The year is 1996. Atlanta hosted the Olympic Games, and the Nintendo 64 was unleashed upon the world, bringing great joy as you lay proximity mines in the facility level on Goldeneye 64. The Spice Girls released ‘Wannabe’ and Tickle Me Elmo was created. It was also the year that I started high school at Queechy High School (Queechy is quality with a capital K…a real-life quote from someone who went to Queechy) and I connected with a group of people who would drastically alter the direction of my life.
The group of people that I started hanging out with were a group of Christians who took their faith seriously. As someone who had given Jesus absolutely no consideration in my life, I remember simultaneously being impressed that these guys enjoyed basketball and heavy metal music and intrigued that they seemed to have something that I didn’t have that I couldn’t put my finger on. They were kind, patient and genuinely seemed to care about me, despite the constant tirades of profanities that exited my mouth.
These guys stuck with me right up to the moment that I was baptised five years later. I remember talking to one the night I was baptised, and he shared with me that this group of friends had met together every week for one hour, simply to pray for me and that I may come to know Jesus. For five years, they prayed even though there were many times it looked as if my life was on a progressively more destructive trajectory. I am, literally, eternally grateful for their heart and commitment to Jesus and myself.
A Safe Space
Now absolutely, this story speaks to the power of prayer, but what strikes me profoundly is the depth of community that I unwittingly stepped into back in 1996. I entered a group of friends who lived out their faith in Jesus publicly and privately, who lived life alongside me in my best and worst moments and refused to walk away. They gave me a safe space to ask questions if I had them, express doubts when I had them, to share from my depths in deep and meaningful conversation moments and to be myself, even though I’m sure they didn’t agree with the choices I was making.
Right from day one, my life was marinated in the beauty of deep, transformational community. As my faith has progressed, being a part of this level of sharing and caring has been part of forming me into the person I am today. As someone from a broken home and family, I longed for a level of acceptance and welcome and when followers of Jesus are at their best, this is a natural overflow of our connection to the true vine.
‘One Another’ Commands
In the eyewitness account of Jesus life written by John, he records Jesus saying:
I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.John 13:34-35 (emphasis mine).
As we are in community with the Trinitarian God and receiving his love, the overflow should be that same love shown to us, shown by us for each other.
This is why there are so many ‘one another’ commands; this is what the life of love looks like on the ground. Outdo one another with honour. Forgive one another. Confess your sins to one another. Encourage one another. Bear one another’s burdens. Bear with one another. Admonish or reprimand one another. Pray for one another. This is what the life of Jesus looks like lived out.
If we are wanting to develop and cultivate intergenerational churches, we must become places and people who love like this. I truly believe this type of community transforms lives, as it did in 2001 when I entered the waters of baptism, responding to the love of Jesus that was shown to me through my friends.
Rev. Maddy Svoboda is the pastor at Summerhill Baptist, and represents the Greater Launceston churches on the Tasmanian Baptists Mission Leadership Team.
“And I always make sure I invite some people who I’m fairly sure will say no.”
I heard this little off-the-cuff sentence from Melinda Dwight (former Director of Alpha Australia) two years ago, and it’s stayed with me ever since.
Inviting is an important part of being a sacred agent. We all have our different gifts, ministries and settings, but at the end of the day – in fact all day – we represent the One who is inviting people everywhere into his kingdom. The gospel is news – and it’s also an invitation.
As representatives of Jesus, we want to be as inviting as he is, whether that be inviting others to lunch, to youth group, home group, Alpha or a church service. Is our invitation as genuine, warm, strong, and gentle as his? And importantly, is it as wide?
When we think about inviting, or are encouraging others to invite, so often our thought process goes like this: Can I think of one person among my contacts, who may be likely to be interested? And our minds are drawn to those most Christ-adjacent.
But Jesus’ kingdom doesn’t work like that. Surely we know that he doesn’t only invite those already closest to him. Saul of Tarsus certainly wasn’t. The kingdom is full of unlikelies. And even those who do indeed say no, No, or NO need to know that they are invited. The invitation itself plants a seed.
“Just know you’re definitely invited“
Imagine how things would change if we shifted the norm from ‘thinking of one person to invite’ to ‘putting the word out to all our contacts’:
– We’d be almost certain to see a lot more people joining us, and;
– A great many Australians would be receiving multiple invitations, and what would they make of that?
