Two years ago Adam wandered into Tambar Springs Kids Club and committed himself to Christ; now he attends church without friends or family every chance he gets, even though services are often only once every three weeks.

Not bad for a kid in fourth class.

Adam is just one reason why Sydney Anglicans from St James, Croyden have kept coming back to Tambar Springs for the past nine years to run a week-long holiday mission for the tiny New South Wales town.

"This mission is the one real event each year that provides Adam with teaching for his level and, importantly, fellowship that encourages him to continue to trust Jesus," says team leader Prashanth Colombage.

"There is no youth group at Tambar and the nearest one is an hour away by car. Because he comes from a non-Christian family and he is the only one in his age group who would want to go to youth group, there is no way he can get there."

Each year a team of young adults from St James heads to the Anglican Diocese of Armidale to help fill the gaps for the small village which lies some 70 kilometres south-west of Gunnedah.

According to the rector of the local St Mark's Anglican Church the population as given on the Welcome to Tambar Springs board is 103.

"I think someone must have counted kangaroos and galahs as well," the Rev John Chalker says.

Ministry resources are stretched thin, with weekly church services alternating between three towns, Tambar Springs, Mullaley and Premer.

This year's mission, which ended last Friday, represented a significant spiritual boost for children like Adam.

The Tambar Springs Kids' Club ran daily from 9.00am to 12.00 noon for five days, catering for children from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Mission time included a wide variety of dramas, Bible teaching, singing, craft and games.

"Adam flourished during the week and you could see him absorb God’s word like a sponge," says Mr Colombage.

"He would be able to repeat all the memory verses and talks to you - that’s right, even the talks! We continue to pray for Adam that he will find continual encouragement in his faith."

Support makes mission possible

Mr Colombage’s testimony perfectly illustrates how a resource-rich diocese like Sydney can help Australian Christians struggling against a range of social and economic realities.

"Numbers wise we were down a bit. Last year we had 72, this year only 56. But that has more to do with the state of the country and the drought than anything else," he says.

"The St James team is essential to the mission because it provides the finances, the workforce,  and the planning. But prayer, advertising and follow-up are shared between St James and the Tambar Church."

The 17 St James team members also ensured they were not a financial burden for the rural region by bringing their own food and supplying all materials for the mission.

But both visitors and locals participate in and benefit from the ministry venture.

"The Tambar church put on a bush dance during the week to try and brings some more kids in and that certainly helped. They also provided accommodation for the team and took us out on a number of farm tours," Mr Colombage says.

And the bonds formed aren't broken at the end of the week.

"I also try to organise for the older teenagers to visit our church in summer to lead at our Kids Club. This year's Croydon Kids Club will be from 14-19 January 2007 at our church site."