Baptist Church Newsletter

BAPTIST CHURCH NEWSLETTER 28 APRIL 2024

Gail’s Message for Us

And friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never ’cause the welcome will not end
Though it’s hard to let you go in the Father’s hands we know
That a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends

“Friends” By Michael w. smith

Those words above have been in my thoughts since two Sundays ago when Gail announced that she is moving to Nelson to be near her sons.

Please allow me to share Gail’s farewell message, which she delivered on 14 April Sunday.

I believe that the Lord has something for me. I’m going to live in Nelson. I’ll be nearer my boys. My time here has been successful.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the Lord has for me, for you, you know.

I want to share a passage of Scripture that means a lot to me. It’s John 3:16. For God loves the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him might not perish but have life everlasting.

That is the first verse I learned, and I learned it 44 years ago. Some of you might haven’t even been born then.

I leave this church with so much love and best wishes for everybody.

Look for your purpose. Fulfil what God wants you to do because each of you is special to the Lord. Each of you has something that only you can do for the Lord.

The other thing that I would encourage you to do is, first of all, read God’s word. Don’t just wait until Sunday to hear the sermon. That is good. They are good. You will learn.

But read God’s word daily. It’s your daily reading, not your once-a-week hearing. Believe in God’s word. Believe and share it. Share God’s word.

May God bless you all! Even if we never meet on this side of the world, we will spend eternity with each other.

Gail Jacob

When I started at OBC in June 2022, Gail proposed holding a weekly prayer meeting. We have held prayer meetings every Thursday. Gail would come to church to pray even if no one arrived or I couldn’t travel to Oamaru. My sickness around October-November 2023 disrupted the weekly schedule.

While I’m sure we are holding our individual and family prayers, let us commit to reviving our weekly corporate prayer meeting as soon as possible.

Below are photos of our fellowship lunch with Gail on Sunday, 21 April.

As Gail travels to Nelson with her family today, 25 April 2024, let us pray for travelling mercies and a safe arrival at her new home.

Learning How to Use the Faith-Wisdom Tool

I am tapping the shoulder of individuals with pastoral ministry gifts who could work alongside me to enhance our pastoral care ministry. Please pray and consider if this is something that the Lord wants you to do.

As I introduced last year, it is a simple tool that can profoundly enhance one’s understanding of faith and wisdom as an individual, a church, and a community.

OSBA EVENTS AND TRAINING

I receive Rachel’s Regional Leader Roundup each month, which features news, events, and training in the Otago and Southland Baptist Association (OSBA). I am sharing the events and training below.

Regional Hui 2024 – 23-25 May (Thurs to Saturday mid-PM)
River Ridge Retreat, Catlins
Options to stay on or offsite.

This is an opportunity for pastors, elders, and ministry leaders to come together to listen to God and others, reflect, learn, dream, worship, and pray, strengthen relationships and connections, envision together for the region, have some fun, and take a couple of days off from the usual activity.

*Registrations are now open, and a separate communication has been sent with all details.

Jewel and I have registered and will attend the Regional Hui on 23-25 May.

Child Protection (under 18) Training – FREE
1 May; 10am-12noon. Register Here

Several of our region’s people attended the first training option in February. There is still time to sign up for the second webinar, which will provide the up-to-date version of the Baptist Union Child Protection Policy, written in consultation with Child Matters. Once the training has been completed, you will receive the editable template policy document. Register Here

OSBA plans to conduct further training for those involved with under-18s, focused on awareness, actions, protections, etc. Watch this space.

Autumn means change is inevitable

As I passed Enfield last Wednesday, I stopped to capture the beautiful autumn colours in a photo. Autumn reminds us that change is inevitable and something we can embrace.

Art and his family moved to Windsor last week. Jewel and I are in the process of moving to Oamaru. Gail has moved to Nelson. The Casitas family are travelling back to Oamaru in a few weeks. Some of us are looking for work opportunities. Some are going through challenges and trials.

In whatever situation you are in right now, my prayer for all (based on Isaiah 41:10) is: Fear not, for God is with you; be not dismayed, for He is your God; He will strengthen you, help you, and uphold you with His righteous right hand.

Let us pray for one another. When you can, take the time to pray with someone beside you. Thank you!