reCharge NEWS March 2024
Mar 26, 2024
BibleProject Resources
BibleProject creates free resources to help people experience the Bible. Everything they make is funded by generous supporters around the world. The entire library of videos, podcasts, classes, and other resources are available at bibleproject.com.
Their most recent production is a 10-part series on Jesus’ teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, available to watch on Youtube.
Subscribe to the channel for more explainer videos about the Bible. They currently have over 4 million subscribers already!
Register for Foundations
Foundations is a path toward the unique calling that God has on your life, equipping you to live the deep truth of Christian faith in every area of your life.
The course runs on Wednesdays from Wed, 1 May to Wed, 14 Aug.
Choose either a day course at Hobart Baptist (12:00pm to 2:30pm) or an evening course at Citywide Mornington (7-9:30pm).
The two courses will combine for two Saturday sessions on the 1 June (9:30 – 4:30) and 6 July (9:30 – 7:30)
The whole course works together to produce a deep understanding of a practical Christian worldview.
You will receive specific skills in a range of areas including:
– Managing complicated relationships
– Knowing God’s will
– Building healthy teams
– Developing life-giving habits
– Finding your place in leadership
– Sharing your Faith
– Understanding the revolutionary big picture of the bible
– Love and Sexuality
– Listening
– Community
– Development and Transformation
Cost of $50 includes refreshments, meals on the Saturdays, and a Foundations manual.
Citywide Easter Exhibition
Monday, 18 March to Friday, 26 April
A series of drawings by artist Michael Henderson have been installed in Citywide Baptist Church, Hobart, for Easter 2024.
The work is titled, We only remember history in the present moment. The four drawings are a part of a larger series of 16 charcoal drawings. All together they describe contemporary life through stories from Christian Scripture.
The drawings are not intended to illustrate certain scriptures, or tell the story of the whole Bible, but they draw inspiration from biblical stories and place an experience in a contemporary setting. They blur the line between history and the present moment, intending for the viewer to think about their own life.
Most of the drawings are 1.2m square. The 3 of the crucifixion are 1.4m square. The 16 drawings combine for an overall length of 20m.
The Drawings
The second drawing above describes Jesus being crucified, with the two either side describing Peter and Judas’s response to Jesus’ crucifixion. This series of 3 is where the whole series started for me. I wanted to describe both Peter and Judas turning their back on Jesus, and then both of them responding to what they had done.
The fourth drawing above is of Mary hugging Jesus, and focuses on Mary’s joy at seeing Jesus again, rather than describe an event around the resurrection.
The drawings have been exhibited in many places, including St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Cathedral in Adelaide, as part of the 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival, and in churches and exhibition spaces around Australia. Michael’s work is held in private and public collections; he was a finalist in the 66th Blake Prize (2021).
The exhibition runs from the Monday, 18 March to Friday, 26 April 2024 at 400 Cambridge Road, Mornington, Tasmania.
Art can be viewed daily Monday to Saturday.
From 9:00am to 8:00pm, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
See all 16 drawings online here.
The Bob Curè Exhibition Space
Matt Garvin and Dan Evenhuis explained more about the motivation behind Citywide’s exhibition space.
“As we approach Easter, we wanted to have an exhibition that would help those passing by reflect on Jesus and his sacrifice. We have around 2,000 people walking through our foyer each week,” said Dan Evenhuis, Executive Pastor at Citywide
“Citywide’s Mornington Campus has housed the Bob Curé Exhibition Space in its foyer since 2019. Through the exhibition space, we have been able to support many local artists, photographers and craft-makers as they share their creative thoughts and skills,” he said.
Matt Garvin, Senior Pastor at the church, said he was grateful to have Michael’s art which communicates the message of Easter over these few weeks.
“The Bob Curè exhibition space is our way to encourage Christians to express their creativity,” he said.
Launceston Alive Easter Festival
Thu 28 – Sun 31 Mar
Launceston Alive is an annual Easter community festival of thought, music and art held throughout Launceston over the Easter weekend at one of the following planned events. Karl Fasse, Colin Buchanan and other performing artists will offer stories of faith.
Thursday, 28 March at 9:00am – Leaders workshop with Karl Faase at Legana Christian Church, 1 Gerrard Cl, Legana.
Friday, 29 March at 6:00pm – The 2024 Unearthed Event will unearth stories of faith with Karl Faase and Colin Buchannan. There will be music and entertainment by Colin Buchanan and Jade Steg; a remarkable story of faith and courage from Bernadette Black; Karl Faase will speak about the stories of faith that have shaped our nation. All are welcome, just come along at Door Of Hope Church, 50 Glen Dhu St, South Launceston. The event is free.
