God gives the growth
Toongabbie Baptist Church trace the start of their ministry to the 1940’s where Gresham Eldridge began a Sunday School under a gumtree. For a season, they would be a branch of Blacktown Baptist Church before emerging in 1950 as a 13-member church meeting in a small property bought for £330.
The church grew. Over the next 50 years, the church found creative solutions to the happy problem of ministries outgrowing spaces, moving premises and extending as needed. The church leadership knew that eventually the time would come to build a structure that could grow with them, and be home to a thriving outreach in their corner of Sydney. However, they wanted to be careful stewards of this growth and ensure all they did was done to God’s glory.
And so they created a vision for investing in ministries to children and youth as well as “life groups” to ensure that everyone felt connected and loved. They committed to conducting inspiring worship services that are welcoming and help members to grow. They affirmed the importance of prayer and set ambitious targets for participation in prayer as well as loving each other well, reaching out to the local community with the gospel and supporting international mission. They became known in the community for their friendly welcome. As the final part of their vision, they set out a plan of staged developments to build and fund facilities for their ministries. Their goals were always in line with building God’s kingdom rather than their own.
Toongabbie Baptist Church’s mission is to make and grow passionate disciples of Jesus for the glory of God. This mission drives and shapes all they do. Therefore, their vision is to see thousands of lives transformed by Jesus in Western Sydney and beyond.
Baptist Financial Services came on board as a partner 2014. Giveway, the BFS online giving platform, was set up so that the church community could easily contribute funds to the project as well as the general running of the church. Additionally, BFS provided a loan to ensure that the project could begin while funds were being raised.
The result of this work has been incredible. God has continued to grow this church and the people continue to glorify him in their service. BFS has continued to work alongside Toongabbie Baptist church in their faithful and courageous ministry. We are encouraged by their determination to concentrate on serving God, leaving the growth to him and giving him all the glory