- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
27th May 2026
Reflection: LeadUp Conference
Johnny, Zach & Rachel
On Monday and Tuesday Johnny, Zach and Rachel attended LeadUp Conference, a Baptist leadership conference at Kiah Ridge in the Southern Highlands. It was a great opportunity to learn about discipleship - for ourselves in our own spiritual formation as leaders, and for those we lead, that they too may grow and lead others to faith and in faith. It was also a great opportunity to meet with other associate pastors in similar roles, to encourage and learn from one another in our Baptist network.
Thank you, church, for allowing us to take the time out of our busy roles to learn and grow this week. Please pray for us that we would be wise and able to put these things into practice as we serve at NVBC.
Fully Funded - Thailand Youth Camp
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our May Mission Month fundraising project! We can joyfully report that we have far exceeded our fundraising target of $4,500 (by nearly 50%!). This means that the Thailand Youth Camp is fully funded
Make sure to join us this Sunday as we share the good news with Muana in person, pray over the Kingdom impact of the camp and hear from Muana some of the many stories of how God is at work in Northern Thailand!
News from Nita - May Mission Month 2025
Last year for May Mission Month, NVBC raised money to buy audio-Bibles for the Karimojong people in Uganda. Nita recently shared an update with us about them:
A local believer gathered a small group under a tree in a remote community where there is no Church to listen to Scripture in their own language. Some came curious, others cautious. As the story of Zacchaeus played from an audio-Bible player, the group listened intently — again and again — discovering new details each time. One young man finally asked, “Is that the voice of God in that little box?” A mother responded, with surprise, “Does God speak Ngakarimojong, then?” Another observed, “Jesus went to visit Zacchaeus,” and, pointing to the audio-Bible, added, “I think He visited us today!” Many in this community had never heard the Bible before.
How wonderful to know that the word of God is being shared in Uganda in this way. Praise God!
Nita will be in Australia later this year, and will be visiting us at NVBC in early September.
Care and Connect Teams
This term we have been reading about the inspiring example of the early church in Acts. One of the distinctive characteristics of the early church (Acts 2:42) was their devotion to 'fellowship' - to a shared communal life and deep participation in one another's lives.
At NVBC we too want to be a community of believers who are devoted to one another. That devotion to each other can look like a lot of things! It can look like welcoming someone trying to find their place in our community, walking alongside someone in a tough season, blessing practically, encouraging spiritually or the kind of care that notices when someone is missing and then reaching out to check in with them.
It is part of living out our vision of being a church who is passionate for people, and part of embodying one our values of being real and relational.
To help make sure we do this really well as we continue growing as a church family, we are currently looking to recruit some more help into the Connection and Care team spaces. We are looking for those who have a gift and passion for welcoming and journeying with those looking to call NVBC home, and for those who have a gift and passion to come alongside and lovingly care for people who already call NVBC home.
If you are potentially interested in joining our Care team and soon to be formed Connect Team, please let Travis know here.
Kids Day Out!
On Sunday Kaye spoke into the regional Kids Day Out being hosted onsite at NVBC in the upcoming school holidays. Rego is now open and we would love to see a HUGE response from within NVBC (and our invited friends!). We are looking forward to gathering the kids of the Baptist Churches together for this great peak experience.
This Week
Tomorrow (Thursday) join us for our monthly Seniors Service, with Bryan Shirley sharing, and a time for singing hymns and sharing in communion together.
This Sunday we are thrilled to have Muana (one of our supported missionaries) with us to continue our Acts series and share some ministry updates at both Services.
Coming Up in June
(Youth) House Party (Fri 5 June)
The Valley Youth will be offsite Fri 5th June for: Dinner, Dessert, Bonfire, Swimming Pool, Games and so much more! This is a free event, perfect for inviting a friend to!
Men's Breakky (Sat 6 June)
One for the fellas - join for a quick breaky, coffee, connection and chat to start the weekend. Rego for breaky here.
Prayer Gathering (Wed 17 June)
Our next scheduled evening of prayer where we follow the example of the early church in Acts: 'they devoted themselves... to prayer' (Acts 2:42). 7pm start. All welcome.
Equip Conference (Sat 20 June)
Join with the women of NVBC for a time of encouragement, connection and faith formation at the annual Equip Women's Conference. Check out the video above for more details.
For all other upcoming events, visit:
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