At a time when most see ‘unprecedented’ obstacles, Mornington Peninsula Mayor Sam Hearn sees opportunity. With COVID-19 lockdowns forcing the closure of many Community Support Centres, Sam (who is also involved in the leadership of his neighbourhood Baptist church community) dreamed up the ‘People’s Army’: redeploying stood down local council staff to deliver care packages to vulnerable and isolated people in the area. The idea came to him after seeing community members share on Facebook how they were reaching out to their neighbours.

‘People have been doing it far tougher than they probably have for decades and decades,’ said Sam. ‘And yet the way that people have just reached out and suddenly become so much more intentional about wanting to do things for their community has gone through the roof.’

The food parcel plan is part of the Mornington Peninsula’s Caring for Community program, intended to help lessen the spread and effects of the pandemic by creating a sense of ‘togetherness’. The council co-ordinated response involved creating a database of all the vulnerable, elderly or disadvantaged people in the area and setting up supply chains directly from supermarkets to requisition food for those who could not get it themselves. More than 2500 families have been supported so far and the formal council response created a ripple effect into the community, with locals sharing approximately ‘ten times’ the resources of the council on an informal level.

‘It cuts through in a different way when someone sees their mayor or a local community leader saying, “This is the way we as a community are going to respond to this,”’ said Sam. ‘So I’ve gone on the front foot very quickly to give the message that this is about checking on your neighbour, call your friends, check in on the older people in your street, make sure people are doing okay.’

It’s not the first time Sam has headed up something like the food parcel plan. As bushfires raged over summer, more than 200 Mornington Peninsula Shire staff came together to offer support, comfort and accommodation to over 1000 Mallacoota evacuees. Sam views the mission to ‘love your neighbour’ as inseparable with community support, particularly in challenging times.

‘I think the biggest opportunity is for the church to truly and fundamentally be a community of people that are really present individually and collectively in an intentional way as good citizens in their local community – that’s always mattered and is always needed.’

Sam has been committed to building long-term community relationships and trust in this local community, seeing it as vital to mission. His first sense of calling was to his own high-school of Mornington Secondary College when he came to faith as a 15 year old and continues now with his role as Mayor.

‘If we as the church want to actually be relevant and present in our communities, we need to build selfless, long-term, trusting, generous relationships with our local community…to support in anyway way,’ said Sam. ‘I think this year will have shown churches across the country whether they are really connected to their community… If you have only turned up when this crisis hit saying “We want to rescue you, we want to help out”, most people will go “Who the heck are you?”’

‘The great thing is that all church communities can encourage and mobilise their members to reach out and care for their neighbours at a time like this.’

Rather than merely an obstacle to overcome, Sam sees the pandemic as an opportunity to serve community, and for churches to reflect on their local community involvement. Bringing hopeful change to community often feels slower than Sam would like it to be, but the pandemic has brought what matters most to the front and accelerated the process.

‘COVID-19 has probably shown us, reminded us and confronted us with the fact that as human beings we’ve always been together at our most cellular and foundational level,’ Sam said. ‘We’re realising that staying socially connected is what matters most to us – being part of community, feeling loved, giving love, knowing our place and feeling a sense of belonging.’

‘This is especially true as we’ve had the heartbreaking experience of coming out of the first wave with a sense of optimism and gratefulness only to see a second wave emerge,’ Sam said. ‘It’s really taking a heavy toll on people’s mental and emotional wellbeing, and a sense of connection and hope is more important than ever.’

Through the second wave, Sam is practically reaching out and connecting with the people he personally is caring for: delivering food to a single dad in his neighbourhood, chatting to other families at kinder drop off, giving the local café owner a call to encourage him.

‘Those simple things can really help people find strength to persevere, not to mention being a witness to the hope and love that is there for them in Jesus.’

