Ben Carter’s eyes are fixed firmly on church planting amongst drug dependent Americans in Branson, Missouri. But the long-term goal is mission work in Sydney.
Ben, who attends the Multicultural Bible Ministry (MBM) at Rooty Hill Anglican Church, is one of five students from around Australia who have signed up to Church Army's ‘Global Gap’ year program for budding missional leaders.
They are currently completing a 14-week pilot program at the Church Army base in the Blue Mountains village of Lawson.
"Students will finish ‘Global Gap’ with a Certificate IV in Ministry, but most importantly will have experienced a taste of missionary discipleship," says Church Army National Director, Tim Scheuer.
"We want to help raise up a generation of young men and women who will be able to turn the world upside down,” says Tim.
“Regardless of what participants do after ‘Global Gap’ we want them to be equipped to be effective missionaries within their context; be it uni, a trade, profession or a stay at home mum. Some of our graduates may go on to full-time ministry and/or further training but all of them will have had a taste of something that won't quickly fade."
Big challenge for a Sydney boy who felt like an outsider
Ben, who is in his early twenties, says he is excited that he will be working with a church set up specifically to reach people with drug and alcohol dependency.
It is a big challenge, he says, but adds that he has been well prepared during the three month residential training course.
"They have taught us how to share the gospel in a language that is relevant. As Paul said, we should be all things to all people to win a few,” Ben says.
"I have a real passion to share the gospel with people who feel like outsiders. I felt like that in the past and I know the joy of being accepted of God. Now I want to share that joy with others."
Yet Ben says he was previously unsure how to go about it.
"How do I let them know about the joy I have found in Christ without them thinking they've been Bible-bashed?"
"I could see there were a lot of people around Mt Druitt who wouldn't feel comfortable coming to church," he says.
"I know a lot of people who would never go to church " people I went to school with."
Ben says his family are very excited that he is heading off to America.
"They love that I am learning how to evangelise. My dad is a prison chaplain and has a passion for it. I think I get that from him."
And Ben now sees his long-term future in ministry.
"God is opening up some big doors here in the [Blue] Mountains for ministry to people outside church life," he says. "I definitely want to go on and do further ministry training."
