Crossover Archives - Tasmanian Baptists

October 25, 2023November 30, 2023

reCharge NEWS October 2023

25th October 2023 | reCharge News

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Support those affected by the Middle East Crisis

Baptist World Aid are taking action. You can too.

Baptist World Aid have activated a disaster appeal to respond to this unfolding crisis and enable local Christian Partners to provide urgent assistance to civilians affected by the conflict as soon as humanitarian corridors are open.

Together, we’re grieving the violence that is causing immeasurable suffering, and mourning with those whose loved ones have been killed or are being held captive. We’re distressed for the one million people who’ve been displaced, and all those innocent civilians living in fear across the region today.

Baptist World Aid request the help of the Baptist Family. Donations will enable local Christian Partners to provide urgent assistance to families affected by this conflict as soon as possible.

Appeal details. DONATE HERE > | Resources for churches are also available >

Baptist churches across Israel and the Palestinian territories, including Gaza Baptist Church, have requested fervent prayer for peace. ‘Let us follow paths of peacemaking that unequivocally reject terrorism or any acts that target civilians,’ the Baptist World Alliance said, in a statement on behalf of churches in the region, ‘Let us generously provide help and support with the compassion of Christ.’

Please join us in praying for peace, hope and security for the entire region, so all can enjoy fullness of life as he intends. We’re yearning for the day the prophet Isaiah spoke of when swords will be beaten into ploughshares. (Isaiah 4:1) 

Hiroshima Survival

Original Documentary: Australian Veteran’s Incredible Story

This documentary features Dennis and Laura Ludbey formerly of Ulverstone Baptist Church.

mainly music at Westbury

Westbury Baptist have established mainly music in order to connect strategically with families in their local community.

Children and their parents enjoy songs and activities together. Parents and carers discover others in their community and form friendships.

Through the program, Westbury Baptist will have an opportunity to reveal Jesus through their interaction and engagement. Together, with the support of mainly ministries, they’ll be creating a joy-filled community of belonging.

First time free, then $5 per family. Ages 0-4 plus parents/carers.

Westbury Baptist Church, 53 Franklin Street, Westbury, TAS 7303

Doors open at 9:45 and music starts at 10am, followed by morning tea and play time.

Find out more >

Farewell Mal Garvin

18 November 1941 – 3 October 2023

Family and friends were warmly invited to attend the memorial service of Mal Garvin at 11:30am on Thursday 12th October at Citywide, 400 Cambridge Rd, Mornington.

READ: An article about the service on Thursday 12th October, including an overview of Mal’s life.
WATCH: The entire service on YouTube.

Mal Garvin memorial service, 11:30am Thurs 12th October 2023, Citywide Baptist Church Mornington

Follower of Jesus, loved and loving husband of Jenny. Loved and loving father and father-in-law of Matt and Leeanne, Liz and David, Danni and Dan, Nathaniel and Renee. Proud and loved Papa of Maddi, Josh (and Jen), Dan, Sophie (and Mitch), Simeon, Anya, Zoe, Josuahm, Ollie, Bridie, Lilly and Tim.
Friend and mentor to hundreds across the country and around the world.

Domestic Violence Resources

The Safer Spaces Toolkit

An endorsed project of Australian Baptist Ministries, The Safer Space Toolkit is aimed at resourcing pastors and church leaders to address domestic abuse and build relationally healthy communities.

FIND OUT MORE: Preaching tools, training sessions, videos and user guide.
WATCH the introductory video, below

This project started as a result of recognising domestic abuse resources were often available only by region, and there was a need to create a resource that could be accessed by any pastor anywhere, with access to the Internet.

The project working group is made up of Baptist women from around the country who have expertise in pastoral leadership, theology, teaching, domestic abuse and project management.

Compliance Reminder

Is your church ChildSafe?

The Safe Church deadline is fast approaching! 1st January 2024 is the date to meet all the Safe Church requirements, as set out by the Child and Youth Safe Organisations Act approved by parliament in May 2023.

Training has begun in every region of the state. If your church has not yet begun the process, you are encouraged to get onto it urgently.

As a refresher, you could read the article by Administrator Rodney Marshall which was published in June: Safe Churches Update >

For more information please contact:

General queries: Rodney Marshall rodney@tasbaptists.org.au
North: Linda Guy lgu80777@bigpond.net.au; Nikki Holdsworth nikki.holdsworth@hotmail.com
Northwest: Owen Muskett omuskett58@gmail.com
South: Matt Henderson matt@hobartbaptist.org.au

LifeWay comes 3rd!

Crossover Quiz Night Results

Australia’s Baptistist Quiz Night

Well done to all the teams who participated in the online quiz night on Saturday 2nd September. A big thank you from Crossover for joining in!

Cossover raised just over $1,100 from the night.

Special mention to the top 3 teams:

1. Knightsbridge Baptist Church SA
2. Richmond Baptist Church SA
3. Lifeway Devonport Tas

State Leaderboard:

South Australia/Northern Territory
Tasmania (Woohoo! Go Tasmania!)
Western Australia
Queensland
New South Wales/ACT
Victoria

Funeral Notice

Farewell Markus Sebastian

1963-2023

Friends and relatives were invited to attend the service to celebrate the life of Mr Markus Sebastian at Gateway Baptist Church 22 Wellington Street, Launceston on Friday 29th September 2023, commencing at 11 am.

The service was conducted by Rev. Michael Eleveld, St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Launceston. This invitation was extended to those who knew Markus. He would have loved to see people he knew there.

Please also be in prayer for Stephanie Sebastian (SU Tas), daughter Charlie and son Michel.

