HISTORY OF TEA GARDENS BAPTIST CHURCH
DEDICATION OF CONGREGATION AND BUILDING
MYALL STREET 1 DECEMBER 2002
The twin towns of Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest are havens for visitors and retirees, along with young families who are fortunate enough to live here. Hawks Nest has tea-tree shaded Jimmys beach and a stunning surf beach. The calm Myall River, which is good for fishing divides Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest, and it is the gateway to the Myall Lakes, Port Stephens and the Pacific Ocean.
In 1992 Mark Henderson wrote to several Christian families in Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest to see if any were interested in forming a Baptist Fellowship.
After a meeting four families decided to come together each Sunday for a church service in Tea Gardens Primary School Hall, with the first service held in March 1993. The Henderson and Roberts were two of the families. The congregation also comes from places nearby: Tea Gardens, Hawks Nest, Pindimar, Bundabah, North Arm Cove, Tahlee Bible College and Carrington.
In 1994 Tea Gardens Baptist Fellowship was recognised by the Baptist Union of NSW and on 3 March 1996 was affiliated with the Union with twenty foundation members. The church is shepherded by elders and for the first few years a diaconate also operated. This has since been replaced by an administrative team. The church is enriched as we all exercise our ministry gifts in various ways and we are blessed by a regular ministry of missionary speakers. A feature of our service has always been to have morning tea in the middle of the service – except today I’m sorry!
Attendance at weekly services was around the thirties for the first few years, however this dropped to about twenty in early 1999 when several families moved away. We met with Baptist consultants as we searched for God’s will for our church. The question of a pastor and building were uppermost in many people’s minds. We needed to find the balance of being realistic about our financial situation but be willing to step out in faith if this was God’s will. We see now that God was moulding us together as a fellowship through this time and both our congregation and membership are now growing, as you saw earlier.
Over the years the church has been involved in children’s work, along with Christianity Explained, mid-week home group, visitation of the elderly, men’s and women’s Bible studies and work with young people. A Skills Group also reaches out into the community. We also enjoy meeting and ministering to visitors, especially during holiday times. As well, we have had several student assistants from Tahlee Bible College. The church also sponsors a counselling service. It has been a highlight for us to promote the New America Singers, not once, but twice. These committed young people made a big impact in our area (and on us). In winter this year we held a Lifeworks programme to which over seventy came for the dinner. Over thirty signed up for the course, of whom six were not church people. Some are now regulars with us and have committed their lives to Christ and have been baptised. The church has supported one young person on a short term mission trip already this year, and we are supporting two other young people who are going on short term mission soon. The fundraiser was a hilarious event.
The Lord enabled us to purchase three blocks of land at Myall Quays in late 1999. Then over the next two years we discussed building a worship centre. In the meantime our place of worship changed from the Primary School to this large building known locally as the “Old Bowling Club” where we felt at home. We had previously enquired about purchasing the property, but the possibility of ownership was way out of our reach, as it is a prime piece of real estate. So, plans were drawn up for our building at Myall Quays, and submitted to the local council. The plans were taking a long while in Council – does that sound familiar?
Then, out of the blue, a couple of months ago, the owners of the Old Bowling Club, Chris and Stephanie Meany, who are with us today, offered us the whole property of more than three acres – an unbelievable offer! In the meantime our blocks of land at Myall Quays had almost tripled in value. After much discussion and prayer, and with a favourable response from Baptist Investments and Finances, we believe that God led us to purchase this property. Chris and Stephanie God has made you a blessing to us and only time will tell how many lives will be enriched in this place. Thank you, and may God give you something special too.
Many times God has surprised and excited us with what he is doing here in the lives of people. Now we are prepared to walk with Him in this step of faith and we are here today, all grinning broadly at the wonderful things God is doing among us. I will conclude with a verse from Psalm 84:1: “Blessed are those who dwell in your house [Lord]; they are ever praising You”.
Carolyn Bye
Secretary
Tea Gardens Baptist Church
Myall St
Tea Gardens 2324
1 December 2002