If there’s one thing Matt Stones and Aiden Sibrava agree on, it’s the importance of teaching youth about Jesus through the Bible.
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The pair are part of the ministry team at Gunnedah Anglican Church and oversee its long-running youth group.
On Fridays in the church hall, youth from Years 7-12 receive a weekly dose of fun, friendship, fellowship and teaching from leaders who are passionate about helping them find their place in the world.
“It’s thinking about how we discuss things with youth, how we encourage them, how we answer their questions,” Aiden said.
“We want to give kids the opportunity to delve into something meaningful.
“We’ve been really intentional about having a youth group that focuses on Jesus and getting into the word.
“Hopefully with the program we’re using, we’re preparing youth well for life and the world.”
Matt said the focus this term was answering the questions of “how do I live out my faith in the real world?” and “how do we stand up for Jesus when the world doesn’t want us to?”.
The recent Youth Muster addressed some of these issues, with teenagers from Gunnedah, Narrabri, Armidale, Tamworth, Moree, Tenterfield and Wee Waa gathering in Bingara to network and find out more.
“Times like that are really key for the whole youth group to bond, to grow and build relationships,” Aiden said.
Fellow leader Julie Thomason was among those who attended the muster, and said many of the youth had the same questions and concerns.
“How do they stand apart at school from those who don’t profess to believe in Christ? That identity of who they are,” she said.
“Part of what we do [at youth group] is teach them who they are in Christ. How are they different? How are they the same? They're looking for a set of guidelines to live by.”
The three youth leaders said youth group provided an opportunity to build relationships both between youth and leaders, and the youth themselves.
“Particularly for seniors, we’ve noticed relationships are massively important [and] there’s some great space to create those relationships,” he said.
“You’ve got to create relationships to be able to have meaningful input into their lives.
“You have to have trust in the relationship. You kind of can’t do anything in ministry in the world if you don’t have that.”
Matt said the leaders aimed to create an environment where youth could feel comfortable to ask questions and to share their struggles and frustrations.
“Kids can feel safe to chat to leaders about whatever they want to,” he said.
Gunnedah Anglican Youth is held every Friday of the school term. Youth group for juniors (Years 7-9) is from 6pm-8pm, and seniors (Years 10-12) is 7pm-9pm.
