14th October 2026
Initiative Launch: Ministry Apprenticeship Program
from Travis (on behalf of the leadership team)
We believe in raising and developing leaders here at NVBC!! All this year we have spoken into our commitment to see every believer activated to serve in their area of giftedness. This what it means to be part of a movement. For some, we know, that will involve stepping into significant areas of ministry responsibility and discerning God's calling into some form of church ministry leadership.
Excitingly, the Coast Baptist Churches are together launching a new yearly initiative beginning in 2027: A Ministry Apprenticeship Program!
What is it? A year long, hands-on remunerated ministry formation pathway, that seeks to marry theological theory with practical, hands-on ministry experience.
What is involved? The commitment for each apprentice is 12 hours per week: 10 hours spent on a specific ministry area in their local church and 2 hours invested in intentional formation and leadership development. Across the year the Apprentice will be supported, encouraged and developed through regular one-to-one's with their local church ministry practice supervisor, receive quarterly professional coaching, attend two conferences (a cohort based one in February and the Exponential Conference in August) and fortnightly cohort formation input sessions with the other Ministry Apprentices from across the Coast Baptist Churches.
What is the vision - for the apprentice? To experience a supervised, practical ministry environment where they can test and grow in their sense of gifting and calling. A year of deliberate leadership development and personal formation in spiritual, theological, relational, and organisational dimensions.
What is the vision - for our region? To collaboratively raise, invest in and develop experienced godly leaders to make an impact in our churches and region (both now and into the future).
What is needed? The cost to each local church per Ministry Apprentice is $18,500 for the year. The Ministry Apprentices will also contribute or personally fundraise a further $1,400 for the costs of books, resources, coaching and conferences.
Right now we are looking for those who are passionate about investing in leadership development to help fund a 2027 NVBC Ministry Apprentice by giving towards the program above and beyond their regular giving. If that is you, you can contribute towards the 2027 Ministry Apprentice Program by giving into our church offering account using the reference: '2027Apprentice'. (You can also help fund the program at the Info Desk or via our weekly offering in a envelope marked '2027Apprentice')
If you have any questions or would like more details, please come speak to or contact Travis. Applications will open soon once we have confidence that we can fund a 2027 Ministry Apprentice from NVBC.
Ministry Highlight: CRU Coast Day Camp
from Zach
Last week 27 primary aged kids joined 15 leaders in partnership with CRU, St Philip's Christian College and NVBC on our annual CRU day camp. Kids participated in heaps of fun activities including Ezy Rollers, lego challenges, various craft, an excursion to Lake Mac campsite, a carnival day and so much more.
More importantly, we began each day with a Christian session. With the help of Squiggy the puppet, kids very quickly learnt and mastered lots of songs, a memory verse, games and a bible story. The overarching theme: In life there are 2 doors that represent our choices. Which door do you choose to walk through? Choose anger or love, sadness or joy, ignorance or faith?
As always, parents joined Friday afternoon for a finale where the kids performed some songs, shared what they had learnt and recited the memory verse. Kids were overjoyed the entire week and parents were very grateful. One parent shared that one night after camp their kids were dancing around the kitchen teaching them the songs. Enjoy some pictures of the week...
Thank You for the Support!
Thank you to all who enjoyed the bake sale on Sunday to support our Thailand Global Exposure Team's fundraiser.
Together the bake sale raised $1,783 to help contribute towards the team's accommodation and transportation expenses in Thailand. Please be in prayer for the team as they begin their final preparations for the trip in January.
One of the team members, Mink Gough, will be cooking & hosting a Thai buffet dinner on Sunday, 8th November in the hall, for $30 per person. This is to raise funds for her Australian Resident Return Visa, costing $1,475. RSVP here if you'd like to come and support Mink.
Boolarng
This Sunday morning, Uncle Russ and Auntie Lorraine are coming to visit NVBC. The NVBC relationship with the Biripi community (Purfleet), near Taree, is more than 30 years old. Each January, we run a Summer Camp together, called ‘Boolarng’ (which means ‘together’). Our team for January 2027 is meeting monthly now, to prepare for that week, and the partnership with Taree Baptist Church is strengthening, with a young person from that congregation joining the team this year.
But... finance is still needed, which is how we can all help. If you want to know more, talk to Kirilli or Nathan Wood. And look for prayer points in The Harvest.
Last Chance: Operation Christmas Child
This is the final week to prepare and return your shoe-boxes ready to be sent to kids around the world. Return them to the office or bring them this Sunday, 18th October. If you're looking for a list of what to put in, click here. This Sunday we will pray over the boxes together before sending off.
Kariong Conversation Update
Last Sunday (Oct 11) the Kariong Church elders facilitated a round table discussion for their church about the potential of moving forward towards a combined future with NVBC. Following this church-wide round table discussion, a Kariong Church meeting will be called in the coming weeks to make a formal decision on the matter. From the feedback we have received following Sunday's round table discussion, we anticipate the decision will be to pursue growth independently from NVBC.
We will update and share more once their decision is finalised.
The Gathering Camp
There's only four days left to get your tickets to The Gathering Camp! Final regos are required by 18th October (Sunday).
Go to nvbc.info/thegathering to register now!
If you have any questions about camp, please send us an email: johnnysharpe@nvbc.info or church@nvbc.info. We're really looking forward to spending a great weekend together as a church family, connecting with one another and having fun together!
Pray this Week for our HSC students
We want to encourage you to join us in prayer this week for Year 12 students completing their HSC exams. Download the prayer calendar to pray for specific exams or students:
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This Weekend
The Valley Youth (Fri)
The Valley Youth is back this week! Year 6 are welcome to join from Term 4 and the youth leaders look forward to meeting you all.
Sunday Services (9:30am & 5:00pm)
This Sunday AM Johnny continues our Acts series and we have special guests Uncle Russ and Aunty Lorraine with us to give an update on their ministry in Purfleet. Kingdom Kids resumes for Term 4! This Sunday PM we host our next Presence Night - come for a night of prayerfulness, praise and unhurried time in the presence of the Lord.
Rest of October
Church Prayer Meeting (7pm, Wed 21 Oct)
We are increasingly learning to be a House of Prayer as a church. One of the spaces we create to express that is our Prayer Meetings. If you haven't been before, you should come to experience these beautiful and powerful times of prayer.
Seniors Morning Tea (Thurs 29 Oct)
Join for a time of connection over morning tea at Mt Penang Gardens. Let Wendy-Sue know you are coming by emailing themitchells@ozemail.com.au
The Gathering Church Camp (30 Oct - 1 Nov)
Final chance to rego!! Come for the whole weekend, or even just a day. Rego now!
*** There will be a Sunday morning service at NVBC on the Gathering Weekend (Nov 1), but no PM Service that weekend ***
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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