How do you write the story or biography of a church congregation? Do you number the individual faith transformations? Do you mention the legal incorporation, continuity of leadership or membership, or community involvement? Is the date on the foundation stone of the building important? The answer is, probably all of the above.
At Broadview Baptist Church, we are learning to tell our story in eras. In 2017 Broadview Baptist Church celebrated 90 years of God’s faithful mission. That same year, the small Broadview community began a new era by prayerfully deciding to be adopted by Rostrevor Baptist Church in the hope of rejuvenation and rebirth. That adoption process submitted Broadview’s leadership, membership and assets to Rostrevor, with a plan for release within the decade.
Under the interim leadership of Pastor Ian Ellis and Reuben Salagaras, a small team of ‘adventurers’ moved from Rostrevor to Broadview. There was a season of shared service in worship, preaching (including quick drives between campuses), children’s ministry, and pastoral care.
In 2019, Rostrevor called Andrew and Rachael Foster to lead Broadview towards becoming independent again. This signalled the start of yet another new era, in which we saw the start of a new children’s ministry (from having almost no children in the building). We saw Alpha events, new believers, and baptisms. We farewelled faithful friends. We saw support grow for mission service overseas and locally. We watched the growth of Broadview Together (a weekly group catering for people living with a disability).
Over time, there was less demand on visitors for worship and preaching, but an increased need for leadership in kids and youth ministry, playgroup, and a thriving young adults group.
Those first years collided with that other era of global disruption, which had an understandable impact on the revitalisation plans. Yet, during that time we enjoyed deepening connections through online church and small groups, and a brief but welcome season of online worship.
In November 2024, the Baptist Churches SA NT Assembly accepted Broadview Baptist as a new Church within its movement. At the launch event on 9 February 2025, Andrew and Rachael Foster led us through a commemoration of the events of the previous eight years.
We remain as family to Rostrevor Baptist Church, and are so thankful to them for all that they have invested in us. We humbly recognise the movement of God through all the eras of Broadview’s existence. We are grateful that He has revitalised this community so that it may continue to share Jesus as the hope of this neighbourhood.
Words by Tamara Wenham
