Monthly Archives: March 2020

Baptist, News

The blessings of diminished capacity, tiredness and God’s grace – Jess Groszek

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

The blessings of diminished capacity, tiredness and God’s grace – Jess Groszek

Jess Groszek and family

The year was 2015. I had one child at home, one on the way and I was trying to do it all. I had been asked to help provide some pastoral care within a large organization where many were suddenly processing their redundancies. I sat with people who felt uncertain about the future, who last week felt things were on track in their lives, and suddenly were confused or angry or resigned to the shape of their future. I listened and provided what support I could. One person, despite the whirlwind of emotion, paused to ask me what I usually do for work. My response was straight to the point: “I have just been made redundant. And my husband has also been made redundant.” We sat together in empathy for one another’s situations.

 

Since Chris and I married in 2013, we have experienced together four redundancies, the birth of three children, four houses, two graduate degrees and seven jobs. God has moved us through disappointment to greater clarity over these years. But there have been days full of struggle, juggle and sheer frustration. I feel the pull of my passion and gifting to lead others within the community through my role as Campus Pastor in Surrey Hills with NewHope Baptist Church. But I also feel the desire to cherish and lead my little herd and make the most of every opportunity. At the heart of my struggle has been dealing daily with the lie that I can do it all.

 

The truth is that women can achieve in all areas of skill, capacity and diligence. However, this truth has become increasingly twisted. Firstly, we are told our ability is self-made; secondly, that each one of us can achieve in every area; and thirdly, that each one of us can achieve in every area in every season. I have fallen victim to the plethora of television experts teaching me how to do ordinary things on a grand scale. And I have been tempted to busy my life in all directions to gain acceptance in a fast-paced society. Undoing this lie in me has been akin to unknotting my daughter’s wild hair – a slow and painful process. It has been slow because I believed the lies for too long, and painful because I let my identity become entangled in it. But, through His grace, God has been slowly unwinding the lie – to the point where I can see more clearly the blessing of weakness, of reduced capacity and of tiredness.

 

Blessed with reduced capacity

Within the context of community I have found that my children have compounded the opportunities for connection and ministry. In their circles and interactions, they constantly invite me into relationships to the point where I always have the opportunity to be around others. Yet ironically, my capacity to make the most of these opportunities is frustratingly diminished. My brain is foggy, the time is short, the conversations out of my control – and, very often, cut short. In reality, conversations have never been in my control, but in this new season, I am aware that the moment could pass at any stage. I have learned that God is in control. In my leadership decisions, I seek to be present in the conversation, ready to listen and encourage where I can.   

 

Through practising leadership over many years, I have learnt that I love to achieve, make things happen and see things through. People come to me if they want to get things off the ground. Now with children, my time for outward-focused mission activity has diminished. I need to be more strategic about what I achieve. Having a list of tasks that are ticked off at the end of the day may fill my tank, but I am now asking myself, what should even make it onto the list in the first place? The result is that as I have sought to become more fruitful, my house has become messier. I find myself investing more in people, taking on formal mentoring roles, learning to listen and love others, and being less distracted by the tidiness of my house. I am learning to be comfortable with the house and enjoying transformation through deep relationships. My reduced capacity has helped me to undo the “I can do it all” lie.

 

Blessed with tiredness

Despite suffering from chronic fatigue well before having children, I have never known tiredness quite like I do now. I need forgiveness constantly as I stumble through the days. There have been many days where all I can think about is going to bed that night. I used to bemoan that I need more sleep than the average person. It is frustrating for an achiever to be rendered unconscious for an extra few hours per day. I began to resent the need for rest. But, a wise friend encouraged me to regard sleep as worship. It is the time of the day where I can say to God, “I can’t go on. I trust you to hold the world in your hands while I am out to it. I trust you to look after my child who has croup. I trust you to restore me as I sleep. I trust that you will give me enough grace for tomorrow’s feeble efforts.” It is a time to acknowledge my weakness and God’s providence. My tiredness is a blessing and reminds me to focus on the one who leads me beside still waters.  