We know that a lot Australians are interested in Jesus. Where their blockage is a sense that they don’t qualify or wouldn’t be welcome, what’s needed is an invitation. It needn’t be high-pressure, it could be as simple as a text message like this:
Hello everyone I know within cooee: Our church at West Beach is starting a new series through John’s gospel this week. Also an Alpha Course starting Aug 21. Let me know if you’d like to come along – or surprise me there! Just know you’re definitely invited.
In Jesus’ teaching, the Sower spreads the seed very broadly, and the fisher casts a wide net, not just a single line. How wide is the net you’re casting?
Andrew Turneris Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Photo by Cassiano Psomas on Unsplash.
‘But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist…’ (2 Tim 4)
“Give a person a fish, and they’ll eat for a day. Teach a person to fish and they’ll eat for a lifetime.” It’s a great principle, right? But if you push it to a logical conclusion, if it’s always better to teach than to fish, there would be only talking and no fishing and mass starvation. Someone’s gotta fish!
I’ve been thinking about this as I notice a very encouraging sign in our movement. In times past, we’ve typically tried to address the need for evangelism by doing sermon series on evangelism. It’s been noble in intention, but blind to a significant side-effect: Who’s going to invite an unbeliever to church when the sermon is about evangelism? It had hints of the fishing-lessons-to-mass-starvation vortex.
But more and more churches are investing directly in doing the work of evangelism. Alpha courses are run in Baptist churches like never before – 565 courses so far this year! We’ve just hit the one millionth Australian Alpha participant – and I’m proud to be six of them! Perhaps what excites me most is that more churches now run Alpha (or similar courses) as a matter of course rather than as an occasional special. May that continue until evangelism is completely mainstreamed as the bread and butter of Baptist churches!
Show a Person How to Fish
The saying, “teach a person to fish,” really should be “show a person how to fish.” A highly effective way for pastors to equip the church for evangelism is simply to preach evangelistically. Those that do receive the triple-benefit of encouraging believers in their faith, giving examples of how to share it, and inclining attendees to invite their friends.
Our world is full of vacuous opinions and empty content in a way that eerily mirrors the world of Paul and Timothy. Their contemporary Dio Chrysostom noted, ‘you might hear many poor wretches of sophists shouting and abusing one another, and their disciples, as they call them, squabbling, and many writers of books reading their stupid compositions, and many poets singing their poems, and many jugglers exhibiting their marvels, and many sooth-sayers giving the meaning of their prodigies, and ten thousand rhetoricians twisting lawsuits, and no small number of traders driving their several trades.’
That sounds as much like the twenty-first century as the first. What’s needed now as much as then are people able to keep their headwhen others’ are turned by every fad or scare, able to endure hardship when others baulk at mere inconvenience, and willing to do the work of an evangelist. In a world of ideological junk food, those who offer a truly nutritious meal will find plenty of hungry hearts and minds.
There’s lots happening at Tas Baptist churches around the state. Churches in this edition include: City Baptist, Newstead Baptist, LifeWay Baptist, The Point Baptist, Ulverstone Baptist and Citywide Baptist.
NORTH
City Baptist
The church is starting Alpha from 27 July at 12pm on Sundays at Boathouse Function Centre. They recently sent 18 Brooks High School students – many involved in the Youth Revolution after-school group, to the Supa & Beyond Scripture Union camp at Carnacoo, Paper Beach.
With support from Re-imagine Young Adults volunteers. There are plans to launch Youth Alpha with Youth Revolution participants. Youth Revolution (for Brooks high school students) continues as a collaborative event that occurs on Monday afternoons.
Making A Difference Locally City Baptist is also making a difference locally. The church contributed $50,000 towards the Waverley Primary School kitchen redevelopment, made possible by a generous bequest. A City Baptist member, who serves as the school chaplain, brought the need to our attention. Jenna and Merelyn enjoyed their time at the recent Baptist World Alliance world congress (see the photos below).
Newstead Baptist
Recent activities at Newstead (NBC) highlight the vision of the church to be intentional in growing mature disciples and developing intergenerational ministry.
NBC Women’s Retreat The 23 women who attended the day relished this time of fellowship. Together, with Jenna Blackwell from TasBaptists, the group explored the experience of those on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24). Jesus joined alongside his followers, though they did not recognise him at first, he walked with them and listened as they shared their confusion and uncertainty. Then they came to realise it was Jesus who had been with them all along.
Walk This Way Walk This Way are Sunday afternoon walks for all-ages and family friendly. Designed to enjoy God’s creation. They are an initiative of Pastor Dan and held in partnership with Scripture Union. Recent walks have included a picnic lunch and walk to the cave at Roach’s farm, and a walk to Punchbowl Falls.