Australian Christian Book Awards 2023

The Australian Christian Literature Awards encourage Christian writing and publishing that helps people discover Jesus in a way that is authentic and culturally meaningful. The SparkLit Awards recognise and encourage excellence in Australian Christian writing and publishing.

Held recently in Melbourne, the awards revealed some amazing writers along with their books. Check out the shortlisted books as well, because they also produced some gems. (Maybe there’s some Christmas shopping in the wind today?)

WINNER! Australian Christian Book of the Year 2023

Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkin
A philosopher uses the Bible to analyse and interpret contemporary Western culture.

Australian Christian Book of the Year award winner 2023

WINNER! Australian Christian Teen Writer 2023

Caleb MacLaren from Victoria won the 2023 Australian Christian Teen Writer Award with his screenplay The Journey.

In a modern twist on the Noah’s Ark story, this script follows four companions as they navigate an empty world devastated by an alien attack.

Australian Christian Teen Writer of the Year award winner 2023

Fostering Hope

Mentoring Program in Hobart

The next Fostering Hope training day is in Hobart on Saturday, October 14.

Fostering Hope are a community organisation whose work comes from the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to ‘visit’ and ‘care for’ orphans and widows, to put the lonely in families, to love the fatherless, to care for children, and to love the neighbours in the communities. Tasmanian Baptists partner with Fostering Hope partner to provide foster care to Tasmanian children.

Through their Mentoring Program, Fostering Hope seeks to provide a “friend with purpose” for kids in care.

If you are looking for a way to live out your faith in caring for those in need, you can make a difference for a child in care. Please get in touch to talk about how to be equipped with training, connected with a child, and provided with ongoing support as you mentor. With just a few hours a month, you can significantly impact the life of a child in care for the better.

Find out more or apply HERE | Reach out to Ellie (ellie@fosteringhope.net.au).

Fostering Hope Mentoring Day, Hobart 14th October 2023
ReCharge News October 2023

Crossover Resource

Baptism Week Ideas Guide

15-22 October 2023

National Baptism Week will be an opportunity for churches, youth groups, small groups and ministries across Australia to celebrate, explore and offer baptism.
Check out the short explainer video and Ideas Guide, as well as baptism resources on our new Baptism Hub. Joining in is very simple – no need to register or report back – you can use Baptism Week in your own way.

DOWNLOAD IDEAS GUIDE

The Scandal and the Wonder

Ready for Baptism? - Crossover reflection from Andrew Turner

Baptism Week

Who’s Ready for Baptism?

Andrew Turner of Crossover reflects in his Sacred Agents blog.

When is a person ready fro Baptism? Sacred Agents #121
Photo by Amonwat Dumkrut on Unsplash

I’ve been working on baptism resources lately, and it’s mainly straightforward. But there are curly issues too, like the question, “When is a person ready to be baptised?”

There are extreme answers to this. Some denominations say ‘At birth!’ Others, concerned about post-baptism sin, have concluded ‘Just before death!’ You’ve likely narrowed it down somewhat from those extremes, but the question remains.

If we baptise people on their first interest in Jesus, how do we know it isn’t merely a crush? Six weeks later they might be into Buddha or basket-weaving. It’s not a new phenomenon – the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13) speaks of flash-in-the-pan believers as one of four main types of people who hear the gospel.

But if we delay, how long? For there’s another type (thorny ground) who hang around much longer but in the end are similarly unproductive. And Jesus’ next Parable (The Wheat and Weeds) speaks to the difficulty of discerning which is which anyway.

Baptism, historically

In the 3^rd to 5^th Centuries, churches enrolled new believers into several years of instruction in faith and morals. Their way of life was closely observed. The final hurdle was to learn the creed and be able to recite it by heart. Then baptism. There’s something admirable about the commitment to intentional discipleship, but there’s something troubling too.

The scandal and wonder of the gospel is that people can be reconciled to God instantaneously. The returning prodigal isn’t required to spend a few years in the workers’ quarters, proving his reformation. He gets the ring of family-belonging only five minutes after turning up in rags.

The scandal and wonder of the gospel is that people can be reconciled to God instantaneously.
Andrew Turner, Crossover

Learning vs Earning

Discipleship is a process, certainly. But it’s at our peril that we shape it (or allow it to be perceived) as a staircase up to acceptance with God and inclusion with his people.

So what’s the choice? Shall we be casual, or die-hard? Lax, or strict?

It needn’t be so binary. Why not have a rigorous system for strengthening new believers, but place baptism at the start rather than the end?

There’s a new life to learn, but it’s not something we earn. Dallas Willard aptly put it, ‘Grace is not opposed to effort, it’s opposed to earning.’

How do you know if someone is ready for Baptism? Dallas Willard said: ‘Grace is not opposed to effort, it’s opposed to earning.’

When the Ethiopian eunuch says ‘There’s a pool of water – what’s to stop me being baptised?’ we don’t see Philip answering, ‘Well you’ve only passed the Isaiah exam.’ But neither does the New Testament see disciple-making as dipped-and-done. Baptism has always been an initiation – a start line.

Some will start and then stumble. But the danger of baptising someone who may fall away is vastly outweighed by the danger of withholding baptism because they might. It is best, I think, to baptise all who are willing to follow Jesus . . . straight into a supportive and disciplined community.

Andrew Turner is the Director of Crossover.
Crossover exists to Help Australian Baptists Share Jesus.

