We are increasingly seeing an overlap between SU ministries, where children who attend SUPA Clubs are also attending SU Camps during the school holidays, and then going on to serve. Regional Coordinator for North West NSW, Dave Tankard, tells us more and shares his vision for further expansion of SU ministries in the North West and across regional NSW.
Read the full SU News Autumn 2020.
The Spirit of the Lord is moving in the North West.
In recent years God has been growing SU Camps across NSW, with no end in sight! In 2014 we had 12 Camps, we are now approaching 40!
In the North West during these same years, God has been establishing new SUPA Clubs in local Primary Schools, with three SUPA Clubs in 2014 growing to 15 in 2020!
SUPA Clubs provide a weekly space for primary school students to have fun exploring the Christian faith, with friends, overseen by caring adult leaders who provide guidance from the Bible, teach the children how to pray, and model what it means to live as followers of Jesus.
Across the region, we see that God has similarly grown the number of SU Camps available each School holidays.
SU Camps are the ultimate positive and affirming community for young Christians, as well as those exploring Christianity. Camps are golden times of deep relationship-forming between the campers and their adult leaders (and often-times with God Himself), where campers have come together because of a shared interest or activity to have fun together and— over meals, around camp fires, on walks together, and at break times between activities —talk about their lives so that they might understand how their story fits into God’s. The older children who return to Camp help set a welcoming culture each time for first-timers, creating a temporary community that has lasting impacts on the future development of their faith and maturity.
New Year, New Endeavours
Janelle’s Story
Janelle Tongue runs Rugby League Camp, SUPA Clubs at Timbumburi and Nemingha Primary Schools and, this year, has inspired the creation of a brand new Camp! Here’s how God has been working through Janelle and others to multiply Gospel reach and impact in the North West:
Janelle began Rugby League Camp in 2017 as a camp for boys aged 10-15. It has been especially popular amongst Year 5 and 6 boys, many of whom she personally invited either during one of the many Scripture (SRE) classes she has led over the past few years, or SUPA Clubs in their schools.
As those boys moved into High School, they returned to the increasingly popular Camp every year, and some of the older boys have even gone on to serve as junior leaders at Rugby League Camp!
Mindful of the need for a local SU Camp for girls, though, Janelle was talking recently with her friend Susan, who has a passion for helping girls create things with sewing machines. If you know Janelle, you won’t be surprised to hear that a brand new SU Camp has grown from those conversations: Pins & Needles Camp for girls aged 10–13, launching this Spring just south of Tamworth!
In the cases of each of these Camps and SUPA Clubs, God has brought together two people with special interests and a heart for mission, who prayed that God would make a way for them to bring the Good News to children and young people in their community.
SU Staff were then able to support them at key points by providing guidance, resources, encouragement, and in the case of the Camps, help recruiting leaders from different towns and churches and help to promote the Camps.
Could God be calling you to start a new Camp?
Do you have a passion for the Gospel? Our ‘Starting a New Camp’ brochure takes you through the steps required to start a new Camp.
- Download the brochure or talk to your local Regional Coordinator to order a hard copy.
- Contact the SU team on (02) 9638 9000, or [email protected], and ask to speak to your local Regional Coordinator! They are there to help you make your ministry dream, into a reality!
Or visit sunsw.org.au/volunteer, to apply to serve at an existing ministry in your region.
Kids Get a Break at SU Camps!
We are so thankful to donors who are helping drought-affected kids have a break at SU Camps. Inspire families to register for full-funding this year, email [email protected] with your stories from Camp!
Pray
Witness our mighty God at work in North West NSW this year. Sign-up to receive regional news, email Dave today: [email protected] and pray for the Kingdom to come in NSW!
Janelle’s story has been published with permission.
Read more . . .