NBC Chat ‘n Choose After celebrating the Biggest Morning Tea for cancer fundraising in May, this weekly ministry group is now trialling a move from Butler House into the church building which provides more space to meet, with better access to new amenities.
BDC Building a Discipleship Culture at NBC Church Council have commenced alternating meeting times. They will aim to tackle regular church business at one fortnightly meeting and, at the other, to focus on discipleship training and prayer to prioritise this as leadership at NBC.
Alpha NBC is excited to partner with City Baptist to host an upcoming Alpha, commencing at The Boathouse from July 28.
Perth Baptist
School Holidays Children’s Camp After careful planning, Perth Baptist successfully ran their first school holidays children’s camp and community meal in the just concluded July holidays. Over 20 kids came to the camp and heard about the gospel, with stories of courage and the power of God, and took home gospel material. On the Friday night, the church welcomed eight parents to the meal.
Despite rainy conditions forecast for the next three days, God gave the team great weather with no rain while the camp was running. They were very grateful to God for leading, enabling, and working, not just with the kids and their families, but with church members as well.
Praise God for His work in the preparation and running the kid’s camp. The team are in prayer for the next stage and asking God about a regular children’s outreach. God is working in the community and the church as they take the next steps in His plan.
(Stay tuned for the full-length story in an upcoming issue!)
The Point Baptist
The Texans The Point Baptist hosted a family of four Texans (the Horton family) over for 5 weeks for an outreach program into the local community. Outreach included mainly Basketball and fishing. Mr Chris Horton is a basketball coach back home and Heather Horton is a teacher. Daughter, Dempsy, and son, Jace, have helped with youth and carried out the communion talks. The Hortons have also been teaching the church on leadership. Church members report that this has been amazing, very insightful and truly a blessing.
New Youth Leader A few more people have come along to the church, and they have just employed one of their own young people to take on youth leadership.
Making memories with messy moments
Creation Outreach Elder, Craig Hawkins, has ventured off to the mainland for outreach using the Creation Discovery Centre at Beauty Point as a base. He’s been talking to churches and schools on creation. The church is certainly growing spiritually and in numbers, praise God!
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LifeWay
International Tree Day: A Different Kind of Sunday Service Yesterday, our church had one of my favourite annual services. A worship event unlike any other we hold throughout the year. It was International Day. Instead of gathering in our usual building to sing, read scripture, and pray, we took our worship outdoors and into the community. There were no run sheets, no microphones, and no worship band. What there was — was purpose, unity, and an intentional act of worship through creation care (as well as shocking Tassie weather)
In the pouring rain and cold winds of East Devonport, our church members showed up — in rain jackets and gumboots — ready to worship. We joined with the local council and Landcare groups to plant hundreds of native trees and shrubs along the coastline. This effort was part of an ongoing initiative to restore and protect the local environment, and this year marked our fourth time participating.
At first glance, this may seem far removed from what we traditionally consider “church.” Most Sundays, we gather in a building, sing songs, read scripture, pray together, and listen to a sermon. All of these are good, beautiful expressions of our faith. But stepping outside of that routine — quite literally — to worship God through action reminded us that worship is not confined to four walls or specific rituals.
This outdoor act of service challenged us to see worship through a broader lens. It required intentionality. We had to remind ourselves — this is not just a community project; it’s an offering to the Creator. As we dug holes, planted tube stock, and braved the weather, we did so as an act of love, gratitude, and reverence for the One who made the earth and called it good.
Worship Outside the Box
Interestingly, for many in our community connecting with God in a traditional church setting can be difficult. But out in nature, with hands in the soil and the sea in the background, barriers fall away and God’s presence is obvious. As David wrote in Psalm 19“ – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Activities like this are a reminder for us at LifeWay to remain creative in how we worship. To seek wonder, and try new ways of connecting with God. While music is a powerful gateway to worship for many, for others, it’s these moments in nature — serving with purpose — that draw them closest to God.
What made the day even more special was the opportunity to deepen relationships with our local community. Partnering with the council and Landcare not only helps protect and restore God’s creation, but it also shows our city a tangible expression of Christ’s love and stewardship.
As we walked back to our cars, soaked but smiling, we could see the fruit of previous years ’plantings growing strong — a beautiful reminder that faithful, small acts can have lasting impact. This coastline, which we are blessed to live near and worship on, is becoming healthier, more vibrant, and better protected — all because a little group of believers chose to worship outside the box.
