Young Life Australia 'Gap Year'

Introduction

It is important to equip young Christian leaders with the tools and experience they need to lead effectively. Too often this process is rushed. The ability to lead, like spiritual maturity and personal skills, needs time to develop.  It has become apparent that if this essential growth time is not taken in the training of young people, a large percentage of them feel ill equipped to lead others well. This situation can cause emotional, mental and spiritual strain, which can cause these young people to no longer want to be youth leaders or even in some cases to no longer desire to follow Christ.

Young Life understands these pressures of youth ministry. The Young Life Gap Year is a new program that will allow trainees to grow into the role of a youth leader over a whole year. They will receive instruction and support while taking on responsibility gradually. The goal of this one year program is not to train up full time staff, but competent volunteer leaders.

The program will be run in Armidale NSW, with all trainees living at ‘Coventry’, a church-owned property just outside of town. Also living at ‘Coventry’ will be a House Parent host couple, who will generally look after both the trainees and the property. The course will begin formally in late January with a training weekend away.

Purpose

The purpose of the course is twofold;

1. To foster and build up a strong base of new youth leaders for the Church through discipleship. The program will focus on Young Life training methods, but is not run with the intention of producing leaders solely for Young Life Armidale.
   
   
2. To encourage and support young people to develop and strengthen their faith in a time of transition. We hope to grow Christian adults who are mature, dependant on Christ and ready to run the race set before them.
   
   

What this course is not

The Gap Year program is not a bible college course or a theological degree. It is a residential extension of the Young Life leadership training already in place.

You may ask “Do I have to be a Young Life leader afterwards?” The Gap Year program is a year-long commitment, but there are no strings attached for where trainees end up the following year. The strategy behind running the course is not to build up the kingdom of Young Life Armidale, but the Kingdom of God.

 

Who can apply?

The course is designed for 17-21 year olds wanting to take a year out of their lives to explore the challenge of Christian youth leadership and discipleship. Candidates should also have:

• A strong personal Christian commitment
• A passion to serve the Lord in reaching out and making disciples of the youth of Armidale
• A desire to learn and a sense of adventure
• A willingness to work as part of a team and to live in a home with a group of people different to themselves
  
  

House Parents

In addition to the trainees, there will be an older, more mature Christian couple living at ‘Coventry’ as House Parents. Their role will be to support the trainees. They will provide pastoral care and mentoring, oversight of the property, and will make sure that the cleaning and cooking done by the trainees is to a high standard.

How much will it cost?

Course fees and rent together will cost $4800 for the year (i.e. $100 per week). This payment does not include Young Life camps or trips away. In addition, trainees will need to pay other living expenses such as electricity, water, phone, internet access and food.