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Welcome, we’re glad you’re here.

We’d love to introduce you to Jesus. Join us for church this Sunday! (HBC)

We are a church in Newcastle sharing the life-transforming message of Jesus. We value people of all ages and cultures, the Bible as God's living word, and meeting together to explore what life is really about. We'd love you to join us!

Link to Sunday services and About us and Plan Your Visit

Sunday Services – 9:30am

We are one church with two services – in English or Chinese.

We meet at 180 Maitland Rd, Islington, every week at 9:30am. There's ample parking, welcoming people, air-conditioned facilities and great coffee at morning tea afterwards.

Come along any Sunday, we can’t wait to meet you! Get directions

Images with links/Buttons: Plan your visit, Let us know you’re coming, events , learn about Jesus??

Who are we?

Islington Baptist is a lively and growing church sharing the life-transforming message of Jesus with the beautiful city of Newcastle. We value people of all ages and cultures, the Bible as God's living word, and meeting together to praise our loving God, encourage each other in our shared hope, and learn the ways of Jesus together in community.

Our hope is that you will feel welcome and at home at Islington Baptist, no matter who you are, and that we will help you know and experience the love of God in Jesus Christ.

We want to be a community that is devoted to God as we love God's Word, love God's people and love God's mission.

Might need to make this into an image:

A Multicultural & All Ages Community

Loving God's Word

Loving God's People

Loving God's Mission

Find us

We're at 180 Maitland Rd, Islington, opposite Islington Park. We've got a large parking area and on-street parking. We're just an 8min walk from Hamilton Train Station, or just 200m off the R6 University to City bike route. Multiple buses service Maitland Rd, Islington, and Hamilton area. Bus 11 will get you to our front door from Jesmond, Newcastle Uni (Callaghan) and various other places!

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Connect with us

Contact form

Plan Your Visit

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Whether you have grown up in a church or haven't ever checked one out, we understand that just turning up one day might be daunting.

We hope this page might help a little, and we're happy to chat more beforehand if you can send us a message or email. Let us know you’re coming (welcomer at the door?)

We're a multicultural community including a significant ministry amongst Chinese-speaking people. See below for more info on each of our services and kids’ programs.

Sunday Services – 9:30am

Our time together begins with a welcome from the front & singing together (or listening if you'd rather not sing). After that we normally have a special family spot teaching the kids before they head out for kids’ programs. Then someone will pray from the front, we'll read the Bible and hear a 25-30min message explaining the Bible and helping us to think about its meaning today. We normally finish with a song and a collection is taken for our regulars who financially support the ministry of the church.

What to expect

A place to park.

A friendly hello and welcome at the door.

A relaxed service including music, a children's talk, bible reading, prayers and bible teaching (sermon).

Singing together led by a band with words on the big screens.

Childrens’ and youth program during school terms.

Communion (bread/juice) shared together once a month to remember Jesus’ death.

Chinese & English combined gathering on the 1st Sunday of the month.

A (free!) cup of barista coffee/tea and something to eat afterwards.

What’s happening

[pictures to click and link to Kids & Youth, Playtime, Growth Groups, Life course, Boost, Chinese ministry]

Our Values

The Bible as God’s word – centred on Jesus

Serving one another and our community

Growing together to be more like Jesus

Kids & Youth

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Preschool age “Shine”?? Where little lights sparkle with joy and faith?

Parents of pre-schoolers and other leaders provide a program for 1-5 yr olds who haven't yet started school. These kids enjoy some games, activities, songs, Bible stories and some craft during church time. This program runs every week during the school term.

Sonshine - Primary School age

Sonshine is a fun, safe and age-appropriate program for primary aged children (ages 5-12) where kids can learn about Jesus and his great love for them through games, activities, bible stories, singing and craft. Our hope is that they grow and make friends. It runs alongside the morning Church Services (English & Chinese). The children start off in Church with their parents and leave after some songs and a kids talk (around 15min into the service). We want to work with parents to see children come to know, love and serve God as their Heavenly Father through Jesus his Son. After church kids join the adults for morning tea and often play in the enclosed church yard. This program runs every week during the school term.

