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 using the button, below.
Like many of the Karen and Chin Baptists in Tasmania, navigating childhood in a displacement camp is difficult. It is a place where every aspect of your world is uncertain. From the food you eat to the education you have access to.
Separated from her parents at an early age, Neang lives in a displacement camp in Myanmar with her extended family. As the oldest child, she regularly cares for her younger cousins, but she receives little attention from other adults at home.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to the power that is at work within us.”
It was the usual Tuesday lunchtime Bible study, and our student group sat around the young leader, Andy. He read Ephesians 3:20 from his big, black Bible.
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” he read.
He paused and looked up. I knew the verse, I had even set out to memorise it, but I’ve never forgotten what Andy said next.
“Think of all you can imagine,” he said. “Maybe a good home-cooked meal. Maybe your whole life, ten years from now. Or maybe even passing your exams.”
“Woo!” someone called out with enthusiasm.
Andy smiled. “Now. What about more than all you can ask or imagine? Is that even more than all you can imagine?” Heads nodded slowly around the room.
“So how about immeasurably more than all you can ask or imagine. What does that even look like?”
Living in the overflow of God’s abundance
That’s when it landed for me. God has abundance in mind. Not scraps. Not “enough, if I’m careful.” Overwhelming goodness, further than my imagination can stretch to reach.
As a student I applied it to my study time and effort. These days I find myself applying it to my marriage. A friendship I’d nearly given up on. A year when I felt like I was running on empty.
Whatever you’re carrying today, hold onto this: God is so entirely beyond us that there are no limits to his supply of love, forgiveness, grace and mercy. And his abundant power isn’t out there somewhere, waiting to be summoned. It’s already at work. Within you.
Prayer I am realising I think so small, God. Please show me what you truly have in mind. Not just for the challenge in front of me, but for my whole life. Give me the courage to take hold of all you have for me. Thank you.
TakeCLICK/TAP THE BUTTON to find out about the Day of Abundance on 24 October 2026.
An adventurous life (via Tassie!) brings Tracy Valentine to place of leadership for Baptist women in Queensland and even more broadly, across the Pacific. We interviewed her to get to know her a bit before she joins us at the Day of Abundance.
A Life of Moving and Meeting
I was born in Ballarat, Victoria which is a beautiful city known for its grand history, lovely gardens, and plenty of drizzly, cold weather. While I have very fond memories of Ballarat, we moved to King Island when I was quite young, and that’s where I spent my primary school years.
Growing up on windy, rugged, beautiful King Island was a wonderful adventure, and I absolutely loved it. So I’m almost a Tasmanian!
I’ve moved around a lot throughout my life to around thirty different houses over the years. Growing up we lived in Ballarat, King Island, Castlemaine and Bendigo. After I married my husband Glenn, we’ve lived in Canberra, Ballarat, England and now Brisbane. Each place has shaped me in different ways, and I’ve been incredibly blessed by the people I’ve met along the journey.
I love living in Queensland, especially the winters! After growing up in cooler climates, Queensland winters are hard to beat. I also love the beautiful weather, the outdoor lifestyle, and the fact that our family is now settled there. I am not a massive fan of the humidity, but it definitely feels like home.
Clockwise from top left: Tracy with husband, Glen; with other global Presidents at Baptist World Alliance meetings in July 2026; Tracy and Glen with their family; with some of the QB women pastors; Tracy Valentine; with Jenny Baxter and the ABM Women in LeadershipDelegated Body.
Growing in Faith
I was incredibly blessed to grow up in a Christian family, so I’ve never known a day when I didn’t know that God loved me and created me. That’s a gift I never take for granted.
As a teenager, my faith became my own. When I was thirteen, I distinctly remember sensing God drawing me to Himself, and I decided to be baptised. Remarkably, the rest of my family were baptised on the same Sunday as well.
Faith has remained central to my life. There have certainly been seasons when I’ve felt distant from God, but looking back I can see that I was the one who drifted. He never did. His faithfulness has been one of the greatest constants of my life.
Ministry, Leadership and Creativity
A lot of my life revolves around walking alongside women in ministry and leadership and I genuinely love that. Whether it’s supporting women pastors across Queensland or working with the incredible women who lead Baptist Women’s ministries across the Pacific, it’s a privilege to encourage and champion others.
