Gospel Arts Camps focuses on equipping for ministry
Young people who took part in the hip-hop dance elective showcase their new moves. (Photo: Captain Philip Inglis)
Whether a singer, hip-hop dancer or children’s ministry leader, this year’s annual Salvation Army Gospel Camp was all about equipping young people for ministry.
“The theme was equip and the purpose of the camp is not the concert or performance, it is to equip young people for ministry the other 358 days of the year. We just want to equip young guys for ministry in their own church, school and community,” explained Nathaniel Brown, Territorial Youth Missions Consultant and Territorial Worship Resource and Development Coordinator.
Held at The Collaroy Centre on Sydney’s northern beaches, 200 young Salvos spent a week from 30 September to 6 October mastering their creative and discipleship skills.
Alongside the usual streams of drama, brass, guitar and timbrels, six new workshops were introduced including sports ministry, songwriting, life group leadership, High School Certificate (HSC) study, children’s ministry and hip-hop dance. Nathaniel said a number of the streams were deliberately chosen to have a discipleship and mission focus.
“We’re not shifting away from creative arts, we’re just broadening it so that it is ministry training," he said "We want to acknowledge the variety of gifts and roles there are in the body of Christ. We just want to train and equip young people for the whole variety there is.”
More than 200 young people took part in a week of activities at Gospel Arts Camp. (Photo: Captain Philip Inglis)
In addition to mastering their crafts, worships sessions were held every morning at camp with the theme being “this time next week”.
“It’s not just about having a buzz week here," said Nathaniel. "Instead, trying to equip young people and discuss issues such as, how does this affect you this time next week?
“The highlight was seeing young people being really engaged in ministry and mission throughout the week. Getting involved in worship sessions, getting involved with praying with one another and talking in such a way that they were excited to go home to do ministry.”
The camp also featured a formal night with all the food generously donated by The Collaroy Centre. There was also a games night where the campers came dressed as a television character or personality.
More than 300 family and friends turned out to the annual open day where the delegates were given the opportunity to showcase what they had been working on throughout the week.
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