 | Bowen Baptist Church "GOD's people working together to know and worship Him and to make Christ known worldwide." |
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Bowen Baptist Church HistoryNote: this is a work in progress |
The First DecadeCome with us for a nostalgic glimpse into the interesting background of the Bowen Baptist Church's beginnings and eventful first ten years.
In the beginning... In 1977, several momentous events came together:
Home, Sweet Home... "On arrival they found a one and a half acre property, where grass was up to the front and back steps of the house that was to be the manse. A part of the veranda and door mouldings had to be cut away, so that their organ and piano would fit through the door. In the meantime they were stored in the laundry..." Rob, in conjunction with the Baptist Union, appealed to the other Baptist Churches of Queensland for help in starting the Baptist ministry at bowen. A great many came forward with monetary and practical help. Among them were:
The Pattemore's are often guests, or bring a guest message at the BBC still, and hopefully will be coming to the 25th celebrations. They are still fondly remembered, as are our next two families. Read on! A long tradition of hospitality is established "And all ate and were filled." Luke 9:17 "After the service everyone would adjourn to the shade of the trees for a cuppa. It seems the next thing to happen, was the most important building of the church Bar-B-Que. This was completed and evening services were often preceeded by a fellowship meal. By the time Rob and Shirley had been here three months, Family Nights were instituted on Friday nights." Long-term members, Errol and Ida Youse recall: "Right from the beginning, this church has been known for their social activities. Starting with cups of tea out under the tree after services, picnics out at the beach after baptisms, etc. They always loved and continue to love, their fellowship over a cuppa." Ida "I enjoyed Family Night, as I liked to see families get together and everybody have fellowship. We broke into different age groups and had a game first, that catered for different ages. After this we had supper, sang choruses, and then we had the Word." Errol "On their return, the apostles told Jesus all they had done." Luke 9:10 "In July/August the church sponsored the first of many evangelistic crusades. This one featured Alan Cosgrove, the group `Country Way' and Rev. Paul De Platter with his ventriloquist doll `George'. During this first year a Ladies Group was formed and evening sevices-often took place in the yard, with people speaking and singing from the platform on the back of a truck. The congregation would sit on the seats provided or simply drive in and sit in their cars. This type of Drive-in service continued until after the church building was erected. In april of 1979, Collinsville was included in the program of the church being visited once a month. Also included were Bible Studies on Tuesday nights, a Youth Group that developed from the Family Nights, and a Mens' Social Evening, every three months." "Because it had been well-built..." Luke 6:48 "In May 1979 construction of the church building was commenced. The building was designed along the same lines as the Broadbeach Baptist church, and included Bowen's first church spire. It has louvers and windows along both sides, which makes it a very cool place in summer. During 1979, many evangelists visited Bowen, including two from America and one crusade that was held in a large tent. The Holland Park Baptist church also began sending teams of young people to Bowen to help in door knocks and run Vacation Bible Schools for children during the School holidays. In December 1979 the church spire was erected with the help of Buchanan's Crane Hire, and Gary Truloff who had to shinny up 45 feet to unhook a rope which had become entangled. Services were held in the back hall of the church, sometimes commandeered from some chooks who liked to lay their eggs in there, while the sanctuary was being completed. During the first full year of ministry, a church membership was formed, deacons were elected and a constitution adopted. Business meetings, being relatively short, were held as an extension of the worship services." Oh happy day! Saturday the 26th July 1980 saw the official opening of the church. A group from Holland Park in Brisbane travelled all the previous night to be in Bowen for the ceremony. They were joined by the church and civic dignitaries, church members and other local people. Kevin Volker, who had erected the shell of the church, handed the keys to Fred Stallard, who officially opened the door of the church and invited the congregation to be seated. On the following Sunday morning the Bowen Baptist Church was constituted, the 134th Baptist church in Queensland. At the service, 43 people