In 1938 Aboriginal leader, William Cooper, asked Australian Christian churches to set aside the Sunday before January 26th every year as Aboriginal Sunday.
While many would see the controversy around Australia Day as a comparatively new thing, William Cooper and a number of other Aboriginals first met for a day of mourning on January 26th 1938, and it was this event that prompted his call to the churches.
This year, on Sunday 22nd January, the three Citywide congregations gathered at the Domain Amphitheatre for an Aboriginal Sunday service led by proud Lia Pootah man, Paul Dare.
Paul says, “If churches want to take the teaching of Jesus seriously, then they can’t ignore the pain and injustice that Aboriginal people continue to experience, which gets focused at this time of year.
“Here in Tasmania, in particular, we need to face our past in order that our future can be different.”
Paul Dare speaking; Citywide gathered at the Domain amphitheater.
Spiritual Care Coord P/T Position
Baptcare are Hiring!
Baptcare are looking for a Spiritual Care Coordinator (AKA Chaplain) for Family, Disability and Health.
The position is part-time (0.8 FTE), and is based in Hobart.
For several years now, the small fellowship who gather at Marrawah Baptist Church have been operating on Sundays on an irregular basis. More recently, most of the congregation have shifted to Smithton, and are now attending the Baptist church there. Now, the membership has decided it is time to permanently close their doors.
A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Marrawah Baptist to say farewell, and celebrate 65 years of Christian work and mission that has taken place through this fellowship.
SUNDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2023 10 – 10:45am Pre-service cuppa 11am Service begins A light lunch will follow in the Marrawah Memorial Hall
Christmas is not always merry. Indeed, the season’s festivities can make some people’s despair feel particularly bitter.
This was the case for Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of America’s best-loved poets of the 19th century – and the subject of a new film I Heard the Bells, to be released in select Australian cinemas on 1 December.
Sick and tired of giving trinkets to people who already have everything?Why not give a Better World Gift instead!
Better World Gifts do much more than meet immediate needs like clean water, food, health and income. They allow people to live with dignity. They can also end poverty, not just for individuals, but for whole communities.
These are gifts that give hope.
Each gift you give supports the community-driven work, run by BWA’s Christian partners.
It’s about making a bigger, lasting difference by helping individuals and families develop long-term livelihoods, health, education and leadership skills . . . and that’s a big picture!’
You will help end poverty, thanks to the lasting impact of your Better World Gifts, along with the wonderful work of people on the ground.
NEED HELP?
Visit the Gift GeneratorHERE> Everything is supplied to help you pick the perfect gift card and make a difference on behalf of your loved one.
The range includes physical gift items for your friends and family (eg. tote bags, journals, colouring books). As well as gifts to give to communities who need your help (eg. chickens, blankets, emergency shelter)
Help is supplied so you can select the perfect gift Filter for age group, passions/interests, global region and price range.ad ReCharge
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Love Out Loud Kids’ Videos
Love Out Loud is a Christian charity, established to produce Christian videos for kids everywhere!
Featuring 100 videos of 25 minutes duration on the Love Out Loud fresh new website. Lessons are designed to be streamed into a} School Scripture Lessons, b) Kid’s Church, or c) for Parents at home to use with their family.
All content is available on the website and is 100% free for home and church use. YOU WILL ENJOY …
Click on the ‘SIGN UP’ button in the top bar to subscribe to a plan.
Enter your details and follow the prompts to complete your registration.
Click on the activation link in the confirmation email to verify your account.
You are now logged in and can access the lessons by clicking on the ‘lessons’ button in the top bar.
You can edit your profile and update or cancel your subscription by clicking on the ‘My Account’ button in the top bar, followed by the ‘Edit Profile’ button.
ABOVE: Assembly October 2022, L to R – Paul Manning (BWA); Sherry and Geoff Maddock (BMA); Stephen Baxter and Ben Cochrane; Worship time; Those Gathered!
After two years online, the annual faith and the arts school in Poatina will be held in-person!
Whether discovering FATA for the first time or returning – you can explore how to infuse faith with art, and art with faith.
The FATA team are praying for God’s grace on the time of encouraging, up-skilling and living in community.
Get ready to continue your creative journey …
The Gatherings Team are planning a spiritual and creative journey that will have attendees chewing on how, why and what we communicate, with our diverse creative languages.
Keynote Speaker: Lucinda Coleman
TOM and PAT
A new book by Ivan Jordan (Yolla Baptist)
Forward by Rev. Tim Costello AO
Front Cover
Tom Fleming is one of my heroes; a man who suffered under the Japanese in WW2 but turned his suffering into service of the Warlpiri people at Yuendumu. I am proud to be a Baptist Minister because of the character and witness of this spiritual giant. Ivan Jordan has given us a jewel in providing understanding of one of the most significant chapters of Christian mission in this nation’s history
Tim Costello
ORDER DETAILS
Back Cover
RRP is $35 less 40% for trade, plus freight. If Church groups order five or more copies, they will qualify for the 40% trade discount. Order here >
ORDER DIRECT
Phone: 08 9362 5955 (Intnl +61 8 9362 5955) Tuesday and Friday 1pm to 5pm W.A. time
Email: books@hesperianpress.com Please ensure the following are included in your email or letter to Hesperian Press:
Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them”
John 7:38 (NIV)
The recent Crossover Spring Appeal, Streams of Living Water, is a huge success! A big thank you to those who signed up to give to Crossover on an ongoing basis.
Director of Crossover Andrew Turner (who conducted Tas Baptists’ recent leadership review) explains what the appeal is all about in this video. OR you could read Andrew’s letter to churches.
The generosity of supporters gives Crossover the ability to:
Create new resources (like the new Christmas resource, Missing Peace?)
Run events (such as hosting the recent online Australian Baptist Prayer Gathering)
Provide encouragement to Aussie Baptists (it’s time to read the new article about young adults exploring church!)
And offer invaluable training (more and more churches are using the Plan A resource).
Every dollar given is a blessing. Each donation comes closer to Crossover’s goal:
To see our Baptist movement baptising twice as many new believers each year by the end of the decade.
Streaming GOOD. Television
Find out about GOOD. TV
Australian Christian Channel have a free streaming service to provide positive entertainment options.
In an ever-changing world it’s great to know some things do not need to change. There is so much good to look forward to, which is why the people at GOOD. are committed to providing positive entertainment options so people can always watch something they can trust and rely on.
This is more than just a wide variety of programs. It includes a standard of viewing bringing more goodness into your life, with content to provide you with peace of mind. And will make you feel good at the same time.
