2) Contemporary Worship
We embrace the creativity of our day and the wisdom of our past so that all generations are excited to worship God together.
3) Authentic Community
The church is called to be a community of people who love one another with the same love that Jesus has for us.
4) Loving Our City and Beyond
We serve our city and support Gods wider mission through loving action and words seasoned with the gospel.
5) Committed to Prayer
Prayer is the engine of the church.
Our History
Napier Baptist Church has been sharing the good news of Jesus across our city for more than 130 years. The church was started in 1887 and is one of the early Baptist churches in the country.
The first church building was opened in 1888 in Hooper's Lane, Napier completely free of debt. The Napier Baptist Church buildings located on the corner of Clive Square and Tennyson Street were destroyed in the 1931 earthquake. The Church Building was rebuilt on this site. The congregation grew and thrived despite adversity. In 1968 the Church relocated to the current site on Riverbend Road.
Napier Baptist Church is a member church of the Baptist Union Of New Zealand.
Our People
Andrew and Sonja Mitchell
Senior Pastor
Andrew and his wife Sonja bring well-rounded pastoral experiences to Napier Baptist, including outreach ministries, relationship building with local community organisations, and establishing a church as a significant community hub. They have together been directly involved in church growth and programme developments, such as youth groups, internship programmes, home and study groups, all which support the congregation and its community to live meaningful God-centred lives.
Andrew and Sonja bring nine years of formalised pastoral work. They have been committed Christians all their lifetime.
Andrew and Sonja have six children and nine grandchildren.
Leadership Team
John Bebarfald
John is a retired project manager who loves cycling and is passionate about fitness.
Leadership Team
Pat Swinburn
Pat is a former business owner with a highly creative mind. She also has a passion for golf in her spare time.
Leadership Team
Graeme Brandt
Graeme is a small business owner and enjoys reading and travelling. He facilitates a couples Bible study with his wife, Anne.
Community Worker
Sarah Mitchell
Sarah has a background in Clinical Exercise Physiology and has been a Community Worker for 7 years. She heads up our local mission arm to our surrounding community and takes a lead role in our Youth and Young Adult ministries.
Administration
Patrichia Sosa
Patrichia has a background in Microbiology and is mid-way through a Pathways Internship. She is looking after church administration.