reCharge NEWS August 2025
reCharge NEWS August 2025
SparkLit Awards Night
2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year Announced
The 2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year was announced by SparkLit at their awards night last Thursday, 21 August 2025. This year’s winner is Made in Our Image: God, Artificial Intelligence and You by Stephen Driscoll, published by Matthias Media.
According to the judges:
“This is a realistic and fearless assessment of the ways AI could change our world. Stephen Driscoll expertly explains AI technologies and how they evolve… Driscoll communicates with wit and gravity, and the result is balanced and memorable. There is nothing like a revolution to test the foundations and scope of our hope.” (Source: SparkLit, accessed 25 August 2025)
Awards were also presented for the Young Australian Christian Writer and Australian Christian Teen Writer. The Australian Christian Literature Awards celebrate writing and publishing that helps people encounter Jesus in ways that are authentic and culturally relevant. The SparkLit Awards exist to recognise and encourage excellence in Australian Christian writing and publishing.
Each year, SparkLit presents these awards for original works by Australian citizens. Beyond the awards, SparkLit advances God’s Kingdom by empowering Christian writers, publishers, and distributors—making Christian books available, accessible, and affordable where commitment is strong but resources are scarce.
Watch the 2025 SparkLit Awards Night livestream below.
Global Leadership Summit
Hobart Event on Monday, 13 October
Get global, locally, by attending the GLS 1-Day Conference at Citywide Baptist Church.
Citywide is hosting the event for leaders wherever they are: the workplace, the community, the family. Gather with other growth-minded leaders for world-class leadership content, interactive discussion times and networking with all your meals included. Discover your leadership. Step into your potential.
GLS is an international leadership training and inspirational annual event, highly recommended for all who have leadership influence, especially in churches, but also in business and society.
When: Monday 13 October, 10.00am – 4.00pm.
Where: 400 Cambridge Road, Mornington
Cost: $50 (early bird)
For more info or to register email Jan Norton jan@citywidehobart.org.au
Visit the GLS website for more info
Women Leaders Network Walk
20 September 2025
The WLN is asking women (and men) to ‘Walk Where You Are’. By walking to support the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) you’re joining the global conversation, lifting other women leaders, and helping to clear the path making it just a little easier for those who follow.
HOBART COHORT
Walk with the Leading Light (Hobart) cohort on 20th September.
WHEN: 2:00pm – 4:30pm on Saturday, 20 September 2025
WHERE: Arm End Walk (Approx. 90-minutes) Meet at Eastlands to carpool from there. Optional coffee afterwards.
COST: $10 donation is required to walk.
To participate, register for the Every Step Hobart Walk HERE >
Provide a leadership title and indicate you are joining the Hobart cohort.
For more info contact Jenny Baxter, Southern Tas Cohort Leader, WLN Leading Light on jb@jennybaxter.com.au or 0401 652 566
Women Leaders Network Goals are:
– To identify women leaders, in all sectors, around the globe
– To empower women leaders by creating opportunity for connection and relationship so they can be encouraged, strengthened, and networked together
– To equip women leaders with resourcing, training, coaching and mentoring
– To release women leaders to use their leadership gifts, to work well alongside men, and to use their voices to transform their churches and local communities
NW Sabbath of Wonder Retreat
Register Now – One spot left!
What is a Sabbath of Wonder retreat? It’s a beautiful opportunity to create sacred space in your life. Beginning at sunset on Friday and concluding at sunset on Saturday, think of it as a spiritual getaway designed just for you. The Northwest Sabbath of Wonder Retreat is happening on 12-13 September, and we still have a place available. You’re welcome to attend no matter where you’re from! How about setting aside one day to rest, recuperate, and reflect?
WHEN: Friday 12 September 2025, 4:30pm – Saturday 13 September 2025, 4:30pm. BONUS: Stay Saturday night at no extra charge (see retreat details for more info).
WHERE: Absolute Paradise Beach House, Esplanade, Turners Beach
– 6 mins from Ulverstone
– 12 mins from Devonport
– 25 mins from Burnie
COST: $150/person. Concession is $100/person (only two available).
