Considering Tasmania

In our recent trip down under we were able to take the opportunity to specifically visit Tasmania.  For those who may be a little rusty on their geography, Tasmania is an island state of Australia 150 miles south of the main part of the country across Bass Strait.  Named for Dutch explorer Able Tasman who first sighted the island on November 24, 1642.  Tasmania has a land size equivalent to West Virginia and a population of over 500,000  Their summer (December to February) average will range between 70 to 75 degrees while winter (June to August) will vary between 37 to 54 degrees.  Annual rainfall will be between 26" to 106" depending on location.

Tasmania was settled as a British penal colony in 1804.

The largest city and state capital is Hobart with a population of 211,656 followed by the city of Launceston with 106,153 and then the city of Devonport with a population of 25,551.  Thirty-four percent of the population of Tasmania claim the major part of their income as welfare.

For the last four years I have been attempting to locate any Independent Baptist in Tasmania.  There is a history of many who have been there but I have only been able to locate one claiming to be an Independent Baptist Church - Faith Baptist Church and Pastor Brutus Balan in Hobart.  God gave us the privilege to meet up with Pastor Balan and most of his folks at his house on a Wednesday night while we were there and he confirmed that to his knowledge they are the only Independent Baptist Church on the whole of the island.  500,000 souls and only one Independent Baptist Church! 

Without a doubt there is a GREAT spiritual need in Tasmania.

Devonport

Port Arthur

Abandon Anglican Building

Along the East Coast

Country Anglican building

 

Historic Female Penal Site