Lifeway Baptist Student Pastor Stuart Crabtree writes about his life and how important it is that children know and feel they belong in Church. Read on to find out . . .
Early YEARS
I was born in Devonport, but spent most of my childhood in South Riana, a small country town south of Penguin. I spent a lot of time exploring the outdoors and climbing trees, but I also enjoyed reading a good book.
My mother became a Christian in her late teens, and my father sometime after they were married. Mum was conscientious about teaching us from the Bible, emphasising the importance of believing and obeying God’s Word. Dad was a great role model of being a Christian husband (for which I am very grateful in my marriage today!). In this environment of regular exposure to the Gospel, I became convicted of my own need for salvation at the age of 10.
Family Life
My wife, Melanie, is a creative soul who sings beautifully, and is an aspiring author. She also makes great coffee and works at the local bookshop. Together, we have two children, Eliana (9) and Gryphin (6). Eliana, like her mum, has a wonderful imagination and spends a lot of her time there! Gryphin loves spending one-on-one time with people and wants to be a monster truck driver when he’s older. We enjoy the gentler pace of life here in Tassie, as well as the cooler weather.
I am an amateur Ukulele player and also enjoy cooking. I think I’ve mastered the art/science of making panna cotta and have a number of my own recipes (with several more in the works).
Ministry at Lifeway
I share responsibility for the children’s ministry at Lifeway Baptist with Morgan Read. My focus is the Kids’ Church program that runs during the Sunday morning service.
My first experience of ministry was at the age of 15, at Camps Clayton and Riverbend. Having enjoyed being a camper at Camp Clayton since grade 5, I was excited to progress to (being a) cabin leader. I don’t think I really got what ministry was about, though. I had a pretty superficial understanding of what made a good cabin leader and had looked up to some cabin leaders for superficial reasons – they were funny, cool, popular.
This changed on my seventh camp leading a cabin. My co-leader didn’t really have the qualities that I thought made a good cabin leader, but he was still an amazing one to me. He cared for our kids, he spent time with them, and he shared Jesus with them. He didn’t just lead them; he led me. From that point on my approach to cabin leading was different. It was about building relationships with kids and making opportunities to tell them about Jesus.
Passionate About Youth Work
The following year, I became bored at school. I was in Year 11 and dropped out to find work. Instead, I ended up getting involved with Fusion and doing some training with them in Youth and Community Work. Following this, I spent a couple of years doing voluntary Christian work in schools, churches, and campsites. Camp Clayton gave me some casual work running their activities, and about a year later I moved into a full-time position running their holiday camps. I had become passionate about reaching young people for Christ. This theme shone through the next two decades, as I have continued to work in various youth and children’s ministries (as well as being a teacher at a local public high school).
The Rewards and challenges
I love it when kids have ‘aha’ moments and understand something about God that they hadn’t before. I also enjoy seeing them grow in Christlikeness, being kind, gentle and compassionate with one another.
It’s important to me that children know and feel that they belong in Church. For some children, this presents more of a challenge than others – their bodies or minds may be significantly different from others, and this may create a sense of disconnect between them and the community.
Balancing my time between church, family, ministry, work, and study can be difficult. Another challenge we have – and a welcome one – is that the number of children in the church is growing. This means we need more volunteers to help with Kids’ Church.
The best advice I had when I was growing up was from the Pastor of my church. He frequently told our youth group not to take his word for it (whatever he was teaching us), but to go to the Bible and see for ourselves. Such an attitude taught me to revere God’s authority over that of people. It also taught me to have my own personal relationship with God and develop my own faith rather than vicariously adopting the faith of others.
Pray For…
Please pray that these children will know the love of Christ in and through the Church. Please also pray that we can find enough volunteers to properly care for children with extra-needs as they participate in Kids’ Church.
Stuart Crabtree
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to. . . long service leave
I am worried about. . . being misunderstood
I am confident that. . . coffee is better than tea
I am joyful about. . . spending time with my children
I would like to change. . . my inability to consistently sing in tune
BibleProject creates free resources to help people experience the Bible. Everything they make is funded by generous supporters around the world. The entire library of videos, podcasts, classes, and other resources are available at bibleproject.com.
Their most recent production is a 10-part series on Jesus’ teachings on the Sermon on the Mount, available to watch on Youtube.
Subscribe to the channel for more explainer videos about the Bible. They currently have over 4 million subscribers already!
Register for Foundations
Foundations is a path toward the unique calling that God has on your life, equipping you to live the deep truth of Christian faith in every area of your life.
The course runs on Wednesdays from Wed, 1 May to Wed, 14 Aug. Choose either a day course at Hobart Baptist (12:00pm to 2:30pm) or an evening course at Citywide Mornington (7-9:30pm).
The two courses will combine for two Saturday sessions on the 1 June (9:30 – 4:30) and 6 July (9:30 – 7:30)
The whole course works together to produce a deep understanding of a practical Christian worldview.
You will receive specific skills in a range of areas including:
– Managing complicated relationships – Knowing God’s will – Building healthy teams – Developing life-giving habits – Finding your place in leadership – Sharing your Faith – Understanding the revolutionary big picture of the bible – Love and Sexuality – Listening – Community – Development and Transformation
Cost of $50 includes refreshments, meals on the Saturdays, and a Foundations manual.
A series of drawings by artist Michael Henderson have been installed in Citywide Baptist Church, Hobart, for Easter 2024.
The work is titled, We only remember history in the present moment. The four drawings are a part of a larger series of 16 charcoal drawings. All together they describe contemporary life through stories from Christian Scripture.
The drawings are not intended to illustrate certain scriptures, or tell the story of the whole Bible, but they draw inspiration from biblical stories and place an experience in a contemporary setting. They blur the line between history and the present moment, intending for the viewer to think about their own life.
Most of the drawings are 1.2m square. The 3 of the crucifixion are 1.4m square. The 16 drawings combine for an overall length of 20m.
The Drawings
Second drawingFourth drawing
The second drawing above describes Jesus being crucified, with the two either side describing Peter and Judas’s response to Jesus’ crucifixion. This series of 3 is where the whole series started for me. I wanted to describe both Peter and Judas turning their back on Jesus, and then both of them responding to what they had done.
The fourth drawing above is of Mary hugging Jesus, and focuses on Mary’s joy at seeing Jesus again, rather than describe an event around the resurrection.
The drawings have been exhibited in many places, including St. Francis Xavier’s Catholic Cathedral in Adelaide, as part of the 2017 Adelaide Fringe Festival, and in churches and exhibition spaces around Australia. Michael’s work is held in private and public collections; he was a finalist in the 66th Blake Prize (2021).
The exhibition runs from the Monday, 18 March to Friday, 26 April 2024 at 400 Cambridge Road, Mornington, Tasmania.
Art can be viewed daily Monday to Saturday. From 9:00am to 8:00pm, Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm Saturday and Sunday.
Matt Garvin and Dan Evenhuis explained more about the motivation behind Citywide’s exhibition space.
