FRIDAY ELECTIVES :: Youth
The workshops part of Illawarra Missions Day is a powerful time where you have the opportunity to explore different aspects of mission. Bite-size. Engaging. Informative. Fun!
Presented by passionate, professional representatives from a wide variety of mission agencies, you're sure to leave with some food for thought and for action.
Register your youth group NOW to place your top 3 elective preferences. On the night, each youth will attend TWO electives from the following list. Workshop sessions run for about half an hour each.
Electives:
Elective 1: Persecuted church
Elective 2: Social Justice - Development - cancelled
Elective 3: Youth in Schools
Elective 4: STM (Short Term Mission)
Elective 5: World Religions
Elective 6: Social Justice - Children
Elective 1: PERSECUTED CHURCH
> Description:
Over 100 million Christians around the world are being abused and mistreated today because of their Christian faith. What can we learn from the inspiring stories of these Christian believers whose faith is under fire? Find out how YOU can make a difference in their lives.
> Presenter: Norman Mc Laughlin
Originally from Northern Ireland, Norman McLaughlin studied Electrical & Electronic Engineering at uni before working in the telecommunications industry for the next eleven years. Having had a calling to missions since his student days, Norman left industry in 2002 to serve as the Northern Ireland Co-ordinator for Arab World Ministries. He moved to Australia in 2009 and currently lives in Baulkham Hills, NSW. Norman has travelled extensively in the Middle East, Asia and Africa and has observed first-hand both the joy and the pain as God's Kingdom advances in some of the most difficult places. He has many stories to tell and is a passionate communicator on behalf of those who are persecuted because of the Name of Jesus Christ. Norman is married to Ellen and they have two young children.
^top of page
Elective 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE - DEVELOPMENT
We're sorry.
This elective has unfortunately been cancelled due to personal circumstances. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience.
On a positive note:
If you were planning to attend this elective, we encourage you to check out Elective 6 as an excellent alternative!
^top of page
Elective 3: YOUTH IN SCHOOLS
> Description:
How to be a Missionary in your School... an interactive and challenging workshop aiming to empower and equip young people to impact their local school for God.
> Presenter: Carol Ramsey
Carol Ramsey works for Scripture Union, coordinating Schools Ministry for the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast. She has been involved in school and youth ministries in both Western Sydney and Wollongong for over 20 years. Carol completed a Diploma in Youth and Community work with Fusion Australia and has been involved in many aspects of local missions through parachurch organisations and her local church. Currently completing a degree in Theology through Charles Sturt University, she is passionate about Missions as a lifestyle. Carol has been married for 24 years to Michael and has three teenage children.
^top of page
Elective 4: STM (SHORT TERM MISSION)
> Description:
Explore the joys and challenges of short term mission (STM) in a GIANT board game! Our presenters share their experiences of life in another culture, and you get a little taste of it yourself... A time to have your expectations adjusted if needed and to share some ways to help your STM bring glory to Jesus.
> Presenters: Pete Gunning and Jo Hallam
Pete Gunning teaches at Youthworks and has experience with short term mission, including leading teams in Egypt.
Jo Hallam is studying at Sydney Mission and Bible College. Her first STM (short term mission) was in Africa and she was recently in Egypt for 18 months.
^top of page
Elective 5: WORLD RELIGIONS
> Description:
'Who's the guy with the red button on his forehead? What's with the chick with the sheet on her head? Blokes wearing dresses?
Religion affects the way people dress, making some things ok and other things not. But why? And what else is different? Discover three religions and their key ideas - and you might figure out why your friend doesn't do bacon and egg burgers.
> Presenter: Dion Bremner
Dion Bremner spent five years church planting in Turkey before being 'asked to leave'. Now he is involved in sharing Jesus among unreached peoples in western Sydney. Dion's journey has included growing up on a farm, an apprenticeship as a diesel fitter, pastoring young people, and working as a newspaper and magazine journalist. He holds a Diploma in Missiology (ACT) and a Bachelor of Arts (USQ). Married to Annette, they have three children. His passions (outside of the above) are off-road motorcycling (currently riding a KTM200exc), football and cricket.
^top of page
Elective 6: SOCIAL JUSTICE - CHILDREN
> Description:
'He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' Micah 6:8
Children are frequently the hardest hit by poverty and injustice and have the least resources or influence to change their circumstances. In the Bible, God clearly expresses his love for the poor and calls us into action. Come along and learn how you can play a part, in showing God's love to children all over the world.
> Presenters: Lenore Hardy & Melinda McAlpine
^top of page
SATURDAY ELECTIVES :: Open
The workshops part of Illawarra Missions Day is a powerful time where you have the opportunity to explore different aspects of mission. In-depth. Engaging. Informative. Fun.
Presented by passionate, professional representatives from a wide variety of mission agencies, you're sure to leave with some food for thought and for action.
You may attend THREE workshops from the following list. Registration is essential.
