Around the regions

City Prayer Gatherings 2020

Brisbane and Ipswich

More than 750 people attended the annual City Prayer Gathering in Brisbane, organised by Riverlife Baptist Church on Sunday the 5th January. The event was held in King George Square to pray for the city and enjoy worship together. Prayer was said over the City of Brisbane and Australia, asking that God would bless and guide our leaders in the year ahead. Our nation needs more prayer than ever with the bushfires, droughts and natural disasters heralding 2020. It was wonderful to see so many Christians come together in worship and petition. As one participant said “It was so encouraging!!! Thank you for taking the initiative in organising. Prayers for our city will be heard and answered!”

Ipswich area churches, including Kruger Parade, Silkstone and Leichhardt Baptist Churches joined a Prayer Gathering held in D’Arcy Doyle Place on the same Sunday, to open

12 FEB/MAR 20 QB.ORG.AU the new year in praising God, and many people from all denominations joined together to share words of encouragement and worship. It was powerful to unite and uplift each other to face the challenges which the residents and businesses may encounter in 2020. Oikos Café Ipswich also opened its doors and welcomed everyone for coffee and toasties after the prayer gathering.

One of the worshippers said “A big ‘thank you’ to all who came along and participated in our time of worship and prayer in D’Arcy Doyle Place, and to all who helped make it happen, particularly Pastor Phil Monteith from Silkstone Baptist Church and the music team. It was a really special time... A fresh expression of God’s Church in the heart of our city!” Amen!

Shift BMX

Bridgeman Baptist Community Church

“The vision of Shift BMX is to use freestyle BMX demonstrations to facilitate opportunities for the proclamation of the gospel”.

For over 10 years, JC Epidemic forged an incredible ministry across Australia, leveraging extreme sports to share the good news of Jesus. JC Epidemic was established in 2004 and mobilised teams of BMX, FMX and skateboard riders, together with support troops and musicians to connect with the local community. This was an amazing opportunity to entertain and speak to people’s minds and touch their hearts with Jesus.

When the JC Epidemic season finished in 2016, a vision was born for the continuation of the ministry in a local church context, and was adopted as an initiative of Bridgeman Baptist.

A close alignment already existed between JC Epidemic and Shift Youth Festival, which has been held annually for the last 15 years (hosted by Bridgeman Baptist Church). And so, with the blessing and accommodation of JC Epidemic personnel, Shift BMX is now seeking to steward the assets and ministry format established by JC Epidemic to continue to serve the local church in Queensland.

If this tool could be of any blessing within your ministry context, it would be a joy to serve you in that way. For further information please contact david@bridgeman.org.au or visit online www.bridgeman.org.au/shift-bmx/

Backyard BBQ Party

Rivers Baptist Church Lawnton

The sun was shining, the water bombs were filling, and the sausages were sizzling for the Big Backyard BBQ Party on Australia Day at Rivers Baptist Church. The celebration was part of the churches’ mission of neighbourhood outreach— loving people beyond the church, and fostering a sense of community for people within the church. Many families attended, and enjoyed the giant slip and slide, backyard cricket and games, jumping castle, and the quintessential Australian event – the thong throwing competition.

The Australia Day event was part of “Generous January” where Sunday mornings were an opportunity for the church to practically express Generosity through community morning teas and sharing— it was demonstrated that when we trust God to be a generous host, we can pass on that generosity to others. The Australian national anthem also acknowledges how God displays His generosity in creation. Please pray that God opens new doors to share His word and love in the local Pine Rivers community.