JourneyOnline
SOUTH ROCKHAMPTON Uniting Church is proud to offer a special home to young people – and not just any home.
The church’s HOME or House of Mission and Evangelism is an initiative where young people are challenged and supported to live in a sustainable Christian community.
While at HOME, they receive training, mentoring, and encouragement for ministry practice in the church and wider community, while still working or studying.
Discipleship and Personal Development Committee member Steven Bray explained that HOME first began under the passion and leadership of the church’s former youth and family pastor, Jeff Savage.
“Pastor Jeff has since moved to Western Australia, but we are working to keep HOME going and building greater ownership of this initiative through church members,” Mr Bray said.
“Our HOME is actually the ex-manse next door to the church, which has been renovated and is suitable for four people.
“We currently have two people in the HOME and are looking for two more.”
Sulakshi de Silva, one of HOME’s current participants, is enthusiastic about her time at the centre, particularly as she believes it has deepened her relationship with God and opened her eyes to other worlds.
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of HOME and learning to live together in an intentional Christian community to serve others,” said Ms de Silva.
“We’ve been involved in Second Chance Ministry, where we give out food to the people in the streets of Rockhampton with the aim of shedding the light of Jesus into their lives.
“We’ve also organised prayer breakfasts as part of the 40 days of Community campaign and have welcomed speakers from organisations like Blue Care, the SES, the Salvation Army, and the Royal Flying Doctors Service.”
Ms de Silva believes another bonus to her HOME experience has been getting to know other people in different ways.
“Our Monday night devotions not only helped us grow closer to God, it was also a place where we could share what God was doing in our lives with other members of HOME,” she said.
“HOME was a hospitable place where members of the church could come and hang out as well.
“I think there’s a lot you can learn by being a part of HOME.
“You have to put in about five or six hours into your Christian commitment each week as part of living in the HOME, but it’s well worth the effort as you grow closer to God and step out in faith to serve others.”
To participate in HOME requires submission of a written application and an interview.
Each participant is expected to work with the HOME co-ordinator and a mentor to develop a Ministry Plan for their time.
For more information, call Andrew McCosh HOME co-ordinator on 0427 686 033 or Steven Bray on 0428 103 072.Photo : Stephen Kumar and Sulakshi deSilva from the HOME working on the Second Chance Ministry food van supporting the homeless and economic disadvantaged in the Rockhampton community. Photo by Steven Bray
