Refreshed by NextGen in the Australian Outback

In this story, we hear from Henk from Southern Cross Presbyterian Church who was served by NextGen's Take Home Kits while holidaying with friends in the Australian Outback this year. 

For the first time in thirty years, Katoomba Christian Convention offered NextGen material in the form of ‘Take Home Kits’, giving delegates the opportunity to replicate the training experience in a manner that best suited their schedules.  

While most of the Take Home Kits were utilised in church halls across the state, a group of ‘Southern Cross Boys’ from Southern Cross Presbyterian in Lismore, brought theirs on a holiday in the Australian Outback. 

​The group consisted of group leader, Henk Breugem and three mates who decided to travel across Australia together. Their travel route gave them access to a wide variety of landscapes as they made pit stops in Townsville, Katherine Gorge, Alice Springs and Uluru.  

According to Henk, the trip was a much-needed break for the whole group and served to refresh them spiritually:  

“A highlight of our trip was not having any deadlines! We had all the time in the world which was awesome because we had so much time to open up God’s word each day and to dwell on it. We had no excuses.”  

Despite being on holidays, the group decided to participate in NextGen, and to use the content in the Take Home Kits to encourage spiritual refreshment and conversations. 

“While travelling, we would listen to the NextGen talks and workshop material, and then discuss what we had learned in the car. Sometimes these conversations would continue over dinner, or while fishing. We were able to sit for a fair bit after each talk to think about them.”  

Since returning home, the Southern Cross Boys have learned to better appreciate God’s provision of showers, the wonders of creation, and NextGen’s role in equipping and enabling their ministry in Lismore. In Henk’s words:  
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“We’re super thankful for what NextGen has provided both this year and in previous years. NextGen has enabled us to teach the next generation in youth and kids ministry, and the talks have shaped our individual lives and given us tools to understand God’s word.”  

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Register for your NextGen Take Home Kit!

Times are quickly changing, so in 2022, NextGen will return in a new and improved format, so that more people can be served by our ministry. In 2021, we are  brainstorming ways in which we can transform our challenges into opportunities, with the aim to relaunch NextGen in 2022, in a new and exciting format! ​

​In the meantime, we are keen to continue serving delegates with our Take Home Kits. Each kit contains:

• 8 powerful Bible talks by Tim Blencowe (Pastor, Macquarie Baptist Church) and Gary Millar (Principal, Queensland Theological College).
• Printed Trainee’s Strand Booklet or Trainer’s Booklet Guide.
• BONUS! Inspiring masterclasses and electives to further equip your group in practical ministry skills.
• Plus, extra supporting materials for your ministry.

To register for yours, visit our website. 

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