Payment due ASAP.
Ready to join? REGISTER ASAP by emailing Jenny Baxter: jenny@tasbaptists.org.au
DOWNLOAD retreat details here. Includes payment details & cancellation policy.
Global Week of Prayer
1-7 September
24-7 Prayer are inviting the global Church to pray non-stop for every nation on earth. If you’re already making space to pray, why not join prayers with a global movement.
Whether it’s for your community or another corner of the world, praying together is powerful. This event invites communities worldwide to engage in creative, hands-on prayer experiences, uniting the global Church in a shared declaration of God’s greatness.
When: 1-7 September
For more info, visit the Global Week of Prayer website here.
Mental Health First Aid Course
13 & 20 September
Citywide Baptist Church in Lenah Valley is offering a fully National Accredited Mental First Aid Course. The course runs over two full Saturdays. The cost is significantly reduced, due to an accredited congregant offering their time to run this course.
When: 13 & 20 September, from 9.00am to 4.30pm each of those days.
Where: Citywide Baptist Church, 2 Pottery Road, Lenah Valley.
Cost: $50/head for manual and lunch.
For more info or to register, email: church@citywidehobart.org.au
4-10 August is Homelessness and Loneliness Week
Loneliness on the edges of our communities
This National Loneliness Week, we’re reminded that isolation isn’t always visible. It’s the person sleeping rough, the refugee far from home, the elderly neighbour no longer seen, or the young person couch-surfing without support.
This year’s theme for Loneliness Awareness Week (held annually in the first week of August) is Moments Matter. While forming connections takes time and effort, it often starts with a small moment.
While many of our churches are quietly offering welcome, meals, and community, the need is growing. Loneliness and homelessness are deeply spiritual concerns. Jesus made a habit of drawing near to those on the margins. His ministry was presence. He didn’t avoid the outcast, instead he ate with them, touched them, called them by name.
During the week homelessness services and community groups raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, and the solutions needed to end homelessness, and advocate for change via national and local community events, media and social media activities.
What Can I Do?
Check out Homelessness Week resources.
Support Launceston City Mission’s Winter Appeal here.
Find out more about Loneliness Awareness Week or read the Call for Connection Report. This report is about, ‘Understanding and Addressing Youth Loneliness in Australia’. This report sheds light on the real experience of loneliness for young people – what it feels like, what contributes to it and what enables connection. This is not a collection of statistics, but a reflection of real voices and real lives.
Baptcare
Volunteers Wanted
Baptcare is a not-for-profit Baptist organisation providing residential aged care, in-home care, and community services across Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia.
Baptcare is inviting new volunteers for Orana Social Centre in Devonport East. They are looking for people with a kind heart, a listening ear, or a passion for making others smile. The role could involve companionship, support with lifestyle activities, or sharing a special talent, every volunteer brings something unique and valuable.
Volunteering with Baptcare is flexible, rewarding, and a beautiful way to give back and for helping to build a community where everyone feels connected and cared for.
Contact Marina on 03 9831 7294 or email mgeorgievski@baptcare.org.au
Or click the links below to apply and for more details.
Tassie’s Got Talent! At Orana Respite & Social Centre
‘Conversations on Hope’ Webinar
Presented by NCLS Research and Tearfund
How Hopeful Are Australians? Join us for an engaging webinar exploring Australians’ views on hope, featuring fresh insights from the 2025 Australian Community Survey.
Date: Thursday 14 August
Time: 12:30–1:30pm (AEST)
Free tickets: Register here
You’ll discover:
• Key national findings on Australians’ experiences and perceptions of hope
• Reflections on practical applications of the research
• Stories and insights from guest practitioners
Speaker: Dr Ruth Powell, Director of NCLS Research and Associate Professor at Charles Sturt University, brings decades of expertise in social trends and religious life in Australia.
For more information, contact Connie Lim at connie@wildhive.com.au
