Blackwater

Blackwater

In the recent coal boom the town is now full to overflowing with people. A very different scene of a few years ago when BCA support for Blackwater was drawn to a close. BCA’s return to ministry here is a direct result of the recent coal boom and commercial and retail shops are geared to service this industry.

Blackwater is about 3 hours west of Rockhampton and is the dormitory town for a number of large coal mines in the region. In the last year the train mine to the coast and port facilities has been duplicated and export tonnage increased significantly.

The congregation has continued but is very small in number. It has been ministered to by Bishop Alf Chipman, Rector of Emerald, over the past few years. (Alf and Nola served with CMS in Kenya).

The opportunity to form a ministry is based on the need to open new contacts with mining families who have moved to town, the main focus being to reach out to non churched families. However any goals for a sustainable congregation must be tempered by the high transient nature of mining towns, especially when they are in a boom cycle.

The partnership with the Diocese also involves the Church Army.

Stuart, Katherine and Christina moved to Blackwater in January.
They seek to understand and determine how to serve the community
proclaming the gospel in a fresh expression which will be relevant and
appropriate.

Stuart and Katherine can be contacted at :

15 Taurus Street
Blackwater, QLD 4717

Phone: (07) 4982 5258

E-mail: sk.haynes@bushchurchaid.com.au

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