 

Blessed with sufficient grace

Just last month my grandmother passed away, at the age of 96. A fond memory is a regular trip from the farm to town in the old Toyota. Without fail she played her favourite cassette. She would sing along, “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus! That’s all I ask of you!” As a child, I had no idea what it meant. “Each day always comes after the other. You never have two days at once. What does this song mean?” Now with the demands of regular adult life, I have come to understand why my grandmother sang with fervor. I slump into bed at the end of the day, with no reserves. I was granted enough energy for the day and plenty of grace for my failings. Now, I need His grace to get through another – with the demands of ministry and children and daily life. I have learned that I can’t do it all – or at least, not all at once. In fact, in my exhaustion and inability to go on, I can do nothing. God reminds me constantly that, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

 

In this season of family life and the desire to make Jesus’ name known in Surrey Hills, I have been untangling myself from the lie that I once bought into. I can’t do it all. Actually, I can’t do anything. As a leader, I do not want to lead others into the lie, for them to feel the same frustration, struggle and juggle that I have had. God is the giver of grace for our family and ministry. I am grateful to be leading with limited capacity, with tiredness and with grace that is sufficient for today.

 

Jess Groszek is the Surrey Hills Campus Pastor with NewHope Baptist Church. She also serves as a Sports Chaplain at Surrey Park Swimming Club. Her day to day is filled with caring for three young children and trying to keep life simple in a complex world. 

Baptist

The blessings of diminished capacity, tiredness and God’s grace – Jess Groszek

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

The blessings of diminished capacity, tiredness and God’s grace – Jess Groszek

Jess Groszek and family

The year was 2015. I had one child at home, one on the way and I was trying to do it all. I had been asked to help provide some pastoral care within a large organization where many were suddenly processing their redundancies. I sat with people who felt uncertain about the future, who last week felt things were on track in their lives, and suddenly were confused or angry or resigned to the shape of their future. I listened and provided what support I could. One person, despite the whirlwind of emotion, paused to ask me what I usually do for work. My response was straight to the point: “I have just been made redundant. And my husband has also been made redundant.” We sat together in empathy for one another’s situations.

 

Since Chris and I married in 2013, we have experienced together four redundancies, the birth of three children, four houses, two graduate degrees and seven jobs. God has moved us through disappointment to greater clarity over these years. But there have been days full of struggle, juggle and sheer frustration. I feel the pull of my passion and gifting to lead others within the community through my role as Campus Pastor in Surrey Hills with NewHope Baptist Church. But I also feel the desire to cherish and lead my little herd and make the most of every opportunity. At the heart of my struggle has been dealing daily with the lie that I can do it all.

 

The truth is that women can achieve in all areas of skill, capacity and diligence. However, this truth has become increasingly twisted. Firstly, we are told our ability is self-made; secondly, that each one of us can achieve in every area; and thirdly, that each one of us can achieve in every area in every season. I have fallen victim to the plethora of television experts teaching me how to do ordinary things on a grand scale. And I have been tempted to busy my life in all directions to gain acceptance in a fast-paced society. Undoing this lie in me has been akin to unknotting my daughter’s wild hair – a slow and painful process. It has been slow because I believed the lies for too long, and painful because I let my identity become entangled in it. But, through His grace, God has been slowly unwinding the lie – to the point where I can see more clearly the blessing of weakness, of reduced capacity and of tiredness.

 

Blessed with reduced capacity

Within the context of community I have found that my children have compounded the opportunities for connection and ministry. In their circles and interactions, they constantly invite me into relationships to the point where I always have the opportunity to be around others. Yet ironically, my capacity to make the most of these opportunities is frustratingly diminished. My brain is foggy, the time is short, the conversations out of my control – and, very often, cut short. In reality, conversations have never been in my control, but in this new season, I am aware that the moment could pass at any stage. I have learned that God is in control. In my leadership decisions, I seek to be present in the conversation, ready to listen and encourage where I can.   

 

Through practising leadership over many years, I have learnt that I love to achieve, make things happen and see things through. People come to me if they want to get things off the ground. Now with children, my time for outward-focused mission activity has diminished. I need to be more strategic about what I achieve. Having a list of tasks that are ticked off at the end of the day may fill my tank, but I am now asking myself, what should even make it onto the list in the first place? The result is that as I have sought to become more fruitful, my house has become messier. I find myself investing more in people, taking on formal mentoring roles, learning to listen and love others, and being less distracted by the tidiness of my house. I am learning to be comfortable with the house and enjoying transformation through deep relationships. My reduced capacity has helped me to undo the “I can do it all” lie.

