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!