It is good to see so many of you getting your registrations in for the Gathering in Otumoetai this year in November.  The registration form is downloadable from our website.  First cut off date is 7 October.

 This year the programme will be a little different in that Thursday night will be a Celebration Dinner which will include commissioning of new Ministers; welcoming in New Churches; and the 125^th celebration of the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society.  Ian Brown our outgoing President will be the main speaker.

Friday morning George Wieland (Carey Baptist College) will give the key note address unwrapping the main theme of the Gathering this year “Incarnation – He Entered Our World” and the afternoon session will be the business section of the Gathering where important Baptist issues will be presented for discussion. 

Friday night is World Mission night!  Incarnating our worldCome and hear, witness and experience a new direction for world mission as a denomination. Speakers: Kerry Hilton and Peter Mihaere

Saturday morning key note address will be led by Gary Colville and the afternoon will be set aside for three Seminars “Gospel and Incarnational Church (Murray Robertson); Gospel and Friends (Rob Harley) and Developing Gospel Focused Leaders (team from Carey Baptist College). 

Saturday night will include a session with Ruby Duncan and Jo Robertson “Location Location Location  ... from third world to first world, mother and daughter perspectives”, as well as some great jazz from Lloyd Ashworth and friends.

Sunday morning Rodney Macann, Peter Mihaere, and Carolyn Robertson will present the vision, along with communion.

Our usual stories from the churches will be scattered throughout the programme as well as opportunity for your reflections after each session. 

 At this year’s Baptist Research Dinner on Saturday evening, Dr Brian Smith’s topic will be “Is There a Plan A?”

Pastors and Spouses Day on the Thursday, Dean and Jacqui Clarkson, and Craig and Michaela Vernall share their incarnational stories.  The chaplains will also be represented and time will be spent praying for them as well as the Christchurch pastors who have recently had a lot to deal with.