Welcome to Heartlands, the quarterly e-publication for EmpowHer, a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.
To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, subscribe to HEARTLANDS EmpowHer News.
Once again, all women are welcome! As long you and your guests are happy to hear about God’s abundance in their lives, we’re ready to host them.
Next steps: Add the date to your diary, ask your friends/family and REGISTER NOW!
We’re looking forward to seeing you there.
Love, The EmpowHer team
L to R: Jenny Baxter (State Leader), Jenna Blackwell (N), Heidi Brosch (NW), Leeanne Garvin (S), Ann Herbert (S), Anthea Maynard (N), Carolyn Smith (NW)
PROFILE: TRACY VALENTINE
Keynote Speaker, Day of Abundance
Long an advocate for Baptist women, Tracy Valentine has previously served in a range of church-related roles including as a pastor (in roles specifically ministering to children and families), as a chaplain and in state and national roles with the Queensland Baptist Churches.
“And I always make sure I invite some people who I’m fairly sure will say no.”
I heard this little off-the-cuff sentence from Melinda Dwight (former Director of Alpha Australia) two years ago, and it’s stayed with me ever since.
Inviting is an important part of being a sacred agent. We all have our different gifts, ministries and settings, but at the end of the day – in fact all day – we represent the One who is inviting people everywhere into his kingdom. The gospel is news – and it’s also an invitation.
As representatives of Jesus, we want to be as inviting as he is, whether that be inviting others to lunch, to youth group, home group, Alpha or a church service. Is our invitation as genuine, warm, strong, and gentle as his? And importantly, is it as wide?
When we think about inviting, or are encouraging others to invite, so often our thought process goes like this: Can I think of one person among my contacts, who may be likely to be interested? And our minds are drawn to those most Christ-adjacent.
But Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t work like that. Surely we know that he doesn’t only invite those already closest to him. Saul of Tarsus certainly wasn’t. The kingdom is full of unlikelies. And even those who do indeed say no, No, or NO need to know that they are invited. The invitation itself plants a seed.
“Just know you’re definitely invited“
Imagine how things would change if we shifted the norm from ‘thinking of one person to invite’ to ‘putting the word out to all our contacts’:
– We’d be almost certain to see a lot more people joining us, and;
– A great many Australians would be receiving multiple invitations, and what would they make of that?
We know that a lot Australians are interested in Jesus. Where their blockage is a sense that they don’t qualify or wouldn’t be welcome, what’s needed is an invitation. It needn’t be high-pressure, it could be as simple as a text message like this:
Hello everyone I know within cooee: Our church at West Beach is starting a new series through John’s gospel this week. Also an Alpha Course starting Aug 21. Let me know if you’d like to come along – or surprise me there! Just know you’re definitely invited.
In Jesus’ teaching, the Sower spreads the seed very broadly, and the fisher casts a wide net, not just a single line. How wide is the net you’re casting?
Andrew Turneris Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Photo by Cassiano Psomas on Unsplash.
‘But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist…’ (2 Tim 4)
“Give a person a fish, and they’ll eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime.” It’s a great principle, right? But if you push it to a logical conclusion, if it’s always better to teach than to fish, there would be only talking and no fishing and mass starvation. Someone’s gotta fish!
I’ve been thinking about this as I notice a very encouraging sign in our movement. In times past, we’ve typically tried to address the need for evangelism by doing sermon series on evangelism. It’s been noble in intention, but blind to a significant side-effect: Who’s going to invite an unbeliever to church when the sermon is about evangelism? It had hints of the fishing-lessons-to-mass-starvation vortex.
But more and more churches are investing directly in doing the work of evangelism. Alpha courses are run in Baptist churches like never before – 565 courses so far this year! We’ve just hit the one millionth Australian Alpha participant – and I’m proud to be six of them! Perhaps what excites me most is that more churches now run Alpha (or similar courses) as a matter of course rather than as an occasional special. May that continue until evangelism is completely mainstreamed as the bread and butter of Baptist churches!
Show a Person How to Fish
The saying, “teach a person to fish,” really should be “show a person how to fish.” A highly effective way for pastors to equip the church for evangelism is simply to preach evangelistically. Those that do receive the triple-benefit of encouraging believers in their faith, giving examples of how to share it, and inclining attendees to invite their friends.
