After an intensive year and a half of planning, two terms of discipleship training, extensive amounts of health and safety documentation, and a new skillset as a travel agent, today marks an important milestone.
On Tuesday morning I sent off a team of young people on a ministry encounter trip to Fiji. This trip, planned in partnership with NZCMS, includes eight high school seniors from All Saints and St Barnabas and is led by three young adult leaders, Marzi van der Mark, Renata van der Wal and team leader Mike Jessop.
The training encompassed leadership development, discipleship skills and cultural awareness, all under the nurturing influence of the Holy Spirit. Each person faced and overcame challenges, stepping out in faith and growing in unexpected ways.
It feels strange to invest so much into a trip like this to ultimately not be a part of it – like training for a marathon and then getting someone else to run it for you. In many ways though, this process is the call of discipleship and the way of Jesus.
In organising this trip, Jesus has been teaching me about the importance of making space, and that there are times when I need to invest heavily in the formation of a person and then step aside. This is a daunting process for both the leader and the learner. It’s daunting for the leader as it requires me to give over control and power, which is easier said than done. It’s daunting for the learner as it requires them to step up and take on responsibility.
As I watched my team walk through the departure gate at Nelson Airport, I realised that they were not my team anymore, they were Mike’s team. He is now fully the team leader and responsible for this group of young people. It’s a moment that he is more than equipped to handle, and it’s something that wouldn’t be possible if I was on that plane. I’m thankful that God has given me this opportunity to grow in my own discipleship journey and to see these passionate young followers of Jesus step into this adventure of growth.
Mike and the team will be in Fiji until 18 December, with Cassie and Takape Kamunaga from NZCMS playing a crucial hosting role. I ask that you keep them in your prayers over these next two weeks. I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
Vinaka vaka levu!
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We have invited these writers to share their experiences, ideas and opinions in the hope that these will provoke thought, challenge you to go deeper and inspire you to put your faith into action. These articles should not be taken as the official view of the Nelson Diocese on any particular matter.
After an intensive year and a half of planning, two terms of discipleship training, extensive amounts of health and safety documentation, and a new skillset as a travel agent, today marks an important milestone.
On Tuesday morning I sent off a team of young people on a ministry encounter trip to Fiji. This trip, planned in partnership with NZCMS, includes eight high school seniors from All Saints and St Barnabas and is led by three young adult leaders, Marzi van der Mark, Renata van der Wal and team leader Mike Jessop.
The training encompassed leadership development, discipleship skills and cultural awareness, all under the nurturing influence of the Holy Spirit. Each person faced and overcame challenges, stepping out in faith and growing in unexpected ways.
It feels strange to invest so much into a trip like this to ultimately not be a part of it – like training for a marathon and then getting someone else to run it for you. In many ways though, this process is the call of discipleship and the way of Jesus.
In organising this trip, Jesus has been teaching me about the importance of making space, and that there are times when I need to invest heavily in the formation of a person and then step aside. This is a daunting process for both the leader and the learner. It’s daunting for the leader as it requires me to give over control and power, which is easier said than done. It’s daunting for the learner as it requires them to step up and take on responsibility.
As I watched my team walk through the departure gate at Nelson Airport, I realised that they were not my team anymore, they were Mike’s team. He is now fully the team leader and responsible for this group of young people. It’s a moment that he is more than equipped to handle, and it’s something that wouldn’t be possible if I was on that plane. I’m thankful that God has given me this opportunity to grow in my own discipleship journey and to see these passionate young followers of Jesus step into this adventure of growth.
Mike and the team will be in Fiji until 18 December, with Cassie and Takape Kamunaga from NZCMS playing a crucial hosting role. I ask that you keep them in your prayers over these next two weeks. I look forward to sharing more stories with you soon.
Vinaka vaka levu!
Check out other articles in the
series below.
More articles in the
series are to come.
