For 17 years now, Year 13 students have flown to Fiji to partner with and learn from God’s people in the South Pacific. On July 2, they will fly out to the islands with their largest cohort of students in the gap year’s history.

Students spent a week in May dedicated to crosscultural training in preparation for the upcoming trip. The four-day training camp consisted of cultural and theological workshops, cultural experiences, language lessons, and a healthy dose of team games and good fun, helping students bond and leaving them feeling pumped.

“The trip to Fiji, I’m so keen about!” says Laura McManus, a Year 13 student from St Mark’s, Sadleir. “I would love to see how God’s been working in a different country, and just seeing how their faith grows and learning from them.”

The trip is an integral part of the Year 13 experience. It allows students to serve as cross-cultural missionaries and to learn from their Fijian hosts and the broader church in Fiji. Students will be split into two groups: one will visit the villages and churches that Year 13 have visited during past years on the Coral Coast, while the other will head to Suva and a northern island.

“We are directed by the Fijian church as to what the shape of the trip looks like,” says the Rev Steve Carlisle, director of Year 13. “We go as their guests and partner with them. We work with them and want them to promote the ministry. It is wonderful to see the growth of the ministry there and their generosity towards us.”

Luka Ford, a student from St John’s, Sutherland, hopes the trip will foster a deep maturity in his faith.

“I am feeling excited about Fiji, and a little bit nervous. I’m excited to see how I might be challenged in my reliance on God but also nervous for the difference in culture and getting along with people there. I hope to grow [in] my reliance on God and also my reliance on prayer.”

At the Fiji trip launch on 16 May, Year 13 director the Rev Steve Carlisle shared his joy at leading this year’s group of students.

“And genuinely, I have been able to say with great joy, ‘God is very kind. The students are great!’

“I am praying they would grow in prayerful dependence on God as they are challenged to serve him away from home for a long period of time and in a new context. I pray they would learn to trust God amidst new and different challenges in a context unfamiliar to them.”

Pray for Year 13 students

Laura McManus, Sadleir 

Pray the trip will help Laura consider whether long-term overseas mission might be a future path for her. Pray as she learns how to serve in a different cultural context. 

Zoe Wood, Crosslight Peakhurst and Mortdale

Pray Zoe will be able to see God’s hand at work among the Fijian people, and learn from the differences and similarities she observes. 

Luka Ford, Sutherland 

Pray God would use this trip to teach Luka dependence on the Lord and on prayer. 

Lucy Abbott, Turramurra

Pray the trip provides Lucy with growth in evangelism and people skills, so she can more effectively share the gospel.

Harry Xie, Gosford Presbyterian 

Pray as Harry gets to know the people and culture, and that being pushed outside his comfort zone will help him think deeply about a life of missionary work. 

Evie Middleton, Miranda 

Pray for Evie’s growth in ministry skills and in confidence sharing the gospel with people. 

Jemima Ferres, Dubbo Presbyterian

Pray that through observing Fijian culture and ministry, Jemima’s ministry skills will be grown and she will be more effective in ministry in Australia.