 

This April, as you prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Easter, we pray that you'll be encouraged and draw closer to our Saviour through this special devotion series "Before the Cross". Every week, we'll feature inspiring messages from BUV leaders and this week, you'll hear from Daniel Bullock, BUV Director of Mission & Ministries, who encourages us to be together on mission as Easter People.

Week 4: Easter People
Daniel Bullock, BUV Director of Mission & Ministries

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a loving family. Having a place where you are known, loved and encouraged to fulfil your purpose. At Mill Park Baptist Church (MPBC), our members and our community are experiencing exactly that

Nestled in a multi-cultural suburb, north of Melbourne, MPBC welcomes people of all ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds to the family of God. Through the personal testimonies of many, we are seeing the fruit of our church embracing multi-ethnicity where over 30 different ethnic groups of people come together to worship and serve every week.

Mariam, one of our dedicated members, is a great example of this. Mariam migrated to Australia from Egypt and felt lost in a new country. She began attending MPBC with her family and soon found a sense of belonging and value within our community. Mariam knew that she was not alone and dreamt of people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds feeling welcomed, loved, and accepted for who they are, and being empowered as tomorrow's leaders in a multi-ethnic context.

We encouraged her to take up a leadership role and supported her team to launch an “International Expo” event, celebrating ethnic diversity.  Using her own experience and story, Mariam offered all she had to the Lord. And faithfully, He has used it mightily! Through a showcase of diverse food and cultural performances, the International Expo, now in its 5^th year, is an event that our community looks forward to participating in and celebrating. It is a beautiful demonstration of Revelation 7:9,

‘After this I looked and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.’

And then, there’s SHAK! Whispering in the hearts of Siew-Peng and two sisters, Joanna and Sonya, God united their vision to Share His Almighty Kingdom through a community kitchen. The SHAK was birthed in 2015 to share God’s love through a hot meal and warm conversations. Today, this incredible ministry feeds 20-25 people each week, impacting many who are lonely and struggling with issues such as mental health.

Theresa, was one of the many individuals, captivated by this ministry. Having been diagnosed with Cancer and sitting with questions of faith, Theresa saw how the SHAK was a reconciling community of Christ where all can belong. She was deeply moved and started volunteering at the SHAK. On her last birthday before passing, she asked that all her gifts be a contribution to the SHAK and provided new equipment for the kitchen. We are thankful that Theresa left a legacy that continues to transform lives within our community.

There are also stories from people whose lives have been changed through the process of counselling. Mill Park Community Care, our professional counselling service, was established back in 2013 through two church members with counselling training and experience. This more publicly accessible form of counselling is quite different to traditional pastoral care and has helped many outside the church four walls, to work through issues and deal with emotions. One of our clients shared with us her story below:

 “If you were to tell me six months ago that I would be currently living addiction free and full of purpose – I would have literally thought you were downright crazy. It was three words that changed my life forever… "By His grace." It was the grace of God that met me from the very first counselling session at Mill Park (Community Care) with my counsellor or "Doc" as I refer to her at times. I knew in that room, on that very first session, that God was in that place. Don't get me wrong it wasn't easy by any means and I had to go to some dark places but… (it) was so easy to talk… and I could literally share everything… I have by no means arrived, but I do know that generational curses, habits and addictions are forever broken off my life – wrong ways of thinking have also completely been rectified (this is a continual process) and I have gained a greater clarity of the "big picture" of my life and how I best fit in that by God's strength, through His will and by the power of His Holy Spirit. Let me finish by saying that even if you're not spiritual or religious in any way – the counselling team is still right for you to gain good quality, world-class counselling in my humble opinion.”

We also have ministries across every generation, that share the love of Jesus and good news of the gospel to the community – from kids to youth to young adults and beyond. Thanks to volunteers like Kat Stokes, our church provides playgroup twice weekly as a wonderful way to connect with parents and their young children. The ZONE is another outreach program available to primary school children. Through fun activities once a month, children in the community have the opportunity to make friends with believing children their age and establish connections with faith-filled mentors to help them grow.

