11th June 2025

God-Given Burdens

from Travis

Have you ever heard or spoken the Christian cliche "God has laid a burden on my heart" before? It is a Christian saying that captures the feeling of when God impresses something of importance upon us.

Such God-given burdens are not like a crushing weight that we have to try and bear up under. Nor are they like the burdens we can accumulate in life that are meant to be cast off unto Jesus. A God-given burden carries a sense of weightiness, of significance, often of personal responsibility, mixed with a sense of anticipation and conviction that God is in this.

I share for two reasons. The first is: that if you currently have a God-given burden on your heart, I encourage you to be full of faith, conviction and courage as you seek to press into the things God has laid on your heart. Share that sense with some close Christian friends who can intercede over it and champion you on as you do. Oftentimes these God-given burdens can feel bigger than us, so I remind you that if God is in it... he is in it with you!

The second reason for sharing, is that ever since we have mapped our Exodus series, this coming Sunday AM's passage has had a sense of a God-given burden over it for me. And as this Sunday has drawn nearer, that sense has only grown stronger and louder. I believe Exodus 32 is something God desires us to deeply engage with as a community. Something that God desires to be truly formational as we pursue Jesus together.

It's not often I ask this, but I'd be remiss not to...

can I ask each of us to prioritise being here this Sunday AM?

This Sunday we look at the heartbreaking story of God's people turning to a self-created idol in place of trusting and worshipping the Living God. It is a story that echoes through the ages. It is a story that should disgust and enrage us. It is also a story, when read with a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's loving correction, that can resonate deeply within us in a transforming way. It is a story that helps us tear down our idols and return anew to loving the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our mind. That is a story worth telling.

See you Sunday!

Alpha Update

We are over halfway through our Alpha Course on Sunday nights – and God has been doing amazing things! Our guests come from a range of ages and faith stages, and have been exploring faith and asking lots of good questions together. There has been a great sense of openness and curiosity, and the hospitality has been top notch (thank you to all who have cooked and contributed).

Please keep praying, especially this Sunday afternoon, as we have an extended time together focused on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Pray all will be able to make it, and for God to move powerfully throughout the afternoon sessions.

News from Daniel Sze

Last Saturday, four of our NVBC Intermissions Team were blessed by attending a dinner celebrating Daniel’s 3 years of mission work. We heard from many supporters and co-workers, to get a fuller understanding of what is happening. Guests included four missionaries from Taiwan & Hong Kong, who had completed a short-term mission trip to northern Australia’s Indigenous communities. 

Pastor Johnny spoke on behalf of NVBC. Also in the photo is the simultaneous translator who had a very busy night. Not only were the guests from Taiwan and Hong Kong, but Daniel’s sending church is Chinese-speaking, so various speakers used English, Cantonese or Mandarin.

Daniel is one of the NVBC-supported mission workers, working with Indigenous Church leaders in both regional and urban Australia. You can watch a 5-min summary of his work or ask Bob Gibson to tell you more about it.  And look for Daniel’s prayer points in The Harvest.

Family News: Welcome Ezra

We rejoice with Grace and Josh at the birth of their firstborn, Ezra Phillip Kay. Let's give thanks and pray for Ezra, and pray for Josh and Grace as they love and care for Ezra as new parents.

Partnering Together

How good is it to see churches and organisations working together in unity in the Central Coast?!!

On Saturday night some of our NVBC young adults joined with others from churches across the Central Coast for a night of unity, testimony and worship. It was incredible to see so many young adults from different communities all come together, to connect, be encouraged by a testimony and be united in their heart to worship Jesus in unity!

Over the weekend Travis also had the chance to jump on air live again with Rhema FM for a segment to spotlight NVBC. If you are not aware, Rhema is our local Christian radio station with a beautiful heart for the churches and community of the Central Coast. You can tune in on your radio (94.9 FM), listen online or even catch up on podcasts here: https://rhema.cc/.

This Sunday

Come to both Services if you can!

This Sunday AM Travis will continue our Exodus series (ch32).

This Sunday PM Sunny will continue our Mark series (ch5:21-43) AND we are having A BAPTISM. Come support Joel Clement as he is baptised.

Welcome Lunch

Sunday June 15

If you have joined us at NVBC recently, we'd love to invite you to a relaxed lunch together. These are a great way to get to know each other in a more unhurried space. RSVP here.

Prayer Night

Wednesday June 18

We believe that prayer is powerful and undergirds all we do at NVBC, so we invite you to join together with us for a powerful night of prayer.

Equip Women's Conference

Saturday June 21

Calling the women of NVBC... come and join together at church to attend the Equip Women's Conference together via livestream. You can watch the promo video here

Adults $30, High School Students $15. Lunch and morning tea included.

RSVP by 15th June here.

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