CAPERNWARY Bible School student Katie Reichenbat does a face painting design for Charlotte Gibb, 11. Katie, who is from Canada, was one of 10 students to visit Taumarunui Baptist recently. PHOTOS PAUL CHARMAN
Taumarunui Baptist Church’s Matapuna Backyard Barbecue kicked off with plenty of fun events late last month.
Each year the church stages an event for Matapuna residents – a fair comprising ball games, a jumble sale, free food and drink and novelty events such as gumboot throwing.
Members of the congregation ran an array of games and competitions, all of which offered prizes to those taking part. A sausage-sizzle volunteer handed out 350 sausage sandwiches and musicians played country music in the background.
Baptist Church pastor Aubrey Underwood said it was important that the church bonded with its local community.
“Christianity is all about relationships [firstly] with God and as a result, with others,” Aubrey said.
“By inviting our neighbours into our backyard and providing an opportunity for all of us to interact with each other in activities, food and the giving of gifts, we get to know them, and they get to see that a church is more than just a building different people go into a few times a week.
“We are on their turf after all. It is the beginning of new relationships.”
Aubrey added that this year’s Backyard Barbecue was supported by eight students attending a ministry course at Capernwray Bible School in Cambridge.
“We had with us eight students from Canada, Germany, Australia and one Kiwi, all of whom spent last week at the church doing the practical requirements of their ministry course.
“Along with helping at the barbecue, they spent time doing drama at Taumarunui Primary School, helping at the food bank, painting, water blasting and participating in Sunday’s service.
“They also enjoyed a day just exploring the sights of the Ruapehu district,” Aubrey said.