Our world is full of vacuous opinions and empty content in a way that eerily mirrors the world of Paul and Timothy. Their contemporary Dio Chrysostom noted, ‘you might hear many poor wretches of sophists shouting and abusing one another, and their disciples, as they call them, squabbling, and many writers of books reading their stupid compositions, and many poets singing their poems, and many jugglers exhibiting their marvels, and many sooth-sayers giving the meaning of their prodigies, and ten thousand rhetoricians twisting lawsuits, and no small number of traders driving their several trades.’
That sounds as much like the twenty-first century as the first. What’s needed now as much as then are people able to keep their headwhen others’ are turned by every fad or scare, able to endure hardship when others baulk at mere inconvenience, and willing to do the work of an evangelist. In a world of ideological junk food, those who offer a truly nutritious meal will find plenty of hungry hearts and minds.
You can join the 23rd Baptist World Congress from anywhere in the world and experience this life-changing global gathering with sisters and brothers around the world. But don’t wait – virtual registration closes on June 30!
Enjoy live-streamed plenary sessions, Bible Studies (including those in French, Spanish and Portuguese), Preaching Symposiums, and the opportunity to connect with fellow believers across the globe through our interactive virtual platform. Whether you join live or watch sessions on demand, you will be a vital part of this event uniting the global Baptist family.
This week’s article reveals how becoming a child sponsor can help children survive disasters.
Baptist World Aid has been transforming lives through Child Sponsorship for over 50 years. They commissioned a highly respected independent consulting firm (K4Dev) to analyse the impact of their Sponsorship program over a period of ten years.
The result clearly revealed powerful and tangible impacts.
Over 95% of children and youth reported positive improvement in their lives.
80% of children can access healthcare when required; up from 50% at the start of the program.
77% of children and youth reported a reduction in risk of harmful practices (child marriage, abuse, punishment and neglect).
Become a sponsor and help children living in poverty access education, break the cycle of poverty, and build a brighter future. Visit bwaa.co/sponsorship today to sign up.
Alpha Australia
Alpha hits 1 million Australian Participants
The total number of Australians participating in an Alpha course has just passed 1,000,000! Baptist churches are running more Alpha courses than ever before. They have 565 participants already in the first half of this year!
The Zenos Kids App aims to bring children and families the best of Australian Christian children’s content to one safe, easy to navigate platform! Creators from around Australia have partnered to share videos, music, podcasts, stories and devotions that all have the purpose of encouraging children (2-12) and families to grow in their relationships with God and each other.
Crossover (Australian Baptist Ministries) helped support its development making it something to share with every young parent in your community!
Zenos Media is an Australian not-for-profit charity that promotes, supports and encourages the use of creativity in Christian faith contexts.
Tas/Texas Partnership 2025
The Point Baptist Church
Members of The Point Baptist Church are excited to announce that they will once again welcome the Horton family from Texas, USA. This is part of an ongoing Tas/Texas partnership that began in 2009.
The cherished connection between the Horton family and the church community has blessed the community of Beauty Point and the West Tamar region through a range of vibrant events for all ages—including youth gatherings, women’s nights, worship services, men’s events, and our always-popular bonfire.
The partnership continues this year from 15 June to 15 July, with plenty of opportunities to connect, grow, and share the love of Jesus with the community of Beauty Point and the wider West Tamar region.
Everyone is welcome to be part of it! For more information, please contact Craig Hawkins on 0487 343 348 or hawkthe32@gmail.com
Baptist World Aid
Matching Grant Appeal
It’s been a tough year for the world’s hungry and vulnerable— but Baptist World Aid continues to trust that God is working through his people to bring healing and relief.
Can you help? By giving to the Matching Grant Appeal before 30 June, your tax-deductible donation will be combined with funding from the Australian Government to significantly increase its impact—helping to break the cycle of poverty and create real, lasting change.
Together, it’s possible to turn impossible situations into a world of possibilities.
Jagmati (below) is the face of this year’s appeal — the campaign hero. She is tenacious, intelligent and resilient. She needed support to overcome the barriers that were limiting her potential and is a beautiful testament to the ways God works through his people to bring goodness out of incredible hardship.
Photo: Meet Jagmati
Library Aid International
Supporting Global Education from Tasmania
Library Aid International (LAI) is a volunteer-run organisation dedicated to sending secondhand books and educational resources to under-resourced schools in developing countries. These materials are primarily sourced from school libraries around Tasmania when they are no longer required. Once collected, the resources are carefully sorted, assessed, repacked, and shipped to support educators and students overseas.