“As we approach Easter, we wanted to have an exhibition that would help those passing by reflect on Jesus and his sacrifice. We have around 2,000 people walking through our foyer each week,” said Dan Evenhuis, Executive Pastor at Citywide
“Citywide’s Mornington Campus has housed the Bob Curé Exhibition Space in its foyer since 2019. Through the exhibition space, we have been able to support many local artists, photographers and craft-makers as they share their creative thoughts and skills,” he said.
Matt Garvin, Senior Pastor at the church, said he was grateful to have Michael’s art which communicates the message of Easter over these few weeks.
“The Bob Curè exhibition space is our way to encourage Christians to express their creativity,” he said.
Launceston Alive Easter Festival
Thu 28 – Sun 31 Mar
Launceston Alive is an annual Easter community festival of thought, music and art held throughout Launceston over the Easter weekend at one of the following planned events. Karl Fasse, Colin Buchanan and other performing artists will offer stories of faith.
Thursday, 28 March at 9:00am – Leaders workshop with Karl Faase at Legana Christian Church, 1 Gerrard Cl, Legana.
Friday, 29 March at 6:00pm – The 2024 Unearthed Event will unearth stories of faith with Karl Faase and Colin Buchannan. There will be music and entertainment by Colin Buchanan and Jade Steg; a remarkable story of faith and courage from Bernadette Black; Karl Faase will speak about the stories of faith that have shaped our nation. All are welcome, just come along at Door Of Hope Church, 50 Glen Dhu St, South Launceston. The event is free.
Saturday, 30 March, 11:00am – 2:00pm – The Children and Families Festival is especially for children, young people and their families. Performers include Colin Buchannan, Bronte Ferguson, Azahlia Dingemanse and Caitlyn Duffy. at at Riverbend Park, Launceston.
Sunday, 31 March, 5:00pm – Combined Churches Easter service with Karl Faase at Door Of Hope, 50 Glen Dhu St, South Launceston.
Faith Impact Audit
NAYBA Audit Presentation
On Thursday 7 March, Stephen and Jenny Baxter attended a presentation for the results of the NAYBA Impact Audit of Tasmania. This is the first statewide audit of its kind conducted and reflects the work being done by people of faith.
The final audit report includes the following statistics on Tasmania: – 284 community service activities – 209,057 people served in the last year – $70,841,878 social value impact to the State of Tasmania each year.
Stephen hosts a panel at the Grace Centre Rokeby. From left, Councillor Brendan Blomeley (Mayor of the City of Clarence), John Kamara (Tasmanian Australian of the Year 2024) and Aimen Jafri (Chair of the Multicultural Council of Tasmania).
New Book Available
Tasmanian Baptist History
This is the ninth book on Tasmanian Baptist History by Laurence F Rowston. It looks at the beginnings of sixteen of our Baptist Churches in Tasmania commencing about 1880.
The churches are Bracknell, Blackwood Creek, Burnie, Deloraine, Devonport, Hobart, Latrobe, Launceston, Longford, Perth, Sheffield, Smithton, Ulverstone, Wynyard and Yolla and also Memorial, the Henry Reed Mission Church in Launceston.
But it is more than account of their first years.
The book contains full biographies of their pastors, seventy-four in number from the moment they come on the scene wherever they are, to their deaths. The biographies look into their origins, their preaching and their pastoral work and the movements of the day.
The book has more than 3,000 footnotes and contains about 230 photographs. Each chapter contains a conclusion which compares the church of those years with the churchtoday. In time a hardback hand-stitched two-volume copy will be available from the author.
Books cost $40 plus postage (or collect from Baptist Assembly or Citywide Mornington office, 400 Cambridge Road, Mornington, TAS. Contact Dan Evenhuis on 0481 917 806 or email dan.evenhuis@citywidehobart.org.au .
March Muster
Why Theological Education Matters
The Tas Baptists March Muster was held in Hobart and offered the perfect opportunity to launch the Frank W Boreham College. Andrew Corbett, of Legana Christian Fellowship, gave a detailed account of Boreham’s amazing life and ministry.
Boreham moved to Australia in 1906 to pastor at Hobart Baptist Church. He wrote 46 books (many receiving wide international acclaim) and over 3,000 weekly editorials for the Hobart Mercury between 1912 and 1959.
Alongside the launch of the college, the Muster focused on professional development. David Williams from Taylor Baptist College, Edmonton, Canada (and Kairos University) and Darrell Jackson, interim principal of Whitley College in Victoria spoke on the topic.
Darrell answered the question, “Was Jesus a theological educator?” while David reflected on “Why theological education matters”.
As the first Muster for the year, time together was an opportunity for fellowship, learning and encouragement. This included a long table dinner together at HBC’s new Esteem Cafe.
Following the Muster, David Williams travelled to all three regions to discuss with other Baptists what further theological education can look like, from diploma to doctorate. In particular, he outlined the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning that surrounds students with a team of mentors who, together, determine the student’s education and formation pathway.
Stephen Baxter launches Frank W. Boreham College at March Muster.
Long table dinner at Hobart Baptist Church during the March Muster.
Candidate Forums
Meet your Local Candidate
In the lead up to the State election, churches are working together to host election candidate forums. The forums will be held in each electorate in preparation for the upcoming State election. Each forum will include set questions on issues of concern to Christians, and time for questions from the floor. Most events will be live streamed or recorded, for those who cannot make it.
This is a great opportunity to meet local candidates, ask questions and hear from them on issues that you care about.
The Australian Baptist Easter Offering by Crossover is a thousand churches combining to express our gratitude for Jesus and to invest in sharing him with others.
The offering supports Crossover – a national Baptist ministry that provides resources, training and encouragement to help Australian Baptists share Jesus with their friends and neighbourhoods. They offer all churches free-to-use Easter resources.
Crossover runs entirely on the donations of people like us – so let’s support generously as we’re able. Donations can also be made directly at crossover.org.au
Re-Imagine
Combined Gathering
Re-Imagine is a combined gathering that aims to create a safe space for people to wrestle with faith, ask questions, and explore the journey of following Jesus. The gathering is organised by young adults from different churches, aged 18+ and is open to anyone interested. Meets fortnightly at 157 St John St (St Johns middle building) on Tuesdays at 6pm for dinner and discussion with the next meeting on Tuesday, 12 March.
Samaritan’s Purse announced this week that 11.3 million shoeboxes were packed worldwide during last year’s Operation Christmas Child collection season (2023). That means millions of children will now hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be discipled in 2024!
read stories of the incredible impact a simple shoebox gift is having around the world, visit their website.
Seeing and sharing the impact of this work is a great way to honour everyone in the TasBaptist community who has packed shoeboxes and partnered with Samaritan’s Purse over the years.
Being Human Webinar
What does it mean to be human?
Karl Faase will be joined by Jo Frost to look at the question, What does it mean to be human. Jo Frost is Author of the book and video series, ‘Being Human’ and will grapple with the idea of what it is to view the world through the Being Human lens. She will consider questions such as What is Jesus on about when he offers us ‘life to the full’? And look at the cultural stories are shaping our identity. Also, what makes humanity unique and what is the invitation that God extends?
