Who We Are

About Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church

Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church

Who We Are


Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church is a welcoming, intergenerational Christian community in Tauranga. We gather to worship God, grow in our relationship with Jesus, learn from the Bible, pray together and encourage one another.

We are a Baptist church, which means our church community participates in significant decisions while appointing and empowering trusted leaders to lead. We are evangelical, believing in the authority of the Bible, the importance of personally responding to Jesus and the call to share the gospel through both word and action.

We are also charismatic, believing that the Holy Spirit is active today and continues to guide, transform and equip God’s people. Our constitution provides the framework through which we govern ourselves, appoint leaders and remain accountable to one another.

People of every age and stage are welcome at OBC. Whether you are exploring Christian faith, new to Tauranga or looking for a church community to call home, there is a place for you here.

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Our Mission 

To be a thriving faith community bringing gospel renewal to Ōtūmoetai and its people.

Our Vision

We seek to be a thriving, intergenerational community of faith that sees God’s transforming power at work in our lives and in our neighbourhood. 

WHY WE’RE HERE

Why We’re Here 

OBC exists to glorify God and express His character and Kingdom in the world.

We are committed:

  • To meeting regularly for worship, prayer, biblical teaching, encouragement and fellowship.

  • To helping people become lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ and welcoming them into the life of His Church.

  • To equipping every believer to use their gifts in serving God, the Church and the wider community.

  • To sharing the good news of Jesus within our neighbourhood, throughout New Zealand and around the world.

  • To expressing God’s love through both proclaiming the gospel and providing practical care for others.


WHAT SHAPES US

Our Values

Aroha

(Love)

We seek to reflect the love of Jesus in the way we care for people and respond to our neighbours. 

 Whanaungatanga

(Family)

We value relationships across generations and want church life to be shaped by mutual care and participation.

Manaakitanga

(Hospitality)

We seek to welcome people generously, make room for others and treat every person with dignity. 

Kaitiakitanga

(Creation Care)

We recognise our responsibility to care well for the places, resources and wider creation entrusted to us.

Our Statement of Faith

What We Believe

Our faith is centred on Jesus Christ and grounded in the authority of the Bible. We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and in the transforming power of the gospel.

Our Statement of Faith explains OBC’s core beliefs about God, humanity, salvation, the Church, baptism, Communion and the hope we have in the return of Jesus.

Read Our Statement of Faith
<span class="h6">OUR HISTORY</span>

OUR HISTORY

Our Story

OBC’s story began in 1953 with a Sunday school meeting in a garage on the Ōtūmoetai beachfront. Since officially becoming a church in 1958, generations of people have gathered to worship Jesus, grow in faith and serve the Tauranga community.

From helping establish other Baptist churches to supporting children, families and local community initiatives, OBC’s history reflects God’s faithfulness through changing seasons. As we enter a new chapter, we remain committed to proclaiming the gospel and equipping God’s people for works of service.

Read the OBC Story


OUR TEAM

Our Leadership

Contact the Church Office

OUR ACCOUNTABILITY

Registered Charity

Ōtūmoetai Baptist Church is a registered New Zealand charity.
Charity registration number: CC20526 

FIND YOUR PLACE

Find Your Place at OBC 

Explore the ministries, groups and next steps available through church life. 

Explore Ways to ConnectPlan Your Visit

Our Statement of Faith

What We Believe

Our faith is centred on Jesus Christ and shaped by the good news of what God has done through his life, death and resurrection.