Is this our most isolated youth group?

Norfolk Island is famously the easternmost outpost of the Diocese of Sydney – a jagged emerald of only 35 square kilometres that's closer to New Zealand than mainland Australia.

While technically part of the South Sydney Region (an irony not lost on those more familiar with Redfern than the reef), its Christian heritage is as deep as its volcanic soil and reaches back to its founding.

For generations, locals and legions of tourists have found fellowship within the historic walls of All Saints' and the iconic St Barnabas' Chapel. But today, the most exciting story isn't found in the past but the future – Norfolk Island's youth group.

"On our small island, in the middle of the Pacific, we are now seeing an average of 40 young people coming along each week,"

says the Rev Laurie Carleton, the Anglican chaplain and senior minister on Norfolk. Just four years ago, the island's youth ministry was struggling to keep its head above water. The "UNIT Youth" group – a combined churches initiative – numbered just seven members.

"It was a group that had huge behavioural issues and even problems with alcohol,"

Mr Carleton says.

Supported by the Bush Church Aid Society (BCA), Mr Carleton, his wife Bec and their three children serve a total population of just over 2000 people. On such a small island, the struggles of the youth are felt by everyone.

Then, something shifted.

"In 2023, the group dynamics began to change," he says. "It became a place where young people became actively involved with the good news of Jesus in new and unique ways. The group began to grow, slowly, while it continued to be a place that was unashamedly Christian. We were seeing the impact of Jesus changing lives."

This is all happening in a community some 1400 kilometres off the coast of Australia, but Mr Carleton says God is at work.

"By 2025 we were averaging 16 young people each week, and the group was such an encouragement and joy to be a part of."

This Norfolk Island mini-revival has continued, so much so that this year he calls it "truly amazing" that more than three dozen youth attend each week.

"We are having to deal with the challenges that come with running a much larger group with our limited resources. But these young people want to come along each and every week and the group has now become a major outreach opportunity among the youth of Norfolk Island."

There is a staffing problem in addition to a shortage of resources. A position is available for a part-time combined churches youth and children's minister but it has been vacant for three out of the past four years.

"Now we are in even greater need to fill this position as God continues to grow this ministry," Mr Carleton says. "We are hoping that someone might hear this story, be encouraged and called to come and serve God on a small island where the good news of Jesus is doing amazing things."

On this small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the youth group is certainly the most isolated in the Diocese – perhaps in the world. But Mr Carleton hopes it is not forgotten.