When I need to slow down, I crochet. It quiets my busy mind and gives me a creative outlet that I find incredibly relaxing. While I’m an extravert at heart, I am also a bit of a Nana. I love to crochet with a pot of tea beside me and watch a period drama. My other great love is musical theatre, so it is quite a treat to go out and experience a musical.
My Baptist Life
I’ve been a Baptist pastor for around twenty years, serving in a variety of ministry roles, mostly focusing on families ministry.
My full-time work currently is with Carinity, the care arm of Queensland Baptists, where I oversee chaplaincy across aged care, seniors’ services and disability services. This also involves me working alongside churches to find ways of partnering together to care for the older generation.
For the past five years I’ve served as the Regional Minister for Women Pastors with Queensland Baptists, supporting and advocating for women in ministry and women generally across our state.
Just over a year ago, I began serving as President of Baptist Women of the Pacific, where I work alongside an amazing executive team to support women and women’s ministries across the nine Pacific countries. This has been an unexpected and humbling opportunity.
What Inspires Me
Without question, what excites me most is seeing the extraordinary ways God works in and through his women in a huge variety of contexts. Across Queensland and throughout the Pacific, I meet women serving faithfully, often quietly and sacrificially.
Watching God use their gifts to build His Kingdom is deeply inspiring, and it’s a privilege to encourage and support them.
Challenges and Prayer Needs
Like many people, one of my biggest challenges is simply balancing everything well. There are seasons when I feel overstretched.
As I am regularly involved in advocating for women in a variety of circumstances, I require wisdom, grace and discernment. I’d really value prayer for wisdom, humility, and the ability to always respond with Christ’s love with the boldness that is sometimes needed. *
I’m also incredibly grateful that whenever I’ve felt stretched, God has faithfully brought wonderful people alongside me to help carry the load.
God’s Abundance
What inspires me most about God’s abundance is incredible faithfulness. We can so easily forget how consistently God has cared for us in the past. He is our loving Father who delights to provide what we truly need.
The greatest abundance I’ve experienced is the peace that comes from continually handing my fears and anxieties over to God. I certainly don’t do that perfectly, but every time I remember to surrender them again, God faithfully meets me with peace.
Have I felt a lack? Absolutely. But when I look honestly, it hasn’t been a lack in God’s provision. Instead, it has been a lapse in my remembering God’s faithfulness. I need to remind myself daily that I don’t have to carry every burden. I can entrust them to God, who has never failed me.
The Best Advice I’ve Ever Received
Tracy’s best advice ever received
One of the most helpful things anyone ever said to me was: “It’s not all about you.”
At first that sounds a little confronting, but it’s actually incredibly freeing.
It’s easy to overthink situations, wonder what people think of us, or become consumed by our own worries. But when we deliberately focus on encouraging others, championing others and serving others, we become much healthier people.
I think that’s some of the best advice I’ve ever received. It has helped me live with greater freedom, greater joy, and a much healthier perspective.
Tracy Valentine Regional Minister, Women Pastors Queensland Baptists President, Baptist Women of the Pacific
* Please also pray for Tracy as she prepares to speak at the Day of Abundance.
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.
Abundance begins with the courage to loosen your grip.
Most of us know the quiet hum of “not enough.” Not enough time, energy, certainty or even rest. It sits beneath ordinary life like background noise: low, persistent, easy to miss until you realise it’s been shaping every decision you’ve made.
We live in a world that tells us to hold tighter. Work harder. Protect what little we have. So we do.
But what if that’s not the whole story?
What scarcity actually does
Scarcity isn’t just about money. It narrows our vision and makes us anxious, competitive and self-protective. Jesus named it plainly: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a NIV). Scarcity steals joy, kills peace and quietly convinces us that life is smaller than it actually is.
Scripture keeps pushing back against this. Genesis opens with God creating in extravagant generosity. The seas were teeming, fruit trees were seeding and stars were scattered across the sky. In the wilderness, God sends manna not in bulk storage, but daily: enough to teach trust rather than hoarding (Exodus 16). When Jesus feeds five thousand people from five loaves and two fish, the disciples start with “we only have…” Then, Jesus transforms only into more than enough, with basketfuls left over!
