Youthworks looks forward to mission

Natasha Percy | 1 April 2007

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Youthworks’ mission is to partner with churches and schools in the Sydney Diocese, with the goal of presenting the gospel to children and young people, and nurturing their faith as they grow.

Practically, this means helping churches with resources and training at the front line, says Acting CEO Tony Willis. “I want the parishes to see us as here to support the ministry they’re doing,” he says.

Through its four key areas: conference sites, Youthworks College, training and publications, the organisation has seen growth over the past five years, which Mr Willis says is likely to continue into the future.

Some of the ministry challenges are reaching unchurched young people, and making sure youth between primary and high school, and high school and TAFE/university don’t fall through the cracks. “We need to deal with bridging those gaps,” Mr Willis says. “And we need to be more inventive in how we reach kids.”

In the last five years, Youthworks’ income has increased from $7.5 million to $11.5 million. “I have no doubt Zac can continue that growth,” says Mr Willis.

Conference and outdoor centres

Youthworks runs numerous camps from its 10 conference centres, combining outdoor adventure, relationships and gospel teaching. A new centre opened at Shoalhaven in 2003, and a new road was built at Port Hacking. Young staff are equipped for ministry and discipled.

Challenges ahead: presenting the gospel to camps in the face of pressure to leave this message out, maintaining Youthworks’ good reputation for safety and health procedures, hiring quality staff who can relate to young people, keeping occupancy levels up so that sites can be maintained and improved.

Training

Youthworks provides courses in school and church ministry to youth and children, and safe ministry training for children’s and youth workers.
Challenges ahead: maintaining a steady flow of income, recruiting volunteers, keeping SRE in schools.

Youthworks College

Youthworks College is taking in more students and staff now than ever before – and this growth is expected to continue as ministry needs in the Diocese grow. Youthworks graduates have been accepted as candidates for the diaconate and a new Year 13 program is also bringing in more students.

Challenges ahead: space considerations as the college takes in more students, maintaining financial support as the college relies on a supporter base, making sure students are well cared for, and equipped well theologically and practically.

Publications

Over 275,000 students use Youthworks’ SRE resources Australia-wide. Youthworks also produces Bible studies for children and youth, and thought-provoking books for skeptics by authors such as John Dickson.

Challenges ahead: effectively understanding the needs of children and youth in an ever-changing technology and cultural climate, producing materials that are relevant and accessible for youth.

60 seconds with Youthworks’ new CEO

Name: Zac Veron

Current role: Senior Pastor, St George North for the last decade. I’ve seen it grow from 75 people to over 500.

Job before entering ministry: Accountant

Family: Wife Sheree has overseen ministry to women for the last three years in an honorary capacity at St George North. Three daughters at high school: Desiree, Anne and Larissa.

Feelings about the move: I have just given up the best rector’s job in the diocese, one that is very dear to me - but I did so remembering the advice a good friend of mine gave me many years ago: I need to do with my life what will be most effective for the cause of the gospel.

Your strengths: I think I bring to Youthworks strong leadership, strategic planning, vision setting, financial and Bible teaching skills.

How did you become a Christian?: A friend of my mother’s took me to the Sunday school at St Clement’s, Mosman at the age of five. I’ve had the great privilege of being a Christian since then, growing up in children’s groups, Sunday schools and youth groups. Then as I reached adulthood, I was leading children’s groups and youth groups. So I’ve been both a child in a church and a leader of children.

Interests: I love to spend time with my girls at the beach, bodysurfing, fishing, long energetic walks, and I’m enjoying a renewed interest in photography.

What’s with the fish photo?: That was a very large trevally fish that I caught near Lord Howe Island, and a shark ate half of it as I was pulling it in. It’s a special photo but it doesn’t make any sense unless it’s explained!

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