This year, during the 2025 Ordination Service, I experienced a deeply moving moment that I would like to share.
One of the community groups connected to Brunswick Baptist Church (BBC) is Latin Renew Wellbeing (Renovar), made up of people from across Latin America. [Renew Wellbeing is a concept that helps churches open places of welcome and inclusion within local communities, in support of emotional and mental health. These spaces foster connection among people and offer a quiet space for shared prayer and reflection.] Renovar has shaped it’s spaces for the needs of Latin & Spanish speaking communities in Melbourne; to find a place to belong, mutual support and share our Spiritual and mental well-being in an inclusive and diverse space.
Many members of Renovar are not Christians, and for some of them, the Ordination Service was the first church service they had ever attended. To be honest, I did not expect them to come, I had shared the invitation simply as a gesture of courtesy.
When I saw them arrive, I took a moment to briefly explain what the service might look like. I remembered how uncomfortable I felt when I first attended a Christian service, and I wanted to ensure they felt at ease.
After the service, members of BBC and Renovar gathered for a shared meal. Several Renovar participants expressed how safe and welcomed they felt throughout the BUV Ordination Service. One woman told me that she cried during the service because she felt a deep connection with the lyrics of the songs and with the overall atmosphere. She described experiencing a strong sense of unity, community, and humility. “I like that image of God,” she said.
For many Latin Americans who are unfamiliar with Christian services, church can be associated with unsettling expressions of faith such as healing rituals or loud music that feel unwelcoming. Yet during our Ordination Service, they felt comfortable and appreciated the gentle order of the service, the humility of those who led, and the testimonies of the ordinands.
This experience brings to mind the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to the churches in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14). Paul reminds the community of the importance of unity when they gather, and of how each member plays a role in witnessing to the central message of the Gospel: the love of God.
The story of Renovar reminds us that who we choose to be during our church services truly matters. It is not simply about the structure of the service; it is about how people are invited to connect with God through their unique stories. The Gospel always extends beyond church walls, but for some, meaningful spiritual encounters feel inaccessible. That is why it is vital that we continue creating welcoming, safe, and loving spaces where strangers can encounter the Spirit of God in transformative ways.
We are simply witnesses of the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ.
I am proud to belong to diverse and welcoming Baptist churches.
Rev Jennifer Garavito