Ulverstone Baptist
Excitement grows, as Ulverstone Baptist embark on a new season. In a special meeting held in June, UBC Ministry Partners decided to step out in faith and continue the faith legacy of paying it forward for generations to come.
A Concept Plan A decision was made to sell the manse that has served and provided a much-needed ministry to UBC for over 42 years. With the money from this sale and the possibility of other fundraising initiatives, ‘a Concept Plan’ for renovations to the existing church building was presented. Plans include an indoor playground, café/kitchen space, ministry areas and meeting spaces that will be used for many years to come, leaving an inheritance that will benefit future generations.
Social Events and Gatherings Church seniors continue to meet on the first Friday of each month. They enjoy fellowship, morning tea, sing, and listen to several guest speakers. Considering the cold winter days, recent gatherings have been well attended with strong engagement. They have had the pleasure of enjoying guest speakers. Guest speakers include Amelia and Lesley Crowden from Kaydale Gardens and Margie Burgess, Chaplain of Karingal Nursing Home in Devonport.
UBC men with their invited guests, gathered and enjoyed breakfast as Pastor Louis shared his testimony to 40 people. UBC ladies have enjoyed gathering to share a Mother’s Day dinner at Dalton Café. The winter table tennis competition continues Monday evenings. Others come together to stand in the gap and pray for needs within the UBC church family.
From the Pulpit
Over the past months, the church has enjoyed being challenged by the teachings of Pastor Louis, Lyn McKay, David Blyth and Nerrelie Cann. Church service visuals have been greatly enhanced with the addition of a new, large, LED TV screen. This replaced the aged and retired data projector, Wow! It’s crisp.
CityWide Baptist
US Bible Students In June Citywide hosted nine Bible College students from the US for a week. They joined in life at Citywide. and did some mission and testimony spots. They helped with some practical things and enjoyed seeing and experiencing something of our beautiful island.
MAANS (Merge Academy Awards Night) Citywide young people host this red-carpet gala night every year and what a fabulous job they do. People are encouraged to make and submit short films to enter the competition sections – and what creative skills emerge causing much entertainment, laughter and fun.
Future Proofing Your Life Again, the church is running a 3-week information series aimed at encouraging and informing people about all aspects of preparing for an aging future. This is for themselves or for parents entering their final years. Week 1 is about things we can do to stay in our own homes longer. The next week informs about Retirement Villages and Care Homes, the facts, costs, processes, and hints. Week 3 is focussed on legal aspects. This includes, wills, guardianships, funerals, medical choices, etc.
There is a saying from the Babylonian Talmud (everyone’s go to source for Instagrammable inspiration) that I have found helpful. In the Avot D’Rabbi Natan, you will find the words ‘do not fear the work that has no end’. It is a call to embrace the continuous and liminal nature of endless tasks in the same direction.
Our theme as Tasmanian Baptists this year has been ‘Intergenerational’. Our hope and desire is to see all generations come together in vibrant faith and mutual discipleship (learning and sharing), worship and mission. Just in case you were wondering, this would fall smack bang into the category of ‘work that has no end’.
At the beginning of this year, my wife Immi and I welcomed our fourth child and third son, Benjamin, into the world. It has been a whirlwind of elation, emotions and exhaustion, but as we were welcoming Benji into our family, there were articles coming out saying that our global community was welcoming a new generation: generation Beta.
Who knows what is going to come to fruition with this generation; they are coming into the world at the height of AI’s powers and into a chaotic maelstrom of cultural, economic and political forces but it hit home to me how much this work of being intergenerational has no end.
It will require the best from us as we yield to Jesus so that when my newborn son turns 18 in 2043 (writing that sentence was not a fun one to write), we are postured well to equip him to abundant life and faith in Jesus. So how do we posture ourselves in that way? I shared some of my thoughts with the Baptist pastors at our muster in June, however, I feel that it is not just helpful for pastors and church leaders, but wisdom for us all wherever we are at on the journey of life.
The Most Important Five Percent
The first thing is to discern, prioritise and invest in our most important five percent. In his book ‘Leading on Empty’, Wayne Cordiero has a theory that 95 percent of your life can either be done by someone else or you can train someone to do. There is only five percent of what you do that only you can do. No one can be trained and you wouldn’t want them to be; No one else is responsible for my intimacy with God. Nor can anyone can be a husband to Immi or a father to my kids. No one else can cultivate my friendships and family relationships, physical fitness, mental health or invest into the God given calling that is mine.
