Geoff Maddock in Tasmania

Walking alongside, Baptist Mission Australia in Tasmania

Local Mission

Relocating for May Mission Month!

Geoff Maddock

Geoff Maddock, is the Tas/Vic Leader for Baptist Mission Australia

MY GOALS AND CONNECTIONS

As the State Leader for Tasmania, it is my privilege to relocate to Tasmania for the month of May to walk alongside* our Baptist churches. 

First and foremost, I seek to listen and learn what God’s people in Tasmania are experiencing as they step out in mission – across the street and around the world! 

I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May and attending pastors’ gatherings and Tas Baptist events throughout the month. 

I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May

I would also hope to visit with anyone interested in intercultural mission (local and global) or curious about the work of Baptist Mission Australia as we adapt our organisation to a rapidly changing world mission context. 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a phone call, text or email to arrange a time with me.  I will be in the North West for the first 10 days, then around Launceston for the next 10 days, finishing my time with just over a week in the South of the state.

Geoff Maddock
0436 470 535 | gmaddock@baptistmissionaustralia.org

SCHEDULE OUTLINE

In the Northwest (Ulverstone). 30th April to 10th May
  • 30.4.23—Wynyard Baptist Church
  • 5.5.23—Tas Baptists Assembly (Newstead)
  • 6.5.23—Tas Baps Assembly (Newstead)
  • 7.5.23—Ulverstone Baptist Church
In the North (Launceston – Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies). 10th to 22nd May  
  • 10.5.23—Launceston Pastors’ coffee catchup
  • 14.5.23—Newstead Baptist Church
  • 17.5.23—Launceston Pastors’ coffee catchup
  • 21.5.23—Gateway Baptist Church
In the South (Hobart). 22nd to 29th May    
  • 28.5.23—Citywide Baptist Church

I am looking forward to meeting with as many Tasmanian Baptists as possible, and walking alongside during May.

VIDEO: Watch below to find out more about Alongsiders.

*ALONGSIDERS

Baptist Mission Australia is intentionally developing an alongsider”approach.

We do this around the world as our intercultural team members come alongside people in their local communities and embody the good news by word and deed, in ways that make sense in that culture.

We’re also committed to doing this as we come alongside mission partners across the world and in Australia. This is identified in our 2021-2025 Strategic Roadmap where we envisage “new dynamic missional-focused partnerships with Baptist associations and churches across our Australian movement.”

Following conversations with Tasmanian Baptist leaders, engagement with churches and our own discernment processes, we sense God’s Spirit encouraging us to make ourselves available to journey with Tasmanian Baptists on your missional reimagination journey.

[From the ‘Tasmanian Baptists Alongsider Statement’, May 2022]

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ReCharge NEWS April 2023

26th April 2023 | ReCharge News

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    Geoff Maddock Visits Tassie!

    As the Baptist Mission Australia State Leader for Tasmania, it is my privilege to relocate to Tassie for the month of May to walk alongside our Baptist churches. 

    Geoff and Sherry Maddock
    Geoff and Sherry Maddock

    READ MORE ABOUT MY DATES AND DESTINATIONS >

    First and foremost, I seek to listen and learn what God’s people in Tasmania are experiencing as they step out in mission – across the street and around the world!  I’m also honoured to be sharing in church gatherings each Sunday across May and attending pastor gatherings and association events throughout the month. 

    I would also hope to visit with anyone interested in intercultural mission (local and global) or curious about the work of Baptist Mission Australia as we adapt our organisation to a rapidly changing world mission context. 

    Please don’t hesitate to reach out with a phone call, text or email to arrange a time with me.  I will be in the North West 30th April-10th May. Then around Launceston 10th May to 22nd May. And will finish my time in the South of the state from 22nd May to 29th May.

    Following conversations with Tasmanian Baptist leaders, engagement with churches and our own discernment processes, we sense God’s Spirit encouraging us to make ourselves available to journey with Tasmanian Baptists on your missional reimagination journey.