To date, LAI has sent eleven containers of educational materials to countries including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, and Papua New Guinea. While the mission is global, LAI continues to operate on a modest scale, powered by a passionate team of volunteers. Despite receiving many requests for assistance, the organisation is currently only able to fulfill a portion of them due to limited resources.
Recent Highlights
LAI has just acquired its 12th shipping container. This container will be sent to the Solomon Islands for distribution to disadvantaged schools. Half of the contents have already been sorted, boxed, and loaded in preparation for shipment, thanks to the dedication of volunteers.
Generous community support continues to play a vital role. A local sewing group recently donated $400 raised during a Friendship Day. Several LAI volunteers hosted a Pet Show during Sheffield’s SteamFest weekend, raising $1,000 to help cover shipping costs. In addition, The Railton RSL hold Trivia Quiz Nights on a monthly basis to continue fundraising efforts.
Heartfelt Messages
LAI regularly receives heartfelt messages from individuals and schools eager to donate unused resources, such as:
“I work at a school, and our staff are looking to donate unused resources, that would otherwise be discarded, to schools in developing countries.” — Jocelyn M.
“I have some books I’ve removed from my library, and the previous librarian told me about your purpose.” — Josie W.
“We are so grateful that our unwanted books are going to a special place for a new purpose.” — Kate L.
LAI welcomes questions, donations, and new volunteers. LAI especially encourage schools who are looking to support a worthy cause during Book Week, to get involved.
Thank you to all who continue to support Library Aid International to provide educational resources where they are most needed.
GLS Aus and NZ Leaders Networking Event
Still Standing – Building Resilience as a Leader
Ever felt discouraged or that you just can’t keep going in your leadership journey?
You’re not alone. Many leaders face similar challenges, and unfortunately the stats would tell us that many of them don’t make it through.
GLS Aus and NZ new CEO, John Robertson, will be speaking LIVE in Devonport on 17 June 2025.
“You won’t survive in leadership for long without building resilience.”
John Robertson knows what it takes to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of leadership. John has over three decades in ministry. This includes 13 years as Senior Pastor at Riverlife. He has learned the keys to staying strong and resilient.
Don’t miss this chance to hear from John as he shares insights on building resilience to stay in the game longer and stronger!
Topics covered:
– Leadership is difficult and lonely, how you can stay strong and resilient? – Everyone plays fair in Christian leadership, right? – How to stay in the game. – How to get up off the canvas. – How to stay fighting fit.
I’m not a gambler, but it does feel like I’m always calculating the odds. Is it going to rain this week? Will the Adelaide Crows win? What’s the chance of a quiet evening without the phone ringing? We all peer into the future, Christians perhaps more than most. Which way is society going? To hell in a handbasket, or coming home to God?
Well, here’s some good news. A report issued last month by McCrindle1 showed that while nominal Christianity has dropped significantly over the last few censuses, some remarkable things have been happening regarding practicing Christianity:
– The percentage of Australians attending church at least monthly has steadily risen from 15% (in 2011) to 21% (in 2021).
– The percentage of Australians who are warm towards Christianity has risen from 58% in 2011 to 65% this year.
– No less than 784,000 Australians who ticked ‘No Religion’ in the 2016 census went on to tick ‘Christian’ in the 2021 census. Think about that!
– The percentage of Australians who are open to changing their religious views has risen from 8% in 2011 to 19% this year. (This looks like a shift from ‘these things are set in cultural stone’ back towards a genuine contest of ideas.)
A Turning of the Tide
McCrindle notes that across the 2010s it was older Australians driving the growth in Christianity. Other studies2 are now showing a surge this decade by younger people. What a turning of the tide!
Let me make three comments:
1. Praise the Lord! He is so good, why should we be surprised that more and more people turn to him?
2. Much gospel work is a matter of sowing and reaping. I’d like to pat on the back all the sacred agents who represented Jesus well when the wind was against them, when following Jesus was uncool. To all the church leaders who’ve worked so hard at child safety and other standards, and to a million anonymous Christians who’ve been quietly washing feet, serving the marginalised, raising kids to know Jesus or praying for Grandkids. Others will reap what you’ve sowed, but you won’t go unrewarded.
