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FIRE AND FAITH MOULD NARWEE BAPTIST CHURCH

On the weekend of 1st and 2nd May 2004, Narwee Baptist Church (NBC) celebrated its 50th anniversary. It has grown over the years; experienced a fire in 29 May,1992; faced a debt of $14,500 and reached out to the community through its services and a radio station.

On Saturday 1st May 2004, a Special Dinner was held at 5.00pm, in the church’s auditorium, attended by 350 guests. This was followed by an evening program at 7.30pm, in the main church area, where the presentation was named “NBC – This is your Life”.

Narwee Baptist Fellowship was formed in 1952, on December 2. The group was then constituted as the Narwee Baptist Church on April 22, 1954.

Former pastors shared their memories of trials and growth from a small Sunday School class in a lounge room to the present day facilities, which includes a community service radio station, 2NBC.

The Senior Pastor, Rev Angelo Gratsounas welcomed the guests and church members, present and former, who had gathered for this special occasion.

The MC, Colin Judge led the proceedings which included acknowledging those present who had been involved since the 1950s. Each decade was shared in detail by those who had been present.

The Choir Master and Worship Leader, Graham Baillie led the choir and congregation in singing the old and new favourites.

During the meeting, an historical publication called “The History of NBC” , written by John Maitland, the church historian, and designed by Kathryn Fletcher, was launched.

A video portrayed the history of the church photographically and through narration.

The first pastor to be interviewed was the Rev Ken Manley who served at Narwee as a student pastor, from 1959-61. The Rev. Rowley Croucher spoke of his term in the sixties, from 1964-67 with Martha Nixon expressing her appreciation of the worship and ministry in the seventies.

The longest serving pastor, the Rev. Mike Dennis (1968-1987) praised the ministry of the choir and spoke of a time in the 1970s when the church ran out of money and the challenge was given for each member to give any unexpected amounts the Lord gave to them, over the following month. The debt was over-subscribed.

A humorous skit by Ruth Peterson and Errol Clausen aptly illustrated the various incidents in the history of the church and personnel of the leadership team.

A written greeting from the Rev. Darcy Taplin, who was pastor at the time of the fire, encouraged everyone to acknowledge and remember the “unsung heroes” who worked so tirelessly behind the scenes, especially during the period following the fire. He spoke of the quiet ones who were always ready to serve and help, during the good and the bad times.

The closing address of the evening was presented by the Rev. Croucher. A most fitting sermon addressed the need for justice, an active faith, love for the Lord and following the most important principles as found in the scriptures.

“It’s the possible to know the Bible by heart and many preachers can teach the contents of the Bible, but we must be committed to the Lord with all our heart.”

SUNDAY SERVICES

On Sunday 2nd May 2004, THE Rev. Ken Manley again shared many personal memories which led to him serving as the former Principal of Whitley College in Melbourne. As a Vice-President of the Baptist World Alliance, he also took the opportunity to bring an official greeting from that organisation.

The Rev. Mike Dennis spoke on the subject “Measuring the Church” at the 8.30am and 10.00am services. He spoke of the physical attributes of a church which are obvious, but also of the involvement of the people it produces.

“This church has produced many people who count on earth for heaven’s worth.”

His challenge came in the words: “If this church ceased to exist, would this community be better or worse? You now face the next 50 years and what you do will be said at the many anniversaries to follow.

“Love one another fervently – the best is yet to be!”

The present Senior Pastor, Rev. Angelo Gratsounas spoke at the 6.00pm Service, bringing a challenge for the future, with the subject “Building a Contagious Church for the 21st Century”.

Basing his address on Acts 2, Rev “Ange” challenged the congregation to be a disciple making church; a Christ-imitating, loving church; a Christ-centred worshipping church; a God-dependant prayerful church; a God-glorifying joyful church and a Spirit empowered, evangelistic and world missions mobilising church.

Limited copies of the full-colour book are available from the Narwee Baptist Church office, at the price of $20. For further information on the events of the 50th Anniversary, contact Narwee Baptist Church, 33-39 Baumans Road, Peakhurst NSW 2210; phone: (+61-2) 9534-2699; fax: (+61-2) 9534-6194; e-mail:

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