    Geoff Maddock
    Baptist Mission Australia | gmaddock@baptistmissionaustralia.org | 0436 470 535

    Atrocities in Myanmar

    A call for prayer via Australian Baptist Ministries

    The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation condemns in the strongest terms possible the recent aerial bombing of civilian villages in Pazikyi, Kanbalu of Sagaing region in Myanmar, which resulted in the deaths of over 100 innocent civilians.

    This attack is a gross violation of international humanitarian law and a blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life.

    As members of the Baptist World Alliance, who stand for justice, peace, and respect for human dignity, we are deeply saddened at this heinous act. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, homes and belongings in this inhumane attack.

    We ask our member conventions and churches to pray for the people of Myanmar during these difficult times and to stand in solidarity with them as they seek justice and peace.

    READ: Full press release >

    Riverland’s Ministries

    There is so much going on at Longford! To find out more, or to attend/participate in any of these ministries please check their website (riverlands.org.au), call 6391 2202, or email admin@riverlands.org.au. Office hours are 9am-12pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.

    • 10-11am Mondays and Tuesdays, Libraries Tasmania, Adult Literacy – during school term)
    • 11am-12pm Mondays, Prayer Group
    • 10am-12pm Tuesdays, Threads of Friendship
    • 5.30-9pm Tuesdays Young Adults Group – off site
    • 10am-12pm Wednesdays, Bible Small Group
    • 9.30-11.30 am Thursdays, Stay & Play – during school terms
    • 3-5pm Thursdays, Girls Youth Group – during school terms
    • 11.30am-1.30pm. Thursdays, Bible Discovery Group
    • 7-8.30pm Thursdays, Bible Small Group – fortnightly, off-site
    • 10.30am-12pm Fridays, Neighbours – fortnightly
    • 7-9.pm Fridays, Riverlands Youth group – 3rd Friday of each month, during school terms
    • 11am-1pm Fridays, Meals on Wheels – operate Monday-Friday each week
    Riverlands Minsitries. Snr Pastor Rodney Marshall, Meals on Wheels, Sta & Play, Associate Pastor Liam Conway
    Snr Pastor Rodney Marshall, Meals on Wheels, Stay & Play, Associate Pastor Liam Conway

    Grief Companion Training

    Do you know people who are grieving? Would you like to learn how to support them? You could attend this seminar, being run by New Mornings at Ulverstone Baptist.

    WHEN 9:30am-430pm, Saturdays 20th May AND 3rd June 2023
    COST Day 1 only – $75 (Conc. $55) ) | Days 1 + 2 – $120 (Conc. $85)
    WHERE Ulverstone Baptist Church Hall, 60 Alexandra Road, Ulverstone, 7315
    INFO Contact New Mornings: griefsupport@newmornings.org.au | 03 6411 6212
    OR download the flyer:

    What’s Going On – Summerhill

    For more information about any of these activities please contact Maddy Svoboda: pastor@summerhillbaptist.org.au

    • Primary school mentoring at Summerdale (as well as training of mentors), runs weekly throughout the week.
    • Playgroup, 10am-12pm, Wednesdays during school term facilitated by the Salvos.
    • Chat and Choose, every Friday morning during school terms.
    • Craft Group, Saturday mornings once a month.
    • High school Youth Ministry, 7-9pm, 2nd Friday of the month (when not involved with the combined youth initiatives).
    • Life groups, throughout the week.
    • A service in our local aged care facility. We hope to extend to another service soon.
    Summerhill Baptist Ministries

    Stand with the People of Myanmar

    FROM BAPTIST MISSION AUSTRALIA

    More than ever, the people of Myanmar need to know that others stand with them. They need to know they are not forgotten.

    Two years on from a military coup, Myanmar is rocked by violence, oppression and instability. The economy has collapsed, there are severe shortages of food, fuel and other basic supplies. Families are forced to separate, churches continue to be damaged. Pastors have been arrested. The military continue to ignore basic human rights. 

