27th Aug 2025

The Church is ALIVE in...

from Travis

This week a gem of a YouTube short grabbed my attention with a subtitle that read "The Church is ALIVE in the UK". What followed was footage of a stadium full of UK worshippers, unashamedly lifting high the name of Jesus together. It follows on from what I've previously read about and shared regarding the "quiet revival" that the UK is experiencing.

I am seeing things like this from around the world more and more. Closer to home, I am also hearing more and more stories from other Aussie pastors of completely unchurched people reaching out having been convinced of the reality of Jesus (in fact, I just heard two fresh stories today)!

Ponder that subtitle for a moment with me:

"The Church is ALIVE in ____ "

What happens within you as you ponder that? For me, it's a combination of firm conviction and the stirring of a faith-fuelled desire for what can increasingly be. I feel my spirit respond, declaring the reality that:

The Church IS ALIVE in Narara.

The Church IS ALIVE across the Central Coast.

The Church IS ALIVE throughout our Nation.

Let us be and grow together into the fullness of what it means to be a Church ALIVE to the person, work and mission of Jesus!!

Update: Compassion Sunday

Last Sunday we held our annual Compassion Sunday service. We were encouraged by the power of sponsorship by Greg from Compassion, who shared some of the latest statistics of children experiencing poverty, with a focus on Uganda and Thailand (where NVBC has supported missionaries). We were challenged to each make a difference through our lives.

Coming out of Sunday, we celebrate together that 7 new child sponsorships have started from within NVBC. This takes the total of Compassion sponsorships known to be connected with NVBC to 90!

If you were moved to take a child's profile to consider sponsoring last Sunday, and have not yet officially started, we encourage you to prayerfully consider doing so if able. If you have felt God prompt you since or weren't able to be with us on Sunday, you can learn more about Compassion's work of child sponsorship here.

Non-Perishable Food Drive

From global to more local... over the next two Sundays we are collecting non-perishable food, sock, gloves and any old working mobile phones before making them into hampers to gift to those experiencing homelessness in our region.

Non-perishables can be returned to the boxes near the info desk on the next two Sundays.

Tomorrow

Join us for a time of hymns, communion, morning tea together, including hearing Iain Skinner's story.

This Weekend

Part Two of our practical equipping seminar on prayer is this Saturday, 9am-1pm! Let us know you can make it here

This Sunday we continue our Taking Ground series, with Craig Corkill sharing on Embrace Your Calling. We will also host our next Welcome Lunch to get to know one another over a shared meal together after the morning service - RSVP here.

In September

Next Sunday is Father's Day and we will celebrate our Dads with Bacon & Egg rolls before the AM service and with a grazing board after the PM Service.

On Saturday September 13 the women of NVBC will join together for a time of connecting over afternoon tea while serving our community by packing hampers for people facing homelessness. Rego or find our more here.

On Sunday September 14 we are hosting a Combined Baptist Churches Prayer and Worship Night, starting with dinner at 5:30pm. See more info and rego here.

In October

Learn more or register for our upcoming Cru-Coast Day Camp here: https://crudaycamps.com.au/cru-coast

SAVE THE DATE for The Gathering Conference!!

Held over the weekend of Oct 17-19, this church-wide conference onsite is one to put in your diaries. We will have guest keynote speakers, elective workshops you can choose from, opportunities for prayer, worship and time to hang out together while enjoying one another's company. A weekend not to be missed! Rego will open in a few weeks.

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