Who We Are

“Whether you’re new to our church community or have been with us for some time, we’re grateful that you’re part of our vibrant church.”

Our Mission

Our mission is to lead people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, and to help them grow in their faith through Bible-centered teaching, prayer, and fellowship. We seek to serve our community through acts of love and compassion, and to share the hope of the gospel with those who do not yet know Jesus. We desire to be a light in the darkness, and to use our resources and talents to further God’s kingdom in New Zealand and beyond.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a community of believers who are deeply rooted in the Word of God and passionately committed to sharing the love of Jesus with those around us. We long to see lives transformed by the power of the gospel, and to see our church be a beacon of hope and a place of belonging for all who come through our doors. As we seek to follow Jesus, we desire to grow in our love for God and for one another, and to use our gifts and resources to serve our community and the world.

Our Values

Christ-Centered

We look to Jesus as our example for all things we do and say and apply scripture for teaching, correcting and training.

Belonging

We invite and welcome all people to do faith and life together. We regularly gather as a whānau to learn, grow and celebrate.

Spirit-Led

We are committed to individual and collective devotion to God.

Generous

We choose to be a blessing to others with our time, resources and talents.

Missional

We believe that people who don’t know Jesus matter to God and to us, so we share our faith with an outward focus.

Authentic

We strive to be Christ-like in character and genuine in our interaction with others.

Our Faith

We believe the Bible is the only infallible, reliable and authoritative written word of God. We believe in only one God, eternally existent in three persons; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

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Meet Our Team

At Bethlehem Baptist Church, our Ministry Teams play a vital role in fostering a vibrant and engaged church community. Reflecting our commitment to shared leadership, these teams focus on specific aspects of church life, such as worship, outreach, and discipleship.

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Our History

Bethlehem Baptist Church began in the Bethlehem Hall in 1988 under the leadership of evangelist Tom Frew and his wife Aileen. This small group of believers had previously met in the Te Puna Hall before relocating to Bethlehem as God continued to grow the ministry.

In those early years, the church developed strong connections within the local community and established a fruitful overseas ministry partnership with YWAM Marine Reach. These were exciting days as new people came to faith and the church family grew.

In 1995, Craig and Michaela Vernall joined Bethlehem Baptist Church following Tom Frew’s retirement. Over the next 31 years, they faithfully served and helped lead the church through a season of significant growth, development, and community impact.

In 2000, the church moved into its first purpose-built facility on Bethlehem Road. At the time, the congregation numbered 366 people. As the church continued to grow, additional building projects were undertaken to support expanding ministries and create space for future generations.

Throughout its history, Bethlehem Baptist Church has been blessed with people who are passionate about serving Jesus and sharing His love with others. Countless lives have been impacted through ministries, outreach initiatives, local community partnerships, and overseas missions.

A strong commitment to families, children, and young people has always been central to the life of the church. Through weekend services, midweek programmes, Life Groups, and discipleship opportunities, generations have been encouraged to grow in their faith and follow Jesus.

As the church has grown, so too has its ability to identify and respond to ministry opportunities both locally and globally. Whether through community support, mission partnerships, or practical acts of service, our desire has always been to demonstrate the love of Christ in meaningful ways.

Over the years, major community events such as The Night Before Christmas and The Easter Journey have welcomed thousands of people and provided opportunities to encounter the message of Jesus in fresh and engaging ways.

Today, Bethlehem Baptist Church continues to build on the foundations laid by those who have gone before. We remain committed to leading people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, helping them grow in their faith, and serving our community with the love and hope of the Gospel.

As God reminded Abraham in Genesis 12, we are blessed to be a blessing. It is our prayer that Bethlehem Baptist Church will be a place where you can encounter God, find community, and discover His purpose for your life.