Tag: Womens Leadership Network

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Living the Good News: Global Baptist Gathering Down Under

Living the Good News Baptist World Congress

Living the Good News: Global Baptist Gathering Down Under

Last week, more than 3,500 Baptists from 130 countries converged on Brisbane, Australia, for the 23rd Baptist World Congress. Gathering under the theme “Living the Good News” (Luke 4:18–19) this Congress marked the first in the Asia–Pacific region in 25 years and celebrated 120 years since the inaugural event in London in 1905. 

The week began with two pre-Congresses: the Women’s Summit and the Emerging Leaders/NxtGen Summit, bringing together voices across generations and nations. Together, these events formed a powerful celebration of unity, faith, and the global Baptist family. 

Baptists Ignite ACTS2 Vision in Australia

A central moment of the Congress was General Secretary Rev. Dr Elijah Brown’s call for a renewed global movement—an Acts 2 Vision—to unfold by 2033. He invited Baptists around the world to embrace five pathways of mission: sharing testimonies, expanding Bible access and engagement, service, religious freedom advocacy, and neighbour-centred care. 

This bold vision included specific targets: establishing 1,159 prayer groups to support Bible translation, mobilizing 500 million acts of service, collecting 1 million signed religious liberty covenants, and raising up 500,000 neighbourhood chaplains. “Together,” Brown emphasized, “we are the global church for such a time as this.” 

Tasmanians Join the Global Movement

Report from Matt Garvin  

This week, about 17 Tas Baptists made the journey to Brisbane for the congress and some of the pre-gatherings, including the Next Generations and Baptist Women’s Summits. I think I am right to say that all of us were encouraged and inspired by the time.  

Particularly impactful was the invitation from the Global Baptist Alliance for all Baptist churches in the world to consider cooperating on mission in a new way as part of what it is labelling the ACTS2 movement.   

I look forward to exploring how we as TasBaptists might align our local efforts with this wider vision—and how we can work with other denominations across Tasmania and the world.  

One of the first things the Alliance invited us to consider was signing the Religious Freedom covenant, which I did and invite you to consider doing too.  

I am looking forward to sharing more with you about it in the coming months.

Read the report about the Baptist Women’s Summit. By Jenny Baxter

Who is the Baptist World Alliance?

The Baptist World Alliance is a fellowship of 266 conventions, unions, and ministries in 134 countries and territories comprising 51 million members in 176,000 churches.  

Founded: The BWA began in London, England, in 1905 at the first Baptist World Congress. 

Mission: Networking the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ 

Vision: The Baptist World Alliance is a global movement of Baptists sharing a common confession of faith in Jesus Christ, bonded together by God’s love to support, encourage and strengthen one another, while proclaiming and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit before a lost world 

Priorities: 
– Nurturing a passion for mission and evangelism 
– Promoting worship, fellowship, and unity 
– Responding to people in need 
– Defending human rights and justice 
– Advancing theological reflection 

Want to See More? 

Catch a glimpse of the Congress by watching the final session here. See highlights and behind-the-scenes moments on Facebook: Video Highlights or Facebook Reels

Search: #bwabrisbane2025

Living the Good News: Global Baptist Gathering Down Under

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Witnessing God Writing a Global Story 

By Karen Wilson, Executive Director, Women Leaders Network
Witnessing God Writing a Global Story 

As I write this, we are already 160 days into 2025—nearly halfway through the year. What a journey it has been. We’re deeply grateful for the broader support of the Global Leadership Network and their continued encouragement of this ministry initiative.  

Through every step, we have experienced God’s presence—with us, leading us, guiding us, and comforting us. These past months have brought both challenges and change, yet God has been faithful. Without His nearness, the path would have been so much harder to walk—but He has been our strength and our steady guide. 
God is writing a story through the Women Leaders Network, and His fingerprints are all over it.

The Unfolding Narrative

Each one of you is a vital part of that story—a line in the unfolding narrative He is crafting. I’m reminded of the powerful words from 2 Samuel 22:22–25 (The Message): 

“I’ve kept alert to God’s ways; I haven’t taken God for granted. Every day I review the ways He works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I’m watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes.” 