 

Blessed with tiredness

Despite suffering from chronic fatigue well before having children, I have never known tiredness quite like I do now. I need forgiveness constantly as I stumble through the days. There have been many days where all I can think about is going to bed that night. I used to bemoan that I need more sleep than the average person. It is frustrating for an achiever to be rendered unconscious for an extra few hours per day. I began to resent the need for rest. But, a wise friend encouraged me to regard sleep as worship. It is the time of the day where I can say to God, “I can’t go on. I trust you to hold the world in your hands while I am out to it. I trust you to look after my child who has croup. I trust you to restore me as I sleep. I trust that you will give me enough grace for tomorrow’s feeble efforts.” It is a time to acknowledge my weakness and God’s providence. My tiredness is a blessing and reminds me to focus on the one who leads me beside still waters.  

 

Blessed with sufficient grace

Just last month my grandmother passed away, at the age of 96. A fond memory is a regular trip from the farm to town in the old Toyota. Without fail she played her favourite cassette. She would sing along, “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus! That’s all I ask of you!” As a child, I had no idea what it meant. “Each day always comes after the other. You never have two days at once. What does this song mean?” Now with the demands of regular adult life, I have come to understand why my grandmother sang with fervor. I slump into bed at the end of the day, with no reserves. I was granted enough energy for the day and plenty of grace for my failings. Now, I need His grace to get through another – with the demands of ministry and children and daily life. I have learned that I can’t do it all – or at least, not all at once. In fact, in my exhaustion and inability to go on, I can do nothing. God reminds me constantly that, ‘“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).

 

In this season of family life and the desire to make Jesus’ name known in Surrey Hills, I have been untangling myself from the lie that I once bought into. I can’t do it all. Actually, I can’t do anything. As a leader, I do not want to lead others into the lie, for them to feel the same frustration, struggle and juggle that I have had. God is the giver of grace for our family and ministry. I am grateful to be leading with limited capacity, with tiredness and with grace that is sufficient for today.

 

Jess Groszek is the Surrey Hills Campus Pastor with NewHope Baptist Church. She also serves as a Sports Chaplain at Surrey Park Swimming Club. Her day to day is filled with caring for three young children and trying to keep life simple in a complex world. 

Source: BUV News

Baptist

Leading in the middle – Robyn Song

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

Leading in the middle – Robyn Song

Robyn Song
Robyn is single, female, Asian, a migrant, a leader and a mother of four. But these titles don’t confine her. She is a woman who is cutting a path for others, as she stretches the perceptions and expectations of her peers. Change has not come through a desire for leadership, but through listening and learning along the way. In many aspects of her life she finds herself in the middle, acting as a bridge for others – a bridge for international students into community, for people of diverse background into theology, for women into leadership, for Western leaders in understanding a non-Western voice and perspective.

Robyn was born in South Korea, as one of five siblings. She’s in the middle. At the age of 19 her family moved to Sydney, following the calling of her father as a Baptist pastor. She moved to Melbourne in 2000, and life was full with volunteering within her church community, running her own business, and bringing up a family.

“It was a very busy period.” Robyn confesses as she reflects on her journey over the last decade.

And yet, even in the busyness of life, Robyn felt a strong desire to know God more, and decided to invest in this relationship through enrolment at Whitley College.

This step of faith was not supported by many in her life, partly due to women not being widely accepted in leadership at the time. As a forerunner for other women, she needed strength to persist in her on-going commitment of serving and learning. And it has been precisely in her place of her ministry that she has found a significant leadership opportunity, as she assisted in the coordination of the Whitley College TransFormation program, an innovative and accessible Diploma for culturally and linguistically diverse theology students.

While studying at Whitley, becoming a pastor was not in Robyn’s thoughts, however God slowly unfolded his plans for her life. Robyn took up an internship role with Auburn Baptist Church as community development coordinator of AuburnHub – a hospitality space and English classes for migrants and international students.

Rev Darren Cronshaw of Auburn Baptist Church affirms Robyn’s capacity to effectively bridge the cultural divide. “One of Robyn’s best contributions to the church is helping us understand what it takes to be a church that is hospitable and welcoming to people of different cultures. We want non-Westerners not just to be welcome as visitors but also to be included as equals.”

Robyn also served as part of the BUV multi-cultural ministry group for 12 years and has been also a part of the BUV Mission Grants Panel for the last six years.

