Sunday School

Sunday School is held during the latter part of the worship Service for Grades 1-4.
There is also a group specially designed for “little children” 2-4 years for the duration of the service. The program is staffed by dedicated teachers whose passion it is to teach these children. 

Contact Jim on 5523 2347

Worship Services for the Elderly

These are conducted at Seaview House on the first Sunday of the month, commencing at 2.00pm. There is a service at Harbourside Lodge on the 4th Wednesday at 2.00pm. 

In addition on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 2.00pm, a worship service at the Glenelg Aged Care Centre

Our History

Located in the heart of Portland, the Baptist church has been worshipping God for over 150 years.  In 2009, we celebrated our 150th year.

We are currently working on a detailed history of Portland Baptist that will be posted in the near future.

• We are a company of people who share a common desire to follow Jesus Christ. We have taken seriously the call to serve him in our homes, schools, work places, neighbourhood and the world.
• We have declared our faith in Jesus publicly through being baptised.

• We believe that God chose to make Himself known to all people through Jesus, the person who split time into two.  
• During his life on earth, Jesus lived and taught what we regard as the “Good News.”  His death on a cross outside Jerusalem and his unexpected resurrection broke for all time the power of sin and death.  
• His followers can rely by faith on the strength and presence of Jesus to deal with all of life’s inevitable challenges.  
• The fear of death is removed since Jesus opened the way to eternal life through his rising from the dead.

• As followers of Jesus we do not have a ticket to be comfortable.  We are called to serve Christ wherever we are, relying on his example to show us how to live .  
• Just as Jesus spent his time, preaching, teaching, helping and healing, our role is to do the same – to back up the news of God’s love for us shown through Christ with loving care for those in need, for sacrificial self giving for all who struggle and to exercise a life of prayer recognising our dependence on God’s wisdom, mercy and grace.

• We rely on the Bible as our guide book, on the power of the Holy Spirit to live each day well, and the love of God to enable us to be a compassionate presence to all in need.
• We refer to the Bible as “God’s Word” as we believe the contents have been crafted by God’s Spirit to teach us how God wants us to live, love and serve in His world

• Giving freely was recommended by Jesus (Matthew 10:8)
• Giving is to be undertaken generously (Romans 12:8)
• We are directed to be ministering through our finance weekly (1 Cor 16:2)
• The Bible tells us that our giving should be exercised cheerfully (2 Cor 9:7)

• Giving via the weekly envelope…

• Direct debits, planned payments and deductions…

• A direct debit is a convenient and secure way to give and ensures that that your support of our life and witness continues without interruption during holiday periods and other absences.  
• Periodic payments are similar to direct debits however these are organized with your own bank (for a fee per transaction) or via Internet banking, usually without a fee (depending on your account conditions). 

• Giving via your credit card…

• Tithes and offerings may be deposited electronically to:

• For periodic payments or payroll deductions, if possible, please nominate “Offering” as the type of credit along with your name (optional) on the bank/employer’s form so that the Treasurer is able to identify offerings when received.

• Gifts and donations to our Building Fund are fully tax deductible.  These be can made via a clearly marked envelope with your full contact details (for the return of a tax receipt) and be placed in the offering bag.  
• Electronic deposits can also be made with the advice of your gift being conveyed to our Treasurer via email or phone (again, to ensure you receive your tax receipt)

Currently without a Pastor  

We have arranged for a number of Christian Faithfull poeple to help us out. Pastors from nearby, Lay Preachers, Retired Pastors, and others, from whom we are receiving inspired messages at our Sunday Services.

It's business as usual at Portland Baptist

All queries to Jim Blake, Secretary

Dianne Adams, Paul Adams, Jim Blake, Bruce Honeybun, Doug Smith, Nathan MClean,David Hein, Jan Westlake.

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If you are new to area, you might be surprised to realize all there is to do in Portland, the birthplace of Victoria.  We encourage you to visit the local information centre, right near the foreshore, to start your exploration.  You will also find other helpful information at the website of the Glenelg Shire.

To access their website, please click the following link:  www.glenelg.vic.gov.au

The church has occupied it’s current facility in Percy Street, Portland’s main thoroughfare, since 1889.  The building was formerly a Masonic Temple constructed in 1876.  The church had occupied other premises previously following its formal commencement in June 1859.

For a long period, the church members have been aware that the present bluestone building has considerable limitations.  It is no longer able to accommodate Sunday morning attendances with there being sufficient room for growth.  An experiment of several years saw two Sunday morning services being held to ease the pressure on accommodation.  Over a period of time, it became clear that the people preferred a single service as a way of maintaining a richer sense of community.

In order to accommodate the numbers, the original Sunday School hall which is directly situated below the sanctuary was linked to the latter via sound and picture so that an overflow congregation is readily accommodated downstairs with Sunday School relocating to Church House.

All this is an interim measure though.  After several years of conversation, planning and decision making, the church has moved on two fronts.  A 5.7acre fully service block of land has been secured in Learmonth Street on the north edge of town.  This block has now been fully paid for. God is good!
The second development is that plans are now drawn for a two stage approach to the erection of a purpose built community centre to meet the needs of both the church and the wider Portland community.  It is intended that this facility be available for use seven days a week.

The church has been fortunate to secure full tax deductibility for the entire project providing an avenue of support for many who are able to benefit from the tax deduction provision.  Any wishing to make full use of the provision should contact the Church Treasurer, Bruce Honeybun 03 5523 6750 or 0427 494 524, for details on how to work with us in this marvellous project.