Saturday, 30 March, 11:00am – 2:00pm – The Children and Families Festival is especially for children, young people and their families. Performers include Colin Buchannan, Bronte Ferguson, Azahlia Dingemanse and Caitlyn Duffy. at at Riverbend Park, Launceston.
Sunday, 31 March, 5:00pm – Combined Churches Easter service with Karl Faase at Door Of Hope, 50 Glen Dhu St, South Launceston.
Faith Impact Audit
NAYBA Audit Presentation
On Thursday 7 March, Stephen and Jenny Baxter attended a presentation for the results of the NAYBA Impact Audit of Tasmania. This is the first statewide audit of its kind conducted and reflects the work being done by people of faith.
The final audit report includes the following statistics on Tasmania:
– 284 community service activities
– 209,057 people served in the last year
– $70,841,878 social value impact to the State of Tasmania each year.
New Book Available
Tasmanian Baptist History
This is the ninth book on Tasmanian Baptist History by Laurence F Rowston. It looks at the beginnings of sixteen of our Baptist Churches in Tasmania commencing about 1880.
The churches are Bracknell, Blackwood Creek, Burnie, Deloraine, Devonport, Hobart, Latrobe, Launceston, Longford, Perth, Sheffield, Smithton, Ulverstone, Wynyard and Yolla and also Memorial, the Henry Reed Mission Church in Launceston.
But it is more than account of their first years.
The book contains full biographies of their pastors, seventy-four in number from the moment they come on the scene wherever they are, to their deaths. The biographies look into their origins, their preaching and their pastoral work and the movements of the day.
The book has more than 3,000 footnotes and contains about 230 photographs. Each chapter contains a conclusion which compares the church of those years with the churchtoday. In time a hardback hand-stitched two-volume copy will be available from the author.
Books cost $40 plus postage (or collect from Baptist Assembly or Citywide Mornington office, 400 Cambridge Road, Mornington, TAS. Contact Dan Evenhuis on 0481 917 806 or email dan.evenhuis@citywidehobart.org.au .
March Muster
Why Theological Education Matters
The Tas Baptists March Muster was held in Hobart and offered the perfect opportunity to launch the Frank W Boreham College. Andrew Corbett, of Legana Christian Fellowship, gave a detailed account of Boreham’s amazing life and ministry.
Boreham moved to Australia in 1906 to pastor at Hobart Baptist Church. He wrote 46 books (many receiving wide international acclaim) and over 3,000 weekly editorials for the Hobart Mercury between 1912 and 1959.
Alongside the launch of the college, the Muster focused on professional development. David Williams from Taylor Baptist College, Edmonton, Canada (and Kairos University) and Darrell Jackson, interim principal of Whitley College in Victoria spoke on the topic.
Darrell answered the question, “Was Jesus a theological educator?” while David reflected on “Why theological education matters”.
As the first Muster for the year, time together was an opportunity for fellowship, learning and encouragement. This included a long table dinner together at HBC’s new Esteem Cafe.
Following the Muster, David Williams travelled to all three regions to discuss with other Baptists what further theological education can look like, from diploma to doctorate. In particular, he outlined the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning that surrounds students with a team of mentors who, together, determine the student’s education and formation pathway.
Candidate Forums
Meet your Local Candidate
In the lead up to the State election, churches are working together to host election candidate forums. The forums will be held in each electorate in preparation for the upcoming State election. Each forum will include set questions on issues of concern to Christians, and time for questions from the floor. Most events will be live streamed or recorded, for those who cannot make it.
This is a great opportunity to meet local candidates, ask questions and hear from them on issues that you care about.
Find more information online meetyourcandidates.org.au
Crossover
2024 Australian Baptist Easter Offering
The Australian Baptist Easter Offering by Crossover is a thousand churches combining to express our gratitude for Jesus and to invest in sharing him with others.
The offering supports Crossover – a national Baptist ministry that provides resources, training and encouragement to help Australian Baptists share Jesus with their friends and neighbourhoods. They offer all churches free-to-use Easter resources.
To see all their resources or join their mailing list, visit the Crossover website.
Crossover runs entirely on the donations of people like us – so let’s support generously as we’re able. Donations can also be made directly at crossover.org.au
Re-Imagine
Combined Gathering
Re-Imagine is a combined gathering that aims to create a safe space for people to wrestle with faith, ask questions, and explore the journey of following Jesus. The gathering is organised by young adults from different churches, aged 18+ and is open to anyone interested.
Meets fortnightly at 157 St John St (St Johns middle building) on Tuesdays at 6pm for dinner and discussion with the next meeting on Tuesday, 12 March.
Find more details on Facebook.