GOOD. provide quality movies, TV series, documentaries and much more. You have the choice you want, without the stress of the not-so-good stuff that you do not want for your family.
As well, GOOD. is FREE, without any hidden costs or monthly bills.
Women gathered to pray at Day of Prayer events around Tasmania
On Saturday 22nd October, women gathered at Claremont and Ulverstone Baptist churches to pray for women around the world. They also gave funds to assist with Baptist projects in our Pacific region.
In each location, small groups prayed for international regions about specific prayer requests. These included prayers such as:
Nations recovering from COVID (Carribean and Asia)
Domestic abuse (Pacific and Caribbean)
Unexpected pregnancy support programs (Latin America and Canada)
Shelter for victims of human trafficking (Asia/Azerbaijan)
Reconciliation for indigenous people (Australia and NZ)
Peaceful elections (Africa)
Baptist women are doing astounding work across the globe!
In the recent budget, the Government announced $1.4 billion of additional aid to our region over the next four years!
Micah Australia welcomes these increases while continuing to call strongly for further urgent aid to help fight famine in the Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Yemen and Syria.
WATCH: Micah Australia’s Tim Costello (Exec. Director) and Matt Darvas (National Director) respond to the Budget from Canberra
Fostering Hope’s vision is to find a family for every child who needs one.
Tasmanian Baptists work with Fostering Hope to encourage churches and families to both provide, and support, foster carers.
Along with recruiting new carers, Fostering Hope supports people on the journey with connection, training, pastoral care, and mentors for children. As well, they offer trauma-awareness training for churches so they can be safe places for all children and adults.
Currently, Fostering Hope are looking for more fostering families to offer homes for children who need them.
There is also a need for respite carers to offer extended family and community around full-time foster and kinship families and we just don’t have the families to ask.
Children without the protection of their parents are the most vulnerable in any community. These children need families and communities to offer them hope, healing, and a childhood free of adult stresses and full of fun.
If you would like to know more about Fostering Hope’s work, or have someone from the team talk at your church or run a trauma-awareness training, please get in touch.
The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis
The winner of the Christian Book of the Year Award 2022 is The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis, by Tony Rinaudo.
The book tells the story of a revolution in reforestation that is transforming the lives of subsistence farmers around the world. An inspiring and irresistible story of one man’s obedience and God’s faithfulness.
The awards are presented every year by SparkLit.org, who aim to advance God’s Kingdom by empowering Christian writers, publishers and distributors.
Come along and share a delicious morning tea, together with other women of the northwest.
The morning tea will be followed by a leisurely walk around Pig Island, Latrobe.
WHEN: 10am Saturday 12th November 2022 WHERE: Monclair of Latrobe and Madame M Cafe, 78 Gilbert St Latrobe REGISTER: By Tuesday 8th of November to Gabe Fife – 0421 434 138 INVITE FRIENDS: Please do!
ABOVE: Rodney Marshall and Michael Henderson (behind camera) recently met with the Marrawah leadership team to plan the best way forward.
End of an Era
For several years now, the small fellowship who gather at Marrawah Baptist Church have been operating on Sundays on an irregular basis. More recently, most of the congregation have shifted to Smithton, and are now attending the Baptist church there. Now, the membership has decided it is time to permanently close their doors.
A Thanksgiving Service will be held at Marrawah Baptist to say farewell, and celebrate all the years of work and mission that has taken place through this fellowship.
STAY POSTED! Final service details will soon be confirmed, for early 2023.
Marcel Enuica is the Regional Relationship Manager (Vic/Tas) for Voice of the Martyrs and will be visiting Tasmania in November. See dates and venues, below.
The exceptional movie Tortured for Christ will be shown at each venue – watch the trailer!
Tea/coffee will be provided. People will also have the chance to receive a complimentary book from Voice of the Martyrs Australia. Range of books here: https://vom.com.au/shop-resources/
For more information, please contact Marcel: menuica@vom.com.au | +61 457 689 169
Devonport Devonport VOM Fellowship/Movie Night – Tortured for Christ WHERE: 156 Steele St, Devonport TAS 7310 WHEN: 6-8pm, Friday 11th November DOWNLOAD INVITATION >
Launceston Launceston VOM Fellowship/Movie Night – Tortured for Christ WHERE: 14 Wentworth St, Newstead TAS 7250 WHEN: 6-8pm, Tuesday 15th November DOWNLOAD INVITATION >
Deloraine Deloraine VOM Fellowship/Movie Night – Tortured for Christ WHERE: 46 Parsonage St, Deloraine TAS 7304 WHEN: 6-8pm, Wednesday 16th November DOWNLOAD INVITATION >
Hobart Hobart VOM Fellowship/Movie Night – Tortured for Christ WHERE: 8 Goulburn St, Hobart TAS 7000 WHEN: 6-8pm, Friday 18th November DOWNLOAD INVITATION >
Ethical Fashion Guide, 2022
Due out 17th October!
Baptist World Aid’s Ethical Fashion Guide and Report reveals how brands are going at ensuring their supply chains are ethical, and sustainable.
BWA want to give you meaningful information on your favourite brands, so you’re equipped to assess your shopping habits and ask brands to do better. That’s why they’ve made a few changes to the Guide this year:
A wider range of footwear companies in the Ethical Fashion Guide and Report, shining a light on shoe production practices.
Each company’s score out of 100, instead of the previous A to F grade, giving you even more transparency over how your favourite brand performs.
Australians across the country are being encouraged to think differently as they purchase gifts this Christmas. Giving the gift of food security, clean water, the transformative power of an education, or mum and baby essentials for mothers living in poverty has been made possible as Compassion Australia release their annual ‘Gifts of Compassion’ gift giving guide.
The range of gifts offer an ethical alternative for Australians to give to family and friends this Christmas season while giving the gift of transformation to those living in poverty.
Individuals can select from more than two dozen gifts, so there is something for all budgets. For each gift purchased, the supporter will receive a card to give to their loved ones.
CEO of Compassion Australia, Clare Steele, says, “A food security gift is undoubtedly the most urgent need at present. The compounding effects of the war in Ukraine, COVID-19, inflation, and extreme weather events are driving up food costs and leading to supply shortages around the world.
Giving a gift of Compassion is as easy as three simple steps:
Receive a beautiful card, either in print of via email for each gift
Make an impact with the gift for children and families living in poverty
Free Mental Health Webinars
FOR THOSE IN MINISTRY
7:30-9pm, Mondays 10th and 17th Ocober
Attend one or both!
