Do you know a young person who would love to grow in faith and engage with Christians from other countries? Perhaps you are that young person! This is your opportunity to be strengthened in faith and to be a blessing to many. From April 2024, LCA International Mission is partnering with the LCANZ’s Grow Ministries […]

Do you know a young person who would love to grow in faith and engage with Christians from other countries? Perhaps you are that young person! This is your opportunity to be strengthened in faith and to be a blessing to many.

From April 2024, LCA International Mission is partnering with the LCANZ’s Grow Ministries and working collaboratively with other Churchwide departments and our overseas partners in Malaysia to plan a program that helps young adults to grow as disciples of Jesus and to develop their ability to share the gospel.

There are many expected outcomes. These include the following:

• Participants from the LCANZ and our overseas partner churches will discover a life of radical discipleship, lived in the power of the Holy Spirit, in the sure knowledge of the Father’s love. Their lives may be transformed as they reflect Jesus’ light, experience the freedom of his salvation, delight in knowing their Heavenly Father, and love others as he loves them.
• Participants will be introduced to different spiritual disciplines and church practices, and encouraged to participate for their own spiritual formation.
• Lifelong relationships will be formed between participants; friendships that will allow them to share faith struggles and joys and support one another on their faith journeys.
• The faith communities of which the participants are members will be encouraged to create spaces where the participants belong, are embraced and are enabled to encounter God in a real and personal way, where they will be given opportunities to explore and grow in the gifts they discover God has blessed them with.
• Participants will learn how to work more effectively with people of other cultures and develop relevant attitudes, skills and knowledge that will aid in future cross-cultural engagement.
• Through the practical opportunities available in Australia and Malaysia, participants will gain confidence in evangelism in their local context.

The program will include:
– virtual online connections during which participants will explore the Bible, discuss theology and grow in faith (1.5 hours weekly from April to June 2024 and September to November 2024)
– explorations of Christian spiritual practices (Minimum 7 hours a week from April to June 2024)
– the blessing of being mentored by a mature Christian (18 hours beginning April 2024)
– practice in the discipline of keeping a journal
– practical ministry experience in current congregational context (minimum 18 hours from September 2024 to February 2025)
– Stretch and Grow experience 1 (Adelaide, South Australia 8-15 July 2024)
– Stretch and Grow experience 2 (East Malaysia in January or February 2025 (dates TBC))

Cost: $2,000. Please consider seeking financial assistance from your local church or personal contacts if you are unable to provide the full amount.

This story was also published in the December 2023 edition of Border Crossings, the magazine of LCA International Mission.

If you or someone you know is aged between 18 and 25 years of age and are interested in being involved in this program, please contact Erin Kerber at erin.kerber@lca.org.au or phone (08) 8267 7300. Applications close: 29 January 2024.

If you would like to financially support a young person from Australia or Malaysia to take part in this program, please contact Erin.