This three-day, faith-based course is focused on healing from trauma. While aimed at Service-related trauma, REBOOT courses are being offered to the wider community suffering from all forms of trauma. This includes victims of crime, DV, childhood trauma, disability, grief and ongoing illness. One veteran on average dies by suicide every 2 weeks, making suicide amongst our service community is at an epidemic.
Free to attend. Childcare is not available. For more info contact Andy & Zoe Cullen: 0420 462 845 or email: info@rebootau.org
From Wednesday 13, March to Friday, 15 March 9am to 2pm (Graduation Ceremony on Friday night, 6pm – 8pm)
At Wrest Point Hotel Hobart, Drysdale Room – 410 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay
Tas Baptists launched the new Frank W Boreham College on 5 March at Hobart Baptist Church. The college will provide ministry and theological education, training, and reflection for our pastors, leaders, and members across Tasmania. This means Tasmanian Baptists now have the capacity to provide qualified training within the State.
The new college is made possible by a partnership with both Kairos and Whitley.
David will visit the state in early March and travel to all three regions to discuss what further theological education can look like, from diploma to doctorate. He will explain the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning. This model surrounds each student with a team of mentors who, along with the student, determine the student’s education and formation pathway.
The following informal evenings are open to anyone.
Wednesday 6 March 7.30pm at Hobart Baptist Church Hosted by Stephen Baxter, 0417 313 273
Thursday 7 March 7.30pm at Newstead Baptist Church Hosted by Dan Hutchison, 0457 765 907
Friday 8 March 7.30pm at Burnie Baptist Church Hosted by Matty Coppin, 9484 064 490
Please contact Stephen, Dan, or Matty, ASAP if you plan to attend.
Hear about the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning
Workshop for churches on CYSOF
New Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework legislation
Olive Road and Fostering Hope are running a workshop on Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework (CYSOF) legislation.
The workshop is on Thursday, the 14 March 2024 at the Grace Centre, Rokeby, from 9.30pm to 2.30pm.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for attendees to grapple with the new CYSOF legislation and to share resources and ideas to develop the required policies and processes that will ensure ongoing compliance with the new Framework.
Anyone from not-for-profit organisations and churches in Hobart would benefit from this workshop to gain a better understanding of the new legislation. This includes the new Reportable Conduct Scheme and new strict timeframes on reporting to the regulator. The workshop will also focus on how organisations or churches might comply with the ten Child and Youth Safe Standards.
If you, or someone within your organisation or church, are keen to attend, or if a weekend or evening session would suit better, contact Mary Blake, Exec. Officer, Fostering Hope on m. 0423 365 988 or email mary@fosteringhope.net.au.
Around 1.9 million people in Gaza have been displaced since the war started three months ago, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Israel.
People are sheltering in overcrowded school buildings, churches, and medical centres; some are even pitching tents on the street. This has left families vulnerable as winter hits, with temperatures dropping down to 10 degrees at night.
Also, Gaza is experiencing a healthcare crisis.
Baptist World Aid Partners in the region are distributing aid to families, including medical items, medicines, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets, and food packages. They are also continuing to provide medical supplies and other essentials to families in the West Bank and Lebanon, where civil unrest and violent attacks are rising.
Read this lament written late last year as preparation to pray for protection and relief for families in the Middle East.
Lifeway Student Pastor Morgan Read writes about her journey from being a ‘curious outsider’ to giving back to the community that gave her so much. Read on to find out . . .
Early YEARS
I was born in Northern Tasmania and spent all my childhood in Devonport. I was raised by both my mum and my dad and have two brothers; my half-brother Ben, who is 11 years older than me, and my younger brother Olly, who is 18 months younger than me.
Ben moved out when I was young so as you read on you can decide if I have “oldest child” or “middle kid” energy. We had quite a fun childhood in a lot of ways. My mother was a child carer who was really into learning by play so Olly and I had the best cubby house and dress ups of any kids I knew. We spent a lot of our childhood in full princess dress ups, up a tree in our backyard, playing complicated make-believe games even we didn’t fully understand. In the summer we would spend most of our time at the beach with dad pulling us in and out of the surf on a bodyboard.
Morgan with High School friends
Learning About Religion
My early religious education was in many ways as the curious outsider. It started when I was nine, with school based religious education, and continued a year later with an optional bible study club in primary school. My parents (though not religious themselves) were both raised in religious families. (I have several Great Uncles and cousins who were Uniting Church/Methodist Ministers.) They did however encourage me to think for myself and pursue whatever path felt right for me and gave me access to any resources I was curious about.
My early religious education was in many ways as the curious outsider.
Though, at this early stage I did not consider myself a Christian, I had developed a philosophy that in many ways I still hold, which is an understanding that you do not have to be all or nothing in all the minutia of a belief to have faith in it. If you try to have all the answers you will either fail or drive yourself mad trying.
When I got to high school, I met three of my closest friends all of whom are Christians, and this is where my links to Lifeway Baptist started. Though, through all this time, I must admit, I was the youth group’s token Atheist — but I was still determined to learn. I was a member of J-Walkers (the youth group at the time) and later Converge (the young adult bible study group). When I moved to Hobart in 2014 with one of those same friends, I became yet another token Atheist. This time at a Campus Christian Movement Bible Study. This was partially to support my friend, to learn, and later because it was in my house.
Morgan speaking
A New Country and Finding Faith
My switch into believing rather than just studying happened when I moved to the UK. At the end of 2018, my contract hadn’t been renewed in the administration job I was working, and the rent we were paying had just gone up (a lot). So, I decided that this was all a sign, and I needed a change. So, I applied for some Au Pair positions and within two months I was living in England. Hoping to meet new people joined a local Church. I found a home there. I loved the people and slowly grew to love God and haven’t gone back.
I loved the people and slowly grew to love God and haven’t gone back.
After a year in England, I moved to Scotland and worked for two different families, one in Dundee, then one up in Aberdeen. There I joined the local Episcopalian Church. I was able to really strengthen my prayer life in this church and was able to have a lot of interesting conversations with the Vicar there. It was also around this time that I decided to get Baptised. Baptism to me is the start of your decided journey with God, and I worry sometimes people think of it as the pinnacle of the journey rather than the beginning.
Back Home Again
In mid-2021 I moved back to Australia. My grandmother was becoming very unwell, and the government was looking at winding up repatriation flights, and honestly, I was missing Tasmania. I have a lot of love for my home state, for my family has been here for a very long time. If you are a Northern Tasmanian reading this, yes, we are probably related. I love the environment here, and I like that you end up knowing everyone or if you don’t, you know someone who does.
I have a lot of love for my home state, for my family has been here for a very long time.
So, I made the decision to finish up my British adventure early. I moved back with my parents and Olly in Devonport. We all still very happily living together with our two English Springer Spaniels, Harry, and George. We are four very different people, but we all love each other so much, which makes life much easier.