I have heard the analogy that all the responsibilities you carry are juggling balls. Some balls are rubber; you drop them and they can bounce; they can survive. There are others that are crystal. You drop them, it will do damage. They will break. Drop them enough and they will be irreparable. These ones are the most important five percent.
In a world that is increasingly turbulent and where people of all generations are wrestling with questions of identity, purpose, meaning, belonging and where is the good life found, if we have done the work of investing in our five percent, we can walk alongside people through those complex times and share out of the richness of a life well lived alongside Jesus.
So, do you know what your most important five percent? What does good stewardship in those areas look like?
Rev. Maddy Svoboda is the pastor at Summerhill Baptist, and represents the Greater Launceston churches on the Tasmanian Baptists Mission Leadership Team.
I grew up in a church community that actually felt like a community – the young people weren’t just doted on, we were given a voice. Older people weren’t just wise, they spoke into the lives of younger ones with gentle intrigue, loving compassion, and wise discernment.
Families didn’t just exist, they shared life together. Not always, not perfectly, but we were often welcomed into the homes of others.
Earlier this year Stephen Baxter, Mission Director for TasBaptists suggested the following: “Picture walking into a church where the energy is electric, where grandparents and teenagers serve side-by-side, where children’s laughter mingles with ancient hymns, and where every person knows they are part of something bigger than themselves.”1
It wasn’t hard for me to picture, because that was my experience growing up.
This experience lives fondly in my memory as being quite idyllic. And to a large degree, it was. The young people spent all Sunday together, by choice. But the truth is there is also deep pain… There were moments of abuses of power that led to a church split and significant emotional pain. Being a small town, we also experienced young people leaving for university, jobs and other commitments (and we sent them with love).
Not for the Faint-Hearted
I would love to tell you that community is always idyllic. But the fact is, change happens, and people are imperfect. To live together well, we must learn to face the brokenness in ourselves and others with compassionate attention, respectful confession, and grace-filled forgiveness.
This is not for the faint hearted. But the good news is this: such authentic community is what young people are craving, and the words, works and ways of Jesus are the best way to do this well. What an immense opportunity we have– to share Jesus as our hope for being truly seen, known and loved in the midst of this lonely and isolated society.
However, we cannot truly learn to be in community with one another well until we do the deep work of acknowledging the self-protective mechanisms that have helped us cope with our wounds thus far. It is good that these exist. They have helped keep us safe thus far.
But they are not always helpful to take with us into the rest of life. Until we do this deep work, our self-protective mechanisms will raise their heads in ugly ways that jeopardise community relations and the transforming work of God.2
Transformed by Love
True freedom in Christ comes in allowing God to meet us in the depths of our wounds and bring glorious transformation through them. Often, God does not remove the wounds, but healing is found as we are liberated from the bondage of said wounds. For this to be so, we need to experience the transforming love of God in the very depths of our being.
Research suggests that young people are looking for hope, open to spiritual conversations, and seek out belonging before believing. We have opportunities to be communities of hope, centred on the words, works and ways of Jesus.
So, what’s your role in this? How is God inviting you to participate? Is there a younger person you could come alongside with gentle intrigue, loving compassion, and wise discernment? Or an older person you could ask to walk alongside you? Is there an area of your being that you need to invite God to meet you in, and experience deeper healing?
Those who have experienced authentic community tend to know the deep transformation that is experienced, the beauty and richness of such relationships, and yet also the risks. The question is, does our hope in the ways, works and words of Jesus outweigh our fears?
I hope your answer is yes, and I hope you take a courageous next step – inviting God deeper into your wounds and reaching out for community.
Jenna Blackwellworks part-time for Tasmanian Baptists and is responsible for Leadership Development and pastors part-time at City Baptist Church Launceston, as their formation pastor. She is also a Christian Coach, with a particular interest in spiritual and personal formation.
I’m not a gambler, but it does feel like I’m always calculating the odds. Is it going to rain this week? Will the Adelaide Crows win? What’s the chance of a quiet evening without the phone ringing? We all peer into the future, Christians perhaps more than most. Which way is society going? To hell in a handbasket, or coming home to God?
Well, here’s some good news. A report issued last month by McCrindle1 showed that while nominal Christianity has dropped significantly over the last few censuses, some remarkable things have been happening regarding practicing Christianity:
– The percentage of Australians attending church at least monthly has steadily risen from 15% (in 2011) to 21% (in 2021).
– The percentage of Australians who are warm towards Christianity has risen from 58% in 2011 to 65% this year.