At MPBC, we believe there’s a place for everyone at His table and it’s something we find engrained throughout the DNA of all our ministries. With so many unique gifts and callings working together as one family in Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:7 and 11 so perfectly sum up what we are seeing at MPBC:

‘To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good… All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.’

It was 1972 when Gilbert said that he was considering going into the ministry. We had been married 10 years and had two children, Tim aged 8 and Libby aged 6, and were members of the local Church of Christ, a church I first attended when I joined the Sunday school at the age of 5.

He wanted to join the Methodists who were in discussions with the Presbyterian and Congregationalists about forming a Uniting Church. The Church of Christ had been part of the early discussions but had decided not to proceed.

We had gone to a Methodist church for eight years while Gilbert was a teacher in the High School in Bairnsdale. While there Gilbert had become a local preacher and we had been very active in the life of the church.

Our Christian Life was very important to us so this decision wasn’t a complete shock. It seemed like a natural progression of our faith. So he had a talk to the local Methodist minister who gave him lots of wise and helpful advice and everything started moving.

But first we had to tell our parents.

Gilbert’s Mother and Dad were both active members of their church and so telling them would be easy. Gilbert visited them one night to break the news. They didn’t seem to be very surprised and seemed to be quite pleased. However the next day, while Gilbert was at school I had a visit from his father, who wanted to know how I felt about the decision. I think I convinced him that I was happy with the prospect and keen to provide Gilbert with my total support.

It then remained to tell my parents.

I wasn’t from a church family and was not sure how they would take it.  Dad went very quiet and Mum could only say ‘But what about your securities?’

By this time we had moved back to Ashburton from Bairnsdale and had bought a nice little house not far from them. The children would often visit their grandparents on Saturday mornings, with Tim spending time in the garage or garden with Grandpa and Libby following Grandma around the house talking her head off. My parents loved having us nearby, especially after we had been so far away when the children were babies.

Gilbert had enjoyed teaching and it provided a secure future and it was also important for Mum and Dad that we lived in a nice house.  

Ministry did not tick any of these boxes very well. We might end up in an awful manse and Gilbert may find himself dealing with difficult people in the congregation. Also ministry was seen to be a less secure job than teaching.  

However, Mum and Dad soon came around and accepted our decision. Dad could not have been prouder on the night of Gilbert’s ordination.

Personally, this was a big change for me as I was under pressure to take on leadership roles in the church. Though I had been active in women’s fellowship groups and had taught in the Sunday school I had always been a shrinking violet, preferring to be part of the group and to sit and knit or chat. Every now and then I would add a bit of cheek or advice but never take the lead.

When pressed in this new situation I gave in, but do not think I was a great leader. Women’s fellowship groups were always friendly and happy places for me and there were always other ladies who could step in and deal with the contentious issues. As I started out there were some terrific minister’s wives around who acted as role models. They gave me good advice so that in due course I found my own style but it was very low key.

While Gilbert was studying he was appointed to Altona North and after he graduated we went to a church based in Deloraine, Tasmania. It was a big shift but we enjoyed life in the country and it was excellent for the children.

After three years in Tasmania we moved back to what is now the Uniting church in Highfield Rd Canterbury. This was a larger church and we stayed for eight and a half years. The children were in high school by this time and it was a big change for them to be in a much larger school and to have to catch a train and a bus to get there.  

Being a minister’s wife at this time brought with it the expectation that you would provide leadership, fresh ideas and be available at all times. At first I was happy to accept this traditional role but later on, with more women working this was seen as being unfair. It was not long before some women were expressing amazement that I would try and fill the traditional role, especially the expectation that you would be available to respond to all sorts of situations at any time of the day or night.

As more and more women became highly educated, they began to have their own professional careers in teaching or nursing etc. As a result they contributed substantially to the family finances, and were able to help stabilise the budget during the crunch points of family life, while at the same time maintaining their own credentials.

When the children were in their teens, with one at University and the other finishing secondary school, money became tight for us and we began to worry as to how we would manage.

