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At the last gathering, Jeff shared his dream for his ministry at the school. Here’s my notes.

Four years ago he felt the call to the local community. So in turn, he offered his services as a youth worker to the local secondary school in Noble Park. It was for three days, no pay and was accepted by the school - despite concerns about religion, which were worked through to the satisfaction of both sides. Even though it meant that Jeff and his family lost a wage, God provided.

From the first day at school, he went from driven and knowing where he was going, to not knowing what would happen. Went from middle class church to working class school life, with lots of cultural differences and him being the same age as their parents.

Being so different, he had to find some common ground, which he did through sport. He would play basketball with kids he wanted to connect with, which gave them a common ground and a basis on which to be listened to.

Last year he did a survey - 80% of kids were not involved in sport and 70% said they would be, if finance, transport and parents/culture allowed.

He wants to do good works at the school, but his evangelist heart wanted to get kids to know Jesus. However, he was struggling to find a local youth group that he could introduce them to.

So instead he came up with a concept, which he named Ignite. The aim is to use basketball and dance to develop kids wholistically. He has unquestioning school support for Ignite, including the spiritual side.

At the moment, they are doing after school sports, with 80 kids joining in. They will be starting Saturday morning coaching and hope to start two teams in local competitions in Term 4.

Ignite would run on a five week rotating program, covering Team Building, Leadership Development, Life Q & A, Pay it Forward and a meal together. As they will need support to purchase uniforms, pay fees etc, this will look at how they can repay this generosity through some of their own. They hope to start volleyball and dance next year.

The other side of Ignite would be a Youth Centre. There is a local Council sports pavillion which is only being used twice a week. They will propose to use it as the Youth Centre at other times - refurbish and set it up for activities, events, counselling etc.

Jeff finished by sharing the following verses: Matthew 5:13-16 John 15:1-8 Matthew 28:19-20

and asking the questions:

1. Imagine Jesus came back for a few years to your neighbourhood. Where do you think he would be? What do you think he would be doing? How would he be light in this neighbourhood?

2. If we are so much better off (in terms of godliness) when we are well connected to the vine (that is Christ), then what stops us from being well connected? How do you connect? How can we grow well connected to the vine culture at the Junction?

Good things to consider.

Michelle