"10 years ago ..."

After seven weeks of Tuesday and Thursday afternoons with between 6 and 15 primary school students - running games, prepping afternoon tea, and telling stories - it was clear that God is at work in this school.

Our ASAP (After School Activity Program) team have consistently served the school, without any overt "Christian content" - we've simply been turning up and meeting a need.  Trusting that God is already at work because He opened up the opportunity.  And it is true - He is working.

On the last week of the program, a Mum came up to me and said, "I used to go to your church 10 years ago.  My 6 year old son would call himself a Christian, but my partner doesn't like us going to church."

I listened and then pointed out that two of our team run the kids program at our church, and should her circumstances change, she'd be welcome to bring her son along.

A week later, I also received word that the principal was asking another member of the governing council about what drives us to come and serve the school in this way - He, a Christian, was able to share that our motivation was to serve people as Jesus served people.  This was an exciting outcome for this person to be able to have a gospel conversation.

Amongst the lessons learned over the last seven weeks, the stand out for me is that God is already at work in people's lives, and sometimes it's just a matter of us turning up to discover how that's true.

vetamorphus retreat

Here's an insight into our "splash of mission" with some senior high students at their "vetamorphus" retreat this weekend.

an unexpected mission space

Yesterday we held YMA's 3rd Great Race as a fundraiser to help with the running costs of our office space.


This event has been very successful among participants and volunteers, although it is a mountainous logistical effort  - and the funds that come in, while very helpful, require far more effort than the likes of some other fundraising initiatives. So, my mindset was that yesterday's event should be the final one.


But I noticed some things that are causing me to reconsider:

1. THIS EVENT IS UNIQUE - I know of no other not-for-profit who is doing something like this and, thanks to the calibre of our volunteer network, managing to pull it off.
2. IT IS PROVIDING GREAT EXPOSURE FOR YMA TO  THOSE OUTSIDE OUR NORMAL CHURCH NETWORKS  - people who are entirely unfamiliar with us are participating and becoming exposed to who YMA is and what we're about.
3. PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW JESUS ARE BROUGHT INTO A REALLY POSITIVE SHARED EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FOLLOWING JESUS  - which makes for some great opportunties in overcoming typical barriers.

When I stood up for the final presentation in Brighton Surf Club at the end of the day, I realised something.  Where else outside of church buildings do I get to share that "YMA is a network of people around Australia who have been impacted by the story of Jesus, and who are looking to find creative ways of serving school communities."?

This, for me, was an unexpected mission space ... volunteers serving without an agenda ... participants enjoying creation and recreation ... both being introduced to the notion that transformation can come through God's story.

 We're now praying through what's next with the YMA Great Race.

official opening & leadership summit

Today was a nice little marker for Pixi's project "junktion" where we officially opened the store (see video of ribbon cutting ceremony below).

This morning we saw a full house in the shop including the local council mayor, and our friend and supporter David Speirs (who is the deputy mayor).  We were also privileged to have a good number of friends, family and customers attend - thanks to all!

Trav is attending Campus Crusade's biennual Oceania Leadership Summit this week (9-14 Sept) at Merroo Christian Centre in NSW.  We would love for you to pray for the prayer session he is running on Monday night, good engagement with the sessions, and positive opportunities to connect with other CCCA leaders.

As with other times, we would value your prayer support for Pix and the boys for the time Trav is away.  Thanks!

do the junktion

As you can see, Elijah (one of our local church interns) had the floor in Junktion this week.  He is one of a group of five interns who come to the YMA office each Friday for discipleship and ministry input.

This has been an encouraging addition to our opportunities over the last few weeks.  With the opening of Junktion, it seems that a hub for community has naturally emerged - with one of the outcomes being the addition of Richard Sharp (Youth For Christ's National Transform Manager) to the use of our office space.  Both Richard and Trav are enjoying being able to coach the interns.

We're also grateful for the opportunity Trav had to be in Sydney for the most recent YMA national team meeting (although he nearly missed his plane on the return trip) ... we're looking forward to rolling out a new vision and strategy in the next few months - particularly with the new chaplains who have come onto team in Sydney.