Elective 1: GRACE Demonstrated - in compassion ministries
Elective 2: GRACE Communicated - through Biblical translation and Oral methods
Elective 3: GRACE Comprehended - through Biblical education
Elective 4: GRACE Unlimited - for the world through diverse methods
Elective 5: GRACE United - through the powerful partnership of missionaries, the local church and mission agencies
Elective 1: GRACE Demonstrated - in compassion ministries
> Description:
Today's promos for missionary service tend to emphasise what an exciting challenge cross cultural ministry is. Enthusiastic young people testify to how 'life-changing' and 'awesome' serving Christ overseas can be.
The New Testament, however, often portrays the work of proclaiming Christ very differently. Through examining the Scriptures, mission history, and contemporary mission practise we will explore together the very important, but little spoken about dimension of Christian mission: suffering.
We will also discuss how we promote such service to Gen X and Gen Y, today's missionary candidates.
> Presenter: Mike Raiter
Mike is the Principal of the Bible College of Victoria. Previously, he was Head of the Department of Mission at Moore College in Sydney. Prior to that, he spent 11 years working in Pakistan, largely in theological education. Mike is married to Sarah and they have 4 children (Joel, Nate, Pippa and Lauren). To keep fit, Mike likes to wrap his mind around cryptic crosswords, sudokus and Scandinavian thriller novels. He is the author of the 2004 Australian Christian Book of the Year, 'Stirrings of the Soul'.
^top of page
Elective 2: GRACE Communicated - through Biblical translation and Oral methods
> Description:
This workshop will briefly note the importance of God's word as a means of grace and brainstorm barriers to gospel communication. It will then explore traditional and non-traditional ways of ensuring effective communication and engagement with God's word. Several case studies will be examined including an interactive case study on communicating the Good News to teenagers in the Illawarra.
> Presenters: Robert Love and Graydon Colville
Robert Love has served as NSW Regional Director for Wycliffe since 2003. He networks with churches, individuals and partner organisations encouraging and training people for Bible translation. Robert previously worked as an Accountant. After joining Wycliffe he served in finance, management and public relations roles in Papua New Guinea. Robert and wife Margaret serve as Wycliffe Representatives. They have one son.
Graydon Colville is married to Wendy and is the father of three adult children. On leaving school, he trained as a chemical engineer and worked in industry for several years before entering Morling College. Following graduation, Graydon and his family served with Interserve for over seven years in Pakistan, followed by four years in Bahrain. Since the beginning of 2000, Graydon has been National Director for Global Recordings Network Australia as well serving in various regional and international roles. He is currently on the Boards of SIL Australia and Wycliffe Bible Translators Australia and on the state leadership team of Missions Interlink NSW. Graydon is active in his local church and when times permits likes to walk, especially in the Australian bush and to get involved in various musical pursuits.
^top of page
Elective 3: GRACE Comprehended - through Biblical education
> Description:
Biblical education provides the foundation for a strong church, prepares church leaders for effective ministries, and equips believers to stand against the tide of different ideas and beliefs that they must face every day. This session will investigate the importance of biblical education, invite us to consider the needs across the world and challenge us to respond to these needs.
> Presenter: Dal Proudfoot
Dal and Corinne, both former teachers, have a long-term vision of seeing people come to faith through training and encouraging local believers for cross cultural ministry. Since 2006, they have lived in a poor community in South East Asia and have sought to build relationships, share the Good News and pray with people, as well as practically help families there. In this time, they have helped set up a sewing business, taught English to children and have also been involved with a learning centre and sponsorship program for underprivileged children. They have also been involved in the local church and Dal has been teaching at two Bible Colleges. Dal and Corinne were originally from Ulladulla, but moved to Wollongong after they were married. They are in Australia for a short period of time with their two sons.
^top of page
Elective 4: GRACE Unlimited - for the world through diverse methods
> Description:
Communication is an amazing thing, and technology has allowed for a revolution in the way ideas are shared around the world. This workshop explores the role of creative media in communicating the gospel; through art, storytelling, video and audio. A fascinating introduction to gospel ministry to unreached people groups using technology.
> Presenter: Ken Bartsch (YWAM Create International)
^top of page
Elective 5: GRACE United - through the powerful partnership of missionaries, the local church and mission agencies
> Description:
To become effective in the task of mission, a partnership between church (sending and receiving churches) and mission agency is required. In the middle of all this stands the prospective missionary - will they be empowered through this partnership? Or will they just be the 'meat in the sandwich'?
This workshop will explore the respective roles of agency and church; how they can encourage and respect one another, while at the same time seeking to become effective in the task of cross-cultural mission. Come prepared for some interactive discussion and exploration with pastors and agency reps.
> Presenter: Magnus Linder
Magnus heads up the OM team in NSW assisted by his wife Karon. Besides drinking coffee and journeying with with passionate people willing to serve our almighty God anywhere, anytime, with everything they've got, he and Karon love bike riding or playing 'beans' with their three daughters. As a family they have been trusting the Lord in ministry for 8 years. Magnus previously worked as a professional firefighter with the NSW Fire Brigades (17 years)! Recently he completed a masters degree in church leadership and is involved in planting a new "missional" church in Ermington, Sydney.
^top of page