We partner with organisations to achieve more than we could by ourselves. Through May and June, we heard from 4 ministries and had special giving appeals for their work. Sarah from Open Doors told us about their work in supporting persecuted Christians. Nigel and our young adults spoke about Encounter Youth’s work at Schoolies, Hindley Street, high schools and now … Read More
Anticipate…
Things are gathering pace as the SALA Team works to bring together our 5th annual SALA Exhibition, beginning with a launch on 9th August! Our theme this year is Anticipate, which has proved a bit of a challenge for some but is resulting in some fantastic artwork! As followers of Jesus, our anticipation is grounded in the hope we have … Read More
BIG WEEK OUT 2024
Big Week Out 2023 was amazing. In one short day 90+ young people put in to help the Aboriginal Berean Community Church. I was there, it was an epic effort and a credit to the team! This year Big Week Out will be 2.5 days (eventually we will get to a full week)! Over the last few years, Big Week … Read More
KEEP THE FIRE BURNING! BLAK, LOUD AND PROUD
In our relationship with Indigenous Australians, how can we practice the ‘love for neighbour’ Jesus invites us to? Especially after Australia’s failed Indigenous Voice to Parliament in October 14, 2023. In my view, our way forward as Australians together is now quite unclear. Do you sense this year’s NAIDOC theme “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud” is a … Read More
OUR CHURCH PLANNING FOR 5 YEARS
Are you planning for 2030? Our church is. Well, we are starting to. Over the last few years, we have become clearer on how God might work through Unley Park Baptist. We see Unley Park Baptist as a church where our life in Jesus helps others with faith, connection and belonging. In John 15:5 Jesus tells his followers their life … Read More
Sweet & Sour
At playgroup this week we did some ‘taste testing’ experiments, helping the children use a juicer to try lemon and orange juice, and mixing milk with different fruits. When the children tried the lemon juice there was a range of reactions. Some did not blink and drank it all. However, one two-year-old child’s face twisted in disgust as the sourness … Read More
INCREASING FINANCES FOR KINGDOM IMPACT
June is budget time for our church. Over a period of months, our staff, deacons, Church Council and lay leaders work together on the plan to steward our finances. We plan the expenses and try to sensibly predict our income for a balanced budget. 80% of our income comes from our Church offerings. We are thankful to God this has … Read More
COULD YOU BE A WESTCARE FUND RAISER?
Westcare Centre doesn’t just need beanies, blankets, food and funds, it needs fund raisers. The Centre, run by Baptist Care SA, helps people who are homeless or in tough situations. They offer meals, counselling, emergency food, and other support. However, they often don’t get enough money from the government and need extra help to keep running. To meet this gap, … Read More
National Reconciliation Week
This piece has been written by Elliot Keane, Baptist Mission Australia’s First Nations Engagement Facilitator. It’s an invitation to engage with National Reconciliation Week. The above photo was taken by Elliot of Uncle, whom he writes about in this piece. As the sun sets over the low red sandhills just off the Borefield Road on Kokatha Country, I watch Uncle … Read More
The fire of God’s presence
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and … Read More