Morgan and her family at her brother’s graduation
When I came back home, I also went back to Lifeway Baptist. It was where so much of this journey began. It only took one service, and I knew overwhelmingly this was where I was meant to be. I started volunteering with a couple of the kid’s programs and towards the end of last year I was Baptised again (this time by submersion).
It only took one service, and I knew overwhelmingly this was where I was meant to be.
Today
These days I am a busy person. I run the local Air Force Cadet Unit, I’ve just started an after-school theatre group, I study theology part time through Whitley College, I run a weekday primary school kids club through the church, and a few other bits and pieces I’m probably forgetting.
Morgan
At Lifeway I am a Student Pastor, so I study, I also co-run the children’s ministry with a focus on activities that happen outside of Sunday services, and I occasionally preach. Both in and outside of direct ministry almost all of the stuff I do is about giving back for the opportunities and community I have been given.
Both in and outside of direct ministry almost all of the stuff I do is about giving back for the opportunities and community I have been given.
Lifeway helped me with my faith; Cadets and theatre have helped me build my confidence and leadership. It is so valuable in a small community like Devonport to have outlets for children and teenagers to be able to develop and socialise outside of school.
The biggest challenge I face in my ministry is myself. I always want to and try to do more, and tend to over commit, but I am working on that.
The Best piece of advice I have received is “you can only help someone who wants to be helped.” It’s not universal, but it helps when sometimes ministry can be slow, frustrating, and not the way you feel it should be.
Pray For…
If you could pray for me as I balance a lot of my commitments to my community and ministry. Also, for the children and families in our community, as they start down the path of faith and come to understand their relationship with God and what that means to them.
In this webinar, Karl Faase is being joined by Jo Frost to look at the question, What does it mean to be human. Jo Frost is Author of the book and video series, ‘Being Human’ and will grapple with the idea of what it is to view the world through the Being Human lens. She will consider questions such as What is Jesus on about when he offers us ‘life to the full’? And look at the cultural stories are shaping our identity. Also, what makes humanity unique and what is the invitation that God extends?
This three-day, faith-based course is focused on healing from trauma. While aimed at Service-related trauma, REBOOT courses are being offered to the wider community suffering from all forms of trauma. This includes victims of crime, DV, childhood trauma, disability, grief and ongoing illness. One veteran on average dies by suicide every 2 weeks, making suicide amongst our service community is at an epidemic.
Free to attend. Childcare is not available. For more info contact Andy & Zoe Cullen: 0420 462 845 or email: info@rebootau.org
From Wednesday 13, March to Friday, 15 March 9am to 2pm (Graduation Ceremony on Friday night, 6pm – 8pm)
At Wrest Point Hotel Hobart, Drysdale Room – 410 Sandy Bay Road, Sandy Bay
The Frank W Boreham College will be launched on 5 March at Hobart Baptist Church. It will provide ministry and theological education, training, and reflection for our pastors, leaders, and members across Tasmania. Realising this exciting vision means Tasmanian Baptists now have the capacity to provide qualified training within the State.
The new college is made possible by a partnership with both Kairos and Whitley.
David will visit the state in early March and travel to all three regions to discuss what further theological education can look like, from diploma to doctorate. He will explain the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning. This model surrounds each student with a team of mentors who, along with the student, determine the student’s education and formation pathway.
The following informal evenings are open to anyone.
Wednesday 6 March 7.30pm at Hobart Baptist Church Hosted by Stephen Baxter, 0417 313 273
Thursday 7 March 7.30pm at Newstead Baptist Church Hosted by Dan Hutchison, 0457 765 907
Friday 8 March 7.30pm at Burnie Baptist Church Hosted by Matty Coppin, 9484 064 490
Please contact Stephen, Dan, or Matty, ASAP if you plan to attend.
Hear about the Kairos subscription-based education model of learning
Have you thought of Mentoring?
Fostering Hope Info Session for Mentoring
Interested in being a mentor for a child growing up in foster care? Do you know someone in your church community who would be a great mentor? Fostering Hope is a Tasmanian Christian organisation caring for children growing up in out-of-home care (foster and kinship care) and currently has children waiting for mentors.
Mentoring online information session: Tuesday, 27 February at 12:00pm.
This short movie explains how mentoring can make a difference and could be perfect to show at your Sunday service or small group meeting.
The Mentoring Program is for children growing up in care. The program recruits, trains, screens and then matches Christian mentors with a child.
For children growing up in care, there are lots of adults in their life who are paid to be there. Mentors are someone who chooses to turn up and be there for a child regardless of what’s gone on for them. It is powerful for both the child and the mentor.
Every relationship is designed around the child and mentor. The regular time commitment is dependent on the mentor’s availability.
Upcoming training days are Saturday, 2 March in Launceston and Saturday, 16 March in Hobart.
Interested in being a mentor for a child growing up in foster care?
City Prayer
Church Together Prayer Meetings for Hobart
Church Together invites all Christians to attend their monthly prayer meetings for the city in 2024.
Upcoming Church Together prayer meetings for 2024: – 28 February at Hobart City Church of Christ (8 Goulburn St, Hobart) – 27 March at Hobart Baptist Church (282 Elizabeth St, Nth Hobart)
Arrive at 7.15am for a 7.30am start. Finishes at 8.30am.
Prayer meetings will continue throughout 2024 on the last Wednesday of the month. Contact Sharyn Hill on 0409 855 880 or email info@churchtogethertasmania.com
Plan to pray and gather together as His Church across Hobart
Workshop for churches on CYSOF
New Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework legislation
Olive Road and Fostering Hope are running a workshop on Child and Youth Safe Organisation Framework (CYSOF) legislation.
The workshop is on Thursday, the 14 March 2024 at the Grace Centre, Rokeby, from 9.30pm to 2.30pm.
The workshop will provide an opportunity for attendees to grapple with the new CYSOF legislation and to share resources and ideas to develop the required policies and processes that will ensure ongoing compliance with the new Framework.
Anyone from not-for-profit organisations and churches in Hobart would benefit from this workshop to gain a better understanding of the new legislation.
Time will be given to the new Reportable Conduct Scheme and new strict timeframes on reporting to the regulator. The workshop will also focus on how organisations or churches might comply with the ten Child and Youth Safe Standards.
If you, or someone within your organisation or church, are keen to attend, or if a weekend or evening session would suit better, contact Mary Blake, Exec. Officer, Fostering Hope on m. 0423 365 988 or email mary@fosteringhope.net.au.
Around 1.9 million people in Gaza have been displaced since the war started three months ago, when Hamas launched a terrorist attack on innocent civilians in Israel.
People are sheltering in overcrowded school buildings, churches, and medical centres; some are even pitching tents on the street. This has left families vulnerable as winter hits, with temperatures dropping down to 10 degrees at night.
Gaza is also experiencing a healthcare crisis.
Baptist World Aid Partners in the region are distributing aid to families, including medical items, medicines, hygiene kits, mattresses and blankets, and food packages. They are also continuing to provide medical supplies and other essentials to families in the West Bank and Lebanon, where civil unrest and violent attacks are rising.
