Who We Are

Australian Baptists are a multi-cultural and multi-generational movement of people serving communities in metropolitan, regional, coastal, rural and remote Australia through a network of almost 1000 churches.

We declare that Jesus Christ is Lord! This confession is the foundation of our unity as a movement of churches, supplemented by our shared Biblical beliefs and practices for congregational life, Christian living, and outreach.

While we celebrate our unity as a movement of God’s people, we also celebrate our diversity. Each local Baptist church in our movement is autonomous, and responsible for setting its own vision, budget, programs, activities, and decision-making processes. Local churches choose to affiliate together as part of State Unions for fellowship, encouragement, equipping, accountability, mutual ministry and administrative support.

The key policy, organisational and administrative functions within the Australian Baptist movement take place at a State and Territory Union level. There is a Baptist Union in each Australian State and the Northern Territory. Our Canberra churches are part of the Baptist Union of NSW.

The State and Territory Unions are affiliated with the national body, Australian Baptist Ministries. Through Australian Baptist Ministries, State Unions and local churches partner together in support of key national and international ministries. These ministries are governed by National Council and managed by a National Director. The National Council meets two to three times a year and comprises representatives from each State and Territory Union and the ministries themselves.

Current ministries overseen by the BUA include:

Affiliated Bodies*

Delegated Bodies**

Baptist Care Australia

Baptist World Aid Australia

Global Interaction

Australian Baptist Insurance Scheme Australian Baptist Women

Baptist Youth Ministries Australia

Crossover

Crossover Remote

* Affiliated Bodies of the BUA operate under their own Boards, directors and staff.
** Delegated Bodies of the BUA are supported by Task Forces and report to the National Council through the National Director.

The National Council is chaired by the National President, who serves a three-year term. The current President is Rev Dr John Beasy, Senior Pastor of Enfield Baptist Church, South Australia. As well as managing national and international Baptist ministries, Australian Baptist Ministries represents Australian Baptists in national and international spheres of influence. We have strong links with the Baptist World Alliance, connecting us with a fellowship of 214 Baptist Unions and Conventions and a global community of more than 105 million Christians.

As well as its role in managing national and international ministries, Australian Baptist Ministries represents Australian Baptists in national and international spheres of influence.