Youth soul revival at Gymea Anglican Church

PARISH IN FOCUS: GYMEA

Youth minister Stuart Crawshaw has led Gymea’s youth ministry for the past 15 years. He is assisted by three part-time youth ministers: Fiona Francesconi, Mat Redmond and Jai McMordie, and 50 voluntary leaders. Known as Soul Revival, over 350 teenagers and young adults make up this thriving youth group. Mr Crawshaw has also run an in-house youth ministry training program called Soul Revival Berea for the past seven years. Although it was in hiatus this year, Mr Crawshaw hopes to recommence the program in 2007.

A parish driven from the pews

Gymea has had no full-time rector for the last 14 months after former minister Stuart Findlay moved to Melbourne. Rector’s warden Stephen Leitch says despite this, ministries have been maintained. “This is due to the work that our committed staff and many volunteers are doing,” Mr Leitch says. “The churchwardens have been given a lot of extra responsibilities. But the staff have also. We work with them to see that things run smoothly.”

Bishop to lead church

The Bishop of Wollongong Reg Piper will complete his ministry as Bishop on February 25 and immediately take up the position as the new rector of Gymea Anglican for the next three years.

“People are looking forward to Reg coming as rector. During his time as the regional bishop we have come to know Reg and Dorothy well and have developed a good relationship with them,” Mr Leitch says.

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