Partnering with local churches leads to young lives being oriented to Christ!
Josh Hayward came to know Jesus as his saviour when he was in year 11. It was a moment he says he realised the scope of his rejection toward and infinitely Holy God, yet also the wonderful grace of that God towards him.
But those early years were also a test for his faith, particularly at school and amongst friends, where lunchtime talk wasn’t helping him grow in his faith. In that time Josh was thankful for the leaders and Christian peers at youth group who spurred him on to be assured of God’s love.
“I was really thankful for my peers at church and at some other churches as well. I'm really thankful for the way that they just kept patiently loving me and reminding me of God's love for me… It took me a while to grasp and be continually assured and certain of that love, but it was really a beautiful thing,” Josh recalls.
The impact of those peers and leaders led Josh to take his faith more seriously and seek out deeper training and equipping, first on the leaders in Training camps run by Youthworks, then by undertaking a gap year with Year 13, which he says he is thankful to God for.
“It was a year of growth and discipleship. Of being challenged and rebuked and strengthened, and encouraged as I served in Year 13 and in my local church,” says Josh.
It was thanks to friends like you investing in youth ministry and programs like Year 13 that Josh was given the opportunity to grow closer to Christ by faith, and be equipped to serve him wherever Josh is.
Now, Josh is working in children’s and youth ministry, faithfully passing on the Gospel he was told by his leaders and youth workers.
Josh was able to be trained for his role at Youthworks College, where he received a rich understanding of theology and the practical out workings of ministry to young people.
“I can't fathom what Ministry would look like without that training. I think I may have a Theological qualification, but I wouldn't really know how to lend that in the lives of a year six boy or a year 11 girl. I wouldn't, as deeply understand what's going on in the life of youth to then be able to speak to the Gospel into that,” he says.
From a young man learning about the God who loves him deeply, to a youth pastor discipling other young people, Josh’s journey has only been possible thanks to the support of friends like you.
Thank you for helping orient young people like Josh to live their lives for Jesus. Your investment made the difference for Josh and many others like him.