– No less than 784,000 Australians who ticked ‘No Religion’ in the 2016 census went on to tick ‘Christian’ in the 2021 census. Think about that!
– The percentage of Australians who are open to changing their religious views has risen from 8% in 2011 to 19% this year. (This looks like a shift from ‘these things are set in cultural stone’ back towards a genuine contest of ideas.)
A Turning of the Tide
McCrindle notes that across the 2010s it was older Australians driving the growth in Christianity. Other studies2 are now showing a surge this decade by younger people. What a turning of the tide!
Let me make three comments:
1. Praise the Lord! He is so good, why should we be surprised that more and more people turn to him?
2. Much gospel work is a matter of sowing and reaping. I’d like to pat on the back all the sacred agents who represented Jesus well when the wind was against them, when following Jesus was uncool. To all the church leaders who’ve worked so hard at child safety and other standards, and to a million anonymous Christians who’ve been quietly washing feet, serving the marginalised, raising kids to know Jesus or praying for Grandkids. Others will reap what you’ve sowed, but you won’t go unrewarded.
3. And when it comes to the Chances – what all this means for your local church or small group or ministry: For all this good news, the biggest factor determining growth is not societal trends, but the extent to which you invite, welcome and include. The likelihood of someone accepting an invitation to church may have risen from 30% to 40%, but 40% of zero is the same as 30% of zero.
Invite, invite! Make hay while the sun shines. And not just your ‘interested’ friends but everyone the Lord loves.
What are the Chances?
Andrew Turneris Director of Crossover for Australian Baptist Ministries. Photo by Riho Kroll on Unsplash
‘An Undercurrent of Faith’ – McCrindle, 2025 – full report↩︎
This year, Tasmanian Baptists have embraced intergenerational church as our theme—a vision of healthy church communities where all ages are represented. For congregations across the country that lack generational diversity, especially among youth, this theme offers a hopeful path toward renewal and fullness.
Perhaps you’ve tried youth groups or young adult programs that didn’t take off. Maybe young people have left, drifted away, or lost faith altogether. After decades of changes and efforts, you may look around your current congregation and wonder how to connect with young people again. These concerns are real and deeply felt.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers for reversing these trends. But I do know this: hope remains essential—especially when our plans need to shift.
To me, hope and planning are distinct. Hope transcends logic and strategy; it can seem almost irrational in its persistence. But real hope is rooted in faith. It’s not limited by what we think is possible, but rather by what we believe God can do.
What Stands In Our Way?
As Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, God “is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”
Take a moment to reflect on that the next time your hope begins to fade. God’s power is not constrained by our experiences, our resources, or even our imaginations. The real question isn’t what we can accomplish, but whether we believe God can. And when our hope is grounded in God’s ability—what could possibly stand in the way?
Well—sometimes, we can. We can stop us.
God invites us to join in with what He is already doing. Our plans should be a partnership with His ongoing work in our churches and communities.
Isaiah writes that God is “always doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:19), but the challenge is: can we see it? Can we recognize and respond to it? Even in places that feel like “youth wastelands,” where young people haven’t been part of church life for years, God can make streams in the desert. The question is, do we believe that? Do we have enough hope to trust that God will bring it to pass?
Yes, plans are necessary—but so is hope. As we pursue the vision of intergenerational church, don’t put your hope in strategies alone. Put your hope in what God can do.
Because He can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.
Michael Henderson is part of the Leadership Development Team at TasBaptists and is a Creative Ministries Pastor at Hobart Baptist Church.
We’re standing at a crossroads. Not just as individual churches, but as a movement. And not just in theory—right now. In Tasmania. In our generation.
There’s a word from Isaiah that won’t leave me alone: “Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance, all who seek the Lord. Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined.” (Isaiah 51:1)
And Jeremiah says it even more starkly: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path and you will find rest for your souls.” But then the people respond, “No, that’s not the road we want.” (Jeremiah 6:16)
That’s the choice before us. And it’s not just abstract. It’s personal. Will we follow the road that leads to life—even if it costs us—or will we quietly choose comfort and drift?
This weekend marked my first since being appointed the incoming Mission Director for the Baptist Union of Tasmania. I spent it in Perth. The birthplace of the Baptist Union. A little church built on the faith of a woman most of us have never heard of—Mary Ann Gibson.
Faith That Built Something Real
Before we go forward, we need to look back. And what we find is both a warning and an invitation.