Check out the Baptism Hub on crossover.org.au/baptism

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October/November/December 2023

Day of Courage en-courages by Fiona Bradley
Around the Churches October-November 2023
Tasmanian Baptist Council Featuring new council members 2022-23
October Assembly Report by Alan Firth
Wynyard Baptist Church Profile by Pastor Owen Muskett
Converge23 Australian Baptists in Canberra, by Ps Anthea Maynard
Ministry Profile Anna-Maree Richardson, Assistant Administrator
Our New College! Announcement from the Tasmanian Baptist Council
What do we do with the Past? Theology & Culture by Rev Dr Megan Powell du Toit
October NEWS | November NEWS | December NEWS

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When is a person ready for baptism?

When is a person ready for Baptism?

August 30, 2023October 16, 2023

ReCharge NEWS August 2023

30th August 2023 | ReCharge News

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NEWS FROM CROSSOVER

Crossover Baptism Week

15th to 21st October

National Baptism Week will be an opportunity for Baptist churches, youth groups, small groups and ministries across Australia to celebrate, explore and offer baptism.

Watch the explainer video and ideas pack. Joining in will be very simple – no need to register or report back – you can use Baptism Week in your own way.

Check out the new Baptism Hub which also includes new baptism resources and more to come.

Explore the Baptism Hub

Free seminar in Hobart

Sharing Hope in Crisis

As the Church, we are representatives of Jesus, bringing compassion and comfort to our world. Sharing Hope in Crisis further equips us to do this well, allowing people to journey through a life-changing circumstance.

This seminar is to provide resource and equip you to help those going through crisis. Tea and coffee and light refreshments available. Bring your lunch, or choose from local cafes.

Let’s learn more on how to journey with someone through crisis, grief and difficult life changing circumstances.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:)

Sharing hope in Crisis Seminar

Date: Saturday 23rd September 2023
Time: 8.30am for a 9.00am start – 4.00 pm finish
Venue: Your Church, (29 Charles Street, Moonah)
RSVP’s required for venue and resource supplies.

Crossover Fundraiser

Australia’s Baptistist Quiz Night

8pm, Saturday 2nd September

Yes – Baptistist is now a word!

What happens when 1000 churches and six associations go head-to-head? Let’s find out!

Grab some friends and some nibbles and a laptop and a phone and make a team to represent your church! Suggested donation of $10/person to register.

The quiz will happen over Zoom, so you’ll need a laptop (or other Zoom-able device) positioned so your team can see, hear and be seen.

FIND OUT MORE >

APBF Sunday, 20th August

Save Manipur Day of Prayer

Join this important day of prayer for our Baptist family in India who are suffering.

Every year, on the 3rd Sunday in August, the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation proclaims a Day of Prayer for a specific area in the region.

In 2023, the focus is on Manipur, India. FIND OUT MORE >

Sadly, more than 120 people have been killed, 250 places of worship destroyed or damaged and up to 50,000 people displaced. More than 1,700 homes are now seriously damaged or destroyed as a result of the recent violence.

Rev. Prof. Akheto Sema, General Secretary, CBCNEI (Council of Baptist Churches, Northeast India) writes:

The State of Manipur requires unceasing and deepest concern. Due to recent unrest and violence which started from 3rd May 2023 thousands of men, women and children are displaced, rendered homeless and are made to suffer.

Several churches destroyed and burnt down, houses belonging to the victims burnt down; children and college/university going students had to seek admissions outside of Manipur since the institutions are closed.

RESOURCES

APBF PRAYER POINTS/INFO

APBF SUNDAY POWERPOINT

Where are All the New Atheists?

Olive Tree Media Webinar series with Karl Faase

Wednesday 6th September, 7.00pm AEST

Olive Tree Media’s 2023 Webinar Series has been amazing and there have been some incredible guests share their expertise and wisdom.

In the next instalment, Karl Faase will host Justin Brierley for:

Why New Atheism Grew Old
Justin Brierley on his forthcoming book ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’

BOOK YOUR SPOT HERE

Citywide Celebrates!

75 Years of Witness

On Sunday, 6th August, Citywide Baptist celebrated the 75^th anniversary of the commencement of the Lenah Valley Church. About 120 past members and adherents were present at the celebration.

Citywide Lenah Valley celebrates their 75th Anniversary

The anniversary occasion was held at the Lenah Valley Church following the morning service. As part of the celebration, a printed history was made available entitled 75 Years of Christian Witness. A History of the Lenah Valley Baptist Church, by Laurie Rowston and Maurice French.

75 Years of Christian Witness. A History of the Lenah Valley Baptist Church — Cover of the book, launched on the day

The work began when the leadership of the Hobart Baptist Tabernacle saw the need for outreach in this growing suburb. To that end, the afternoon Sunday school was commenced in the Community Hall, on 1st August 1948.

The afternoon Sunday school was the only Christian witness in the suburb at that time. Today the Lenah Valley congregation is part of the Hobart Citywide Church, which includes the Citywide Hobart Nepalese Church.

Office Administrator Position

Newstead Christian School

Established in 1996 to provide a distinctly Christian education, Newstead Christian School is a friendly and supportive school community comprising of 120 students from K-10, in stunning Launceston, Tasmania.

Committed to equipping and empowering our students to serve wherever God might call them, we focus on teaching the Australian Curriculum from a biblical perspective; support-ing students to grow in character and faith, as well as academic and sporting excellence.

We are currently seeking a person with excellent interpersonal and communication skills to join our cohesive team here at NCS from the beginning of Term Three.

Position Overview As part of the school office team, this employee provides a broad range of general administrative support consisting of effective client (Children, Teachers, Other Staff, Parents, Suppliers, etc.) services and advice and operation of school-based systems.

