Armidale Baptist was a small church in regional NSW with an average attendance of about 70 people and average age of 67. They have been discerning God’s specific plans for them as they live out their mission of “sharing Christ’s love in community”.

In February 2025 the church welcomed a Congolese refugee couple Fernand and Anna into the congregation. This one act of hospitality has exploded into 86 additional Congolese attendees who arrived in Armidale in August and September and have called Armidale Baptist home. The congregation has doubled in size in 8 weeks and the church has been told that Armidale is expecting around 300 Congolese refugees this financial year!

Only 2 of these new arrivals have ever been behind the wheel of a car. So transport is a major need within this new community for basic needs such as travelling to appointments, services, play group and shopping. In addition, there are a number of large, single parent families amongst their number. The Church has swung into action with volunteers providing hospitality, transport and other help, but resources are stretched.

The key need at the moment is for a 12 seater bus to enable the church to better aid in the care and integration into Armidale of these refugees.

The Association is coming alongside the church to assist it to purchase a second hand 12 seater bus and as part of this has opened its benevolent fund to receive tax deductible donations.  This is an opportunity to strengthen the hand of one of our churches at a time of extraordinary mission opportunity. 

Contributions can be made via credit card by completing the form below, for which a tax deductible receipt will be issued. Churches are also able to contribute by bank transfer to the account below:

Baptist Union of NSW Benevolent Ministries 2018
Account Number: 100017344 
BSB: 704-922

For the description please put: “Armidale Bus”.