In major step forward for Maroubra Surfers Church (MSC), the innovative mission is becoming the latest base for the worldwide Church Army Global GAP year program.
MSC are now ready to take Church Army ministry students from the programs in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
This development has been made possible thanks to the generous provision of accommodation by a supporter from the wider Christian community in the Eastern Suburbs.
In the cover feature in the current print edition of Southern Cross, the Rev Steve Bligh from MSC explains they have an urgent need for female Christian leadership.
Lack of accommodation in Maroubra had made it difficult to recruit an appropriate leader.
Now Steve believes that the GAP Year program may provide the female leadership he has been praying for.
“Over the past nine months I have to say ‘no’ to Church Army Gap Year students from England and other parts of Australia,” he says. “With the provision of ministry training accommodation we will be able to support two students at a time.”
"Not only will the students help out with the mission here at Maroubra," says Steve, the program will be boost to MSC's "ministry dynamic'.
"It will keep us in the training momentum - coaching, mentoring, discipling " which is key to raising up the next generation of leaders here."
The accommodation is also likely to see the Surfers Church model replicated around Australia.
Steve has already accepted a request from an evangelical Anglican Church on the North Coast of NSW to send a minister to Maroubra to work alongside Steve.
“They hope to learn from me and take the model back to the north coast.”
Celebration dinner
The accommodation offer came after MSC's Celebration Dinner at Maroubra Seals Club on March 29.
"It was a good shot in the arm for our fundraising," says Steve.
MSC is aiming to employ a part-time ministry worker to support Steve next year.
There was strong support from the wider Sydney Anglican family at the dinner, with half a dozen tables bought by parishes including St John’s, Maroubra, St George North Anglican Church, St Andrew’s, San Souci, and St John’s, North Ryde.
Of the 100 seats sold, three quarters were bought by people outside Surfers Church.
These included people from the local surfer community, as well as the mayor of Randwick city council and local councillors.
Steve used the opportunity to plug his dream of a beach-side community centre to the councillors.
Community Centre
Maroubra Surfers Church does not rent, own or even use any one sheltered meeting place. They meet in the street, on the beach, under public summer sheds, in homes, and at a local cafe as necessity and weather dictates.
“We generally want to meet where our community gathers and where we can easily access each other,” explains Steve.
However, as winter approaches the difficulties of running Sunday morning "Grom church' on the beach intensify for Steve.
There has been some serious talk of establishing a community centre - housing a gym, surfboard storage and emergency accommodation - with Government already sounded out for support.
Outside financial backing is required.
“It would be used as an open community centre, managed by us, that our surfing community could use and have a sense of belonging,” explains Steve.
The bottom line is that any such centre must be located in the ‘hotspot’ of Maroubra Beach and be used in addition to the existing meeting places.
“In principle, I think it is helpful to make use of a range of meeting places in order to promote flexibility in our mission dynamics,” says Steve. “I do not want to see the mission shaped by the buildings. Rather, I want the buildings to flexibly support and enhance the mission relationships.”
