21st October 2026
21st October 2026
Living as those Set Apart
from Travis
The Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
- Acts 13:2
On Sunday we had the privilege of hearing from Uncle Russ and Aunty Lorraine in our morning service, as they shared their sense of God's calling and being set apart for the work in Purfleet. Our Bible passage then echoed a similar story, of when the Lord directed Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for the work to which He was calling them to.
Throughout this year we have been constantly affirming the truth that for believers: all are called, all are gifted, all are needed. Being set apart is not unique to Russ and Lorraine, nor Barnabas and Saul. All believers are the set apart ones (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 2:9; John 17:15-17), set apart to live for the Glory of God and live on mission everyday. To see ourselves this way and to embrace a 'set apartness' way of living is to find some of our greatest purpose, meaning and joy in life!
Within our shared, common calling as the set apart ones, we also each have unique God-given giftings, opportunities and "works" to which God calls us to and entrusts to us.
On Sunday, we ended the day at our Presence Night by prayerfully reflecting on these more specific, unique works that God has for us in our lives and sphere of influence right now. If you weren't able to make it, spend a moment with God considering afresh the works God is placing before you and inviting you into.
News From Rachel
from Rachel
After much prayer and consideration, I wanted to share that I will be stepping down from my role as Children’s and Families Pastor at the end of this year.
Looking back over the past five years, I feel incredibly grateful for the privilege of serving our children and families, sharing Jesus with our kids, and watching them grow in their faith. This season has been significant in my own journey, and God has grown, stretched and shaped me in ways I couldn’t have anticipated.
As I have prayed about the future, I have increasingly sensed God leading me towards new opportunities in the coming year. While I don’t have every detail figured out, I trust that He will continue to guide me into this next season.
I will continue in my role until the end of the year and am committed to finishing this season well. Thank you to our families, volunteers and wider church family for your encouragement, support and trust over these past five years. It has been a real privilege to be part of your lives, and I will always be grateful for this chapter of my journey.
I look forward to seeing all that God will continue to do in the lives of our children and families and in the life of our church.
Ministry Apprenticeship Program
In last week's newsletter we launched a fundraising project for an NVBC Ministry Apprentice to participate in the Ministry Apprenticeship Program developed by the Coast Baptist collective of churches.
It is a: year long, hands-on remunerated ministry formation pathway; of deliberate leadership development and personal formation. For the apprentice this gives the chance to experience a supervised, practical ministry environment where they can test and grow in their sense of gifting and calling.
The commitment: for an apprentice is 12 hours per week over 2027: 10 hours spent each week on a specific ministry area at NVBC and 2 hours invested in intentional formation and leadership development (facilitated by our Coast Baptist network, in a cohort of other Ministry Apprentices from our Coast Baptist Churches).
How to Support: for those passionate about and able to invest in a 2027 NVBC Ministry Apprentice (by giving towards the program beyond their regular giving), you can contribute in towards the 2027 Ministry Apprentice Program:
By giving directly into our church offering account using the reference: '2027Apprentice'
By giving towards the program at our Info Desk on Sundays (cash or card), or
By making a Pledge of a future contribution - a great option if you desire to help fund the Ministry Apprenticeship Program but are not in a position to contribute right now. Pledge forms will be available at the Info Desk on Sunday.
Fundraising Update: we have hit 25% of our fundraising goal in donations and pledges since launching the campaign last week!
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.
Be Scam Aware
Recently an Australia church experienced an alarming new AI-enabled scam, where the pastors' voices were cloned and then used to make phone calls to church members. You can watch the resulting communication and warning from the church's leadership below:
This is a friendly reminder that our pastors will not ask for donations or financial contributions outside of official church channels. We have a high degree of financial accountability and transparency at NVBC, where all giving, donations and contributions to specific causes are made through our official Church Offering Account or at our Info Desk on Sundays.
We hope to never experience this particular scam at NVBC, and encourage all to be wise online. If you ever receive an email, text or phone call that is even the slight bit suspicious, please contact the church office or drop in to speak to one of our team in person.
Children and Families Pastor Transition Process
As Rachel begins her final term at the helm of our Kingdom Kids ministry, we also begin working towards ensuring a healthy and smooth pastoral transition.
A pastoral search team has been convened with representatives from the elders, board, staff team and Kingdom Kids leadership team, and will be chaired by Kirrili Wood. We have begun advertising for the role, hoping to have someone in place before the beginning of Term 1, 2027. Please be in prayer over this process - for God's hand to clearly guide and direct all applicants and the search team throughout the call process.
If you, or someone you know, would potentially be interested in the role, you can learn more about the role here. Any questions, expressions of interests or applications can be submitted to church@nvbc.info.
Keep Praying for our HSC students
We want to encourage you to keep praying over our 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 Week
Church Prayer Meeting (TONIGHT 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.
Sunday Services (9:30am & 5:00pm)
This Sunday we are excited to welcome guest preacher and friend of NVBC Craig Stephens to continue our Acts series, looking at Acts 14:8-20.
Coming Up
Seniors Morning Tea (Thurs 29 Oct)
Join for a time of connection over morning tea at Mt Penang Gardens. Let Wendy-Sue know by this Sunday if you are coming by emailing themitchells@ozemail.com.au
The Gathering Camp Sunday (Sun 1 Nov)
There will be two Sunday 9:30am Services simultaneously held onsite at NVBC and at The Gathering Camp location. There will be no PM Service this weekend.
Men's Breakfast (Sat 7 Nov)
A special men's breakfast at Picnic Point, The Entrance.
Start with a Bacon and Egg roll, grab a coffee from the nearby cafe and connect together. Bring your bike for a ride, kayak for a paddle, legs for a walk, rod for a fish (there will also be a Fly Fishing demonstration) or just your voice for a chat. RSVP here.
Thai Banquet Dinner (Sun 8 Nov)
Mink is hosting a buffet-style Thai meal to raise money for the additional costs involved in her going on the Thailand Global Exposure trip in January. Learn more and rego here.
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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