This week I’m spending three solid days ‘on team’ with the Deer Park Outdoor Ministry team. Check out my up-to-the-minute micro-blog at twitter.com/jodiemcneill (or just look to the left of the screen on my website.
Category: Outdoor Ministry
There was a time when ‘artificial’ was the buzz. We loved artificial grass, artificial light, artificial sweeteners, and even artificial intelligence. In the last few years our society has been bombarded with artificial community. But, like everything artificial, there is nothing like the real thing!
Read my thoughts on ‘getting away’ in my article published at sydneyanglicans.net, as well as in Christian Venues Association’s ‘Somewhere to Go’ directory.
How often have you heard the saying “Preach the gospel always, and if necessary use words� This oft-repeated quote from St Francis of Assisi is often bandied around as a reminder that our actions speak louder than words. Yet, this motivation to live good lives can easily turn into an excuse not to speak at all.
Read my full thoughts in my article at sydneyanglicans.net.
One of the greatest challenges in youth ministry is making connections – between younger people and older leaders, school students and local churches, and most of all, between believers and unbelievers. Camps are a venue that can achieve all three.
Read more in my monthly article at your.sydneyanglicans.net.
I am thrilled to announce that from January 2008 I will become the Director of Youthworks Camping Ministries. It is a great privilege and honour to lead the outstanding team of staff across our many outdoor centres and specialist ministries throughout Sydney and New South Wales.
Mandy and I are sad to move on from our role in leading the Year 13 Gospel Gap Year course, but are confident that this groundbreaking ministry will continue to grow from strength to strength, under the hand of our great God and the wonderful staff.
In my new role I will be responsible for the overall leadership and development of the Youthworks Camping Ministry Division and the ministry programs conducted from the three main Sydney conference centres at Port Hacking, Shoalhaven and Springwood, and other locations. I will also have specific leadership over the activities at the Port Hacking Conference Centres. I will lead a team of around 100 staff, with whom I will minister to around 45,000 people throughout the year.
It is an exciting challenge, and I look forward to working alongside the outstanding team of skilled and gifted staff, at our world-class conference centres. I am amazed and impressed at the scope and depth of ministry activities performed by the Camping Division, and I look forward to building upon this terrific foundation as we continue to grow the opportunities to proclaim the gospel of Jesus to the people of NSW and beyond.
Please pray for me and Mandy as we change our ministry focus and energy. Please pray that the Camping staff would have great patience with me as I learn the ropes (literally!) and begin to fathom the depths of this extensive ministry. Pray also for Youthworks as we seek my replacement at Year 13, and as the team prepares further for the huge jump in students projected for 2008.
For more information, read the story ‘McNeill’s Mini Move’ at sydneyanglicans.net.