Church leaders, staff and pastoral volunteers are often a primary contact for their congregation and local community when life gets hard. So now, more than ever, churches need support to healthily manage the increasing pastoral load and needs of individuals.
These free online webinars, run by Christian Counsellors Association of Australia, will give people in ministry the tools and strategies for implementing good mental health care in their churches.
The presenter, Rev Bill Van Schie, has been in pastoral ministry for over 36 years and is also a registered Clinical Counsellor and Supervisor in private practice.
10th Oct: Mental health first aid for churches and volunteers
While it’s not being reported regularly in the mainstream news, there is an unparalleled hunger crisis happening right now, one many Australians don’t seem to know about.
Baptist World Aid is teaming up with the Emergency Action Alliance, both to thank the Australian Government for its recent commitment to funds, and to call for support from Australians in response.
Baptist World Aid reports:
4.7 million children in Ethiopia under age five face acute malnutrition;
Almost ten million livestock have died throughout Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia;
4.1 million people in Kenya and 7.1 million in Somalia are food insecure.
A Global Prayer Movement | Monday, November 7, 2022 (or other day)
For more than 70 years, sisters in Christ have united in prayer for the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer hosted by Baptist World Alliance Women. Please join in as women gather to pray this year in homes, churches, and communities around the world!
The 2022 theme is “Victorious Life” drawn from the truth of 2 Corinthians 2:14.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in the triumph of Christ, and through us reveals the fragrance of the knowledge of him in every place.”
2 Corinthians 2:14
This year, Day of Prayer events are popping up around Tasmania! You can participate in one of the already planned events, or host your own, using the 16-page Prayer Guide, and other resources >
It’s also a great opportunity to financially contribute to Baptist projects supporting women in smaller nations.
Day of Prayer (Northwest) 10am, Sat 22nd October, Ulverstone Baptist Church.
Day of Prayer (South) 2-3:30pm, Sat 22nd October. Claremont Baptist Church.
Day of Prayer (North) Please get in touch to host an event. (I mean, why not?)
Walk the World is an invitation for your church, families and people of all ages to get out in your local area and pray for your neighbourhood and the world.
This is a fun and interactive new way for you and your church, family or small group to have a Kingdom impact! Watch the video to find out more.
Across the weekend of 11th -13th November 2022, commit to praying as you walk, run, wheel, cycle, imagine or drive around your area. Pray for God to be at work in your community and in communities around the world.
As you do, our teams in Africa, Asia and Australia will be praying for you too!
Resource for all ages are coming soon. These are being developed to help equip and inform your prayer time as an individual, family or group.
Marcel Enuica is the Tas/Vic representative for Voice of the Martyrs, an Australian ministry which began in 1969. He will be in Tasmania from 10th-22nd November and would like to visit your church!
His ministry is to serve and work with local churches to help them understand persecution. He explains how they can prayerfully and practically respond to the challenges and opportunities it presents.
He explains what persecution is, what it isn’t and provides stories as the voice for those who are in prison, those who are persecuted, and those who have paid the ultimate price for their faith.
Marcel could work with your church to plan a prayer meeting, service, or movie night. Perhaps your church could organise an event or movie night, and invite other churches in the area.
Movies available
Sabina telling the story of Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand – watch the trailer:
Tortured for Christ – watch the trailer:
If you’re interested in either of the movies, they can be made available for free on the night. You can also contact Marcel for a private link to look at them beforehand.
23rd November 2022 | Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
The Tasmanian Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast brings together like-minded people from across Tasmania to pray for our State, our leaders, parliamentarians, businesses, schools, communities, and community organisations, our families, youth, and children. In the name of Jesus, we ask God to grant us the will and wisdom, the creativity and strength we need to care well for each other and to see Tasmania flourish in every dimension.
Hosted by Tasmanian Baptists’ Mission Director Stephen Baxter, you can join this special moment of unity and humility.
Robyn Moore
This year’s speaker is passionate Tasmanian, Robyn Moore. Robyn began her career as an educator, then explored her love of recording and entertainment in Sydney, becoming Australia’s most versatile voice-over artist in iconic commercials, award-winning syndicated radio comedy and in animation series, seen around the world.
She calls herself a “RE-MINDAVATOR” rather than a motivational speaker, and was recently recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list with an AM for services to the performing Arts and to Charitable Organisations.
Early-bird registrations close Friday 14th October 2022.
The sixth annual “small festival of art, music, and words” will be held in 2022 at the Huon Valley Hub. The workshops, live art, concerts, panel discussions, and award events will occur on the first weekend of the festival, with the exhibition continuing through the 14th.
The Pilgrim Artists Festival 2022 seeks submissions reflecting on Justice and Mercy.
Entries are accepted from Christian artists worldwide, of all ages. Your entry need not be explicitly religious, but should engage meaningfully with this year’s prompt.
If you are over 18, submit by 1 October and your submission is free. Late adult submissions incur a fee. We cannot accept adult submissions after 22nd October. If under 18, your submission is always free, and you may submit until 29th October.
See entry forms for further details, including terms and prizes.
Nancy Jones of Pamela Court Summerhill, passed away on the 20th July 2022 after a short illness.
Nancy was born in Hobart and attended the Macquarie Street School. In 1958 through to 1962, Nancy trained as a nurse’s assistant while studying to be a nurse in Aged Care. That same year Nancy moved to Launceston and met and married Clarrie Powell who had built a house in Walkers Avenue, going on to have two children, Karenlee (stillborn) and Shane.
In 1984 she met Des, and married him in 1985. Des’s son David became part of the family, and it was at this time that Nancy decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. This included bringing up two of Des’s grandchildren Kirsten and Ricky who they adopted in 1991. She made it her mission to improve the lives of others.
While living at Hagley, Des and Nancy attended the Longford Baptist Church. They were involved in assisting with work among young people, especially at the annual camps at Liffey.
Des and Nancy and their two children, Kirsten and Ricky, attended the Newstead Baptist Church very regularly through the 1990s. Nancy was a passionate about craft. When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she could be found at the Newstead Baptist Church Chat ‘n’ Choose craft group.
Relatives and friends are respectively invited to attend Nancy’s Memorial Service at 11:30am on Sunday 11th September at Newstead Baptist Church.
Grief Seminar, Devonport
9:30am – 4:30pm, Tuesday 13th September
New Mornings is hosting a Grief Seminar in Devonport on Tuesday 13th September in partnership with other local services. A comprehensive program includes three educational streams for:
People who are grieving(at least three months after a loss).