CLICK – High School age

Youth on Sundays (ages 12-18) is all about learning to trust and follow Jesus as teenagers. It runs alongside the morning Church Services (English & Chinese) every week during school term. They start off in Church and then join the youth program for games and checking out what the Bible has to say to teenagers today.

What To Expect

The program begins after a kids talk in the church service

Age-appropriate Bible stories and songs

Games and craft activities

Developing friendships with others

Caring leaders

Outside play in enclosed grounds during morning tea (Parents/Carers to supervise)

Events/What’s happening??

Images with events tagged kids

Leadership & Safety

Check-in

Completion of a registration form and weekly check-in to programs is required for each child.

Safety & Food Allergies

Please do not send food with your child to share with other children. All food brought and consumed should be free of nuts and other common allergens to children. We have a first aid kit on site and communicate with parents in the event of an incident.

Volunteer & Staffing Screening

We want to provide our families with a safe and secure environment. Every volunteer and child carer interested in working with children go through the following steps:

• Formal Applications and Code of Conduct Signing

• Safe Church Training

• WWCC Checking

• Reference Checking

Chinese Ministry

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Chinese Church Service – Sundays 9:30am

The Chinese fellowship meets in the downstairs meeting room/lounge space, which is accessed through the church yard.

The service is in Mandarin, with a number of Cantonese speaking people also attending. Some people choose to go to the English service some weeks and the Chinese other weeks, as their language level allows.

Growth Groups

Various mid-week growth groups are run in Mandarin and Cantonese for members of this congregation. Groups run during the day and at night, in person and online. (not sure if this is still accurate)

Link to Chinese Ministry website

What to Expect

A place to park.

A friendly hello and welcome at the door.

A semi-formal style service including music, bible reading, prayers and bible teaching (sermon).

Singing together led by a band with words on the big screen.

Children’s and youth programs during school terms (combined with English service)

Communion (bread/juice) shared together once a month to remember Jesus death.

Chinese/English combined gathering on the 1st Sunday of the month in the main church auditorium. We offer audio interpretation into Mandarin via FM radios (provided). Do we still do this?

A (free!) cup of barista coffee/tea and something to eat afterwards.

Growth Groups

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Growth Groups

Growth Groups are all about learning to follow Jesus together. The overall purpose of joining a Growth Group is to grow in maturity as a disciple of Jesus and to help others grow to maturity in Christ, through helping each other understand, apply and live by the Word of God in all of life. They are not ‘social groups’, nor ‘study groups’ – they are Growth Groups.

What is a Growth Group?

A small group people committed to helping each other follow Jesus. The core aspect of group life is meeting regularly to encourage each other in personal discipleship of Jesus through sharing, Bible study and prayer, but it extends beyond this into other less structured social connections, practical and pastoral support, prayer and communication. The group is led by a Growth Group Leader, who is appointed, trained and supported by the pastoral team. There is a focus on interactive, mutual learning and encouragement, and the Leader facilitates the group, helping it stay on track, rather than acting primarily as a teacher.

What does it mean to be involved in a Growth Group?

Growth Groups meet weekly for 1-2 hours for a meal or cup of tea, study and application of the Bible (linked to the Sunday Bible talk), sharing and prayer for each other and for others across the world.

Interested in Joining a Group?

We have men’s and women’s groups as well as mixed groups which meet during the week in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. Groups meet in various ways, including in-person or online. If you’re interested in joining one of the groups, get in touch to find out more.

[Contact form]

Playtime

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Playtime meets Thursdays from 9:45-11:30am

A fun program of free play, morning tea, stories, singing and craft

Playtime is a play group for families with young children. It meets each Thursday during school terms on the enclosed church lawn and in the spacious hall. It's a great place to meet other parents of young children and for your child (or children!) to play, socialise and get involved in group activities.