“I was influenced by many good women leaders, especially at Whitley and BUV. It’s very inspiring to see them stand up and take up their calling. I also saw many examples of men and women working well together. These gave me confidence to play a role in the areas where I serve.”

In 2015, Robyn was offered the role as a pastor for the English service at Bentleigh and Korean Baptist church. She is one of the first female Korean pastors, especially in the Baptist world. Now looking back, Robyn can see a change in culture over the last 15 years, as more women are offered opportunities to lead. She encourages women of diverse background to embrace their culture.

“Don’t be somebody that you are not. Embrace both cultures as your being the middle person can bridge the difference across cultures.”

Robyn describes this position in the middle as a fortunate position, “I learn to be Korean as well as Aussie. I am both and I embrace both. The blessing is double!”

In her capacity as a member of the BUV Multicultural ministry group, Robyn reviewed the Soong Chan-Rah publication, “The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the church from Western Cultural Captivity.” One of the key insights she draws out is that:

“part of what is needed for non-Western leaders to have their voices invited and their leadership welcome … A dilemma for non-Western leaders is that they often have a passion for mission, deep experiences of faith and ideas for how the church can flourish, but they also hold values about respect for leaders especially in the church. Thus they may be hesitant to offer their contributions if they are not invited.”

Finding her own voice has been a long season of learning for Robyn, as she is naturally a very shy and introverted person.

“Over the years, I learnt to speak up. It took me almost twenty years of learning. I used to filter what I wanted to say, as very often, I understand the conversations from both Australian and a multicultural point of view. It can be challenging but also an opportunity to help others see the other side of the story.”

Her hope for the future is compelling. Having already experienced much cultural change in the last two decades, she longs for more.

“I would encourage women to take up their calling and challenge, get out of their comfort zone, make themselves available to see other cultures and be inspired for change.”

But she also issues a challenge to existing church leadership to be more open-minded and to give opportunities, training and encouragement for women to lead so that others can see and follow.

“This will encourage more women leaders and I believe that change can happen.”

Robyn Song is a Pastor at Bentleigh and Korean Baptist church and also a 2020 Ordinand.  

Source: BUV News

Baptist

Watching for a bend in the road – Christine Wanstall

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

Watching for a bend in the road – Christine Wanstall

Christine Wanstall

Growing up in 1970s Grafton NSW, Christine was more than familiar with the local joke that the most interesting thing to do in town was watch a bend in the road. It was true that outside of sport, there were not a lot of opportunities for young people. However, Christine was the sort that threw herself fully into the opportunities that Grafton did present and became involved in netball, rowing and music.

When the Canadian Leighton Ford went to Grafton in the mid 1980’s, Christine attended the Crusade with her youth group. She was skeptical of the altar call, but felt God strongly drawing her forward. The Crusade was a deposit of strength to be drawn upon one year on when Christine’s father tragically died at home of a massive heart attack.

“The night that my father passed away, I remember opening my Bible and pulling out a tract that I had been given from the Leighton Ford Crusade. The passage I went to regarding grief was Romans 8:39 – There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. There was this really strong reassurance of God being with me.”

With God’s presence in her life, Christine took the bend in the road, and left Grafton. She met her husband David and together, they made the move to Victoria. Christine started working in front-line child protection and then later in hospital social work, and David worked as a chemical engineer. They had two children in this time and were involved in a church plant in Port Arlington.

David then went on to study at Bible College and began work in pastoral ministry. This was a time for Christine of grappling with her role in ministry.

“Was I the pastor’s wife? I wasn’t typical. I wasn’t interested in leading the women’s group. I spoke bluntly at times. When we got married, I knew that David would be heading into church leadership roles. And at the time, there were not many women who were in those leadership roles. And the models of it did not resonate for me.”

Whilst there was a clear leadership path for her to follow in her work career, there was not a pattern for her prophetic gift in church leadership. In the struggle to find her contribution, Christine pursued God more fervently.

“Back in the 90s, if I were a man, I would have been given a lot more opportunities. I would have been asked to preach more and encouraged to go to Bible college. However, if I had pursued church leadership, I suspect I would have burnt out or blown up – because of the internal insecurity that sat with me. The struggle of working out my role and purpose forced the conversation about identity, which then allowed God to do that work inside me. I love what I do, but I would be okay without it.”

The lack of a clear-cut path for her was ultimately a gift in discovering her true identity.