People wishing to learn how to better support others.
People who support grieving clients in the course of their worke.g. support workers, community workers, pastors, chaplains, pastoral carers, nurses, carers, youth workers, teachers.
Please DOWNLOAD THIS FLYER to forward on to your leadership team, congregation and other contacts.
COST OF GRIEF SEMINAR:
Service providers: $95 early bird until 9th September; $135 standard after 9th September Community members: FREE! Due to extra funding received this week. Use Promo Code: SPEC-NM3 when you click the REGISTER button
Group booking discounts for five or more members of your team
Registration discounts in case of financial difficulty
Difficulties in accessing online registration
Any other queries
Hear Pastor Peter Kasirivu
WHEN: Friday 2nd September 7-8.30pm WHERE: Gateway Baptist Church, 22 Wellington Street, opposite Morty’s FREE EVENT: with a love offering
Peter J. Kasirivu is the founding pastor of Gaba Community Church Uganda, and the founder and president of Africa Renewal Ministries. Peter is also the founder and chancellor of Africa Renewal University in Uganda. Peter is a born-again Christian, having come to salvation in January 1981.
He traveled to more than 15 nations, teaching leaders as well as preaching the Gospel. Peter is known for his passion for developing leaders through his weekly TV program on LTV known as the Excellent Life. As well as he runs the annual outreaches to Uganda’s many universities.
His greatest love is to help and encourage up-coming leaders. Peter has so far written two books, Your Vision Is Your Future and The African Pastors’ Handbook.
Carols in Your Backyard
Your church can run a local carols outreach, without the cost and complexity of professional musicians and staging!
Carols in Your Backyard is a professionally produced and recorded live-stream event for pre-evangelism at Christmas.
Produced by Gymea Baptist and now in its third year, it will be available free and unbranded. Gymea has decided to commit to the live-streamed format of carols due to its potential to reach more people than a traditional carols event and its ability to foster genuine relationships formed in smaller settings.
You can stream Carols in Your Backyard wherever you can set up a screen and speakers: in a park, church hall, car park, lounge room, or backyard.
Expressions of interest are open now. Send Belinda Lakelin an email and she’ll be in touch with resources and the stream details. belinda.lakelin@gymeabaptist.org.au
For just a few hours a month, you can significantly impact the life of a child in care for the better.
Fostering Hope is a community organisation who work closely with Tas Baptists to encourage and support Baptist families and churches to provide loving homes and church community for foster kids.
Their work is inspired by the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to ‘visit’ and ‘care for’ orphans and widows, to put the lonely in families, to love the fatherless, to care for children, and to love the neighbours in the communities.
Through their Mentoring Program, Fostering Hope seeks to provide a “friend with purpose” for kids in care.
Here is a way to live out your faith by caring for those in need. You can make a difference for a child in care by becoming a mentor.. Be equipped with training, connect with a child and be provided with ongoing support as you mentor your foster child.
The next training day is on Saturday, 1st October, in Hobart (Northern training will be available in 2023)
*EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women
Help Fight Famine Today
Write to your MP
Baptist World Aid’s Christian Partners have seen first-hand how devastating hunger can be to a person’s health and wellbeing.
In Australia, we’ve seen our own food prices skyrocket due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, climate disasters and most recently, the conflict in Ukraine. But in communities and countries where people were already facing life-threatening hunger, this conflict has pushed them to the breaking point. Right now, 49 million people are facing famine.
This is an urgent crisis that can’t wait. But we can make a difference. We can help save lives. We can help fight famine.
Baptist World Aid is part of Help Fight Famine, a new campaign calling on our government to urgently deliver $150 million to support the world’s hungriest countries, including communities in the Horn of Africa, Yemen, Afghanistan and Syria.
Write to your local MP hereand call on them to push our new government to do our part in responding to this urgent crisis. It’s really easy!
Library Aid International
USED BOOKS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES URGENTLY NEEDED
Students at Molumolu Secondary School in a rural area of Fiji in the school library.
Library Aid International Inc in Burnie, Tasmania is now filling a tenth shipping container for an overseas destination BUT have completely run out of incoming books and educational resources.
Please send any you no longer have a need for!
Boxed resources labelled ‘Library Aid c/- Burnie Depot’ can be left at any DeBruyn’s transport depot, and will be transported to us at no cost.
Educational resources for any age level are wanted for this next shipment and to keep our volunteers busy! Books used by your kids and grandkids and no longer use. High School, College and University textbooks are also needed.
For a full list of suitable educational and school supplies, please see the Books tab on the Donations page when you visit https://libraryaid.org.
In Australia, on average one woman is killed each week by a current or former partner. While men can be victims of DV, the overwhelming majority of victims are women. Children, too, experience severe trauma and developmental delay when exposed to domestic violence.
Aware of this concern, approximately 25 people met at Citywide Baptist Church recently to learn more about domestic violence (DV). Dr Wilma Gallet led us through a one-day workshop on how the church can respond to this serious social issue.
An ever-present help
We explored the myths and facts about DV, its prevalence in Australia, the different forms it takes, and the ways in which it impacts people within our church communities as well as more broadly.
In particular, we looked at the SANCTUARY approach as a framework to help the church be better prepared to provide appropriate responses to both the victims/survivors of DV and those who perpetrate violence in the home.
A sanctuary is a sacred place, a place of safety and refuge. Psalm 46:1 tells us that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”. Churches can be places of sanctuary where all people can find rest and refuge as expressed in the Gospel.
The DV Sanctuary Commitment is to create environments where victims of domestic violence feel safe, believed, included and loved. This includes:
Safe spaces
Acceptance and trust
Networks of support
Caring for children
Trauma-informed approaches
Understanding unconscious bias
Affirming personal agency
Recognising red flags
Yielding hope
Step 1 for Citywide Baptist Church has been to make us more aware of the domestic violence issues in the community. Our challenge now is to work through what SANCTUARY can look like in our particular church community.
With God’s help, we will be an inclusive, safe sanctuary where healing can occur.
NB: Another resource available to us is the SAFERSPACESTOOLKIT.COM.AU, developed by Australian Baptists.
Baptist Word Alliance Gathering
10-15 July 2022, Birmingham, Alabama USA
Gathering for the first time in person since 2019, over 600 Baptist leaders from more than 65 countries participated in worship, prayer, learning, relationship building, and shared ministry at the 2022 Baptist World Alliance (BWA) Annual Gathering.
