WITH aching backs, exhausted limbs and hearts filled to popping, tradies and hands-on helpers from Coffs Harbour went on mission to transform a playground in Grafton last week.
The 30 or so guys and girls aged 12 to their 70s were all members of Coffs Harbour Baptist Church (CHBC) and their destination was Grafton Baptist Church (GBC), sometimes referred to as The Hub.
Historical links between these churches are strong with the Grafton church, celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, having planted the Coffs church some 60 years ago.
The outcome of the mission was the total transformation of the outside children’s play area with landscaping, a beautiful sandstone wall, freshly painted climbing frame, a new slide, freshened-up fencing, new lights and, in the kitchen, the cupboards have been organised.
With concreters, digger owners, landscapers, builders, electricians, mechanics and cooks among the congregation members – many of whom took a week off their paid jobs -they teamed up to get the job done in seven days.
Some slept over at the church, prayed and worshipped with breakfast each day, then set to – working through the warm week fuelled with a passion to make a meaningful difference to the GBC’s facilities.
Other members drove up for a day’s labour of love and hard work.
The mission came about when CHBC Pastor Jeff Andrews was pondering the idea
“(CHBC) Pastor Steve Cole and I discussed the idea of doing a mission trip within the region to bless another community,” Pastor Jeff told News Of The Area.
“He suggested Grafton as there are needs there and we have a relationship with this local church.
“I visited Tim McManus, the pastor there, and as we sat on the back deck and discussed jobs, I kept looking at the playground and had the words ‘new life’.”
Together they developed a project focussing on landscaping and bringing life to the playground.
“Not only did we see a great improvement physically, but interest has sparked in the community who have watched, stopped by and chatted with us.”
Pastor Jeff said the group’s presence in Grafton has given them the opportunity to pray for local people and share the love of Jesus.
“One boy came by with a broken wheel on his bike.
“We took him to the bike shop; he was thinking he would get a new wheel but instead we bought him a new bike.
“That’s what we wanted to do, bless people and in return we have been blessed.”
Stephen Cole once pastored at GBC before the arrival of Pastor Tim McManus, under whose leadership the church continues to grow.
For Pastor Tim, the renovations are an answer to prayer, he told NOTA.
A prayer that God would strengthen, grow and encourage his church.
“But more than simply renovating a building, I see something much bigger happening: God drawing people together, shaping and growing us, teaching us, and producing spiritual fruit in people’s lives along the way,” Pastor Tim said.
“This is happening now as we work together, and it is my prayer that it continues.
“It is a reminder of God’s love and generosity being expressed through his people, and a sure sign that God has not given up on Grafton.”
Pastor Stephen said the playground stands for children.
“Growing the playground will grow the number of families coming to the church, giving us the next generation of believers in Grafton,” he said.
Grafton Baptist Church, also known as the Hub, is celebrating its 150th anniversary with a service on Sunday 25 October.
The service begins at 9:30am, followed by lunch, and everyone in the community is warmly welcome to attend.
By Andrea FERRARI
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