3. And when it comes to the Chances – what all this means for your local church or small group or ministry: For all this good news, the biggest factor determining growth is not societal trends, but the extent to which you invite, welcome and include. The likelihood of someone accepting an invitation to church may have risen from 30% to 40%, but 40% of zero is the same as 30% of zero.
Invite, invite! Make hay while the sun shines. And not just your ‘interested’ friends but everyone the Lord loves.
What are the Chances?
Andrew Turneris Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Riho Kroll on Unsplash
‘An Undercurrent of Faith’ – McCrindle, 2025 – full report↩︎
By Andrew Turner, Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.
Church Growth as a Service
It’s hard to talk about church growth, but we need to – particularly in this moment of quiet revival1. We know God wants more people to be reconciled to Him. Yet pursuing growth can feel tainted by (or like flirting with) pride, manipulation, social engineering, and a predatory attitude toward people. None of that smells like Jesus, so conversations about growth often stall in awkward ambivalence.
And yet… we sacred agents remain convicted: God wants more people reconciled to Him. We’re commissioned to make disciples, and disciples are formed in community. So how do we move forward, when it feels Christian to both want growth and not want it?
The Language of Family
The language of family makes a helpful start. In God’s extended family, our local churches are like little households. And in his mercy, he longs for more siblings to be adopted in. To those who receive Jesus and believe in His name, God gives the right to become His children. And a new place is needed at the table for each new child.
This is where churches can set tangible goals that align with God’s kingdom—without coercion, trickery, or sales targets. We can’t make people come to Christ, but we can remove barriers and make space for them.
What if a church of 50 didn’t aim to become 100 just for the sake of numbers, but instead worked to prepare places for 50 more? What if it offered that as a prayer-in-action: by buying more chairs, communion glasses, coffee cups; by preparing to run Alpha; by building a baptism pathway; by planning a sermon series accessible to newcomers; by auditing the liturgy for unintentional exclusivity; by planning ministries for generations not yet present—even building a playground when the youngest member is 57?
Laying A Dare Before God
Some of this may stretch a church’s current capacity—but plan anyway, and pray specifically. Not just “God, send young families,” but “God, help us become the kind of church that’s fully ready to welcome and include young families.”
It’s a noble thing to prepare to feed more mouths and shelter more orphans. When a church gets this in its heart, it both lays a dare before God and also becomes confident to warmly invite others, without pressure. Here’s a great discussion-starter: “If God hand-delivered seekers and new believers to us tomorrow, how many could we take in and nurture? And what’s stopping that number from being higher?”
Here’s a summary of a report from Bible Society UK showing soaring church attendance there – a trend also increasingly evident in Australia. It doesn’t affect all churches. It does disproportionately affect churches that are ready. ↩︎
Andrew Turner is the Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Siya Nzimande on Unsplash
Empowering Spiritual Carers: Sustaining Soul Care Conference
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Spiritual Care continues to be a vital part of any organisation that cares for and about people. Chaplains and Spiritual Carers provide invaluable support and care for others, every day. We give of ourselves to provide holistic care for others. The work of Spiritual Carers is very often unrecognised, unsupported and frequently not acknowledged. This conference hopes to empower our amazing Spiritual Carers and sustain Soul Care.
Wednesday, 28 May 2025 Campbell Town Recreation Complex, 57 High St, Campbell Town, Tasmania Cost $50 to 95
All welcome to celebrate mothers with Perth Baptist Church over a delicious high tea to honour mothers.
Saturday 10 May at 2.00pm Perth Baptist Church, 71 Clarence St, Perth
RSVP by Tuesday, 6 May to 0417 098 233 (and advise any special needs).
Circuit Breaker Program
Monday, 5 May for 10 weeks
Get the tools you need to mend relationships, resolve conflict and stop you blowing your fuse at home.
Hosted by Citywide Baptists as a Tasmanian first, the 10 week Circuit Breaker group course offers trained facilitators and mentors to support participants.
From anger to intimacy Proven strategies to end conflict Restore love, trust and respect
Starts Monday, 5 May, 7:00-9:00 pm at Mornington, Hobart. (Finishes Monday, 7 July)
With the Federal Election coming up on Saturday, 3 May 2025, the Safer World for All campaign is calling on all political parties to commit to a long-term goal: restoring Australian aid to 1% of the Federal Budget. This vision reflects a time when leaders from all sides worked together for a more compassionate and generous Australia.
