Who We Are
WELCOME!
Who are the people who make up the Garden City Baptist Church? Well, we are people from all walks and backgrounds, all ages, all bound together in our worship of and service to the great God and Saviour: Jesus Christ!
Garden City Baptist Church is an unaffiliated Baptist Church, meaning we not a member of any union or fellowship. This does not mean, however, we are isolationist or consider ourselves better than some other Baptist Church! The Church that Christ started encompasses the entire planet, we are merely one 'local branch' of that great Church!
What to expect...
We understand that visiting a new Church for the first time can leave you feeling a little apprehensive. Where do I go? What do I wear? What can I expect? We trust that the following information will make it easier for you as you walk through our doors…
- Arriving at our carpark, we have reserved the front row for our Senior Citizens or those with any sort of physical impairment who find walking difficult. If for some reason the paved carpark is FULL, there is an overflow carpark around the back of the building – just enter through the drive immediately after the Bus Stop.
- At our front doors are two greeters waiting to welcome you to our Services, present you with a Visitor’s pack and help you find a seat. If you have any questions, these folks will do what they can to assist, so please feel free to ask away!
- The restrooms are separated into two different locations. The Ladies are toward the front of the Building in the ‘Green Room’, with the Men’s and Disabled located towards the rear, off the Fellowship Hall.
- Our Crèche (available for 0-3 year old's), is also located out off the Fellowship Hall area, with the baby-changing facilities are located inside the Creche area. We also have a sitting area for those children who are little older, but perhaps need a little more space and grace - Parents are welcome to utilise this sitting area at anytime, and still be able to be a part of the Services.
- Our Orchestra will play uplifting music throughout the service, with our Song Leader guiding us all in the singing. The Pastor will then make any necessary announcements and ask the ushers to come forward to receive the offering. We do not expect visitors to give in the offering if they do not want to.
- Usually another song comes after this, and sometimes a special item in song may also be presented.
- Following this, you will be challenged by the clear, straightforward Preaching of our Pastor.
- At the conclusion of the service, the Pastor will sometimes give an ‘invitation’ or an ‘altar call’. This gives opportunity for those who have made decisions during the service to come forward for a special time of prayer if they choose to do so. Many also avail themselves of this moment to come forward to offer up an extra-special prayer of thankfulness. If you would like Pastor to pray with you, he is more than happy to do so.
If you are still uncertain of the location of some room or service, our Ushers and Greeters would love to direct you, and even escort you to the right place!
The Team
Tim Bunch
Pastor Tim was an original founding Member, then in March 2009 was voted in unopposed as Pastor. With his wife Gweneth, they have four teen to adult children.
Lloyd Gray
Head Deacon
Lloyd Gray is an Ordained Minister. He currently serves as Deacon, Head Usher and heads up the Soul-Warning and GOClub (Over 60’s) Ministries.
Jono Gray
Deacon, Treasurer
Jono currently serves as Church Treasurer and along with his wife Danielle head up the Young Adults
Ministry.
Abi Bunch
Isaac Sampson
Pastoral Intern
Isaac recently completed his Bible-college training and along with his wife Taleika they serve in various area's of the Church, including heading up our Youth Ministry.
STATEMENT OF FAITH
“TILL I COME, GIVE ATTENDANCE TO READING, TO EXHORTATION, TO DOCTRINE.” I Timothy 4:13
Sound Doctrine is essential for a life that pleases the Lord Jesus Christ. We believe the Statement of Faith or Doctrinal Statement, which follows, is an accurate statement of the essential Christian doctrines. These truths have stood the test
of time. For centuries Christian men and women have lived godly lives by adhering to these truths. Nevertheless, this Statement of Faith neither exhausts the doctrines of the Bible nor supersedes it in authority for faith and practice, for –
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine…”
II Timothy 3:16.
The Bible remains our final authority.
1. OF THE SCRIPTURES
We believe the Holy Scriptures, being the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testament from Genesis to Revelation, to be the verbally and plenary inspired Word of God written by holy men of old, as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. OF THE
GODHEAD
AND TRINITY
We believe in one Triune God, the living and true God, the Creator and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth, eternally existing in three persons...
3. OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AND HIS DEITY
We believe in the absolute Deity of the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ...
4. OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe that the Holy Spirit is a divine person; equal with God the Father and God the Son...
5. OF THE VIRGIN BIRTH
We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Ghost in a miraculous manner, born of Mary, a virgin, as no other man was ever born of women.
6. OF MAN AND HIS FALL
We believe that man was created in the image of God, but that in Adam’s voluntary sin the human race fell...
7. OF SALVATION
We believe God is an absolute sovereign, and in His Sovereignty He gave man a free will to accept or reject the salvation that He has provided.
8. OF THE ETERNAL SECURITY OF THE SAVED
We believe that all who receive Christ as Saviour, by faith, are born again and are eternally secure in Christ...
9. OF CREATION
We believe in the Genesis account of creation, and that it is to be accepted literally...
10. OF THE DEVIL, OR SATAN
We believe in a personal Devil, Satan, who is thoroughly wicked and proud...
11. OF THE RETURN OF CHRIST AND RELATED EVENTS
We believe in that “blessed hope”, the personal, imminent return of Christ who will rapture His Church prior to the seven-year tribulation period.
12. OF HEAVEN AND HELL
We believe that Heaven and Hell are actual literal places, prepared by God as the abodes of the saved and lost...
13. OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
We believe in the importance of the local church and that it is an assembly of Born Again Baptised Believers united in organisation...
14. OF BAPTISM
We believe that Christian Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, in the Name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Ghost...
15. OF THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe that the Lord’s Supper is a commemoration of His death until He comes, the bread speaking of His broken body, the fruit of the vine speaking of His shed blood...
16. OF SEPARATION AND SANCTIFICATION
We believe in Bible separation; That is, to be set apart from the evil of this world and set apart to the glory of God and His service...
17. OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
We believe that God is sovereign in the bestowal of spiritual gifts to every believer.
19. OF MISSIONS
We believe it is each Christian’s privilege and responsibility to be a witness for Christ in life and in Word.
20. OF THE GRACE OF GIVING
We believe that every Christian, as a steward of that portion of God’s wealth entrusted to them, is obligated to support their local church financially with free-will gifts and offerings.
21. OF LAWSUITS BETWEEN BELIEVERS
We believe that Christians are prohibited from bringing civil lawsuits against other Christians or the Church to resolve personal disputes.
22. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT
We believe that God has ordained and created all authority consisting of three basic institutions: (1) the home; (2) the Church; and (3) the state.
23. OF HUMAN SEXUALITY
We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity should be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman.
24. OF DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE
We believe that God hates divorce and intends marriage to last until one of the spouses dies.
25. OF ABORTION
We believe that human life begins at conception and that the unborn child is a living human being. Abortion constitutes the unjustified, unexcused taking of unborn human life.
26. OF EUTHANASIA
We believe that God alone has the right to determine the termination of human life...
Why not drop by for a service?
Having looked over the website, we would love to connect with you at one of our Church services! Maybe you have some questions, maybe you're just looking for some place to start fresh, or maybe you aren't even where to begin when it comes to God - whatever your reason, we would love meet you and answer whatever questions you might have.