Offered as a hybrid event, hundreds met on the campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, (pictured) with more than 150 others participating virtually.
Those gathered included Aussies ABM National Ministries Director Mark Wilson; CEO Baptist World Aid Melissa Lipsett; President Baptist World Alliance Women Karen Wilson; and President of Baptist Women of the Pacific Elissa Macpherson.
The focus for the Gathering was largely facilitated by the BWA Racial Justice Action Group which was launched in October 2020. At the gathering the Action Group embarked on a two-year journey to:
Focus the 2022 BWA Annual Gathering around the theme of racial justice.
Engage in theological reflection related to the call for racial justice today
Develop tools for ongoing engagement within the BWA, BWA Member Bodies, and Churches so that the pursuit of racial justice will remain an ongoing priority
Newnham Baptist closed its doors in April 2016. At that time the leadership team made plans for remaining funds in their bank account .
This year, all funds have been donated to mission work as agreed. Jit and Jan Yawan, and their work with Lanternlight Ministries in Thailand, were recipients of some of the funds.
Below are excerpts of the thank you letter sent to Jill Ashdown. Jill is a past member at Newnham Baptist, who has overseen the project.
Dear Jill and all associated with the former Newnham Baptist Church,
We have seen your support gift and also the letter you sent to Baptist Mission Australia to tell us about the gift. We have very fond memories of the breakfast gathering at Jill’s home. We loved the setting and felt a very warm acceptance at that session. We also remember our visits to the Newnham Baptist Church gatherings.
We have seen your support gift and also the letter you sent to Baptist Mission Australia to tell us about the gift . We have very fond memories of the breakfast gathering at Jill’s home. We loved the setting and felt a very warm acceptance at that session. We also remember our visits to the Newnham Baptist Church gatherings.
We want to take this opportunity again to say thank you for the support you sent for our work with people with disabilities through Lanternlight Ministries.
Our recent newsletter gives you a snippet of an update of some of the folk we have been able to visit to touch your hearts.
Jit and Jan Yawan
Stand Sunday 2022
Supporting Foster Carersduring September
On Stand Sunday, Christians unite on behalf of every child in care. They commit to pray for them to be restored to a forever family.
In Australia, we host Stand Sunday on the second Sunday of September to coincide with National Child Protection Week (4-10 Sept) and National Foster Carer’s Week (11-17 Sept). In 2022 that is on Sunday 11th September. However, your church is welcome to participate on any Sunday in September.
Each year, Fostering Hope provides a Stand Sunday Kit and video for you to use in your church, small group or community. These will soon be available.
Celebrate foster carers who STAND as carers and family for children who desperately need it.
For churches to STAND with carers to understand the beautiful and messy lives they live.
And for churches to STAND up with information about the need for more homes for vulnerable Aussie children.
This Stand Sunday, we ask Baptist churches in Tasmania to open up to those who need a home, a family and community – let’s find fostering families to fill this need in Tassie!
Mary with her two sons. For security reasons Mary’s foster sons cannot be photographed with them.
Become a Money Mentor
Christians Against Poverty calls on the Christian church community to consider becoming money mentors to meet growing demand.
With continued interest rate rises and the skyrocketing cost of living, it’s likely that more than 1 in 4 Australians will currently be living in financial distress and CAP says they need thousands of church-based money mentors to meet the growing demand for their services.
Rosie Kendall
CAP trains volunteers to walk alongside people experiencing financial distress. They give them the tools and support they need to see beyond their current financial challenges.
CEO of CAP, Rosie Kendall says, “We re working hard now to ensure that no Australian suffers financial distress, and we’ll need a lot of help to do that. Especially in the current economic climate. The fact that so many Australians are living in financial distress just shows that we’re all vulnerable to it, especially in times of uncertainty”.
Recognising that financial stress isn’t just about the dollars and cents, CAP has released a free Financial Wellbeing Scale to help people improve their understanding and measurement of all the different elements that make up their financial wellbeing.
For more information on CAP, including how to donate your time and become a money mentor, or to make a tax-deductible donation to support the work of CAP, visit: https://capaust.org
So far, we are encouraged by the strong start the new Australian Government has made in strengthening diplomatic relationships, especially at a time like this.
Straight after the election, the CEOs of Australia’s leading Christian international development agencies, came together under the banner of Micah to deliver this call for A Safer World for All.
One of the most worrying developments we see is the quickly approaching global food crisis. The climate crisis, accompanied by the war on Ukraine, has created the perfect storm for mass food security, particularly in the Horn of Africa and across the Middle East.
Micah is working on a significant response to this, with actions that you and your church can take to help fight famine. We will update you with these developments as they evolve.
In acknowledging the crises faced by our world, we hold firm to the hope we have in Jesus. Even amidst our fears and anxieties, we are called to: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” (Proverbs 31:8).
Please support the distribution of dry rations in response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka Appeal. The focus is to ask young people to contribute to the need.
The past 75 days we have seen the youth of Sri Lanka rise and stand for justice, fighting against corrupt and evil leadership. This crisis brings thousands, if not millions of people, into life below the poverty line into devastation.
This appeal is launched by the Asia Pacific Baptist Youth (APBY) in partnership with the Asia Pacific Baptist Aid (APBAid), together with the Baptist Young People’s Auxiliary (BYPA) as part of relief efforts towards the current crisis in Sri Lanka.
Please circulate this to the Youth Ministries as the request is for this to be driven by young people.
The dry ration distribution program was initiated by the social hub of the BYPA, upon identifying the need of a mechanism to support the daily essential needs of 556 families from 21 key Baptist Churches and 8 Mission Points and their surrounding communities.
The total amount to raise by the end of July is $US12,000. Any small contribution you make towards this will reach people who are in dire need.
Your contribution of:
$US44 Will provide a family of 4-6 food security for a month
$US22 Will provide a family of 4-6 food security for 2 weeks.
This training day will be held in Hobart on Friday, 5th August and is designed to service anyone engaged in mentoring relationships, formal or informal.
This year’s event focuses on working in difficult times, supporting people through experiences of trauma. The day will be an opportunity for networking as well as learning.
Guest speakers: Lacey Holloway and Maria Hutchison
* EmpowHer is an activity of Tasmanian Baptist Women
Try Alpha In Tasmania!
Online and In-person Alpha courses will begin soon at Baptist churches in Tasmania. This is such a great course for enquirers, new Christians, AND mature Christians.