    Since the coup, more than 3000 people have been killed and 16,000 people detained. Almost 1.6 million people are displaced within Myanmar and 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar live in refugee camps on the Thai and Indian borders and within other towns in Thailand and India. 

    Please invite your faith community in sacrificially giving to our Stand with Myanmar appeal, so that together we can make a tangible and practical difference in the lives of people who continue to live with trauma and uncertainty.

    What’s Going on – City Baptist

    City Baptist Church in Launceston has people, as well as activities that people can connect with relationally.

    • Street chaplain (Stephen Avery), coming alongside those in need on our streets
    • Advocacy 
      • Housing provided for refugees (Ivan James)
      • The homeless and those fleeing Family and Domestic Violence (Kay Hunter)
      • Climate activism (Sally Staley, Wendy Miller and friends)
    • Drop in Centre in the Red Dove Café
      6pm-7pm Saturdays, 52 weeks per year (Jeff McKinnon).
    • City Baptist Community Garden –  69 Station Rd, St Leonards (Steve and Marie Pearce)
    • Learning Circle (hosted by Garry Billing and Jeff McKinnon) for those wanting to grow in discipleship, spirituality and mission (three-week sessions)
    • Young adult dinners with Jenna Blackwell
    • Friday Frolics – Intergenerational social outing on last Friday of the month (Merelyn Briton)

    Find out more here > | City Baptist on Facebook >

    Some of the faces at City Baptist, L-R: Tracey and Stephen Avery; Jeff McKinnon; Jenna Blackwell; Kay Hunter

    What’s Going on – Gateway

    The Baptist churches in and around Launceston want to work more closely together and point people to activities going on in other Baptist churches.

    Over the coming weeks reCharge NEWS will highlight one church’s activities, this week, with Gateway Baptist.

    Gateway Baptist, Craft Group, Artway, Basketball, Mentoring and lifeskills
    Gateway’s Ministries most weeks:
    Shekinah House Team

    Volunteering and low level counseling with homeless people
    11am till 3pm, Tuesday to Friday

    Bible Study

    Ladies study with coffee
    3rd and 4th Tuesday of each month  
    Wednesday group
    5:30 – 6:30pm Wednesday
    Eat, Share, Pray Midweek Group
    6:30-8:30pm, Thursday

     Artway            

    Art Therapy and Lessons 12 noon – 2pm Wednesday and Thursday   
    Craft Group 6:30-9pm, Wednesday               

    Walking Group

     Ladies 10am Thursday

    Baptist Basketball

    Saturday Evenings


    To enquire about any of these activities please email: noeleagling@gmail.com

    Easter Camp at Perth

    In 1954, Perth Baptist hosted an enormous Easter Camp!
    Thank you to those who responded about the year this photo was taken.

    Perth Baptist Easter Camp, approx date 10940s

    READ MORE Perth Baptist Church Profile

    What’s Going On – Newstead

    Walk this Way - Newstead Baptist
    Walk this Way 

    2-4pm first Sunday of the month

    Family friendly short walks aimed to be an intergenerational opportunity to create space in creation to walk and talk.

    Life Groups

    Tuesday Life Group 7-9pm in Prospect
    Thursday Life Group 7-9pm in Newstead
    All Welcome! Join a Life Group here >

    In the Community

    Chat’n’Choose 9:30-11:30am Thursdays, at the church.
    Crafts, Conversations, Friendship, Fun. Men and Women of all ages are Welcome.

    Drop-in Centre meets every Friday 1-3pm in “The  Lounge” at the church
    Games for all generations, just drop-in to meet new friends

    Alpha at Newstead Baptist Thursday nights from 1st June 2023


    To enquire about any of these activities at Newstead, please email info@newsteadbaptist.org.au

    Mid-Year Assembly

    Friday/Saturday 5th/6th May, Newstead Baptist (NB new venue!)