were officially welcomed into membership. It was also during 1980, that a decision was taken, that every month a concert would be held on a Saturday night, and on the Sunday evening, a film or youth service would take place. A missionary committee was set up, and the ladies, who had become recognized as an official Baptist Women's Fellowship within the Baptist Union, met for Bible Study twice a month. They also started an exchange of meetings with the Salvation Army Home League, which exchange has been recommenced this year (1988). An all age Sunday School, to include an adult class, was started at 9.00a.m. on Sunday mornings. Numerous evangelists and missionaries visited Bowen during 1980, among them, two who also visited Collinsville. The young people were involved with their first youth exchange and went to Mackay ... During the weekend of the 18th to 20th May, celebrations were held to mark the first anniversary of the church. On the Friday night a special meeting was held at the C.W.A. hall and SAaturday afternoon was spent ski-ing and riding the rubber tyre at Gray's Bay, followed by a fellowship tea at the C.W.A. hall... By 1982 Bowen was experiencing water problems... A carport [was] built, but not without mishap for Rob fell off the roof during construction and broke a bone off the joint in his elbow... The ladies started handicraft mornings and held bazaars, raising enough money to pay for the church carpet and buy a saw bench for the Endeavour Foundation. This was also the year that the Bowen Baptist Church had grown enough to accept full responsibility for expenses and no longer needed subsidy money from the Baptist Union... In 1983 Rob started the institution of the annual Northern Pastors and Leaders conferences, and whilst at the inaugural meeting, Shirley was asked to plan a Northern Ladies Camp (Southern ones were already in existence). This she did, planning it for June with Dorothy Maycock as the speaker. These camps have since been held annually, and as with the Northern Pastors ans Leaders conferences, have proved a great refreshment and blessing to many people..." "The Great Deluge..." "It seems that it was in 1983 that Andrew Blencowe, Alan Knox-Niven and Rob, were enjoying a fellowship meal together, when Rob suddenly got up and hurriedly left the gathering. The baptistry was filling in preparation for that evening's baptism and Rob thought he heard it overflowing everywhere - which it was. In fact a mini waterfall was in progress behind the pulpit. Water was drained from the baptistry and the baptism was able to take place that evening. The service went ahead, with those at the front squelching on wet carpet. Vigilance during the filling of the baptistry has been very good since then!" Laughter is The Best Medicine... "A memorable occasion was that evening Alan Knox-Niven spoke on the armour of God, as found in Ephesians chapter 6, verses 10 to 17. He decided that to drive the point home he would use an armour suit as a visual aid while speaking. All he could find was a child's size plastic suit, but thought that surely it would be all right. As he preached that night, the ill-fitting suit went on piece by piece. Seeing this, members of the congregation were starting to giggle. When Alan came to the climax of the message, the sword of God, he reached behind the pulpit and pulled out a large baseball bat; (he didn't have the sword for the outfit). Alan stood there wearing a child's size plastic suit of armour and wielding a baseball bat. It was all too much for the congregation who erupted in laughter. The sermon was definitely a memorable one!" Welcome to the Loders "February 1984... David and Ann Loder were welcomed to the ministry here [as Pastor and wife...] We gained more community exposure, with the construction of a sign outside the church to advertise coming events and display a thought for the month. The sign became a focal point for passers by. The text of some of the signs appeared in the local newspaper and people said they looked each month for the new 'thought'... The "Northern Leader" newspaper moved into town and offered churches advertisements for free, so David offered to write a column for the paper. That offer was accepted and the 'Spiritual Focus' was born... Towards the end of 1984 the church, with the aid of a Government grant, took on the responsibility of the lease for a house for emergency accomodation. The lease was surrendered in 1985 but the ministry was worthwile, as there was evidence that we had helped people and the congregation had gained experience which has later proved useful in helping of the needy in the community... The next year saw the septic for the manse re-done, involving many volunteer man hours and many trailer loads of bricks. During 1985 the 'Northern Leader' newspaper left town and with it seemed to end the Spiritual Focus