HOURS: 8.30am-3.30pm, Mon- Fri, 42 weeks/year.
ALLOWANCES: 11% Superannuation and standard leave allowances.
JOB-SHARING? Possible, should two suitable candidates present themselves.
POSITION DESCRIPTION/APPLICATION FORM: Visit the NCS website at ncs.tas.edu.au
SUBMIT BY: Friday 25th August 2023 to principal@ncs.tas.edu.au,

Youth Alive Undivided

NORTH: 6pm 18th August | NW: 6pm 19th August | SOUTH: 6pm 25th August

BOOK NOW

VOLUNTEER

In August, Youth Alive are running “Undivided” – three regional youth gatherings. They would love to invite your youth ministry and young people!

Youth Alive’s mission is to reach young people with the message of Jesus. They believe these events will see youth ministries united, faith ignited, momentum gained, and young people respond to the Gospel!

Outreach events are a great way to unite young people, reach youth, and share the truth of Jesus. At every one of these events attendees will be invited to a local church or youth ministry as a next step of faith. They would like to partner with you to help reach the next generation.

The Youth Alive team are building volunteer teams for each of these events. If you would like to volunteer, please click the button, below.

We are a Royal Priesthood

Sacred Agents

Six Simple Questions

Crossover Director Andrew Turner considers the work of ‘a royal priesthood’ in his latest blog.

Sacred agents have a priestly duty – in fact sacred agent is just a fun way of saying priest. All of Jesus’ people are called into one version or another of this ministry, and together we are being formed as “a royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2), which will never not be amazing.

Priests always face two ways – towards God and towards people. To be effective as sacred agents, let’s not only think about how we talk to people, but also how we talk to God. So whether you’re going brilliantly or feeling far from effective, here are some great questions/requests you could bring to him.

1. “Would you please fill me with your Spirit?”

Jesus is the vine and we’re the branches. We can only give to others what we ourselves have received, so all effective sacred agents have found ways to ask and to receive much from God. The good news is that God eager to give! Jesus couldn’t have been more emphatic about this: We’re not only allowed to ask for God’s Spirit, we’re urged to. (Luke 11) Amazing things happen when God pours his love into our hearts. And apart from this, not much really happens at all.

2. “Please show me where I’m blocking your flow.”

Jesus was equally emphatic in teaching that God’s blessings are not just for us but are to be through us. “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink … streams of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7) But there can be objects, attitudes, habits, fears or doubts that choke the ministry God wants us to have and reduce it down to a trickle. Asking God to bring such things to light is highly strategic and good us as well as others.

If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink … streams of living water will flow from within them.
John 7:37-38 Berean Study Bible

3. “To whom are you sending me to today?”

It’s easy for us to look at our day and just see tasks, appointments and duties. God sees people. And if we’re available to Him, there will be people he wants us to not just brush past, or even for us to go out of our way to meaningfully connect with on his behalf.

4. “Please give me a real sense of how much you love them.”

We’re usually called to be more than messengers, who simply say ‘God wants you to know XYZ’. Even if all we have for someone is a brief word, we’ll be much more likely to share it (and share it well) if we have a sense of how deeply and powerfully God longs for them.

5. “Who should I partner with in blessing them?”

This question moves us from seeing ourselves as solo superheroes. We may have individual assignments from God for sure, but often we’re called to work as a body, which is wonderful and powerful and a witness in itself. If someone has a need and the solution is not in my hand, my hand may still have a role to play – pointing, connecting, or passing along.

6. “Please give me wisdom and courage to know and play my part today.”

Along with God’s Spirit, wisdom is the other thing that the Bible makes clear we’re allowed to ask for with guaranteed results. A sacred agent is not called to do everything, nor to do nothing. We just need to know our part and be ready to play it.

Be transformed

It’s possible that the simplicity of these questions could have disappointed you. They’re not exactly rocket science, are they? But for those who dare to actually ask them, there’s transforming power that leaves rocketry looking pretty boring by comparison.

Andrew Turner is the director of Crossover, and author of the Sacred Agents blog

Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.

Crossover exists to Help Australian Baptists Share Jesus.
Browse all our resources on crossover.org.au

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August/September 2023

It’s a New Day Karen Wilson, Day of Courage Keynote Speaker
Around the Churches August-September 2023
The Point Baptist Church Profile
EmpowHer Day of Courage All women welcome!
Foster Care Sunday Coming in September
Redeeming Redemption Stephen Baxter, from the Mission and Leadership Team
Ministry Profile Michael Henderson
August NEWS | September NEWS

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Sacred Agents

June 14, 2023August 7, 2023

Possible Steps to Positive Shifts

Dive into Diversity, Photo by Matthew de Livera on Unsplash

Sacred Agents

Diving Into Diversity

In this Sacred Agents blog, Crossover Director Andrew Turner explores how we can shift demographics by diving Into diversity.

My father always enjoys belting out Amazing Grace in church, not least because he likes to tweak the second line to “…that saved a wretch like TREVOR SMITH” (or some other friend within earshot). God’s grace for people like you and me (and Dad) is truly amazing. Amazing too is his grace for people who are unlike you and me.

As such, God’s Spirit is often prompting and challenging us to see a greater diversity in our churches and groups. How often have you said or heard, ‘It would be great to have more [insert demographic] people here’, referring to a missing segment that might be generational, racial, economic, intellectual, or something else in nature.

It just doesn’t seem right for God’s family to be segregated, so we want to listen to those nudges of the Spirit. But what to do about them?