Why not invite a friend or family member to attend with you? Whether you attend online or in-person, ALL ARE WELCOME!
Hobart Baptist Church from Sunday 31st July, starting at 12pm
Citywide Baptist Church from Monday 8th August, starting at 7pm
Check out Alpha’s Annual Impact Report celebrating over 78k people who explored Jesus last year (AU), many within our churches! Contact Ryan Vallee, our national Alpha Baptist rep, if you’d like to explore how to make the most of Alpha for you and your church.
Watch this video to Tasmanian Baptist churches from Ryan Vallee, the Alpha rep for Baptist churches nationally.
Pictured Above: Worship time at the Mid-year Assembly, May 2022
Table of Contents
APBF Hybrid Congress
5-7th September – online
The Asia Pacific Baptist Federation Congress meets regularly every five years, touching thousands of Baptists every time. APBF has witnessed the faithfulness of God in Asia and the Pacific over the period of 40 years as they have grown to almost 40,000 churches today.
The 10th APBF Congress calls Baptists to gather with the theme Stronger Together in its first Hybrid Congress (available to both in-person and online attendees) and witness yet again God’s faithfulness. In-person in South Korea will allow delegates to interact face-to-face with the speakers. While the online version will provide a seamless flexibility to join the Congress from your location.
During the shortest daylight week of 19-26 June, coinciding with Dark Mofo, Citywide people were encouraged to seek God through prayer and fasting.
In addition to personal resources, everyone was encouraged to do a neighbourhood walk, praying over the homes and people as they passed.
As well, they met on Rosny Hill on the shortest night to pray for and over the City.
Maybe you could organise a time for your church to pray for your town or city?
Library Aid International
Just 10 boxes to go!
Burnie, Tasmania
We are ecstatic at Library Aid International in Burnie. Ten more boxes will fill our ninth shipping container of teacher resources, school supplies, books and computers that will head to Zimbabwe (see picture at right). It was expected to be ready in September but will now be in the next month or so.
Our greatest need
This container is looking pretty empty
We want to make a start on our tenth container, but our inwards goods container is pretty empty, see picture below.
Our greatest need IS NOT for finances! It is for books and school supplies as per the attached list. Please pray for these to come our way, especially via school and public libraries that we have good contact with.
The Values Project is designed to help organisations, churches and groups reflect, talk and learn about our identity and values as communities of faith within the Australian Baptist movement.
As we are reminded of the values that underpin the historical and cultural backbone of our movement, we reflect on how these values impact our attitudes, practices and decisions in our unique contexts.
The Values Project strengthens our sense of identity, encourages connectedness and community across our movement, and informs decision making and leadership.
Four free episodes are available, along with corresponding Scripts, Facilitator’s Guide, Discussion notes, and sermon ideas.
The 4-5 minute videos each focus on one of our four values: 1. Jesus-Centred 2. Community 3. Mission 4. Freedom. They are a great basis for discussion and understanding Baptists, particularly for those new to the movement.
Tuesday 26th July (start with lunch) to Wednesday 27th July (end with lunch)
The July Muster will be held in Burnie and is themed around the idea of PROXIMITY.
Proximity is about living close to people so you see them, love them and can listen to them. It will build on from our exploration of Courage at the March Muster.
Over the past 50 years or so, pastors have often been trained to keep people at arm’s length – in our programs and systems and organisations. This is quite strange given that Jesus became like us and “moved in to the neighbourhood” (Jn 1:14 MSG).
At this Muster we will focus in on being driven to get to know people as people, rather than as demographics, target markets or workers.
WHEN Tuesday July 26 (start with lunch) to Wednesday July 27 (end with lunch)
VENUE Burnie Baptist Church
THEME Proximity
ACCOMMODATION Attendees are responsible for their own accommodation. If you need assistance, please let us know.
COST $95 – Covers lunch, afternoon tea and dinner on Tuesday and morning tea and lunch on Wednesday
9.30am to 4pm, FRIDAY 1st July Campbell Town – Memorial Oval Function Room Lunch and snacks provided. Registrations close 20th June 2022
TCC Emergencies Ministry deploys faith-based volunteers to care for affected people in situations such as evacuation centres during fires and floods. To train for this ministry no formal qualifications are required but a positive reference from your faith community leader is essential.
The Federal Government is funding the training scheduled training, so the usual day-long Personal Support training is now offered at the very reduced price of $20+GST (usually $100+GST).
The training day is for both new volunteers and for current volunteers who are due for a refresher course (due every three years).
Topics covered include:
Understanding the emergency setting
Tasmanian Emergency Management Arrangements
The impacts of emergencies on individuals and communities
Psychological First Aid principles
Emotional & Spiritual Care principles
The role of a TCC Emergencies Ministry volunteer
Stamps for Overseas Mission
Help raise funds for Baptist Mission Australia
Your Used Stamps Can Make a Huge Impact
For more than 50 years, Australian Baptists have collected and sold stamps to raise money for Baptist Mission Australia. This simple fundraiser generates about $70,000 every year!
With electronic mediums replacing much of our posted mail, used stamps are becoming harder to source. Thankfully, they are becoming more valuable owing to scarcity.
Jill Ashdown, of Gateway Baptist, oversees this ministry for churches in Tasmania, and she invites anyone to assist by collecting stamps. Stamps received from our churches can be delivered to the Tasmanian Baptist State Office at Riverlands Longford.
Accumulations, old stamp albums, postal history and other stamp memorabilia are also very welcome.
What to do:
Prepare the stamps by cutting the stamps off the envelope, leaving a 5mm border around the edge.
Collect a bundle in a box, envelope or bag.
Drop them off to Riverlands Longford, 159 Wellington St, Longford. The office is open Mon-Fri 9am-1pm. Or else, call to arrange a suitable time: 6391 2202
Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.
But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
$45/person Covers food and materials. (This is a non-residential retreat.) Contact us if you have hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
Nonviolent Direct Action on the Streets of Launceston
In April, Extinction Rebellion Northern Tasmania (XRNT) held a street theatre, Unholy Matrimony, in the centre of Launceston. It aimed to light-heartedly draw attention to the ‘love affair’ between the Australian Government and the fossil fuel industry.
Sally Staley and Jeff McKinnon from City Baptist Church were amongst four who were arrested that day and face court on 8th June. In all about ten people from City Baptist were involved.