Here is a lament written late last year as preparation to pray for protection and relief for families in the Middle East.
Gaza war damage photo by Mohamad Zaanoun, International Health Partners
New Pastor Welcome
Matu Christian Church welcome Rev Kosen
Rev. Maddy Svoboda from Summerhill Baptist welcomed Mr Kosen to Matu Christian Church on Sunday, 4 February.
Matu Christian Church meet every Sunday afternoon at Newstead Baptist Church at 2pm.
Free One-Day Workshop
S.A.N.C.T.U.A.R.Y approach to family violence
The Anglican Diocese of Tasmania is offering a free one-day workshop for Church Leaders and Pastoral Carers. The S.A.N.C.T.U.A.R.Y approach to domestic violence is a guide for churches that offers a theologically-informed lens on domestic violence and how individual churches can create safe spaces for women and children who have experienced domestic violence.
The intention and prayer of the workshop is that Tasmanian churches reflect God’s care for the abused and vulnerable and that churches be places of safety.
The S.A.N.C.T.U.A.R.Y training can be taken either an person or online and is open to church leaders and pastoral carers from any denomination for use within the local church context. All training materials will be available to those who attend.
The workshop is on Saturday, 17 February2024 at Wellspring Anglican Church, Hobart or online on Saturday, 2 March 2024.
Both workshops run from 9:30am to 3pm and include: – Comprehensive information relating to domestic violence – Tactics used by abusers – Impact of family violence on children: brain development, trauma etc. – Spiritual abuse and misuse of scripture to justify or maintain coercive control – Potential theological blockages to reporting domestic abuse – Theology and Biblical messages of love, justice, respect & equality – Exploring what Sanctuary might look like in your church.
Ann Herbert is facilitating the workshops. An experienced facilitator and Elder at Citywide Baptist Church, Ann leads Citywide Baptist’s Sanctuary Care ministry. She has previously managed the Social Policy Unit in the Tasmanian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet and oversaw implementation of a wide range of social policies, including the Tasmanian Government’s Family Violence Action Plan.
Register here or for more information contact Kristy Crouch on 0403 957 106 or email kristy.crouch@gmail.com
Pastors and Leaders Muster, Family-friendly (Devonport)
9-11 July
Tasmanian Baptist Council
7 September
Pastors and Leaders Muster (Launceston)
10-11 September
Annual Assembly
19 October
Tasmanian Baptist Council
16 November
Foundations Course
Burnie Baptist hosts one week discipleship course in January
On Sunday 21 January, Burnie Baptist church welcomed people from all over the world as they hosted a one-week discipleship course called “Foundations.” Along with Burnie Baptist, four other Tasmanian Baptist Churches, as well as students from India, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil and Canada, joined the ‘whole-of-life’ discipleship course, which is run as either a one week intensive or 10 week course (one night a week, plus two Saturdays). The strongly Bible-based course concluded with a highly successful community festival. Afterwards, feedback from participants was very positive. Some participants, who had been in the church for many years, said that Foundations gave them a new way of seeing both faith and mission.
Participating students in the ‘whole-of-life’ discipleship course.
SU Schools Sunday in February
Encouraging students and school staff
Schools Sunday in February is an excellent way to encourage Christian students and school staff members at the beginning of the year. It’s an opportunity to remember that God goes with students and teachers everyday as they attend school. The day provides churches with an opportunity to set aside time during a Sunday service in February to focus on schools and support young people and the local school community. Scripture Union runs the initiative and also provides resources to support churches as they celebrate the day. Resources are available on the SU website or in their PDF Resource Pack. Additionally, the pack provides different ideas for either a complete intergenerational Sunday service or a short segment within a regular service. Churches can choose a date early in the school year to celebrate and encourage students and school staff members.
Schools Sunday supports young people and the local school community.
Position Vacant
Youth and Children’s worker wanted
Citywide Baptist (Mornington/Lenah Valley) are searching for a Youth and Children’s worker with the ability to think outside the box, lead teams and mentor young people. Click here for details.
Citywide are looking for someone who wants to make a difference for kids and young people.
Mending broken drains in Melbourne, morphed into mending broken hearts in Alberta. Then the plot thickened asMatty Coppin responded to a call from Burnie Baptist!
But what was an Aussie plumber doing in the wilds of Canada? And how did he end up in Burnie? Read on to find out . . .
Early days and family
I was born in Nambour up on the Sunshine coast, the youngest of four children. We moved to the eastern suburbs of Melbourne when I was three.
I spent my younger years in Box Hill and enjoyed my community. We had a great neighbourhood, and most of my mates were just a walk or bike ride away. We spent a lot of time riding our bikes, playing cricket, and kicking the footy. I loved my AFL footy, and played for both the Surrey Hills Demons, and the Blackburn Panthers.
My oldest brother’s birth father was a drummer for 70’s rock band Hush. The next brother plays drums for the band Antiskeptic. My sister married a scientist. And I am married to Ashley, who was born and raised in Canada. We were married 15 years ago. We have two daughters, Anneliese, 13 and Alyssa, 11. Ashley is trained in Clinical Chaplaincy and is looking forward to exploring opportunities in Tassy.
The restless years
Our family was quite involved in our local church and so I was raised in a Christian environment. But there were some challenges and we ended up moving from my childhood church to another church. That was about the time I started thinking this wasn’t for me.
I spent my teen years not considering God at all. I left school at age 16 and started my plumbing apprenticeship. Toward the end of my apprenticeship, I found myself struggling with meaning and purpose but didn’t know where to turn.
At the age of 20, I completed my apprenticeship, and then invited on a trip to Uluru through a friend of a friend, with a Christian youth and community organisation called Fusion Australia. I thought it was a party bus for adults, and brought a few drinks with me. I was busted drinking on the first night and given an opportunity to step up and make different choices.
Little did I know how much impact that trip would have on my life. It was a truly formative experience. It was confronting. At that time I realised my deeply formed prejudices, and my lack of direction. It was during those months after the trip that I began to press into a relationship with God and He began to set my paths straight.
Moving to Tas – twice!
After that significant trip to Uluru, I felt something in my heart pushing me toward applying to do Fusion’s Certificate IV in Youth and Community, a work course based in Poatina. So, in 2005 I came to Tasmania for the first time, to do a six-month stint. It was there in Poatina that I met Ashley. After marrying in 2008 we moved to Canada.
Living in Canada was a rich and wonderful experience, and it showed me that God is at work on a global scale. My journey via Canada has prepared me for such a time as this.
Living in Canada was a rich and wonderful experience, and it showed me that God is at work on a global scale.
I love the Australian landscape. I didn’t realise how much the land had formed me until I was living in a foreign place. Tasmania has a beautiful diversity in the landscape which I love and appreciate. I think this is a great place for our Canadian-formed kids to experience Australian living.