Cost is $3/wk or $20 per term

Located at 180 Maitland Rd, Islington

What To Expect at Our Playtime

Outside play in enclosed grounds, with a variety of toys and play equipment (air conditioned hall is used for bad weather)

Stories and songs

Child-friendly Bible time

Friendships and chats

Onsite parking and toilets

Tea, Coffee and homemade treats for parents

Bring morning tea for your child/ren

[Link to Playtime Facebook page]

Visitors welcome

Visitors are welcome to come and try out Playtime with your child and the first week is free. Feel free to pop in on Thursday mornings or enquire below to find out more.

[contact form]

Boost After School Kids Club

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An After School Kids Club For Children In Years K-6

Are you looking for something fun and meaningful for your kids to do on a Friday afternoon?

Join the fun, games and learning at BOOST every Friday during school term. We'll enjoy games, team challenges, afternoon tea, craft, stories from the Bible to learn about Jesus and more, all with a great team of trained leaders.

Fridays 3:15pm-5:15pm during school term weeks

180 Maitland Rd, Islington

Pick up service available from Islington Public School

First week FREE! You're welcome to visit at any point in the term.

$5 per week, or $30 for a whole term

(Subsidies available by enquiry)

Have fun with friends and a great team of leaders

Get creative, learn songs, and join in team games and challenges

Dig into quality afternoon tea and chill after a big week of school

REGISTER NOW FOR TERM 1 2025!

BOOST is back for 2025 with lots of fun, food, challenges and learning.

Registration

To register your child(ren) for BOOST please fill out the registration form through the link below.

Payment is not required to register and will be arranged separately after your first visit.

Link to registration form (Church suite)

Interested, but still have questions?

Send us an email, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can: info@islingtonbaptist.org.au

Life Course/Evangelistic course

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Keen to explore life with Jesus?

If you would like to learn more about Jesus and life with him, come along to a relaxed group where you can ask your questions, investigate the claims of the bible and share your point of view. Enjoy friendly conversation with a group of people who are looking for truth and meaning, just like you.

Whether you’re totally new to Christianity, or finding your way back to church, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us to find out when the next course is starting.

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About Us

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A little more about us

We believe that God works in people through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). We use the Bible in our preaching, discipleship, evangelism, and worship, believing that God works through is word and by his Spirit to change lives.

We are a Baptist church. That basically means that we believe that baptism in water is a great sign and symbol of the defining mark of a Christian. Christians are people who identify with Jesus in his dying and rising again to new life, which washes us clean of wrongdoing against God.

We're protestant and evangelical, which means we are Bible based as our highest authority. We are a congregation led/governed church, which means every member has a voice that matters. In Bible language, we value the priesthood of all believers (not just people with a title like "priests"). Our gatherings include various elements that reflect our diverse community of people who are united in commitment to Jesus and the Bible. For example, we might sing a contemporary song, then reciting an ancient creed, before hearing a Bible explanation talk engaging with contemporary culture. We love this, and hope you might also!

[pictures to click and link to Jesus, Bible Talks, Leaders, Safe Church, Facilities & Venue Hire]

The Story Of Christianity

Link to (How to Read the Bible – The Story of the Bible)

We exist because we're convinced God exists, and loves us immensely. Including you.

And he shows us His love. Here's the story...

In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death and the wrath of God.

Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how God acted mightily on Israel’s behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then giving them His holy law. But God’s people – like all of us – failed to rightly reflect the glory of God.

Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to renew the world and restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead.

Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the news of Christ’s work to the world. Empowered by God’s Spirit, the church calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results in a life of ongoing transformation.

The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God’s judgment and live joyfully in God’s presence for all eternity. God’s message is the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

Excerpt from TGC US. Video from The Bible Project.

Jesus

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Who is Jesus?

We believe that

Bible Talks

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Why we do bible talks?

Podcasts

Listen to our Sunday bible talks here or on your favourite podcast app.