Recharge: What did XRNT hope to achieve by presenting Unholy Matrimony? Jeff:Despite 30 years of formal reporting by climate scientists and lobbying by concerned citizens, XRNT believes the response of the Australian government has been far too little. Since 2019, XRNT has held mildly disruptive events at which volunteers may be arrested. XRNT maintains an excellent relationship with Tasmania Police.
ReCharge:Why participate in XRNT events given you face the risk of imprisonment? Sally: Imprisonment is not something I think about. Many Christians throughout history, starting with Jesus himself, faced court, imprisonment and more. I am nothing like those great saints. But when there is an issue so important as what we face today, with the degradation and destruction of our Lord’s creation, there is a drive within me to alert people to the need to stop polluting creation. The thought of imprisonment does not enter the frame!
Pictured Above: Citywide helped organise ANZAC Day in the Park, in Lenah Valley
Table of Contents
Family Faith Rhythm Cards
The Australian Baptist Ministries Next Gen team have created a set of cards families can use to dig deeper in discipleship practices.
“It’s a really good resource for households.”
Jenna Blackwell, Tas Baptists’ Mission Leadership Coach
This set of cards has been designed for families of all types and stages.
The twenty included activities fall into four broad categories – discovering God’s big story, experiencing Jesus, showing God’s love and remembering and celebrating.
GET HOLD OF A SET!
Download Here > OR Order printed cards from the Tas Baptist office: (03) 6391 2202; info@tasbaptists.org.au
Hybrid Conference
BWA Annual Gathering, 10-15 July 2022
It’s less than two months until the 2022 Baptist World Alliance Annual Gathering, hosted in the United States for the first time in 40 years, and the first in-person event since 2020.
Gathering on the beautiful campus of Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama (USA), Baptists will unite July 10-15 for a strategic time of prayer, fellowship, learning and planning together with a special emphasis on racial justice.
Committed to make participation possible for as many Baptists around the world as possible, the event includes:
1) Affordable Accommodation: Through BWA’s partnership with Samford, convenient and affordable lodging includes meals on campus. However, space is limited, so it’s important to reserve your spot today. The deadline for accommodation reservations is May 31.
2) Virtual Registrations: Understanding that travel is still difficult for many, the Annual Gathering is planned to be the first hybrid BWA event. There is a virtual registration option, which includes streaming access to key corporate sessions, the online event networking platform, and unique on-demand content. ONLINE REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE on June 30, 2022.
5pm to 5pm, FRI/SAT 24-25 June 2022, Blackmans Bay
SHELTER …
Everyone needs it. God provides it. We sleep, eat and live in it.
But how do you live in the SHELTER of the Most High God?
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1
Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart)
$45/person Covers food and materials. (This is a non-residential retreat.) Contact us if you have hesitations about cost. There are other ways you can contribute.
A unique 12-part video series unearthing stories of faith that have impacted Australia was released by Olive Tree Media on Wednesday, 4th May.
Faith Runs Deepunearths stories of more than 40 Australians past and present who have been impacted by Jesus and have gone on to have a significant influence within the Australian community.
The series is produced by Olive Tree Media, makers of the award-winning series, Jesus the Game Changer and Towards Belief. Olive Tree CEO and former Senior Pastor of Gymea Baptist Karl Faase, worked with their experienced production team, as well as Karl’s wife and series producer Jane Faase.
Musical guests performed, and Will Graham offered a message of hope. Will, the grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham, has shared the truth of the Gospel with more than one million people on six continents.
The main event was preceded by Kidzfest and Youth events.
KIDZFEST
Kidzfest with Dan Warlow
Tailored for primary school kids but the whole family is welcome! All children must be accompanied by an adult/carer.
Featuring: Dan Warlow: a leading Australian Christian Kids’ Music artist and entertainer performing in schools, churches, festivals and community events. The Quest: A new, 20-minute interactive video Gospel presentation, that combines live action and animation to share the hope of Jesus with children.
YOUTH!
Youthfest ran into the main event with PlanetBoom at 6pm
For Highschool kids up – suggested age range (12–25). Youth under 16 years must be accompanied by a responsible person 16+.
Featuring: PlanetBoom – a Youth band and ministry of Planetshakers. + Youth activities | FREE food and more! Youth ticket (Hobart) includes main Celebration with Cass (Cassandra Kanda), The Afters and Evangelist Will Graham.
Hobart Wrap-Up
Attendance for the Hobart Celebration over one day: (Kidzfest | Youth | Celebration) was over 2000 people
Over 220 people responded to the call for salvation.
Almost 50% of responses were young people (10-25 years)
Over 70% of responses were 1st time salvation
Plus over 1100 viewed online with 24 responses
Launceston Wrap-Up
Attendance for the Launceston Celebration over three days: (Kidzfest | Youth | Celebration) was nearly 4000 people
Over 450 people responded to the call for salvation.
Over 80% of responses were young people (10-25 years)
Nearly 60% of responses were 1st time salvation
Plus over 4600 viewed online with 79 responses
Support Refugees in Kyev
The main Evangelical Free church, in Kyev Ukraine, is one of many hubs assisting refugees out of danger zones.
Refugees are brought to the hub, fed and tended to medically if necessary. Then they are taken on buses to various other cities in Ukraine.
Director of City Networks, Kelvin Smith (Hobart Baptist) is friends with Anton, a pastor with the Evangelical Free denomination. Anton’s father, Antonoli, is Bishop of that denomination which represents about 80 churches. Both men have remained in Kyev throughout the invasion.
Thankfully, the church was donated two 51-seater buses, and have two drivers and a van to aid their efforts. A free medical service is stationed at the hub. More than 3000 refugees have been moved in this manner.
The cost of fuel for continually running the buses is about USD$1500 per week. The cost of food at the shelter is about USD$1000 per week.
If you contribute, 100% of proceeds will go to fuel and food for refugees.
Tas Baptists would like to make you aware of a new resource from ABM called the Safer Spaces Toolkit. A team of Australian Baptist women created the toolkit to equip churches to address domestic abuse, and help build relationally healthy cultures.
Domestic abuse continues to be a significant issue for our nation, and it’s an issue that doesn’t discriminate. Sadly, domestic abuse occurs in every ethnic, social and economic group throughout Australia, and it also occurs within our churches.
Domestic abuse continues to be a significant issue for our nation, and it doesn’t discriminate. It occurs in every ethnic, social and economic group throughout Australia, including our churches.
Despite this, we are not a people without hope. Churches can be (and often are) at the forefront of providing safe and caring environments for victim-survivors of abuse and can build cultures that model healthy and respectful relationships.
