29th Oct 2025

Maintaining 'Mountain Top' Momentum

from Travis

I love mountain top experiences! Who doesn't?! I love those moments where we feel God speak to us so clearly, where we sense His presence in a powerful way, and where we feel our hearts be stirred to make real change in our life. Whether a conference, retreat, worship night or some special occasion, these mountain top experiences can bring moments of great clarity, healing and renewed focus on the things of God in our lives.

Of course, the experience many of us have had in the aftermath of our past mountain top moments, is to have our mountain top enthusiasm then fade away in the busyness, reality and worries of everyday life. So we are wise to consider the question: how do we keep moving forward with what God has started in us? How do we maintain the momentum the mountain top experience gives us to keep pursuing what God has for us?

Having heard further testimonies since last week's newsletter, I'm continuing to celebrate that our Gathering Conference weekend was such a mountain top experience for so many within our church family. Even if you weren't able to make Conference, I'm confident that there have been other moments in your year where you were filled with a godly enthusiasm to make some kind of real change as you pursue God. Whatever it is for you, consider the following practical questions:

Have you written it down and re-read it yet? Putting pen to paper helps us name and clarify what God is leading us to do in response and becomes a marker for us to return to in order to be reminded of.

Who have you told and asked to keep you focused on it? We follow God in community and having someone "in our corner" who will keep asking us about it can make all the difference.

Are you still praying about or for it? We pray about what we care about, and prayer continues the conversation with God about it. (You might even considered fasting about it as Adam shared on Sunday).

What systems do you need to help support it? Wisdom suggests not allowing momentum to be tied solely to our motivation... what systems can you put in place to help moving forward. You can read more on motivation Vs systems here.

What little thing can you do today to move towards it? Some action is better than no action. The lifestyle of the disciples of Jesus, is to daily take up our cross and follow Him. Remember that repeated small obedience is the pathway that leads to lasting transformation.

Missions Spotlight:

This summer, three of our NVBC teenagers are going overseas with Teen Mission Australia to serve God and grow in their faith.

Leo, Mercy and Amity will be selling baked goodies at morning tea and supper after our AM and PM services. Please come and buy a cake or a cookie – or just give a donation to help cover the cost of their training, airfares and other expenses.  

Leo Brown is going to Cambodia, where he will be involved in a football (soccer) ministry. This is his third trip with Teen Mission, having previously travelled to Madagascar and India.

Mercy Brown and Amity Salan are going to Zambia, partnering with local missionary workers there and helping them share the love of God. Mercy is looking forward to growing in her faith, and developing compassion and empathy for those who struggle in life – to learn to serve others and share about God with them. Amity is looking forward to seeing God’s work in another country, and getting closer to Jesus.

Please be praying for our three teen missionaries – that God would bless them in their time away from home and family and friends – that they would grow Spiritually, be kept safe and healthy, and that God would build in their hearts a heart for his mission around the world – and here at home too.

Towards 2026

We continue to delight in partnering together to make a Gospel impact through the life, ministry and mission partners of NVBC. What an incredible year we have had together and we are believing for an even greater year of growth, impact and fruitfulness in 2026! As we head toward the new year, we invite you to join with us in helping resource the ministries of NVBC by engaging in the ancient, biblical and worshipful practice of regular financial giving. If you call NVBC your church family and are not yet in the regular practice, we invite you to prayerfully consider beginning.

Our encouragement would be to prayerfully consider and then intentionally set up an recurring deposit into the church account from within your online banking. If you need any help setting that up or if have any questions about the finances of NVBC, please contact our amazing treasurer here.

Tonight (Wed) / Tomorrow (Thurs)

ALL-IN: Young Adults Connect Group - all Young Adults are invited to join for an All-In connect group that starts with dinner at 6pm. Tonight we talk about how to handle our finances as followers of Jesus.

Seniors Morning Tea (Thurs Oct 30) - meet at Waterfall Cafe in Mt Penang for a time of community and connection. RSVP to Wendy-Sue here.

This Sunday

Sunday AM: Travis will continue our Term 4 teaching series, as we return to the story of the People of God as they journey out of Egypt towards the Promised Land. Come prepared by reading through Numbers ch13-14.

A bake sale will be held after both services to support Amity, Leo and Mercy who are heading on a short-term missions trip with Teen Missions Australia. We will have the chance to hear more about their trips in the services this Sunday.

Sunday PM: Craig Corkill will continue our Term 4 PM teaching series. Come prepared by reading through Mark 6:45-56.

In November

Flourish Women's Lawn Bowls (Sat Nov 8) - Ladies, come gather together for a fun community building night over a game of lawn bowls. You can come for just the bowls, just for dinner or for both depending on your availability! Get your tickets here: WhatsOn

Young Adults Camping Trip (Nov 21-23) - if you are a young adult, join for a time of connect, community building and camping. YA Camping Rego

Seniors Christmas Picnic (Thurs Nov 27) - gather for an end of year celebration over a Christmas lunch together down at Gosford Waterfront.

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