Trav and Jackson enjoyed Jack's adventure camp with school over the past couple of days. Jackson particularly enjoyed the bouldering wall.

Pix is super-encouraged by the steady flow of customers in the first four weeks Junktion's operation.  We have seen enough turnover for the set-up costs to be covered (with the help of the local council grant), and are now looking forward to seeing how we might be able to use the income generated for national YMA projects and local community engagement.

Small steps of faith are reaping some encouraging stories of God's kingdom emerging in our local suburb, and in the national movement of YMA :)

Thailand baptisms

Below is an email and some pics from Dave Huddleston who oversees YMA's Thailand project where we partner with Thailand Youth Ministries.  It's particularly encouraging to see the students wearing their "immerse" tshirts ... it's encouraging to see the fruit of God's work in Thailand, and a blessing to be a part of that fruit in a small way.

"Greetings,

We thought you might appreciate the attached photos – they represent a very significant occasion indeed!

Last weekend 21 young people from the Light Church in Korat were baptised in a local river by Tong and Dim - what a wonderful testimony to the transforming work of God in the hearts and lives of so many!

Join with us in praising God and be encouraged to pray that the Lord of the Nations will continue to guide, protect and grow these young followers of Jesus.

Regards in Christ

Dave & Judy

PS: plans are beginning to come together for the April 2013 Immerse Thailand Mission Project…more to follow, later."

some august news ...

check out this video blog giving some insight into our antics over recent weeks ...

going home today

 "I have stopped short of calling it a conference, because there are no sermons and worship comes as a flow on from teenagers starting to connect with Gods Story in their lives.

To say it was awesome is an understatement. 

In the 20 years I have been in ministry, I have not seen teenagers connecting with God’s Story for their lives like this before and I would need far more time that I have now to explain more. But be assured that Immerse NSW is well and truly on our hearts ..." 

 - SHAYNE - YMA REGIONAL LEADER - NSW

After packing my bag and getting ready to catch a movie with my Perth nieces and nephews, I sit and reflect on the last 11 days in WA.

I've been encouraged by many things while over here - seeing old friends; preaching at Woodvale Baptist Church; finishing well with a great team from SA and NSW; being hosted so well by our immersewest friends.


Young people's stories are what really stand out though:

... the 16 year old girl who struggles with what others think and recognises that "the cross takes all the other stuff (meaning her insecurities) away"

... the 17 year old guy who apologises to me after a group response time for not saying anything because "God called me to, and I disobeyed"

... the 15 year old girl who had a particularly difficult time at one point of the week and said in her feedback form: "God is saying to me: 'release and believe in me. Forget the past and find peace in me.'"

Behind all of these interchanges are stories of people.  Young people who have their futures ahead of them.  Young people whom God is writing into His story.

The highlight will definitely be walking through the front door tonight though.  Pix and the boys have  experienced God's sustaining power while I've been away, but it will be good to be home.

the bible in colour

Today at immersewest, we had a film crew sent by the Bible Society as part of them developing a bank of ideas for Bible engagement.

In the process of piecing some footage together for an insight into immerse, we interviewed four immersewest participants. One of the questions we asked was, "in what way has immerse changed or challenged the way you engage with the Bible?"



All four shared some really great responses, but the one that stood out to me was, "it's like the Bible is in colour now, when I read the Bible now it feels like a picture book."

This is a massive win for me, I'm really glad to be a part of something that initiates this kind of response.

prepping for immerse west

A team of 5 from Adelaide, 2 from Sydney, and a host of WA crew will make for a brilliant combination in the upcoming IMMERSE WEST event!

This next week we'll be printing off copies of this manual for Trav, Christie, Ellen & Jess for the week of 8-13 July.

Ellen will lead us through the week, Christie will be helping with story-telling and Jess will lead the group with music.
The team will be flying to Perth from Adelaide next Saturday with Joy who will be helping out in the kitchen for the week-long camp.

It'll be a great experience  joining Matt and the team in WA with a group of around 80 participants - journeying through God's story together.  A particular highlight will be seeing folks walk through our new "mission experience" where they'll experience the book of Acts through the eyes of a follower of Jesus.

