This Sunday we are privileged to have Melissa Lipsett with us. Over the last few years Melissa, the CEO of Baptist World Aid Australia, has become a regular guest at GBC and I have appreciated the opportunities I have had to interact with her. She brings extensive leadership experience and a passion to help the Baptist church respond with Big-Hearted generosity to the needs we see all around us. As a community of faith we have partnered with BWAA, and their partners in Lebanon, to support the work of the church there. (If you haven’t had a chance to read the Legacy Report on the impact of our support, you can read it here…) Melissa will be preaching in our morning congregation and I will be interviewing her at our 5:00 service. The interview is going to focus on discerning God’s call and finding the courage to respond when we feel unready to do. It’s going to be a challenging and encouraging day and I hope you can join us!

Marc Rader | Senior Pastor 

This Weekend:

Running the Race Together

Around this time many of our Year 12 students are in the middle of their HSC Trial examinations. These are important days, bringing long hours of study and, for some, more than a little anxiety.

As a church family, let's remember that no student should carry this burden alone.

If you're a parent or grandparent, your calm encouragement may be more valuable than another reminder to study. If you're a friend, a kind message or quiet prayer can make a real difference. And if you're one of our Year 12 students, remember that your worth is never measured by an ATAR or an exam result. Your identity is found in Christ, who loves you completely.

Isaiah reminds us:

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31)

God doesn't promise a life free from pressure, but he does promise the strength we need for each step. Sometimes we soar, sometimes we run, and sometimes we simply keep walking. In every season, God is faithful.

Let's surround our students, their families and their teachers with prayer, encouragement and practical care. May they know the peace of Christ as they do their best and entrust the results to Him.

Derek Mullins | Elder

GBC YOUTH are heading to State Youth Camp again this year! 

Friday 25 Sept – Monday 28 Sept at Wyong Christian Community School

State Youth Camp early-bird registration has been extended an extra week and now closes this Sunday at midnight!

Register online now via the link bellow! 

General registration closes 31 August

Have something to celebrate, share, or pray about? Whether it's a graduation, engagement, wedding, new baby, new job, house move, health concern, or praise point, we'd love to hear from you. Contact the church office at office@gymeabaptist.org.au or 9521 4611 so we can share in these moments as a church family.

Sutherland Board of Christian Education

You are invited on Thursday, 24 September at 7:00 pm for a fun Trivia Night in support of our Scripture teachers, Aaron and Joanne.

Gather your friends and make up a table for an entertaining evening hosted by Scott at Gymea Anglican Church Hall.

Cost: $10 per person

There will also be an auction on the night, with all proceeds helping to support the ministry.

Last Friday, a church-wide email titled "2026 Financial Update and Appeal" from Marc Rader was sent to our church family.

If you haven't had the chance to read it yet, you can view the email by clicking the link below. Thank you for taking the time to read this important update and prayerfully consider its message.

You are invited to join the GBC ladies for morning tea at the Bud Cafe, Flower Power, Taren Point on Wednesday 19th August from 10.00am til 11.30am.
Invite your friends from the community for a relaxed time of catching up.
You can register with Sonia at the book nook after the Sunday morning service whilst Janine is away.

1973 Franklin Regent Converted Food Van

It is equipped with a food preparaton sink and hand-washing sink, smeg oven, deep cycle battery and is registered until November 2026!

Contact Hopefield at 02 9545 0299 or admin@hopefield.org.au for additinal details or inspection! 

The Baptist NSW & ACT Director of Ministries has encouraged people to consider how they respond to the Religious Affiliation question in this year's Census.

Census data plays an important role in public understanding, policy discussions, research, funding, media reporting, and the way faith communities are perceived and engaged by government and wider society.

For Baptists, the census presents an opportunity to accurately reflect the size and presence of our movement across Australia. While many of our members may naturally identify themselves simply as "Christian," selecting "Baptist" as their religious affiliation provides a clearer picture of the Baptist community and its contribution to Australian life.

We should note that there is no general “Christian” option on the census. There is only a general “Other” option and a free text box for people to write in.

Click here for a recent podcast from The Pastor’s Heart (Dominic Steele) over the importance of how we respond to the Religious Affiliation quest on the census