique but connected as it contributes to our worship of the Living God and provides a powerful expression of our global diversity.

The Congress Team are seeking expressions of interest from artists to serve at the Congress. They are looking for groups and individuals who can help lead in worship, in music, drama, painting, dance, spoken word, and other mediums. There will be opportunities to serve during the plenary sessions and many more on the Global Stage operating each afternoon.

The application process is now open, and artists are encouraged to apply by December 31, 2024. Click here for more information.

You can find the Congress timetable on the schedule page of the Congress website.

Early Bird Cut-off Extended!

Day of Wonder early bird regos now available until 31 January 2025
Tickets to the Day of Wonder is the perfect Christmas gift for women in your life!

Women across Tasmania have an extended opportunity to buy discounted tickets for the Day of Wonder event, with early bird registration now extended to 31 January 2025.

The state-wide gathering, set for Saturday 29 March 2025 at Riverlands Baptist in Longford, promises an inspiring day of connection and empowerment for women from all backgrounds.

Early bird tickets are $50 (standard rate is $60), providing extra time for women to secure a place at this unique event. The day will feature a stellar lineup of speakers, including keynote presenter Melissa Lipsett from Baptist World Aid, alongside prominent Tasmanian women Anthea Maynard and Maggie Perkins, with a third speaker still to be confirmed.

Importantly, the event welcomes women of all faith perspectives, creating an inclusive environment for personal growth and community building.

This is a chance for women to come together, share stories, and feel encouraged. Don’t miss out on the cheaper tickets – sign up before the end of January!

Bible Project

Waiting for Jesus
Join Bible Project as they celebrate the arrival of the promised Messiah in their Advent Series.

Christians have long observed the Advent season by meditating on peace, hope, joy, and love. Study these rich biblical words with their Advent series.

Bible Project creates free resources to help people experience the Bible. Learn the Bible with media tools that guide individuals and groups in studying its story. Use our videos and other free online resources. Everything is funded by generous supporters around the world.

Baptist World Aid Resources

2024 Christmas Appeal
Have you thought of how your church can participate in giving a gift to those living in poverty this Christmas? Here are some ideas to incorporate into your existing Christmas services and activities.

Your church could:
– Hold a special service to consider the needs of those living in poverty
– Use the video and donation cards located on the BWA website to take up an offering for the work of Baptist World Aid
– Encourage individuals or groups to work through the online devotional in the lead up to Christmas
– Let the little ones take the stage with a Christmas Day performance

BWA have produced a series of resources for churches to use in their 2024 Christmas Appeal, including their latest devotional, Thavorn’s video (below) various social media titles and more.

Thavorn and his wife Toun—devoted Christians, parents and farmers in Cambodia. Thavorn experienced financial stress trying to provide for his family with a failing farm and crippling debt. But with support from our local Christian Partner, he’s now financially stable and his family is thriving.

Download these resources from the website here.

Crossover Christmas Resources

Christmas Crackers: Short Videos List
Crossover have curated a ‘Christmas Crackers’ list of recommended short videos that are easy to drop into a text message, post, email or Christmas service.

Some are very funny. Some are very moving (like the one shown below).

All are wonderfully meaningful. See the full list here… or watch The Rhythm of Christmas.

Library Aid International

Container from LAI is en-route to PNG
Library Aid International is a Tasmanian Christian-based, ACNC and ATO registered charity. Library Aid sends second hand books and educational resources to needy schools in developing countries overseas. They also send Bibles and Christian books.

A small team collects, checks, sorts, repacks, and ships donated books to developing nations, supporting educators and students in underprivileged schools.

LAI’s eleventh container filled with books and educational supplies left Devonport on 15 November 2024 and is estimated to arrive in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea on 9 December 2024.

The library at the University of Natural Resources and Environment will receive 131 boxes of books from Food Plants International Inc. and library shelving from LAI. The University library will distribute a private collection of 176 boxes of Christian books to a college and 611 boxes of books from LAI to schools in the East New Britain Province.

LAI’s yet-to-be-purchased twelfth container will be sent to the Solomon Islands. Thirty-five per cent of its contents are already sorted and boxed up by our volunteers.

Recent highlights from LAI

Recent highlights include:
– A librarian at a private school, which has donated surplus books to us, created a QR code linking to LAIs financial donations page. She promoted LAI’s mission, tax deductibility and the code to staff to encourage direct individual contributions by smartphone.
– An Early Learning Centre held a book drive during Book Week for LAI.
– LAI received a generous donation of $3,000 from a valued supporter.
– LAI is holding regular trivia quiz nights at Railton RSL to raise funds.
– The LAI Secretary and his wife visited schools in Fiji during a holiday in October, including one that received books from our 2022 shipment.

“Education promotes equality and lifts people out of poverty. It teaches children how to become good citizens. Education is not just for a privileged few, it is for everyone. It is a fundamental human right.”

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations from 2007 to 2016

For a list of BOOK AND OTHER NEEDED DONATIONS we can give a second life to, please visit the Donate Page and Books tab on their website here or on their Facebook Page here.

Happy children showing books and pencils given to them by cruise passengers at Sawa-I-Lau Island, Fiji

GLS24 On-Demand

Extended Access (until February 2025!)
Did you miss the Global Leadership Summit 2024? You can now purchase extended access to the entire GLS24 Aus/NZ Program On-Demand until 13 Feb, 2025 and costs $159.

With GLS On-Demand you can watch from anywhere through an easy-to-use streaming platform that is accessible until February 2025.

Each registration includes:
– access until 13 February 2025
– flexible viewing experience
– unique link for personal viewing only
– easy-to-use streaming platform

Please note: GLS On-Demand is a limited license for personal viewing only and access cannot be shared with others.

Purchase extended access content here

EmpowHer’s Day of Wonder

Early Bird Rego Closes 15 Dec
A reminder that the early bird rego closes on Sunday 15 December!

This would make a perfect Christmas gift for the women or women in your life! Or bring a friend outside the church, as this event will be suitable for Christians and non-Christians alike.

The Day of Wonder is coming up on Saturday 29 March 2025 and Melissa Lipsett, CEO of Baptist World Aid is speaking.

Crossover Resource

The Ultimate Christmas Wishlist
This is a short book by Rico Tice, presenter of Christianity Explored. It is accessible, warm and profound — making a compelling case for Christianity and the hope that it provides.

Based on Isaiah 9:6 (a passage often used in Christmas services), readers will see how Jesus – the Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father and Wonderful Counsellor – is the ultimate gift as he delivers what they really want: hope, peace, purpose and guidance.

This gospel presentation is ideal to give away at Christmas and is $6.00 via Koorong Books