We are grateful for the work our churches have already done to address domestic abuse in their churches and communities. The Safer Spaces Toolkit helps pastors and church leaders continue on that journey.
Sermons: A trauma-informed preaching lens Videos: Subject matter experts on various topics related to domestic abuse and building healthy relationships Training modules created specifically with church leaders in mind Resources: Links to a number of other resources
As followers of Jesus, he calls us to cross the street, step out, build bridges and meet people where they are. The call is to live alongside our neighbours with the hope of Jesus. That’s what our intercultural teams around the world do! And it’s what church communities in Australia are called to as well.
The theme for May Mission Month 2022 is ‘Crossing the Street’.
Resources are available for your faith community to engage with mission and Baptist Mission Australia’s ministry in a new way.
Kidzfest begins with music guests and “The Quest,” an interactive presentation with a fun Gospel message. There will be petting zoo, games, balloon animals and other fun activities all for free!
KIDZFEST LAUNCESTON
KIDZFEST HOBART
Tickets are requiredto attend Hobart events: (not for Launceston!)
Led by Denise Stephenson (LifeWay) and Jenny Baxter (Hobart), this retreat will focus on sheltering in God’s presence.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1
If you are weary and burdened with life, and need some time to enter God’s presence to reflect, restore and rest, then come along!
INFO: The retreat is non-residential, and will be held in Blackmans Bay. COST: $45/person NB. There are other ways you can contribute if money is an issue – so get onto us! ARE YOU IN? Call or SMS to reserve your spot, and we will send you more info: 0401 652 566 BROCHUREDownload here
Ministry Training at WEC
Cert IV Christian Ministry and Theology
Eastern College Australia are offering accredited units at its delivery site in Launceston. Worldview Centre host evening classes where you can complete units towards a Certificate IV in Christian Ministry and Theology.
The Tuesday evenings include catered meal breaks.
Unit Costs $300/unit
Where Worldview Centre for Intercultural Studies, 41 Station Road, St Leonards, TAS 7250
5pm-8:30pm 14 June-30 August (10 weeks): Christian Ethics 5pm-8:30pm 13 September-29 November (10 weeks): Discipleship
Tasmania Celebration
Since 1950, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has held Crusades across the globe to proclaim God’s love to people who need Jesus Christ. Today, Will Graham Celebrations continue this life-changing mission.
A Celebration is not just an evangelistic event; it is a process of prayer, training, outreach, and follow-up that takes place over a 12-month period—and it begins and ends with the local church.
The Tasmania Celebration is scheduled to take place in May 2022, just a few short weeks away.
In Hobart, the Tasmania Celebration will be held at the My State Bank Arena on 21st May. In Launceston, the main events will be at the Silverdome on 27th-29th May.
PRAY for the Events
Commit to praying; privately, within your Connect Groups and prayer gatherings. Click HERE to download prayer points as we pray together in unity.
Perth Baptist is running a bus to attend the 29th May event at the Silverdome. For more info, please email info@perthbaptistchurch.org.au or call 0418 130 221.
Advocating for the Most Vulnerable
Micah Australia is a coalition of Christian aid agencies who lobby the government on behalf of the world’s poor, vulnerable and oppressed. Micah Australia’s Executive Director, Tim Costello, is one of Australia’s best-known community leaders and a sought after voice on social justice issues, leadership and ethics.
The 2022 federal government Budget, released on 31st March, revealed some major wins. This included the announcement that the government will increase the intake of Afghan refugees.
Watch the video from National Director, Matt Darvas, to find out more:
There were also some incredible outcomes for Micah’s End Covid For All campaign. This is the direct result of months of campaigning for Australia’s neighbours in crisis.
You can take action
Please spread the good news and thank Minister Alex Hawke (Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs) for responding, by sharing this Facebook post.
Through Micah’s latest campaign, A Safer World For All, the momentum will be sustained in the lead-up to the federal election. It’s an unmissable opportunity to call on Canberra to support our neighbours in crisis.
Since the formation of the Asia Pacific Baptists Federation in 1975, and the first historic gathering of Baptists in 1979 in Hyderabad, India, the APBF Congress has met regularly every five years. As a result they have touched thousands of Baptists through the Congress.
APBF has witnessed the faithfulness of God in Asia and the Pacific over the period of 40 years as the Baptists of Asia and the Pacific has grown to almost 40,000 churches today.
The 10th APBF Congress again calls Baptists to gather with the theme “Stronger Together” in its first Hybrid Congress (available to both in-person and online attendees). Attendees will witness yet again God’s faithfulness. In-person will allow you to interact face-to-face with the speakers, while online will provide a seamless flexibility to join the Congress from your location.
STOP PRESS! Due to an overwhelming response, all registrations for in-person attendance have now closed.
Here’s some exciting news: if you stop by the Baptist World Aid website, you’ll find a new look and a new visual identity. The look might be new, but they are still committed to ending poverty so all people can enjoy the fullness of life God intends.
(Even now, BWA’s Ukraine appeal is helping Christian Partners care for displaced families.)
BWA will also print a new quarterly 16-page magazine for supporters, Better World Magazine, which will hit mail boxes in the next few weeks and includes news updates, inspiring features and even a column on ‘Curly Questions’.
A heads-up that our next Tasmanian Baptist Assembly will take place at Riverlands Longford on Friday night 6th May, and Saturday 7th May.
As always, Assembly will be an inspiring time of challenge, encouragement and connection.
On Saturday, Scott Pilgrim of Exec. Director of BMA will speak. “Business” is kept to a minimum, and the focus will be our theme for 2022: (en)Courage.
If you are not a regular attendee and would like to attend you are very welcome. It is important to note, however, that only official church representatives have voting rights.
Church Secretaries watch out! Information for Assembly, will soon come your way to distribute to delegates.
Crossover Easter 2022
History has shown that nothing transforms lives, communities, the world, like people coming to know Jesus. Sharing Jesus is so vital, what if we had more confidence, more wisdom, suitable methods and more really useful resources. Crossover passionately focusses on helping Australian Baptists share Jesus.
Will Graham will be in Tasmania in May for the Tasmania Celebration. Let us make sure we cover the entire event in prayer before, during and afterwards!
Prayer meetings are scheduled in the north and south of the state over the next few months.
Do you want to know how to easily share your faith with others? Or perhaps you would like to be a prayer partner/counsellor at the Tasmania Celebration?
Then look no further! This 3 x 2-hour-session course is being run in Hobart and Launceston, and you can pick up missed sessions online.