This more recent move to Tasmania was the culmination of a discernment journey Ashley and I were on for a number of years. After living in Canada for 15 years, we knew there was a transition coming, and that a move back to Australia was in the mix. It was a big surprise to be asked about the role in Burnie. However we took it seriously, and recognised it was the right move for us.
So I am currently serving full time as the Pastor in Burnie Baptist,and am hopeful to support discipleship initiatives within the denomination. I also love supporting my friends around the world to make a difference in their communities. As well, I love seeing others step into their calling. I love what happens when people make Jesus their King, and I love working in collaboration with others, especially those outside the Church.
Challenges and loves
Creating margin in my work can be a challenge as I straddle the various dimensions of my vocational calling in the Kingdom, which crosses the borders between them. I also feel there are challenges in helping name, and take steps toward, becoming a “community of hope” in this current cultural landscape.
The beach, walking in the bush, watching my Richmond Tigers play and exploring new places with my family are all things I love. I also enjoy music and playing drums, albeit not very well!
I would appreciate prayer for my family as we continue to make the transition into Burnie. Also, please pray for Ashley as she embarks on the journey toward her Permanent Residency application. The best piece of advice I have ever received is that things in the kingdom start with a seed.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . exploring Tasmania and seeing God at work in Burnie.
I am worried about . . . my family finding their place here.
I am confident that . . . God is already at work in Burnie.
I am joyful about . . . seeing my kids making new mates.
I would like to change . . . my terrible hairstyle.
I am at my best . . . I have had quiet time alone.
Anna-Maree Richardson has worked with Tas Baptists as the Assistant Administrator since November 2022, and it is high time we found out more about her. Read on . . .
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 and their happiness.
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.
Michael Henderson is known across Baptist churches in Tasmania for his skills in leadership development and creating edgey art installations. He’s less well known for skateboarding and golfing! Find out more . . .
I was born in Surry Hills Women’s Hospital in Sydney, which closed shortly afterwards. My mum had travelled from Bourke to have me there. Before I turned five, I lived in Bourke, Lismore, Ballina, and Hay. I grew up all over NSW, in many country towns, and loved it. I loved the freedoms I enjoyed in the country, and the sport all weekend, and always being outside doing something. Moving from one place to another was so normal growing up, it felt weird to then stay in Sydney for 20 years, before we moved to Tasmania.
I had touch points with church and God growing up, but committed to following Jesus when I was 20. Actually, I have never connected with the term or category of “Christian”. Instead, from beginning I have needed and engaged with a present and active Jesus in my life, and as someone I follow, like a mentor.
From beginning I have engaged with a present and active Jesus in my life, and as someone I follow, like a mentor.
Michael Henderson
Tasmanian Life
I am married to Tiffany. We met over attaching wooden toilet tags to toilet keys at a Scripture Union Beach Mission where we were both serving. She was finishing her studies in Speech Therapy and had recently sailed from Sydney to Hobart on a tall ship. I was a skateboarder enrolled in art college. We have two young adult children Gabrielle and Sam, and we all live in Tasmania.
I moved to Tasmania to combine art and faith into the Dark Mofo Festival. Gabrielle moved to study Marine Biology at UTAS. Sam moved for the adventure. I am thankful that Tiff moved because the rest of us moved!
I love living here because of the great outdoors. Bush walking, playing golf, skateboarding (skate parks are everywhere in Tassie), and seeing new things. I also love the country town feel of Tassie, and I can visit Sydney and Melbourne without having to live there.
I attended the Lausanne Conference in March this year. The conference was good to attend from a representation point of view, and speak to other leaders who were present. The conference itself included talks about different churches and people doing amazing things, which was interesting but not necessarily helpful.
Ed Stetzer, though, was excellent. He spoke about the basic general principles of evangelism. The standout was Tim Piesse, from Crossway. He gave insight about his honest search for something his church could engage with around evangelism. This involved what he found to do about discipleship and evangelism. As well, he shared how to help introverted personalities get involved without having to be a part-time extrovert. (You can find out more here: bdc.org.au/about-us/)
Tim Piesse shared how to help introverted personalities get involved without having to be a part-time extrovert.
Michael at the launch of his recent art installation at Hobart; And his work: The Seed of Life Weighed Down
Michael’s work life
My work with Tasmanian Baptists involves leadership development. And I also work with Hobart Baptist Church in a mission capacity. But when people ask me how I spend my time, I say I am a skateboarder!
To be honest, I genuinely love working in leadership development, supporting leaders, and helping churches do new things.
My work can sometimes be challenging when trying to get Baptist Churches to talk to me, and trust I am worth speaking with. It is never easy to convey my task is to help them realise their vision for their church. Most people think I will come in and tell them what to do, which no one wants to hear.
I would value your prayer for energy, and for a love for people. That I will be quick to listen, and slow to speak. That I will continue to chase after Jesus with all my heart and strength.
The best piece of advice I have received is to have low expectations of Christians, they are just human. Have big expectations of Jesus and what He can do.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . getting to 50 years old.
I am worried about . . . my ability to see where Jesus works in our world.
I am confident that . . . Jesus is always doing a new thing in our midst.
I am joyful about . . . my family.
I would like to change . . . my car to a Ferrari.
I am at my best . . . when I have had time to be bored.
In previous years, Scott Pilgrim was the Executive Pastor at Crossway Baptist Church (Vic), and had senior roles in BaptistCare NSW-ACT, and Baptist Churches of NSW/ACT.
But what does Scott do now, and why does that matter to Tasmanian Baptists?
I was born and grew up in Newcastle. So, although I love living in Melbourne and it’s home, I will always be a “Newy boy”. It’s one of those types of places.
Newcastle was a great place to grow up, close to family, and actively engaged in sporting teams as a child/youth. Newcastle is home to some great beaches and so we spent a lot of time at the beach, then heading back to my grandparent’s home five minutes away. As a child, Newcastle was an industrial city – home to the BHP Steelworks, where my father and his father worked. These industrial roots kept the city grounded and authentic.
I lived in Newcastle through all my schooling days and then landed my dream job as a cadet journalist at The Newcastle Herald.
I grew up in what I now understand was a “God-fearing” home, rather than in a family that had a deep personal relationship with Jesus. In my teens, I started attending a Presbyterian Church. The ministers of the church – a young husband and wife ordained couple – influenced me greatly. They gave me opportunities to explore ministry at a young age and encouraged me in my journey with Jesus.
In my late teens I started attending a Baptist church and for the first time in my life met a male mentor figure, who clearly and passionately loved Jesus. He had a significant impact in my life, and during this period in the 1980s, Jesus became real to me!
A national spread
I am married to Megan, who is a nurse. We are a blended family (a Brady Bunch family for those old enough to know the show!) All up, Megan and I have eight children.
We have five adult children who live in NSW and the Northern Territory, aged from 31 to 20. And we also have three children with us in Melbourne, a 13-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old son, and a 10-year-old daughter. It’s delightful to see how our younger kids engage so regularly with the benefit of technology in staying connected to their older siblings.
After growing up in Newcastle, I moved around in my young adult years living in a few different places in NSW, working as a journalist. I then spent most of my adult years back in Newcastle.
