Our Culture and Beliefs

Our Place

Our local area is known as the Waimarino district, which lies at the foot of the 2,800-metre volcano, Mt Ruapehu. The locals here are mostly people who have a strong connection to the land, both culturally and by vocation. But there are many who also work and live in local towns, including Raetihi, Ohakune and Waimarino Village. The Tongariro National Park also draws numerous people to see God’s marvellous alpine creation and to experience unique recreational activities within its boundaries.

What We Believe

Waimarino Baptist Church is firmly evangelical in its beliefs and teaching. That is, we look to the Bible as our final source of truth on all things to which it speaks and believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord. The term “evangelical” comes from a Greek word meaning “good news” or “gospel.” Thus, a major focus of our church is the good news about how we can be reconciled with God through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The following distinctives are typical of almost all evangelical churches:

• A high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible, God’s Word, as the ultimate expression of God’s authority in the lives of all believers.

• A stress on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross as making reconciliation with God possible for all those who place their faith in Christ and his work on our behalf.

• The belief that lives need to be transformed through personal faith in Jesus Christ and the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

• The expression and demonstration of the gospel in missionary activity, both locally and internationally.

Some specifics we believe and teach are:

• The church is a community of those who believe in God the Father, in God the Son (Jesus Christ), and in God the Holy Spirit—one God; who are repentant of their sin and who have been saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ through his atoning death and resurrection; who publicly proclaim their faith and are committed to the church’s vision, aims and functions.

• The true humanity and deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The atonement made on the Cross by our Lord for the sins of humanity.

• The person of the Holy Spirit is the one who sanctifies and who sets apart, empowers and imparts spiritual gifts to the church.

• The inspiration of the Bible and its authority in all matters of faith and practice.

• That salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

• The immersion of believers as the only Scriptural form of baptism.

• The priesthood of all believers—that all believers have equal access to God and have a role in the church (the Body of Christ).

We seek to live in accordance with all Scripture teaches but also recognise the need to focus on those things that are central to the faith, and to make every effort to maintain the unity we have in Christ (Ephesians 4:2-6).

Our goal is that everyone feels welcomed and valued as we meet, regardless of age, gender, vocation, marital status, cultural background or other differences we might have. Where possible, we seek to encourage each person to serve the wider congregation, not simply be a spectator. God has given us natural and supernatural gifts and abilities, and we are keen to see these put to good use in the service of God and his people, as well as the wider community.

We are a democratic church, where every member has a voice in appointing a small team to lead and guide the church family. The Oversight Team is chosen based on Biblical qualifications for leadership, which are primarily concerned with godly character and the ability to teach others about the Christian faith.

Church Membership

While everyone is welcome to come along and join with us as we meet, if you want to be able to vote on matters relating to the church, we invite you to formally become a church member. Church members must have placed their faith and trust in the person and work of Jesus Christ, be seeking to grow in love and obedience to God, regularly attend Waimarino Baptist Church meetings and support the church financially (in accordance with their means). Church members must also agree with the church’s beliefs, be committed to serving the church family, and to reaching out to others with the gospel message in whatever capacity they can.

A Charitable Trust

We are registered as a Charitable Trust with the Charities Commission (CC24156), so you can look us up on the Charities Commission website.

Acknowledging our History

The Baptist fellowship held their first service in the Salvation Army Hall, Raetihi, in February 1969 at a cost of $2.00 a time! During this time 3 Sunday School classes were formed and held at the scout hall with 30 children on the roll. 

November 1971 saw the formation of a joint pastorate with Taumaranui Baptist Church. Neither church could afford full time pastor so both churches made a contribution. Terry Revell would come to Waimarino Baptist Church one Sunday per month. During this same period, Ohakune Baptist Church purchased the Salvation Army hall for $12,000.  

Also during the 70s, church folk travelled up to Waikune prison for church services and Bible study. On frequent occasions a bus load  of prisoners would travel down to Raetihi for Church services.

In 2003, Mobile Mission Maintenance worked alongside our church members to prepare the current church building. Soon after, the church name was changed to Waimarino Baptist Church in order to better reflect the wider community who attend the church. We also registered with the Charities Commission in order to help with our church's financial and operational transparency (CC24156).

We trust that, with God's wisdom and empowering, we will continue to reach out into our community with the gospel for God's glory.