About the Campaign Safer World for All is a joint initiative by Micah Australia, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), and Global Citizen. It brings together voices from across the faith, development, security, and community sectors to advocate for a stronger, values-based Australian aid program.
Budget Response & Canberra Press Conference Following the recent Federal Budget announcement, Micah Australia and senior Christian leaders gathered in Canberra to speak publicly about the critical importance of international aid in today’s global context.
Sign the Heads of Church Letter Ahead of the election, the Heads of Australia’s Christian denominations have written to political leaders, urging them to protect and prioritise foreign aid.
Add your voice to this call for justice and compassion.
An exciting week awaits at the 23rd Baptist World Congress in Brisbane! Join the global Baptist family for this unforgettable gathering from 7–12 July 2025.
Stay updated on the latest event news and details by visiting the Congress Schedule and FAQs.
Speakers New speakers are being added regularly! Visit the Speakers Page to explore the diverse and international lineup—featuring presenters from every continent offering unique insights and inspiration.
Local Tours Arrive early and explore Brisbane through special Local Tours available Monday to Thursday before the Congress. Highlights include: – Aboriginal Cultural Experience Day Tour – Camping Study Day Tour – Immersive Mission Afternoon Experience
Spots are limited. Registration for all tours closes 7 June.
Global Mission Conference If you’re passionate about mission work, don’t miss the Global Mission Conference on Wednesday, 9 July, just before the Congress begins. Spaces are limited, click here for details and to register.
Preaching Symposium Each afternoon from Thursday to Saturday, the Congress will host a Preaching Symposium featuring: – 2–3 preachers sharing sermons – Interactive Q&A panels on sermon prep, delivery, pastoral leadership, and more.
A great opportunity to grow and be inspired in your ministry!
Language Interpretation To make the Congress accessible, interpretation of plenary sessions will be offered in: French, Portuguese, Spanish, Burmese, Hakha Chin, Korean, and Mandarin. Morning Bible Studies will also be available in these languages.
It’s not too late to participate in Crossover’s Easter Offering this weekend. Crossover’s Easter Offering is an expression of gratitude for Jesus and a commitment to unity as we work together to share His message with others.
Why an Easter Offering? Invest in sharing the great news of Jesus!
The offering supports Crossover as a national Baptist ministry dedicated to equipping churches with resources, training, and encouragement to help Australian Baptists share Jesus effectively.
With a 42% increase in baptisms over the last two years, this work is growing and bearing fruit. Supporting Crossover is an investment in this Kingdom work!
Churches can either contribute directly or run the Easter Offering throughout April.
A panel discussion hosted by the Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network (PIEN). Muslim, Jewish and Christian voices share their stories and visions for peace.
What is the role of religion in the ongoing violence between Israelis and Palestinians?
Are Jews and Muslims historic enemies?
What is the role of Palestinian Christians in the Palestinian national movement?
Panel Yusef al-Reemawi – Palestinian musician and scholar Nachshon Amir – former Israeli army officer Suzan Wahhab – President, Palestinian Christians in Australia
In the lead-up to the Federal Election, Freedom for Faith is partnering with churches across the country to host non-partisan “Meet the Candidate” forums. These forums are designed to give Christians the opportunity to engage directly with local candidates and ask meaningful questions in a respectful and informative environment.
Over 70 forums are being held—covering nearly half of all electorates in Australia—so there’s a good chance there’s one near you.
This website lists all the forums and allows people to search by electorate, postcode or suburb to find their closest forum.
These events are a valuable space for Christian voters to hear where their candidates stand on key issues and for candidates to hear directly from the Christian community.
Let’s ensure the Christian voice is heard in this election season—respectfully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully.
Visit the website to find a forum near you and encourage your church to get involved.
Tasmanian Electorate
Host Church
Date
Braddon
Devonport Anglican
Clark
Your Church Tasmania
Wed 23 April
Franklin
Citywide Baptist Church
Mon 28 April (TBC)
Lyons
East Coast Anglican (Online)
Mon 28 April
Bass
Door of Hope Christian Church
Thu 1 May
Alpha
Mission 25 Update
Mission 25 is a nationwide initiative where churches across Australia unite to share Jesus through prayer, invitation, and running Alpha during Term 2, 2025. It’s a unique opportunity to move together with one heart and one voice to proclaim the good news of Jesus.
The Alpha team is praying bold, God-sized prayers—that this movement will ignite a renewed passion for evangelism and see lives transformed across the country. By coming together in unity, we can fan into flame the ember of evangelism across the country and see many more Aussies transformed by the good news of Jesus.
