Regular Mission Updates Are In The Weekly Newsletter Which Can Be Viewed Here

We recognise Overseas Mission as an integral part of the local Church. our commitment is drawn from:

Mark 16:15   "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation"

Matt 25:37-40 "Whatever you did for one of these you di it for me"

Overseas Mission is a practical outworking of God's love and compassion which then provides a platform to declare Christ's message of reconciliation to a sin-sick world.
Through the links on the left you can see where the present missionaries are that are supported by Taupo Baptist and see who is on the missions team and what their role is. 
If you are interested in Overseas Mission then make sure you check out the noticeboard at the back of the Church Auditorium, this has regular newsletters from supported missionaries, as well as other information from different mission agencies.

TBC Supported Missions/Missionaries

Below is a list of Overseas Workers that are supported by Taupo Baptist Church.

EAST TIMOR - Carol Payne

Carol after many years of going and serving in East Timor Short Term, went over to East Timor long term in August 2009. She will work Kids Ark, predominantly helping establish a rehab house for the disabled.

ISRAEL - Evan & Maala Thomas

Evan serves as Pastoral Elder in a Messianic Congregetion called "Beit Asaph'. Part of his work is seeking to bring reconcilation between the various cultural factions in Israel.

KENYA - Gary & Glenys Sweetman

Work with Wycliffe Bible Translators, working and training people in Bible Translation. Based in Kenya, they work a lot out of Togo in West Africa.

 

 

EAST TIMOR LONG TERM COMMITMENT

As part of providing short term overseas mission opportunities within our fellowship, TBC has adopted the country of East Timor as a viable place to impact long term. We work with a community develpment based ministry called 'Kids Ark' spearheaded by two Brazilian ladies - Branca and Soraya.

Branca and Soraya work in three small villages 1/2 hour from the captial city Dili. Sidara village includes the hills region where there is little water, food or employment. Here and Motakiik villages are on a main road and have better access to transport and commodities, but there is still high unemployment. Since 2003, youth and adult teams have worked with Kids Ark for periods of two weeks and up to three months.

Small Groups are a vital part of life at Taupo Baptist Church. These are smaller groups (funny enough, given the name), that normally meet in peoples homes for Community, Fun, Study, Worship etc. 
There are a wide range of Small Groups that meet at different times and places throughout the week. Some of the Small Groups are Bible Study based, others more social or community based.
Due to the public nature of the Web we have not listed where and when the Small Groups run, but please contact the Church office or Wendy Emsley (Small Group Ministry Leader) if you would like information about a Small Group near you.

Below are the different Children ministry options run at TBC

Promiselands

For primary school aged children.  This children’s program runs from 10.00 am to 11.30am, while the main service is on. The program consists of registration time and social catch-up, then into a time of group interactions with games, celebrations, songs and worship, memory verses, and a short lesson. We then splint up into small groups based on the children’s year group at school where we discuses the lesson and how it fits into their lives and/or a craft activity. The group is then back together for a song and prayer time. We look forward to meeting you.

Kindy Kids

For 3 & 4 year olds. The kindy kids start off in their separate room; this is for signing in and a catch-up with the parents. The kindy kids the join the Promiseland children for the large group time, which includes games, celebrations, songs, memory verse and the short lesson. They then return to the kindy kids room for morning tea, crafts and activities based around the lesson. There is also a time of free play where the kids can celebrate being themselves. On pick up the adults must sign the children out.

Creche

Our crèche is currently open with volunteer carers during the 10am service.

Children under the age of 3yrs are signed into crèche by their caregiver and dedicatedly cared for whilst the 9am service is in progress.
Crèche volunteers will alert caregivers if their child needs changing, is unsettled or feeling unwell.Like the other ministry areas it is important for safety reasons that caregivers sign out children after the service. Children will not be released to anyone except those listed on the application sheets.
There is also a cry room located at the rear of church for caregivers.  This room is equipped with sound and one way glass so you can still absorb and feel part of the service.

Partnering and serving the community are very highly valued at TBC. Below are just a few programmes that run regularly from the Church

Mainly Music

Each Thursday, Mainly Music meets at 10am for music and dance for pre-schoolers if you are interested email Jan Carey (Community Ministry Leader).

Major Community Project

Each year as a Church we partake in a major community project. This is an opportunity for us as a Church to serve the Taupo community. In the past we have rapid built a house with Habitat For Humanity and this year we built 50 community gardens throughout Taupo. All the supplies for these gardens were provided and the host families only had to agree to share the produce and work of the garden with at least one neighbour. Of the 50 gardens built, only 10 were hosted by Church families. This project will be followed up with a 'harvest festival in early 2010.
Thoughts are already being given to the 2010 community project.

Light Party

The Light Party is a safe fun alternative to Halloween. It runs from 6-8pm, with a wide range of games and stalls. Each year has a dress up theme, 2008 was 'Pirates and Princesses', 2009 's theme is 'Wild Wild West'. In previous years it has been run at Taupo Baptist with hundreds of 5-11 year olds attending (and many missing out due to limited spaces). This year the Light Party will run in two locations Taupo Baptist and Inspire Churches meaning many more will be able to come and enjoy a good fun night. For photos from the 2009 Wild West Light Party - Click Here.

Joy Ministries

This is a quarterly service held on Sunday afternoon that caters specially for those with intellectual disabilities while being free for all to come. Each service includes some music, a craft time, some teaching and ends with afteroon tea. Keep an eye on the notices to see when the next Joy Ministry Service is - they are great fun.
Joy Ministries in 2009 will have some attending a camp in Matamata run by Christian Ministry for the Disabled over Labour Weekend.