    The May Assembly is coming up very fast! All Tasmanian Baptist churches are eligible to have at least two voting delegates in attendance, plus pastors and Tas Baptist Council Members. As well, interested individuals are welcome to attend. However, all attendees do need to register.

    Assembly papers will be sent to Church Secretaries via email on Thursday 6th April.

    Program

    7-9pm, Friday 5th May: Dinner ($30)
    9:30am-3pm, Saturday 6th May: Morning tea and Lunch ($15)

    Payments and registrations will be due to the Tasmanian Baptist office by Monday 5th May 2023. As well as the regular registration process, we are trialing an online payment/registration system. So watch out for that!

    Views of October Assembly 2022
    Views from Tas Baptist Assembly, October 2022

    CROSSOVER Easter Resources

    FROM crossover.org.au

    This Changes Everything is an Easter series that’s ready to go. There are message outlines that you can take, leave or adapt. But the bonus is the artwork for promoting and inviting, easily editable to include your church details.
    All free, because Crossover is here to help you share Jesus.

    Ally & Sally is the shortest soap opera you’ve ever seen! 3x 1-min episodes you can show in church, or embed in your weekly email, or both. Each episode can stand alone, but the story builds – and twists – with a positive encouragement to share our great news.
    Perfect for showing right before promoting the Easter Offering in the three weeks leading up to Easter!

    watch ally & sally

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    Walk the World Winners!

    Walk the World = Baptist Mission Australia

    Baptists At Our Best

    Congratulations Lifeway Baptist

    Baptist Mission Australia award for praying, walking, driving and time in the garden! 

    Last November, Baptist Churches nationally were encouraged by Baptist Mission Australia to pray for their community, neighbourhood and the world in the Walk the World campaign.

    Lifeway Baptist in Devonport took up the challenge, and their efforts so impressed Baptist Mission Australia, that they won a prize!

    Jenny Mountney of Lifeway Baptist explains what happened.

    Baptist Mission Australia’s November initiative of “Walk the World” and praying over a three-day period really captured the heart of the Lifeway community.

    There were people praying as they drove the streets, walked the streets and undertook activity across the state, country and overseas. The intentional prayer focus was for our community, state, country and intercultural teams, wherever they were.  

    From the youngest in Sunday Tribes, to the most elderly, it is thought over 60% of the community took part. Nothing inspires people more than a challenge – and an amazing purpose – to bring our world to the Lord. We asked for healing and peace, strength and vision.

    Baptist Mission Australia provided prayer guides, and children’s resources and activities. Our insomniacs prayed through their nights. The workers took moments in their day to walk and pray. The bushwalkers marvelled at God’s glory while counting steps and kilometers. 

    Watch Lifeway’s video report

    Excited responses

    It was an amazing weekend filled with hope and joy. Plus, we are excited to receive the award for Australian Baptist Churches Walk the World winners! So many amazing stories came from the initiative, and it is quite surreal that Lifeway Baptist was selected. A huge thank you goes to every person who supported, prayed, walked and rode praying for our world. 

    Teagan Dwyer-Riviere, Communications Manager at Baptist Mission Australia, said “Our team was so blown away by the amazing report you shared about how your whole church community got involved in Walk the World in November last year! It was so encouraging to read of the creative ways people of all ages, abilities and interests engaged in prayer. It sounds like it was a very rich time of prayer and community engagement.”.

    Senior Pastor Nicholas Alexander was ecstatic. “It’s super encouraging for Lifeway, both for the mission’s team who work so hard, and for all of us in our prayer life.”

    We at Lifeway are looking forward to receiving our first prize of a whole of church morning tea and guest speaker from Baptist Mission Australia. Fingers crossed this can take place in May Missions Month! 