Possible Steps

There’s a whole range of possible steps, and let’s put them along an imaginary spectrum:

Down one end would be practical and immediate actions, such as going straight to the people you’d love to have with you and simply inviting them. Thoughtful arrangements to make space for them would be down that end too.

At the other end of the spectrum are deep, underlying heart issues and systemic norms that may need to be addressed. These might include raising awareness, prayers of repentance, symbolic steps towards reconciliation, and contemplating your way through a heap of books and conferences.

The trouble is, where to start? If you start at the first end, you hope to solve the issue within a fortnight. But your efforts may quickly be stymied by the systemic and underlying stuff. “We saw that we were missing young people, so we invited them, they didn’t come, so I guess we can say we tried.”

But if you start at the other end, you can feel that any real progress will take 100 years. And you can take 100 years of talking and praying and thinking about the people you’re missing, and wondering whether your group is even a thing that would be good for them, and even whether your group should exist at all.

It means well at first, but it can become busy work that is essentially procrastination which perpetuates the status quo. You are always inching closer to, but conveniently never achieving the aim. “We can always say that we’re taking steps.”

So what do we do?

How can we make real progress to see the body of Christ actually come together more fully? I suggest starting at both ends at the same time. Each will serve the other. The practical end will bring to light what underlying work is (and what isn’t) necessary, and the underlying work will shape the practical actions to be less and less clumsy and more and more wholehearted.

May the Spirit give us all the wisdom, humility and love we need – and also all the shrewdness, daring and energy of faith – to be effective agents of reconciliation as the body of Christ builds itself up in love.

Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.

Crossover exists to Help Australian Baptists Share Jesus.
Browse all our resources on crossover.org.au

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June/July 2023

Deep Thought July 2023 Our Expanding Horizons by Stephen Baxter
Missional Leadership by Bree Mills
Ministry Profile, Scott Pilgrim Baptist Mission Australia
Around the Churches June/July 2023 Updates from Tas Baptist churches
Mentoring Training with Fostering Hope
Tuning in to the Heart of God by Jenna Blackwell, Mission and Leadership Coach
Safe Churches Update by TB Administrator Rodney Marshall
Discovering Deep, Resilient Faith by Melanie Saward
June NEWS | July NEWS

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Diving Into Diversity

April 26, 2023June 19, 2023

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.

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 – 3^rd 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:

DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE

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.

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

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

An Easter Exercise

Sacred Agents Easter 2023 by Abdrew Turner, Crossover; Photo by lilartsy on Unsplash

An Easter Exercise

*Exscribo Divina

SACRED AGENTS is a blog by Andrew Turner, Director of Crossover

Ten or twelve years ago, while chatting socially with a woman who worked as a psychologist, I mentioned rather sheepishly that I had a fear of flying. “You should come and see me,” she said, “I can help with that.” Before I could deflect, she added, “You know, often it’s associated with a childhood trauma. Were you in an accident when you were young?”

Indeed I was. Intrigued, I asked what could be done, and to her financial detriment she just said, “Well, come and see me if you like. But you might find that just having had this conversation will have helped.” What? A passing conversation of all of two minutes?

But then the strangest thing happened. When I next flew – some weeks later – the fear was just gone. I am still absolutely amazed by this, that just a few words can have such power, power beyond argument or persuasion or logic. It’s like she had spoken directly to my nervous system.

It’s time to get your pen and notebook!

If you’ve been following Jesus for a while, Easter can be a little strange. We celebrate the heart of the good news, but it doesn’t seem like news anymore. We know how it goes. God bless all the preachers stretching their heads to come up with a fresh angle on this old story! But Easter can just come and go, if we let it.

So here’s a little exercise I’ve found helpful to keep the heart from dozing: Copy out Mark 14-16 and Isaiah 53. Copying Scripture* is slow.

Slow enough that sure, I notice little things I hadn’t considered so much before. But it’s not about that – it’s about letting the words hit me in a different way. I’ve just been immersing myself in the wonder of it all. Opening myself up to “just having had this conversation” with God.

Making a difference

My intention here isn’t to know more. Perhaps it’s to know better or deeper. My fear of flying wasn’t logical, and it wasn’t fixed by following logical steps. I did get information, but strangely sideways, so that it got deep enough in me to make a genuine difference.

This is not just something we can do for ourselves, but with others too.

Perhaps there’s someone in your life who’d be willing just to read through it with you? Not for analysis or explanation or even persuasion – you might find there’s other powerful ways that God works his healing magic both in and through you.

Andrew Turner is Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries.Crossover exists to Help Australian Baptists Share Jesus.

Please support the Crossover Easter Offering in 2023.
FIND OUT HOW by checking our March News, OR visit Crossover Easter

*You can call it Exscribo Divina if the people you’re trying to impress only speak Latin.

ReCharge NEWS March 2023

22nd March 2023 | ReCharge News

Click Item to Read

CROSSOVER Easter Resources

FROM crossover.org.au

watch ally & sally

Mid-Year Assembly

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

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 trialling an online payment/registration system. So watch out for that!

National Neighbour Day

Sunday 26th March 2023

REENGAGE, REIMAGINE, REALIGN. These are familiar words for Tasmanian Baptists! And what better day to reengage with your local area than on National Neighbours Day.

As you choose to connect with your local community, let’s be “Neighbours Every Day”, and celebrate National Neighbours Day.

The day comes up on the last Sunday of March every year. It is a “call to action for everyone in Australia (individuals, community groups, business and governments) to take everyday actions that create social connection and foster respectful relationships,” says Nick Tebbey, National Executive Officer of Relationships Australia.