We are witnessing God writing a global story—a movement of women leaders being identified, equipped, and empowered to bring His light into every sphere of society. Women are being raised up to speak, to lead, and to step boldly into the callings God has placed on their lives.  

What is Out Part?

We open our hearts to Him. We stay close, we listen for His voice, and we surrender our plans to His greater purpose. And as we do, we will stand—not alone, but side by side with one another and with our brothers in Christ—to see His Kingdom flourish. 

Women Leaders Network (WLN)

WLN is an initiative of the GLN and is a global movement of local cohorts that will identify, empower, equip and release women in leadership. We desire to see women leading well with and alongside men, and fully use their God given leadership gifts for His purposes. Our vision is to see a unified global network of women leaders bringing transformational impact to their churches and local communities. 

You can join or lead a WLN group whenever you are ready!  

Visit the website for more information.  Or follow on Facebook or Instagram. Fb Ig 

Witnessing God Writing a Global Story

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reCharge NEWS September 2024

ReCharge News August 2024

National Baptism Week

13-20 October 
Is anyone in your church thinking about baptism? Many Baptists were stunned by the wave of enthusiasm last year for National Baptism Week. Across the movement, there was a 34 percent increase in baptisms over the year before. Praise God! Let’s pray for more, especially during NBW this October. 

The aim of the week is to provide a prompt for churches, youth groups, small groups and ministries to celebrate, talk about and offer baptism. It’s an opportunity to be pro-active in inviting people to go all-in with Jesus.  

The Crossover team are launching new resources for 2024 and there are plenty of ideas and resources already available in the Baptism Hub.

Explore the resources here

Empowher Retreat Report 

20-22 September 
Women from several TasBaptist churches met in Maydena for the recent Empowher Retreat. Led by Denise Stephenson, an experienced spiritual director and gifted retreat leader, the Day of Presence provided a great opportunity to get away for a day or two and rest in God’s presence. 

For each woman, it was a time of rest, reflection and an opportunity to intentionally experience God’s presence through the five senses. The retreat also brought new and old friends together, with a sense of shared faith and direction despite different backgrounds and walks. Thanks goes to Jenny Baxter and Ann Herbert from the Empowher Team for organising and to Densie Stephenson for leading the group. 

But as for me, God’s presence is all I need. I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, as I declare all the things you have done. Psalm 73:28

GLS24 Premier at Devonport

Saturday, 12 October 9:00am – 5:00pm
If you haven’t heard about The Global Leadership Summit 2024, then be prepared to experience fresh ideas, actionable concepts, heartfelt inspiration, and learn from diverse global leaders sharing practical insights to support you in your leadership growth. 

Join hundreds of thousands of curious, growth-minded leaders from around the world who are expanding their reach alongside you. This dynamic, 1-day GLS event is shown in 21 locations across AUS/NZ and features world-class leadership content, vibrant discussion times and networking with all your meals included.

Be inspired and equipped so you can ignite transformation! GLS24 Themes include: Communication for Connection, Failure that Succeeds, Legacy through Perseverance, Storytelling that Captivates High Performance with Focus, Hospitality that’s Unreasonable, Happiness beyond Circumstances and Teams who Win.

See online or gather with other growth-minded leaders from your community at the Tasmanian GLS Premier Host Site. Early Bird Pricing expires 2 October!

Location: the paranaple convention centre, 137 Rooke Street, Devonport. 

For more information visit the website. 

GLS

Summer School

The Christopher Dawson Centre
The Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies, based in Hobart, was founded to advance the notion that the Christian Faith and the intellectual tradition that grew up with it are essential components of our civilisation, not optional extras, but core elements in the very fabric of the culture. The following course are available this coming January 2025.

LATE AND ECCLESIASTICAL LATIN  
Monday 6 to Friday 10 January 2025  
At Notre Dame Priory, Colebrook, Tasmania. 

