The Australia Day long weekend is upon us; the last hurrah of summer before school goes back and the ministry year really kicks off. Over the last seven or eight years we have held an annual dinner. This has been a chance to develop new relationships over a meal and to hear a bit about the year to come. In 2026 we are mixing thing up and are shifting this to a Family Lunch (and Ministry Launch) on Sunday February 8 from 11:30-1:00. We’re planning an event that we hope will become an annual highlight: think church-picnic but inside and around tables! This family-friendly event is going to be heaps of fun and an opportunity to form better relationships and for Adam, Roxane, and I to briefly (and I mean briefly!) share what we’re excited about as we head into 2026. The meals, which we’re subsidising to keep it reasonable, range from $12-$14 (depending on dietary considerations), all you need to do is register! Registrations are open now and you can register through the GBC Link Tree or HERE. I’m hoping that you’ll prioritise the first annual Family Lunch and Ministry Launch on the 8th!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor

This Weekend:

Join us this weekend at 9:30am (online or onsite) or at 6:00pm (onsite) as Marc wraps up Jesus and the Sydney Morning Herald series. 

HopeDrive this Sunday at 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Coming Up:

Saturday 31 January: Volunteer Launch

Sunday 8 February: Annual Family Lunch + Ministry Launch

Februrary 27 - March 1: GBC Youth Camp 

On Saturday 31 January, all volunteers are encouraged to come together to be inspired to partner with God at GBC in 2026 to  see “lives changed by Jesus” and invest in your ministry skills.

Saturday 31 January | 9:00–11:30am
Doors open at 8:30am for a prompt 9:00am start.

Morning tea will be provided

We’re so excited to announce the First Annual GBC Family Lunch and Ministry Launch!

Join us on Sunday February 8th at 11:30am to 1:00pm for lunch for the whole family! Spend time getting to know others within the GBC faith community with games, lunch professionally catered by Crunchy Catering, and get excited for GBC's 2026 vision! This event is for all generations! 

Register by February 2nd 

If you’re a dad with kids in primary school or younger (or know someone who is!), we’d love to invite you to a free five-week parenting course called Parenting for Dads. Starting Wednesday, 4 February, the course runs weekly from 5:30–7:30pm at Gymea Baptist Church. This is a unique opportunity for dads who want to invest in strengthening the core of their relationship with their kids.

Co-facilitated by Adam Stewart (GBC Associate Pastor for Community Engagement) and Keely Oste (Community Hubs Practice Lead at Hopefield), and we are super excited about the potential that this course has in shaping the foundations of your parenting thinking. 

There’ll be plenty of food and loads of opportunities to delve in to your parenting journey and consider: 

- how our past experiences impact our present attitudes as parents

- some simple yet profound tools that will further equip you to become the Dad you want to be. 

Maybe even consider bringing along a friend…

Get in touch with any questions you might have (adam.stewart@gymeabaptist.org.au), otherwise click HERE, select ‘Parenting for Dads’ and comment – ‘I’m interested’.  

We have a wonderful opportunity to be others-focused and big-hearted at GBC through HopeDrive. After this Christmas period and with the school holidays on, let’s be encouraged to demonstrate God’s love to our wider community.

Drive-thru drop-off of non-perishable goods: 1:30–3:30pm 25th January or use the tubs in the foyer any Sunday or during office hours.

Citizenship That Shapes Our Allegiance

This weekend Australia celebrates Australia Day, a moment to reflect on belonging, identity and allegiance. Although I have lived in Australia for most of my life, I was born in England and arrived here as a child. For decades I called Australia home, yet I did not formally become an Australian citizen until I was in my eighties. When I did, something subtle but significant changed. My primary allegiance was no longer to the country of my birth, but to the nation that had shaped my life and future.

Scripture reminds us that, as Christians, a similar—and far more profound—shift has already taken place. Paul writes, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20). While we live, work and serve faithfully in this world, our deepest loyalty is no longer defined by geography or nationality, but by Christ.

Heavenly citizenship reshapes how we live now. It calls us to values that reflect God’s kingdom—humility, compassion, justice and sacrificial love. It reminds us that our hope is not anchored in any earthly nation, but in the reign of Christ.

Derek Mullins | Elder

GBC is committed to being a safe church.  Creating Safe Spaces training is facilitated by the Baptist Association and provides training to equip volunteers and ministry leaders to work with vulnerable people including children and youth.  This training ensures that we continue to stay others-focused and trustworthy. 

All are welcome to participate.  Ministry roles that include leadership roles and/or working with children or youth are required to complete this training.  The training includes two parts - Online Module and Face-to-Face Module.  The online module is to be completed prior to the Face-to-Face Module.

GBC will be hosting a Face-to-Face module training on 22 February 2026 from 12:30 - 3:30 PM.  

Cost is $15 for the online module and $25 for the face-to-face module.  Please contact Marjy Robertson if you need assistance in registering.

If you have something for Family News, contact office@gymeabaptist.org.au or call on 9521 4611.