For youth groups: Check out Life Essentials by Alpha Youth —a series of short, Aussie-made videos designed to spark faith conversations among teenagers.
National Online Prayer meeting onMon 7th April 7:30pm – 8:15pm
Join Baptists from around Australia to pray for the people of Myanmar after years of conflict and now a devastating earthquake. Some of our Australian Baptist pastors and leaders from Myanmar will be part of the prayer meeting and will provide an update on the current situation in their homeland.
Please join with others to stand with our brothers and sisters in and from Myanmar.
Crossover Resources
Easter Sermon Series: Finding the Good Life
Finding the Good Life is a free and adaptable Easter sermon series designed to help your church invite others into the hope found in Jesus Christ. The series includes outlines for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, along with professionally designed artwork for slide templates, social media, and print promotion—everything you need to warmly and widely invite friends and neighbours to discover the true “Good Life” in Christ.
Sermon Outlines:
• Palm Sunday – When the Good Life Comes to You (Luke 19:28–20:8) • Good Friday – A Good Look at the Good Life (Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Passion narratives) • Easter Sunday – Entering the Good Life (1 Corinthians 15)
Easter Offering
Why participate in the National Baptist Easter Offering?
Because it funds the development of resources—like the Finding the Good Life series—that help our movement grow in sharing Jesus. You’ll also gain access to a wealth of free resources. These include invitational graphics and preaching ideas to support your Easter outreach.
The Sanctuary Course
A One-Day Workshop on Domestic Violence
This Saturday, 5 April 2025 Ann Herbert is facilitating a one-day training course on domestic violence. The Sanctuary Courseequips churches to respond to domestic violence with a theologically informed and compassionate approach. It aims to help churches become safer spaces for those affected by abuse.
When: 9:30am – 3:00pm Where: Hobart City Church of Christ Cost: $20 per person (cash on arrival) BYO lunch. Coffee and snacks provided. Free parking available.
Workshop Topics Include: • Understanding domestic violence: definitions, myths, facts, prevalence • Tactics used by perpetrators • Impact on children: trauma and brain development • Spiritual abuse and misuse of Scripture • Theological challenges to reporting abuse • Biblical themes of love, justice, respect, and equality • What a “Sanctuary” church might look like
By Andrew Turner, Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.
Shipwrecked on an Island
Imagine you and I and a hundred others are shipwrecked on an island. As the group figures out how to survive, the two of us explore the interior and stumble across a plentiful spring of fresh water. Eureka!
We grab buckets and cart some down to the thirsty people below. And wow, are they parched! Back up the hill we go to get some more, and down again to deliver. As the days go on, what began as a great discovery becomes hard and relentless work, back and forth, up and down, over and over. Who’d want to be a water-person?
Now I hope you’re thinking: Wouldn’t it make more sense to simply tell the others where they can get the water? To offer to show them the way? Even if only some agree to come, aren’t we all better off? More water-bearers, and more water all round.
More water-bearers — more water all round!
Consider the chain of outcomes if we don’t:
1. Exhaustion. The constant needs of others overwhelm us to the point where we barely have energy to supply water to ourselves and immediate families.
2. Famine. Others then turn to brackish ground water, any water, even seawater, in their thirst – and it drives them mad.
3. Separation. We begin to close our eyes to the thirst-mad islanders. We tell ourselves that they’re not that thirsty, or that they should have been smart enough to discover what we did. Or that some are simply fated to go thirsty.
4.Disbelief. Our growing disinterest in the others is reciprocated: The longer we go without mentioning our discovery, the less inclined they will be to believe we have anything at all. Silence speaks volumes.
5. Judgement. When eventually Rescue comes, and all is said and done, who’s in trouble? You and I are, for privatising the water that was sufficient for all.
Evangelism is a justice issue. The pervasive idea that the noblest form of Christianity is seen-and-not-heard is nonsense. Every person should get to hear the good news that there is living water, that it’s freely available at the Source, and given fair access to the Source.
Conveying water to others is good – don’t put your bucket down! Give people a taste. But conveying a simple message as well weighs nothing and can change everything. Do the thirsty people around you know about living water and how to get it?
Andrew Turner is the Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Benjamin Behre on Unsplash
Learn the skills to accompany others on their spiritual journey in The Art of Spiritual Companioning, commencing March 2025 at the Wellspring Centre.
