Creative youth equipped for ministry
Young people sharpened their creative skills at The Salvation Army's EQUIP NSW and ACT camp this month.
“Truth that sets you free” was the theme for this year’s EQUIP NSW and ACT camp at The Collaroy Centre from 28 September to 4 October.
More than 200 youth and young adults encountered God, explored their creativity and developed skills for ministry in their local corps and communities.
“Essentially, it’s about equipping young people for mission and discipleship,” said Nate Brown, from the Territorial Mission Team.
Focusing on theological truths for life-long discipleship, the camp’s Anchor worship nights saw many young people grow in their spiritual walks with God.
“There’s just been consistent feedback about young people having light-bulb moments where they understood something about God – where something clicked in their faith journey,” said Nate.
Along with encouraging spiritual growth, EQUIP NSW and ACT held creative and ministry development streams including brass, graphic design, timbrels, video production, sports ministry, social justice, leadership and many more.
Prior to the camp, many young people expressed a desire for an elective to be devoted to peer youth ministry training. This year, youth ministry was introduced as a stream.
“It’s exciting that we can equip young people in whatever they are passionate about or gifted in,” said Nate.
Guest speakers included Sydney East and Illawarra Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretaries, Lieutenants Peter and Rebecca Gott, Jarrod Newton, Director of Digital and Special Projects for The Salvation Army’s Communications team and Captain Nicole Viles, Divisional Youth and Candidates Secretary for The Greater West Division.
Will Small, Youth Support Worker for Oasis Youth Network Wyong was invited to inspire young people in their creative abilities through his talent as a spoken-word poet.
“He worked with a couple of the different streams in how to use arts communicate messages. That was a real highlight … some people gave it a go during the week. They found it as a way to express themselves.”
Nate said they were looking to introduce a spoken-word stream next year.
At the end of EQUIP NSW and ACT a concert was held for family and friends and featured performances by the campers, showcasing what they had learnt over the week.
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