A new outreach into West Wollongong's housing commission community has been launched by the parish of St Mark's.
What began as part of a "40 days of Community' program the church participated in at the beginning of 2007 has evolved into a visitation ministry called "TAJ', an acronym for "Thinking About Jesus'.
After holding several outreach barbeques once every four months during 2007 and early 2008, parishioner Shane Brownlee has sought to build upon this ministry.
TAJ commenced as a weekly outreach ministry at the end of July and is held in a centrally located parkland area of the Myuna Way circuit within the West Wollongong housing commission precinct.
The church provides an afternoon tea with assorted nibbles and hot drinks as well as the tables and chairs.
"We seek to engage any residents who come down in informal conversation as they have a cuppa and build relationships through these conversations," Mr Brownlee says.
"Within one kilometre of our Church there are over 250 housing commission dwellings. Very few of those residents are attending our or other churches, or have any meaningful Christian contact."
There is a team of six West Wollongong members committed to the ministry and Mr Brownlee says he sees TAJ as fulfilling the "The Great Commission'.
"I believe that Christians should look to "take' the message to the people rather than expecting the people to "come' to the message by attending church to hear it," he says.
Mr Brownlee says the team hopes to engage residents in informal conversation in order to build relationship and familiarity, rather than intentionally structuring conversations with the goal of sharing the gospel.
"We pray for opportunities in these conversations for residents to ask us questions about our lives and our faith in Jesus. In such instances, we are then more than willing to share.
Residents who come to TAJ are invited to attend the 5:45pm service at St Mark's," he says.
"A few residents have done this already, and we have had one recommitment to Christ as a result."
Mr Brownlee's hope for the future of TAJ is that the numbers of people attending TAJ will grow to the extent that it becomes viable as a stand-alone church.
"It is planned for TAJ to become more evangelism focused in coming months through TAJ members sharing their testimonies and through me giving short Bible talks on topics the residents can relate to," Mr Brownlee says.
"I would love to see TAJ grow so St Mark's could hold an informal church service off-site from church property that caters for TAJ attendees who might be reluctant to attend a formal service in a church building."
Loving Menai
Youthworks College first year student and St Paul's, Menai youth leader Simon Owen started Love Menai in January 2006. It is an evangelistic ministry seeking to love and serve people in the community through actions and is tying in with the parish’s Connect09 efforts.
How it started: "I was convicted of Love Menai when driving home from youth group on a Friday night or Church on a Saturday night. I would see many young people wondering aimlessly in the streets. I felt sad for them because they seemed to lack meaning and purpose to their lives. I thought, how can we do more as a Church to connect with these youth?" Simon says.
How it works: There is a Love Menai Team of 10 people aged from 18 to 65 that meet fortnightly to plan, organise and review events.
Members of the church and youth group are encouraged to participate in running events. The first Love Menai Day was a BBQ where parishioners helped organise activities and games and built relationships by having conversations with people such as families in the park and teens at the skate ramp.
"During the winter months we have made approximately 10 visits to local elderly hostels which include singing, drama, a talk, and chatting with the residents. We have also gotten involved with existing community events such as Clean up Australia and sometimes do backyard blitzes in people's homes if they have a need or situation we can meet," Simon says.
How it helps: "For some of our youth their first church experience has been up at Menai Park where they have connected with a Christian and been invited back to church or youth group.
"When we did clean up Australia Day, one man was so impressed with the job we had done; he went to church the following day, despite not being in years."
