ABOUT US

ENTERING THE BUILDING

As you enter the building (through the glass door on the upper street side), you will be greeted warmly by any number of our regulars, and probably one or more of our Elders or Deacons. You are welcome to seat yourself anywhere you will feel comfortable. If you need help, one of our Ushers will be glad to assist.

There are parking spaces both in the front and back of the church building. You are also welcome to park on the grass on the side of the building or on the street. Our greeters are happy to assist with the drop-off of anyone with physical limitations. Please do not hesitate to get their attention and ask for help.

OUR WORSHIP SERVICE

You will find that our worship services are designed to be friendly, edifying, Scripture-oriented, and Christ-honouring. We strive to do things well but not to be overly formal. Our worship-music style is a fairly conservative blend, making use of Psalms (Scripture songs), hymns (songs of praise to God & of doctrinal truth), and spiritual songs (songs of testimony/reflection of the Christian experience & expressions of personal faith, love, and hope) both old and new. We use a range of instruments from one service to another, including piano, electric keyboard, acoustic & bass guitars, and various orchestral instruments. Our blend varies from week to week, so it will take a few visits to get an accurate idea of what constitutes our "style."

We normally use either the NKJV or ESV translations of the Bible for preaching and Scripture readings. You are welcome to bring any translation that suits you.

There is no "dress code," but we do try to be modest and respectful. You will see a wide range of attire, from suits or dresses to jeans and casual tops. Please dress according to your own comfort and/or convictions.

PARKING

WHAT TO DO WITH CHILDREN

Infants through 3 year-olds can be taken to the Creche as soon as you like. Simply ask one of our Ushers to show you the way. Children aged 4 through 10 stay with their families in the worship service until time for the message (Sunday morning). At that time, it will be announced that children are dismissed to Children's Church. Your children can easily find their way by joining the stampede, but you are very welcome to accompany them to see where you will collect them after the service.

MEET OUR PASTORAL TEAM

Elder, Pastor, Lead Teacher

Dr. Mike Kwok

Mike Kwok grew up in Sydney before moving to America for his education in 1984. He studied for the ministry at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC, and returned to Australia in 1998 to pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church. In 2003, he lost his first wife, Lynda, to cancer. He remarried in 2006 to April, and together they parent three sons and two daughters. Pastor Mike is an avid believer in expositional preaching and he loves church history, spending time with his wife, and tennis. He completed his ministry doctorate in 2019 on the topic of church planting.

Elder, Pastor

Paul Weber

Paul Weber was born and raised in the USA in Detroit, Michigan. Following graduation, he joined the US Marines. Afterward, he moved to Columbus, Indiana, and met Rachel. He studied for the ministry at Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They were married in 1992. In 2003, they moved to Australia, being involved in the start of five churches in the greater Sydney area. In 2019, he accepted the role as an Elder at Fellowship. Paul and Rachel have three sons, born in the USA and two daughters, born in Australia. Pastor Paul has a passion for preaching God’s Word. He loves spending time with his family, sport, and playing board games.

Elder, Pastor

Brian Eggert

Brian Eggert grew up in central Florida. In 1988-93, he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he earned a BMus and met his wife, Angela. From Chicago, the Lord led Brian into church ministry as an associate pastor & music minister in Illinois, and later in Michigan. While in Michigan, he attended Moody Theological Seminary, earning a MDiv in 2008. In the meantime, God blessed Brian and Angela with three children – Maeghan, Gilbert and Emily. In August 2009, the family moved to Sydney, where among other things, they have enjoyed being part of the ministry at Fellowship since January 2010. Brian loves to teach Bible, music, history and English, and especially enjoys gardening, woodworking and time with his family.

Elder, Pastor

Jesse Zarate

Jesse Zarate has been attending Fellowship Baptist Church since 1999. Since 2023, he has served on the pastoral team at Fellowship, overseeing leadership and discipleship aspects within the church. He is currently pursuing further studies in Expositional Preaching at The Academy of Expository Preaching and Biblical Theology at Moore Theological College. Jesse and his wife, Nicole, have two children. He enjoys spending time with his family, reading a good book and has a passion for apologetics, polemics and matters of Christian foundations.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

THE BIBLE

Both the Old and New Testament Scriptures are verbally inspired by God, inerrant in the original manuscripts, and are the ultimate authorities in all areas of faith and practice.
The Scriptures should be interpreted literally whenever possible, consistently, contextually, grammatically, culturally, and historically - Psalm 19:7-11, Psalm 119:160, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Revelation 22:18-19

