From Our Senior Pastors
Hi Church!
What a significant last month or so it has been in the life of our Church! Jo and I are personally so encouraged by the incredible sense of hunger for God and His presence that is stirring in our Church and evident in conversation with people, response on Sundays and in the general life and daily activity of everyone. We truly believe and sense that God is moving powerfully in our Church and our prayer is that every person part of our Church would know personally the fullness of life that comes from living for Jesus wholeheartedly.
We are always encouraged by the promise in Ephesians 3:19
“and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be FILLED to the MEASURE of ALL THE FULLNESS OF GOD.”
This is truly our heart and prayer for you – that you would know the fullness of God in every area of your life—and as verse 20 & 21 continues, that God’s glory and power would be evidenced in the Church!
We love you Church, and are continually praying for you – thank you for everything that you bring to Connect and the blessing you are!
God bless,
Josh & Jo Battersby – Senior Pastors
Connect Women – The Table
Thursday August 15 | 7:00PM | Connect Church Bendigo
This year, we’re excited to launch a brand-new expression of our women’s ministry at Connect Church:
The Table – Committed to Community, Called to Purpose.
We’ll gather as women of all ages for a powerful night of worship, encounter, and community around the table. This night is all about connection, encouragement, and making room for God to move in our lives.
Mark your calendars, invite a friend, and come expectant!
There is a seat for you at the table.
Much love,
Ps Jo Battersby
Connect Kids
We’re currently teaching through the Armour of God series—equipping our kids to understand and activate their spiritual armour in everyday life! It’s been powerful and practical.
We’re also celebrating four new team members who joined us this month—welcome to the team!
Please be praying for new families to join our Connect Kids ministry as we continue to grow and build the next generation.
-Note-
No GANG on Sunday 10th August due to Youth Camp. Our team will be serving at camp, and in-service activity packs will be provided for kids on the day.
Chloe & the Connect Kids Team
Young Adults
God is moving powerfully in and through our Young Adults ministry—both within our church and across our local community!
We’re excited to announce that our team is launching a Connect Church Grow Group on the La Trobe University campus starting Thursday 7th August. This is a significant step as we create space to disciple young adults right where they are and help them find life and live it.
We’d love your prayers and support, Church, as we take this bold step onto campus.
To stay in the loop with all our events and updates, follow us on Instagram: @connectchurchyoungadults
Blessings,
Tylah & Darcy and the Young Ads Team
Missions
We’re excited to share what’s coming up in our Missions Department over the next few months!
Thailand Missions Trip – August 17
On August 17, a team from Connect Church will travel to Phetchabun, Northern Thailand for 9 days, partnering with Ps Paul and Deb Hilton. During the trip, the team will work on trade projects at a local high school, run student activities, and minister in the local church.
We’re honoured to support long-term missionaries Rob and Danny, who have faithfully served the region for over 20 years. We’re believing for incredible impact and look forward to sharing the God stories when they return!
Nhulunbuy, NT Missions Trip – Early October
In early October, we’re sending a team to Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory to support the local Aboriginal community, working alongside Peter and Natalie and their family. The team will be helping to repair the church bathroom following recent flooding, assist with vehicle and site maintenance, and join in local ministry and outreach.
Thanks to your faithful Mission Promises giving, we’re able to financially support both incredible missionary couples each month—helping extend their reach and impact. Your generosity is making a real difference!
Please continue to pray for both teams as they prepare, travel, and serve.
Ps Jake Blabey
Creative Team
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
As a Creative Team, we love serving our church and sense an incredible stirring of hunger and expectation for the things of God. There’s such a fresh desire to encounter His presence, and we count it a privilege to help create spaces where that can happen each week.
We’re also excited to share that Christmas planning is already beginning! It’s going to be a powerful and joy-filled season—and we’d love for you to be part of it. If you’re creative, curious, or simply keen to help, this is a great time to get involved. Whether you’ve served before or are brand new, we’d love to have you on board.
Click here to sign up to volunteer and be part of creating something exciting together. You’re also welcome to join us at Thursday night rehearsals, and follow along on Instagram: @connectchurch_creative
Lucy Dickson and the creative team
Charlton
We’ve got so much to thank God for in this season at Connect Church Charlton! We’re celebrating the fact that 10 people from our Charlton congregation are heading to camp—what a great opportunity for growth and connection. Our new 10AM service time is going really well, and we’re seeing great momentum and consistency. There’s also been a noticeable shift in our town as the church is being seen positively—especially following some recent tragedies in the community. We’re also excited about the enthusiasm of our young people who are keen to engage with Bible study at youth!
We’d love and value your continued prayer for our church, our youth, and the wider Charlton region. We’re believing for breakthrough, connection, and continued influence in the heart of our town.
Youth – Collective Society
We’re heading into an exciting season with so much to celebrate! Forty young people have been sponsored to attend Youth Camp—what an incredible investment into the next generation. Youth Camp runs from August 8–10 with guest speaker Ps Dan Russell, and we’re believing for a powerful time of encounter and transformation.
We’re also gearing up for Youth Alive Main Event, where we’ll be taking two buses to Melbourne with our young people to join thousands of others for one incredible night. Over 6,000 tickets sold out in just 19 minutes—it’s going to be huge!
We’d love your prayers as we believe for our teenagers to press deeper into God and for a generation to be set on fire with His love and purpose.
Connect Seniors
Our Connect Seniors community continues to thrive, with fantastic opportunities to gather, encourage one another, and enjoy life together. Our recent Christmas in July Lunch was a huge success, with over 40 guests enjoying a day filled with live music, delicious food, and great company. A massive thank you to our incredible team who made the event so special!
We’re already looking forward to our next gathering on Saturday 13th September. You can register at the Hello Desk or by emailing info@connectchurch.com.au
Never underestimate the power of coming together—sharing stories, praying for one another, and being reminded that we’re never alone in the journey of faith.
Allan and Leonie Jakobi
Grow Groups
We’re so excited to see our Grow Group ministry flourish in the second half of 2025. Our vision is that 80% of our church family would be actively participating in a Grow Group—and we’re well on the way!
Grow Groups meet all over our city throughout the week in smaller settings to build community, share life, and grow in God. Whether it’s a study-based home group or an interactive short course, there’s always room for laughter, connection, food, and coffee. But more than anything, our heart is for people to GROW—in their relationship with God, in spiritual maturity, and in living out their faith.
Register your interest here, or stop by the Grow Groups stand on Sunday.
Tim & Linda Holmes
Baptisms
Interested in being baptised?
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus.
Click here to express your interest
Welcome Guest Lunch
New to Connect Church? Come to our next Guest Lunch to meet the team and learn about who we are.
Register your interest here
Key Dates – August & September
•August 3 – Leaders Night
•August 8–10 – Collective Society Youth Camp
•August 15 – The Table Women’s Event
•August 16 – Youth Alive Main Event
•August 24 – Firm in the Faith begins
•August 31 – Guest Ministry: Ps John Spinella
•September 7 – Father’s Day
•September 7 – Leaders Night
•September 13 – Seniors Event: Footy Jinx
•September 22nd-26th- ACC State Conference
Prayer and Praise
Let us stand with you in prayer and celebrate your victories
Submit a prayer request here
Submit a praise report here
Giving Details
We believe in tithing as a biblical act of worship and trust in God.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty…– Malachi 3:10
Bank Transfer Info:
Name: Bendigo Assembly of God Inc.
BSB: 633 000
Account: 5787528
Click here for more giving options
Connect Church – Helping People Find Life and Live It