Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church

01/06/2026

Here is a bit I wrote for another page - thought I'd share it - apologies - I haven't posted here for a while .... forgive me -
BTW - next Sunday 7th June - we have a special Missionary visit - Join us - be good YES !
here is the other blurb ... it's longish ....
........ I've been in formal ministry for quite a number of years, Before, accepting the role here as a Pastor at Heathcote Engadine Baptist Church I was in a rural Baptist church for 27 yrs. I am quite amazed that I have survived as well as I have. God is good, faithful and merciful.

What I am keen to champion is the importance and relevance of "revitalising" existing churches. Churches that may be struggling and in decline. I loved my time in the rural context and there was a uniqueness about that & in my time it seemed to go OK and function well and fairly healthy (I think). Now I'm at HEBC and it too is quite good. It was a BIG church way back, but for a number of reasons it is not as "big" or as "strong" as it once was. That is not to say we are dead in the water as it were, not at all. Indeed, to liken the church to a body does seem appropriate in so many ways (it's biblical); & some of us as we get older are not able to do exactly the same things we used to do; we are slower, we are restricted by our capacity and sometimes help is needed. So it is in many church bodies. They maybe smaller "less attr-active". Yet the desire remains, the Kingdom heart still beats.

Here is the thing, I don't want to be the guy that poo poos church planting altogether; I think it is a great thing to advance the Kingdom, the Apostle Paul was pretty big on it; & it does seem to be the flavour of our time now. Plant! Be a church planter, they are the ones that are growing making an impact and that's where the action is! & Yes, by all means - may God bless & build those who under Christ go & build new healthy churches.

But I've been working thru 1 Corinthians (again) - such a good & challenging book. I've called the series, Messages of hope to help a messed up church ...& people. BUT what I am so amazed about is that the same church planting Apostle was also so invested in writing, serving, loving, building and helping the Church at Corinth. If you didn't realise it; it was a church that had "issues"! Division, dysfunction, prideful boasting, immorality, lovelessness, and so on. Yet Paul & the Lord - speaks into this space, He is convinced that the Gospel is good and it works.. and so He pours His heart and his mind and writes ... and he sends Timothy along to help as well. (If you are Timothy, would you not consider this a hospital pass?) Would you/we/I ever feel called to such a church as this? So often I here of people asking for recommendations of good church to send a Christian friend to; & certainly, I think there is wisdom in thinking about appropriate matches with maturity & grace. Yet, we as Christians often have the best people in the most blessed places. I recall a wise man (Alan Catchpoole) saying; "we ought to send the best people to the worst (Hardest) place". It appears to me that the hard place and struggling churches are like "the Battlers", often over looked and forgotten.

The truth is, not all the smaller overlooked churches are "unhealthy" (some are, But even Corinth got letters and Timothy ), These churches may not "offer" all that we would desire. There is a subtle consumerism in the context of Church life, in both the pews & the pulpits.

It's my prayer that the smaller churches will be healthy and strong and grow to their potential under Christ. To become all that He has promised & called them to be. Please be prayerful for such as these. The noise of church plants, increase in baptisms (with numbers attached) of bigger "stronger" churches with stories of great growth & "success" can in fact be a "discouragement" to those that are not in that space; for whatever reason. I realise that it is very true that there is some ecclesiastical jealousy in me & I confess it now. Yet, I also believe that there are issues for us all to face: pride, ecclesiastical consumerism, idolatry and selfish ambition. 1 Corinthians still preaches; God be merciful to us all.

& by the way - if you are interested in connecting to a smallish church - (average 70-75 each week) with good people - OK bible teaching and probably a few opportunities to grow & serve - we / I would love to hear from you.
Blessings - Fix yours eye on Him - don't loose heart ... preach it!
ag

15/05/2026

Check out this … https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UecdEmC1R/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Earlier this week CMS Missionary Steph Hawkins celebrated 100 days of being on location in Austria!

In Austria, Christianity is often seen as a tradition rather than a personal relationship with God through Christ. The concept of salvation through Jesus’ sacrifice is hazy, as the Reformation never deeply influenced Austria as it did in other parts of Europe. With only 0.57% of the population identifying as evangelical Christians, Austria’s percentage is similar to Saudi Arabia (0.53%).

Please continue to pray for Steph as she continues her language learning and out reach amongst the university students in Vienna.

16/04/2026

Just wanted to whet your appetite; this Sunday we start our new series in 1 Corinthians. One of the things that stands out is that the Church of Corthith comes across as "less than ideal" - there were issues; & reading through it you get a bit of an idea. BUT here is the thing - what absolutely amazes me is how much time, energy, effort & prayer Paul puts into it! He invests in it & speaks into it - Now consider, there are quite a number of churches that in our day might be "similar" - dysfunctional, struggling with "issues" - & yet how easy it is for us to dismiss and "write off" this type of church. & in a way I get it; yes we must be discerning - & yet we also must be people of grace & truth. What a tension, what a challenge - Could it be that we need to adopt some of Paul's passion and love for dysfunctional and struggling churches. I get why people ask - "where is a good church that has great teaching, pastoral care & does discipleship well - and a thriving ministry to every demographic (oldies, youth & kids ) But could it be that we need to also ask "why are the good gospel centred people who are grounded always going to healthy churches - consider attending the churches with "issues" who need strengthening, help & hope.
I remember a wise friend Alan Catchpoole saying, "we tend to send the best people to the best churches; when it probably should be the exact opposite", (or it was something like that. I treasure the wisdom & grace that he taught me all those years ago).
blessings
ag