Neighbuiors Every Day Campaign by Relationships Australia

Relationships Australia believe respectful relationships are essential for the wellbeing of children, families, individuals and communities. They advocate and promote the importance of respectful relationships, with respect to positive individual mental health outcomes and general community outcomes.

See Relationships Australia (Tasmania) for counselling services and other resources.

Revival – in Tasmania?

In the US there has been much talk about the revival at Asbury University in Kentucky. However, nearly a century ago, a revival happened here too!

Back in 1924 , Sheffield Baptist was the place where the Holy Spirit came with an outpouring over four years. Sadly, the revival then died out – some would even say it was killed. There is much we can learn from the story.

Tasmanian Baptist Historian Laurie Rowston speaks with Matt Garvin (Citywide) about this unprecedented, and never repeated, era in our past.

WATCH video, below | DOWNLOAD the Sheffield story to read

Vale Rev. Richard Measham

24^th June 1948 – 7^th March 2023, Brisbane, Queensland, after a long illness.

Richard Measham was born in Salisbury, England, and grew up in rural Tasmania in Smithton. In their youth, he and his brother Jack were befriended by the Rev. Bill Day of the Independent Baptist church in Smithton. They both eventually entered the Baptist Christian ministry.

Initially, Richard qualified as a diesel fitter. Then, in 1973 Richard commenced study at the World Evangelism Crusade in St. Leonards, Launceston, with a view to overseas mission work. However, the mission work was not to be. While on mission experience in Rosebery, on Tasmania’s west coast, he met Helen Smith, a Primary School Teacher.

Subsequently, in 1975, Richard went to the Petershead Baptist church in Adelaide and worked there part-time for 18 months, while Helen trained at the Sydney Missionary and Bible College. Richard then returned to Tasmania and became Assistant to the Rev. Robert Beeston at the Memorial Baptist Church (now Gateway).

Married life

Richard and Helen married on 17^th January 1976. They began at the Claremont Baptist Church in February 1979. Richard was ordained to the Christian ministry on 15^th September 1989.

In 1993/94, Richard was President of the Tasmanian Baptist Union. In 1993 he commenced at the Moonah Church and served there until it closed in 2003. He became the ABMS (Australian Baptist Missionary Society) Secretary of Tasmania. As a result he took a one-month overseas trip to China, Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Later, another trip, to Africa, both on behalf of the Society.

Helen died on 11^th October 2013. They had two children, Andrew and Christy. Richard married again, this time to Nicola Stacey, and in 2021 they moved to Queensland. Richard is remembered has a man with a pastor’s heart.

Laurie Rowston

Memorial service: 2:30pm, Wednesday 15^th March 2023, Philip Stephens Funerals, Rosny

Burial of Richard’s ashes: 1:30pm, Thursday 16^thMarch, 2023, Circular Head Lawn Cemetery, Stanley

Domestic Violence Resources

The Safer Spaces Toolkit

An endorsed project of Australian Baptist Ministries, The Safer Space Toolkit is aimed at resourcing pastors and church leaders to address domestic abuse and build relationally healthy communities.

The project working group is made up of Baptist women from around the country who have expertise in pastoral leadership, theology, teaching, domestic abuse and project management.

FIND OUT MORE: Preaching tools, training sessions, videos and user guide.
WATCH the introductory video, below

Heartlands News – Autumn 2023

Heartlands aims to speak about things of the heart to women of our heart-shaped island.

Read About

World Day of Prayer success
Northern event, Friday 17th March
Women in Leadership
WANTED! Team member in the South
Learn to Live with Less

READ Heartlands | SUBSCRIBE to Heartlands

DOCO: Is the Church a Blessing?

From Launceston Alive

A colourful portrait of brokenness, and hope of repair, this video assembles a narrative kaleidoscope of lost youth, drug addiction, refuge from war, disability and those searching for a brighter path through imperfection.

The 48-mintue documentary features Kay Hunter, Maddy Svoboda, Guy Barnett and Jeff McKinnon – and many other local Christian leaders.

SU Tas Chaplaincy Challenge

COAST TO COAST WALK, CYCLE, RUN, SWIM

SU Tas Coast to Coast Chaplaincy Challenge 446 kms, 11 March to 30 April

Crossover Christmas Resources

Christmas Ideas

Crossover Resources provided for Baptist churches

VIDEOS TO WATCH OR SHARE

1. Santa vs Jesus – highly recommended

God is not a Santa in the Sky A short, fun, poetic Christmas video (3m) by Glen Scrivener

2. Peace, Hope and Joy at Christmas

Outreach Christmas video (3m 18s) produced in conjunction with Olive Tree Media

SERMON/MESSAGE RESOURCES

Missing Peace?

This Advent and Christmas series was developed by Crossover. It is adaptable for use in all kinds of churches, highly invitable, and full of the great news about Jesus.

The series title, Missing Peace? is, of course, a two-sided play on words. It calls to all who thirst for peace, and hints at a ‘missing piece’ which is Christ the cornerstone.

Resource Includes

Five message outlines can be used in any order, with each standing alone.

Missing Global Peace
Missing Relational Peace
Missing Personal Peace
Missing Everyday Peace
Finding the Missing Peace

Easy-to-edit artwork for invitations and promotions

High quality themed artwork
Customise and edit using Microsoft Office apps
- Social media posts
- Postcards
- Posters
- PowerPoint slides

To develop this resource, Crossover partnered with Pastors Miranda Dixon, Jason Hoet and Kerry Davies; and cross-cultural worker, Luke Hutchinson (Baptist Mission Australia).

DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

DOWNLOAD WHOLE RESOURCE

EVEN MORE CROSSOVER CHRISTMAS RESOURCES!

All ready and available to use. Check them out here >

Christmas Resources 20

Read ReCharge

October/November 2022

Christmas Events Tasmanian Baptist churches celebrate! (from 14th December)
Deep Thought Dec 2022 The Change Makers by Melissa Lipsett BWA
How did we do in 2022? From the Mission Leadership Team
AROUND THE CHURCHES October/November 202
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY Report by Anthea Maynard
FAMINE In the Horn of Africa Melissa Lipsett, CEO Baptist World Aid
PRISON MINISTRY By Cameron Brett of Prison Fellowship Tasmania
DEEP THOUGHT The Sound of Silence By Denise Stephenson
FROM THE MISSION DIRECTOR: Does God Really Care? By Stephen Baxter
SCHOOLS MINISTRY: Mustard Lives Transformed by Jesus
CHURCH PROFILE: Newstead Baptist

October 2022 NEWS | November 2022 NEWS

Recent (PDF) Issues of ReCharge

Christmas Resources 2022

November 23, 2022February 22, 2023

ReCharge NEWS November 2022

ABOVE: Assembly October 2022, L to R – Paul Manning (BWA); Sherry and Geoff Maddock (BMA); Stephen Baxter and Ben Cochrane; Worship time; Those Gathered!

23rd November 2022 | ReCharge News November 2022

Table of Contents

Faith and the Arts Summer School

Returning to the Hive of Inspired Creativity

POATINA: Sunday 8^th to Friday 13^th January 2023

W: faithandthearts.org.au | poatinaarts.org.au
E: fata@poatinaarts.org.au
M: 0425 275 013
Registration and Pricing > (THIS could be a wonderful Christmas gift for a loved one!)

This year’s theme: Hive.

After two years online, the annual faith and the arts school in Poatina will be held in-person!

Whether discovering FATA for the first time or returning – you can explore how to infuse faith with art, and art with faith.

The FATA team are praying for God’s grace on the time of encouraging, up-skilling and living in community.

Get ready to continue your creative journey …

The Gatherings Team are planning a spiritual and creative journey that will have attendees chewing on how, why and what we communicate, with our diverse creative languages.

Keynote Speaker: Lucinda Coleman

TOM and PAT

A new book by Ivan Jordan (Yolla Baptist)

Forward by Rev. Tim Costello AO

Tom Fleming is one of my heroes; a man who suffered under the Japanese in WW2 but turned his suffering into service of the Warlpiri people at Yuendumu. I am proud to be a Baptist Minister because of the character and witness of this spiritual giant. Ivan Jordan has given us a jewel in providing understanding of one of the most significant chapters of Christian mission in this nation’s history
Tim Costello

ORDER DETAILS

RRP is $35 less 40% for trade, plus freight.
If Church groups order five or more copies, they will qualify for the 40% trade discount. Order here >

ORDER DIRECT

Phone: 08 9362 5955 (Intnl +61 8 9362 5955)
Tuesday and Friday 1pm to 5pm W.A. time

Email: books@hesperianpress.com
Please ensure the following are included in your email or letter to Hesperian Press:

Book title
Number of copies
Name
Phone number
Address
Postage
Full credit card details (or BSB details)

Hesperian Press
www.hesperianpress.com | P.O. Box 317 Victoria Park W.A. 6979
Tom and Pat info >

News from Crossover

Helping Australian Baptists Share Jesus

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them”
John 7:38 (NIV)

The recent Crossover Spring Appeal, Streams of Living Water, is a huge success! A big thank you to those who signed up to give to Crossover on an ongoing basis.

DONATE HERE

Ask questions about supporting: crossover@baptist.org.au.

Director of Crossover Andrew Turner (who conducted Tas Baptists’ recent leadership review) explains what the appeal is all about in this video.
OR you could read Andrew’s letter to churches.

The generosity of supporters gives Crossover the ability to:

Create new resources (like the new Christmas resource, Missing Peace?)
Run events (such as hosting the recent online Australian Baptist Prayer Gathering)
Provide encouragement to Aussie Baptists (it’s time to read the new article about young adults exploring church!)
And offer invaluable training (more and more churches are using the Plan A resource).

Every dollar given is a blessing. Each donation comes closer to Crossover’s goal:

To see our Baptist movement baptising twice as many new believers each year by the end of the decade.

Streaming GOOD. Television

Find out about GOOD. TV

Australian Christian Channel have a free streaming service to provide positive entertainment options.

In an ever-changing world it’s great to know some things do not need to change. There is so much good to look forward to, which is why the people at GOOD. are committed to providing positive entertainment options so people can always watch something they can trust and rely on.

This is more than just a wide variety of programs. It includes a standard of viewing bringing more goodness into your life, with content to provide you with peace of mind. And will make you feel good at the same time.

GOOD. provide quality movies, TV series, documentaries and much more. You have the choice you want, without the stress of the not-so-good stuff that you do not want for your family.

As well, GOOD. is FREE, without any hidden costs or monthly bills.

Check GOOD. out here > (https://watchgood.com/)

World Women’s Day of Prayer

Day of Prayer event at Claremont Baptist Church — Women gathered to pray at Day of Prayer events around Tasmania

On Saturday 22nd October, women gathered at Claremont and Ulverstone Baptist churches to pray for women around the world. They also gave funds to assist with Baptist projects in our Pacific region.

