Tag: News

25th May 2022

Pictured Above: Citywide helped organise ANZAC Day in the Park, in Lenah Valley

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.

Find out more about the Conference

SHELTER Retreat

EmpowHer, south

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.
• Get your Rego form SMS Jenny: 0401 652 566
• Invite Others! Download brochure

Faith Runs Deep

Video series with Karl Faase

A unique 12-part video series unearthing stories of faith that have impacted Australia was released by Olive Tree Media on Wednesday, 4^th May.

Faith Runs Deep unearths 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.

MORE: Faith Runs Deep in ReCharge, 25 May 2022.

Tasmania Celebration

Will Graham event to bring HOPE

My State Arena 21 May | Silverdome: 27/28/29 May

The Tasmania Celebration was a free event with live music featuring evangelist Will Graham.

Read the official wrap-up HERE >

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

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!

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.

Find out more: kelvin@citynetworks.org.au

Domestic Abuse Resource

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.

Materials in the Safer Spaces Toolkit include:

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

It’s all free because of the generous sponsorship of Baptist Insurance Services, Baptist Financial Services and Baptist World Alliance Women. 

May Mission Month

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.

Read ReCharge

April/May 2022

Faith Runs Deep Video Series
May Assembly Overview
Around the Churches
Pastoral Profile: Dan Evenhuis
Fostering Hope: Respite Carers needed!
Deep Thought: Mike Frost – Becoming wise
Being Strong and Courageous
Wynyard Baptist Food Drive
Church Profile: Citywide

April 2022 NEWS

DOWNLOAD Recent Issues

ReCharge News May 2022

23th March 2022

Tas Baptist Handbook 2022

Attention Church Secretaries!

The Tasmanian Baptist Handbook for 2022 will be published in time for the Mid-year Assembly on May 6-7. YOUR ASSISTANCE IS CRITICAL!

Please update your church details ASAP, but no later than Monday 4th April.

To provide the required info, simply click the buttons below to access the two forms.

Hope and Help Ukraine

Baptist World Aid

With Russia’s recent aggression toward Ukraine, a humanitarian crisis is escalating as people leave their homes in search of safety.

As of 7th March, more than 2 million Ukrainians have fled since their homeland fell under attack, crossing the border to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Many are women, children and elderly people leaving loved ones behind, as men of military age join thousands of citizens—men and women—who have stayed to take up arms in defending their country.

As the situation continues, the UNHCR expects up to four million Ukrainians will be displaced, exacerbating the already urgent need for food, emergency services, medical care and refuge.

How you can help Ukraine > | Standing with Ukraine Resources >

Did You Miss Out on the Christian Life and Witness Course?

Online course now available

Tasmania Celebration with Will Graham, May 2022

The Christian Life and Witness Course offers practical ways for you to grow in your faith in Christ as well as how to effectively share God’s love.

If you missed the in-person courses, not to worry! An online Christian Life and Witness Course is now available. Register here >

Please note this class is required for those who wish to serve as a Prayer Volunteer (Counsellor) during the Tasmania Celebration events.  

Prayer events ahead of the Tasmania Celebration are now being held in Hobart and Launceston. Find out more about prayer events >

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” —1 Peter 3:15, NIV

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; karen@riverlands.org.au

Scripture Union Tas

Commissioning and Vision Launch

You, and everyone in your church, are invited to to meet with Peter James, CEO SU Australia, and hear about the vision for Scripture Union.

• A Breakfast Celebration in Hobart
• A Dessert Night in Ulverstone, or
• A Commissioning Service in Launceston 

Get to know Stephanie Sebastian, the new Regional Manager of SU in Tasmania, and find out how you can be involved in turning this vision into reality. Let yourself be inspired by the wonderful SU fellowship in the south of Tasmania, meet old and new friends, and help young people and their families to discover their places in God’s story.

Cost: FREE

RSVP for catering purposes by Wednesday, 16^th March via admin@sutas.org.au or ring the SU office on 62448422.

HOBART

9:00-10:30 am Saturday, 19^th of March
Hope Church, 25 Tasma St, North Hobart

ULVERSTONE

7:00-8:30 pm Saturday, 19^th of March
Ulverstone Anglican Church, 6-10 Kings Parade, Ulverstone (near MacDonald’s)

LAUNCESTON

2:30 to 4 pm Sunday, 19^th of March
Punchbowl Christian Centre, 100 Punchbowl Road, Punchbowl,

Position Vacant – Newstead Christian School

Human Resources & Compliance Manager

Bringing a Christian perspective to bear in all aspects of his or her work, the HR & Compliance Manger will establish & manage the processes of recruitment, staff wellbeing, records management, work health & safety, employee relations and compliance.

This is a 0.4 FTE position for 15 hours per week.

Applications due by Friday 25th March 2022.

Position Description >

L***Y Family on Home Mission

Chris, Amy and children recently returned from a very long stint in Indonesia after they were caught there for an additional two years due to COVID restrictions.

For security reasons it is not possible to relay the information in their most recent news email. However, you can subscribe to their next e-news distribution here >

They are safe and well, and taking time to transition back to Australia. You can contact them in Queensland by email.

Pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:1)

Baptist Mission Australia

Watch and learn!

BMA have released a new video explaining who they are and the work they do. This is a significant transition from Global Interaction, who we were all familiar with.

Watch the video to find out more:

Home Ground Found!

Intercultural Sports League

In early February, the Intercultural Sports League, founded by Raj Chopra of IC Church* Glenorchy, had a major win.

The ICSL received permission from the Kingborough Council to use the Leslie Vale cricket oval as its home ground. This is the result of years of searching, and was successful thanks to a partnership with Kingborough Council and support from Cricket Tasmania.

The ICSL now has over 200 players and 13 teams, including a women’s team, which began this 2021-22 season.

Find out more about ICSL: Facebook >

*While IC Church (Intercultural Church) is not a member of the Baptist Union, it is under the auspices of Tas Baptists, and is closely associated with Claremont Baptist.

Religious Discrimination Bill

From Australian Baptist Ministries, 23 Feb 2022

Prior to the disappointing events of the last fortnight, the National Ministries Director, Rev. Mark Wilson, along with Freedom for Faith and other religious groups, had engaged with parliamentarians of all persuasions in the lead up to, and during, the Religious Discrimination Bill debate in federal Parliament.

After several months of negotiations, a basic bill had received the bi-partisan support necessary to pass without amendments. Two Committee reports released only days before the bill’s introduction indicated the major parties would vote for the bill in both houses. As the sitting week unfolded, deteriorating conditions led to the bill being shelved by the Government.

Few sitting days now remain before the Prime Minister must call the next election (the last possible poll day is May 28). There is therefore no time for the Religious Discrimination Bill to be considered in the Senate. Although the bill passed in the House of Representatives, several amendments also passed that caused considerable damage.

Freedom for Faith Board Member Professor Patrick Parkinson has written an excellent summary of why the bill failed here.