13/04/2026

The specific Easter dates for the year are gone; indeed the body of Jesus is no longer lying in the tomb. For He has risen! Furthermore, we continue to remember & treasure Jesus. We believe that He is to be celebrated everyday! It was great to have a few new faces join us over the Easter period, & we do hope that there will be even more joining us in the coming weeks & months. This Sunday - at HEBC we are starting a new sermon series looking at the book of 1 Corinthians. I am looking forward to it ... although there are some hard bits in there as well. The Big title for the series is "messages of hope for a messed-up church (& people)". & although we may not be the worst church in the world, (we know we are not the best church) - Yet every church (& person) can be a bit messed up at times - so this series I think will speak into our space .. and maybe even into yours as well. Consider yourselves called. See you there? Blessings ag

30/03/2026

On behalf of HEBC I would like to invite you and your families to Celebrate Easter with us. There will be a Good Friday service at 9am & then on Resurrection Sunday the service starts at 9.30am. After that service there will be morning tea and maybe even an easter egg hunt (for the children). Easter is not merely a holiday – it is a special time we remember Jesus, His death on the Cross and His resurrection from the dead. It is in a way an unbelievable story; and yet you don’t need to be a bunny to believe it.

Please receive this invitation and be sure to ask for and collect the free complementary Happy Birthday Heathdene – Kids story book.

email: [email protected]
Blessings Austin Griffiths

16/03/2026

I mentioned the book by Tim Keller on Jonah “the prodigal prophet” here is an audible link … it’s also available at Christian book stores (koorong / reformers / wandering book seller)
https://share.google/61odzhydXxOwUclEJ
Blessings
Ag

Check out this great listen on Audible.com.au. Pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller uncovers the moving, provocative, and urgent message within the book of Jonah and at the heart of the Christian faith.Most people, even those who are nonreligious, are familiar with the book of...

14/03/2026

Ever thought you were drowning … ever felt like you are over your head …. And in the depths … well that’s not an uncommon feeling- and in our message tomorrow at hebc - we wil think about that … and how Jonah felt the same … and how God was able to use that very same type of experience to bring blessing and salvation - do what you can to get there - hear it - live it -
Learn from Jonah - learn and live for Jesus- yes! Services start at 9.30am Sundays
Ag

10/03/2026

Jonah 1 was the focus at our Sunday service - another great job by one of our young budding preachers - huge thanks - & praise the Lord for His provision in so many ways- I got to go on our Fishing mission - and we also looked at the story of Jonah there - it sounds a bit fishy I know - but what a great time - as a church … we exist to glorify God by exalting Jesus as we declare & demonstrate His Love, Lordship and salvation …. & it happened. Over the years a number of guys come from all over the place - not just to fish - but also to connect - & it was great to hear in conversations- of Jesus’ love, Lordship and salvation - it had been spoken of and shown- by people connected to hebc. It’s a thing to celebrate and a thing to replicate … please do keep praying for us as a church - be clear about why we exist …. & let’s continue to put it into action - think and pray about how you will own this vision- … & yes do join us for the next instalment of the Jonah story this Sunday - chapter 2 - when you are in the depths … it’s time to reflect, pray & cry out …. See you soooooon 😊🙏🎣🐠🐟
Ag

05/03/2026

Already our church has journeyed through the OT book of Haggai. It was "Prophetable"; Small book with some big ideas. Have a read, & by all means listen to the messages via our website. Then we considered why we as a church exist; (we exist to Glorify God by exalting Christ Jesus as we declare & demonstrate His love, Lordship & salvation to everyone, 2 The 1:11-12) Did you remember that? Following on, we reflected on our response; we considered what characterises commitment. Repentance of Sin & submission to His Lordship in all things. It's been great!

This weekend a bunch of us guys are off to Fishing Mission. The goal is not only to catch fish, but to be fishers of Men as well, to encourage & make disciples and advance the Kingdom. The last few times at FM - we have also read & reflected on the story of Jonah; this week it's chapter 3 on FM - However, back on site, HEBC will be starting to "prophet" from Jonah as well. Jono Stevens will be talking on Jonah 1. It's such a great book; it was never intended to be just a kid's story. It's well worth reading, and dare I say, getting deep into it (with us?). If you are not attending a church; or a thinking about what Christianity is about - please don't run away - but rather come, respond to this invitation. Attend, learn and grow with us - as we endeavour to follow Jesus. Hope to catch up soooonish - Go well Jono S - Praying for you all.

23/02/2026

After being away for a while, it was great to be back & sharing from God's word: There are lots of good vision statements and goals that a church can have ... & arguably they will have their place & context; for though at HEBC; I think we have landed on an appropriate summary statement. We exist to Glorify God by exalting Christ Jesus as we declare & demonstrate His love, Lordship & salvation to everyone. Last Sunday we unpacked that- the text: 2 Thes 1:11-12. (check it out, https://www.hebc.org.au/ ) here are a few quotes:
Today from this time on – invest, repent and press on – build the Temple for the Glory of God. BUT I’m not talking about painting the ceilings of HEBC like a Michael Angelo …
.. here is the thing – our goal, .... – is not to make HEBC the BIG deal and show the world what a great church we have been & can be - Yes, I want us to be a healthy, good church; But it is not for our names sake; but for the renown of our God and the glory of Christ.
.. grace and glory go together. Glory is the end; grace is the means to it. There can be no glory without grace.
Hope you can join us - as we endeavour to make good with our goal & purpose. Blessings
ag