First Annual Report – 14 February

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1911

First Annual Report – 14 February - 1911

The Beginning of the Work

It is with deep gratitude to Almighty God that we present this our first report of the Hastings Baptist church. Nearly two years ago the Baptist Union of N.Z. decided to commence if possible a cause in this town, and that body directed the Rev. J. K. Archer of Napier to endeavour to interest the people and hold services here at convenient times. Towards the end of April 1909 Mr. Archer came to Hastings and after calling on several Baptist families and enlisting there sympathy he decided to hold an afternoon service in town.

The Oddfellow's Hall was engaged. The first service was held on Sunday May 2^nd 1909. Mr. Archer was the preacher. About 35 Napier friends came out to assist with the singing and an equal number of Hastings friends attended making a total of about 70. The following Sunday

Mr. Lascelles conducted the Service. Rev. J. K. Archer again the following Sunday May 16^th 1909. After this Service a meeting was held and it was unanimously decided to continue the services and in order that the cause might be placed on a satisfactory basis the following were elected to hold office:

Messrs. W. Turner, President;
J. M. Barbour, Secretary;
H.E. Wright, Treasurer.

Arrangements were made to secure the Oddfellows' Hall each Sunday for services at a fixed rental. Meetings were held in this building until January 30^th 1910. The Rev. J. K. Archer conducted services each alternative Sunday afternoon and local friends supplying other Sundays. After service had been successfully held for 3 months it was thought wise that steps be taken to secure a permanent Minister and with this in view the Baptist Union were written to and a guarantee of £50 per annum was made towards the salary of a Pastor.

The Church Formed, Land Purchased and a Pastor Called

On December 29^th 1909 a meeting was held, it was definitely decided to form a Baptist Church in Hastings. Nine members were then enrolled. A Diaconate of four members was elected consisting of Messrs. J. M. Barbour, W Turner, H. E. Wright, and W. J. Turner. The last two Deacons to act as Treasurer and Secretary respectively.

Our membership has grown rapidly and at the end of December we had a roll number of 28 members. During the year the hand of Death has visited us and removed from our midst our beloved brother Mr. P. Horton. This is the only loss our roll has sustained during the year.

After the formation of our Church steps were taken to secure a suitable site upon which to erect a Church building and at a meeting held in November 1909 it was reported that a central site had been purchased for £250 by the committee chosen.

Towards the end of November a letter was received from Rev. H. B. Hughes accepting the call to the pastorate of the Church in Hastings.

With a site purchased and a Pastor in view the members of the Church commenced strenuously to push the work ahead. The Adventist Hall in Nelson St. was considered more suitable for our services and was engaged.

On Sunday February 6^th 1910 the Rev. H. B. Hughes commenced his work in Hastings. He has been blessed by God in his work in our midst and his clear Gospel messages have helped all his hearers and souls, have been added to the Kingdom of Christ as a respect of his preaching. On Wednesday February 9^th 1910 a welcome was extended to Mr. Hughes. St. Andrews Hall was engaged and well filled. Rev. J. J. North of Wellington delivered the charge to the Minister and the Rev. J. K. Archer of Napier to the congregation. Local Ministers representing other Churches in Hastings gave welcome addresses to Mr. Hughes and a very pleasant evening was spent.

On Tuesday February 15^th 1910 our week night prayer meeting was commenced and right throughout has been well attended. These meetings have been of immense benefit and of great blessings to all who have attended them.

The Church Building

The members of the Church however felt that it would help our cause considerably if we were meeting in a building of our own. Canvassers were therefore chosen and letters were written to sympathizers all over the Dominion and met with a liberal response. Funds came in and at a meeting held on April 12^th 1910 tenders were accepted for the erection of a building to cost £420. This building was completed in June and on Sunday 19^th June 1910 the Rev. A. Dewdney of Brooklyn conducted the opening service to a good congregation.

On the following Wednesday a most successful social was held. The building being quite filled with members and sympathizers. We now have our Minister, and our Church building and thus were enabled to commence other services and embrace a large scope of duties. A meeting was held and a Constitution was drawn up and adopted.

Church Ministry

On Sunday June 26^th 1910 a Sunday School was commenced. Mr W. Turner assumed the position of Superintendent and was assisted by Miss Rumball and Miss Guy. Fourteen children attended the first Sunday and were enrolled as members. Each Sunday saw new members enrolled and at the end of 1910, six months after commencing, there were 60 children on the roll and a teaching staff of five. The average attendance has been good, but with a constant increasing roll it is hard to determine figures. A Young Men's Bible Class under the leadership of our Pastor was commenced in February and a Young Woman's Class with Mr H. E. Wright as leader was commenced on Sunday June 26^th. Each class has made satisfactory progress in regard to numbers and worth.

At the commencement of October the envelope system of giving was commenced. Mr. Lascelles was appointed envelope steward and reports that he has 20 subscribers. The weekly amount contained in the envelope being about £1 8s. This system is commended to all who are desirous of obeying the Lord's leading and giving to Him a tithe as his servants of old.

Each week a number of members meet for singing practice and so help to further brighten our meetings. A Christian Endeavour Society is soon to be formed and several members have signified their intention of joining and helping. A prayer meeting is held each Sunday evening before the service and several attend. A "One By One" band has been formed and prayer meetings are held in connection with this once a month. Members of this band are pledged to personal work and intercession for the unsaved, already lots of praise have sounded over lost souls.

We have had two Baptismal Services and Candidates have been immersed. On Boxing Day a Church, Sunday School and Bible Class Picnic was held at Riverslea and a most enjoyable day was spent. During the year the Rev. Takle - Missionary from India on furlough, and during the week addressed a meeting on Mission work in India.

The Church is aggressive. We have not perhaps a large number of members but all are workers - workers determined to do something and with the help and guidance of God all feel that much will result.

In closing this report we have to sincerely thank all the friends who have helped us during the first few months of the Ministry here:

the Rev C. Dallaston for the time he spent in holding cottage meetings and endeavouring to interest the people;
the Rev. J. K. Archer for his helpful discourses and for the time and labour he spent on our behalf at the commencement of the cause;
to the many sympathizers who so liberally responded to our appeal for funds and to all friends who have assisted in whatsoever way they have been led;
and particularly to the Ladies Guild for their work in connection with the splendid gift of a new organ for our Church
and to our Heavenly Father for his undoubted leading right throughout.

We closed the year with glad hearts and look forward to the future work with all hope and confidence praying that God will bless and prosper our work here as he sees our need.