140th Founding Anniversary Celebrations Reflections

Therefore, since such a great cloud of witnesses surrounds us, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2

During my interview with the Oamaru Mail last 14 August, I shared the following thoughts:

• The 23 pioneering members of Oamaru Baptist Church had no idea how many years the church would outlive them. Neither do we many, many years from now.
  
  
• Today, we say the same founding values OBC members discussed during its Centennial celebration in 1983.
  
  Today we thank God for those early pioneer members who, with indomitable courage, steadfast faith and sanctified vision, established the Baptist Cause in this town. We bless our God for every remembrance of them. Their faith and their hopes we share as a glorious heritage. God grant that we prove worthy of the trust they have left us.
  
  
• Oamaru Baptist Church must plan and implement programs that teach, train, and track the founding values of every member (dynamic discipleship).
  • steadfast faith,
  • indomitable courage,
  • noble vision,
  • hope, and
  • generosity

Rachel Murray is our Foundation Sunday speaker

Our Otago Southland Baptist Association Regional Leader, Rachel Murray, will give the message on 20 August.

Let us pray for safe travels, good health, and protection as Rachel drives from Dunedin to Oamaru on Sunday.

Fellowship Lunch on 20 August Sunday

Please join the fellowship lunch after our worship service to commemorate our 140th Founding Anniversary and celebrate birthdays and achievements this August. Bring a dish to share.

Please click the button below to watch and read our national and regional leaders’ messages.

Get hold of this week’s Oamaru Mail edition

Ensure to get a copy of this week’s Oamaru Mail (18 August edition) and read about the feature article on OBC’s 140th year. Our half-page ad is coming out, too.

Giving

Thank you for your continued support for the ministries the Lord God has entrusted us with. Your generosity means a lot for the development and progress of His work.

If you want to set up an automatic payment for regular giving or make a one-off donation via Internet banking, the Oamaru Baptist Church account number is (ANZ) 06-0941-0015036-00.

May the Lord God bless you and keep you.

Give a Little Appeal for Meena

Chandra requested I share this Fundraiser to help with Meena Kumari’s medical treatment bills while hospitalised in New Zealand. Please read more by clicking on this link – Let’s Gift Meena a Helpful Goodbye.

Thank you!

In its 140th year, we celebrate with messages from Charles Hewlett and Chris Chamberlain, National Leader and Regional Leader, respectively.

Greetings from Charles Hewlett

Greetings from Chris Chamberlain

Dear Jonan and the Oamaru Baptist Church.

It is a joy to send greetings to you from the Upper South Baptist Association on the occasion of your 140th-anniversary celebrations.

Since 1883 the Oamaru Baptist Church has witnessed God’s goodness in Oamaru and the wider region.

We look back, and with reference to Hebrews 12:1 and our predecessors who go before, we thank God for those who now occupy the cloud of witnesses, especially those original 23 founding members.  

They heard the call of God, grasped the bigger vision of God’s kingdom and developed this work in his name.

May God continue to refine the church. May God build the church, and may God use the church for the kingdom purposes which have not yet been fully realised. Until that day, Oamaru Baptist church has yet more to witness to.

On this 140th celebration, we look back with thanksgiving to the Father because of Jesus and look ahead with the expectation of further work of the Spirit.

Chris Chamberlain
Regional Leader,
Upper South Baptist Association.