Unprecedented times call for unprecedented events – and this year Nourish was no exception!  

Nourish Online was a first for the BUV with around 180 Baptist pastors connecting via Zoom from their living rooms or home offices.   

Lots of things we know and love about Nourish were different this year as it was revised for a Zoom format.  No travel, no hugs or handshakes, no standing in the café or coffee cart queues for the usual early morning lattes and cappuccinos, and sadly no delicious slices to nibble on throughout the morning.  

But one thing we still managed to do was connect together throughout the day, starting with a chat via Zoom break out rooms before the formal program started.  
After Charlene Delos Santos led us in an ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ and prayer, Peter Botross led us in a devotion around thankfulness, with a chance for pastors to add words of thankfulness via the Zoom chat. 

After celebrating many of our Pastors’ long term anniversaries of ordination and ministry (10-50 years), Rev Daniel Bullock, our Director of Mission and Ministries, brought a message of thanks for the way in which Pastors and leaders have had to pivot and change plans during 2020, and encouragement to hold plans lightly, sharing the story of Paul’s Macedonian call from Acts 16.  Daniel shared how he has been inspired by the stories he has heard of fresh and creative ministries and expressions of community engagement. “This year I have been really encouraged and inspired by our churches and leaders. I am proud to be a part of the BUV. It’s been inspirational to see how you (BUV pastors and leaders) have discerned the new direction God is leading us.” 

British Pastor and speaker, Paul Scanlon, spoke to us via video message, about growth in our churches and human flourishing.  Paul shared practical lessons from his journey and experience which generated much discussion and engagement in break out rooms, which was fed back to the main group at the end. If you missed his message and would like to hear it, please email comms@buv.com.au 

One of the greatest things about Nourish is hearing your stories – and we were determined not to miss this!  So, our regional pastors recorded Zoom interviews with Dean Rompis (Light Community Baptist Church), Angela Garton (Hampton Park Baptist Church) and David Hodgens (Wodonga and District Baptist Church).  Zoom’s break out rooms came into play again with pastors sharing with each other encouraging stories from their own churches.  Don’t forget to let us know your stories so we can inspire others by what’s going on around our union of churches. You can email comms@buv.com.au or pass your story on to any Support Hub staff member with whom you happen to be talking. 

Before we closed the day, we paused in our program to acknowledge and pray for those pastors who passed away since we met last October.  

It definitely wasn’t a normal Nourish – but it was a great opportunity to connect with you and be inspired and encouraged as we continue our journey through this territory together. Many blessings.