The gospel by nature grows.  ‘All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing’ (Col 1:6).  In God’s wisdom the gospel grows through human pastors, teachers and evangelists teaching the gospel and equipping the saints for ministry (Eph 4:11-13).

photo credit: Miss Barabanov

One of the responsibilities of every Christian generation is to raise up the next generation of gospel workers.  In 2 TImothy 2:2 Paul says, ‘the things you have have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others’.

At HBC we aim to do this through partnering with MTS (Ministry Training Strategy) in creating 2 year ministry apprenticeships.  Trainees work alongside an experienced trainer from the staff team to gain a biblical and practical understanding of ministry.  At the end of this period trainees will be better equipped for further ministry, Bible college, or ministry in the context of home life or the workforce.

If you would like to apply to do MTS with HBC in 2012 now is the time to contact me (richard@hunterbiblechurch.org).  Can you take a moment now to pray that God would continue to raise up the next generation of gospel workers to take the good news of Jesus’ lordship to the world?

The MTS Spur conference is coming up on May 20-21 for people thinking through life and the possibility of full time ministry.  So far 32 people from HBC are coming to part or all of the conference.  This is exciting!  One of the prayers of HBC is that we’d raise up many more gospel workers for the kingdom.

We have some students who are keen to come but for whom money is a problem.  If you’d be in a position to subsidise one or two student’s registration ($80) I’d love to hear from you today!  (richard@hunterbiblechurch.org)

Thanks for your prayers and support  

Spur 2011 is a conference that seeks to raise up the next generation of gospel workers.

It’s for anyone thinking through how they might use their lives to glorify God, and particular those for whom full/part time gospel ministry is an option.

You’ll come away challenged and more clear headed about what you should do with your life.

Details are:  May 20-21 at the Kings School in Parramatta.  I’ll arrange hopefully some free/almost free accommodation nearby.  38 people including staff went away last year, I’d love for a big group of 50 HBC guys and girls to disrupt the city folk.

Check out link, download the brochure, register yourself and let me know you’re coming (richard@hunterbiblechurch.org).

http://www.mts.com.au/

We can often think of the ‘needs’ on the mission field of a place like Vanuatu, being for more Bible translators. And they certainly need that, but have you ever thought about what other needs they have? For even one translation project to happen, there are loads of people needed apart from the translators themselves. I received an email this week from Lyndal Webb, sharing one of the needs Wycliffe Vanuatu currently has. Could you help them fill it?

Just wondering if anyone can help…

The Labrecque family have been working with the speakers of the Paama and South East Ambrym language to translate the New Testament for the last 10 years. The Books in both these languages could potentially be completed in the next 3 years (if that’s what God has in mind!).

But the Labrecques have run into a bit of a problem in the area of the education of their kids. The 3 of them have been home-schooled to this point.- worked well up till now but their daughter Sharyna is 15 years old and school work is no longer ‘easy’. She is following an internet based schooling from Canada but a tutor in Maths, Science and French (and a help with music, her interest) would be a huge help! Right now Sharyna is feeling pretty discouraged about school and her Mum is feeling frustrated!

If the other 2 children (Primary) had some help too, their Mum, Barbara could be free to spend more time on the translation project.

If you are interested in helping - maybe for 6 months or less drop us a line and we will tell you all the ‘conditions’ - better tell you up front that the wage is mere appreciation!!

Thanks for thinking about it….

Lyndal

vimeo page:  

Unichurch Ministry Expo

Sunday May 23

Starting after the service

But what is ministry?

Ministry is serving one another, following the pattern and command of Jesus. Jesus came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). After showing his disciples the full extent of his love (John 13:1) by washing their feet, he asked them “Do you understand what I have done for you?… If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (John 13:12-15).

This loving service can be expressed in many different ways according to the gifts and opportunities God has given us (see Romans 12:3-13, Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12:27-31, Galatians 6:9-10). Teaching, encouraging, administration, contributing to others needs, showing hospitality, speaking the truth in love… all of these things should be done, and should be done in love! (1 Corinthians 13)

The Unichurch Ministry Expo will give you an opportunity to find out how you could serve God through serving others. See you there!

WAVE kids club is coming up! yes its more than 6 months away but it will be here before we know it. Last Saturday all section leaders went around to Sam Hiltons to get the ball rolling with preparations, to meet each other and to hear about the teaching material which has been produced by Jen Shadwick.

Over the next few months your going to be hearing about how you can get involved in this week of fun.
Early this year during WAVE 353 unique kids came to hear about Jesus which was the biggest WAVE ever. For next year we are praying that God would bring along 500 kids along to hear about Jesus. The WAVE week is a great way to connect with our community and to reach kids, youth and parents of Newcastle and beyond who have not yet heard the news.

Check out the waverecruitment booklet to see how you could be apart of this great event.

Spur 2010 is a conference that seeks to raise the next generation of gospel workers.  If you’re wondering about how you can best live for the gospel of Christ and take up the gospel opportunities out there this conference is for you.

Last year over 40 people from HBC went along and had a great time.  This year the conference is in May so that we can be challenged about decisions for 2011.  It’s also in Sydney so I’m looking at places we can stay for free near Parramatta.

Find out more and register online at www.mts.com.au

Let us know if you’re coming!

One aspect of the HBC vision is that anyone who is part of the HBC community would serve the church and beyond in a particular area of ministry.  You might have heard of the 20:80 rule at churches- 20% of the people do 80% of the work.  We’d rather see 100% of people to 100% of the work!

A good way to think about ministry is doing something significant in a particular ‘M’.  For example you might choose Membership and therefore join Welcoming team.  Or you might want to choose Magnification and devote every second week to helping set up sound.  If you’re able, it would be also great to do another ministry in a smaller way.  For example, even though you might lead singing you could volunteer to help with holiday Sprout at AM.

If you’d like to change ministries, or change ‘M’s that’s OK and often a good idea.  The best thing is to talk with your ministry team leader and make sure they’re not left in the lurch.  Then talk with leaders of other ministries you’d like to go to, or tick the serving box on the contact card.

photo credit: .Storm

Did you know about MTS at HBC?  You can check it out at ‘Ministry Apprentices’ under ‘who we are’.  This post is to invite you to the very first annual ‘MTS Supporters Night’ on Saturday January 23rd, 7:30-9:30 at Hamilton Baptist Church.

This is a night where you can meet our 9 trainees, find out more about what MTS is all about, ask questions and pray for our trainees.  I’m hoping lots of people will catch the vision for raising up the next generation of gospel workers.

This night is especially for non-HBC people who prayerfully or financially support our MTS trainees.  But it’s also for all HBC people.  All of us financially support these guys and girls through our general giving so we should be interested in what they’re doing and where they’re heading.

RSVP to Richard Sweatman or any MTS trainee.  I’d love to see 60-70 people there!

We want to be a church that reaches out to young adults in Newcastle with the news about Jesus that saves them from hell. We want to be a church where everyone is excited about seeing new people join us, hear about Jesus, repent and entrust their lives to him.

The week before hundreds of young adults descend on the uni and unichurch… we want to get together, pray together and plan together about how we’re going to help them know their God who died for them.

So, come along and join us in seeing Jesus glorified.

Click here to register or for more information