[link to podcasts on spotify]

YouTube

Watch our Sunday services live at 9:30am, or catch up on past bible talks here:

[link to Youtube channel]

[embed 3 latest?]

Leaders

Meet our Team

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Matthew Kennedy - Lead Pastor

Matt is leading the leadership team and providing oversight of all the ministries of the church. Matt and his family moved to Newcastle in mid 2022. He previous served for 9 years at Chatswood Baptist Church. He studied at Morling and Moore Theological Colleges, Sydney.

Church Leadership Group (Staff, Elders & Deacons)

Matthew Kennedy, Graham Murray, Marco Li, Khalil Emseis, Jessie Agbola, Graham Harle, Marcia Heyne, Pauline Yeung. (needs checking)

Church Business Meetings

These meetings are held quarterly to discuss and vote on matters relating to the direction and activities of the church. Church membership is required in order to vote, as outlined by our constitution. For membership enquiries, please speak to one of the leadership group.

Safe Church

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We want Islington Baptist to be a safe church for everyone.

We take the wellbeing of everyone involved at Islington Baptist seriously, especially those who are vulnerable. We are committed to upholding our Safe Church Policy and implementing the 10 Child Safe Standards identified by the NSW Government.

Use the link below to view and download the current Safe Church policy and other related documents, including:

• Procedures governing appointment and induction of Staff and Volunteers

• Code of Conduct and Screening Questions for volunteers

• The Church's Statement of Beliefs

• Safe Church Concerns Form

• Procedure for Responding to Child Protection Concerns

• Procedure for Handling Complaints against Staff and Volunteers

• Procedure for Conflict Resolution

• Safe Church Team Role Description

View Safe Church Documents

At Islington Baptist, we utilise the Safe Ministry Check compliance and training platform for the induction and training of all staff and volunteers. Staff and other Church Leaders may have other Safe Ministry training and compliance requirements, as detailed in documents linked above.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding Safe Ministry compliance, or want to report a concern, you can contact one of the Safe Church Contacts below.

Matthew Kennedy (Lead Pastor)

Marcia Heyne (Safe Church Team Leader)

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Venue Hire

Facility info and Venue Hire

We want to use our facilities to serve the Islington and wider Newcastle community.

Hall & Kitchen [images of space]

Our church hall can accommodate up to 150 people standing or 100 seated. It is available for hire for a range of one-off functions, subject to availability and some conditions. We do not normally take Sunday bookings.

Meeting Room 1 - Downstairs (Lounge) [images of space]

The lounge meeting room can accommodate up to 40 people seated. It is adjacent to the kitchen and has basic AV facilities. Available for hire for a range of one-off functions, subject to availability and some conditions.

Upstairs meeting rooms [images of space]

We have 3 large meeting rooms in our Education Centre. These can be hired individually or together. There are also toilets upstairs and taps/sinks for basic tea and coffee facilities or cleaning etc.

Church Auditorium [images of space]

In limited circumstances our church auditorium may be made available for hire for other Christian gatherings or ceremonies. Weddings or funerals using the auditorium are normally required to be led by our pastors in accordance with their licence and a Christian order of service. It seats 175 people.

Office space [images of space]

We have multiple office spaces available for short term hire alongside use of the above facilities, or possible stand-alone long-term lease arrangements.

All facility use and hire must be approved by our members and must not contravene the beliefs or religious susceptibilities of our overall membership.

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Next Steps

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Get involved

We'd love to help you take the next steps in your faith journey and involvement at IBC.

You might like to join a small Bible study group [link to growth groups], explore the person and work of Jesus [link to Jesus], grab a coffee with a pastor, explore options for serving in a team, ask about giving to support our work or missionaries, or reach out to see how we can care for you.

We look forward to hearing from you!

[contact form]

Events

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Events

Image with event 1 info. [Link to event 1]

Image with event 2 info. [Link to event 2]

Image with event 3 info. [Link to event 3]

Add #tags kids, youth, young adults?? to events so parents can search whats happening for kids etc

Some style ideas:

https://enjoy.church