His own words are unambiguous: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b).
This is not a prosperity message. Abundance in Scripture has nothing to do with accumulating more. It’s about how you hold what you have — with openness, gratitude, and trust rather than fear.
A widow’s strange gift
The most arresting picture of abundance in the New Testament belongs to a woman with almost nothing. Jesus watches wealthy people drop large offerings into the temple treasury, then notices a widow placing two tiny coins. It was everything she had to live on (Mark 12:41–44).
By any calculation, her gift is insignificant. But Jesus honours her above everyone. Not because of the amount, but because she gives from trust rather than surplus.
She has almost nothing, yet she’s the one Jesus points to. Abundance isn’t about quantity. It’s about posture.
Abundance isn’t about quantity. It’s about posture.
A practice, not a switch
Moving from scarcity to abundance doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow, ordinary reorientation and requires us to learn to receive what today offers rather than anxiously bracing for tomorrow. The skill is on noticing small gifts such as a conversation, morning light, or a moment that catches you off guard. Letting generosity, even in tiny ways, loosen the grip of fear. Letting community do what isolation can’t.
Paul puts it simply: transformation begins with how we think (Romans 12:2). Abundance starts in the mind long before it shows up in circumstances.
We live between two stories every day. One tells us there isn’t enough. The other tells us we are held by a God who delights to give more than enough.
The invitation is simply to notice which story you’re living in. Then, choose again.
There is always more!
Come along to the Day of Abundance to be encouraged, gather with friends and learn more about God’s overwhelming love for you. WHEN: 10am-3pm, Saturday 24 October WHERE: Riverlands Longford > REGISTER/FIND OUT MORE >
All women are welcome! As long you and your guests are happy to hear about God’s abundance in their lives, the team is ready to host you.
Next steps: Add the date to your diary, ask your friends/family and make sure you register before all spots are taken!
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)
Heartlands Autumn 2026
To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, subscribe to HEARTLANDS EmpowHer News.
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.
Get your diary out and highlight Saturday 24 October, 2026
Yes! We’re gathering the women of Tasmanian once more, this time to celebrate God’s ever-flowing provision and extravagance. God creates all life AND sustains all things AND loves all humanity. Over and over and over. For all eternity.
Let’s explore that space.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:29 (NIV)
The Day of Abundance will take place on Saturday 24 October 2026 at Riverlands in Longford.
Tracy Valentine, President, Baptist Women of the Pacific – our region
The same as our previous gatherings, 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 watch out for registration details, available soon.
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: JENNA BLACKWELL
Continuing our series: Baptist women of Tasmania
Jenna Blackwell works with the Tasmanian Baptist team as the leadership coach and co-pastors City Baptist in Launceston.
LEARN FROM PAUL’S WORDS REMINDING TIMOTHY of the sincere faith of his grandmother and mother.
Excerpt from Jenny Baxter’s Courageous Womanhood reflections. You can check out Part One as her gift to you.
MAY MISSION MONTH
What’s Love Look Like? podcast series
With Nathan Reid
The What’s Love Look Like? podcast series is hosted by Nathan Reid, Baptist Mission Australia’s Mobilisation Manager.
Throughout the series, he connects with people around the world and in Australia who are seeking to embody the Gospel and share God’s love in relevant ways.
INSPIRATION FOR WOMEN by EmpowHer State Leader, Jenny Baxter
Soul Storyteller is a reflective space for faithful women. For those who carry responsibility with tenderness. Who want their inner life to grow as strong as their outer one.
Jenny will soon send personal reflections and stories straight to your inbox, from her, directly to you. Of course, if that’s not your thing, every email will have an easy unsubscribe option.
You are reading Heartlands AUTUMN 2026. You could also catch up with past issues:
Jenna Blackwell works with Tas Baptists as the Leadership Coach and co-pastors City Baptist Church in Launceston
Tasmanian life
I grew up just outside of Deloraine, on some land looking out to Quamby Bluff. Growing up, we were always surrounded by animals. Horses, goats, dogs, cats, cows, sheep, chickens, rabbits and guinea pigs were all part of my life.
Sometimes we even rescued tawny frogmouths or baby wallabies and cared for them until they were re-released. This taught me to be responsible, and to love and care for nature. The location was idyllic and we especially enjoyed wonderful sunsets. With three sisters and all the animals, the company was sometimes chaotic!