The very first Baptist church in Australia was here in Hobart. But it died. It became a Europe Car Rentals. The reason? It was part of a group called the Particular Baptists—strict and closed. They believed only those who agreed with them could take communion. and they believed evangelism wasn’t necessary because God had already chosen who would be saved. They turned inward. And eventually, they disappeared.
But another story was unfolding—not far away.
Mary Ann Gibson had come from Britain to marry William Gibson, a wealthy sheep breeder whose father had arrived in chains. William was clever with sheep, but it was Mary Ann whose faith would change everything. She loved Jesus. And she didn’t keep that to herself.
She opened her home, invited the whole town into worship, hosted ministers, fed strangers, and built a small chapel in Perth that would become the centre of a movement. When they couldn’t find a pastor, she sent her son all the way to England to speak to Charles Spurgeon.
That decision changed the course of Baptist history in Tasmania.
Perth Baptist Tabernacle
Spurgeon’s DNA and the Heart of the Movement
Charles Spurgeon didn’t care about pedigree or credentials. He cared about the call of God. “We never dreamed of making men preachers,” he said, “but we desired to help those whom God had already called.” He gathered ordinary people with extraordinary hearts and trained them—starting in his home, eventually through a college. He taught them logic, mathematics, preaching, pastoral care, and biblical languages. But most of all, he taught them to love Jesus and love people.
And that’s what Mary Ann wanted for Tasmania. Her son brought back Spurgeon’s first preachers, and they lit a fire. They planted churches in Blackwood Creek, Perth, Deloraine, Longford, Latrobe, Launceston, Sheffield, Devonport, Burnie—and yes, Hobart. Within 20 years, the map of northern Tasmania was dotted with churches born out of love for Jesus and the courage to respond to their time.
They weren’t just preaching sermons, they were shaping communities.
They held public lectures, like Spurgeon’s famous Sermons in Candles, where everyday objects became powerful metaphors for life with God. And they taught people to read— not just Scripture, but poetry and philosophy. They hosted debates on real-world issues— Should vaccines be mandated? Should women propose to men?—in 1903!
They created youth savings banks to teach financial wisdom; they responded to poverty. They wore blue ribbons to stand against alcohol abuse. And they weren’t afraid to try something new if it meant loving their neighbours better.
They weren’t just replicating the past. They were building something real, for their time, in their place.
The Hooks in the Pews and the Heart in the Walls
Today, 150 years later, you can still see the little hooks in the pews where Mary Ann and William hung their hats. Their Bible is still there, with William’s handwriting inside. You can walk the path they walked to church. And the spirit they lived with still echoes in the walls.
And it’s not just history.
Perth Baptist Church is alive. Last week, their Mother’s Day high tea was so packed they had to turn people away. Hundreds show up at Christmas for carols and their community picnic. They’re planning a kids club and Alpha course this July—not because they’re confident, but because they’re courageous. They’re stepping out.
And that’s the invitation for all of us.
Don’t just preserve the past. Don’t get lost in nostalgia. But also—don’t forget where we came from. Don’t forget what faith looks like when it’s real.
Leslie Newbigin, one of the most insightful missiologists of the last century, said churches fail in four ways:
When they copy forms from another time or place, instead of responding to their own.
When they become indistinguishable from the world.
When they stand in constant judgment of their community, rather than seeing where God is already at work.
When they refuse to change and become static, outdated relics of the past.
The Particular Baptists made all four mistakes. But the Gibsons didn’t. Perth Baptist Church didn’t. And we don’t have to.
The Church That Loves Jesus and Loves People
It’s easy to drift. It’s easy to focus on keeping the lights on or winning the theological argument. But the early Baptist movement in Tasmania wasn’t built on safety. It was built on sacrifice. On hospitality, on courage, on the belief that Jesus really is the way, the truth, and the life. Not just for the church, but for the world.
Hebrews 12 says, “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down… and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus.”
For me, that cloud of witnesses includes Mary Ann and William Gibson. It includes the preachers from Spurgeon’s college. It includes every unknown saint who taught a child to read, fed a hungry neighbour, or quietly prayed for revival in a town no one else noticed.
We’re not here to play church, we’re not here to take up space.
We’re here to love Jesus. To love our communities. And to live our lives for the audience of One.
That’s the only way forward.
Matt Garvin is the incoming Mission Director at TasBaptists. He is currently working as Senior Pastor of Citywide Baptist Church and sits on the Tasmanian Baptist Council. This post also appears on his blog here.