    Read ReCharge

    February/March 2023

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    Walk the World Winners

    ReCharge NEWS Feb 2022

    Cradle Mountain

    FEBRUARY 2022

    Table of Contents

      Tamar Island Walk & Picnic

      12:30-2:30 Sunday 27th February

      An EmpowHer* Event

      EmpowHer Tamar Walk 27Feb 2022

      All women are welcome to join the Tamar Island Walk and Picnic, 12:30-2:30pm, Sunday 27th February 2022.

      The Tamar Island walk is a short 4km return boardwalk, just 10 minutes drive from the heart of Launceston.

      It will begin with a BYO picnic. Please also bring a picnic rug &/or chair, as tables are limited.

      This is an all-access walk and children are welcome under your supervision.

      MORE INFO/REGISTER: Wendy 0407 675 414; or Belinda 0408 267 188

      Download Brochure >

      *EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women


      Nationwide Prayer Gathering

      Prayer gathering

      Prayer Gathering of Australian Baptists

      Please join your Baptist family at 7:45pm on Tuesday 1st March for a Zoom prayer gathering.

      We will pray for God to work within our lives, our families, our churches, our communities our Baptists partners, our States/Territories, our nation, and our world.

      We especially want to pray for our BaptCare family as they battle COVID outbreaks in aged care facilities, and support exhausted staff.

      As well we will pray for the situation in Myanmar, for the people of Tonga, and for the unfolding situation in the Ukraine.

      REGISTER: bit.ly/ABMpraywithus22 >

      DOWNLOAD Flyer for distribution >


      Leading with Courage – Muster

      For Tas Baptist Pastors and Leaders
      ReCharge News
      At the Muster in September 2021

      WHEN: Lunchtime Monday – Lunchtime Tuesday March 7-8, 2022
      WHERE: Hobart Baptist Church
      WHO: Appointed key leaders of Tasmanian Baptist churches
      WELCOME! It will be a great opportunity to meet newly appointed pastors around the state.

      With great pleasure and expectation, Tasmanian Baptist pastors and key church leaders are invited to the upcoming Pastors’ Muster, 7th-8th March 2022.

      Gathering together as leaders never fails to be a rich time.

      With just 24hrs together, some big conversations will focus on the importance of leading with courage.

      We will create a safe to share with others – a courageous aspect of leadership. For this reason, only pastors, and leaders of churches without a pastor, have received invitations.

      MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER!
      If you are missing your invite email please contact jenna@tasbaptists.org.au


      Recent Inductions

      Exciting times for Tasmanian Baptist Churches

      It has been an unprecedented few weeks, as five pastors were inducted during January and February, 2022. They are Dan Hutchison (Newstead), Matt Henderson (Hobart), Liam Conway (Riverlands); Jeff Percival (Lower Barrington); and Dan Evenhuis (Citywide).

      • Dan Evenhuis, ReCharge news
      • Laim Conway, ReCharge News
      • Jeff Percival, ReCharge News
      • Daniel Hutchison, ReCharge News
      • Matt Henderson, ReCharge News
      Welcome LIAM AND HANNAH!
      New Associate Pastor for Riverlands

      Liam Conway joined Riverlands Christian Community as Associate Pastor and was inducted by Maddy Svoboda at Riverlands on 6th February 2022.  The service was followed by a BBQ lunch.  A very special morning, it was wonderful to see many visitors who came in support of both Liam and Hannah, as they join the Riverlands family. 

      Please pray Liam and Hannah will settle in well with the Riverlands church family, but also the wider community of Longford. 


      Safer Spaces Toolkit

      Australian Baptist Ministries pull together to create a great resource

      Sunflowers, ReCharge News

      In 2021, ABM recognised domestic abuse resources are often available only by region, and wanted to create a resource which could be accessed by any pastor anywhere, with access to the Internet. The outcome is now available as a resource for use in localities across Australia.

      Baptist women from around the country made up the project working group. Between them, they have expertise in pastoral leadership, theology, teaching, domestic abuse and project management.

