What does your role/work involve?
I work with young people from a wide spectrum of society both in a secular and ministry role. I am also involved in project management, and funding and administrative work. That’s the great thing about working at BGI (Wellington Boys and Girls Institute); you get to learn and use so many diff erent skills while doing youth work.
Why did you choose this ministry?
It could be argued that the ministry chose me! I have been a youth worker of some description for about 12 years now, in both voluntary and paid roles. I used to work in a family business as a sales manager but my wife Ani and I both said if we were going to be serious about our ministry, then we had to do it full time if the opportunity presented itself and then with BGI it did.
What have you learned about God through this work?
I have learnt that God is about grace and love above all else; that he is relational in nature and that we need to show this grace and love in the relationships we have with each other.
What is the most exciting thing about being involved in it?
Being able to run the youth ministry at St John’s in the City through BGI is really amazing and fun. BGI allows us to be very creative and forward-thinking in all the programmes we run. Being able to transfer that energy and resourcing over to local parish ministry is a great blessing. As I said, being able to do so many different things is a constant challenge and motivation. One week we could be taking 50 young people on a camp to Parachute and the next we could be sitting down with city councilors discussing a new café in Wellington for young people; pretty exciting stuff
What have been the biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge as always is funding; never knowing if next year a particular programme is going to have enough money to keep going. Also working in the secular industry as well as in ministry can create some tough situations with different points of view on certain issues, but this is a good tension to be a part of because it lets two different world views interact and dialogue together, hopefully with a positive solution and way forward.
Who has inspired you?
Jesus Christ (pretty standard answer I guess), Ani my wife (who is the most amazing, beautiful person ever!), Graham Redding, Ross Davis and all the young people who I work with everyday.
Where to from here/what are you future plans?
At the moment we have just had a three-month-old baby boy called Elihu and bought our first home, so I am splitting my time between work and being a dad and trying to get the balance right. Youth ministry is where God has called me to be right now but wherever the Spirit leads I hope we as a family are brave enough to follow.
Do you have any recommended books/CDs?
The Bible, Pilgrims Progress (really dry at times but such a well-thought-out and clever book), Tracey Chapman’s CD New Beginning and some of Kanye Wests stuff is just awesome!
Where can I learn more about what you do?
Check out www.stjohnsinthecity.org.nz or give us a ring at BGI on (04) 385-9549