GOD

The Godhead, also known as "The Trinity," eternally exists in three persons: GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. They are one God, having the same nature, attributes, and perfection - Isaiah 48:16, Matthew 28:19, John 17.5, Romans 1:20, 2 Corinthians 13:14
The Father is perfect in holiness, almighty in power, and infinite in wisdom. As the Creator of all, He is the Father to all men, but He is a spiritual Father only to those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ - Psalm 145:8-9, Matthew 5:45, Matthew 6:24-34, John 14:6, 1 Timothy 2:5
We believe in the personality and deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, begotten of the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, truly God and truly Man. We believe in His sinless life, His vicarious atonement for the sins of mankind by the shedding of His blood on the cross, and in His bodily resurrection from the tomb - Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:30-37, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 10:30, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 1:19, 1 Timothy 3:16
The Holy Spirit is the divine third person of the Godhead, and thereby co-equal with the Father and the Son. He is the infallible interpreter of the Word of God. He convicts man of sin; indwells every believer; is ever present to testify of Christ; regenerates; baptizes; seals the believer; guides; teaches; empowers the life of the believer; and is vitally involved in the sanctification of the believer - John 3:5-8, John 14:16-18, John 16:8-11, Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:13, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 5:18

CREATION

We believe that the account of the six-day creation as given in the Book of Genesis is to be understood literally and that creation was a direct act of God.
Therefore, we teach that any evolutionary hypothesis is totally inconsistent with the Scriptures - Genesis 1:1-2:25, Genesis 5:1-2, Exodus 20:11, Exodus 31:17, Psalm 33:6-9, John 1:3-10, Acts 17:24-28, Romans 1:19-20, Romans 5:12, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 3:3-4, Hebrews 11:3

MANKIND

We believe that the account of the six-day creation as given in the Book of Genesis is to be understood literally and that creation was a direct act of God.
Therefore, we teach that any evolutionary hypothesis is totally inconsistent with the Scriptures - Genesis 1:1-2:25, Genesis 5:1-2, Exodus 20:11, Exodus 31:17, Psalm 33:6-9, John 1:3-10, Acts 17:24-28, Romans 1:19-20, Romans 5:12, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 3:3-4, Hebrews 11:3

SIN

We believe that, in Adam's sin of disobedience to the revealed will and Word of God, man lost his innocence; incurred the penalty of spiritual and physical death; became subject to the wrath of God; and became inherently corrupt and apart from divine grace, utterly incapable of choosing or doing that which is acceptable to God. With no recuperative powers to enable him to recover himself, man is hopelessly lost. Therefore, man's salvation is wholly dependent upon the redemptive work of our Lord Jesus Christ - Genesis 2:17, Genesis 3:1-19, John 3:17-18, John 3:36, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, 1 Corinthians 2:14, Ephesians 2:1-3, 1 Timothy 2:13-14, 1 John 1:8

SALVATION

Salvation is wholly of God by grace through faith on the basis of the redemption by Christ Jesus, the merit of His shed blood, and not on the basis of human merit or works.
Salvation is an all-inclusive term from the special calling of God to justification by faith, to regeneration and sanctification through the Holy Spirit, to ultimate glorification in the presence of God.
Believers have two natures, namely the flesh and the spirit. The believer is to grow in grace and in the knowledge of Christ, and to strive to live a life of holiness characterized by love for God and for his neighbours.
If the believer is truly regenerated or “born again,” he has eternal security through the election and grace of God - John 1:12, John 3:16-18, John 3:36, John 14:6, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 3:21-30, Romans 8:30-39, Romans 10:9-13, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 1:7, Ephesians 2:8-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Peter 1:18-19

SATAN

We believe in the existence of Satan as a supernatural being, the deceiver and prince of this world. He was defeated and judged by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore his final doom is certain - Genesis 3:1-6, Isaiah 14:12-15, Ezekiel 28:11-19, Matthew 4:1-11, Matthew 25:4, 1John 8:44, John 14:30, John 16:5-11, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Ephesians 2:1-2, Hebrews 2:14-15, 1 Peter 5:8, 1 John 3:8, 1 John 5:19, Revelation 12:7-12, Revelation 20:1-3, Revelation 20:10

