Did you know that there are regional towns where workers are moving from overseas to work in abattoirs, and the churches have opportunities to reach these people who have brought their families out with them to learn English and be part of these local communities?
Well, in the Southern Rivers region, this gospel opportunity is immense!
There are many towns where everyone knows everyone, and the depth of friendships are rich and Christlike.
At the end of August, PYNSW General Manager, David Phillips, had the opportunity to travel to the Southern Rivers region of NSW. He met with ministers from ten churches over five days and learned about what’s been happening at each church, particularly in relation to kids and youth ministry.
There was a whole lot of mutual encouragement between Dave and the ministers he met with. Dave was able to be a particular encouragement to often isolated ministry workers in churches in very rural and regional areas of NSW. Together they would brainstorm how PYNSW may be able to help partner with their church in kids and youth ministry, whether that is helping to launch a regular weekly ministry, or helping facilitate a regional camp with other churches in the Southern Rivers. The latter was a big topic of conversation particularly after the success of the Southern Rivers PY Big Day Out over the last couple of years.
Discussions are now happening across the region with the hope of having a regional camp launching in 2025. The hope is that the camp will be held at the PIM campsite, New Dunesk, which is located in Ardlethan in the middle of the Southern Rivers Presbytery. This location would help include people from all over the Presbytery as it’s over 500km from one side of the Presbytery to the other!
Please join us in praying for the Southern Rivers region.
🙏 Praise God for the high engagement in SRE across the region.
🙏 Pray that churches in the area may think creatively about how to minister to and care for the children and youth in their church and surrounding community.
🙏 Pray for Steve White, the Senior Minister at Young Presbyterian Church, as he prepares to speak at PY Summer Camp 2025.