Issuu

Around the regions

School holiday fun for kids in Dalby Seventy children registered for a week of fun and games at Dalby Baptist Community complex during the recent school holidays. Bruce Eckersley writes: ‘Despite bleak and rainy conditions prevailing for the first week of the school holidays, we thank the Lord for our facilities which enabled the activities organised for the week to proceed as planned. ‘Kids Games is a global movement which began in Egypt in 2000 and has grown to involve thousands of children in over 150 countries. Kids Games is an exciting program for primary school children which is organised and run by local churches. The vision for Kids Games is to see all children united globally, learning and playing together to bring about personal, spiritual and community transformation. ‘Many hours of planning and preparation made for an exciting opening day. As the children entered the hall they were greeted with the Olympic colours and rings lining the walls to create a great sporting atmosphere. The small stage was rigged out to look like the prow of a boat surrounded by the sea (blue and white plastic), to tie in with the overall Biblical theme which centred on the life of Paul. ‘The daily program included singing, bible stories, games, craft, yummy morning tea and the Olympic challenge of the week. Our morning program usually started with games, then a time of singing followed by the Bible story for the day. Then the children broke up into groups that rotated for Small Group time, Games, and Craft. The Small Group time gave the Group Leaders opportunity to apply and discuss the day’s bible story. ‘The games were a great time of fun capably organised by our “radically insane” Coach Kyle and his equally crazy assistant, Gracey Turner. Competitive spirits were high and the laughter and the smiles said it all, despite much panting and puffing! Craft time proved to be a favourite with the children; closely followed by morning tea! ‘On Friday evening, families were invited to our closing ceremony where the children received a medal and showed their parents a snippet of each day’s activities. Dalby Baptist’s Administration Officer, Vicki Payne, who was ranked Australia’s No 1 under 15 Squash player some years ago, shared her sporting history, tying it in with a gospel message. The week’s adventures closed with a barbecue tea for all and everyone agreed that KIDS GAMES had once again been a great success in Dalby—thanks to Kids Games Co-ordinator, Kylie Beames, all the leaders and many volunteers.’

Northreach reaches out Warren Crank, Northreach Baptist Church (Townsville), reflects on the recent 2012 Northreach Rural, Regional and Remote Conference: ‘Church leaders and their families from Biloela, Bowen, the Burdekin, Cairns, Charters Towers, Goondiwindi, Ingham, Innisfail, Kilcoy, Mareeba, Mt Isa, Northern Beaches Townsville, Stanthorpe and Whitsunday gathered on the weekend 22–24 June for this event. Northreach Baptist Church and Queensland Baptists partnered to host a weekend of networking, teaching and leisure time for the heroes who work in the faraway, and sometimes forgotten, places. ‘The program on Friday night began with people settling into their motel accommodation on Townsville’s famous ‘The Stand’, followed by introductions and devotional input from James Baker. James was the keynote speaker and gave great talks on Saturday morning. There were some electives before a sunny picnic lunch by the beach. Saturday afternoon was free-time and the day culminated with a special dinner hosted by a dedicated group of volunteers. On Sunday, we worshipped at Northreach. During the service these leaders were honoured and prayed for, and a lunch by the Ross River brought proceedings to a fun and family-friendly conclusion. ‘The kids were amazing throughout the weekend. The parents were all astounded at how they just seemed to “click” together right from the start. And thanks to our Kids program volunteers— they (literally) had a ball too. You should have seen their faces when the Eagle Boys car drove up for Sunday Lunch and handed us 40 boxes of Pizza! The weather wasn’t as “tropical” as they’d hoped, but that didn’t seem to matter to anyone. ‘The feedback from the weekend was excellent. We were encouraged to make it a little longer next time, in light of the great distances that some travelled.’

On the move • • • • • •

Rev Will Spann has accepted a call to Innisfail Rev Alan Frankham has accepted a (part time) call to Boonah Rev Russell Hinds has transferred accreditation to the Baptist Union of NSW Rev Laurie Wallace has transferred accreditation to the Baptist Union of NSW Rev Allan Jones has commenced an Interim Ministry with Hallett Cove Baptist Church (South Aust) Rev Stephen Lee has concluded at Global Mission Church of Gold Coast