In the years, to come she learned to challenge the natural instinct for criticism and comparison and resist the lie that her generation was sold – the lie that she could do it all. Her daughter’s fifth birthday party is etched in her memory as a day when this lie was well and truly exposed. After a long and difficult shift at the hospital, working with expectant mothers at risk, she bolted home to finish preparations for the party, welcome fifteen five-year olds into her home, present the home-baked and decorated cake and the hand-made snacks which eventually burned in the oven. But all she actually wanted was rest and peace.

“We are told you can be a mum, you can be a career woman, you can have a perfect house, you can home bake your bread every day. That is a flat out lie.”

But, more than learning to overcome the negative influences of our culture, Christine’s lack of obvious role models in her gifting caused her to focus on the Giver of her gift. She was spurred on to what God was calling her to, her purpose in the kingdom and recognising God’s love and his care for her as his child.

It was God’s clear guidance that helped Christine plant herself where she is today. In 2013, in another season of searching and discontent, Christine sensed God asking her, “What would you do if you could do anything?” And there was no doubt in her response: “I would like to be a church health consultant.” That same day, she walked into training at the BUV where she was volunteering and was told of a job opening. Since 2014, she has filled the role of church health consultant. 

The path to this point has had many bends in the road. Without the typical pattern to follow, Christine has challenged negative culture and limiting expectations within the church. In her struggle and formation, she is quick to acknowledge the role of mentors. There have been many women who have called out gifts and encouraged her to stop emulating others and be who God created her to be. And while some in ministry have not encouraged her, there have been men in leadership who have provided insight into her gifting and capacity. Christine places a high value on mentoring – those who will call out gifts, recognize capacity and create opportunities.

For those who face an unclear path, with gifts or capacities that seem to be unusual, Christine’s pursuit of God offers great encouragement. The path that is unclear and the road with unknown bends offers the hard-won opportunity to know one’s identity that reaches beyond a role.

Christine Wanstall is a Church Health Consultant for the Baptist Union of Victoria. She is a trained Social Worker (Bachelor of Social Work) with over 22 years of experience working in Child Protection, Hospitals and Local Government settings. Christine is also a 2020 Ordinand. 

Source: BUV News

Baptist, News

Watching for a bend in the road – Christine Wanstall

This month, we are celebrating International Women's Day by featuring stories of courage and determination by ordinary women who are playing extraordinary roles within our Baptist community.

Watching for a bend in the road – Christine Wanstall

Christine Wanstall

Growing up in 1970s Grafton NSW, Christine was more than familiar with the local joke that the most interesting thing to do in town was watch a bend in the road. It was true that outside of sport, there were not a lot of opportunities for young people. However, Christine was the sort that threw herself fully into the opportunities that Grafton did present and became involved in netball, rowing and music.

When the Canadian Leighton Ford went to Grafton in the mid 1980’s, Christine attended the Crusade with her youth group. She was skeptical of the altar call, but felt God strongly drawing her forward. The Crusade was a deposit of strength to be drawn upon one year on when Christine’s father tragically died at home of a massive heart attack.

“The night that my father passed away, I remember opening my Bible and pulling out a tract that I had been given from the Leighton Ford Crusade. The passage I went to regarding grief was Romans 8:39 – There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. There was this really strong reassurance of God being with me.”

With God’s presence in her life, Christine took the bend in the road, and left Grafton. She met her husband David and together, they made the move to Victoria. Christine started working in front-line child protection and then later in hospital social work, and David worked as a chemical engineer. They had two children in this time and were involved in a church plant in Port Arlington.

David then went on to study at Bible College and began work in pastoral ministry. This was a time for Christine of grappling with her role in ministry.

“Was I the pastor’s wife? I wasn’t typical. I wasn’t interested in leading the women’s group. I spoke bluntly at times. When we got married, I knew that David would be heading into church leadership roles. And at the time, there were not many women who were in those leadership roles. And the models of it did not resonate for me.”

Whilst there was a clear leadership path for her to follow in her work career, there was not a pattern for her prophetic gift in church leadership. In the struggle to find her contribution, Christine pursued God more fervently.

“Back in the 90s, if I were a man, I would have been given a lot more opportunities. I would have been asked to preach more and encouraged to go to Bible college. However, if I had pursued church leadership, I suspect I would have burnt out or blown up – because of the internal insecurity that sat with me. The struggle of working out my role and purpose forced the conversation about identity, which then allowed God to do that work inside me. I love what I do, but I would be okay without it.”

