One of the greatest challenges in youth and children's ministry is making connections. We try to connect younger people with older leaders. We try and connect interested school students with local churches. But above all, we try hard to make any connection possible between believers and unbelievers, so that we might see more people come under the lordship of Christ.

One of the most exciting connecting strategies in our Diocese is the school camping ministry run by Youthworks, in partnership with independent and government schools around NSW. I have long been aware of the fact that each year we minister to over 18,000 children and youth as part of our "Horizon' school program. But only in my new role as Director of Youthworks Camping have I seen first-hand just how valuable and effective this ministry is in connecting the gospel with school kids.

The way the ministry works is that at the start of the day, school students are given a one-hour "Christian Discovery' session. A typical program includes a combination of age-specific Bible teaching, coupled with great skits and other activities that help present the message. Each session finishes with small groups, in which the students have an opportunity to ask questions and share their views with the leaders.

On one level, this is exactly what you would expect to happen at a typical school SRE scripture seminar. However, where Horizon has a unique advantage is that the team of camping instructors who deliver the one-hour gospel presentation are also the same instructors that lead the students in the outdoor activities throughout the day and night.
So, when a student is waiting to descend a cliff with abseiling, or walking to the archery range, or getting ready to jump in a canoe, the opportunities for gospel discussions abound.

What's more, since the Youthworks instructors are the ones running the camp, they gain the authority and respect of the kids in a surprisingly short amount of time. And in the same way the kids obey their instructions about safe outdoor recreation, they also listen carefully to what they say about God.

Yet, it goes even further than that.

Due to the fact that the outdoor activities are designed to move students from their comfort zone by challenging them to overcome their fears and to achieve new milestones, it is an ideal forum for students to seriously reflect on issues of trust and belief. As we take them to a different place physically and emotionally, we can also lead them to a new place spiritually.

The Horizon program is a remarkable way to connect with school students, and this is reflected in the many stories I hear from my staff as they finish each week's camping ministry. Nearly every week we learn of kids who want to become Christians. This ministry is remarkable!

One particular story that I recall was about a student who attended one of our Horizon camps, and as a result of hearing the gospel, decided to become a Christian. When he asked what he should next do, he was encouraged to join a church, which he did. And, not only did he start attending regularly, he brought his family along with him. I understand the whole family now regularly attends an Anglican church in Sydney and are growing in their faith.

This is a remarkable connection. And it is only one of many such great stories of the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who hear the Word of God. It is also an example of the unique combination of outdoor education and Christian ministry that is happening every week to make great connections amongst the people in the region of our Diocese.

Jodie McNeill is the Director of Youthworks Camping and Conferencing. To find out more about the Horizon program, visit the Horizon Program web site.