The Latin school assumes some prior knowledge of the language and leads participants through a selection of important readings in poetry and prose, sacred and secular, from authors such as Augustine, Jerome, Bede, Peter Abelard, Aquinas, the Carmina Burana, and even Dante. 

BIBLICAL GREEK FOR BEGINNERS  
Monday 13 to Friday 17 January 2025  
Christopher Dawson Centre for Cultural Studies, based in Hobart, Tasmania. 

Fr John Wall Community Library, 31 Tower Road (at the rear), New Town, Tasmania. The New Testament and Koine Greek school is for beginners who want to experience the excitement of reading parts of the Bible in the original language.

For more information, visit the website or email director@dawsoncentre.org 

Thessalonians I, Latin MMS

Empowher Day of Wonder 

Save the date in 2025
Save the date for the next Empowher event. Come to the Day of Wonder and join other women on Saturday 29 March 2025 to hear Baptist World Aid CEO, Melissa Lipsett speak. Riverlands Longford. 9.30am to 3.30pm. For more info, visit the Day of Wonder page here.

EmpowHer Day of Wonder 2025

One of 500 new Sponsors?

Child Sponsorship through Baptists World Aid 
For 50 years, Australian Baptists have been transforming lives and fighting the injustice of poverty through Child Sponsorship. Praise God for the thousands of lives impacted through the generosity of his people!

Baptist World Aid is now looking for 500 new Sponsors from churches across the country in celebration of 50 years of Sponsorship! They’re inviting pastors and congregations to consider signing up to support a child or youth so, together, our communities can have a big impact! 

Research shows that one sponsorship impacts around 35 people in the families and communities our Christian Partners serve. That means, 500 Sponsorships could impact over 1,700 lives—and that’s just the beginning of the intergenerational change made possible by Sponsorship. Visit the website here for more information.

Recent Changes to Protect Children
BWA recently changed the way they promote Child Sponsorship to better protect the safety, privacy and dignity of the children and young people in their programs. Faces of children awaiting Sponsorship online will no longer be displayed. To find out more, click here. 

The EmpowHer Day of Presence 

20-22 September, 2024 
The Day of Presence is a retreat designed specifically for women to provide time and space to come into God’s presence and hear from him. 

The retreat will be led by spiritual director Denise Stephenson. Denise, who now lives way down south in Lymington, used to pastor alongside Nicholas Alexander at LifeWay Baptist in Devonport. 

UPDATE: All available beds have been booked, with a waitlist in place, but day guests are still welcome!  If you would like to join the waitlist or register as a day guest, please contact Jenny Baxter on empowher@tasbaptists.org.au 

Details: 
WHEN: 5:00pm Friday, 20 September, to 8:30am Sunday, 22 September (in time to get back for church) 
WHERE: Maydena
COST: Entire weekend $150/person, plus your Friday evening meal at local restaurant 
COST: Saturday only $50, 9am to 5pm, Saturday 21 September. 

REGISTER/ADD NAME TO WAITLIST

Women Leaders Network

 First Birthday Celebration 
In August, the Women Leaders Network celebrated its one-year birthday by hosting a special WLN reception at the Global Leadership Summit 2024. Over 150 women, friends and allies came together to be inspired, share stories and hear about all that has happened.

The interest and excitement was palpable at both the event and during the entire Summit week. God is bringing together women leaders from all over the world – to lead and participate in WLN cohorts. This movement, being led by the Spirit of God, has launched in 23 countries, plus another 14 countries have expressed interest.

WLN Fundraising event: Every Step – Portugal  
On 15 to 27 September 2024, a WLN team will walk along the Portugues Camino central route — a total of 252 Kilometres/157 miles from Porto, Portugal to Santiago de Compostella in Spain. The walk will cover all types of terrain; a mixture of dirt trails, woodland paths and busy city roads. The WLN team will walk every step in unity to support women leaders across the globe.  

They have asked for people to ‘walk with them’ through praying and giving. Please prayerfully consider giving a personal financial gift as financial resources are needed to grow this movement. The goal is to raise $400,000 (USD) to fund the work and expansion of the WLN in 2025. This will allow women leaders from all over the world to experience the blessing of the Women Leaders Network. More than ever, women leaders need this! 

