OUR STORY
In an incredible twist of circumstances in 2004, Dr. David Jones, a consultant with the Baptist Union of NSW received simultaneous requests from both Geoff Leslie at Barham Baptist Church and Paul Manning at Deniliquin Baptist Church to survey the Moama area in view of planting a church. Although not knowing each other at the time, Barham Pastor, Geoff, had some connections with people in Echuca-Moama area, and Deniliquin Pastor, Paul, was appointed at Deniliquin two years prior with a condition that he supported a future church plant in Moama. God had already been at work to form what would later become a unique partnership!
Upon conducting formal research into the region, David felt that the area would greatly benefit from having a Baptist church presence and he recommended that the Baptist Union of NSW consider planting a church in Moama, a recommendation they happily accepted. Being a border town, they decided to form a partnership with the Baptist Union of Victoria and both unions graciously agreed to combine resources in their support of a new church plant at Moama.
On June 19th, 2005, the church had its first official Sunday gathering, under the name of Echuca-Moama Baptist Church. With no appointed church planter at this time, Geoff & Paul took turns to travel over each Sunday, from Barham & Deniliquin respectively. They both generously offered their time and energy to nurture the church and help it establish core values. David also remained actively involved during this time, helping the church find its first church planter in 2006, when Earle & Liz Prentice came to lead the church for its first two years of existence. We acknowledge the support of the Baptist Union to help resource the church during this time, without which it couldn’t have been established. Along with those already mentioned above, some others that played key roles in the church’s early history are: Dean & Julie Stubley (as treasurer), Robert & Pauline Arnold (as consultant), Matt & Kate Hill (as pastor), and Jeff & Sue Kraak (as treasurer), of whom we are very grateful for their contributions.
In September 2011, Jono & Yvonne Schroder took on pastoral leadership of the church. After completing a theological degree with Australian College of Ministries (ACOM), Jono served as the church’s pastor and led the church through a time of transition, where in October 2012, the church became known as New Life, a name which appropriately fitted the new and exciting season that God was taking the church.
In May 2014, New Life Baptist Church was officially recognised as a fully constituted church of the Baptist Union of Victoria. The church continued to grow and develop to the point, where in February 2019, Donovan & Rebekah Jasper were called to Echuca-Moama. Having recently completed a master of divinity, Donovan was employed as a full-time associate pastor, with a view to head up community outreach. Jono continued serving the church as the Senior Pastor.
In December 2019, Jono & Yvonne concluded their ministry at New Life, having been called to lead a church in North Brisbane area. The church will entered a period of discernment to find a new Senior Pastor to lead us forward into 2020 and beyond. Interim Pastor Don Aitken joined us from Geelong while Donovan continued in his role while also leading the church through this transition period and while also navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic and the various changes and challenges this brought to church life.
In March 2021, Pastor Rob Tanner was appointment Senior Pastor. He and his wife Sue joined us after serving at North Church in Craigieburn.
Upon conducting formal research into the region, David felt that the area would greatly benefit from having a Baptist church presence and he recommended that the Baptist Union of NSW consider planting a church in Moama, a recommendation they happily accepted. Being a border town, they decided to form a partnership with the Baptist Union of Victoria and both unions graciously agreed to combine resources in their support of a new church plant at Moama.
On June 19th, 2005, the church had its first official Sunday gathering, under the name of Echuca-Moama Baptist Church. With no appointed church planter at this time, Geoff & Paul took turns to travel over each Sunday, from Barham & Deniliquin respectively. They both generously offered their time and energy to nurture the church and help it establish core values. David also remained actively involved during this time, helping the church find its first church planter in 2006, when Earle & Liz Prentice came to lead the church for its first two years of existence. We acknowledge the support of the Baptist Union to help resource the church during this time, without which it couldn’t have been established. Along with those already mentioned above, some others that played key roles in the church’s early history are: Dean & Julie Stubley (as treasurer), Robert & Pauline Arnold (as consultant), Matt & Kate Hill (as pastor), and Jeff & Sue Kraak (as treasurer), of whom we are very grateful for their contributions.
In September 2011, Jono & Yvonne Schroder took on pastoral leadership of the church. After completing a theological degree with Australian College of Ministries (ACOM), Jono served as the church’s pastor and led the church through a time of transition, where in October 2012, the church became known as New Life, a name which appropriately fitted the new and exciting season that God was taking the church.
In May 2014, New Life Baptist Church was officially recognised as a fully constituted church of the Baptist Union of Victoria. The church continued to grow and develop to the point, where in February 2019, Donovan & Rebekah Jasper were called to Echuca-Moama. Having recently completed a master of divinity, Donovan was employed as a full-time associate pastor, with a view to head up community outreach. Jono continued serving the church as the Senior Pastor.
In December 2019, Jono & Yvonne concluded their ministry at New Life, having been called to lead a church in North Brisbane area. The church will entered a period of discernment to find a new Senior Pastor to lead us forward into 2020 and beyond. Interim Pastor Don Aitken joined us from Geelong while Donovan continued in his role while also leading the church through this transition period and while also navigating the COVID-19 Pandemic and the various changes and challenges this brought to church life.
In March 2021, Pastor Rob Tanner was appointment Senior Pastor. He and his wife Sue joined us after serving at North Church in Craigieburn.