I thought it would be a good idea to find a part time job that would fit around my other commitments. This seemed a tall order. However, while shopping at our local greengrocer I noticed a sign in the window advertising a position for two days a week. Everything about the job was just what I had hoped for. I applied and was given it on the spot!

So, I became a part time shop assistant, not the most highly paid job in the world, but it made all the difference to our budget and life became far less stressful.

It was wonderful to be working ‘in the world’ again and meeting people who were not part of the church. And to be paid for the privilege was a marvellous bonus. I loved the work and the family I worked with, and stayed with them for ten years.

When we left Highfield Rd, Gilbert was called to the Rosanna Uniting Church.

After seven years at Rosanna he was called to the Diamond Creek Uniting church, located near the Hurstbridge railway line. It was part of the Diamond Valley parish and in a lovely area. It had a fairly new manse that was rather big for the two of us. But it was great for entertaining visitors and holding study groups and meetings. With both of our children married and having children of their own it was always good to have sleepovers or holiday times together.

Rosanna was a busy and challenging parish and after nine years Gilbert was able to retire.

We moved to a house in Ringwood and settled into a rather quiet life together. It is good to be free of the responsibilities of ministerial life and to be involved in our local church where other people are able and willing to provide the leadership.

Looking back over all the changes we have seen and the wonderful people we have met it has been a very full life. When one is in there you just get on with it and do not always appreciate how good it is especially when health issues arise and times are not so easy. At those times the church family is always there with lots of kindness and support.

And I suppose that is how we have always regarded people in the church, as family who are close, affectionate, and respectful.

This makes the whole life of ministry such a very special privilege.

I give thanks to God who was with us all the way.

Yvonne Joyce

Our Kachin brothers and sisters are facing hardship in Kachin land as the armed clashes intensify. Let's join with our Kachin Baptist churches here in praying for those facing persecution in their homeland.

On June 9, 2011, The Burmese Army broke a 17 year ceasefire agreement between the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) / Kachin Independence Army (KIA) by attacking KIA’s post in Taping Hka, Bhamo, Kachin State.

Since then, the Burmese Army has been conducting military campaigns against the KIA and Kachin people in Kachin regions, which has, and continues to result in the death and displacement of  thousands of civilians, and grave human right violations.

Over 120,000 Kachins are currently displaced and living in around 167 Refugee Camps across Kachin and northern Shan States.

In early April 2018, Myanmar ( The Burmese Army) has escalated the offensive action against  the Kachin Army (KIA). The new clashes have displaced over 5,000 more Kachin people, and of these more than 2,200 are trapped in the jungle held by the government troops.

The most vulnerable civilians trapped in the conflicts include pregnant women, newborns, children, wounded persons, elderly and those with health conditions.

NGOs and aids organisations cannot provide humanitarian support as the government is restricting access to the areas where people are in such desperate need.

We have a number of Kachin Baptist Churches who are part of our BUV. It is beholden on all of us, not only to be praying for them and their family, friends and others in their home country, trapped in such dire circumstances, but to become more educated about what is happening in this part of the world

Some news and other useful links can be found here:

As the Rohingya crisis unfolds, thousands of Christian minorities are also being displaced in Myanmar.

Myanmar Army killing Christians in Kachin

Myanmar bishops call for peace and justice in war torn Kachin state

U.N. Myanmar rights envoy calls for halt to violence in Kachin state

'What Future Do We Have?' Caught in the Crossfire of Myanmar's Northern Conflict, Civilians See Little Hope

This April, as you prepare your heart and mind to celebrate Easter, we pray that you'll be encouraged and draw closer to our Saviour through this special devotion series "Before the Cross". Every week, we'll feature inspiring messages from BUV leaders and this week, you'll hear from Daniel Bullock, BUV Director of Mission & Ministries, who encourages us to be together on mission as Easter People.

Week 3: Easter People
Daniel Bullock, BUV Director of Mission & Ministries