Church History - Reedy Creek Baptist Church (formerly Palm Beach Baptist Church)

1928 Land bought in 9th Avenue, Palm Beach and first church built
On 4th April, 1928 a committee at Tugun Baptist Church authorised the purchase of land at 9th Avenue, Palm Beach for the sum of $100.00. A building 24’ x 16’ was planned and duly opened on 8th December, 1928.
Church seats were purchased for 26 shillings each, hymn books 11 shillings per dozen.
1953 Pastor Norm Weston, a student at the Baptist College studying towards ordination, was appointed to pastoring Tugun, Palm Beach and Coolangatta-Tweed Heads churches. This was his first ministry appointment, and was there for 3 1/2 years until 1957.
1957 Pastor Hohnke.
1961 Rev Robert J Paulsen, pastor at Palm Beach and Tugun until 1964.
1962/63 Pastor Holdsworth
1960s Palm Beach was further helped by Tugun in the early 60’s when through lack of numbers, closure of the church was threatened. One of their members, Geoffrey Ardill, who became the youth leader, transferred to Palm Beach to provide sufficient members, and thus it survived.
1965 Deaconess McMahon oversaw the running of the church as no pastor was appointed.
Later a young pastor, Rev George Thompson was appointed.
1969 Original building demolished and new brick building built
This was also the time the church had its first full-time pastor, Rev Ashton Lehmann (2 years) with support from the Baptist Union.
1971 Rev Arthur Hooker commenced his ministry—fully supported by Palm Beach (8 years)
1970’s Church purchased the house next door in 9th Avenue and two blocks for parking
1977-84 Palm Beach formed part of the Southern Gold Coast Baptist Church, together with Tugun, Broadbeach and Coolangatta-Tweed Baptist Churches. The pastors for this area were Rev John Colledge, Rev Don Paddon, Pastor Ron Frankland (1980-84). Ron was appointed to Palm Beach.
In 1981, Palm Beach initiated the purchase and payment of an acreage site at Mudgeeraba for a future Baptist Church. This site was later exchanged with the Baptist Union for a 10 acre site at Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek
1980 Church purchased two houses on the Gold Coast Highway
1981 Extension to main auditorium built, together with youth, school and preschool facilities
1982 January, Southern Gold Coast Christian Community School commenced classes in the church premises.
1983 Four allotments, including a residence and shop on the Gold Coast Highway and 10th Avenue were purchased
1985 Pastor Ron Frankland commenced as Senior Pastor at Palm Beach
1986 August, Southern Gold Coast Christian Community School relocated to Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek (later known as Hillcrest Christian College)
Rev Ian Malins commenced as Associate Pastor. (1986-1989)
Pastor Stephen Bagi commenced as Associate Pastor.
1987 Further extension of church auditorium
1990 3rd March Rev Drew Kelso inducted as Senior Pastor (1990-1998)

Pastor Stephen Bagi recognised as Minister for Discipleship and Equipping.

In 1994 Steve, with his family, went on mission to Hungary with ABMS, returning 1998.
Pastor Ron Frankland, Associate Pastor (1990-99)

1991 Further 10 acres at Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek purchased in conjunction with Hillcrest Christian College.
1991 Rev Lynton Allan started as Associate Pastor. (2 years)
1995 5th February, Peter Holley was inducted as Associate Pastor (1995-97)
1998 Rev Norm Weston was interim senior pastor for 6 months
1998 4th October Rev Stephen Bagi inducted as Senior Pastor (1998-2007)
2000 Rev Wes Jessop ws inducted on 6th February as Associate/Youth Pastor. He concluded on 7th April, 2002 (26 months).
Property at Palm Beach was sold and property 2 Bridgman Drive, Reedy Creek purchased (also with frontage onto Gemvale Road). Building commenced.
2001 We moved to our new location in May and on 21st July, the church building was dedicated and officially opened.
2002 Rev Stuart Cran commenced as interim Youth pastor (6 months)
28th December, Rev John Hopping commenced as Associate Pastor
2003 Pastor Andrew Fisher commenced in March as Youth Pastor (18 months)
2005 10th April, Pastor Mick Cross commenced as Pastor for Evangelism and Youth and concluded on 9th September, 2007.
2007 Rev Tony Woods commenced as interim Senior Pastor (February)
2007 9th September Haylee Freudigmann appointed as Youth Pastor
2008 July 20th Dr. Rich Peterson inducted as Senior Pastor