Over the past few months the offering for young people wanting to do a gap year and get a taste of full time ministry has been reviewed to place a greater emphasis on character building through discipleship, intentional reflection, and a more flexible program.
While previously Gap Year Participants spent X days in ministry following a set curriculum and the other X days in secular work, the new Ministry Discipleship program has the option of working 1, 2, or 3 days in the church office, and allows the Ministry Disciples to pick areas of interest and focus.
Each Ministry Disciple is given training, experience, mentoring, and a program of self care in ministry to ensure their year is a valuable taste of what it means to partner in vocational ministry.
This year Sam Tobin and Lucas Tan are both taking part in Ministry Discipleships. If you’re interested in finding out more, or if you want to encourage them in their journey, why not have a chat.
Sam Tobin
Why did you choose to do Ministry Discipleship?
I chose to do Ministry Discipleship as I wanted to learn more about working in ministry, as well as wanting to deepen my understanding of Christianity and strengthen my faith.
What are you looking forward to the most?
I am most looking forward to working with my mentor to deepen my understanding of myself and my relationship with God. The mentorship program aims to help us to grow in maturity and to expand our knowledge of doctrine. However, I’m also excited to be working with trainers to develop more ministry skills, like working with youth and kids, preaching, developing family discipleship guides, and working with the design elements of the Church.
What do you hope to get out of it?
I hope to develop a deeper understanding of Jesus and how he guides the work of the church. I also hope to leave the program being more capable of serving in ministry and being able to pass my learned knowledge on.
What will you be doing the other 4 days a week?
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education at QUT.
Lucas Tan
Why did you choose to do Ministry Discipleship?
I chose to do ministry discipleship because I believe that God has given all of us gifts and talents. I believe that this program will not only help develop these God given gifts, but provide opportunities to use them to serve others and to serve God.
What are you looking forward to the most?
I am looking forward most to practically applying the tips and lessons from my mentors to serve God and further his kingdom.
What do you hope to get out of it?
I hope that I will finish this program with a greater sense of what it means to serve Jesus with the gifts I have been given as well as learning how to preach better, I am super keen for that.
What will you be doing the other 4 days a week?
I will be studying a bachelor of music at the Queensland conservatorium of music specialising in Jazz Drums.