Megan and I with our three youngest children moved to Melbourne at the beginning of 2017 as I took up the role of Executive Pastor at Crossway Baptist Church.
Melbourne is a great city to live in. [Better than Sydney, but don’t tell them that!] It has so many things you can do, and I love the culture and diversity of the city. Although it’s not the beaches of Newcastle, I love relaxing and walking along the bay and in the eastern suburbs where we live. We are spoilt with so many beautiful green spaces. And yes, the food is great – so many good options to choose from.
It’s also very much home for our younger kids. Melbourne is home for them and they all love playing basketball.
Scott’s work now
I serve as the Executive Director of Baptist Mission Australia, our movement’s international intercultural mission agency. In my position, I head up our work across the world, and our National Team is spread across Australia. And yes, I do travel a lot! I am currently writing from Norway where I am attending the Baptist World Alliance Gathering.
Most of my travel is to places well off the tourist maps, where our teams and partners serve in communities in Africa and Asia. And we’re growing our ministry in Australia, including our partnership with Citywide in Hobart. It’s good to see many different parts of the world – but it’s always great to get home to my family.
I’m privileged to lead a team – that’s the real joy of what I do. And I was invited to step into the position in a time of rapid change around the world and with Western mission agencies like ours needing to re-imagine and re-invent who we are and what we do. It’s why I resonate with the journey that you’re on as Tassie Baptists.
So, when people ask me to summarise what I do I like to use these images – team leader, pastor of global teams, cultural curator, Spirit-seeker and change agent. And I get to lead alongside a great team, including Suse and Caryn, two outstanding younger female leaders who serve with me on our Leadership Team.
A global perspective
I get excited when with others we can share in missional imagination and look to the Spirit to lead us in new ways. As well, I get excited that God would graciously invite me to share in his mission, in the joy of pursuing shalom in our broken world.
There are also wonderful possibilities of partnership and innovative collaborations, which will be at the future of global mission. And one last thing which excites me – I get encouraged every day that the organisation I lead only exists because of the partnership we have with Baptist people across the country.
The biggest challenge I have comes because we live in a rapidly changing world, and the face of world Christianity and international mission is experiencing seismic shifts. The days of the “West to the rest” are behind us, but we can get trapped in this traditional paradigm.
By the year 2030, 70% of all followers of Jesus will live in the global south, and we have the opportunity to explore what new polycentric partnerships will look like as we move ahead. We must face up to these changes in our world, while also celebrating all that God is doing among our current inspiring and passionate team members, serving around the world.
The wounded healer
My best piece of advice? Wow that’s a hard one. How about the learning from a number of authors, including Henri Nouwen, that a theology of brokenness helps us best understand leadership.
I love Nouwen’s image of the “wounded healer”. We can try to hide our wounds and scars, but I am so glad that I have come to see them as very much a part of who I am as a broken person, and that I am in absolute need for the Spirit to be at work in my life. And while he restores me, I am graced with the privilege of standing alongside other broken people, seeking to bring hope, love, acceptance and care.
Please pray for wisdom as we seek to discern the ways of the Spirit in this changing context. Pray for courage in the decisions we need to make. And I would value prayer for my on on-going health challenges as I navigate a pain management journey.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . A holiday with my wife in Italy!
I am worried about . . . followers of Jesus who can’t respect the views of others.
I am confident that . . . the Spirit is at work across the world!
I am joyful about . . . people passionately committed to missional re-imagination and justice!
I would like to change . . . where the Sydney Swans are on the table.
I am at my best when . . . I trust God, be myself and act courageously!
Scott Pilgrim Executive Director Baptist Mission Australia
Associate Pastor Matt Henderson was inducted at Hobart Baptist Church in February 2022, so it’s high time to find out about him. Read on to discover where he came from, and what his ride has been like over the last year.
I was born in Fairfield, Sydney but I’ve lived in Tasmania since I was very young. My family moved around a lot and we lived in many homes right across Hobart. I also spent a lot of my childhood on my grandparent’s farm in Geeveston. Tasmania was a wonderful place to grow up, and although I considered moving interstate as a young adult, I’m now very glad that I stayed here.
I love the ‘smallness’ of Tasmania. Our community here in Tasmania is still small enough that it is possible to build and maintain strong and close-knit communities. We are so blessed to live on an island with so much natural beauty, and because Tasmania is so small, all of that natural beauty is accessible in a way you can’t find in many places in Australia, or anywhere else. Kylie and I believe that Tasmania is the best place in the world to raise children.
I grew up in a very loving family. My older sister has a disability, and because of this I grew up with a different perspective about diversity, inclusion and people with special needs. My wife, Kylie, and I met at a young people’s Bible study, eventually marrying in December 2006. Kylie and I have two boys, Daniel (15) and David (10). Both of our sons are on the Autism Spectrum. I also have an older son, Isaac (23). Kylie and I recently became grandparents. Our granddaughter’s name is Dawn.
Kylie works as Citywide’s Accounts Manager, and does similar work for HBC as a volunteer. Kylie feels led to serve churches in the area of finance, and she also assists a couple of other churches in the Baptist Union in this area.
The Henderson family at Isaac’s wedding in 2021
Growing Up
I was raised in a Christian family and became a Christian when I was nine, on a children’s camp at the Blue Lagoon Christian Campsite. Unfortunately, I had negative experiences of churches as a child, and did not attend a church for a long time. I became serious and committed about my faith and working for Jesus in my mid-twenties when I became involved with a community of Christian young adults and families and got involved with children’s ministry and camps.
Growing up, my family attended very traditional Brethren churches. I was attending Eastern Shore Brethren Assembly when I met Kylie, who was a new Christian attending there because her mum attended there. After we got married, we attended another Brethren church in Hobart, where I worked for a year as the Sunday School coordinator. However, we became increasingly uncomfortable with the teaching around the role of women in these churches. Then, after Daniel was born and began exhibiting early signs of being on the Autism Spectrum, we felt increasingly excluded from that community.
We spent a lot of time un-churched, as we didn’t know how to navigate fitting into a church community as a special needs family.
Finding a Church Home
We really struggled to find a church that was accepting of a special needs family. However, when we visited Citywide’s Lenah Valley campus in 2015, we were immediately blown away by how welcoming and accepting the people there were. We became part of a church family there for the first time. When Matt Garvin arrived in 2017, he showed both myself and Kylie a way of following Jesus that lit a fire for both of us to become more active in serving.
At Citywide I discovered, developed and built my skills, stepping into areas of service and leadership I had previously shied away from. While there, we experienced Christian community in a very different, and much more fulfilling way, than I had ever experienced before. We became more open as individuals, more open as a family, and more willing to share with others.
Matt and Kylie, 2023
As a result of encouragement at Citywide, I got some theological training. This challenged me to develop and practice leadership skills While there, I learned a lot about being part of a community of Jesus followers. I learned that I had leadership skills and I learned a lot about teamwork and church governance.