This is the first of three units (over three years) where you will gain a fusion of skills and knowledge in ancient wisdom of spiritual companioning using theological reflection, creativity and contemplative awareness.
The curriculum focuses on seven key areas: grounded contextual issues, gutsy human dynamics, listening, contemplative heart, practising presence, discernment and illumination.
On successful completion of all three units, you will be awarded a certificate that recognises you as a spiritual companion / director through the Australian Ecumenical Council of Spiritual Direction. Read more about the subject here.
Take up this special opportunity to deepen the way you walk alongside others with a committed and enthusiastic team.
About the Teaching Team The ecumenical Formation Team (Anne Pate, Tim McCowan, Jennifer Guild, Andrew Woff, and Andrea Long) are expert practitioners and seasoned Spiritual Companions / Directors. They work with supervisors and other professionals who are experienced Spiritual Companions, and together they bring a creative and balanced approach to this ministry. Read more about the ASC team here.
For more details or to discuss applications, contact Anne Pate, Program Director at Wellspring Centre. Applications close mid-March.
Mark Stevens in Concert
Your Centre, 29 Charles Street, Moonah
Get ready for an inspiring evening as Mark Stevens returns to his roots in Tasmania, performing new material in an intimate live show on Friday, 7 March 2025, 7–9PM.
Proceeds will support Your Community Food Hub.
Ticket Information
• Pre-sale: $20 per ticket | $18 each for two or more • At the door: $30 each • Under 16s: FREE (booking required)
February is a key month for churches to decide to participate in the Australian Baptist Easter Offering on Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025.
The Easter Offering is an expression of gratitude for Jesus and a commitment to unity as we work together to share His message with others.
The offering supports Crossover—a national Baptist ministry dedicated to equipping churches with resources, training, and encouragement to help Australian Baptists share Jesus effectively.
You may know Crossover from their baptism resources or National Baptism Week, but their impact extends far beyond.
Their website is filled with practical tools and inspiration to help churches engage in evangelism, like their later Easter series called, Finding the Good Life.
Plus a ton of invitational design work and preaching ideas all for free.
Investing in Kingdom work!
With a 42% increase in baptisms over the last two years, this work is growing and bearing fruit. Supporting Crossover is an investment in this Kingdom work!
How to Get Involved
ABM invites all churches to contribute directly or run the Easter Offering throughout April.
If you’d like to promote the Easter Offering your church, check out their Easter Offering resources here and watch the movie below (available on their website).
EmpowHer Day of Wonder
Saturday, 29 March 2025 | Riverlands, Longford
Registrations are pouring in for EmpowHer’s Day of Wonder — a day designed for women to pause, reflect, and rediscover their God-given potential in the company of like-minded women.
This is more than just another women’s event—it’s an opportunity for connection, inspiration, and renewal.
Keynote Speaker is Melissa Lipsett from Baptist World Aid.
Other Speakers: – Anthea Maynard (City Baptist) – Maggie Perkins (Citywide Baptist) – Kristen Cox (Ulverstone Baptist)
Cost: $70 (Includes all activities, morning tea, and lunch)
Don’t miss out!
Join us for a day of wonder, faith, and friendship.
Men, we’d love your help on the day. If you can assist, reach out at empowher@tasbaptists.org.au or call Jenny at 0401 652 566.
Join us for a day of wonder, faith, and friendship!
Baptist Mission Australia
Free Mission Discipleship Course Starts Monday, 3rd March 2025
Trying to find your place in God’s global vision but unsure where to start?
Join the Exploring Mission 2025 online mission discipleship course run by BMA.
This is a dynamic (and free!) course that recognises we’re already living in an intercultural world, and helps us discover our unique place in God’s unfolding story. The course will explore essential questions like:
– What is God doing in our world today?
– What could your role be in God’s global mission?
– How can you meaningfully engage across cultures?
Plus, you’ll have opportunities to connect personally with experienced mission workers.
Join a vibrant learning community of fellow travellers from across Australia and beyond as they explore relevant ways to engage in God’s mission for today’s rapidly changing world.
Classes start on Monday, 3 March and meet Monday evenings in March via Zoom.
Emerge – Next Steps is a free course from the BUV for leaders and ministry teams looking to take the next step in their character and leadership development. Join Bill Brown and Kim Smith on Zoom from Tuesday, 25 February 7:30pm online on any or all of five Tuesday evenings from 7.30 -9.15pm.