In each location, small groups prayed for international regions about specific prayer requests. These included prayers such as:

Nations recovering from COVID (Carribean and Asia)
Domestic abuse (Pacific and Caribbean)
Unexpected pregnancy support programs (Latin America and Canada)
Shelter for victims of human trafficking (Asia/Azerbaijan)
Reconciliation for indigenous people (Australia and NZ)
Peaceful elections (Africa)

Baptist women are doing astounding work across the globe!

Tasmanian funds raised 2021: $560
Tasmanian funds raised 2022: $869 (updated)

Day of Prayer events in Tasmania were re-started in 2021 after an underwhelming Australian response to raising funds in 2020 of only $365.

It’s not too late to participate!
You can pray or donate any time until the week of 13th November 2022.

DOWNLOAD PRAYER GUIDE

DONATE SECURELY

Australia’s Aid Increases

From Micah Australia

In the recent budget, the Government announced $1.4 billion of additional aid to our region over the next four years!

Micah Australia welcomes these increases while continuing to call strongly for further urgent aid to help fight famine in the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.

WATCH: Micah Australia’s Tim Costello (Exec. Director) and Matt Darvas (National Director) respond to the Budget from Canberra

READ how Baptist Word Aid are helping in the fight against famine in the Horn of Africa >

Fostering Hope

Fostering Hope’s vision is to find a family for every child who needs one.

Tasmanian Baptists work with Fostering Hope to encourage churches and families to both provide, and support, foster carers.

Along with recruiting new carers, Fostering Hope supports people on the journey with connection, training, pastoral care, and mentors for children. As well, they offer trauma-awareness training for churches so they can be safe places for all children and adults.

Currently, Fostering Hope are looking for more fostering families to offer homes for children who need them.

There is also a need for respite carers to offer extended family and community around full-time foster and kinship families and we just don’t have the families to ask.

Children without the protection of their parents are the most vulnerable in any community. These children need families and communities to offer them hope, healing, and a childhood free of adult stresses and full of fun.

If you would like to know more about Fostering Hope’s work, or have someone from the team talk at your church or run a trauma-awareness training, please get in touch.

Mary Dickins
Fostering Hope
mary@fosteringhope.community

Christian Book of the Year Award

The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis

The winner of the Christian Book of the Year Award 2022 is The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis, by Tony Rinaudo.

The book tells the story of a revolution in reforestation that is transforming the lives of subsistence farmers around the world. An inspiring and irresistible story of one man’s obedience and God’s faithfulness.

The awards are presented every year by SparkLit.org, who aim to advance God’s Kingdom by empowering Christian writers, publishers and distributors.

FIND OUT MORE | BUY THE BOOK

Read ReCharge

October/November 2022

CHRISTMAS IDEAS For Baptists from Crossover
AROUND THE CHURCHES October/November 2022
ANNUAL ASSEMBLY Report by Anthea Maynard
FAMINE In the Horn of Africa Melissa Lipsett, CEO Baptist World Aid
PRISON MINISTRY By Cameron Brett of Prison Fellowship Tasmania
DEEP THOUGHT The Sound of Silence By Denise Stephenson
FROM THE MISSION DIRECTOR: Does God Really Care? By Stephen Baxter
SCHOOLS MINISTRY: Mustard Lives Transformed by Jesus
CHURCH PROFILE: Newstead Baptist

READ October 2022 NEWS
DOWNLOAD Recent Issues of ReCharge

recharge-news-september-2022

Support those affected by the Middle East Crisis

Hiroshima Survival

mainly music at Westbury

Farewell Mal Garvin

Is your church ChildSafe?

Crossover Quiz Night Results

Special mention to the top 3 teams:

State Leaderboard:

Farewell Markus Sebastian

Australian Christian Book Awards 2023

WINNER! Australian Christian Book of the Year 2023

WINNER! Australian Christian Teen Writer 2023

Mentoring Program in Hobart

Baptism Week Ideas Guide

Read More ReCharge!

October/November/December 2023

reCharge news October 2023

reCharge News October 2023

Who’s Ready for Baptism?

Baptism, historically

Learning vs Earning

Read ReCharge

October/November/December 2023

When is a person ready for baptism?

Crossover Baptism Week

Sharing Hope in Crisis

Crossover Fundraiser

Australia’s Baptistist Quiz Night

APBF Sunday, 20th August

RESOURCES

Where are All the New Atheists?

Citywide Celebrates!

Office Administrator Position

Youth Alive Undivided

Read More ReCharge!

August/September 2023

Recharge news July 2023

ReCharge News July 2023

Six Simple Questions

1. “Would you please fill me with your Spirit?”

2. “Please show me where I’m blocking your flow.”

3. “To whom are you sending me to today?”

4. “Please give me a real sense of how much you love them.”

5. “Who should I partner with in blessing them?”

6. “Please give me wisdom and courage to know and play my part today.”

Be transformed

Read ReCharge

August/September 2023

Sacred Agents

Diving Into Diversity

Possible Steps

So what do we do?

Read ReCharge

June/July 2023

Diving Into Diversity

Geoff Maddock Visits Tassie!

Atrocities in Myanmar

Riverland’s Ministries

Grief Companion Training

What’s Going On – Summerhill

Stand with the People of Myanmar

What’s Going on – City Baptist

What’s Going on – Gateway

Gateway’s Ministries most weeks:

Shekinah House Team

Bible Study

Artway

Walking Group

Baptist Basketball

Easter Camp at Perth

What’s Going On – Newstead

Walk this Way

Life Groups

In the Community

Mid-Year Assembly

Program

CROSSOVER Easter Resources

watch ally & sally

Read More ReCharge!

April/May 2023