Visit the website here if you’d like to join or lead a cohort or connect with the WLN or for more info about the Global Leadership Summit 2024 visit the GLS 2025 website.

ReCharge News September 2024

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Recharge Articles 2024

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Heartlands Autumn/Winter 2024

Break Free - Heartlands for Women. By EmpowHer

Heartlands is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

COMING IN 2025

The Day of Wonder

Refresh: Body, Mind and Spirit

Save the Date! The EmpowHer Day of Wonder will take place on Saturday 29 March 2025.

The keynote speaker will be Melissa Lipsett, CEO of Baptist World Aid Australia. Melissa is a sought after speaker at women’s events around Australia, and it is a privilege to have her attend.

WHO All women are welcome!
WHEN Saturday 29 March 2025
WHERE Riverlands Longford
As this is a statewide event we are gathering centrally.

READ Women: The Change Makers
In this article, Melissa Lipsett explains the impact of women who are empowered to change their world.

WOMEN: THE CHANGE MAKERS

VOLUNTEER POSITION VACANT!
Do you have what it takes to join the state-wide EmpowHer team to encourage women? Are you an organised networker who loves God, and wants to impact Tasmania?
If so, we would love to hear from you.

Time commitment – about one hour/month, with more as events approach.
Please email empowher@tasbaptists.org.au to find out more.

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To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, subscribe to HEARTLANDS EmpowHer News.

BE INSPIRED

Breaking Free of the Old . . .

. . . and taking hold of the NEW

Do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending loop? Caught in the same old patterns, day after day? You’re not alone.

By EmpowHer State Coordinator, Jenny Baxter

READ HERE

EmpowHer Calendar of Events

EVENTLOCATIONDATE
LAUNCH: Women Leaders’ NetworkLauncestonSaturday 18 May 2024
RETREAT: Day of Presence
See more below!		Maydena20-22 September 2024
World Day of PrayerCitywide MorningtonSaturday 9 November 2024
DAY OF WONDERRiverlands LongfordSaturday 29 March 2025

TASMANIAN WOMEN CONNECT

Women Leaders Network Launches

Gather. Grow. Encourage.

On Saturday 18 May, in Launceston, a small group of women gathered to launch the Women Leaders’ network, Tasmania. Visiting from Perth WA, founder Karen Wilson laid out the vision and the exciting developments so far.

The Women Leaders Network provides a platform for women leaders to come together, listen to the voice of God, grow collectively, and encourage one another. When mobilized as a force for good, women bring immense strength, capable of driving transformational change within their local and national communities.

Four years ago, God gave Karen a clear and compelling vision for women in leadership.  The vision was of women who are generals, standing alongside one another right around the coasts of every country of the world.

Karen says, “I believe God said that they are waiting for His Spirit to come to their land and are protecting those who are behind them. They are all magnificently tall, strong, brave, and united! Dressed and ready in the full armour of God, ready for what He needs them to do. These women stand together as a global army”.  A local artist captured her vision in a beautiful artwork (shown above). 

If you have not already indicated your interest, please sign up by scanning the QR code,
OR visit globalleadership.org.au/wln-contact/

Read More about WLN >

A SOUTHERN RETREAT

The Day of Presence

Friday 20, until early Sunday 22 September, 2024

Are you looking to get away for a day or two and discover more about God?
Do you need some time to escape the hustle-bustle of your life, to quietly rest in God’s presence?

The Day of Presence will be held in Maydena in Southern Tasmania to create space for busy women to stop, experience God’s presence, and B-R-E-A-T-H-E.

Numbers are limited so make sure you watch out for more details.
OR …
To be extra sure you get a spot, please flick us an email! empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

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Heartlands Summer 2024

Heartlands Summer 2024, EmpowHer

Heartlands is the quarterly email for EmpowHer – a network of Tasmanian women growing and encouraging each other in their God-given potential.

WHAT WILL FOLLOW THE DAY OF COURAGE?

