Oamaru Baptist Church was founded on 13 August 1883 by 23 founding members at a meeting held in the Lecture Hall of the Athenaeum.
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.