THE CHURCH

All who place their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ are immediately placed by the Holy Spirit into one united spiritual body, the Church, the Bride of Christ, of which He is the Head - Acts 2:38, Acts 11.15, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 5:23, 1 Corinthians 12:13
The formation of the church, the body of Christ, began on the day of Pentecost and will be completed at the coming of Christ for His own at the rapture - Acts 2:1-47, Acts 9:31, 1 Corinthians 15:21-23, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
The establishment and continuity of local churches is clearly taught and defined in the New Testament, and the members of the one spiritual body, also known as the universal church, are directed to associate themselves together in a local church or assembly - Romans 16:3-5, 1 Corinthians 1:2-3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Colossians 4:15, Philemon 1:2-3, Galatians 1:21 Thessalonians 1:1, Revelation 1-3, ,Ephesians 4:4-6, Ephesians 5:22-32, Hebrews 10:24-25
There are two offices for the church, elders and deacons. They are to lead or rule as servants and to have Christ's authority in directing the church, the congregation which are to submit themselves to their leadership - Acts 20:17-28, 1 Corinthians 14:40, Philippians 1:1, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Titus 1:5-16, Hebrews 13:17, 1 Peter 5:1-5
The Scriptures stress discipleship within the context of the local Church and the mutual submission of all believers fellowshipping therein to each other - Ephesians 4:11-16, Ephesians 5:21, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15, Hebrews 13:17
Discipline of sinning members of the local church is to be administered in accordance with the Scriptures - Matthew 18:15-20, Luke 17:3-4, 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, Galatians 6:1, 1 Timothy 5:19-21, 2 Thessalonians 3:6
The purpose of the Church is to glorify God by the following: - Matthew 22:37-39, Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:45-48, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, ,Acts 2:41-47 Acts 8:12, Acts 8:36-39, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Ephesians 4:11-16
- Corporate worship
- Building herself up in the faith
- Instruction of the Word
- Fellowship
- Keeping the ordinances of the Church
- Advancing and communicating the Gospel to the entire world
- Prayer
The ordinances of the local church which were instituted by Jesus Christ are two in number and are as follows:
- Believer's Baptism by immersion, which is a public identification of the believer with Jesus Christ in his death, burial and resurrection. It is a visual indication of personal faith in the person and work of Christ for salvation and has no sacramental value in imparting salvation - Matthew 3:16, Matthew 28:19, John 3:23, Acts 8:26-39, Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:12
- The Lord's Supper, in which all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are invited to participate, with due regard to the Scriptural warnings in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. It is purely a time of remembering the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and has no sacramental value in imparting salvation - Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-28

SEPARATION

We believe that the Scriptures require separation unto God from the world and from apostasy within the visible Church. This doctrine is based upon God's eternal principle of division between truth and error, darkness and light, and His specific command to be separated from the ungodliness of the world, and from disobedient brethren - 2 Corinthians 6:14-17, 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 1 Timothy 6:3-5, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-16, 2 John 1:9-11

LAST THINGS

We believe in the resurrection of the body and the judgement of the world by the Lord Jesus Christ, with eternal blessedness for the righteous and eternal punishment for the wicked - Matthew 25:32-34, Matthew 25:46, 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, Revelation 20:5-6, Revelation 20:12-15
We believe in the imminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 4:4-6, James 5:8-9, Revelation 22:12
Believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air prior to the seven-year tribulation - John 14:1-3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11, Revelation 3:10
The Lord Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return to the earth with the saints to end the seven-year tribulation and to reign with the saints for 1000 years - Daniel 9:24-27, Matthew 24:30-31, Matthew 25:31-32, Philippians 2:9-11, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 19:11-21, Revelation 20:1-6
Satan will be released at the end of the millennium and will gather the armies of the nations against Jesus Christ and His saints, only to be defeated and cast into the lake of fire foreve - Revelation 20:7-10
All the unbelieving dead will then be raised to stand before the Great White Throne and be sentenced to their eternal punishment. Believers will forever enjoy God's presence, after He has created a new heaven and earth, where Christ will be King of kings and Lord of lords - 2 Peter 3:11-13, Revelation 20:11-15, Revelation 21:1-8, Revelation 21:22-27, Revelation 22:1-5

MEET OUR PASTORAL TEAM

Dr. Mike Kwok

Sr. Pastor, Lead Teacher

Brian Eggert

Pastor, Worship Leader

Paul Weber

Pastor, Missionary

Jesse Zarate

Pastor, Discipleship Leader

MEET OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Noel Hearsey

Deacon, Local Outreach Leader

Justin Portelli

Deacon, Finance Leader

Stuart Higgins

Deacon, AV Leader

Glen Truman

Deacon, Building Maintenance

Nelson Yunzal

Deacon

April Kwok

Ladies Ministry Leader

Angie Eggert

Children's Ministry Leader

Rachel Weber

Youth Leader, Missionary

Nicole Zarate

Media Designer

David Vittor

Youth Leader, Website Manager

Daniela Vittor

Office Administrator, Marketing Leader

Michael Sammut

Building Manager