Working life
I worked as a medical receptionist for several years and I loved being able to welcome newly arrived refugees as part of my work. I learnt so many things during that time, I think I could write a book!
The key concpets that have stuck with me include realising that people are lonely. Most of us want to be seen, known and truly listened to. Also, kindness can go a long way, and a gentle, heart-felt welcome and a smile really can make someone’s day.
I discovered that if you live out your faith authentically in the workplace, you influence culture far more than you may believe.
These days, as the co-pastor at City Baptist, Launceston (Formation Pastor), my aim is to invest in people. I also have a role with the state denomination focused on coordinating the development of leaders.
If anyone asks me what I do with my time, I often hesitate! It’s a complicated question for me to answer. Sometimes I bow to society and note my jobs. Often, I try to go against the grain and talk about investing in people and my love of being in nature, it’s not just about what I do.
Comparison is the thief of joy
When we learn the most
I have discovered, too, that the most difficult times are the ones when I learn the hardest lessons. A couple of years ago I was very ill, resulting in months off work and minimal energy. That was hard.
But also, I think about the ups and downs of my relationships. They often provide our biggest setbacks and our proudest moments. We seem to learn the most during the pain of doing life with others, and the courage it takes to face our wounds.
If I were to offer the best peices of advice I have received I think it would come down to these:
The more you hide, the less you heal.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Be yourself, everyone else is taken!
You never know what someone else is going through.
Praying for Jenna
To pray for Jenna as she does her work with Tas Baptists and City Baptist, here are some ideas:
Please pray she can be an effective vessel for God’s kingdom work, especially in the lives of others.
Pray that her sense of call becomes clearer, so she can faithfully follow, and serve in, God’s leading.
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.
PRACTICAL SHOPPING! Do you know who made your clothes? What about the source of the fabric? How about thread, fastenings and dyes used? Every year, Baptist World Aid Australia asks all those questions, and more, to release a fashion report to guide you in ethical purchasing.
Anna-Maree Richardson has worked with Tas Baptists as the Assistant Administrator since November 2022.
Tasmanian life
I was born in and Launceston and I grew up there. It was a quiet life, my family didn’t travel much and so most of our time was spent in and around the Launceston area, or going to St Marys to stay with parents.
I grew up attending an Anglican church and attending Sunday School and church there. But it wasn’t until I went to college, and I made a friend who invited me to some Youth Group events at her church that I learnt more about having a relationship with God. At 17 I became a Christian.
I am married to Matthew, and we have five children. Alysha is 22, Shay is 19, Ivy is 15, Nyah is 10 and Toby is 9. Alysha has been living in Queensland since 2020. We all share a love of the beach and camping. Tasmania is such beautiful place, I love travelling and seeing different parts of it; my favourite thing would be our beaches despite our cold water.
I do a lot of housework and parenting mostly. But I also like to do crafts, read and go to the beach and I love spending time with my family.
Tas Baptist life
What do you do for Tas Baptist Churches? I am the Assistant to the Administrator, and I do accounts, organise catering for Council Meetings and Assembly and also take the Minutes at these Meetings. I am excited to meet new people and learn more about Tasmanian Baptists; what is happening around our churches in Tasmania; support the Council and Tas Baptist staff, and our greater Baptist community where I can.
What challenges do you have – at work and at home? At work some of the challenges are getting all the small things together for events such as Assembly. There a lot of small things that need to happen for things to work smoothly. Home is very similar with six people all living together, and such a range of ages! It is about making everything fit together for things to run efficiently.
After being out of the workforce for 21 years to raise our family, a lot has changed. Technology has certainly progressed, and everything is very different. I am lucky to work with amazing patient people who are always encouraging and helpful. I continue to learn new skills, and learn how things work at Tas Baptists. Pray for me to continue to learn and grow in my new role.
The best advice I have received is that everything is easier if you break it down into smaller parts, especially if you are overwhelmed or things seem too hard.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . Summer, it is my favourite time of year.
I am worried about . . . my children. Their happiness is so important to me.
I am confident that . . . God has a plan 😊
I am joyful about . . . family. They are so important.
I would like to change . . . how quickly life goes.
