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Stepping up to leadership

“Going Somewhere” is an eight-week regional leadership programme for people in their senior high school years, at tertiary study or starting out in their first job. It’s for people who’ve got potential to make a difference but need some encouragement and empowerment to do it. Going Somewhere is also a great opportunity for young adults to meet and be inspired by other leaders in their regions.

What have people said about Going Somewhere?

“Growing up all my life in a Presbyterian church, it is surprising how little I knew about what the Church does or how I hardly knew of any other Presbyterians around my age. Going Somewhere for me was a great way to get to know some more Pressies my age from all around Canterbury. I was looking at the December issue of Spanz and for the first time the people in the magazine weren’t just faces in a picture or people who had written a particular article; they were people I had met, talked with and could tell you something about.

Going Somewhere also taught me about staying strong in faith, and letting things happen the way God wants it. As a youth leader it is so easy to have all these plans and ideas about how things are going to work, forgetting that God has plan and if you put him first and honour him, things will work out greater than you could imagine.

Going somewhere was a great experience for me, all the people I met, the things I learnt and the fun times we had every Thursday night!”

Rose Edgar (Hoon Hay Presbyterian Church, Christchurch)

“Always one to leave it until the last minute, I decided I’d go in the final week of registration. Not knowing what to expect, I walked in the doors of Knox Church. I was greeted by two lovely guys, which eased my nerves a little. I then made my way to where the majority of the population was congregating. Again I was surprised to receive yet more warm welcomes. I later realised my apprehension was completely unnecessary when I discovered what an awesome and open bunch of people they are.

I would look forward to Thursday every week for the next term. Getting to meet up with a bunch of Christians was a totally foreign concept to me. I began to learn lots about myself, about God and how He works. I made new friends and just had an all-round great time away from my normal life.The camp at Akaroa was a real turning point for me. I had indeed learned a load of things, but was still struggling with the feeling I had no direction for my life. It was here I learnt not only how to roast a chicken to perfection, that youth leaders like to steal road signs (and put them back… I think), but how God uses us in so many diverse and wonderful ways to build His kingdom here on earth. I am still not entirely sure what my gifts are, but it doesn’t bother me anymore. I don’t feel lost. I know God wants to use me, and He has my life all planned out just as He promised in Jeremiah 29:11. I just have to trust Him, and listen out for what He’s saying.”

Kate White (Amuri Co-operating Church, Culverden)

Contacts:

Auckland and Waikato:
Wellington:
Ryhan Prasad
Ph: (04) 385-9549
e-mail: ryhan(at)bgi.org.nz 
Christchurch: Running term 3
Robyn Burnett
Ph: (03) 359-0149
Mob: 027 367-1168
e-mail: robyn(at)stmargaretsbishopdale.co.nz 
Dunedin: Running Term 2
Tom Mephem
e-mail: tommepham(at)gmail.com 
Southland: Running Term 2
Stephanie Redhead
Ph: (03) 208-6076
Mob: 027 235-9670
Email: stephanie(at)presbyterian.org.nz

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