Anzac Day Citywide again hosted an Anzac Day in the Park at Lenah Valley. It was most successful with many people acknowledging their interest and thanks for what we do. Observing the people and families joining in the fun and games and crafts was encouraging, with strangers interacting with strangers, building an atmosphere of community and togetherness.
Discovering Citywide We held another Discovering Citywide luncheon recently and had 16 newish people to Citywide attended as well as some of our leaders. At these events we present something of the history, our values and our vision, along with some foundational information and opportunities to get involved. It helps to give new people an overall feel for who we are and how we operate together in community.
Mentoring We have launched a Mentoring program encouraging all our people to consider being mentored and/or to mentor, with an aim to facilitate growth.
Hobart Baptist Church
Vietnamese Church Celebrates
On Thursday 22 May, Hobart Station Church celebrated its third Anniversary at Hobart Baptist Church. Hobart Station church is a small Vietnamese fellowship that meets at HBC. Matt Henderson, David Knox and Heather Galloway were honoured to be special guests at the event, representing HBC. Guests and supporters travelled from Melbourne, Sydney and Vietnam to be part of the celebration.
The small Vietnamese fellowship began in a home on the 22 May 2022 and by September 2022 were meeting regularly in the Soundy Lounge on Sunday afternoons.
Last year, HBC was the venue for the National Vietnamese Association Christian Conference with 200 delegates from around the world – amazing with a local church of four couples!
North
City Baptist Church
Engagement of Jenna & Bryce City Baptists joyfully celebrate the engagement of Jenna & Bryce. Their journey together has been one marked by growth, perseverance, and grace. They step forward into this new chapter with trust and hope. God has been faithful every step of the way, and we give thanks as we witness His hand in their story.
Easter Family & Children’s Festival update
We had the joy of participating in the Launceston Alive Children and Families Festival – an opportunity for the churches of Launceston to come together on Easter Saturday and bless the community with a free festival. Our team consisted of people from both Newstead and City Baptist, with Summerhill next door. We’re thankful to all those who participated in the ways they could.
Interactive Craft and Storytelling Tent: We created a space where children and families could engage in Easter themed crafts while hearing the Easter story in an accessible and engaging way. The Lost Sheep books and activities were used.
Hospitality and Refreshments: We provided simple healthy snacks, ensuring a welcoming presence for all visitors.
Prayer and Encouragement Space: We created a gentle and inviting space where families could receive encouragement, prayer, and information about regional Baptist Churches
Easter Take-Home Packs: We distribute small activity packs containing Easter- themed colouring sheets, a simple retelling of the Easter story, and an invitation to connect with Baptist Churches.
Engaging Volunteers: We had seven volunteers to warmly engage with families, answering questions, and inviting participation in activities. Church members contributed financially and practically in creating the packs prior to the weekend and prayerfully engaging. Thanks for your prayers & generosity!!!
New Website Our new website and logo are finally complete. We’re thankful for the work of THINK in helping to get these off the ground. Feel free to look at our new website.
Perth Baptist Church
Perth Baptist recently celebrated a wonderful High Tea with a bunch of beautiful Women for Mothers Day. Comments from their Facebook page said it all:
‘Thank you, you all deserve a huge round of applause for making this day so special for the Mums!!! ‘
‘Thankyou to all those involved in organising the High Tea and lovely afternoon‘
‘All the volunteers did an awesome job.’
Northwest
Ulverstone Baptist Church
Jesus is_____. Jesus himself once asked those around him, “Who do you say I am? (Mark 8:29)
Over the Easter weeks and joining with the combined churches of Ulverstone UBC invited our community into a conversation regarding Jesus’ identity. This was a 5-week program that included a community BBQ in the main street of Ulverstone followed by a combined Good Friday service at the Soundshell in Fairway Park. United as a team of people across the churches of Ulverstone we gathered and together reflected upon the Easter message, prayed, and worshiped our Lord.
Social Activities UBC Seniors continue to meet on the first Friday of the month for fellowship and morning tea. The have enjoyed guest speakers. These include, Rev Matthew Brooks Lloyd from the Ulverstone Christian Reformed Church sharing an Easter message of Hope. Also our very own Beth Miles spoke on “Remembering Mothers”.
Our recent Men’s Events have included go-karting and indoor bowls and our UBC ladies have enjoyed a casual morning tea at the Berry Patch in Turners Beach and a Mother’s Day Dinner. These events create an opportunity to reach out, encourage and strengthen relationships.
Around the Churches is a regular feature that brings news and events from Tas Baptist churches around Tasmania.