column. Many people then commented to David that they missed it, so he rang the Bowen Independent and they gladly accepted his offer of submitting the column for them. The 'Spiritual Focus' was up and running again... A sign was purchased to be placed at the intersection of Argyle Park Road and Richmond, to let people know where the Baptist church is, and an outside stage was constructed for Christmas services. We had two week long missions by John Merriweather, who centred his ministry on small group-meetings in homes and following this, towards the end of 1985, it was decided that we have small group meetings once a month on Sunday nights, instead of a church service... We started planning for a visit from Zambia of an African pastor/evangelist as part of the 'Five Barley Loaves' program. A hundred years ago, the Australian Baptists sent our first missionaries overseas. They became known as the five Barley loaves. Five national pastor/evangelists were now going to visit Australia in somewhat of a return gesture. We has our first annual Family Camp... The ... speaker ... was John Walker, at a camp held at Magnetic Island." 1985: Aims and Objectives:
"Three Cows and a Tractor..." "It was 'reported' to a members meeting early in 1986, that "three cows and a tractor had been lost in the bog at the entrance to the carpark" - gravelling of the entrance was urgently carried out. The main entrance doors to the church were moved from one side of the building to the other side so that the entrance now faces the car park. The coconut trees were removed from along one side of the building due to the dangers they presented with coconuts dropping in the car park and the potential danger of having 30 coconut trees on the property during a cyclone... This year our family camp was a Cool Palms, with John Tanner the speaker... During 1987 an undercover area was donated for the use of the children. (This facilitated Sunday School returning to being held during the sermon in 1988...) A library was set up for the children, a new piano purchased, and the pamphlet 'God Can be Known' letter box dropped to every home in Bowen. The personal development week ... was carried out with meetings covering communication, budgeting, unemployment, depression and anger... Holla, Holla... We had a 'Compassion' evening - an evening of fun and dress up centred around learning more about other cultures and the problems they face. David Loder came dressed as a native from Papua New Guinea, wearing a grass skirt and painted all over with cocoa. The look was great, just like someone straight out of the jungle. But oh, the smell!!! The church applied for an emergency relief program grant to help the needy of Bowen and this application was accepted... [The Loder's then accepted the pastorship at Caboolture.] This was the end of the second era in the life of the Bowen Baptist Church. The whole of the Loder's Ministry in Bowen was carried out in time of drought and general economic downturn in the community but thanks to God and their labours, the church has been able to maintain its financial independence and its spiritual stability. 1988 sees a lending library started... At the beginning of 1988, Andrew Blencowe spoke at most of the worship services, until Rev. Fred Hill, a retired missionary and pastor, was called to an interim ministry for most of February, March and April. The church has called Paul Jackson to be our new pastor ... as from the 25th May, when he will be inducted at our tenth anniversary thanksgiving service..." The Big Picture So Far! So there we have it! From those humble beginnings, the church was truly underway. People were communicated with through their letter-boxes, with a whole new venture in the faith in mind. It must have been with both hope and hesitation, that people contemplated building a brand new church from scratch. Could the community afford it? What would it be like? Rob Pattemore started out with a car and a loud-speaker, and mowing the over-grown horse-lot where this future would be. Here, people got to experience an alternate kind of 'drive-in'. For the Pattemore's, their home was 'our home', literally, when it came to services. Until finally, with great excitement, the large, cool, welcoming building of the church was finally completed, and those unofficial squatters, the chooks, were ousted! Right from the start, people found that it was a place they could bring their families, for both faith and fun. Welcoming and alive, down to earth and vigorous, yet reverent and sincere; people have striven to embody the Spirit through their church community ever since. And so concludes the first ten eventful years of the Bowen Baptist Church. |
"Up to the Present Day..."The following Pastoral Insight, is (with many thanks) from our current Pastor, Pastor Noel Wilcox. |
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