      Together they created the Safer Spaces Toolkit: standagainstdv.net >

      The Safer Spaces Toolkit is a work in progress so feedback and suggestions are welcome. To get in touch, send an email using the CONTACT PAGE >


      GLOBAL LAUNCH: 16th Feb
      Baptist Mission Australia

      You are Invited!

      5-6PM, WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY 2022
      Scott Pilgrim, GIA to BMA, ReCharge News

      Global Interaction has become Baptist Mission Australia

      One of the nation’s oldest mission organisations has changed its name as it looks to strengthen its partnership with Baptist churches across Australia and international partners around the globe.

      Executive Director Scott Pilgrim (pictured) invites you to the GLOBAL LAUNCH!

      This is your invitation to join with teams around the
      world to dedicate this year of ministry to God.
      Together we will pray, commission our teams
      and say, “Come Holy Spirit”.

      REGISTER TO RECEIVE THE ZOOM LINK:


      Newstead Farewells Marion Sherriff

      27 July 1935 – 16 January 2022

      Ted and Marion Sherriff

      Marion was born on the 27th July 1935, and went peacefully to be with her Lord on the 16th January 2022. She spent over 70 years of her life living in Launceston in the suburb of Newstead, as a child and then for most of her married life.

      Marion was farewelled on the 21st January from Newstead Baptist.

      Marion and her sisters attended Newstead Baptist where they attended Sunday School, Camps and Church. It was there that Marion came to a faith and belief in Jesus Christ as her Saviour. At Newstead, she also met Edward Humphrey ‘Ted’ Sherriff and they married in the church on the 26th May, 1956. Ted later became the President of the Baptist Union of Tasmania.

      Marion loved God in a deep and personal way. She loved God’s Word, the Bible. Coming to church, for Marion, meant learning about God, meeting with God, and singing together to rejoicing with God’s people. It brought her happiness and gave her strength through life’s sorrows and disappointments.

      Added to family duties of raising four children, Marion was a faithful member at Newstead Baptist for over 60 years serving through Sunday School Teaching, Christian Endeavour, the Missionary Committee, Ladies’ Meetings like Homemakers and Baptist Women’s Fellowship, Chat’n’Choose creche co-ordinator, hospitality and more.

      Marion will be sadly missed by her ‘loved’ Ted, and many family members. We know that she is now at peace and in no pain with her Lord.


      Christian Life & Witness Courses

      Training to sharpen your evangelism skills

      WHEN: 21st February to 12th March 2022
      WHERE: In various churches in the Launceston and Hobart regions, including Baptist churches in Westbury, Perth, Launceston (Gateway), George Town and Hobart.

      The Christian Life and Witness Course helps believers deepen their faith in Jesus Christ and share Him with others. Specifically, during the Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham in May 2022. But also, on their own as they witness to friends, family members and co-workers.

      During the two-hour/week, three-week course, participants will learn:

      • Biblical principles on living a life that pleases God and points other people to Him.
      • Practical tips and advice about sharing Jesus Christ with people who do not yet know Him.
      • How to best support new Christians and help them grow in their faith.

      Check out dates, times and locations > | tasmaniacelebration.org.au


      Tasmanian Baptist Key Dates, 2022

      Dates for your Diary
      Some participants at Tasmanian Baptists Annual Assembly 2021; ReCharge News
      Some attendees at Assembly, Oct 2021

      7-8 March 2022                Pastors’ Muster in Hobart                             

      26 March 2022                 Council Meeting              

      6-7 May 2022                    Mid-Year Assembly at Riverlands       

      18 June 2022                    Council Meeting

      26-27 July 2022               Musters: Regional with PM sessions

      10 September 2022        Council Meeting

      3-5 October 2022             Muster: Pastors and Families

      28-29 October 2022        Annual Assembly at Riverlands

      19 November 2022          Council Meeting


      LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH!

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