Almost 500 people took part in the Scripture Union Family Missions (SUFM) training day last Saturday, Scripture Union's biggest training event in almost 20 years.
The 360º Training Day seeks to equip SUFM volunteers with the skills they need for participating in the summer missions, and provide them with an opportunity to meet the other volunteers serving throughout NSW.
SUFM volunteer and children's entertainer Colin Buchanan shared his special experience of mission life.
Reflecting on the way volunteers share the good news message at the centre of the SUFM ministry, Colin encouraged them to "declare it and live it and breathe it and explain it and defend it and discuss it and enjoy it in their presence".
A diverse range of over 30 workshops were held and Scripture Union Marketing Director Justin Kendall says this year 360º had a focus on creative communication of the gospel message, particularly to "Gen-Y'.
"A large sector of the people on our teams are Gen-Y, as are many of the young people we are trying to reach, so it was important for us to address that in the planning for 360," he says.
Mr Kendall says that almost 2500 volunteers are expected to be a part of the 52 mission teams running throughout NSW this summer, starting on Boxing Day. This includes two new mission teams at Summerland near Lake Macquarie and Corrimal Beach.
"We have plans to further grow the ministry with more teams planted in the coming year, but a lot of ground work goes in to starting a new mission, so to get two started this year is great," he says.
"People can still sign up to serve on a mission team this summer," Justin says, "but to get the most out of the team experience and get trained there's no better time than now."
Mr Kendall acknowledges that being part of an SUFM team is a unique challenge.
"It's a confronting experience to share your faith with people, which makes training, support and plenty of prayer so important," he admits.
"But it's an amazing way for volunteers to stretch and strengthen their faith and to reach someone who might never otherwise hear the gospel."
Mr Kendall says the mission teams aren't merely doing cold contact evangelism to holidaymakers. Rather, team members focus on building relationships, often over many summers.
"The majority of team members stick with their team like family and build on what they started the year or years before. We're not just proclaiming the gospel and then running off and hoping for the best."
For more details visit the Scripture Union NSW website.