After the week of IMMERSE Trav will stay on to share with Woodvale Baptist Church on Sunday the 15th of July, then on for a couple of days of catching up with friends and family.

During the time Trav's away, Pix will hold the fort at home - with Brad attending a Youth Leadership Week, Tom hopefully picking up some work, and Jack and Fred going to kids club during the holidays.

Be on the look out for updates of the camp!

junktion coat-hanger high tea

Pixi was really pleased with big success of  Friday night's junktion coathanger fundraiser.  The partly refurbished shop was filled with around 30 ladies for a high tea experience.

Not only was it a success in raising $'s for the coathangers Pix wants to use for the recycled clothing, but it was really encouraging to see people catch the vision for a creative income stream for YMA, and for community engagement through outreach to international students and connection with local residents.

We'll keep you posted for when the shop officially opens!

shiftm2M in sydney

One of my favourite quotes at the retreat I was at this week was: "Jesus did the Father's work by the Spirit, and He invites us to do the same - He was not an exception, but the template." 

I love the way the priorities of Jesus provide incredible insight into how I can shape my own priorities in the work I'm involved in - and shiftm2M is proving to be an excellent space to help me think through this.

shiftm2M (ministry to movement) takes a group of 10-15 Christian leaders through the narrative of Jesus' time on earth over the course of a year.  It includes 50 readings through the gospels, listening to 50 related podcasts, and four retreats where the group meets together to explore how their discoveries intersect with the priorities in their own contexts.

Next trip to Sydney is in August - looking forward to it, but I've got a stack of reading to do between now and then!

double digits

Jackson enjoyed his 10th birthday yesterday - a highlight was when his Grandma set up his cake with trick candles ...

"junktion" keys

This week Pix received the keys for the corner shop next to the YMA office.  The wheels have been in motion for a long time to see her vision for a recycled goods/coffee shop opened in this vacant space.

"Junktion" will be a YMA project to enable an increased income stream for resourcing the YMA movement nationally.  It's also an opportunity to contribute to some of the community needs we see - particularly among international students from the local university.

Amidst the unsolicited donation of goods, commitments from people to volunteer in the preparation and running of the shop, the local council's acceptance of our application for a small start-up grant, and some great conversations with some local neighbours, we are confident of God's lead in the journey of junktion so far.  We're also expectant to see how He will continue to lead us and provide for this project.

skyping with woodvale baptist

It was exciting today to be interviewed in Woodvale Baptist Church's morning service via skype (they're in Perth, and I'm in Adelaide).

Not only do I enjoy the opportunity to talk about what God's doing with us as a family and in our work with YMA, but it's so good to be reminded of the scope of support we receive from different people and church communities. (And we had the awesome bonus of having my sister pray for us!)

It's opportunities like this that give me a sense of privilege to, in a small way, represent the investment of others in the kingdom of God. 

My friend Matt Fricker sent me the adjacent picture to share with me the effort the church has gone to in raising awareness of who is a part of their mission family. 

May WBC know more of God's great blessings as they serve Him in their own community, and in their investment beyond their own backyard.

talking in melbourne ...

This last week, we spent three days in Melbourne at CCCA's "Core Missionary Training" with Joy Blesing joining us. (Joy is volunteering with us as a Project Officer) 

In amongst some great sessions; theatre sports; Bill Hodgson (CCCA's ND) & Foxy (from Atheletes in Action) serenading us with "Hey True Blue"; and a Melbourne parking ticket, we had some fruitful meetings.

We're grateful for the opportunity to engage in strategic discussion around  YMA vision with Bill Hodgson, and also discuss some of the logistics around the opshop project that Pix and Joy are working on. (We're also grateful to Pixi's parent for looking after the boys)

We're currently planning toward setting up "Junktion" as a coffee/recycled goods shop to serve the community and provide an income stream for the work of YMA nationally.

uno @ the shack

It was a little primitive at the shack where Pixi went for holidays as a littel girl. 

No internet, no playstation, no hot water (without stoking a fire), heck, we even had to ration the use of the toilet due to some flow issues

- but Fred's new UNO cards got a good workout ... and it was a LOT of fun.

Nice way to spend a few days break.