The Youthworks Full Circle
12 March 2025
If you want to know anything about any of Youthworks’ discipleship programs, Jaedon Scott is your man. From starting out as a high school camper at the very first LiT Spring conference in 2016, to completing Year 13 and then going on to study at Youthworks College, Jaedon has done them all!
He’s now a youth minister at Park Rail Anglican Church in Albion Park, teaches high school SRE, is involved in pastoral care and teaching with the Year 13 program, and is a LiT conference Stage 1 director. Jaedon’s story is a powerful account of wrestling with his faith while being supported by Youthworks discipleship programs along the way, and in turn becoming a mentor to youth as they explore faith in the same way he once did.
A first-time LiT camper wrestling with his faith.
Jaedon was encouraged to attend the first ever LiT Spring camp by his church’s senior minister, although he wasn’t that keen on the idea. He only went along because his mates were going. It ended up being really beneficial for him, as at the time he was facing some challenges in his faith. Jaedon says,
“In one sense, I'd thrown Jesus to the side of my life a little bit—He wasn’t at the centre.”
At LiT Jaedon encountered a group of people who, when they found difficulties with the Bible or when things were hard, didn't give up on it. Rather, they dug into God's word, wrestling with the truths of who He is. Jaedon says,
“LiT gave me the groundwork for wrestling with my faith well and for calling Jesus Lord in my life.”
That was nearly 10 years ago. To this day, during their week-long training conference, LiT participants learn essential skills for writing a Bible talk and being involved in various ministries. But the training also helps in other ways, as Jaedon explains,
“LiT helped me to articulate the whole of the Bible and unpack it, which gave me confidence at school to be a Christian and to defend my faith.”
Exploring the Bible in-depth during Year 13.
Having completed all three stages of LiT, and graduated from high school, Jaedon decided to enrol in the Youthworks Year 13 program.
“Doing Year 13 year was fundamental for me in being able to live as an adult in the Christian world.”
Growing up in a Christian family, Jaedon always knew that he belonged to God, but soaking deeply in the Scriptures helped him believe and understand this more fully. Jaedon’s time in the Year 13 program, surrounded by a group of Christians who were all wanting to push each other to grow in Christ, helped him develop firm foundations for his faith.
“During Year 13 you spend so much time putting your roots deep down into the gospel, so that when you go out into the real world, whatever life throws at you, the hope is you won't be shaken, and you'll stay firm in the faith.”
Combining theology study with practical ministry experience.
After Year 13, Jaedon worked in Christian outdoor education for a year, before he felt that God was calling him to pursue long-term ministry. So, he went back to Youthworks, this time studying for an Associate Degree in Ministry at Youthworks College. Here’s what Jaedon enjoyed about his college experience:
“The great thing about Youthworks College is you have two days a week to study, then the rest of the week to get ministry experience. So, you're doing the theoretical learning, and on the ground, you're doing the practical ministry as well.”
This ministry experience included being youth minister at his church as well as working for Year 13 in chaplaincy at a local primary school. Once he’d completed his ministry degree, Jaedon continued in these roles, with his Year 13 role evolving to pastoral care and teaching.
Steve Carlisle, Year 13 Director, says:
“Jaedon is a vital part of the Year 13 team. While it is wonderful to employ those who know and really 'get' Year 13, Jaedon brings so much more to the team than just knowledge of the program. He is now well equipped to preach, teach, disciple and bring wisdom to our students. We are so thankful to God for his provision of such a humble, wise and able servant here at Year 13.”
As a youth minister, Jaedon has a particular focus on teaching high school SRE, offering a pathway for those kids to come through the school into the church youth group he runs.
High School SRE teaching—hard but rewarding!
“SRE in high school is hard work, but it’s really good work.”
Jaedon says that God's been teaching him over the past year that just because something is hard and uncomfortable doesn't mean we shouldn’t be involved. He says,
“It was a tricky first year, but now that I’ve been teaching there for 2 years, I’ve developed the relationships, and those students are wrestling deeply with the gospel.”
From LiT camper to LiT director!
As Stage 1 Director, overseeing around 140 campers, Jaedon’s job at LiT is to make sure the logistics run smoothly. He says,
“My job is to support the leaders, because their job is to help the campers understand all the teaching content while at the same time caring for and loving them.”
“I’ve really come full circle – I attended LiT Spring Stage 1 nine years ago, and now I’m part of a team that is directing it!”
Find out more about Youthworks College or Year 13 programs.