Women’s Event On the Way

After the success of the EmpowHer Day of Courage last November, the organising team are praying about what to do next, because clearly, women want to gather!

At this stage we are thinking there will be a similar event in early 2025.

Stay tuned for more details to follow.

A REQUEST: To create another special day like this, it will be necessary to grow the statewide team. Pleace get in touch to express your interest: empowher@tasbaptists.org.au

EmpowHer logo

To find out about EmpowHer events and activities for women in Tasmania, please subscribe to HEARTLANDS.

BE INSPIRED

2024 Here We Come

Perhaps transition a feature of your life right now? Facing the future “well” is for the brave-hearted!

Facing the Future - 2024 here we come, Heartlands news
READ HERE

TASMANIAN WOMEN CONNECT GLOBALLY

Join the Women Leaders Network

The concept of the WLN began with a whisper from God to Karen Wilson four years ago. Karen is the Vice President International Ministries – Global Leadership Network; CEO – Global Leadership Network Australia and New Zealand; and the International President of Baptist Women’s World Alliance.

God gave a clear and compelling vision for women in leadership.  The vision was of women who are generals, standing alongside one another right around the coasts of every country of the world.

Karen says, “I believe God said that they are waiting for His Spirit to come to their land and are protecting those who are behind them. They are all magnificently tall, strong, brave, and united! Dressed and ready in the full armour of God, ready for what He needs them to do. These women stand together as a global army”.  A local artist captured her vision in a beautiful artwork (below). 

The Tasmanian Women Leader’s Network will launch in two areas in the coming months.  The north will be led by Amanda Towns, and the south by Jenny Baxter.

Together, we will join in conversations of hope and encouragement, and seek God about the positioning of our Tasmania Networks.

If you have not already indicated your interest, you are welcome sign up by scanning the QR code.

A VIDEO to CHALLENGE YOU

Karen Wilson Sees Differently

Rev. Karen Wilson, guest speaker at last November’s Day of Courage spoke at Hobart Baptist Church.

TODAY’S THOUGHT

To Obey or, maybe, Disobey?

You can so easily limit your capacity

Did you hear of the lady-of-the-manor in old England? She was ordered bedrest by her family doctor to recover from an ailment. Straightaway, she began organising her household from her bedroom. Years later, a new doctor came to town, and when doing the rounds to visit his patients came across the bedridden woman. When she explained why she was still in bed, he said, “Get up woman! You are perfectly well!”

We can all be guilty of a little too much obedience at times. Especially when to comes to doing what an authority says. And really, there’s no doubt you need to take care, especially if being given doctor’s orders. But it’s so easy to misinterpret what is intended to be a temporary instruction.

It’s a good reminder that you are often a better judge of your body’s capacity than a doctor or other “expert”. Or put it another way, you are response-able!

Can you identify ways you have limited yourself because you’ve been told your limit by someone else?

MICAH WOMEN LEADER’S NETWORK*

Your Invite: Asuntha Charles Evening

The Micah Women Leaders annual gatherings (previously breakfasts) are now in their fourth year. It is a unique gathering, bringing together women Christian Leaders from across the state for an important conversation on justice, leadership, and how to use your voice as an advocate for change.

You are very welcome to attend! Be assured you will be amongst friends as several of our Baptist women are already signed up.

WHEN: Tuesday 19 March 2024, 7:00pm – 9:00pm 

WHERE: C3 Convention Centre, 64 Anglesea St, South Hobart TAS 7004

COST: $35

RSVP by Monday 4 March 2024

MORE INFO / BOOK HERE

GUEST SPEAKERS
Asuntha Charles, Global Women’s Rights Advocate. Asuntha was the National Director for World Vision Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover. She will provide a firsthand account of the needs she is seeing around her, as well as her experiences in some of the world’s toughest contexts.
Tim Costello, Executive Director of Micah Australia. Tim will connect current global events to our biblical mandate to pursue justice.

*NB: The Micah Women Leaders Network is quite distinct from the Global Leadership Women Leaders Network, referred to above.

Heartlands Spring 2023

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