Samaritan’s Purse
Shoebox Numbers Are In!
Samaritan’s Purse announced this week that 11.3 million shoeboxes were packed worldwide during last year’s Operation Christmas Child collection season (2023). That means millions of children will now hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be discipled in 2024!
read stories of the incredible impact a simple shoebox gift is having around the world, visit their website.
Seeing and sharing the impact of this work is a great way to honour everyone in the TasBaptist community who has packed shoeboxes and partnered with Samaritan’s Purse over the years.
Being Human Webinar
What does it mean to be human?
Karl Faase will be joined by Jo Frost to look at the question, What does it mean to be human. Jo Frost is Author of the book and video series, ‘Being Human’ and will grapple with the idea of what it is to view the world through the Being Human lens. She will consider questions such as What is Jesus on about when he offers us ‘life to the full’? And look at the cultural stories are shaping our identity. Also, what makes humanity unique and what is the invitation that God extends?
On Tuesday, 12 March 2024 at 7pm
Trauma Recovery Course
Reboot Trauma Recovery
This three-day, faith-based course is focused on healing from trauma. While aimed at Service-related trauma, REBOOT courses are being offered to the wider community suffering from all forms of trauma. This includes victims of crime, DV, childhood trauma, disability, grief and ongoing illness.
One veteran on average dies by suicide every 2 weeks, making suicide amongst our service community is at an epidemic.
Free to attend. Childcare is not available. For more info contact Andy & Zoe Cullen: 0420 462 845 or email: info@rebootau.org
From Wednesday 13, March to Friday, 15 March
9am to 2pm
(Graduation Ceremony on Friday night, 6pm – 8pm)
At Wrest Point Hotel Hobart, Drysdale Room – 410 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay
Heartlands Summer 2024 – out now
By Women, for Women
Heartlands is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.
New College Roadshow
Frank W Boreham College launch
Tas Baptists launched the new Frank W Boreham College on 5 March at Hobart Baptist Church. The college will provide ministry and theological education, training, and reflection for our pastors, leaders, and members across Tasmania. This means Tasmanian Baptists now have the capacity to provide qualified training within the State.
The new college is made possible by a partnership with both Kairos and Whitley.
David will visit the state in early March and travel to all three regions to discuss what further theological education can look like, from diploma to doctorate. He will explain the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning. This model surrounds each student with a team of mentors who, along with the student, determine the student’s education and formation pathway.
The following informal evenings are open to anyone.
- Wednesday 6 March 7.30pm at Hobart Baptist Church
Hosted by Stephen Baxter, 0417 313 273
- Thursday 7 March 7.30pm at Newstead Baptist Church
Hosted by Dan Hutchison, 0457 765 907
- Friday 8 March 7.30pm at Burnie Baptist Church
Hosted by Matty Coppin, 9484 064 490
Please contact Stephen, Dan, or Matty, ASAP if you plan to attend.
Workshop for churches on CYSOF
New Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework legislation
Olive Road and Fostering Hope are running a workshop on Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework (CYSOF) legislation.
The workshop is on Thursday, the 14 March 2024 at the Grace Centre, Rokeby, from 9.30pm to 2.30pm.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for attendees to grapple with the new CYSOF legislation and to share resources and ideas to develop the required policies and processes that will ensure ongoing compliance with the new Framework.
Anyone from not-for-profit organisations and churches in Hobart would benefit from this workshop to gain a better understanding of the new legislation. This includes the new Reportable Conduct Scheme and new strict timeframes on reporting to the regulator. The workshop will also focus on how organisations or churches might comply with the ten Child and Youth Safe Standards.
If you, or someone within your organisation or church, are keen to attend, or if a weekend or evening session would suit better, contact Mary Blake, Exec. Officer, Fostering Hope on m. 0423 365 988 or email mary@fosteringhope.net.au.
There’s more information about the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework here
Gaza Crisis Update
From Baptist World Aid Australia
Around 1.9 million people in Gaza have been displaced since the war started three months ago, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Israel.
People are sheltering in overcrowded school buildings, churches, and medical centres; some are even pitching tents on the street. This has left families vulnerable as winter hits, with temperatures dropping down to 10 degrees at night.
Also, Gaza is experiencing a healthcare crisis.
Baptist World Aid Partners in the region are distributing aid to families, including medical items, medicines, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets, and food packages. They are also continuing to provide medical supplies and other essentials to families in the West Bank and Lebanon, where civil unrest and violent attacks are rising.
Read this lament written late last year as preparation to pray for protection and relief for families in the Middle East.
If you’d like to consider giving, visit Baptist World Aid here.
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- Bringing Hope to a Broken World by Stephen L. Baxter, Mission Director
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