Home » Ministries » Youth Ministry » Fuel Magazine » All Issues » Fuel Autumn 2007 : Mission Possible » Latest youth developments in the Global Mission office

Latest youth developments in the Global Mission office

There’s another exciting development in the GMO office this year…. the first ever GMO intern:GMO intern, that’s me… ’Global Emily’.

If someone had told me half way through last year that I was going to be living in Auckland for 2007, I would have laughed and said "no way" ! I have always wanted to be involved in mission at some stage in my life. I was keen to take a year out after school and do something different before I went to university, a type of GAP year. So then, a country girl from Darfield (a small town in Canterbury) ends up moving to Auckland in order to fulfill God’s call. I had to say ‘goodbye’ to quiet, open spaces and ‘bring it on’ to crowds of people and traffic!

I am 18 years old, just out of Secondary School. I went to Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch and Middleton Grange for my primary school. I grew up spiritually in a little, country Presbyterian Church, the Malvern Co-operating Parish but during Secondary School I attended the Spreydon Baptist Church in Christchurch because they had a really encouraging youth group.

I am the first intern at the Global Mission Office, which is pretty exciting. While I work for GMO, I am also studying towards a Certificate in Applied Theology at Carey Bible College, Penrose, and will be working in the Ohahuhu community with various art programs for youth to get involved in. At the end of the year I am hoping to serve in mission overseas myself.

I’m looking forward to a great year of growth and learning more about Jesus while helping and encouraging others where I can.

Emily

The Global Mission Office is committed to getting young people overseas. For the last eight months Josh Firth has headed up the Global Youth Project jointly funded by PSDS and the GMO. Josh explains what he was able to achieve now that the project has come to an end.

What was the Project?
I have worked full time at the Global Mission Office dedicated to youth mission. We called it ‘Global Youth’. It means I was dedicated to seeing momentum grow in my generation for Global Mission.

So what do you do?
My job was to get young people enthusiastic about mission as well as help create youth mission trips and opportunities. This involved anything from creating brochures and speaking at youth camps. A lot of work is needed to get the message out to young people.

What’s different about Global Youth?
The most unique thing about Global Youth is that it’s tailor-made for you. We take a "what-is-your-youth-group-passionate-about" attitude rather than trying to fit you into an existing project mould. Because of this we are way more flexible than other mission organisations, and of course we’re Presbyterian! The Global Mission Office is part of the national church and exist solely to support the Presbyterian & Uniting youth around the nation. That means we’ll look after you…

So what are the plans?
Already with Project07 we have several trips planned for this year. Movements are in place to see a trip from the southland region to Zambia, and a Dunedin trip to Malawi is also on the go. As well as these new initiatives, we would like to see new groups go to Taiwan, Vanuatu and Jamaica. We’re encouraging follow up trips to Nepal and Myanmar. We want to continue and grow stronger relationships with global contacts and partner with them in the good work that is happening in their part of the world. Another exciting project has been organising a PCANZ hosted youth conference for CWM Pacific region churches. The delegates will be attending Connect07 as part of their time here, so do make them feel welcome!

Anyone can go on any of these trips, and they are all subject to gathering a minimum group of 5 people from around NZ– so if any of these places interest you, please contact the GMO. Now is good!

Email: globalyouth(at)xtra.co.nz