Our time at Citywide was a pivotal time of personal growth for both myself and for Kylie. We grew up spiritually there, and some very special people mentored us. Citywide is a place and community we will always have tremendous love for.
What Matt does now
Now, I am the Associate Pastor at Hobart Baptist Church. I wear many hats, and it’s both challenging and a lot of fun. My first job is to learn. This is my first time serving in pastoral ministry, and there are a lot of mistakes to be made, and a lot of learning to do. I see my most important task as building relationships within the church community.
Our senior pastor, Stephen Baxter, has a lot of big picture stuff to do with Tas Baptists, so I try to handle as many of the small picture, but just as important, details at Hobart Baptist Church (HBC). Much of my work involves liaising between different teams.
I oversee HBC church service planning, including our livestreaming, and a lot of our social media interactions. As well, I work with Stephen on our vision and direction for HBC, and our teaching plan and roster. I also do fairly regular preaching at HBC.
Leaving a church community like Citywide where we had built up deep roots over seven years was a very costly and difficult change for us. However, we have found the community at HBC to be welcoming, accepting and full of wonderful people. The culture is very different and adjusting has taken a little while for us.
I am still adjusting to working in pastoral ministry. Thankfully, I love the challenge and it is a blessing to have a great mentor to work with in Stephen. I am quite introverted, so there are many aspects of my work I find challenging, but also rewarding.
From a family standpoint, working pastorally with special needs children is a different kind of challenge. It would be fair to say that even after a full year here, we are still adjusting – but its been largely positive.
It’s all about P-E-O-P-L-E
What’s the best piece of advice I’ve been given? Building a strong church community is not about structures or programs, it’s about the people and what Jesus is doing in their lives.
Kylie and I would both appreciate prayer for managing the balance between our ministry work, and the needs of our family.
Short ‘n’ Sweet
I am looking forward to . . . seeing people grow in their relationship with Jesus.
I am worried about . . . how negative the public voice of Christianity often is.
I am confident that . . . as I learn, I will make a lot of mistakes.
I am joyful about . . . the rich diversity at Hobart Baptist Church.
I would like to change . . . how we think about disability and inclusion in the church.
Associate Pastor Franz Brosch was inducted at Wynyard Baptist Church on Sunday 12th February, 2023. He will work alongside Senior Pastor Owen Muskett. Franz and Heidi are excited to be in Tassie, after God brought them on quite a journey!
A long time ago in a country far, far away . . .
I was born and grew up in a town in Southwest Germany called Mühlacker. It wasn’t exactly a rural setting, but still a reasonably small and well-connected community, with neighbours having chats across their fences. Our suburb was beautifully located, surrounded by fields and forests, and it had a river flowing through. It was a good place to grow up.
At the age of 20, I moved 40km away to Karlsruhe – a city of 300,000 – in order to study Computer Science at university.
My wife Heidi and I moved to Tassie after having spent the last eight years in the Camden area, near Sydney. It has been lovely to explore our new hometown, Wynyard, and its surrounds.
We love the stunning beauty of the sea shore, but also the rolling hills and mountains inland. We have also enjoyed getting to know the community here. People are friendly, and everyone has time for a chat!
Franz and Heidi Brosch
Both Heidi and I come from relatively small families. I have my parents and two older brothers living back in Germany. All of them have visited us at some stage after our migration to Australia in 2012.
Since it was only Heidi and me who came out, we are thankful for modern technology. It enables us to stay in touch through phone calls and video chats.
As far as I can think back, I have always believed in God. As a child I was part of the Catholic Church. However, in secondary school a group of evangelical students invited me join them. They met in the breaks between classes for prayer and Bible reading. Being part of this group greatly increased my understanding of the Gospel.
As an adult, I joined an evangelical church, where I was baptised. While I had been baptised as an infant, I took this step to make a conscious declaration of my faith.
The path towards leadership
My first career was in IT, working as a software engineer. I loved the work, yet over time it became increasingly clear I was not really passionate about it. I wanted to dedicate myself more fully to Christian ministry, but I did not know which direction to take.
After moving to Australia, the Lord brought us in contact with a number of Christian ministries and communities. This gave me a much better understanding of what it would mean to pursue vocational ministry. Looking back, I think all these experiences worked together to make me ready to accept leadership responsibility for a community of believers.
I think all these experiences worked together to make me ready to accept leadership responsibility for a community of believers.
Having served as a ministry intern at Narellan Community Congregational Church, near Sydney, for three years, I felt it was time to seek a new ministry position to broaden the scope of my experience.
I was hoping I would still be able to serve under a senior pastor, rather than on my own. Plus, I wanted to work part-time, to allow for the completion of my ongoing theological studies.
At Wynyard Baptist Church, exactly such an opportunity opened up! I am excited the church accepted me as their new Associate Pastor. Heidi and I moved to Wynyard in January 2023, and I started work in February.
Loving, teaching, serving
I have received so much valuable advice over the years, and it is impossible to single out one piece of advice above all others. But one that proved to be crucial was for me to take up theological studies. The advice came first from Heidi. Then from a friend who noticed my growing love for God’s Word, and my desire to understand it more deeply.
My Master of Divinity studies at Morling College have shaped me a lot. They have greatly increased my readiness for vocational ministry in the Church.
Having only just started the Associate Pastor role at Wynyard Baptist, the working out of my focus areas is an ongoing process that will still take time. At the moment, I am working three days/week, and spending time getting to know all aspects of the life and ministry of the church.
I love worship, and have been playing the keyboard in our Sunday services. As well, I am on the church’s preaching roster. More things will come in time.
I am greatly excited to see that God uses deep passions within me, such as worship and teaching, to serve his people and to bring fruit for his kingdom. I love the fact that I can spend my time and energy in ways that really matter and have eternal value.is becoming more and more post-Christian.
Many of the older ways of reaching the lost are simply no longer effective. Part of the challenge of ministry today is thinking of new ways to re-engage people with the message of Jesus.
My challenge
I feel the work of ministry can bring out the worst of our brokenness, both in myself as well as in others, as it is a ministry from and to the heart. The process of spiritual transformation can be frustratingly slow and suffer all kinds of setbacks.
The challenge, then, is to keep looking to Christ and trusting him to take our efforts, imperfect as they are, and use them to continue to build his Church.
At this stage, I would appreciate prayer for the continued process of settling in at Wynyard Baptist Church, as well as life in Wynyard.
Pray my ministry in the church will grow and mature over time, and that as a church we will be a blessing to the community, to all those whose lives we touch. Pray, too, we will cooperate well with other churches in the area in proclaiming the Gospel, and many in our town turn to Christ.
And briefly
I am looking forward to . . . the year ahead with Wynyard Baptist Church.
I am worried about . . . the increasing secularization of Australia and other Western nations.
I am confident that . . . coming to Wynyard was the right step to take.
I am joyful about . . . the beauty of creation across Tassie.
I would like to change . . . myself to do more exercise and eat less sweets.
I am at my best when . . . what I do corresponds with the passion that God has laid on my heart.
