Welcome to our December issue of TOGETHER – stories from around our Victorian Baptist Union.
As this year draws to a close, I have been reflecting on many highlights from within the BUV family. This year, we welcomed new faith communities into our union, cheered on churches expanding with new congregations and campuses, rejoiced with numbers who have been baptised and celebrated with 11 new ordinands. We celebrated with many of our churches who marked significant anniversary milestones and recognised the centenaries of our Baptist schools, and the witness they have provided to so many families across our city.
This issue of TOGETHER, however, celebrates the lesser-known stories of hope that occur across our union every day – in our churches, communities of faith and agencies. It’s the initiatives taken by pastors, church leaders, congregation members and agencies to introduce the hope of Jesus to their local communities.
As I familiarise myself afresh with these stories from around our BUV family, I can’t help but be filled with hope myself as I see so many examples of our churches and communities of faith joining in with God’s redemptive work in society. And this seems appropriate as we lead into the Advent season, the season of Hope when Jesus was born.
My prayer is that as you read these stories, you will also be inspired and filled with hope of what could be – and what God can do through you and your church. We serve a God who knows no bounds and is able to do more than we can think or imagine; a God whose love for us is so great that He sent His son Jesus into the world at Christmas to show us the way.
May you experience the hope of Jesus this Christmas and be filled with His love, joy and peace.
God bless,
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