The lack of a clear-cut path for her was ultimately a gift in discovering her true identity.

In the years, to come she learned to challenge the natural instinct for criticism and comparison and resist the lie that her generation was sold – the lie that she could do it all. Her daughter’s fifth birthday party is etched in her memory as a day when this lie was well and truly exposed. After a long and difficult shift at the hospital, working with expectant mothers at risk, she bolted home to finish preparations for the party, welcome fifteen five-year olds into her home, present the home-baked and decorated cake and the hand-made snacks which eventually burned in the oven. But all she actually wanted was rest and peace.

“We are told you can be a mum, you can be a career woman, you can have a perfect house, you can home bake your bread every day. That is a flat out lie.”

But, more than learning to overcome the negative influences of our culture, Christine’s lack of obvious role models in her gifting caused her to focus on the Giver of her gift. She was spurred on to what God was calling her to, her purpose in the kingdom and recognising God’s love and his care for her as his child.

It was God’s clear guidance that helped Christine plant herself where she is today. In 2013, in another season of searching and discontent, Christine sensed God asking her, “What would you do if you could do anything?” And there was no doubt in her response: “I would like to be a church health consultant.” That same day, she walked into training at the BUV where she was volunteering and was told of a job opening. Since 2014, she has filled the role of church health consultant. 

The path to this point has had many bends in the road. Without the typical pattern to follow, Christine has challenged negative culture and limiting expectations within the church. In her struggle and formation, she is quick to acknowledge the role of mentors. There have been many women who have called out gifts and encouraged her to stop emulating others and be who God created her to be. And while some in ministry have not encouraged her, there have been men in leadership who have provided insight into her gifting and capacity. Christine places a high value on mentoring – those who will call out gifts, recognize capacity and create opportunities.

For those who face an unclear path, with gifts or capacities that seem to be unusual, Christine’s pursuit of God offers great encouragement. The path that is unclear and the road with unknown bends offers the hard-won opportunity to know one’s identity that reaches beyond a role.

Christine Wanstall is a Church Health Consultant for the Baptist Union of Victoria. She is a trained Social Worker (Bachelor of Social Work) with over 22 years of experience working in Child Protection, Hospitals and Local Government settings. Christine is also a 2020 Ordinand. 

Baptist, News

Empowering Young Leaders

Empowering other leaders will be the focus of Bendigo Baptist Church’s new Youth Ministry Worker, and lifelong church member, Jacqui Naunton. BUV sat down with Jacqui last month at one of Bendigo best cafes, The Anxious Goat, to share in her enthusiasm for young people, leadership, and empowering others.

From early on in her life, Jacqui has taken on leadership roles: “I started out as a youth leader when I was still a young person myself.” In fact, Jacqui Naunton’s journey to paid ministry is a testament to Bendigo Baptist’s commitment to young people through the years. Not only was she effectively mentored into leadership at a young age, but the young women she mentored through their teens are now leaders in the youth ministry that she heads up. Her drive to create and inspire also expresses itself through her graphic design business, White Deer.

Jacqui moves into her role at a time of many challenges for Christianity, and questions about the shape church-based youth ministry should take. Jacqui says, “I think one of the main challenges, even with our mainly Christian young people, is to be wise about what lines to draw between Christian faith, and the voices in the world. And even though I’m not that old, the world has changed drastically for young people since I was young. I really need to learn from them about their experience of faith in the world.”

Another challenge is that of being a younger leader, and female: “All of the pastors at the church are male, and though they are a great team, I do sometimes wonder ‘Why should they listen to me?’ On the other hand, in comparison to the youth leaders, I feel like an ‘older leader’ with a lot more confidence that I used to have.”

However, despite those challenges, Jacqui thinks that Bendigo Baptist’s youth ministry has a secret weapon. She speaks enthusiastically of their committed leadership team: “We have a large number of volunteer youth leaders, some of whom have been around for 5 years or more. That is an awesome resource.” She sees her role as inspiring, supporting and equipping those leaders to do their work well, rather than doing it all herself. And that empowering mentality applies to the church’s young people as well: “I see my role as helping young people to be witnesses to their friends through teaching them to be vulnerable and honest about their faith.”