Topics for 2025 are:
Leading Self and Leading Others to Lead Self
Learning to Receive and Give Helpful Feedback
Five Things Growing Leaders Keep Doing
Having and Handling Difficult Conversations
Growing as a Public Communicator
There is no cost for the evenings other than your time and willingness to learn and grow and leadership or ministry teams have found it fun to do it together.
Baptist Mission Australia is inviting Baptist churches across the country to be part of the 2025 Ministry Launch! It’s easy to join in—simply share a video during your church service and spend time in prayer for BMA teams, ministry partners, and your local mission throughout February.
Download an A4 page of prayer points here: 📄 Prayer Points
Grab PowerPoint slides to use with your church: 📽️ Prayer Slides
“But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done.” Psalm 73:28
Let’s kick off 2025 together—praying, sharing, and stepping into mission! 🚀 🙏
Citywide Marks Aboriginal Sunday
Sunday 19 January, 2025
Citywide Baptist Church gathered at Risdon Brook Dam on January 19 to commemorate this year’s Aboriginal Sunday, standing on-country and taking in the beauty of God’s creation.
Looking out over the tranquil waters of Risdon Brook Dam, the moment stood in stark contrast to the history just 1km away at Risdon Cove—the site of Tasmania’s first recorded massacre in 1804.
Paul Dare, a proud descendant of Tasmania’s Aboriginal people, shared stories of the past, reflecting on the deep wounds of colonisation and its lasting impact on First Nations communities.
The church stood together in solidarity, praying for a Safe, Free, and Flourishing future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—particularly calling for urgent change in Australia’s judicial system. Right now, an Aboriginal child is 23 times more likely to be under state supervision and 28 times more likely to be detained than a non-Indigenous child.
This 2024 Baptism Report is by Crossover, the national Baptist ministry dedicated to equipping churches with resources, training, and encouragement to help Australian Baptists share Jesus effectively.
With a 42% increase in baptisms over the last 2 years, are Baptists ready for 2025? Last year, Australian Baptist Ministries and Crossover recorded a total of 3,836 baptisms in Australia. That’s a 6.5% increase over 2023’s remarkable number – essentially a 42% increase in two years. That is truly remarkable!
Baptisms were reported by State: 1 – 1,134 in Victoria – 1,073 in NSW/ACT – 858 in Queensland – 396 in WA – 350 in SA/NT – 25 in Tasmania.
Crossover’s prayerful goal is to see twice as many baptisms in 2030 as in 2020. This would require 7.2% cumulative growth each year, represented by the line on this graph. As of now, they are 77 baptisms ahead of schedule! (Perhaps God’s schedule is a steeper line.)
Can We Keep It Up?
Perhaps we should ask whether we can stop it? There are significant signs of a new season in the wider culture, signalled by an increased openness to Christianity, particularly among Gen Z.
Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised? Acts 8:36
Arguably, a few key factors will determine the extent to which our movement will reap this harvest. These include: – Can we identify and remove stumbling blocks that stand in the way of people moving toward Christianity? – Are we too selective in whom we invite and include, or reluctant to extend grace? – Is there any ‘elder brother’ in us? – Can the Baptist movement pivot quickly enough from a defensive stance, built up over decades, to a mode of opportunity? – Can Baptists swing from a pessimistic mindset into making hay while the sun shines?
Attending to the Basics
Baptism numbers are not only correlated to the ebbs and flows of wider culture, but more directly to what our churches prioritise. They are highly correlated to invitations – to read the Bible together, to Alpha, to church, and to entrust and submit oneself to Christ in baptism.
‘Invitation should be our watchword across the rest of the decade.’
Baptism Resources
Crossover is continuing to invest in baptism resources. Such as, a new booklet for kids and youth, and the Count Me In brochure being translated into a whole range of other languages. There’s also National Baptism Week continues to spotlight our privilege and responsibility to invite more and more people into life in God’s kingdom. Finally, stay tuned also for a major new evangelism training course being developed for release later in the year.)
Each association gathers data as best it can from a dispersed movement, and some conservative estimation forms part of the total figure. ↩︎
February is a great month for churches to decide whether they’ll participate in the Australian Baptist Easter Offering.The Easter Offering is an expression of gratitude for Jesus and a commitment to unity as we work together to share His message with others.
