14th Jan 2026

Pursue Prayers for a New Year

from Travis

I love nerding out on statistics to do with church life and health (especially ours!). One of the stats that stood out from last year's NCLS report, is that 9 in 10 people who filled in our survey last year said that they experienced personal spiritual growth and transformation over the past 12 months. 90%!! And when asked about what our church should prioritise in the coming 12 months, the top priority by a substantial margin was clear: a mandate to further prioritise spiritual growth!

It seems that we are a church gratefully experiencing personal spiritual growth and transformation together with God, and we are hungry for even more in 2026!! Love it!

For the third year in a row, I will invite you to discern with God and share one big prayer for the year ahead with me to pray into with you across the year. These annual prayer cards are close to my heart. This simple, unseen intercessory practice across the year is something I count a privilege and deeply treasure. I also believe there is something incredibly powerful in discerning together with God where/how/in what ways he is calling us to grow, and then naming, praying into and pursuing those in community.

Scripture reminds us, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). This invitation is not about perfect words or guaranteed outcomes, but about daring to believe that God is able and already at work—beyond what we can see or expect.

From this Sunday, and over the coming few weeks, there will be an opportunity to write down and return a personal 2026 Pursue Prayer. Knowing that this ask is coming, I encourage you to take time to listen to God. Ask God what He might be inviting you to pray for this year—whether for growth, healing, courage, mission, reconciliation, freedom or deeper faith.

May we continue to be a people who press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us (Phil 3:12), as we boldly bring our biggest prayers before a loving God.

Mission Highlight: Boolarng

How good was it to hear the report back from the Boorlarng Team last Sunday morning!?!? Let us continue to give thanks and to pray for the ongoing impact of their time in the Purfleet community. If you missed the report back, you can catch up from last Sunday's livestream.

We also have a further update on the Christmas Appeal, with extra donations coming in to raise the total given to Purfleet Community Church to over $3,500! Well done everyone.

Click through above to see the photos and slides shared last Sunday from their trip.

Be Praying For

This week a number of our NVBC family are serving on an Out of Home Care Holiday Camp up at Camp Toukley. It is a beautiful, challenging and powerful ministry for primary aged children in the foster care system. Today marks the half-way point of the camp. Please pray for the leaders and campers, and for the ways God will work through the sharing of faith.

(NVBC leaders from left to right: Hanro, Dylan, Brooklyn, Nathan, baby Izayah, Dani & Caleb)

Keep also praying for Mercy, Leo, Amity and Sarah - four of our High Schoolers who have been a part of Teen Mission trips overseas. Pray their mission trips end well and for God's hand on them as they return and transition back to life in Australia after a lengthy time away.

Emerging Leaders

At NVBC we love being on the Central Coast and being a part of the Coast Baptist network of churches! Together the churches are working in collaboration to strengthen church health, missional effectiveness, church planting and the development of young leaders!

One expression of that is the Emerging Leaders Cohort. The 2026 cohort is about to begin meeting in February. This is a fabulous opportunity for young adults 18-25yrs who are seeking to grow in their Christ-likeness, develop their gifts and skills and build relationships across the Baptist churches of the Central Coast.

The cohort will include:

• Monthly meet-ups with leaders sharing from interstate, bringing fresh perspectives and experience

• A retreat to build community, reflect, and grow together

• Attendance at the Exponential Conference in Queensland, connecting with other emerging leaders across the country

• Opportunities to lead and run a young adult event as part of the cohort

Chat to Zach, Johnny or Travis if interested. You can also follow the Emerging Leaders Instagram for updates and how to apply: https://www.instagram.com/emergingleaders.cb/

Divorce Care (ECBC)

Our friends at Erina Community Baptist Church are running a Divorce Care support group beginning February 2. Divorce Care is a weekly seminar/support group with a heart to help people heal from the hurts of separation. It is a safe, warm caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. You can watch the below video and consider if this might be a helpful opportunity for you or for someone you know.

To enquire, find out more information or to register: https://www.erinabap.org.au/divorcecare

This Weekend

This Saturday - Global Leadership Summit Local.

Join for a power-packed day of engaging with impactful leadership input from the most recent Global Leadership Summit conference. Plus do so with an excellent small group of people from NVBC. Rego HERE

This Sunday AM - 'Eternity in the Human Heart'

Johnny will continue our January mini-series and Rachel will have something for our Kingdom Kids running in the Hall during the service.

This Sunday PM - Presence Worship and Prayer night

Come start the year in an unhurried space of worship and prayer. There will be a focus on listening to and discerning with God for his leading at the beginning of a year.

Coming Up

Site Reset (Fri Jan 23)

Do you love a good spring clean? Do you enjoy decluttering and organising cupboards, storerooms and physical spaces? Then this ask is for you!

We would love to assemble a team to help with a "site reset" morning to prepare our facilities ready for all our onsite ministries to resume in term 1.

Let the pastoral team know if you are keen to help here.

How to Read the Bible (Sat Jan 31)

Deeply engaging with God's Word is one of the most transformational practices for followers of Jesus. Join Johnny for a practical equipping workshop (with plenty of interaction) on how to read, understand, interpret and apply the Bible to our lives.

Vision Sunday (Sun Feb 1)

Our Annual Vision Sunday is coming up where we launch into 2026.

For more detailed info about any of the above or to rego, visit: https://www.nvbc.info/whatson

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