At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, we began our 46th year in the great land of Australia! Since at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 1975 we joined hands with a little flock to organize Sherwood Hills Baptist Church, we thought what better way to celebrate the New Year than to travel to Sherwood Hills Baptist Church in Campbelltown, New South Wales to participate in their celebration of their 40th Anniversary. As some may know, we had been thrilled to receive a gracious invitation from the church and their Pastor, Donald Stewart, to not only attend but to participate as guests of honour - with all travel and expenses paid! One might imagine our disappointment when at the last moment I came down with a severe infection; accompanied by very discomforting chills and fever. My Doctor said I shouldn’t go and I do not believe I could have physically made it in any case.
We were gratified to receive exciting reports about the Anniversary Celebration.. We were pleased that our two sons, John and Danny, were able to represent our family. Danny worked hard as a 10-12 year old to help construct the first building. It is a testimony of God’s grace and guidance that so many different people are used by Him at different stages in the planting and growing of a church.
I understand that a number of these helped celebrate this occasion. Four men come immediately to mind. Frank Evans, Chris Van Dijk, John Fearne and Frank Thomas. When I resigned in order to return to the church planting mission field, I asked the church to select these men as a pulpit committee and leaders into the future. They did so. Anyone connected with and knowing the history of the church could attest to their strong and steady leadership through the years that followed. In my opinion, the growth and strength of the church can in no small measure be attributed to these families and others like them, as well as the families of their children and now their grandchildren. I posted some fifty photos on my Facebook Page of the early history and families involved. Below are some comments of those who were involved and who responded to the photos:
I understand that a number of these helped celebrate this occasion. Four men come immediately to mind. Frank Evans, Chris Van Dijk, John Fearne and Frank Thomas. When I resigned in order to return to the church planting mission field, I asked the church to select these men as a pulpit committee and leaders into the future. They did so. Anyone connected with and knowing the history of the church could attest to their strong and steady leadership through the years that followed. In my opinion, the growth and strength of the church can in no small measure be attributed to these families and others like them, as well as the families of their children and now their grandchildren. I posted some fifty photos on my Facebook Page of the early history and families involved. Below are some comments of those who were involved and who responded to the photos:
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| Pastor White at Sherwood Hills Baptist Church |
“My most memorable time was the day I was baptised. On that day, Ray, our three children, Bruce, Neil and Annette and I entered the waters of baptism and proclaimed our faith and love in the Lord. On that day the Parrott family were also baptised. Nine or ten of us. What a joy, and what a blessing. Praise God through whom all blessings flow.
Margaret Greenhow: Thanks for the beautiful photos Pastor White. I pray you are feeling better now. We missed you on Sunday. One more thing I would like to thank you for was following the leadership of the Holy Spirit and teaching me about salvation. It is a gift that I would never be able to repay. God bless both.
Janne Peterson: Thanks for the beautiful photos. When I saw the one of my mum and I it brought a tear to my eye. It was so precious to see us together at church. Thanks for all your hard work, thorough doctrinal teaching and for being such a kind and fun pastor to us.
Leon Jasper: Thank you for sharing all these pictures
which brings back lots of memories. Thank you for introducing me to these great people. I pray God will continue blessing this Church. I also count it a blessing to have known and worked with you and your family these many years. God Bless
which brings back lots of memories. Thank you for introducing me to these great people. I pray God will continue blessing this Church. I also count it a blessing to have known and worked with you and your family these many years. God Bless
